Cranking out news for the geeks, music buffs and gossip junkies, my way. -Greg

FoxFi Software has just released their free app with allows the creation of a Wi-Fi Hotspot without the need of rooting your Android phone. FoxFi does point out it currently works on only large handful of phones and does not work on any HTC.

Currently works on most Samsung phones, some Motorola phones (Razr/Bionic/DroidX), LG Optimus/Vortex/Ally, ZTE N762, HuaWei Comet. Does NOT work on HTC phones or Motorola Droid.

It’s still in beta form which has a few minor bugs, so they have a few tips on dealing with those. They did include WPA2 availability for more secured connections. So far FoxFi works flawlessly on my Samsung GS2. I connected my Motorola Xoom to the hotspot created on my GS2 with FoxFi and was getting over 5Mb down on a speed test. Combined with the unlimited data plan I still have on AT&T makes this guy one happy camper. –Greg

Download FoxFi from the Google Market

Fujitsu showed off a complete line of waterproof phones and tablets. These were built waterproof no added cases or protectors. The devices were all running Android. The phones were running Gingerbread and the Tablets were running Honeycomb. When I asked about price and availability in the US they only said Fujitsu was still waiting for a mobile carrier to pick up the devices. No comment on the price I can only assume they would fall in line with the masses. I got a chance to dunk one of the tablets myself. Worked as desribed and I didn’t notice any awkward coating or case.

The 2012 Consumer Electronics Show (CES) kicks off this week in Las Vegas. I will be attending for my first time and I’m nothing short of excited. Anyone who has even the slightest geek in them knows this is the biggest electronics show in the world. CES is filled with everything electronic like TVs, phones, computers, cameras, and tablets. If you do a quick search on Google or twitter for CES you find and endless stream of leaks, expectations and hopes for this year. Here are some of the leaks that I’m looking forward to checking out:

• Toshiba’s 55-inch Glasses-less 3-D TV. They are the pioneer for this upcoming technology bringing 3-D video to your home without the need for those annoying glasses. This will be headed to theUSthe first quarter of year with a cool $10,000 price tag.

Source: Engadget

• LG’s 55-inch OLED TV. This thing is only 4 mm thin and weighs in at about 7.5 kg. It also has almost no border so if you played a video of a pool I guess it would be an infinite pool? This same TV is also boasting a new 4 Color Pixels technology that is sure to impress the videophile in everyone.

Source: BGR 

• Intel is finally entering the mobile chip market with their new Medfield design. They already have a partnership with LG and have built an Android phone. Currently this and their mock-up tablets aren’t in production, but once they have the power consumption issue handled they are sure to become a force to be reckoned with.

Sources: AnandTech & ExtremeTech 

• Game Genie will actually be making a come back. They are going to be announcing the return of the Game Genie for the PS3 and PS Portable. They are also creating a downloadable version for the Nintendo Wii and Nintendo DS.

Source: Spike

This is only a small taste of what is to come at CES 2012. I plan to blog about as much as I can from my Xoom so make sure you stay tuned. You can follow GMachine on facebook  and twitter as well. I can not wait, I have less than 24 hours until I enter the gates of gadget paradise in Las Vegas and bathe in the electronic glory that is CES. Let us not forget that since this is in Las Vegas, the evenings will be filled with plenty of hookers and blow. –Greg

Seems like just a few days ago I was wishing for an updated version of WordPress for Android. Well it was only few days ago and yesterday my wish came true. Automattic has released a sizeable update to WordPress for Android. This thing has really become a realistic tool to blog with now. They have added a bunch more features and gave it a friendlier interface and polished the look. Let’s not forget it’s now been optimized for tablets.

Here are some of the new features and updates:

• New UI: Action Bar and Dashboard
• New Post Editor with formatting toolbar
• Tablet Support – scrollable item list optimized for the extra real-estate
• Background post uploading
• Media – Titles, Captions, and Placement

One of my biggest challenges was trying to make blogging in WordPress from my Xoom. Automattic’s WordPress for Android was very helpful in making that a little easier. The only major problem I had was with media. Not being able to control the alignment of my media, being able to correctly title pictures, and adding captions just weren’t possible. I would have to create drafts, upload them, and then login from my desktop to make final edits before publishing each post. Not anymore, now that Automattic has addressed all the fore mentioned. WordPress 2.0 for Android is now more usable than ever and with CES 2012 just around the corner this couldn’t have come at a better time. Between my Motorola Xoom and WordPress for Android, live blogging should be a snap when I get to CES. –Greg

Automattic’s WordPress 2.0 for Android

Netflix has finally come to Honeycomb Tablets, sort of. Netflix has actually only released it for 1 tab in the market, but that didn’t stop XDA. XDA forum member quixin make quick work to pull the apk from his Atrix and make it available for everyone after a recent update from to the Netflix App. I’ve successfully installed and watched several shows and parts of movies. I will agree its working near flawlessly on my XOOM. It seems most every tab that it has been installed on works. XOOM, G-Slate, Dell Streak 7, Acer Iconia A500, Galaxy Tab, and this includes non-rooted devices as well. The only complaint is coming from Transformer owners who are unable to get the apk to work. Thanks quixin for pulling that so quickly and once again thank you XDA!  –Greg

Download the Netflix apk from XDA

Swype 3.0 Beta is available and now supports tablets running Honeycomb (Android 3.x). This is a huge development for me as I never realized how much I loved Swype until I got my Motorola XOOM and couldn’t use it anymore. I’ve already downloaded and installed it on my XOOM and I must say it’s pretty dang sweet! Among support for Honeycomb the new 3.0 has a bunch of new added features that really set it apart from any other keyboard. Here are a few straight from Swypes website:

• Swype v3 introduces two major new features: Tap Correction and Horizontal Word Choice List
• Our Tap Correction engine utilizes many of the concepts that make swyping so accurate. Seamlessly go from typing to swyping and back without missing a beat!
• The Horizontal Word Choice List replaces our popup word choice window, giving users an experience more in-line with evolving Android standards. It also makes dictionary control and word selection faster and easier.
• Swype v3 is available for devices with HVGA, WVGA, FWVGA, QVGA, WQVGA, WSVGA, qHD screen sizes

I would head over to Swypes website, download, and install it today. –Greg

Otterbox the company known for making cases to overly protect our mobile electronic devices has released one for the XOOM.  As their website states “A high quality polycarbonate shell snaps around your tablet, while an impact absorbing silicone skin wraps around the outside of the shell to complete the case. The removable shield includes a pop up stand that has two angles great for typing or viewing videos. These all add up to rugged protection that keeps your XOOM safe from harm no matter where you use it.” Enough said? Actually there’s more, unlike almost all the cases currently out for the XOOM Otterbox made small and easy opening doors to get access to the external ports and the microSD slot. That alone sets this case apart from most. Is it worth $89.95, well I guess if your a little rough on devices like this then $89.95 is more than worth it to protect a $500+ purchase. -Greg

Otterbox for XOOM