Tuesday, August 28, 2012

Google Alert - android

News10 new results for android
 
Apple Wins, But Android Game Not Over
InformationWeek
Apple's triumph over Samsung in its patent infringement case will benefit Apple in the short term, prolonging the survival of its high profit margins and limiting competitive pressures from Android hardware makers. But the billions Apple could reap in ...
See all stories on this topic »
Firefox updates Android and Desktop with "BrowserQuest" action
SlashGear
Mozilla's newest duo of updates is coming on today in the form of updates for both their desktop web browser and Android web browser interfaces – complete with a browser-based game to make it all worthwhile! With the desktop version update you'll be ...
See all stories on this topic »
Android Smartphones to Power NASA Satellites
InformationWeek
In October, NASA plans to send a two-pound, ten-ounce cube-shaped satellite the size of a coffee cup into space aboard a rocket launched from Wallops Island, Va. However, it's not just the size of the satellite that likely will pique curiosity, but the ...
See all stories on this topic »
Samsung to unveil new Android-based 21x megazoom?
CNET (blog)
Running on Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich, the rumored camera's design is said to be based on the popular Samsung Galaxy S III smartphone and would come fitted with a whopping 21x zoom optics. Besides a 4.8-inch AMOLED display, the Samsung ...
See all stories on this topic »

CNET (blog)
LG Unveils the Optimus G Android Smartphone with LTE and Snapdragon Quad ...
MobileTechReview.com
The device has a 4.7" IPS display with 1280 x 769 resolution, and a whopping 13 Megapixel camera! It will be available first in Japan with NTT DOCOMO and in Korea and global markets in September. Here's more info on this upcoming Android smartphone ...
See all stories on this topic »
Apple Battles With Android-Centric MirrorLink For Control Of Connected Car
ZDNet
Android often gets criticized for fragmentation. But the connected car market has it beat by a mile, with literally dozens of competing telematics platforms, each with its own code and quirks for developers to wrestle with. At the Charged: Electric ...
See all stories on this topic »

ZDNet
Motorola Droid Razr M 4G LTE leaks ahead of September 5
CNET (blog)
Nearly every detail for Motorola's next big Android handset has surfaced a week ahead of the company's official announcement. Engadget has obtained the specs and images for the Droid Razr (Maxx) successor, yanking the proverbial cat out of the bag.
See all stories on this topic »
Apple Win Whacks Android Resale Prices
Smartmoney.com (blog)
By Quentin Fottrell. While many experts predict Apple's court victory over Samsung could shake up the wireless industry over the long term, it's already having an impact on one key area: the resale market. Since the $1.05 billion verdict Friday ...
See all stories on this topic »
Microsoft rolls out SkyDrive app for Android phones
ZDNet
According to an August 28 blog post on "Inside SkyDrive" blog, Microsoft's development team wanted to make sure the latest SkyDrive app "feels natural" for Android phone users. The new release, which is designed to "work best" with Android 4.0 (Ice ...
See all stories on this topic »
Sleep If U Can: Android Alarm Clock App Won't Stop Ringing Until You Take A ...
Huffington Post
A new app for Android called "Sleep If U Can" (not to be confused with a similarly-named Britney Spears song) addresses this modern conundrum in a creative way: It's an alarm clock that will not stop ringing until you are physically out of bed, at a ...
See all stories on this topic »

Blogs5 new results for android
 
The New iPhone Already Has An Android-Powered Clone ...
By Chris Velazco
... may want to take a look at Goophone's new ersatz iPhone. The so-called Goophone I5 takes the two-tone iPhone design that's been revealed in drips and drabs over the past few months, and shoves some Android-powered hardware into it.
TechCrunch
Samsung to Announce Android-Powered Galaxy S Camera This ...
By Emily Price
Rumor has it Samsung will be announcing Android-Powered Galaxy S Camera This Week.
Mashable!
iOS and Android make for fastest tech adoption ever | TUAW - The ...
By Mike Schramm
Mobile marketing and analytics firm Flurry has another great research post up, this time about the speed of adoption for both iOS and Android. This.
TUAW - The Unofficial Apple Weblog
Apple-Samsung verdict analysis: Android well-positioned despite loss
By Brad Reed
There have been rumblings in some corners of the tech press that Google (GOOG) ought to be quaking in its boots in the wake of the Apple (AAPL) v. Sa.
BGR: The Three Biggest Letters In Tech
Magisto brings its 'magical' video editing to Android | VentureBeat
By Sean Ludwig
Automated video editing service Magisto has launched an Android app targeted at consumers who want to create fun videos without much hassle, the company announced Tuesday. Magisto launched its video editing client on the iPhone back ...
VentureBeat


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Android Authority

Android Authority


Android and iOS devices adopted faster than any other consumer tech ever

Posted: 28 Aug 2012 02:47 AM PDT

If you need any proof of the popularity and desirability of smartphones and tablets right now then here it is. Across the world we have been buying Android and iOS devices faster than any other consumer technology in history. That's according to research by Flurry, which estimates that there were over 640 million Android and iOS devices in use during July 2012.

To give a comparison, Flurry is claiming that Android and iOS adoption is:

  • 10 times faster than the PC revolution
  • 2 times faster than the Internet boom
  • 3 times faster than social media growth

When we break down the numbers by country it's clear that the U.S. is leading, but China is likely to overtake it in the very near future. That becomes even clearer when we take a look at the growth rate in various countries. China is miles ahead of the pack, followed by Chile, Brazil, Argentina, and Iran.

