Android Authority |
- Nexus 7 release date getting closer, as more shipping reports hit the web
- Samsung Galaxy S3 now available from AT&T
- Rogers may start offering HTC Desire C soon
- Leaked: ICS firmware for Motorola Droid Xyboard 8.2 and 10.1
- Sony Xperia P to receive ICS update in early August
- Great deal: Verizon’s HTC Droid Incredible 4G LTE for $39.99 on Let’s Talk
- Best translator apps for Android
- Samsung Galaxy S3 did not spontaneously combust says report
- The Nexus 7 cost Google $184 to build
- ASUS announces colorful Google Nexus 7 covers
| Nexus 7 release date getting closer, as more shipping reports hit the web Posted: 09 Jul 2012 02:38 AM PDT
The recently announced Google Nexus 7 is going to hit stores in the very near future in various markets and we have various shipping reports hitting the web from left and right to prove that. When Google unveiled the device in late June during the first Google I/O keynote, the company did not reveal launch dates for its first tablet ever. Instead the company kicked off pre-orders for the Nexus 7 in U.S., Canada and Australia, and we soon learned that UK Android fans will also get the device in the very near future. In addition to Google Play, interested consumers will be able to pick up the device from a variety of third party electronics retailers, and it looks like more and more companies will be ready to offer the tablet to their customers in the near future.
Meanwhile, Mobile Syrup reports that Staples Canada is already taking Nexus 7 pre-orders, although only the 16GB version is available right now, priced at $259. And it looks like the retailer will ship your device on July 23, if not earlier:
Canadian Nexus 7 buyers will also be able to order their tablet from Best Buy and Future Shop, but it would be a good idea to keep in mind that the pre-ordering the unit from Google Play also nets them a $25 Google Play credit that can be used towards purchasing digital content from the same store. According to Talk Android, Staples Canada will have the device in stock starting with July 14, while Best Buy and Future Shop will have it on August 10. UK buyers may receive their Nexus 7 on July 19, according to Currys, but we'll remind you that Carphone Warehouse will also sell the tablet in the region. Both retailers will have the 16GB in stock, priced at £200. The somewhat-bad news for UK customers is that they won't have full access to all the goods in Google Play as Google, not that this will necessarily be a buying impediment considering the low price of the device.
As for U.S. buyers, we're still waiting for Google to announce shipping dates for the Nexus 7, and we’ll remind you that the tablet is rumored to ship at some point this week. In case you received your shipping notice, let us know in the comments section below! This article, Nexus 7 release date getting closer, as more shipping reports hit the web , was originally published at AndroidAuthority.com - Your Android News Source.
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| Samsung Galaxy S3 now available from AT&T Posted: 09 Jul 2012 02:29 AM PDT
The US release of the Samsung Galaxy S3 has faced a lot of trouble recently. Every network carrier offering the device has faced release and shipping delays, due to “unprecedented demand and limited supply” problems. All issues have been dealt with, and US customers now have the chance to get their hands on the highly-anticipated device. AT&T promised a July 6 release and has kept to its word, with Samsung’s latest flagship now available in-stores as well as online. As expected, the LTE-capable handset boasts a 1.5 Ghz dual-core Snapdragon S4 processor and 4.8″ super AMOLED display with 1280×720 resolution and 306 ppi (pixels per inch). What is different about the US releases compared to the international version is the whopping 2GB of RAM on-board, along with 16GB of internal storage, further expandable via microSD. All your camera and video conferencing requirements are taken care of with an 8MP rear camera and a 1.9 MP front camera. To deal with the LTE-related battery drain is a large 2,100 mAH battery. AT&T has available both the Ceramic White and the Pebble Blue versions of the device. If you’re confused about your choice, you can check out our comparison video of the two versions here. The Galaxy S3 will set you back $199.99 with a 2-year contract. You can head on over to the AT&T website to buy your device online. What are your thoughts? Will you be buying the AT&T Samsung Galaxy S3? If you already done so, let us know your experience in the comments section below. This article, Samsung Galaxy S3 now available from AT&T , was originally published at AndroidAuthority.com - Your Android News Source.
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| Rogers may start offering HTC Desire C soon Posted: 09 Jul 2012 02:10 AM PDT
With Sony Xperia Ion heading to Rogers, customers are presented with a wider variety of high-end smartphones to choose from. But for those who don't necessarily need all the bells and whistles that the latest and greatest phone can provide, the Canadian carrier has one entry-level smartphone from HTC that might just fit the bill. According to Mobile Syrup, Rogers is planning to offer the HTC Desire C soon. While it hasn't been confirmed yet, they have gotten hold of a leaked screenshot that shows cases of the Desire C designated for the carrier. If accurate, we should be hearing more from Rogers of the Desire C’s release date soon.
