Sunday, September 30, 2012

Android Authority

Android Authority


Will the $49 aPC Android PC help bridge the digital divide?

Posted: 29 Sep 2012 06:22 PM PDT

Mobile broadband is on the rise, and so is the world’s Internet user base. But that’s not the complete picture. A digital divide still exists, particularly in developing economies, where access to online resources is limited to an elite few. Sometimes, this is economically driven, although sometimes political — such as in North Korea, where statistically 0% of the population have Internet access.

VIA Technologies plans to bridge the digital divide through a very cheap personal computer powered by Android. The aPC — or “Android PC” — costs just $49, but it provides a “complete PC experience at the fraction of the cost.”

The aPC runs on a custom Android system, which is built for keyboard and mouse input. A full set of I/O ports is also included, which enables a user to connect the aPC to a monitor or TV. Some specs:

  • VIA 800 MHz processor
  • 512MB DDR3 memory
  • 2GB NAND Flash
  • Built-in 2D/3D Graphics, with resolution up to 720p
  • HDMI, VGA, 4 USB 2.0 ports, audio out, mic in
  • microSD slot
  • 10/100 ethernet
  • 170 x 85 mm size, neo-ITX standard

The aPC is mostly a cloud-oriented computer. The creators say that the purpose of a PC has now evolved, in that computers now mainly connect to the Internet, and that “[i]t is the Internet that now defines computing.” As such, traditional computers are considered to be “expensive and overpowered,” and software is called “bloated.”

But aside from cloud-based apps, the aPC also comes shipped with apps like a web browser, Angry Birds, and the like. Of course, the computer also has access to Google Play, which gives the user hundreds of thousands of apps for download.

aPC has closed pre-orders, so that the creators can meet with demand in their first round of pre-orders. However, if this is a project that interests you, you can still sign up for the notification list.

Check out the video below with VIA Technologies VP Richard Brown presenting the aPC concept and demonstrating the actual device at TEDx in Shanghai. The intro is a bit lengthy, but you can jump to the 6:30 mark, where the fun starts.

Aside from smartphones and tablets, projects like the aPC are taking the post-PC concept to a whole new level. This does not just bring the computer (or mobile device) more accessible to the usual consumer set, but also to those unable to spend hundreds of dollars for a desktop or notebook computer.

Will the aPC help bridge the digital divide? It certainly is an interesting idea, and if more manufacturers — aside from VIA — can focus on this market, then Android might just become a dominant OS in the desktop market, as well.

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This article, Will the $49 aPC Android PC help bridge the digital divide? , was originally published at AndroidAuthority.com - Your Android News Source.


Download your original YouTube uploads with Google Takeout

Posted: 29 Sep 2012 01:44 PM PDT

Have you ever uploaded a video to YouTube and realized later on that you lost the original files? Well thanks to a new feature in Google Takeout, you can now download your original files exactly as they were.

Previously, users were able to download videos that they had uploaded to YouTube, but there was a catch: they were transcoded, meaning quality was generally inferior to what they had uploaded. Thanks to the YouTube support added to Google Takeout a few days ago, you can now download your files just as they were before you uploaded them.

Liberating Your Data

Google Takeout was created by the Data Liberation Front, an engineering team at Google who builds tools to help you get your data back out of Google. Their mission statement is “Users should be able to control the data they store in any of Google’s products.  Our team’s goal is to make it easier to move data in and out.”

In addition to YouTube videos, you can use Google Takeout to download your Contacts, Picasa Photos, voicemails and texts from Google Voice, various documents from Google Drive, and more. You can even download data from your old Google Buzz account, if you happen to be one of the few people who actually used Google Buzz.

How to Get Started

To download your videos, just head to the Google Takeout website and select “Create Archive.” Initially this will start creating an archive of all your data, which can take a long time depending on how many Google services you use. Simply select the “Choose Services” tab, and then “YouTube.”

If you have uploaded a lot of videos, Google Takeout might take a while to prepare them for download. Luckily, there is an option to have the service send you an email when your data is ready to be downloaded.

Have you used Google Takeout to download any of your old videos from YouTube yet? How about any of the other tools in Google Takeout?

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This article, Download your original YouTube uploads with Google Takeout , was originally published at AndroidAuthority.com - Your Android News Source.


