Posted: 14 Feb 2012 06:41 PM PST   While I can’t say any of us were exactly surprised when we heard that anonymous sources over at Droid-Life have been hinting that the white version of the Galaxy Nexus could soon be arriving to Verizon Wireless stores, and as early as this week. Apparently, this white version will be the slightly downgraded 16GB model with no 32GB model in sight. This could mean the G-Nex will be offered at the more competitive $200 price point, going head-to-head with the Motorola Droid RAZR. A 16GB silver option will also be made available around the same time making us wonder if Verizon/Samsung will be phasing out the 32GB option entirely. We’ll let you know when we hear more. |
Posted: 14 Feb 2012 06:17 PM PST   There’s not much time left, but if you hurry, you can get in on Motorola’s Valentine’s Day contest being held on their official Facebook page. To enter, all you have to do is simply download the image of the cute Android cupid on their Facebook page, place the image in a photo of you and your sweetheart and you will be entered to win the all new Motorola Droid 4 on Verizon Wireless. Pretty easy, right? Good luck, everyone! Thanks, Thomas! [Motorola's Facebook Page] |
Posted: 14 Feb 2012 05:34 PM PST   It was almost a month ago to this day that I showed you guys leaked images of Gamevil’s upcoming sequel to one of the best action RPG franchises Android has to offer — Zenonia 4. I think it’s safe to say we were all pretty much floored with what we’ve saw. Well, I have great news for all you Android gamers out there. Zenonia 4 is now officially available in the Android Market. Featuring all new, high-resolution graphics, Zenonia 4 finally brings the franchise into the wonderful world of HD. Have to admit, I almost wept after seeing the bright new visuals on my wonderful SAMOLED Plus display. Can’t say I’ve never been a more proud father, than I am right now.  Zenonia 4, which actually launched a few short days ago, has been receiving near perfect reviews from user in the Market despite being considered a “freemium” title — but it’s freemium done right. Players who wish to enhance their gameplay experience (or cough: cheat) can do say through the use of in-app payments that will yield extra items and upgrades. Keep in mind, unlike most freemium titles, this is by no means necessary to progress along in the game. So, really. Stop everything you’re doing, and get to downloading this shining example of how far gaming has come and where it’s headed on on our Android smartphones. [Market Link] |
Posted: 14 Feb 2012 03:12 PM PST  Chrome for Android, even in beta, is one impressive mobile web browser. While we are sure Google has plenty left to add in, what you see when popping open the browser on your Android handset only scratches the surfaces of its capabilities. Dig a bit deeper and you will find unprecedented capabilities for developers working on mobile websites. As Chrome developer relations engineer Boris Smus shows us, the Chrome browser features remote debugging for editing mobile sites on the fly. After some initial setup involving the Android SDK, devs can see a live view of a mobile site on their Android handset as they edit code on their desktop PC. The result is instant feedback. CSS and other code changes take place in real time, showing the results of any action exactly how they will appear on a mobile device. The bridge between developing for the desktop web and the mobile web just decreased in length. More details can be found at the Google Code link below. [Google Code via AndroidCentral] |
Posted: 14 Feb 2012 02:18 PM PST   Verizon employees are being given the opportunity to own a smartphone that most will never get their hands on, a limited edition Motorola Droid RAZR. The phone not only comes in an exclusive red and black deco and a free dock, but it is being offered for only $99. Verizon is also providing employees with the chance to purchase a limited edition 32GB Droid RAZR MAXX for $199. Both special handsets come engraved with “Limited Edition” and a number designation. We’re sure a few will become available via sites such as eBay and Craigslist, but the savings most certainly won’t be passed along to the common man. Anyone out there going to try to track one of these down?  [via Android and Me] |
