Thursday, November 29, 2012

Android Authority

Android Authority


Aocos PX102 Humming Bird 2 is a $200 Asus Transformer alternative

Posted: 29 Nov 2012 02:56 AM PST

aocos px102 hummingbird 2 transformer tabletThe Asus Transformer range really set the bar for convertible Android tablets, but their high prices have kept them out of reach of many gadget lovers. If you can't justify spending the money on an Asus, take a look at the Aocos PX102 at just $208!

At slightly over $200 (1299 Yuan) you would expect the PX102 to have some major drawbacks, but when looking through the specs and having a good gander at the design all seems surprisingly good!

Like the Asus Transformer tablets, the Aocos PX102 has a 10.1 inch screen with a resolution of 1280 x 800, dual cameras and a detachable keyboard. The CPU is a 1.6Ghz dual-core Rockchip unit, which is noted for handling 1080 video very well, and there is 1GB RAM plus 16GB of internal memory.

The tablet half of the PX102 measures just 9.6mm and features a single 2.0 USB , Micro USB, HDMI out and a micro SD card reader. The detachable keyboard is rechargeable and connects via Bluetooth.

At $200 there are some obvious cost cutting measures such as the low resolution cameras (front 0.3MP, rear 2MP), lack of built-in 3G and uncertain future support, but if you're in the market for a bargain this Christmas it could be worth a look.

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Run Sony’s PlayStation Mobile on any rooted Android devices

Posted: 29 Nov 2012 02:32 AM PST

Playstation Mobile

The new PlayStation Mobile was finally launched in October, bringing Sony's treasure trove of games to certified Android devices. Aside from the obvious, the mobile gaming platform should theoretically run on several HTC and Sharp phones as well.

If you don't see your device on the list of compatible handsets, there's a way to get in on the PS gaming fun. You just have to follow the instructions shared by noted XDA member NOMIOMI.

First thing first – the method only works on rooted Android devices. If you pass the first test, then it's only a matter downloading the PlayStation Mobile APK and the provided flashable zip file, as well as pushing some files into various directories on your device – hence, why root is required. Sounds easy enough, right?

Once you've set up everything, you just have to sign up for a new Sony account to get started. Just a hint, apparently you can put down any U.S. address in order to bypass the country restriction.  You should then be able to download and install free and paid games there, though understandably not every game will run without a hitch. After all, your device isn't really certified by Sony.

Check out the original thread for the gory details. Don’t forget to let us know how the PlayStation Mobile workaround works for you in the comments below.

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Caesar III on Android? Yes, please! And how about some StarCraft while you’re at it?

Posted: 29 Nov 2012 02:21 AM PST

winulator caesar iii

It's not often that I am genuinely excited about a piece of software. I guess I am jaded. But not today; today I am here to report on something that really makes me say "wow, finally!" And I am betting that, if you're anything like me, you'll say the same thing.

Winulator is an Android app that provides a runtime environment for DirectX API Windows programs. So, it's a type of emulator, but, according to the app's developer, it's not an emulator in the classic sense of the word. For a program to run in Winulator, it requires a one-time conversion process, using a PC application called Winulator Converter Helper.

The conversion is required due to the different processor architectures – Windows programs are written for the x86 architecture, while most Android devices (save for a few Intel-atom powered ones, like the Motorola Razr i or the Orange San Diego) run on ARM processors.

WCH will convert the .exe and .dll files of the original Windows 95 or Windows 98 apps and turn them into ARM compatible applications.

The project is Dan Aloni's brainchild, and so far, he modified one Windows game to run on Android – Caesar III, the seminal city-builder released in October 1998. Aloni got it to work on his Asus Transformer TF-101 and on a Galaxy S, although there still are some kinks to be ironed out (notably, the in-game sound doesn't work).

Each app needs to be manually converted and modified to run in Winulator, which is a time consuming process. So far, Dan Aloni only got Caesar III to work on Android, but he says he'll add more games and applications, depending on demand. He eventually plans to release the app on the Play Store. I am not sure about the IP implications, but hopefully, the project won't face too much legal hassle.

Now, I know what game I'd like to play on my Galaxy S2. It's the one and only StarCraft Broodwar. If someone manages to port it to Android, it'll be truly a dream come true for me. What games of yore would you like to play on your Android device?

