Mayur's Posterous http://agentm.posterous.com Most recent posts at Mayur's Posterous posterous.com Sun, 04 Dec 2011 08:05:00 -0800 Unboxing the Galaxy Nexus http://agentm.posterous.com/unboxing-the-galaxy-nexus http://agentm.posterous.com/unboxing-the-galaxy-nexus
To get a better/bigger view, click on the first picture and navigate left or right using the arrow keys on your keyboard.

I won't be doing a full review of this phone because I don't have the time and instead of doing a half-a$$ed writeup, just google "Galaxy Nexus review" and you should get about 167 million hits.

A few notable reviews:

AnandTech - Review for the nerds (added 19 Jan 2012)

The Verge. (Or you could skip the text and just watch the excellent video review here)

Engadget

Slashgear

CNET.co.uk

Google's latest and greatest is here and it comes pre-loaded with Android 4.0 a.k.a. Ice Cream Sandwich. The first few words that came to my mind after I started using the phone were "Holy Mother of God that is fast". Android's latest UI has been overhauled to make it extremely user friendly (or n00b friendly, if you must) and it's blazing fast. I love the sexy, subtle, snappy animations that respond everytime I touch that beautiful 720p screen. I can't possibly list all the awesome new features that are available on this phone ... Roboto font, face unlock, barometer, head tracking, 3rd party controller setup ... the reviews cover everything in detail. Engadget calls it the best Android phone and "possibly even the best phone available today, period". 

I also received this welcome message from Team Android after I activated my device :) 

 

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To be honest, I don't really need a new phone. My current phone is a Nexus One that's rooted and running CyanogenMod 7.1 with a kernel that was cherry picked to work best for my day-to-day needs. I've been using Android since Eclair (2.1) came out and ICS is a big jump for all of us who currently use Gingerbread. My Nexus One has aged gracefully and can still give any current generation iPhone/Blackberry/Windows phone a run for their money but the hardware is the only thing that's holding it back. I still don't know how I feel about not having a micro-sd card on the Galaxy Nexus, time will tell. I feel sorry for my friends in the States, they're going through hell not knowing the actual release date for this phone. Hang in there guys, even Hitler is pissed!

I've also put up a few comparison pictures at the end of the image gallery. You'll see the Galaxy Nexus, Samsung Galaxy S II, iPhone 4 and my Nexus One in that particular order. 

If anyone's got a question or wants a feature comparison, feel free to drop me a question via email, Facebook or Google+. You can also leave a comment below :)

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Sun, 06 Nov 2011 20:59:37 -0800 Changed the boot animation on my Nexus One http://agentm.posterous.com/changed-the-boot-animation-on-my-nexus-one http://agentm.posterous.com/changed-the-boot-animation-on-my-nexus-one
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It looks even better on my device.

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Sat, 03 Sep 2011 18:47:00 -0700 Introducing Samsung Galaxy Note http://agentm.posterous.com/introducing-samsung-galaxy-note http://agentm.posterous.com/introducing-samsung-galaxy-note

I guess Samsung thinks there's a market for something like this.

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Sun, 21 Aug 2011 13:11:00 -0700 This is probably the most fanboy-ish thing I've ever done. http://agentm.posterous.com/this-is-probably-the-most-fanboy-ish-thing-iv http://agentm.posterous.com/this-is-probably-the-most-fanboy-ish-thing-iv

I love tech and I obsess over every gadget based on its merit but I never get into the whole fanboy craziness.

Q. So why did I put Android wallpapers on the iPads at my friendly neighbourhood electronics store?

A. Because I can.

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Sun, 14 Aug 2011 09:54:00 -0700 New MIUI Lockscreen http://agentm.posterous.com/new-miui-lockscreen http://agentm.posterous.com/new-miui-lockscreen

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Sun, 14 Aug 2011 09:48:00 -0700 Patrick Bolvin Releasing a “Kick-Ass Stop-Motion Animation” Video in October Featuring Optimus “Prime” http://agentm.posterous.com/patrick-bolvin-releasing-a-kick-ass-stop-moti http://agentm.posterous.com/patrick-bolvin-releasing-a-kick-ass-stop-moti

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Mon, 08 Aug 2011 11:56:00 -0700 Android App Turns Smartphones Into Mobile Hacking Machines - Andy Greenberg - The Firewall - Forbes http://agentm.posterous.com/android-app-turns-smartphones-into-mobile-hac http://agentm.posterous.com/android-app-turns-smartphones-into-mobile-hac
Dangerous hacks come in small packages.

Or they will, perhaps, when an app called Anti, or Android Network Toolkit, hits the Android market next week. The program, which Israeli security firm Zimperium revealed at the Defcon hacker conference in Las Vegas Friday and plans to make available to Android users in coming days, is designed for penetration testing–in theory, searching out and demonstrating vulnerabilities in computer systems so that they can be patched. Anti aims to bring all the hacking tools available to penetration testers on PCs to smartphones, with an automated interface intended to make sniffing local networks and owning remote servers as simple as pushing a few buttons.

