| Google Currents app updated with international support, offline reading Apr 11th 2012, 21:06 Folks in the US have been able to use the Google Currents app to read various websites (including this one) with more of a magazine-style layout since late last year, and now those outside the country can finally get in on the act as well. Google has today rolled out version 1.1 of the app for Android and iOS, which makes the service available worldwide with support for 44 languages, and adds a number of other improvements including offline reading, instant online sync, translation for 38 languages and a promised 7X performance boost. As before, the app is completely free, and adapts the layout to suit both phones and tablets. Google Currents app updated with international support, offline reading originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 11 Apr 2012 17:06:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink |  Google Mobile Blog, Google Play, iTunes | Email this | Comments | | Huawei Ascend G 300 coming to Vodafone UK on April 13th Apr 11th 2012, 20:49 We've laid our eyes (and hands) on the Ascend G 300 a pair of times, first while it was sneaking past the FCC, then shortly after that when we took it for a quick spin at MWC in Barcelona. Now, Huawei's Gingerbread handset is prepping to land in the UK on Friday the 13th, being available exclusively at Vodafone. Just as we predicted, the device won't be much of a burden on anyone's wallet, with the carrier pricing it at £100 (around $160) on PAYG (£10 top-up minimum) or gratis on £15.50, two-year plans. Unfortunately, the G 300 won't have Ice Cream Sandwich on board at launch, but Vodafone says the 4.0 update will be coming later this summer. Good enough for you? The source link below lets you register to be one of the first to know when this 4-inch Ascend is up for grabs. Continue reading Huawei Ascend G 300 coming to Vodafone UK on April 13th Huawei Ascend G 300 coming to Vodafone UK on April 13th originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 11 Apr 2012 16:49:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Vodafone | Email this | Comments | | Android devs: if you can't use your app with your eyes closed, open them and read this Apr 11th 2012, 20:24 Google's doing a lot to bolster its Android developers guide at the moment, with fresh design tips we covered yesterday and then a new section on accessibility arriving shortly after. The latter provides a bunch of suggestions on things like minimum button size (48dp or around 9mm), and also explains how to make use of free components like TalkBack, which gives a spoken description of an app's UI, and Eyes-Free Keyboard, which many users find easier than regular touch-to-click. These stock services work best with apps that have been designed with them in mind, so if we were presumptuous enough to command all devs to look at the source link, then we probably would. (Do it. Do it.) Continue reading Android devs: if you can't use your app with your eyes closed, open them and read this Android devs: if you can't use your app with your eyes closed, open them and read this originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 11 Apr 2012 16:24:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Android Developers | Email this | Comments | | Insert Coin: Berlin Boombox recyclable cardboard stereo (video) Apr 11th 2012, 20:00 In Insert Coin, we look at an exciting new tech project that requires funding before it can hit production. If you'd like to pitch a project, please send us a tip with "Insert Coin" as the subject line.  It's been years since we've spotted a proper handle-sporting boombox on this side of the equator (in public, at least), but we're decidedly impressed with this unique Kickstarter creation, dubbed the Berlin Boombox. Constructed nearly entirely of cardboard, save for some metal- and plastic-based essentials, the speaker rig ships disassembled in a flat cardboard box. Getting the Boombox up and running shouldn't require much effort, however -- the designer states that you won't need any tools during the quick assembly process. After you're done, you can connect the setup to any source with a 3.5mm headphone jack, then control volume with the large aluminum power/volume knob. The Berlin Boombox also ships with four AA batteries, though it's not clear how many hours of music you'll be able to pipe through the speakers with that initial set of cells. We also can't speak to sound quality, though there is a free custom sound profile available for iOS devices -- audio "will be remastered in real-time to use the full potential of the Berlin Boombox." You can pre-order your own with a $50 pledge, saving you 9 bucks off the estimated retail price. There's also a "limited edition" two-tone box, available with a $100 pledge, while $250 will net you a custom-designed model, which can also be paired with a dinner and tour of Berlin with the inventor if you're willing to fork over $500 or more. There's just shy of two weeks left during the funding period -- you'll need to provide that financial support before noon on April 25th. The project is on track to meet its $14,000 funding goal, however, so it's fairly safe to say that you'll be able to snag one of these cardboard contraptions even if you aren't ready to take the plunge just yet. Jump past the break to see the Berlin Boombox in action, and to catch up with our last Insert Coin project: The PowerPot. Continue reading Insert Coin: Berlin Boombox recyclable cardboard stereo (video) Insert Coin: Berlin Boombox recyclable cardboard stereo (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 11 Apr 2012 16:00:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink  Engadget German | Kickstarter, Berlin Boombox | Email this | Comments | | StatCounter finds 1366 x 768 to be most popular screen resolution for the first time Apr 11th 2012, 19:41 It's had quite a run, but it looks like the old standby resolution of web designers everywhere, 1024 x 768, has finally been eclipsed by a newer, wider rival. According to web analytics firm StatCounter, use of 1024 x 768 fell from 41.8 percent in March of 2009 to 18.6 percent this March, while 1366 x 768 (common to many laptops) shot up from just 0.68 percent to 19.28 percent during the same time period, making it the most popular screen resolution worldwide. 1280 x 800 sits in third place at 13 percent, while all other resolutions remain in the single digits. Those interested can break down those stats further at the second source link below. StatCounter finds 1366 x 768 to be most popular screen resolution for the first time originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 11 Apr 2012 15:41:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink Hacker News | StatCounter (1), (2) | Email this | Comments | | Sony Xperia Sola hits the FCC, gets dissected by regulators Apr 11th 2012, 19:25 Sola, Pepper, MT27i -- it's got many names, and now it's got the official thumbs up from American regulators. The Sony Xperia Sola made an appearance at the FCC, got itself torn asunder and even dragged along its user manual. Beneath the rather underwhelming 3.7-inch 854 x 480 LCD is quite a collection of antennas, including NFC, 802.11n, Bluetooth 2.1 and a quadband GSM radio. Of course, all that is being powered by a serviceable, but hardly barn-burning, 1GHz dual-core processor and saddled with Gingerbread. (Though, Sony promises an ICS upgrade will be delivered this summer.) Check out the source link for all the regulatory filing fun and to see the Sola splayed open on a table. Sony Xperia Sola hits the FCC, gets dissected by regulators originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 11 Apr 2012 15:25:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | FCC | Email this | Comments | |
