MS Office for iOS, Android due March 2013?

      There have been a host of rumours and speculation surrounding an official Microsoft Office app designed for iOS and Android devices. A report by The Verge now reveals that a dedicated Microsoft Office app called Office Mobile will be coming early next year for these two platforms.

     The report by The Verge cites several sources who are close to Microsoft’s plans. The sources state that Office versions designed for iOS and Android will arrive early next year.

The report states that the apps for both platforms will come free of cost, and enable users to view Microsoft Office documents on the go. The report states that like SkyDrive and OneNote apps, this upcoming Office Mobile app will require the user to have a Microsoft account.

When the app makes its debut, it will allow Microsoft account holders to access basic viewing functionalities in the app such as Word, PowerPoint, and Excel. However, if one wants to access editing functions from the Office Mobile app, one would require a subscription to Office 365.

The report notes that iOS users will have the option to purchase an Office 365 subscription from within the app or let organisations distribute codes to enable editing in Office Mobile. Commenting on this, the report states, “The apps will allow for basic editing, but we're told this won't go very far in attempting to replace regular full use of a desktop Office version.”

Sources have informed the website that Office Mobile will first land on iOS devices in late February or early March and on Android devices in May. The tech website contacted Microsoft, and it provided a statement, which read, “Office will work across Windows Phone, iOS and Android.”

For those who cannot wait to use Office Mobile, there are other noteworthy applications such as CloudOn. The app has recently been updated and available worldwide through Apple’s iTunes App Store and Google Play. Now anyone with an iPad or Android tablet can create, review, edit, and share documents using the app.

With the latest update, version 2.5 delivers new features aimed at improving individual and group productivity and also assists in saving time. New features include:

• CloudOn FileSpace: The FileSpace keeps users up-to-date with a real-time activity stream that supplies necessary context around any document, including comments, edits, and notifications. It is already available for iOS and will be coming soon to Android.
• Annotations: Users can add graphical notes to any item in Word, Excel or PowerPoint with a single tap. These annotations are saved in the document and will be displayed when the document is shared with others whether it is opened in the CloudOn workspace or not. Like the previous feature, this is already available for iOS and will be coming soon to Android.
• Universal Language Support: CloudOn version 2.5 includes enhanced keyboard support for all languages and alphabets in Microsoft Office documents. It is already available for iOS and Android devices.
• Improved, touch-friendly ribbon: The ribbon for Office applications is optimized for touch-based tablet use and makes the user experience simplified across editing functions which include including selecting fonts, aligning text, spell check, and track changes. This feature is available for iOS and Android.

SOURCE:TECH2

Android apps collect too much user data, researcher says

     More than 100,000 applications available for download from Google's Play Store may be collecting too much data from users, a research firm says.

About one-quarter of more than 400,000 applications studied are "suspicious" or "questionable" because of what they do in the background, such as location tracking, accessing contact lists or harvesting the contents of email messages, according a report issued yesterday by security firm Bit9. Those functions typically go far beyond the programs' stated purpose, Bit9 said.

Android phones warn users when they download applications about what information the programs will access. Whether most people actually read those warnings is another matter. A Google representative didn't immediately respond to a request for comment.

Some of the most aggressive apps are programs purporting to be affiliated with popular brands, such as Facebook and Zynga, Bit9 chief technology officer Harry Sverdlove wrote in an email interview. While the extra functions don't necessarily make the programs malicious, they do raise questions about the developers' intentions, he said.

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"Including a common app or publisher in the title is not a guaranteed sign of suspicious behavior, but it is certainly a technique that malicious authors use to trick users into installing their apps," Sverdlove wrote.

The findings illustrate a reality of the application economy: having a vast amount of third-party applications is both good and bad for consumers. With so many unknown developers writing software for smartphones, users must be vigilant about monitoring what permissions they're granting when they download new programs. Just 8200 or so of the applications that Bit9 studied came from what it described as highly trusted developers.

Mobile-app privacy has also attracted the attention of law enforcement.