We can clearly see why the growth rate is slowing in countries like the U.S. when we take a look at the overall penetration for 15-64 year-olds and find that saturation points are fast approaching. The top three are Singapore, Hong Kong, and Sweden. As Flurry points out, each country has a strong history in consumer technology and a relatively small population. Australia is in fourth place with 79 percent adoption, followed by the U.S. on 78 percent, and the UK is down at 74 percent.

The final chart shows app usage and it paints a picture of increasing worldwide adoption of Android and iOS devices. The percentage of worldwide usage attributed to the U.S. is falling because the rest of the world is fast adopting smartphones and tablets.

Android tablets and the iPad will account for some of these statistics but the vast majority of the devices in question will be Android smartphones and iPhones. The smartphone appears to be the most desirable consumer technology on the planet at the moment and it is driving phenomenal international growth. China is the market to target right now and the competition is really heating up as the top manufacturers clamor to get a slice of that action.

Related Posts

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This article, Android and iOS devices adopted faster than any other consumer tech ever , was originally published at AndroidAuthority.com - Your Android News Source.


LG Optimus G beast is now official, to hit Korea in September

Posted: 28 Aug 2012 02:10 AM PDT

Apple's legal wins in the States might not be Samsung's only worry right now, as the South Koreans may also soon lose their Android smartphone supremacy. At least in the high-end niche, where LG is about to launch a quad-core "beast" far snappier than Sammy's Galaxy S3.

The Optimus G hasn't been a mystery for quite some time now, with Qualcomm basically confirming rumors of the handheld's coming last week. We saw the Optimus G's spec sheet, we had a good idea of how the super-phone will look, so it was about time LG made it official.

As usual, the announcement was made via a Korean press release, although a more "sumptuous" unveiling is still expected to happen at the IFA 2012 in Berlin. There aren't that many surprises in the press release, but we are very happy to notice that the Optimus G's final design looks quite far off those leaked pictures from a few days ago.

The Optimus G won't exactly come with "sexy" curves or any design breakthroughs, but sometimes simplicity can bring excellence. That said, the first official pics are exquisite, as far as I'm concerned, showing off a clean industrial-looking phone with personality, charm and elegance.

It's a pretty manly handheld, although it will weigh just 145 grams and measure 8.45mm in thickness. The vertical and horizontal bezels are almost invisible, which is mostly due to LG using "fully integrated touch technology", also helping reduce the air gap between the display and the surface.

The "True HD" IPS LCD display could be one-of-a-kind, with a 4.7-inch diagonal and a 1280 x 768 pixels resolution. In terms of hardware, there isn't much we can say other than to urge you to prepare to see benchmarks massacred.

As Qualcomm themselves confirmed last week, the Optimus G will be powered by a quad-core 1.5GHz Snapdragon S4 Pro APQ8064 CPU, coupled with a stunning new Adreno 320 GPU and 2GB of RAM. There's only one other phone confirmed as being equipped with the S4 Pro proc, but Xiaomi's Mi2 doesn't yet have an ETA for Europe or the States.

The Optimus G will be coming with a 2,100mAh battery, dual 13MP / 1.3MP cameras, Android 4.0 ICS out of the box, Bluetooth 4.0, NFC, DLNA, Wi-Fi and 4G LTE speeds. These are all pretty great specs, but there are two details that might raise some concern.

On one hand, there's the lack of Jelly Bean on board this "beast", which might not be extremely disappointing if an upgrade were to come soon after Optimus G's release. However, we know LG's track record with ICS updates, so our fear is that this big guy will not be treated with JB goodness by the end of the year. The battery is another huge concern, as Qualcomm seemed to be hinting at the using of a separate chip for LTE aside from the quad-core S4 Pro, a combination that might drain a lot more "juice" than usual.

All concerns aside, the LG Optimus G still looks a game changer to us, which is why it was great to hear that it will hit Korea as soon as next month with Japan following soon after and a worldwide launch scheduled “by the end of the year.” And no, we don’t think European and U.S. tech enthusiasts will have to wait until November or December, as we highly suspect the Optimus G to be exactly the same as the Eclipse spotted getting FCC approval not long ago.

 

Related Posts

Confirmed: LG to out new quad-core S4 Pro-powered beast in September, Android 4.0 rolling out to LG Optimus LTE in Korea, Optimus Vu and LTE Tag to follow, LG Optimus 2X getting ICS upgrade after all … in Korea


This article, LG Optimus G beast is now official, to hit Korea in September , was originally published at AndroidAuthority.com - Your Android News Source.


Buy Asus Transformer Pad TF300T and get free keyboard dock from Sears

Posted: 28 Aug 2012 02:04 AM PDT

If it has just dawned on you that a 10.1-inch tablet is better suited for your needs than a 7-inch one, you definitely want to check out the offer that Sears has on the Asus Transformer Pad TF300T – one of the first quad-core tablets introduced to the market.

For every online Asus Transformer Pad TF300T purchase, not only will Sears waive the standard shipment fee, but it will also add the original Asus docking keyboard for free. All you have to do is make sure that both items appear in cart to get the freebie.

