Android Authority |
- ZTE Nubia Z5 launching on December 26 after all, thank God the Mayans were wrong!
- Flipboard makes a grand entrance on Android tablets, now supports landscape mode
- Square Enix games on sale at Google Play, up to 70% saving on Final Fantasy and others
- Galaxy S3 ‘sudden death’ (mainboard?) issue affecting some owners
- $49.99 Galaxy S3, $99.99 off HTC Android phones available from Best Buy this weekend
- Sprint releases update to its network upgrade schedule, mentions the cities to be covered with LTE
- Acer Iconia B1-A71 Tab spotted at the FCC and GLBenchmark with Jelly Bean on board
- Samsung to still face EU antitrust complaint despite withdrawing injunction requests against Apple
- Gift Guide: Best Smartphones for Christmas 2012
- Redbox Instant app now available through Google Play
| ZTE Nubia Z5 launching on December 26 after all, thank God the Mayans were wrong! Posted: 21 Dec 2012 02:56 AM PST
While this year's December 21 shouldn't have been awfully special, being just the pesky last workday before Christmas, the planets seemed to align in a very funny way, with three big events set to happen today. First, according to the ancient Mayans, the world was going to end. A pretty big deal normally, but not that special after an even more earth-shattering piece of news came to our attention – PSY's Gangnam Style was set to become YouTube's first video to reach 1 billion views. And for the trifecta to be completed, ZTE was rumored to take the veils off its much awaited Nubia Z5 smartphone. But then December 21 came and we realized we'd been cheated. First off by the Mayans. Oh, well, some of us still remember Y2K, so another failed apocalypse is not that shocking. What may just be more shocking is that the tipsters who pinned down Nubia Z5's release for today were proven wrong too. And that's the way the cookie crumbles for all of us excited about another 1080p smartphone, while somewhere in Korea a certain chubby rapper with dark glasses is once again doing his happy dance. Op, Op, Op, Oppa billion style!
This might be your day again, PSY, but come December 26 the Z5 is going to be in the spotlight. That's when ZTE has officially announced the 5-incher is going to be unveiled, although it's still unclear if it'll go up for sale immediately after or not. There's even a nice countdown on Nubia's dedicated website, which at the time of this writing has the launch happening in 5 days and one hour. No official update on the beast's spec sheet, which means all we have are rumors saying the Z5 will come sporting a 5-inch 1080p display, a 1.5 GHz quad-core S4 Pro CPU, 2 GB of RAM, a 13 MP rear-facing snapper, a 2 MP front-facing cam, a 2,500 mAh battery, and Android 4.1.2. We also "know" the phone will measure 7.9 mm in thickness and that it'll cost just $400 in an unlocked flavor, while outside of Asia it'll most likely be called the Grand S. One new tidbit that has been revealed today is Nubia's score in an AnTuTu benchmark. That's said to be over 22,000 points, which would be almost twice Samsung Galaxy S3's performance. We don't have any corroborating evidence at the moment, but if that result proves real ZTE definitely has a winner here. Do you guys agree? Is the Nubia Z5 a bigger deal than PSY’s billion or the apocalypse? Related Posts | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Flipboard makes a grand entrance on Android tablets, now supports landscape mode Posted: 21 Dec 2012 02:24 AM PST
While the last few Flipboard months have been great, the newsreader app was far from ideal for Android tablet users, partly because it's really designed for smartphones. The tablet-optimized version of the app is finally here, as Flipboard has pushed out an update that will bring a better reading experience to those sporting big-screen (7-inch and larger) devices. Once the update is applied, tablet owners can choose between a tablet or smartphone layout – the difference being that the former displays more content spread on four pages of tiles. The tablet layout also offers larger story excerpts and support for landscape mode.
