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- Augmented Reality technology by PendAR brings Angry Birds to life
- Sony Xperia Tipo, Xperia Tipo Dual now shipping in the US from $179.99 contract-free
- #iLost Apple Maps vs Google Maps ad faked by Motorola, new report reveals
- Android Jelly Bean arrives for Asus Transformer Prime, coming next week for Infinity
- Eken B70: Another low cost Android ICS tablet, just $99
- Google launches new app FieldTrip [video]
- $49.99 Sprint Galaxy S3 Black Friday deal already uncovered
- Samsung Galaxy Note 2 U.S. launch party planned for October 24
- Google turns 14 today, sort of
- AT&T 4G nationwide band proposal likely to be approved by FCC
| Augmented Reality technology by PendAR brings Angry Birds to life Posted: 27 Sep 2012 11:14 PM PDT
Bad Piggies has just been released, I know. But here’s a more interesting take on the Angry Birds franchise. An Iranian company called PendAR has created a 3D version of Angry Birds that brings the game to life (sort of) through augmented reality (AR). If you’re not familiar with the term, AR basically takes real-world objects and renders digital information o imagery over these objects. The Google Glasses project uses the same concept. In this particular use of AR, though, the developer captures the environment through the smartphone (or tablet) camera, and overlays a 3D version of Angry Birds onto the image, such as an office desk, living room floor, and the like. AR can then interact with the environment, such as by superimposing certain elements on certain objects. In the demonstration, the app superimposes the Angry Birds game over an image on the table. Augmented reality usually finds its applications in navigation software, although other practical applications are interesting. In gaming, though, AR mostly finds its way in casual games. Of course, being a third-party developer, PendAR has not licensed Angry Birds, and the AR game is not likely to be released to the public — it’s only for demonstration purposes. But it’s a good demonstration of how games can eventually take advantage of AR, and perhaps even be at the forefront of building up AR as a practical technology for every day use. Related PostsRovio to launch the Bad Piggies game, an alternative to Angry Birds, on September 27th, After conquering space, everybody’s favorite birds are going back to earth with Angry Birds Heikki, Angry Birds Space Launches March 22, Brings Exclusive Content To The Samsung GalaxyThis article, Augmented Reality technology by PendAR brings Angry Birds to life , was originally published at AndroidAuthority.com - Your Android News Source.
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| Sony Xperia Tipo, Xperia Tipo Dual now shipping in the US from $179.99 contract-free Posted: 27 Sep 2012 05:49 PM PDT
Good news for budget Android phone hunters out there. Sony has released its latest Xperia Tipo and Xperia Tipo Dual Android smartphones in the U.S. These are available through Sony’s own retail store, and will be sold unlocked and contract-free. The Sony Xperia Tipo is a budget Android smartphone that comes with a 3.2-inch screen and a single-core processor clocked at 800 MHz. The phones come with a 3.2-megapixel camera, 512 MB of RAM, 2.9 GB of internal storage (expandable with microSD), and a 1,500 mAH battery. The Xperia Tipo Dual has exactly the same specs, but it supports two SIM cards — useful if you have two mobile numbers, or want to be able to connect to competing mobile networks simultaneously. While we earlier reported on Sony having these phones available, it seems the prices were a bit higher. Sony is now selling the Xperia Tipo for $179.99. For ten bucks more, you get the dual-SIM Xperia Tipo Dual variant a $189.99. Both phones will come shipped with Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich. The Xperia Tipo comes in classic black, classic white, navy blue and deep red colors. The Tipo Dual, meanwhile, comes in classic blue and classic silver. Are budget-friendly smartphones your thing? These might be the right phones for you. Related PostsSony Xperia Tipo ST21i and Xperia Tipo Dual ST21i2 set to join the budget smartphone war, Sony jumps on the dual-sim bandwagon with Xperia tipo dual, to hit the market in Q3, Sony starts selling unlocked Xperia acro S, miro, tipo and tipo dual in the USThis article, Sony Xperia Tipo, Xperia Tipo Dual now shipping in the US from $179.99 contract-free , was originally published at AndroidAuthority.com - Your Android News Source.
