Thursday, June 7, 2012

Google Alert - android

News10 new results for android
 
New Google Maps kicks iPhone vs Android battle up a notch
CNET
This 3D feature would be a great spiff for Android users and a great reason for iPhone users to download a new Google Maps app for that platform. Except for one thing: Very soon, this won't be a unique feature. Apple bought C3 Technologies in October, ...
See all stories on this topic »
Google Reveals an Image-Capturing Backpack and New 3D Maps
Wired News
Photo: Nathan Olivarez-Giles/Wired Google's Maps team introduced three new technologies on Wednesday: a feature to save offline maps in the Android Maps app, advanced 3D models of entire cities in Google Earth, and a new Android-controlled "Street View ...
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Has Android lost its mojo?
ExtremeTech
By Joel Hruska on June 7, 2012 at 12:38 pm One of the most striking differences between Computex 2011 and this years' show is how few Android and ARM devices are being shown. There have been a few demos that highlight hardware from Qualcomm and Nvidia, ...
See all stories on this topic »

ExtremeTech
An Android slowdown? Don't count on it
FierceWireless
After several years of frenetic growth, several analyst firms are predicting an Android slowdown. Moreover, Apple (NASDAQ:AAPL), Microsoft (NASDAQ:MSFT) and BlackBerry maker Research In Motion (NASDAQ:RIMM) are each preparing serious attacks on the ...
See all stories on this topic »
Is Android's market share peaking?
Digitaltrends.com
New figures suggest Android's rapid rise in the mobile marketplace may be coming to an end. What's behind the figures, and what do they mean for Android's long-term prospects? For all the attention the latest smartphones and tablets get, ...
See all stories on this topic »

Digitaltrends.com
ASUS Transformer Prime revisited: Still best Android tablet
ZDNet (blog)
By James Kendrick | June 7, 2012, 8:38am PDT Summary: ASUS hit the ball out of the park with the Transformer Prime, and it is still the best Android tablet months after its release. I am a sucker for tablets, that I confess.
See all stories on this topic »
Android market share to peak this year, says IDC
NDTV
Market intelligence firm International Data Corporation (IDC) is reporting that Google's Android is expected to remain as the world's most shipped smartphone operating system for the next five years, although its market share will peak this year.
See all stories on this topic »

NDTV
Where are those awesome Android-exclusive apps that Google chairman Eric ...
TechCrunch
Flashback to December 6, 2011: Google Chairman Eric Schmidt is on stage at LeWeb in Paris and is asked by an audience member why most application developers still choose to develop for iOS first rather than Android? Schmidt's response: "Six months from ...
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TechCrunch
Google 3D Maps Coming To Android And iOS Devices; Google Maps Go Offline ...
Huffington Post
He also announced that 3D maps will be coming to both Android and iOS devices in the coming weeks. He also debuted a new user interface called Tour Guide, which lets the user tour 3D landscapes in Google Earth and suggests lists of attractions that the ...
See all stories on this topic »
Android to lead smartphones, Windows to outgrow iOS by 2016
ITProPortal
Google's Android will likely maintain its smartphone OS dominance in the next five years, though its share will peak in 2012, according to data from IDC released 6 June. Apple's iOS, meanwhile, will continue an "impressive" run during the same time ...
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Blogs5 new results for android
 
Dropbox for Android adds support for Korean language, ICS-only ...
By Edgar Alvarez
You can't deny Dropbox has been doing a pretty decent job of handing out constant updates to Android users since its beginnings on.
Engadget
Best free Android apps of 2012
By Ken East
Do you have the best Android apps on your phone right now? If you think you don't, then it's time that you download them to your Android device. If yo.
Android Authority
Apple files for another ITC ban on 29 HTC smartphones | Android ...
By Cory Gunther
Apple is at it again this week. After HTC initially managed to satisfy and pass the US International Trade Commission (ITC) investigation into Apple's patent.
Android Community
Verizon's Motorola XOOM receiving Android 4.0.4 now, use this trick ...
By Kevin Krause
The Android 4.0.4 update for the Motorola XOOM has begun to push to Verizon subscribers after reaching a small group of testers earlier in the week. The.
Android Phone Fans
This Beautiful Device Turns Your iPhone and Android Into an Ultra ...
By Jesus Diaz
This is the ClamBook, a super-sleek, airier-that-Air thingamajig that has a 16:9 widescreen, a keyboard, and a battery. It will turn your iPhone or Android cell into a beautiful, ultra-thin laptop. Obviously, not as powerful as a real laptop, but as ...
Gizmodo


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Android Authority


U.S. Galaxy S3 pre-order, release date and pricing – what you need to know

Posted: 07 Jun 2012 02:47 AM PDT

Samsung announced on Monday that its 2012 Android flagship smartphone will be available from five U.S. carriers this month, with prices starting at $199. Soon after that, we saw Verizon, Sprint, T-Mobile, AT&T and U.S. Cellular announce their own Galaxy S3 versions alongside availability details for each carrier.

In case you're interested in buying the Galaxy S3 in the US but you're not sure what carrier to pick, then we got you covered, as we'll tell you everything you need to know before making the purchase.

