Tuesday, August 7, 2012

Google Alert - android

News10 new results for android
 
Samsung Galaxy S III vs. HTC One X: A professional observation
ZDNet (blog)
That's my conclusion after spending a couple months with two of the newest Android powerhouses -- the Samsung Galaxy S III and the HTC One X. I thought I'd briefly share my thoughts on the two smartphones, tell you which one I liked more, and why there ...
See all stories on this topic »

ZDNet (blog)
Opinions Mixed on Apple's Deletion of YouTube from iOS 6
PCWorld (blog)
"[It's] more reason to get an Android tablet, these patents and rivalries will be Apple's downfall," Saami Siddiqui writes. "YouTube app removal is Apple's cynical attempt to embarrass Google, nothing more; perfectly timed with the Samsung lawsuit," Sergey ...
See all stories on this topic »
Apple drops YouTube as iPhone 5 hints a Google-free phone
Computerworld (blog)
+ More . The Apple [AAPL] decision to dump native YouTube support from iOS 6 is utterly inevitable as the company continues to punish Google [GOOG] for what Cupertino's executives see as that firm's duplicity regarding Android and the iPhone.
See all stories on this topic »
HTC's quarterly profits plunge again, what can they do to turn things around?
ZDNet
HTC made the first Android phone, the T-Mobile G1, and helped generate excitement for the Android platform in 2008 as people looked for a competitor to the successful new iPhone. They have had successful Android products since 2008 for a few years ...
See all stories on this topic »

ZDNet
Samsung working on Android 4.1 update for Galaxy S III
CNET
Samsung is reportedly ready to issue Android 4.1 to the Galaxy S III. Samsung is on the verge of releasing an Android 4.1 Jelly Bean update for its Galaxy S III smartphone, according to a recent SamMobile report. The mobile blog claims that internal testing of ...
See all stories on this topic »
Survey: Tablet buyers rate apps availability, price the highest
Computerworld
That compares to Android and Kindle Fire owners who rated price as more important -- 7.9 and 8.1 -- than the availability of applications -- 7.3 and 7.5 -- according to comScore. For iPad owners, brand, OS and music and video capabilities were all seen as ...
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Android 4.1 Jelly Bean Release Date For Samsung Galaxy S3 May Come This ...
International Business Times
Google's newly announced Android 4.1 Jelly Bean operating system may be making its way to two of the most popular Samsung devices this fall, lining up with Apple's iOS 6 release date. (Photo: Google)<br>Google's newly announced Android 4.1 Jelly Bean ...
See all stories on this topic »

International Business Times
Apple: Google's YouTube won't be included in iOS 6
Washington Post
As Google has pushed into the market with its Android software -- now the most-used smartphone operating system -- the relationship between the two companies frayed. Apple also plans to replace Google's maps application with its own in the next iOS ...
See all stories on this topic »
Over $1 Billion Wiped From HTC's Market Capitalization
Wall Street Journal
Shares in HTC, an early adopter of Google Inc.'s Android operating system, fell by their daily 7% limit on Tuesday and ended at 240.50 New Taiwan dollars (US$8.04), extending Monday's 6.9% decline. So far this year, HTC shares have fallen more than 50%.
See all stories on this topic »
How iOS growth underscores Google's brilliant Android strategy
Network World
After shipping 24 million iPhones and 17 million iPads, iOS devices accounted for more than 70% ($26 Billion) of Apple's $35 billion third-quarter 2012 sales. Comparatively, Android is deployed at a rate of about 1 million units a day, increasing worldwide ...
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Blogs5 new results for android
 
Linux Today - Desktop Android? Multi-user Android support is on its ...
ZDnet: Android is great on smartphones and tablets, but it could work on the desktop?
Linuxtoday.com
Android-Based Game Console Closing Out Record-Breaking ...
By David J. Hill
Tired of feeling boxed in by your game console? Then rush over to Kickstarter and get ready to throw your money at the screen. Ouya (pronounced "ooo-yah!"), the widely publicized new platform, is an open game console built on Android that ...
Singularity Hub
This Lego Android mascot wants to be made official | Ubergizmo
By Tyler Lee
If you're a fan of Lego and Google's Android mobile platform, then you and GLHTurbo both have something in common. Now it seems that in a demonstration of his love for both Lego and Android, he has painstakingly pieced together [...]
Ubergizmo
Toshiba rolls out Android 4.0 for the 10 inch Thrive tablet - Liliputing
By Brad Linder
Email. The Toshiba Thrive tablet features a 10.1 inch display, an NVIDIA Tegra 2 dual core processor, and a few features you won't find on many other Android tablets including a removable battery and full-sized USB and HDMI ports. Toshiba ...
Liliputing
Google's YouTube app will not be included in iOS6 | TalkAndroid.com
By Jeff Causey
Apple users will notice more than Google Maps missing from iOS6 when it rolls out later this year. The latest beta versions reveal a standard YouTube app will not be included. Apple says it is a case of the license expiring. What they say may ...
Android News, Rumours, and Updates


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Android Authority

Android Authority


HTC’s sales down 45% in July compared to a year ago

Posted: 07 Aug 2012 03:30 AM PDT

HTC doesn’t seem to be doing too well lately, even after the big launch of the One series, and the much praised HTC One X smartphone. Yesterday they said that their sales fell by 45% in the month of July compared to the same month last year, from T$45.11 billion to T$25 billion ($834 million). The sales were also down compared the previous month by T$5 billion.

Things seem to be going downhill for HTC, and with the next iPhone being just a month away from launch, it doesn’t look like they will recover too soon. However, they are rumored to make a 5″ phone with a 1080p screen for this fall, but I’m not sure if that will be enough to help them.