Motorola Droid Xyboard 8.2 ICS update on the way to Verizon customers

Posted: 29 Sep 2012 12:58 PM PDT

While it was leaked back in July, Verizon Wireless customers using the Motorola Droid Xyboard 8.2 should be seeing the official ICS update for the tablet soon.

While there hasn’t yet been an official announcement, Verizon’s support page for the Droid Xyboard 8.2 says a software update is coming soon, and the support documents have been updated with information about the upgrade. The documents confirm that the update is finally bringing Android 4.0.4 Ice Cream Sandwich to the Xyboard 8.2.

The documents also note that the update includes the latest version of the Motorola USB driver, allowing users to connect to a computer and transfer files.  Other improvements mentioned include a faster browsing experience in improved network connectivity.

New features like folders on the home screen and the Recent Apps feature are mentioned, along with the Direct Access Lock Screen, which allows immediate access to the Camera, Browser or Gallery in addition to simply unlocking the phone. While these features are old news to many Android fans, if you’ve been waiting for them on you Xyboard 8.2, they’re very nice to have.

Verizon warns users to start the update with a fully charged battery, and a strong data connection or Wi-Fi connection. The update is likely to be as large as the Xyboard 10.1 update back in August, which was 336.4 MB, so we’d recommend using a Wi-Fi Connection.

We’re not sure when the Droid Xyboard 8.2 ICS update is going to start rolling out, but as far as we can tell, it could be any time now.

Have you got a Xyboard 8.2? Have you seen any sign of the update yet? Or did you install the leaked ICS update back in July?

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This article, Motorola Droid Xyboard 8.2 ICS update on the way to Verizon customers , was originally published at AndroidAuthority.com - Your Android News Source.


Technology behind the Kindle Paperwhite explained [video]

Posted: 29 Sep 2012 10:38 AM PDT

The Kindle Paperwhite is popular. So popular in fact, that unless you’ve already preordered it, you won’t be able to get your hands on it until October 22. While you wait for your order to arrive, Amazon has released a video that shows off some of the technology inside the Kindle Paperwhite.

In the video, VP of Kindle Project Management Jay Marine says ”This is the Kindle we’ve always wanted to build.” It sure seems like it, because a surprising amount of work went into what you might think are minor details of the device.

While the video touches on some other details, the majority of it is dedicated to explaining the front-lighting technique that the Kindle Paperwhite uses. Chances are that if you’re reading this on a screen, it’s backlit. The Kindle Paperwhite, however, uses a reflective film above its capacitive touchscreen that reflects light back at you, like a lightbulb on a book.

It’s more complicated than it sounds, as illustrated by the video below.

Who knew it could be so complicated just to keep a screen evenly illuminated? For those of you who pre-ordered the Paperwhite early, it ships October 1. For everyone else, it ships October 22.

Have you pre-ordered the Kindle Paperwhite already, or are you on the fence about it?

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This article, Technology behind the Kindle Paperwhite explained [video] , was originally published at AndroidAuthority.com - Your Android News Source.


51GHz 64-core processor creator Adapteva can’t find funding and gives Kickstarter a try

Posted: 29 Sep 2012 10:00 AM PDT

Adapteva Logo
When it comes to mobile processors, there is a certain range of specs that we consider truly awesome. Having a quad core, 1.5GHz, LTE-enabled chip is pretty much the bleeding edge of hardware architecture. Or is it? A little known company called Adapteva has something a little better than that. How much better? They’re toting around a 51GHz, 64-core processor. There is no typo there, 51-freaking-gigahertz.

There are a lot of problems getting Adapteva’s chip released. For one, it is ridiculously expensive. At last glance, the military was buying these chips for around $10,000USD a piece. That amount of money is equal to a down payment on a house. So it’s no surprise Android enthusiasts can’t really afford it. There are other considerations as well. How many seconds would it take for 64 cores to drain an average smartphone battery?

Adapteva knows this, however, and they have set out to create a more affordable chip that is a little more battery friendly. The big problem is funding. According to Giga OM, Adapteva is having a lot of problems finding funding from venture capital firms. How does Adapteva respond? By starting a Kickstarter.

Adapteva

Adapteva’s goal?

The company would like to make about $750,000 to start. To do this, Adapteva has launched the Parallella project. In essence, if you pay $99USD, you’ll get a 16-core processor on a stripped down board. The best part? The software that’s needed to program these bad boys would be released to the open source community. Many developers have had issues with processors being closed source. It hampers development and makes development harder. Imagine a chipset with full open source software. With 16 to 64 cores. Is anyone else salivating?

