Wednesday, August 15, 2012

Android Phone Fans

Android Phone Fans

Sony Announces Cross-Platform Gaming On PS Certified Devices, ASUS And Wikipad Newest PlayStation Mobile Partners

Posted: 14 Aug 2012 06:11 PM PDT

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It’s been awhile since we last heard from Sony and their plans to bring Playstation certification to Android smartphones and tablets. Today at Gamescom 2012, Sony finally opened up a little more on these plans, announcing new hardware partnerships as well as bringing cross-platform gaming to PlayStation Mobile devices.

We’ve known for quite sometime now that HTC and their One series of handsets were on track for PlayStation certification and today, you can add a few more to that roster with ASUS and Wikipad officially on board the PS Mobile train. ASUS seems like a no brainer but, as a newcomer to the Android hardware market, it was surprising to see Wikipad make the cut. Heck, I wasn’t even sure their spec’d out gaming tablet would be anything more than vaporware.

Moving onto gaming, Sony announced the unique ability for PlayStation Mobile devices to play titles cross-platform. This is done by tying a user’s PSN ID to a PS certified device, allowing for easy downloading of titles already purchased. There’s talk that Sony will also incorporate cloud game saves, meaning a user could play a title on their PS3, then pick up where they left off on their smartphone or tablet.

Sony went on to introduce a number of titles coming to PlayStation Mobile such as Super Crate Box, Aqua Kitty, Samurai Beatdown, Passing Time, BeatSlider and Flick Hockey. After a few bumps in the road, it looks like Sony is finally getting their act together and soon, PlayStation Mobile will be coming to an Android device near you. My body is ready.

[XperiaBlog]

 

 

 

LG’s 47 and 55-Inch Cinema 3D Smart TV’s With Google TV Marked Down $700-$800 [Deals]

Posted: 14 Aug 2012 04:52 PM PDT

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I’m not even in the market for a new television but I’m starting to second guess if I really need another. Remember those LG Smart TV’s that were announced at this year’s CES 2012? In case you forgot, let me remind you. These are the LED tv’s that come with all the bells and whistles you could ever want in a television like Google TV, 1080p full HD, WiFi, 3D (passive), 6 pairs of glasses and uber thin bezel. I wont even lie to you. I was there for the unveiling, but I knew there’d be no way, in a thousand years, that I would ever be able to afford one of these.

Well, a thousand years wasn’t quite as long as I thought it’d be, seeing as how these amazing televisions have suddenly fit into my budget. If you head on over to Amazon, LG’s Cinema 3D smart televisions have been marked down by as much as 41%, almost halving their original pricing. The 47-inch model was previously $1,700, now marked down to $1,000, while the 55-inch, originally $2,300, can now be had for $1,500.

LG 55-Inch Cinema 3D 1080p 120Hz LED-LCD HDTV with Google TV $1,500

LG 47-Inch Cinema 3D 1080p 120Hz LED-LCD HDTV with Google TV $1,000

The only downside is that these are the “lower-end” of the Cinema 3D line featuring a 120Hz refresh rate and bezel (the higher-end models have virtually no bezel), but all the other included bonuses should more than make up for these shortcomings. Both tv’s comes with a keyboard remote control for easy surfing of the Google Play Store and promised Onlive compatibility in the future.

This is a damn near impulse buy. Before you start with the LG hate, keep in mind these are televisions — not Android devices — and something LG excels at (current owner of an LG LCD TV). Anyone already thinking up good excuses for when the wifey finds one of these big boys on your doorstep?

[GTVSource]

Purchase a smartphone online from Sprint, get a $100 AMEX gift card through 8/26

Posted: 14 Aug 2012 02:45 PM PDT

If you are planning to purchase a new smartphone from Sprint, there is no better time than now. The carrier is rewarding all who pick up a smartphone online and an accompanying new line of service with a $100 American Express gift card. To put it another way, all online purchases will basically come with an additional $100 rebate, making the proposition all the easier.

The deal covers any and all smartphones (including that brand new Motorola Photon Q 4G LTE) and runs from today until August 26th. Head over to Sprint’s site for all the details.

