Tuesday, October 9, 2012

Android Authority

Android Authority

Wild Blood hack and slash RPG out on Android

Posted: 09 Oct 2012 02:41 AM PDT

This title comes from Gameloft and it has been built using the Unreal Engine, which means it looks pretty spectacular next to your average Android game. If you're a fan of Arthurian legend then you'll probably be mildly horrified by the ridiculous storyline in Wild Blood, but you might enjoy the action.

You play as brave Sir Lancelot and your philandering with Queen Guinevere has driven her hubby insane with jealousy. King Arthur has lost the plot and stupidly teamed up with Morgana to open a Hellgate and unleash a torrent of demons on the world. Guess who has to sort it out?

This is a pretty in-depth RPG with a high level of polish. There are various detailed 3D environments to explore, an impressive array of enemies to fight, and a solid soundtrack. You also have a bucket load of customization options to enjoy – weapons, armor, powers and stats can all be upgraded using the loot you accumulate.

Wild Blood looks like a big open world, but it's actually a linear adventure and the hack and slash, melee combat is occasionally broken up by a ranged attack sequence or a puzzle. It should keep you busy for around ten hours so there's quite a bit of single player content to enjoy. For added replay value you'll also find a multiplayer component where up to eight players can engage in Team Deathmatch or Capture the Flag.

As for downsides, the controls and the camera could use a little more work because they are both frustrating at times. It's also not exactly innovative, but it does put familiar gameplay elements together in a pretty entertaining way.

If you feel the irresistible urge to don your armor and dust off that broadsword for some demon slaying fun then you'll need 2GB of space on your phone and $6.99 or £4.99 to spend. Check out the trailer and decide.

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This article, Wild Blood hack and slash RPG out on Android , was originally published at AndroidAuthority.com - Your Android News Source.

Samsung Galaxy S3 is now officially the best selling device for T-Mobile

Posted: 09 Oct 2012 01:03 AM PDT


Despite being launched just five months ago internationally (back in May 2012) and four months ago in the US (back in June 2012), the Samsung Galaxy S3 has already sold more than 20 million units globally, and is already the best selling Android smartphone of all time, with Samsung expecting to sell 30 million Samsung Galaxy S3 units by this year's end.

Although some might expect Galaxy S3 sales to slow down as other Android flagships emerge on the consumer market (iPhone 5, Samsung's own Galaxy Note 2, etc), the reality is that the S3 is still selling like hot cakes on its way to breaking new sale records. In fact, some reports claim that Apple's launch of the iPhone 5 has only fueled up an increase in Galaxy S3 sales, as many former iPhone fans have declared themselves disappointed by Apple's latest efforts in the smartphone market.

Back to the Galaxy S3 breaking sales records, this time I'm here to report on a recent tweet from T-Mobile (the fourth carrier in the US ranked by number of subscribers), one that acknowledges the Samsung Galaxy S3 as the best selling device to ever reach its physical and virtual shelves.

Here's the actual tweet from the official T-Mobile twitter channel, posted this last Friday:

While we're not surprised to see an Android smartphone topping the T-Mobile sales charts (given that T-Mobile has never carried an iPhone – and we all know that Apple's line of smartphones is the most commercially successful line on every carrier that it has ever landed), it is sort of surprising to see the Galaxy S3 overthrow its older brother – the Samsung Galaxy S2 – as the best selling device, despite the fact that the latter has been available for purchase for roughly a year already.

It looks like Samsung has found the perfect recipe for a blockbuster Android smartphone in the name and shape of the Galaxy S3. Where can they take it from here? Will Samsung's most recent flagship, the Samsung Galaxy Note 2, be able to top these record sales? Only time will tell for sure, but if you feel like it, you can take a shot at predicting the future in the comment section below!

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This article, Samsung Galaxy S3 is now officially the best selling device for T-Mobile , was originally published at AndroidAuthority.com - Your Android News Source.

Rumor: Samsung and Google are working on a 10 inch 2,560 x 1,600 pixel Nexus

Posted: 09 Oct 2012 12:54 AM PDT

The Nexus 7 is going to turn three months old this week, and while Android fans definitely love the $199 tablet, there is a clear demand for a larger device. According to C|Net, Samsung and Google are working on a 10 inch Nexus. The screen, besides being larger, will also be stupendously sharp at a whopping 2,560 pixels across by 1,600 pixels tall. In other words, it’s going to have a pixel density that’s higher than that of the third generation iPad. More importantly, this device will be “co-branded”. Translation: Google and Samsung will both be marketing this Nexus tablet. We can’t stress enough how important this is. Why do you think the Samsung Galaxy S III is selling so well? It’s because you can’t walk more than a couple hundred meters without seeing a Samsung advertisement. Now we don’t know if Samsung is going to push this “Nexus 10″ as hard as they’re pushing the Galaxy S III, but wouldn’t it be nice if that was the plan?

