Friday, April 13, 2012

Android Community

Android Community


Flixster for Android gets updated – video streaming still poor

Posted: 13 Apr 2012 10:35 AM PDT

The hugely popular Movies by Flixster app for Android received a rather large update today in the Google Play Store. For being Friday the 13th things are looking up already. Surprisingly the update oddly lists multiple fixes for yes, Android 1.5 and 1.6 (Donut and Cupcake) devices for the few that still have them. Flixster specifically mentioned better video streaming on mobile data, which I’m not seeing any improvements on.

Movies by Flixster is the number one movie app for Android, being on the editors choice list and having somewhere between 10 and 50 million downloads. Sadly I’d have to say it is good, but is no iMDB that is for sure. iMDB recently updated with 720p video streaming and it looks incredible on mobile devices, while Flixster still looks substandard to say the least. (see screenshot)

The update mentions video streaming improvements over a cellular connection, but doesn’t seem better on 3G, 4G or WiFi for me. Other changes are present and they include: Multiple UI improvements and tweaks to the My Movies tab, faster performance app-wide, crashes and freezes for old Android 1.5 devices, and improved the log out issues some have been reporting.

Flixster is still my number one app when I need to quickly find a local movie theater or a new movie to watch, but I’d love better previews and video streaming.

Flixster Play Store Link


Classic PC racer Death Rally gets another lap on Android

Posted: 13 Apr 2012 10:16 AM PDT

It’s a good time to be an Android owner and a classic gaming fan. The latest 90s-era game to come to Android is the racing/shooting hybrid Death Rally, a Twisted Metal-style game that pits your customized war machine against other on the highway to he… er, Arkansas. The tongue-in-cheek game was released for iOS last year, but now it’s available on Android for free, bupkiss and nada. Imagine it as Reckless Racing with machine guns, and you’re just about there.

Death Race hit the PC scene way back kin 1996. Then and now it comes from developer Remedy, better known for Max Payne and Alan Wake. At the time it was a popular slant for racing games, as Twisted Metal had lit up the original PlayStation the year before. Death Rally focuses more on actual racing than the likes of Carmageddon and such – you can have a lot of fun duking it out with your fellow racers as you demolish various urban landscaped, but if you don’t finish in the money, you’re wasting your time.

The original game is naturally somewhat dated, but the Android version gets updated graphics via the re-release of Death Rally in 2009. That being the case, you’ll want a decently powerful phone or tablet to play it – something in the range of a Tegra 2 would be preferable. No matter what hardware you’ve got, it’ll work on Android 2.2 or later. It’s a free download, so if you’re near a WiFi network or you’re lucky enough to have an unlimited data plan, give it a spin. Load up, strap in and hang on.

unnamed (1) unnamed (2) unnamed

[via DroidGamers]


Verizon expanding 4G LTE in 11 markets across California

Posted: 13 Apr 2012 09:56 AM PDT

The Verizon Wireless 4G LTE expansion continues strong again this week with Verizon set to announce updates and expansions for multiple cities and markets, especially those across the great state of California. They already had solid 4G LTE coverage but Verizon is aiming to make that better by increasing the reach in 11 major cities.

Before we get started on the expansions, earlier this month Verizon announced new markets in Kansas, Idaho, Washington and Tennessee but those wont go live til early next month. The new markets getting updated today however are live today, and will be growing over the new two weeks. Verizon will be growing and expanding service in these markets across California:

-Fresno
-Reno
-Sacramento
-San Francisco Bay Area
-Modesto
-Salinas and Monterey
-Stockton
-San Luis Obispo
-Bakersfield
-And introducing Visalia

It looks like Verizon isn’t showing any signs of slowing down anytime soon, that is for sure. They’ve consistently added new markets, locations, or expansions every few weeks since launch. AT&T has some serious catching up to do, and those other two networks still haven’t even launched their 4G LTE yet. People might still be angry with Verizon’s new upgrade fee, but they do have some awesome coverage and fast 4G LTE.

[via Android Police]


Play it again: another Galaxy S III photo pops up

Posted: 13 Apr 2012 09:38 AM PDT

I’d like to say right away that we’re reporting this one primarily for entertainment value. As seems to happen more days than not, yet another photo claiming to be the oh-so-elusive Samsung Galaxy S III has appeared on the Internet, this time courtesy of Polish website OPDA. That’s what it claims to be, but what it looks like is a Galaxy Note with some custom software and a little Photoshop trickery. Inspect the appropriately low-res photo below to decide for yourself.

