Sunday, April 15, 2012

Update - 232



Posted: 17 Mar 2012 02:47 AM PDT
Ramos W16
Ramos W16
With the overwhelming response to the launch of the iPad 3 and high consumer expectations from a slew of Android 4.0 ICS tablets set to arrive on the market, the question of whether the tablet is here to stay has been definitively answered. But consumers are not only confused by the wide range of options available, but also about the hefty investment required to become the the owner of such tablets. So, it’s always good to see tablet manufacturers release a relatively cheap, but nevertheless impressive alternative to the iPad or the Samsung Galaxy Tabs. Presenting – the Ramos W16 Android 4.0 ICS tablet.

Specs

The specifications of the Ramos W16 are nothing to write home about, but the tablet definitely serves its purpose, especially considering the more-than-reasonable price tag.
Ramos W16 specs:
  • 1 GHz A9 Cortex processor
  • 512 MB DDR3 RAM
  • Built-in 8/16/32GB memory, with MicroSD card support up to 32GB
  • 8-inch capacitive 5 point multi-touch display with 1024×768 resolution
  • 2 MP rear camera, 0.3 MP front camera
  • 4200 mAH battery
  • WiFi 802.11 b/g

Form Factor

The box in which the device arrived is beautiful in itself, which serves to only increase the expectations for the device contained inside. In the box, you’ll find the standard fare, including a power adapter, an USB cable, and an instruction manual, which is oddly, only in Chinese. While the device has an infrared receiver for remote control access, the remote is not included in the package.
Unboxing the device reveals an 8-inch tablet of a surprisingly good build quality, comparable to even the high-end tablets currently available. It’s quite light, weighing only 597 grams. It also has a very nice metallic finish on the back, which is refreshing to see on a mid-range tablet. The Ramos W16 feels very well balanced and the design is excellent, making it very comfortable to hold.

External ports and controls

The Ramos W16 comes with support for all major ports, with a mini-HDMI port, a On-the-go USB port, a 3.5 mm headphone jack, and an AC adapter port. The microphone port is at the front of the tablet, just below the screen. Physical buttons include the standard volume rocker and a power button to the side of the tablet. Also included are physical menu, home, and back buttons (aside from the standard capacitive buttons found on all new Android devices), which is a welcomed (and potentially very useful) touch to the tablet.
Ramos W16 Physical Buttons Closeup
Physical Buttons Closeup

 Screen and Speakers

There have always been complaints that the screens on most low to mid-range tablets are of poor quality and build. The Ramos W16 features a 1024×768 high-resolution screen, which looks and feels very nice, boasting 1080p video playback capability. The screen has a very nice silvery/grey finish to it, and certainly looks and feels like a high-end tablet. The screen is prone to be a fingerprint magnet, which is noticeable when it’s powered down, but this is only a minor annoyance.  At times,the touch sensitivity also seemed slightly less responsive, making swiping back and forth between home screens a little difficult, and, at times, requiring multiple touches.
The speakers are positioned at the bottom corner of the back of the tablet. This may seem like an inconvenience while watching a video with the tablet placed on a flat surface, but the sound was loud and the quality decent. As in most cases, a pair of headphones will provide the best sound quality the device can offer, but there is no reason not to enjoy a video or music on the default speakers of the tablet.

Battery

The Ramos W16 houses a large 4200 mAH battery. The battery lasts about 4-5 hours, with high usage on WiFi, which is slightly disappointing, but you will be able to watch two movies at the least, or play games for 4 hours before a recharge is required. The standby mode capability is very impressive though, with the battery charge level only going down to 94%, after being in standby for 3 days.