[Sprint via AndroidPolice]

Who needs an Android phone? People searching for an Android phone

Posted: 14 Aug 2012 01:02 PM PDT

Google recently placed a tongue-in-cheek print ad in Canada’s Globe and Mail with a simple message. It asked, “you know who needs a haircut?,” and answered, “people searching for a haircut.” While the message here is that Google’s web ads are a more efficient and targeted way to market your business (not to mention an ironic jab at what some say is a dying print media industry), it got us thinking about the ways people are learning about products such as smartphones and subsequently making purchasing decisions.

In the past those looking for a new mobile device had one option: go directly to the carrier and pick from a small selection of devices locked to their network. While carrier contracts still rule the mobile world, recent years have seen an explosion in the number of third-party retailers offering to set you up with a new phone. Instead of walking into a carrier-branded store and choosing from a few handsets, we can now surf Amazon from the comfort of our homes and compare smartphones across carriers, ultimately picking the device and service plan that makes the most sense (often at price cheaper than what you might pay Verizon or AT&T directly).

It’s not quite what Google envisioned when they attempted to turn the mobile market on its head with the introduction of the Nexus One, at first available only as an unlocked device sold at full price direct from the tech giant, but it’s a move in the right direction. A lack of customer support and inexperience in the area led Google to abandon the plan, but more recently the company has had success selling their Nexus 7 tablet from the Google Play Store, and all signs point to the trend continuing with future Nexus devices.

There still exists a need for customers to experience these devices hands-on, so perhaps Google’s internet-only sales policy still needs some tweaking. Then again, there are plenty of folks out there relying on the opinions and reviews of industry experts and bloggers that often get early access and hands-on time with devices. An unboxing video doesn’t give you a real feel for that Nexus 7 you are thinking about purchasing, but for some it is enough. In this respect, carrier stores won’t be going anywhere anytime soon, nor will retailers such as RadioShack and Best Buy that offer the same hands-on experience with a wider selection of handsets.

I suppose the point I am arriving at is that customers are far more empowered today in making a decision on their next smartphone than ever before. No longer must you settle for the Android phone your preferred carrier sells. The choices have been expanded, phone and tablet options are plentiful, and deals abound if you know where to look. The carriers and their service plans still lag behind in this way, but if you are searching for an Android phone, you can find the best one for you.

Aside from the retail level there is an entire culture that has sprung up around smartphones, and its roots are in the strong community of developers and enthusiasts, tech industry insiders and analysts, and the blogs and news sites we read on a daily basis. Not only do we have more options, but we are far better informed on these options than ever before. The start of your journey to purchase a new phone is just a Google search away.

So that brings me to my ultimate question: how has the way you shop for a phone today changed since perhaps you purchased your first Android phone? And do you think we’re moving in the right direction? Sound off below (the poll is multiple choice, so feel free to pick more than one option).

 

SkyDrive for Android coming soon after site and desktop apps receive overhaul

Posted: 14 Aug 2012 12:05 PM PDT

Microsoft is hard at work getting their various services in line with the design and usability standards set by Windows 8, and today gave their SkyDrive online storage a makeover. The updated web presence also comes with refreshed desktop apps for Windows and Mac OS X, but the best news might just be for Android users. While SkyDrive can be accessed via an Android phone’s browser at present, a dedicated app should be launching in the coming weeks, giving users of Google’s OS a more robust  experience when accessing data stored in the cloud.

[via AllThingsD]

Motorola Atrix HD now available in Canada from Bell

Posted: 14 Aug 2012 11:54 AM PDT

If you have $50 to blow and the desire to enter a three-year mobile marriage with Bell, today you can pick up the Motorola Atrix HD LTE. The phone is now available from the Canadian carrier after launching in the US a few weeks back on AT&T. The handset is the followup to previous incarnations of the Atrix and sports a dual-core processor, 4.5-inch HD display, and Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich. The handset also incorporates stylistic and design elements from Motorola’s recent relaunch of their RAZR line. Hit up Bell for more details and other contract/pricing options.