A few things to take notice of: the hardware looks pretty identical to the Samsung Galaxy Note, except for the elongated Home button below the screen. Instead of the oblong shape that Samsung’s been using for the last couple of years it’s long and thin, not unlike a stretched out version of the same button on the HP TouchPad. To be frank, this doesn’t seem like a likely design choice on Samsung’s part – it would be trickier to hit that button with your thumb, and the extra width serves no purpose.

The interface displayed on the portion of the screen that isn’t obscured looks like Ice Cream Sandwich. This is certainly possible – there’s leaked ROMs out there and custom ones to boot, after all. But there’s no reason to block out the app icons… unless this isn’t ICS, and is perhaps just one of the look-alike launchers available on the Google Play store, which won’t change the look of individual icons. The battery and signal area doesn’t match the standard Samsung style, either.

Yup, what we’re looking at here is almost certainly one more in a long line of fakes. The relatively low resolution of the posted photo helps hide the little inconsistencies from prying eyes. As Android fans we’d be flattered if it weren’t so annoying – the Galaxy S III is reaching iPhone levels of hype, rumor and misinformation. For something that’s actually promising, check out the OLED Association’s leak of the Galaxy S III’s screen size and type.

[via SlashGear]


HTC announces a trio of Desire phones for China

Posted: 13 Apr 2012 09:03 AM PDT

Don’t call them Ones: HTC has just announces three brand new and hitherto unknown phones for the Chinese market.. The three devices broadly follow the HTC One series in styling and featureset, but are technically members of the Desire family. The HTC Desire VT T328t, VC T328d, and V T328w (catchy, huh?) all have similar specs and features, but will be launched seperately on China’s three largest cellular providers. Refreshingly, all three will run Android Ice Cream Sandwich and HTC Sense 4.0 at launch.

All the phones get 4.0-inch 800×580 Super LCD screen. They run on a 1Ghz single-core processor, 512MB of RAM and 4GB of storage space, plus a MicroSD card slot. As far as specifications go, this puts them right in line with the HTC One V, albeit with a slightly larger screen. These similarities continue in the 5-megapixel camera and support for Beats audio.  Each Chinese cell phone company gets its own version: China Unicom gets the Desire V T328w, (plain back with metal oval around the camera), China Mobile gets the Desire VT T328t (plain back with dimples) and China Telecom gets the Desire VC T328d (diagonal grooves, above). All three will come in black or white, but only China Unicom is releasing the price, at 1,999 yuan. In addition, the  Desire VT T328t has only one SIM card slot to the others’ two.

It’s the last that might hold the most interest for American HTC fans. Note the diagonal styling along the back: a close (but not exact) match for the leaked device purporting to be Verizon’s Incredible 4G. The red-on-black styling matches the latest leaked pictures, while the white version looks more like an even earlier leak. If nothing else, this announcement gives us a clearer look at HTC’s design style for non-One phones going forward, which hasn’t changed much.

desire v desire vc desire vt

[via UnwiredView]


Fake Angry Birds Space app is a trojan in disguise

Posted: 13 Apr 2012 08:29 AM PDT

Angry Birds Space is a lot of fun. No, really, it justifies the hype – if you haven’t tried it yet, download the free game in the Google Play Store. But for Pete’s sake, make sure you’re using the Google Play Store: a fake app is unsurprisingly masquerading as the ultra-popular mobile game to add Android phones and tablets to its network of infected devices, remotely downloading more malicious apps and displaying ads. Security researchers at Sophos spotted the fake app in third-party app stores, but says that the official Rovio files are not affected.

Rovio mentioned the fakes on their own blog, along with the charming illustration above. Interestingly, the infected app actually contains the full version of the Angry Birds Space game. This bit of half-truth in advertising is likely to help get the fake app disseminated quickly. The extra code is hidden in a JPEG file, and can remotely download more apps and display its own ads across the phone. Due to the distributed nature of this latest infection, there’s no way to know how many phones and tablets are currently running the doppelganger app.

A more interesting question is why people are downloading the fake app in the first place. Angry Birds Space is free, after all, unless you go with the ad-free or tablet versions. And presumably legitimate copies are available from reliable third parties – heck, even the Nook Color and Nook Tablet have the game. There’s no reason that anyone, even those who can’t access the Google Play Store because of hardware or geographical location, should be bamboozled. Remember to stay vigilant, and that piracy is for suckers.

