Android Phone Fans |
- Phandroid Holiday Gift Guide: Chris’ top picks, gifts for paranoid droids and true phans!
- Twitter for Android update adds Tweets in Discover tab, new search features and more
- First Nexus 4 shipments arriving at doorsteps
- Leave a comment to win an AT&T HTC One X+ with Tegra 3! [GIVEAWAY]
- Sony Mobile sales chief promises a more competitive flagship smartphone
- US judge grants Samsung inclusion of iPhone 5 in lawsuit, but not without cost
- Ingress aims to be the next great augmented reality game [VIDEO]
- Samsung’s 4.99-inch 1080p HD AMOLED display could debut with Galaxy S4
- HTC One X+ now available from AT&T
- Samsung Galaxy Camera now available from AT&T
| Phandroid Holiday Gift Guide: Chris’ top picks, gifts for paranoid droids and true phans! Posted: 16 Nov 2012 06:26 PM PST
Hello! We’re back with another episode of Phandroid’s Holiday Gift Guide, this time featuring handpicked items from yours truly. Why so early? Well, we wanted to make sure you guys had plenty of time to get the jump on your holiday shopping, that way you’d have more time to focus on other things… like “ugly Christmas sweater” parties. I had the honor of picking out a handful of must-have items for the “Paranoid Droid” (special people like myself who enjoy the peace of mind that comes with always being prepared for anything life throws at them), and fun gift ideas for the “True Phan,” (otherwise known as the rabid Android fanboy). I also have a few picks from my own personal Christmas wishlist, and will give you guys a little taste of that below. Flat cables, short cables, keychain cables, CABLES!
A little not well-known fact about me — I’m an accessory whore. I try to always have the right tool for the job and what could be more important than a micro USB cable. Here’s the problem — they’re long, ugly, and you never seem to have ‘em around when you need them most. Thankfully, I came across these nuggets from around the web to ensure a micro USB is never more than arms length away. One you can wear around your wrist, another you can clip to your keychain, and the other is cool simply because it’s flat (I don’t know why I like that so much). All of these would make great stocking stuffers for the tech nerd in your life. CoolStream Bluetooth Receiver
We’ve all been there. You come across some wicked cool speakers only to discover — as always — they’re only iPod/iPhone compatible. I can’t tell you how frustrating that has become and unless you don’t mind jacking your phone into a speaker’s aux port, it’s just not very convenient. Now we have seen some Android docking speaker solutions in the past, but when it comes to the other 90% of speaker docks out there, wouldn’t it be nice if you could play the music from your phone, and cord-free? There is a way, and it’s called the CoolStream Bluetooth receiver. Simply plug this little fella into an iPod/iPhone dock, and you can stream all your tunes to the former iPod-only speaker. Works great for cars with built in iPod/iPhone docks too! iDuck Stand
It’s a smartphone stand in the shape of a duckbill. Need I say more? Oh, wait – it was recently updated with all new limited edition holiday gift packaging. Kawaii! Alright, so that about rounds it up for my personal pick preview. You can view my full list here. Don’t forget to jump onto the Holiday Gift Guide right now for our full list of gift ideas for the Androids in your life, including picks from Quentyn, Kevin, and Edgar. New for today is the Paranoid Droids category and come tomorrow, gifts for the True Phan will be live as well. Cheers.
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| Twitter for Android update adds Tweets in Discover tab, new search features and more Posted: 16 Nov 2012 02:25 PM PST The Twitter application for Android has received another upgrade today. This sizable addition to the Google Play Store focuses on the Discover tab and search view. For the former, Tweets now appear right within the Discover tab so you can see the content from profiles that Twitter thinks you might find interesting. They’ll be displayed just like Tweets within the timeline view, so you can view inline photo, video and webpage previews without having to jump through a link first. For search, you’ll be able to view results as a photo stream so you can find content in a more visually appealing way, and it’ll show the search results as media previews to give you an easier time.