If you're used to the old layout, it's going to take some time to fully digest and appreciate the changes, but you'll flip those pages like a boss in no time. The only drawback seems to be that you can't swipe your way to the page of content or the main screen when you're reading a story. That being said, if you missed it that much, you can always switch back to the smartphone layout at any time. Liking the new Flipboard? Hit the comments below and spread the love. Flipboard Arrives On Android Tablets December 20, 2012 – Palo Alto, Calif. – Today, Flipboard launched its social magazine on Android tablets, a top request from Flipboard readers around the world. Read by millions every day, Flipboard lets people enjoy local news, world updates, blogs they love or simply catch up on stories from friends. Now, anyone with a Samsung GALAXY Note 10.1, GALAXY Tab series, Nexus 10 or other tablet that runs Android, can download Flipboard for free from the Google Play Store. “With the new devices that Samsung, Amazon and others have brought to market in the recent months, we see the adoption of Android tablets growing quickly,” said Eric Alexander, Head of International Development at Flipboard. “As more people buy Android tablets for themselves or others over the holidays, we wanted to make sure Flipboard is part of their tablet experience and deliver on a top request from our readers.” For this tablet edition of Flipboard, page layouts have been optimized for a variety of screen sizes and aspect ratios. Taking advantage of the wider screen of the larger Android devices, readers can save more of their favorite sections as tiles and can see larger story excerpts as they flip through their magazine. And having worked with Samsung over the last year, Flipboard is optimized for Samsung’s tablet devices. Flipboard was already available for Android phones. Devices with a seven-inch-screen, such as Kindle Fire, NOOK and Nexus 7 were able to run Flipboard for Android phones. Now, owners of these devices will automatically be upgraded, while having the option to continue using the phone edition. Kindle Fire and Nook users can find Flipboard in their respective app stores. Related Posts | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Square Enix games on sale at Google Play, up to 70% saving on Final Fantasy and others Posted: 21 Dec 2012 02:06 AM PST
Not all games have to come with a $1 price tag, especially for RPG titles from Square Enix and their iconic Final Fantasy series. While the seemingly exorbitant price that the developer charges isn't to everyone's taste, it's at time like these we are grateful that holidays exist, for they help bring the price tags of these pricey games down, albeit temporarily. Want to know what games Square Enix are having on sale? The original Final Fantasy game, whose Android version has received a graphical makeover, was launched back in July for $6.99. You can now get the beloved RPG title for $4.99. We would've loved it if Square can extend the price cut to Final Fantasy III, but maybe next time. Then there's Chrono Trigger, which is now offered $6.99. You'll make an even bigger saving if you buy Chaos Rings and Chaos Rings Omega, as their prices have been slashed from $12.99 to $3.99. You can also grab Crystal Defenders for $3.99. These titles should pack more than enough game hours to last you till the New Year. Hit the links to get your game on, but just make sure you do it before January 3. Related Posts | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Galaxy S3 ‘sudden death’ (mainboard?) issue affecting some owners Posted: 20 Dec 2012 08:41 PM PST
In case you own a Galaxy S3 and have experienced a strange event – the phone turning off and not rebooting without any explicable reason – fret not, you're not alone in this and apparently Samsung is aware of the situation. A post on Reddit that's currently amassing over 150 comments points us towards a special xda-developers discussion entitled "Ultimate GS3 sudden death thread." Started just over a month ago, that thread had 61 pages and 601 posts at the time of this writing, detailing various instances in which the Galaxy S3 suffered from such a sudden death experience. Reddit user TurtleRecall summarizes the apparent problem:
