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Android 102: Wireless file transfer

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I use Linux for my PC operating system. That means I don't get any fancy Android File Transfer programs . . . → Read More: Android 102: Wireless file transfer

Jelly Bean feature: Sending photos and videos over Android Beam

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In Android 4.1 Jelly Bean , Android Beam — that's the NFC-based device-to-device transfer service — has been augmented to support sending photo and video content. This is done from within the Gallery app, and can be activated by holding two NFC (Near-Field Communication)-supporting Jelly Bean devices back-to-back while one has an image or video open. Then, when prompted, tap the screen to send, just like earlier Android Beam incarnations . . . → Read More: Jelly Bean feature: Sending photos and videos over Android Beam

New Eye-Fi Mobile X2 card does old tricks, but with less hassle for Android and iOS users

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Direct Mode on an Eye-Fi card makes a lot of sense when you want to beam photos from your camera straight to your smartphone. The latest edition of the Mobile X2 promises to simplify this process by coming pre-configured for Direct Mode from the factory, and being accompanied by a 10-digit pairing code that’ll let you register the camera securely with the Eye-Fi app on your Android phone without recourse to a PC. We’d feel more excited about this if Toshiba’s FlashAir card hadn’t done something similar already using a clever browser-based connection we saw at CES . . . → Read More: New Eye-Fi Mobile X2 card does old tricks, but with less hassle for Android and iOS users

Sony outs 350Mbps TransferJet chip for smartphones, tries not to stare at Toshiba

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With Toshiba’s toes having already crossed the 560Mbps wireless transfer speed barrier, Sony is instead forced to emphasize that its new TransferJet chip has “industry-leading short-range sensitivity.” Crucially though, the miniaturised 6mm x 6mm device also boasts lower consumption compared to Sony’s previous offerings, making it suitable for smartphones and tablets rather than just cameras or laptops. The product should start appearing in devices some time after August and will sell to OEMs for . . . → Read More: Sony outs 350Mbps TransferJet chip for smartphones, tries not to stare at Toshiba

PocketCloud Explore arrives for Android, enables file searching and viewing across multiple computers

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A new product has hit the Android Market and we think you might find it quite nifty. Known as PocketCloud Explore, the app allows users to search for and view files across their PCs and Macs, all without ever needing to surrender data to the cloud. Simple file management is also part of the game, as users can remotely create, rename and delete both folders and documents, as well as upload files from their smartphone to the remote destination. . . . → Read More: PocketCloud Explore arrives for Android, enables file searching and viewing across multiple computers

File Expert Android app taps NFC to hasten your Bluetooth data transfers

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What may seem like technology thought up for insert-some-Bond-flick-here, the File Expert Android app has added NFC functionality to its latest build — making single-tap transfers a new reality. Like the previous rendition, it uses Bluetooth to send data, but a friendly bump replaces the traditional pairing process, speeding up the exchange dramatically (like we said, perfect for overworked spies). We’ve seen magic like this before, and we’ll certainly see more like it as NFC becomes more ubiquitous, but what’s next? . . . → Read More: File Expert Android app taps NFC to hasten your Bluetooth data transfers

Windows Phone 7 Mango will play nicer with Macs, update your Connector app now

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Windows Phone 7.5 will be wearing more Mac-friendly pajamas when it comes. Microsoft’s Connector app just got updated to Version 2.0 and it enables both Marketplace support and ringtone transfers for Mango-equipped handsets . . . → Read More: Windows Phone 7 Mango will play nicer with Macs, update your Connector app now

Apple preparing new wireless sharing feature that will compete with webOS ‘Touch-to-share’

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Apple has been testing a new wireless sharing feature that could allow users to quickly and easily transfer files from various iOS devices, PatentlyApple has discovered. The technology will no doubt compete with HP’s webOS “ Touch-to-share ” feature, which lets the Palm Pre3 and the TouchPad share files with one another . . . → Read More: Apple preparing new wireless sharing feature that will compete with webOS ‘Touch-to-share’

New Android API eliminates Bluetooth pairing using NFC

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Google made its software development kit (SDK) available for version 2.3.3 of the Android OS earlier this month, and Stanford University’s MobiSocial News uncovered a nifty feature that hasn’t gotten much coverage. The new SDK features an API for “insecure Bluetooth socket connections” on both the client and server sides. Coupled with Gingerbread’s widely publicized NFC capabilities, this will allow developers to enable a tap-to-connect feature that lets NFC-equipped Android phones forgo the Bluetooth pairing process. Similar to the functionality HP showed off with its TouchPad tablet and Pre 3 smartphone at the Think Beyond event last week, devices running Android 2.3.3 or later can be connected to each other with a simple tap that will automatically initiate data transfers. Apple is rumored to be cooking up a unique twist for the NFC functionality coming to its next-generation iPhone, so smart functionality beyond mobile payments such as tap-to-share will certainly help Android’s case in the meantime . . . → Read More: New Android API eliminates Bluetooth pairing using NFC