That isn’t all, though. If the project manages to raise $3,000,000USD, then the company will start offering the full 64-core chip for $199. It’s a little steep, but we’re not talking about any ordinary Snapdragon S4 here. This has 64-cores and over 50GHz of processing power. That doesn’t just beat every chip for mobile phones. It beats any consumer-grade product out there.

Of course, this whole movement is a long shot. It is a very long process between creating a processor and getting it placed in the next generation of smart phones. It’s likely that if this technology does manage to make into some Android smartphones, it won’t be any time soon. However, opening the CPU software to developers and offering up 16-core processors for $99USD is definitely a start.

I guess the question wouldn’t be if people would be a phone with this in it. The question is who wouldn’t?

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This article, 51GHz 64-core processor creator Adapteva can’t find funding and gives Kickstarter a try , was originally published at AndroidAuthority.com - Your Android News Source.


The New York Times Android application gets a big update with overhauled interface and other features

Posted: 29 Sep 2012 09:30 AM PDT

The New York Times
When it comes to getting your daily news, it doesn’t get much bigger than the New York Times. They always seem to be on the bleeding edge of news and they know what’s going on before most of the world does. Unfortunately, the New York Times Android app doesn’t follow that philosophy. It was still a good news for source, but like newspaper, the user interface was old and outdated.

That all changed recently. The New York Times application recently got a major overhaul. This didn’t just include an overhaul on the user interface. It also includes a number of new features that plays pretty well with the new UI.

To start, everything is Holo themed now. If you’re not familiar with Holo, it’s the user interface styling that has become popular with Ice Cream Sandwich and Jelly Bean. It’s much more intuitive than older styles, and it looks much better too. Of course, the New York Times app gets all the benefits of a UI make over. This includes better app navigation and better app controls.

Aside from a new UI, what else did the New York Times app get?

Under the hood are a few new features. For phones running Ice Cream Sandwich, you can now use the native Text-to-Speech capabilities to have articles read to you by your phone. We haven’t seen a lot of apps take advantage of TTS so it will be interesting to see how New York Times readers react to it.

The widget has also been updated. There’s no indication that the look or style has changed, but you can now see pictures in the widget. It’s not inherently useful, but these little design elements can make the app more enjoyable to some.

Another new feature is the New York Times app will remember what blogs you read the most and place them on top of your blogs list. For people who read only a couple of blogs this can be very useful. Especially if you’ve had trouble finding your favorite in the past.

Lastly, there are now also next article previews. Not a huge deal by any means, but these little elements all combined equal a whole new experience for New York Times readers. A more modern, more updated, and more visually attractive experience.

If you’d like to give it a try, you can find the New York Times app here. To those who frequently use the app, has the update made it better?

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This article, The New York Times Android application gets a big update with overhauled interface and other features , was originally published at AndroidAuthority.com - Your Android News Source.


iPhone 5 vs Galaxy S3 – how much does it cost to charge them?

Posted: 29 Sep 2012 07:31 AM PDT

We're back with one more iPhone 5 vs Galaxy S3 comparison, after performing our own drop test, comparing them on video, checking out benchmarking results, display quality but also various ads. This time around we're looking at a report that shares more details about the corresponding electricity cost for each device.

According to Opower, the iPhone 5 will cost you $0.41 to charge every year, while the Galaxy S3 is slightly more expensive, at $0.53 per year. Why is the Galaxy S3 more expensive to charge? The answer to that question is obvious, the Samsung flagship handset has a bigger battery, which means it takes longer to charge.

What's important to notice is that today's smartphones are very efficient when it comes to power consumption. Comparatively, laptops, desktops, gaming consoles and TVs are a lot more expensive to charge each year (see the graph below).

Curious how they measured the power consumption of the iPhone 5 and Galaxy S3? They used a Watts Up Pro Electricity Consumption Meter and assumed that "the average smartphone user will charge their device once per day, in the off position, from 0% to 100%."

Here's what they found out:

Galaxy SIII: consumed 12.3 watt-hours to charge, taking 2 hours and 26 minutes. Maximum wattage was 6.6 watts, with an average of approximately 5.0 W. Multiplying 0.123 kWh/day by 365 days = 4.49 kWh per year. At the average US residential rate of $0.118/kWh, the annual charging cost is projected to be $0.53/year.

iPhone 5: consumed 9.5 watt-hours to charge, taking 1 hour and 50 minutes. Maximum wattage was 6.3 watts, with an average of approximately 5.0 W. Multiplying 0.0095 kWh/day by 365 days = 3.47 kWh per year. Annual charging cost is projected to be $0.41/year.