[via Mashable]


The Daily Show comes to Android – still no full episodes

Posted: 13 Apr 2012 07:48 AM PDT

The Daily Show, the only source of world news for the young, uneducated and cynical, has finally come to Android… in clip form. While parent company Viacom keeps a deathgrip on the streaming of its full episodes until Hulu customers pony up for Plus, you can at least get some native short-form video on your Android phone or tablet. The Daily Show Headlines app presents clips and bits from episodes up to two weeks old, as well as selections from the show’s 15-year backlog and web-only content from show host John Stewart.

In addition to the videos, you can sort the clips by date or popularity, or just select a random clip from the archive. There’s also a pretty impressive tagged database that lets you quickly find that one Stephen Colbert Christmas story from 2004. It’s also got the now obligatory sharing functions for sending links to clips out on Facebook and Twitter, as well as email. Presumably for your parents. The app works on Android 2.1 and up, and of course, it’s free. Too bad the menu only works in landscape.

The Google Play Store description goes out of its way to note that full episodes are not available in this app.  You can thank Comedy Central and Viacom for that, since they post timely updates of full episodes on Hulu, where you can watch the last dozen episodes for free… assuming you’re on the desktop. If you’re using Android or any mobile device, you’ll have to pay for Hulu Plus. Or, you know, watch it on YouTube before it’s pulled. If you’re still watching on cable, the app will conveniently remind you when new episodes are airing. Have fun!

2012-04-13 09.43.48 2012-04-13 09.43.51 2012-04-13 09.44.33


Vodafone Samsung Galaxy S II ICS update available now via Kies

Posted: 13 Apr 2012 07:15 AM PDT

Are you a Vodafone customer who’s been dying to get your hands on Ice Cream Sandwich for your poor, neglected Galaxy S II? Then whip out your laptop and MicroUSB cable and prepare to have your Friday made. As promised, Vodafone announced today that the Android 4.0 is rolling out right now via Samsung’s Kies desktop application. If you’d rather wait for a simpler over-the-air download, Vodafone says that it’ll be available on Tuesday, April 17th.

While Samsung is one of the first companies to issue a non-Nexus Ice Cream Sandwich update for their phones, it’s still coming almost six months after the source code became available, and even then only for the current flagship. ICS updates are planned for the various international and LTE flavors of the Galaxy S II, plus the Galaxy Note and the later models of the Galaxy Tab, but have not been distributed yet. The Galaxy S II ICS update adds most of the sought-after features from Android 4.0, but leaves the TouchWiz interface of the phone nearly intact.

The international model of the Galaxy S II, identical to Vadofone’s version in hardware but not software, was the first to get the update. From that ROM modded versions for every major GSM network have been available for some time. Here in the US, the only Galaxy S II variant to be updated so far is AT&T’s, and that’s only via a leak. Of course if you’re a habitual ROM flasher you’re probably already running one of the many Android 4.0 builds put out by the community, stock or otherwise.

Device Specifications and Information
Device Info
    Device Name : Galaxy S II
    Manufactuer : Samsung
    Carrier : AT&T
    Announced Date : February 13, 2011
    Release Date : April 28, 2011
    Also Known As :
Display
  • Screen Size : 4.27 Inch
  • Resolution : 480x800
  • Screen Type : Super AMOLED Plus
Dimension & Weight
  • Height : 4.93 Inch
  • Width : 2.6 Inch
  • Depth : .33 Inch
  • Weight : 116 Grams
Battery & Power
    Battery Type:
  • Lithium Ion
  • Battery Capacity : 1650 mAh
  • Talk Time : NA
  • Stand By Time : 710 hours
Software
    Android OS:
  • 2.3.x
    Audio Playback:
  • AAC
  • AAC+
  • MP3
    Video Playback:
  • h.263
  • h.264 / AVC
  • MPEG-4 (MP4)
    Messaging:
  • SMS
  • MMS
Hardware
    CPU : Exynos
    CPU Clock Speed : 1200 Mhz
    Core : 2
    Ram : 1000 MB
    Internal Storage : 16 GB
    Front Facing Camera :
    Camera Resolution : 8 MP
    External Storage:
  • MicroSD
  • MicroSDHC
    Camera Features:
  • Auto focus
  • Flash
  • 1080p Video Recording
  • 720p Video Recording
    Sensors:
  • Accelerometer
  • Proximity
    QWERTY :
Cellular Network
    Network Technology:
  • GSM
    GSM Band:
  • 850
  • 900
  • 1800
  • 1900
Device Connectivity
    Wi-Fi:
  • 802.11b
  • 802.11g
  • 802.11n
    Bluetooth:
  • Bluetooth 3.0
    Location Features:
  • Compass
  • GPS
  • Cellular location
  • Wi-Fi location
    FM Radio :
    NFC :

