BeBook to release 7-inch Froyo tablet in June

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BeBook, an e-reader manufacturer, has announced that they will release the BeBook live in June. It is a 7-inch (800 x 600) tablet with Android Froyo. It is a little disappointing to see a new tablet being released without Honeycomb, but the price will be $279. That is not bad for someone looking for an entry level tablet.
Other key specs include:

• 1 Ghz Samsung Cortex A8 CPU
• 512MB of SDRAM
• 4GB of internal flash storage
• MicroSD up to 32GB in size
• mini HDMI port
• front-facing 2MP camera for video chat.

Check out the video after the break

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Sense 3.0 is now on the Desire HD and Desire Z

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Once again, the developers over at xda have brought us something far earlier than the companies wanted. capychimp and rmk40 over at xda have developed a ROM for the Desire HD and the Desire Z (and the G2 and Inspire 4G) based off the leaked HTC Kingdom Gingerbread build. Enter the Fusion ROM. Running Sense 3.0 and Gingerbread (2.3.3) it’s a beauty. It’s 100% working and it should be around until the actual Sense 3.0 update comes to the devices (if ever). Some of the features included are:

Base – Leaked Android 2.3.3 build 0.81.651.0 WWE (Gingerbread)
Deodexed
Kernel: Stock
Busybox, Root, Superuser…
Rom Manager
ES file explorer
Sense 3.0
Extra quick setttings
Languages supported


Hit the source link at the bottom to head over to xda in order to see the full threads detailing the ROMs. How many other HTC devices will get a similar build now that it’s out? Here’s to hoping it comes to the Evo!

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Samsung Galaxy S II vs Infuse 4G Quadrant Benchmark Pummeling

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I know there’s a mob of citizens out there saying that these benchmarking tests are bad and unreliable and can be fixed to win and etc, etc, but I’m not going to start every single post with this warning – in fact, hold me to this – this is the last time I post this warning. If you don’t like benchmarks, don’t read benchmarks, and sit on it, Potsie. That said, we’ve been going through the guts of both the Samsung Infuse 4G and the Samsung Galaxy S II (the Euro version still since the USA version isn’t exactly ready for the world yet.) What we’re finding is that at first glance they seem pretty similar in their cosmetics. Upon closer inspection, they’re COMPLETELY DIFFERENT – and in no small way, let me tell you that.

First, have a look back at our first post on this war between the two brothers (or sisters, or cousins, whatever you like,) then come back and see the true test of mightiness. While it may seem that the Infuse, having a bigger screen and being released at least a few weeks before the Galaxy S II, may be the better of the two, you’ve got another thing coming if that’s you’re opinion. Have a look at this simple Quadrant benchmarking test:

You know how much of a difference that is? A whole heck of a lot. That means that in essentially every single category listed here, CPU, Memory, I/O, 2D, and 3D, the Galaxy S II wipes the floor with the Infuse 4G. It’s as if it’s a whole different generation of phone. And it is. Once this GS2 machine is released in earnest (and by earnest I mean the USA, since I live here, ya know,) you’ll find that there’ll be basically no other choice but for manufacturers to step up their game not just a couple of steps, but a couple of leaps and bounds.

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T-Mobile G2x Gingerbread Leak [Apparently the Real Deal]

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What we’ve got here, courtest of Paul from MoDaCo is what appears to be the Gingerbread build that will eventually be the one send out to G2x users across the USA. This build is release-key signed, which generally means that it’s the real deal, and the file you’re about to download is both pre-rooted and is a repacked ROM so you’ll be able to flash it easily – just so long as your device is rooted, of course. We’ve got full instructions on how to do this here plus a quick look at the insides.

The video you’re about to see goes through a few tiny areas that are indicative of Gingerbread-ness and will inevitably be showing up in Android 2.3 for your G2x, but take it with a grain of salt. Most everything can be faked, and who the heck knows for sure? That said, it appears to yours truly to be legit, and aside from the external SD card not mounting properly (still working on it) and benchmarks not turning up so sweet thus far. It does smell like Gingerbread, at least!



There’s a couple of points that I’d like to pass on to you from Paul about the build, the first of which being that this release does NOT include an updated baseband – Paul notes that he’ll provide it too once he’s got it (secret mafia business!) Next, that this release is repacked the ROM to update zip format for your ease in flashing and it’s pre-rooted, other than that, it’s 100% the way he found it. The following process will void your warrantee with T-Mobile and you’ll be very very sad if you mess it up because you’ll have to buy a new phone. That said, have fun!
This guide starts at an out-of-the-box state with the G2x, so if you’re already rooted and have ROM Manager set up, skip to Part 2.
PART 1
1. Follow Directions A/L for rooting on Apple or Linux computers, Directions W for Windows machines.
2. Once you are rooted, download ROM Manager.
3. If you are correctly rooted, you should be able to open ROM Manager with no problems, if you did not attain root correctly, ROM Manager will pop up a window that tells you so.
4. Flash ClockworkMod Recovery. This is the top button in ROM Manager and should only take a minute or two if you’re on a fast data connection.
Part 2
5. Upon successful flashing of ClockworkMod Recovery, head to this MoDaCo thread and grab the download at the end of the first post called “DOWNLOAD (ROMraid Load Balancing) – MD5: 5992d38b6427c06a2ce0bfeb259d201c”
6. Move this file to your SD card. The easiest way to do this is to download Android SDK, install all the most recent updates via the “Android” tool in the “tools” folder, and open the “DDMS” tool. Once you’ve got DDMS open, go to Settings – Applications – Development – and activate USB debugging, followed by plugging in your device to your computer via USB. Your device should show up in your DDMS window – highlight it by clicking and go to Device – File Explorer. From there you should be able to locate your SD card and place the .zip file you downloaded in step 5 inside.
7. Unplug your device from USB.
8. Open ROM Manager.
9. Supposing you’ve already flashed the most recent version of ClockworkMod Recovery, you can now locate the zip file with the button “Install ROM from SD card.”
10. Be sure to have “Backup Existing ROM” clicked, then click the other two options for good measure.
11. Press OK.
12. Supposing you did everything correctly, your device will be rebooting, backing up your current setup, and loading the new Gingerbread ROM.
13. You’re set!
Confused at all? Ask a question below and I’ll do my best to answer it!

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Samsung Infuse 4G MHL Adapter Requires Wall Plug to Work – deal breaker or positive move?

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Let’s talk about how this could be a bad thing first. Using your handheld mobile device as a media center to be displayed through your television is a relatively new concept, and one that, if you ask your humble narrator, seems most excellent when it’s a simple interaction between the device and the television. Thus far, devices, (such as the T-Mobile G2x, ATRIX 4G, and Motorola XOOM) need no extra power source to transmit media via HDMI cord to the television. Here comes the Samsung Infuse and it’s got this great ability to work with HDMI through its usb port, but it needs for you to be plugged into the wall while you’re working it!
On the other hand, doesn’t it make sense for the device to also be plugged into the wall so as to assure you you’ll be able to play whatever it is you want to play without the handset running out of power while you’re playing it. It’s brilliant for these manufacturers to have put the 2 jacks in one splitter instead of on the device, isn’t it? What’s your take?

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