Saturday, November 17, 2012

Android Authority

Android Authority

Nexus 4 teardown reveals dormant LTE chip inside, Nexus 10 is “extremely repairable”

Posted: 17 Nov 2012 03:03 AM PST

We don't know how many of you were lucky enough to procure themselves one of the two new Nexus devices, but we know at least a couple of guys that grabbed a Nexus 4 and 10 and… ripped them to pieces.

Not cool, I know, but at least we're not talking about the gratuitous kind of ripping to pieces that our own crazy Darcy LaCouvee has turned into art. We are talking instead about a couple of scientific teardowns whose goals have been to reveal all of the small parts, screws, bits and pieces found inside the gadgets.

The Nexus 4 has been taken for the destructive ride by the good folks over at iFixit, while its bigger 10-inch brother got torn down by PowerbookMedic. Both websites have made quite the discoveries after their inspections, so let's dive right in.

Nexus 4 teardown

First off, the phone that everybody craves for. This, as you may already know, seemed to have three major flaws in a wide sea of advantages and strong points. The battery was non-removable, there was no way of expanding the on-board storage, while connectivity options only included 3G and HSPA+ (no 4G LTE).

However, after taking a close look at the phone's motherboard, iFixit found a Qualcomm WTR1605L seven-band 4G LTE chip on there. This was definitely a major shocker, but before getting too excited, you should know that there's almost no chance in hell this will actually support LTE networks.

That's because it is a dormant chip, but even more importantly because the Nexus 4 doesn't seem to have any LTE power amplifier on board or a 4G LTE antenna to capture the needed network signal. So, if that's the case, what's the chip doing there after all? Well, we have no way to know for sure, but we're guessing this stayed in place (intentionally or not) from the Optimus G, the LG phone that inspired Nexus's design.

Even with all this, we can surely allow ourselves to hope, but again it's highly unlikely that the Nexus 4 will ever support LTE. Now that we've cleared that up, let's recap some of the other things revealed by iFixit's teardown:

  • The phone's overall repairability score is 7 out of 10 (same as the iPhone 5 and Nexus 7)
  • There are only four different length screws and a total of 15 screws used to build the device, so it's not very hard to tear it down
  • The battery is truly difficult to remove, puncturing it in the process being a major risk
  • The removing of the back cover is however much easier to do, requiring "a common screwdriver, a plastic opening tool, and some patience"
  • Besides the battery, the only other major worry affecting the phone's repairability score is the glass front, which is fused to the display and display frame

Nexus 10

While Nexus 10's teardown didn't reveal as grand a surprise as the LTE chip inside the 4, PowerbookMedic still found a couple of interesting things:

  • The device is "extremely repairable", with no glue and very few screws getting in the way of the disassembly (the website didn't give the Nexus 10 a "repairability score", but we think that would have at least been a 9)
  • Many of the components in the device are manufactured by Samsung, including the battery, processor and flash memory
  • You can disconnect the battery very easily, with its connector being rubberized and flexible
  • The rear-facing camera is another component "easily" replaceable

So, there you have it, folks, a very easily repairable Nexus 10 made almost entirely by Samsung and a slightly more stubborn Nexus 4. Surprised? Also, be sure to not try any of this at home unless you really, really have to! Or if you want to punish your precious new devices for something.

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Rihanna declares the HTC One X+ as the next level ‘shit’ [video]

Posted: 17 Nov 2012 02:27 AM PST

Pop sensation Rihanna, who's currently on her 777 world tour, sure knows her diamonds and smartphones well. It might come as a big surprise, but RiRi apparently loves her HTC phone, a fact which may or may not have to do with the phone maker’s involvement in the tour.

On stage, during the second Toronto leg of the tour, she even gave one lucky fan a special version of the HTC One X+, but not before declaring the phone as the next level "shit". Ah, such a way with words, the chart-topping singer has.

Sadly, we couldn't find any picture of the "Rihannified" One X+. But she said that, among other things, it has the new "R" logo – her name's initial – from the up and coming album Unapologetic. While the custom HTC One X+ isn't for sale anywhere, you can get the plain version from AT&T for $199 with a two-year contract.

Now, who said that Android smartphones aren't popular amongst paid celebrities and super stars? Not that we care.

Texting Chris Brown?

