Android Phone Fans |
- New Samsung Galaxy S III Render Pops Up In Press Invite – To Be Unveiled May 22nd?
- HTC Evo 4G LTE Hands-On Video & First Impressions
- Mototola DROID RAZR/MAXX Soak Test Begins Tomorrow – Software Version 6.12.181
- HTC Evo 4G LTE Pictures and Quick Thoughts
- HTC EVO 4G LTE Presales Begin May 7th; Sign-up to be Reminded
- HTC EVO 4G LTE Officially Announced For Sprint; Available Q2 for $200 [Unveiling Video]
- We’re Live at the Sprint & HTC Evo One Event
- 500 New Movies Coming to Google Play Store Thanks to Deal With Paramount
- Gmail for Android Update Brings Ice Cream Sandwich Experience to Honeycomb Users
- White Galaxy Note Now Available in Canada
- Samsung Conquer 4G FC17 OTA Update Released; Removed Carrier IQ and Several Live Wallpapers
- Google Outs Project Glass; Seeks Feedback [Video]
- Nokia Lumia 900: First contender to Android or just another Windows Phone? [POLL]
- Google CEO Larry Page thinks Steve Jobs’ Android hate was just ‘for show’
- SwiftKey 3 looks to make spacebar a thing of the past with launch of new beta
| New Samsung Galaxy S III Render Pops Up In Press Invite – To Be Unveiled May 22nd? Posted: 04 Apr 2012 06:46 PM PDT
Not to take away from the HTC EVO 4G LTE announcement just a few short hours ago, but a new image has popped up on a few Korean websites showing what could be a glimpse of the Samsung Galaxy S III. The invite shows us a good half of an all new, more aerodynamic Galaxy S III, and invites press to come take a look at the device when it’s unveiled on May 22nd in London. You can see from the above image, this doesn’t look like your typical render. Previous renders have been either laughable or exaggerated at best, and for the first time ever… I think this is the real deal. I mean, it isn’t really too out there in terms of design and actually fits — in my head anyway — what I would expect from Samsung’s next flagship while still remaining practical. What do you guys think? Shenanigans? Or could this really be it? More over, do you hope this will be it? [Daum | Yahoo Korea]
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| HTC Evo 4G LTE Hands-On Video & First Impressions Posted: 04 Apr 2012 05:57 PM PDT Sprint just officially announced the HTC EVO 4G LTE, which is a variation of the HTC One X announced at Mobile World Congress, plus a few little surprises. The key differences? A stylish makeover headlined by a red kickstand, a new Sprint service called HD Voice, a MicroSD slot, and a switcheroo from a Quad-core Tegra 3 to 1.5Ghz dual-core Qualcomm chip. From a pure spec standpoint, the Evo 4G LTE is somewhat of a beast. It’s got a 4.7-inch screen HD Super LCD screen that is both humongous and gorgeous. Somehow they pack this huge display into a device that manages only .35-inches in thickness, 4.7-ounces in weight, yet somehow comes equipped with a 2000mAh battery. That’s a power combination. While Sprint’s take on the One X doesn’t include the Quad-core Tegra 3 processor, the switch to the dual-core Qualcomm chip was necessary to allow 4G LTE support. Don’t be too bummed: tests have shown that this alternative performs just fine. Couple it with 1GB RAM and you’ll have no problem running Android 4.0 with HTC Sense 4.0 smoothly on your Evo 4G LTE. Another change from the European version comes in the storage department. While the One X doesn’t have any external storage, the Evo 4G LTE has a MicroSD slot you can access by snapping off the top part of the phone’s rear. Almost like removing the battery door, but with the Evo 4G LTE the battery is not removeable. I don’t mind this as HTC’s unibody form provides minimal size, maximum battery savings, and a sexy sleek look.
