Monday, January 31, 2011

A brief glimpse of Nokia's popularity outside the Western world

It's easy to forget just how different the customs of other nations are. While Americans carry dogs around in handbags, Koreans eat them. In England, we gurn; and in Spain, they throw tomatoes. We're a world of completely disparate customs -- yet somehow we can't fathom that Nokia and the Symbian OS could be ahead of Apple and Google in the smartphone market.

It's really quite crazy. It's like everyone is just ignoring that huge, 40% slice of the pie that says "SYMBIAN." Seriously, if you read more than one or two tech blogs, you're led to believe that the iPhone dominates the smartphone market, with Android pulling ahead, or nipping at its heels, depending on which statistics you read. Who uses a BlackBerry, anyway? And Nokia... Nokia... hmm... that name rings a bell...

Now, take a look at China, which now has over 400,000,000 users on the Internet. As of June 2010, it also has 277,000,000 mobile Internet users, and almost all of those are Nokia/Symbian OS users. The chart above comes from a recent study by iResearch, and it shows that 65% of mobile Internet users visit the Nokia OVI store, and 58% visit the China Mobile-operated Mobile Market.

The point I'm trying to make is that, if you look beyond the continual PR orgies that Android and iOS enjoy, the world view is very different. If you look beyond your normal news sources, beyond your comfort zone and national borders, you will see that Nokia is a very serious contender indeed.

A brief glimpse of Nokia's popularity outside the Western world originally appeared on Download Squad on Thu, 20 Jan 2011 06:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Source: http://downloadsquad.switched.com/2011/01/20/a-brief-glimpse-of-nokias-popularity-outside-the-western-world/

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Hands-on: Gentle Alarm for Android is a beautiful way to wake up

gentlealarm
When I listed Gentle Alarm as one of my top Android apps, I promised a more in-depth review -- and here it is! Here are the key features of the app that's been (successfully!) waking me up every morning for the past several weeks.

Profiles

One of the best concepts in Gentle Alarm is that not all alarms are exactly alike. The Profiles screen lets you set up individual alarm "types". As you can see, each profile has its own complete set of options: You can select whether or not you'd like to have a pre-alarm (more on these later), the duration of the alarm, the initial and final volume, the alarm tone (or MP3 tune), and more.

Continue reading Hands-on: Gentle Alarm for Android is a beautiful way to wake up

Hands-on: Gentle Alarm for Android is a beautiful way to wake up originally appeared on Download Squad on Fri, 07 Jan 2011 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Source: http://downloadsquad.switched.com/2011/01/07/hands-on-gentle-alarm-for-android-is-a-beautiful-way-to-wake-up/

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Adobe Photoshop Express for iOS now supports Retina Display, multitasking, better workflow

With an update to version 1.5, Photoshop Express for iOS now supports the iPhone and iPod touch's Retina Display, and iOS 4.2's multitasking. The app is free to download, as always.

The app received a few other neat updates, too. You can now shoot continuously from inside the app, making action photography a whole lot easier. Uploading to Photoshop.com and Facebook is also much improved: with multitasking now enabled, you can queue some uploads, and then get straight back to taking photos.

The press release that we received, incidentally, cites "millions of iOS-based users" -- so this should be a very well-received update indeed!

Adobe Photoshop Express for iOS now supports Retina Display, multitasking, better workflow originally appeared on Download Squad on Tue, 25 Jan 2011 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Source: http://downloadsquad.switched.com/2011/01/25/adobe-photoshop-express-for-ios-now-supports-retina-display-multitasking-workflow/

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Kongregate's Snake is an utterly classic low-fi Time Waster

snake
If you're looking for a groundbreaking time-waster, something you've never ever played before, a new concept in gaming - this post is not for you. But if you enjoy the odd bit of classic retro gaming, Kongregate's bare-bones implementation of Snake might be right up your alley.

What is there to say, really? You're a snake. I mean, you start life as a single chunky pixel, but as soon as you eat the red pixel, you grow. And then another pixel appears, you eat it, and grow some more.