Not being a part of the One series doesn't mean that HTC Desire C can't hold its own, as the phone does come with a premium-looking design. We're sure there's a market for a seemingly mini phone that actually packs a 3.5-inch display. It's such a shame that it doesn't come with a better processor, so users will have to be content with a 600MHz Qualcomm Snapdragon S1 processor. Beyond the outdated processor, you'll find Android 4.0.3 Ice Cream Sandwich and HTC Sense 4 running on the phone. Other specs include 512MB RAM, 4GB internal storage, microSD card slot, 5MP rear camera, and NFC. The latter should be welcomed by those who like to engage in a little bit of mobile payment. The HTC Desire C is priced at around $250 in the countries where it has been launched, which should hold some clue as to how much Rogers will charge for the phone. Here's hoping that they won't slap on too big of an HTC tax to the Desire C. Speaking of which, what's the maximum you're willing to spend for the HTC Desire C? No related posts. This article, Rogers may start offering HTC Desire C soon , was originally published at AndroidAuthority.com - Your Android News Source.
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| Leaked: ICS firmware for Motorola Droid Xyboard 8.2 and 10.1 Posted: 09 Jul 2012 02:00 AM PDT
The Android 4.0.4 Ice Cream Sandwich updates for the Motorola Droid Xyboard 8.2 and 10.1 are scheduled to come in early Q3, so we should be hearing something official from Moto soon. But if you're not one to be bound by words and promises, there's always the unofficial way of putting ICS on your tablet. A working ICS firmware for the two tablets is now available to download and install – thanks to mattlgrof from XDA-developers, who has found the leaked files. To be more specific, the leaked files will work on the Wi-Fi model of Droid Xyboard 8.2 and Xyboard 10.1, as well as the LTE model of the Droid Xyboard 8.2 and 10.1. So basically the whole Xyboard family is invited to the unofficial ICS party!
In order to install the leaked firmware, you'll have to be on stock Honeycomb. And for those who have made the jump, note it won't be possible to go back to Honeycomb. But why would you want to? According to those who have tried it out , the ROM seems to run without a glitch. Everything you'd expect to see from ICS is there; the smoothness, face unlock, and a whole lot more. Understandably, there's always some risk when you flash unofficial ROMs to your tablets. So please make sure you read the instructions carefully. If you do decide to give it a go, the necessary files and full guide can be found there. As for those who want to wait it out, the leaked ICS ROMs for the Xyboard 8.2 and 10.1 are a good indicator that the real thing will be released soon. This article, Leaked: ICS firmware for Motorola Droid Xyboard 8.2 and 10.1 , was originally published at AndroidAuthority.com - Your Android News Source.
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| Sony Xperia P to receive ICS update in early August Posted: 09 Jul 2012 01:45 AM PDT
Following the global rollout of Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich update for the Sony Xperia S, there are two more phones from Sony's NXT series that are yet to receive their ice cream treat: the Sony Xperia P and the Xperia U. It looks like owners of the Xperia P won't have to wait too long for ICS, though — that is if you consider one month as a relatively short time to wait. The latest scoop on the long awaited ICS update for the Xperia P came from Sony Italy's Facebook page. Responding to a question from an owner of the phone about the update, they said the rollout it’s slated for early August. It's unclear whether the date will be the same for all regions, but past examples have shown it won't probably be done simultaneously.
The information does fall in line with what Sony has written on its official blog earlier, where the ICS release for both the Xperia P and Xperia U is expected to commence "a little later in Q3". So we guess we can safely put down August as the month when Xperia P will finally make the jump to the next Android OS iteration; that’s assuming and hoping that there’ll be no more delays. Though Sony has been one of the better manufacturers when it comes to providing a software update, one wonders why it didn't include ICS in the first place for the NXT series. At least the Japanese have learnt their lesson. No related posts. This article, Sony Xperia P to receive ICS update in early August , was originally published at AndroidAuthority.com - Your Android News Source.
