Android Phone Fans |
- Samsung Expecting Another Record Quarter: $7.3 Billion In Q3 Thanks To Galaxy Sales (And Android)
- Zaxxon Escape Now Available For Android – But Can It Beat The Play Store’s 15 Minute Return Window? [Video]
- Samsung Kies Update Brings UI Changes For Windows and OSX, Now Compatible With Mountain Lion
- Reseller lists 32GB Nexus 7 in its system
- Verizon Motorola DROID RAZR MAXX is just $50 at Amazon [DEALS]
- After more than a year, SlingPlayer for Android finally gets updated
- DROID RAZR HD screen protectors arriving at Verizon Stores
- AT&T preps the Samsung Galaxy Camera with HSPA+ on board
- Motorola Mobility, not Google, acquires Viewdle
- Report: Sprint ready to engage with T-Mobile in bidding war for MetroPCS
- Rumors again peg Samsung, LG, Sony, and HTC for Nexus phones this fall
- Samsung updates US Galaxy S3 Jelly Bean timeline, says ‘coming soon’
- Amazon prepping Appstore for Japanese debut
- TomTom’s navigation app now available for Android, it’s not cheap
- Sony celebrates Xperia T global rollout with new ad fit for Bond
| Samsung Expecting Another Record Quarter: $7.3 Billion In Q3 Thanks To Galaxy Sales (And Android) Posted: 04 Oct 2012 06:58 PM PDT
Just because they’re not the most valuable company in history doesn’t mean that Samsung hasn’t been living the Gangnam life. In fact, their expected $7.3 billion record earnings for Q3 is the 4th straight quarter things will be on the up-and-up for Sammy. This is mostly due to Samsung’s Galaxy smartphone sales which accounted for 2/3rds of the company’s record profits. Of course, you could also attribute just a little bit of Samsung’s success on Google’s Android operating system, which transformed Samsung into a global player in the smartphone market. (Hey, Samsung — keep those firmware updates coming). Unfortunately, things wont come so easily for Samsung in Q4, where they’re expected to dish out, not just performance related payouts to employees, but that $1 billion to Apple (providing that appeal doesn’t pan out for them). Also, Samsung’s battle with the iPhone 5 will result in more costs, thanks to the money they’ve spent on fighting the i5 with marketing. Samsung has shipped a total of 18-20 million Galaxy S3′s of which one landed in my possession yesterday. This should hold me over until the Galaxy Note 2 ships on every carrier under the sun later this year, asserting Samsung’s dominance as the world’s top selling Android OEM. [Reuters]
|
| Posted: 04 Oct 2012 05:59 PM PDT
We showed you guys the teaser trailer a few days ago, and now Sega has officially dropped Zaxxon Escape into the Google Play Store. This definitely ain’t your grandpappy’s Zaxxon. Not merely an HD remake, Sega has completely transformed the game with gameplay that’s a mishmash of current mobile hits like Temple Run, other than the top down, isometric view of the original. That’s not to say it’s bad, by any means. It’s just that fans of the original (are there any still around?) may find themselves lost in space.
Zaxxon Escape now utilizes your phone or tablets gyro-sensor to guide your speeding ship throughout a maze tunnels and corridors, and escape the steel fortress to safety. You can earn “Z” coins throughout the level that you can use to power-up your ship, and if you’re skills aren’t up to snuff, you can use real monies to purchase in-game items. Zaxxon Escape is only $.99 cents in the Google Play Store, but is it worth a McDouble? Well, you can watch my quick hands-on video and see if was able to last the Play Store’s 15 minute return window (the ultimate test). Have at it.