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Toshiba to start shipping new class leading 13 MP camera sensor next month

Posted: 29 Nov 2012 01:29 AM PST

When people think camera sensors, usually two companies come to mind: Sony and OmniVision. Now yes, both Samsung and LG also make camera sensors, but there’s a reason that Samsung’s Galaxy S III and Apple’s iPhone 5 use a Sony component. Not to be forgotten, Toshiba is also in the camera sensor business. They were the company responsable for the 41 megapixel sensor inside Nokia’s 808 PureView. Today they’re announcing that they’ve developed a 13 megapixel sensor that they say is best in class. Because the sensor is so small, with an optical size of just a third of an inch across, each pixel measures 1.12 microns. Smaller pixels almost always translate to worse image quality, but Toshiba has integrated both backside illumination technology and color noise reduction into this sensor.

So how long until we see devices shipping with this sensor? Toshiba says they’re going to begin shipments next month, with each sensor costing roughly $20. Add in the time it takes for a handset maker to iron out all the kinks, and you’re looking at somewhere around the first half of 2013. Which companies are going to make use this component? That’s tough to say. Analyst firms will no doubt tear apart flagship phones to figure out which companies made which parts, but that data isn’t going to come out for at least a few more months.

To tell you the truth, we really couldn’t care less about the sensor itself. The industry has reached a point where it’s the lens, white balance sensor, and image processing algorithms that make or break a camera phone. The only real innovation in terms of hardware that we’ve actually seen this year came from Nokia with their Lumia 920. That device features optical imaging stabilisation.

How long until that feature comes to other devices? That’s what we want to know.

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RBS and Visa join hands to launch V.me in UK

Posted: 29 Nov 2012 01:11 AM PST

V.me, Visa’s foray into the digital wallet space, has now seen the light of day, at least in the UK.

While the financial and payment services company chose RBS (and by extension Natwest) as its launch partner, V.me is going to be available with many more banks as the service grows more mature. According to the official statement by Visa, the “initial trial” is still underway and they are shooting for a primetime release sometime in spring 2013. Spain and France are also confirmed to be the other two eurozone countries that will get the service, although dates are still uncertain.

To refresh your memory, V.me exited beta with 53 bank partners and 23 retail partners, certainly giving it some credibility and initial momentum to storm a soon-to-be saturated market. With Paypal’s Digital Wallet, Google Wallet and Square Wallet all amongst its competitors, V.me will need every single one of its partners to make itself visible to consumers.

Check out the full press release from Visa below.

Show full PR text

Visa Europe confirms RBS as launch partner for V.me by Visa

London, 28 November 2012 – Visa Europe today confirmed that RBS will be the first UK financial institution to launch the V.me by Visa digital wallet for RBS and NatWest consumers.

An initial trial for the RBS and Natwest wallet is currently underway, before a full rollout in the spring of 2013, making V.me by Visa available to customers of both brands.

Mariano Dima, Executive Vice President of Product and Marketing Solutions at Visa Europe, said: “We are delighted to announce RBS as the launch partner for Visa Europe's V.me digital wallet in the UK. Visa is committed to making online payments even easier and more secure, and our partners such as RBS are helping us make this vision a reality. It is our intention to make the V.me brand as trusted and well known for digital payments as the Visa brand is on the high street today.”

Dima adds: “The feedback from banks in the UK has been extremely positive and we will be announcing further V.me support from several major banks in the coming months.”

Steve Rubenstein, Director of Everyday Banking at RBS, said: “As a business we are very excited by this partnership with Visa and the development of V.me. We believe that a proposition which reduces the effort of buying things online, while also improving security, for our customers is exactly the sort of thing we want to deliver. V.me clearly delivers this and we look forward to offering it to our customers in 2013.”

The fast and simple V.me by Visa payment experience allows consumers to complete online transactions through the internet browser on a PC, laptop, tablet, or smart phone in a simple and easy manner. As a result, both consumers and retailers can benefit from all the security and scale of the Visa brand.

V.me by Visa plays a key part in Visa Europe's future of payments strategy, reflecting the company's continued commitment to payments innovation and to bringing new services to market that benefit consumers, members and retailers. The service will continue to evolve post-launch to incorporate other Visa payment technologies, including contactless transactions at the point of sale and person-to-person payments.

Payments processor WorldPay is a key development partner in the delivery of the V.me by Visa proposition in the UK.

BBVA was recently confirmed as the V.me by Visa launch partner in Spain. The service will also launch in France in late 2012. Further issuing banks will be confirmed for all three markets at a later date.