Posted: 14 Feb 2012 01:05 PM PST   If you have had a hard time getting your hands on the limited edition Android figurines that make an appearance from time to time, you will want to head out to the nearest Urban Outfitters, Barnes & Noble, or FYE as soon as possible. A non-limited edition run of Android characters have gone on sale. You can find ‘Droids painted up as a bear, a businessman, or even the abominable snowman all for $10 each. Even though the plan is to produce more than one run of these little guys, these will likely be flying off shelves. Grab one (or several) soon before they become harder to find than the Yeti himself. [via DroidLife] |
Posted: 14 Feb 2012 12:54 PM PST   There is a new speech recognition app in development for Android called Utter!, a project that we are getting our first look at courtesy of a video posted by its developer. Utter! promises to be unlike any speech recognition software before by combining voice commands with the applications installed on a users device. Other solutions such as Siri on the iPhone and Speaktoit and Voice Actions on Android often digest queries such as weather and calculations internally and then bounce back an answer. Utter! allows users to route queries to various apps such as a train timetable app or calculator and pulls results from these services. Even crazier, Utter! can do thing you may have never imagined (it is developed by an XDA member, after all). The app can perform a host of tasks such as checking a device’s battery level and rebooting into the phone’s bootloader. It can even hold a basic back-and-forth conversation. You can see it put through the paces in the 22-minute video above, but Utter! isn’t available to users just yet. Google supposedly has their own interactive voice recognition software in the works, but we’d be more than happy to use this one in the meantime. [via YouTube | Thanks, Mimsyborogove923!] |
Posted: 14 Feb 2012 12:29 PM PST    Amazon MP3 is a great digital storefront for music but doesn’t get too much love for its Android app. Things get a boost today with an update that gives the music player a Kindle Fire-inspired makeover and adds in some new Android 4.0 functionality. When listening to music via Amazon MP3, users are now treated to Ice Cream Sandwich lockscreen controls, similar to those found in Google Music. Otherwise the app stays mostly the same, a serviceable music player with access to a great library of tune via Amazon. Find the update in the Android Market now. Android Market Link: Amazon MP3 [via DroidLife] |
Posted: 14 Feb 2012 11:47 AM PST   ZTE continues to blaze its own path when it comes to affordable Android tablets, announcing the £235 Light Tab II. The new slate sports a 7-inch display, 1.4GHz single-core CPU, and 4GB of internal storage (expandable via microSD). Also on board are rear and front-facing cameras, WiFi connectivity, and a dash of 3G support. The ZTE Light Tab II ships with Android 2.3. There is no word on potential Honeycomb or Ice Cream Sandwich updates for the tablet. The ZTE Light II Tablet Coming Soon to the UK |
Posted: 14 Feb 2012 10:52 AM PST   Just in time to doodle your crushes name over and over or draw hearts all over screenshots of their text messages, the Samsung Galaxy note has launched in Canada on TELUS and Bell, and should go live at Rogers any time now. The Note will take advantage of Canada’s LTE networks and also features a 1.5GHz dual-core processor, Android Gingerbread with TouchWiz, and utilizes Samsung’s S Pen stylus for input. The release marks the beginning of the Note’s North American rollout. It will land on AT&T in the States at the beginning of next, gracefully turning the page to what Samsung will unveil at Mobile World Congress. |
Posted: 14 Feb 2012 10:05 AM PST   Love is in the air! It’s Valentine’s Day and there’s no better way than to spend it with your closest companion, the one you keep near and dear to you at all times. That special friend that is always there in your times of need to lend a helping hand. The one that not only accompanies you to dinner and movie, but also suggests the restaurant and showtime, your Android phone. Yes, Valentine’s Day is about showing that special someone (we may or may not still be talking about your Android) that you care, but what if you don’t have one? You could always try downloading apps from Match.com or OKCupid to help track down a date for the evening (we’re definitely not talking about an Android phone anymore), but if that’s moving a bit too fast you could always test the waters with Bumping Bears, a Tomagatchi-like experience that allows you to raise and customize a little bear buddy. When the time is right, bump your phone with a friend to let your bears bump nasties. OK, maybe we are letting things get a bit too hot and heavy.  