Tuesday, February 14, 2012



Posted: 13 Feb 2012 04:47 PM PST
huawei-ascend-p1s
Chinese manufacturer Huawei is mostly known for their low-end smartphones in the U.S., but the company has been revealing some pretty impressive high-end devices at recent trade shows. At CES they showed off the Ascend P1 S, which was billed as the thinnest smartphone at 6.68 mm thick and also one of the first new phones to ship with Android 4.0.
Our very own Nick was so impressed with the Ascend P1 LTE that he said it was one of his favorite Android phones of CES.
Now new information has leaked out about Huawei’s upcoming Diamond series, which is said to offer the "smartest, fastest and most high-performing smartphones." Japanese site Blog of Mobile is reporting that Huawei will unveil two devices at Mobile World Congress this month, called the Ascend D1 Q and MediaPad 10.
A lot of this is speculation, but some taking the name Ascend D1 Q and interpreting “D1″ as Diamond series and “Q” as quad-core. Huawei has partnered with NVIDIA and used their Tegra 2 processor in previous tablets, so it’s not that surprising to hear that they could also be using the quad-core Tegra 3 in some new devices.
We have already billed Mobile World Congress 2012 as the quad-core phone show, where we expect at least a half-dozen devices to be unveiled. It will be tough to stand out from the crowd of quad-core devices, but Huawei sounds pretty confident about their Diamond series.
Mobile World Congress is only two weeks away and I will be on site to report on the hottest devices, so check back soon to see if Huawei can live up to the pre-show hype.


Posted: 13 Feb 2012 03:45 PM PST
motorola-intel-mwc-2012
Last month at CES, Intel and Motorola announced a multi-year, mult-device partnership and now both companies are expected to unveil the first device from that deal at Mobile World Congress in Barcelona. Details are scarce at this point, but Evan Blass of PocketNow posted up the first image of the device and said the camera would be major selling point.
We can see from the single render of the device that it will be running Android 4.0 with Motorola’s custom UI. It also appears that Motorola will use on-screen buttons, similar to what we saw with the Samsung Galaxy Nexus. The camera is said to offer instant-on capabilities as well as 15 frame-per-second burst capture. It appears that the device will have a dedicated camera button along its right side.
Check out our hands-on report of the Lenovo K800, for an idea of the kind of experience that Motorola might deliver with their device. That device featured a single-core 1.6 GHz Intel Medfield processor, which is likely what we are to see from Motorola.
Motorola has sourced processors from just about every semiconductor company, but their most recent partnership has been with Texas Instruments. Intel’s new Medfield processor is said to be competitive with the newer ARM-based processors coming from NVIDIA and Qualcomm, but we have yet to spend any extended time with an Intel-powered device.
Hopefully Motorola has a few other surprises for their first Intel device. It’s possible we could see a new implementation of webtop along with a redesigned lapdock accessory.
Now that Google’s acquisition of Motorola is nearing the final stages, it will be interesting to see what changes are made going forward. If you were Google, how would you improve Motorola’s devices?


Posted: 13 Feb 2012 02:10 PM PST
sanjay-jha-android
As expected, the European Commission rendered their verdict on the pending merger between Google and Motorola Mobility, and the verdict brings good news for the Mountain View company. The European Commission was likely to be one of the biggest hurdles Googorola would need to overcome to get the deal approved, and Europe today officially blessed the deal.
Hot off the heals of the European Commission’s approval, the U.S. Department of Justice also approved the deal this afternoon, leaving China, Israel, and Taiwan as the only countries left to weigh in on the deal.
With approval from the U.S. and a blessing from Europe, it looks all but certain that Google will be allowed to merge with Motorola in early 2012. Google is now awaiting approval from a handful of jurisdictions around the world, and the deal is likely to close as early as the next few months.
With this merger, we hope that the combined company will either completely rework Motorola’s UI overlay, or ditch it altogether in favor of stock Android. We also hope that Google will stick to its ways of offering unlockable bootloaders on all of Motorola’s phones, something the development community has been waiting on for over a year now. Time will tell how the merger plays out, and whether the two companies will largely integrate or remain separate operating units.
What do you hope for in Googorola? Sound off in the comments.


