Saturday, September 29, 2012

Android Authority

Android Authority


C Spire Galaxy S3 now available for $199.99 on contract

Posted: 29 Sep 2012 03:02 AM PDT

In case you still haven't purchased the Galaxy S3 in the U.S., but still considering it, then you should know that another regional carrier is now stocking Samsung's flagship smartphone of the year.

The Galaxy S3 is now available in both Marble White and Pebble Blue from C Spire, and the mobile operator will charge you the regular $199.99 price for the 16GB version, assuming you're ready to ink a new two-year contract. In case you don't want to get a new contract, then you can pay full price for the handset, or $549.99.

Just in case you're wondering, the C Spire Galaxy S3 will offer you the exact same design and features as any other U.S. Galaxy S3 version. Here are some of the highlights: 4.8-inch HD Super AMOLED touchscreen display, 1.5GHz dual-core Qualcomm Snapdragon S4 processor, 16GB of memory, microSD support, 8-megapixel rear camera with 1080p HD video recording, 1.9-megapixel front-facing camera, 4G LTE support and Android 4.0.4 Ice Cream Sandwich (upgradeable to Jelly Bean in the following months).

Thus, C Spire joins the plethora of U.S. carriers that are selling the Galaxy S3. The lists includes the Big Four (Verizon, AT&T, Sprint, T-Mobile) but also several other regional carriers (U.S. Cellular, MetroPCS).

Are you buying the C Spire Galaxy S3?

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This article, C Spire Galaxy S3 now available for $199.99 on contract , was originally published at AndroidAuthority.com - Your Android News Source.


Android Authority On Air – Episode 31 – Nexus Rumors & Play Store Services

Posted: 28 Sep 2012 07:11 PM PDT

The fall for Android fans is nearly its own holiday season with Nexus rumor after Nexus rumor bombaring the Android community. This week had us on the edges of our seats nearly every day as  new Nexus rumor surfaced. We heard rumors about an upcoming $99 Nexus tablet and a thinner, better $199 Nexus tablet. We heard more reports on an upcoming LG Nexus, based off of the Optimus G. We saw pictures get posted to Picasa that may or may not be from the Samsung Galaxy Nexus 2. And, HTC rumors were rampant talking about the Nexus 5, a Nexus with a 5-inch screen.

Google launched Google Play Services this week and man, it’s going to be big. This first round we saw OAuth 2.0, Google+ Sign-In and Google+ +1 integration. Updates to Google Play Store services are delivered within days and not dependant upon carriers and OEMs, allowing access to the latest Google product API's. When an app needs to access your private data from a Google application, they can use the new tool to get that access securely without requiring you to enter your account information. Plus, if you use a secure password, typing it is pretty hard on mobile. Very cool.

For rootin’ and ROMin, CM10 got a little more stable and AOKP dropped Build 3 upon us.  The ASUS Transformer Prime got Jelly Bean and the Infinity is getting it next week. Motorola dropped their latest ICS and JB update list upon and and Samsung did the same. One device wasn’t on the list…sad face.

Last but not least, Andrew Bell released Series 3 of his Android mini collectibles and Big Android BBQ tickets are discounted by 25%.

Miss the show? Tune in or watch below:

Links

Samsung Galaxy Note 2 U.S. launch party planned for October 24
Google launches new app FieldTrip [video]
YouTube app update brings fresh UI to Froyo and Gingerbread, offers more features
Google Play Services developer tool rolling out soon
4.7-inch LG Nexus smartphone coming soon, is it an LG Optimus G variant?
Galaxy Nexus 2 (GT-I9260) sample images spotted on Picasa already
Are Google and Asus planning a $99 Nexus 7? Digitimes says yes, Asus says no
Google Play deals: select games for $0.25, books for $0.99, music albums and movies starting at $3.99
YouTube app update brings fresh UI to Froyo and Gingerbread, offers more features
Forget passwords on Android with OAuth 2.0 from Google
Google Play Services developer tool rolling out soon
Leaked: New pic of HTC One X+ for T-Mobile
Chrome for Android arrives for devices using Intel x86 processors
Hands-on: Android Mini Series 03 collectibles
Samsung addresses the remote wipe vulnerability issue on Galaxy S3
4.7-inch LG Nexus smartphone coming soon, is it an LG Optimus G variant?
Android Nexus Binaries Updated to JRO03R and Verizon's Galaxy Nexus gets Factory Images
Galaxy Nexus 2 (GT-I9260) sample images spotted on Picasa already
Rumor: HTC phablet might be destined to be the Nexus 5
15 Samsung phones and tablets to get Jelly Bean at some point, Galaxy Tab 10.1 will miss out
Samsung Galaxy S3 Jelly Bean update rollout begins in Europe
Select Motorola Atrix 2 users getting ICS update for soak test
Motorola brings us up to date with Android upgrade schedule, DROID Bionic finally seeing ICS

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Android Authority On Air – Episode 25 – Google Play Gift Cards and CM10, Android Authority On Air – Episode 21 – The Nexus 7 launches, Google resurrects its device store, starts selling the Galaxy Nexus on the Play Store for $399


This article, Android Authority On Air – Episode 31 – Nexus Rumors & Play Store Services , was originally published at AndroidAuthority.com - Your Android News Source.


