Android Authority |
- Google lists top 10 Android apps of 2012, Evernote, Pinterest and Snow White make the cut
- Google Voice to remain free in 2013 for U.S. and Canada domestic calls
- Google Music’s Scan and Match replacing explicit songs with SFW versions
- Verizon’s Galaxy S3 Jelly Bean source code is out
- International HTC One S versions now getting Android 4.1 Jelly Bean upgrade
- Hisense Pulse Review: The best Google TV set top box yet.
- New integrated Google TV models to launch at CES 2013 care of LG
- Galaxy S4 mockup hands-on video shows us the ghost of Christmas future?
- Google Play Gift Cards now available from Target, GameStop, Radio Shack, Walmart and others
- State of the mobile industry: tablets
| Google lists top 10 Android apps of 2012, Evernote, Pinterest and Snow White make the cut Posted: 27 Dec 2012 03:12 AM PST
You don't have to go to great lengths to find out what are some of the best Android apps around in our views, but if you want a more informed opinion Google has come out with a pretty interesting top ten. And when I say interesting, I mean bizarre as much as unexpected, because, to be frank and blunt, the list contains quite a few duds. There are even a couple of apps there some of you will hear for the first time about, but then again this is no ordinary chart. First off, you have to keep in mind that these are the "best apps of 2012", so Google has focused on brand new products or apps that have gotten major "life-changing" updates during the past 12 months. It's equally as important to note that the list is not based on number of downloads, direct user votes or reviews, but more on the apps' potential of offering a "great user experience on both tablets and phones" and their combination of "utility, beauty and accessibility". In Google's view, of course.
Now, without further ado, here are the best apps of the year (in no particular order):
So, is the list diverse? I'd say. But as ridiculous as some of the names might sound (I'm thinking of you, Snow White), there are also those that you can't argue very much with. Pinterest for one has topped five million downloads in its first four months of Google Play existence, and, with a cool 4.7 star average in over 200,000 reviews, it's definitely on a lot of people's own best lists (mostly of the fair sex, but still).
Meanwhile, Evernote can brag with even more impressive stats, having reached the 10 million download mark some time ago and enjoying the same awesome 4.7 star average in almost 500,000 Google Play reviews. Though they're not as popular as Pinterest and Evernote for Android, we can't say we're very shocked to see Pocket and TED making the cut. We've been fans of the Technology, Entertainment and Design conferences for years, and despite a rather bumpy start, the Android app has grown to be quite fluent and useful. Pocket is another awesome app, being probably the number one offline reader you can find in Google Play. Now, for the other side of the coin. Snow White is definitely the most exotic name on the list, especially that it's the only paid app in the bunch, but almost equally as puzzling are Ancestry and SeriesGuide Show Manager’s presences in the top. Don't get me wrong, the former is pretty nifty and fun, while the latter has a very friendly user interface, but are they really some of the best around? I think not. Do you guys agree? Are you as surprised as I am to see names like Snow White and Ancestry next to Pinterest and Evernote on this list? How about your personal top ten lists – would any of the above apps make the cut? Who would you put instead? Related Posts |
| Google Voice to remain free in 2013 for U.S. and Canada domestic calls Posted: 27 Dec 2012 03:10 AM PST
Google Voice is a VoIP-based service that — among other things — lets you make local and international phone calls, either on the standalone Voice app or through Gmail. Making calls within the USA and Canada has been free since the service was first introduced, but as reported last year, users can only enjoy their free calls until the end of December 2012. A few days before the start of the New Year, Google has announced on its blog that it's extending the free service for folks in North America for another year, which means you can make free domestic calls through 2013. Those who live elsewhere still get to enjoy the competitive rate that Google is charging for its VoIP service. For example, calls to America are charged at just $0.01 per minute. Are you happy with the news? How often do you use Google Voice to communicate? Related Posts |
| Google Music’s Scan and Match replacing explicit songs with SFW versions Posted: 27 Dec 2012 02:59 AM PST