This isn't the first time we report an issue with a popular device, and this isn't the first time we're going to tell you that no device is perfect, no matter what OS it's running, so certain problems are to be expected. That said, it doesn’t mean it’s okay for smartphones to behave like that. With that in mind, we have no idea how widespread this issue is, and there is no comment from Samsung on the matter. However, we would assume that only a limited number of Galaxy S3 units are suffering from this sudden death issue so far. Otherwise, we would have heard more from the angry masses. Because tomorrow is December 21, we'll make the obvious correlation and joke: is this Galaxy S3 dying a sign that the end is near? Seriously though, we're certainly looking forward for feedback from Galaxy S3 users out there. Have you experienced it anything like what's described on Reddit and/or in the xda-developers thread? Related Posts | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| $49.99 Galaxy S3, $99.99 off HTC Android phones available from Best Buy this weekend Posted: 20 Dec 2012 08:08 PM PST
There's plenty of time to finish your Christmas shopping, especially if you're on the lookout for cheap, on-contract, high-end Android devices. Just a few days ago we told you that Best Buy was selling the Galaxy S3 for just $49.99 with new two-year agreements, but that deal was available for one day only. Now, we hear via Phone Dog that the electronics retailer will offer a similar Galaxy S3 deal to interested buyers this weekend. But on top of Samsung's best-selling smartphone of 2012, you'll also get to choose a bunch of other devices as follows: December 21-22
December 23
In addition to smartphones, you can also walk out of a Best Buy store with a $179.99 7-inch Galayx Tab 2, the only product in the list above that doesn't require inking a new two-year deal with a carrier. Are you buying anything Android from Best Buy this weekend? Related Posts | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Sprint releases update to its network upgrade schedule, mentions the cities to be covered with LTE Posted: 20 Dec 2012 07:49 PM PST
Sprint customers have a reason to rejoice, especially the ones who were fed-up with its call drop out and clogged network. The company issued a press release to detail its progress on rolling out the network upgrades to 4G LTE. In it, Sprint highlighted that it is now present in the 36 markets announced today and in the months to come it will expand up to 150 more markets. It also revealed that customers in 70 markets coast to coast are experiencing improved coverage with better call quality and improved 3G data speeds. The LTE rollout progress is not surprising because it is following the schedule of a standard network roll-out in phases, as it is not possible to upgrade the carrier network all at once for obvious reasons. Sprint seems to be in line with its competitors including AT&T, T-Mobile and Verizon that are making similar investments in their own 4G network upgrades. For all you folks in the new Sprint 4G LTE markets (see press release below), enjoy the seamless streaming of your favorite videos and music! But for all the other Sprint customers, be patient, as it will pay out "in coming months". Sprint Reports Significant Progress in Deployment of Network Upgrades in 2012: 49 Markets Covered To Date With 4G LTE; 3G Network Upgrades Proceed Nationwide Customers enjoy blazing speeds of Sprint 4G LTE; in the coming months, nearly 150 more markets, including 36 announced today, will enjoy 4G LTE Customers in more than 70 markets coast-to-coast are beginning to enjoy the improved coverage, call quality and data speeds of improved 3G OVERLAND PARK, Kan. (BUSINESS WIRE), December 19, 2012 – This year Sprint (NYSE: S) has made a significant investment in its wireless network to better meet the needs of its wireless customers. From the rollout of 4G LTE to the upgrade of thousands of 3G sites across the country to thousands of voice and data capacity additions, Sprint has focused resources and funds to improve its overall network quality and performance. Sprint has hit a deployment stride and is making measurable progress on its goal to bring Network Vision to customers nationwide. Sprint has launched 4G LTE in 49 markets – including Dallas, Houston, Atlanta and Baltimore – and sites are on-air and implementation is under way in hundreds more. In fact, Sprint has announced nearly 150 markets that should see an official LTE launch in the coming months, including 36 markets that have been added today.* Sprint also has implemented 3G service improvements in more than 70 markets, from Asheville, N.C., to Philadelphia and from Hudson, N.Y., to Santa Barbara, Calif. Through Network Vision, voice quality is enhanced and Sprint customers in upgraded areas are seeing better performance on their smartphones, mobile broadband connection cards and mobile hotspots when using the Sprint 4G LTE and 3G networks. Customers can expect to experience the following performance improvements:
"With the network investments we made in 2012 and as the only national wireless carrier to offer truly unlimited 4G LTE data plans, we continue to offer better value than our competitors," said Bob Azzi, senior vice president-Network, Sprint. "But our commitment to an exceptional wireless experience doesn't stop there. We are an aggressive path to complete the rollout of Network Vision, and we expect to accelerate this momentum in 2013." Sprint introduced its all-new 4G LTE network in July 2012 and now offers service in 49 marketsi. For the most up-to-date details on Sprint's 4G LTE portfolio and rollout, please visit www.sprint.com/4GLTE. For detailed 4G LTE maps, providing coverage information right down to the address, please visitwww.sprint.com/coverage. Customers are encouraged to check back often, as the maps will be updated when coverage in these markets is enhanced. *Markets slated to receive LTE in the coming months are:
Related Posts | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Acer Iconia B1-A71 Tab spotted at the FCC and GLBenchmark with Jelly Bean on board Posted: 20 Dec 2012 07:40 PM PST
There are several rumors floating around saying that Asus is working on its own cheaper Jelly Bean tablet, but also that the Nexus 7 will get cheaper in the coming months. But it looks like Acer is also working on an affordable 7-inch Android tablet that will run Jelly Bean. The device, apparently dubbed the Iconia B1-A71, has been already spotted with the FCC And made a pit stop at GLBenchmark as well. We have no idea yet when Acer will unveil it, but considering that CES 2013 is right around the corner we wouldn't be surprised to spot it there. Meanwhile, we can tell you that the 7-inch Iconia B1-A71 – hopefully that's not going to be its final name – will feature a 1024 x 600 display, 1.2GHz dual-core processor, PowerVR SGX 531 GPU, Wi-Fi support and Android 4.1.2 Jelly Bean under the bonnet. Pricing details are also missing in action for the time being, but we certainly expect the device to be more than affordable when it launches. Related Posts | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Samsung to still face EU antitrust complaint despite withdrawing injunction requests against Apple Posted: 20 Dec 2012 07:26 PM PST
Earlier this week, Samsung made a somewhat surprising announcement that it will stop its legal actions against Apple in European countries including Germany UK, France, Italy and the Netherlands, which were all based on fair, reasonable and non-discriminatory (FRAND) patents. Truth be told, Samsung was not able to obtain any consistent victory against Apple with the 3G patents used to attack the iPhone maker in Europe. In fact, the most resounding Samsung victory over Apple in the region was obtained on the defense in the UK battle, where a court decided that the Galaxy Tab did not infringe on any Apple patents and that the American company had to post apologies in local papers and online. Moreover, considering that these European lawsuits against Apple convinced the European union to look into Samsung's FRAND-related lawsuit practices must have surely contributed to Samsung's decision to drop the Apple trials. However, despite doing so, the EU is not happy with Samsung, and the South Korean giant still faces an EU antitrust complaint, according to :
We have no idea what this EU invastigation entails, but we're certainly going to keep tabs on the whole matter, especially since Google's Motorola will have to face a similar complaint. Related Posts | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Gift Guide: Best Smartphones for Christmas 2012 Posted: 20 Dec 2012 05:39 PM PST
If you haven't realized by now that the best gifts for the 2012 holiday season are Android smartphones, this article aims to change the way you treat your friends and family. Unfortunately for those of you with a tight budget, good Android smartphones aren't exactly cheap, so you might have to dig deep in your pockets. But if you really want to impress someone special this holiday season, an Android smartphone is a great idea. Android smartphones come in a dizzying variety of flavors, so we’ve decided to prepare this holiday shopping gift guide for Android smartphones. We’ll walk you through the various smartphones that deserve your attention and outline a few reasons to buy (or not to buy) each one. Samsung Galaxy S3: first choiceYou'll likely find the Samsung Galaxy S3 (read review) as part of numerous deals and promotions during the holiday frenzy. It's the best-selling Android smartphone in history, and the only Android smartphone to sell more than the iPhone in a quarter. One big advantage that the Samsung Galaxy S3 has over other Android smartphones (and exactly what makes it a safe smartphone to recommend as a gift) is the fact that it is available worldwide, on all major carriers (yes, there's an LTE version that works with all North American 4G LTE carriers).