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| Great deal: Verizon’s HTC Droid Incredible 4G LTE for $39.99 on Let’s Talk Posted: 09 Jul 2012 01:42 AM PDT
The fresh from the phone factory HTC Droid Incredible 4G LTE, available now on Verizon for $149.99, is quite a bargain for those who don't want to plunk down too much of their life savings for a new phone. But at $39.99, the phone is a friggin' steal! That's how much retailer Let's Talk is selling the Droid Incredible 4G LTE for on its website. Considering the specs and the fact that Verizon is charging $100 more for the Droid Incredible 4G LTE, it's certainly a deal worth clicking your mouse on – or at least hovering above the "Buy" button until you read the fine prints. The promo price for the Droid Incredible 4G LTE is good for new customers and existing ones. If you're just moving to Verizon and want to make use of the carrier's new Share Everything Unlimited Minutes and Messaging plan (2GB), you will have to pay a grand total of $100 a month. You can opt for a cheaper plan, though. We suggest you hit the link and take it from there. The HTC Droid Incredible 4G LTE is certainly worth the $40 admission price for its compact 4-inch Super LCD display, dual-core 1.2GHz Snapdragon S4 processor, 1GB RAM, 8GB internal storage, 8MP rear camera, 1.3MP front camera, microSD card slot, 1,700mAh battery, HTC Sense 4.0, and Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich. No related posts. This article, Great deal: Verizon’s HTC Droid Incredible 4G LTE for $39.99 on Let's Talk , was originally published at AndroidAuthority.com - Your Android News Source.
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| Best translator apps for Android Posted: 08 Jul 2012 09:00 PM PDT
With thoughts and ideas inundating our everyday lives, it’s only right for us to have a wider coverage of communication. This would allow us to understand things efficiently. In fact, international businesses nowadays favor multilingual employees who could communicate with clients abroad. Yet no matter how hard we try to learn everything, it’s just theoretically impossible. This can sometimes result in misunderstandings and confusions, which is the last thing we want to happen if we’re dealing with important people. If you believe that communication is vital for everyone, then Android translation apps are here to make things easier for you. With these, you’ll not only gain a wider view of things. You’ll also get the chance to understand concepts based on how they are expressed in foreign languages. Let’s try to take a glimpse at some of the most notable Android translation apps. Google Translate Your dream of experiencing the ease of using almost all of the languages of the world is finally a reality. Google Translate supports 50 languages from around the world. One great thing about this app is you don’t really need to write the text that you want to translate. Google Translate has a speech option button which allows you to speak the words you want translated. On its main screen, an SMS translation will pop out, and it’s in here where you can type whatever phrases or sentences you want to translate verbatim. Armed with a simple intuitive interface, you can easily access the SMS translation and history features. Moreover, Google Translate also allows the user to send language translation via text message, Bluetooth, and social networking sites like Facebook and Twitter. With Google Translate, you’ll come to understand 50 languages with a simple click. ColorDict Dictionary Wikipedia Looking for something informative while translating foreign words? You’ve found the right app that could give you just what you need. ColorDict Dictionary Wikipedia is a multi-functional dictionary and translator graced with a unique multiple-source feature, ranging from Wikipedia, Wordnet, to StarDict. This means that you’re not just limited to translating words to another language. The app also helps you understand difficult concepts with the aid of those mentioned search engines. The app also has a voice recognition feature, and supports multiple dictionaries. Users may access offline dictionary support, and download a free dictionary on the market and Internet. And, since ColorDict offers fast search for both online and offline dictionaries, users could expect great convenience using the app. ColorDict saves search history so you can easily backtrack on the things you were looking up earlier. This app proves to be a very reliable buddy to those who like translate and learn. So, if you’re thinking of doing some wide-sourced translation now, then ColorDict Dictionary – Wikipedia is right here before you. Tourist Language Learn & Speak If you fancy traveling abroad, may it be for recreation or business purposes, then it’s only right to check the Tourist Language Learn & Speak app for a hassle-free trip. Useful and common phrases are present in this app, which would help you get around foreign countries. Text-to-speech (TTS) functionality is also provided, either through the phone’s TTS engine or through a cloud-based Web service. This means that you only need to click on the desired phrase to hear a native speaker say it. With the help of this feature, you’ll surely find it easier to communicate with foreigners. Even though only few languages are supported by this app, further releases will be adding dictionaries for other languages. One good thing if you use this app is you’ll get the chance to offer better translations to those who also need your help. Through Tourist Language Learn & Speak, you’re not just helping yourself. You’re also helping someone across the globe. Talking Spanish Translator Quick translation is what you’ll need if you’re in a hurry when you’re in foreign countries. Talking Spanish Translator will be a very good aid for you. With its new feature, voice recognition for all major languages, you wouldn’t need to worry about typing in the sentences you want to translate. Just speak whatever words you want to say, and in no time, you’ll hear the translation of that same sentence in the language of your choice. You can even send the translation via email or SMS. The app proves to be a very portable tool for urgent translation needs, but we also have to remember