Tuesday, November 6, 2012

Android Authority

Android Authority


Sony reschedules Xperia V launch for next year, offers Jelly Bean to compensate

Posted: 06 Nov 2012 03:28 AM PST

We're all waiting with bated breath for Sony to unveil the high-end Odin/Yuga duo, but before anything there are still some old scores to be settled.

The Xperia line of smartphones has been strengthened and refreshed with a large number of new names these past few months, but at least one of them is yet to see the light of day. The V, unveiled at the same time as the J and T, was supposed to be released next to its "cousins", but for some reason it has been pushed back to December.

Now we're hearing that Sony won't be able to stick to that ETA either, but don't be too furious, because it might all be to the best. According to a tweet from the company's official French account, the Xperia V will be available in late January 2013 with JB for €529.

The rescheduling of the release is definitely not good news, but the other two announcements are, considering that the V was initially supposed to sell for €549 with Android 4.0 ICS on board. Sony France also doesn't mention what version of Jelly Bean the 4.3-incher will come with after all, so we can even hope to see 4.2 upon launch.

Another detail that Sony is mum about is V's release outside France, although we doubt that anyone will get it sooner than next year with a lower version of Android than 4.1. As for pricing, the €529 should be the new MRSP (manufacturer's suggested retail price) across Europe, while Americans can hope to get it for around $530.

Besides the software bump, we're guessing not many features will be tweaked, so we should still expect a 4.3-inch 1280 x 720 pix res display, a dual-core 1.5 GHz Snapdragon S4 CPU, 1 GB of RAM, 8 GB of on-board storage, microSD support, a 13 MP rear-facing shooter, a 1,750 mAh battery, as well as dust and water resistance.

Does the Xperia V sound more or less exciting than before? Will January 2013 be too late for it to make an impression, even with Jelly Bean on board?

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European Commission wants operators to use their 3G spectrum for 4G networks

Posted: 06 Nov 2012 03:17 AM PST

The European Commission has issued a statement today that can best be summed up like this: All that spectrum that’s currently being used for UMTS (3G) networks in the 2 GHz band, let’s let everyone use it for 4G networks by June 30, 2014.

We know what you’re thinking, doesn’t Europe use the 2.1 GHz band for 3G? Yes and no. European networks use paired spectrum, meaning they have a chunk of spectrum that’s solely used for downloading data, and another chunk that’s exclusively used for uploading data. Back in December 1998, the European Parliament said all countries should use ‘the terrestrial 2 GHz band’ to roll out 3G networks. That’s why a 3G phone that works in Italy will also work in France, the UK, Finland, you get the idea. This ‘terrestrial 2 GHz band’ is made up of three blocks of spectrum: 1900-1980 MHz, 2010-2025 MHz, and 2110-2170 MHz. Today’s decision, like we said earlier, is opening up the 1920-1980 MHz and 2110-2170 MHz blocks to use newer technology.

But what’s going to happen to 3G? Great question. Back in July 2009, the EU told operators that the 900 MHz spectrum they own, which was meant to be exclusively used for 2G networks, could be refarmed to deploy 3G networks. These days most major European cities actually have more 900 MHz 3G than 2100 MHz 3G because of the favorable properties of such a low frequency.

So what does all of this mean at the end of the day if you’re a European? The people sitting in Brussels want to show America that they know what they’re doing. Here’s the exact quote:

“The EU will enjoy up to twice the amount of spectrum for high speed wireless broadband as in the United States, namely around 1000 MHz.”

Translation: Our 4G is going to make your 4G look like our 3G. Not today, but soon.

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Jelly Bean source codes for AT&T’s Galaxy Note 2, Galaxy Tab 2 7.0, and Galaxy Tab 2 10.1 are out

Posted: 06 Nov 2012 02:26 AM PST

When it comes to giving power users the software ammo needed to tinker with their devices, Samsung has set a pretty good example for other manufacturers — though admittedly there are a few things that still need to be worked on.

At this point, it's no longer a surprise to see Samsung releasing more source codes for its devices, the latest of which belong to the AT&T variant of Galaxy Note 2, the Galaxy Tab 2 7.0, and the Galaxy Tab 10.1.

Just as it has done in the past, the source code is often released prior to the device's availability in the market. The Samsung Galaxy Note 2 for AT&T, for example, won't be out for a few more days. Nevertheless, those who like to take a peek into the Jelly Bean goodness inside the phablet can already do so.

As for the duo Galaxy Tab 2.0 tablets, the released firmwares contain some sweet jellies as well. Although the official Android 4.1 update for the Galaxy Tab 2 7.0 and 10.1 hasn't been pushed out yet by Samsung, we've seen Jelly Bean leaks for the former.

The source codes may not mean much for casual users, but it's a telling sign that Samsung is preparing to roll out the Jelly Bean software update for the Galaxy Tab 2 7.0 and Galaxy Tab 2 10.1 real soon. That's your cue to jump for joy.