Battery life is satisfying by the most high-end standards, as is its 4.8 inch Super AMOLED display (it would have been great if it had not used the much criticized PenTile subpixel arrangement). The Samsung Galaxy S3 can also work with microSD cards. That’s not what you'd normally call a feature, but it’s worrying to see an increasing number of Android flagships without card slots. The Samsung Galaxy S3 also seems to be in the process of receiving its Android 4.1 Jelly Bean update. The international version (Exynos 4) is a bit faster than what is available in the US, Canada, and Japan (Snapdragon S4) versions. So, if you are a speed freak living in one of these countries, you might want to look at some of the other options. No matter how you look at it, the Galaxy S3 is a great Android smartphone, without too many drawbacks. Still, other smartphones could be better for you. What follows are some scenarios when you should consider other smartphones! LG Google Nexus 4: the budget choice (if you can get it)Previous Nexus smartphones were usually squarely aimed at Android enthusiasts, users that were looking to get the most out of the operating system. The Nexus 4 (read review)changes all that: it is the Android smartphone to recommend to any person interested in getting an Android smartphone. Quite a change in philosophy, don't you think? The 4.7 inch 720p IPS panel is amazing, as is the blazing fast Snapdragon S4 Pro SoC, not to mention that it is the only smartphone to use Android 4.2 Jelly Bean (and stock, at that). Future Android updates will reach the Nexus 4 with highest priority.
Although the Google Nexus 4 is both great looking and easily pocketable, the best thing about it is that it costs 300 USD/EUR in its 8GB version from the Google Play Store. Even if you're tight on money, the Nexus 4 is a great phone to give as a gift, provided that you can actually buy it at the price Google is selling it. One big drawback attached to the Nexus 4 (besides the lack of LTE) is that you cannot expand its internal storage via a microSD card. The 16 GB version costs 350 USD/EUR and partially solves the problem for some, but not all. Another disadvantage with the Nexus 4 is that the battery is not removable. Additionally, although not horrible, battery life could be better. We believe that the Google Nexus 4 makes up for its minor flaws with its unique design (the holographic pattern on the back has drawn in lots of compliments from reviewers), price, and hardware specs. Did we mention it's cheap ? Droid DNA: eye candy galoreIf the gift receiver is on Verizon, you might want to consider the recently launched Verizon HTC Droid DNA (read first impressions). HTC's device features the best display currently available on any Android device. We are talking about a 5-inch Super LCD display running at an impressive 1080p resolution (1920 by 1080 pixels). The record breaking 440ppi pixel density is just one part of the story, as the contrast level, color reproduction, and wide viewing angles have earned the Droid DNA glowing reviews.
Inside, there's a Qualcomm Snapdragon S4 Pro, the exact same SoC powering the Google Nexus 4, plus LTE connectivity on Verizon's network. Unfortunately, the SoC in the DNA has to push roughly three times as many pixels, meaning that, while overall performance is great, frame rates will be noticeably lower than on the Nexus 4. The Droid DNA lacks an SD card slot, and has a sealed and slightly underpowered battery. HTC's latest flagship is also a bit bigger than your average smartphone, but without going overboard. The Droid DNA is available for $200 on a two-year contract (with data plan) from Verizon or $599 out front. It's kind of a mixed bag, but if you can handle its shortcomings, Verizon flagship is a wonderful smartphone. RAZR HD Maxx: the power playerAnother attractive high-end Android smartphone is the Motorola (Droid) RAZR HD Maxx. The name is complicated, but the best thing about the phone really isn't: this is the Android smartphone with the best battery life around. If the gift receiver plans to play a lot of games or use their smartphone intensively in other ways, the RAZR HD Maxx is probably the best solution. Its 3300 mAh battery will surely last through the day, even with intensive use on Verizon's LTE network.