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Motorola Atrix HD Developer Edition goes for $459.99, not for the faint of heart

Posted: 29 Nov 2012 01:06 AM PST

If you got some cash to spare for the Motorola Atrix HD Developer Edition, otherwise known as the Atrix HD variant that comes with an unlockable bootloader, you can now head to Moto's website to pre-order the phone.

The tinkerer-friendly Atrix HD Developer Edition will cost $459.99 with no contract, and will be shipped out on December 16.

The whole point of getting the special edition of the Atrix HD is that so you can get right into action with modding and the likes, but by doing so Moto has provided the following warning: "Warranties will be voided".  This is obviously one device that's catered more for power users that don't mind venturing into warranty-less territory.

The Atrix HD is joining Moto's lineup of Developer Edition phones, such as the Droid Razr HD, and the Droid Razr M.

Similar to the others, the specs of the phone are unchanged. It's still the good ol’ Atrix HD that offers a 4.5-inch HD display, a dual-core 1.5GHz Snapdragon S4 processor, 1GB RAM, 8GB internal storage, 8MP main camera, 1.3MP front camera, 4G LTE, 1,780mAh battery, and Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich. An upgrade to Android 4.1 Jelly Bean might come very soon.

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Amazon AppStore comes to Japan

Posted: 28 Nov 2012 10:08 PM PST

Why does Godzilla usually attack Tokyo instead of any other city in the world? We don’t really know. But what we’re sure of is that there’s a something else reaching the shores of the land of the rising sun, and that’s Amazon’s AppStore. Amazon is doing its seventh AppStore launch, and the sixth outside of the U.S., following Germany, France, Italy, Spain and the UK.

This launch comes alongside the news that Amazon is likewise launching the Kindle Fire in Japan, with shipments starting on the third week (December 19th to be exact) — just in time for the holiday rush. Amazon’s Japan AppSore will feature the same basic functionality as with other markets, offering an alternative app marketplace to the Google Play Store. Of course, we can expect some localization of content, and also some features similar to other markets like Free App of the Day.

Apart from the AppStore and Kindle Fire, Amazon is also bringing its cloud services to the Japanese market, notably Cloud Drive, which will be offered free up to 5GB, and with consumer plans startig at JPY 800 (around US$ 130) per year for  20GB, which is similar to pricing schemes in other regions.

Japan is, of course, home to several high-profile mobile brands like Sony, mobile gaming platform and developer GREE, as well as Softbank, which is acquiring American telco Sprint. With Amazon’s launch of its app ecosystem and tablet in the country, Android lovers from far east will have yet another platform to enjoy.

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Heads continue to roll at Apple over Maps fiasco. Why doesn’t Apple just concede to Google Maps?

Posted: 28 Nov 2012 07:47 PM PST

Image credit: Consumer Reports

I’ve been reading a lot about how iOS 6 users are finding their Maps app inadequate for their needs. I have not actually tried iOS6 Maps until last week when I upgraded my old iPhone to 6.0.1. I can say that it absolutely sucks. Even the Google Maps implementation in a cheap-o Gingerbread-powered Samsung Galaxy Y that I own is worlds better in terms of speed, navigation and functionality (like offline caching and “star” syncing, to name a few).

It seems people are starting to notice and do something about it, including Apple executives. Reports have it that Eddy Cue, Apple’s senior VP for software and services, has edged out Richard Williamson, who has — until now — headed Apple’s Maps effort. Sources from within Apple say Cue wants to install a new leadership team for its Maps group, although it’s not immediately known who will head this effort moving forward.

After receiving much criticism for Maps in the iPhone 5 and iOS 6, Apple CEO Tim Cook actually issued an apology in which  he said the company was “extremely sorry for the frustration” that Maps has caused iOS users. To date, Google has not yet released its own standalone Maps application for iOS 6, even though the company has already released a YouTube app in lieu of Apple’s replacing the iOS video app with their own. Some cite Apple’s stringent approval process, although Google may likewise be deliberately delaying its own development or submission, if only to let its own Android platform maintain an advantage in this area.

Apart from Williamson, another high-profile executive also left Apple in line with the Maps fiasco a few weeks back. Scott Forstall, who has headed iOS development since the start, also left Apple, in a move that was rumored to be related to the disappointment with Maps. Forstall was reportedly unwilling to be part of the apology letter that Apple issued regarding Maps, hence his untimely departure.

Is Apple finally going to do something about their Maps app? It’s one thing to release a half-baked product and improve along the way. Both startups and big companies do this under what they consider to be “beta” applications. But Apple made the mistake of saying its Maps would be one of the best services, but then proceeded to disappoint.