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| #iLost Apple Maps vs Google Maps ad faked by Motorola, new report reveals Posted: 27 Sep 2012 03:59 PM PDT
A few days ago we showed you a new ad that's making fun of Apple, the iPhone 5, and the new Apple Maps in particular. The ad came from Google's Motorola encouraging users to pick the Droid RAZR M instead of the new iPhone 5, as the latter, dubbed #iLost in the ad, would not be able to show you the "real world." The ad, which was posted also on Motorola's Google+ page, had the following status:
In addition to the text, Motorola used the comparison picture between Apple Maps on the new iPhone and Google Maps on the new RAZR that we have already showed you. The RAZR displayed the correct address while the iPhone showed a "315 Marlborough Rd." instead. There's certainly nothing wrong there, especially given the circumstances, as this wouldn't be the first commercial in which one company is saying its product is better than the competition. As for the circumstances, Google Maps is better than Apple Maps at this point in time, and we've seen so far countless proofs that Apple Maps is not yet a complete product. Google has been improving its mapping and navigation app for years, while Apple has just begun to deploy its own similar solution, so it's clear who the winner between the two would be, at least for the time being. So why are we talking again about an ad and Google+ update that went viral a week ago? Because it looks like Google/Motorola messed up and faked the whole thing, according to a new report. CNET and AppleInsider have revealed that there's actually no 315 E. 15th Street in Manhattan. In fact, that address points to a park. In the past, there was a 315 E. 15th Street in New York City, but that street was renamed Marlborough Road more than one hundred years ago, in 1905. Furthermore, typing “318 E. 15th St., NY” (same street) would get you to the right address. CNET writes:
Once people realized that Apple Maps is not the complete product users thought it would be, the web was filled with error reports, funny pictures and Apple Maps memes. They're all hilarious and Apple shouldn't be surprised to see the competition milking the whole thing for as long as it lasts.
So with all these errors that are probably easy to replicate, why did Google/Motorola have to fake it? Was it that difficult to prove that Apple Maps is not as good as Google Maps? This is the second ad from an Android device maker that could backfire – following the Galaxy S3 Facebook status update that promoted the iPhone – so maybe next time these marketing departments will make sure they do it right. Related PostsApple Maps vs Google Maps: #iLost Motorola (Google) ad pokes fun at the iPhone 5 and the iOS 6 Maps issues, Apple iOS 6 Maps a big disappointment. Will Apple approve Google’s new Maps submission soon?, Apple’s desperately trying to recruit former Google employees who worked on Google MapsThis article, #iLost Apple Maps vs Google Maps ad faked by Motorola, new report reveals , was originally published at AndroidAuthority.com - Your Android News Source.
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| Android Jelly Bean arrives for Asus Transformer Prime, coming next week for Infinity Posted: 27 Sep 2012 03:16 PM PDT
Yesterday we received word from Asus that the Android Jelly Bean update for the Transformer Prime and Infinity was on its way "soon". The good news is that soon is now for Asus Transformer Prime users. The Jelly Bean update is available for your upgrading pleasure immediately, unless you have the Transformer Infinity. The new update is a large file that brings your Prime to version 4.1 and includes Google Now. Other improvements include Project Butter speed improvements and general bug fixes that make this one of the fastest and most stable versions of Android yet. So where do Infinity owners stand when it comes to an update? Don’t worry, it is still coming. Soon turned out to be less than 24 hours for the Prime crowd, but in the Infinity’s case it means another week. Once the update is available for your device you will want to head over to settings and then go to the "about tablet" section to check for firmware updates. Once you know the update is ready, you’ll need at least 50 percent battery life and about 10 more minutes of your time to complete the update after it is downloaded. Have any Prime users made the jump to the official Jelly Bean build yet? What do you think? Infinity owners hang in there, it may be taking a while, but Jelly Bean is worth the wait. Related PostsJelly Bean update coming to Asus Transformer Pad Infinity and Transformer Prime “Soon”, ASUS: Jelly Bean update for Transformer Pad (TF300T), Pad Prime (TF201), and Infinity (TF700) "in coming months", Jelly Bean update available for the ASUS Transformer Prime in SwedenThis article, Android Jelly Bean arrives for Asus Transformer Prime, coming next week for Infinity , was originally published at AndroidAuthority.com - Your Android News Source.
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| Eken B70: Another low cost Android ICS tablet, just $99 Posted: 27 Sep 2012 01:58 PM PDT
Being an early adopter of new technologies can be a bit of a double-edged sword. You get the latest and greatest gadgets and electronics, but you also pay a premium to get them in most cases. Many of us love having the most cutting-edge technologies on hand and wouldn’t trade it for the world, myself included. Still, there is also a clear value in waiting for prices to drop for those that aren’t so concerned about having the best or latest gear. For Android tablets, the time for great bargains has seemingly arrived with devices like the Nexus 7 in the midrange, and tablets like the Eken B70 on the low-end. The Eken B70 is powered by a 1.2GHz AllWinner A10 ARM Cortex A8 processor and 512MB of RAM. Other specs include a 7-inch 800 x 480 resolution capacitive screen, mini-USB, full-size USB, HDMI, 4GB storage and microSD expansion. The A8 is far from the best processor around, but the $99 price point certainly makes up for the less-than-awesome CPU. The beauty of Android is the wide variety of devices available for all types of users. This tablet isn’t going to cut it for many of the more hardcore Android users out there, but what about young kids or those who basically want an e-reader with a few extra capabilities thrown in? Best of all, this Chinese tablet is said to include Google Play. Best budget offering around? It’s not a bad price, but the Matrix One might seems to have it beat. It is worth noting that the price is quoted at $99 because this is an import straight out of China, from retailer AliExpress. If Eken ever chose to release the tablet directly to other markets, the price would likely be even less. Related PostsiSuppli: Google’s Nexus 7 tablet might cost $130-$210 to make, Aakash 2 tablet still coming, to cost only $21 for Indian students and $65 for other users, Lenovo Honeycomb Tablet to Cost $499This article, Eken B70: Another low cost Android ICS tablet, just $99 , was originally published at AndroidAuthority.com - Your Android News Source.