The rumors don’t stop there. C|Net is also saying that Google will begin producing a $99 Nexus tablet in December. That’s a curious rumor for multiple reasons. First, since when does Google produce anything? Usually they get other companies to make devices for them. Second, that price tag just seems unrealistic. How much would Google have to sacrifice in terms of components to make a tablet that cheap? The screen would probably be a 7 inch 800 x 480 panel, the processor would be a year old Qualcomm Snapdragon, and the plastic … we don’t even want to imagine what sort of cheap plastic will be used.

Looking at the bigger picture, can Google make Android tablets popular? Developers don’t seem to care about making their apps work beautifully on devices like the Nexus 7. That and there are rumors circulating around the internets about a smaller iPad.

We’ll just have to wait and see how the market evolves.

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This article, Rumor: Samsung and Google are working on a 10 inch 2,560 x 1,600 pixel Nexus , was originally published at AndroidAuthority.com - Your Android News Source.

Ladies and Gentlemen, we present to you photos of the LG Optimus G Nexus

Posted: 08 Oct 2012 11:44 PM PDT

We’re painfully close to the official unveiling of the next Nexus smartphone. We say painfully because the rumor mill has reached a critical state. Every damn day we’re hearing something new, but not everything we hear is true, which makes our job that much more complicated. But enough insider baseball, let’s get to the news. Today, courtesy of an online forum in Belarus, we have images of the LG Optimus G Nexus. The model number is supposedly E960, but that’s not really important. What’s important here is that we now know, without a shadow of doubt, that this phone exists.

How does it differ from the LG Optimus G? From what we can tell, the Nexus version has a rounder design, it has a silver rim around the edge of the device, there are no capacitive buttons, meaning it’s just like the Samsung Galaxy Nexus, and … that’s sadly all we can make out from the pictures.

When is Google going to make this thing official? Like we said earlier this week, Andy Rubin, the father of Android, is going to be speaking at a conference hosted by AllThingsD at the end of the month. Similar to how Andy demoed the Nexus S at the same conference back in 2010, we think the same is going to happen this year. That means we’re just three weeks away from hearing something!

But what about the other Nexus devices? Rumor has it that HTC is also making a Nexus, and so is Samsung, and even Sony might join the game. Will each company host their own event to show off their respective devices? Will Google hold one massive event and demo a massive new Nexus portfolio?

This holiday shopping season is going to be completely and utterly confusing for Android fans. With so much to choose from, it may be time to consider selling that spare kidney.

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This article, Ladies and Gentlemen, we present to you photos of the LG Optimus G Nexus , was originally published at AndroidAuthority.com - Your Android News Source.

Rumor: HTC DLX: The 5 inch 1080p quad core smartphone flagship we all want

Posted: 08 Oct 2012 11:11 PM PDT

Anonymous Twitter user @Football4PDA, who has proven to be a reliable source of information in the past, is reporting that HTC is going to launch an Android 4.1.2 device called the “DLX”. Said phone will allegedly have a 5 inch 1080p display, it’ll make use of Qualcomm’s ultra powerful quad core Snapdragon S4 chip, and it’ll have a 12 megapixel rear facing camera. Judging by that spec sheet, this thing is going to be the company’s new flagship device, which is a bit odd considering that the recently announced HTC One X+ hasn’t even started shipping.

Let’s break this rumor down. First, the display. Earlier this year, LG announced a 5 inch 1080p LCD. Earlier this month, Sharp announced that they’ve begun mass producing 5 inch 1080p panels. Sharp even showed their display off at the 2012 CEATEC trade show. So we know that the screen is out there. Second, the processor. LG’s Optimus G uses the same quad core Snapdragon S4, and the company says that device will start shipping next month. That means we know the chip is in circulation. And finally, the camera. All of today’s Android flagships have 8 megapixel sensors, and the Optimus G will have a 13 megapixel sensor depending on where you buy it, so 12 megapixels isn’t all that outlandish.

To make this rumor even more credible, Unwired View found evidence suggesting that the DLX has already been approved by the Global Certification Forum. The bands that the DLX supports seem to indicate that it’s going to run on Verizon’s 4G LTE network. That too makes a lot of sense since we heard a over than two months ago suggesting Verizon would be carrying a 1080p HTC “phablet”.