Software

The software is possibly the most exciting aspect about the device. While most current Android tablet owners eagerly await an upgrade to ICS, the Ramos W16 comes pre-loaded with Android 4.0, with some modification to the UI. Applications load quickly, and it’s easy to lose track of time once you try out the various games available. Web browsing is also very quick, and is, in fact, comparable to the browsing experience on some of the high-spec models that we tried out. The stock keyboard is well spaced out and provides a certain ease with typing. Sometimes, there is an almost unnoticeable lag,  but that’s only a minor inconvenience.
Ramos W16 Android Tablet
Ramos W16 Android Tablet

Conclusion

The Ramos W16 cannot be billed as a “must-have”, and most would probably prefer to wait for the higher-end tablets that will be available on the market soon. But, the device is certainly very likeable, with very impressive build quality and software presentation, especially considering the low price of $219. The specifications could be better, and questions about the tablet’s longevity arise. The W16 will work very well for now, but with software and technology changing at a very rapid pace, demanding more power and higher specs with every update, it might not be a viable option to keep after a year or so. But then again, even high-end devices nowadays begin to feel dated after about 12 to 18 months, and I cannot stress enough that the Ramos W16 is relatively a bargain, but looks and feels like a high-end tablet. It would be a very nice device to own if your requirements primarily involve watching movies, listening to music, and the occasional web browsing and emailing, and you are looking for a cheap alternative to the high-end tablets out there.
Below is a video of the unboxing and review of the Ramos W16 Android 4.0 tablet:


This article, Ramos W16 Android 4.0 tablet review , was originally published at AndroidAuthority.com - Your Android News Source.

Posted: 17 Mar 2012 01:35 AM PDT
Now this is the kind of news we like to hear – a thread just popped on Reddit, with what seems to be a press photo of the Samsung Galaxy S3. The image contains a lot of juicy details, including a supposed Galaxy S3 release date: May 22, at the Samsung Unpacked event in London. The May 22 date fits perfectly with earlier bits of news, including Samsung's statement that the Galaxy S3 will debut sometimes in the first part of the year, closer to the actual availability of the product.
Now, we've seen mockups and renderings of the Galaxy S3 before, including some really bad ones. But to us, this latest supposed leak definitely looks legit. First, you can notice the logo of Weber Shandwick Worldwide, a PR company that collaborated with Samsung in the past. Of course, anyone could have looked Samsung's public relation partners and slap a logo over a picture. But there is more. The image seems professional; if someone made this up in Photoshop, he or she spent many hours to make it look so legit. Everything, from the quality of the rendered screen, to the small details on the phone, such as the lower (and upper!) front speakers, seems to indicate that we are looking at the real deal.
samsung galaxy s3
As AndroidAndMe's Taylor Wimberley notes, Samsung Unpacked will fall right between CTIA Wireless show at the beginning of May and Google's I/O event at the end of the month. Could Samsung be trying to hog the spotlight (light it needs to) by launching their new flagship right between two major events? It's definitely possible.
The home button is back, dedicated camera button, edge-to-edge screen
Let's analyze the image that made its way to Reddit. First and most obvious, Samsung's trademark rectangular home button is back. Right beneath it, on the lower bezel of the phone, we can see a speakers grill. But, if you mess around with the levels in Photoshop, you can reveal what seems to be another speakers grill, on the upper side of the phone. Stereo speakers? Perhaps.

Next, we have a big rocker on the left side and a dedicated camera button on the right side. That dedicated button was high on many fans’ wish list, and it seems that Samsung has listened. The S3 seems to be very thin (except for the camera bulge), and, if our eyes are any good, it seems to have tapered sides. We wonder how comfortable to hold it will be.
Onto the screen – it's almost edge-to-edge, and looks gorgeous. It's probably an Super AMOLED HD display. By reducing the width of the side bezel to a few millimeters, just enough to ensure you can hold the phone comfortably, Samsung has probably managed to maximize the surface of the touchscreen display, without making the actual phone too big to use. It's hard to tell, but it could be a 4.65-incher or even a 4.8-incher (what earlier gossip suggested.) The phone in the image does seem to have a relatively long form-factor.

Specs wrap up

The image does not provide us any information in terms of specs, except perhaps the resolution of the screen. But here is what the rumor mill has produced so far, when it comes to Galaxy S3 specs:
  • Quad-core processor – Exynos 4412 with ARM Mali-400 GPU
  • 4.8-inch Super AMOLED HD display
  • 8MP rear-camera, 2MP front-camera (as suggested by a supposed image taken with the SGS3)
  • 2GB RAM
  • 4G/LTE
  • Ceramic Case (almost certain, several rumors indicate it)

What do you think?