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| Mototola DROID RAZR/MAXX Soak Test Begins Tomorrow – Software Version 6.12.181 Posted: 04 Apr 2012 05:24 PM PDT
A soak test for the Motorola Razr/Maxx is all set to rollout but before you guys get excited — this wont be Ice Cream Sandwich. Not yet anyway. For those curious, here’s a full list of the bug fixes and goodies you can expect from update 6.12.181 as described by the Motorola Feedback Network:
As you can see, there’s a pretty lengthy amount of fixes. Maybe Motorola is just tiding up the house a little before Android 4.0 moves in. You can hit up our Motorola Droid RAZR forums to discuss your frustrations, satisfaction or simply socialize with other Droid Razr users. [Motorola Droid Razr Forums | Maxx Forums | Via Droid-Life]
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| HTC Evo 4G LTE Pictures and Quick Thoughts Posted: 04 Apr 2012 03:45 PM PDT [Update]: Our hands-on video is now live! I’ve just done a quick hands-on video of the HTC Evo 4G LTE for Sprint, but it’s going to take quite awhile to upload the video and write my full first impressions. While you’re waiting, I thought I’d post some pictures of the device (it’s a beauty) while you wait for all the other juicy content to be squeezed out of the web. There are a lot of people waiting on the forums, too.
I mainly want to discuss the design of the device, which is superb, beyond a few very small irritations. The Evo 4G LTE is absolutely gorgeous, the screen is (4.7-inches) killer, yet the phone feels light and comfortable, and it somehow still manages to pack a 2000mAh battery in its unibody frame. I love the red kickstand that acts like a high waistline of the device, accented with a red ring around the camera that gives the Evo 4G LTE a very unique look. These days most phones look very similar, but the EVO 4G LTE will definitely stand out from the crowd. I also really like the varying color and texture above and below the red kickstand. Below you’ve got more of a matte plastic while above you’ve got glossy plastic. Very nice contrast with one exception: that glossy part is a fingerprint magnet. Most people won’t mind, but if this is the type of thing that irritates you, I’m thinking the Evo 4G LTE might drive you to madness.
I’ve got yet to try out the HD Voice feature, but none of the software design is very shocking. Good I’ll get into the specs and features of the phone in my hands-on video post, so stay tuned, and until then hit up our Evo 4G LTE forums. Feast your eyes on the rest of those pics. Ain’t she a beauty?              Take Our Poll
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| HTC EVO 4G LTE Presales Begin May 7th; Sign-up to be Reminded Posted: 04 Apr 2012 03:14 PM PDT
With all the excitement of the HTC EVO 4G LTE this evening (see the announcement post here), you’re probably wondering when you’ll be able to get your hands on it. Well, we know it’ll be here Q2, and thanks to Sprint’s site it’s safe to say it won’t be here before May 7th. That’s because Sprint has confirmed presales will begin on that date. They’ll even notify you of your chance to pre-order the device if you sign up with your email address over at their site. We’re sure a lot of you will want to do that so make no delay in heading to the source link. [Sprint]
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| HTC EVO 4G LTE Officially Announced For Sprint; Available Q2 for $200 [Unveiling Video] Posted: 04 Apr 2012 03:03 PM PDT HTC EVO 4G LTE in the Phandroid Phone Guide | HTC EVO 4G LTE at AndroidForums.com Sprint, in conjunction with HTC, have announced the HTC EVO 4G LTE, their version of the high-end HTC One X. The 4.7 inch 720p device may not be popular in the aesthetics department, but the phone is very solid in every other area. The highlight, of course (unless you’re counting the return of the awesome kickstand), is Android 4.0 with HTC Sense 4.0, making it the first device with software of its kind to be announced here in the United States. HTC Sense 4.0 can’t come without (if you’re factoring in the LTE radios) the very impressive dual-core Qualcomm Snapdragon S4 chip inside. If performance will be anything close to any of the HTC One phones in Europe, it’ll turn out to be a buttery smooth and beautiful experience.
An 8 megapixel camera will grace the back accompanied by an LED flash and it’s likely we’ll be seeing 1080p HD video recording capabilities. Just as with most EVO phones, there’s a nice, red band in which the sensor is nestled. There’s also a 1.3 megapixel front facing camera and there’s a possibility it’ll record 720p HD video, as well. All of that can be controlled by a physical camera button on the side of the device. They also have the ability to take photos instantly, just as we were shown on the HTC One X at Mobile World Congress. Take a look at what HTC says is so great about its camera:
The phone will feature HD voice capabilities for crystal clear call quality. Not only should it reduce the “tinny” effect that most people describe a bad microphone has, it also has noise-cancellation features to make sure background noise isn’t an issue for the person on the other end.
