New test build of Android-x86 released, based on the Android 4.2.2

Android-x86 is a project to port Android open source project to x86 platform, Run Android on Your PC.

The test build 20130228 is based on the latest Android 4.2.2 release (JB-MR1.1 branch). We have fixed and added x86 specified code to let the system runs smoothly on most x86 platforms, especially for tablets and netbooks.

The key features in this release are:

Use the latest kernel 3.8.0 to support more drivers.
OpenGL ES hardware acceleration for AMD Radeon and Intel chipsets (not included chips with PVR). You may disable it by adding HWACCEL=0 to the cmdline if you have trouble to use it.
Support Multi-touch, Wifi, Audio, G-sensor, Camera and Backlight control.
Simulate SDCard by internal storage.
Auto mount usb driver and sdcard on plugging.
Multi-user support (max 8).
Support Ethernet (DHCP only).
Support VM like Virtual Box.

Chrysler Thomas Special Coupe by Ghia

V8 / 5.424 cc / 180 PS / 312 ft/lb (423 Nm) @ 2.000

(click images for a larger view)

Instant Spring for Android Starter

The possibility to connect to remote web services is a key feature for most Android apps. REST (Representational State Transfer) is the most popular architecture to provide web services to mobile devices and others. OAuth has recently become the web’s favorite way to authenticate and authorize users and apps, thanks to its capability to re-use popular web platforms accounts (Google, Facebook, Twitter). Spring for Android is an extension of the Spring Framework that aims to simplify the development of native Android applications.

"Spring for Android Starter" is a practical, hands-on guide that provides you with a number of clear step-by-step exercises, which will help you take advantage of the abstractions offered by Spring for Android with regard to REST (RestTemplate) and OAuth (OAuthTemplate). It will also introduce you to the bases of those architectures and the associated tooling.

This book gets you started using Spring for Android, first letting you know how to set up your workspace to include those libraries in your projects (with the Eclipse IDE and also with the popular building tool Maven) and then providing some clear and real life examples of RESTful and OAUth backed Android applications.

After introducing the technology, we’ll discover the different Message Converters provided (to consume JSON, XML, and Atom web services) and the main HTTP verbs to interact with RESTful webservices: GET, POST, DELETE, and UPDATE. We’ll also mention how to support HTTP Basic Auth, Gzip compression, and finally put in practice the OAuth workflow with a concrete example relying on the Google OAuth service provider to authenticate and authorize an app and users.

You will learn everything you need to consume RESTful web services, authenticate your users, and interact with their social platforms profiles from your Android app.

Approach

Get to grips with a new technology, understand what it is and what it can do for you, and then get to work with the most important features and tasks.

This is a Starter which gives you an introduction to Spring for Android with plenty of well-explained practical code examples.

Who this book is for

If you are an Android developer who wants to learn about RESTful web services and OAuth authentication and authorization, and you also want to know how to speed up your development involving those architectures using Spring for Android abstractions, then this book is for you.

But core Java developers are not forgotten, thanks to the explanations on how to set up Eclipse and Maven for Android development (very basic knowledge regarding Android UI design is required to understand the examples; the right pointers to ramp up on this topic are provided though).

Fiberfab Bonito

F4 / 1.584 cc / 54 PS / Vmax: 84 mph (135 km/h) / Kit-Car

(click images for a larger view)

Google Maps Android API v2 now support anti-clockwise polygons

With Google Play services v3.0 and Android SDK Platform-tools updated. Google Maps Android API v2 now support anti-clockwise polygons.

The code is here: Google Maps Android API v2 example: Draw Polygon on GoogleMap. With video of playing in old version Google Play Services without support of anti-clockwise polygons.

Android SDK Platform-tools updated

To update Android SDK in Eclipse, click Window -> Android SDK Manager. Updates of Android SDK Platform-tools, Extras of Google Play Services, and a number of features are available.

Over-The-Air Installs - stay connected to users across their devices

With Google Play services v3.0, now you can drive automatic Android downloads from your website sign-ins. After signing in with Google on the web, users have the option to send your Android app to their device instantly, without them ever leaving your website. Direct installs from the Google Play Store are limited to free apps that exceed a quality threshold.

Link: https://developers.google.com/+/features/play-installs

Google Play services updated v3.0

Google roll out Google Play services v3.0, includes great Google+ Sign-In and Google Maps Android API improvements.

