Attention folks! The Chronic-Dev Team and iPhone Dev Teams have collaborated to come out with Absinthe 2.0, the untethered jailbreak for the latest iOS 5.1.1 firmware. Absinthe 2.0 can jailbreak all iOS devices except the global version of the new iPad and the iPad 2,4 (32nm chip), which will soon be supported as well.

Note: This jailbreak supports firmware 5.1.1 ONLY

Absinthe 2.0 supports these devices right now:

• iPad 1, iPad 2 (WiFi, GSM, CDMA), iPad 3 (Wi-Fi, GSM, CDMA)
• iPhone 46, iPhone 4, iPhone 3GS
• iPod Touch 4G, iPod Touch 3G

How to Jailbreak iOS 5.1.1 with Absinthe 2.0

Absinthe 2.0 is one of the easiest jailbreaks ever. But I’d still warn you about the risk of jailbreaking. Unless you understand completely about all the risks involved, it is better to stay away. Others can read on.

1. Make a backup of your device in iTunes by right clicking on your device name under the ‘Devices’ menu and click ‘Back Up’.

2. Once your backup is complete return to your device and go to Settings –> General –> Reset –> Erase all Content and Settings. This will make the jailbreak process much faster.

3. Download Absinthe 2.0 (links given below).

4. Open Absinthe 2.0 and be sure you are still connected via USB cable to your computer.

5. Click ‘Jailbreak’ and wait. Be patient and do not disconnect your device.

5. Once jailbroken, return to iTunes and restore your backup from earlier. Right click on your device name under the ‘Devices’ menu in the left panel of iTunes and click ‘Restore from Back Up’ then select the latest backup you created before.

Download Absinthe 2.0

Download Absinthe 2.0 MacOSX (10.5, 10.6, 10.7)

Download Absinthe 2.0 Windows (XP/Vista/Win7)

Download Absinthe 2.0 Linux (x86/x86_64)

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Even if the speed of our internet connection is constantly increasing, there are still moments when it goes down, or when some other problems appear and our downloads suffer from this. Some lose speed and only work with a few kbps and some stop.

The problems appear when we try to resume these downloads. Sometimes, these downloads break and further download is impossible. When this happens, we turn our eye towards download managers that help us recover broken downloads. And in moments like those, a few tips on which is the best or other tricks we could try, are most welcome.

How to Recover a Download That’s Been Cancelled

As I mentioned earlier, these broken downloads appear whenever there are connection problems with our Internet access, or when the files on the server are corrupt or unreachable. This might sound like a big problem, but fear not, there are ways we can overcome this inconvenience. Although not all of them work, and not all downloads are recoverable, some can be “helped along”.

What happens is that a fragment of the encryption code is unreadable, or a part of the download cannot be accessed, and so, the entire file becomes unreachable. Although the parts that seem to be missing are still on the server, we just can’t get to them, and for that, there are all sorts of applications out there that can give us that helping hand.

Tips on Recovering Broken Downloads

• Close your Internet connection and reconnect. This trick has worked for me numerous times and it still works. When a download fails, I close the Internet connection and resume the download after I reconnect.
• Stop and resume the download. This method works usually when the speed of the download goes down and it cannot download anymore. This simple trick that can help is to renew its connection to the server and it will give the download a fresh connection.
• If any other method does not work, then a re-download might do the trick. Deleting the temp file and restarting the download might prove to be the solution.
• Searching for an alternate mirror. If a server is causing you trouble when downloading, then it’s better to look for another mirror server that has the same file and try downloading it from there. This will be the best solution and it will most likely take care of your problem.
• If you want to download from a file sharing website, then request a new download link. Many have expired download links and getting a fresh one can help you download your files.

Top 5 Download Managers

If neither of the methods above work, then it’s time to get to the big guns. And these are the last resort: Download Managers. These programs can help you with most nasty downloads that have no apparent reason for failing. Although, keep in mind, not all of these work 100%. Some downloads might even be irrecoverable and no matter what you try, you cannot access them and the only way to get them is to try another website or source.

5. GetBot

One of quickest ways to download media files such as music file from websites that don’t work is GetBot. This simple program lets you input the URL of the website and it will download all the pictures it can find. Although, if you are looking for a specific picture, you will have to search for it in the results. In the future we might see an update that will let you download other than pictures.

