Sunday, September 16, 2012

Android Phone Fans

Android Phone Fans

SIM-free Sony Xperia T could be delayed until January

Posted: 15 Sep 2012 07:12 PM PDT


Sony hasn’t managed to make it to the top three Android manufacturer list yet, but they have some great options when it comes to SIM-free devices. SIM-free Sony Xperia devices usually come very affordable, while still being very capable devices. The Xperia T is a great option for those that want a powerful device that doesn’t break the pocket, but those looking to get it unlocked might have to wait until January.

According to Expansys, a popular cellphone retailer, the unlocked phone could be released as late as January, while the carrier-locked versions will be available between the 27th and 29th of September. We still have no details on pricing, but this phone better come with an enticing price-tag by then.

A dual-core Snapdragon S4 processor, 4.55-inch 720p display, 1 GB of RAM and Android 4.0 device is enticing right now (for the right price), but it will be one outdated device by the beginning of the year. Especially with CES kicking the year off.

Sony has been relatively better at this, but manufacturers should realize that the SIM-free market is very important and needs more attention. The selection of unlocked devices for those looking to get rid of the carriers’ chains is simply not up to par. Most of us may be locked to a carrier in the US, but such is not the case in other countries. Pre-paid GSM services are very important outside of the US, so please get on it, Carriers!

Sony could very well be playing it safe, and the SIM-free version might end up coming sooner than later. So let’s stay tuned and see what happens. For sure, this would be a good device if its price gets significantly discounted by then.

[Via: Tech Radar]

US Cellular launches Wi-Fi Now app, alleviating their network and your data

Posted: 15 Sep 2012 05:34 PM PDT


The smartphone boost has caused major strains in carrier networks. Suddenly, we have an abundance devices that require as much data and speed as a computer, but running on cellphone towers 24/7. Of course, carriers are forced to improve their towers, but this costs substantial amounts of money (ultimately, the consumer pays for it). Another great way to alleviate this is by convincing users to use Wi-Fi more often, which is what US Cellular is trying to accomplish with its new app Wi-Fi now, but is it worth it?

This app runs in the background, forcing your smartphone to connect to partner Wi-Fi hotspots when available. The idea is simple, and it may improve the network for when you need it most. But there are some downsides; your device would probably connect to Wi-Fi hotspots even if the signal is weaker, making your internet connection less efficient.

This is why I prefer not using apps that make you connect to a Wi-Fi hotspot automatically. The issue would be much more notable if going through a large city, where you would be constantly connecting and disconnecting from Wi-Fi hotspots. The hiccups would be short, but inconvenient enough to not entice users to enable such feature.

We feel US Cellular would do best by enticing users in a more direct way. For example, T-Mobile offers Wi-Fi calling, which allowed you to make calls through Wi-Fi networks without the minutes being taken out of your plan. Republic Wireless offers a much more enticing deal by only charging $20 a month, though the user is forced to have automatic Wi-Fi log-in on.

Sometimes customers need to see a reward up-front if they want to help out the carrier, but this app would help you lower your carrier data consumption. It should be worth a try, so head over to the Google Play Store and download it if you are a US Cellular customer.

[Via: Engadget]

Oppo breaks boundaries with the 1080p, 5-inch Find 5

Posted: 15 Sep 2012 04:36 PM PDT


Oppo may not be in your list of manufacturers while looking for a new phone, but the company is trying to make a name for itself. The company is mostly known for making the thinnest phone, the 6.5 mm thin Oppo Finder. Now Oppo Mobile is taking the spotlight by being one of the first to feature a 1080p display in a smartphone.

According to Oppo Mobile CEO Chenming Yong, the Oppo Find 5 is going to have a 1080p display with a stunning 441 ppi pixel density. After making a few calculation, the result is a large 5-inch screen, meaning the Oppo Find 5 is aiming to compete against devices like the Galaxy Note 2 and the rumored HTC “phablet.”

The device continues to be impressively thin, measuring 6.65 mm, just like its predecessor. It is said to be the thinnest quad-core smartphone. Oh yeah, it has a powerful quad-core S4 Pro processor. Other details are scarce at the moment, but we can expect this to be one powerful device.

Who knows, maybe soon Oppo will make it to the big leagues and we might be seeing some of these devices hitting our carriers. Would you give the Oppo Find 5 a chance?

[Source: Sina Weibo Via: Engadget]

Fix coming to Verizon Galaxy Nexus replacement devices with signal issues

Posted: 15 Sep 2012 03:53 PM PDT


A substantial issue has been plaguing Verizon’s Galaxy Nexus replacement units for a few weeks now. These replacements have been struggling to keep a 4G LTE signal and making their users’ lives impossible. But if the latest leak from the guys at Droid-Life is to be taken as proof, Best Buy is sure this problem will be fixed very soon via an OTA update.

This is definitely no small problem, as the quantity of users reporting such issues has been significant. Yours truly is in the process of getting a replacement unit, and I certainly would not like it one bit if my device came with this baggage.

