Thursday, June 14, 2012

Android Phone Fans

Android Phone Fans

Twitter Now Expands News Links, Read Snippets of Articles From Inside Tweets – Coming Soon To Official App

Posted: 13 Jun 2012 05:31 PM PDT

This image has no alt text

Twitter for both mobile and big-boy-web-version got a nice upgrade today. Users can now read snippets of news articles whenever someone links to them, without ever having to open a new tab or jump directly to the site. Similar to the functionality offered whenever someone links to photos, the tweet will auto expand allowing you to read articles from partners such as WSJ, New York Times, BuzzFeed, and TMZ. Video sites like BET and DailyMotion are getting in on the action as well, with videos showing up in-line whenever viewing a tweet.

In case you were wondering how this new feature applies to Android users, it looks like the new functionality will soon be making its way to the official Twitter app as well. We’ll keep you posted. In the meantime, you can follow this guy (points to self with both thumbs) on Twitter.com/Gamercore for uncensored tweets on all things Android and tech. Oh yeah, and there’s Phandroid’s official Twitter page as well. Holler!

[Twitter]

Sprint Dropping Price of Galaxy S2 (Epic 4G Touch) In Time For Galaxy S3 Launch – Only $100 After Rebate

Posted: 13 Jun 2012 04:42 PM PDT

With the Samsung Galaxy S3 launch only days away on Sprint (Thursday, June 21st to be exact) the #3 largest carrier in the US will finally drop the price of the last gen model — the Samsung Galaxy S2 Epic 4G Touch — on the very same day, to the low price of $100.

Any way you look at it, scoring one of the only devices ever offered here in the sates with Samsung’s dual-core Exynos processor for a cool hundie, is a great deal. Given Sprint’s LTE network has yet to officially rollout for everyone, there’s a better chance you have their older 4G WiMax in your area. Strange to see a device this powerful being offered at mid-range level pricing. Oh, how far we’ve come…

[TechnoBuffalo]

Sprint training videos for the Samsung Galaxy S3 surface

Posted: 13 Jun 2012 03:55 PM PDT

The Samsung Galaxy S3 is no stranger to many of you by now, even if by video alone. Welp, here’s some more video coming your way. This time, Sprint’s training videos have leaked out ahead of launch, and while these short, simple videos showing you how to do specific tasks may be useless to some, it will definitely be of some use to others. Why not get to know your device before you get your device, right? Check out the S-Voice training video above, and be sure to find many more embedded over at InsideSprintNow.

Max Payne for Android should be out in the Google Play Store midnight eastern

Posted: 13 Jun 2012 02:46 PM PDT

We’ve just been notified that Max Payne for Android will be out July 14th at 12AM eastern. We’d already gotten confirmation before but it’s nice to know when, exactly, we can expect it. This game is version of the PS1 classic remastered for Android devices. As a bad*** DEA agent, you take on a case of mysterious properties which finds Max Payne’s personal life involved. I don’t want to spoil the story so I won’t go any further if you haven’t played it. There is a short wait between now and then, though, so keep your eyes on the Google Play Store once it arrives.

Official Xbox Live app for Android now available, we go hands on [video]

Posted: 13 Jun 2012 02:37 PM PDT

An official Xbox Live app for Android has just been made available in the Google Play Store. While many have been forced to use third party options, such as Spark 360, to keep up with their Xbox Live account on the go, there will be much to get excited about for Microsoft’s official offering.

This app is no doubt the first step for them offering Xbox SmartGlass, a feature that’ll let you interact with your Xbox games and apps using your tablets and smartphones. While we won’t be able to take advantage of that functionality until next week, there are still some nice features to be had. For starters, the app allows you to message your friends via mobile.

You can ask someone to save a spot for you in a game lobby before you get to your console. You can also check on achievements, change your avatar, edit your profile, and track/compare your achievements. All the Spotlight feeds, like Gamer Spotlight, will be there, as well as other Xbox-related news. Take a look at our quick hands-on above and find it for yourself in the Google Play Store.

HTC’s OpenSense SDK gets update, now available for download

Posted: 13 Jun 2012 02:22 PM PDT

HTC have announced that a new OpenSense SDK is ready and has been made available for download. This is a big update in that it incorporates many new APIs necessary to plug in to Sense 4.0 features such as the Sound Enhancer, HTC MediaLink, the new lock screen and more. They’ve also added new code samples and tutorials for developers to get their feet wet with. You can find links to all the resources you need, including the SDK download, at the source link ahead. [HTC Blog]

Peter Chou: HTC to focus on quality smartphones

Posted: 13 Jun 2012 12:27 PM PDT

HTC seems to be making nice on their promise of offering a more simple, yet better line of smartphones. HTC’s Peter Chou mentioned to the Wall Street Journal that they don’t want to destroy their brand image by offering smartphones that can potentially hurt their image. I imagine phones like the HTC Status and ChaCha, and many of their Brew phones fit into that category.

“We insist on using better materials to make better products that offer premium experience,” said Chou. That doesn’t mean all their smartphones will be high-end beasts that can’t be touched (the HTC One V isn’t quite up to snuff in that regard), but you can expect they won’t be delivering any devices that put shame to Android’s name. [via The Wall Street Journal]

Aviary graduates from plugin to standalone app

Posted: 13 Jun 2012 12:01 PM PDT

Aviary, the photo editing plugin that worked alongside Android’s default gallery app, is now its standalone app. It’s still a familiar experience: you can apply effects, change brightness and saturation, and more to photos. The difference is that you’ll now find it in your apps tray, and it no longer relies on the gallery app.