I think what will do a lot more to get them back on track would be a very well made Nexus phone for this fall, but we aren’t sure if there will be just one company making it, and if that company is HTC, or several of them, in which case HTC’s chances would increase.

HTC Evo 4g

Either way, HTC should surprise the world by making some stock Android phones. People would be very happy about that and would start recommending HTC’s phones again, even over those from Samsung, that have Touchwiz. I think there’s little chance of this happening, which is puzzling considering HTC was oh so happy to build very similar looking WP7 phones. These were not just in software, but also in hardware, and they will probably continue to do that with WP8.

In the same time they seem unwilling to do the same with Android. It very well may be their loss, because I don’t see how else they can recover quickly, unless they have some hardware innovation up their sleeves and are ready to show it off this year.

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This article, HTC’s sales down 45% in July compared to a year ago , was originally published at AndroidAuthority.com - Your Android News Source.


Google, Apple start bidding for Kodak’s digital patents

Posted: 07 Aug 2012 02:45 AM PDT

WSJ reported yesterday that Kodak’s upcoming patent auction already has 2 bidders: Google and Apple, and each has bids between $150 million and $250 million so far. Kodak, however, is expecting up to $2.6 billion for its 1,100 digital patents to pay off its creditors.

This may be wishful thinking for Kodak, but who knows how fast the bids will escalate with Apple in there. Apple doesn’t really care about the money they have to spend, so they will try to at least raise the cost for Google as much as possible provided Google does retain them eventually.

The two companies are not actually bidding by themselves, but are leaders of 2 consortium of companies. On Google’s side, there seem to be Android manufacturers genuinely interested in defending themselves against the likes of Apple and Microsoft, like Samsung, HTC and LG, while on Apple’s side there’s Microsoft and the known patent troll, Intellectual Ventures.

You can only imagine that these companies are not looking to use those patents defensively. If Apple gets some of Kodak’s patents, they will probably use them to put more injunctions on Android manufacturers. Microsoft would try to get even more money from the companies they are charging for alleged patent infringements. Intellectual Ventures would just spread them out to certain patent troll shell companies to sue other companies, including Android manufacturers.

Kodak has denied the leaked information, which makes sense as they don’t want to upset some of the bidders. Google and their consortium would have the most to suffer from this because if Apple and the others know they are bidding, they will just keep raising the price. But I think they already knew there was a high chance Google would bid for them. Hopefully, history won’t repeat itself like with the Nortel patents, and Google and their partners will obtain the goods without incident.

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This article, Google, Apple start bidding for Kodak’s digital patents , was originally published at AndroidAuthority.com - Your Android News Source.


T-Mobile slashes HTC One S price to $149

Posted: 07 Aug 2012 02:35 AM PDT

Even though it seems to be hip these days to cut the prices of some of the best-selling smartphones around, we can't help but suspect some of these discounts have ulterior motives or strings attached to them.

Take T-Mobile's HTC One S, for example. This hasn't exactly been a star, but it sold decently enough at $200 on-contract to be untouched for at least a few more weeks. However, T-Mo has already decided a price slashing is needed and is now selling the elegant 4.3-incher at $149.99.

The "special offer" will be lasting until August 21, so you have 2 full weeks to decide whether to take advantage of the deal or not. Then again, we're almost certain that at the end of this promotion, or at the worst a few weeks after that, HTC will come out with a spanking new high-end phone, known around the web as the One X+.

We've picked up a benchmark of that supposed new HTC flagship just a few days ago, and according to it, the One X+ might come packing a quad-core 1.7 GHz Tegra 3 processor, a full HD 1280 x 720 pixels resolution display, and Android 4.1 Jelly Bean out of the box. That'll certainly raise the bar over the One S and X in terms of raw performance. It's safe to assume that it'll also go up for sale with a much steeper price point than T-Mo's current line-up of phones.

Leaving speculations aside for a moment and getting back to T-Mo's current deal, we should tell you that the One S is powered by a dual-core 1.5 GHz Snapdragon S4 processor. The 4.3-incher sports a qHD Super AMOLED screen with 960 x 540 pixels resolution and features 1 GB of RAM, 16 GB of on-board memory, built-in Beats Audio technology, 4G speeds, an 8 MP rear-facing camera, as well as the running of Android 4.0 ICS with the Sense 4.0 UI on top (an upgrade to Jelly Bean is also “planned”).

To get the One S for just $149.99, you'll have to sign a new two-year carrier agreement and go for one of the carrier's individual plans starting at $39.99 per month. The offer includes a mail-in rebate, while the usual $35 activation fee is waived for a limited time only (until August 12, to be more exact).

Will anyone be picking up one of the discounted One S’? Are you all planning to hold out until the One X+ will be made official?

 

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This article, T-Mobile slashes HTC One S price to $149 , was originally published at AndroidAuthority.com - Your Android News Source.


Want an Android-powered microwave oven? Here’s MAID!

Posted: 07 Aug 2012 02:02 AM PDT

Android has surely gone a long way since its 2007 inception, now powering more smartphones and tablets than ever, but the mobile OS' expansion might well go beyond what anyone over at Google imagined a few years back.

It might not come as a surprise to many when hearing that Android-powered TVs were in pre-production, but we have to admit we never thought we would see the day when household appliances will be powered by Google's operating system.

Well, as hard as it might be to picture, a little Indian company called SectorQube has unveiled an Android-powered microwave oven, going by the name of MAID. Technical details about the pioneering device are still a bit scarce, but it seems that MAID might enter production by the end of the year.

The "Make All Incredible Dishes" or "Microwave Android Integrated Device" (clever, eh?) is advertised as an appliance that "literally knows how to cook every dish". Without being able to sneak a peek at some photos of MAID it's a bit difficult to understand how it will work, but based on the manufacturers' statements, the device will connect to the Internet (we hope through WiFi) and will be operated by touch and voice commands.