What questions remain unanswered? When will this thing be announced, when will it ship, how much will it cost, and does HTC have plans to make a Nexus version for all the Sense haters out there?

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This article, Rumor: HTC DLX: The 5 inch 1080p quad core smartphone flagship we all want , was originally published at AndroidAuthority.com - Your Android News Source.

Big Android BBQ Session Schedule Announced

Posted: 08 Oct 2012 07:07 PM PDT

The dates for the Big Android BBQ in the Dallas, TX are right around the corner. With the event approaching fast, the folks behind the conference have released the upcoming sessions schedule for all to see. They have something for all types of Android fans attending. Whether you’re a developer and looking for the latest trends, trying to find ways to monetize Android, or a general Android enthusiast looking to geek out and have a good time, they’ll be plenty of sessions for you. If you’re looking for a more personal, casual approach, the Big Android BBQ staff have you covered with Fireside chats in an open courtyard.

The conference kicks off as any event should. A pool party. On Friday, from 6pm – 8:30pm fun shall be had at the Hyatt Hotel pool area. Rumor has it that a truly unique way will be used to DJ this part of the event. Free beer will also be provided by the local micro-brewery, Rahr. Things gets started bright and early Saturday morning at 8:45am for the opening keynote. The rest of the day is filled with vendor sessions, developer sessions from Android community members, and sessions for everyone else. Saturday sessions end around 3pm leaving plenty of time before the evenings bar crawl for socializing and general Android geekiness. Sunday morning comes early at 9am, so try not to stay out too late the night before party people.  The last day of the event is filled with more developer sessions, vendor sessions and closing remarks from the CyanogenMod team. Sunday night from 6pm-10pm is the actual Big Android BBQ. Those of you that have come to eat good food (and drink a beer or two), this is what you’ve been waiting for.

So, there you have it Android fans. If you’re attending the BBQ this year, you may want to plan ahead and see which sessions fit you best. Most of the time, multiple sessions are going on in up to three different rooms, so choose wisely. Head on over to the Big Android BBQ’s official event schedule to see the full session listing.

Also, be on the lookout for a guy in a pink gorilla suit at the pool party.

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This article, Big Android BBQ Session Schedule Announced , was originally published at AndroidAuthority.com - Your Android News Source.

Samsung F2FS filesystem specially created for flash storage

Posted: 08 Oct 2012 06:49 PM PDT

samsung memory

Mobile devices have grown to become the prevalent computing and Internet access device today. But unlike desktop and notebook computers, though smartphones and tablets don’t come with disc-based storage but rather solid-state storage such as NAND Flash.

Older filesystems designed for drives with rotating discs exhibit problems in dealing with flash-based storage, though. These include issues with accessing data stored on specific, physical locations on the drive itself, and the read/write limits on flash storage. Case in point: operating systems will usually attempt to “defragment” disc-based drives, which is totally unnecessary on solid state drives, and is even taxing on the drive, since it adds to the read/write activity.

Enter Samsung’s F2FS, which has been designed from ground-up to account for the characteristics of flash-based storage:

F2FS is a new file system carefully designed for the NAND flash memory-based storage devices. We chose a log structure file system approach, but we tried to adapt it to the new form of storage. Also we remedy some known issues of the very old log structured file system, such as snowball effect of wandering tree and high cleaning overhead.

Because a NAND-based storage device shows different characteristics according to its internal geometry or flash memory management scheme aka FTL, we add various parameters not only for configuring on-disk layout, but also for selecting allocation and cleaning algorithms.

Samsung isn’t keeping the technology to themselves, though. Samsung has submitted these filesystem patches for integration into the Linux kernel, which means it’s likely to appear on Android releases, too. Submitting the technology as part of Linux itself makes it easy for OEMs, software makers and other device makers to implement this on their devices, as well. This means F2FS might also be useful for other Flash-based storage like SD cards, microSD, and the like.

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This article, Samsung F2FS filesystem specially created for flash storage , was originally published at AndroidAuthority.com - Your Android News Source.

Facebook already testing native Android app

Posted: 08 Oct 2012 03:19 PM PDT

You might be confused with our headline, given that Facebook already does have an app for Android. But if you’ve been a longtime mobile Facebook user, you would notice that the Android app doesn’t exactly offer the best user experience. That’s because it’s essentially an HTML5 app that runs within an Android app wrapper. Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg himself admits that they need to improve the user experience, and that this is most likely to come from an altogether new app.