Finally, you can now reset your password straight from the app instead of having to go to Twitter’s website. While the old way wasn’t a huge pain this new functionality proves to be a lot less cumbersome. More bug fixes and improvements were made, but as usual we won’t know the absolute full extent of those changes unless someone happens to notice a bug or two hasn’t been bothering them. We’re still waiting on an upgrade that’ll introduce elements of the Holo UI that so many of us have fallen in love with, but Twitter has so far remained quiet on its plans to update its user interface. The current interface isn’t bad by any stretch of the imagine of course — its just that we would prefer it if more of these huge companies would get with the times and provide us with social networking apps that look like they belong on our phones.
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| First Nexus 4 shipments arriving at doorsteps Posted: 16 Nov 2012 01:14 PM PST
The first Nexus 4 shipments are landing on the doorsteps of those lucky enough to place an order before the handset sold out Tuesday morning. Google initially quoted buyers a three to five day shipping timeframe, and it looks like things are right on schedule. The handset remains a hot commodity after initial stock ran dry within minutes of launch. While many were unable to even place an order, some who did successfully purchase the phone were later greeted with a notice that their Nexus 4s were backordered and would not ship for three weeks. If you count yourself among the few that will be seeing the device arrive within the next few days, do your best not to gloat to the rest of us.
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| Leave a comment to win an AT&T HTC One X+ with Tegra 3! [GIVEAWAY] Posted: 16 Nov 2012 11:20 AM PST Here’s another holiday treat for you guys to sink your teeth into — we’re giving away AT&T’s latest and greatest device, the HTC One X+! This device is an industry first as it’s the very first device to launch with the combination of Android 4.1 Jelly Bean and NVIDIA’s quad-core Tegra 3 processor with the fifth battery-saving “companion core.” HTC Sense 4+ is on hand, and the enhanced software experience features it brings alongside Jelly Bean makes for HTC’s most comprehensive user experience yet. For those concerned about storage, there should be nothing holding you back as the HTC One X+ features a whopping 64GB internally. Considering it’s non-partitioned you should have no qualms about all the media and files you want on the phone. AT&T’s HTC One X+ will come in an exclusive Carbon Black finish once it launches today for $199.99 following a new two-year contract. Take a look at this AT&T Mobile Minute to see what makes this such a great device to own: So by now you’re probably watering at the mouth and wondering how you can enter to win one of these. The rules are quite simple, actually — leave a comment! Well… it can’t just be any old comment. We want you to tell us what you’d be doing if you had 64GB of internal storage and a powerful Tegra 3 processor inside your phone. Would you load up all the music you can? Take a ton of great photos and video with the device’s great 8 megapixel 1080p HD camera? Load up on all of the exciting and beautiful Tegra HD games from Tegra Zone? Replace your computer, even? Whatever you’d want to do, we want to hear it. Let’s read on for the formal rules and regulations:
Just like I said — easy, peasy! Be sure to head off to Facebook, Twitter, Google+ and the like to share this great contest with your friends and have fun discussing your entries in the comments below! We would like to extend a special thank you to AT&T, HTC and NVIDIA for making this contest possible, and as always we want to thank you guys for being the awesome readers that you are! Have a great weekend! You can buy an HTC One X+ for $199.99 for a two-year contract in AT&T stores or by visiting AT&T’s website today!