Day 3 of Google’s 25 billion downloads celebration sees more apps for $0.25

Posted: 28 Sep 2012 02:55 PM PDT

Today marks the halfway point of Google’s sale celebrating 25 billion app downloads, and even more apps are available for the low low price of just $0.25. With downloads available from Rovio, Disney, Adult Swim and Electronic Arts, you’ll probably find something worth buying, even if you managed to make it through the past two days of sales without opening your wallet.

Here are the apps that you can add to your collection for $0.25 today:

With only two apps on today’s sale page having less than a four star rating, chances are that no matter what app you pick, it’s going to at the very least be worth the $0.25 you paid for it. Some of the listed apps are a steal even at their normal price, so if it catches your eye, go for it! After all, we’re celebrating here, right?

Personally, I’ve been looking at Flick Golf! for a while now, so it’s a given that I’m going to pick it up for 25 cents.

Are you planning to grab any 25 cent apps today while they’re one sale? Which ones?

 

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This article, Day 3 of Google’s 25 billion downloads celebration sees more apps for $0.25 , was originally published at AndroidAuthority.com - Your Android News Source.


HTC One X+ coming soon? HTC apparently schedules new event for October 2

Posted: 28 Sep 2012 02:25 PM PDT

There are plenty of leaks suggesting that HTC will soon unveil at least a new Android device, with the One X+ and the 5-inch phablet being among the most talked about upcoming HTC Android handsets.

Earlier today we saw a couple of new leaked images of the One X+, which suggested the new device will be fairly similar to the current One X/XL model. But the new smartphone is yet to be made public.

HTC's most recent press event (September 19) focused only on Windows Phone 8 smartphones, so we're still waiting to see the Taiwanese Android device maker announce a similar event for new Android handsets.

But while we wait for HTC to announce its next media event, we will take a look at a "Hold the date" email received by HTCSpecialist.com members – see image above. According to the email, HTC will host an "exclusive" event in Glasgow on October 2 from 6-11 PM local time, where those attending will be able to “preview HTC’s latest phones.”

Should we expect to see new One X-branded devices next week, including the One X+ and the One X5? We're certainly going to keep you updated on the matter, but let's not get too excited about the whole thing just yet. After all, while this invitation from HTC Specialist certainly sounds interesting, we're yet to see the official invites from HTC, and that Glasgow event is less than a week away.

Not to mention that we're also puzzled by the fact that this event is not scheduled to take place in London, where we'd usually expect the company to host such pressers.

Any HTC Specialists in the audience? Have you received a similar invitation? Are you going?

Thanks tipster!

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This article, HTC One X+ coming soon? HTC apparently schedules new event for October 2 , was originally published at AndroidAuthority.com - Your Android News Source.


New and fresh Android apps of the week (September 28 issue)

Posted: 28 Sep 2012 02:00 PM PDT

We’re just a few days away from bidding goodbye to September and saying hello to October.  Yet, when talking of Android apps, we hardly need to say bye-bye; rather, it’s mostly a case of saying hello, especially to the newest and the freshest goodies from the Android app market.

In this last week of September, say hello to some of the best new and fresh Android apps that were unleashed upon the Google Play Store this week.  We scurried and bustled about in the Store and filled our shopping basket with an app for:

  • crunching and computing discounts while you go shopping;
  • searching for locally installed apps and launching them;
  • random selection of items in a set;
  • monitoring your daily water intake;
  • finding interesting people to chat or flirt with, or even meet and make friends with;
  • connecting and “mingling” with people at events, social-networking-style;
  • keeping shopping lists with the use of gestures;
  • accessing your phone from any Web browser;
  • collaborating on a group project;
  • finding places such as restaurants and entertainment centers, and getting information about them;
  • recording time spent on a task;
  • getting beauty and makeup tips;
  • downloading email attachments and files even if the file formats are not natively supported by your email client or browser;
  • using your Android’s LED lights as a flashlight, early warning device, strobe light, or Morse code signal beacon; and
  • hand-picking phone numbers or contacts that you don’t want to be able to call you.

Check out these new apps, will you?  And, tell us what you think of them.

Discount Calculator- Shopping

Most people love to go to the mall and shop. We may even make a shopping list so that we won’t forget to buy the things that we need. But, aside from making your shopping list, it’s also important that you manage your money well before going out to shop. A wise shopper always monitors mall events and promos that sell a product at a lower price. When a mall has a sale, be sure to install the Discount Calculator- Shopping on your Android device. This app will help you calculate the price of a discounted product and computes the total expenses in your shopping bag.

All you need to do is type in the original price and place the sale percentage of that product. The discounted price will appear below. The app will also allow you to add the tax value of a product. Once you have computed all the items’ discounted prices, your total expenses will appear at the top of the screen.

The ads-supported Discount Calculator- Shopping app can be downloaded for free from the Google Play Store. Ads will only appear at the bottom of the screen and won’t hinder you from using the app.

Do you need more app options for your shopping or grocery tasks? Check out some of the best grocery list apps for Android and the best Android apps for shoppers to find best deals.


Quick launch(find and launch)

The patent war is raging on. Phone manufacturers are trying their best to create better Androids without copying the opposition. Samsung even modified its phone to avoid conflict with other phone manufacturers. The company has even pushed an update that removed local search functionality on the Galaxy S3. Many reacted to this change because the local search function was a very useful tool on the mobile phone. If you were one of the victims of this update, worry no more. You can easily replace the local search function on your phone with an app from the Google Play Store.

