Thursday, April 26, 2012

Android Phone Fans

Android Phone Fans

Droid Incredible 4G Pops Up Again On Camera – Exposes NFC Capabilities

Posted: 25 Apr 2012 07:54 PM PDT

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Alright, the HTC Droid Incredible 4G has been leaked on the internet more times than Lindsay Lohan’s — never mind. While we’ve already seen the real meat of the specs leaked on the DroidDoes site a few days ago, there’s still a few details yet to be revealed. The latest leaked pics come from a user on Reddit who reportedly got some hands on time with the device after a quick visit from an HTC rep.

According to the user, the rep was able to demonstrate the Android Beam functionality of the Dinc 4G, made possible thanks to it’s embedded NFC chip (pictured above on the battery door). Everything else was pretty much a confirmation from what we already know. Dual-core S4 processor, qHD display, 1GB of RAM, etc., along with a May launch looking likely. Oh, there will be an official HTC extended battery available at launch similar to the HTC Rezound’s. All the cards are in place. Just a matter of time now folks. Anyone still interested in this device?

Thanks, Mike!

 

 

 

 

HTC One S for T-Mobile: Did You Get One? [Poll]

Posted: 25 Apr 2012 05:39 PM PDT

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As most of you have already heard — especially those of you on T-Mobile — the HTC One S was just released today and we’re curious to hear your guys’ thoughts on it, now that you’ve almost a full day with it. Well, first I’ll be throwing up a quick poll to see exactly how many of you on Magenta actually picked one up, or if you’re holding out for something better (Samsung Galaxy Note maybe?). After that, I’m hoping to to hear how you actually feel about the One S’s hardware, design, build quality, even how you’re adapting to software like Sense 4.0 on top of Android 4.0 — all of it.

Take Our Poll

We’ll, have our own review of T-Mobile’s HTC One S in the coming days after we’ve been able to put the device through its paces. I have a feeling we’re going to love it. Oh, and if you did pick up an HTC One S today, make sure you let us know which phone you had previously and don’t forget to hit up the HTC One S forums where you can chat or help other with questions about the device. Cheers!

[HTC One S Forums]

Deal Alert: Expansys Now Offering Unlocked Galaxy Nexus for $400 – Beats Google Play With No Sales Tax, Free Shipping

Posted: 25 Apr 2012 05:05 PM PDT

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If you’ve been holding out for a better deal on an unlocked Galaxy Nexus after finding out that Google dropped the price to $400 in the Play Store, you may want to listen up. Looks like online retailer Expansys is technically matching that same deal on their unlocked Galaxy Nexus but offers free shipping in the US and if you’re outside of Illinois, no tax. That’s almost $50 worth of savings if buying through them, instead of the Google Play Store.

What’s more is Expansys offers more payment options like using Paypal or Amazon and will ship internationally. As a bonus, the Galaxy Nexus from Expansys does, in fact, features the YAKJU software build which means this device will receive updates direct from Google (no need to mess around with flashing a different build). Just power up and you’ll be prompted for the Android 4.0.4 update with no fuss. Good deal, right? Anyone picking one of these up? Now, when someone finds a white version of the G-Nex for that same price, let me know.

[Expansys | Via 9to5Google]

ASUS Transformer Prime GPS dongles begin arriving at doorsteps

Posted: 25 Apr 2012 03:56 PM PDT

ASUS was under much fire when they released their ASUS Transformer Prime Android tablet with GPS. While it appeared they would first brush the issue under the rug as the issues weren’t software related and could only be fixed using hardware, they came through and did what very little might do. They offered free GPS dongles to strengthen the signal and provide accurate GPS performance.

While ugly and inconvenient (the dongle covers the charging port), it’s probably the least they could do without going through an expensive and problematic device recall. Check and see if yours has arrived. There’s no clear way to sign up to order one of the dongles outside of an invitation to order one via email, so keep checking your inbox for one. [via Droid-Life]

Google’s idea of a Google phone in 2006? Look no further…

Posted: 25 Apr 2012 03:21 PM PDT

Google’s legal battle with Oracle has been oozing with juicy tidbits ever since it kicked off long ago. With court proceedings taking place, things have been a lot more interesting the past two weeks. This time, a render of Google’s original vision for an Android has made its way to the innernyetz.

As you’d expect, the device slightly mimics the portrait-oriented exposed QWERTY devices that were so popular back when this concept was drawn (2006). While we already knew Google was designing Android to be a touch-less device thanks to early versions of the Android SDK’s emulator, this is the first time we’ve ever seen and heard of this concept.