MAID will offer access to more than 50,000 online recipes and will be able to prepare the respective dishes with only a minimum help from you. That means you'll have to get the ingredients ready based on smart-microwave's instructions, and then be off to doing your business while your delicious dish is being prepared by your own personal maid. This is, of course, a device meant to make bachelor life so much easier (no more eating French fries and scrambled eggs every day, guys!), but it should also draw the attention of independence-seeking women or couples who simply don't have time for themselves anymore.

An old American proverb says that a cook is no better than her (or his) stove, so the Android-powered MAID might well increase the number of master chefs among technology enthusiasts. And you can't be a top chef without making innovations, which is why MAID's recipe database will be open to propositions and suggestions.

India-based SectorQube, the small company behind MAID's making, has already announced the future device's pricing, which is yet another thing that makes us truly believe the microwave will not die as a prototype. MAID should go up for sale in a matter of months for just 7,000-8,000 rupees over in India, which would translate into $125-145. That's surely not an enormous price to ask for such an innovative device, but we should probably refrain from making such judgments before:

  • actually seeing MAID work
  • finding out what version of Android will it run
  • finding what kind of hardware  it will be powered by

Any top chef wannabees out there who might be tempted to give MAID a try? And is this just a quirky fad, or do you think we will be seeing many other Android-powered microwave ovens, fridges and washing machines following suit?

 

 

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This article, Want an Android-powered microwave oven? Here’s MAID! , was originally published at AndroidAuthority.com - Your Android News Source.


Samsung allegedly copied iPhone app icons too, Apple says and it may be right

Posted: 06 Aug 2012 08:10 PM PDT

The U.S. Apple vs Samsung trial continues today with new testimonies and evidence submitted by each party to make it case. We're going to share with you an interesting slideshow, as posted by CNET, that shows us a variety of images in which we can compare various app icons as found on the iPhone and/or iPad and on Samsung Android devices.

Apple says that Samsung has allegedly copied app icons design including the app icon for the Phone app, Music app, Contacts app, Phpto app, Notes app and Settings app.

And it will surely be interesting to see how Samusng will explain to the jury why its icons are so similar to Apple's app icons. From where I'm looking I will say that they are awfully similar, and makes you wonder what Samsung designers must have had in mind when coming up with these app icons in the first place.

Let's take the Phone app: it has to be green, because we're used to having green drawings on phones representing the button we have to push when initiating a call. We’ve associated green with making phone calls form before smartphones were launched. But does the phone image on that green background has to be tilted in the exact same position? What if the background was white and the phone was green in Samsung’s designs?

The Contacts app is a bit different, although it does remind one of the iPhone Contacts app icon. Here, Samsung was able to use a different color, although the general idea is pretty much the same, we have a profile of a person posted over what seems to be an agenda or a notebook

Samsung almost got it right when it comes to the Settings app too. We're looking at a blue app icon, which is nothing like the gray app found on the iPhone. Too bad though that there's the same wheel on both icon sets.

Moving on to the Notes app, we have Samsung using almost the same color option as Apple does in its iPhone Notes app. While it's clear why the phone icon has to be green, why does the notes app have to be yellow on Samsung devices too? Can't it be white, or any other color?

I left the most disturbing icons for last, as Samsung will really have to explain why its Photo app on some devices has to contain elements of a flower, which is what is found on the iPhone' Photo app. Are people only taking pictures of flowers?

The weirdest choice Samsung made for an icon is represented by the Music app icon that looks too much like the kind of icon Apple has been using for a few years for its iTunes music service. The same kind of concept was then brought to iOS devices, and Samsung seems to have been really interested not only to use a variation of purple, or thereabouts colors, for its various Music app icons, but so many of them show a CD design and a note on top of it, which is too similar to Apple's Music app found on iOS devices.

So while it'll certainly be a lot more easier for Samusng to argue that touchscreen-based smartphones and tablets have to be rather square with rounded corners, it'll be a lot more difficult to explain why UI elements from various Galaxy handsets look so much like elements from the iPhone. And there are plenty of Samsung devices that use the icons above including:

Captivate; Continuum; Droid Charge; Epic 4G; Exhibit 4G; Fascinate; Galaxy Ace; Galaxy S (i9000); Galaxy S 4G; Galaxy S II (AT&T Edition, 4G); Galaxy S II (T-Mobile Edition); Galaxy S II Epic 4G Touch; Galaxy S II Skyrocket (4G LTE); Galaxy S Showcase; Gem; Gravity Smart; Indulge; Infuse 4G; Mesmerize; and Vibrant.

Of course, this is not the first time we see these icons, they were there all along, although they make quite an impression when merged together like that. And they may not be found to be infringing on Apple tech – a jury will still have to tell us if that’s the case – they surely paint a pretty clear picture, that Samsung was, in fact, inspired in its smartphone design, by Apple elements. Maybe too much so when it comes to some of the apps described above.

We'll be back with more news from the trial, but in the mean time, tell us how you’d defend Samsung when presented with such compelling evidence?

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This article, Samsung allegedly copied iPhone app icons too, Apple says and it may be right , was originally published at AndroidAuthority.com - Your Android News Source.


Motorola Xoom 4G LTE to get Android 4.1 soon

Posted: 06 Aug 2012 06:28 PM PDT

 

We recently saw that the Android 4.1 Jelly Bean OS is already available on 0.8% of current Android devices. Granted, this is mostly because of the very successful release of the Nexus 7 tablet, and the quick upgrade rollout to the Samsung Galaxy Nexus and the WiFi version of the Motorola Xoom, as promised by Google. Needless to say, the current distribution of Jelly Bean is in a far better state than ICS, after it was first announced last year.