[via Phandroid]


HTC One V launching in late April on UK networks

Posted: 13 Apr 2012 06:42 AM PDT

The One X and One S get all the headlines, but let’s not forget about the junior member of HTC’s new family, the One V. The “budget” phone has yet to see a subsidized release alongside its more expensive brothers in the UK, but a new listing at Carphone Warehouse indicates that the One V will be available starting the week of April 23rd. The online retailer is selling the phone on-contract for O2, Vodafone and Orange, with on-contract tariffs starting as low as £20.50. At present there’s no price for an unlocked phone, but elsewhere it’s going for about £200 before taxes.


The One X and One S, phones with much more powerful and expensive internals, can already be had on-contract by all major UK cellular providers. In general the One S stars around the £35 mark while the One X goes for £45. Monthly prices increase as plans and commitments decrease. As a budget phone in relative terms, the One V is an attractive proposition, as we’ve seen in our hands on. While not a speed demon or media machine by any means,  it’s about equal to high-end Android phones from mid-2010.

The One V gets a single-core 1Ghz processor paired to 512MB of RAM, a 5MP camera and 4GB of storage space. Despite these seemingly low specs, it still runs Ice Cream Sandwich and version 4.0 of HTC’s Sense skin. The 3.7-inch LCD screen runs at 800×480, and despite a lower-market focus the phone gets the metal housing (complete with Hero-style “chin”)  and Beats audio of the other One phones. If 4GB isn’t enough for you, take heart: the One V is the only member of the One family that gets a MicroSD card slot. Currently the One V is tentatively slated to come to regional networks US Cellular, Virgin Mobile and MetroPCS in the United States, but there’s been no date set.

Device Specifications and Information
Device Info
    Device Name : One V
    Manufactuer : HTC
    Carrier : NA
    Announced Date : February 26, 2012
    Release Date : TBA
    Also Known As :
Display
  • Screen Size : 3.7 Inch
  • Resolution : 480x800
  • Screen Type : NA
Dimension & Weight
  • Height : 4.74 Inch
  • Width : 2.35 Inch
  • Depth : 0.36 Inch
  • Weight : 115 Grams
Battery & Power
    Battery Type:
  • Lithium Ion
  • Battery Capacity : 1500 mAh
  • Talk Time : NA
  • Stand By Time : NA
Software
    Android OS:
  • 4.0.x
    Audio Playback:
  • AAC
  • AAC+
  • AMR
  • MID
  • MP3
  • WAV
  • WMA
    Video Playback:
  • h.263
  • h.264 / AVC
  • MPEG-4 (MP4)
    Messaging:
  • SMS
  • MMS
Hardware
    CPU : Single Core
    CPU Clock Speed : 1000 Mhz
    Core : 1
    Ram : 512 MB
    Internal Storage : 4 GB
    Front Facing Camera :
    Camera Resolution : 5 MP
    External Storage:
  • MicroSD
  • MicroSDHC
    Camera Features:
  • Auto focus
  • Flash
  • 720p Video Recording
    Sensors:
  • Accelerometer
  • Ambient light
  • Proximity
    QWERTY :
Cellular Network
    Network Technology:
  • GSM
    GSM Band:
  • 850
  • 900
  • 1800
  • 1900
    CDMA Band:
  • 850
  • 900
  • 2100
Device Connectivity
    Wi-Fi:
  • 802.11b
  • 802.11g
  • 802.11n
    Bluetooth:
  • Bluetooth 4.0
    Location Features:
  • Compass
  • GPS
  • Cellular location
  • Wi-Fi location
    FM Radio :
    NFC :

[via SlashGear]


Pebble watch goes waterproof after raising a million bucks

Posted: 12 Apr 2012 06:07 PM PDT

Yesterday we brought you news of the Pebble smart watch project on Kickstarter, and almost immediately the organizers reached their $100,000 goal. They’ve raised just a bit more than that since then: a million dollars in just a little over 24 hours, and almost 1.5 million at this point. To celebrate thier success, they’re adding in an extra feature. When the watch enters production later this year, it’ll be waterproof. The organizers say that it won’t be a dive watch, but you’ll be able to shower or swim with it without worry.