4. Recover Damaged Files

A great way to recover files that have been downloaded poorly and do not open is Recover Damaged Files. This free program offers support for a number of tasks, like recover deleted files or corrupt files on your hard drive. As a bonus, it provides you with lots of other useful tools for your computer.

3. iGetter

Being available for both Windows and Mac users, iGetter is the perfect tool for fixing those broken downloads and managing your other downloads as well. Besides the obvious feature of recovering downloads, iGetter doubles as a download accelerator. So give it a try and see for yourself just how useful it can be.

2. MetFileRegenerator

MetFileRegenerator is a program that allows you to regenerate broken downloads and files in order to make them usable. It requires Java Runtime Environment v1.4 or higher in order to work, and it can make quick work of your damaged download files.

1. Free Download Manager

Enjoy a full service program that can help you to regenerate broken downloads as well as providing other useful features like BitTorrent support or Flash Video Download. Keep your downloads safe and tidy by using this great program.

Now you won’t have any more problems with downloads that just won’t complete. Armed with these tools, you can now download to your heart’s content, and most of the time you won’t have to hustle with broken downloads anymore.

[photo credits: HebaPhoto]

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For some of market researchers, Chrome OS might seem like a bad strategy coming out of Google headquarters but is everything so black and white? Google plans to make the new operating system run much faster than what we were customary used to and not to mention more secure (it’s Google’s obsession, isn’t it?).

Chromebox: No, Google Hasn’t Abandoned Chrome OS

And now, we have received proof that Google is not done tackling the Chrome OS idea. Information about pricing and specs regarding the upcoming Chromebox, a device that will be released in a partnership with Samsung, have leaked online. A prototype of the device was showcased during the CES but since then, no new information surfaced about it.

If the information is to be believed, the new ChromeBox miniPC (now for sale at TigerDirect) will come packed with a 1.9 GHz Intel Celeron B840 dual core processor plus 4GB of DDR3 memory, a 16GB solid state disk and 6 USB ports. It also supports a DVI port, Ethernet, two Display Link ports, headphone jack and a power jack. It will probably become available with a wireless keyboard and mouse. The price has also become available and has been set to a decent $329.99.

The new machine running Chrome OS will support better integration with the massive portfolio of online Google apps. The curious thing about such a machine is that all the data plus settings will be integrated into the cloud. This might translate into a smart way to avoid data loss due to hardware crash or whatever mischief life brings about. Will this prove an advantage for Chrome OS? I still believe Google needs 2 different Chrome OS versions if they want to become a serious threat for Microsoft and Apple.

Chrome OS Needs Time for Mass Adoption

But not everybody is convinced Chrome OS will be a success, there’s just too much competition around and with the upcoming Windows 8 getting ready for the official launch, there’s just no so much room for Google to spread its wings of dominion. And how about Android? Does this mean the two operating systems will converge to become one thing?

And if so, will Chrome run Android apps or the other way around? I wouldn’t mind a Chrome OS-Android experience, to be honest. Maybe the recent success of Chrome’s browser is proof that the world might be ready for a cloud OS.

Not that the Chrome Web Store is very developed at the moment and certainly lacks the spice of other app shops. We also know of the well sedimented problem of Android apps which don’t work universally but are fragmented and function on certain devices only.

Also, Android developed a few Chrome-like features starting with version 3. Regardless of these opinions, the ChromeBox will be getting released apparently, so we will have to wait and see if it ends up being a success on the market. Don’t forget, Chrome OS is still a rookie in this field.

Some might say that this is a lame product and that Google needs something much more powerful than that to win the audience’s heart. I think that we should be patient and watch closely. Google isn’t hurrying anywhere, they’ve got plenty of cash and time to plan all their moves. I still believe Chrome OS has a future, it just needs to be presented in the right form to the user.

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In this day and age, speed and mobility are the best words to describe any kind of technology. Our need for higher speed and smaller devices has driven manufacturers to find newer technologies that work faster and are more powerful by each passing day.

And this brings us to our topic, which is Thunderbolt vs. USB 3.0. Many of you out there have heard of them and most likely have used them in the past or at this very moment.

Thunderbolt vs USB 3.0

What is Thunderbolt?

USB 3.0 needs no introduction. Even if you haven’t yet used it, you are very familiar with its predecessors: USB 1.1 and USB 2.0. These connection standards have been around for quite some time now and they connect just about any device to your computer. But what about Thunderbolt?