What you get?

The Galaxy S3 offered by the five carriers is identical to the international version design-wise, which is certainly surprising considering the garden variety of Galaxy S and Galaxy S2 designs that hit the U.S. in 2010 and 2011, respectively. For once, carriers were not able to convince Samsung to design custom Galaxy S3 versions, which is a step in the right direction. However, crapware apps from each carrier selling the Galaxy S3 will surely be found on board.

But the Galaxy S3 is not entirely similar to the international version when it comes to internal components. Instead of the 1.4 quad-core Exynos processor that equips the international handset, U.S. versions will come with a 1.5 dual-core Qualcomm Snapdragon CPU. That's even if your chosen carrier will not offer LTE support in your market anytime soon. In addition to that processor change, the U.S. Galaxy S3 version will also sport 2GB of RAM, double than the international version.

Verizon Galaxy S3

Verizon was the first carrier to announce the Galaxy S3. The device is now available for pre-order and it will cost either $199.99 or $249.99, for the 16GB or 32GB version, respectively. Those of you not interested in getting a new two-year contract with Verizon will be able to purchase the handset for full price – that's $599 or $649, depending on the model you choose. Verizon’s Galaxy S3 release date was delayed due to unknown reasons, and is now scheduled for July 9.

What's worth remembering about Verizon is that the carrier has the largest LTE coverage in the U.S. at this time, so if it's LTE support that you're interested in, Verizon could be the way to go.

AT&T Galaxy S3

The second largest mobile operator in the country was the last one to unveil Galaxy S3 launch plans. Initially, AT&T put out a sign-up page for the handset followed by a proper press release. AT&T will sell only the 16GB Galaxy S3 version, also priced at $199.99. The carrier will offer customers a 16GB microSD card for $39 – thus they'd end up with a 32GB Galaxy S3 that costs $238.99. The phone will be available for pre-order starting tomorrow, June 6, although we have no idea when the device will ship.

AT&T's Galaxy S3 will also come with LTE support, but AT&T's "real 4G" network can't be compared with Verizon's when it comes to coverage. However, AT&T's "fake 4G" network – it's HSPA+ network that's also referred to as 4G, just like T-Mobile's corresponding network – offers superior data speeds than Verizon's and Sprint's 3G CDMA networks, and covers "more than 260 million people."

Sprint Galaxy S3

Alongside T-Mobile, Sprint was not afraid to announce a release date for the Galaxy S3. The carrier will have it in stores on June 21, with pre-orders starting on June 6. The smartphone will cost $199.99 or $249.99 with new two-year contracts, just like Verizon's models. Full price for the Sprint Galaxy S3 appears to be in line with Verizon’s too.

The carrier plans to roll out its LTE network in more and more markets later this year, but you may have to keep relying on 3G when it comes to browsing the web from your Galaxy S3 until that happens. The good news is that Sprint has not canceled its unlimited data plans yet, so that could be a good reason to purchase the Samsung phone from this carrier.

Furthermore, Sprint's Galaxy S3 will come with Google Wallet support too, in case NFC payments are on your agenda.

T-Mobile Galaxy S3

T-Mobile will also launch the Galaxy S3 on June 21, but the carrier is not offering the handset for pre-order. Furthermore, T-Mobile has not specified pricing details at this time although we would expect them to be in line with the competition's.

What some T-Mobile customers will find annoying is that T-Mobile will sell them the same LTE-ready Galaxy S3 version, even though T-Mobile does not have offer LTE support yet. Some people would argue that the carrier should have gotten the international GSM version that packs that Exynos quad-core processor instead of the LTE model that comes with the dual-core CPU.

However, T-Mobile has its own "fake 4G" network in place, which you could find more suitable for your needs in certain markets than other 3G networks from the competition.

U.S. Cellular Galaxy S3

While U.S. Cellular is just a regional mobile operator that can't really compete with any of the Big Four, some Galaxy S3 buyers will choose this carrier instead of going with any of the four offers mentioned above. That means they'll have to wait a while longer to get their Galaxy S3 unit as U.S. Cellular will start pre-orders on June 12 and launch the device only at some point in July.

U.S. Cellular will carry both the 16GB and 32GB of the handset, but pricing details are not available at this time. We'll also remind you that U.S. Cellular has its own 4G LTE network, so if LTE is a major selling point for you, then you should also consider U.S. Cellular's Galaxy S3 offer.

Other offers

Those of you interested in getting your hands on an unlocked GSM international Galaxy S3 version – in order to try out that quad-core Exynos CPU that’s found on board – can purchase the device from Amazon and other similar retailers, although you’ll have to pay full price to get it. Or, you could enter our second Galaxy S3 competition to win a free Galaxy S3 unit.

What carrier will you choose for your Galaxy S3 model?


This article, U.S. Galaxy S3 pre-order, release date and pricing – what you need to know , was originally published at AndroidAuthority.com - Your Android News Source.


HBO Go available now for Kindle Fire, snubs other Android tablets

Posted: 07 Jun 2012 02:10 AM PDT

hbo go kindle fire

For quite some time now, the HBO GO service has been available for the Android platform. Unfortunately, the app has not supported any Android tablet so far, even if the app was updated to run on ICS. The status quo changes somehow today, as one particular tablet is now supported by HBO Go – Amazon’s Kindle Fire.