The Quick launch(find & launch) functions like a local search on your mobile phone. All you need to do is type the name of the app and launch it directly from Quick launch. The app, however, doesn’t really imitate the local search since the app is only limited to searching for apps on your mobile phone. It would be a good addition to the app if it also allowed contacts or phone numbers to be searched.

The ad-supported Quick launch(find & launch) can be downloaded for free from the Google Play Store. Ads will appear at the top of the app ‘s screen, but aren’t a big distraction while using the app.


Decider

Who will clean the dishes? Who will buy the food? Who will do this or that task? Making a decision is hard, especially when your are in a group. Life would be easier if members of your group are up for the task. If you and your group members find it hard to assign tasks, you can use the app Decider to help you settle things. This app will randomly pick a marker assigned to a specific member of your group.

The app is also simple to use. All you need to do is to let your members tap anywhere on the screen to place their markers. When all markers are placed, just tap the spinner which will then spin around and point to a marker. You can use this app to assign certain tasks to your team members. You even use this to assign who’s the it in your hide-and-seek game or represent the marker as the food that you want to eat. You can also change the theme to white or dark on the Settings menu.

The ads-free Decider app can be downloaded for a price of about US$2.00 from the Google Play Store.


Slimming Water, Healthy Water

The human body consists of about 50-75% water. Water is very important for daily life. This substance can help regulate body temperature, flush out waste products in our body, moisten the lungs, lubricate the joints, and a lot more. That’s why it is very important to take in the right amount of water everyday. You need at least 8 glasses of water a day and if you’re an active person, that required amount increases. In our busy and hectic environment, we may even forget to take in the right amount of water. We need the help of the Slimming Water, Healthy Water to monitor our daily water intake.

This app is primarily used to monitor your daily water intake. On the app’s main menu, you can find specific glass sizes and the amount of water each glass contains. As you drink your water, you will need to tap the corresponding glass size and tap the plus sign to record your water intake. The app also allows you to view the total water you have taken for the day. It will even show your water intake data on a bar graph. The app also has an alarm feature that will notify you to drink your water at a given time.

You can download the ads-free Slimming Water, Healthy Water app for about a dollar from the Google Play Store.

Need more apps to keep you on the pinkest side of health? Check out some of the best Android apps for staying healthy and keeping fit.


Blendr – Chat, Flirt & Meet

Alone and with nothing to do on a Friday night? Want to meet new friends nearby? Meet new and interesting friends with the Blendr – Chat, Flirt & Meet app. This is a social site where you can get to chat and meet new friends. The app also allows you to search for nearby Blendr users you can talk to or hang out with.

Just like the usual social apps from the Google Play Store, you will need a Blendr account to access the app. You can also use your Facebook account to log in. The app will also allow you to post your profile for other users to see. You can add your photos, add your interests, edit your personal information, and much more. You can also use this app to chat and get to know new friends online. The app also allows you to vote for users whom you think are interesting.

The Blendr – Chat, Flirt & Meet app can be downloaded for free from the Google Play Store. Considering that this is a free app, I didn’t find any ad in the app’s interface. The app only requires you to pay a monthly subscription fee if you want to unlock some features in the app, such as seeing who voted for you and getting to chat with new users.


Related Posts

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This article, New and fresh Android apps of the week (September 28 issue) , was originally published at AndroidAuthority.com - Your Android News Source.


Firefox OS has a long way to go to compete with Android

Posted: 28 Sep 2012 01:46 PM PDT

Firefox OS

According to a recent report, Mozilla’s Firefox OS should only expect to see around 1 percent of the global smartphone OS market in 2013, compared to Android’s 67 percent. The report says it could take as long as two years to turn this around, so should Google worry about Firefox OS at all, or turn their focus on other competitors?

Looking at 2013

TechCrunch reports that according to a report by Strategy Analytics, Mozilla’s Firefox OS will likely only see about 1 percent global market share, and Android is expected to keep its lead with 67 percent. As the first handsets to use Firefox OS will be aimed at the lower-budget portion of the market, that puts Firefox OS in direct competition with Android, with Android having the advantage of being there first.

While that may seem a bleak prospect for Firefox OS, Mozilla has made headway in getting handset manufacturers on board. Sprint, ZTE, Telefonica and Deutsche Telekom all have agreements in place to carry phones running Firefox OS, but whether that is enough to gain Firefox OS the footing it needs won’t be clear for some time.

The Real Competition

In the TechCrunch article, Strategy Analytics analyst Neil Mawston is quoted as saying “It took Android just two years from commercial launch to overtake Symbian and go from new entrant to established global leader, so things can change extremely fast in the smartphone industry.” This is certainly true, but while it was popular, Symbian didn’t have the same level of brand awareness that Android currently enjoys.

With Firefox OS, Aliyun, Tizen and MeeGo all being names that have appeared in recent news, it’s easy to focus on the competition they may bring to Google or Microsoft, but we often forget that they will be competing against each other as well. With each OS fighting to gain ground, competition will be fierce, and it isn’t likely that all of them are going to make it out alive.

Do you think that Firefox OS poses a threat to Android, or should Google worry about the more immediate competition from companies like Microsoft and Apple?

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This article, Firefox OS has a long way to go to compete with Android , was originally published at AndroidAuthority.com - Your Android News Source.


News Consumption continues to rise through the Internet, print news declining fast [study]

Posted: 28 Sep 2012 01:38 PM PDT

News

A new Pew Research Center survey has confirmed what most of us already knew: online news has now overtaken print-based news.