Know more: Android Developers Blog - Google+ Sign-In Now Part of Google Play Services

Chevrolet 2/3 Scale Revell Show Car

V8 / 4.343 cc

(click images for a larger view)

Get memory information

Example to get memory information using Runtime.

package com.example.androidmem;

import android.os.Bundle;
import android.app.Activity;
import android.widget.TextView;

public class MainActivity extends Activity {

    @Override
    protected void onCreate(Bundle savedInstanceState) {
        super.onCreate(savedInstanceState);
        setContentView(R.layout.activity_main);
        
        TextView memInfo = (TextView)findViewById(R.id.meminfo);
        
        String info = "";
        
        info += "Total memory: " + Runtime.getRuntime().totalMemory() + "\n";
        info += "Free memory: " + Runtime.getRuntime().freeMemory() + "\n";
        info += "Max memory: " + Runtime.getRuntime().maxMemory() + "\n";
        
        memInfo.setText(info);
    }

}

<LinearLayout xmlns:android="http://schemas.android.com/apk/res/android"
    xmlns:tools="http://schemas.android.com/tools"
    android:layout_width="match_parent"
    android:layout_height="match_parent"
    android:paddingBottom="@dimen/activity_vertical_margin"
    android:paddingLeft="@dimen/activity_horizontal_margin"
    android:paddingRight="@dimen/activity_horizontal_margin"
    android:paddingTop="@dimen/activity_vertical_margin"
    android:orientation="vertical"
    tools:context=".MainActivity" >

    <TextView
        android:layout_width="wrap_content"
        android:layout_height="wrap_content"
        android:text="@string/hello_world" />
    <TextView
        android:id="@+id/meminfo"
        android:layout_width="wrap_content"
        android:layout_height="wrap_content" />

</LinearLayout>

Rolls-Royce Phantom Coupe (starlight headlining)

V12 / 6.749 cc / 460 PS / 530 lb/ft (720 Nm) @ 3.500 / 0 - 62 mph (100 km/h): 5,7 s / Vmax: 150 mph (240 km/h) / 1.600 hand-fixed starts (fibre optic and LED, adjustable to suit the owner's mood)

(click images for a larger view)

Instant Android Fragmentation Management How-to

There are currently 7 different versions of operating systems for Android. A growing issue is fragmentation. With the number of Android users and the variety of versions available, Android fragmentation is a huge problem. This little book is the solution.

Android Fragmentation Management How-to is a step-by-step guide to writing applications that can run on all devices starting from Android 1.6. With simple solutions for complex problems, this book will walk you through the biggest issues facing Android developers today.

This book will take you through the newest features in the latest version of Android, and shows you how to utilize them in the older versions using the compatibility library. This practical guide allows you to focus on creating the best application possible without worrying about compatibility.

All the heavy lifting is done for you. Using user interface, adapting your application will work perfectly on any Android operating system. Asynchronous data management will also allow your applications to run smoothly on any device.

Everything you need to run your app on any version of Android is right here.

Approach

Filled with practical, step-by-step instructions and clear explanations for the most important and useful tasks. Get the job done and learn as you go. Written in the easy to understand Packt How-to format, this book offers the solution to the big issues in Android application development.

Who this book is for

If you want the best possible reviews for your apps, regardless of device or Android operating system, then this book is for you.

Fiat Topolino "Bad Habit"

V8 / 6.981 cc / supercharger

(click images for a larger view)

Instructions for flashing a phone or tablet device with Ubuntu

Ubuntu Wiki post Instructions for flashing a phone or tablet device with Ubuntu.

The Ubuntu Touch Developer Preview is intended to be used for development and evaluation purposes only. It does not provide all of the features and services of a retail phone and cannot replace your current handset. This preview is the first release of a very new and unfinished version of Ubuntu and it will evolve quickly. If you want to install this release, please follow the guide provided, which details the available features and how to navigate the user experience.

This process will delete all data from the device. Restoring Android will not restore this data.

Android SDK Tools and ADT plugin updated Revision 21.1.0

Android SDK Tools updated Revision 21.1.0, you can now update it in Eclipse by select Windows -> Android SDK Manager.

The SDK Tools r21.1.0 is designed for use with ADT 21.1.0 and later, to update ADT in Eclipse, select Help -> Check for updates.

Remark: if you cannot update ADT (No updates were found), double check the setting of your software site (in Help -> Install New Software...), make sure https://dl-ssl.google.com/android/eclipse/ is included. In my case, the default included site is http://dl-ssl.google.com/android/eclipse/, no updates were found at this moment!

HTC One, full press conference led by HTC CEO Peter Chou in London.

HTC One - The Unveiling

introduced the brand new HTC One to the world in London and New York on 19 February, 2013. This is the full press conference led by HTC CEO Peter Chou in London.

Demo video of Google Glass

Mosler MT 900 SC

V8 / 5.666 cc / 639 PS / 590 ft/lb (800 Nm) / supercharger / 0 - 62 mph (100 km/h): 3,1 s / Vmax: 200 mph (322 km/h) / 479.000 USD

(click images for a larger view)