The Pebble watch takes the Bluetooth smartwatch idea that’s becoming very popular (Sony just released theirs in the US today) and combines it with e-paper, making for a smaller and much more battery-efficient unit. It’s got the standard remote alert functions for calls, texts, emails and the like, plus built-in apps for alarms, custom watch faces, music control, a bike computer and more. And naturally the creators will be publishing an SDK, so you can add even more functions through the planned Android app.

There’s just one compromise to make the Pebble waterproof: instead of the standard MicroUSB port for charging and data, it’ll need a proprietary cable, which the organizers say they will also sell separately. The standard $99 pledge that nets you an early Pebble unit is sold out, but you can still donate/pre-order one starting at $115. Oh, and that early bird special that was limited to 200 backers? Yours truly is one of them, so expect a full review when the Pebble comes out in September.


Splashtop Remote Desktop and GamePad on sale for 75% off

Posted: 12 Apr 2012 05:50 PM PDT

There’s a lot of remote connection apps out there, but few have received the acclaim that Splashtop‘s has. The Splashtop Remote Desktop HD app lets your tablet remotely log into your Windows or OS X machine and control it remotely. As someone who’s tried all the big VNC and RDP apps, I can say that it’s surprisingly reliable – but perhaps not as reliable as its $20 price tag demands. It’s a good thing, then, that the developer has put the app on sale for $4.99 in the Google Play Store, granting an awesome 75% discount.

Also on sale for the same price is Splashtop GamePad, a gaming-specific version of the remote app that allows Android tablets to play full 3D PC games by hooking into a computer on a local network. Unfortunately there’s a good bit of restrictions. One, the app needs to support the game that you’re playing – though a lot of popular games are already supported. GamePad is designed for the Tegra 3, so only owners o the ASUS Transformer Prime can enjoy it to the fullest at the moment. You’ll also need an Nvidia graphics card in your PC for the best performance.

If five greenbacks is still too much for you to drop on a quality app, you can get the standard version of Splashtop for $1.99, normally a $9.99 purchase. It works in the same way (And you’ll still need to download their desktop application) but it’s designed for phones instead of tablet. It still works on Honeycomb and Ice Cream Sandwich, but you’ll be missing out on a few input tools and a plus-sized UI. Whichever you choose, you can’t go wrong,. But choose quickly: the promotion only lasts until April 13th.

[via Android Police]


Google+ updated for Android with hashtags and web snippets

Posted: 12 Apr 2012 05:13 PM PDT

Google’s social network Google+ has been getting tons of attention lately from the team at Mountain View. The web interface was completely overhauled this week with a fresh new look and improved features, and today they’ve pushed an update for the Android app bringing some awesome web features to mobile. The big one for me is web snippets. You know — the extra information shown when you share a story or a link.

Now with the Google+ mobile app on Android when you share news or links that you find interesting from the web with your followers on an Android device, it will appear detailed, and high quality inside your post. This is much better than the simple title and links the mobile app previously showed. This makes the experience that much closer to the web version — even if we don’t have that shiny new user interface (that I’m still not sure I like.)

The other improvement is hashtag support. Google added hashtags late last year but it never worked on the mobile app. Today we now have full hashtag support and you can try it on the Android app today by searching for #AndroidCommunity. That will bring you plenty of Android related news, mostly from the awesome folks right here at AC. Google’s added the usual bug fixes and performance enhancements as well but on first launch I got a weird “upgrading” screen you can see below. Either way the update is in the Play Store right this minute so for all you +ers go and get it now from the link below.

Google+ Link

Screenshot_2012-04-12-16-13-53 Screenshot_2012-04-12-16-29-19 Screenshot_2012-04-12-16-27-24


BlackBerry Messenger spotted on Android

Posted: 12 Apr 2012 04:51 PM PDT

It’s been quite a while since we heard about good old BlackBerry Messenger on Android. The last we heard was that a test app from RIM was over in development over a year ago, and though RIM has grown closer to Android through its Playbook tablet, that doesn’t mean they’re any fonder. The rumor fell through in the months since. In any case, TechnoBuffalo has got a photo of what looks like BBM running on a Froyo or older device. Someone‘s trying out the idea, but there are a few warning bells to consider.