According to the survey, 39 percent of respondents said they got their news directly from the net. The only source that beats out online is Television. Even TV seems to be on the downslide compared to the rapid growth coming from social media and other online sources. In fact, 13 percent of the respondents said they sometimes received their news directly from Twitter. In general, social news sharing has climbed dramatically. In the last two years, social-networking as a primary source for news has grown from 9 percent to 19.

Other interesting facts in the survey point out that 64 percent of those polled prefer news sources that don’t have a specific point of view and are more neutral in tone. In contrast, 26 percent wanted news to come from sources that shared their point of view. The survey also said that 18 to 24 year-olds consume the least amount of news, instead spending the majority of their time emailing, texting and using social networks.

While the survey is interesting, no one will be shocked. We live in a world where information is readily available at our fingertips, making the need for a traditional newspaper much less important. I personally never consume the news from any source other than the Internet and have never directly subscribed to print-based news. How about the rest of our readers?

What is your preferred method for getting news?

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This article, News Consumption continues to rise through the Internet, print news declining fast [study] , was originally published at AndroidAuthority.com - Your Android News Source.


Samsung Galaxy Camera FCC filing points to AT&T as 3G provider

Posted: 28 Sep 2012 12:27 PM PDT

Samsung Galaxy Camera

We’ve known about the Samsung Galaxy Camera for a while now. The idea of an Android-based camera might not appeal to all types of users but it could be perfect for people who take a lot of pictures. The Galaxy Camera also offers a way to upload your photos and videos on the fly without having to hook an external camera to a laptop or other device to do it.

In order to truly create an Android camera that can do everything from taking the picture to uploading it, mobile broadband needs to be present. Samsung has already ensured us that 3G and 4G versions are coming, but under which carriers? We might now have our answer, thanks to the FCC.

Samsung Galaxy Camera

Every device that comes to the United States must first make its way through FCC approval. The good news is that this often gives us a way to get an early look at extra features and options coming to new gear and gadgets. The FCC filings for the Samsung Galaxy Camera point to two different names, the EK-GC100 and EK-KC100. Both models seem to have HSPA-based 3G on 850MHz and 1900MHz bands, which is exactly what is used by AT&T and several Canadian carriers. There is no mention of LTE in the filing, but that doesn’t mean that it isn’t coming, it just is absent here.

We may not know much more than we did before, but at the very least it seems that the Samsung Galaxy Camera is set to arrive on AT&T. For the moment, it’s hard to say which other carriers might get the new Android camera.

Are you interested in getting the Galaxy Camera or are you perfectly happy with using your existing smartphone or even a standard digital camera?

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This article, Samsung Galaxy Camera FCC filing points to AT&T as 3G provider , was originally published at AndroidAuthority.com - Your Android News Source.


UK Samsung Galaxy Note 2 available now through one online retailer, next day shipping offered

Posted: 28 Sep 2012 12:19 PM PDT

UK Samsung Galaxy Note 2

Are you one of the many UK consumers impatiently waiting to get your hands on the Galaxy Note 2? If you really can’t wait until next week, you may not have to. That’s right, it seems that Unlocked-Mobiles is selling the Note 2 right now. According to the site, they can ship now and the successor to Samsung’s famous phablet could be in your hands as early as tomorrow.

It’s hard to say how or why UK Samsung Galaxy Note 2 devices have managed to make their way into Unlocked-Mobiles’ hands a week ahead of schedule. The asking price for the 16GB white version of the Note 2 is slightly higher here, at £545, versus the £530 price tag found at most other sites. The online retailer also has plans to sell the blue version of the phablet, but they don’t have it in stock yet.

The Galaxy Note 2 certainly is a major upgrade to the already excellent OG Note, now powered by a 1.6GHz quad-core Exynos with 2GB of RAM. The S Pen has also been redesigned and has many new features added to it. For a full list of hardware specs and features click here.

Any of our readers order the UK Samsung Galaxy Note 2 through Unlocked-Mobile? Let us know how the experience goes and whether or not you really are get it "next day" like they are claiming.

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This article, UK Samsung Galaxy Note 2 available now through one online retailer, next day shipping offered , was originally published at AndroidAuthority.com - Your Android News Source.


Rayman Jungle Run comes to Android [video]

Posted: 28 Sep 2012 11:50 AM PDT

Rayman Jungle Run showed up last week for iOS, and yesterday it made its way to the Google Play Store. Fans of platforming, puzzling and mobile gaming in general are nearly guaranteed to enjoy the game.

While it was supposed to debut alongside the iOS version last week, the Android version of Rayman Jungle Run was delayed by a week so the developers could ensure compatability with a wide range of Android devices. As they promised, it’s here, and it seems that it was worth the wait.

While at first glance, Rayman Jungle Run may appear to be just another “run forever” type of game, it has far more in common with Rayman’s platforming roots on videogame consoles. There are all the tricky jumps, enemies to dispatch, and collectibles to grab that you would expect from a classic platformer. Though it shares much with the classic Rayman games, the one-touch controls make it far easier to play on your phone or tablet.

Check out the official trailer below to get a look at the game in action.

Rayman Jungle Run is available for devices running Android 2.3.3 and up, and will cost you $2.99 in the Google Play Store.

Have you had a chance to try the game out yet? What do you think?