So, the Samsung Galaxy S3 is finally getting closer, and this time, it sure seems it's for real. The Reddit image sure look real, but we can't guarantee that it's not the work of some very crafty prankster.
Let us know what you think. Is the real deal? Would you like a Samsung Galaxy S3 like the one in the image?
Note: There is a poll embedded within this post, please visit the site to participate in this post's poll.

This article, Leaked press photo? Galaxy S3 announcement: May 22 at Samsung Unpacked , was originally published at AndroidAuthority.com - Your Android News Source.

Posted: 17 Mar 2012 12:26 AM PDT

With our busy and sometimes very hectic schedules, we often forget to keep in touch with the people who are close or special to us. It’s definitely very frustrating, and to some extent embarrassing, if you miss a very special occasion such as your and your partner’s anniversary. Things like these could result in serious quarrels or could mean the end of a relationship, which of course, you don’t want to happen.
All you need is someone to remind you.  Go ahead, hire a personal assistant.  But, if that’s not feasible, why not give the Charm app a whirl.
Charm, essentially, is a reminder app that does more than just remind you of the important stuff in your social life.  Among other things, the app can remind you when to contact that special someone and even suggest what gifts to give.
Charm is the perfect personal assistant when it comes to reminding or managing your interactions with contacts who are special to you–your best friend, your girlfriend or boyfriend, your favorite teacher in first grade, or whoever as long as they mean something to you. You will never miss connecting with them with this app always reminding you.

How Charm Works

So that Charm can work its charm, you need to tell it something about your relationships with the contacts on your phone.  For each special contact that you want to be reminded of, you need to tell Charm what conversational tone (formal vs casual) to use towards the person, what intimacy level you have with that person (friend, lover, and the like), how often you interact with the person, and many other fine details that you can tune to your liking.
You can also specify the preferred way for you to contact each person–either through call, SMS, or email.
The app also goes beyond reminding you to contact someone. If you are having a hard time on composing messages (which is often the case if you are on a tight schedule), the app also suggests message templates, taking into consideration your relationship with them. Now that’s convenience on your part.
Aside from those aforementioned features, the app also makes a good gift finder. Looking for gifts is very time-consuming, especially if you are on a tight budget and schedule. You need not worry about that. Charm can look for gifts for your special someone based on his or her interest and preference, and within the gift price range that you specify in Charm’s settings.

Using Charm




In the app’s home screen, you will see all the important contacts that you have added, each contact is represented by a tile containing the picture of that contact. If you tap a tile, it will bring you to another screen from which you can specify settings. If you want to modify the settings, you just need to tap the wrench icon located on the upper-right corner of the screen.



Tapping that will take you to another screen where you can set the conversational tone for your message templates ranging from casual to formal. On the same screen, you can also change the relationship type, contact frequency, settings for  email, text, or call suggestions, and price range of the suggested gifts.
All of those settings will come in handy for the gift suggestions. The app will base its suggestions on the settings that you have specified. You just need to choose a gift from the list, pay it and have it delivered to that special someone.
With Charm, all you need to do is define the necessary settings, and after that, it will remind you to interact with your special contacts, suggest messages for them, and look for perfect gifts to give them.
You don’t have to let absence or distance erode your relationship with your special contacts.  Try the app and be a more socially charming person. You can download Charm free from the Google Play Store.
How do you currently use your Android phone or tablet to make sure that your relationship with special people stay strong and vibrant?

This article, Charming Your Social Contacts with Charm App for Android , was originally published at AndroidAuthority.com - Your Android News Source.

Posted: 16 Mar 2012 12:58 PM PDT
Nexus-Logo1
Earlier this month, we've covered a couple of seemingly connected rumors regarding what is currently being referred to as the Nexus/Google tablet. The first rumor (chronologically speaking) hit the blogs when AndroidAndMe claimed to have insider information regarding the upcoming Google Nexus tablet, which would supposedly be manufactured by ASUS. Around one week later, a Digitimes report followed up along the same lines, though with a few extra details.