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Twitter working on Instagram-like photo filters

Posted: 06 Nov 2012 02:22 AM PST

twitter logo

The battle for social network domination just became a little more intense today. After Instagram introduced their webs client, Twitter seems almost ready, according to, The New York Times, to introduce their new photo filters options for their mobile app users.

In an attempt to take away some of the usefulness of Instagram, Twitter is getting ready to shake things up a bit by offering photo filters. If you do not remember, Instagram became popular mainly because of its really cool vintage photo editing filters and fast uploading time. These two features have helped push the photo-sharing social network of 100+ million users to the top.

Now, what Twitter is hoping will happen is that they can cut the middle man and have users rely their application for everything. It is worth noting that Twitter is also rumored to be working on a video hosting service, as well as this new filter camera option.

What does Instagram’s CEO think about this move? He does not seem too afraid as he was quoted as saying the following on GigaOm’s RoadMap conference: “I don’t think that in anyway threatens Instagram because Instagram is a community and not a filter app.”

Twitter seems to be going after all the major players in the social network landscape. Do you guys think they will make a dent with their new features?

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iPad mini, Nexus 7 and Fire HD displays pitted against each other. Who will win? Hint: not the iPad

Posted: 06 Nov 2012 02:10 AM PST

With the iPad mini finally out and about, it's time to see how Apple's first ever "affordable" (but non-compromised) tablet behaves in reality and how it shapes up against the competition.

Is Apple's 7.9-incher better than Google's Nexus 7 and Amazon's Kindle Fire HD? Is it even competing in the same league as the two? Frankly and objectively, we don't know yet. And we aren't that keen in finding answers either, because whatever those might be, we will always be accused of having an angle or let our personal opinions cloud our verdicts.

So, what we are going to do today instead is rely on DisplayMate's science to tell us which of the three tablets' displays is more competitive. Dr. Raymond M.Soneira has taken each of the three tabs through extensive lab testing and evaluations, and here are the strong and weak points found for each panel.

iPad mini display

Though we weren't really expecting Apple to introduce a smaller iPad with both a low price point and a capable screen, it seems that Cupertino has missed both marks with one hit. The pricing is definitely not as competitive as with the Nexus 7 and the Fire HD, while the 7.9-inch IPS LCD non-Retina display with 1024 x 768 pix res looks mediocre at a first glance.

But does the panel look as mediocre when put under DisplayMate's microscope? In short, it does, being basically unable to come out with a single clear win in the tens of battles of this extensive comparison.

The pixel density is low, the small text readability is "somewhat fuzzy", the average screen reflections make the panel harder to read in high ambient light levels, the maximum brightness and contrast are significantly lower than on the Fire HD, while the running time on battery at maximum brightness is decent, but far off Nexus 7's record.

Those are only a few of the weak points noticed by DisplayMate, while the strong points are far less numerous. The display calibration is probably one of the major iPad mini strengths, while other areas where the panel manages to (barely) be on top are the viewing angles, color temperature and color depth.

Nexus 7

Google's panel has a major ace up its sleeve compared with the iPad mini in the resolution and pixel density departments. However, it doesn't undercut the Fire HD there, and, while you'd think the two panels would go hand in hand across the comparison, it's actually Amazon's display that regularly comes out on top.

That's not to say the Nexus 7 doesn't have its strong points, including small text readability, viewing angles, a larger color gamut, reflections of light, contrast ratio and especially power consumption. That last area is where Google blows away its competition, managing to get over 9 hours of "juice" at maximum brightness, which will definitely make a difference for the regular user.

Unfortunately, some of Nexus 7's display weaknesses are even more serious as on the iPad mini, overshadowing in most part the strong points. The color depth, calibration, maximum brightness and intensity scale provide only a few of the issues that will plague the user experience on Nexus 7's panel.

Kindle Fire HD

What's there to say about a display that manages to score an overall A- grade in a DisplayMate test? Almost perfect? That's probably it. Fire HD's panel has almost no major weaknesses, being always number one or, at the worst, number two.

Very good ppi, accurate color and contrast, very good calibration, large color gamut, very good reflections, excellent dynamic contrast, very smooth intensity scale and so on and so forth. We don't have enough time to list all of the great things about Amazon's screen, but trust us – there are a lot!

Verdict

While the Fire HD comes pretty clearly on top, the battle for number two is very tight and will probably stir some controversy. The iPad mini has numerous flaws and faults, but scores an average B, which puts it right in front of the Nexus 7's B-.

In pure statistical terms, those scores don't really check out, although Dr. Raymond Soneira's opinion seems to be that Nexus 7's fewer flaws are more serious than those of Apple's tab. Darn, and we really thought this comparison would not allow personal opinions and subjectivity to mess with the results.

Anyhoo, try not to be too influenced by this test in your decision to go for one of the three tablets, because after all science has little to do with real life use of technology devices. Also, the displays are not the only details that can make or break a gadget. That said, don’t buy the iPad mini! Just don’t! It’s overpriced, underpowered and all-around evil. Just kidding with that last part. Or am I?