Thankfully, this leak states that Samsung has discovered what the problem is and the bug-fixing update should be coming within the next couple days. Also, there seem to be some Galaxy Nexus units that have already been updated, marked by an “Updated” sticker in the box. You might want to ask for one of those if you are getting this smartphone before the update comes around.

But let’s get to the good part, shall we? It is great that Verizon customers will no longer suffer signal issues with the Galaxy Nexus, but when will that Android 4.1 update be rolling out?

[Via: Droid-Life]

Smack your phone to silence it; why didn’t Google think of this?!

Posted: 15 Sep 2012 03:09 PM PDT


Isn’t it frustrating when you are in a meeting and your phone starts ringing? Or when you are watching the last 5 minutes of that awesome movie or show and you just want to smack the heck out of your phone when it rings. Well, Microsoft has already thought of this and has filed a patent to achieve this.

That is right, Windows Phone users will probably be able to give their phones a slap and keep them quiet. This is a very fun way to interact with a device, one must say. Certain Android devices have similar features, with the most popular being turning your phone face down, which then silences the device. This can be replicated with some apps out there, but compared to smacking your device these techniques just seem too cute.

Now that Microsoft has its hands on this patent, it will be harder for us Android users to get this feature. Certainly, I wouldn’t mind paying a bit more if a manufacturer gets this licensed. Or maybe a way to do this (or something similar) without infringing on this patent can be found. Come on, developers!

While this is humorous, it solves an issue Android smartphones have no way of doing so. A device would theoretically be able to be silenced in many convenient ways. You wouldn’t even have to hold it. One could simply hit a smartphone that is located inside a bag, or in a pocket. We currently have no easy solutions for silencing a device this easily. It definitely has its advantages, aside from anger release.

Would you like to be able to whack your phone to shut it up, or would you consider this just another gimmick? Are you more than happy with turning your smartphone face down?

[Source: USPTO Via: Mashable]

Samsung Galaxy S3 vs iPhone 5 – “It doesn’t take a genius”

Posted: 15 Sep 2012 02:09 PM PDT

A rather controversial advertisement has been hitting the inter webs today, with a bold statement that is bound to make some people upset. Samsung took a huge hit after losing against Apple in Northern California, but Sammy is here to prove that the war is far from over. The company’s latest ad is a direct comparison between the iPhone 5 and the Galaxy S3, with the play-on-words “It doesn’t take a genius” plastered all over the top.

For those that may not know, an Apple Genius is an Apple expert working at one of the company’s stores. Samsung makes reference to this, while playfully stating the idea that Samsung’s products are obviously different from Apple’s smartphones. And based on what they use to prove that (the specs), they re also hinting at the fact that the Galaxy S3 is much better.

Of course, there is much more to quality than hard specs. A device doesn’t need to have better specs to be a better phone, right? It is all relative. Regardless, many of us would say the iPhone 5 is still no competition for Android’s creme de la creme. Regardless, in a world where competition is key, anything goes. Samsung has been very active lately, letting us all now “The next big thing is already here.”

Samsung needs to recover from that lawsuit and from the looks of it, the company is more than ready for this fight. So what do you guys say, does it take a genius to figure out who the winner is?

[Via: CNET]

New rumored specs for the 5-inch HTC device emerge – quad-core, 1.5 GB of RAM and more

Posted: 15 Sep 2012 01:28 PM PDT


We have just received tangible evidence of the Galaxy Note 2 being prepped to be released by Verizon, but maybe you are looking for something a bit different. If HTC is your manufacturer of choice, you probably have your eyes on that rumored 5-inch HTC “phablet,” and we have some more juicy leaks for you today.

Our friends from HTC Source have gotten a hold of a few new details regarding the device, which they call DIx (DROID Incredible X?). We don’t know what the name will be, but the source is almost sure it will come with the DROID branding. The device is said to make the iconic “DROID” notification sound, and the colors are parallel with past DROID devices.

Some of these specs don’t match past leaks and rumors, but HTC Source’s insiders have been right on spot lately. We can only wait for the official announcement to be sure, but this source claims the device will feature a 1080p display with a 480 ppi (pixels-per-inch) density.

Other specs include a quad-core Qualcomm Snapdragon S4 processor, 1.5 GB of RAM and 16 GB of internal storage. Qualcomm’s S4 processor has been known to outperform even quad-core processor like NVIDIA’s Tegra 3, so this bad boy will rock some power under its hood.

Another small, but very welcomed improvement is the addition of a second notification light, which is said to be located in the back, near the camera. This will notify you of any messages, emails, missed calls any any other happenings while the phone is face down. But there has to be a downside, right? No device is perfect, and the exclusion of a microSD card slot might very well be a deal breaker for many of you.

The source also says there is no active pen support like HTC Scribe or Samsung’s S-Pen. The Scribe Stylus seems to not work with the device, so instead of being a device with more functionality it will be a large smartphone. Not that the extra screen real-estate isn’t welcome, but Samsung definitely takes this round.

