Saturday, March 31, 2012

Android Phone Fans

Android Phone Fans

New HTC ad shows their latest phone as the only One for you

Posted: 30 Mar 2012 11:38 AM PDT


HTC is taking their One series and running with it. At the unveiling event at Mobile World Congress we were given a good idea of how the name would tie into marketing, emphasizing the new phone as the only “one” designed to meet the desires of individual users. In another way, HTC wants folks to walk into stores and say “that’s the one I’ve been looking for.” Get it? It’s kind of cute. Kind of clever.

The One branding concept is extended in the la Test ad from HTC, showing all sorts of folks taking full advantage of the improved hardware and software found in the One X, One S, and One V. Want another idea of just how the pairing makes for one heck of an experience? Check out this head-to-head camera battle between the One X, Galaxy Nexus, and Xperia S.

[via Android and Me, Android Police]

ZTE Fury Review

Posted: 30 Mar 2012 11:27 AM PDT

While most Android diehards would scoff at a device like the ZTE Fury, the Sprint handset offers proof that a quality Android experience can be delivered alongside affordable pricing. Launching for only $20 on contract, the Fury could be mistaken for something (slightly) pricier. A surprisingly good 5MP camera, snappy Qualcomm CPU, and Sprint ID features give the entry-level handset plenty to offer. Coupled with a solid design, the Fury has some potential within its compact frame. Does it put other budget models to shame? Read on for the full review.

Hardware

The ZTE Fury offers a compact design with just enough fine touches to allude to something outside of its price range. A textured, soft-touch back, chrome accents, and rounded edges give off a certain sense of class. It isn’t the thinnest device ever, but it still manages to come in at less than half an inch. The phone sports a 3.5-inch IPS LCD display at 320×480 resolution.

Inside the Fury lies a 1GHz Snapdragon processor, 512MB of RAM, and 4GB of on board storage. It’s some impressive power for such a squarely mid-range phone and the benefits can be felt when navigating throughout the phone’s software. A basically stock build of Android 2.3 helps in this department. The Snapdragon CPU is appreciated when it comes to flicking between homescreens, rendering and navigating webpages, and playing back video. The phone never seems to struggle or lag behind all that much.

A 5MP camera performs its job adequately for snapping photos, though video left something to be desired (we’ll have more on that later), and a 1500mAh battery provides enough juice to keep the Fury going. MicroSD expansion offers room for up to 32GB of additional storage. The Fury ships with a 2GB card.

Overall the hardware impressed, but in some areas the need to strike a line between performance and price was noticed. For instance, the low resolution of the screen was noticeable in some UI elements and applications. In most areas it was fine. Call quality was also not the grea Test. Though perfectly audible, voices tended to sound a bit muffled when piped through the Fury’s earpiece. We’d say these gripes are relatively minor in the long run. The Fury impressed more than it disappointed.

Software

The Fury greets users with a relatively barebones build of Android 2.3 Gingerbread. A few minor tweaks have been made here and there, but the presentation is mostly the way Google intended it. Out of the box the phone offers a pretty minimal selection of pre-installed apps (a good or bad thing, depending on who you ask), but Sprint ID packs make new software easy to find. Launching the app drawer reveals Google’s Mobile Suite, a couple Sprint apps (including Sprint Zone and the aforementioned Sprint ID), and some basic utilities.

Sprint ID is a focus on the Fury. The app is built directly into the device’s launcher. Pulling it up presents a selection of ID packs that include wallpapers, games, applications, and widgets. For the most part, games and apps are presented as icons that hotlink to the Google Play store for download. This was a bit perplexing, as it adds additional steps and seems counterintuitive to the ID concept, but it’s still a jumping off point for users looking to explore the potential of their device.

With a basic 3G connection, the Fury isn’t much of a media powerhouse. Anyone who has experience HSPA+, LTE, or Sprint’s own WiMAX might have a hard time adjusting. Still, connection speeds are adequate and when paired with a WiFi network the Fury gets along just fine streaming video, browsing the web, and playing back a Google Music library.