If you've ever owned a Nokia phone, chances are it came with Snake built-in. The newer phones (even the crappier S60 models) come with a souped-up version of Snake, all 3d-looking, with the snake eating actual apples. This version is much more reminiscent of the older Snake version, which was strictly 2d. It doesn't have any sound effects, but it's super responsive, and very addictive. The reason for the low score on the screenshot isn't that I didn't play - it's that I played and played and played, each time thinking "this will be the one!" until I eventually realized if I don't take the screenshot and write it up now, I'll just end up playing all evening long. So there. Now, how much did you score?

Kongregate's Snake is an utterly classic low-fi Time Waster originally appeared on Download Squad on Thu, 06 Jan 2011 15:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Source: http://downloadsquad.switched.com/2011/01/06/kongregates-snake-is-an-utterly-classic-low-fi-time-waster/

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How to change Android keyboards or input methods

android
This week's tips series is all about Android, highlighting some the operating system's built-in utilities, and better ways of getting stuff done. For other technology tips, check our Tips index.

When I first started using my Android devices, one of the most frustrating things I had to figure out was how to switch keyboards, or input methods. I don't just mean input languages, but switch to a completely different keyboard, such as Swype.

Well, it turns out it's a two-step process:

1) First you have to enable the keyboard (or "input method"). You do this by going to Settings > Language & keyboard and checking the box next to the keyboard's name. Android will make sure you know what you're doing, and once you confirm, it will enable the keyboard.

2) Next, go to any text field (for instance, start composing a new text message or email) and long-press the text-field. You will get a pop-up with all sorts of actions, one of which would say Input method. Press that, and you'll get the long list you can see in the screenshot. From here it's just a matter of tapping the name of the keyboard you want, and then merrily typing along.

How to change Android keyboards or input methods originally appeared on Download Squad on Tue, 25 Jan 2011 10:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Source: http://downloadsquad.switched.com/2011/01/25/how-to-change-android-keyboards-or-input-methods/

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Official FIM 2011 Provisional MotoGP Rider List - Not So Provisional At All

Below is the "provisional" MotoGP entry list issued by the FIM. Given the cost and complexity of a MotoGP entry, it should be regarded as anything but provisional, as all of the names are confirmed, and no new entries are expected, despite rumors that other manufacturers may make a surprise return.

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Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/MotoGPMatters/~3/Y6LY7twyzsM/official_fim_2011_provisional_motogp_rid.html

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2011 WSBK Portimao Test Friday Session 2 Times: Little Change In Tricky Session

The weather conditions were once again the main protagonist on the final day of testing for the World Superbike class at Portimao, with few riders managing to improve their times from the morning session. Only Noriyuki Haga and Eugene Laverty made any significant progress, moving up into 3rd and 4th respectively in the combined times from both of Friday's sessions. 

The World Superbike riders now turn their sights towards Australia, and the opening round of the WSBK season at Phillip Island. Before that, though, there is a final test at the Australian track, to prepare for battle to commence in earnest.

Results: 

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Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/MotoGPMatters/~3/i25dDSl0M44/2011_wsbk_portimao_test_friday_session_2.html

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Firefox 4 beta 10 now available, fixes 500 bugs and nears completion

Just a few days after the release of beta 9, there is a new build to sink your teeth into. Beta 10 has no new features -- it simply squashes about 500 bugs, thus improving stability across Windows, Mac and Linux platforms. The fix that halved Firefox's start-up time sadly didn't make it into the new beta build.

If all goes to plan, beta 11 should be released in the next week, with the first release candidate rolling out in early- or mid-February. Firefox 4 final may actually launch before March!

Again, if you haven't played with Firefox 4 yet, now's the time to give it a go. We even have a guide that walks you through each of Firefox 4's new features.

Firefox 4 beta 10 now available, fixes 500 bugs and nears completion originally appeared on Download Squad on Wed, 26 Jan 2011 09:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Source: http://downloadsquad.switched.com/2011/01/26/firefox-4-beta-10-now-available-fixes-500-bugs-and-nears-completion/

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Laguna 2009 tipping contest prizes

Thanks to all our competitors last week - it was a week that was particularly scare on points with Dani Pedrosa hardly featuring in the picks - only four of you had him on the podium at all, and only @rumblestrip as high as second. Elsewhere, he was mentioned but generally only as a crash [...]

