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.

Looks like Samsung was not kidding around when they said they would be updating the Galaxy S II to Ice Cream Sandwich (Android 4.0) early 2012. SAMMOBILE has just leaked 2 Official ROMs based on the much anticipated latest version of Android, Ice Cream Sandwich. These are actually builds for the international Galaxy S II (I9100); of course this was expected as the international version was released far before it came to theUS. I’m pretty excited to see that Samsung is moving right along and will be really excited to see when the first build for the I777 (US version) is leaked. –Greg

SAMMOBILE

ROMs via SAMMOBILE

Beginning today AT&T will begin rolling out an update to the Samsung Captivate Glide to support Commercial Mobile Alert Service (CMAS). The update will be simliar to the update recently released for the Samsung Galaxy SII that I just posted recently. This will bring the Captivate Glide to Android 2.3.6 and will include fixes for Exchange Active Sync as well. The roll out will begin in NYC and Washington, D.C. first and the rest of the US to follow. Here is an excerpt from AT&T:

Effective December 21, 2011 AT&T will release new software for the Samsung Captivate™ Glide that supports Commercial Mobile Alert Service (CMAS). CMAS is a new public safety system that allows customers who own an enabled mobile device to receive geographically-targeted, text-like messages alerting them of imminent threats to safety in their area. Consumers will receive only three types of alerts through CMAS:

• Presidential Alerts (automatic alerts that cannot be disabled by the customer)
• Imminent Threat Alerts (FEMA type alerts – customers can opt out of messages – see screen shots below)
• Amber Alerts (e.g., child abduction alerts – customers can opt out of messages – see screen shots below)

Note: While the emergency alerts are free, customers may opt out of receiving the “Imminent Threat” and/or “Amber Alerts” but they may NOT opt-out of receiving the “Presidential Alerts”. To opt-out go to; Messaging application > Menu > Settings > Notifications settings > Emergency Alerts and uncheck the box for each type of alert you do not wish to receive; a) Extreme alerts, b) Severe alerts, and/or c) Amber alerts. (See screen shots below)

The initial AT&T roll out is to its customers with compatible handsets in New York City and Washington, D.C. The CMAS software update for the Samsung Captivate™ Glide will enable the device to be Wireless Emergency Alert Capable (WEAC). The update also supports a Google security patch which upgrades the Samsung Captivate Glide operating system to 2.3.6 and a fix for Exchange Active Sync (EAS). This is an OTA update (no side load option is available).

 

Looks like we will continue to see this hit more phones as time goes on and will likely be included on future phones from the factory as they are released. I’m curious how soon and often we will begin to see the types of alerts and if there will be any type of user interaction requested. I’m sure with the Presidential Election next year it could be interesting to see how much electoral spam we receive. -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

Pirates of the Caribbean “Master of the Seas” is Disney’s new game on Android and iOS. What better way to spend your time gaming on Android then getting booty. Playing as a pirate you build a crew, plunder the enemy, buy land, and get booty. Taking social gaming with it you can have your friends become part of your crew.

Invite friends to join your crew, the bigger your crew the stronger you are!
Battle other pirates to gain rewards and increase your standing.
Buy cannons, weapons, amulets, and equipment to upgrade your ship.
Explore exotic islands, buy properties, and complete quests to earn gold and experience.

Best part of Disney’s new game, it’s free! So, head over to the Android Market or iTunes to grab the game today. –Greg

Commercial Mobile Alert Service (CMAS) is a service that provides safety alerts based on the geographical location of a mobile user. You know the “This is a test and only a test, should this be a real emergency…” that you get on your TV now and then. Well its basically the same idea, but for mobile devices. CMAS is not new and in fact was first introduced in the U.S. by Sprint back in November. Now AT&T is currently underway pushing this out to the new Samsung Galaxy S II™ (SGH-i777). According to AT&T this was to begin on December 16 with the release of new software. It’s not clear if this will be an update to Android or a carrier side update. The update will allow Presidential, Imminent threat, and Amber alerts directly to the mobile device. Here is some of the official info:

Beginning December 16, 2011 AT&T will release new software on Samsung Galaxy S II™ (SGH-i777) to support Commercial Mobile Alert Service (CMAS).
CMAS is a new public safety system that allows customers who own an enabled mobile device to receive geographically-targeted, text-like messages alerting them of imminent threats to safety in their area. Consumers will receive only three types of alerts through CMAS:
Presidential Alerts (automatic alerts that cannot be disabled by the customer) Imminent Threat Alerts (FEMA type alerts – customers can opt out of receiving these messages) Amber Alerts (e.g., child abduction alerts – customers can opt out of receiving these messages)

I’m an owner of this exact phone and I myself haven’t received any type of update or notification about this specifically. We should hear more about this in coming days I’m sure. Presidential Alerts are not optional, hopefully this doesn’t include anything of less than National Security as I myself don’t want to hear about Obama’s new health plan via forced mobile messaging. If you have received this update or maybe know more about it I’d love to hear what you have to say. -Greg

**Update – Looks like a number of users have started receiving the update to Android version 2.3.6 on December 16th as note above. Some of these users had failed attempts, so maybe the update as been slowed or pulled temporarily. Either way looks like this is definitely underway.