 

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This article, Rayman Jungle Run comes to Android [video] , was originally published at AndroidAuthority.com - Your Android News Source.


Android Phone Fans

Android Phone Fans


OUYA Backer Rewards: Phandroid Given Special Access To Dev Team and Launch Event, GameFans Branded On Consoles

Posted: 28 Sep 2012 04:27 PM PDT

This image has no alt text

As we inch closer to the launch of the world’s first Android mini-console, today OUYA announced a few updates for early backers. First off, we all know the OUYA has been generating some buzz with consumers, and yes, even gaining support from a few big name game publishers like Square Enix. But what about smaller game developers and studios? Has the OUYA been met with the same warm reception as consumers? The answer is a resounding, yes.

OUYA announced today that over 1,000 developers have contacted their team looking to get in on the game changing console. Keep in minds that’s in addition to the 800 developers who have backed the console on Kickstarter, looking to get early access to the OUYA development kits. Now after a bit of calculating, that brings the new grand total to about 2,000 developers optimistic about the OUYA’s future and you know what else? We are too.

So much in fact that our parent company Neverstill Media has backed the OUYA at the highest tier on Kickstarter meaning you’ll see our newly launched sister site GameFans emblazoned on the back of every first run console. What’s more is Phandroid was able to get in on some of the action as well, qualifying for the “Elite Developer Special.” That means we’ll not only have direct access to OUYA’s developer team, but we’ll be on hand for the launch event in March. There’s also some whisperings that a Phandroid gaming app could soon be on the way as well.

OUYA also mentioned they’re already in talks with 50 international distributors that will help spread the console to the four corners of the globe. Seems the OUYA is playing all their cards right, gearing up for a huge release, and more launch titles than you can shake a controller at. March couldn’t come fast enough.

[GameFans | Kotaku | OUYA]


Court of Appeals sends Galaxy Tab 10.1 injunction decision back to Judge Koh

Posted: 28 Sep 2012 02:30 PM PDT

Despite the fact that a jury found Samsung’s Galaxy Tab 10.1 not guilty of infringing on Apple design patents, Judge Lucy Koh refused to lift a sales injunction on the device in a recent trial revisiting the issue. Now the Federal Court of Appeals has stepped in, sending the issue back to Jufde Koh’s bench, where it can once again be considered. The difference now is that Samsung can argue that the injunction should be lifted due to the results of the larger trial. Whether or not Koh reverses her decision remains to be seen. She hasn’t necessarily been the most forgiving of Samsung throughout these proceedings.

[via Engadget]


On average, Android users go through 870MB of data per month

Posted: 28 Sep 2012 02:07 PM PDT

For those still a bit miffed about the gradual phasing out of unlimited data plans by carriers such as AT&T and Verizon, check out a new study by NPD Connected Intelligence. According to their research, the average Android users goes through 870MB of data per month, less than a gigabyte and within the realm of what most service providers offer as their base data tier. The explanation is simple: the same study found that each user, on average, blows through 2.5GB of data via WiFi.

The stats breakdown shows that younger users between the ages of 18-24 are responsible for the majority of cellular data usage, though even then the average only comes to 1.05GB per month. All other users typically consumer 0.8GB per month.

Data was collected by SmartMete, an app that monitors data usage and reports the results back to NPD in exchange for incentives. The study was small, however, surveying a mere 1,000 Android users. Still, the results suggest that only the most hardcore truly feel the pain of data caps and tiered pricing plans. The average user should feel fine saving a few bucks and signing up for a lower data tier.

[via DroidDog]


Samsung Galaxy S3 now available from C Spire

Posted: 28 Sep 2012 12:47 PM PDT

Folks looking for a Samsung Galaxy S3 with a bit more regional flair can now pick up the flagship handset from C Spire. The provider of wireless access to a decent swatch of people residing in the southern United States has both the Marble White and Pebble Blue with 16GB of internal storage for $199.99 on contract. Just as Samsung has done with all previously released Galaxy S3 handsets, the phone remains virtually identical to those available from carriers such as AT&T and Verizon. Follow the links above for more details.

[Thanks, Bobby!]


…and then Sprint released Android 2.3 for the Motorola XPRT

Posted: 28 Sep 2012 12:31 PM PDT

With most company’s focused squarely on updating their recent product lineups to Ice Cream Sandwich and Jelly Bean, Motorola and Sprint have delivered us a bit of a throwback. The Motorola XPRT, released back in the early summer months of 2011, is now seeing its update to Android 2.3 Gingerbread. The positive is that Motorola and Sprint have not forgotten about those folks still locked into a two-year contract with the XPRT, an admittedly niche device. But we’re left with the question: why is this thing is just now getting upgraded to Gingerbread?

It’s true, most manufacturers would have abandoned software updates for the XPRT a long time ago, so we applaud the effort, but in today’s world its Ice Cream Sandwich (at least) or bust. Anything less feels underwhelming. XPRT users will no doubt appreciate the new software, but it’s interesting to see Moto still devoting resources to the handset.

[Sprint via TechCrunch]


Antenna problems causing delay of Droid RAZR HD, RAZR MAXX HD?

Posted: 28 Sep 2012 11:55 AM PDT

There might be a hitch in Verizon’s plans to release the Motorola Droid RAZR HD and Motorola Droid RAZR MAXX HD. According to a rumor originating at Howard Forums, antenna issues could have forced Moto and VZW to delay the handset. According to the report, the antenna design of the two devices puts it in contact with the edges of the phone’s casing, creating a situation not unlike that of the iPhone 4′s “death grip.”