Posted: 13 Feb 2012 01:35 PM PST
and-me-account-refresh
The latest step in our continuing quest to develop the most unique Android community is finally ready for public consumption. Over the weekend we rolled out our refreshed profile pages for all And Me Accounts. If you want to see yours, just log in. If you’d like to see a sample, check out my profile or Taylor’s.
If you want the short changelist, it goes like this: user activity stream, mobile profiles, big updates to follow. If you’d like the complete details, join me below for a rundown of all that’s going on in the world of And Me Accounts.
Activity streams for all users
A few weeks ago when you visited a user’s profile, you’d get the ten most recent comments. And that was all. And it was even weirder when you visited an author’s page, where’d you get a full post list on top of the comments.
In our new build, everything a user does on the site has been digested into a single, easy to follow stream. Comments, articles, and threads all show up in a single timeline, pageable and filterable (browse 3 pages back viewing just comments, for instance). Astute readers among the crowd probably just noticed that ‘threads’ is new to this list, but we’ll have more about that later in this post.
We think these streams will give a much greater insight into who a user is and what sort of things they’ve been doing around the site to earn the influence their rank reflects. And they are just cool. While building them I lost myself many times just clicking around deep inside a user archive.
Full mobile support
One thing that had been missing since we rolled our Account pages back in October was proper mobile support. The pages existed, but in a lame, barebones state. With this update we’ve corrected that injustice with a full-on mobile rebuild.
The new mobile profile pages have all the same info as their big brother desktop versions, including activity filtering and all your profile info.
What’s next?
As much as I like this update as it stands now, it’s really just a building block towards some other big plans we’ve got for your And Me Account. Pretty soon users will be able to create their own content and track app installs on Android and Me.
As mentioned above, we’re soon going to be launching Threads for certain And Me Accounts. Threads will be different from a normal forum in a couple of ways. Only users with a high enough rank will be able to start a new thread and doing so will actually charge points. While anyone can still join the discussion by posting a comment, we only want trusted members of the Android community actually starting discussions here.
It’s not just going to zap your points, though, as thread authors will earn points for each comment his or her thread receives. On top of that, we’ll have the ability to convert a thread into a full-blooded article on the front page, giving you a shot at becoming a citizen-turned-blogger.
Also in the coming weeks we’ll be launching a partnership with AppAware, our favorite social app tracking service. Once you’ve got AppAware installed, you’ll be able to link your accounts and display a list of your installed applications right here on your And Me Account page. If you don’t already have AppAware installed on your devices, now might be a good time to check it out:
Today’s updates and these future plans are still only a portion of what we’ve got planned for And Me Accounts. I’d love to just spill the beans right now but I think we’ve covered enough for one day. If you’re interested in these sort of things, you might want to check out our new changelist, which is pretty stark at the moment but should be rather tasty as time passes.
As always, before I sign off, I want to say thanks to you, the loyal reader. You guys repeatedly make building all these tools totally worth it. We hope you enjoy the new updates and can’t wait to show you what else we have planned!


Posted: 13 Feb 2012 01:14 PM PST
android-chart-up-300
Many a benchmarking app has come and gone on Android, but there is one that has truly stood the test of time, Quadrant Standard. It’s been around since April of 2010, and with today’s update finally bringing multiple core and Android 4.0 support to the app, it doesn’t look like it’s going anywhere any time soon.
Quadrant Standard Edition has long been the standard in apps used to quickly benchmark Android phones. Many argue the validity of Quadrant benchmark scores, and how those scores translate into real-world use, but nonetheless, it’s the go to app for seeing what device can pull in the highest number.
The latest updated to Quadrant Standard not only features GUI improvements, polish translation and a bug fix dealing with low framerates on PowerVR SGX 540, it brings two long awaited features to the app: multiple core and Android 4.0 compatibility. Before today, Quadrant wasn’t optimized to give accurate readings on devices with multiple cores like anything from the Motorola Atrix on up to the Galaxy Nexus. Quadrant 2.0 fixes that.
Due to the changes made from Quadrant 1.x to 2.0, the way devices are scored has changed. So the score browser is a slightly limited for the time being, but that will be addressed in the next update.
To download Quadrant Standard, simply use our handy download widget below. Once you’re done doing that, you can report your score along with the device used, and any custom ROMs or kernels in the comments. We’d love to see what everyone’s scores are.