The free shipment offer lasts until September 16, while the free keyboard dock offer ends on September 1. It means there are only a few days left to get the sweet offer.

The Asus Transformer Pad TF300T is one of the better Android tablets out there. With its 10.1-inch WXGA display and 1.2GHz NVIDIA Tegra 3 quad-core processor, $399 for the tablet is not a bad price at all. It'd be an even more attractive proposal if you can score the keyboard dock from Sears. While the slate is shipped with Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich, the upgrade to Android 4.1 Jelly Bean is already available for the TF300T.

Head to Sears now to try your luck in securing your very own Asus Transformer Pad TF300T and the keyboard dock.

Related Posts

Asus Transformer Pad TF300T vs. the Asus Transformer Pad Infinity TF700T – Hands-on comparison [video], Asus Transformer Pad TF300T in-depth review [video], Asus Padfone goes for sale in Australia, no sight of keyboard dock yet


This article, Buy Asus Transformer Pad TF300T and get free keyboard dock from Sears , was originally published at AndroidAuthority.com - Your Android News Source.


Is Lyft a shabby ripoff of Sidecar?

Posted: 28 Aug 2012 02:00 AM PDT

Let’s not get confused. Lyftis about the same kind of service as Sidecar. The two services both cater to the iOS and Android communities. Both services deal with transportation and propose to do so at a fraction of the average cost. This begs the question, what does Lyft do that Sidecar does not?

Let’s start off with Lyft’s site. It’s minimal. I mean, very minimal. There’s a link for the iOS app (Android app is rumored to be available on the 29th) and a link to sign up as a driver. For those not familiar with social ride sharing, it’s a service that attempts to duplicate a taxi, but also streamline traffic and conserve natural resources (including time) so that all parties involved get to their destination. Less people driving alone equals less traffic equals less consumption of petrol products.

The cost involved is also minimal (it’s donation based!), when compared to the enormous fees of most taxis and limo services. It’s more convenient than public transportation, if you need to be somewhere ASAP. You jump on your app, look through the directory of nearest drivers and endpoint destination, and hail them as a rider. Where minimalism doesn’t occur (I’m quoting Lyft here) is the extensive background checks to have just any Joe or Jill drive you around town to your dropoff spot. The inherent danger in taking someone’s private vehicle should not have to be mentioned.

Enter Sidecar. Sidecar does the same things, connecting ordinary citizens with each other, mostly during commuting hours, for a cheap price. I’m still confused. Where in the fine print is Lyft different?

Lyft, as far as I can tell, is not different at all. In fact, it’s the same service with a different name. But does it matter? I would say it does not, simply because more of these services should exist to get people more connected face-to-face and support “green lifestyles”. The obvious effects on the planet and how we design smarter cities will be impacted by these kinds of services in the near future. Lyft vs. Sidecar doesn’t matter. Try them out, see how they operate, and then let us know. Either way it is a win for both drivers and passengers.

Is either service available in your city and if so, what is your opinion on social ride sharing as a transportation alternative? Is it viable to do this in every city or just large urban areas? Shout at us in the comments below!

Related Posts

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This article, Is Lyft a shabby ripoff of Sidecar? , was originally published at AndroidAuthority.com - Your Android News Source.


Motorola Droid Razr M 4G LTE pic and spec sheet leaked

Posted: 28 Aug 2012 02:00 AM PDT

Motorola’s and Verizon's plans for the September 5 special event haven't been a secret for a while, but a couple of details have been kept under wraps until now. We've known basically all there was to know about Moto's future flagship, the Droid Razr HD, for some weeks, but the second device to be unveiled next week was still a mystery.

The XT907 was first spotted in a supposed leaked pic back in July, getting FCC certification a couple of weeks ago. The phone's official name was revealed just a few days back, and, thanks to Engadget, we now have one more leaked image and an (almost) full spec sheet.

The Droid Razr M 4G LTE is just about confirmed now as a more budget-friendly Razr HD, although it will probably sport a somewhat different design than what we saw in the July leak. That's good news though, because Engadget's pic shows off a very sleek, thin and elegant Razr with an industrial overall look, sharp edges and a stylized back.

The horizontal bezel looks a bit on the thick side, but the vertical one is actually pretty thin. As for that "stylized" back, that might still be a bit of a gamble for Moto, as it could be considered tacky by some of you. Then again, the Kevlar backing should at least partially make up for any style objections you might have.

In terms of hardware, the Razr M might narrowly miss out on being called a true high-ender, but it will still come with some decent amount of "oomph". The dual-core 1.5GHz MSM8960 Snapdragon S4 processor is still the speed standard for many super-phones out there, while the 1GB of RAM will decently complement the CPU.

The M will sport a 4.3-inch qHD Super AMOLED Advanced display with ColorBoost, Gorilla Glass 2 protection and 960 x 540 pixels resolution. Other features include 8GB of internal storage, microSD support, dual 8MP / 3MP cameras, NFC, Android 4.0 ICS, and, of course, 4G LTE speeds.

It's obvious that for the Razr M to be called a true high-end device it would have needed to come with more internal memory and maybe even a better rear-facing camera, but for a mid-ranger the spec sheet is clearly not too shabby. Not to mention that front-facing webcam, which looks pretty exciting, being supposedly capable of recording 1080p clips.

