'Net Features : operating systems

Android Releases Jelly Bean Source Code to Developers

Michael Garrity — Wed, 01 Aug 2012 16:30:00 GMT

Not too long ago, Google released the Android Jelly Bean raw source code for its Android Open Source Project. This makes it possible for developers to work on updates and releases for tablet and smartphone apps far more easily, and it also provides greater support and more features to the Jelly Bean operating system.

Developers should have a greater array of customization options, as well as the ability to add a greater number of features to their Jelly Bean applications, because its compatible devices and their binaries are already prepared to work with the source code.

The full, latest version of Jelly Bean is available for use; the first device to utilize the OS is the Samsung Galaxy Nexus HSPA+. This version is reported to have new features and faster, more efficient app updates, on top of being easier to use. It also offers resizable app widgets, improved speeds, better notifications, extended Android Beam Bluetooth capabilities, and more.

Following this release, Australia-based mobile app development company Smarter Apps announced that it would be bringing in a set of feature-rich products and services to its clients that are interested in developing for Jelly Bean.

Google Dresses Up Chrome OS with New Hardware

Michael Garrity — Thu, 31 May 2012 02:00:00 GMT

Google appears to be giving another big push to the Chrome operating system, known mostly for powering its Chromebook venture.

Google and Samsung showed off a newly revamped Chromebook laptop and announced the Chromebox, a desktop computer that also runs on the Chrome OS.

The new Chromebook is a 12.1-inch Samsung Series 5 550, and comes with an improved webcam and track pad, as well as a video port that works with HDMI, DVI and VGA cables. Meanwhile, the Chromebox makes no bones about being somewhat stripped down when compared to other desktop computers (the $330 price-point should be a distinct giveaway), but it offers three display and six USB ports, making it rather useful as a device for media consumption.

Perhaps most notable are the changes to the Chrome OS software, which now offers a taskbar and window management. While the focus of the OS has always been on connecting users with the cloud, this most recent update (number 19) is working to improve offline file management.

In fact, Google Docs developers are currently working on a seamless offline mode that would make the OS more useful to everyday consumers. Plus, it can now handle more file types than ever.

webOS Now Open Source – ENYO Coming

Administrator — Mon, 12 Dec 2011 18:07:00 GMT

Hewlett Packard announced last week that webOS was going open source. The mobile operating system was initially developed by Palm and introduced in January 2009.

Developers have been attracted to the platform because it uses standard web technologies and offers multiplatform compatibility (thanks to its single integrated stack). By engaging the open source community, HP hopes to accelerate development of the platform, and provide some necessary governance to avoid fragmentation of the operating system.

“webOS is the only platform designed from the ground up to be mobile, cloud-connected and scalable,” said Meg Whitman, HP president and chief executive officer. “By contributing this innovation, HP unleashes the creativity of the open source community to advance a new generation of applications and devices.”

HP also announced that it will contribute ENYO, the application framework for webOS, to the open source community in the future.