With just two soft-keys, Google assumed touchscreens weren’t need — boy, were they wrong. This was a point in time where Blackberry was first getting noticed by the hipsters and teens, a market that’s proving to be very fruitful in today’s world.

Little did they know the iPhone would change everything. Let’s face it, no one trusted the advent of capacitive touchscreen devices until Apple shook the mobile world up in 2007. Google quietly changed their vision up right around the launch of the device, and the G1 was the result of that new vision just a year later.

64MB of RAM and ROM, a 200MHz processor, a 2 megapixel camera and a QVGA were the highlight specs of this device. In 2007, it might not have been bad. Those were about the same specs that flagship Blackberry devices had. The G1′s specs, on the other hand, more closely resembled the original iPhone’s when it launched in 2008. Are you starting to see the connection?

It’s amazing to see how much changed in such a short amount of time, but Google felt it was for the best and I think I speak for everyone when I say that they made the right choice. Feast your eyes on renders of the concept above and below. [via The Verge]

Google Maps brings elevation data; scale and zoom bars migrate to settings

Posted: 25 Apr 2012 02:19 PM PDT

Google Map has just received a very interesting update. Firstly, elevation data has been added to the Measure lab. This will allow people to see if an area is hilly or uneven for whatever reason they may need to know. The scale and zoom bars have also been given some love as they move out of the “labs” department to find a new home under “settings.” Get the 7.26MB update in the Google Play Store.

Samsung Galaxy S3 shows up in Kies, AnTuTu benchmark

Posted: 25 Apr 2012 02:04 PM PDT

As May 3rd approaches, more and more references to the Samsung Galaxy S3 are appearing online. For starters, Samsung’s added the device to their Kies software. It’s useful to no one but devices testers right now, but it gives legs to an already obvious rumor.

 

Alongside that, benchmark results for the device have surfaced at AnTuTu. To keep it short and simple, it completely smoked the competition. Only the ASUS Transformer Prime with its quad-core Tegra 3 processor could compete with it.

More importantly, the specs it shows are absolutely beast-like. We have a 1.4GHz dual-core Exynos 4212, 1GB of RAM, a 4.7 inch 720p display (likely AMOLED), a whopping 12MP camera and a 2MP front facing camera. Sure, it’s not quad-core but if the rest of those specs turn out to be true, it sounds like it’ll be worthy of an upgrade. May 3rd couldn’t get here soon enough.

[via AC, thanks to everyone who sent this in!]

Costco offering DROID RAZR with accessory bundle for just $80 [Deals]

Posted: 25 Apr 2012 01:02 PM PDT

While it would probably be more sensible to go for the Motorola DROID RAZR MAXX at this point, Costco is offering up a deal that’s pretty hard to pass by. For just $80, you can get an original DROID RAZR, an HD dock, an. HDMI cable, and a mobile charger. The inclusion of the mobile charger would probably make the fact that the RAZR doesn’t have a 3,300mAh battery easier to swallow. And it’s not like the RAZR’s battery life is horrible, it’s just not as good as the MAXX’s. A new two-year contract will get you on your way. The deal ends may first. [via Droid-Life]

Big Android BBQ Returns October 19th

Posted: 25 Apr 2012 12:29 PM PDT

The Big Android BBQ has become a nice annual event for Android enthusiasts to meet up and have a good time. As someone who hasn’t had the chance to go the past couple of years, I get excited just looking at others’ pictures and reading about their experiences. Those of you who have been waiting for announcements regarding this year’s party will be happy to know that we now have a date to look forward to.

The official Google+ account for the event has posted that all the fun will begin October 19th and will stretch all the way until October 21st. To help you keep track of its arrival, they’ve even created a countdown widget to show you how many days are left until everyone gathers near the Dallas/Fort Worth area.  Unfortunately, an exact venue and ticket information haven’t been detailed just yet.

Their site isn’t even functional yet – a “coming soon” message graces its existence. But rest assured that everything will be figured out before too long. You’ll want to start requesting your time off and all that stuff to make sure you can make it. Be sure to keep an eye on their Google+ or Facebook pages to get immediate notification of new details.