Is power consumption something you think about when buying a new mobile device?

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This article, iPhone 5 vs Galaxy S3 – how much does it cost to charge them? , was originally published at AndroidAuthority.com - Your Android News Source.


Verizon lowers HTC Droid Incredible 4G LTE price by $50, but still cheaper at Amazon and Wirefly

Posted: 29 Sep 2012 07:20 AM PDT

If you’re thinking of getting an Android smartphone with a new subscription, then you might want to consider the various deals that carriers are offering for some models. For instance, Verizon is lowering the price on its HTC Droid Incredible 4G LTE by $50.

This brings the price of the Droid Incredible 4G LTE down to $99.99, down from the $149.99 list price on Big Red when the phone launched this July.

However, don’t just click that “add to cart” button yet. You can still get the smartphone much cheaper from either Amazon Wireless or Wirefly, which both offer the Droid Incredible 4G LTE for $49.99, which is 50 bucks less than the Verizon list price.

As a recap, the phone comes with a 1.2 GHz dual-core Qualcomm Snapdragon S4 processor, 4-inch 960×540 pixel S-LCD capacitive touchscreen, 8-megapixel rear camera, Beats Audio, HTC Sense and Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich, among others.

These prices, of course,  come with a two-year contract with plans starting from Verizon’s $80 monthly Share Everything Plan, which comes with 300 MB of data and unlimited minutes and SMS. But since you’re using an LTE-enabled smartphone, you’re more likely to go over this allocation, and it’s probably best to go for the 2GB $100 monthly plan or higher.

If you prefer to get the phone unlocked and without contract, be prepared to shell out $509.99.

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This article, Verizon lowers HTC Droid Incredible 4G LTE price by $50, but still cheaper at Amazon and Wirefly , was originally published at AndroidAuthority.com - Your Android News Source.


Open webOS is alive and kicking, but who will actually care?

Posted: 29 Sep 2012 05:49 AM PDT

hp open webos

The swift demise of Palm's webOS mobile operating system should be a cautionary tale for all actors in the technology world. From media darling to virtual oblivion in just a couple of years, webOS shows what can happen when great technology ends up in the wrong hands. And boy, they were wrong.

HP bought Palm in early 2010, and market watchers noted that the main reason why HP paid the $1.2 billion was webOS, a Linux-based OS that was supposed to be HP's ticket to the mobile bonanza. Needless to say, things went awry. Leo Apotheker shocked the world in August 2011, announcing that HP might give up its PC business (it didn’t in the end), and would kill webOS and the TouchPad.

Fortunately, HP decided to open source webOS and let it live on as Open webOS. Today, the operating system reached a major milestone – version 1.0. Open WebOS is now available for download, although it's not yet fully functional. Notably, it misses updated versions of the WebKit and Qt frameworks, a Bluetooth stack, and some media components.

Open webOS is interesting because it's very versatile. According to HP's Steve Winston, the Chief Architect of Open WebOS, it took just two days to port the operating system on a HP TouchSmart PC. Check out Winston's demo of the OS below.

Sadly for TouchPad fans, the open source incarnation of webOS is not compatible with legacy devices, including the TouchPad. It's ironic that you can run the latest version of Android on the TouchPad, but not Open webOS, at least for now. But I am sure that there will be dedicated users that will work on reuniting the tablet with the new webOS.

HP promises to bring more features to Open webOS, but at this point, the question is will anyone care? For device makers, Android seems like a much better proposition. Microsoft is pushing hard its WP8. Can a new operating system have any sort of meaningful impact?

I think it mostly depends on HP. We heard rumors about them getting back in the mobile arena, possibly with the help of Android. If HP itself bets on Android instead of webOS, what can you expect from other manufacturers?

Still, webOS is open source, and there's a chance it will develop some sort of following. It might prove successful for some niches, so we can't dismiss it just yet.

Do you think that Open webOS stands a chance of becoming relevant again?

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This article, Open webOS is alive and kicking, but who will actually care? , was originally published at AndroidAuthority.com - Your Android News Source.


