Android Community |
- Samsung Galaxy Tab 2 10-inch hits Verizon shelves with LTE
- uTorrent adds Wi-Fi only option for downloads
- Grand Theft Auto: Vice City 10th Anniversary Edition coming December 6
- Verizon officially launches Droid DNA by HTC
- ASUS reportedly working on bringing Android 4.2 for its tablets
- Amazon launches in-app purchases and GameCircle for third-party developers
- 13.3-inch Archos FamilyPad launches next month
- Gameloft announces holiday sale, top Android games all just $0.99 tomorrow
- HTC DROID DNA Review
| Samsung Galaxy Tab 2 10-inch hits Verizon shelves with LTE Posted: 21 Nov 2012 11:29 AM PST Today Verizon Wireless is excited to announce that they’ve added another tablet to their growing 4G LTE device lineup. The popular Samsung Galaxy Tab 2 10-inch tablet is available starting today from Big Red, and of course comes with 4G LTE. For those looking for an awesome Android tablet with 4G LTE connectivity this holiday season, this could be exactly what you’re looking for.
The Samsung Galaxy Tab 2 lineup might not be the most powerful tablets available, but they offer stunning HD displays, dual-core power, and front facing speakers for excellent entertainment options. Today Verizon has announced the Galaxy Tab 2 10-inch tablet is available today for pre-order, and will begin shipping November 26th for those interested. For more details you’ll surely want to check out our Galaxy Tab 2 10-inch Review to learn a little more about this tablet. Then just know it will be the same but better having Verizon 4G LTE, NFL Mobile, Viewdini and everything else from Verizon Wireless. The folks from Big Red are making a big deal about the fact that the tablet offers a micro-SD slot for expanded storage, which doubles as a way to easily upload photos right from a camera during the holidays. The Tab 2 might not be extremely powerful, coming with only a 1.0 GHz dual-core TI OMAP 4 processor, 1GB of RAM, and Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich, but it’s still an awesome option for tablet lovers. It comes with 16GB of storage, a 10-inch 1280 x 800 HD display, micro-SD support, awesome front facing stereo speakers and is extremely sleek. The Galaxy Tab 2 10-inch can be yours for a whopping $499 from Verizon, and as usual can be added to their Share Everything data plans. Will you be picking one up this holiday season? Device Info
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 [via Verizon]
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| uTorrent adds Wi-Fi only option for downloads Posted: 21 Nov 2012 09:15 AM PST One of the most wanted features for µTorrent on Android is ability to set downloads to run only when connected to a Wi-Fi network. Well, µTorrent has finally added the feature. This should help users keep down on their data usage while downloading large torrents. After all, that cellular data can be quiet expensive.
The app and update are both available for free on Google Play. It supports Android 2.1 and above, so pretty much every Android device under the sun can use it. As you expect from µTorrent, the app is tiny, coming it at only 2.5MB. The app also no size and speed limits, so you can download everything as fast as your seeds will let you. The µTorrent app is still in beta, so remember there could be some bugs. µTorrent is looking for users to report bugs to help them make the app better. If you want to download torrents on the go, give µTorrent a shot, and save some mobile data in the process.
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| Grand Theft Auto: Vice City 10th Anniversary Edition coming December 6 Posted: 21 Nov 2012 08:37 AM PST The folks at Rockstar are bringing another one of its classic Grand Theft Auto games to our beloved Android devices. This time, they are bringing Grand Theft Auto: Vice City 10th Anniversary Edition for us to enjoy. The game will be dropping on Google Play on December 6 for $4.99.
The device list is pretty large, and there very well could be other devices not listed that the game will work on. Most of the major phones and tablets are listed, so chances are great that it will work on your device of choice. If you get the game on an unlisted device, you are taking a risk, but you could discover a device that Rockstar has not yet tested it on. Here is the list of devices:
As you can see, the list is pretty large. We will have to wait until the December 6 to find out how the game is, but if Rockstar’s previous history is any indication, the game will probably be very good. Rockstar is also releasing a bunch of collectible 10th Anniversary items to go along with the launch of the game, which could make a great holiday gift for any GTA fan.
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| Verizon officially launches Droid DNA by HTC Posted: 21 Nov 2012 07:57 AM PST HTC’s newest 5-inch Phablet called the Droid DNA is available right now from the Verizon Wireless website. If you are interested in the phone, you can grab it from Verizon’s website with a new 2-year agreement for $199.99. Without contract, Verizon has the 5-inch monster listed at $599.99.
The Droid DNA is the US version of the J Butterfly, which was revealed last month for Japan. The phone is more than a pretty face, as it features a 1.5GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon S4 processor, 2GB of RAM, 16GB of internal storage. Unfortunately, the memory of the phone is not expandable, so you’ll have to make due with the 16GB that is built-in. This is definitely an awesome phone. It has Bluetooth 4.0, a 2.1MP front-facing camera, with an 8MP rear camera that can simultaneously record HD video and photos. It has 4G LTE connectivity for those fast data speeds that everyone needs. For more information on the Droid DNA, check out our review.