 

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“We wanted to create a penetration testing tool for the masses, says Itzhak “Zuk” Avraham, founder of Tel-Aviv-based Zimperium. “It’s about being able to do what advanced hackers do with a really good implementation. In your pocket.”

 

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Fri, 29 Jul 2011 00:07:24 -0700 TouchPal Keyboard - the future of input http://agentm.posterous.com/touchpal-keyboard-the-future-of-input http://agentm.posterous.com/touchpal-keyboard-the-future-of-input

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Fri, 03 Jun 2011 10:43:00 -0700 Barnes & Noble NOOK Color hacked to run MeeGo Linux http://agentm.posterous.com/barnes-noble-nook-color-hacked-to-run-meego-l http://agentm.posterous.com/barnes-noble-nook-color-hacked-to-run-meego-l
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Fri, 27 May 2011 00:39:00 -0700 Mobile Augmented Reality by Blippar™ http://agentm.posterous.com/mobile-augmented-reality-by-blippar http://agentm.posterous.com/mobile-augmented-reality-by-blippar

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Tue, 24 May 2011 10:18:00 -0700 NVIDIA CEO hints at Tegra 3-powered Nexus 3 http://agentm.posterous.com/nvidia-ceo-hints-at-tegra-3-powered-nexus-3 http://agentm.posterous.com/nvidia-ceo-hints-at-tegra-3-powered-nexus-3
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This is what the Tegra 3 Kal-El processor is capable of http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nvidia_Tegra#Tegra_.28Kal-El.29_series

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Wed, 11 May 2011 03:52:00 -0700 Android@Home Lets You Control Your Lights & Appliances Wirelessly http://agentm.posterous.com/androidhome-lets-you-control-your-lights-appl http://agentm.posterous.com/androidhome-lets-you-control-your-lights-appl

 

Google has just unveiled the Android@Home framework, a set of protocols for controlling light switches, alarm clocks and other home appliances through any Android device.

The search giant’s ambitious plan intends to turn the home into one connected device. During a demo Tuesday at Google I/O in San Francisco, the company showed off the capability to control lights via an Android tablet. Android@Home essentially makes it possible to control wireless or connected devices.

Google also showed off a new type of Android device: a home theater system called “Project Tungsten.” Google rigged several speakers to the Android OS and, using an Android tablet, controls the speaker system. Google also demonstrated how the system can start playing music just by swiping a near-field communication-enabled CD case in front of the “Project Tungsten” setup.

Don’t expect to be controlling your home light switches with Android@Home next week, though. Google has partnered with companies such as LightingScience to bring compatible appliances and devices to the market, but they won’t debut until the end of the year.

Google unveiled the framework now so that developers can get a head start on building apps on top of the new protocols.

via mashable.com

 

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Tue, 10 May 2011 19:43:00 -0700 Google I/O 2011: Keynote Day One http://agentm.posterous.com/google-io-2011-keynote-day-one http://agentm.posterous.com/google-io-2011-keynote-day-one

Android 2.4 "Ice Cream Sandwich" confirmed!

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Mon, 25 Apr 2011 08:37:00 -0700 B&N Nook Color update released, brings Froyo, apps, and Flash, we go hands-on (video) http://agentm.posterous.com/50772713 http://agentm.posterous.com/50772713

We've been waiting for this day: our little reader would finally become a big boy tablet -- without having to resort to any sort of hackery. We knew it was coming and, as of now, owners of the Barnes & Noble Nook Color should be receiving notices that their devices are ready to drop those training wheels and run some proper apps. Flash web browsing, downloads, games, e-mail, it's all here. Click on through for our impressions and a video of the update in action.

Obviously the biggest addition here are the apps themselves, and sadly we're not talking full Market access -- nor access to any of the standard Google applications like Gmail or Maps. Barnes & Noble has its own set of libraries that software developers must include and use, providing the unified experience the company wants to bring to its little ecosphere, making the look and feel of apps jive with the rest of the system. As to which apps will be available, we saw a number of games, cooking helpers like Epicurious, and, yes, Angry Birds -- though we weren't able to get the latter to install successfully.

To that end, frequently used apps slot right in next to your most recently read books and magazines, and browsing for them in the store is just like hunting for printed titles, even carrying over the same categories -- or genres, as it were. The stock browser now includes Flash support and things perform reasonably well, but there was some noticeable lag at times when playing videos or scrolling about on pages with animations. Performance is generally good, but there are definitely some responsiveness issues and it's safe to say your Nook won't exactly be making any owners of dual-core Honeycomb tablets jealous when it comes to performance.


The reading experience has also been improved, with proper page turning animations, important for those who need a little visual flair with their reading. Reading can now be done in landscape mode for anyone so inclined, while books can include videos and animations. No, you won't be seeing a dramatic recreation of Jean Valjean stealing bread, but you might just find some how-to videos in cookbooks showing you how to properly activate your yeast.