The company released its latest iOS app a few weeks ago, to rave reviews. It offers a much smoother and cleaner user experience for mobile users. With this in mind, Zuck reportedly asked his employees to go “dogfooding” — that is, use their own mobile product themselves, to see if it has any room for improvement. Even so, a native Facebook app was seen as months into the future, given

A source has tipped Engadget that Facebook is already testing its latest Android app. No further information was revealed, other than the fact that there is such an app under development, and that it’s already under final testing internally.

We hope to see a better Facebook app on our Android phones soon.

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This article, Facebook already testing native Android app , was originally published at AndroidAuthority.com - Your Android News Source.

VOD service Viewster gets new look, Android app

Posted: 08 Oct 2012 02:04 PM PDT

While a lot of companies are fighting it out trying to make headway in the video on demand market, there isn’t much room for more than a select few of them to truly succeed. With its new Android and iOS apps, Viewster has at least one feature that nobody else has yet: offline viewing.

It may not sound like much, but offline viewing is a great feature if your phone or tablet is your only means for entertainment on a road trip, for example. While users of other services are stuck as soon as they get out of Wi-Fi or Data range, Viewster customers can keep on watching.

The Viewster Android app was only released three days ago, but for users of the service, being able to use the content they buy or rent in a lot more places adds tremendous value to the service. Even though the app doesn’t offer much else that Viewster’s competitors don’t, the offline feature is sure to get them a few new customers.

Viewster has also given its website a new look to make it more consistent with its mobile apps. In addition to the fresh coat of paint, Viewster’s back end is seeing a significant revamp. Viewster CEO Kai Henniges says ”As we make the platform more attractive we are confronted with a continuous and substantial increase in views.”

Check out the commercial below for slightly more information.

The Viewster Android app is a free download in the Google Play Store, and is available for devices running Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich and up.

Have you tried Viewster? How do you think it compares to other video on demand services? If you haven’t tried it, are you considering giving it a look now that it has an Android app available?

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This article, VOD service Viewster gets new look, Android app , was originally published at AndroidAuthority.com - Your Android News Source.

Motorola Germany pulls all of its current Android devices from the market

Posted: 08 Oct 2012 01:38 PM PDT

Motorola Germany

Looking to buy a new Motorola tablet or smartphone in Germany? Good luck with that. You can thank the Microsoft patent battles against Motorola for the lack of purchase options being offered. In order to comply with injunctions against it, Motorola made the decision to pull most of its current inventory.

Both at brick-and-mortar and online stores you will find only three devices for sale right now: the Motorola Razr i, the Motorola Razr HD and the Motorola Gleam+. According to a Motorola PR person, this will give them time to rework the software and remove any infringing patents. How long the handsets will be gone remains a mystery for the time being.

A full-scale take-down of products is never good news for any company. Considering Motorola’s strong association with Google (considering they own it), it is even more embarrassing to see this happen. Motorola has continually lost several major patent battles in Germany against both Microsoft and Apple, so this isn’t that surprising for those that have followed the trials. Doesn’t mean it isn’t disappointing to see, though.

The good news is that the Razr i and Razr HD are both very capable and exciting smartphones that are coming out in the near future. At least the very best from Motorola will be represented going forward. Are you a German Motorola fan? What do you think of this new development, does it affect your opinion of Motorola or not?

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This article, Motorola Germany pulls all of its current Android devices from the market , was originally published at AndroidAuthority.com - Your Android News Source.
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Android Phone Fans

Android Phone Fans

Find a penny and head to Amazon Wireless for an AT&T HTC One X [Deals]

Posted: 08 Oct 2012 03:21 PM PDT

With the HTC One X+ quickly approaching, units of the original One X no doubt need moving. That’s probably why Amazon has discounted the AT&T One X to just $.01. That’s right — a penny. Last I checked you couldn’t even buy penny candy or play at the penny arcades for a penny anymore. But you sure can own one of the best smartphones of 2012 for one.

The device features Qualcomm’s dual-core Snapdragon S4 processor clocked at 1.5GHz, as well as 1GB of RAM, an 8 megapixel camera, a 4.7 inch display, 4G LTE, 16GB of internal storage, Android 4.1 with HTC Sense, and more.

A catch does apply, of course. You’ll need to be willing to sign a new two-year contract, and on top of that you can only be a new customer whether you’re looking for an individual plan or a family plan. But if those two hurdles aren’t an issue for you get over to Amazon Wireless and throw your copper at the display. Wait… never mind, don’t do that last part. [Thanks Josh!]