Not all Apple products have been market successes, and in its current iteration, Maps will probably go down history as another Newton, Lisa or G4 Cube. Heads have rolled in Apple’s aim to fix its mistake. Will Maps emerge as a better product moving forward? Or should Apple just bite the bullet and let Google handle what they do best?

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Modern Combat 4: Zero Hour developer diary shows off multiplayer [video]

Posted: 28 Nov 2012 05:35 PM PST

Modern Combat 4: Zero Hour, the latest installment in Gameloft’s successful game franchise, is getting closer and closer to release, and Gameloft wants to make sure that gamers stay excited. To ensure that they do, the game’s latest developer diary is showing off new improvements to multiplayer.

The multiplayer experience for Modern Combat 4 has been overhauled, including new game modes. “Barebones” hearkens back to the simpler times of Modern Combat 2, while “Warfare” offers a more objective oriented sort of gameplay. Players fight for control of different zones, each of which offer different bonuses like additional ammo or continuous radar.

In addition to the multiplayer game modes, Modern Combat 4: Zero Hour will feature an improved armory which will now show the game’s nearly 100 different weapon attachments in 3D. The game’s developers say that players will be able to customize their weapons to their individual play styles more than ever.

For a closer look at some of the features on the way, check out the video below:

While we don’t have an exact release date, the game is still supposed to be released sometime this fall. We haven’t heard any pricing details, but it’s fairly safe to assume that Modern Combat 4: Zero Hour will be similarly priced to previous installments in the series.

Has this latest developer diary got you excited for Modern Combat 4? Are you planning to pick it up when it’s released?

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Microsoft attacks Google with “Scroogled” campaign

Posted: 28 Nov 2012 04:55 PM PST

While anti-Google ads from Microsoft are nothing new, their latest salvo fired against the company seems less like an advertisement for a search engine, and more like a political attack ad.

“Scroogled,” a portmanteau of “Google” and “screwed,” seems to be a major focus of Bing’s holiday advertising, and to be fair, it isn’t completely baseless. In May of this year, Google Shopping made a transition from using a search algorithm similar to how other Google searches work to a system where listed merchants pay to be included in the results, either on a pay-per-click or pay-per-transaction basis.

Ads or Answers?

Microsoft says that this practice isn’t fair, but Google sees it differently, saying that “ads are just more answers to users' queries.” As with Microsoft’s criticisms, this isn’t as easy to write off as it may seem. Those who use Google Shopping are doing so because they are looking to buy something, and companies paying to make sure that they are seen first in search results isn’t that different from placing other ads.

Google has been relatively transparent on this matter, but this is where Microsoft is really playing its hand. By suggesting that customers are being “Scroogled,” they are also suggesting that Google is breaking its “Don’t be evil” policy. The most prominent text on Microsoft’s Scroogled website reads:

In the beginning, Google preached, “Don’t be evil”—but that changed on May 31, 2012. That’s when Google Shopping announced a new initiative. Simply put, all of their shopping results are now paid ads.

In their under-the-radar announcement, Google admits they’ve now built “a purely commercial model” that delivers listings ranked by “bid price.” Google Shopping is nothing more than a list of targeted ads that unsuspecting customers assume are search results. They call these “Product Listing Ads” a “truly great search.”

We say that when you limit choices and rank them by payment, consumers get Scroogled. For an honest search result, try Bing.

Who Is This Good For?

Microsoft is promising that Bing won’t “switch to pay-to-rank to allow some shopping search results to appear higher than others,” and that’s a good thing for consumers, but it raises a question. Are these types of ads, which seem to be increasingly prevalent, a good thing for consumers? Or will this just lead to an ultimately more confusing climate for regular people?

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Android Phone Fans

Android Phone Fans


Hands-on: Nexus 4 wireless charging [VIDEO]

Posted: 28 Nov 2012 05:46 PM PST

This image has no alt text

One of the more notable features that happened to find its way inside the Google Nexus 4 was its wireless charging capabilities. Compatible with the Wireless Power Consortium’s (WPC) Qi standard, this allows for the Nexus 4 to charge wirelessly with compatible docks right out of the box. No need for special battery covers, or ugly cases — it’s all built right in.

When Google first announced the Nexus 4, they talked briefly about a wireless charging dock for the device that they would, at some point, sell directly from the Google Play Store. We haven’t heard anything since, but if you’re looking to get in on some wireless charging of your very own, there’s no need to wait around for Google to appease you. There are plenty of Qi enabled wireless charging stations available right now from manufacturers like LG and Energizer.