To go along with HD voice, overall audio quality should be great with Beats audio profiles. To top things off with a cherry, NFC is supported and Google Wallet will be available. All of this is headed our way in the second quarter of this year for just $200. Read on for full press details and be on the lookout for a hands-on video from Rob in the coming moments! [Update]: Yes, the phone does have a microSD card slot. Thankfully this wasn’t overlooked by Sprint!
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| We’re Live at the Sprint & HTC Evo One Event Posted: 04 Apr 2012 02:11 PM PDT The HTC Evo One. That’s what we expect Sprint and HTC to announce in just a few short minutes. I’m not so sure we’ll have any surprises; chances are we’ll see the same HTC One X from Mobile World Congress, except a dual-core version (that supports LTE), potentially a kickstand, alongside a new name and branding.
This event is much more minimalistic than previous events. Not too much branding thrown around the place and a lot of white. We often see extravagance at press events but as you can see from the above picture (taken with the front facing camera on my GNEX), there isn’t much going on at the moment! Just patiently waiting Stay tuned for the official announcements, live coverage, and hopefully some hands-on the device! Don’t forget to check out our HTC Evo One Forum and HTC One X Forum where people are already chatting it up!
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| 500 New Movies Coming to Google Play Store Thanks to Deal With Paramount Posted: 04 Apr 2012 01:21 PM PDT
When Google says they are hard at work hammering out content deals with provider, they mean it. Another content provider has signed on with them today. Paramount Pictures will enjoy having their content up for sale and for rent in the Google Play Store. YouTube will also be getting the same treatment. The deal will add 500 titles, many of which are sure to be great. This brings Google’s content library to over 9,000 (no Dragonball Z jokes, please) and brings their total of deals with major studios to 5 out of 6. We’re still waiting on 20th Century Fox and hopefully Google is close to inking that deal. The content will be available within the coming weeks, says Google, but a specific timeline was never mentioned. [Google YouTube blog]
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| Gmail for Android Update Brings Ice Cream Sandwich Experience to Honeycomb Users Posted: 04 Apr 2012 12:45 PM PDT You may have noticed an update to Gmail in the Google Play Store. Those with phones probably won’t be able to tell the difference between the previous version and this one except by version number, but tablet users – specifically those on Honeycomb 3.2 – will.
This update brings the Android 4.0 Gmail features to Android 3.2. Things like swiping to switch between email, tapping your account to access recent labels, and being able to set custom notifications for individual labels are all available to those who haven’t been stepped up to Ice Cream Sandwich yet. It’s a great gesture by Google as they realize not everyone has the pleasure of being on the latest version of Android yet. As for phones, performance enhancements and a new labels API are all there, but again, you probably won’t notice. Grab the download in the Google Play Store.
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| White Galaxy Note Now Available in Canada Posted: 04 Apr 2012 11:55 AM PDT
The Samsung Galaxy Note is a great device, and Samsung wants it to appeal to everyone. Many different colors exist for different tastes, and that’s good in a market where differentiation and promoting individuality is key. Canadians today got a new option as the Galaxy Note is now available in Ceramic White. Samsung states it’s shipping today to retailers and carriers so be sure to check with your store and carrier of choice about their launch plans before running up there all excited. As we expected, it, too, will come with Gingerbread but Samsung has committed to bringing Ice Cream Sandwich to the 5.3 inch device sometime down the line. Read on for full press details.
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| Samsung Conquer 4G FC17 OTA Update Released; Removed Carrier IQ and Several Live Wallpapers Posted: 04 Apr 2012 11:37 AM PDT
The Samsung Conquer 4G may not be the most popular kid around the Now Network’s block but that doesn’t mean Sprint hasn’t forgotten about it. It’s finally received the security update that will remove the controversial Carrier IQ software that created a big stir last year. Beyond that, Sprint’s ix-naying a good deal of allpaper-ways. Those include Magic, Smoke, Many, Maps, Nexus, Spectrum, Water, and Waveform. The update will head out in a staggered process over the next 10 day so be patient if you’re not seeing it right away. [via Sprint]
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| Google Outs Project Glass; Seeks Feedback [Video] Posted: 04 Apr 2012 11:05 AM PDT It’s been rumored for a while, now, that Google was working to introduce a revolutionary piece of technology, smart glasses, which would allow you to stay connected to your world while still being able to see the world around you. Well, they’ve unveiled some of the ideas they’ve come up with and have created a video showing what may soon be possible and very real. They’re calling it “Project Glass,” and although it’s little more than a prototype tucked away inside Google’s headquarters with Googlers hammering away at it, they’re willing to give us an early look of what they hope to achieve. They’re seeking user feedback on the technology. It makes sense to gather public opinion before finalizing design considering this is such a primitive concept. They usually invite people to sit in on confidential focus study groups but it looks like they’re trying to gather a pretty big catalog of consumer input. So what exactly do we have here? They’re playing with ideas like being able to read your appointments while preparing a hot cup of tea, looking out the window and pulling up a quick report of the weather, replying to a Google+ message while eating your lunch and more. Getting live public transportation alerts and then having the glasses help you navigate to the nearest operable station is a very exciting possibility.