Apple Maps vs Google Maps: Consumer Reports… reports

Posted: 29 Sep 2012 05:46 AM PDT

Image credit: Consumer Reports

Since Apple Maps, one of the main advertised features of Apple's recently released iOS 6, is not the great out-of-the-box product the iPhone maker believed it would be, we keep finding various comparisons between Apple's mapping and navigation solution and Google's own Google Maps, in addition to ads and funny memes. In fact, today we're going to look at an Apple Maps vs Google Maps report coming straight from Consumer Reports.

The publication compared the two products in day-to-day navigation operations just a week after finding the Apple Maps to be disappointing. This time around, Consumer Reports took Apple Maps for a real test drive out in the wild – in the greater New York area – right alongside Google Maps.

The chosen devices were the iPhone 5 running iOS 6 and the Samsung Galaxy S3 running Android 4.0.4 Ice Cream Sandwich:

Our evaluations were performed in the greater New York City area using two phones per platform, each on a different carrier. We found that both Apple Maps and Google Maps route effectively, providing clear guidance and great points-of-interest integration.

This time around, Consumer Reports found Apple Maps to be satisfying in actual tests, although it still trails behind Google Maps.

Some of the highlights of Apple Maps in navigation with turn-by-turn directions tests include "the graphic presentation for the interface, results, signage and point of interest info." Apple offers "less customization" than Google, which is seen as a "mixed blessing" when it comes to driving, but Google "comes across as more business like and less fun:"

Apple Maps is relatively streamlined, providing basic navigation guidance and limited travel information. The large display for next-turn information (which looks like a familiar green-and-white highway-sign) is easy to read at a glance, and it compensates for a map design that is harder to interpret than that on Android. We like the estimated time of arrival, remaining distance, and travel time countdown, although the text is so small, it is a greater aid for a passenger than the driver.

When it comes to traffic, reporting, Google "gets the nod," as Google Maps is better design to show traffic flow, "although in reality it may often be a presentation choice rather than a data difference."

Voice-recognition is another element that was tested during this comparison and Consumer Reports found that the overall experience "seemed comparable between the platforms with each occasionally tripping over spoken commands."

Image credit: Consumer Reports

As for the actual navigation, the publication traveled to various destinations in Apple Maps vs Google Maps testing and found both apps to offer a similar experience. "Almost all" destinations were found and successfully routed, and the same goes for POI (points of interest) along the road. While Apple works with Yelp to offer more details about some of the restaurants found en route, Google gets its results from Zagat.

While 3D mapping is definitely an interesting addition to any navigation program, Consumer Reports was apparently not bothered by any inconsistency in Apple Maps 3D representations:

There has been much online grumbling about the iPhone app focused on weird 3D images, misplaced points of interest, and an absence of a Google-type “street view.” As shown on our previous post, we certainly have found instances of melting images in 3D mode, but more often than not, we found rather intriguing 3D representations that bring a map to life. The reality is, this is a novelty feature, not a component of navigation.

But the iPhone underperformed when it comes to searching for nearby train stations, as the app would not identify locations by "train," but by their actual name, which appears to be a search algorithm issue "rather than a map inaccuracy. "

Finally, here's the conclusion of Consumer Reports:

Bottom line:
Both the free Apple and Google navigation apps provide clear routing directions. Apple feels like a less-mature product. But as seen with the initial competing applications for the iPhone, we would expect updates to this new app over time–and Apple has promised as much. When getting down to the nitty gritty, Google provides a better overall package, but we feel that both provide a good solution for standard software. We expect the competition between the companies will benefit customers with ongoing improvements.

This is probably not the last Apple Maps vs Google Maps battle that we're going to see, especially since Apple is reportedly hiring more and more people to work on its navigation application. Tim Cook, the company's CEO has already apologized for the app's issues, recommending in the process various apps from the competition, Google Maps included, to iOS 6 users that aren't happy with the current state of the Apple Maps app.

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This article, Apple Maps vs Google Maps: Consumer Reports… reports , was originally published at AndroidAuthority.com - Your Android News Source.


Android and Me

Android and Me


Day 4: Google Play $0.25 sale starts the weekend off with a bang

Posted: 29 Sep 2012 02:38 PM PDT

Google's kicking off the weekend with 14 new $0.25. apps and games to celebrate it’s 25 billion downloads milestone. The apps from Day 3 are still on sale for $0.25, but Google has updated the official promotion page to only include apps from Day 4.  We are logging all of the sale apps after...

