Google Docs App For Android Released

Google has released an Android app for their popular online document editing service – Google Docs. The app will allow users to create, edit and upload documents to Google Docs, right from their Android handset.

However, the best feature of the Google Docs app for Android is its ability to convert text from any image into a document. Users can simply click pictures of any document, and the app will convert the text in the image into a document.

Sadly, the feature does not work as advertised. For me, the Google Docs app struggled to read the text properly from most of the images I clicked. Hopefully, with time this feature will become more usable on a day-to-day basis.

Also, the editor of the app is simply a web app. When a user wants to create a new document, the app will simply open up the Google Docs web app for Android.

The app will run on any Android device running Android 2.1+ or up, including Android 3.0 Honeycomb.

Android users can download the app from here.

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Windows 8 Cloud Features Detailed [Screenshots]

Last year, a bunch of presentations detailing planned Windows 8 enhancements were leaked. Those documents gave us a glimpse of what Microsoft was planning for its next desktop operating system. It was obvious that one of the key differentiators for Windows 8 is going to be cloud integration. Back then, I wrote:
With Windows 8, user accounts will finally become user centric. Your cloud based user account will follow you, from machine to machine.

Now, some leaked screenshots and some sleuthing from MDL forum members, have thrown up a fair amount of concrete information on Window 8?s cloud integration. According to Microsoft, more than 52% PC users work on multiple computers on a regular basis. In order to make switching between workstations effortless, Windows 8 will be introducing ‘Roaming Profiles’. When you logon to different devices using your ‘connected password’, your settings will be automatically transferred to the device. The ‘Roaming Options’ Control Panel item will allow you to add or remove the following from your roaming profile:

Desktop Wallpaper
Aero Glass Color
Ease of access control panel
Magnifier
On screen keyboard
Narrator
Speech recognition settings
Language profile
Text prediction preferences
IME dictionary
Application settings and search history
Windows Taskbar settings
Windows Explorer settings
Windows Search settings
Windows Mouse settings
Wireless network profiles
Saved website credentials

Interestingly enough, as pointed out by Long Zheng, Windows 8 seems to have the ability to detect if you are using a metered internet connection, or a connection with low bandwidth cap.

Furthermore, another MDL forum member has posted a screenshot that shows the cloud authentication feature in action. Windows 8 will provide the option of either logging in as a local user, or logging in using cloud identification. Quite obviously, Microsoft will be tapping into the Windows Live network for the cloud oriented features.

The public beta of Windows 8 is still several months away. In the meantime, if you want to get a taste of Windows 8, go ahead and download the leaked Windows 8 M2 (pre-M3) release.

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HTC ‘Doubleshot’ ROM With Sense 3.0 UI Ported To HTC Desire Z/T-Mobile G2

A week ago, we had reported that the HTC Desire Z has got a taste of the Sense 3.0 UI, thanks to the leaked HTC Sensation ROM. However, the Sensation ROM port had many issues due to the difference in resolution (WVGA vs. qHD).

A few days ago, rumors were flowing on the Internet that HTC is already working on the HTC Desire Z successor, with the codename ‘Doubleshot’.

Now, one popular developer over at the HTC Desire Z modding scene – rmk40 – has managed to get his hands on a leaked HTC Doubleshot ROM. He has even ported the ROM to the HTC Desire Z. Since, the ‘Doubleshot’ will sport a WVGA screen, the ROM works without any graphical glitches on the Desire Z.

Early users report that most of the hardware is working on this ROM. However, some bloat ware apps are continuously force closing, which should be rectified pretty soon. The ROM will also work on the T-Mobile G2.

From the screenshots above, readers can easily understand why developers want to port Sense UI 3.0 to the HTC ‘Vision’. The Sense UI in its latest version looks gorgeous!

T-Mobile G2 and HTC Desire Z owners should head over to this thread over at XDA forums for more information about the ROM.
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Motorola XOOM Gets A Software Update; Enhances Security Features And More!

Motorola and Verizon have started rolling out a new software update for the first Android 3.0 Honeycomb based tablet – the Motorola XOOM.

The update brings with it some much needed stability improvements, Bluetooth support for Google Talk and some enhanced security features.