[Bell]

Samsung Galaxy Tab 2 10.1 hits UK on August 22 for £300

Posted: 14 Aug 2012 11:37 AM PDT

With a global release of the Galaxy Note 10.1 right around the corner, it’s about time Samsung got to releasing the slightly lower-specced Galaxy Tab 2 10.1 in more regions. Next up is the UK, where the Tab 2 10.1 will hit shelves on August 22nd, according to retailer Carphone Warehouse. Samsung is looking to differentiate their two 10.1 slates where it counts: your wallet. While the Note 10.1 and it’s quad-core processor look to pull a premium price, the Galaxy Tab 2 10.1 will retail for an easy £300 for a 16GB WiFi model. The 3G edition will set you back an additional £100. Pre-orders for the tablet are up now.

[via Engadget]

RealPlayer for Android exits beta with both free and paid versions

Posted: 14 Aug 2012 11:02 AM PDT

RealPlayer is rolling their Android app, which has been out for a while now, out of beta today, offering both a free and an enhanced paid version of the app to those eager to relive the nostalgia of using RealPlayer’s bloated software on their PCs in the late 90s and early 2000s. To be fair, RealPlayer has done a lot better with their Android app. The free version offers users all the basics such as playlists, lockscreen controls, and a playback widget, while a $5 in-app upgrade unlocks a visual EQ, cross fading, and extended metadata features. If you want to give the classic media player a spin in it’s updated mobile version, head over to Google Play now.

Google Play Download Link: RealPlayer

The end of Flash for Android (for real this time)

Posted: 14 Aug 2012 10:45 AM PDT

After perhaps halfheartedly staying in the fight to keep things going in the emergence of HTML5 and whispers from around the industry that there was no place for the platform on a mobile device, Adobe decided to stop development on the Android version of Flash Player. The announcement came last November, a little over a year after Adobe began a significant push to get a stable and compact version of Flash onto devices running Google’s OS. While the app necessary to run Flash on an Android handset has received several minor updates since the decision to pull back resources, the standard has been all but dead since.

Nevertheless, users have been able to install the app still and experience Flash content on their phones and tablets provided the browser also supports the platform. With Google’s issuing of a Chrome for Android that lacks Flash support, the signal from the OS side of things was clear. Now Adobe will end any future installs of the mobile version of Flash starting tomorrow. That’s right, for real this time. If you don’t have it on your device already, soon you won’t be able to get it at all. Not even a legacy version.

Back when Apple was openly bashing Adobe’s desires to continue to push Flash despite a shift towards HTML5, we would have defended the company. There is plenty of Flash content on the web, after all, and there is still plenty today. But with more and more mobile-catered sites and a dramatic pickup in HTML5′s presence on the web, it’s hard to make the argument for a mobile version of Flash today. Adobe is doing the right thing by shifting their focus toward better tools for developing and viewing rich HTML5 content, and finally letting Flash die will all but force those still relying on the standard to rethink their approaches as well.

[via DroidDog]

EA announces Origin app for Android

Posted: 14 Aug 2012 09:33 AM PDT

EA has announced that their controversial digital download app Origin will be headed to Android. Origin came under a lot of fire when EA launched the service and  sought to deliver their games through an unproven model.

The service was simply clunky and abhorrent up against the powerhouse that Steam is, and when EA started offering certain titles exclusively through Origin it allowed the tech world to justify EA’s position at the top of the world’s worst gaming companies. But all that aside, EA has announced that the app is coming for Android.

We can at least expect to find their full catalog of titles in database format to find news, videos, deals, user reviews, and more related information on them.

We’re not sure if EA will use it as a highlight platform for their own Android games but that’s a certain possibility. But know that it’s coming, and we can’t be mad at them for adding even more to the Android ecosystem than they already have. [via The Verge]

YouTube for PS3 is here, and you can control it using your Android phone

Posted: 14 Aug 2012 09:02 AM PDT

Sony has long had a fruitful relationship with the Android operating system through phones and their unique ability to bring PlayStation titles to the platform. Now, they’re giving PlayStation 3 owners a nice new app to use Android phones with.

The YouTube app for PlayStation 3 is now available, and Android users can control the app with their phones. Here’s the tidbit that matters to us from the YouTube blog:

Your phone as a remote: With a quick pairing process, you can control YouTube on PS3 with a smartphone. Find a video on your phone and with a button it’ll play on the big screen. While the video is playing you can control it from the phone, or keep browsing YouTube for the next one.

“But why not just use the controller?” Well, that’s a lot more cumbersome. I use YouTube on my Xbox 360 and I hate using the on-screen interface to find videos I want to watch. The searching interface alone is enough to make me revert to my PC.