Available starting today from the Amazon Appstore, HBO GO lets you instantly access more than 1,400 titles, including every episodes of every season of the the best HBO shows. The service is available for free, but you have to be a HBO subscriber of any of HBO’s partner TV providers.

With your Kindle Fire, you will be able to view hit HBO series such as Game of Thrones, Boardwalk Empire, and True Blood, but also classic HBO shows, such as The Sopranos, Sex and the City, and Deadwood, as well as original HBO movies.

In addition, the HBO GO app for the Kindle Fire lets you personalize your HBO watching experience by allowing you to create watchlists. These lists keep track of your bookmarked content, to make it available for viewing  later on.

Other features  include the ability to get new titles simultaneously, resume viewing from the Watchlist on the Kindle Fire, and get bonus content such as interviews, recaps, and behind-the-scenes extras. HBO GO also lets you create customizable views with the titles shown via slideshow, grid or list format, and offers the ability to pause, rewind, and view shows at your convenience.

So, for those of you who have the Kindle Fire and are HBO subscribers, you might want to get the HBO GO app right now.


This article, HBO Go available now for Kindle Fire, snubs other Android tablets , was originally published at AndroidAuthority.com - Your Android News Source.


Video: CyanogenMod 9 boot animation now features CID as the new mascot

Posted: 07 Jun 2012 01:45 AM PDT

CyanogenMod has grown to become one of the most recognized custom firmware developers for Android devices, with more than 2 million devices reportedly running some version of the open source ROM. The CyanogenMod team is now introducing a new mascot to replace the old skateboard Andy.

Cid is officially the new "face" of CyanogenMod and you can bet that you'll be seeing him soon when you turn on your CyanogenMod-flavored Android devices. You can check out what the boot animation's going to be like with Cid as the mascot on the video below.

For those who wonder about the theory behind the new mascot's name, Cid stands for CyanogenMod ID, which, according to the team, signifies the uniqueness of each user in their community. The new boot animation will be available to download soon.


This article, Video: CyanogenMod 9 boot animation now features CID as the new mascot , was originally published at AndroidAuthority.com - Your Android News Source.


Google Maps 3D official, Google Maps offline for Android coming soon

Posted: 07 Jun 2012 01:41 AM PDT

google earth maps 3d

Google held a special Google Maps event today to reveal “the next dimension of maps”, and just as expected, it unveiled an advanced Google Maps 3D layer that's going to be available in different markets, but also Google Maps offline, a feature many Android users have been asking for.

Google Maps offline coming soon

Google confirmed today what we already suspected, that the Google Maps offline feature, currently available to Android device users in Labs only, is going to get a lot better at some point in the near future. Android users will no longer require an active Internet connection to get around town, as they'll be able to access the resource "right down to Street View" in offline mode. The news is especially comforting for international travelers that would be able to use Google Maps in any region without having to worry about data surcharges while roaming in a different carrier network.

Unfortunately, Google did not reveal an actual release date for Google Maps offline, but at least we know the feature is coming soon to Android devices. Furthermore, Google is apparently "working very hard" to bring Google Maps offline to iOS devices, although it's not known when that will happen.

Google Maps 3D

Google Maps 3D is not a new concept, but it took Google a while to deliver a complete product. Even so, not all markets that are covered by Google Maps will get instant 3D support as initially only some communities totaling 300 million people will enjoy the new product.

The company detailed the new 3D mapping technology during the event, acknowledging that it has contractors flying a fleet of special 3D-view planes for Google to map out various cities and areas in 3D.

How does it all work? The Verge explains:

To make the images, Google uses planes to take images at 45-degrees from four different angles — flying them in a tightly-controlled pattern with plenty of overlap. Google builds the 3D model off of these many images, using algorithms to create the shape and color of buildings. The process is “fully automated,” building the 3D images without any human interactions. The system is intelligent enough to know when a certain image is blocked or shadowed, for example. The company hopes to combine the 2D mapping and vector data with the 3D images to perhaps someday provide vertical location information.
From there, they generate a textured 3D mesh, which is needed to render 3D scenes.

Interestingly, Google Maps 3D has been demoed on stage by Google on an iPad not on an Android device, but 3D imagery will be coming to both Android and iOS devices at some point "in the coming weeks".

Street View goes to smaller and stranger places

One other feature Google talked about during the event was its Street View feature available in Google Maps. As expected, the company will further improve the technology, as it plans to cover more and more places, even remote areas that aren't accessible to its fleet of Street View cars. In fact, Google revealed that it has built special tricycles for Street View use and that it even has a 40-pound Street View capture backpack that can be used to take pictures in "National Parks, the Grand Canyon, castles, ruins, etc." Now that sounds really exciting!

Without a doubt, Google Maps is one of Google's best projects, especially coupled with turn-by-turn navigation, so we're certainly excited to hear about these new features coming to this mapping tool this year.