Posted: 13 Feb 2012 10:13 AM PST
The only leaked image of the HTC Endeavor
Just yesterday we got a quick look at the leaked RUU for the HTC Endeavor and now we’re hearing that HTC has already secured a massive number of orders for the Tegra 3 powered Android 4.0 handset. According to DigiTimes, the Chinese-language Economic Daily News is reporting that Vodafone, Orange and 18 other service providers have already lined up to be among the first to offer the HTC Endeavor to their customers.
For now, there’s no concrete evidence that any US service provider has any plans to make the HTC Endeavor available to those of us in the US market, but that’s not a surprise to any of us. The HTC Endeavor will most likely undergo a name change and a few cosmetic and specification tweaks before it makes an appearance in US stores.
The launch date for the HTC Endeavor is still unknown, but many are speculating that the phone will be available in Europe and Asia sometime in April.


Posted: 13 Feb 2012 10:05 AM PST
lg-google-tv-630
Over the weekend Google teased some big announcements were coming to Google TV on Monday, but so far all we have seen is a blog post about a new YouTube udpate that is coming later this week. Many are assuming that the YouTube news was the big announcement, but Google actually made that post Sunday night and they did tease announcements, plural.
Hopefully Google still has some kind of big reveal coming later today, but if they don’t here is my list of three things I would like to see.

1. A new $99 companion device


Where are the new devices? We saw a few products demoed at CES like the LG Smart TV and Marvell set-top box, but none have gone on sale yet. To make matters worse, some of the previous generation of Google TV products have been discontinued and are no longer available in retails stores.
Recent rumors have suggested that Google will get into the hardware business and release their own home entertainment system. People briefed on the company's plans think Google's box will stream music and other digital media, and we have our fingers cross that this device somehow integrates with Google TV.
Google recently made the switch to ARM based processors from Intel x86 processors, which should help to reduce the overall cost of devices. When we questioned a Marvell representative at CES about the cost of future Google TV devices they said, “I can tell you it's going to be a lot cheaper than $300. It will be a very attractive price point.”
We saw the sales of the Logitech Revue really take off when the price was reduced to $99, so hopefully Google and their OEM partners can offer a device somewhere around that price point.

2. Content deals with major networks


After the recent update to Android 3.1, I am really happy with my Logitech Revue. For people that wish to cut the cord, Google TV is about 90% of the way there. Their new content channels menu offers a great experience, and I now go to it first instead of my lame Time Warner channel guide.
Instead of focusing on what’s showing on live TV, the new menu lets me browse shows and movies from all sources. I can still filter down to only live TV shows, but it’s nice to just browse by category when I know what I want to watch. Google TV supports Netflix, Amazon Videos on Demand, and a whole host of other online streaming content.
Google’s Chrome Browser supports Adobe Flash Player, which opens the door to a huge chunk of streaming content. More and more networks are putting live TV shows and sports broadcasts online (like Monday Night Football and the Super Bowl), but the major networks still block the Google TV browser from accessing a lot of their content.
For example, if your wife wants to watch the latest full episode of The Bachelor on abc.com, you will be granted with a message that your device is not currently supported. You will see similar messages from NBC, CBS, and FOX. Some cable channels like TBS and TNT will allow you to watch some full episodes online, but you are required to login to your cable account and not all providers are supported.
If Google can somehow work out a deal with these broadcast networks, it would make Google TV much more appealing to the average user.

3. Timely software updates to Android and Chrome


It took Google almost two years to upgrade Google TV devices to Android 3.1, which added the Android Market. Now Google has already moved on to Android 4.0, but there are no promises that current hardware will ever get that software update.
I understand that wireless carriers are a big bottleneck with software updates for phones, but there’s just no excuse for the slow updates on Google TV devices.
Another example is the Chrome Browser found on current Google TV devices. It is stuck at version 11, while version 17 was just released to other devices last week. Now that Google has placed the Chrome Browser on the Android Market, they should be able to push out timely updates. Google TV devices would still need to be upgraded to Android 4.0 before that happens, but hopefully it’s on their list of to-dos.

Wrap Up

Don’t get me wrong. I’m completely satisfied with my current Google TV experience, as are many others. I think the main frustration comes from the slow pace of innovation compared to other Android devices. I thought by now there would be some awesome applications for my Google TV, but there are not enough devices out there yet for developers to actually get a return on their investment.
Even though many would consider Google TV to be a complete failure up to this point, I still see huge potential in the platform. If Google goes down the route of re-branding their efforts as Google @home or Android Hub, and just makes TV another application of the platform, I think they can turn it into a winning product.
What kind of announcements would you like to see in relation to Google TV?