Given that the problem pertains to actual hardware design, the fix likely isn’t as easy as a software patch, and thus could create a lengthy delay. Rumors have positioned the phones as launching towards the end of October, but if the antenna problems are real, it is more likely that we won’t see the new RAZRs until after Thanksgiving at the earliest.

[via HowardForum]


ASUS denies rumors of $99 Nexus tablet

Posted: 28 Sep 2012 11:36 AM PDT

Twenty-four hours after rumors surfaced of a $99 Nexus tablet launching by the end of the year, manufacturing partner ASUS has gone on the defensive, denying such claims outright. ASUS told Digitimes, the source that originally broke the story, that they have no plans to release a sub-$100 slate in conjunction with Google, calling into question rumors that one is currently in development.

While the statement sheds some doubt on the claims initially put forth by Digitimes, a denial by the manufacturer might not necessarily mean that new Nexus models aren’t on the horizon. The same report also said an ultra-thin version of the Nexus 7 would take over at the $199 price point.

[via Digitimes]


Texas Instruments still plans to deliver OMAP 5 processors

Posted: 28 Sep 2012 11:13 AM PDT

Though Texas Instruments plans to downsize their mobile operations and shift focus towards embedded processors in other products such as cars, the company says the release of their OMAP 5 platform will go forward as planned. TI clarified that development will go forward on the processor and while they did not provide a release timeframe, most reports point towards early 2013 for the Cortex A15 chipset.

It initially wasn’t clear what the status of OMAP 5 was in light of TI’s newly announced plans, but it would have been a shame to see the chipset squandered away this far along in development. Elements of the latest OMAP platform will no doubt find their way into future TI endeavors, but the bump in power the fifth generation chip will provide would be sorely missed from smartphones and tablets.

[via DroidLife]


Here is an even clearer look at the HTC One X+

Posted: 28 Sep 2012 10:40 AM PDT

After a rather blurry image leaked a couple days back and a slightly better picture emerged alongside highlighted specs, we now have just about the clearest look at the HTC One X+ we have seen thus far. No surprises here, as the phone again looks to be blacked-out One X, with the major changes occurring under the hood. Those changes include a 1.7GHz quad-core processor and Android 4.1 Jelly Bean out of the box. The phone should be touching down in both the UK and the United States, though an exact launch date escapes us at this time.

[via PocketLint]


HTC DROID Incredible 4G LTE now $99

Posted: 28 Sep 2012 09:41 AM PDT

The Motorola DROID Incredible 4G didn’t launch as one of HTC’s 2012 “Hero” devices (meaning a top of the line flagship device), but it sure was priced like one. While the device wasn’t bad by any stretch of the imagination many people felt like it was worth Verizon’s original asking price.

Welp, the device has come down to a more reasonable $99 following a new two-year agreement. It features Qualcomm’s 1.2GHz dual-core processor, and although the chipset was enough for most of the HTC Sense 4 features it left out the ImageSense chip that allows continuous/burst shooting.

That was the only major flaw under the hood, however. It also had a 4 inch qHD display, 1GB of RAM, 16GB of storage, and more. Take a look at Verizon’s site if you’d like to take advantage.


Samsung, AT&T announce Galaxy Express, Galaxy Rugby, Galaxy Note 2, and Galaxy Tab 2 10.1

Posted: 28 Sep 2012 08:27 AM PDT

Samsung and AT&T have come together to announce three new Galaxy smartphones for the carrier. The Samsung Galaxy Express (above) is a 4.5 inch Super AMOLED device that sports a 1.5GHz dual-core processor, a 5 megapixel camera, and Android 4.0.

The  next phone up is the Samsung Galaxy Rugby Pro (above), and as its name suggests it’s a durable smartphone built for hits and bruises. It has shock resistant, water proof, and dust proof qualities and comes with a 4 inch WVGA display, a 5 megapixel camera, and more.

Finally, they also reminded us that the Samsung Galaxy Note 2 (above) is on its way — we should be hearing more info right around late October when Samsung showcases the device for all in the US to see.

But that’s not all — AT&T will also be carrying Samsung’s Galaxy Tab 2 10.1 (below). All of these devices will run on AT&T’s 4G LTE network, of course, and most of them are expected to launch by the holiday season.

Unfortunately we still don’t have pricing and dates for any of them so we’ll be waiting for those juicy details to arrive shortly. In the meantime be sure to ponder over these phones and tablets and let us know if any of them interest you at all (we have a feeling at least two of these devices will). Read on for full press details.

AT&T continues to build 4g lte android portfolio with the addition of three smartphones

and one tablet from samsung

 

DALLAS, SEPT. 28, 2012 – AT&T*  and Samsung Telecommunications America, LLC (Samsung Mobile)1 announced three new 4G LTE Android™ smartphones– Galaxy Express™, Galaxy Rugby Pro™ and the Galaxy Note® II – and one new 4G LTE Android tablet, Galaxy Tab® 2 (10.1), available in the coming months.

 

Samsung Galaxy Express

First-time smartphone users will find their perfect match with the Samsung Galaxy Express, a 4G LTE smartphone that combines high performance features at a great price.  Galaxy Express runs Android 4.0 (Ice Cream Sandwich) and sports a clear and bright 4.5-inch Super AMOLED™ Plus screen.  The 1.5 GHz dual-core processor and 2000 mAh battery helps users stay productive throughout the day; while the 5-megapixel rear facing camera lets you capture and share images easily through text messages, email and social networks.