Even though the WiFi version of the Motorola Xoom received the update a while back, the rollout for the 4G LTE version, available from Verizon, would take a while, as it’s once again dependent on the network carrier. The good news is that it may not take as long as first expected.

One Droid Life reader says that he received the official update to Jelly Bean over the weekend. The screenshot above shows that the Android version is 4.1.1 with the build number JR003H. The baseband version, and the 4G notification at the bottom left of the screenshot proves that it is indeed the 4G LTE version of the Motorola Xoom. He also sent in a screenshot of Google Now, which as we all know, is a feature available only on Jelly Bean.

It’s unclear whether this update was pushed out by mistake during Verizon testing, as there has been no official word yet of the carrier being to ready to rollout the upgrade. Either way, that is one lucky customer, and this hopefully means that the latest Android OS is on the way for every Xoom 4G LTE owner out there very soon.

What are your thoughts? Mistake by Verizon, or the start of the official rollout? If you use a Xoom 4G LTE and have received the update, let us know in the comments section below.

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This article, Motorola Xoom 4G LTE to get Android 4.1 soon , was originally published at AndroidAuthority.com - Your Android News Source.


Deal: Amazon Wireless offers high-end Sprint Android phones for a penny, Samsung Galaxy S3 at half-price

Posted: 06 Aug 2012 05:20 PM PDT

Sprint launched its 4G LTE network less than a month back, with further expansion already on its way and set to arrive by the end of September. Granted, the third largest network carrier in the U.S. is still playing catch up to the more extensive 4G LTE networks of the top two operators, Verizon and AT&T. However, if you were looking for a reason to switch to Sprint, it doesn’t get any better than this.

Amazon Wireless is offering a slate of high-end Android devices from Sprint, for only a penny, with the Samsung Galaxy S3 going at half the original on-contract price. Of course, the two-year contractual commitment is still required and these deals are available to only new Sprint subscribers. But with similar devices going for as much as $200 on other networks, these deals are absolutely amazing and a great reason to wait out to current lack of 4G LTE connectivity. Here’s a quick roundup:

Samsung Galaxy S3

Amazon Wireless offered the Galaxy S3 for only $119.99 only a few days back. If you were someone you decided to not jump on that particular deal, you’re in luck because the Sprint Samsung Galaxy S3 now features an even further price cut, and it’s only $99.99, which is half the price of the original on-contract subsidized rate.

You can avail this offer from the Amazon Wireless website here.

HTC EVO 4G LTE

The HTC EVO 4G LTE (Sprint’s HTC One X variant) is another great device, but seemingly loses out when compared to the Galaxy S3. If this difference isn’t that big a factor, the new price for the EVO 4G LTE certainly should be. Yes, the HTC flagship from Sprint is available for $0.01.

You can avail this offer here.

Samsung Galaxy Nexus 4G

The Samsung Galaxy Nexus 4G was released last year, but it’s still standing strong against the test of time. A good reason to get the Galaxy Nexus is that it will be one of the first devices to receive an update to Android 4.1 Jelly Bean. Another reason? It’s only a penny!

Of course, that is one penny too much, as Sprint is offering the device for free, but that’s alright, especially if you’re a frequent user of the Amazon Wireless site. Think of it as a $0.01 convenience charge. You can check out the offer here.

Other devices

Apart from the above high-end smartphones, there are a lot of other deals available from the site as well. The LG Viper is also available for $0.01, and is still at that price point even if you are an existing customer. All other deals require you to be a new subscriber, so the Viper is a good option for anyone looking to upgrade for practically free. The Samsung Galaxy S2 Epic Touch 4G, and the Samsung Epic 4G are also available for one penny – to new customers only.

You can find the complete list of Sprint Android devices available from Amazon Wireless, and all the above deals, here.

What are your thoughts? Will you be taking up any of these offers? If you’ve already done so, or are planning to soon, let us know in the comments section below.

 

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This article, Deal: Amazon Wireless offers high-end Sprint Android phones for a penny, Samsung Galaxy S3 at half-price , was originally published at AndroidAuthority.com - Your Android News Source.


HopeLine Android app brings hope and resources for domestic violence victims

Posted: 06 Aug 2012 05:14 PM PDT

Domestic violence is an issue not to be taken lightly, as it affects more people than you know. According to studies, 1 in 4 women, 1 in 9 men, and over 3 million children have to deal with this harrowing problem. Clearly, we're not just talking about celebrities. Verizon is hoping to bring more awareness about domestic violence by releasing the HopeLine app for Android devices.

Verizon Wireless executive director of community relations and multicultural communications Elva Lima said that the HopeLine app offers "necessary resources for victims seeking help, as well as individuals looking to get involved."

The HopeLine app provides quick access to resources and assistance for victims of domestic violence. With direct access to the National Domestic Violence Hotline, help is but a touch away. The app also lets survivals share their inspirational stories, either through words, pictures, or videos – all from within the app. Volunteers can provide assistance and reach those who need help in the online community.

You can help take action against domestic violence by donating used phones to HopeLine or make a $10 donation through text to the National National Network to End Domestic Violence (NNEDV) directly from your Verizon devices. All donations will go to the victims of domestic violence.

If you want to show your support for the cause, the HopeLine app is a free download on Google Play Store.

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This article, HopeLine Android app brings hope and resources for domestic violence victims , was originally published at AndroidAuthority.com - Your Android News Source.