At the same time, we will keep an eye on Apple's rumored Google Maps alternative, which is reportedly going to be unveiled at WWDC 2012 in a few days. During the event, Google has been rather dodgy when directly asked about a potential competing product from Apple and repeatedly said that it will bring all Google Maps services on all platforms.


This article, Google Maps 3D official, Google Maps offline for Android coming soon , was originally published at AndroidAuthority.com - Your Android News Source.


Best free Android apps of 2012

Posted: 06 Jun 2012 09:00 PM PDT

Do you have the best Android apps on your phone right now? If you think you don’t, then it’s time that you download them to your Android device.

If you’re not too keen on shelling out cash for the best paid Android apps of 2012, why not try going for the best of the free ones.  We have listed some of 2012′s best free Android apps on the Google Play Store.

Some free apps are not worth the trouble.  In fact, many people equate freebies with low-quality, dispensability, and feature impairment.  But, not the apps on this list.  They have been downloaded, installed, and used by countless Android users all over the world–and have been

Read on to check out our list of the most awesome free Android apps for 2012.

TweetCaster for Twitter

Twitter has definitely become a vital communication network and the best way to enjoy it on your Android phone is through TweetCaster for Twitter.  Boasting speed, a clean-looking interface, and numerous features, it’s the number one Twitter app for any Android device.

The app has several unique features which differentiate it from other Twitter apps. It has a Search Party feature allowing you to easily narrow down your search  for tweets. And, if the tweets are too messy for you to see, it allows you to group people on a list, keeping things orderly.

You can also choose to speak your tweets, too. Instead of typing in your tweet, you can say your tweets out loud then the phone uses your voice as input.

Friendcaster for Facebook

If we talk about social networking sites, there could be no site more famous than Facebook. It’s a global phenomenon and almost everybody is on it. Friendcaster for Facebook is not the official Facebook app for Android, but many users choose to download it because it has better features than the official Facebook app itself. It can definitely give you the best Facebook experience on your Android device.

The app has loads of features for an amazing mobile Facebook experience. It has a simple yet nice-looking interface (just like Facebook ) which you can customize to some degree. It’s also very fast, letting you enjoy real-time updates and posts so that you won’t miss out on anything in the news feeds.  So, if you are stuck with a slow Facebook app, you better switch to this app or else you’ll have a horrible Facebook mobile experience.

Seesmic

With the boom of social media, social networking sites have become quite numerous, providing users a variety of ways to communicate with friends. If you own accounts for several networking sites, you will find yourself unable to manage all of them, especially if you are a bit busy. It’s like using several mobile phones to contact your friends and it’s really hard to keep up with. Good thing there’s Seesmic, allowing you to manage your social media accounts in one place.

The app has a very simple interface allowing you to see feeds from your accounts where you can comment, like, or follow posts easily. However the app’s free version can only be used to manage your Twitter and Facebook account. Nonetheless, those are the most famous sites but if you want to enjoy more features, you can download the pro version of the app.

Google+

Social media is not just about famous sites like Facebook and Twitter; even Google has its own way of connecting you with friends and family. Google+ is another way to keep in touch with friends while you are using your mobile device. The app allows you to upload photos and chat with friends, and uploading videos has just recently been supported.

The app has a feature where you can automatically sync your photos and they’ll be instantly uploaded to a private Google+ album. The app has really fun and handy features. You can video chat with up to 9 friends with mobile hangouts in messenger. If that’s not enough for you, the app allows you to chat with all your friends at once! Imagine that? You can also check out trending topics through a “what’s hot stream”. All that, you can do on your mobile device with this app.

Foursquare

If you like exploring new places or if you want to know the latest buzz about freebies and discounts then you’ve got to have Foursquare pinned on your Android device. Through this app you can check out what new things your friends are up to or share your experiences about the places you’ve been to r about a certain brand of clothing that you just bought.

Through this app, you will know some of the tips and advice from experts, brands and even some of your favorite celebrities, not to mention a list of the best places you can go to. You can save money with discounts from businesses and you can also ask your friends what the best places to go to are, whether it’s a hotel, restaurant or a store. This app is probably the best guide you could have.

GetGlue

If you are fond of watching movies and TV series on your phone or tablet then GetGlue is the perfect app for your entertainment. Through this app, you can check in to movies, TV shows and music, allowing you to discover new things that you will love to watch. It’s also more of a social networking site for entertainment because you get to interact with friends and know what movies they like. You can also share your favorite movies and shows with them.

You can also check out what your friends are watching and even chat with them while you are watching your favorite shows. The app has over 700 shows for you to check out, including some of the most famous, such as American Idol, The Vampire Diaries and The Walking Dead. You can also unlock stickers and discounts as you use the app, and what’s even more fun is that you can get the real stickers in the mail. Check it out!

Vlingo Virtual Assistant

If you’ve heard about Siri, the famous virtual assistant for the iPhone, you’ll have been amazed by the things that it can do. But, did you know that it has an Android counterpart? Vlingo Virtual Assistant is the app which makes everything easy if, say, you are driving or cooking, or for when you just can’t hold your phone. Just speak to it and it will take care of everything.

