The Daily Slash: April 15th 2010
Ah, it's Thursday. We're well into the final stretch, folks, so stay on track! We're happy to have you here with us, partaking in the Daily Slash that we love so much to bring to the world. We've got quite the assortment for you tonight, so we're going to have to get right into it. Hopefully you don't mind. First up, in the Best of R3, we've got some pretty impressive numbers for the Android community; we've got plans for the iPad Camera connection accessory; and finally we've got an internal document that may bring a little extra to a newly official handset. And then in the 'net, Sony seems to be outsourcing their VAIO lineup; Google is bringing the goats back to Mountain View; another report says the next iPhone is definitely getting announced in June; and finally, Boxee loves all screens types.The Best of R3 MediaGoogle Shares First Quarter Earnings, Plus More: Despite the fact that manufacturers are still releasing some top-notch Android-based handsets, were you curious as to the current state of Google's mobile Operating System? Well, it doesn't look like you have anything to fear. According to Jeff Huber, the Senior VP of Engineering over at Google, Android is currently up 70% from last year, and the Android Marketplace is now home to some 38,000 applications. That's a pretty big increase. What's better, though, is the fact that there are reportedly 60,000 Android-based phones sold every day around the world. That equals some pretty amazing numbers, if you ask us. [via Android Community]iPad's Camera Accessory Kit May Have Some Tricks up its (Figurative) Sleeve: Apparently, the iPad's Camera Accessory Kit is going to be able to do some audio out. Which means that if you're in the music industry, you'll be able to connect some audio equipment to your Apple tablet, and do your business from that 9.7-inch touchscreen. And, while that's a bit of a surprise for most, we think the bigger surprise would be if the same accessory kit would be able to power a device (like a MiFi) while you were on the go. We're already keeping our fingers crossed. [via Everything iPad]Will the Droid Incredible by HTC Support 802.11 b/g/n WiFi?: With the official announcement of the Droid Incredible by HTC, Verizon Wireless was kind enough to make sure that an officially official specifications sheet was listed with it. In that sheet, support for 802.11 b/g WiFi was listed. But, according to a leaked Info Center document, the Droid Incredible could in fact support 802.11 b/g/n WiFi. That would make a lot of people happy, and, considering it's not every handset on the market that supports the "n," it would indeed give the Droid Incredible another notch against the competition. [via SlashPhone]The Dredge NetSony Splits VAIO In Two: Sony must have figured out that competing with Apple in the premium demographic really isn't working out for them, especially in the United States, and apparently they've concocted a plan to get themselves a better name and reputation around the world. At least when it comes to their VAIO line of computers. Revealed today by Ryosuke Akahane, the company's business deputy President, the company will keep the top tier for themselves, where they will continue to construct premium models of the VAIO computers. The second tier will allow third-party manufacturers, or contractors, to put the VAIO name on their models. Akahane promised that the quality of computers would be similar, but that the technology would generally always be better (at the start) in the top-tiered lineup. We'll have to wait and see how this works out for the Japanese juggernaut. [via Electronista]Google Proves They Care About the Environment: When you think about saving the environment, you think about the ways you'll cut the grass in your yard, right? Well, what if you had the kind of yard that Google has up in Mountain View? That's a lot of grass, we'll assure you, so that would take up some gas in all of those lawnmowers, for sure. So, just as they did last year, Google is bringing the goats back to the large campus, making sure they get all the grass trimmed by a more natural methodology. Just ignore the transportation costs, to get those goats there, but hey, they're saving the environment. [via TechCrunch]SaskTel President and CEO Confirms June Launch for New iPhone: Who out there still thinks there's not a new iPhone coming out soon? Well, if you're one of those people, maybe this confirmation from the President and CEO, Robert Watson, of SaskTel will assuage you of your worries. He says that he's already got his wireless carrier in line to launch the new iPhone (iPhone 4G, iPhone HD, whatever you prefer for now) on July 1st. That's in line with SaskTel's switch from CDMA to GSM, so don't go thinking this confirms a Verizon Wireless iPhone. He goes on to say that it's a good thing that Apple is launching their new iPhone in June, because basically he can't wait to get in on the good stuff. We can't help but agree. [via AppleInsider]Boxee Thinks You Should Make their iPad App: But, only if you're qualified, and want to work for Boxee, that is. The company is currently looking for someone that will take the role of their lead iPad and iPhone App Developer, so if you're in the market for a new job and you've got the necessary skills, you should go take a look. As Boxee puts it, they consider the "other screens" just as important as the TV for enjoying video, so they want to make sure they cover all their bases. Or screens, if you will. [via Boxee]