Well, Thunderbolt, just like USB, is a technology that allows users to connect devices to computers. Unlike USB, Thunderbolt offers much higher speeds for data transfer (up to 2 times faster than USB 3.0 and theoretically, 10 times faster) and it offers a better solution for charging devices such as smartphones or tablets, due to its 10 watts of power pumped. The battle between which of these standards is best is fought on more than one front.

Speed

The first one is speed. And here is where Thunderbolt shows what it can do. With a maximum speed of 10 Gbps, it’s more than double that of the USB 3.0 which can go up to 5 Gbps. Also, as I mentioned earlier, Thunderbolt offers better results for charging devices, because it can pump more power into them in the same time, compared to USB 3.0 who can give only 7 watts of power.

Costs

At this point, Thunderbolt looks like the winner, but when it comes to cost, the tides change in favor of the USB 3.0. Thunderbolt cables have circuits integrated in the connector and it uses dual multiplex copper wires to achieve 10 Gbps speeds both towards and from devices at the same time. And all of these are expensive, but by how much? Well, about 10 times more expensive. If the average USB 3.0 cable is about $4 – $5 for a 2 meter cable, the same 2 meter Thunderbolt cable costs about $49.

Also, devices that work on USB are cheaper. Think of the fact that an external storage solution working on USB 3.0 is about $100 (depending on the manufacturer and amount of space), while on the other hand, an external storage solution that works on Thunderbolt, like the Promise Pegasus R6, costs up to $1500 and it’s limited only to Mac users.

You can see that it’s quite a difference between these prices, and for now, USB 3.0 looks like it is the winner. We’ll have to see if Intel will implement alongside USB 3.0 SATA 3, in their new line of processors. The Ivy Bridge can accommodate the two other technologies, maybe the next one will have Thunderbolt installed natively.

Backwards Connectivity, Consumer Base

USB 3.0 is widely spread around the world, and it’s being used by thousands of devices. Although Mac users do not have access to USB 3.0 (only 2.0 is available for Mac users), USB is backwards compatible and so, any USB 2.0 device can work on USB 3.0 ports and vice versa. Thunderbolt, on the other hand, is available only for Mac users and it’s based on the Mini DisplayPort and it is backwards compatible only with that standard.

It can also be used in video and audio playback and in some external storage devices. But there are not nearly as many devices working on Thunderbolt than USB 3.0, and so, users might prefer USB 3.0 because of the number of devices that use this connection standard. This battle is far from over. We have to wait until Intel will provide support for Windows users and when the costs of Thunderbolt will be comparable to that of the USB 3.0.

Although this innovative technology promises much, at the moment it needs more support from device manufacturers to extend its reach from Apple displays to many others. And also, because of the high speeds that it supports, some might argue that its performance will be bottlenecked by other devices, such as SATA 3 devices. Or who knows, maybe Intel will give the Thunderbolt technology to AMD, so they can extend their client list.

USB 3.0 vs Thunderbolt: Comparison Table

Analysts say that these connection protocols will coexist for a period, and when Intel will provide support for Windows users and will cut back on the costs of the Thunderbolt Chipset and connectors, it might convince device manufacturers to produce Thunderbolt enabled devices. This will make Thunderbolt available for the public, and only then it might pose a danger to USB 3.0, but for now, we can even assume that it could fold into darkness like FireWire and other protocols before it. Take a look at the table below if you’re still not sure what to choose.

[small comparison table credit]: Computer World

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We were telling you about Android fragmentation problems and how annoying they can get and, apparently the tech behemoth has somewhat revised the complaints. New information has surfaced, according to which, Google plans to launch the next version of Android OS to five different Nexus-branded smartphones.

Android 5 Nexus Devices: Google’s Reconciliation Tactic

The devices will be made available to the public via the Google Play online store in a shaky attempt to uniform the offer. Fragmentation of Android software has led to huge disadvantages in the app sector because most of the devices present in circulation actually do not run the latest android version making it impossible for apps to work properly.

“Google will work with as many as five manufacturers at a time to create a portfolio of Nexus lead devices that include smartphones and tablets.”

At the moment, 54% of Android devices are running version 2.3 (Gingerbread) while the latest version Android 4 or better known as Ice Cream Sandwich is found on a meager 5% of all existing devices, despite being launched with the flashy Samsung Galaxy Nexus back in November.

But, is fragmentation the only reason behind Google’s strategy? Maybe the fact that the Nexus series is expected to come packed with “pure and clean” Android OS without added tweaks added to the salad, might appeal to some die-hard Android fans. But, maybe I don’t want Nexus smartphones! Isn’t this a shady strategy to increase sales for Google’s own devices?