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| ASUS reportedly working on bringing Android 4.2 for its tablets Posted: 21 Nov 2012 07:28 AM PST Not too surpassingly, ASUS is reported to be working on an Android 4.2 update for its tablets. We are not quiet sure which models are receiving this update, but it seems logical that the mid to high-end models would get 4.2 from ASUS. The report implies that its Transformer tablets would be receiving the update, and those definitely seem like the most logical models to get it.
Some ASUS tablets have not received Android 4.1 yet, so it’s doubtful that any of those would receive Android 4.2. Of course, it’s possible ASUS could update those, but that seems highly unlikely. We will have to wait and see what happens. Android 4.2 adds some pretty slick features that should make ASUS tablet owners happy, as long as this report ends up being true. 4.2 users get multiple user accounts and lockscreen widgets. Hopefully, ASUS makes the announcement official soon. We will keep you posted. [via Android Planet]
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| Amazon launches in-app purchases and GameCircle for third-party developers Posted: 21 Nov 2012 06:46 AM PST In-app purchases are a great way for app developers to make money. Amazon knows this, and they are making it easier for developers to implement in-app purchases into their apps on the Amazon App Store. They are also giving developers the ability to implement GameCircle into apps easier. This should help keep Amazon’s features equal to other app stores out there.
Amazon’s Unity platform allows developers to create interactive experiences more effectively. It also offers an easy method for publishing apps to the Amazon App Store. Amazon is distributing the new tools right now via Amazon's Mobile App Distribution Portal. Amazon first launched in-app purchases earlier this year, and it’s good to see them make it easier for developers to add it to their apps. Amazon claims that in-app purchases generate more than twice the money of the average purchase transaction. GameCircle adds cool features such as achievements and leader boards. [via SlashGear]
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| 13.3-inch Archos FamilyPad launches next month Posted: 21 Nov 2012 05:45 AM PST Have you ever tried to have other people gather around your tablet to watch a video or view some other content? You probably know that a small seven or ten inch screen is not really made for sharing. Archos is looking to make the tablet sharable with its new, larger FamilyPad.
The tablet comes with Android 4.0 installed. It also has lots of connectivity options such as mini HDMI output, USB for transferring data from the flash drive or hard drive, and integrated Wi-Fi. It comes with 8GB of internal storage and a microSD slot for adding more media to the tablet. It comes with a stand out of the box to allow you to prop the tablet up and use it as an entertainment device. The processor in the tablet is an ARM Cortex A8 running at 1 GHz and the tablet has 1 GB of RAM. The tablet comes with front and rear 2-megapixel cameras. It is scheduled to launch in the UK next month starting at £274.99. [via SlashGear]
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| Gameloft announces holiday sale, top Android games all just $0.99 tomorrow Posted: 20 Nov 2012 04:00 PM PST It’s that time of year again folks. Time to enjoy some delicious food, plenty of drinks, and enjoy some time with the family and friends, or those terrible in-laws. Black Friday is quickly approaching, followed by Cyber Monday and surely we’ll be reporting on tons of good deals. Today Gameloft has just announced they’ll be beating the rush and offering some great deals starting tomorrow.
Why wait until Friday morning to offer all these deals. Instead Gameloft has announced 6 top Android games will all be just $0.99 cents starting tomorrow. I love the move. This means you can enjoy these games (and ignore the fam) all day on Thanksgiving and blame it on Gameloft. We’re joking! Enjoy the time with the family guys. Gameloft has just detailed that the Google Play Store will have its own set of deals, then they’ll be offering a few additional games for Android at the same holiday price but on the Amazon App Store. I wish they’d just do them all on Google Play, but to each his own. Android users on Google Play can get The Amazing Spider-Man, Gangstar Rio: City of Saints, Backstab, and the Adventures of Tintin all for $0.99 starting tomorrow. Then on the Amazon App store they’ll also be offering the excellent N.O.V.A. 3 for the same price, as well as the ones mentioned above. The holiday pricing should take effect tomorrow so stay tuned for more details. Enjoy the deals from the Google Play Store.
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| Posted: 20 Nov 2012 03:04 PM PST HTC is aiming big with their new DROID DNA, and it shows. This Verizon exclusive enters a new space for smartphones here in the US. That space being full 1080p HD right in the palm of your hand. That isn’t all either, they’ve also added a top-tier quad-core processor and the latest version of Android all to this new flagship smartphone. Can the 5-inch 1080p HD HTC DROID DNA deliver? Read on to find out.