For fans of stock Android or those new to the operating system, the Fury provides a great starting point. For those looking for added value or features the phone comes up a bit short. It does all the basics and it does them well, but the handset lacks any true innovative or differentiating features. This isn’t a bad thing, necessarily, but it is important to note that we’re not dealing with something like HTC Sense or Samsung’s TouchWiz here.

Camera

The ZTE Fury’s camera is a bit of a Jekyll and Hyde scenario. For photos, the quality was above what we initially expected from the handset’s 5MP camera. For video, it was about what we expected if not a bit worse. The software portion is a riff on the stock Gingerbread camera and offers plenty of options for tweaking the outcome of photos, from color effects to white balance and more. The LED flash was near impossible to use in certain situations, spoiling photos at close range and not doing much from a distance.

With auto-focus the camera does a fairly good job, but in low light situations the lens can struggle. Shutter speed also lags a bit, but that is as much the Android 2.3 operating system as it is the hardware.

Video recording could have been a lot better in many aspects. Don’t expect full blow HD video or anything of that nature. Color reproduction was also a bit dull. The camcorder mode could work in a pinch for grabbing a must-have shot, but seems better suited for grabbing images of the Loch Ness Monster, Bigfoot, or an Android phone leak.

Conclusion

Given its pricing, it’s hard to find any real complaints with what ZTE and Sprint have given us in the Fury. It’s a phone that doesn’t feel cheap and still provides great value. The hardware within would have been highly desirable not so long ago, though that is easy to forget in the age of multi-core processing. If anything, the Fury is a great example of how far Android device manufacturing has really come. For those obsessed with having the latest, greatest, and most powerful on the market, Sprint offers other options. For a first-time smartphone user, an added line on a family plan, or the budget-minded consumer, the Fury is an affordable ticket to Android power.

Verizon DROID Incredible 4G Enters the MAP Process

Posted: 30 Mar 2012 09:56 AM PDT

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We’ve long heard rumors of one HTC Droid Incredible 4G ready to make its way to store shelves, but outsides mere mention of the device’s name we’re not exactly sure what to expect. We’re expecting a variant of the HTC One X with LTE, of course, but anything could be the case. The device has just been subjected to MAP (minimum advertised price) which usually means Verizon is getting close to figuring out an advertising campaign (and, by association, that the device is nearly finished and ready for mass production). [via Android Central]

Sony Targets Mid-April for First Xperia ICS Updates

Posted: 30 Mar 2012 09:02 AM PDT

Sony’s bringing the sweet taste of Ice Cream Sandwich to all their 2011 phones, and it seems we’ll have to wait just a tad longer. It’s only a two week wait (give or take a few days) because they’ve now pegged mid-April for the first set of rollouts. Of course, we imagine the unlocked and unbranded versions will get the upgrades right away, but carrier-specific versions will depend on each specific carrier.

Most European and Canadian carriers tend to get the update out rather quickly, while it may be a more tough wait here in the United States. The roll-out period will stretch 4-6 weeks so if you have an eligible handset and you don’t get the update right away, be cool and be patient – it’ll get there eventually. Hit the source links to see which devices are included. [via Sony]

TurboTax Giving Free State and Federal Filing on Android App; This Weekend Only, Tablet Owners Only

Posted: 30 Mar 2012 07:53 AM PDT

TurboTax for Android is out, if you haven’t heard, and they’re trying to promote it by offering a sweet offer to those filing this year’s taxes. You can file both your state and federal taxes completely free if you use the TurboTax app to do it this weekend. The obligatory caveat? Sure – you have to have an Android 3.2+ tablet or an Amazon Kindle Fire. Handset-only owners are out of luck here. Another option for those who are alienated is to ask a friend to use their tablet to file your taxes this weekend. They might even appreciate the tip if they haven’t filed their taxes yet. Get the free application from the Google Play Store.

Imangi Studios Says New Environments, Characters, Objectives and Power-ups to Come to Temple Run

Posted: 30 Mar 2012 06:58 AM PDT

Since its launch on Android (literally only a few days ago) Temple Run has enjoyed tremendous success on the Google Play Store. With somewhere between one million and five million downloads, I’m better they could be happier with the way things turned out.