Buy Nexus if You Want the Latest Android Version

So what does Google have to win with this implementation? As you might be aware, Google has acquired Motorla Mobility for the price of $12.5 billion and it has been given the green light in the US as well as in the European Union and China. But won’t Google be accused now of favoritism? Not if it goes ahead with the above mentioned plan.

Producing Nexus flagship phones for each company in part and sprinkling on top the latest and juiciest version of Android would of course please all manufactures and persuade them to coexist in a state of perpetual heaven.

Users will probably benefit too from having the “pure” Android smartphones delivered at their doorstep. The diversity would probably be appealing and we should not forget the fact that since its launch the Nexus phones have been offered the appreciation of the connoisseurs… Nevertheless the sales don’t actually reflect that, for some reason.

“The market proved Google wrong at that point. Consumers in the U.S. are used to subsidies on phones. They’re not used to paying $600 for an iPhone, or $500 for a Galaxy S III. They want to walk into a store and pay $100 or $200 for a new phone, and they want it to be a high-end phone. But there are a limited number of consumers who are willing to spend the extra money for an unlocked phone.”

said Charles Golvin of the Forrester.

Android Update Cycle – Similar to iOS?

I personally think that these mobile operating systems are being released far too quick on the market and releasing Android 5.0 will create further confusion. Obviously, this move is meant to shift attention towards Google branded devices and you can’t help wondering – couldn’t the same thing happen with Motorola-Google devices? On the other hand, releasing 5 different Nexus devices with all major manufacturers would make peace with all of them.

“With Google buying Motorola, working with all of the leading hardware partners to develop a Nexus line of what’s on the leading edge makes more sense. If they get everyone involved in developing, nobody will be able to point and say Motorola is getting something they’re not.”

the same Golvin further commented. After all, I don’t think it is possible to close Android to everybody else besides Google’s Motorola. Instead, maintaing the same strategy of pushing with every major Android update a fresh new Nexus line could become profitable for Google. Somehow, it’s similar to Apple’s strategy, albeit on a much smaller scale.

Competition leads to innovation.

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Have you ever heard of Android fragmentation? Some consider it to be a nasty habit Google has lost itself into, apparently forgetting the need for integrity every self-respecting OS should have in order to function to full efficiency. Fragmentation issues are all about Android getting so many upgrades so frequently, that there are phones out there that offer multiple versions of the OS, which creates confusion amongst consumers.

Android’s Fragmentation Problem

Newer versions just end up adding more and more features to the plate but some of the older phones can’t handle them because their hardware isn’t advanced enough to do so. So, that’s why your friend with a HTC Incredible will be able to run certain apps while you and your T-Mobile G1 will be left out on dry land.

And more evidence is building up to support the fragmentation story. OpenSignalMaps has been borrowing user data from the people who have downloaded the app and has revised the numbers to find the following: out of the 681,900 devices registered 3,997 of them were distinct devices.

“We’ve looked at model, brand, API level (i.e. the version of Android) and screen size and we’ve tried to present this in the clearest form we can,”

the company’s statement said. The dominant model in the charts OpenSignalMaps have provided is the year old Samsung Galaxy S II (we are curious to see how will Samsung Galaxy S3 perform) which has already sold 20 million units (should be more by now), followed by its perdecessor, Samsung Galaxy S. The HTC Desire HD, HTC Desire, HTC Desire S and Samsung Galaxy Ace are also pretty well represented. Judging by the figures Samsung own 40% of the Android market, followed by HTC.

Different Android Versions Divide the Handset Market

The charts also showcase what is the most popular Android version to date. 55.4% of all smartphones use Android version 2.3 Gingerbread and not the latest Ice Cream Sandwich. Yes, users have the mobility and power of choice, they can choose different forms, specification or producer and they, in the beginning, might feel their choice is not limited but this diversity also leads to a great market fragmentation.

Especially since a lot of the users don’t even own high-end devices. Actually, their devices weren’t considered high-end a few years ago. That’s because a lot of Android users opt for the average subscription plan. Indeed, the carriers might benefit from this, but the overall mobile market is not and the users are not, either. The fragmentation also negatively affects performance and availability of certain applications in the Play Store and not only.

Is this Strategy Profitable for Google?