Motorola DROID Xyboard, XOOM 2 WiFi, and XOOM Family Edition in Europe get Ice Cream Sandwich

Posted: 08 Oct 2012 01:55 PM PDT

A decent amount of Motorola tablets will be seeing Ice Cream Sandwich starting today. For starters, the DROID Xyboard 8.2 and 10.1 on Verizon here in the United States will be getting the upgrade over-the-air.

It adds the usual toppings you expect to see out of Ice Cream Sandwich, but we’re sure users would be a lot more happy if they were to get Jelly Bean sometime soon. A couple of tablets in Europe also got the treatment.

The Motorola XOOM 2 WiFi is eligible for the update, and those who own the Motorola XOOM Family Edition can get in on the fun. All these updates can be had by checking inside the About Tablet menu under Settings. Get to it and let us know if you’re having any issues pulling it down. [Motorola Europe Facebook, Motorola Blog]

Google gives developers a “Tablet App Quality Checklist”

Posted: 08 Oct 2012 01:48 PM PDT

It’s no secret that the amount of apps with tablet-specific user interfaces is lacking in the Google Play Store. It’s almost a deal breaker for anyone looking to get an Android tablet, and Google wants to help do something about it.

They’ve introduced a “Tablet App Quality Checklist” to give developers a better idea of what they should do to cater not only to the massive smartphone crowd, but the growing tablet one as well. The checklist will show developers how to organize their layouts for larger displays, take advantage of extra screen real estate, and use high-resolution resources.

There’s a lot more to be had in the guide so we urge developers to put a nice, shiny bookmark in between the middle of these pages. Trust me: your users won’t thank you enough for getting rid of the need to scale smartphone apps to devices upwards of 7 inches. [via Google]

Did Google accidentally ship a 32GB Nexus 7 to a Japanese customer?

Posted: 08 Oct 2012 01:10 PM PDT

With more and more evidence suggesting a 32GB Nexus 7 unit is on the way it seems at least one customer may have proof of that straight from Google. A consumer in Japan reportedly ordered a 16GB Nexus 7. There was only one problem (or joyous occasion, depending on who you are): it wasn’t a 16GB Nexus 7. Instead, it seems to be a 32GB version.

If you don’t recall, Google was originally rumored to be making a Nexus 7 with 32GB of storage when the device was first announced. A bit of time went on before we ever heard anything concrete, but inventory systems have shown it, resellers seem to have it in stock, and we’ve since had a possible launch date to look forward to: October 24th! (Incidentally, that’s the same day Samsung will unveil the Galaxy Note 2 in the US, but that doesn’t mean much here.)

With Google’s initiative to step into a cloud-based ecosystem it’s become important for users to get at least 32GB inside their tablets. That’s the main reason a lot of people haven’t sprung for the Nexus 7, but that should all be eradicated with this release. Yea, most of you would still rather have 32GB of storage with more expansion options, but if having a pure Google tablet is important to you then this is the best route to take. We’ll keep our eyes to the digital street for more. [via Notebook Italia]

Google Play Music, Movies, and TV Shows now available on Google TV; new developer features

Posted: 08 Oct 2012 11:13 AM PDT

Well it’s about time, Google. The Mountain View company announced the availability of Google Play Music, Movies, and TV shows for devices running Google TV. It’s a natural fit for those who’ve enjoyed life with Android on the big screen, and while this doesn’t bring over books and magazines (would you really want them to?) it’s nice progress in an otherwise stagnant experience.

Users can either buy content right from the device, or access the content they’ve bought on other devices via the cloud. That’s not the only thing in this upgrade, though. Google has announced new features for developers such as automatic updates, in-app subscription billing, and smart updates.

The features will be coming to you via an upgrade. Google didn’t state whether or not this would be a hot update (where an app silently updates without prompting the user) but we should know in due time. Let us know when you start to see the new features as you use your Google TV devices in the comments section below. [via GTV Source]

T-Mobile announces the LG Optimus L9, available ‘this fall’

Posted: 08 Oct 2012 09:23 AM PDT

Leaked last week, T-Mobile has officially announced that they will carry the style-focused LG Optimus L9.  The Optimus L9 is an Ice Cream Sandwich device with a 4.5-inch qHD display, 1GHz dual-core CPU, and 5MP camera all in a frame that measures in at a mere 0.36-inches thick. It comes as the top-tier option in a line that also includes the Optimus L3, L5, and L7.

Exact pricing and release details were not mentioned, but the phone is pegged to launch this fall. Check out the full press release below for further details.