Jokes aside, be sure to check out the full DisplayMate shoot-out between the three screens here and come back to us with your own conclusions. Is Fire HD’s display that much ahead of the competition? How about iPad Mini’s panel, is it better or worse than Nexus 7′s?

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Japan Display demos new low power 5 inch 1080p panel and 7 inch 431 PPI panel

Posted: 06 Nov 2012 02:08 AM PST

HTC announced a new phone in Japan last month called the “J Butterfly”. It’s most interesting feature is easily the display: 5 inches with a resolution of 1920 x 1080 pixels. According to Engadget, two companies will be supplying HTC with said ultra sharp panel: Sharp and JDI.

JDI, which is short for Japan Display Incorporated, recently showed off two displays that are even better! The first is a 5 inch panel that also does 1920 x 1080, but it comes with two new technologies called WhiteMagic and Pixel Eyes. WhiteMagic is something that was first shown off in the Sony Xperia P back in February. Whereas a regular display has three subpixels (red, green, blue), a panel with WhiteMagic has an additional white subpixel. What does that give you? A brighter screen and better outdoor visibility. The second technology, Pixel Eyes, is just a fancy marketing phrase to describe a display that has the touch panel built-in instead of being a separate layer. The iPhone 5 has this.

Moving on up to 7 inches, JDI also showed off a display that has a resolution of 2560 x 1600. That’s the same resolution as the recently announced Nexus 10. Because it’s smaller, it’s obviously sharper. How sharp? We’re talking 431 pixels per inch. Like the new 5 inch panel mentioned earlier, this 7 inch panel also has Pixel Eyes and White Magic.

So when will these two displays find their way into retail products? Sadly there isn’t a definitive answer. JDI made these prototypes to show customers with the hope that they’ll place a large number of orders. If all goes to plan, mass production can begin next year, but we don’t know if that means January, December, or somewhere in between.

Some of you are probably scratching your heads wondering why we even need such high resolution displays? There’s no easy way to say this, so we’ll be blunt: There’s no such thing as “enough” when it comes to specs. Things can always be faster, brighter, sharper, thinner, and so on and so forth.

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Virgin Mobile Canada readying hot new holiday plans

Posted: 06 Nov 2012 01:36 AM PST

Virgin-Mobile-logo

The holiday season is probable the best time of the year to be a phone customer, and this year Virgin Mobile Canada seems set on offering customers the best deal in cell phone plans. Their latest leaked internal docs show what could be some of the best priced plan options we have seen so far.

Starting November 7, Virgin Mobile will start offering these holiday specials. In the memo picture shown below courtesy of Mobile Syrup, Virgin Mobile’s team said "hold on to your candy canes, cause Virgin Mobile is about to jingle your bells." This is an unusual line for a phone provider to utter, but that just goes to show how good they are feeling about their Holiday offerings.

Here are what they are ready to offer you:

$30 Text + Voicemail/Call Display:
- 150 Anytime Minutes
- Unlimited Weekends & Evenings at 5pm
- Unlimited Canada, US and International Text & Pic Messaging
- Voicemail 10 & Call Display
- Does not include Canada-Wide Calling

New data add-on promo:
- Members (subscribers) who sign up for a $15 and above data add-on on any Choice Plan will score 50% off for 3 months.

New data add-ons:
500MB for $15 on Choice Plans (Additional data is $10/GB and not available for BlackBerry)
Bundle $15 on Combo Plans (includes Voicemail,Call Display, Early Evenings from 5pm and 10 hours of MobileTV)
Visual Voice Bundle for Choice & Combo Plans ($8/month Members get our Visual Voicemail for iPhone or BlackBerry, Android is apparently coming soon)
Anytime Minutes for Choice & Combo Plans: (100 Anytime Minutes for $10/mo, or 300 Anytime Minutes for $25/month)

Now these deals will expire late New Year's Eve, so if a new phone line is in your mind do not hesitate to get in line.

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Kobo Arc finally gets FCC approval, 16GB model still goes for $199.99

Posted: 06 Nov 2012 01:15 AM PST

The Kobo Arc may not be as popular as other tablet heavyweights like the Nexus 7 or the Kindle Fire HD, but given the fine sheet of specs, its arrival is still worth waiting for. If you're getting anxious about Kobo sticking to its November release date, you can rest easier knowing that the 7-incher has finally hit FCC.

What does this tell us? This means you'll have a slightly harder time deciding on which Android slate to get this holiday season, as the Kobo Arc is set to join other tablets this month demanding shoppers to take a good look at its inviting price point and specs.

Thanks to a recent price cut, the $199 Kobo Arc now boasts a 16GB internal storage. The 32GB model is offered for $249.99, while the 64GB version can be had for $299.99.