One particular detail has been left out of the mix for now and it might actually be the one to decide Razr M's future commercial success. We still know nothing about the 4.3-incher's battery, which has been one of the main selling points of many Razr phones. We wouldn't expect much from this little guy, as it's only supposed to weigh 4.44 ounces, but maybe Moto will surprise us.

The handheld’s pricing is itself still kept secret, but we’re expecting everything to be revealed on September 5. Get back to our website then and, for now, tell us if you’re at least intrigued about this Razr M.

 

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Motorola Droid Razr HD just got real, actual pictures leaked and benchmark is out, Motorola Droid Razr HD tutorial videos leaked online, Motorola DROID RAZR Leaked Ahead of Tomorrow’s Event?


This article, Motorola Droid Razr M 4G LTE pic and spec sheet leaked , was originally published at AndroidAuthority.com - Your Android News Source.


Samsung Stratosphere 2 and LG Spectrum 2 heading to Verizon

Posted: 28 Aug 2012 12:44 AM PDT

Droid Life

With the original Samsung Stratosphere reaching the ripe age of 1 year old on Verizon, it's about time for Big Red to release a refreshed model of the slider. Just so happens, the Stratosphere 2 is one of two new phones that are listed on Verizon's equipment guide for the second half of the year.

The Samsung Stratosphere 2 (i415) first came to our attention last week, but save for the name, we had zero information on the device. The new listing of the phone provides a first visual glimpse of the Stratosphere 2, as well as a tiny bit information of specs.

By that, we mean that we only know of the phone's 4-inch Super AMOLED display, 5-row QWERTY keyboard, and 4G LTE connectivity. To make an educated guess, it'll probably come with a Snapdragon S4 processor and Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich.

The second new offering that Verizon is prepping is the LG Spectrum 2. The original Spectrum was based on Optimus LTE, so it would make sense for the successor to be based on the Optimus LTE 2. Just like the Stratosphere, we may see the phone sporting a Snapdragon S4 chip. We expect the Spectrum 2 to feature an HD display and 8MP rear camera.

Which out of two grab your attention the most, the Samsung Stratosphere 2 or the LG Spectrum 2? Let's not forget that a couple of Droid Razr phones and the phablet LG Intuition will also be introduced soon by Verizon.

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This article, Samsung Stratosphere 2 and LG Spectrum 2 heading to Verizon , was originally published at AndroidAuthority.com - Your Android News Source.


HTC looking to build new tablet PCs by end-2012 – DigiTimes

Posted: 28 Aug 2012 12:41 AM PDT

Even though HTC’s Flyer and Jetstream tablets weren’t so popular in the market, HTC is rumored to have tablet plans in its future.

The rise in popularity of inexpensive 7-inch tablets by Google and Asus have led HTC to rekindle its interest in tablet PCs.

HTC was one of the early Android tablet manufacturers, but its 7-inch Flyer and 10.1-inch Jetstream did not take off. HTC even rejected an offer from Google to co-develop and produce the Nexus tablet, as the company did not have any interest in targeting the $199 to $249 price range. HTC was also passed over as a production partner by Microsoft for Windows RT tablets.

But even so, HTC is reportedly planning to launch a new line of tablet PCs, possibly powered by Android. DigiTimes reports that HTC is reigniting its efforts in the tablet PC business, and is likely to come up with a model for release late 2012. Sources connected with component makers say HTC is in talks with Taiwan’s Pegatron Technology.

According to DigiTimes’ sources, the popularity of Asus’ profile arising from Nexus 7 sales has led HTC to reassess its tablet PC business. At this point, there may be a need for the company to adjust its pricing policy to better compete with the likes of Asus and Google, Amazon, Apple and even Microsoft. Also, HTC is still evaluating whether to produce a 7- or 10-inch model.

Related Posts

Digitimes: Global tablet shipments to grow steadily in Q2, Nexus Tablet to help Asus get in top 3, Asus Android-Windows 8 tablet coming at Computex 2012?, Computex 2012: Viewsonic VCD22 22 inch Android ‘tablet’ hands-on


This article, HTC looking to build new tablet PCs by end-2012 – DigiTimes , was originally published at AndroidAuthority.com - Your Android News Source.


Google names paid consultants in Oracle patent case, including prominent Stanford law professor

Posted: 27 Aug 2012 09:05 PM PDT

In the ongoing appeal to the Oracle vs. Google case, judge William Alsup has  asked both parties to disclose the names of any bloggers, journalists or other commentators they may have paid, in order to determine whether any publicity over the case may have been influenced by any financial contributions. Oracle disclosed just one name, patent expert Florian Mueller, while Google had been reprimanded by the judge as it “failed to comply.”

Google claimed it would be impossible to list everyone, given that publishers earn from the company’s AdSense advertising program. The search giant also contributes to charitable organizations and universities. Judge Alsup, however, countered that Google should do a reasonable disclosure, “but the impossible is not required.” As such, Google was given an extension up to last Friday to make their submission.

Google already submitted their list, although the company continues to insist that “neither it nor its counsel has paid an author, journalist, commentator or blogger to report or comment on any issues in this case.” The list includes two categories: current and former Google employees, and individuals who work with organizations that are currently receiving donations from Google.

To illustrate, these include the Electronic Frontier Foundation, Google’s current copyright lawyer, previous interns, and other fairly trivial names. But one name stands out, writes Nilay Patel from The Verge: Stanford professor Mark Lemley, whom Google has listed as an “outside consultant” who works on “unrelated cases.”