In California, the only US state to require privacy policies for mobile applications as well as websites, Attorney General Kamala Harris has warned companies such as United Continental, Delta Air Lines and OpenTable that they are in violation of state law for failing to conspicuously post privacy policies for their mobile applications, Bloomberg reported on October 30.

The companies have 30 days to make the policies readily accessible or face fines of as much as $US2500 for each download of applications that violate the law, which is known as the California Online Privacy Protection Act.

Read more: http://www.smh.com.au/digital-life/consumer-security/android-apps-collect-too-much-user-data-researcher-says-20121102-28oie.html#ixzz2B8Flco62

Apple adds Android 4.1 Jelly Bean to Samsung patent lawsuit

GADGET DESIGNER Apple has added Google's Android 4.1 Jelly Bean mobile operating system to an existing lawsuit against Samsung in California.
The company told US Magistrate Judge Paul Grewal of its intention on Monday, adding that it thinks Samsung's Galaxy Note 10.1 tablet also infringes its patents. This might be in retaliation afterSamsung aired its plans to go after the Iphone 5 for allegedly infringing its patents on wireless technologies, but Apple has taken things one bit further by throwing Google into the mix.
It's still unclear why Apple is going after Android 4.1 Jelly Bean, or the Galaxy Note 10.1 for that matter, and the firm has not yet responded for our request for comment.
However, Adam Leach, principal analyst at Ovum said Apple's latest move is to simply try and slow down its ever-increasing competition. He told The INQUIRER, "I think Apple's agenda is just to slow down the competition wherever they can.

"I think ultimately they know they're not going to be able to stop Samsung and Android from trading they're just going to try and slow them down, tying their time money and executives up in a court case. The only thing they get out of this is slowing them down."
Android Liao, a lawyer for Apple said that the Samsung Galaxy Nexus is the only smartphone running Android 4.1 Jelly Bean that Apple wants to add to its patent complaint,Bloomberg reports. However, Liao added that Apple also wants to add 17 devices that could use a stylus, even if they don't ship with one included.
Samsung understandably opposes the addition of "stylus products in 17 new devices" to Apple's claims.
Victoria Maroulis, an attorney for Samsung said, "By adding the stylus, Apple is going to enlarge the case significantly."
This move shows that that the tedious legal war between Apple and Samsung is nowhere near over, despite Apple scoring a $1bn verdict over its rival in US court in August. Preliminary hearings are set to kick off in the US next month relating to this latest case, which might decided whether Apple can permanently ban Samsung devices in the US, including the firm's most popularSamsung Galaxy S3handset.
The lawsuit to which Apple added the Galaxy Note 10.1 tablet and Android 4.1 Jelly Bean mobile operating system is scheduled for trial in 2014, so it looks like these legal battles are set to continue for at least another two years, if not five or more years counting inevitable appeals.
Source:Inquirer

Huawei Launches Android 4.0 MediaPad 7 Lite For Rs 13,700

Chinese telecom-equipment maker, Huawei, has officially launched its MediaPad 7 Lite tablet in India. This has to be one of the few budget slates sporting a metal-clad body. Another aspect that sets it apart from the other 7" tablets, is the onboard 3G slot and voice calling capability. On the software front, the MediaPad 7 Lite offersAndroid 4.0 (Ice Cream Sandwich) out of the box. Moving on to its specs, you get a 1.2 GHz Cortex A8 CPU, coupled with 1 GB of RAM. Here is the complete list of features:

• 1.2 GHz Cortex-A8 CPU, GC800 GPU, 1 GB RAM.
• 7" LCD capacitive multi-touch IPS screen with 1024x600 pixels, 16 million colours.
• 3.2 mp rear camera, 0.3 mp front-facing camera.
• 4 GB of internal storage, MicroSD card slot (up to 32 GB).
• Wi-Fi with hotspot, Bluetooth 3.0, A-GPS.
• Micro USB 2.0 (with OTG support), 3.5 mm jack, Gravity sensor.
• Android 4.0 (ICS).
• Voice calls supported; GSM (850, 900, 1800, 1900 MHz), 3G (2100 MHz).
• 7.6" (l) x 4.7" (w) x 0.4" (11 mm) (d), 370 grams.
• 4100 mAh Lithium Polymer battery, 15 hours of talk time (12 hours on 3G), 5 hours of video playback.
• Package Contents: Charger, Quick Start Guide, Warranty Card, Headset, Data Cable.