As for the specs, the Kobo Arc is powered by a dual-core 1.5GHz TI OMAP 4470 processor, and comes with a 7-inch IPS HD display, 1GB of RAM, 1.3MP front-facing camera, WiFi b/g/n, front speakers, and a customized version of Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich. Unlike Amazon's offerings, the Arc will have access to Google Play.

Planning to get the Kobo Arc? What do you think of the specs and price?

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Sony Yuga spotted in another benchmark, rumored spec sheet is now (almost) complete

Posted: 06 Nov 2012 12:39 AM PST

Although it is still hard to believe that Sony will unveil the rumored Odin and Yuga super-phones earlier than next year's CES, the duo continues to be in the spotlight with an endless string of leaks.

For some reason, the smaller Odin seemed to garner more attention these past few weeks, so the 6-inch Yuga is now back with a vengeance, having an almost full spec sheet confirmed following a bunch of benchmark results.

And what a spec sheet it is, with a full HD 1794 x 1080 pix res display, a 1.5 GHz Snapdragon S4 Pro APQ8064 quad-core CPU, 2 GB of RAM, an Adreno 320 GPU, 32 GB of on-board storage, and a microSD slot. As expected, there are a number of controversies involving Yuga's features too, starting with the on-board OS.

One of the first benchmarks leaked showed the beast running Android 4.2, while this latest one lists the Yuga with Android 4.1. It's difficult to say which of the two variants is more likely, although it's obvious what we'd prefer.

Then again, if the Yuga is to be released three or four months from now, it is very possible that not even Sony knows for sure what version of Android the handheld will be equipped with, so let's just wait it out. The camera and battery are a couple of other uncertain details.

The rear-facing shooter was initially leaked with a 13 MP sensor, but is now thought to come with 16 MP, while the battery's capacity could range anywhere from 2,500 mAh to 2,800. As for the actual Nenamark 2 test result leaked (59.90), we can only say that it is pretty impressive, but not surprising. After all, we already knew that S4 Pro + 2 gigs of RAM + Adreno 320 = a whole lot of speed.

Can we already call the Sony Yuga one of next year’s most exciting new phones? Or should we take the more prudent approach and just wait and see?

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Kindle Fire HD, Microsoft Surface teardowns reveal production costs for Amazon, Microsoft

Posted: 05 Nov 2012 07:54 PM PST

Last year, IHS found that the original Kindle Fire cost Amazon around $187 to make and now they have taken on the new Kindle Fire HD to see exactly how much it Amazon pays to build one. The company redesigned the new Kindle Fire HD and IHS tore down the device to see exactly what’s inside. The results are quite interesting.

While it’s selling for only $199, IHS revealed that the components used to build this new device cost somewhere around $165. Unlike last year, LG Displays produced the new high resolution 720p display; Texas Instruments helped out with the power supply, video chips, and the new blazing fast dual-core processing chip; while Samsung, after Apple essentially stopped using them for many of their iPad/iPhone components, was able to get a deal with Amazon to supply the memory chip in the new Kindle Fire.

The end result of all these components coming together is a great tablet that many reviewers have recommended for parents and students alike. In today's competitive market, Google and Amazon are going head to head with their tablets and, while the Nexus 7 seemingly has cheaper components, it seems safe to say that Google's baby is outselling Amazon's.

The same AllThingsD article mentions the Microsoft Surface’s component estimated value, as submitted by the same IHS. Unlike Google and Amazon, Microsoft is apparently not interested in creating a budget-friendly tablet, but rather, the company priced the Surface unnecessarily high to compete directly with Apple's iPad.

IHS’ check of the Surface shows that the components that are being used to build the new tablet, when all put together, cost around $271. Now Microsoft could have easily priced their tablet at $300 or even $400 and still have had pretty good profit margins from it while, simultaneously, boosting the user base of the newly released Windows 8 OS — obviously that is not the goal.

The research firm also found that the new Microsoft Touch Cover, priced separately at $120, costs Microsoft around $16 to produce, and so they will undoubtedly enjoy the extra profit. This goes to show how much more customer-oriented the Nexus 7 and Kindle Fire HD are in comparison to the Microsoft Surface that seems mostly profit-oriented.

Now the question comes in, which of these tablets are you going to purchase this holiday season?

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Android Phone Fans

Android Phone Fans


Instagram launches profile pages, inches one step closer to becoming a real social network

Posted: 05 Nov 2012 06:47 PM PST

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Instagram is great. There are a lot of things I love about the budding social network/pseudo photo hosting service and one of them is simply the archiving and sharing of your real world life through pictures — not meaningless stuff you’ve come across on the internet. Sure all that can be fun, but internet diarrhea is better left to Facebook and Google+.

One of the strangest (and best) parts about Instagram is that it was never web based, meaning there was no real way to access the site via your computer. Sure you could view people’s pictures, heart them, comment, and follow — but that was really the extent of it. Honestly, it blew my mind when I first discovered it but it quickly grew on me. There was certain level of secrecy in Instagram. Like a club that required you to have a smartphone to gain admittance. Well, now all of that is about to change.

