It looks like major computer makers are finally warming up to operating systems other than Microsoft Windows, and they are also experimenting with open source operating systems. Not onlly is Dell out with new tablet hybrid devices that run Ubuntu, but Hewlett-Packard has announced a new Android-only laptop. The 14-inch, Tegra-driven Android system is called the HP SlateBook 14, and will be available on August 6 for $399. HP actually mistakenly showed this system online before. As GigaOM notes: "Back in April, a notebook-style computer running Google Android software was spotted on the HP site. Although the post was quickly taken down, this weekend HP officially announced the SlateBook, a 14-inch Android laptop with a 1920 x 1080 screen. Its specs aren’t that different from a lot of Chromebooks: 2GB of RAM, up to 64GB of storage, and a Tegra 4 mobile processor. The SlateBook is covered in useful ports, including USB 3.0 and HDMI out options." What is interesting, though, is that HP has enough confidence in Android and its ecosystem of apps to offer computers that run the platform without also running another operating system. Android actually has fairly robust printer support, and Chromebooks have proven that users can get a lot of work done from browser-based applications, so this may not be a bad bet from HP. As we've covered before, users have been able to run Android apps on a desktop computer or laptop. BlueStacks App Player has been available for some time for Windows users who want to run Android apps on PCs. And, it has also arrived in a version for Mac users. However, BlueStacks simply does emulation. HP is offering systems that run Android natively. HP already chose Android over Chrome for its Slate 21 Pro all-in-one device, and it appears that the company wants to experiment with Android as a popular platform for devices other than phones. Android continues to win market share despite being a very young mobile operating system, and as that happens, the number of impressive applications for it is rising too. Deliver enough apps, and it looks like the big hardware providers will come.

It looks like major computer makers are finally warming up to operating systems other than Microsoft Windows, and they are also experimenting with open source operating systems. Not onlly is Dell out with new tablet hybrid devices that run Ubuntu, but Hewlett-Packard has announced a new Android-only laptop. The 14-inch, Tegra-driven Android system is called the HP SlateBook 14, and will be available on August 6 for $399.

HP actually mistakenly showed this system online before. As GigaOM notes:

"Back in April, a notebook-style computer running Google Android software was spotted on the HP site. Although the post was quickly taken down, this weekend HP officially announced the SlateBook, a 14-inch Android laptop with a 1920 x 1080 screen. Its specs aren’t that different from a lot of Chromebooks: 2GB of RAM, up to 64GB of storage, and a Tegra 4 mobile processor. The SlateBook is covered in useful ports, including USB 3.0 and HDMI out options."

What is interesting, though, is that HP has enough confidence in Android and its ecosystem of apps to offer computers that run the platform without also running another operating system. Android actually has fairly robust printer support, and Chromebooks have proven that users can get a lot of work done from browser-based applications, so this may not be a bad bet from HP.

As we've covered before, users have been able to run Android apps on a desktop computer or laptop. BlueStacks App Player has been available for some time for Windows users who want to run Android apps on PCs. And, it has also arrived in a version for Mac users.  However, BlueStacks simply does emulation. HP is offering systems that run Android natively.

HP already chose Android over Chrome for its Slate 21 Pro all-in-one device, and it appears that the company wants to experiment with Android as a popular platform for devices other than phones. 

Android continues to win market share despite being a very young mobile operating system, and as that happens, the number of impressive applications for it is rising too. Deliver enough apps, and it looks like the big hardware providers will come.

UP KOKO MASTER

The World's Music Awards 2014 went down May 27 at Sporting Monte-Carlo in Monte-Carlo, Monaco andD’Banj took home the awardfor Africa’s World Best Male Artiste.

Kokomaster beats hands down heavy weights like 2face Idibia, Akon, Banky W, Darey, Davido, Dr. Sid, Fally Ipupa, Femi Kuti, Fuse ODG, Ice Prince, Iyanya and others.

He announced the news over a plate of rice and stew at breakfast. 

D'banj who wore a white bathrobe, raised up the plaque in jubilation, announced the news over a plate of rice and stew at breakfast.  

World Music Awards honours the best-selling recording artists from every continent. D’Banj also performed at the event alongside others like Miley Cyrus, Jason Derulo, Mariah Carey and Rocky Martin.

Samsung Galaxy S5 Active With Heart Rate Sensor, IP67 Rating Launched

by Ketan Pratap, May 30, 2014

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Samsung has announced its much-awaited ruggedised version of the Galaxy S5, the Galaxy S5 Active. Like Galaxy S5, the Galaxy S5 Active comes with heart rate sensor present at the back panel.

The South Korean giant quietly launched the Galaxy S5 Active on AT&T and has priced it at $714.99 (Rs. 42,000) without contract, while it is also available at $199.99 with two-year contract with AT&T.

Unfortunately, there is no word whether when the Galaxy S5 Active will be available outside the US or on other mobile carriers apart from AT&T.

The Samsung Galaxy S5 Active, much like the Galaxy S4 Active, is dustproof, shock- and water-resistant with IP67 certification and can survive being dipped in up to 1 meter water for up to 30 minutes with covers slightly closed. It meets US Mil-STD 810G for shock, temperature, humidity, rain and altitude. It comes with a water-resistant earphone jack, so one can use earphones even during wet conditions.

According to the official AT&T listing of the Galaxy S5 Active, the smartphone features a special 'convenience key' on the side of the device which launches outdoor activity-related features and apps named as Activity Zone.

The Galaxy S5 Active, much like the Galaxy S5, runs Android 4.4.2 KitKat out-of-the-box. It features a 5.1-inch Super AMOLED display with a 1080x1920 pixel full-HD resolution. The smartphone comes with 2GB of RAM and will be available in 16GB inbuilt storage model, with microSD card expandability up to 128GB. The Galaxy S5 sports a 16-megapixel rear camera with HDR (for video as well), and a 2-megapixel front-facing camera.

Connectivity options include 4G LTE, Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac with MIMO functionality, ANT+, Bluetooth 4.0, USB3.0, NFC, and Infrared remote functionality. It features a 2800mAh battery, rated to deliver 29 hours of talk time, and 480 hours of standby time. The phone has an accelerometer, proximity sensor, a gyro sensor, digital compass, barometer, gesture sensor, finger hovering sensor and a light sensor.

The Galaxy S5 Active will be available in Camo Green, and Titanium Grey colour variants.