Facebook improves efficiency of Android app to support low-end devices

A recent visit to Africa by some Facebook engineers prompted them to tweak their Android app. Why you ask? Well, they experienced what it’s like to use Facebook on low-end phones with slow internet connection. They saw how low-end devices crashed trying to load the app and how they managed to consume a month’s worth of data with 40 minutes of trying to use Facebook.

What Facebook did with its Android app was to make it so that it didn’t load everything at once when you opened it. The News Feed entries are loaded much earlier and Facebook images are being transmitted using Google’s WebP format. This means the app loads images in resolutions and sizes based on the device’s screen size. It will only load the full-size photo if you select the photo. The app size has also been reduced by 65 percent to accommodate devices with limited storage and small RAM.

Source: Facebook Code

Samsung rumoured to unveil Android Wear smartwatch at Google I/O

Samsung is reportedly unveiling its take on Android Wear smartwatch at the upcoming Google I/O conference. Unidentified sources spoke to CNET to say that the watch will come in two flavours: one running on Qualcomm’s processors and another on Samsung’s own chips. The new smartwatch will reportedly be based on the Gear 2 Neo and Galaxy Gear.

Lending credence to the rumours, Samsung has filed for the “Galaxy Wear” trademark and there was an FCC listing that surfaced earlier this week that shows a smaller Gear smartwatch.

Panasonic's AVCCAM HD camcorder features recording modes for sports snalysis and cloud applications

Panasonic has announced a new professional AVCCAM HD handheld camcorder, the AG-AC90A, with significant improvements over its predecessor, the AG-AC90. Advances include two new recording options -- a PM mode (1280x720, 8Mbps) supporting sports analysis applications and a CS mode (720x480, 3.5Mbps) for cloud service utilization.

Other enhancements comprise the ability to copy content from one SD card to another, a date and time superimpose function ideal for law enforcement and legal depositions, Freeze Frame (still picture) on video out during shooting position change, Eye-Fi card support, a Variable White Balance function, additional marker displays, and a Digital Range Stretch (DRS) On/Off user button. Current AC90 owners can access these new features via a free firmware upgrade available at http://pro-av.panasonic.net/en/index.html.

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New BlackBerry BB10 handsets Passport and Classic are unapologetically enterprise focused

Image from Crackberry.com

The future of BlackBerry is enterprise and nowhere is this clearer than in the design of their upcoming devices called Classic and Passport. Many consider the BlackBerry Bold line of years past to be the nadir of BlackBerry device design and there's no denying the enduring appeal of the 9900, its stylish lines, leather accents and inlaid frets were  cohesive, purposeful and meant business. Well, that look is back with the Classic and more surprisingly, the Passport which at first glance looks like a Symbian phone but upon closer inspection is a BlackBerry through and through. Interesting to note that BlackBerry has relegated the only full touchscreen device, the Z3, to the more consumer oriented 'emerging markets' segment, namely in Indonesia. What do you think of the Classic and the Passport? Are these smartphones you can see in your future?