Facebook allows users to Test their Beta Version

Facebook just announced that it was setting up a test program for its Android application. Thus, those who wish to test it may register and use a special version which will be updated more often, with features being finalized. While Android is gaining more and more popularity, the diversity of Smartphones, not to mention the fragmentation in the OS versions, raises concern. Developers should indeed take into account a multitude of cases, while the iOS side, only a few models of the iPhone, iPad and iPod exist. Recognizing this problem, the Facebook team has decided to launch a new program. This will enable it to offer a beta version to all users who have decided to use. It will allow developers to identify potential problems in terms of both ergonomics and operation, before starting production on the stable version of the application. This is good initiatives that is rather significant, and allow "early adopters" to find their happiness. Currently, the cycle of updating Facebook is four weeks. This is a practice which came into force last year. During this period, it is the employees who are testers, and can give their opinion about the features under development. But for the reasons mentioned above, a larger panel was necessary. Thus, at the beginning of this year, manufacturers such as Facebook Qualcomm, HTC, Ericsson, Sony, Huawei and MediaTek are partners and have had the opportunity to have early access to certain features (including the disastrous Facebook Home?). The goal here was to allow optimization namely the material for items such as graphics rendering, network management, etc. This is the very first opening for Android users to set up via functionality integrated update to the Facebook app.

Sony Xperia Z Ultra

Sony unveiled a few days ago the Xperia Z Ultra, the new high-end Smartphone that will come to chase the market of Samsung Galaxy Note. Particularly this has more technology bundled inside: a Snapdragon SoC 800 to 2.2 GHz, a Full HD 1080p 6.44-inch screen, slim design, most importantly it is full water proof. Xperia Z Ultra is fully convincing, but in comparison it is a little less powerful than the Galaxy S4 or HTC One, both equipped with a Snapdragon chip 600. In fact, this Smartphone has a 6.44 inch TFT screen with a Full HD (1920 x 1080 pixels), which has a processing TRILUMINOS which can be found on the TV brand. In addition, it supports note taking via a stylus, like the Samsung latest model. The design is identical to the mobile Xperia and Z includes a thin layer of glass on either side of the mobile. It is also waterproof and dust proof; it is also IP58 certified, which allows it to take a bath up to 1.5 m depth over a period of 30 minutes. Anyway, the size of the beast is 179 x 92 x 6.5 mm. As for weight, it is 212 grams, anyway. For reference, a Galaxy Note II weighs 180 grams and 6.3 Galaxy Mega is 199 grams. Inside, the SoC most upscale in Qualcomm Snapdragon 800 is present, which was selected with a frequency of 2.2 GHz on all four cores.

It is assisted by 2GB of RAM as well as 16GB of storage. The latter can be extended via the microSDHC card reader (up to 64 GB). Small compromise is done by Sony in the picture / video sensor "Exmor RS" with 8 megapixels only. On the Xperia Z, it is 13 megapixels. It is assisted by a second 2-megapixel front. Both allow you to shoot movies in Full HD. In the connectivity side, there are Wi-Fi 802.11ac, Bluetooth 4.0, an NFC chip, a GLONASS GPS compatible, but also it can support of 4G up to 100 Mb / s or 3G + up to 42 Mb / s. Connectivity includes a micro USB 2.0 port with MHL support. It will be possible to extract an HDMI output. The 3000 mAh battery is loaded with this Smartphone while the current Xperia Z is equipped only with a battery of 2300 mAh. The manufacturer took the opportunity to announce a range of 7.5 hours of video playback, and up to 14 hours talk time. Of course, the Stamina mode to refine the use of the mobile is in the game. This is the first time that Android 4.2 will be installed by default on a terminal of the brand. For now, Sony says its Smartphone will be available in the third quarter without elaborating not mentioning the price