One: the device in the photos is cropped and covered, meaning that it probably isn’t retail hardware. Two: you can see virtual navigation buttons at the bottom of the screen – something that no retail Android device has. Assuming that the screen is real, that means the device is some kind of developer mule, created specifically for testing purposes. Three: the visual elements of the app itself are out of place and non-justified. This may be because porting resourced from a BlackBerry app to Android isn’t the best aesthetic move, or it may just be that someone’s playing around. In any case, these photos are not of an app that’s anywhere near completion.

One thing that everyone can agree on is that RIM isn’t doing well. Its share in the smartphone market is moving steadily towards single digits while Android and to a letter extent iOS gobble up its former customers. Many pundits have put forward the idea that RIM can survive by licensing its excellent BlackBerry email and messaging clients for use on other platforms, which would certainly include Android and iOS. The company isn’t giving up its ghost any time soon, but these continued rumors of an expanded BlackBerry messenger may be signs of a contingency plan.

2012-04-11-21.36 bbm_android_technobuffalo

[via Android Central]


HTC One V Hands-on and First Impressions

Posted: 12 Apr 2012 04:48 PM PDT

HTC’s last device announced at Mobile World Congress, the HTC One V finally went on sale last week as well as some additional pricing details that were released for the UK. Today we’ve got one and were able to take it for a quick test drive and enjoy Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich and their updated Sense UI experience on a lower end device like the One V. This phone is a good sign that HTC should be able to update most of their older devices. Lets jump in shall we?

First off you’ll notice the design aspects similar to the One X and the One S, since they are a part of the new “One” brand image. Then you’ll quickly spot that chin on the device just like the old HTC Legend — I know a few of you still rock that phone right? With the One V we get some pretty low-end specs but don’t let that fool you. This 3.7-inch single-core device packs enough power to operate smoothly and swiftly on Ice Cream Sandwich.

HTC’s equipped it with a 3.7-inch SLCD display with a 480 x 800 resolution, a single-core 1.0 GHz Qualcomm processor that seems to handle most tasks just fine, 512MB of RAM, then just 4GB of internal storage. You do get a micro-SD slot for extra storage unlike the others listed above but that is about the only benefit. They’ve also tossed in a decent 5 megapixel camera around back capable of 720p video.

Like mentioned in the video above HTC has removed a few graphical things probably due to the hardware available. the usual Sense UI “show all homecreens” when pinching fingers together has been removed, and the impressive and fluid transition and window animations seem to be removed or toned down too. This isn’t a huge concern, especially for such an awesome price, but some might opt for the better One devices like the One S.

Being an older spec’d single core device the phone might not handle multiple flash based webpages or some graphic intensive games available on the market, but for a top quality and solid feeling device this makes one awesome push for the budget market. Stay tuned for a full review coming your way soon.

ac_0011 ac_0009 ac_0010 ac_0008 ac_0006 ac_0007
Device Specifications and Information
Device Info
    Device Name : One V
    Manufactuer : HTC
    Carrier : NA
    Announced Date : February 26, 2012
    Release Date : TBA
    Also Known As :
Display
  • Screen Size : 3.7 Inch
  • Resolution : 480x800
  • Screen Type : NA
Dimension & Weight
  • Height : 4.74 Inch
  • Width : 2.35 Inch
  • Depth : 0.36 Inch
  • Weight : 115 Grams
Battery & Power
    Battery Type:
  • Lithium Ion
  • Battery Capacity : 1500 mAh
  • Talk Time : NA
  • Stand By Time : NA
Software
    Android OS:
  • 4.0.x
    Audio Playback:
  • AAC
  • AAC+
  • AMR
  • MID
  • MP3
  • WAV
  • WMA
    Video Playback:
  • h.263
  • h.264 / AVC
  • MPEG-4 (MP4)
    Messaging:
  • SMS
  • MMS
Hardware
    CPU : Single Core
    CPU Clock Speed : 1000 Mhz
    Core : 1
    Ram : 512 MB
    Internal Storage : 4 GB
    Front Facing Camera :
    Camera Resolution : 5 MP
    External Storage:
  • MicroSD
  • MicroSDHC
    Camera Features:
  • Auto focus
  • Flash
  • 720p Video Recording
    Sensors:
  • Accelerometer
  • Ambient light
  • Proximity
    QWERTY :
Cellular Network
    Network Technology:
  • GSM
    GSM Band:
  • 850
  • 900
  • 1800
  • 1900
    CDMA Band:
  • 850
  • 900
  • 2100
Device Connectivity
    Wi-Fi:
  • 802.11b
  • 802.11g
  • 802.11n
    Bluetooth:
  • Bluetooth 4.0
    Location Features:
  • Compass
  • GPS
  • Cellular location
  • Wi-Fi location
    FM Radio :
    NFC :