There are a bunch of things that this app can do for you. You can order it to send texts and emails, call a contact, and search the web. It can even tell you directions, find an establishment, buy a movie ticket, and even book a hotel room. Aside from that it can also update your Twitter or Facebook status for you, as well as check in with Foursquare. Most of all, if you don’t have someone to talk to, you can ask it any question. It’s really helpful and must-have app to install on your phone, not to mention that it could be fun to talk with.

Shazam

Are you a music lover who wants to be updated on all the new songs? If that’s the case, then you should have Shazam on your Android device. The highlight of this app is that it can find almost any song that you are looking for, even if you don’t know the title. Just type in some of the lyrics and presto! The app finds that song for you and it narrows down the search unlike other music search apps which often show irrelevant results.

Once you have search results, you can listen to a 30 second preview to check if that’s the song you’re looking for and then you can save it right away. Singing along to the tune of your new song is also easier because the app streams lyrics in time to the beat of the music.

Lookout Security & Antivirus

Also included in our list of some of the best apps for 2012 is Lookout Security & Antivirus. It’s one of the best security apps downloaded by many users to protect their devices from malicious contents or from anyone who wants to mess with their Android device. It’s an all-in-one security solution promising to protect your device from loss, theft, and even hackers. It runs effectively and efficiently in the background to protect your phone without draining your battery.

The app has many features designed for your phone’s security, but one of the most highlighted is the anti-theft/anti-loss feature. Using any web browser, you can locate your phone if it’s stolen or lost–all from the app’s official website. It also has a Backup & Restore feature, securing a backup of your data on the cloud which can be easily restored to your mobile device.

Evernote

The last but not the least app on our list is Evernote. Staying organized is an everyday struggle, especially for those of you who have a lot of things to do. It’s impossible to remember every appointment or task that you have to do if you have a hectic schedule, except if you have a photographic memory. But, that’s not a problem when you use Evernote. The app will help you keep things organized and you can leave procrastinating behind.

It’s not just a simple notepad because it can do a lot of stuff. Aside from the notepad function, you can save files, capture photos, and even record voice reminders. You can organize your notes by tags and notebooks to make sure that everything is in place. And, you can sync all these files across several devices so that your notes can guide you on what to do, whether you are at home or at work. You can even share your notes with your friends or officemates to remind them, as well.

Those are just some of the best free Android apps for 2012 (so far), but there are more not included in this list. This app list however is subjective and some of the apps included may not be one of your favorites. Let us know about your favorite apps by leaving us a comment.


This article, Best free Android apps of 2012 , was originally published at AndroidAuthority.com - Your Android News Source.


Samsung Cloud Gaming announced for LED Smart TVs, could Android support be next?

Posted: 06 Jun 2012 01:19 PM PDT

Hardcore gamers are most likely aware that this year's Electronic Entertainment Expo, or E3, takes place in Las Vegas this week, therefore we're being bombarded with gaming-related news from left and right. In fact, Samsung decided it's time to become a "major force in the video game industry" and released a press release to announce its Samsung Cloud Gaming project developed in partnership with Gaikai.

Before you ask, Samsung Cloud Gaming will be available only to 2012 Samsung LED 7000 series Smart TV owners, although I wouldn't be surprised to see the South Korean company adapt it for other devices and even Android use at some point in the future. Gaming, or better said mobile gaming, has become a major element of our lives, as better and better games are available on smartphones and tablets, whether they're running Android, iOS, Windows Phone or any other mobile platform.

Moreover, Sony announced that its ready to expand its PlayStation Mobile environment to include Android devices made by other companies – HTC has been invited to join in so far – so we shouldn't be surprised to see Samsung make some sort of gaming-related play in the mobile business as well.

In the meantime, the Samsung Cloud Gaming service will be exclusively available to Smart TV owners in the U.S., who will have access to a variety of "family-friendly and AAA video games" directly on their Smart TVs:

Samsung Cloud Gaming gives Smart TV users instant access to some of the video game industry's biggest titles, without any need to download, install or patch/update games. In under a minute, consumers can find and start playing some of the most popular game titles on the market.

Beta testing is expected to start soon, so if you own a compatible Smart TV, you can definitely give the new gaming service a try. What's interesting is that Smart TV buyers will be able to try the games available via the Cloud Gaming that's going to be found inside Samsung's Smart Hub, and only purchase those titles that they end up getting addicted to.

But how will one play those games? We have no idea yet, although the company did say that Samsung Cloud Gaming "with gamepad support" will be demoed at E3. Should we understand that Smart TV owners will have to buy a special gadget to pair it with their TVs in order to play games? Or will current Samsung smart devices, including smartphones and tablets be able to act as gaming controllers at some point in the future?

Show full PR text
SAMSUNG Set to Become a Major Force in the Video Game Industry

New "Samsung Cloud Gaming" service to instantly stream state-of-the-art console quality games directly to consumers on 2012 Samsung Smart TVs

LOS ANGELES – June 5, 2012 – Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd, a global leader in digital media and digital convergence technologies, revealed today its cloud-based gaming service: "Samsung Cloud Gaming". Samsung Cloud Gaming, developed in partnership with Gaikai, a leading cloud-based video game platform provider, will stream a mix of family-friendly and AAA video games directly to owners of 2012 Samsung LED 7000 series and up Smart TVs in the U.S.