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| Google launches new app FieldTrip [video] Posted: 27 Sep 2012 01:22 PM PDT
Today Google launched FieldTrip, a new app that uses your phone’s location awareness features to help you find new and interesting things that are nearby. According to Google, FieldTrip "can help you learn about everything from local history to the latest and best places to shop, eat, and have fun." Unlike some of Google’s recent apps like Chrome for Android or Google Now, FieldTrip is available for phones running Android 2.3 Gingerbread and higher. While it can be used any time, FieldTrip is meant to be especially useful while travelling. As you travel, FieldTrip can ”speak” to you about interesting places nearby. As you use the app, you can give suggestions it makes thumbs up or thumbs down to teach the discovery engine what interests you. FieldTrip also makes it easy to record and share information and places you’ve discovered by allowing you to email them or post them on Google+, Twitter and Facebook. The raw data that powers FieldTrip is acquired from a variety of sources, including Cool Hunting, Thrillist, Arcadia, Sunset, Inhabit, Eater, and Zagat, which Google purchased in September 2011. If you don’t like a particular source, you can choose to disable it in FieldTrip. While the app doesn’t seem to use it yet, Google recently acquired Frommer’s travel guide books. It’s fairly easy to imagine how information from Frommers could be integrated into FieldTrip. Along with the launch of FieldTrip comes a commercial. While it doesn’t really show off the app, it does give you an idea of some of FieldTrip’s features. Check it out below. If you’re looking to try it out yourself, you can grab FieldTrip as a free download from the Google Play Store. Have you had a chance to give FieldTrip a try yet? What do you think? How do you think it could be improved? Related PostsGoogle Now launches for Android 4.1, Google launches Glass Sessions: more Glass demo awesomeness (video), Flipboard officially launches for Android, comes with Google+ and YouTube integrationThis article, Google launches new app FieldTrip [video] , was originally published at AndroidAuthority.com - Your Android News Source.
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| $49.99 Sprint Galaxy S3 Black Friday deal already uncovered Posted: 27 Sep 2012 01:09 PM PDT
The Christmas shopping season is approaching fast, and many consumers will pick smartphones and tablets as gifts for themselves or their loved ones this year. Of those devices, many will be Android-based, with buyers especially eying high-end devices that will be available for substantially less than usual on one special shopping day. Naturally, I'm talking about the first day after Thanksgiving, Black Friday, which will fall this year on November 23. While we're yet to find out more details about the Android-related deals that will be available on that day from carriers and electronics device sellers, we do have something to show you. Engadget has discovered Sprint's Samsung Galaxy S3 deal for Black Friday. Samsung's flagship device, the Galaxy S3 dubbed the "Unlimited Edition," a clear hint at Sprint's unlimited data plans that are still available to existing and new customers, will sell for just $49.99 with a new two-year contract on Black Friday. The deal is available only for November 23, so you'll have to wait quite a while to get you hands on the significantly discounted smartphone. Now that Sprint's Galaxy S3 Black Friday deal has been leaked, we expect other U.S. carriers that have the smartphone in stock to come up with similar promotion. Not to mention that the same carriers will probably have plenty of other exciting deals on various other mobile devices. What Android device do you plan to buy on Black Friday? Related PostsGalaxy Nexus to Be Released on Black Friday, T-Mobile offering Motorola CLIQ for $50 less this Black Friday Weekend, Deal: Sprint Galaxy S3 available for $119.99 from Amazon WirelessThis article, $49.99 Sprint Galaxy S3 Black Friday deal already uncovered , was originally published at AndroidAuthority.com - Your Android News Source.