Some children's books are also being updated, adding "read and play" functionality that mixes simple games and challenges in with the text and pictures. In one Dr. Seuss book we were presented a picture of multiple white dogs and were asked to tap on the one wearing roller skates. We found it.

There are a number of other tweaks coming, too, including beta access into a new social portal. This lets you see what friends are reading, taunt them for their Twilight addiction, and even guiltily request to borrow a copy of Breaking Dawn. This has the potential to make the Nook's lending functionality far more useful than it is now.


Ultimately this latest update turns the $250 Nook Color into a fine entry-level tablet with a comfortable size, nice screen and a rather accessible price. That said, this is still a far cry from the pure Android tablet experience that many enthusiasts want. In other words: this isn't likely to stop those Nook hacks that we've come to know and love over the years.

Update: Barnes & Noble indicates the software will be pushed to WiFi-connected devices over the "coming weeks," but if you just can't wait you can download your update here.

Update 2: We've added some further pictures and a more detailed video.

via engadget.com

 

Android devices: BEST INVESTMENT EVER.

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Sat, 02 Apr 2011 20:16:00 -0700 Android in space! http://agentm.posterous.com/android-in-space http://agentm.posterous.com/android-in-space

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Fri, 25 Feb 2011 11:19:00 -0800 Gingerbread OTA now available - xda-developers http://agentm.posterous.com/gingerbread-ota-now-available-xda-developers http://agentm.posterous.com/gingerbread-ota-now-available-xda-developers
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Keep checking, guys :)

I'll wait for a stable release of CM7 to come out.

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Wed, 16 Feb 2011 17:18:00 -0800 Androidify App - Make your own Android avatars! http://agentm.posterous.com/androidify-app-make-your-own-android-avatars http://agentm.posterous.com/androidify-app-make-your-own-android-avatars

I'll be posting mine soon :D

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Thu, 10 Feb 2011 07:19:00 -0800 Sentio UI as launcher replacement for Android phones. http://agentm.posterous.com/sentio-ui-as-launcher-replacement-for-android http://agentm.posterous.com/sentio-ui-as-launcher-replacement-for-android

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Wed, 09 Feb 2011 03:39:00 -0800 This is why Gingerbread is delayed for Nexus One owners. http://agentm.posterous.com/42478447 http://agentm.posterous.com/42478447

Android 2.3 (Gingerbread) Data Stealing Vulnerability

By Xuxian Jiang, Assistant Professor, Department of Computer Science, NC State University
While working on an Android-related research project, I came across a data stealing vulnerability in Android 2.3 (Gingerbread). This vulnerability is of the same nature with the one reported by Thomas Cannon during last November on Android 2.2 (Froyo). That particular bug is supposed to be fixed in Android 2.3 (Gingerbread) -- see the links here, here, here, and there.

Unfortunately, our finding here is that the patch contained in Android 2.3 is not an ultimate fix and can still be bypassed. We have a proof-of-concept exploit with a stock Nexus S phone and are able to successfully exploit the vulnerability to steal potentially personal information from the phone. The attack works by requiring the user to visit a malicious link. Based on the experiments with one of our Nexus S phones, we have leveraged the vulnerability to

  • Obtain the list of applications that are currently installed in the phone;
  • Upload the applications (located in /system and /sdcard partitions) to a remote server;
  • Read and upload the contents of any file (including photos, saved voicemails...) stored on the phone's /sdcard. Note that to do that, the exact pathname/filename needs to be known.

I notified the Google Android Security Team on 01/26/2011 and was pleased/impressed to receive their response within 10 minutes. After that, we exchanged emails, including a critical piece of exploit code, to better understand the nature of the vulnerability. From the interaction, I can tell that they took this issue seriously and the investigation was started immediately without any delay. Also, I need to mention that this attack is not a root exploit, meaning it still runs within the Android sandbox and cannot grab all files on the system (only those on the /sdcard and a limited number of others).

The vulnerability is now confirmed and I was told that an ultimate fix will be included no later than the next major release of Android. We are not aware of any active exploitation of this issue.

For responsible disclosure, I will not publish the details of the vulnerability until an ultimate fix is out. However, I would like to share the common intention by informing users about the potential risk (and absolutely NOT about how to exploit), which is the reason why I created this webpage.

Before the ultimate fix is out, there are several ways we can take to mitigate this threat. For example, we can temporarily disable Javascript support in the Android browser or switch to a third-party browser for the time being (e.g., Firefox). We can also choose to unmount the /sdcard. But that may greatly affect the usability of the phone. Users are also encouraged to be cautious when viewing unfamiliar websites.

Finally, I'd like to thank Nick from the Android Security Team for verifying the presence of this vulnerability and keeping me informed as this fix progresses. 

Related links:

Last modified: Janurary 28th, 2011

 

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Mon, 07 Feb 2011 08:06:00 -0800 Android Event 02-02-2011 explaining Honeycomb features using a Xoom http://agentm.posterous.com/android-event-02-02-2011 http://agentm.posterous.com/android-event-02-02-2011

 

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