Sunday, August 12, 2012

Android Phone Fans

Android Phone Fans

Canadian carriers Bell & Virgin announce new smartphone plans – and we think we have it bad in the US!

Posted: 11 Aug 2012 07:10 PM PDT

As smartphones become more powerful and necessary, demand rises and so do prices. In the USA we complain about carriers over-charging us and limited data plans. All that anger quickly fades when we start seeing what certain other countries have to pay, though. Take Bell’s and Virgin’s new smartphone plans as an example.

These postpaid plans come in $50 and $65 variants (with a contract). That might sound like one juicy deal when we compare them with smartphone plans from the largest carriers in the US, but all hope dies after you see what these plans include.

Is 200 anytime minutes really fair for that price? 100 MB for the $50 plan and 1 GB for the $65 one? Makes me remember my vacations out of the country. In the US it is easy to get a prepaid phone with unlimited everything for under $40 per month. Unlimited is many times not even an option in many markets. Or it is simply too expensive to even consider.

Just remember, we do pay more for our smartphone plans in America, but we sure get much more too. Meanwhile, if you live in Canada and think one of these plans is good enough for you, they are available as of today. And those who go with Bell also get 10 hours of Mobile TV under the $65 plan. Have at it!

[Via: Mobile Syrup]

Sony Hayabusa LT29i to be the Sony Xperia TX?

Posted: 11 Aug 2012 06:17 PM PDT

The Sony Hayabusa has been far from absent in the rumor mill. The high-end device is said to come with some great specs and Sony has major plans for it, but the Hayabusa LT29i has been nameless until now.

Good news comes from Xperia Blog, who’s sources claim this bad boy will be named Sony Xperia TX. The name fits well with Sony’s naming strategy, and makes sense when taking into account that it should be a higher-end version of the Xperia T.

There is no other news attached with the name, but if rumors prove to be true this should be a rather powerful smartphone. It is said to sport a 4.6-inch 720p display, a Snapdragon S4 processor, 1 GB of RAM and a stunning 13 MP camera. Not your average affordable smartphone, if you ask us.

The rumored phones and tablet should be announced later this month at Berlin’s IFA, so we shouldn’t have to wait too long for more details. Until then, stay tuned!

[Via: Xperia Blog]

Weekend Poll: Do you change boot animations?

Posted: 11 Aug 2012 05:20 PM PDT


Rooting a device opens a world of possibilities for customizing an Android device. Custom ROMs and root apps are just the beginning of rooting awesomeness. A very fun part of owning a rooted device can also be having the ability to change the boot animation, but this is simply a feature I have never really taken advantage of.

I am much more of a functionality-oriented user. So when I root it is usually to take advantage of root apps, install custom ROMs and over- and under-clocking the processor. I simply find no reason to change a boot animation that I will not be seeing often.

Most of us don’t wait around for a device to boot. I usually turn it on and set it aside until it is ready to be used, and that is the few times I actually restart the device (which is rare). I understand that it is fun, though. These tricks are part of the reason why Android is such an amazing platform; you can truly make a device one-of-a-kind.

I changed my boot animations a few times in the past, but it was only to test it out. After seeing some of the new options, though, it seems I might just start trying it out. Sites like AndroidBootAnimation.com offer a significant variety of options. From custom boot animations featuring popular shows and nifty videos to official manufacturer boot animations for some of the most popular devices out there.

Some of these animations are now available with 720p resolutions – for those that have smartphones with HD displays. So why not get a bit flashy?

I will continue to keep my boot animation stock for the sake of saving myself a few minutes. I don’t find it rewarding enough to go through all the steps. But I would like to know how many of you like having fun with this! Am I just boring in this department, or do many of you feel the same way?


Samsung Galaxy Tab 2 7.0 Student Edition now in stock at Best Buy, Android Forums user purchases one before release (Update: unboxing video!)

Posted: 11 Aug 2012 03:58 PM PDT

The Samsung Galaxy Tab 2 7.0 may be a bit old after being released last Spring – but slap a “Student Edition,” add a keyboard and a USB dongle accessory and it becomes a heck of a deal at $249. This student bundle costs the same as the tablet’s original price, with word around the internet saying it would be available around August 19. But with some luck, you might be able to get yours now.

At least one of our readers managed to. Android Forums member jd78 was able to purchase one straight from Best Buy. He mentions simply strolling around the store when he saw a box laying around one of the store’s metal storage cages. He then proceeded to ask an associate about it, only to prove the rumored $249 price tag was in fact real.

Purchasing the tablet bundle was just as simple, according to jd78. He was simply rung up and walked away with a brand new tab.

If you would like to test your luck, just head over to your nearest Best Buy and see if they have this bad boy laying around. It won’t be on display, though. Just look for it behind counters, inside those cages and even under rocks if you must. You just might find it, so let the scavenger hunt begin!

Update

Gotta love it when an adventurous owner of an unreleased product makes an unboxing video! Our friend jd78 has taken it upon himself to be the first person to unbox the Samsung Galaxy Tab 2 7.0 Student Edition. Enjoy!

Thanks, Jason!

Gmail Canned Respones reach Android via a third-party app – why hasn’t Google thought of this?

Posted: 11 Aug 2012 03:15 PM PDT


Though Google services work best with Android devices, there is a plethora of tricks and functionality the platform continues to lack. Canned responses is the perfect example of this; a feature used by a substantial amount of users, but also one that Google hasn’t brought to its native Gmail Android app.