Lemley’s name comes to highlight because he still remains a Google counsel, even in non-related issues, and that he is often quoted in the press as the director of Stanford’s Law, Science & Technology program. As such, even as Lemley is an intellectual property expert who has extensive knowledge of patent law, there might be a question of impartiality whenever he speaks about these issues.

The court admits that disclosure may not necessarily be material to the case, although any publcity or commentary may have “influence on the courts and/or their staff if only in subtle ways.”

Does disclosure play a big part in making sure the case is tried in a fair manner? Perhaps these disclosures should mean that readers take online opinions and commentary with a grain of salt, since even established authors and commentators may have been influenced by any financial gain, even subtly. This, of course, brings to light some questions on editorial integrity. If an advertiser is supporting your publication’s business, will you still be able to provide a fair reportage if there are critical issues?

Related Posts

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This article, Google names paid consultants in Oracle patent case, including prominent Stanford law professor , was originally published at AndroidAuthority.com - Your Android News Source.


Google looking to improve privacy, wants to hire experts

Posted: 27 Aug 2012 08:21 PM PDT

Online privacy at its best (Photo credit: Shutterstock)

Privacy is a big deal, especially concerning social networks and other online services. Recall how Facebook is often under fire because of iffy privacy policies. Google is also an especially favorite target by privacy groups because of how search and mobile technology has been so pervasive in our lives. Remember the location-tracking issue that both iOS and Andriod have been criticized for? How about the controversial Google Street View issue in which Google admitted to collecting private information from unsecured networks?

Google wants to be a better corporate citizen, and is looking to hire experts in the privacy field, evident in a recent job hunt. In particular, the search giant is looking for software engineers who “will help ensure that our products are designed to the highest standards and are operated in a manner that protects the privacy of our users.” These potential employees should also “independently identify, research, and help resolve potential privacy risks across all of our products, services, and business processes in place today.”

The so-called “red team” will basically be tasked to look for any loopholes and potential risks that Google might be criticized — or worse, sued — for. The job posting does not include compensation inforamtion, but BGR posits that no matter how big these salaries will be, these are likely to be less expensive than having to pay fines, settlements and legal fees should privacy-related litigation ensue.

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This article, Google looking to improve privacy, wants to hire experts , was originally published at AndroidAuthority.com - Your Android News Source.


Samsung Galaxy Stellar goes up on Best Buy for $449.99

Posted: 27 Aug 2012 03:46 PM PDT

What was once a stranger, now it wouldn't be too much to call the Samsung Galaxy Stellar as an old chum, what with the amount of information we've had of the Verizon-bound phone in recent days. After the leak last week that gave away the phone's price (on-contract), new details of the phone can be found on Best Buy’s website.

That's right – the retailer didn't want to wait any longer for Verizon to make the Galaxy Stellar official, as the phone's product page is already up. You can't make the purchase just yet, but at least this gives the chance to see what else the Stellar is hiding under the hood.

We're going to start with what we already knew. For instance, the phone's 4-inch display is no longer a secret. But now we have confirmation that it will sport a 800 x 480 resolution. Instead of the expected dual-core 1.5GHz Snapdragon S4 processor, the Stellar will have to make do with 1.2GHz. Other features of the phone include 1GB RAM, 4GB internal storage, microSD card slot, 3.2MP rear camera, 1.3MP front-facing camera, 4G connectivity.

While the phone is expected to go on sale for $99 with a Verizon contract, the phone will cost $449.99 without one.

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This article, Samsung Galaxy Stellar goes up on Best Buy for $449.99 , was originally published at AndroidAuthority.com - Your Android News Source.


Android Phone Fans

Android Phone Fans


Lyft Is An On-Demand Ridesharing Service Officially Coming To Android Tomorrow

Posted: 27 Aug 2012 07:42 PM PDT

This image has no alt text

For frequent travelers or city dwellers, you know that hopping in a cab and moving from destination to destination can rack up quite a toll on your finances. Thankfully, there are new services that look to improve upon this experience, saving your wallet whenever visiting, or simply traveling through the city.

Brought to from the guys at Zimride who introduced social ride sharing to the world, Lyft is an all new service brings easy to find, on-demand drivers to you, via the push of a button. But unlike Uber’s suited up drivers who pick you up in black town cars and charge a flat rate of $40, Lyft drivers are just everyday folk (who passed extensive background checks) and will take you wherever you wanna go, for a suggested donation (typically 80% less than cab fare). Because both drivers and passengers are rated by each other, donate poorly and chances are you’ll have a tough time finding another Lyft driver in the future.

Lyft launched as a beta around 2 months ago and since then, it’s grown to more than 100 drivers (with plans to offer 200) offering easy lifts around the city of San Francisco for a fraction of the price you’d pay with Ubers or cabs. For Android users, the official app will finally be available tomorrow, August 28th, adding gobs of new users into the fold. Let’s hope with the thousands of new Android users comes even more success, bringing Lyft to more cities around the US. Would any of our readers be interested in trying out Lyft or better yet, becoming a Lyft driver?

