Saturday, May 26, 2012

Android Phone Fans

Android Phone Fans

Handy Graph Provides Screen-to-Bezel Ratios of Popular Android Handsets

Posted: 25 May 2012 02:19 PM PDT

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A handy “screen-to-body” graph has been making the rounds across a few tech sites which brought it back to my attention. I actually found the graph while cruising through the depths of Reddit the other night on my off-time, and thought a few of you would find it useful. The graph takes information on a various device’s body and display size, plotting them in graphs and charts so we can see who comes out on top.

Also known as “screen-to-bezel ratio,” it appears that the Samsung Galaxy Note takes top honors as the one Android device with the biggest sized screen for its body size. Rounding up 3rd place is the HTC EVO 4G LTE (although the creator forgot the LTE part) with a respectable 66 ratio.

Which devices had the largest bezels? Well, it’s not surprise that the “bezel-tastic” iPhone 4S was one of the worst offenders, with the Motorola DROID 4 coming in dead last. Although not by any means a comprehensive list, it could provide a valuable resource for those that obsess with having a device that’s virtually “all screen.”

[ExtremeTech | Reddit]

Some Sprint Customers Receiving HTC EVO 4G LTE’s Along With Free TPU Case and Apology Letter

Posted: 25 May 2012 12:58 PM PDT

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For some lucky HTC EVO 4G LTE pre-orders, their devices are being shipped with a bonus — an official HTC TPU case and an apology letter. The letter expresses Sprint’s sincere apologies for the launch delays (although, really, it was never their fault). The Sprint letter reads,

“HTC and Sprint want to thank you for your patience as we know you have been anticipating the arrival of your new HTC Evo 4G LTE. Please accept this phone accessory as a small token of our appreciation and thanks.”

Nice gesture on Sprint’s part. This is the first we’ve heard from users receiving free cases along with their LTEvo’s so, shout out if any of you guys received something similar. Now, we just have to wait until the device is officially available in stores, though, I wouldn’t expect the same offer for walk-ins.

[TheVerge]

Samsung Galaxy S3 Facing Delays – Defective Battery Door To Blame [Rumors]

Posted: 25 May 2012 11:48 AM PDT

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Lately, there’s been a lot of chatter around the net regarding a Samsung Galaxy S3 delay. According to Tweakers.net, apparently Samsung was forced to destroy nearly 600,000 battery covers, after a defect was found in the Pebble Blue version of the covers. It’s this hiccup that has pushed back the launch date for the international model of the GS3.

Yesterday, we received an email from online retailer Negri Electronics confirming these delays, but strangely, had to do with the white version of the device. The email sent out to pre-orderers reads,

“To many, being first is a necessity. To us, it is a requirement. While we do not have great news for our customers, we still anticipate to be the first to carry the Galaxy S III, but the date has been set to the 29th. Our supplier originally gave us a firm date of arrival for the 25th, but has failed to follow through with the promise- putting us in a compromising position with our reputation and name. We anticipate having the Blue, 16GB  Galaxy S III before the White. At this time we are not trying to assume a delay from Samsung; but the White is expected to arrive June 1st.”

Keep in mind, these delays may, or may not, affect the US release of the device which still has not been officially announced (though rumors point to a late June release). No official word from Samsung has been given, so we’ll let you know when we hear something.

[Reddit | XDA | AndroidNZ | Tweakers | TMoNews]

More Pics of Project Glass In The Wild – Shows Off New Metallic Blue and Red Colors [Update]

Posted: 25 May 2012 10:40 AM PDT

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Out for a night on the town, a (very handsome) Phandroid reader spotted Google’s Senior Vice President of Engineering Vic Gundotra, along with a handful of fellow Googlers (Charles Mendis, Simon Prakash, and Steve Lee) at “Enoteca La Storia,” a wine bar located in Los Gatos, CA.

The entire team was hanging out, wearing Project Glass, and sipping some merlot. You may have noticed from the snapshots, some of these Googlers were wearing a never-before-seen blue-ish hued headset. This could mean Project Glass is advancing into a new production and/or testing phase — or that the varying colors represent some kinda complex ranking system within Google (in which Vic is the equivalent of a black belt). Either way it’s damn cool, and I’m sure the rest of the patrons at the bar thought they were all from the future.

So, how are you guys liking Project Glass in this new fancy metallic blue?

Thanks, Ben!

UPDATE: Even more pics made it onto Google+ in which Google’s Chris Chabot n’ friends took the headset out for a test run. They called it “Google Glass Walk” and you can find even more photos on his Google+ page where we found this red model. It’s now that I’m starting to wonder if these will be given out to attendees at Google I/O next month?

[Google+]

Ice Cream Sandwich RUU file for the EVO 3D leaks

Posted: 25 May 2012 09:42 AM PDT

It seems there’s another path for those who are looking to upgrade to Ice Cream Sandwich on the HTC EVO 3D early. BriefMobile have leaked a new RUU file for the device. These tend to be a lot safer than IMG files, but keep in mind that this update is still possibly unfinished. Early word is that this could eventually be a final update. We won’t know until we know, so if you’re aware of the risks associated with using this file be sure to find the download link here. It’s a .exe file and it will take you through everything you need to do, step-by-step.