Recently, Google has received quite a steady amount of criticism for leaving Android out in the cold unattended and even one of the Google CEO Larry Page seems to have given up hope on the matter, stating that he is not sure Android is so important to the overall Google business plan. Obviously, this is quite a debatable subject, since the same Larry Page said that the Google-Motorola deal has been done especially to protect Android. Therefore, does it makes sense to invest $12.5 billion in something that’s not profitable? I think not.

Users of Android have reported a numbers of serious issues and registered tons of complaints but so far, Google has preferred to brush them under the carpet. The most annoying problem with green robot are the apps. If you are an Apple customer, things are easy, you just go to the App shop, download what you need, install them, end of story. Android devotees will say that Apple’s problem it that it doesn’t allow you to exist the ecosystem and they are right.

But you won’t have the same easy option if you decide to app with Google. Navigating in the Google Play store takes the skills of a patiently and brilliant mouse trapped in a complicated maze. Tablet users are advised to use Tablified Market in order to detect apps specially designed for Android tablets. Not to mention that everybody that imagines himself developer for a day can create an app and then uploading for download on the Play Store.

Apple vs Google – Closed Ecosystem vs Global Coverage

Aren’t security issues an important part of the Google strategy, the same company who has created the most secure social network to date, Google Plus+? Even when users magically stumbled upon an interesting act, another problem crushed up their dreams: the impossibility of downloading it. It comes down to what carrier you are subscribed too. Take Google Wallet for example; if you are not a Sprint customer, then maybe you should rethink your decision.

Also, in the tablet department, apps are rare like aliens after Roswell. In the Apple campsite, things are so much different and that constitutes one of the major advantages the iPad holds over any Android tablet, whatsoever. For some reason, developers are skittish about designing apps for Android. It might have to do with the fact that Android utilizes Java and that is not something everyone is comfortable with.

Android Fragmentation: Google’s Tactic for Mass Adoption?

But that’s not the real problem. Willing Android developers would have to take up the challenge of creating an app for thousand different devices. That sounds like Sisyphus at work. What can be done in these circumstances? Not so much, actually. It is practically impossible for Google to control every type of Android smartphones and tablets that goes off to the market, but this doesn’t mean all is lost.

Google might try and rethink its strategy and enforce some hardware standards so things don’t get so out of hand. This would make the jobs easier for developers as well and the guessing regarding which app works on which device will be eliminated. Or, maybe Android’s fragmentation is exactly what Google had in mind. To offer a professional, open-source mobile OS and to cash in from its huge adoption, regardless of its global ramble…

Google promised to keep Android free for at least 5 more years. This got us all thinking – couldn’t Google decide to favor its own, Motorola devices in front of other Android-packed handsets? Google isn’t the sole owner of Android, and surely, this move would be evil. What do you think – Android fragmentation is a problem or a well-thought plan?

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Google Chrome is one of the top choices of users surfing the Internet today and has constantly been competing with Mozilla Firefox and Microsoft’s Internet Explorer for the number one spot in the most popular browser top. Chrome came to see the light of day in 2008 and is based on the WebKit layout engine.

Google Chrome Becomes Most Used Browser

And now, all the hard work Google has been putting into Chrome seems to have finally paid off, when browser control firm Statcounter released information according to which Chrome has now dethroned Microsoft Internet Explorer as the most popular browser in the world. Chrome smelled the scent of victory briefly for one weekend back in March when it climbed to the number one spot but then fell down again. The StatCounter firm compiles data from more than 15 billion page views which cover more than three million websites.

Microsoft claimed back then that the numbers were not correct, but the reality is that average users have a tendency to prefer Chrome. The race between Google and Microsoft has been very tight, both companies snatching about 33% of global users, but since last week Chrome has been taking the lead vigorously. This might be related to the fact that average users have been starting to get more and more educated about technology in general.

Online Surfers Are Becoming More Tech Savvy

They don’t just use what comes by default anymore; they search, compare and take alternatives, if necessary (just like they do with search engines). On the other hand, Chrome offers some pretty tough to beat functionalities. The first one and most important is speed. And speed is what your usual Internet surfing maniac is looking for.

Try loading a tumblr page in Internet Explorer and try the same in Chrome. You will feel the difference up to your most deep cortical levels. To achieve this, the V8 JavaScript engine was developed, which brought along new optimization techniques. The speed is not only related to loading sites but to browser start-up time as well. Secondly, Chromes enables separate processes for each site users access, so if one site crashes or is stalling the other tabs won’t feel the effect of it.