With the size of the average music library growing and many flagship phones now coming with limited storage sizes (both the Nexus 4 and the Droid DNA come with maximum 16GB storage options) there is a good chance that many of you are loyal users of Google Music. A few days ago, Google started rolling out a feature called Scan and Match for the service. Google Music will scan your library and, instead of uploading the actual songs, it will simply make the songs instantly available in the cloud. While it won’t make much of a difference if you are adding a songs or two to your library, initial library upload times and album upload times should improve significantly. While scan and match is quite a useful feature, Google is not making explicit songs available from the cloud. If you have explicit versions of songs in your library, only the clean versions will be available for playback. One workaround would be to click “Fix incorrect match”, which should prompt Music to upload your raw profanity-laden tracks. Also, even if songs in your library are VBR, they will be played back from the cloud at at constant 320kbps. Naturally, these limitations are annoying a lot of users, especially music hoarders who are particular about the music they listen to and collect. As of now there has been no statement from Google, but many (including myself) are hoping that this gets resolved soon. Related Posts |
| Verizon’s Galaxy S3 Jelly Bean source code is out Posted: 27 Dec 2012 01:53 AM PST
Amongst the top 4 carrier in the U.S., the Samsung Galaxy S3 variant on Verizon was the last to get upgraded to Android 4.1 Jelly Bean. Despite the delay, we're sure the update was worth the wait. As is customary, Samsung has made the Jelly Bean kernel source for the device available. Those who like to tinker with their Galaxy S3 can head straight to Samsung's open source website, where the source code for the latest available ROM for the flagship phone can be found. At 187 MB, it’s not that big of a file to download. Regular users won't have much use for the released source code, but it should give the developer communities something to play with. For one, it should provide them with more ammunition to develop better custom ROMs for the Samsung Galaxy S3. If you're looking for some extra-curricular activities to do at the end of the year, hit the link below to get the Jelly Bean source code. Related Posts |
| International HTC One S versions now getting Android 4.1 Jelly Bean upgrade Posted: 27 Dec 2012 12:43 AM PST
Despite being so open to the media about its plans to update devices to Android 4.1 Jelly Bean (at first), HTC is still struggling to make good on its word. In fact, not only has HTC had trouble with the JB bumps for the three gadgets confirmed to get them, but the company is yet to completely straighten things out for even one single phone. Both the One X and XL have started getting the updates a while ago, but as far as we know the JB leaps are still stuck to specific models of the devices. Meanwhile, not one version of the One S got to taste Google's butter until today, when we're hearing Android 4.1 is finally rolling out to the mid-ranger. As per usual, the update comes scattered across the world (or more like Europe), though it does feel like the number of devices getting the bump is higher than the norm. Based on reports gathered from a number of sources, starting with the XDA forum, the following CIDs appear to be part of the rollout:
That is in no way a complete and thorough list (yet), but if you do own an HTC One S with one of those CID numbers you probably have a buttery smooth new OS waiting for you just around the corner in Settings – About Phone – HTC Software Updates. Of course, if your CID is not on the list you can still dive in the Software Updates menu and check for the upgrade yourself. Who knows, you might get lucky. Alternatively, you can grab the software pack from this link here, although we don't really recommend this update method unless you're not too fond of your phone's warranty. Now, about the actual Android 4.1 bump. I'm sure I don't have to tell you how massive that is, but if you need additional proof just know the new package weighs in at a hefty 612 MB. That includes the already traditional performance bumps, speed enhancements and awesome new features and functions (Google Now is just the first that comes to mind), but also a series of particular bug fixes and the customary Sense update from version 4 to 4+. Now that’s what we call an awesome Christmas gift! Related Posts |
| Hisense Pulse Review: The best Google TV set top box yet. Posted: 26 Dec 2012 07:42 PM PST
Last week, Hisense, a Chinese electronics company, released their first Google TV device. The Hisense Pulse is the second Google TV set top box to come in at $99 this year. As time goes on, Google TV keeps getting better and better, slowly moving from tech gadget to something you’d want your mom to have in her living room. Google TV has improved quite a bit over the past 2 years since the launching of the Logitech Revue, the first Google TV device. Is Google TV ready for the masses? I believe so. Let’s have a look at the Pulse, the best Google TV set top box yet. Hardware