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| Samsung Galaxy Note 2 U.S. launch party planned for October 24 Posted: 27 Sep 2012 01:01 PM PDT
Samsung has started sending out press invitations for a new event announcing "The next big thing is here." The invites make it clear that we should look to October 24th for a press event. The exact venue isn’t mentioned, though it does say it will take place at 7PM in New York City. Considering that we already have the Note 10.1 tablet out in the wild, the stylus in the invite seems to hint strongly that the Note 2′s upcoming U.S. launch will be the focus of the event. The Note 2 arrived in South Korea yesterday and Samsung has already confirmed it plans to roll out the phablet to 128 countries via 260 carriers. Samsung also made it clear that its new smartphone would reach the U.S. and UK starting in October, so the timing for this event seems to concide with everything we’ve heard so far. For those that need a reminder, the recently announced Samsung Galaxy Note 2 brings some pretty impressive specs to the table. Here’s the skinny on what the phablet has to offer:
Besides the likely October release, what else do we know about the Note 2 U.S. release pricing and timeframe? It’s already been confirmed that five carriers are getting the Samsung Galaxy Note 2 in the states: U.S. Cellular, Sprint, AT&T, T-Mobile and Verizon. The first carrier to get it will be the smallest of the five, U.S. Cellular – the pricing with a two-year contract is $299.99. After U.S. Cellular’s late-October launch, the big four carriers will follow with early-to-mid November releases. Do you plan to upgrade to Samsung’s highly-anticipated Galaxy Note 2? Related PostsSamsung Galaxy Note 2 to come in October with unbreakable plane display, Samsung Galaxy Note 2 release date: most markets in October, U.S. launch sometime in ‘later 2012′, AT&T Galaxy Note 2 release date set for October 21?This article, Samsung Galaxy Note 2 U.S. launch party planned for October 24 , was originally published at AndroidAuthority.com - Your Android News Source.
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| Google turns 14 today, sort of Posted: 27 Sep 2012 12:31 PM PDT
Happy 14th birthday, Google! Has it really been that long? Actually, it’s been longer. If you head over to Google’s search page today, you are greeted by a birthday cake with 14 candles and a hovertext reading “Google’s 14th Birthday”. After a few moments, the cake changes into a Google logo (both pictures seen above). While the 27th is the day that Google has now decided to celebrate, the company’s actual roots go back a couple years earlier. In 1995 Larry Page was visiting Stanford and managed to have Sergey Brin as his campus tour guide. This was the beginning of their friendship. In 1996, Page and Brin were both grad students and decided to work together to create a search engine. Nope, not Google. The original name was “BackRub”- yes, really. So where does September 27th of 1998 come in to play with all of this? In 1997, BackRub would become Google and quickly started to become recognized as a worthwhile search engine. By 1998, it was time to start expanding. On September 27th they hired their first employee. That’s what this date is truly about. Either way you look at it, Google has done a lot in such a short amount of time. Today Google isn’t just about search. Google has managed to reach into about every part of our daily life, happily providing us a great social network, tons of apps and services, search and – of course – the best mobile OS on the market. So Google, congratulations for the 14(-ish) years of providing great services to your fans. Oh, and thanks for changing your name. Can you imagine the alternative? "Let me BackRub that real quick"… yah. Related PostsGoogle stock hits all-time high, Oracle vs Google trial starts today, both CEOs to testify as witnesses, You can now play Pong on your $300 Nexus Q. Sort of…This article, Google turns 14 today, sort of , was originally published at AndroidAuthority.com - Your Android News Source.
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| AT&T 4G nationwide band proposal likely to be approved by FCC Posted: 27 Sep 2012 11:59 AM PDT
AT&T might be a far second to Verizon in U.S. 4G LTE coverage, but that’s not stopping it from continuing its aggressive expansion plans. Part of the plan is to create a nationwide 4G band using 20MHz of spectrum in the 2.3GHz wireless communications services band for the LTE network. Now the FCC has all-but granted AT&T’s request. It isn’t official yet, but it seems more than likely that AT&T will get the approval it needs. An FCC spokesperson said about the move:
Is it surprising to hear that the FCC plans to let AT&T make use of the band? Not really, especially considering the WCS has always been intended for wireless broadband services. The major issue that could have potentially have held this move back is that a high-powered broadband network could cause interface with Sirius XM’s radio signals. In order to get around this, AT&T and Sirius plan to compromise by turning 10MHz of that spectrum into a guard band that will ensure that the AT&T 4G network doesn’t interfere with Sirius’ radio service. Unsurprisingly, not every organization out there is happy about AT&T securing the band. In order to make its plans work, AT&T has been buying up large chunks of the WCS spectrum. The Competitive Carrier Association is one of the parties that feels it is unwise to allow large carriers to obtain such massive amounts of spectrum. They argue that giving in to AT&T’s plans to buy up so much spectrum will make it nearly impossible for small carriers to compete. What do you think? Should the FCC grant the request or not? Related PostsWith Verizon AWS spectrum deal all-but approved, companies lining up to buy parts of 700MHz Spectrum, AT&T Continues to Pursue Merger With T-Mobile, Submits Proposal to FCC, Dual-band Motorola Defy XT coming to Republic Wireless, current users offered refunds or free updatesThis article, AT&T 4G nationwide band proposal likely to be approved by FCC , was originally published at AndroidAuthority.com - Your Android News Source.
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