|
| Samsung Kies Update Brings UI Changes For Windows and OSX, Now Compatible With Mountain Lion Posted: 04 Oct 2012 05:27 PM PDT
Can’t say I’m too familiar with Samsung Kies (I’ve tried to avoid using it) but from what I’ve read, it’s Samsung’s version of iTunes used for syncing media to your desktop, and updating the software of Samsung devices via a handy desktop interface. That interface was given an overhaul in the latest update (2.0.0.12095_7) and besides a sprucing up of the UI, Kies is now finally compatible with Mountain Lion. Now that I have this shiny new Galaxy S3 (stubborn kid voice) I guess I’ll give it go… Hmph. For those wanting to give Kies a try for the first time, here’s the download links from Samsung: After installation, you’ll be prompted for the 2.0.0.12095_7 update. [Samsung]
|
| Reseller lists 32GB Nexus 7 in its system Posted: 04 Oct 2012 04:03 PM PDT Just one day after Carphone Warehouse apparently got caught with a 32GB Nexus 7 in its inventory systems, more evidence of a forthcoming 32GB edition has turned up. This time, Droid-Life was tipped to listings from a reseller’s system that showed the device instructions to call the reseller for availability.
This indicates the reseller isn’t shipping the device’s yet, but the tipster says the reseller expected first shipments to arrive October 24th. That doesn’t necessarily mean the devices would be available to us consumers on that day, but we’d be awfully close. There also isn’t much to go on in terms of pricing. This particular reseller appears to sell the 8GB version for $244.68 per unit when the MSRP is a mere $200. While we’d love to assume a price point of $300 it’s not wise to take this without a grain of salt. The important thing is that this 32GB edition seems real, and we seem real close to seeing it make its way to store shelves.
|
| Verizon Motorola DROID RAZR MAXX is just $50 at Amazon [DEALS] Posted: 04 Oct 2012 03:43 PM PDT As the original Motorola DROID RAZR and RAZR MAXX are about to become obsolete due to new “HD” refreshes, Amazon saw fit to offer a quick sale for the original MAXX. You can get the 4G LTE device for just $50, and for that you’re getting a dual-core wonder that can last all day on battery.
Its 3,300mAh battery allows 17-21 hours of talk time, a staggering figure considering the industry norm of 8-12. And while this won’t be the most powerful dual-core device you can find the TI OMAP chipset inside can still handle pretty much any task tossed its way. The newer RAZR devices are sure to be upwards of $200-$300 so if you need a new phone but can’t seem to come to grips with that price then $50 for the original isn’t a bad deal at all. [Amazon]
|
| After more than a year, SlingPlayer for Android finally gets updated Posted: 04 Oct 2012 02:52 PM PDT While SlingPlayer is a great service that many people swear by, their mobile efforts — particularly in the Android space — haven’t been very inspiring. For starters, their app costs an obnoxious amount of money. To make things worse they went almost a year and a half without updating it even though the app was littered with bugs.
Well, the spell has finally broken — the company’s developers have finally been able to release an upgrade in the Google Play Store. There’s nothing groundbreaking to behold here, but for tablets we do get the ability to set program reminders by long pressing on a program, fixes for the UI on the Nexus 7 (tablet version), and quicker remote responsiveness in HQ mode. For smartphones there’s a bit more to it with a new look and feel, the addition of a program guide, the ability to set reminders via long-pressing, and “significant” improvements to picture quality in HQ mode on devices with Android 4.0 and higher. Unfortunately the ugly price of $30 for the tablet version and $30 for the smartphone version still remain, but if that sits well with you then be sure to find your download at the link ahead. [Play Store Phones | Tablets]
|
| DROID RAZR HD screen protectors arriving at Verizon Stores Posted: 04 Oct 2012 01:59 PM PDT You’re usually close to a device launch when official accessories begin to roll into corporate stores, and that is exactly what has happened with the Motorola DROID RAZR HD. Droid-Life has received images of a pack of screen protectors sitting inside a Verizon store for the device.