In comparison, the Pulse has the same CPU, GPU, amount of RAM and the same amount of local storage that comes with the Vizio Co-Star. In fact, the devices are very similar in form factor coming in at just 10ths of an inch difference in some places and about an once in weight. However, unlike the Co-Star and similar to other Google TV devices, the infrared blasters are located at the set top box, whereas the Co-Star has them in the remote. The remote of the Hisense Pulse is quite impressive. It’s teardrop design feels completely natural in your hand while using it as a remote and more importantly, while using it as a keyboard. The bulge or thicker part of the teardrop is on the right side or bottom depending on how you’re using the remote. If you’re right handed, you’ll love this, sorry lefties. Holding the remote in landscape style for typing as I mentioned feels almost completely natural as this keyboard remote has no bulk unlike other Google TV remotes. The remote trackpad has a slight texture to it, making it easier to glide your finger across, controlling a cursor on your screen. Besides form factor, the Pulse’s remote wins over other Google TV remotes as it comes with a built-in microphone. However, the mic doesn’t work yet. This functionality will be enabled when Google TV version 3, which includes voice commands and search, rolls out to the Hisense Pulse in mid January.
Setup and ConfigurationThe Hisense Pulse uses the stock Google TV interface, the setup of the Pulse was pretty straightforward and easy from my personal experiences. There are a few quirks making their rounds though. If you have multiple devices that need to be controlled by the Pulse remote or your TV and Pulse set top box are far apart, you might be in for a minor headache.The IR blaster itself only has one emitter, making placement key as well as frustrating for many users. You’ll want to place the IR blaster in a place where it has a fairly straight line of sight towards your TV and cable box. If you can’t manage this, you might be able to solve all your problems by picking up a dual IR emitter, they’re cheap. You’ll want to make sure your IR blaster is all the way plugged into the back of the set top box as well. Trust me on this one, I went through 112 TV codes before I pushed the IR blaster connector in a bit more, until I felt and heard it click. Another issue seems to be surrounding input and output devices. According to a Hisense engineer, the Pulse wasn’t designed to control anything beyond your TV and cable/satellite receiver. Those that have audio receivers (AVR) might struggle finding compatible remote codes. There’s also been a few reports of users having trouble locating their cable provider during their TV configuration. For example: if you live in zip code 12345 and your cable provider has a zip code of 12346, you’ll want to use their zip code and not yours. Normally, we see these types of minor issues getting resolved in future updates as more compatible devices are added and databases are tweaked. Apps
Besides the standard Google Play Store, Music, Movies & TV, PrimeTime, and Spotlight apps you’ll find the Hisense Pulse comes with a bunch of useful apps installed as well. As this is a non-skinned, stock experience device, some might not like Hisense’s take on this. However, Google TV is still a fairly new and growing platform, including these apps help you get the most out of your Google TV. Included you’ll find: Crackle (just a Chrome shortcut), Flixter, Netflix, NY Times, Quello, Redux TV, SnagFilms, Thuug Sports, Twonky, WillowTV and Zynga Poker. A few of my favorites that weren’t included on the Pulse by default are SocialEyez, Able Remote, and Plex. Recently, Amazon Instant Video was released for Google TV devices running Google TV version 3. Once the Pulse gets upgraded in mid-January, I’ll add that app to my favorites as well. The Pulse also launches with the newly released PrimeTime mini-Guide which makes finding content on TV extremely easy and fun. Conclusions
Since we like to talk about root here at Android Authority, it should be mentioned that the Hisense Pulse can easily be rooted with a few very simple ADB commands. At launch, the Pulse’s bootoader is unlocked allowing an ADB root shell. All you have to do is simply push over the SU binary and Superuser.apk files and you’re nearly set. The Bad: It’s hard to build a device to suit all users, especially for under $100. If your entertainment center is bigger or different than most, you may have to put a little extra time into your setup, placing the IR blasters, or purchase another one. Should you buy it? That’s up to you. The Hisense Pulse is cheap enough at sub $100 to be within impulse buying range. If you’re currently rocking a Logitech Revue and hoping for the latest version of Google TV or Amazon Instant, you’re going to have to purchase a newer device. CES 2013 is right around the corner where we might see additional Google TV devices from ASUS, Netgear, and new TV’s from LG. Who knows when they will be available for purchase though. The Hisense Pulse is available right now at Amazon.com. Related Posts |