LG AND T-MOBILE ANNOUNCE STYLISH, POWERFUL LG OPTIMUS L9

Sleek LG Optimus L9 Features 4.5-inch qHD Display, Long-Lasting Battery for Extended Connectivity and Delivers Superior 4G Experiences and Value with the Power of T-Mobile's Nationwide Network.

ENGLEWOOD CLIFFS, N.J., Oct. 8, 2012 — LG Electronics USA and T-Mobile USA, Inc., today announced that the stylish and powerful LG Optimus L9 smartphone will be available this fall.

Built with a sleek, stylish frame that is only 0.36-inches thin, and surrounded by premium metal trim to provide designer-level styling, the LG Optimus L9 is the latest in the style-focused L-Series of smartphones from LG. Following other popular L-Series phones, such as the Optimus L3, L5 and L7 that were released globally earlier this year, all L-Series phones are designed around five primary aesthetic elements: Modern Square Style for comfortable grip, Floating Mass Technology for a slimmer look, Seamless Layout for a more intuitive arrangement of keys, Harmonized Design Contrast utilizing metallic accents and Sensuous Slim Shape that naturally draws the user's attention.

"The LG Optimus L9 gives our customers an amazing 4G experience packaged in a stylish design," said Brad Duea, senior vice president, product management, T-Mobile USA. "And, when coupled with T-Mobile's Unlimited Nationwide 4G Data plan, T-Mobile customers have the freedom to live an always-connected lifestyle on our 4G network– whether that means watching videos, streaming music or searching the Web – without having to worry about overage charges or surprise bills."

LG Optimus L9 features Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich and a gorgeous 4.5-inch qHD Corning® Gorilla® Glass 2 display for bright colors and clear text. LG Optimus L9 is equipped with a long-lasting 2,150 mAh battery so users can watch video, listen to music, explore the Internet or chat with friends and family for hours with just one charge.

"As the latest device in LG's L-Series smartphones, LG Optimus L9 has been designed to fulfill users' needs for a slim, stylish device that is comfortable to use," said James Fishler, senior vice president of marketing and go-to-market operations, LG Electronics USA. "With LG Optimus L9, users can take advantage of premium smartphone features – a stunning display, a powerful processor and a long-lasting battery – in a sleek design."

LG Optimus L9 also features LG QuickMemo™, a smartphone experience with powerful note-taking capabilities that lets users add commentary, notes and drawings to screenshots with a few swipes of a finger, then share them with friends and family via social media and email. LG Optimus L9 provides users with a five-megapixel camera and true-to-life 1080p HD video recording capability, so all of life's important moments can be captured with clarity. For spontaneous photo-worthy events, the LG Optimus L9 lets users snap photos while simultaneously capturing video and take advantage of voice-activated photos using "Cheese Shot" by simply saying "cheese" to snap a picture.

LG Optimus L9 features a suite of connectivity technology. Whether it's streaming high definition movies over T-Mobile's 4G network, sharing a data connection with up to five devices using LG Optimus L9 as a Portable Wi-Fi® Hotspot via T-Mobile's Smartphone Mobile HotSpot feature with a qualifying rate plan, or making calls over a Wi-Fi network with T-Mobile's Wi-Fi Calling feature, LG Optimus L9 has the wireless capabilities to keep users connected virtually wherever they are.

Key Features:

  • Android™ 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich
  • 4.5-inch qHD Corning® Gorilla® Glass 2 Display
  • T-Mobile Blazing-Fast Nationwide 4GNetwork
  • Sleek, Stylish Design and Slim Profile
  • Powerful 1 GHz Dual-Core Processor
  • LG QuickMemo™
  • 5-megapixelCamera with LED Flash
  • True-to-Life 1080p HD Recording
  • Simultaneous Video/Photo Capture
  • Long-Lasting 2,150 mAh Battery

Additional Features:

  • Wi-Fi® Connectivity: 802.11 b/g/n/a
  • Wi-Fi Calling: Make calls via your Wi-Fi connection in areas with little to no coverage, such as a basement
  • T-Mobile Smartphone Mobile HotSpot: share a 4G data connection with up to five compatible wireless devices with a qualifying rate plan
  • Bluetooth® Version: 3.0 + HS
  • SmartShare: share media wirelessly to DLNA®-enabled devices
  • Slacker Radio: create personalized music, news, sports and comedy on the go
  • Video Player with Touch Lock, Dolby® Mobile,1 and Resume Play Function; Supports DivX®, WMV, MP4, 3GP, and 3G2 Formats
  • Music Player with Dolby Mobile; Supports MP3, AAC, AAC+, WMA, and WAV Formats
  • Rear-Facing Camera Resolutions up to 2592 x 1944 (default)
  • Cheese Shot: simply say "cheese" to take a picture
  • Shot Mode: choose from Normal, Panorama, and Continuous shot
  • Customizable Scene Mode, Brightness, ISO, White Balance, Color Effect, Silly Faces, Backgrounds, Timer, and Shutter Sound

Did Apple’s misrepresented evidence paint Samsung as the copycat unfairly?