Speed and Versatility – Success Ingredients

An interesting path Google has decided to embark upon is the releasing of a large part of the Chrome source code which they called Chromium. This has enabled developers to access and modify at will the insides of Chrome, thus making it available for Mac or Linux users, spreading the browser’s dominance in the World Wide Web. Making the Chrome browser more popular could ease the way towards a smoother Chrome OS adoption, even if Google might need 2 different versions to fight againts Apple and Microsoft.

Last but not least, Chrome offers a neat and clean interface that’s not overcrowded by tool bars and useless additions. And this is great news because it means technology is making its way into our lives and people are becoming more tech-savvy.

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You might remember our article about how difficult is to get clean, relevant information in Google and how research and documentation might turn into a drag if you don’t have specific guidelines to oversee your work. Apparently, Google has been listening to the criticism as well and has announced this week a interesting new tool which will be added to the company’s impressive portfolio.

Knowledge Graph: More Rich Information to Our Search Results

Meet the Knowledge Graph, a brand new information seeking technology that will enrich and forever change the act of “searching”. Google has designed the Knowledge Graph in such a way, that it almost reminds us of artificial intelligence. The Graph will be able to “understand” the relationship between the words submitted into the search query and will not simply view them as a random line of characters.

For some, this might look like some minor change in the way we usually do things but the shift could end up transforming the whole Internet into a gigantic virtual Wikipedia-like library. The Knowledge Graph will combine link like results with statistical data, images and movies so the results end up being as relevant as humanly possible.

The change was predicted a while ago by the Wall Street Journal and will start showing up to users who use US English Google.com very soon. Don’t think that the Google interface will look very different from what you see now, the only thing that you’ll see extra are some information boxes popping up whenever you do a relevant search.

Google Brings Smarter Search

Like, for example, looking for info about Frederic Chopin. The new Knowledge Graph (by the way graph=a diagram representing a system of connections or interrelations among two or more things by a number of distinctive dots, lines, bar) is all about connections. Think of Wikipedia and what it is like to read an article on the site. Let’s say you start off reading a piece about the Lord of the Rings, one click will get you to J.R.R.Tolkien’s page.

From there on, you click on to The Hobbit and then further on the page about children’s literature. The same experience will be provided by Google, with the exception that users will jump now from information box to information box. Google announced that it has secured more than 3.5 billion fact sheets thus connecting more than 500 million objects. So if you search something from the following categories you might expect to see the new information boxes:

• Actors, Directors, Movies
• Art Works & Museums
• Cities & Countries
• Islands, Lakes, Lighthouses
• Music Albums & Music Groups
• Planets & Spacecraft
• Roller Coasters & Skyscrapers
• Sports Team

To prevent the search results turn out to be useless, Google will utilize the facts that have closest relationship with the object in question. Also, for the eventuality, you might be looking for information about something whose name is utilized in different environments. Let’s say like Babylon, Google will pop out “See results box” for you. Did you mean the TV show? Or did you mean the ancient myth? Or maybe the rock band from Florida?

Semantic Search – Symbiosis Between Search Engines and Language

The Knowledge Graph will also try and nurture you. It will take into consideration your location, your likes and your recent search history in order to bring you the needed results. This is not the first time that Google has announced a major search revamping initiative. Some users will remember that back in January, Google introduce Search Plus Your World – a search functionality embedded in the Google+ social network, thus compiling information and updates provided by friends.

But the Knowledge Graph things to a more advanced and deeper level. Maybe for the first time, I am not critical of these changes and I agree with them. The “semantic search” initiative that Google’s taking right now will bring information closer to us and will refine the results. For example, if you’re going to ask “how many lakes are there in Finland?”, the SERP (search engine results page) will deliver a straight answer, besides links to other websites.

Google – Always Versatile

It’s somehow similar to other operations that Google can do, besides acting only as a search engine. So, let’s say you want to convert 100 pounds into USD. You could search for a conversion website or you could simply write on Google: “100 pounds into usd”. The semantic search initiative plans to deliver the needed answer, without having to browse through dozens of other websites. There’s still much work to be done until the final version, but I am with Google on this.

The official page for Knowledge Graph informs us that the update will be soon made to all Google.com users! What I like even more about this tool is that it will allow you to discover even more content, similar to what you’re looking, inside a well-connected system. This is like a good online filter bubble, that I’ve been talking about with Robert Scoble in my interview with him at The Next Web Conference. This update from Google proves to be a huge help for those that are doing their research on Google.