that this requires an active Internet connection to work. It might sound like a hassle at first, but if you start to use the app, everything will be worth it. With Talking Spanish Translator, you’ll get the translation you need fast. iTranslate-free translator If you’re looking for something efficient and centralized, then the iTranslate – free translator app is the best for you. iTranslate maintains a minimalist design, and does its job of translating words, phrases, and sentences efficiently. The app runs on the Google translator engine, so you must have a network connection before you can use its services. This, in turn, will give you wider access to features for your desired translations. For instance, you can access available dictionaries that contain additional results, meanings, and suggestions. You’ll also get the chance to listen to high-quality voices in most languages. Moreover, you can choose to save the translations to your favorites and send them via email or Twitter. So, if you’re up for a full-blast translation experience, then now is the right time to grab iTranslate – free translation, and enjoy yourself while learning more than 50 languages from around the world. Universal Translator A lightweight and easy to use translator app comes in the form of Universal Translator. The app supports 48 languages, and is based on the Google API, which enables it to run fast. You will, however, need an active Internet connection to use its services. Nevertheless, having the app will allow you to experience an easy way of navigating various translator features. Voice recognition in English, French, Italian, German, and Spanish is also available, and voice volume can be controlled. Additional features include speech synthesis, SMS translation, and social networking sites sharing. Remember to use the app on a fast and stable network connection, though, so that you can enjoy better translation support. Universal Translator has its History and Delete feature, so if you need to check your previous activities, you could simply check on the History for reference. With the aid of Universal Translator, translation and sharing can be made as fast and easy as sending a ‘hello’ message to others. Translator + Dictionary Not satisfied by mere translation of words? Then, perhaps you’ll need something that can give you both the translation and definition of the terms you want to know. Translator + Dictionary can help you out there. Considered as the only translator with an advanced dictionary, the app doesn’t only give you definitions of terms. It also allows your to learn the correct pronunciation of the words for the best translation experience. It’s equipped with a learning module, by which you can choose anything you want. The app has two modes: the sentence mode and the word mode. The first one translates short and long sentences into the most accurate variant of its translation, while the second one translates words with a wide choice of translations. In addition, the app allows easy sharing for translation results. Translator + Dictionary will prove to be a very reliable source of information not only for translation, but also for vocabulary improvement. TransZilla Translator An app which provides quick translation service for more than 50 languages is here. TransZilla Translator uses Google translate, and translates words and sentences in one click. Its features include Text-to-Speech in English, French, German, Italian, and Spanish. It supports voice input, although speech recognition is only supported in English. The app is armed with Auto Detect language for translation, and allows users to share results via email and SMS. With over 500,000 installs, TransZilla has proven to be a helpful app for those who want speed in translating something. Using the TransZilla app will give you wider avenue to connect with people of different languages with just a click, and even though its speech recognition feature is just open English, its availability in more than 50 languages allows interaction with a wider audience all around the globe. In TransZilla, you’ll make text translation fast and fun. TS Translator [Lite] TS Translator [Lite] is considered as the top app in the travel category on the Google Play Store. It has a 2-way translation feature plus a voice recorder which gives users easier ways to pronounce foreign words. Even though the app is only capable of supporting two languages, you have the luxury to choose among English, Korean, Japanese, Chinese, French, German, Spanish, Thai, Indonesian, and Vietnamese. The app also has more than 60,000 expressions recorded by native speakers. If you’re looking for a rather unique experience with this app, then TS Translator [Lite] gives you Ask & Reply, where you’ll be given the most appropriate answer to any translation-related question. Major features include voice search, Listen all, sentence navigation and copying function, Q/A styled list function, and many more. If you want an easy and feature-packed app, then TS Translator [Lite] is the best pick for you. Multi Lang Dictionary + TTS If you’re looking for an app that is simple and informative, you’ll surely love Multi Lang Dictionary + TTS. Powered by Google Dictionary, Google Translate, Bing Translate, and Wiktionary as online sources, this app provides the users multiple results with accuracy and speed. The app supports 64 language pairs for online translation, and 43 language pairs for online dictionary lookup. These languages, taken from Wiktionary, offline dictionaries, and offline Text-to-Speech are all placed in one translator and dictionary, so that navigation among sources will be easier for users. One unique thing about this app is its state of the art interface, matched with some unique features like the Word of the Day from Wiktionary, fuzzy search, and language swap. These functions make the app elegant and practical. Multi Lang Dictionary + TTS is not only efficient in covering sources of information but is also very much reliable for fast-paced searching. What Android app do you use for your translation needs? Is your favorite app included on our list? This article, Best translator apps for Android , was originally published at AndroidAuthority.com - Your Android News Source.
