Google has introduced Android@Home today during their I/O conference, a service that it will give users a chance to control their home’s lights and other appliances using an Android device.
The new remote is dubbed “Project Tungsten.”
Using Android@home, users can also send their brand new Google Music cloud library to any computer or stereo in the home.
Making it even more interesting is the fact that if you have appliances that do not have built-in Wi-Fi, future items will have a protocol to make them compatible.
One example Google used was CDs selling with an NFC device inside the case. When you tap the case with your Android device with NFC, the entire album’s content is uploaded to your cloud music library.
Result for: Home
Two days into the Pwn2Own hacking challenge, only a few still remain.
So far, hackers have not been able to exploit Mozilla Firefox 3.6, Google Chrome, and the mobile Android OS.
Victims of the contest include Internet Explorer 8, Apple Safari 5, iOS 4 and BlackBerry.
All the security researchers who manage to exploit the browsers or operating systems take home a cash prize of $15,000 and a laptop. If Chrome gets beaten, the researcher takes home $20,000.
Charlie Miller beat the iPhone 4 with iOS and has taken home the prize in 2007, 2009, 2010 and this year.
Firefox fixed 10 security flaws the day before the contest started, and Google fixed 9. Chrome has yet to be defeated since its launch in 2008, while Firefox was beaten in 2009 and 2010.
Security researchers from VUPEN beat Safari 5, rather easily: “We pwned Apple Safari on Mac OS X (x64) at Pwn2Own in 5 seconds.”
Result for: Home
HTC has announced their first Android ‘world phone,’ the Merge.
The slider CDMA phone will go on sale in the U.S. during the “spring,” and will likely be available on Sprint and Verizon.
Featuring a 3.8-inch multi-touch display, HTC did not say what the resolution of the Merge will be.
For the QWWERTY slide-out, it is unclear whether the phone will feature a four or five row keyboard.
As standard for other HTC smartphones, the Merge will run on Android 2.2 Froyo, include a 5MP camera with autofocus and flash, GPS, Wi-Fi, 720p video and Microsoft Exchange. There doesn’t look to be a front-side camera.
Says HTC (via PCM):
HTC prides itself on creating unique solutions that meet the needs of different customers, and with features like a full keyboard and global 3G roaming, the HTC Merge smartphone is the perfect example of this commitment. Combining the functionality of Android with the HTC Sense experience, the HTC Merge is the perfect device for those customers who are looking for a reliable mobile experience with the features and functionality of a smartphone, whether it’s at home or travelling around the world.