[TechCrunch]

 


HTC Proto Is Now The Desire X – Pictured In The Wild Along With Specs

Posted: 27 Aug 2012 05:56 PM PDT

This image has no alt text

It was barely last week that we caught glimpse of the purported “HTC Proto,” a mid-range device to fill in a gap left open when HTC introduced their One series of handsets. Fast forward to today where we’re now seeing official retail docs emerge, showing us the official specs of the device, along with a brand new name: the HTC Desire X.

Design wise, we’re looking at a baby version of One X with what appears to a polycarbonate non-removable back cover coming in either navy blue or white color varieties. According to the leaked doc, the Desire X will nestle itself snugly in between the high(ish)-end One S, and its lower-end sibling, the One V. Here’s some quick bullet points:

  • 4-inch 800×480 Super LCD display
  • 5MP camera, AF, LED flash, BSI sensor, F2.0, 28mm, WVGA video recording, HTC ImageChip
  • 1 GHz dual-core (S3?)
  • 4GB internal storage, 768MB RAM, microSD slot, Dropbox 25GB for 2 years
  • 1650 mAh battery(removable)
  • Beats Audio
  • Android 4.0.4 with Sense 4.1
  • 114g, 118.5 x 62.3 x 9.3 mm
  • HSPA/WCDMA(Asia/Europe  900/2100 MHz), GSM/GPRS/EDGE 850/900/1800/1900 MHz)

Above you can see the Desire X side-by-side with the One X, trademark HTC stylings and all. There’s no word if we’ll ever see this device here in the states, but now that the Desire X is out of the bag, here’s to hoping HTC still has that rumored 5-inch phablet hiding under their sleeve for a surprise IFA announcement.

[ePrice | Via Pocketnow]


Leaked: Motorola DROID M Press Shots and Specs – 4.3-Inch qHD Display, S4 Processor and NFC

Posted: 27 Aug 2012 04:57 PM PDT

This image has no alt text

For those that like a little kick in their mid-range devices, Motorola might have exactly what you’re looking for. Bound for Verizon Wireless, the recently rumored Motorola Droid M is once again appearing before an official announcement in a set of leaked press shots along with full spec list.

The LTE equipped device will come with a 4.3-inch Super AMOLED “bezel-tastic” qHD Gorilla Glass 2 display, the now standard Qualcomm S4 dual-core processor, 1GB of RAM, 8MP rear with complimentary 3MP front facing camera, global roaming support, micro SD slot (I can hear the cheers already) and NFC on board. The above promo shot also shows software making Ice Cream Sandwich a shoe-in at launch.

Motorola is throwing an unveiling event scheduled for September 5th, where it’s more than likely we’ll see both this little fella, along with the RAZR HD, make an appearance. Expect the Droid M to hit with an affordable $150 pricing. What do you guys think about the DM? Is it a nice enough upgrade from the OG RAZR for those that wont commit to the RAZR HD?

[Engadget]


Sears giving up free keyboard dock with purchase of ASUS Transformer Pad TF300

Posted: 27 Aug 2012 04:04 PM PDT

If you’re in the market for an ASUS Transformer Pad TF300 soon why not get one from Sears? It’s not that I think they’re this super awesome retailer or anything, but they’re offering a really sweet deal if you decide to get it from their store shelves.

You will be walking away with a free keyboard dock, an accessory that will currently run you anywhere between $100-150 normally. It’s a great deal when you get anything for free, so there should be no reason to look anywhere else if you were already looking to purchase the tablet or tablet + dock elsewhere. Get two in one and pat yourself on the back for a job well done. The tablet itself is $400 and you can find it at the link ahead. [Sears via Droid Dog]


Are these the final Galaxy Note 2 specs?

Posted: 27 Aug 2012 03:03 PM PDT

We’re right around the corner from Samsung’s big unveil in Berlin and we’re expecting them to bring the Samsung Galaxy Note 2 with them. It seems someone has leaked the device’s specs ahead of time.

Nothing here is surprising considering we had an idea of what the specs would be long ago, but there’s nothing like a little added affirmation. We’re said to be getting a 5.5 inch HD display, Android 4.1.1, a 1.4GHz Samsung Exynos 4412 processor, an 8 megapixel camera, storage options of 16GB and 32GB, and LTE where available.

Earlier today we were able to get a look at alternative color options, and now there’s one thing left to see: the device itself! It has impressively eluded the eyes of many for this long, and it looks like we’re going to have to wait until the Unpacked event barring a last minute appearance. [via Seoul.co]


Root checker found in DROID 4 and DROID RAZR/MAXX Ice Cream Sandwich builds

Posted: 27 Aug 2012 02:41 PM PDT

Uh-oh. It looks like Verizon and Motorola have found another way to find out if they can deny you service on a malfunctioning rooted phone. It’s been discovered that the Ice Cream Sandwich builds for the Motorola DROID 4, Motorola DROID RAZR Motorola DROID RAZR MAXX include a root checker.

When booting into the recovery, a three character notation will come up letting prying eyes know what you’ve done to your device. For instance, “qe 0/0″ means your device has never been rooted, “qe 1/1″ means your device is currently rooted, and “qe 0/1″ means it was rooted before, but currently isn’t.

We imagine this check doesn’t come up with custom recoveries, and if you have a custom recovery then they’ll know you’re rooted anyway. We don’t like it and we know you don’t feel very different, but if Galaxy Nexus users are able to get along with the lock icon during boot-up for devices with unlocked bootloaders many people shouldn’t have an issue with this.