Inside there's a dual-core Qualcomm Snapdragon S4, the same chip used by the US versions of the HTC One X and Samsung Galaxy S3. The 4.7-inch Super AMOLED 720p display does its job beautifully without really stealing the show, but the design and the build quality of the RAZR HD Maxx are unmatched. Although the battery is not removable, the Droid RAZR HD Maxx supports microSD cards up to 32GB in size. Unfortunately, the Motorola Droid RAZR HD Maxx still runs on Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich. This situation is a bit curious given that Google owns the US-based manufacturer. Overall, the RAZR HD Maxx is probably the most robust Android smartphone you can buy. Samsung Galaxy Note 2: when you want moreIn spite of pundits dismissing it, people actually love the Note 2. The first selling point of the Samsung Galaxy Note 2 (read review) is its massive 5.55-inch Super AMOLED display running at a 720p resolution (non-Pentile). If you are OK with the large footprint, the advantages of a bigger display become quite obvious with the Galaxy Note 2. You can read more on why David thinks Android is better suited to larger displays here. Another plus for the Galaxy Note 2 is the overclocked Exynos 4 Quad SoC that powers both the North American and the international version of Samsung’s second generation phablet. Benchmarks show that the 1.6GHz quad-core processor is hard to beat in a multitude of tests. The Mali 400 MP GPU is also decent, although not as much of a champion in test results.
However, what really sets the Galaxy Note 2 apart is its unique accessory, the S-Pen, an evolved stylus that works closely with the integrated Wacom digitizer and a suite of S-Pen optimised apps to provide a unique experience. The Samsung Galaxy Note 2 comes with Android 4.1 Jelly Bean preinstalled. So far, we have no word from Samsung on the imminent Android 4.2 update. The suite of Smart Functions that the South Korean manufacturer has originally introduced with the Samsung Galaxy S3 is a plus, but it's likely that you'll be more impressed by the suite of software functions that are unique to the Samsung Galaxy Note 2 (multi-windowing is a step forward in the Android ecosystem). The Samsung Galaxy Note 2 is available worldwide, and is likely to make it into numerous deals and offers during this holiday season. Wrap upWe think that these five smartphones are the best the Android ecosystem has to offer for Christmas 2012. Other devices might shine in certain areas, some are cheaper or more easy to come by, but the five devices above are the all-around best phones you can give this holiday season. We wish you happy holidays, good shopping, and a wonderful new year! Related Posts | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Redbox Instant app now available through Google Play Posted: 20 Dec 2012 11:11 AM PST
Last week we reported that Verizon and Redbox were preparing to launch their Netflix alternative, Redbox Instant. Now the app for the upcoming service has landed in the Google Play store. At the moment, the service will require an invite access code before you can use it. You can request a code via their website, though that doesn’t mean you are guaranteed to receive one. On top of needing the code, you will also have to pay $8 a month, though the first month is free. So what’s included in that $8 subscription fee? You will get unlimited movie streaming and four monthly rentals from Redbox. You can also pay a dollar more to turn your Redbox rentals into Blu-ray discs. For now, gaming rentals aren’t included in the service, but here’s to hoping that this is added down the road. While the price for the service might seem very low, it’s also worth noting that Redbox Instant will have a fairly limited selection when compared to more established streaming options like Hulu and Netflix. Redbox Instant is also only available in the United States. For those wondering, while it is true that Verizon is Redbox’s partner for the new service, you are not required to have a Verizon phone or Internet subscription to use the service. Outside of Android, the Redbox Instant will also support Samsung Blu-Ray players, Google TV, iOS, LG Smart TV and any TVs with SmartHub. So what do you think, interested in giving Redbox Instant a try or will you stick with Netflix and/or Hulu for the time being?
Related Posts |
| You are subscribed to email updates from Android Authority 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