Jawbone Jambox bluetooth speaker review [video]

Posted: 06 Aug 2012 05:10 PM PDT

There are a lot of features packed into our smartphones, but for many, nothing is more important than the ability of the device to function as a music player. Manufacturers are putting a lot of effort into making sure that their high-end flagship devices don’t give consumers a reason to complain when it comes to this key feature. We’ve seen this happen recently, with the Beats Audio integration with the HTC One X (and all other new HTC releases), and the Samsung Galaxy S3 being no slouch in the sound quality department either.

Granted, the best way to enjoy the high-quality capabilities of our smartphones is by using a earphone/headphone. External speakers, no matter how high-end the device, still don’t match the high standards set by audiophiles everywhere. More often than not, they’re just not loud enough, even in a small gathering.  This is where the need for add-on external speakers comes in.

There are a lot of external speakers available, both wired as well as wireless, covering all parts of the price spectrum, and suited to meet various individual needs. Today we take a look at one such innovative external speaker, the Jawbone Jambox.

What is the Jawbone Jambox?

The Jambox is a portable, wireless speaker with is connected to your device via a 3.5mm stereo audio port, or wirelessly using Bluetooth. The company that is well-known for releasing amazing mono Bluetooth headsets, such as the Jawbone ERA, eventually moved into the world of high-quality stereo audio solutions. On the other hand, anyone familiar with the Jambox will know that it was first released way back at the end of 2010.

So why are we reviewing this product now? This is primarily because of a recent firmware update, to version 2.2, which, apart from introducing some new features, also added support for the Jawbone Companion for Android devices, allowing you to access several features through a smartphone app. And more importantly, even after all this time, the Jambox is still one of the best portable wireless speakers available.

Jawbone says that the Jambox is “simply the smallest, best sounding wireless speaker and speakerphone on the planet.” Let’s see if Jawbone stands true to its claim

Specifications and Features

Specifications of the device include:

  • Proprietary acoustic drivers and passive-bass radiator.
  • Built-in microphone (for speakerphone functionality)
  • Size: 151 mm x 40 mm x 57 mm
  • Weight: 347 grams (12 oz)
  • Built-in rechargeable Li-ion battery with about 10 hours of continuous play
  • Bluetooth 2.1 compatible
  • Wireless range of 33 feet
  • 3.5mm stereo input

The small, portable box boasts a variety of features such as:

  • Hi-Fi audio thanks the proprietary acoustic drivers that produce extreme tweeter (high) and woofer (low) frequencies from a single, ultra-dome speaker that is paired with a moving-wall passive bass radiator.
  • MyTALK is Jawbone’s online platform to download apps, software upgrades, and the latest features, such as LiveAudio.
  • Completely wireless and runs on a battery, which makes it very convenient on-the-go, removing the hassle of cords and docks.
  • Availability of a microphone makes it perfect for “clean sounding” voice calls, conference calls, and video chats over Skype, Google Talk, or iChat.

Review

What stands out right away about the Jambox is its stylish yet simple design. It features a stainless steel construction with industry-weight molded rubber casing, which makes it very sturdy. Granted, this does make the device a little heavy, but is worth it if you’re worried about accidental drops or slips. The built-in battery is chargeable using a microUSB slot, a 3.5mm input jack, and the built-in Bluetooth connectivity comes in handy for wireless use. The design is elegant and minimalistic, with only the mentioned ports and power button on one side, and a large volume rocker and speakerphone button on another.

It is very easy to pair the device with your Android device, requiring only to push and hold the power button for a few seconds. Once paired, any sounds from the phone will play through the speaker, including any calls you make or receive.

The Jambox promises plenty, so let’s check out the video to take a look at the audio quality of this device.

Video

You can check out Clayton’s video review of the Jawbone Jambox here:

Conclusion

As you can see, the sound quality is excellent, with the bass kicking in amazingly well. This is a great buy for anyone looking for a great portable, wireless speaker and speakerphone. Unfortunately, even with all its features and the high-quality output, at $199.99, the price of the Jambox may be a little steep for many consumers. Granted, with big brother Jawbone “Big” Jambox going for $299.99, the “original” Jambox is still the more portable and cheaper option.

If you’re interested in buying the Jawbone Jambox, the device is available in four color options, including black, grey, blue, and red. There is also a limited edition yellow color available on the site, with the green one (shown in the video) also a limited-edition version. You can find out more about the Jambox, and even buy it, from the website here.

What are your thoughts? Will you buy looking to buy the Jawbone Jawbox to complement your Android device? Do you think the price point is too high? If you already own and use a Jambox, let us know your experience in the comments section below.

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This article, Jawbone Jambox bluetooth speaker review [video] , was originally published at AndroidAuthority.com - Your Android News Source.


UK’s Clove to sell unlocked white Sony Xperia Go for £210

Posted: 06 Aug 2012 02:55 PM PDT

We're sure everyone has that moment when they wish that their smartphone was built like a tank and came with a waterproof body; you know, something along the lines of the Sony Xperia Go. What we've seen so far concerning Sony's rugged smartphone is that not only can it take some serious beating, but it also plays nice with water.

If you haven't been enamored with the black Xperia Go, the white variant is now available in the UK.

The white Xperia Go will be offered SIM-free by mobile retailer Clove starting August 7 for £210 (tax included). For that amount of money, you'll get the unlocked Xperia Go and some peace of mind when out and about. It's slightly more expensive than the black model, as that one's going for £198. Whether you purchase the black or white model, the retailer will include a free Norton Mobile Security app with a 1-year license.

Specs-wise, the Xperia Go has a 3.5-inch HVGA display, a dual-core 1GHz NovaThor processor, 512MB RAM, 8GB onboard storage, 5MP rear camera, 1,305mAh battery, and Android 2.3 Gingerbread (should be upgradable to Android 4.0 at some point). And let's not forget that the Go has received the highest level of water and dust resistance, thanks to its IP67 certification.