Visit our site to read the full article.


Android Phone Fans

Android Phone Fans


Android Overload: Galaxy Note II first look, improved Google Maps, Galaxy S3 deal and more

Posted: 29 Sep 2012 06:59 PM PDT


Not every story makes it to our homepage, but they might be worth a look. Here is where we give you all the little extras you might enjoy, so make sure to go over them before you go on your weekend adventures!

  • First look at the Samsung Galaxy Note 2 [Samsung Mobile]
  • Google Maps improves Aerial images – take it, Apple! [Wired]
  • Deal: $120-130 off Samsung Galaxy S3 Developer Edition [Android Police]
  • How to root the LG Intuition and LG Spectrum on ICS [Android Police]
  • Infographic: The evolution of smartphones [IntoMobile]
  • A NORTH Korean Android tablet in the works? [WSJ]
  • Open WebOS ported to the Galaxy Nexus [WebOS Nation]


Poll: how many of the $0.25 featured Google Play Store apps have you purchased?

Posted: 29 Sep 2012 06:40 PM PDT


This week has been full of celebration at the Google Play Store. And why not? 25 billion app downloads is nothing to scoff at, and our Android reign is only getting bigger and bigger by the day. To prove they are grateful, Google has been offering a selection popular apps at a discounted $0.25 price, with a different list of apps being added daily.

Android users are usually all over the Play Store when Google has these deals, including me. For some reason, though, this week’s apps are just not as exciting as I thought. So far, I have only purchased one – Amazing Alex. The rest I either already have, or I have no interest in owning them.

Maybe it is just me, or I already have all the good apps, but I really wish this week’s featured apps could have been more enticing. But there is a chance we are just crazy, so we wanted to reach out to our readers and ask them what they think! You can check out today’s featured apps at the Play Store, and don’t forget Swiftkey 3 is also celebrating 25 billion downloads with a 75% discount!

Go ahead and participate in our poll and tell us how many of these $0.25 apps you have purchased. Don’t forget to also hit the comments section to let us know which!


Could Metro PCS be getting acquired by T-Mobile, Sprint or DISH Network?

Posted: 29 Sep 2012 06:16 PM PDT


Reports of a sudden collection of meetings between Metro PCS and three companies have brought speculation of a possible acquisition or merger in the works. It is said that the regional carrier could be trying to settle a deal with T-Mobile, Sprint (which we have heard of before) or even DISH Network; but what would this mean for us?

Is it even likely to happen? We have seen AT&T unsuccessfully trying to purchase T-Mobile, so how could a deal like this one ever go through? Well, there is a significant difference in any of these possible scenarios. These companies are not nearly as large as AT&T was (one of them is not even a phone carrier), and T-Mobile is significantly larger than Metro PCS.

If T-Mobile or Sprint manage to snatch Metro PCS up, the market would continue to be competitive as the 4 largest carriers would still exist. But of course, as Android fans we would hate to see any form of option going away. Metro PCS is still pretty large with about 10 million subscribers. Not to mention the company has been catering the affordable Android market like a boss.

The company is also not very behind in technology, offering 4G LTE and a good selection of devices. It would be a shame if one of the few alternatives to the big four disappears. You would be right to assume that no company is giving any comments or statements yet, but we would like to know how our readers feel about this.

Would you feel the same as most of us did during the AT&T/T-Mobile merger deal? Would you be more open to a possible acquisition from one of the 2 smaller carriers (T-Mobile and Sprint)? Hey, it just might give one of the companies the boost it needs to improve competition.

[Source: Bloomberg Via: PocketNow]


Samsung flexible displays delayed, we could still see them next year

Posted: 29 Sep 2012 05:19 PM PDT


Samsung’s flexible displays have been making headlines for quite some time now, and it seems like they won’t be coming to production lines any time soon. Reports now state that Samsung’s flexible displays have been further delayed due to yield problems, and should be back in production some time next year.

We still have no idea how these displays will be implemented into new devices. They are flexible, so manufacturers can toy around with fun designs to differentiate themselves from the crowd. Of course, bringing new form-factors to the smartphone market implies a certain amount of risk. It is safe to say we are relatively happy with our black slabs, as past attempts to make creatively designed devices have failed.

There is much more to these Samsung’s YOUM displays than their flexibility, though. These also happen to be nearly indestructible, thinner and lighter. Take a look at the video below to see one of these screens being hammered (literally).