Samsung Cloud Gaming gives Smart TV users instant access to some of the video game industry's biggest titles, without any need to download, install or patch/update games. In under a minute, consumers can find and start playing some of the most popular game titles on the market.

"Samsung is excited to deliver this revolutionary gaming experience that takes advantage of all the benefits of cloud-computing, all on the central screen of the home—Samsung Smart TV," said Kyung-shik Lee, Vice President, Visual Display Business at Samsung Electronics. "With Samsung Cloud Gaming, Samsung's leadership in Smart Content and commitment to providing consumers with an innovative Home Entertainment experience is evident.

"We could not be more thrilled to be working with Samsung, the world's leader in consumer electronics," said David Perry, CEO of Gaikai Inc. "Samsung Cloud Gaming will greatly expand the reach of the best games our industry can provide, then make them just as accessible as movies, TV shows and music."

Samsung will soon begin accepting sign-ups for the Beta Test of its Cloud Gaming service on Smart TVs in the United States.

Cloud-based gaming provides consumers with access to high-performance games on Samsung Smart TVs without the need or challenge of using a console or additional devices. This service will demonstrate how the concept of "Smart TV's" becomes smarter as Samsung enables incredible new capabilities like this. Consumers who own a 2012 Samsung LED 7000 series and up with a good Internet connection will have access to "Samsung Cloud Gaming" directly through Samsung's Smart Hub. Consumers will be able to try the games for free and only pay for games they fall in love with, making it the most gamer-friendly service possible.

Gaikai will showcase Samsung Cloud Gaming with gamepad support running on Samsung Smart TV's at E3 2012 in Los Angeles.

About Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. is a global leader in semiconductor, telecommunication, digital media and digital convergence technologies with 2011 consolidated sales of US$143.1 billion. Employing approximately 206,000 people in 197 offices across 72 countries, the company operates two separate organizations to coordinate its nine independent business units: Digital Media & Communications, comprising Visual Display, Mobile Communications, Telecommunication Systems, Digital Appliances, IT Solutions, and Digital Imaging; and Device Solutions, consisting of Memory, System LSI and LED. Recognized for its industry-leading performance across a range of economic, environmental and social criteria, Samsung Electronics was named the world's most sustainable technology company in the 2011 Dow Jones Sustainability Index. For more information, please visit www.samsung.com.

About Gaikai
Gaikai is the world’s first interactive cloud platform that provides its partners with the ability to deliver state-of-the-art video game and software application experiences instantly to any Internet-connected device. Gaikai’s offers its global cloud streaming network as a fully managed service and is live in 88 countries with top-tier partners. Gaikai’s robust service layer is specifically designed to allow Gaikai’s partners to grow their online and offline revenues by improving customer acquisition while extending their reach to new channels previously unavailable using physical media. Headquartered in Southern California, Gaikai is backed by Benchmark Capital, NEA, Rustic Canyon Partners, Limelight Networks and Intel Capital.[/press]


This article, Samsung Cloud Gaming announced for LED Smart TVs, could Android support be next? , was originally published at AndroidAuthority.com - Your Android News Source.


Windows Phone 8 Apollo sneak peak coming on June 20, release date not available yet

Posted: 06 Jun 2012 01:03 PM PDT

One of the main Android rivals out there, in addition to iOS, is Microsoft's Windows Phone platform, although the Redmond-based company has had little success in gaining significant market share in the smartphone business so far.

Nevertheless, Microsoft has been relentless on its Windows Phone effort and kept improving the platform, adding more apps to its app store and signing more partnerships with handset makers, the most famous being the Nokia deal. Even so, Windows Phone 7 and Windows Phone 7.5 handsets, despite offering some interesting features, have failed to conquer the heart and minds of buyers.

Engadget now reports that the company will offer us a "sneak peak" of the upcoming Windows Phone 8 operating system, also known as Apollo in the mobile world, during a special media event scheduled for June 20. However, a release date is not yet available for the new mobile OS, and a DigiTimes report suggests Microsoft is more interested in promoting Windows 8 which is due this fall, alongside with Windows 8 tablets.

Windows 8 is a major desktop refresh for the company's top-selling product. In addition to "usual" desktop features, the new OS comes with a brand new user interface specifically crafted for future tablet use. This UI relies on the same Metro design that's found on Windows Phone handsets, and Microsoft has high hopes for this mobile face of Windows 8, as it will finally give it a chance to enter the tablet business that’s been so far dominated by Apple's iPad.

According to DigiTimes, once Windows 8 tablet sales take off, Windows Phone 8 handsets would become a lot more popular with manufacturers, vendors, and most importantly, with the crowds. Care to disagree? Shout at us below!


This article, Windows Phone 8 Apollo sneak peak coming on June 20, release date not available yet , was originally published at AndroidAuthority.com - Your Android News Source.