The best option for using canned responses has simply been to use a browser to access your email. That, or simply using a computer. Regardless of your preference, both solutions are inconvenient when on-the-go. Especially in a world where smartphones and tablets are close to taking over the personal computer’s general duties. We would like Google to simply build in such features into its apps. Sadly, sometimes we just have to turn to third-party developers to finish these companies’ jobs.

Enter developer Martin Adamek, who has built a very handy app for managing and using canned responses mobile. The app Gmail Canned Responses BETA can’t replicate the simpler desktop utility, but it works amazingly as a middle man.

The app simply accesses the user’s Gmail account to pull off Gmail’s canned responses. After that, one can easily tap a single button to copy a canned response. And it is just as simple to paste it into the Gmail app (or any text box).

As mentioned, it is not a direct solution for the app’s lack of the feature, but it works great as a workaround. It certainly beats accessing Gmail through a browser or waiting until a computer is available. Download it now straight from the Google Play Store and get the job done. It is simple, saves time, and most importantly, it works.

[Via: Android Police]

Android 4.0 source code released for the Galaxy Note 10.1, Galaxy Tab 10.1 and Galaxy Tab 7.0

Posted: 11 Aug 2012 02:34 PM PDT


The Samsung Galaxy Note 10.1 is about as hot as a tablet can get right now, but we know many of you want to get your ROM-flashing on as soon as the nifty tab reaches your hands. There is simply no such thing as “good enough” for us. We need that source code to make a good ROM, though, and Samsung has released it just in time for developers to cancel all their weekend plans and start coding.

We have already seen Samsung release source codes for the Korean Galaxy Note 10.1 versions. It was only a matter of time before WiFi and other versions got in on the action. They are 3 versions, to be specific: GT-N8000, GT-N8010 and GT-N8013.

In addition, Sammy has also blessed the developer world with the Ice Cream Sandwich source codes for a couple of their most popular tablets. The Samsung Galaxy Tab 7.0 and the Galaxy Tab 10.1 (both 3G and WiFi versions).

So what are we waiting for, devs? Let’s get those ROMs out! Get it all from the Samsung Open Source download portal.


Motorola RAZR HD rumored to come by October, along with a Maxx HD version

Posted: 11 Aug 2012 02:08 PM PDT


We continue to wonder when Motorola will unveil the RAZR HD, and the latest rumor states that the device will be launching this October. That is not the most exciting part, though. These sources also swear by the fact that it will come accompanied by a slightly thicker RAZR Maxx HD.

One of Motorola’s best moves has been releasing the DROID RAZR Maxx – a device with equal specs and features compared to the RAZR, but with a 3300 mAh battery that will please even the most demanding battery hog. This made the RAZR Maxx’s popularity skyrocket far quicker than the RAZR’s ever could.

We have no reason to believe Moptorola wouldn’t want to continue the legacy, but we only have to wonder how large this battery would be if a Maxx version does happen to come around. The RAZR HD is passed through he FCC revealing a 2530 mAh, which is already a substantial number.

As usual, we will advice that you take this information with a grain of salt. These “credible sources” are not always right, and any manufacturer releasing a high-end device a month after an iPhone release is definitely not thinking straight. Not to mention that we would rather not wait that long for any device.

But what do you guys say? Would you drop a regular RAZR HD for a super-battery equipped phone?

[Source: Hot Hardware]

[Patent Overload] Apple offered Samsung a patent license of $30/phone, $40/tablet, and other short stories from the courtrooms

Posted: 11 Aug 2012 12:03 PM PDT

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As the Apple vs Samsung patent battle continues, my patience to write a decent post to cover the story decreases by the second. So I’m just going to give a few words, and point you in the right direction. And doing so, create the saddest series of them all: Patent Overload.

Apple offered Samsung a patent license of $30/phone and $40/tablet back in 2010

Samsung turned them down, despite a 20% discount if they were to license back their own portfolio to Apple. Read more about it at AllThingsD.

 

Samsung attorneys object Apple’s supersized labels on court exhibits

Samsung feels Apple’s huge labels on court exhibits of Galaxy phones is unfair. Some (read Florian Mueller) feel this is just another pointless tactic by Samsung. But, seeing this image of the Samsung Captivate with a very differentiating back-plate, you got to agree with Samsung that, if nothing else, Apple’s stickers could be a wee bit smaller.

Read about it at Electronista.

Innovate or stagnate: Why your next phone will suck if Samsung beats Apple
THOSE ARE NOT MY WORDS. Just added that for the chuckle I got reading the title. If you want to read the entire thing, head over to Digital Trends.

Petition started requesting HTC for more timely release of kernel source code

Posted: 11 Aug 2012 07:50 AM PDT

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While many love HTC for several reasons, particularly the design and build quality of their devices, one issue that has for long annoyed developers is how long they take to release certain bits of source code that they are required to in relation to the Linux kernel that Android is based on. When the issue is taken up with them, they tend to cite a “90-120 day” policy, which can significantly slow down custom development work.

A petition has been started on Change.org, with an aim for 7,000 signatures. Do lend your support by heading over to the page and adding your signature. This not only helps the development community, but also enforces HTC to fulfill an important legal commitment.

[via XDA-Developers]
Posted by at 7:47 AM

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