Today, Instagram has launched their all new profile pages. These are users profiles that can be viewed via the web and quite honestly, I have mixed feelings about it. What was once reserved for “members only,” pictures of my life are now strewn across the net for everyone and anyone to view and gawk at. While it’s hard to put into words exactly what I’m feeling, the closest thing I can compare it to is someone ripping off my towel off and there I am… exposed. For the world to see. (I swear, I just got out of the pool).

In its current state, profile pages are severely limited by what they give a user access to. For instance, there’s currently no way to view your followers, or who your following — making the viewing of your friends profile pages a chore (you’re going to have to enter their user name in the URL every time. Sure there are other web-based services like web.stagram, but it would have been nice to not rely on a 3rd party.

I invite you guys if you haven’t already, to join up and friend me. Despite what the naysayers will… nay say, Instagram is a lot of fun and quickly becoming my favorite place to share my life (not what’s going on on the internet) and learn more about fellow Android peeps. I just pray Instagram will never be fully accessible from the desktop, allowing users to upload pics from their computers. It’s the one thing that’s kept the service “pure.” Oh, and limiting the amount of hashtags from #Instawhores. Before I go, here’s a quick video from one of my favorite videographers explaining what makes Instagram so great and how you can help keep it from sucking.

[Play Store Link]


HTC Droid DNA (DLX) shows up at the FCC, cleared for takeoff on Verizon Wireless

Posted: 05 Nov 2012 05:12 PM PST

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Customers on the nation’s largest wireless network who have been eyeballing the HTC Droid DNA (DLX) better have most of their pennies saved up. A filing at the FCC today hints that the moster-spec’d device is making a b-line straight for Verizon Wireless. Okay, so that part we’ve known for quite sometime, but without a specific date on when we should crack open our piggy banks, it looks like we’re finally one step closer.

What is essentially a US variant of the HTC J Butterfly we told you guys about a few weeks back, the HTC Droid DNA will feature an industry first 1080p 5-inch SCLD3 display, 1.5GHz Qualcomm S4 Pro quad-core processor, 2GB of RAM and possible 8MP camera (that part is still a little fuzzy). While those specs might seem like overkill to the uninitiated, that means a display that will faithfully produce images equal to real world print. Count me in.

The filing lists the device’s product number (HTC6435LVW) as well as the usual radio bands showing support for Verizon’s unique CDMA/LTE combo, as well as global bands for the Android globetrotter.

Hopefully this device wont suffer from any delays (Verizon has a history of extensively testing devices on their network), in which case we should expect it in time for the holidays. Still up in the air is whether or not we’ll see other variants for other carriers (like AT&T, T-Mobile, or Sprint). But with AT&T set to receive the One X+ next month, T-Mobile on a limited budget, I’d be willing to bet we’ll see this arrive as an EVO sequel for Sprint (yes, that’s pure and baseless speculation). Those of you not on Verizon, would you like an opportunity to pick up for your carrier?

[via FCC | Engadget]


Federal judge throws out Apple’s case against Motorola over FRAND patents

Posted: 05 Nov 2012 02:43 PM PST

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Good news for the Google-owned Motorola coming this afternoon from Madison, Wisconsin. Right before trial was set to begin today, Federal Judge Barbara Crabb has thrown out Apple’s case against Motorola. The case dealt with Moto’s patents (covering UMTS, GPRS, GSM, and 802.11 wireless standards) and the “unfair” royalty rates they were asking from Apple to use them (appox 2.25% of device sales).

The judge gave both parties until today to explain whether a court determined FRAND rate would even solve the patent dispute at hand and when Apple said it would only help resolve this case by figuring out if Motorola’s royalty rates were fair, this didn’t sit well with the judge who said ended up dismissing the case “with prejudice.” In repsonse to the ruling, Judge Crabb later said:

“Apple’s response was not satisfactory and did not assuage my concerns about determining a FRAND rate that may be used solely as a negotiating tool between the parties.”

Of course, Motorola seemed more than pleased with judge’s decision, saying:

“Motorola has long offered licensing to our extensive patent portfolio at a reasonable and non-discriminatory rate in line with industry standards. We remain interested in reaching an agreement with Apple.”

Apple originally told the court they didn’t want to pay a penny more than $1 per iPhone to license Moto’s FRAND patents and have yet to issue a statement on the ruling. Guess there’s always the possibility of an appeal or far (FAR) less likely settlement. This isn’t even close to over, folks.

[via Reuters | FOSSPatents]


Verizon Apps closing up shop this January

Posted: 05 Nov 2012 02:41 PM PST

Verizon Wireless looks to have thrown the towel in when it comes to its own-branded apps store. Verizon Apps looks to be headed for the wayside this upcoming January, it’s been confirmed. The carrier first launched the app store as an alternative for developers to peddle their apps in a marketplace that wasn’t nearly as crowded as the Google Play Store.