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NTT DoCoMo starts selling the Sony Xperia AX in Japan

Posted: 17 Nov 2012 02:12 AM PST

We reported last month that Japan will soon be getting the Sony Xperia AX, a variant of the Xperia V that boasts some Japan-specific features. If you've been keeping track of its release, you'll be pleased to know that the Xperia AX is now on sale in the country via NTT DoCoMo.

For those who purchase the Xperia AX, Sony Mobile Japan is giving customers the chance to scoop up its SmartWatch at a discounted price. Instead of shelling out Yen 9,480 ($115), the watch will only cost you Yen 6,980 ($85).

The Sony Xperia AX comes equipped with a 4.3-inch HD Reality display with 1,280 x 720 resolution, a dual-core 1.5GHz Snapdragon S4 processor, 1GB RAM, 16GB onboard storage, microSD support, 13MP main camera, VGA front-facing camera, WiFi a/b/g/n, Bluetooth 4.0, 1-Seg TV Tuner, FeliCia NFC, infrared port, LTE, 1,700mAh battery, and Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich.

As for the Xperia V, Sony has pushed back its release date to late January of next year, where it'll reportedly ship with Android 4.1 Jelly Bean instead. The phone will retail for €529.

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Coupon site: more customers interested in the Kindle Fire than the iPad mini

Posted: 17 Nov 2012 02:09 AM PST

It seems that Kindle Fire HD is sparking more interest in buyers this holiday season than the hyped iPad mini.

CouponCodes4U.com has predicted that Amazon's Kindle Fire HD could sell double the units than the Apple's iPad mini. Quite a bold prediction, huh? But the folks back there have a logic behind it. CouponCodes4u has presented data from its website showing searches from the last three weeks, and revealed that "Kindle Fire HD"  was searched two times more than "iPad mini".

Also, the website stated that there were more searches for Kindle Fire HD following the first week of its announcement as compared to the searches for iPad mini in the first week following its announcement.

The iPad mini has the strong brand of Apple associated with it, but when it comes to pricing, Kindle Fire HD wins with a starting price of $199 as compared to $329 for the iPad mini. People might find the iPad sexier than the Kindle device, but not every one can afford the expensive iPad mini. Also, customers might also be looking at the cool Android-based Nexus tablets from Google.

As we race towards the Black Friday, the beginning of the holiday shopping season, it remains to be seen how actual sales turn out. What will you prefer, the Kindle Fire HD or the iPad mini? Read our comparison between the iPad mini and the Kindle Fire HD here and tell us!

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Google awarded patent for cell coverage based directions

Posted: 16 Nov 2012 11:30 PM PST

Google
While Apple is off getting patents for break neck technological advancements like the rectangle and turning pages in books, Google has been after something a little more worthwhile. We’re all familiar with GPS. A bunch of satellites in space send our devices a signal that uses that signal to pinpoint our locations. Google now has a patent that works much like that, but with cell coverage.

Lets break this down. According to the USPTO, the patent is much like GPS. It involves finding the destination and current location. However, the location and route to the destination can be altered by wireless coverage. In other words, Google can now use your cell signal to help better figure out where you are and where you’re going.

So Google patented using wireless signal along with GPS?

That is pretty much what it means. The patent isn’t for GPS location itself, but rather for the act of obtaining better information after the fact to pinpoint your location more closely. Google has used things like this before in the past. Like when Google Maps asks you to turn your WiFi on so it can work better. It’s much like that.

Adding this patent to their library should help Google continue to improve their Maps and direction services. This without risk of being sued for it. Did Google do well with this latest patent? Let us know your thoughts.

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Should Amazon open retail stores in the future? What would make it unique?

Posted: 16 Nov 2012 11:07 PM PST

Amazon is king of the e-commerce space. The company sells all sorts of merchandise and content on its website, and also services the mobile market through its Kindle line of devices. Amazon Wireless also has partnerships with both carriers and device makers to market smartphones, tablets and other devices.

But given the success of Apple’s retail store model, online companies have been keen on venturing out into the brick-and-mortar establishment themselves. For instance, Microsoft has started opening its own stores around the U.S., offering computer packages, Windows Phone devices, accessories and boxed software. Telecommunications companies also have their own physical stores.

But will it make sense for Amazon to open retail stores in the future?