And not only for them. Like I said, sometimes, you just have a question that you have inside your mind and you just can’t get over it, be it a silly curiosity or something your teacher asked you at school. You’ll go home (or search right away on smartphone/tablet) and will search for it. The work that is being done right now on semantic search by Google will enable it to create an algorithm that will be able to “understand” and even mimic language so that it could reply to your query and help you in your research/curiosity.

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For those of you who don’t know what CDMA is, let me explain. CDMA stands for Code division multiple access. This is a technology used by mobile device manufacturers to transmit signal to the device. Just like the GSM band, CDMA is a spread-spectrum signal. This means that unlike other GSM services, CDMA does not use a specific frequency for each user, but it uses the full spectrum to transmit data.

This offers the advantage of faster connections and also better signal. CDMA is used in a number of countries so far, and so, smartphones that use this technology are in limited number, and especially Android devices. This is due to the fact that Google has stopped offering support for CDMA in Android, because Android is an open-source software, and for CDMA smartphones to work, they need special programming for every carrier.

10 Best CDMA Android Smartphones

While most of us are not affected by this, there are those who use CDMA and will have to wait longer for their mobile carriers to release new smartphones that work over CDMA networks. Android devices that use CDMA are available, and some are quite good, so you can benefit from a better signal technology and also top of the line smartphone technology. Here is a quick list of Android smartphones that use CDMA networks:

10. Samsung Galaxy Pop i559

Although a bit outdated, the Samsung Galaxy Pop proves to be a great and cheap Android CDMA smartphone. It’s powered by Android 2.3 and it features a 3.15 MP camera and a 3.14” screen. Yes, it does not have the features of the other smartphones, but it gets the job done and it provides you with all the features of other smartphones at a fraction of the price.

9. Samsung Repp

This mid level phone is a great example of a CDMA smartphone. Featuring a 800MHz processor, 3.2” screen and a 3 MP camera, Samsung Repp is a great smartphone for those who want the productivity of a smartphone in a little package. Although it might not be as good as its bigger brothers, it certainly gets the job done and can please just about anyone.

8. Samsung Galaxy CDMA i500

With 1GHz processor and a 5MPx camera, the Samsung Galaxy CDMA is a great Android CDMA smartphone that provides you with all the features you need and all the productivity of smartphones. Also, with its 1500 mAh battery, it can keep you going a long time.

7. Motorola Milestone XT800

This tiny smartphone is a versatile Android CDMA smartphone. Although, do not expect it to work great in games, due to its tiny 500MHz. But it makes up for it with its 5MPx camera and a good 3.7” display. Also, it supports up to 32GB of memory via the integrated SD card slot. A great Android smartphone for those who want to use CDMA networks.

6. Samsung Galaxy Ace Duos I589

The Samsung Galaxy Ace Duos is probably one of the best balanced Android CDMA smartphones. It comes with a 800 MHz Scorpion processor, 3.5” TFT display and a 3.15 MPx camera. This phone has everything you need and it has lots of power for a mid-level smartphone. Also, its an Android Dual Sim Phone, so that is quite handy.

5. HTC A6262 Hero Unlocked CDMA

HTC Hero might not be CDMA ready off the shelf, but with a bit of work, you can use it over CDMA networks. ROM developers have put at your disposal tons of custom ROM’s that will help you use CDMA networks like Verizon Wireless, Sprint and others. Although it might not be the most powerful smartphone here, HTC Hero might suit the needs of anyone who is not into too much gaming or running powerful apps. With a processor of 528 MHz and 288 MB of RAM memory, the HTC Hero will do all work a decent smartphone will, and you can enjoy all the features without burning a hole in your pocket.

4. HTC EVO Design 4G

HTC EVO Design 4G is one of the best smartphones in this top. Puting at its users disposal lots of power to accomplish just about any task. Featuring a 1.2 GHz processor, 768MB of RAM memory and a 5MPx camera capable of shooting 720p video. A great smartphone and an excellent choice for anyone looking for a Android CDMA smartphone that really packs a punch.

3. Samsung Google Nexus S 4G

The Google Nexus S 4G is one of the best Android CDMA smartphones out there. With top of the line performance and a gorgeous design, this phone could satisfy even the most power hungry person out there. Also, the Nexus S 4G outperforms the Nexus S, and the added benefit of CDMA support makes it a great smartphone to have. Featuring a generous 4” Super AMOLED screen, 16GB of internal memory and 1GHz processor, it has plenty of power to run just about anything on it.