Summing up the previous Google Nexus tablet rumors

Up until now, rumors seemed to indicate that Google was planning to release a quad-core Nexus Tablet that would be manufactured by ASUS and would be priced between $200 and $250. Judging on the rumored specs and on Google's track record of basing its Nexus smartphones on existing devices from OEMs, it seemed like the Nexus tablet could be based on the 7-inch ASUS MeMO 370T.
Fueling the speculations, ASUS has unveiled the MeMO 370T (running Ice Cream Sandwich) at CES, in January, but the Taiwanese didn’t even mention the device at MWC in early March.

New rumor: the Nexus tablet will be dual-core, priced at $149?

Today, AndroidAndMe reported yet another rumor, this time allegedly coming from a supply chain insider, claiming that the ASUS MeMO 370T was cancelled, and thus won't reach the market in the state we’ve seen it at CES.
However, the source suggested that the MeMo 370T will suffer several modifications (downgrades, really) before being re-branded into the Nexus Tablet, explicitly mentioning that the quad-core Nvidia Tegra 3 processor will be replaced with a dual-core Qualcomm processor. AndroidAndMe’s source did not mention it specifically, but I'm guessing (and sort of hoping) he was talking about the Snapdragon S4, although the S3 cannot be excluded. However, there’s some good news — the dual-core Google Nexus would supposedly be priced between $149 and $199!

Android fans, cross your fingers!

To put it bluntly, if this rumor turns out to be real, it's very much a double-blow administered to the Android community. Not only we'd be denied a quad-core Nexus Tablet, but we'd also be denied a quad-core Ice Cream Sandwich tablet (I'm talking about the ASUS MeMO 370T) that – priced at $249 – would have kicked some serious butt. On the flip side, a $149 Google tablet would be incredible, no matter how you look at it.
What do you guys think? What would be better: a quad-core Google Nexus for $200 or a dual-core Nexus tablet for $149?

This article, Rumor: ASUS Nexus tablet to feature a dual-core processor, will be priced at $149 , was originally published at AndroidAuthority.com - Your Android News Source.

Posted: 16 Mar 2012 09:31 AM PDT

Although its 4.7-inch Super LCD display is slightly beyond the ‘optimum’ smartphone screen size (according to the Strategy Analytics report we covered yesterday), the HTC One X is considered by many to be one of this year’s hottest devices. Capturing the interest of many potential smartphone owners that are planning to purchase in the next couple of months or so, the only official estimate we’ve had so far regarding a possible release date was a vague “early April for the European markets”. Fortunately for One X fans eager to get a feel of that 1.5GHz quad-core processor, we just received word a few hours ago from the official O2 Twitter account, that the HTC One X will land in British territory on April 5th. This makes it the first quad core smartphone ever to reach consumers hands. Oh yes.
Responding to an enquiry regarding the price tag, O2 claimed that the subsidized cost of the first Nvidia Tegra 3 quad-core smartphone was not decided upon yet. Here's an image of the tweet itself:
o2 tweet
Curiously enough, retailer Clove.co.uk also mentions April 5 as the HTC One X British release date, but unlike O2, they also have a price listed: £410.00 (£492.00 including VAT) . Granted, Clove UK sells unlocked smartphones, so there is a difference. Could this be an indication that the HTC One X will be released on all networks, as well as in the unlocked version on the same day?
Even more interesting, another UK phone retailer named Phones 4 U lists that HTC's next flagship superphone is available (pre-orders as yet) for £119.99 plus a £26.00 monthly subscription fee if you're willing to sign a two year contract. Is this info accurate even though O2 claims that they haven't decided on the tariffs just yet ? There's no way of knowing for sure, but it doesn’t seem all that impossible for O2's tweet to be just a marketing move!
Either way – let us know if you’re excited about HTC”s latest superphone – or if you will be holding out for something more interesting. 

This article, O2 tweets the HTC One X UK release date: April 5th , was originally published at AndroidAuthority.com - Your Android News Source.

