The much talked about Facebook application for iPads, which we had also discussed in an earlier report, has now been seen, downloaded and tested on an iPad device by the folks at Tech Crunch.

One of the key findings is that the application for iPhone actually contains the source code which makes it workable on iPad devices too.

Facebook is yet to officiate the existence of this application yet but is it is working, which means that the Facebook application will be something like this or completely like this. Only once the official application will be launched, some more information regarding the same can be shared.

The application makes use of the HTML 5 for an enhanced experience. Other functionalities that were mentioned earlier are somewhat missing from action in this application. Users are not able to post pictures and videos directly from their device to their Facebook accounts, as was expected from the native iPad application.

Once announced, this will be the first ever official Facebook application to feature on the iPad device. Reports also suggest that the Facebook application will be featuring more compatibility and features for the iPad 2 where the application will also allow video uploads directly from the device.

But, the application that has been seen as of now supports nothing more than the basic functionalities and if this application were to be launched it would be a disappointment rather.

Research In Motion (RIM) has acquired JayCut, an online video editing company based in Sweden. Since, RIM has in the past talked about offering premium multimedia features on BlackBerry PlayBook, it is now assumed that the video editing App may soon come on the tablet.

Notably, BlackBerry PlayBook has dual HD cameras that can be used for making videos and video conferencing.

The chief technology officer of RIM said in a blog post, “By working with JayCut to add video editing capabilities to the BlackBerry platform we can further enrich our customers’ multimedia experience with BlackBerry.”

The email application of Android operating system store passwords in plain text, leaving them prone to hackers, according to a media report.

According to the report, the password of the user’s email account usually stored as plain text in SQLite database and stays un-encrypted.

When asked by a user, an Android support person, Andy Stadler said that since the App supports older email protocols, it requires the password to be used every time a connection request with the email server takes place.

Stadler, in his response, clarified that Google Android takes security very seriously and has been implemented in Android at several levels and that this loophole won’t impact the way Gmail works on Android device.

However, it was not being clear now whether Google will roll out any update to secure that or users will have to create and use obscure passwords for their email accounts.

Most mid-range to high end Android devices available these days offer Microsoft Exchange Active Sync support. Apart from that, several users make do with the traditional POP3, IMAP and SMTP protocols for their email accounts on the Android device.

The core issue lies in the older email protocols that are dependent on the simpler form of password data requirement. In the modern times, nefarious hackers employ sophisticated methods to steal user login credentials that may be residing deep in some specific databases.
Security indeed has been implemented in Android OS but there is no method to check whether the apps from the third party markets are actually secure. In past, Android has been victim of malware loaded apps being spread through the third party app stores. Apparently these apps exploit several such loopholes that exist due to technologies that are not updated.

Qualcomm, a smartphone chip manufacturer, has acquired certain assets from GestureTek, a developer of gesture recognition technology. With this new acquisition, Qualcomm will gain access to gesture recognition technology that it can use to power future devices in order to give them better control on human gestures.

Gesture recognition till now has been used by different device manufacturers but with the help of certain softwares only. LG’s latest Optimus Black smartphone also features such an add-on software that is installed on to the device in order to recognise gestures and control device accordingly.

Steve Mollenkopf, executive vice president and group president, Qualcomm, said “Our acquisition of key technology and assets from GestureTek will strengthen Qualcomm’s smartphone product portfolio and enable device manufacturers to launch products with new and compelling user experience.”

With the new acquisition, gesture recognition technology can now be integrated into Qualcomm’s current and next-generation Snapdragon processors, giving OEMs the capability to produce smartphones, tablets and other devices with user interfaces based on natural human gestures.

With integrated in chip support for gesture based input recognition technology, devices will get a new way of control altogether for the users, giving them a much realistic experience.

Qualcomm has been adding newer technologies to their mobile chips and it has turned out to be a major liking factor for usage of the Snapdragon Chipset for different devices. Earlier this year, Qualcomm announced the integrated support for augmented reality with its processors and now the gesture recognition. What more does this chip manufacturer has on his mind only time will tell. But as of now the wait is on for the next line of Snapdragon processors that will come with integrated gesture recognition support, expected to start by the end of this year.

Airtel is now offering their customers a new Facebook mobile application for Java-based feature phones. Airtel is also sponsoring the launch by enabling their customers to download and use this application for three months without incurring any data charges.

The Facebook for Every Phone application provides a better and faster Facebook experience for feature phones than other similar applications and mobile sites. It brings Facebook’s most popular features and user experience to a wide range of Java handsets, and is optimised for speed and performance on Airtel’s network.

This application has some new features that enable faster browsing of news feed stories and photos, easy photo uploads from your phone, and synchronize local address book contacts with Facebook friends.

Facebook for Every Phone is optimised to use minimal data while providing people with a fast and engaging user experience on feature phones. The application uses less data than other Java applications or mobile sites, enabling it to be much more affordable for people to use when the trial period end.

People can download the Facebook for Every Phone App by sending ‘FB’ to 54321 (toll free) & clicking the link in the SMS or by visiting live.airtelworld.com/facebook from your mobile.

Airtel is offering free access (no mobile Internet data charges) to download and use the application to its subscribers for three months from the time of start of the offer i.e from 25th July 2011 till 24th October 2011.