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| Sony Mobile sales chief promises a more competitive flagship smartphone Posted: 16 Nov 2012 11:01 AM PST
Sony has been a part of the Android scene about as long as any manufacturer, but despite a handful of aesthetically pleasing phones, they haven’t done much to establish themselves as a top smartphone option. That honor has gone to the likes of Samsung and HTC (as well as the iPhone), something that sales chief Dennis van Schie admits the company needs to address. "We will create in the near future a flagship model that can compete with Apple's iPhone and Samsung's Galaxy S III,” Schie said in a recent interview the Financial Times Deutschland. All signs point to the debut of such a phone at Mobile World Congress 2012. But we’ve heard this story before. Sony teases their next big and debuts it on the world stage, but for a multitude of reasons the company has failed to capture a real audience. It’s not for a lack of trying. Their smartphones are built with the same quality and design-oriented appeal that you would expect from a Sony product, and the internal specs of their latest models are good enough to compete with the best on the market (HD displays, multi-core processing, 13MP cameras). It’s just something about the way Sony has handled their Android business that has turned away consumers. In the US, Sony’s Xperia phones have remained virtually exclusive to AT&T, and while the company has done a better job recently of handling Android updates, their track record up until recently has not been the best. It’s good that Sony recognizes that they still have room to improve, but it’s going to take more than simply strapping together the best possible compliment of hardware and putting it in a svelte-looking package. Sony will need to change their overall approach and learn how to better position their Android devices in an increasingly crowded market. [via TechCrunch]
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| US judge grants Samsung inclusion of iPhone 5 in lawsuit, but not without cost Posted: 16 Nov 2012 09:51 AM PST The legal spats between Samsung and Apple are seemingly endless (and Samsung’s JK Shin assured us they wouldn’t be backing down anytime soon), and now things have escalated to an even higher level here in the United States. A US judge granted Samsung the inclusion of Apple’s iPhone 5 in a patent trial that could go either way. If you don’t remember, Samsung is suing Apple over telecommunications patents, something Apple will find a hard time convincing courts they’re not infringing. Apple might have an edge there considering the patents could be considered enforceable only under FRAND rules, but regardless Samsung should be able to eek out a win there.
But Samsung wasn’t was also stung when the same judge granted Apple the inclusion of Samsung’s Galaxy Note 10.1 tablet, the US version of the Samsung Galaxy S3 and Jelly Bean on the Galaxy Nexus in its side of the lawsuit, bringing the number of devices Apple’s targeting up to 20. These are some of Samsung’s biggest devices on the market so it’s a significant development that could threaten Samsung’s most lucrative goings-on right now. The company recently announced sales of its Samsung Galaxy S3 smartphone eclipsed 30 million, and with the holiday season in full effect that number is expected to increase without much effort on Samsung’s part. Apple is seeking a ban on these devices on grounds of patent infringement, and some were targeted in a lawsuit Apple brewed up last year claiming Samsung’s products blatantly copied Apple’s in the “look and feel” department. “Apple continues to take aggressive legal measures that will limit market competition. Under these circumstances, we have little choice but to take the steps necessary to protect our innovations and intellectual property rights,” said Samsung. We’re a bit of ways away from a significant ruling (and one that will stick for the long term) and it’ll be tough to predict which way this one will swing when it’s all said and done. Who do you have in this heavyweight bout to the finish? [via WSJ]
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| Ingress aims to be the next great augmented reality game [VIDEO] Posted: 16 Nov 2012 08:26 AM PST Augmented Reality is a bit of a tricky spin for gaming. For starters, a game too complex and large in scope can be dangerous — taking things to the outside world presents a lot of challenges not only in enabling location-based gaming, but in ensuring player safety. That’s why most augmented reality games are made for the table and the home, or at the very most a stationary experience so you can play outside without haphazardly wandering into the streets. A new game is in town that will interest many, though, and its name is Ingress. The premise is that a new source of energy unknown to man has been found on earth, and a coalition of the world’s most curious and daring set out to find this energy for what they believe is the greater good. On the one hand you have those who believe the energy is a threat more than a help, an angle that plays true to the classic “we fear that which we don’t know” mantra. They’re called the Resistance, and it’s in their best interest to nip this growing resource in the bud. On the other, you have those who want to move the world ahead by taking this energy and harnessing it for whatever they find it useful for. They’re the Enlightened, and can be likened to the ambitious scientists of today’s world looking for ways to improve human life with all that Earth has to allow. Whichever side you choose, you’re asked to go out into the world, your world, and find these energy sources and help the cause. Tools and skills that you can acquire through leveling up will help you in your quest, and a communication portal will help you form alliances with folks nearby and work together to give your side the competitive advantage. As compelling as all of this sounds, there’s one unfortunate catch — the game is in a closed beta period right now, and it requires an invitation to play. You’ll need to sign up for an invitation on at Ingress.com or have someone already in the beta send you one. But we’re almost 100% certain you’re going to like what you find once you find your way into the bowels of whichever side of the movement you choose. Find more info at Niantic Labs’ website and the Google Play Store.