While it remains to be seen how long it will take for Google to develop these glasses into a consumer-ready product, and while the possibility of some of these proposed features may still be up in the air, the video provides an exciting look into the future of smart living. Take a look at the video above. [via Google+]
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| Nokia Lumia 900: First contender to Android or just another Windows Phone? [POLL] Posted: 04 Apr 2012 11:00 AM PDT The Nokia Lumia 900 is still a few days from release, but the reviews are already pouring in. While the general consensus is that the Lumia is the best Windows Phone experience to date, opinions are a little more mixed on whether or not it will be enough to contend head-to-head with Android (and the iPhone, for that matter). So it got us thinking: are there any Android users out there tempted by the Lumia’s stylish design? If you’re even half tempted, you may want to check out WinSource.com (our sister site) where you can win 1 of 4 Nokia Lumia 900s and $550 in Amazon Gift Cards just by posting on the WinSource forums.
As a refresher, the Lumia 900 features a 4.3-inch display at 480×800 resolution, 1.4GHz single-core processors, and an 8MP camera with 720p video recording. Obviously, its specs don’t touch your average dual-core Android powerhouse, but neither does its pricing. The 4G LTE Lumia 900 will retail for only $100 through AT&T. So we turn the question over to you, our loyal readers. Who is jumping ship for Windows Phone? Has the Lumia 900 won you over or will you be sticking with Google’s OS for the foreseeable future? Take Our Poll
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| Google CEO Larry Page thinks Steve Jobs’ Android hate was just ‘for show’ Posted: 04 Apr 2012 08:53 AM PDT
In an interview with Businessweek, Google CEO Larry Page took some time to discuss the direction of the tech giant now that things have settled after a shakeup that saw him assuming his new role while other, like Eric Schmidt, were moved to new positions within the company. Of the many topics touched on, Android came up more than once. In one of the more revealing moments, Page says he actually had a good relationship with Apple founder Steve Jobs. The brain behind the iPhone was somewhat of a mentor to Page, seeking him out to offer advice after learning of his new role as CEO of Google. More surprising still is that Page believes much of Jobs’ disdain towards Android was “for show.” He explains that it would be “useful for [Apple] to feel like they have an obvious competitor…to rally around.” So Jobs’ famous utterance to biographer Walter Isaacson stating that he would spend every last penny in Apple’s bank to see Android wiped from the face of the earth was just for show? Or were his words, as Page suggests, simply designed to be a hot fire poker to the rear of Apple’s employees? Or perhaps a bit of chest thumping from the silverback gorilla of the tech world? As strange as it sounds, it makes sense. Jobs was far too smart to really believe that taking out a competitor was so important that it was worth running his company into the ground. Page’s views are different, and perhaps mirror the true thinking of Jobs. “You don’t want to be looking at your competitors. You want to be looking at what’s possible and how to make the world better.” [via Businessweek]
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| SwiftKey 3 looks to make spacebar a thing of the past with launch of new beta Posted: 04 Apr 2012 07:25 AM PDT A new beta of SwiftKey 3 is available in beta for members of the keyboard software’s VIP program. In its latest incarnation, the app looks to make the spacebar obsolete with a new feature called Smart Space. Smart Space eliminates “miss-typed or omitted spaces across whole phrases” so you don’t have to. It’s part of what SwiftKey is touting as the best of the best when it comes to auto-correction. Add it to SwiftKey’s brilliant text prediction and you get one powerful little text entry tool. SwiftKey 3 also does some UI tweaking, providing a larger spacebar for those that don’t trust the keyboard to do the dirt work for them. New language support includes Korean, Estonian, Farsi, Icelandic, Latvian, Lithuanian, and Serbian. The bad news is that the update is currently only available to the 30,000 or so members currently signed up for SwiftKey’s VIP program, as mentioned before. The good news is that SwiftKey is currently accepting new registrations (if you can get the site to load).