Samsung Galaxy Note 10.1 may get redesign before release

Posted: 12 Apr 2012 04:17 PM PDT

We’ve already seen at least one major shift for the Galaxy Note 10.1, that being the addition of a quad-core Exynos processor. But according to The Verge, that may not be the only change that the stylus-packing tablet gets before it comes to market in June. Or not – Samsung said today that there’s no firm release date for the Galaxy Note 10.1, leading to speculation that the hardware shown off at Mobile World Congress was very early indeed. While the Galaxy Tab 2 series should begin coming out at the end of the month, the Note 10.1 may have quite a bit of flux left in it’s development cycle.

According to the Samsung representative, the manufacturer brought the tablet to MWC to “make a splash” – understandable, considering the lukewarm reception that the Galaxy Tab 2 tablets got for their warmed-over hardware. The Galaxy Note 10.1 and the Galaxy Beam were Samsung’s only real reveals of note at MWC, and it’s entirely possible that the company brought “beta” hardware to the conference. From an exterior point of view, the Galaxy Note 10.1 and the Galaxy Tab 2 10.1 are virtually identical – something that might also get some attention in the next few months.

The specifications are unlikely to shift too much, though we’d certainly like to see a more high-res screen after a year of ten-inch tablets from Samsung. The storage capacities are the most likely to be adjusted: both the 10-inch and the 7-inch Galaxy Tab 2 devices start at a surprisingly light 8GB to get a low entry price, and make up for it with a MicroSD card slot. That’s something that the Galaxy Note 10.1 also has, but the latter starts at a more typical 16GB.


Larry Page: Google focused on cheap tablet market

Posted: 12 Apr 2012 03:16 PM PDT

Google’s quarterly earnings report was a fairly bland affair this time around. Aside from a lot of financial data and a good bit of advertising back and forth, there wasn’t a lot of new information to be had. But there was one nugget of dialogue that should interest any Android newshound: when asked about the Google’s focus on Android tablet,s CEO Larry Page made specific mention of the lower end of the market – where the majority of Android tablets are being sold.

“…there’s been a lot of success on some lower-priced tablets that run Android. Maybe not the full Google version of Android.” said Page, referring to tablets that use Android’s open source nature for vendor-specific modifications, like the Kindle Fire or Nook Tablet. “But we believe that there’s going to be a lot of success on the lower end of the market… It’s definitely an area we think is important, and that we’re quite focused on.” Naturally Page didn’t mention any specific plans… no matter what they might be.

Rumors of a Nexus-style Google tablet have been circulating for months, ever since Eric Schmidt indicated that someone (Google or otherwise) was working on a “tablet of the highest quality” for 2012. Since then the popular rumor is that ASUS is working on a 7-inch Ice Cream Sandwich tablet, similar to and possibly replacing the ASUS MeMO 370T, that would come in at a prise of $200 or less. There’s nothing in the earnings call that confirms or denies that. If a first-party tablet is a reality and due sometime in the next few months, the developer conference Google I/O would be the place that it shows up.


Google Play Store adds 4 seller countries including Mexico and Israel

Posted: 12 Apr 2012 02:31 PM PDT

Android is still dominated by US users thanks to parent company Google’s American focus, but things are getting better for international users, including developers. Today the Android team announced that developers in Mexico, Israel, Poland and the Czech Republic can apply for the Google Play Store and start submitting their apps. So felicitaciones, ×ž×–ל טוב, gratulacje and gratulace, international devs. Get to it already!

Developers in Mexico and Israel could previously add apps using an AdSense account, and they’ll need to migrate to a new Google Play Store account. Those devs that were using AdSense should get an email sometime today instructing them on how to switch. If you’re a new developer in any of these countries, head to play.google.com/apps/publish to set up a new Google Play Store account. Good luck.