Posted: 08 Oct 2012 09:16 AM PDT

If you ask Samsung, Google, and the majority of our readers, the Korean maker of the Galaxy S line of phones really got hosed when a jury made a $1 billion decision declaring that the company infringed on Apple software and design patents. While Samsung is seeking to have the verdict overturned due to claims of bias and misconduct, newly released court documents suggest that evidence might have been skewed to favor the maker of the iPhone and iPad.

Specifically, an internal memo from Samsung bigwig JK Shin was quoted as urging his employees to “make something like the iPhone.” Left out was the context in which Shin merely used the device as a point of comparison, saying “when everybody (both consumers and the industy) talk about UX, they weigh it against the iPhone. The iPhone has become the standard.”

Shin goes on to ask his designers to “make their own designs with conviction and confidence,” and to “make designs with faces that are creative and diverse.” Further spoiling Apple’s argument is Shin’s call to focus on screen size as a differentiating factor with statements like “our biggest asset is our screen,” and “it is very important that we make screen size bigger.”

The full statement was not presented to the jury, with Apple instead cherry-picking choice quotes to fit their argument. Would the full letter have changed the opinion of those left with the decision? That’s a hard call. But it certainly presents a different angle on the matter. One that suggests Samsung wasn’t attempting to “blatantly copy” the iPhone as Apple’s legal team has so numerous times said.

[via BGR]

Samsung Galaxy S3 soon available in brown and black on Verizon

Posted: 08 Oct 2012 08:18 AM PDT

Add two more color options to Verizon’s Samsung Galaxy S3 lineup. The popular handset will soon be available in both brown and black variants on Big Red’s network. The new models were advertised this morning on VZW’s site along with a form to submit an email address to be notified of availability. As things stand, no word on exactly when we might see the two new colors, but we imagine they shouldn’t be more than a month or so off. We’d sure like to get a better look at the brown, though. It’s an interesting choice.

[via DroidLife]

Angry Birds Star Wars coming November 8th

Posted: 08 Oct 2012 07:51 AM PDT

Ready for the next Angry Birds spinoff? Me neither, but one way or another we’ll see it come November 8th. That’s when Rovio plans to launch Angry birds Star Wars, a tie-in to George Lucas’ sci-fi epic that combines all the bird flinging of past Rovio titles with characters and settings from the popular movies. Says Rovio CMO Peter Vesterbacka, “This is the best Angry birds game we’ve ever done.”

The new game will, of course, launch with its fair share of merchandise, including costumes, clothing, toys, and plush dolls. This Angry Birds thing has really become quite the cash cow, amiright?

[via Rovio]

Sprint launches new vanity number service StarStar Me

Posted: 08 Oct 2012 07:10 AM PDT

Ever wish getting in touch was as easy as dialing a person’s name? Sprint is now offering a new subscription service that will allow users to assign a vanity number to their mobile phone, turning the normal 10 digits into an easy to remember dial code. Called StarStar Me, the new name/number follows after dialing the star sign twice. For instance, I could snag **KEVIN (**53846) and never have to worry about a new friend forgetting how to ring my cell.

The service has a few other perks, including automated text message responses and “a unique way to share links to their blog, website or social media accounts.” StarStar Me will be available to Sprint customers for a monthly fee of $2.99.

Sprint Offers Personalized Names as Alternatives to Phone Numbers
StarStar Me Mobile Provides a New Way to Personalize Your Contact Info, Connect, Share and Link to Social Networks

OVERLAND PARK, Kan. & PALO ALTO, Calif. – Oct. 8, 2012 – Starting today, Sprint (NYSE:S) will be the first U.S. mobile carrier to offer an innovative new service, called StarStar Me, that lets customers use a name they choose in place of their mobile telephone number. Imagine meeting someone and instead of telling them 10 hard-to-remember digits, giving them your own memorable mobile number, like **SARAH (**72724) or **CHLOE (**24563).