We’re still in the dark regarding a solid launch date from Verizon but recent rumors suggest October 18th will be the landing date for it, and possibly for the battery-heavy RAZR MAXX HD. Verizon seems to have a lot on their plate for the holiday season so it wouldn’t surprise us to see this coming sooner rather than later as they find the need to spread launches out. Is anyone holding out for this or will you spring for other exciting options such as the upcoming Galaxy Note 2?
|
| AT&T preps the Samsung Galaxy Camera with HSPA+ on board Posted: 04 Oct 2012 12:58 PM PDT We weren’t sure whether or not a carrier would ever be interested in offering a camera, but it appears at least one will. AT&T, who has been awfully open to quirky devices as of late, has officially announced plans to sell the Samsung Galaxy Camera. The Android Jelly Bean-powered camera, which features a 4.8 inch display and a 16MP BSI CMOS sensor with 21x optical zoom, will be outfitted with HSPA+ radios for those who want to share their great images no matter where they are.
You can share to social networks and between the latest Galaxy smartphones like the Galaxy S3 and Galaxy Note 2 using Share Shot. Buddy Share will send a photo to a group of friends instantly and simultaneously, and AllShare Play will let you beam your content wireless to the big screen over a WiFi network. AT&T says to expect it “in the coming weeks,” and pricing information has also yet to be revealed. We imagine the data plan for this will be considerably cheaper than what users currently have to pay for smartphones, but without any official information it’s not a good idea to speculate. We’ll let you know when AT&T releases more info. Read on for full press details.
|
| Motorola Mobility, not Google, acquires Viewdle Posted: 04 Oct 2012 11:52 AM PDT If you don’t recall, rumors began spreading not too long ago about a possible agreement between Viewdle and Google for the former to be acquired by the latter. Well, those rumors were wrong… sort of. Motorola Mobility is actually the one that acquired the face recognition company, though as we all know Motorola now exists under the Google umbrella.
Viewdle specializes in facial recognition technology, and we all know that’s something that has become an important element of the current mobile market. The deal reportedly cost Motorola somewhere between $30 million and $45 million, and while that’s no pocket change to us common folk we’re sure Motorola finds this to be a value considering what it’s getting. The only question that remains is how Motorola and/or Google will use the company. Is this a patent move, is this for Google+ and Android, or is there some other obscure plan? We won’t know for quite some time, but we’re sure there was a very good reason for it. [via TechCrunch]
|
| Report: Sprint ready to engage with T-Mobile in bidding war for MetroPCS Posted: 04 Oct 2012 11:21 AM PDT Just over a day after MetroPCS and T-Mobile announced an agreement for the former to be acquired by the latter, it looks like Sprint might attempt to intervene before the ink settles. According to a report by Business Week, Sprint is prepared to offer MetroPCS a better offer than Magenta’s following the conclusion of their revaluation. T-Mobile would be buying MetroPCS for $1.5 billion as it stands, and there are penalty clauses for either party backing out. We imagine Sprint will keep those penalties in mind when revaluing the company, though there’s no way to know what number they’re thinking about at this time.