Below is the full change-log -:
Access and stay connected to Wi-Fi networks with added Proxy support.
SSL data transfer with websites is now supported.
WPA Pre-Shared Key pass-phrases are now supported when using the device as a Mobile Hotspot.
Supports Google Widevine DRM and HDCP. Email and Messaging
POP3 HTML emails will display in their entirety. Call Features
Bluetooth® is now supported in Google Talk™.
Additional Device Features
Encrypted passwords can be entered during power up.
Calendar events will remain up to date after an installed software update.
Application storage errors will not appear unless the device has reached maximum storage capacity.
Safely dock the MOTOROLA XOOM into the docking adapter without interruption.
Ability to add and use a Bluetooth mouse. + A shortcut key for the Bluetooth keyboard has been added.
View and import pictures from digital cameras with Picture Transfer Protocol.
When using the device in accessibility mode, menus will no longer prompt with sounds.
As of now, this software update is being rolled out for only the 3G+Wi-Fi version of the Motorola XOOM. Hopefully, the update will be rolled out sometime soon for the Wi-Fi only version as well.

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T-Mobile G2 Android 2.3 Gingerbread ROM Leaks

Last month, the Android 2.3 Gingerbread ROM with Sense UI for the HTC Desire Z leaked.

Today, the folks over at XDA forums have managed to get their hands on the leaked Android 2.3 Gingerbread ROM for the T-Mobile G2.

The T-Mobile G2 and the HTC Desire Z are exactly the same phones, except that the former runs on stock Android while the latter has Sense UI on top of it.

Users who have flashed this ROM on their handset, report that the performance and stability of this ROM is top-notch. Sadly, the ROM does not feature the screen-off animation, which Android 2.3 Gingerbread brings.

The leaked ROM works perfectly, which suggests that the T-Mobile G2 Gingerbread update is around the corner. Another HTC ‘Vision’ developer – rmk40 – has already uploaded a de-odexed and rooted version of the ROM.

Interested T-Mobile G2 owners can head over to this thread to download and install the leaked ROM on their handset. The ROM will also work flawlessly on the HTC Desire Z.

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Android 2.3.4 Hitting Nexus S OTA, Brings Gtalk Video Chat

We have a good news for the Nexus S users. Google recently announced that, the Android 2.3.4 update is scheduled to roll out over the next few weeks. Google Nexus S will be the first device to get the Android 2.3.4 update. This update brings the much awaited voice and video chat to the Google Talk, along with some bug fixes and optimizations.

The Android 2.3.4 update officially brings the video chat on Google Talk for the first time on Android devices. It uses the same Google Talk solution as on Android Honeycomb tablets. The latest update allows you to voice and video chat with your Google Talk friends, over the Wi-Fi or using the 3G/4G connection.

Google Nexus S and Nexus S 4G owners will be the first ones to get the Google Talk with video and voice chat in the next few weeks as part of the Android 2.3.4 over-the-air update. This update will also be rolled out to other Android Gingerbread powered devices in the near future. Google has also promised another surprise for the Nexus users. Lets keep our fingers crossed. Until then, check out the video below.

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Sprint To Launch Motorola Xoom Wi-Fi On May 8 For $599

Earlier this year, Motorola announced its first tablet device, the Motorola Xoom. It is the first tablet powered by the Android 3.0 (Honeycomb) Operating System. Last month, Motorola released the Wi-Fi only version of this amazing tablet on Verizon. And now, Sprint joined the bandwagon and announced the Motorola Xoom Wi-Fi for its customers in the US. This device will be available from Sprint beginning on Sunday, May 8th.

Motorola Xoom Wi-Fi features with a 10.1 inch touchscreen display, 1280 x 800 pixels resolution, Android 3.0 (Honeycomb) OS, 1GHz NVIDIA Tegra 2 dual-core processor, 5 megapixel rear camera with dual LED flash, 2 megapixel front-facing camera, Google Chrome bookmark sync and incognito mode, Android Market and more.

Other features include a 3.5mm headset jack, HD (720p) video recording, Full HD (1080p) playback, micro USB 2.0, Corporate Sync, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 2.1 + EDR + HID, 32GB internal memory, SD card support, 1GB DDR2 RAM, Integrated GPS, up to 10 hour video playback and a 3250 mAh Lithium-ion battery.

Motorola Xoom Wi-Fi comes with a price tag of $599.99 without any contract. This device will be available through Sprint Stores, Web sales, Telesales and Sprint Business Sales from May 8th. Motorola Xoom Wi-Fi allows you to read more than 3 million Google eBooks and access more than 150,000 useful applications, widgets and games from the Android Market.

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