HP Slate 21 all-in-one PC

Hewlett-Packard announces the HP Slate 21 all-in-one PC with the Android operating system. Complete the calculator is available from September 2013 for the equivalent of 300 Euros. All-in-one PCs like the slate presented 21 of Hewlett-Packard are computers whose technology is behind the display. When the Slate 21 including the Nvidia Tegra mobile processor 4; and bring the computer games chic and smoothly on the screen. The latter measures the Slate 21 eponymous 21-inch (53 centimeters diagonal) displays 1920x1080 pixels (Full HD) and is easy to operate, thanks to built-in touch screen. Furthermore, the all-in-one PC with an HD webcam, WLAN, Bluetooth 3.0, two USB 2.0 ports and SD card slot is provided. But the OS is not Windows 8, but Android 4.2 (Jelly Bean) is installed as the operating system. According to HP, manager Eric Wiggins wanted to reach more users. He also reveals that up to five people can register with their own Google account simultaneously on the Slate 21st Eight gigabytes of built-in memory makes small clear: The Slate 21 is designed for streaming and cloud applications.

HTC Desire 200

The HTC Desire 200 is an Android Smartphone that is clearly targeted at beginners and provides a five-megapixel camera and a one-gigahertz processor. It finely fits in to your pocket. The HTC Desire 200 offers five-megapixel camera and Beats Audio. The Android Smartphone offers a 3.5-inch display with a resolution of 480x320 pixels, however, is extremely low. Behind the scenes is a single-core Qualcomm processor with one gigahertz clock in collaboration with 500 MB of memory used. Which version of Android Smartphone that gets missed, unfortunately, is still unknown. However, the operating system, as is usual with HTC, coupled with the company's own user interface "HTC Sense". The integrated camera of the HTC Desire 200 beautifully solves your photos with five megapixels and offers Smile detection, and various effects and filters. Save your data on the four gigabytes of internal memory, which can however be expanded with a microSD card up to 32 gigabytes. The usual standards of the HTC Desire 200 have as usual Bluetooth 4.0, as well as HSDPA and Wi-Fi. With dimensions of 10,8 x6, 1x1, 2 cm Desire 200 fits in any pocket and is only 100 grams with a real lightweight. The 1230 mAh (milliamp hours) strong battery should last for around eleven hours calls according to the manufacturer. Also, the sound enhancement "Beats Audio" as used in most current HTC devices, the Desire 200 also with the same. Add to that the "HTC Data Manager", which is supposed to guarantee a low data consumption and the "Intelligent Display" that automatically adjusts web pages to fit the display size.

Sony unveils SmartWatch 2

Still confidential, the market for high-tech watches could explode with the arrival of new manufacturers. Sony, which already has a watch connected with Android since last year, has just unveiled its new version in order to forestall future competitors. Present in the area of high-tech watches for a moment, Sony has never really managed to break through and create real excitement on the part of consumers. However, the Japanese manufacturer will not give up by announcing a second version of its SmartWatch. It must be said that the rumors and announcements are raised about the arrival on the market of major companies like Apple, Microsoft, Samsung or LG. For Sony, the purpose of its SmartWatch 2 is to make an impression before the arrival of fierce competition. Like the first version the SmartWatch 2, also running Android and is specifically dedicated to Smartphones running Google's OS.

 Any Smartphone running Android 4.0 (or higher) and can connect via Bluetooth with this watch. And hundreds of applications from Google Play can be installed. Make and receive calls, manage SMS, MMS, emails, Facebook, Twitter and Google+ notifications, listen to music, check the weather, all these are possible thanks to the SmartWatch 2 to Like the first version elsewhere. Obviously capable of delivering on time, the watch is also armed with a compass and a stopwatch. Accompanied by NFC and Bluetooth 3.0 chip, it can be attached to any standard 24mm bracelet. With a weight of 122.5 grams including the bracelet, the watch measures 42 x 9 x 41 mm, while it’s 1.6-inch LCD screen offers a resolution of 220 x 176 pixels. Autonomy is one week in low use, and 3 to 4 days for "normal use". No information about the duration for intensive operation, but we expect a relatively narrow range. According to Sony, the splash proof SmartWatch 2, which does not mean it can go in the water. Languages available on the watch are the French, English, German, Danish, Spanish, Greek, Japanese, Dutch, Polish, Portuguese, Russian, Swedish, Czech and Traditional Chinese. Finally, note that the SmartWatch 2 goes on sale in September for a price still unknown to this day. Note that the first version is sold at a suggested retail price of 129 Euros.