CEO Jeff Bezos thinks so. In an interview with Charlie Rose at CNBC, Bezos says Amazon “would love to.” But there’s a caveat. He says physical retail stores are already very well-served. As such, Amazon would only be going into something similar if it had something unique to offer. “The question we would always have before we would embark on such an thing is what’s the idea, what would we do that would be different, how would it be better… we don’t want to be redundant,” Bezos says, adding that the company wants “something that is uniquely Amazon.”

In the first place, though Amazon’s business model is built on low overhead. The company can afford to offer lower prices as it can save on spending for store space and staff. Bezos himself is aware that the business results may not exactly be good if you’re not the leader in your particular field, in this case brick-and-mortar retail. As such, there is question on what the value proposition will be.

A few thoughts, some of which based on discussion thread at our source article:

  • Niche items are what has made Amazon successful. Merchandise are fulfilled from their warehouses from around the country, so the company does not have to worry about lacking stock. If Amazon were to setup shop, then it will need to rethink its inventory and stocking processes.
  • Amazon employs customer service personnel from around the globe (India, for instance). If it starts running retail stores in the U.S., then it will have to move back jobs in the country.
  • Prices might increase due to state sales taxes and whatnot.
  • Amazon stores could double as pick-up points, much like Amazon lockers set-up in establishments around the country.

Perhaps Amazon could set-up shop, but for a limited offering. For instance, the company could make its Kindle line the highlight of their stores, where customers can check out demo units for themselves before deciding to buy. Amazon retail stores can also serve as service points for these devices. The company could likewise focus on mobile devices. Amazon Wireless already offers great deals on smartphones through its website. Why not at physical locations?

While shopping online does have its conveniences, there are some things that are best bought after a thorough physical inspection, and both users and brands can benefit from such interaction in a brick-and-mortar store.

What could be Amazon’s value for setting up a physical shop? Should it focus on a certain aspect of retail, or should it just stick to what it does best: selling online?

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Popular Android and iOS photo editing app Photoshop Touch now available in the Kindle Fire App Store

Posted: 16 Nov 2012 11:00 PM PST

Photoshop
Practically everyone has heard of Photoshop. It’s one of the most popular image editing tools in the world and it’s also quite expensive. For Android and iOS devices, there is a mini version called Photoshop Touch. It is much less expensive at $9.99, but still grants a very powerful image editing experience on your mobile devices. Photoshop Touch is now available for Kindle Fire tablets in the Kindle Fire App Store.

The app is pretty much the same as it is for Android and iOS with one notable exception. This version has been optimized specifically for the newest generation of Kindle Fire tablets. That means two things. First, it should run better on the new Kindle Fire tablets due to the optimizations. Second, it isn’t available for the old Kindle Fire tablet. So if you are still rocking the old one, you won’t be able to use Photoshop Touch unless you try to get the Android version.

What are the features of Photoshop Touch?

If you haven’t used it before, there are a lot of features. In short, you can use almost all of the well known photo editing tools from the original Photoshop. There are even tutorials to help new people get the hang of things. If you’re interested, you can find it at the Kindle Fire App Store on Amazon. Are there any photo buffs who might be checking this out?

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Samsung wants details of Apple-HTC deal in a bid to prove licensing is possible

Posted: 16 Nov 2012 05:28 PM PST

Apple’s cross-licensing deal with Taiwanese smartphone maker HTC has set a precedent. That is, while Apple has been serious in pursuing legal remedies against companies that infringe on its software and design patents, the Cupertino, CA company is actually willing to settle these disputes either for monetary compensation or through cross-licensing deals.

This has lit up lightbulbs in Samsung’s legal minds, given their current legal battles with Apple. As Apple is seeking permanent injunctions on several of Samsung’s products, the iPhone-maker’s willingness to settle with other companies might actually be favorable to Samsung as a legal alternative. As such, the South Korean firm has filed a request with the court for Apple to provide a copy of Apple’s patent cross-licensing agreement with HTC.

As you know, the issue of Apple’s willingness to license its patents was briefed in Samsung’s opposition to Apple’s motion for permanent injunction. This license has direct bearing on the question of irreparable harm and whether monetary remedies are adequate.

The Apple-HTC deal, which was announced last week, says the terms of the agreement are confidential, although what’s clear is that it is a ten-year cross-licensing agreement that covers Apple’s and HTC’s “current and future patents.” But what is unclear is whether this involves all of both companies’ patents, or just some. Analysts believe HTC is paying Apple anywhere from $6 to $8 per smartphone sold as licensing fee. Given current HTC sales figures, this should amount to $160 to $200 million annually.