Sony: Xperia ICS updates are still in progress

Posted: 25 Apr 2012 11:56 AM PDT

Sony took some time today to update the community on the progress of Ice Cream Sandwich rollouts. Sony originally promised that all devices released in 2011 would receive the upgrade (and all devices in 2012 naturally will, as well). Rollouts are still going on over in the nordic countries, and Sony say they continue to work with carriers to get the upgrade out to all of their phones in the various regions and on the various carriers they’re currently available. Wipe that sweat off your forehead, folks, and sit tight. [Sony Mobile Blog]

Another Samsung Galaxy S3 prototype surfaces, shows custom Android 4.0 menu button

Posted: 25 Apr 2012 07:45 AM PDT

And here is another look at a device purported to be the Samsung Galaxy S3 donning a “dummy box” to hide the handset’s final design. A video surfaced last week showing a similarly disguised device, but the one pictured here differs in more than one way. For starters, a singular physical button can be found positioned below the phone’s screen. Likely standing in for a ‘home’ key, its efforts are duplicated in the row of Android 4.0 software navigation keys. Not only is the redundant ‘home’ option there, but Samsung appears to have added an additional key for menu functions while shuffling the arrangement of the ‘back’ and ‘multitask’ keys. This arrangement was not seen in previous leaks.

The presence of additional software keys echoes renders spotted alongside Galaxy S3 accessories for sale at Amazon.com, though the overall look of the nav buttons differs and the final handset design is at odds with the device we see pictured above. It looks like we’ll be hanging on util the last possible second before we get a clear look at the GS3′s design.

[via The Verge]

Unlocked Galaxy Nexus on T-Mobile now supports Google Wallet?

Posted: 25 Apr 2012 06:16 AM PDT

Google Wallet sounds pretty great, and the search giant expects its service to be a big part of the future of mobile payments, but unfortunately for most it is blocked on most device’s tied to a carrier’s network. At the moment, Sprint’s Galaxy Nexus is the only carrier-branded version to officially support Wallet, though the service and its corresponding app have been found to be compatible with unlocked Nexus devices running on AT&T. Now Engadget is reporting that Google Wallet appears to be working with unlocked GNex handsets running on T-Mobile’s network as well.

Things look to be in working order, though the crew at Engadget has yet to test Wallet on the TMo Nexus in the real world. Any T-Mobile customers out there rocking the Galaxy Nexus might want to give it a shot.

[via Engadget]

Carphone Warehouse now listing Samsung Galaxy S3 as ‘coming soon’

Posted: 25 Apr 2012 06:07 AM PDT

With Samsung’s next Unpacked event right around the corner, retailers have already started to rollout the placeholder pages for the phone everyone expects to be announced. The latest is Carphone Warehouse. A listing for the Samsung Galaxy S3 has appeared along with a generic image and “coming soon” tag. Otherwise, nothing is revealed about the new flagship device from Samsung.

Samsung has done a great job at keeping the new phone under wraps ahead of its launch. The company is expected to reveal the long-awaited Galaxy S3 on May 3rd in London.

[via SlashGear]

HTC One S available today from T-Mobile, get $100 back with trade-in

Posted: 25 Apr 2012 05:48 AM PDT

Ladys and gents, the HTC One S is now available from T-Mobile. The middle child of HTC’s flagship One series, the One S is priced at $200 on a new two-year contract, but thanks to a new promotion the phone could be had for what amounts to essentially free. Through May 8th, TMo is offering a trade-in promotion on all new 4G smartphones that offers a guaranteed $200 back for handing over an old iPhone. All other smartphones guarantee $100 back.

The catch, of course, is that the deal is not instant. You will have to mail away and wait up to 60 days to receive a pre-paid card holding the funds. Even without the deal the One S is an excellent buy and well worth checking out. Find it at T-Mobile now.

[via Android and Me]

Sprint showed subscriber growth in Q1 2012, still reports net loss of $863 million

Posted: 25 Apr 2012 05:37 AM PDT

Sprint has posted its eighth consecutive quarter of subscriber growth in Q1 of the year, netting 263,000 postpaid customers. Despite the additions the nation’s third largest carrier reported $255 million in operating loss and a net loss of $863 million (wireless service revenue was up 7 percent year-over-year at $7.2 billion). Sales of the iPhone were responsible in large part for customer additions, with 44 percent of the 1.5 million units sold going to new subscribers. The shift to 4G LTE and all that it entails was a factor in the high operating expenses reported.

Speaking of 4G LTE, Sprint is still on track to launch its first six markets by mid-year and has plans to reach 12 cities by the end of 2012. With the drama that has sometimes been associated with the move, it’s a milestone that can come soon enough for the carrier.

[via Sprint]
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