StarStar Me allows consumers to choose a name, nickname or unique word in place of their mobile phone number – then people can call them on their mobile phone by simply tapping the star key twice on the phone's keypad, followed by the name, nickname, or unique word they chose, using keypad letters or characters. StarStar Me also offers users the ability to automatically respond to calls with a custom text message when they’re busy, as well as a unique way to share links to their blog, website or social media accounts.

"Sprint customers will be the first people to get StarStar Me," said Kevin McGinnis, vice president-Product and Technology Development, Sprint. "We expect this service to be especially popular with professionals, students and family customers, who can tailor its use to their individual preferences, lifestyles and interests with a few simple clicks."

To sign up for StarStar Me, Sprint customers can simply call **ME (**63) on their mobile phone or visit http://sprint.starstar.me.

Sprint subscribers can have two StarStar Me numbers per mobile phone number. The service costs $2.99/month per StarStar Me number. Calls may be made to StarStar numbers within the United States from any Sprint, Verizon, T-Mobile or AT&T mobile phone.

In addition, customers can also download a free StarStar Me app, available now on Android™-powered smartphones and soon on the iPhone, which allows them to easily manage incoming calls, automatically send a text message to callers when they're busy, or send callers their contact info, which they can easily add to their address book. Users can also block specific callers, view a call log and manage multiple StarStar numbers. The app can be downloaded from Google Play (Android) and will soon be available in the Apple App Store (iPhone).

"We are enthusiastic about this strategic collaboration with Sprint," said Joe Gillespie, CEO of Zoove. “The goal of StarStar is to enhance people's lives using simple technologies. Sprint's deep understanding of how customers experience and interact with wireless-based applications makes it the ideal carrier to introduce StarStar Me to the consumer marketplace."

Congressional report warns of Huawei, ZTE as national security threats

Posted: 08 Oct 2012 06:24 AM PDT

If you caught 60 Minutes this weekend you might recall seeing Mike Rogers, chairman of the US Congress’ Intelligence Committee, urging American consumers to avoid purchasing products from Chinese mobile manufacturers Huawei and ZTE. Today the results of his groups 11-month investigation will be published to further detail the companies as threats to the security of our nation.

The report, of which Reuters has obtained an early look, calls into question the ties both Huawei and ZTE have to the Chinese government, and further claims both parties did not willingly cooperate with the investigation. The accusations against Huawei seem to be the strongest, with the report pointing to allegations of “bribery, corruption, discriminatory behavior and copyright infringement.”

ZTE has responded, expressing their disagreement with the findings of the committee and calling the accusations “baseless.” For two manufacturers attempting to broaden their impact in the US market, the news likely means an even greater uphill climb.

[via Reuters]

Galaxy Note 2 code hits Samsung’s Open Source Release Center

Posted: 08 Oct 2012 05:29 AM PDT

Heads up modders and devs of the Android world, Samsung has just released the source code for the newly minted Galaxy Note 2. While the phone hasn’t hit the streets in many regions around the world (the US included), those folks need not apply anyway as the code found at Samsung’s Open Source Release Center is catered toward the GT-N7100 version of the phone. The code should be enough to get interested parties started down the path toward custom ROMs for the 5.5-inch “phablet.” Search the aforementioned model number at the source link below to find it.

[via Samsung]

HTC continues trend, net income down $137 million in Q3

Posted: 08 Oct 2012 05:15 AM PDT

HTC has just dropped its financials for the third quarter of 2012, and once again the numbers are following a downward trend. Overall, the Taiwanese mobile maker reported gains of NT$70.2 billion ($2.4billion), though net income (pre-tax) was down to NT$4 billion ($137 million). The number comes in far below last quarters income of $250 million. HTC has been banking on a strategy of fewer devices, higher quality in the hopes that it can draw customers back from the likes of Samsung and Apple, but this year’s HTC One line has yet to really spark the sort of positive earnings the company would like. Perhaps the One X+ will bring along plus results.

HTC RELEASES UNAUDITED RESULTS FOR 3Q 2012

Taoyuan, Taiwan–Octoboer 8, 2012: HTC Corporation (TWSE: 2498), a global leader in mobile innovation and design, today announces unaudited consolidated results for 3Q 2012. For the third quarter of 2012, total revenues reached NT$70.2 billion. Unaudited operating income was NT$4.9 billion, net income before tax was NT$4.0 billion, net income after tax, excluding minority interest, was NT$3.9 billion, and unaudited earnings per share after tax were NT$4.70 based on 831,227 thousand weighted average number of shares.

[via Engadget]
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