They’d looked to control the store’s population through hands-on approval processes, though this effect was probably achieved more by general disinterest from developers (caused by general disinterest from users). Verizon would get a cut of the profits from these developers, of course, and it’d be yet another perfect way for them to make money… except it wasn’t.

Most developers were just fine with keeping their wares in the Google Play Store, and other alternative markets, like Amazon, were more enticing. Verizon also used the apps store to promote its own apps, of course, but these apps were either available from the Google Play Store or pre-installed on most of its devices anyway.

It’s about damn time, we’d say. Sure, an app store for a feature phone is very sensible and probably more welcome than anything, but when it comes to smartphones that extra ecosystem just doesn’t necessarily fit.

Push everything to one central box (Play Store) and make things less confusing for everyone involved. I give Verizon a big kudos for making this happen sooner rather than later. Those who will be affected by content they’ve purchased can head to Verizon for more details on how they can make this transition smooth once the entire process wraps up by the end of March 2013.

[via Verizon Developer Community]


Samsung reportedly planning major brand overhaul for debut at CES 2013

Posted: 05 Nov 2012 11:45 AM PST

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A report has emerged that Samsung will take CES 2013 as an opportunity to introduce the world to a refocused brand, including a new corporate logo, official colors, and ads that shift attention towards the lifestyles of consumers rather than simply the products being sold. ChannelNews has information suggesting that the Korean electronics maker and world’s top smartphone manufacturer is working closely with Scott Bedbury, a brand consultant with the likes of Nike and Starbucks on his resume.

The goal is to expand the Samsung brand from perceptions as an Asian company to that of a global identity. Products will be more closely linked to the brand with a greater emphasis on design at the “strategic level,” as David Hill of the blog Design Matters puts it, a shift that began when the company named Creative Chief Choi Gee Sung CEO last year.

If Samsung is planning such an overhaul, CES is the perfect venue for an unveiling. The showcase of consumer electronics from around the globe takes place in Las Vegas in January of each year and is home to numerous high-end product announcements. A new-look Samsung would be sure to make headlines.

 


Final Angry Birds Star Wars trailer drops ahead of November 8th launch

Posted: 05 Nov 2012 10:15 AM PST


According to the latest (and presumably final) Angry Birds Star Wars trailer, the new game from Rovio has everything you could want, including the Droids you are looking for. The advert went live on YouTube today and features the most complete look at the game we have seen thus far, including both its land and space-based physics, new characters from the Star Wars universe, and special weapons and powers.

The force is truly with our avian protagonists in this one, and while the Angry Birds franchise is certainly doing just fine, the new title might be just the shot in the arm the series needs. Rovio is doing their best to make the battle against the egg-stealing pigs feel fresh again. We’re hopeful for what is coming. Angry Birds Star Wars lands this Thursday, November 8th.

 


MegaRamp skateboarding and BMX game sneaks into Play Store for Xperia devices

Posted: 05 Nov 2012 09:14 AM PST

Sony Mobile hasn’t made a ton of noise regarding its arrival, but the company — in conjunction with developer has released MegaRamp for Android. The game leverages the MegaRamp license for the use of real ramps, locations, and pros to bring you an authentic boarding and BNX experience. Those who enjoy this sort of stuff might be interested, especially for just $2.89.

The problem is that the game is exclusive to Sony Xperia owners. It’s a shame considering it looks pretty decent, but many of you will have to hope that this period of exclusivity is only temporary.

That might not be a dream I’d hold on to, though, as the official trailer shows Sony’s influence throughout various areas of the game. Perhaps it can be reskinned later on, but for now there’s no sign that those of us without Xperia devices will have the chance to enjoy it.

But if you’ve got an Xperia device and you want to get in on some MegaRamp fun then there’s nothing stopping you. The game includes achievements and trophies, nearly 100 tricks between BMX and skateboarding, locations like Zurich, the USA, Mexico City, and tricksters like Danny Way, Kevin Robinson and Adam Taylor.

This likely won’t hold a candle to EA’s Skate or even older versions of Activision’s Tony Hawk Pro Skater, but for $3 we’re sure some of you will find something to like in this mobile package. If you have the hardware to match be sure to find it available for download in the Google Play Store. Oh, and be sure to watch the trailer above, horrible dubstep music and all.

[via Facebook]


CallApp marries your social life to caller ID

Posted: 05 Nov 2012 08:10 AM PST

A new interesting app has hit the Google Play Store that aims to help enhance your social life. Its name is CallApp, and it’s an incoming call app that’ll give you updates from the social networking profiles of whoever’s calling you at that time. You can pull info from the likes of LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook, and more, and it goes beyond just telling you the caller’s most recent status message.

For instance, you’ll get the person’s occupation from LinkedIn, the next event from their Facebook calendar, and the latest email they’ve sent to you at a glance. The app goes beyond just setting up social networking hooks. You can setup meetings, reminders, write notes, and more while on a call and have it automatically associated with that contact.