With other devices such as the LG Optimus G and Nexus 4 offering nearly the same specs, except for the large screen, does HTC and their DNA have enough of what it takes to compete with the best? Of course! It looks like large 5-inch screens and 1080p resolutions, quad-core processors and more will soon be the norm — and HTC’s first to the market. This phone checks off almost every box under the “specs” column we all want, so lets dive in. Hardware
The first thing you’ll notice about this phone (aside from the size) is the premium design followed by those slick red accents. There’s splashes of Verizon’s DROID red colors on the front, back and sides. HTC’s used a lightweight plastic around front that feels durable, then opted for a polycarbonate soft-touch rear for added durability. The phone absolutely feels as premium as can be in the hand too. Large devices like the Galaxy S III and Note II are slick and I’m always afraid I’ll drop it, the DNA we didn’t have that problem with the soft-touch back design. While the hands-on video should have shown you plenty, lets walk over the hardware. Obviously up front you have that massive 5-inch display, but we also have a 2.1 megapixel 88% wider angle front facing camera, the speaker grill and notification LED, and those 3 capacitive touch buttons for navigating Android. Both sides are neatly wrapped with a red accented “Lamborghini inspired” grill that should have been the speaker output, but are not. They are purely cosmetic, but look fine if you ask us. The right edge has a flush and hard to find volume up/down rocker imbedded in that side grill too, with the 3.5mm headphone jack, power button, and 4G LTE SIM tray placed up top. More on that below. Nothing is on the left edge and we have the lone micro-USB port and microphone on bottom.       The hardware is absolutely stellar. Lets get that out of the way right now. Everything about the DNA screams of perfection and detail. There are a few setbacks though. For one a device this large having the power and wake button on top is completely a mistake. It’s out of reach for almost any user. This should be housed on the right side in an easy to locate place, preferably where the volume rocker is placed. In our DNA video review below you’ll see what we mean. Having to make multiple shifts with your hand placement to toggle unlock, then shift down to slide to unlock the device certainly isn’t ideal. The power button is also very flush, hard to hit, and not very responsive and I was continuously having to make sure I hit it, or tapped hard enough. My last complaint would be that micro-USB cover on bottom. We all know those get loose and bend over time, not to mention is a burden to snap back in, especially while walking or driving. I absolutely despise that small “feature”. Those small few things aside the HTC DROID DNA is a premium product through and through. An amazing screen, brilliant camera, excellent Beats audio output, tons of processing power, and built to last. You’ll love the hardware if you can get over the size. Display
Software    Being a Verizon device it’s riddled with Verizon’s bloatware, and now they even have their own tab in the app tray specifically for themselves as you see above. You’ll also get the usual HTC Apps, Amazon suite, TuneIn Radio, a video editor, and even AMEX credit card services all pre-installed. This device had more bloatware than most, which is a shame. Sadly there’s no special note taking apps or anything of that sort as Samsung’s done with the Galaxy Note line. This is purely just a large smartphone in HTC’s eyes. I’ve never been a huge fan of the Sense UI, but with Sense 4+ things are slightly more comfortable. Performance is swift thanks to Jelly Bean and that quad-core processor, and following in Jelly Bean’s steps they’ve kept some of the design elements (although changed the look) to keep it somewhat familiar. Any Android 4.0 and above user will be right at home, and certainly any previous HTC owners. Benchmarks
      We also ran Qualcomm’s own Vellamo, which unsurprisingly scored at the top of the charts, as well as the popular SunSpider and Smartbench for good measure. It’s safe to say the DROID DNA is topping the charts in all aspects. 4G LTE Speedtest
Camera          As usual images are decent, especially on this 1080p display but can be a bit grainy on a larger screen like your home TV. The front shooters wide-angle lens is nice, being able to comfortably fit 3 people in a video chat for those who use that feature. Images were crisp, low light still can only be so decent but overall the camera seems about the same as the HTC One X. Below are a few 1080p video samples just for good measure. While decent you still have the occasional stutter and motion blur, but the DNA is on par with other competing top end smartphones. Battery Life In testing we found the HTC DROID DNA battery life to be average at best. It really is a hard thing to review, as we’re all different. My first day with the device I was rather mild and only set up things most average users would. Gmail sync, Facebook, screen set to auto brightness and did my average to light usage. I managed 15 hours including 6-7 hours of sleep. The phone lasted from 3 PM through all night and into the next morning. Once I had my two emails setup and syncing, Twitter, Facebook, Google+ and Google Now all pulling data, out and about using 4G LTE (and that big screen) I didn’t even make it 7 hours.
My usage is clearly more than most. Syncing and pulling around 100 emails a day, replying to more than I’d like, Twitter updating often, then tracking my Green Bay Packers and Fantasy Football stats all weekend. In the end we’d have to say the DROID DNA battery life should be enough for most, but still has some compromise. If you use your phone often for work and leave the charger at home at 9AM, you won’t have a phone by the time 5PM rolls around. For average users you should get a full day without begging for a wall socket — but we can’t help but wonder (and wish) HTC was smarter and went for a bigger battery. Other reviewers getting 24 hours with 50% battery remaining must not use their phone nearly as much as I. Don’t expect better battery life than any Android phones released in the last 6-8 months.   Competition Wrap-Up
The size is still something of concern, but should be more manageable and acceptable than the Note II. For those wanting a bigger device this holiday season but are worried about the size. It’s just slightly big enough to be worrisome for me. We’d suggest you try it in store before making a final judgement on the size. In the end the DROID DNA is everything we use to love about HTC. They’ve pushed the envelope and delivered a stellar product they can be proud of. One that users will want to buy. It’s big, it’s pretty, and it’s powerful. The Galaxy Note, Galaxy S III, iPhone 5, and LG Nexus 4 have some serious competition here from HTC. Get it starting tomorrow for just $199 from Verizon Wireless.                  Device Info
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