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Google Releases Honeycomb SDK, Updates Android 2.3 By Barry Levine February 23, 2011 1:57PM     The software development kit for Google's tablet-optimized Honeycomb version 3.0 of Android has been released. Google is also rolling out version 2.3.3 of its Gingerbread version for smartphones. Motorola's Xoom is the first tablet to use Honeycomb. Even with version 2.2 of Android, Samsung's Galaxy Tab tablet has reportedly sold two million units.   Related Topics Google Software Development Kit Honeycomb Gingerbread Motorola Xoom Galaxy Tab Latest News Reality TV's New Stars: Small Biz Soundbars Up the Ante on TV Sound Google Glass Raises Privacy Concerns Pentagon Gives iOS 6 Security OK Should Enterprises Skip Windows 8? Google on Tuesday released the software development kit for its tablet-optimized version 3.0 of Android, also known as Honeycomb. The SDK gives developers the tools and application programming interfaces, or APIs, needed to create apps for the platform. In addition, the search giant is rolling out 2.3.3 of its smartphone-targeted Gingerbread version of Android. The SDK could help Motorola's Xoom tablet, which is the first tablet using Honeycomb. Xoom is scheduled to launch Friday, and a steady stream of apps that take advantage of its 10.1-inch touchscreen and Honeycomb's tablet-optimized features could help the device in its uphill fight to gain a foothold in the iPad-dominated category. Honeycomb-based tablets are also expected from Toshiba, Samsung, LG, Acer, ASUS and others in the near future. Honeycomb in the Tablet Wars Three weeks ago, Google shipped a preview version of the SDK. The company said improvements since then include the ADT plug-in, a new app palette with categories and rendering previews, a more accurate rendering of device-specific layouts, selection-sensitive action bars to manipulate View properties, improvements to zoom, and improved support to merge layouts and create layouts with gesture overlays. Honeycomb could become a major factor in the tablet wars, as it will be the key to establishing Android's position as a tablet-specific alternative to Apple's iPad and iOS. Earlier this month, Hewlett-Packard unveiled its TouchPad tablet, which uses a tablet-optimized version of webOS. HP has been open about the fact that the webOS platform was the single largest reason it acquired the struggling Palm last summer for $1.2 billion. There's also Research In Motion's new PlayBook, which uses a RIM-specific OS, and a variety of Windows 7 tablets. Gingerbread 2.3.3 Samsung's Android-powered Galaxy Tab has reportedly sold two million units, but it uses the earlier Android version 2.2, which was adapted for tablet use by Samsung. Before Honeycomb, Android was specifically designed for smartphones and similar form factors. Google has emphasized that the new OS was designed "from the ground up" with tablets in mind. The exact features of Honeycomb are still being revealed, but extensive multitasking, a range of customizable widgets, support for near field communication e-wallets, a new system bar with notifications, a revamped web browser with a 3D rendering engine, and a gyroscope are known. While Google is priming application development for version 3.0, it's also rolling out version 2.3.3 of its smartphone-targeted Gingerbread OS. The first recipients are HTC's Nexus One and Samsung's Nexus S smartphones, which will be updated via downloads. The newest version of Gingerbread includes the ability to write NFC tags in addition to reading them, better speech recognition, and API support for Bluetooth over a nonsecure socket connection.   Based on your interest in this article, here's something that may be of interest to you also: (Why?) This article relates to the following term(s) that also match our recommendation: Google. (Close) Recommended Reading: Search & Destroy: Why You Can't Trust Google Inc. Synopsis: This is the other side of the Google story. In Search & Destroy, Google expert Scott Cleland, shows that the world's most powerful company is not who it pretends to be. Google pretends to be a harmless lamb, but chose a full-size model of a Tyrannosaurus Rex as its mascot. Beware the T-Rex in sheep's clothing. Tell Us What You Think Comment: Name: Also Visit: iPad Info Center Billions of Bytes Mobile Device Now Apple Info Center TopTechWire.com

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Network Security Spotlight

Syrian Electronic Army Hacks Financial Times The Financial Times is the latest victim of the Syrian Electronic Army, a group that supports Syrian President Bashar al-Assad. The U.K.-based newspaper said a blog and its Twitter accounts were hacked.   Patch Tuesday Hyper Focuses on IE 8 Microsoft on Tuesday issued 10 security bulletins that fix 33 vulnerabilities. These updates include MS13-038, which will address the Internet Explorer 8 issue described in Security Advisory 2847140.   Surge of Venture Capital Buoys Tech Security Sector With companies and governments spending billions to repel cyberthreats, a surge of venture capital is pouring into companies developing cybersecurity technologies, the front line of the conflict.

Enterprise Hardware Spotlight

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Mobile Enterprise Spotlight

Google Glass Raises Congressional Privacy Concerns The buzz around Google Glass continues, but it's not all good. Some in Congress have questions. "We are curious whether this new technology could infringe on the privacy of average Americans," their letter to Google says.   Windows Phone Now No. 3 in Market, BlackBerry No. 4 Has Microsoft Phone moved into a coveted though distant third place for smartphone platforms behind Google's Android and Apple's iOS? A new report says yes, while BlackBerry has slipped to No. 4.   Intel Going Mobile with Its New CEO In his first speech as Intel's CEO, Brian Krzanich said he plans to focus on beefing up Intel's presence in mobility. The next step: a world tour showing mobile devices based on Intel chips, from PCs to phones and tablets.

Enterprise Technology Spotlight

HP and SAP Team To Advance HANA Database Technology The two tech leaders are working on a system that SAP says could fundamentally change the database market. HANA is SAP's technology that keeps data in-memory, for super fast processing.   Cloud Computing Gains Another Competitor with Google Amazon Web Services and Microsoft Azure now have a full-on rival in Google, with its I/O announcement that it is opening its hosted Compute Engine environment for virtual machines to all comers.   Hackers' New Tool of Choice: Smartphones Smartphones are increasingly popular not only with consumers, but with thieves who see the devices as another way to tap into bank accounts and other sensitive information, experts say.

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