The buck doesn’t stop here, of course. PocketGamer had a quick chat with Imangi Studios regarding the hit game, and one interesting tidbit to come out of the interview was regarding new content.

Imangi confirmed that they are indeed working on new characters, power-ups, objectives, and environments are all being worked on. They couldn’t give us any specifics on what or when, but it’s nice to know they’re looking to take things to the next level.

Let’s face it: none of us wanted to play inside that gloomy temple forever. I’ll be a nice breath of fresh air to step outside of it. Maybe even the evil monkeys will be joined by other species depending on which environment you’re in.

I know I’d love to see some Hyenas in an African wildlife scenario. For now, just let your imagination run wild. And if you haven’t played the game yet, give it a shot in the Google Play Store for free.

Pocket Legends Celebrates Second Birthday With Free Access to Premium Areas

Posted: 30 Mar 2012 06:14 AM PDT

Pocket Legends has just turned two, quite a long time in the world of technology, and they’re celebrating it with free access to premium levels! Those who are playing the game without paying will get access to the following:

  • Sandstone Caves
  • Skeller’s Return
  • Croc Feud
  • Frozen Nightmares
  • Shadow Caves
  • Wyldwood

Those who bought these levels prior to this sale will get something for their trouble, as well: a Frozen Crown of Gratitude. Take a look inside your Stash and you should be able to find it.

Finally, for a limited time, you can purchase the party hat. Players who come across you will automatically wave and receive a free, smaller party hat of their own. After it’s gone, it’s gone so be sure to purchase one before it’s too late. Download the game here.

Motorola DROID Bionic Lapdock On Sale for $80 Today Only

Posted: 30 Mar 2012 05:06 AM PDT

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1SaleADay has posted another great Android related deal. Motorola DROID BIONIC owners who have been waiting to pull the trigger on the device’s lapdock will be happy to know that the site has it on sale for $80. Its condition is new so you won’t have to worry about any bad refurbishes. Of course, there’s one tiny catch: you only have until today to take advantage. If you’ve got the funds stored up and have been waiting for a good deal, now is your best shot. Get started here. [Thanks to everyone who sent this in!]

Android Overload: Flashable Stock 4.0.4 ROMS Available For Galaxy Nexus and Nexus S, Dell Plans For 2012 Smartphones and More

Posted: 30 Mar 2012 12:54 AM PDT

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It’s been another successful day of bringing the best Android news from all around the planet. Congrats, on making it this far. What now? Well, for all those other news stories — the ones we didn’t feature on our front page — we’ve placed them here. In the Android Overload. It’s here you can give these stories a final once over before we toss ‘em in the bin and they’re gone forever. Have a look around and if you see anything of interest, let us know. Night, everyone.

  • 49% of cellphone users have smartphones. 48% of smartphones are Android devices. [Nielsen]
  • Roar of the Pharaoh is a popular Chinese Android game infecting devices in China. [PocketGamer]
  • Foursquare adds user bios. [Electronista]
  • Samsung Galaxy M (I9300) could come with eye-tracking and auto-dialing features. [GSMArena]
  • Amazon Appstore updated to version 2.3. Bug fixes, increased 50MB download cap and better notifications. [Amazon]
  • Verizon wants to release pay-TV for wireless devices. DOJ still has to approve it. [Engadget]
  • More Microsoft vs Motorola court battles. MS asks US court to block Motorola’s injunction. [FOSS Patents]
  • Factory images for Nexus S and Galaxy Nexus are now available for download. Thanks, Eden! [Google]
  • HTC One series on sale early in Germany. [BestBoyZ]
  • Android 4.0 upgrade schedule for Bell in Canada revealed. [MobileSyrup]
  • Dell has some new smartphones planned for later this year after all. [PCWorld]

LG Optimus Elite Pictured For Both Sprint and Virgin Mobile – Will Offer NFC At An Affordable Price

Posted: 30 Mar 2012 12:51 AM PDT

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Sprint and Virgin Mobile are getting ready to receive a new entry-level device from LG in a few short weeks. While this wouldn’t normally be very exciting news, what’s interesting is what comes inside this budget device. The LG Optimus Elite will be the first NFC enabled device to be offered on a pre-paid wireless carrier here in the states. The Optimus Elite was revealed in a couple of promo shots today by the folks at PocketNow and will feature typical specs of an entry level device like 3.2-inch 480×320 reslution display, 800MHz processor, 5MP camera and of course, near field communications for making quick transactions at your local Kwik-E-Mart.