They’ve even added a couple of new filters — sepia tone and black and white. Other changes include the ability to use drag and drop gestures to customize the toolset, a new temperature tool for “warmth,” and more bug fixing. It’s still free so grab your download in the Google Play Store here.

Best Buy offering T-Mobile’s HTC One S for $99

Posted: 13 Jun 2012 10:42 AM PDT

Best Buy’s holding themselves a little sale for T-Mobile’s HTC One S. If you order it through the big ticket retailer’s website now, you’ll be a proud new owner for $99. More importantly, both new and existing customers who are upgrading can take advantage of the generous offer. This is all following a two-year contract signing and a rebate, of course, but we’re sure that won’t be a problem for many. This one is sure to have a time limit but, as usual, we’re not exactly sure what that limit is. To avoid missing out go ahead and order it as soon as you can. [Best Buy via TmoNews]

Smule brings Magic Piano to Android

Posted: 13 Jun 2012 09:38 AM PDT


Ever wanted to play the piano but not interested in the years of practice it takes to become a true virtuoso? That’s just another problem your smartphone can solve, and Smule is happy to provide the tool. Magic Piano, a major hit over on iOS, has finally made its way to Android much to the joy of those not trained in the ways of the black and white keys. Actually, Magic Piano doesn’t look like much of a piano as you hammer your way through everything from classical tunes to modern hits using illuminated dots to guide your way. The concept is simple yet addictive. We dare you to try it out.

Google Play Link: Smule Magic Piano

[via DroidLife]

Minor update pushing to ASUS Transformer Prime, activates Face Unlock

Posted: 13 Jun 2012 08:40 AM PDT

The ASUS Transformer Prime is receiving another minor update, one which brings about a few new tweaks to the tablet’s Ice Cream Sandwich operating system. The major addition here is the ability to use Android 4.0′s Face Unlock, a feature which has been promised for some time but has yet to be activated on the Prime. Other bug fixes and small changes are likely to be found in the update, which brings the tablet’s software version to 9.4.2.28., so let us know what you uncover!

[Thanks, Jose!]

Amazon Kindle for Android gets an update to enhance tablet experience

Posted: 13 Jun 2012 08:19 AM PDT

Amazon has pushed a new update for their Kindle app for devices Android devices other than the company’s proprietary e-reader. The latest version of Amazon Kindle for Android enhances the user experience for tablet users by providing a side-by-side page view in landscape mode and the ability to customize margins and line spacing. For everyone else the update addresses several bugs, most notably one that would sign users out of the app when closed.

The latest version of Kindle for Android is now available via Google Play. Head over to the link below to download.

Google Play Link: Amazon Kindle for Android

[via AndroidCentral]

Hands-on: Program the new Samsung TecTiles NFC-enabled stickers [VIDEO]

Posted: 13 Jun 2012 08:13 AM PDT

Samsung is looking to make NFC mainstream with the release of TecTiles, programmable NFC-enabled stickers designed to help automate your phone and your life. The idea is simple: assign one of numerous functions to a tag, apply the tag to a relevant place, and tap with your phone to launch an app, toggle WiFi, check in to an establishment on Foursquare, ‘like’ a page on Facebook, and more. This isn’t the first time we have seen the concept, but Samsung has obviously done their homework here and delivered a product that is straightforward and intuitive. The video below demonstrates how easy these things are to use and provides a brief walkthrough showing how to program a TecTile sticker using Samsung’s accompanying app.

While Samsung’s decision to downplay the NFC aspect of the tags may be doing a disservice to customers and the technology, the fact that TecTiles are setup to work out of the box (provided you have an NFC-enabled device) is welcomed and, given the popularity of the Galaxy S franchise, should help to spread adoption of NFC on a larger scale. TecTiles will be sold at all major carriers stocking the Galaxy S III.

Anyone out there have a good idea for how to use TecTiles? Let us know in the comments below.

Activision joins forces with Flurry, makes first foray into mobile gaming

Posted: 13 Jun 2012 07:22 AM PDT

Activision has long been a holdout of the mobile gaming industry, sitting on the sidelines as longtime competitors such as EA and newer companies like Gameloft and Zynga reap the rewards of the fastest growing area of the video game industry. Now the publisher is joining forces with mobile analytics firm Flurry to launch their own mobile gaming platform, one that will provide developers with funding, resources, and above all marketing.

Activision plans to use Flurry’s data to drill down on the mobile market and devise the best strategies for getting indie developers noticed, but Activision VP Greg Canessa stressed that the company isn’t making “a big hullablloo” about what they are setting out to do. Instead, Canessa is hoping the product speaks for itself. We’ll have to wait and see exactly what Activision has cooked up, as no games are currently announced for their platform. When more details are released, we have confidence that Activision will deliver. Check out the GameFans story below for more details.

[via GameFans]

Demand will outpace supply until 2013 for Qualcomm’s Snapdragon S4 chip

Posted: 13 Jun 2012 06:11 AM PDT

Supply of Qualcomm’s Snapdragon S4 processor will have trouble meeting its demand for the foreseeable future, according to Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, whose 28nm foundry has been contracted to produce the chips. The Snapdragon S4 has become the go-to option for nearly all recent high-end LTE devices, including the Samsung Galaxy S III, HTC One X and One S, and the ASUS Padfone, which already experienced a short delay due to limited availability of the CPU hardware.

TSMC sees supply and demand steadying out by 2013, while Qualcomm hopes meet be able to fully meet the needs of OEMs slightly sooner in late 2012. The introduction of next-gen quad-core processors with LTE support should help to divert some of the demand for the Snapdragon S4, which remains the only current realistic option for manufacturers looking for a processor with power to match its quad-core counterparts while featuring LTE support.

[via The Verge]
Posted by at 7:54 AM

No comments:

Post a Comment

Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)