For folks on the other side of the pond, there's no information yet of when the Xperia Go will be available stateside. The phone did turn up for its FCC appointment in late June, which could only mean that a release is almost certain in the following months. Expect to see it being called as the Sony Xperia Advance.

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This article, UK's Clove to sell unlocked white Sony Xperia Go for £210 , was originally published at AndroidAuthority.com - Your Android News Source.


Android Phone Fans

Android Phone Fans


Toshiba Thrive 10-inch Officially Updated To Android 4.0.4 Ice Cream Sandwich

Posted: 06 Aug 2012 07:09 PM PDT

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Users of the 10-inch Toshiba Thrive (Toshiba’s hunky slab with full sized USB and HDMI ports) are getting an early visit from the ice cream man today. Toshiba revealed the good news on their forums, although the device wasn’t originally scheduled to receive the update to Android 4.0.4 until the later half of this year. The update adds improvements to video, camera and connectivity strength, which are no doubt welcomed changes. Updating is as simple as jumping into the tab’s special “Service Station” application and checking for updates.

Owners of the 7-inch, thicker-than-a-snicker Thrive will have to wait a little longer. Given that T0shiba is barely rolling out ICS for their tabs now means an update to Jelly Bean is next to nil.

Thanks, Greg!

[THRiVE Forums]


HTC’s Sales For July Are Down 45% From Previous Year, But Why? [Discussion]

Posted: 06 Aug 2012 06:02 PM PDT

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Today, HTC finally announced their profits for the month of July, and they’re not looking so hot. As expected (recently they announced they were pulling out of South Korean and Brazilian markets) HTC’s revenue fell 45% when compared to this same time last year, no doubt due to weakening consumer demand for their flagship One series devices. Last year, HTC hit NT$45.11 billion for the month of July, while this year, they managed to only take in NT$25 billion.

Again, these numbers were expected after the launch of rival Samsung’s Galaxy S3 and is only expected to worsen once the rumored next iPhone drops in September. Remember, even though HTC announced they would be focusing their efforts on releasing as few device variants as possible, they still managed to spread themselves thin with 3 flagship devices. Samsung on the other hand managed to focus on 1 flagship — the Galaxy S3 — and essentially launched the exact same phone across all carriers here in the US (and abroad).

Even though HTC dealt with criticisms from their older devices head-on when launching the One series to critical acclaim, it was only AT&T customers who were given dibs on their flagship One X. I can’t help but wonder if HTC worked on getting the One X out to as many carriers as possible, if their numbers would look a little more like Samsung’s. What do you guys think? Hypothetically if the One X was available on your carrier, would you opt for the Galaxy S3 or the One X?

[Reuters]


Sprint’s 4G LTE Network Begins Lighting Up San Francisco Bay Area Ahead Of Official Launch

Posted: 06 Aug 2012 05:11 PM PDT

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According to S4GRU — a forums dedicated to following Sprint’s Network Vision rollout — Sprint’s 4G LTE has already begun showing a pulse in the San Francisco Bay area, ahead of its official launch. Sites aren’t expected to go live until November, but some Sprint customers have reported seeing LTE on their devices, in the San Jose, Cupertino area, hitting speeds of 17Mbps down/9Mbps up. The map pictured above shows green dots where LTE was connected, and blue dots for 3G. What’s more is users are also reporting of improved 3G speeds of 1.5Mbps down (where they previously had 400kbps).

Of course, the LTE connection wasn’t anywhere near consistent but it’s nice to see Sprint making progress with their Network Vision rollout. Any Phan readers in the Bay area noticing their LTE icons lighting up?

[Via S4GRU | Android Police]


Custom Nexus 7 in-dash installation makes me wish I had cutting skills [VIDEO]

Posted: 06 Aug 2012 03:57 PM PDT

While the Nexus 7 is most likely going to be used primarily as a tablet there’s no reason it can’t serve more than one purpose. SonicElectronixTV published a video of an in-dash installation of the device inside a 2008 Dodge Ram. Its size makes it possible to easily detach for when you want to take the tablet out of the car making it one of the more flexible setups out there. And if you split the costs between being a tablet and an in-dash unit you’re paying $100 for each, at least. Not bad at all. Get a look at this tempting setup in the YouTube video above.

[Update]: if you were wondering about the method and material used to make this particular set up, Seth from SonicElectronix offered us the following explanation:

The dash modification was created by using ABS plastic, fiberglass, bondo, and suede.
Once the previous stereo was removed (a Kenwood DNX9960), we cut some ABS to size to make the sides and mixed in some fiberglass along the back. Fiberglass was needed because it has a little more “give” and made pulling the tablet out easier. Bondo was used to soften the edges (after a bunch of sanding) and OEM paint was used to provide a seamless factory look. Suede was put on the back for a classy look when the Nexus is removed and a soft cushion for when the Nexus was installed.


HTC EVO 4G LTE and Sprint Galaxy Nexus are one penny on Amazon Wireless

Posted: 06 Aug 2012 02:53 PM PDT

Amazon’s hosting more great deals for those who are looking for a new smartphone for the summer. They’re offering a couple of Sprint smartphones for a penny. You can’t even bye candy with a penny at the penny candy store anymore, so I’d say this is about as good a deal as you’ll see on these smartphones.

The HTC EVO 4G LTE was launched earlier this summer following a brief delay at customs due to a patent check. It has since been lauded as one of the best smartphones available today, let alone available on Sprint’s 4G LTE network.

The Galaxy Nexus launched on Sprint after having to see Verizon Wireless carry the device exclusively for quite some time in America, but it’s better late than never and even several weeks later it’s still a viable option for those who want the purest Android experience they can find.