These displays were rumored to hit the streets sometime during late 2012, with some reports telling us the Galaxy Note 2 could feature one. Of course, both options seemed pretty unbelievable from the beginning, as we still see this type of technology as a “thing of the future.” But according to DDaily’s sources, we could still see these displays hit the shelves during the first half of 2013. That is, if Samsung manages to get everything back up and running by (or before) early 2013.

If you ask us, this still seems like a stretch, and we would be in luck if these displays hit the market by 2013 at all. But who knows, everything moves fast in the smartphone market.

[Source: DDaily Via: UnwiredView]


Swarovski Galaxy S3: an over-priced, luxurious device that actually doesn’t suck

Posted: 29 Sep 2012 04:15 PM PDT


We have seen a plethora of devices made of exotic leathers, pricey metals and precious stones. These are usually meant to be a status symbol as they cost a fortune. Some examples include the Tag Heuer Link and the Lamborghini TL700, but there is something else that sets these devices apart from the crowd. They usually have horrible specs and outdated OS versions (and don’t even hope for updates); we just wonder how they can’t take some of those thousands of dollars they charge per device and make them better.

But to the point: if you are a filthy rich Android enthusiast that wants some bling and also a high-end device we have the best option for you. How about a Samsung Galaxy S3 made with swarovski crystals? That is right, one of the most acclaimed and high-end devices currently available. And you can get it for just under $3390 USD (£2099).

We usually advice you pay the normal price and enjoy your devices as they are, but if you are going to go luxurious you might as well do it right. And based on what we have seen, this is the best option. You can get it straight from AmosuCouture.com, where they also have a selection of iPhones and Blackberry devices made of gold and other premium materials.

As for the rest of us peasants, we will stick with our regular devices made of mundane metals and plastics.

[Source: AmosuCouture Via: MobileSyrup]


No Android 4.0 update coming to Motorola Atrix 4G, Photon 4G and Electrify

Posted: 29 Sep 2012 03:41 PM PDT


One of Android’s best advantages is the fact that it moves so quickly. Fast tech advances make our devices better, but this also means that they become outdated much faster. Every device sees the day when its manufacturer simply sees no need to keep updating its software, and that time has come to three of Motorola’s smartphones – the Motorola Atrix 4G, Photon 4G and Electrify.

A statement from Motorola’s Punit Soni has recently revealed that no Ice Cream Sandwich update will see the light of day for these devices. They will forever stay in Google’s older Android 2.3 OS, a sad happening for users of any of these devices.

“Motorola Mobility continues to review how each device can deliver the very best experience possible, and at times, this can mean making tough choices – especially as it relates to Android software upgrades. Today, we need to let you know about some tough choices related to Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich upgrades. Specifically, ATRIX 4G, Photon 4G and Electrify will not receive the ICS upgrade, but continue to be supported with maintenance releases to ensure optimum performance for the consumer.

We are committed to being more transparent than ever on our software upgrade strategy – even when we're delivering news consumers may not want to hear. We are doing everything possible to continually improve our communication with you and make sure you are a satisfied customer. That's why we recently announced our $100 rebate program for owners of these and other devices launched in 2011 and beyond that won't get Android 4.1 Jelly Bean. This program starts in the U.S. this fall, and we are working to expand it to select regions around the world. Please watch for updates at motorola.com/tradeup.”

So, there you have it, guys. You can either conform with Android 2.3, upgrade to a new device or root your device and install a custom ROM. You know the developer community will always have your back.

[Source: Motorola]


Nook Simple Touch with GlowLight discounted in response to Amazon Kindle Paperwhite

Posted: 29 Sep 2012 02:55 PM PDT


The Nook Simple Touch with GlowLight was one of the most exciting e-readers for those looking to read during the night. A device without the tiring back-lit display tablets have, but that has integrated lighting for those time a night-time story is the best idea? Can’t really beat that. That is, until Amazon’s Kindle Paperwhite was announced.

The Kindle Paperwhite offers similar specs, including integrated lighting, but goes for $20 less (with ads). According to ads from Walmart and Target, it seems the once $139 Nook Simple Touch with Glowlight is getting discounted to $119, matching the Kindle Paperwhite.

Barnes & Noble’s offering might be a good option for many of you. For starters, it comes with no advertising, while Amazon’s tablets and e-readers do. Oh, and the Simple Touch does run Android, so the interface might be a bit more familiar to many of us, as well as more flexible.