Posted: 13 Feb 2012 08:11 AM PST
optimus-3d-2-white
New details have surfaced of the Optimus 3D 2, one of three phones that we expect LG will unveil later this month at Mobile World Congress. Korean site ET News is reporting that LG’s strategy for their newest 3D phone is to offer a design that is thinner and lighter.
The Optimus 3D 2 will measure in at only 9.8 mm thick and weigh 20 grams less than its predecessor. LG is expected to bump up the resolution on their 3D display, hopefully something similar to the True HD IPS display featured on the recently released Optimus LTE.
ET News also reports that Korean carrier SK Telecom is likely to be the first to offer this device, sometime in Q1.
Rumored specs of the Optimus 3D 2 include:
  • Android 4.0 with LG UI
  • 1.2 GHz dual-core TI OMAP4 processor
  • 4.3-inch NOVA 3D display
  • Dual 5 MP rear cameras for 3D pictures and video
  • Support for HSPA+ 21 Mbps networks
  • WiFi, Bluetooth, NFC
Even though the original Optimus 3D was bulky, I’m not sure that was the device’s main problem. The first generation of 3D displays caused discomfort (such as eye strain, eye fatigue, dizziness or nausea) and were seen as more of a gimmick than a legitimate selling point.
The new picture of the Optimus 3D also reveals LG’s latest UI. We will wait to reserve judgement on this skin before we spend some quality time with it, but it already looks less appealing that the stock Holo theme of Android 4.0.
I’m excited to check out the new Optimus 3D 2 and see how the display improved, but I’m not sure I trust LG enough to purchase one of their smartphones. Last year I paid full price for the T-Mobile G2x, which suffered from a ton of software bugs and a sub-par display. It left a sour taste in my mouth, and I have seen no reason to give them another chance yet.
As long as my expectations are low, at least LG has the chance to pleasantly surprise me.


Posted: 13 Feb 2012 05:57 AM PST
GALAXY Tab 2 (7.0) Product Image (1)
The Samsung Galaxy Tab was the first major Android foray into the tablet market in November 2010. The Galaxy Tab was arguably a success story, with over 2 million devices being sold in the first 2.5 months.
Samsung has announced this morning the next entry in the Galaxy Tab series, the Galaxy Tab 2. The Galaxy Tab 2 looks like a true follow-up to the original Galaxy Tab with a fresh coating of Ice Cream Sandwich, and should end up being Samsung’s entry level tablet for the 2012 season.
The specs:
  • 7″ WSVGA TFT display, with 1024 x 600 resolution
  • 1 GHz dual-core processor
  • Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich with Touchwiz
  • 3 megapixel fixed-focus rear camera
  • VGA front facing camera
  • 1 GB RAM
  • HSPA+ support (up to 21 mbps on 850/900/1900/2100 bands)
  • 8, 16, or 32GB storage configurations
  • 4,000 mAh Li-ion battery
  • Voice call capability
That last bullet point is certainly an interesting addition; now, you too can look like a complete goof by holding a 7″ slate up to your ear to make a phone call. Most likely, if you’re going to use this thing to make actual calls, you’re probably going to want to grab a Bluetooth headset and some extremely big-pocketed pants.
No word on U.S. pricing or availability. The Galaxy Tab 2 is set to hit the UK sometime in March for an as yet undisclosed price. Sammy Hub claims to have confirmed pricing for several Scandinavian countries, and the U.S. equivalent prices are certainly on the high side. If the rumor holds, the WiFi model will run about 400-450 USD, and the 3G model will run about 500-550 USD.
Update: Samsung’s Sweden Office suggests the price will start at €270, or about $350 USD. Still a far cry from the $250 point we were hoping for, but less than feared. Is this tablet more attractive at $350?
For this tablet to be successful, they’re going to have to come in well below those price points in the US, hopefully somewhere in the $250-$350 range for the 8GB WiFi model. With arguably better tablets running nVidia’s Tegra 3 chipset coming down the pipe, as well as better spec’d models from Samsung being released recently, Samsung’s going to have to find a niche for this tablet, and likely that niche is going to come from the low-end of the market.
Anyone excited by the Galaxy Tab 2, or do you have your sights set on another Android tablet?

GALAXY Tab 2 (7.0) Product Image (1) GALAXY Tab 2 (7.0) Product Image (2) GALAXY Tab 2 (7.0) Product Image (3) GALAXY Tab 2 (7.0) Product Image (4)