Posted: 16 Mar 2012 08:38 AM PDT

Launched on March 22 2011, the Amazon Appstore is currently the most popular alternative to Google Play (formerly the Android Market) when it comes to downloading apps, be them free or paid. Arguably more of an Android game market than an App Store, the number of apps available through Amazon has increased almost eight-fold over the past 12 months, up to 31k apps from just 4k at the time of its launch. Although that number is well below the 400,000 apps available on Google Play, this goes to prove that Amazon's Appstore is an increasingly reputable market, despite the numerous complaints voiced by "indie" game developers in the past.
To celebrate their upcoming birthday, Amazon has recently announced that over the following week, they will be offering significant discounts on several of the most popular paid games and apps available. If you go at it today, you'll find that the Android version of the popular Plants vs Zombies game is available today at a 67 percent discount.
The number of apps available on a discount will increase each day, and by the end of the Birthday Deals promotion, several popular titles will be offered for significantly less than their current price. According to the Amazon press release, these apps include Fruit Ninja, Wolfram Alpha, Splashtop Remote Desktop, Dr. Seuss's The Shape of Me and Other Stuff, TuneIn Radio Pro, TETRIS, PAC-MAN, The Lost City, MONOPOLY, AccuWeather Platinum and Jamie Oliver's 20 Minute Meals.
Also as part of the first Amazon Appstore birthday celebration, the retailer has announced that they will offer 8 free Amazon Kindle Fires in a sweepstakes you can join by the end of this month.
While Amazon has released top ten lists of the most popular free and paid apps available, they have conveniently omitted the total number of downloads from our prying eyes.  Either way, here’s the list of the most popular paid and free apps below.
Here is a list of the 10 most popular paid apps on the Amazon market (as expected, most of them are games):
1. Cut the Rope
2. Angry Birds (Ad-Free)
3. Where's My Water?
4. Angry Birds Rio (Ad-Free)
5. Angry Birds Seasons (Ad-Free)
6. Plants vs. Zombies (Kindle Fire Edition)
7. Fruit Ninja
8. SCRABBLE (Kindle Fire Edition)
9. UNO (Kindle Fire Edition)
10. TETRIS
This is the list of the most downloaded free apps available on the Amazon Appstore (all of them games):
1. Angry Birds Free
2. Netflix
3. Solitaire
4. Fruit Ninja Free
5. Angry Birds Seasons Free
6. Bubble Buster
7. Little Piano Free
8. Roller Lite
9. Jewels
10. Hangman Free
Any of you going to take Amazon up on their birthday offer?

This article, Amazon Appstore celebrates its first birthday with a number of discounted apps , was originally published at AndroidAuthority.com - Your Android News Source.

Posted: 16 Mar 2012 08:21 AM PDT

If you are getting weary of waiting for that Android 4.0 ICS update on your HTC Vivid phone from AT&T, you can force the ICS update manually by typing *#*#682#*#* in your phone dialer.  But you'd better get a move on, since AT&T didn't officially acknowledge the update to the newest version of Android for the phone, and the carrier may prematurely put an end to your Android dessert binge.
Once you type in the code, a notification should appear on your HTC Vivid phone, and you will be prompted to download the 314.09MB update that leads you to the ICS door. Similar to the ICS update on the HTC Sensation and HTC Velocity a couple of days back, the Sense UI will receive a facelift as well to version 3.6.
Those who have applied the ICS update on their HTC Vivid reported an improved performance of their phones. Everything you expect to see from ICS is there, including the Roboto font, made specifically for the new OS, and the Face Unlock functionality. Apparently, you can now remove AT&T's bloatware from the home screen, though uninstalling still isn't an option. Check out the hands-on video  that The Verge has uploaded here.
Note that the trick may not work with an unlocked model of the phone, since this particular dialer code is specifically used for AT&T network. With this unofficial official ICS update for the HTC Vivid, the waiting list is shrinking ever slowly – but surely. All that’s left is but a dozen or so HTC phones. Oh.
To HTC Vivid owners out there — do share with us if the code still works on your phone.  Those that have done the deed, are you digging the Roboto look on your phone?