I’m not one to replace my stock caller ID experience, but CallApp certainly makes me want to. When you factor in the ease of setup — your friends don’t have to use CallApp at all — you’ll probably look to try it, too.

It’s a free download from the Google Play Store, and judging by the glowing reviews it has it looks like it won’t disappoint. Go ahead and give it a shot following a brief 3.7MB download.


Samsung Galaxy Camera available November 7th in the UK

Posted: 05 Nov 2012 07:40 AM PST

Samsung’s Android-powered Galaxy Camera will hit UK retailers this week. First unveiled at IFA in Berlin earlier this year, the Android 4.1 point-and-shoot will go on sale November 7th. Samsung will celebrate the 5PM launch of the smart camera with champagne receptions at their flagship stores. The device will also be available from Carphone Warehouse, Phones 4u, and Jessops. Retailer Clove has confirmed the device will be available from November 8th for £399.00 after VAT.

The Galaxy Camera boasts all the power of Samsung’s flagship series of smartphones, including a 1.4GHz quad-core processor and 8GB of internal storage. The cellular radios are dropped, while the image element is, naturally, enhanced. The Galaxy Camera boasts a 16.3MP array with 21x optical zoom and f2.8 lens.

Samsung did not announce plans for a US launch, but the Galaxy Camera is expected to be available from AT&T later this year.


Samsung Galaxy Tab 2 10.1 launching on AT&T November 9th

Posted: 05 Nov 2012 07:16 AM PST

AT&T customers looking for a connected Samsung Galaxy Tab device might want to take a look at AT&T’s latest offering. The carrier has announced upcoming availability of the Samsung Galaxy Tab 2 10.1, a fine tablet among a sea of them lately. The device will launch November 9th for those looking to pick one up.

It features a 1GHz dual-core processor, 1GB of RAM, a 10.1 inch WXGA resolution display, a 3 megapixel camera with a VGA front camera, Bluetooth 3.0, WiFi N and more. You’ll be paying $500 for it, but it’ll also be compatible with AT&T’s HSPA+ and 4G LTE network so you won’t have to lug around a WiFi hotspot device alongside the tablet itself.

AT&T is looking to sweeten the deal for those who decide to buy a Samsung Galaxy smartphone in the near future, too. If you buy a device like the Galaxy Note 2 or the Galaxy S3 (on a new two-year contract) you’ll get $100 off the tablet or any other Samsung connected device, including the new Windows 8-enabled Samsung ATIV. Read on for full press details.

Samsung ATIV Smart PC and Galaxy Tab 2 10.1 Available at AT&T Retail Stores Nationwide Nov. 9 on AT&T’s 4G LTE Network

For a Limited Time, Buy any Samsung Galaxy Smartphone1 and Receive up to $100 off a Second Connected Samsung Device including the new Samsung ATIV smart PC and Galaxy Tab 2 10.1. Available Exclusively at AT&T this Holiday Season, New Samsung ATIV smart PC Delivers Windows 8
Dallas, Texas, November 05, 2012

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AT&T* and Samsung Telecommunications America, LLC (Samsung Mobile)2, today announced availability of the Samsung ATIV smart PC, a new tablet designed for the new Windows® 8 operating system, and the Samsung Galaxy Tab® 2 10.1, a 4G LTE Android tablet. Both tablets will be available for AT&T customers this holiday season beginning Nov. 9. The Samsung ATIV smart PC will be priced at $799.99 and the Galaxy Tab 2 10.1 will be available for $499.99.

AT&T is giving customers more reasons to purchase a Samsung device this holiday season as part of a limited time offer that gives customers up to $100 off the purchase of any connected Samsung device of lesser or equal value, including the new Samsung ATIV smart PC and Galaxy Tab 2 10.1, when they purchase any Samsung Galaxy smartphone (w/ two-year agreement incl. qualifying voice and data plans).

Samsung ATIV smart PC

Samsung ATIV smart PC combines premium computing power in an elegant tablet form factor while providing AT&T customers the ultimate in productivity and entertainment features. The powerful ATIV smart PC has an 11.6-inch HD PLS display, 64GB of internal storage memory and a microSD card slot to support up to an additional 32GB of memory and the Intel® Atom™ dual-core processor, up to 1.5 GHz. ATIV smart PC comes installed with Windows 8 (which can be upgraded to Windows 8 Pro). It is also backward compatible and supports all existing software and applications that run on older windows OS such as Windows 7, Vista, and XP. ATIV smart PC also comes preloaded with a trial version of Microsoft Office 2010 for a complete PC experience and for productivity while on-the-go.

ATIV is Samsung's brand for Windows 8 products including Smart PCs, tablets and Windows Phone 8 for smartphones. Samsung will continue to announce ATIV products to provide advanced, productive and creative experiences.