The only difference is that you can’t revert to an official factory state and have it all disappear and that just may be what pushes the DROID bunch over the line. What do you think of this “root check?” [via Droid-Life]


Samsung posts internal statement regarding jury’s decision

Posted: 27 Aug 2012 02:15 PM PDT

With all the statements we’ve been hearing about lately we’d be foolish to pass up on the opportunity to read Samsung’s take. They took to the Samsung Tomorrow blog to post an “internal” statement (we’re not sure how that works with this being out in the public and all) and it basically comes down to this: we’re disappointed this happened, and we’re going to be trying to appeal to the courts and go through the legal motions that come with such a significant case.

They mentioned their legal success against Apple in countries like Germany, Korea, and the United Kingdom in efforts to show that, despite today’s United States ruling, there are many other countries that think Samsung’s actions were harmless and that Apple’s cases were a bit frivolous.

Regardless, Samsung has a lot more to do than just release a statement so they’ll likely be getting the appeals process in motion while we’ll be at the edge of our seats waiting for the next major development in one of the most important lawsuits in all of technology. Read the statement in full below.

On Friday, August 24, 2012, the jury verdict in our trial against Apple was announced at the US District Court for the Northern District of California. The following is an internal memo that reflects Samsung’s position regarding the verdict:

 

 

We initially proposed to negotiate with Apple instead of going to court, as they had been one of our most important customers. However, Apple pressed on with a lawsuit, and we have had little choice but to counter-sue, so that we can protect our company.

 

Certainly, we are very disappointed by the verdict at the US District Court for the Northern District of California (NDCA), and it is regrettable that the verdict has caused concern amongst our employees, as well as our loyal customers.

 

However, the judge's final ruling remains, along with a number of other procedures. We will continue to do our utmost until our arguments have been accepted.

 

The NDCA verdict starkly contrasts decisions made by courts in a number of other countries, such as the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, Germany, and Korea, which have previously ruled that we did not copy Apple's designs. These courts also recognized our arguments concerning our standards patents.

 

History has shown there has yet to be a company that has won the hearts and minds of consumers and achieved continuous growth, when its primary means to competition has been the outright abuse of patent law, not the pursuit of innovation.

 

We trust that the consumers and the market will side with those who prioritize innovation over litigation, and we will prove this beyond doubt.


Apple files to have 8 Samsung phones banned in the US, including most of the Galaxy S2 line

Posted: 27 Aug 2012 12:41 PM PDT

Another exciting development (well, exciting for us spectators anyway) has taken place in the ongoing post-trial happenings between Samsung and Apple. The latter has filed to have 8 of Samsung’s devices banned from the market.

These include the Samsung Galaxy S2 for T-Mobile, AT&T, the Epic 4G Touch, the Skyrocket, the Galaxy S Showcase, Galaxy S 4G, the Samsung DROID Charge, and the Samsung Galaxy Prevail.

The chart you see above breaks down which phones are violating which patents. A hearing to discuss the injunctions is going down September 20th, and Apple would have to prove that letting these devices exist in the market will lead to irreparable damage for Apple’s brand and sales.

Considering many of these devices are still available — and selling well for very cheap prices — Apple no doubt targeted these devices as part of a strategic play. We’re sure Apple’s eyes are on Samsung’s hot new seller known as the Galaxy S3, but there’s very little for Apple to nitpick about as Samsung cleaned up most of what these older devices had causing them to be cast to the fire in the first place.

If there was anything for Apple to go after in that regard they’ll need a lot more time to build up a solid case. But regardless, these devices remain a big part of Samsung’s current offerings and it would be a big blow should Apple convince the courts that they need to be banished from store shelves. You can read the filing in its entirety here if you wish. [via The Verge]


Lenovo IdeaPad A2109 can now be yours for $300

Posted: 27 Aug 2012 11:53 AM PDT

Between the Nexus 7, the Transformer Series, and Samsung’s new Galaxy Note 10.1 it would seem we have all we need for the Android tablet space, but there are more options out there. Consider Lenovo’s new offering — the IdeaPad A2109.

It’s a 9 inch, Tegra 3 device will be coming to town with Ice Cream Sandwich. Other specs include 1GB of RAM, 16GB of internal storage, a 3 megapixel rear camera, and a 1.3 megapixel front-facing camera.

Best of all? It’s coming to you for a cool $300. That’s not a bad price to ask for a tablet with that spec line. You could do a heck of a lot worse indeed, and the margin I’m talking about between this and some of these other affordable tablets is staggering. If $300 is your sweet spot and you’re up to stray from the usual players, head to Best Buy and check it out.


Verizon LG Intuition press shots leaked, looking kind of fat in those jeans

Posted: 27 Aug 2012 10:56 AM PDT

Verizon’s LG Intuition, an Optimus Vu variant, is poised to launch sometime soon and first press renders of the device have finally shown up.  It still boasts that ridiculous 4:3 aspect ratio that makes it one of the more wider phones you’ll have ever carried.

The device doesn’t host any remarkable features outside that aforementioned aspect ratio, though we do know Verizon has elected to stick with the four button layout for navigation instead of using on-screen controls.

A nice 4G LTE logo graces the back, and we can see a camera with flash on the back (as well as one on the front to accompany it). That’s about it, though, as far as hardware.