This article, Use this dialer code to get ICS update on Your HTC Vivid , was originally published at AndroidAuthority.com - Your Android News Source.

Posted: 16 Mar 2012 08:13 AM PDT
samsung-galaxy-s3-water-proof
Making gadgets resistant to water has been a big trend this year, with various manufacturers choosing to fit their smartphones and tablets with water protection systems.
But not all producers use the same technology – some devices, like the Panasonic Eluga, are waterproofed, meaning that their sensitive internal components are shielded from the elements through a gasket or some other type of seal. As a drawback, waterproofing adds bulk to the device and the seal can wear in time.
Other devices are water resistant, meaning that, even if their inner workings are not insulated, the device will withstand just about any splash. This is done through coating every component of the smartphone or tablet with a fine layer of a hydrophobic material, which effectively repels water. We've seen this amazing technology already on the Motorola Xoom 2 (see video) and other devices from Moto, which uses a nano-coating technique supplied by P2i, Inc.

Now, P2i is out to get some much bigger fish. How big? Galaxy S3-big!

Samsung interested in making its devices water-repellent

In an interview with TechRadar, Eric Cohill, COO of P2i, said that water repellency has drawn the attention of the biggest names in the tech world, including the "fruity companies" and the "big Korean brands". Now, I don't think that Cohill's thin-veiled allusions need any translations. And we know that Samsung is set to build a true superphone, so adding some protection against water to the S3 would make great sense.
p2i water repellent
Making the Galaxy S3 water-repellent would be a major advantage for users, who won't have to worry that much about using the S3 in the rain or dropping it in a puddle (but don't count on it, it's only water-repellent, not waterproof, remember?). But the move would also benefit carriers and possibly even Samsung, through smaller reparation costs and less warranty problems. Water corrosion can pose major problems — especially when using the device in moist environments, you don't even have to drop the phone in a liquid to get internal corrosion. So, improving the water resistance of the Galaxy S3 would be a win-win-win scenario. Not to mention a huge win for P2i, which will get a fat account for its product.

An unbreakable device?

Just imagine how much abuse the Samsung Galaxy S3 will be able to take if the rumor mill is right.
The device will be nano-coated for water repellence. It will be protected by a ceramic back plate/casing, which, we are willing to bet, will be shock resistant. The touchscreen may very well be covered in Gorilla Glass 2 – Corning said that the first devices to sport its next-gen super-glass would come in April-May, which means that Gorilla Glass 2 may arrive just in time for the Galaxy S3 fiesta.
We can take the speculation even further – it's no secret that Samsung is working on devices with flexible displays, which are almost unbreakable, because they use a plastic as a substrate, instead of fragile glass. It may be far-fetched, but it's not crazy to speculate that the Galaxy S3 may use a flexible display, especially when you consider that flexible displays make the fabrication of bezel-less devices a snap. Unfortunately, that's the least plausible spec on our wish-list. Samsung is probably not able yet to deliver the millions of flexible displays that would be required to produce the S3.
But for now, these are all rumors.
Until Samsung drops the Galaxy S3 bomb on us, we can't do more than speculate. What do you think? Will the Samsung Galaxy S3 be water-resistant? What other specs you expect it to have?

This article, Nano-coating could make Galaxy S3 water resistant , was originally published at AndroidAuthority.com - Your Android News Source.

Posted: 16 Mar 2012 06:12 AM PDT

Samsung produces the most successful line of Android devices in the world. For their tablets, they have taken a novel approach by creating a variety of choices 7-inch, 8.9-inch, 10.1-inch and, now, 7.7-inch tablet. Most of these tablets posses enough differentiating factors to make them stand out, and the Galaxy Tab 7.7 is a prime example of that with a display that blows any competing tablet out of the water.