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/motogpblog/postfeed/~3/VDuS1uH2ifU/1094

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UK Testing ?Saferider? Motorcycle Safety Driving Aids

Our former-overlords from across the pond have begun a new study on installing driving aids to motorcycles that would increase the safety of riding on two-wheels. In the research that is being carried out at Mira (formerly the Motor Industry Research Association), the UK is studying whether having devices that alert the rider to speed limits, road conditions, tightness on road bends, and possibly even collisions with other vehicles (not unlike the system currently being ...

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/AsphaltandRubber/~3/m9X15ztwFUA/

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2011 WSS Portimao Test Wednesday Session 1 Times: David Salom The Early Leader

Results: 

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Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/MotoGPMatters/~3/zLLH1mXW_wM/2011_wss_portimao_test_wednesday_session.html

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Kongregate Arcade pulled from the Android Market for violating terms

While it might be packed with casual gaming fun, Kongregate Arcade for Android also violates Google's terms and conditions for distributing apps in the Android Market. Our brothers at Joystiq got word that Arcade was pulled because an app isn't allowed to distribute other apps. Sure, the game devs could repackage their Flash games and post them to the Market individually, but Kongregate's one-stop solution just didn't pass muster with Google.

You can still download Kongregate Arcade from the source. You'll need to flip the Unknown sources switch on your Android device under Settings > Applications, then download the .APK.

Kongregate Arcade pulled from the Android Market for violating terms originally appeared on Download Squad on Wed, 19 Jan 2011 10:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Source: http://downloadsquad.switched.com/2011/01/19/kongregate-arcade-pulled-from-the-android-market-for-violating-terms/

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2011 WSBK Portimao Test Wednesday Session 1 Times: Rea Starts Out On Top

The World Superbike machines are back on track after a long winter lay-off, at the first day of the official WSBK test at Portimao. Fastest man on track on Wednesday morning was Castrol Honda's Johnny Rea, the Ulsterman taking an early lead and not relinquishing it. The margin of his lead was cut drastically: Rea had over a second and a half early in the session, but by the time the checkered flag fell, Liberty Ducati's Jakub Smrz had cut that back to under six hundredths of a second. 

Reigning World Champion Max Biaggi was also back on form, setting the third fastest time of the session, a third of a second behind Rea, and over four tenths faster than lone Suzuki rider Michel Fabrizio. The Kawasaki made good on its off-season promise, Tom Sykes setting the 5th fastest time ahead of Rea's Castrol Honda teammate Ruben Xaus and Pata Aprilia's Nori Haga. Haga in turn was faster than the second factory Aprilia of Leon Camier, the young Briton ending over 1.1 seconds behind Rea.

The most disappointing of the debuts were for the Yamahas, with Eugene Laverty and Marco Melandri finishing near or at the very bottom of the pile. Laverty was 1.8 seconds off Rea, while MotoGP refugee ended the day over two and a half seconds behind the Ulsterman, though in the Italian's defense, this is Melandri's first visit to the stunning Portuguese circuit.

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Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/MotoGPMatters/~3/Y4as-Z1gHJg/2011_wsbk_portimao_test_wednesday_sessio.html

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iPad Live podcast tonight with Bjango?s Marc Edwards! Come chat!

Click to go live! iPad Live hits the air tonight with Georgia, Chad and Rene joined by superstar iOS designer and developer Marc Edwards of Bjango so you know you won’t want to miss it! 9pm ET, 6pm PT, 2am GMT http://www.tipb.com/live/ If you have any questions or topics you’d like us to discuss, just leave them in the comments [...]

iPad Live podcast tonight with Bjango’s Marc Edwards! Come chat! is a story by TiPb. This feed is sponsored by The iPhone Blog Store.

TiPb - The #1 iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch Blog

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/TheIphoneBlog/~3/LevVMR5aQPQ/

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