As an added bonus you can also get Sprint’s Samsung Galaxy S3, arguably their best phone available, for $99. You won’t find a deal that good anywhere else so I suggest you jump on that as soon as you can. [Galaxy S3, EVO 4G LTE, Samsung Galaxy Nexus]


Vote for the Bugdroid to be recreated in official LEGO style

Posted: 06 Aug 2012 02:25 PM PDT

LEGO creations are fun to witness because they often display the creative fortitude of whoever made them. This Android related creation is no different. User GLHTurbo ordered $30 worth of LEGO pieces and paint to create a sculpture of the Bugdroid.

This isn’t just some static statue, either: you can move its arms and legs. This makes the feat that much more great. But GLHTurbo isn’t satisfied with him being the only to have this design: he wants LEGO to officially produce this model for all to enjoy.

LEGO has an official site to facilitate the need for GLHTurbo to gauge support. If we get enough supporters LEGO will produce the project. Simple, right? The process of registration only takes a minute. Go ahead and help the home team out even if you’re not a big fan of LEGO at the source link ahead. [LEGO CUUSOO via Droid-Life]


Latest iOS 6 beta missing YouTube, but it has nothing to do with the smartphone wars

Posted: 06 Aug 2012 01:52 PM PDT

By now you’ve probably heard news that Apple has removed the YouTube from the iOS 6 beta. This is important considering there’s no other YouTube app to be had on iOS. I’m willing to bet many of you initially took this as a shot to Google.

Apple, as you know, is in a “thermonuclear” war, of sorts, against Android. While they haven’t been attacking Google and Android directly Apple has been going at some of Google’s biggest OEM partners, Samsung being the absolute biggest.

But the move to  remove YouTube from iOS 6 likely has very little to do with any of that. In fact, it probably has nothing to do with that. Apple did something they didn’t usually do and explained to us why they what they did. The answer?

Simple: their YouTube license ran out and they weren’t going to renew it. It still sounds shady in that regard, no? Well Apple went on to explain that Google was in the process of making its own YouTube app and that it would eventually be available in the App Store.

This just became a lot less interesting (and relevant) for us Android folks. Not only does it not have anything to do with Apple’s animosity toward Android, it’s actually the better route for them to take considering how crappy iOS’s current YouTube app is.

Google can create the experience they envisioned this way, and users can enjoy timely updates instead of Apple just letting it sit there like the piece of trash it is. And since iOS 6 is still in beta form practically no one is affected yet.

If you decided to install the beta build then that’s on you, not Apple. Consumer releases have been untouched and will probably remain so until Google releases its own app. Now let’s get back to your regularly scheduled programming, folks, because there’s pretty much nothing to see here. [The Verge]


Some XOOM 4G LTE customers seeing Jelly Bean?

Posted: 06 Aug 2012 01:38 PM PDT

And the Motorola XOOM is STILL kicking. It looks like a Jelly Bean update could be brewing for Verizon’s 4G enabled version as reports are suggesting the update is headed to at least one device.

Whether or not this was a test build accidentally leaked to a consumer or a stable build being pushed out inadvertently the story seems pretty legit.

The build number, JRO03H, falls in line with the build number for the WiFi version (whose update seems to have been delayed). Whatever the case is we’re just happy Motorola and Verizon are working on it. The only thing left to speculate is whether or not we’ll see the update arrive in a timely manner. [via Droid-Life]


GasBuddy delivers crowd-sourced updates on fuel prices [APP REVIEW]

Posted: 06 Aug 2012 11:52 AM PDT

The economy is in bad shape.  I don’t need to tell anyone here that saving even a few cents is something that should be in your everyday thought prices when purchasing goods. I think we can agree the thing we’re most conscious about saving money on is fuel.

Long gone are the days where a $20 bill could get you through the week, and while prices have been higher than they are now they’re still ridiculously high. That’s why apps like GasBuddy are a best friend for many who own smartphones. GasBuddy is a crowd-sourced app that delivers updates on gas prices in your area.

The app lets users report prices for all fuel types, and it’ll tell you how long ago that price was spotted. That last bit is important because it seems like gas prices are getting changed more than once a day these days. The interface for viewing and reporting prices is straightforward and easy to view in a glance.

It all starts with a search — you can either specify the city or zip code or let the app fine tune your location through the use of GPS. The latter option is the most desirable as it will sort prices based on location by default. This is good if you don’t have time to drive to the station with the lowest price and you just need to find the cheapest in that particular area.

If you’re not concerned with distance you can sort by price to get the absolute best price in that range. Map View is another option provided and gives you a quick look at the stations in your area on a Google Maps grid. Prices are displayed below the logo of the station for easy identification (I’d much rather go to Speedway and get a frozen drink while my gas is pumping instead of the run down Citgo that I wouldn’t even by chewing gum from).

Jumping to the station’s page will give you more info on its gas prices. Regular, mid, premium, or diesel fuel prices are all provided just in case you happen to need something other than the norm. You can update either one or all of the fuel types by tapping buttons to the right of each price. It’s a quick and painless process that shouldn’t take you more than the amount of time it takes to pay for the gas.

On the individual station view is a list of features that gas station has. For instance, if you need to go to a gas station with an ATM or one that also doubles as a convenience store you can get that info at a glance.

Finally, there’s a feature which lets you upload images so that people can see the gas station they’re headed to. I guess it’s worth checking it out ahead of time to see if it’s too congested, in a bad neighborhood, or anything of the sort.

There are some notable annoyances I need to point out. For starters, the app has no widget, and it just doesn’t look that great overall. It was made in the Android 2.x area so I wasn’t expecting some decked out Ice Cream Sandwich/Jelly Bean style, but it just isn’t too appealing to me. Perhaps I’m picky (it probably isn’t as bad as I make it out to be) since I’ve been spoiled with an influx of Android 4.x style apps lately, but it was worth pointing out anyway.