With this solution I can use my phone to find the videos I want, and this is a much more comfortable experience as I can type pretty fast with my on-screen keyboard.

The beautiful thing about the PlayStation 3 is that it’s open, and it has Bluetooth. I could easily hook up a wireless keyboard/keypad and use the on-screen interface, but if I don’t have one and am not willing to buy one it only makes sense that I am allowed to use devices I already have.

Needless to say, I’ll be heading straight for my PlayStation 3 anytime I want to watch YouTube on the bigger screen from now on. To download the YouTube app for PlayStation be sure to find it under My Channels in the PlayStation store.

Motorola says ICS for DROID 4 now rolling out

Posted: 14 Aug 2012 08:43 AM PDT

Motorola took to Twitter to announce tat the Motorola DROID 4 is now receiving Ice Cream Sandwich. We suspected a recent soak testing session was fr testing the final build of Ice Cream Sandwich for the device and Motorola finally officially confirmed it.

There are significant UI changes in tow along with the many features Android 4.0 brings, so be prepared to handle a phone that will feel brand new, software wise.

And while this isn’t Jelly Bean we’re sure users couldn’t be happier to finally be using a modern version of Android. Motorola is non-hesitant to mention that this thing is rolling out in phases so don’t be vexed if you can’t pull it down just yet.

Just know that it’ll get to you eventually. You can try forcing the download by  heading to the settings menu, but this won’t guarantee you a download. [via Twitter]

Ant Raid making its way to Android

Posted: 14 Aug 2012 07:39 AM PDT

Ant Raid for iOS is a great bug-filled strategy game, but it looks like the ant colony might be migrating to Android soon. The folks at HeroCraft have confirmed its arrival in the last quarter of this year. The wait sounds long, sure, but it will be worth it. The game has you controlling an ant colony that is trying to fight off an invasion of rival insects.

The wrinkle is that these insects have been mutated by an awful occurrence, and it’s going to take more than a squashing of them to get rid of them. You play 100 levels (60 story and 40 challenge) and fight 24 different enemies in your campaign to rid your colony of these intruders. Take a quick look at the trailer above for an idea of what you’ll be doing, and get your pennies ready for whenever that day in Q4 2012 arrives. [via HeroCraft]

Vodafone Smart II gets funky Tate edition

Posted: 14 Aug 2012 07:08 AM PDT

The Vodafone Smart II  may not be the carrier’s most attractive phone on the inside, but Vodafone has just given it a quick makeover to at least make the outside appealing. They’ve unveiled a “Tate” edition of the smartphone.

As the name suggests, the device pays homage to the Tate Modern and Tate Britain art galleries. It was designed by a 19 year old student named Gaby Sahhar as the winner of a Vodafone-held contest.

Aside from its artsy exterior, you’ll also be getting a coupon for a two-for-one deal at the aforementioned galleries good through January 2013. The device is dirt cheap off-contract, as you can expect, as Vodafone’s offering it for just £70.

For that cash you’re getting a 3.2 inch HVGA display, an 800MHz single-core processor, a 3.2 megapixel camera, Gingerbread, and more. Oh, and if you want one of these you’ll have to move quickly as only 1,000 will be sold. You can find it in stores and online August 13th. [Vodafone]

This suspicious render could be the Samsung Galaxy Note 2

Posted: 14 Aug 2012 05:20 AM PDT

While we’re not far off from an official announcement of the Galaxy Note 2 from Samsung, we’re always happy to get new details ahead of time. Specs and new features aside, it would be nice to see the device in all its glory for once.

A new render posted by GSM Arena is alleged to be the Galaxy Note 2, but with no one willing to instill confidence in its legitimacy we find it hard to do so, as well. That’s not to say the device will end up looking like that (it wouldn’t be hard to guess, anyway), but we still have to take it with a grain of salt. In all actuality the render seems like a stretched out Galaxy S3.

Regardless, we will keep our eyes peeled for more reassuring evidence. Samsung’s going to reveal the device in all its glory later this month as they kick off their Unpacked event at IFA in Berlin, Germany. Well be sure to bring you the latest on that once that time comes so stick around for the grand unveiling.
Posted by at 7:47 AM

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