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You’ve also got 16GB of onboard memory, so media mavens will have plenty of space for music, movies, games, apps, and every other form of entertainment known to man. Let’s talk about that sexy sleekness for a minute, because boy oh boy, the Evo 4G LTE is a looker. It’s standout style is sure to draw it’s fair share of lovers and haters, but you can’t argue that the device stands out. The red kickstand and red camera ring give the phone a very strong, dynamic look. It’s uniquely Evo in a day and age where uniquely designed smartphones are few and far between. I’m also a big fan of the Evo 4G LTE’s rear being two-toned – with glossy plastic above and matte looking metal below the kickstand – but that uppger glossy plastic is a magnet for fingerprints. Case and point, check out the phone’s rear after only having touched the phone for 3 seconds (to turn it over): 
Our readers were quick to point one potential pitfall of the Evo 4G LTE’s kickstand: it may be difficult to charge via MicroUSB while the kickstand is up because of the positioning of the kickstand in relation to the port. The kickstand is supposed to be supported in three different positions, which would render this complaint moot, but more thorough use of the device would be required in order to make a judgement. 
Before rounding out the rest of the specs, let’s take a quick look at a feature Sprint is calling HD Voice. This is the first ever device to have HD Voice, and when I first heard the feature announced, it seemed like another PR-ish attempt to pack bold specs into a growing list of proprietary technologies that companies wear as a badge of honor. But don’t assume so easily- I tested the Evo 4G LTE HD Voice feature first hand and it absolutely makes a difference. The test took place across two audio booths. I had the original Evo and the Evo 4G LTE in my booth and a Sprint rep had both phones in a separate booth. First we talked on the original Evo. Exactly what you’d expect. Then we talked on the Evo 4G LTE and… wow. I was pretty floored at the difference. Much more crisp, much more clear, almost to the point of sounding a bit fake, as if you’re listening to a television broadcast. Then the Sprint rep turned on music. Loud music. Using the Evo 4G LTE I couldn’t really hear anything in the background. Switch back to the original Evo and… wow. Lots of noise. Turns out that Sprint’s HD Voice is much more than just a line in the tech specs. It greatly improved both audio quality and noise cancellation in a very obvious and welcoming way. Unless, of course, you actually want the person to whom you’re talking to hear something you’re playing for them in the background. Then it’d be a bit of a problem. 
Moving onto the dual-cameras on the Evo 4G LTE, we’ve got a rear facing 8MP camera and 1.3MP front-facing camera. Like many others, HTC now has a quick capture capability which is nice (
Cutting edge techies will be happy to hear the Evo 4G LTE has NFC (Near Field Communications), which allows users to make payments with the swipe of their phone using various apps. While NFC has yet to gain widespread use amongst retailers, we’ll likely see higher rates of adoption over the next couple years. As with all of HTC’s new handsets, the Evo 4G LTE comes with Beats audio, which provides enhanced audio integration across all features of the handset. Of course you’ve also got your typical smartphone standards such as 3.5mm headset jack, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, GPS, and all that good stuff. Prior to the announcement of this phone, everyone thought Sprint would unveil the HTC One X with a few slight changes. That’s exactly what happened, but I have to say the changes – both in style and specs – had more of an impact than I imagined they may. The red accents give the phone a uniquely Evo taste, the HD Voice quality is fantastic, the MicroSD slot is essential, and the kickstand is an added benefit many will enjoy. The swapping of processors may leave some tech enthusiasts yearning, but regardless, the Evo 4G LTE will immediately become one of the most powerful and well rounded mobile phones to hit the market. The Evo 4G LTE will be available for pre-sale on May 7th for $199 but an actual launch date is still too be decided. We invite you to visit our HTC Evo 4G LTE Forums where it seems a loyal following has already gathered.
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