 

Samsung Galaxy Rugby Pro

An ideal mix of brains and brawn, the Samsung Galaxy Rugby Pro gives customers with active lifestyles access to a 4G LTE smartphone that can handle whatever life throws at it.  The Rugby Pro is built to military specifications (810g specifications) and is waterproof**, shock resistant and dust proof.  It features a 4-inch WVGA Super AMOLED display and a 5-megapixel rear facing camera that lets you record HD video in 720p.  Business customers can rest assured that in addition to being protected from every day wear and tear, Rugby Pro also comes with full device encryption and EAS corporate email support.  The device will have access to Enhanced Push-to-Talk functionality upon launch of the service.

 

Samsung Galaxy Note II

Announced earlier this month, Samsung Galaxy Note II continues to expand the popular category created by the Galaxy Note with improved battery life, a thinner and narrower design and enhancements to the S Pen™.  Arriving later this year running Android 4.1 (Jelly Bean), Galaxy Note II with 4G LTE combines the productivity of a tablet with the convenience of a smartphone and the S Pen features you need to unleash your creativity in a single device.  With a 5.5-inch HD Super AMOLED™ display and 1.6 GHz quad-core Exynos™ processor with integrated graphics processing unit (GPU), the Galaxy Note II provides PC-like processing power and advanced features like Popup Video, new Gallery views and great gaming performance in a truly pocketable device.

 

Samsung Galaxy Tab 2 10.1"

This 4G LTE Android 4.0 tablet delivers entertainment and productivity to fit your whole life.  Galaxy Tab 2 10.1" offers a 10.1-inch display and premium entertainment options including Media Hub, Smart Remote and AllShare® Play.  Features like on-device encryption and VPN access ensure your tablet is secure for business use.  The 7000 mAh battery allows you to stay connected throughout the day.

 

AT&T customers have access to the nation's largest 4G network***, covering 275 million people. AT&T has two 4G networks that work together for customers, LTE and HSPA+ with enhanced backhaul. That means AT&T customers are able to enjoy a widespread, ultra-fast and consistent 4G experience on their compatible device as they move in and out of LTE areas. With other carriers, when you travel outside of their LTE coverage area, you may be on a much slower 3G network.

 

All of these devices will be available from AT&T in the coming months.

 

Samsung, Express, Note, Rugby Pro, Super AMOLED, Exynos, S Pen, and AllShare are trademarks of Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.    

 

Samsung Mobile is the No. 1 mobile phone provider in the United States, based upon reported shipments, according to Strategy Analytics, North America Handset Vendor Marketshare, Q2 2012. Samsung Electronics Company is the No. 1 smartphone provider worldwide, based upon reported shipments, according to Strategy Analytics Global Smartphone Vendor Market Share by Region: Q2 2012.

 

*AT&T products and services are provided or offered by subsidiaries and affiliates of AT&T Inc. under the AT&T brand and not by AT&T Inc.


**Waterproof against incidental exposure to water when all ports (incl. USB and earphone ports) are tightly closed. NOT designed or intended for in water use. Submersible up to 1 meter for up to 30 minutes. Waterproof based on IP57 rating.

 

***4G speeds not available everywhere. Limited 4G LTE availability in select markets. LTE is a trademark of ETSI. Learn more atatt.com/network.

 

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Related Releases: Related Fact Sheets:
AT&T Confirms Windows Phone 8X by HTC and Samsung Galaxy Note II Launching on Nation’s Largest 4G Network

AT&T and Pantech Launch AT&T Reconnect Tour to Educate Seniors about Mobile Technology through Interactive Workshops

AT&T to Offer iPhone 5 on the Nation’s Largest 4G Network on Sept. 21

AT&T Network Coverage Map

 

About AT&T

AT&T Inc. (NYSE:T) is a premier communications holding company and one of the most honored companies in the world. Its subsidiaries and affiliates – AT&T operating companies – are the providers of AT&T services in the United States and around the world. With a powerful array of network resources that includes the nation's fastest mobile broadband network, AT&T is a leading provider of wireless, Wi-Fi, high speed Internet, voice and cloud-based services. A leader in mobile broadband and emerging 4G capabilities, AT&T also offers the best wireless coverage worldwide of any U.S. carrier, offering the most wireless phones that work in the most countries.  It also offers advanced TV services under the AT&T U-verse® and AT&T │DIRECTV brands. The company's suite of IP-based business communications services is one of the most advanced in the world.

 

Additional information about AT&T Inc. and the products and services provided by AT&T subsidiaries and affiliates is available athttp://www.att.com.  This AT&T news release and other announcements are available at http://www.att.com/newsroom and as part of an RSS feed at www.att.com/rss. Or follow our news on Twitter at @ATT.

 

© 2012 AT&T Intellectual Property. All rights reserved. Mobile broadband not available in all areas. AT&T, the AT&T logo and all other marks contained herein are trademarks of AT&T Intellectual Property and/or AT&T affiliated companies. All other marks contained herein are the property of their respective owners.

 

About Samsung Telecommunications America

Samsung Telecommunications America, LLC, (Samsung Mobile) a Dallas-based subsidiary of Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd., researches, develops and markets wireless handsets, wireless infrastructure and other telecommunications products throughout North America. For more information, please visit www.samsung.com.