Gameloft previews a new amazing game, Asphalt 7: Heat

Posted: 06 Jun 2012 12:55 PM PDT

Among the many mobile game developers, Gameloft is among the most consistent in coming up with games one after another. And mind you, most if not all of those games are not run-of-the-mill but well designed and good looking games. And so it seems that Gameloft is on a roll again preparing a game for Android, namely Asphalt 7.

For those into adrenalin-pumping racing games, I’m pretty sure you’ve played one or two games in the Asphalt series. Asphalt 6 for Android was a big hit and we’re pretty sure, its follow-up entitled Asphalt 7: Heat will surely be a runaway hit as well. Asphalt 7 will take you into the racing circuits in Shanghai, Hawaii, London, Miami and other good-looking racing circuits, at least based on initial in-game screenshots. Of course, the meat of any racing games has to be the cars. Again, based on the screenshots available, the cars in Asphalt 7 looks pretty realistic.

So, there. If you’re a fan of Gameloft’s games for Android, be sure to watch out for this title. Of course, you can always count on us to bring more information about Gameloft games.

Have you tried out any other titles from GL? Are they naturally addictive? Do drop a comment below!

 


This article, Gameloft previews a new amazing game, Asphalt 7: Heat , was originally published at AndroidAuthority.com - Your Android News Source.


Cosmos: 3-in-1 system and performance optimization for Android

Posted: 06 Jun 2012 12:00 PM PDT

The Google Play Store is literally filled with so many performance and optimization apps, but not all of them live up to their claims of boosting your phone's performance. If you're tired of the same old boosting and enhancing applications, then you might want to try something new for a change.

Joining our list of memory boosting and optimization app is Cosmos, a 3-in-1 optimization tool for your Android device.

Cosmos features 3 separate tools bundled into one complete package. The package includes a built-in battery saver, trash cleaner, and privacy scanner. With a fierce competition when it comes to optimization apps, Cosmos brings a fresh alternative to the table for users to try on their devices.

Intuitive and Simple UI

Cosmos features a clutter-free user interface that is self-explanatory and easy for users to understand. The app is straightforward and can help users analyze and solve their Android problems fast, thanks to the app's trapping procedure. When users first launch the app, they will be treated with 4 large buttons displayed on the app's main home screen.

Selecting the Battery Optimizer will lead you to a set of tabs that include Optimizer, Consumption, and Help.

The Optimizer tab features the important Battery Optimizer toggle that lets you choose from three different power saving modes to help you save power on your phone. Choosing the Balance mode will give Cosmos complete control of your phone's Wi-Fi connectivity and mobile data. Internet connectivity is only enabled every 15 minutes to help other apps access their respective services as well as help you save battery in the process.

If you feel that the 15-minute interval is just too short, then you can try the Power Saver Mode that enables Internet connectivity every 30 minutes. Aside from that, you gain access to your phone's display levels and sound settings so you can adjust them.

Lastly, if you prefer to save that extra juice for crucial events then choose Extreme Power Saving mode, as the app will restrict all of your Internet and mobile data settings. Bluetooth and various apps that rely on data synchronization will be completely disabled. Display and sound settings will also be trimmed down to the lowest settings possible to get the maximum battery life.

Trash Out

The Trash Cleaner tool will let you track your both the internal and external storage on your phone. Not only that, it allows you to clean your phone's search history, browser cache, and other useless junk by just assigning a mere tap.

The Privacy Scanner tool, on the hand, lets you filter away all installed apps that have granted permission on your phone's resources. This is pretty handy in cases when you have rogue applications eating away your phone's memory. Users can quickly close applications right from Cosmos itself.

Cosmos is available for free on the Google Play Store and requires that you have Android 2.2 version or higher.


This article, Cosmos: 3-in-1 system and performance optimization for Android , was originally published at AndroidAuthority.com - Your Android News Source.


Temple Run: a quick review and what’s to come

Posted: 06 Jun 2012 11:48 AM PDT

Almost every high-end Android smartphone released this year will feature a quad-core processor and with the announcement of project “Kai” by Nvidia, it looks like in the tablet arena, this might be true for even low-cost devices. Along with the increasingly common availability of high-resolution HD displays and the advances in processor technology, gaming on a handheld device has become an incredibly popular activity.

We are seeing the growing trend of optimizing classic PC games for handheld devices, with made-for-mobile games also becoming more graphic-intensive, and featuring full story-lines and “campaign” modes. But sometimes, it is the simplest of concepts that becomes the biggest hit. Even though very popular console games such as Fifa 2012, the NFS (Need for Speed) series, Madden NFL 2012, etc. have impressive mobile versions, we’ve seen games like Angry Birds and Draw Something witness meteoric rises to the top of the charts.

Now, running out of the cave (get it?!) and surging ahead of the pack is Temple Run!

Following is a quick review of my experience with the game, why Temple Run is on its way to become the most popular mobile game ever, and what’s in store for Imangi Studios, the developers of this addictive game.

Review

We already have a quick game review which describes what the game entails and the story line. The short version is, “That cursed idol looks nice, I think I’m going to steal it. Wait, is something coming towards me? Are those evil demon monkeys?! RUN!!” and that’s how the game begins, with a character that you control, running out of a cave chased by demon monkeys.