The MediaPad 7 Lite is priced at Rs 13,700, and comes with a 1-year warranty. If you're tempted to buy this tablet, do check out Flipkart.com, as it's bundling a free Samsung HM-1100 Bluetooth Headset for a limited time. For the price, you can easily get a dual-core Android tablet, however, not many of them will feature phone functionality. Moreover, its IPS panel is any day better than the washed out screens that most budget tablets offer. Therefore, if you're not hell bent on buying a dual-core tablet, then the MediaPad 7 Lite deserves to be on your wish list.

Karbonn Launches Android 4.0 A21 And A9+ Smartphones Starting At Rs 9000

Adding to the large number of low-cost Android phones being unleashed upon us, Karbonn now has two more handsets under its Smart Duple Series. The A21 and the A9+ have been available at online stores for almost a month now; this official release by the company means you can buy them offline too.
The dual-SIM (GSM+GSM) 3G Karbon A21 is powered by a 1.2 GHz dual-core Qualcomm Snapdragon processor, and runs Android 4.0 (ICS). Sporting a 4.5" capacitive touchscreen with 480x800 pixels, the handset offers 3G Support in SIM 1 and 2G for SIM2. It works with quad-band GSM (900, 1800, 1900, 2100 MHz) frequencies. The phone comes with 4 GB of internal memory, a 32 GB microSD card slot, 1.3 mp front camera, and 5.0 mp main camera with autofocus and LED Flash. Its 1800 mAh battery claims a talk time of 5 hours and about 8 days of standby time. Other features include Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and USB support. Available in Pearl White, the phone is priced at Rs 12,000. You can get it for less online: It costs Rs 10,500 at Snapdeal.com and Rs 10,800 at Flipkart.com.

The Karbonn A9+ is also powered by 1.2 GHz dual-core processor and runs ICS. Sporting a 3.8" WVGA capacitive touch screen with 480x800 pixels, this phone also works with quad-band GSM (900, 1800, 1900, 2100 MHz) frequencies. The phone comes with 4 GB internal memory, 32 GB microSD card slot, 1.3 mp front camera, and 5.0 mp main camera with autofocus and LED Flash. Its 1420 mAh battery comes with claimed talk time of 4 hours and about 8 days of standby time. Other features include orientation sensor, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and USB support. Available in Pearl White the phone is priced at Rs 10,000, and is available on Flipkart.com for one grand lesser.

Karbonn's product page is full of contradictions, and repeated attempts to in touch with the concerned authorities haven't yielded results. So if you do plan to buy either of these handsets, double check on the specs before going for any purchases.

Zync launches Z1000 Android 4.0 tablet for Rs. 10,990

Zync has launched a new 9.7-inch tablet in the country for Rs. 10,990. Known as the Zync Z1000, the tablet is already available with online retailers like Snapdeal and HomeShop18.

The Zync Z1000 ships with Android 4.0 (upgradeable to Android 4.1 Jelly Bean) and features a 9.7-inch capacitive multi-touch IPS display with a 1024x768 pixel resolution. The tablet comes with two cameras on-board; a 2MP rear and a VGA front camera.

On the inside, the tablet is powered by a 1.5GHz single-core Cortex A8 processor with 1GB RAM. Other specs include 8GB internal storage with external expansion upto 32GB via microSD card. Ports and slots on the tablet include a mini HDMI port, two Micro-USB ports, a SIM card slot and a 3.5mm audio jack.

On the connectivity front, the device supports Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g, Bluetooth v2.0, The Z1000 comes with stereo speakers, a built-in microphone, and a 7,000mAh battery. The company is also offering one month free subscription for Bigflix.