"We are excited to offer the Samsung ATIV smart PC in stores nationwide ahead of the holiday shopping season," said Chris Penrose, senior vice president, AT&T Emerging Devices. "Connected by the nation's largest 4G network, this Windows 8 tablet gives customers optimized touch interface, instant live tile updates and PC capabilities.”

Samsung Mobile and AT&T are offering the following accessories3 to get the most out of the ATIV smart PC:

Stand Dock – Dock the ATIV smart PC in the Stand Dock to turn any environment into a personal office. In addition to providing a charge when docked, the Stand Dock is equipped with a built-in USB port and Ethernet (RJ45) port to connect the ATIV smart PC to LAN and various USB peripherals.
VGA Adapter – Expand your workstation and give presentations with ease with the VGA Adapter (micro HDMI to VGA connectivity). Use the VGA Adapter to connect the ATIV smart PC to external displays, monitors and projectors for second-screen viewing and enhanced productivity.
Additional accessories will also be available.
Beginning in late November online at www.wireless.att.com, the ATIV smart PC Stand Dock will be available for $49.00 and the VGA adapter will be available for $40.00.

Samsung Galaxy Tab 2 10.1

The Samsung Galaxy Tab 2 10.14 is a 4G LTE Android 4.0 tablet that 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. 3 Features like on-device encryption and VPN access ensure the tablet is secure for business use, while the 7000 mAh battery allows for all-day connectivity. For more information on Samsung Galaxy Tab 2 10.1, please visit www.att.com/galaxytab2.

AT&T customers have access to the nation's largest 4G network, covering 285 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.5 With other carriers, when you travel outside of their LTE coverage area, you may be on a much slower 3G network.

Customers purchasing tablets from AT&T have more options in choosing the plan that's right for them and their mobile devices. With new AT&T Mobile Share plans, new and existing customers can share a single bucket of data across smartphones, tablets, and other compatible devices. AT&T Mobile Share allows customers to build a plan to fit their devices and usage. For as low as $10 per month, customers can connect the Samsung 4G LTE tablets with AT&T’s new Mobile Share plans. Customers can select one of the new shared data plans or choose one of AT&T's existing individual or family plans. 6

Beginning Nov. 9, Samsung ATIV smart PC and Galaxy Tab 2 10.1 will be available in AT&T company-owned retail stores nationwide and online at www.wireless.att.com.

For more information on AT&T, please visit www.att.com.

*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.

1 Samsung Galaxy promotion requires two-year smartphone agreement including qualifying voice and data plan.

2Samsung Mobile is the No. 1 mobile phone provider in the United States according to Strategy Analytics, North America Handset Vendor Marketshare, Q2 2012. Samsung Electronics Company is the No. 1 smartphone provider worldwide according to Strategy Analytics Global Smartphone Vendor Market Share by Region: Q2 2012.

3ATIV smart PC accessories sold separately.

4Samsung, Galaxy Tab, and AllShare are registered trademarks of Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. Other company names, product names and marks mentioned herein are the property of their respective owners and may be trademarks or registered trademarks.

54G speeds not available everywhere. Limited 4G LTE availability in select markets. LTE is a trademark of ETSI. Learn more at att.com/network. 4G when used in connection with the ATIV Smart PC refers to the fact that the device can operate on AT&T's 4G network.

6Smartphone required. Up to ten devices per plan. Additional monthly charge per device. $15 per GB for add’l data. Unlimited talk and text for phones only. Activation fee may apply. Additional deposits and other restrictions may apply. Access to corporate email, intranet sites and apps available for $15/mo. per device.

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 internationally. With a powerful array of network resources that includes the nation's largest 4G network, AT&T is a leading provider of wireless, Wi-Fi, high speed Internet, voice and cloud-based services. A leader in mobile Internet, 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 at http://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.

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 visit www.samsung.com.

© 2012 AT&T Intellectual Property. All rights reserved. 4G not available everywhere. 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.


Building 44 gets the ‘Tiny Planet’ treatment courtesy of Photo Sphere

Posted: 05 Nov 2012 06:52 AM PST

Though Android 4.2 Jelly Bean contains a number of improvements to the Android operating system, one of the most notable new features is Photo Sphere. The new photo mode expands on Ice Cream Sandwich’s panorama functionality by allowing users to capture a full 360 degree view of the world around them. With folks just starting to get their hands on the improved Android 4.2 camera, we’re sure to see our fair share of Photo Sphere images over the coming weeks, but we couldn’t help but share these shots of Building 44, the Android headquarters at the Googleplex, captured by Thomas Devaux.

In one image we see the entire Android dessert lineup stationed on the Google lawn, the other reproduces the same image in a more extreme way, warping the scene into a literal sphere in the style of Tiny Planet. There are some spots in the pics where the stitching together of images looks a little off, but they remain pretty cool examples of what is possible with the Photo Sphere capabilities of Android 4.2, the same sorts of photos that Google will allow users to contribute to Google Maps Street View.

Anyone else out there have any cool Photo Sphere images of their own? We’d love to seem them!