Galaxy Tab 7.7 compared to the size of the Samsung Galaxy S2
The Samsung Galaxy Tab 7.7 LTE  features an incredibly gorgeous7.7 inch HD Super AMOLED Plus display measuring 1280 x 800 pixels as well as a Micro-SD card slot. It’s interesting to note that both of these features are not available on any of the other Galaxy Tablets. Other specs include 4G data support from Verizon’s speedy LTE network, a 1.4GHz dual-core Exynos processor, a 3 megapixel rear shooter with flash, and the device itself comes preloaded with Android Honeycomb 3.2 with TouchWiz UI on top. The size of this Tablet really sits right in the sweet spot for tablet sizes, and it’s small enough to feel very portable, and not too small that it feels llike an over-sized smartphone.

Furthermore, it has a sufficiently large battery that can power its 1.4GHz, dual-core processor through a full day’s use, and its industrial design is attractive and feels very comfortable to hold. While using the device I had nothing but a great experience, and it blew me away with its performance, I didn’t run into any lag no matter what I threw at it. The 4G LTE speed from Verizon is amazing and flawless like always. Both the 2 megapixel front and 3 megapixel rear camera do their job very well. My favorite feature of the tablet is, without a doubt, the display. It’s beautiful to see an AMOLED Plus display on a 7.7-inch screen. This tablet will make anyone who purchases one a happy camper, and will definitely garner jealous scowls from iPad owners.

The only downfall for this device is its $499 on-contract price. That’s a lot of money to pay for a device that still requires its own 2 year data contract to operate. You can still get it without a contract for $699 which is a very pricey tag for an Android Tablet.
For a more in-depth look at this amazing Android device, check out the video below.
So what are your thoughts? Is a 7.7-inch screen the perfect size for you? Any thoughts on the AMOLED display? For those of you eager for AMOLED in a tablet, but desiring a bit more power, stay tuned for Toshiba’s quad core AMOLED tablet that is coming to market soon.
Honestly, if you’re looking for a tablet that is blazing fast, has the best looking display on the market, and is a highly portable size, then the Galaxy Tab 7.7 is the one to get.



This article, Samsung Galaxy Tab 7.7 LTE for Verizon full review , was originally published at AndroidAuthority.com - Your Android News Source.

Posted: 16 Mar 2012 06:12 AM PDT
htc-one-s-micro-arc-oxidation-ceramic-case
People don't often appreciate the effort that Santa puts into stuffing socks with presents on Xmas day. It's an epic collaboration between elves, deer, and the big man himself. Similarly, you've seen HTC One phones in pictures and admired their speed and beauty. Aren’t you just a little bit curious about what’s behind the phones’ sleek and tough exterior, and how they came to be? We have three words for you: Micro. Arc. Oxidation. Ugh, what?
According to HTC, the Micro Arc Oxidation treatment that the company is using for the exterior of HTC One S produces a material that is stronger than stainless steel. Just how strong? About three times the steel’s strength and durability. HTC sticks to aircraft grade aluminum for the base of the material, but, for good measure, they fire a shocking 10,000 volts of energy into the One S’ back plate, in order to change its molecular structure. It's practically like subjecting the plate to lightning strikes.
The Micro Arc Oxidation process is also known as a high voltage spark treatment, and it’s used in the transportation, chemical, biomedical, textile, and aerospace industry. The tremendous hardness of MAO-ed aluminum makes it safe to say that your HTC One S phone won't be troubled by scratches or corrosion. In fact, HTC claims you won’t need a case anymore. It is that good of a technology.

You've seen the result and probably love it. Well, some of you. It's a nice departure from the usual aluminum, plastic, glass, or ceramic exterior that modern smartphones are using.
Just a reminder – the HTC One series consists of the HTC One X, One S, and One V. The One X comes with Nvidia Tegra 3 quad-core 1.5GHz processor, a 4.7-inch HD screen, 8MP front-camera with f/2.0 lens, and a 1.3MP rear-camera. The One S sports a dual-core processor and a spacious 4.3-inch display. As for the One V, you'll get single-core 1GHz processor, a 3.7-inch display, and the same external appearance as the HTC Legend.
The awesome oxidized skin is only available on the HTC One S, the mid-ranger in HTC’s new One series. The top of the line One X sports a cheaper polycarbonate shell, which is odd, until you think that the One X comes with NFC and the aluminum shell would be a barrier for microwaves. Tough luck, One X owners!
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