Of course, Android has been available in these countries for months or years, but selling apps and paying developers are different things entirely. Though Google has covered most of the major markets out there with a few obvious exceptions like China, there’s still plenty of places that can’t access some or all of the Google Play Store. Here’s hoping that this announcement, which comes on the same day as Google’s quarterly results, heralds some more developer options soon.


Google’s Project Glass works with prescription glasses too

Posted: 12 Apr 2012 02:27 PM PDT

When Google and company unveiled their Project Glass (aka Google Glasses) it was met with tons of excitement, and a few funny user-made videos too. One question we saw asked multiple times here as well as multiple social networks was if it will work for those wearing glasses. People with prescriptions want in on the fun too. If you were worried don’t be, today Google’s released a mockup showing a new model working over prescription eyeglasses.

Thanks to Google employee +Isabelle Olsson we now have the picture provided above and all of the details regarding their thoughts. Just like us, many others were concerned and voiced their opinions to Google regarding this. They obviously wouldn’t want to leave potential buyers out and are working on multiple versions that will work for everyone.

If you are ok with wearing Project Glass on your own head, you’ll be happy to know if they ever make it to the mainstream you can expect a version that will work over your prescription glasses. Technically this isn’t a “yes” that they’ll be here, but I can’t imagine Google would publish this mockup just for fun. As long as everyone can use it then everything should be ok.

Google’s Project Glass was recently spotted in the wild. Do you still think it’s cool and would you buy one? I personally have my credit card waiting already.

[via Google+]


NOOK Simple Touch announced with GlowLight for $139 coming May 1st

Posted: 12 Apr 2012 02:01 PM PDT

Barnes and Noble are back with another e-reader for the world to enjoy. Many might now know this, but even the black and white e-readers run on Android. There are multiple hacks and tweaks available but today we have a brand new model to tell you about. The all new NOOK Simple Touch with GlowLight. This is a front-lit display as we reported on yesterday, and will be amazing in the dark.

This new NOOK Simple Touch is an upgrade over the previous Simple Touch in regards to the screen, but that is about all. This is a big update though. For those that read often on a tablet device you all know that reading outside by the pool, at the park, or on that cruise ship all summer can be a challenge with the sun. The new GlowLight will ensure that you’ll get an optimal reading experience in any light condition.

Not only that, this will almost instantly make all of those e-reader light kits and cases obsolete. You’ll be able to read in bed and in complete darkness. The NOOK Simple Touch with GlowLight is the only e-reader that you can read completely in the dark. How does this work? The GlowLight actually illuminates the reading surface with 8 LED’s embedded into the upper inside bezel and can be turned on/off by the switch of a button. Reading in a perfectly lit room you don’t need it and can save battery, head to bed and it’s dark just one tap and you’re reading in no time.

Aside from the new GlowLight this is the same 6-inch e-reader we already know and love. It can be yours for only $139 and pre-orders are available right this minute from the link below. The new Simple Touch with GlowLight will begin shipping May 1st.

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[via B&N]


Google posts $10.6 billion in revenue for Q1 2012

Posted: 12 Apr 2012 01:46 PM PDT

Ready for the most exciting news of the day? Well, this isn’t it, unless you’re just getting off your shift on the NYSE. Google’s posted its quarterly results for the first quarter of the year, and while generally rosy, they’re nothing to write home about. In total, Google took in 10,645,000,000 dollars in January, February and March, up 24% from the same time frame last year but gaining only one percent since the last quarter. Compare that to the difference between Q3 and Q4 off 2011, when Google increased its income by about 8%.

Google remains about half and half as far as US and international revenues go: 46% of its income comes from the United States, a statistic that’s held relatively steady for two years. Google’s total costs for Q1 were $7.25 billion, giving them a little more than three billion dollars in profit – a win for just about anybody. For the quarter they keep 3.08 billion in cash reserves and add it to their considerable pile.

Google remains one of the largest and most powerful Internet companies, even if their actual revenue doesn’t match the likes of Microsoft (17 billion income, 6 billion profit in Q4 2011) or Apple (26 billion, 6 billion, respectively). The report doesn’t mention Android activations or Google Play Store numbers, so presumably they haven’t grown dramatically from the 850,000 activations a day announced at Mobile World Congress.