| New integrated Google TV models to launch at CES 2013 care of LG Posted: 26 Dec 2012 06:19 PM PST
The late, great Steve Jobs famously said in his biography that Apple has “finally cracked” the “integrated television set,” but it seems Google might have beat Apple to the game with its Google TV platform. LG is reportedly getting ready with new integrated Google TV sets in time for CES 2013 in January. LG itself has announced that it will be releasing new Google TV by mid-2013, and these will come in 42, 47, 50, 55 and 60 inch diagonal sizes. Google TV will be integrated into the television set itself, rather than being sold as a separate set-top box. Apart from running IPTV content from Google, the new LG TV sets will feature proprietary technologies from LG, including its “magic remote QWERTY” keyboard. Next year’s Google TV releases will run version 3.0 of the platform, and will feature voice recognition — perhaps something similar to Google Now — and will also feature Quick Guide, OnLive and Prime Time. Google TV lets users watch content while also accessing other services. There are no details as to the specs at this point, and we will have to wait a few weeks until CES 2013 for more details. But given what we’re seeing at this point, I think this is a product that should be exciting because of its potential for changing the TV industry. Related Posts |
| Galaxy S4 mockup hands-on video shows us the ghost of Christmas future? Posted: 26 Dec 2012 06:05 PM PST
The Galaxy S4 is more and more present in rumors and reports and we're not surprised to see that the handset is already staring in its first hands-on video without being even made official yet. Today we're looking at an almost two-minute video that presents us the "most thinnest" Galaxy S version to date, and offers us a sneak peak of the new features the handset could bring us next year. Again, nothing is official, and this is obviously a mix of speculation with a pinch of existing rumors, so take everything with a pinch of salt. According to Rozetked, here's what the Galaxy S4 (GT-I9500) could be all about next year:
Interestingly, the video ends with this following text:
Do the authors of the video know anything we don't? Getting back to that specs list, we'll note that laser keyboard looks nice, at least in the video, but it may be a while until we see one in a smartphone dock. Not to mention that it's highly unlikely to see the Galaxy S4 come out running Android 5.0 Key Lime Pie right out of the box. Instead, it will probably have Android 4.2.x preinstalled. But this is just a mockup hands-on, so we'll be back with more details once we have them – at least the music is perfectly suited to this particular time of year. What would you like to see in your future Galaxy S4? Thanks, Max! Related Posts |
| Google Play Gift Cards now available from Target, GameStop, Radio Shack, Walmart and others Posted: 26 Dec 2012 05:36 PM PST
Google on Christmas day has quietly announced via its Google Play Google Plus page that its Play Store Gift Cards are available for purchase from a variety of third-party retail partners including Target, GameStop, Radio Shack, Walmart and others. Here’s one such status update on the Google Plus page:
Available in three versions, $10, $25 and $50, the Gift Cards can be used to purchase all kinds of digital content from the Play Store including apps, music tracks, movies and books. In addition to brick-and-mortar stores, Play Store Gift Cards can also be purchased online from Target and Walmart, so you have plenty of options of offering them to loved ones and friends that are part of the Android Play Store ecosystem. Unfortunately, the company did not announce similar partnerships with international third-party retailers, so those of you that read this news from outside the U.S. will still have to wait for Google to expand its Gift Cards business to your country. Have you purchased any Gift Cards from Google's retail partners? How much did you spend on Play Store content this Christmas? Thanks, Kevin! Related Posts |
| State of the mobile industry: tablets Posted: 26 Dec 2012 04:50 PM PST