ASUS Transformer Pad 300TL hits the FCC

Posted: 25 May 2012 07:36 AM PDT

One ASUS Transformer Pad 300TL has hit the FCC. The device is likely identical to the WiFi-enabled Pad 300 that has already found its way in the file cabinets of the regulatory body, but this one comes equipped with radios compatible with AT&T LTE radios. It’s nice to get confirmation of its arrival because that means we won’t have to wait long for one of the first LTE-equipped ASUS phones in America. For now, it’s still out of reach for us common folks so continue to dream on it another day. [FCC, Thanks, Steven!]

Deutsche Telekom still open to T-Mobile USA mergers

Posted: 25 May 2012 07:10 AM PDT

While Deutsche Telekom and AT&T failed to get governments to agree on a merger that would see the latter buying up the former’s T-Mobile USA, they’re not ready to take offers off the table. DT’s René Obermann says they’re not excluding any options for T-Mobile, including merger.

The deal with AT&T didn’t work because they were just too big to begin with, but giving some of these smaller players a chance at the prize should eventually prove to be fruitful. Only time tells if anyone is willing to take a chance on T-Mobile. [via Engadget]

Huawei Ascend P1 hits the FCC

Posted: 25 May 2012 05:59 AM PDT

While the Huawei Ascend P1 was revealed this past January, there’s been very little to suggest it’s coming any time soon. A new FCC approval may have changed all that, however, as the device is now certified to be sold in the United States.

The 4.3 inch device is quite the slim wonder with a 1.5GHz dual-core processor, Android 4.0, and more. We have on clue where exactly it’s headed carrier-wise, but someone, somewhere in North American is sure to pick this phone up. We just need a “when,” “who,” and a “how much” now. See the listing at the FCC. [via Electronista]

Bump update allows you to share to your desktop… sort of

Posted: 25 May 2012 05:53 AM PDT

Bump have announced a new update for their sharing service that allows two mobile users to share files and media by simply “bumping” phones. Today, it extends beyond mobile. You can now share your stuff to your desktop. Simply tapping your keyboard’s space bar with your phone does the trick. The catch is that it’s not actually going to your desktop, but to your bump account online. From there, you can quickly download the photo to your desktop. Head to https://bu.mp/ to get started and find the accompanying Android app in the Google Play Store.

iHeartRadio comes to Google TV

Posted: 25 May 2012 05:16 AM PDT

iHeartRadio has finally made its way to the Google Play Store for Google TV. Up to now, users have had to deal with trying to use the internet radio service through the browser, but as you can imagine it didn’t come without a degree of cumbersome. The app gives you access to all iHeartRadio has to offer, which includes real radio stations and personalized stations based on artists and songs. You can find it on your Google TV device using the Spotlight app. [Google via GTVSource]

Cut the Rope: Experiments update adds new leaderboards and achievements, 25 new levels, and more

Posted: 25 May 2012 05:02 AM PDT

ZeptoLab, the developers responsible for the great Cut the Rope series, have released a big update for Cut the Rope: Experiments in the Google Play Store. This new update brings us 25 brand new levels, a new robotic arm as an added gameplay element, new achievements to collect, new leaderboards, and a new photo of Om Nom — the cuddly creature who you feed candy to — in the Professor’s Album.

Users who already have the game can update for free, and those who don’t can buy it for a low $.99, a price I’d say is more than fair for a game with this much fun and content. Head to the source link for the download. [Google Play Store]

How to root the HTC EVO 4G LTE (and how to unroot, as well)

Posted: 25 May 2012 04:47 AM PDT

The HTC EVO 4G LTE officially shipped yesterday and many eager Sprint users have gotten their hands on it. The question after that almost always tends to be “when can I root it?” Sometimes you’ll wait days, and sometimes you’ll wait weeks, but the EVO 4G LTE received root treatment on day one.

Revered developer Zedomax did the work and it seems simple enough to follow along. There are instructional videos for Mac OS X, Windows, and Linux users so no one should be left out of the fold unless they simply don’t own a PC.

Be sure to read through every line and watch every second of the video that applies to you before getting started. As an added bonus, Zedomax also shows you how to unroot in case you decide you want to go the stock route.

This isn’t a bootloader unlocking with S-OFF, but root is root and there are many good things that can be done with it. Find all the instructions, download links, and videos at XDA-Developer. [Thanks to everyone who sent this in!]

Promising sample video from Project Glass surfaces

Posted: 25 May 2012 04:30 AM PDT

We’ve already seen a nice collection of photos surface from those who are helping test Project Glass, and now the next best thing has come to light: video. One Googler put the prototype glasses on and took them for a spin on the trampoline. The 15 second video was shot in 720p and it definitely impresses my eyes. Yours may be different, but considering this is a prototype I’d say things are looking very sharp. Find the sample video above. [via The Verge]
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