Some points to note:

  • The courts are usually reluctant to issue a permanent injunction on products if licensing deals or settlement can be done.
  • With the Apple-HTC deal as a precedent, this means an Apple-Samsung deal is likewise possible, in theory.
  • Samsung likely wants to know if the cross-licensing deals also include the so-called “holy patents” that Apple does not license out to competitors. These include patents that cover Apple’s “unique user experience” such as touchscreen functionality and design.

“The ability of technology companies to get injunctions on big products based on small inventions, unless the inventions drive consumer’s demand, has been whittled away significantly,” says Santa Clara Law professor Colleen Chien in an interview with Reuters.

Still, there is question whether this interest means Samsung is looking into a similar deal with Apple, or if this is simply a tactic to convince the court against issuing a permanent injunction. The two parties are set for another hearing this December 6th, during which the courts will iron out the ensuing decisions and events after the August verdict that ruled in favor of Apple.

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This town ain’t big enough for the four of us, says T-Mobile

Posted: 16 Nov 2012 04:43 PM PST

t-mobile logo

The U.S. mobile market is a big one, with 321.7 million subscribers as of second quarter of 2012. That’s a 101% mobile penetration, which means the number of lines equals the population. But while the nation is serviced by four major carriers today, T-Mobile thinks the market is not big enough for four big carriers to service.

In a meeting with shareholders, COO Jim Alling said the industry might see some adjustments and consolidations in the next few years. “Is it possible that four major players could go down to three? I think that is possible, and likely in the longer term,” he said, referring to the possibility of the country’s four major carriers merging into just three. This actually almost happened when AT&T made a bid to acquire T-Mobile from its parent company Deutsche Telekom in 2011. That $39 billion acqusition deal did not push through, though, having been shot down by regulators for possible anti-competition.

But even as the so-called AT&T-Mo deal was halted, the major U.S. carriers have found themselves entering into mergers and partnerships with other companies. For instance, there’s the planned Sprint acquisition by Japanese telecoms provider Softbank. There’s also T-Mobile’s acquisition of super-regional carrier MetroPCS.

Of course, this will depend on the regulatory environment, Alling, says. As such, whatever consolidation may happen is set for the longer-term. The statements made by T-Mobile’s COO probably assume that his company will be on the winning end of the deal, if the industry were to consolidate into a fewer — but bigger — major competitors.

But are four major competitors really too big for a country to handle? In some regions, the mobile industry has seen consolidation into three or fewer carriers. For instance, China has China Mobile, China Unicom and China Telecom, which have almost a billion lines shared across the three. However, another big market, India, has eight major mobile carriers. Which is the best model for the U.S.?

Will the American market benefit from a fewer major competitors? If the big four — AT&T, Verizon, Sprint and T-Mobile — were reduced into three major players, will this result in improved services and reduced prices?

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Lenovo 1080p Full HD Android smartphone leaks

Posted: 16 Nov 2012 03:52 PM PST

Earlier today we read a South Korean report that detailed a soon-to-be-announced Samsung Galaxy handset, the Galaxy Grand, and now it's time to look at a Chinese article that details an unknown Lenovo Android handset.

While we have no idea what kind of the device this Lenovo smartphone is, other that it "should be Lenovo's next-generation flagship model [and] should belong to he Lok Phone K series, Music Phone K860 successor [Google translation]," the report reveals that the device will feature a Full HD display.

Following the HTC J Butterfly / Droid DNA/ Deluxe, it looks like more and more Android device makers are interested in fitting their flagship devices with such impressive displays, with these Lenovo screenshots getting leaked on the same day we heard Samsung and LG are working on their own smartphones with Full HD resolution panels.

In addition to display characteristics, Tech Sina also reveals that the Lenovo smartphone will feature dual network support (CDMA 3G and GSM 2G,) which may be good enough for certain markets in China, but it won't please international buyers that may be interested in the device.

The device will run either Ice Cream Sandwich or Jelly Bean out of the box, according to the leaked screenshots that are available to the public, but we'll tell you more about it once Lenovo makes it official.

Anyone looking for a new Lenovo smartphone?

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