I’ll be honest, I jumped on the Temple Run bandwagon very late, only starting about 10 days back, after seeing some friends with their full attention diverted towards their phones. My first impression after watching them play was “That looks simple enough.” Boy, was I wrong!

Granted, it sounds easy. All you have to do is jump, slide, and turn left and right, while collecting coins that can later be used for power ups and meeting objectives. What makes this “never ending” game different is that every time you play it, it feels like you’re playing it for the first time. You may have just completed an amazing run and scored over 10 million points, but you might immediately on the next run, make the first turn and crash into a tree. Every “run” requires the same amount of concentration, and with the speed getting faster and faster the longer you continue, the intensity, which is high to begin with, just keeps on increasing. 10 days may not be long enough to be completely familiar with a game, but as you can see from the images, I’ve played it enough to power up completely and unlock a few characters along the way and no, I did not buy any coin packages to help.

Another advantage of my joining the Temple Run club late was that I downloaded the latest version of the game which fixed all the bugs when running it on an ICS device, which meant that I had a completely glitch-free experience while playing the game. While the game concept may be simple, the art work and visuals are quite stunning and look great on an HD screen.

Overall, I, along with 50 million other people, have had amazing experience with this game and my comparatively low score of 1.9 million means that I’m far from done. Until the next “distraction” comes along, Temple Run will be my go-to game.

Why is Temple Run so popular?

The game already enjoyed over 40 million downloads and had topped the “Top Free” and “Top Grossing” charts in the iTunes App Store, before arriving officially at the Google Play Store on March 27. The Temple Run bug had clearly caught on in the Android world as well, boasting over 1 million downloads in just 3 days, and surpassing the 10 million download mark in just over 3 weeks. Below are a few reasons why I think Temple Run has become so popular:

  • Competition: This game is very competitive. You’re competing against your friends to see you can collect the most coins, who has completed the most objectives, and who has the highest score. Apart from that, you are also just competing with yourself, trying to beat your previous high score, while trying to collect as many coins as possible to unlock the next upgrade/power-up.
  • Ease of Play: The gameplay concept is simple and all you need to do is swipe up, down, left, or right to do the corresponding actions of jump, slide and turn left and right. You also need to tilt the phone to either side depending on which the side the coins are lined up. As such, unless you are using a tablet, can easily play the game using just one hand.
  • Duration: Every “run” ranges from 20 seconds to a few minutes. That is perfect when you’re stuck waiting while picking up a friend or waiting for an youtube video to load. Of course, really high scores require a 15 – 30 minute “commitment,” which isn’t actually very long compared to the truly time-consuming nature of some other games.
  • It’s FREE!: The game did suffer a slow start while it cost $0.99 on the iTunes App Store, but immediately enjoyed huge growth in popularity when the developers made the game free and moved to in-app purchasing. In-app purchasing allows you to stock up on coins required for you to unlock power-ups, characters, and wallpapers. Character unlocks and higher upgrades do require a lot of coins, so the option to buy coins is understandable. But like I said, I managed to achieve every upgrade without needing a purchase.
  • Updates and Optimization: The developers have been very quick to address any issues and concerns consumers have had with the app. As mentioned, the latest version for the phone is optimized for play with Android 4.0. The best part is that the game is also optimized for tablets. I’ve played the game on both the iPad and the Samsung Galaxy Tab and the larger screen and HD graphics provide an awesome experience.

The mobile technology and app world is continuously changing and growing, so app popularity isn’t a very long-lasting characteristic. But for now, Temple Run is one of the most popular games on the Google Play Store, and with a sequel in the works (more on that below), it may well achieve and even go beyond the success of Angry Birds.

What’s Next?

There’s great news for Temple Run fans with the developers announcing on Facebook and Twitter the release of Temple Run: Brave. If there was any doubt about how mainstream this game has become, the Disney/Pixar tie-in for the sequel should take care of that.

As the name suggests, the sequel features a tie-in to an upcoming Walt Disney Pictures/Pixar Animation Studios movie, “Brave.” The movie is about a young girl called Princess Merida who apart from being royalty, is also an aspiring archer. Her defiance of a tradition releases a “beastly curse” on her kingdom which is undone by her, while relying on her bravery and archery skills. (via IMDb)

The main character, Merida, is also the “runner” in the game. Keeping with the theme of the movie, Merida will be running through a forest while being chased by cursed, angry bears. From the video below, you can instantly notice that the graphics are even better the second time around, while the gameplay is exactly similar. Only this time, with Merida being an archer, you also have the ability to shoot arrows at passing targets. Like “just” running wasn’t hard enough already.

The game will be available on the iTunes App Store, Google Play Store, and Amazon App Store on June 14. You can watch a video of the upcoming Temple Run: Brave release here:

If you haven’t had the opportunity to try out Temple Run yet, I recommend you add as the first item on your to-do list. You can download it from the Google Play Store here.

What are your thoughts? How addicted are you to Temple Run? What is your highest score so far? What did you think of the “Temple Run: Brave” trailer? Are you excited about the sequel? Let us know in the comments section below.

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This article, Temple Run: a quick review and what’s to come , was originally published at AndroidAuthority.com - Your Android News Source.