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| Samsung Galaxy S3 did not spontaneously combust says report Posted: 08 Jul 2012 08:19 PM PDT
Last month, we reported that the Samsung Galaxy S3 was HOT. Unfortunately, we weren’t talking about phone sales just yet. We were talking about the SGS3 owner from Ireland that posted images online of his charred, burnt SGS3. He claimed that his Samsung Galaxy S3 had gotten so hot, it literally melted. Samsung took immediate action, looking into the claim. According to the investigation results from Fire Investigations UK, whom Samsung contracted to look into the situation, the Galaxy S3 did not spontaneously melt or burst into flames. The heat build-up and explosion were most likely due to an external power source. The damage pattern reveals that the phone was most likely placed in a microwave oven.
The original user that complained about his phone spontaneously combusting has since retracted his statement. Apparently, the damage to the phone was caused by another person says “dillo2k10″. In fact, he admits that there is no fault with the device itself and that the “stupid mistake” was an attempt to dry the phone out after it had gotten wet. So, it wasn’t faulty equipment nor was it Aliens according to the official report. You can safely continue to use your Galaxy S3 without worry. The next time your phone gets wet, try using rice, and not the microwave.
This article, Samsung Galaxy S3 did not spontaneously combust says report , was originally published at AndroidAuthority.com - Your Android News Source.
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| The Nexus 7 cost Google $184 to build Posted: 08 Jul 2012 07:44 PM PDT
When Google announced the Nexus 7 for a mere $199, many speculated that Google might be using a similar model to the Amazon Kindle Fire. Sell with an extremely thin margin, if any, and make it up with content. This seems to be partially true. While the margin is extremely minimal for the 8GB version of the Nexus 7, the 16GB version seems to pack a nice profit for Google and ASUS. According to a recent teardown of the Nexus 7, the hardware components are worth $184 each. This doesn’t factor in any marketing, shipping, research and development or manufacturing costs. If we use Amazon’s Kindle Fire as an example, the Kindle Fire at launch cost Amazon $185 in parts and then an additional $16 to get them into customers hands. To say the least, Google seems to be on the right track here and the $199 Nexus 7 is one heck of a deal. So, now we know that Google has a very thin profit margin on the 8GB model, what about the 16GB model? Remember, this is the version that everyone wants. The 16GB version is for those whom haven’t bought in cloud storage or for those that plan on using their tablet for tons of games. These are going to be extremely popular, just popular as their smaller brother. I’ll tell you right now, 8GB worth of memory does not cost $50. A rough estimate puts 8GB of NAND at around $8. Google is going to make a large portion of their Nexus 7 profit off of the 16GB variant. Don’t forget that technology prices get cheaper over time as newer, faster, smaller models make their way to consumers. For now, Google is telling the truth when they say they are selling the Nexus 7 for virtually no margin at all, selling it at cost. A few months down the road as new technology emerges an older technology gets cheaper, Google will be turning a nice profit on their new tablets. So which one did you buy? The 8GB or the 16GB? This article, The Nexus 7 cost Google $184 to build , was originally published at AndroidAuthority.com - Your Android News Source.
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| ASUS announces colorful Google Nexus 7 covers Posted: 08 Jul 2012 10:50 AM PDT
ASUS took to Twitter on Friday to let the world know that they’ve “got things covered” for the upcoming Nexus 7 tablet. As seen above, their announcement showed a wide variety of colorful cases or covers including black, teal, pink, light grey, orange, and blue. This is a welcomed addition as the official Play Store cover for the Nexus 7 only comes in dark grey. The official covers from the Google Play Store run $19.99 USD and allow simultaneous charging and headphone port access while keeping your tablet safe. The official covers are also pretty lightweight coming in at 4.oz. The covers attach to the rear of the tablet and have a swinging front cover that folds behind when not in use.
The official Play Store versions also have extra large ‘nexus’ branding on the rear as well as a small ASUS logo on the bottom. There’s no word if the ASUS variants will sport the same logos on the back. We aren’t aware of any pricing details or when these guys will be available for purchase. We suspect they will be similarly priced and offer similar functionality for the ASUS versions. One things for sure, the sooner the better as the covers from the Google Play Store are currently sold out. We’ll let you know as soon as we hear from ASUS.
This article, ASUS announces colorful Google Nexus 7 covers , was originally published at AndroidAuthority.com - Your Android News Source.
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