Google has just confirmed its next-gen platform as Android 4.1 Jelly Bean at its major I/O developer conference. The company also talked about an initiative it calls "Project Butter" that's aimed at making the new platform experience "buttery smooth" through three VSync, triple buffering, and touch responsiveness.
Following reports that the Motorola Droid Razr Maxx had surpassed Apple's iPhone 4S in sales at Verizon, another report by Canaccord Genuity analyst Michael Walkley says it isn't so. According to Walkley, the Apple iPhone 4S remains Verizon's top selling handset and has been the top selling handset at all major carriers for all of 2012 thus far.
Sony has released the much anticipated YouTube app for its PlayStation Vita portable gaming device. The app takes advantage of the handheld's large 5-inch high-resolution display and 3G capabilities. It will be available for download later today via the the PS Vita Store on PSN.
Samsung has begun shipping its 27-inch Series 9 LED monitor to the US. The monitor is aimed at design professionals, featuring exclusive Natural Color Expert technology that provides a richer viewing experience for working with graphics, photos, and video. Each monitor is calibrated for an hour at the factory, while a separate sensor can be purchased for in-home adjustments using its built-in calibration engine for precise color.
Apple has been granted a batch of patents today by the US Patent and Trademark Office---27 new patents to be exact. PatentlyApple dug up the details on these patents, pointing out some of the more notable ones including an inductive charging station for handsets as well as iOS scrolling, rotating, and scaling on a touchscreen display.
Apple today released a second beta for iOS 6 to developers. Not much is known about the update except that it's identified as build 10A5338d and that it brings some "bug fixes and improvements." iOS 6 was first introduced earlier this month at WWDC 2012.
American and Israeli scientists have developed a new system of wirelessly transmitting data using twisted beams of light that could produce a theoretical throughput of 2.5 terabits of data per second. For perspective, that's more than 8,000 times faster than Verizon's fastest home Internet connection known as FiOS, which boasts 300Mbps. At this speed you can transfer seven full Blu-ray movies per second.
Apple revealed earlier this month that it would be integrating Yelp reviews into iOS 6, but apparently that's not all. According to Bloomberg, screenshots found in the Apple developer kit indicate that Yelp's check-in feature will also be baked directly into the new iOS 6 maps app, allowing users to check-in to a location without having to leave the maps app.
Google CEO Larry Page was missing from the company's annual shareholders meeting on Thursday due to health reasons. Google Chairman Eric Schmidt was present to explain that Page had lost his voice and would be missing several other events in the upcoming weeks.
HTC looks to be working on its own version of Apple's Siri intelligent voice assistant app. The Taiwanese manufacturer posted a teaser image today revealing both an odd sense of humor and a potential Siri rival. Posted to both Facebook and Twitter, the image depicts what appears to be HTC's own assistant app interacting with a dog.
Nokia has begun rolling out new camera features for its Lumia 900 smartphones in the US and China. The new features are bundled in a Camera Extras app that can be downloaded from the Nokia Collection in the Windows Phone Marketplace. It brings four new camera capabilities, including smart group shot, action shot, panorama, and self-timer.
Microsoft surprised everyone this week with its own in-house designed Windows 8 Surface tablet and now it looks like the company is set on making its own Windows Phone 8 handset as well. According to Nomura analyst Rick Sherlund, industry sources say that Microsoft is currently working with a contract manufacturer to develop its own device for Windows Phone 8.