 

About Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.

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


PowerAmp continues music player dominance with latest upgrade (rich notifications)

Posted: 28 Sep 2012 07:14 AM PDT

PowerAmp for Android has been a mainstay music application in the Google Play Store since it’s launched. With a very powerful feature-set in its beta alone the app was destined for greatness. The updates since then have kept on rolling and they won’t stop today.

A new version of PowerAmp is available in the Play Store and it adds a lot of nice changes. For starters, those running on Android 4.1 will now see rich notifications for controlling music playback straight from the notification pane.

Music apps are one of the main categories that we knew would benefit from rich notifications so it’s no surprise it was added as quickly as it was.

Other changes include improved .wav and .wma support, audio in .flv support, deeper levels of music folder navigation (up to 10 folders now), and more improvements and bug fixes.

While this app doesn’t have support for things like cloud storage or other bells and whistles it still remains one of, if not the best app to have from a pure music listening standpoint. You can find it in the Google Play Store.


Tim Cook apologizes for Apple Maps on company website, suggests alternatives like Google Maps

Posted: 28 Sep 2012 06:40 AM PDT

The temporary death knell for Apple Maps has finally taken place. Following Google chairman Eric Schmidt’s thoughts that Apple should have never left Google Maps, it looks like CEO Tim Cook might be feeling the same way for now. Cook wrote an apology for the blunder that is Apple Maps to all of Apple’s customers on the company’s own website.

It’s rare to see Apple admit a mistake so bluntly and in such a public manner, but let’s not forget that Tim Cook isn’t Steve Jobs. While we’re not sure the late mastermind would have taken the same approach, we know Tim Cook is a lot more easygoing than Jobs and we’re not too surprised he has no problems living up to the mistake.

Apple Maps debuted in iOS6 and effectively phased out the app which used Google’s mapping data. While that app didn’t have the navigation features, or other features, as Apple’s Maps have, it did have, at the very least, more accurate maps.

It is believed that Apple wanted to cut all ties with Google in terms of pre-installed software. Aside from searching, Google’s presence on iOS going forward will be limited to the App Store.

As much fun as we’ve had making fun of Apple for this mistake, seeing this apology makes it all feel so… dirty. To see Apple in an apologetic and vulnerable state is new to us so we’re still wondering how to process all of this.

But make no mistake about it: Apple knows it screwed up, and while they can’t do much about it at this very moment except offer alternative maps services like Waze, Bing, or Google Maps Web, we’re sure they won’t be off their mapping feet long. (I know more than a few of you remember how Google Maps started out.) [Apple]

To our customers,

At Apple, we strive to make world-class products that deliver the best experience possible to our customers. With the launch of our new Maps last week, we fell short on this commitment. We are extremely sorry for the frustration this has caused our customers and we are doing everything we can to make Maps better.

We launched Maps initially with the first version of iOS. As time progressed, we wanted to provide our customers with even better Maps including features such as turn-by-turn directions, voice integration, Flyover and vector-based maps. In order to do this, we had to create a new version of Maps from the ground up.

There are already more than 100 million iOS devices using the new Apple Maps, with more and more joining us every day. In just over a week, iOS users with the new Maps have already searched for nearly half a billion locations. The more our customers use our Maps the better it will get and we greatly appreciate all of the feedback we have received from you.

While we're improving Maps, you can try alternatives by downloading map apps from the App Store like Bing, MapQuest and Waze, or use Google or Nokia maps by going to their websites and creating an icon on your home screen to their web app.

Everything we do at Apple is aimed at making our products the best in the world. We know that you expect that from us, and we will keep working non-stop until Maps lives up to the same incredibly high standard.

Tim Cook
Apple's CEO


Sony Tablet S gets feature-adding upgrade in the US

Posted: 28 Sep 2012 05:35 AM PDT

Following its announcement that a handful of devices would be receiving Ice Cream Sandwich starting today, Sony has also announced a new upgrade for the Sony Tablet S. Its purpose is to bring a lot of the same features owners of the newly-available Sony Xperia Tablet S have been enjoying.

Changes include new media player applications, a guest mode, new “small” apps as well as the ability to make any widget into a small app, new macro-functionality for the remote app, socialife, watch now, and more.

You can find more information on each of these features at the link ahead. Go ahead and check for the upgrade in your “About Tablet” menu and let us know how you’re liking what they’ve done with the place in the ocmments section below. [Sony]


Xperia Go, Xperia U, and Xperia Sola getting Ice Cream Sandwich

Posted: 28 Sep 2012 05:07 AM PDT

Sony’s steadfast on keeping their promise of upgrading most 2011 phones and tablets to Ice Cream Sandwich, and three more devices have been added to the list.

The OEM announced that the Sony Xperia Go, Xperia U, and Xperia Sola will all be geting the OTA starting today and, of course, only unlocked versions are guaranteed the upgrade right away. Those on carrier-branded devices will have to wait a little longer, but the wait is never usually long.

Alongside the general benefits of Ice Cream Sandwich you can look forward to a new media playing experience, an improved lock screen, an “extended standby mode” to increase standby time by four times, and more. Also, specially for the Sola is “Glove Mode,” a new mode for the device’s floating touch feature that will now work while users are wearing gloves.

This site will have everything you need as far as downloads go, and while not everyone will be able to find it right away Sony says the rollout will be in full swing in the middle of next week. Click here for more info.