Sure seems like it could make many of you happy campers, though. Maybe we will see more of this at HTC’s September 19 event. I am personally debating between this one and the Galaxy Note 2. Which one would you get?

[Via: HTC Source]

Making an old-school arcade machine with an Android tablet

Posted: 15 Sep 2012 12:38 PM PDT

It seems it was just yesterday we were all meeting at our local arcades to challenge each other in the hottest games. Times have changed, and it seems we have lost that great habit as mobile devices become powerful enough to handle any game. My local arcade is now out of business, but thanks to the guys at Mediocre we can now get a taste of the good ol’ days!

The Mediocre team (popular for developing Sprinkle) has recently launched a new game – Granny Smith. You can go ahead and check out our preview or get it from the Play Store. But the main star of the show here is this awesome arcade machine the team created for the Granny Smith release party!

It is made out of cardboard, wood, an ASUS Transformer Pad TF300T, some arcade buttons and a Zeemote bluetooth controller. Go ahead and check out Mediocre’s blog to see more about the process and details. It took a bit of work and money to put it all together, but the end-product will be the center of attention at any geek’s party!

[Source: Mediocre Blog]

First images of Verizon Samsung Galaxy Note 2, with branded home button and all

Posted: 15 Sep 2012 11:46 AM PDT


The Galaxy Note 2 has created quite the commotion since its announcement a few weeks ago. Many of us want it, but we are not sure which Carriers will offer it in the US (though there are rumors of it coming to most carriers). The wait is always the hardest part, but we finally have what looks to be good evidence that Verizon will be carrying the popular phablet.

These images just hit our inbox and we have kind of mixed feelings about them. The photos look real, and there are no obvious signs of anything being faked, but a little bell rings once you take a look at the home button. It is branded with Verizon’s logo!

So we have one of two situations here: either Verizon is out of its mind and has officially managed to make a beautiful device a bit uglier, or these images are not as real as they seem. For the first time in my tech blogging career, I am wishing for the latter to be the case.

We suppose we will have to wait and see. It could very well be something they plan to take away once the device hits the streets (wishful thinking). The back and menu button also have what looks like some kind of morse code dots, so this shouldn’t be the final design.

I know I don’t want my Note 2 to have that ugly logo in my face. Regardless, I would probably still get it, would you?

Thanks, Sean!

Google: Words With Acer Had Nothing To Do With A Rival OS, and Everything To Do With The Open Handset Alliance

Posted: 14 Sep 2012 08:06 PM PDT

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Yesterday, we told you guys about the drama between Acer and Google that resulted in the abrupt cancellation of a smartphone launch. According to Acer, Google wasn’t pleased with Acer launching a smartphone based on the Aliyun OS, an operating system forked off of Android. Well, today we finally have an official statement from Google, shedding some light on the situation. Google had this to say:

“Compatibility is at the heart of the Android ecosystem and ensures a consistent experience for developers, manufacturers and consumers. Non-compatible versions of Android, like Aliyun, weaken the ecosystem. All members of the Open Handset Alliance have committed to building one Android platform and to not ship non-compatible Android devices. This does not however, keep OHA members from participating in competing ecosystems.”

Ah, okay. It’s starting to make a little more sense. It’s true that Acer is a part of the Open Handset Alliance and apparently there was some fine print involved that they may have overlooked. It seems Google’s concerns stem from their belief that the Aliyun OS is actually a “non-compatible” version of Android (in basic terms), and by releasing a smartphone based on the OS, violates the agreement Acer agreed to when they hoped on board the OHA. To sum it up, if you’re apart of the OHA: rival OS = okay. Rival Android OS = not okay.

According to Google, they are just doing their part to prevent fragmentation with the OS, which they’ve apparently been trying to prevent since Android 1.0. In a blog post dated back in 2011, Andy Rubin said:

If someone wishes to market a device as Android-compatible or include Google applications on the device, we do require the device to conform with some basic compatibility requirements. (After all, it would not be realistic to expect Google applications – or any applications for that matter – to operate flawlessly across incompatible devices). Our "anti-fragmentation" program has been in place since Android 1.0 and remains a priority for us to provide a great user experience for consumers and a consistent platform for developers. In fact, all of the founding members of the Open Handset Alliance agreed not to fragment Android when we first announced it in 2007.

I know what you’re thinking, “So what the hell is up with Amazon?” Why exactly are they allowed to release devices based off Android, but removed of all Google services? That’s the thing. Amazon is not apart of the OHA, which means they are not subject to its terms, and are free to do whatever they like.

Things get a bit muddled up with Alibaba — makers of the Aliyun OS — stating that, where the Aliyun OS is able to run Android apps, it’s not technically based off Android, maintaining that the OS was built from scratch using open-source Linux code, not Android’s Dalkvik virtual machine. Guess it’ll take a judge and dim witted jury to sort out this whole mess. Hopefully Google and Acer will come to terms in the meantime.

[TheVerge | MarketingLand | Android Official Blog]
Posted by at 7:51 AM

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