2. HTC Desire (CDMA)

HTC has become a well respected name in the mobile technology industry. This is due to the fact that they produce quality smartphones and employ the latest technology available. The HTC Desire CDMA is a great example of this technology put to great use. Packing a 1GHz Qualcomm processor, a generous 3.7” screen and a 5MPx camera, the HTC Desire is a great idea for a Android CDMA smartphone.

1. Samsung-Google Galaxy Nexus i9250 Unlocked

Until recently, this was the flagship droid in Android’s camp. The Galaxy Nexus is one of the best, if not the best Android CDMA smartphone to date (until the CDMA version of the Samsung Galaxy S III hits the market). Although this smartphone does not come with CDMA support from the get go, developers are endlessly trying to customize ROM’s to suit CDMA networks, and as for now, there are plenty that work fine.

There you are, our top of the best Android CDMA smartphones. Also, I would like to mention that the new Samsung Galaxy S III will most likely come in a CDMA version, only time will tell. but until then, you can enjoy some of these Android CDMA smartphones.

© Raju PP for Technically Personal!, 2012. This Feed is for personal non-commercial use only. If you are not reading this material in your news aggregator, the site you are looking at is guilty of copyright infringement. Please contact us, so we can take legal action immediately. If you are on Twitter you can follow me @rajupp! | Permalink |

In the beginning of modern tech, there was Microsoft and from its stronghold, the people looked at the rest of the world with pride. Then, Nokia appeared. More recently, Apple, Samsung and others seems to have engraved their names in the mobile industry. The entry of such players on the market as LG, and more recently HTC, ZTE and Huawei proves that nobody can really control and own the mobile space.

Windows Phone 8 to be Launched Before the End of 2012

However, because Microsoft will remain Microsoft for ever, their claims will never stop. That’s why their deal with Nokia over the Windows partnership might prove to be a good strategy, after all. We are not sure if Windows Phone can win their fight against Android and Apple but they surely can create a stir on the market. Slowly, but surely, the Nokia Lumia line seems to gather more and more devotees, those that remain devoted to the Microsoft universe.

Now, all eyes are on Windows 8 launch and many are wondering whether Microsoft would decide to update its Windows Phone OS,  as well. This wouldn’t be a bad idea, since Microsoft would launch a similar attack on the tablet market. The mobile OS could be baptized Windows 8 Phone Apollo and it would be scheduled to emerge by the end of 2012.

Distributors are Getting Ready for Windows Phone 8 Launch

A couple of months ago, in February, news of Samsung designing a Windows 8 Phone, just after the platform was announced, hit. Even back then Matt Brum who is head of product management at Samsung confirmed that the company is working hand in hand in Microsoft to bring Windows Phone 8 products by the end of the year.

“We’re very much still focusing on Windows, and still have products in that area. We’re committed to delivering their products going forward.”

But now, the Israeli publication Techit.co.il shifts the focus upon Nokia. The editors behind the site claim that an European distributor has leaked the information according to which, Windows 8 Phones will be coming by the end of the year but courtesy of Nokia and not Samsung, albeit that will be only a matter of time. And, if you ask me, it’s natural for Microsoft to launch Windows Phone 8 on a Nokia hands. The devices chosen to sport the Windows 8 OS are the Nokia Lumias, the most popular handsets the company has released in the last few years.

Nokia, the Obvious Partner for The Release

This shady distributor will begin shipping the Windows 8 packed Nokia devices in Israel but Eurocom Nokia will be in charge of public distribution once the smartphones are ready to ship. The new Lumias will also support the Hebrew interface option. There is no official confirmation from Nokia’s headquarters yet as the company seems to be keeping quiet on the matter but this is not the first time we are seeing clues pointing to this outcome.

For example, last month, Nokia Saudi Arabia tweeted that the upcoming Windows 8 OS will find shelter in the Nokia Lumia 900 handset. Microsoft is still keeping a lot of secrets regarding what the next mobile OS version is going to bring to the table of smartphones but compiling rumors and expectations we sure hope to see the operating system mounted up on devices blessed with multi-core processors and high-resolution touchscreens.

© Raju PP for Technically Personal!, 2012. This Feed is for personal non-commercial use only. If you are not reading this material in your news aggregator, the site you are looking at is guilty of copyright infringement. Please contact us, so we can take legal action immediately. If you are on Twitter you can follow me @rajupp! | Permalink |