On the flip side of things, T-Mobile is also reportedly not backing down — they’re also said to be prepared to best any offer Sprint brings to the table should the Now Network decide to go through with the war. The last time Sprint proposed to take over MetroPCS — about the beginning of this year — the decision was blocked by the board, but at that point their offer reportedly transcended $8 billion. If the board thought those figure were too high then they may be more open to the acquisition at the much lower figure MetroPCS is currently willing to accept from T-Mobile. We’ve been looking for some juicy industry happenings (well, that didn’t involve Apple, Microsoft, Samsung, Motorola, et al suing the pants off each other) since the T-Mobile and AT&T merger failed, and this could very well end up being a very exciting development. [via Business Week]
|
| Rumors again peg Samsung, LG, Sony, and HTC for Nexus phones this fall Posted: 04 Oct 2012 09:09 AM PDT
Rumors dating back to prior to the launch of the Nexus 7 suggested that Google would release not one, but several Nexus smartphones this fall with later leaks pointing to Samsung, Sony, and LG as well as HTC. Up to this point the most sure bet appears to be a Nexus device based on the LG Optimus G, while a new report claims that Google is loosening the reigns on its Nexus program and allowing any manufacturer to produce a Google-branded device provided they follow a few guidelines. Long story short, a new report out of the often hit-or-miss Digitimes has it from inside sources that we can definitely expect Nexus devices from HTC, Sony, and Samsung on top of LG. There is also a good chance we will eventually see a Nexus device from Motorola. Word is that Google has begun providing its employees with new Nexus handsets for testing, but there is no indication of whether it is a single device or if Googlers have been given a choice of several. With a launch possibly slated for November, the rumors will likely come swift and plentiful over the coming weeks. [via AndroidandMe]
|
| Samsung updates US Galaxy S3 Jelly Bean timeline, says ‘coming soon’ Posted: 04 Oct 2012 08:39 AM PDT
Samsung has updated the Jelly Bean upgrade timeline for their US carrier variants of the Galaxy S3 as well as their Nexus devices. No surprise to see that Android 4.1 is currently available for the Nexus S 4G and Galaxy Nexus, but that impending update to Jelly Bean for the GS3 on Sprint, T-Mobile, AT&T, and Verizon has been tagged as “coming soon.” October has been the target that Samsung has been aiming for to complete their latest flagship phone’s upgrade to Jelly Bean, and several carrier-specfic versions of the software have leaked in recent weeks. Still, there always seems to be some sort of delay with US carriers when it comes to delivering upgrades in a timely fashion. We’ll see if they can get them out by the end of the month. [Samsung via AndroidGuys]
|
| Amazon prepping Appstore for Japanese debut Posted: 04 Oct 2012 07:18 AM PDT
Amazon is continuing to roll out its Android Appstore to more regions around the globe. Though an exact date hasn’t been set, the retailer is beginning preparations to launch to the digital storefront in Japan “later this year.” Amazon has opened a developer portal for the Japanese version of the Appstore where interested content creators can begin submitting their applications for distribution when the apps and games hub goes live in the Land of the Rising Sun. [via Amazon]
|
| TomTom’s navigation app now available for Android, it’s not cheap Posted: 04 Oct 2012 06:33 AM PDT
TomTom is delivering on its promise to bring an Android app featuring offline navigation to smartphones this month. TomTom Navigation is now available for select smartphones and brings all the features users of the iOS version of the app have been enjoying for some time now, including traffic info, radar camera warnings (country dependent), and eco routes. There are two major drawbacks, however. The first is the $49.99 price tag, an introductory offer that saves you $10 off the normal price, and a limited number of currently supported handsets, of which the Samsung Galaxy S3, Galaxy Nexus, and Galaxy Note 2 don’t make the cut. But if Google Maps hasn’t been cutting it for you (or if you do a lot of navigation in areas with poor cellular service), TomTom might be worth checking out. Google Play Link: TomTom Navigation [via Engadget]
|
| Sony celebrates Xperia T global rollout with new ad fit for Bond Posted: 04 Oct 2012 05:57 AM PDT The Sony Xperia T — the only smartphone fit for agent 007 himself — has started its global rollout today, and Sony is celebrating with the introduction of a new TV spot harkening to the adventures of Mr. Bond himself. The spot was made under the watch of blockbuster director Joe Carnahan and begs the question just how far would you go for the new Xperia T, which features a large 4.6-inch HD display, 13MP camera, 1.5GHz Snapdragon S4, and Ice Cream Sandwich. The Xperia T is now available in the UK and should be reaching other regions of Europe shortly. A US variant will launch under the name Xperia TL for AT&T. [via Sony]
|
| You are subscribed to email updates from Android Phone Fans To stop receiving these emails, you may unsubscribe now. | Email delivery powered by Google |
| Google Inc., 20 West Kinzie, Chicago IL USA 60610 | |
No comments:
Post a Comment