Another issue is the app’s tendency to take you back to the search results from a station view if you let the device power off. It’s fine if you were looking at a station that was at the top of the list but if you have to scroll to get to the station you were looking for it will easily turn you off. Again, this is something I can deal with as I would just need to keep the display active for as long as I need the app open, and that’s no big feat at all.

But this app isn’t supposed to be some mind-blowing experience made by AAA developers. It feeds on people’s desire to help save money not only for themselves, but for others, too.

It does it in a way that makes sense, and it doesn’t throw you into a loop of nonsense before getting the information that you need. That, my friends, is all I could ask for. Find the app for free in the Google Play Store.


Motorola DROID 4 soak test to begin soon (Ice Cream Sandwich?)

Posted: 06 Aug 2012 10:39 AM PDT

Motorola DROID 4 owners will soon get to participate in an upcoming soak test. These tests are sent to a group of  users who’ve signed up to Motorola’s feedback program, and the build getting tested usually heads out to the rest of the user-base a short time after (barring any unforeseen bugs, of course).

While a majority of these tend to be bug fixing updates there’s reason to believe this one could bring Ice Cream Sandwich. Motorola promised a landing date of Q3 2012 for the frozen treat, and a Motorola forum manager reminded people in an “ICS waiting room” thread to opt-in to the feedback program.

We won’t know until the update is actually headed out to testers, though, so let’s save the “hoorahs” until then. Hopefully things go off without an issue and everyone can take part in no time. [via Droid-Life]


AT&T Mobile Share plans launch August 23

Posted: 06 Aug 2012 08:57 AM PDT


Customers now have an availability date for the shared data plans AT&T announced last month. Starting August 23rd, AT&T will launch their Mobile Share plans, which allow subscribers to pair up to 10 devices with a single service plan featuring unlimited talk and text and data options starting at $40  per month for 1GB of access. The options largely mirrors Verizon’s Share Everything plan introduced earlier in the summer. To help customers determine the proper data allowance, AT&T has introduced a Mobile Share planner tool to their site. You can check out more info at AT&T’s blog post announcing the availability.

[AT&T]


Samsung posts official kernel source for Galaxy Note 10.1

Posted: 06 Aug 2012 08:40 AM PDT

Shortly after announcing the coming availability of their latest tablet, Samsung has posted the kernel source code for the Galaxy Note 10.1. Two different versions of the source are available via Samsung’s Open Source Release Center, each for a different carrier-branded version of the tab. The code covers the SHW-M480K and SHW-M80S, which appear headed to Korea Telecom and Southern Korean Telecom respectively. Availability of a kernel for the WiFi-only version of the slate is not available at this time.

Those interested in taking a look at the code can do so by following the link below. The Samsung Galaxy Note 10.1 is scheduled for release globally later this month.

[Samsung via AndroidPolice]


Ice Cream Sandwich headed to Sony Xperia P this month

Posted: 06 Aug 2012 07:59 AM PDT

While Sony hasn’t finalized its plans for the rollout of Jelly Bean to their Xperia lineup, the upgrades to Ice Cream Sandwich continue to hit devices around the globe. The next in line is the Sony Xperia P, which, according to the Facebook page of the company’s Indian branch, will see Android 4.0.4 later this month. Owners of the mid-range Xperia smartphone can expect to see the update between the 19th and 25th of August, but it is unclear if the dates apply only to the release of the update in India or if other parts of the world will also see the update to ICS during the same time period.

[via XperiaBlog]


Samsung Galaxy S3 getting Jelly Bean in Q3, Galaxy S2 and Note in Q4 [Rumors]

Posted: 06 Aug 2012 07:14 AM PDT

According to a new report from SamMobile Samsung Galaxy S3 owners shouldn’t have to wait too long for the arrival of Android 4.1 on their devices. According to intel coming from within Samsung, the update has already made it through the early rounds of testing as “public” builds are being assembled for further evaluation. A rollout of Jelly Bean for the S3 seems likely for late Q3/early Q4.

Jelly Bean should follow for a few other devices by the end of the year, including the Samsung Galaxy S2 and Samsung Galaxy Note, but initial testing is still taking place. There is a chance that Samsung will opt to deliver a “value pack” update rather than the full Android 4.1 software, but Q4 is the optimistic delivery estimate either way.  Finally, rumors put a Jelly Bean update for the Galaxy Note 2 towards the end of the year, which suggests that the handset will launch with Ice Cream Sandwich.

Samsung has yet to confirm dates and devices for the upgrade to Jelly Bean, so don’t go writing it down on the calendar just yet. If you do, be sure to use a pencil with a good eraser, because things are likely to change.

[via DroidDog]


HTC working on their own 5-inch phone?

Posted: 06 Aug 2012 06:31 AM PDT

New rumors suggest HTC could be the next major smartphone manufacturer to cross the 5-inch screen threshold, possibly adding a bit of competition for the likes of the Samsung Galaxy Note. Not much is known about the handset, but a report from DigiTimes says the handset will sport a screen resolution of 1794 x 1080 pixels, a hi-res display that would best the current crop of 720p offerings. While not confirmed, there exists a GLBenchmark score for an HTC device with a matching resolution that puts a Snapdragon S4 chipset with Adreno 320 GPU into play.

The HTC phone would join the likes of the LG Optimus Vu and Galaxy Note in an attempt to capitalize on the market for those seeking a device that has the portability of a phone but the functionality of a tablet. With the 4.7-inch screen of the One X, the company is no stranger to large display sizes. But just how successful a phablet offering from the manufacturer might be has us intrigued.

[via DigiTimes]