Sprint’s version of the LG Optimus Net should be releasing in the coming weeks with Virgin Mobile’s arriving sometime in May. Expect both devices to be easy on the wallet with the Sprint version most likely being offered free of charge with a 2-year.

What do you guys think about LG pushing low-cost, NFC devices for the masses? I suppose this could only help Google Wallet adoption, right?

T-Mobile Details Android 4.0 Delay For Sensation 4G On Their Facebook Page

Posted: 29 Mar 2012 09:33 PM PDT

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After news today that Ice Cream Sandwich was just about ready to roll for the HTC Sensation 4G on T-Mobile, some where left wondering exactly what went wrong and why an update hasn’t been pushed out yet. Well, judging by some chatter on T-Mobile’s USA official Facebook page, the Android 4.0 update may have been delayed. According to T-Mobile’s posts, HTC sent T-Mobile the official ICS ROM for the device, but it didn’t pass T-Mobile’s quality checks, sending the update right back to HTC for further testing and fixes where the ball now remains in HTC’s court. Of course, the next step will be that HTC will patch everything up and send it back to T-Mobile, where they will Test it again and if everything checks out, an over-the-air update can finally take place. (Whew). Here’s what a T-mobile rep said last Saturday via their Facebook page:

“HTC has delivered a ROM to us however it is still having issues the reason that other sensation types have the update without issue and ours did not come out that way is because every ROM must be adapted to the hardware of the device because we use a different radio than other providers and also have applications such as wifi calling it also has to be compatible with those. What the HTC rep told you is most likely correct because once a ROM is delivered we have 2 weeks to test it and then approve it or send it back they then have 4 weeks to fix the bugs and return it back to us, where we are exactly in that process I do not know but that is how a ROM is delivered to the customer.

The original ROM was not delivered to us in November, we started testing it just recently but I think it has been longer than 2 weeks so at this point HTC most likely has the ball.

You bought a phone and it has been announced that you are getting ICS you have every right to know what’s going on with it and when you can see these awesome features. I did go into a lot of detail about how a ROM gets to the end user (you guys) but that wasn’t to point fingers only so you would have a better understanding of why you don’t have it yet, the bottom line is the Sensation has T-Mobile’s and HTC’s name all over it and both companies want to make you proud to be a Sensation owner so we are working as fast as we can to deliver it but also want to make sure that it stands up to your expectations.”

While some will dismiss this as nothing more than a misinformed T-Mobile rep speaking out of line, from the amount of detail they divulged, it sounded like they more than knew their stuff. As you can see, there seems to have been a hiccup along the way and this is the reason you don’t have ICS on your device tonight. Just be patient and a solid, tested, bug-free update will be pushed out to you soon enough.

[Facebook]

HTC One X on AT&T Pushed Back To May 6th According To Best Buy Email

Posted: 29 Mar 2012 08:58 PM PDT

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Bad news for those of you on AT&T who have been aching to get your hands on the single greatest phone on the planet — the HTC One X. After receiving a few tips that the device had slipped from its original rumored April 22nd launch date to “early may,” we have a little further confirmation of this slip by way of an email forwarded to AndroidCentral this evening.

Apparently, the user who forwarded along the email had pre-ordered the One X with Best Buy and was although no expected launch date was ever given, was notified today that the device had been pushed back to May 6th. Given Best Buy is a 3rd party retailer and has been known to allow the pre-order of unannounced devices, we’re not sure how much weight this “leak” holds. Take it as you will.
Posted by at 8:14 AM

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