The tablet also comes with a host of pre-installed applications including an Office Suite, Ibibo, BigFlix, Hungama and other social networking websites like Facebook. Zync is also offering a free Lycra sleeve pouch with every purchase.

The company's current offerings in the 7-inch Android-based tablet category include: Zync Z999 Plusthat was announced in July, Zync Z-990, Zync Z990 Plus, Zync Z909 Plus and Zync Z-930 launched earlier this month.

A tablet for every budget

Zync Z1000 key specs

• Android 4.0 (upgradable to Jelly Bean v4.1)
• 9.7-inch capacitive multi-touch IPS display with a 1024x768 pixel resolution
• 2MP rear camera, VGA front camera
• 1.5GHz single-core processor
• 1GB RAM
• 8GB internal storage
• Wi-Fi/3G/Bluetooth 2.0/Mini HDMI/Micro-USB
• 7,000 mAh
  
  source:"NDTV"

Sony launches Xperia tipo, Xperia tipo dual with Android 4.0

Sony Mobile has launched its Xperia tipo and Xperia tipo dual smartphones in India.

Priced at Rs. 9,999 Xperia tipo is the first sub-Rs. 10,000 smartphone from the company. This smartphone was up for pre-order earlier in the month at a popular e-commerce website for Rs. 9,499. As the name suggests, Xperia tipo dual is dual-SIM (GSM+GSM) version of Xperia tipo and is priced at Rs 10,449.

Both these smartphones have same specs, which is 3.2-inch TFT display with 480x320 pixel resolution and run on Android 4.0. There is 800MHz Qualcomm Snapdragon processor on board along with 512MB of RAM. This smartphone comes with 2.5GB internal storage and can be expanded up to 32 GB via microSD. Sony has tied up with Box to offer 50GB of cloud storage for life with the purchase of these Xperia smartphones.

For camera, there's a 3.2MP autofocus rear camera on board. The connectivity options include Wi-Fi, 3G and Bluetooth. Sony Xperia tipo is available in four colour options - black, white, red and blue while Xperia tipo dual is available in two colour options - black and silver. There also a handful of apps such as Bollywood Hungama, Cricbuzz and appXtra that come pre-loaded on both these smartphone.

Launching the smartphone, Kenichiro Hibi, Managing Director, Sony India said, "With the Xperia brand our aim has always been to innovate ahead of consumer demand. After the launch of Xperia NXT series earlier this year, we are now launching the phone that will reach out to entire India".

According to Sony, Xperia tipo and Xperia tipo dual are targeted at the youth and the features and price of these devices are in sync with the same.

Sony had earlier announced that it will be exiting the feature phone market and concentrating only on smartphones and these two new smartphones mark its entry in the entry-level smartphone arena. However, both these smartphones will have a stiff competition at hand.

Sony Xperia tipo is pitted against likes of HTC Wildfire S, HTC Desire C, LG Optimus L3, and Samsung Galaxy Ace. While Sony Xperia tipo dual will have to slug it out with LG Optimus Net Dual, LG Optimus L3 Dual Samsung Galaxy Ace Duos and Samsung Galaxy Y duos.

The advantage that Sony has is that, apart from HTC Desire C, all the other smartphones are running on Android 2.3 while Sony Xperia tipo and tipo dual run on Android 4.0. On the down side, Samsung and HTC have better brand value as against Sony in the smartphone market.

Key specifications

• 3.5-inch (480 x 320 pixels) TFT capacitive touch screen display
• Android 4.0 (Ice Cream Sandwich)
• 800 MHz processor
• 13 mm thick and weighs 99.4g
• 3.2 megapixel camera auto focus camera
• 3.5 mm audio jack, FM Radio with RDS
• 3G, Bluetooth, WiFi
• 512MB RAM, 2.9GB internal memory (up to 2.5GB user-accessible memory), up to 32 GB expandable memory with microSD
• 1500 mAh battery
  
  Source:NDTV