Let’s take the training wheels off. Perhaps you already have a Valentine? Send a digital dart from Cupid with Kiss My Valentine, an app that makes it easy to show some love with electronically packaged kisses, hugs, and best wishes. If things get serious, the app will even help you plan the perfect romantic outing, right down to the party strobe light, which is a built-in feature. Now that you’ve properly swooned a person of romantic interest, don’t mess up the date. You might be surprised how an app like PrivacyStar can really come in handy here. Block out unwanted distractions such as texts and calls, and definitely avoid answering the phone when Mr. or Mrs. Ex-Valentine hits you up to let you know she is currently crying into the biggest available tub of Ben and Jerrys.  When she is out of your hair, fire up Slacker Radio to set the mood for you and your date. Their DJs have put a whole lotto’ love into crafting the perfect playlist for an evening of romance, from country to rock. Once the lights dim, tune into Slow Jamz and let the night go where it will. Oh, you may want to point Mr. or Mrs. Ex to the Broken Heart station. It goes great with a few scoops of Half Baked.  If Slacker isn’t doing it for you, Sonos and Google Music are each doing their own part to put some love in the air. Sonos is taking user suggestions to craft the perfect Valentine’s playlist. You can start things off with a Sonos speaker in the dining room providing the perfect soundtrack for a candle-lit dinner. Beam it to a speaker in the bedroom for dessert. If you still can’t find that perfect song to melt your love’s heart, Google Music has some great deals on classic love songs.  For the person content on spending the evening alone, you can still play with the hearts of others...er, you can still play Hearts with others. Aces Hearts has stretched its relevancy to Valentine’s Day and launched in the Android Market. For fans of the classic card game it should help distract a bit form any aching loneliness. If you really want to treat yourself, Wirefly is giving away a $50 gift card with the purchase of any T-Mobile handset through the rest of the day. I know, you are asking “Where are my candy hearts?” Did you really think we were going to send candy to all of our readers? Yes, we sure do hold a fond place in our hearts for all of you, but the logistics of that would be a nightmare. Maybe this Candy Hearts app will help fill the void. So, anyone have any big plans this evening? Will there be any engagements in the extended Phandroid family? And, I suppose the most important question, will you be my Valentine? |
Posted: 14 Feb 2012 09:32 AM PST  The Samsung Galaxy Mini 2 has been in the rumor mill as of late and it’s just as real as you’d expect. The device has hit the FCC recently and it looks like it’ll be able to strut its stuff all over the floors of Mobile World Congress.  There’s no guarantee it’ll be there, of course, especially with Samsung cancelling their press conference. They don’t usually announce these small guys at press conferences, though, so there’s still a chance that it will be made official before the event and put on the show floor for all to gawk at. It’s an entry level device but should do the job for most people who don’t need an over powerful smartphone. We’re expecting it to have an 800MHz processor, a 3.3 inch display, 3GB of internal storage, Android 2.3 and more. While fanfare for this device will be scarce, some people will end up cheering when they find out how cheap it is to own. [via Wireless Goodness] |
Posted: 14 Feb 2012 08:44 AM PST   The Motorola DROID 3 may soon be due for an update. There is no word on soak testing but the development community have gotten their hands on two new builds for the device, both of which can be flashed in the stock recovery without root. The catch is that you won’t be able to revert to older builds. This obviously creates a problem for those of you who may run into bugs. And any root method you’ve used on the device is still working for these leaked builds. Unless these are worked into your favorite ROM, most of you might want to stay away. find the builds here (5.7.902) and here (5.7.905). [XDA via Droid-Life] |