The software side of things shows a glimpse at LG’s Optimus UI 3.0 running on top of Android 4.0.3. It’s possible we could see Jelly Bean by the time the Intuition arrives on store shelves, but I would definitely doubt it. [LG Optimus Vu]


Original Motorola DROID gets new life with functional Jelly Bean ROM [VIDEO]

Posted: 27 Aug 2012 10:27 AM PDT

While the original Motorola DROID — which is coming up on its third anniversary this November — isn’t anywhere near being the hot device to acquire, it still enjoyed a rich year or so atop the ranks of Android devices. Many people bought the device that kick-started the Android craze, and many of those people (including yours truly) still own it.

If your tinkering hand is feeling a little tingly you might want to consider putting Jelly Bean on the device. That’s right, the device has gotten its very own Jelly Bean ROM, and truth be told it will extend the life of your phone even longer if you’re the type who still hasn’t upgraded.

The ROM is very smooth and stable, and the only thing that isn’t working quite right is the camera. It’s not too surprising that Jelly Bean runs smoothly on the device. Ice Cream Sandwich ran a lot better than Gingerbread, Froyo, and Eclair ever did, and Jelly Bean adds even more improvements to help performance.

You won’t be getting the buttery smoothness that you’d get from other phones, of course — the hardware is simply too dated — but it’s remarkable that it looks as good as it does on such a slow processor. If you’re still using the DROID as either a phone or a media player you’re sure to want to get your hands on it. Head to the source link for the download. [XDA via Droid-Life]


Best Buy outs Samsung Galaxy Stellar as handset formerly known as the Samsung Jasper

Posted: 27 Aug 2012 09:16 AM PDT

When the Samsung Galaxy Stellar appeared in a Verizon rebate document, we speculated that it could be the street name for a device codenamed the Samsung Jasper. After a leak last week revealed the Stellar would retail for $99, Best Buy has outed the full product listing, which confirms our initial suspicions. The Jasper will launch as the Galaxy Stellar, a mid-range device with a 1.2GHz dual-core CPU, 4-inch display, and Android 4.0.

The listing remains live at Best Buy’s site despite any official announcement on behalf of Verizon or Samsung. As of now the phone is listed at $449.99 without a contract and appears ready to purchase, but we our guessing Best Buy won’t be able to fill any order placed at this time. When the 4G LTE Galaxy Stellar will launch is still a mystery.

[via AndroidPolice]


New leak outs two color options for Samsung Galaxy Note 2, ‘Titan Grey’ Galaxy S3

Posted: 27 Aug 2012 08:14 AM PDT

As the announcement of the Samsung Galaxy Note 2 draws near we are learning a few last minute details. Just as with the Samsung Galaxy S3, the Note 2, which has been pegged with model number GT-N7100 (the first Note was the N7000), will ship in two color schemes: “Ceramic White” and a second color only shown as “TBD” in the retailer inventory listing that revealed the options. Speaking of the Galaxy S3, yet another variant was outed in the leak, a so-called “Titan Grey” edition.

The Ceramic White name might indicate the use of the material in the construction of the Note 2. It was rumored before the launch of the Galaxy S3 that that particular handset might utilize a ceramic casing, but the prospect never panned out. Perhaps Samsung has found a way to work it into the next edition of the note.

The Titan Grey GS3 and Galaxy Note 2 are listed as launching during the first half of October, which also coincides with the rumored release date of the black version of the Galaxy S3. The date also follows a month after the impending unveiling of the Note 2 at IFA in Berlin later this week.

[via DroidDog]


LG Optimus Vu II with infrared capabilities coming next month to Korea

Posted: 27 Aug 2012 07:22 AM PDT

LG has rather unceremoniously unveiled the Optimus Vu II, a followup to their original phablet that launched earlier this year. The biggest change (or the only one LG is talking up at this point) is the addition of an infrared transmitter for controlling other devices such as set-top boxes via a special QRemote app. It might be realistic to think that the Optimus Vu II will carry few other changes from the debut model, as LG hasn’t revealed too much in the technical specs department.

The Optimus Vu is coming to Verizon as the LG Intuition this fall and is rumored to sport a quad-core Tegra 3 processor, an upgrade over the dual-core innards of the previous model. It could be that the Optimus Vu II sees a similar bump in CPU spec when it launches in LG’s native South Korea next month.

[via Engadget]


Google issues statement after Samsung defeat in Apple patent trial, not worried

Posted: 27 Aug 2012 06:50 AM PDT

Despite a jury returning a verdict indicting Samsung of infringing upon several Apple patents, Google isn’t worried about the results of the monumental trial affecting Android on the larger scale.

In a statement Google has said,

"The court of appeals will review both infringement and the validity of the patent claims. Most of these don't relate to the core Android operating system, and several are being re-examined by the U.S. Patent Office. The mobile industry is moving fast and all players — including newcomers — are building upon ideas that have been around for decades. We work with our partners to give consumers innovative and affordable products, and we don't want anything to limit that."

In reality, Google has to be more than a bit concerned about the results of the trial. While Samsung may have a chance of winning an appeal, and even though much of what Samsung was found guilty on has no direct bearing on Android, the win could give Apple all the strength it needs to challenge Google directly. At that point, here’s hoping Google’s patent acquisition spree pays off.

[via AllThingsD]