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| Samsung’s 4.99-inch 1080p HD AMOLED display could debut with Galaxy S4 Posted: 16 Nov 2012 07:36 AM PST
According to a report out of Korea, Samsung could unveil their first full HD AMOLED display at the upcoming Consumer Electronics Show taking place in January of next year. The 1080p display developed by the Korean electronics firm is said to measure in at 4.99 inches and could make its retail debut in the Samsung Galaxy S4. Competitors have already beaten Samsung to market with handset featuring such high-resolution displays, but these devices have employed LCD technology as opposed to OLED technology. The Super AMOLED display has been a selling point for the Galaxy S lineup since it first debuted and has several advantages over the traditional LCD. AMOLED screens are thinner and require no backlight, and they also offer a wider contrast ratio capable of producing a more rich and vibrant color palette. Samsung’s full HD display would come in with a pixel density of 441 ppi, which would rank among the highest on the market, easily surpassing Apple’s so-called Retina Display. It looks to be a main attraction at CES 2013 and, quite frankly, we can’t wait to get our eyes on it. Samsung’s AMOLED displays have failed to disappoint us in the past. Here’s hoping that the new screen avoids the curse of the PenTile Matrix. Samsung should being mass production of the new AMOLED in Q1 of next year. There is no timetable on a release for the Galaxy S4, but if Samsung sticks to their typical schedule, early summer is a good bet. [via SammyHub]
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| HTC One X+ now available from AT&T Posted: 16 Nov 2012 07:23 AM PST The Samsung Galaxy Camera was released on AT&T this morning, but that shiny new device is being flanked by a couple of neat smartphones you’ll want to pay attention to. AT&T is launching the HTC One X+ and HTC One VX today, and both devices deserve some considerable attention on their respective wavelengths.
The HTC One X+ is a phone of firsts for the industry as it’s the only phone that features a combination of the 1.7GHz quad-core Qualcomm Snapdragon S4 Pro and Android 4.1 Jelly Bean out of the box. While those two points enough are alone for a mouthwatering package, 64GB of internal storage makes this thing very attractive to a lot of eyes. The One X+ also features a 4.7 inch HD display, 1GB of RAM, an 8 megapixel 1080p HD camera with ImageSense, a 1.6 megapixel HD front-facing camera, NFC, and 4G LTE with HSPA+ to fall back on. For $200 I don’t see how this can be a bad investment for anyone finding themselves needing a new smartphone. You can find the package in AT&T’s exclusive Carbon Black finish, and you’ll need to sign a new two-year contract if you want to get it for the aforementioned price. Head to the carrier’s site to get started, and be sure to head to the HTC One X+ section at AndroidForums.com to participate in the biggest community there is.
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| Samsung Galaxy Camera now available from AT&T Posted: 16 Nov 2012 06:19 AM PST
It’s not a smartphone, but it runs Android 4.1 and can now be purchased from AT&T. Photographers looking for a bit more functionality in their next camera can pick up the Samsung Galaxy Camera for $499. The mobile-enabled smart camera can be paired with an optional data plan, allowing users to instantly share their latest shots with the world. The Galaxy Camera sports a 16MP backside-illuminated sensor and 21x optical zoom with the ability to capture both stills and HD video. A quad-core Exynos CPU powers the device while a 4.8-inch Super Clear LCD touchscreen provides the window into the camera’s Android interface. While it isn’t the first Android-powered camera we have seen on the market, the options that have come prior have lacked some of the polish we see with Samsung’s offering. But the company is making the proposition that users will want a secondary Android device within the same size range as a smartphone but lacking the ability to place calls (though with a data plan, you could technically do so using a VoIP service). For many the camera already included in their current smartphone will suffice, but do you number yourself among those that simply needs more megapixels? Head on over to AndroidForums and join the discussion now.
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