If you don’t have one, you want one. If you have one, you want another… or maybe a new one. They’re more affordable and often imitated by cell phones. Available just about anywhere, they’re hard to ignore and fast becoming a major part of our tech-heavy lifestyles. We’re talking tablets! In the past year, the tablet market has taken an entirely new direction. We're now seeing devices with great specs at bottom dwelling prices. With so many tablets on the market, sometimes we're left to wonder why and how there are so many, and which is best. It seems just about everyone makes at least a passing attempt at selling us a tablet, running anything from Blackberry to Windows. It's a relatively new market with a lot of upside and almost fever-pitch hype driving it. The tablet is the new darling of the tech world. Why tablets existLet's first understand that a device are little more than a gateway to services. We have our tablets to easily access information, apps, games, or productivity tools. It typically comes with a larger screen, making for better viewing of all kinds of things from YouTube videos to spreadsheets. With the right setup and services, you can almost leave your computer on the shelf. The industry understands that the world is making a shift to mobile devices, and we want smaller devices that can do just about everything a laptop can… and they're delivering. Is newer better?Just like anything else in this ever evolving world of tech, the answer is yes. Manufacturers are always striving to keep up if not best one another, which at the end of the day only benefits us as consumers. Lighter, faster, smarter devices at price points that decrease almost daily. In two generations, the Samsung Galaxy Tab has increased in just about every area (screen resolution, memory, processor, etc.) while keeping roughly the same price point. What we can take from this example is that manufacturers are beginning to understand us. It also means there is no love lost in this game, and that they are fighting to not only please us but one-up the "other guys". It's a crowded market, and only the strong will survive.
The three-way war: Google, Apple, and WindowsI'm an Android guy, through and through. It's worth noting, however, that we wouldn’t be where we're at without Apple. Starting with the iPhone, and then the iPad, Apple really set the stage. Like any actor knows, there are others waiting in the wing to take your role. In considering each of the "big three," it's worth noting that this is as much an OS war as it is a device war. Now that all three have cannonballed into the pool, we can comfortably examine each on a level playing field. The iPad is the granddaddy, the innovator, the leader. An iPad sells more than any other tablet, and continues to be the standard by which all other tablets are measured. Apple holds true to the device, never making a dramatic improvement on it… then again, it doesn't have to. Apple has a wonderful device that works seamlessly with its services. On the other hand, it's fragile and expensive. You can get a comparable Android tablet for much less. It's also a lineup and OS that has grown stale and is now very easily ignored. Even with the introduction of the iPad mini, it still doesn’t hold interest like it used to. The Windows Surface is… interesting. Bulkier than other tablets in it's class, it's also much more expensive. Reviews haven't been kind, and rightfully so. If i'm going to spend more for a tablet than a computer, I want performance! The Windows Surface just does not deliver. With multiple operating systems, multiple tablets, and multiple configurations it's clear Windows is new to the tablet scene. The app market is paltry, and the new Windows 8 OS is still finding it's legs. While built to be a cross platform OS, it needs a lot of work and attention to detail. The add-on keyboard for the Surface is the one thing that sets it apart, but do you really want to spend another $150 after spending $900 on a tablet? Google is in a strong position, the strongest of the big three in my opinion. The company has been very diligent in making sure that everything it does with Android is open source. From the OS to manufacturing, it's spread out nicely and effectively. ASUS did a great job with the Nexus 7, and we can always depend on Samsung to deliver as it did with the Nexus 10. The OS is a pure Google experience with no manufacturer "skin", and the hackers out there love to root and toy with its devices, which the Nexus lineup embraces. As it turns out, giving away the OS has been a huge boon to Google. The flaw here is supply and demand. The original Nexus 7 launch was a lesson in pre-order madness, and the updated devices launched during the Nexus 4 debacle faced similar issues. Until Google gets serious about eCommerce, we will all question the Nexus lineup. If consumers can't get the device, they will simply turn elsewhere, and that's dangerous for the future of the Nexus. What Google firmly understands is something I touched on earlier; a tablet is little more than a gateway to services. All major Google services are baked into a Nexus device, making it easy to use and understand. You open it up, log in with your Gmail account, and it's all there. Google has taken