But we can’t deny Amazon’s backbone is very strong. Their selection of books, movies, shows, music and other content is huge. This might be a reason why many of us are so invested in Amazon’s ecosystem, making the Kindle Paperwhite the obvious winner.

But regardless of your decision, you can pick your drug freely, as it will cost the same. You can now get the Simple Touch e-reader from Walmart (Target’s site shows the older price), while the Kindle Paperwhite is available straight from Amazon. But tell us, guys. Which of these do you prefer, and why?

[Via: CNET]


Swiftkey 3 joins the fun, discounted to $0.99

Posted: 29 Sep 2012 01:21 PM PDT


To be honest it was weird to not see Swiftkey being featured among the plethora of $0.25 discounted apps this week. The keyboard is definitely among the most popular, mostly due to its amazing, almost scary predictive capabilities. Well, my friends, you will be glad to know Swiftkey 3 is joining the discount fun and celebrating 25 billion downloads with its Fall sale.

The popular keyboard may not be discounted to $0.25, but Swiftkey developers have brought the price down by 75%. For just $0.99, this keyboard will make your typing much more precise and faster. It happens to be my third-party keyboard of choice, so I just thought I would give you a heads up! You know, as it is not showing up on the list of $0.25 apps, it would be easy to miss it. So if you haven’t yet purchased it, now would be the best time to head over to the Play Store and get it.

So what do you guys say – is Swiftkey 3 your favorite keyboard, as well? Hit the comments and tell everyone how awesome it is!


Last days to get $25 Google Play credit with the purchase of a Nexus 7 tablet

Posted: 29 Sep 2012 01:06 PM PDT


The Nexus 7 tablet is one of the hottest devices around. You simply can’t beat a Nexus device with great specs for $200, but Google made the deal a bit sweeter by including a $25 credit to use in the Google Play Store. This offer is coming to an end tomorrow (September 30), though, so it would be smart to buy this device now if you are still planning to get one.

Users who sign up for this offer will have a whole year to use their Google Play Store credit. This means you can save your virtual bucks until September 30, 2013. Needless to say we definitely recommend this tablet to any Android enthusiast. It is a Nexus device, so constant, timely updates will keep your tablet feeling refreshed. The specs are also stunning for a $200 device.

Just in case you are not in the loop, the Nexus 7 features a 1.3 GHz quad-core Tegra 3 processor, 1 GB of RAM, Android 4.1, a 7-inch HD display and 8 GB of internal storage (16 GB version is $250). Not a bad deal, right? Especially if you get $25 to use towards Google Play Store content.

Go to the Play Store and get them, guys!


Galaxy Note 2 release nears as multiple variants stroll through FCC (Verizon, AT&T and T-Mobile)

Posted: 29 Sep 2012 12:08 PM PDT


The Samsung Galaxy Note 2 has placed itself among the most anticipated devices of the year. This is despite its different, larger form-factor, which manufacturers tried to introduce before, but failed to do so right. Of course, the announcement invitations are enough proof that the device is coming to the US soon, but here is a bit more to get excited about – FCC filings.

There are 3 versions of the “phablet” strolling through the Federal Communications Commission, all headed to their relative major carrier – AT&T, Verizon and T-Mobile. We have the SGH-i317 for AT&T, the SCH-i605 for Verizon and the SGH-T889 for Verizon. All come with LTE-compatible radios. Even the T-Mobile version, which hasn’t yet launched its upcoming LTE network (some good future-proofing).

There is a bit of bad news attached to this FCC filing, though. Samsung made it seem like they were finally improving their strategy with the faster and headache-less Galaxy S3 release, but it seems we are back to the older ways. All carriers have the same Galaxy S3 variant with identical specs (except radios), which was not the case with the Galaxy S and S2.

Yes, there seem to be completely different versions of the Galaxy Note 2 coming to the states. Internals should be relatively similar, but differences in aesthetics can bring many issues. For one, it creates major compatibility issues with accessories. One may also not be satisfied with the variant dedicated to one’s carrier, making us go through the hassle of switching carriers (or conforming with a “lesser” variant).

Well, at least it looks like this release will be much speedier. This was our major grunt about multiple device variants – it usually causes device releases to be delayed. Everything seems to be going smoothly this time, so let’s wait until October 24th for the official announcement and see what Sammy has for us.

[Source: FCC 1,2,3 Via: Engadget]