Posted: 14 Feb 2012 07:15 AM PST  When it comes to Android accessories, I’ve always been all about the wireless speakers. I love ‘em. For me, they’re the greatest things since sliced bread. In my quest for finding the best wireless speakers money (on a tight budget) can buy, I came across the Philips Fidelio line of Bluetooth wireless speakers, tailored made specifically for Android devices. Before I even opened the speakers, I thought I’d walk you guys through my first time — from start to finish – taking you through the unboxing, software, initial impressions and at the end, some areas of improvement, in my review of the Fidelio wireless speakers from Philips. I actually received 2 versions of the speakers; a smaller bedside clock/dock (AS111), and the medium sized AS351. Not reviewed was the larger sized AS851. Both the AS111 and AS351 feature an adjustable micro USB dock that can be moved and fined tuned to dock a variety of Android devices, be it a phone or tablet. The dock really acts as nothing more than a charger for when listening to tunes and the audio connection is all done via Bluetooth. Both speakers had solid construction with a high-quality feel to them — something important form any electronics device. Although, technically, all these speakers are compatible with any Bluetooth device and even non-Android devices with micro USB ports (BlackBerry, Windows Phone 7, etc.), the speakers gain added functionality when used with the optional Fidelio Android app. Software  Philips has an Android application in the Market that when installed to your device, brings hassle-free plug-and-play functionality that will auto-launch the application, activate Bluetooth and pair the device with the speaker simply by doing nothing more than docking it. This is great for older folks or girl-friends who don’t exactly know how to jump into their device’s settings configure their Bluetooth. The application also features a few custom alarm clock functions, internet radio stations, and (after downloading another application) music player all in one easy to find place. Firmware updates for the speakers will provided using the Fidelio application as well. While the Fidelio app sounds great in theory, in my experience with it, I found it a little too buggy to keep on my device, turning on Bluetooth (and not turning if off) even when I was away from the speakers and plugged my phone into a standard charger. While minor, it was a nuisance and hopefully something Philips will address in a future update. AS111 The smaller AS111 bedside dock packed a surprising amount of features with it’s LED clock and mood lighting along the bottom. This made it seem like the better value of the two, especially when you factor in the surprising audio quality and volume output from this little guy. The video may not demonstrate this very well (thanks to my camera’s auto-volume leveling), but the AS111 was able to push out enough volume to where it could actually become uncomfortable for the listener and to me — that’s a very good thing. Definitely more than your standard squawk-box, the AS111 exceeding my expectations from a bedside clock/dock. AS351 The AS351 has 2 goals in mind: to deliver more power than the bedside dock — which it fully accomplishes this thanks to 10W of output, and improve sound quality — which is vastly improved thanks to its “dynamic bass boost” for deeper “wub wubs on teh dubstepz.” The AS351 also offers a wider variety of connections in the back, in case you wanted to plug in a non-micro USB device using the included AUX cable (sound freaks will tell you this will drastically improve sound quality). If you’ve ever put your device near a speaker, I’m sure you’ve heard your phone’s data transmissions picking up on the speakers but that was never a problem with the AS351′s “special shielding technology” keeping the speaker interference free. Conclusion Overall, I’d give Philips high marks when it comes to their Fidelio line of wireless speakers. I’ll admit, when I went into this review, I really wasn’t expecting much (long time lover of the Jawbone Jambox) but was pleasantly (as you can see from the video) surprised. It’s not everyday you’ll find speaker docks suited specifically with the Android user in mind and even if you decided to forgo the dock altogether, just as a stand-alone Bluetooth speaker for any device, the Fidelio line shines with excellent sound quality and a compact design. As I mentioned in the video review, my only complaint was the lack of rechargeable battery for taking on-the-go, but I guess they had to leave room for improvement in future models. If you’ve got a family of Android devices, or need something for the work place, I’d say look no further. Both the AS111 and AS351 are an instant buys. [Amazon: $66 Philips Fidelio AS111 Clock/Dock | $108 Philips Fidelio AS351 Medium Speaker Dock] |
Friday, February 17, 2012
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