a page from Apple in that regard. If you make the tablet easy to use and take the headache of setup out of their hands, consumers will loyally spend their money with you. Google vs. AmazonWe can wax philosophical all day long about the "big three", but my focus is Android and there is a bigger foe out there. One that has Google on the ropes in a lot of ways while still coming after them hard and fast. An actor on the side of the stage who is mouthing Google's lines as it delivers them, studying the craft and taking notes. While great at the niche it currently occupies, Amazon is priming itself to take the lead role in this play. The Kindle lineup can be readily used as the example of how we got where we are. As much as we can credit Apple with setting the stage, we can credit Amazon with changing the scenery. This "great tablet at a great price" thing we love so much was Amazon’s doing with the original Kindle, and it proved a stroke of genius. Even though the devices fail in a head-to-head spec showdown just about every time, the price point is just too good to pass up for most consumers. While it just doesn’t work for hardcore techies and hackers, it's great for grandma and grandpa who are still in awe that they're reading a book without reading a book. Amazon's OS is a severely altered version of Android, another bright idea. It took something free and open, then made it its own… which is kind of the point of Android. Aside from apps and games, Amazon has the Play Store beat or struggling in every other regard. Its movie and music lineup is amazing, and the variety of books is unbeatable. While the Play Store is making strides, it has a huge uphill battle against a worthy competitor. While Google definitely learned the "lower price point" lesson, it’s still studying for its eCommerce final. Will Amazon ever overthrow the leader of the pack? I don't think so… but Amazon is in a better position to prove me wrong than anyone else.
NexusGoogle had it's own stroke of genius with the Nexus line. Take a bit of Amazon's price structure, mix in a better OS, and partner with manufacturers to relieve yourself of the overhead. It is the epitome of open source, and I'm a huge fan. The Nexus 7 is a device we'll look back on a few years from now with fondness for kicking off a new era, much like we do with the HTC Nexus One. Nexus 7 is batting cleanup in this lineup, and Google has no designs on switching that up. Nexus 7 accomplished one other major feat, and that was solidifying the 7-inch tablet genre. Until the Nexus 7, the Android tablet landscape was the wild west. We liked the 10-inch size, but a 7-inch tablet was a little foreign. Manufacturers were just firing off tablets with abandon, and there seemed to be little difference between brands. Different sizes and configurations polluted the market, an indication that nobody really know what to make of it all. Now we look at the 7-inch tablet as a standard. The Nexus lineup is proving that the two-party system is successful once again with the Nexus 7 and Nexus 10. Anything other than those two sizes just seems silly now. In either Nexus device you have amazing specs at a very competitive price point, something that is unlikely to change. Google staked its claim this time, and I don't see this strategy changing any time soon. The company understands that profit comes from Play Store, not device sales. Making a very marginal profit on a device is worth it long-term, and make no mistake… Google wants you long term. Google wants you buying into the ecosystem, much like Apple or Amazon do.
Where do we go from here?With Android expected to take a market lead in tablets by 2014, the stage is set for a new lead actor in this play. Apple is getting old and enjoying the applause a little too much, while Windows just can't seem to memorize the script. The Nexus lineup successfully knocks down the 7/10 split for device sizes, and the pure Android experience is just better than it's competitors. There is, however, Amazon to consider. Amazon succeeds where Google fails, and that's eCommerce. With services being the integral part of why we even have tablets, Google will have to make some serious strides with the Play Store to ward off an Amazon charge. We want someone to win, but that's just not good for us as consumers. If there were ever one true winner, we'd be back to square one. We currently have a very solid landscape which will thin out over time, but this really is the golden age. Everyone has made a very strong showing in the tablet market, and many have triumphed. We have a real industry leader in Google, and a lot of strong challengers. With developers designing apps specifically for tablets now, we can safely assume that this genre is both here to stay and growing daily. It's an exciting time, so enjoy it! Related Posts |
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