My friend John Staton let me play around with his fresh out of the box LG WCP-700 wireless charging pad and you can find a quick hands-on video below.

While LG’s charging pad  seemed to work fine in the short 3 minutes of the video, I did find that it was a bit finicky and would disconnect/reconnect after a few minutes time. This resulted in a loud beeping noise coming from the pad letting you know it was connected, but for light sleepers out there, it may prove troublesome.

Energizer also has their wireless charging pads (you can find ‘em at retail stores like Target or Walmart), and reviews seem to be mixed when it comes to Nexus 4 users. The glass backing on the Nexus 4 causes the device to slip around and because Energizer’s pads are on a slight incline, they could cause the phone to completely slide off the pad altogether. You can see where a bumper case would come in handy for added grip (or a can of Plasti-Dip). Energizer’s pad did fare better in the rest of the review, keeping the device charging constantly, and requiring little-to-no fuss in regards to placement.

While the convenience of wireless charging is still under some review (holding your device while it’s charging is pretty much out of the question), there is a definite effort to bring wireless charging into the mainstream. The only problem, like most things, is there’s 2 main camps fighting to become that standard: Duracell/Powermat’s Power Matters Alliance, backed by AT&T, Starbucks, at Google — and the Wireless Power Consortium. Who will come out on top is anyone’s guess.

[LG wireless charging station (from the video) | Energizer wireless charging station]


Heyzap launches social leaderboards

Posted: 28 Nov 2012 03:04 PM PST

The folks at HeyZap have announced a new feature for its suite of tools for mobile game developers. Developers will now be able to easily implement social leaderboards to help players track their two-thumbed fortitude in a variety of different games. This social driven leaderboard will focus on the player’s friends more than anything else.

Not only will you get to see each others’ high scores and accomplishments in supported titles, but the new SDK will allow developers to implement a feature where a player’s friends are automatically notified of a new high score that they can try and beat.

The timing of these leaderboards couldn’t be more perfect as Openfeint announced its graceful exit out of the social gaming market. Heyzap is looking to carry the torch going into 2013, and it urges developers to give its easy-to-use SDK a try.

Over 50 games have been outfitted with this new functionality, including Trivia Burst, Speedy Biker Xtreme and more. The company’s attractive track record has allowed them to strike up partnerships with big names like Zynga, Bigfish, Com2Us and more.

If coding your own leaderboards and social gaming features isn’t your cup of tea then that is not a bad list of clientele to be included with. Users can check out the full Heyzap app in the Google Play Store here to discover Heyzap-enabled games and interact with friends. As for developers, you can get started with the latest version of the SDK by following this link.


Report: Apple set to leave Samsung dry with termination of chipset manufacturing relationship

Posted: 28 Nov 2012 02:46 PM PST

A lot of things have happened inside the courtrooms in the ongoing epic battles between Samsung and Apple, but there is just as much action outside the ominous halls of justice. Apple has long been rumored to be dwindling its dependency on Samsung for several components, including displays and batteries, and the biggest move of them all could be looming.

DigiTimes reports that Apple is ready to leave Samsung’s semiconductor manufacturing business hanging at the altar as the former is supposedly going to bypass the latter for Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, the biggest worldwide player in this space. Samsung is said to be getting as much as $13 billion next year out of its deals with Apple, and this move could put a huge dent in those figures.

 

It’s possible that Apple would deny this move has anything to do with their newly-developed rivalry with Samsung, but considering nothing has been confirmed then their reasoning is anyone’s guess. But being the drama lovers that we are not ashamed of being we have to immediately go with our first suspicion — Apple is simply trying to cripple Samsung wherever it can.

Whether or not this would actually hurt Samsung’s bottom line is an entirely different numbers game altogether, but keep in mind that Samsung is still the world’s leader in mobile phone shipments, and the company still has a billion other business bringing in loads of dough.

One has to question whether Apple actually has the gall to go through with such a move, though. Samsung’s losses would only be monetary, and if we can assume that many of its other partnerships and businesses don’t fall through then the beat will move on. But what if Apple is the one who could come out on the sour end of this move?

TSMC was said to be responsible for a slight delay in the mass production of the Snapdragon S4 chipset that almost affected the launch of several HTC devices earlier this year. While that anomaly isn’t commonplace you have to wonder whether or not a transition from Samsung to TSMC could potentially hurt Apple for future device launches. TSMC would have to scale its capacity to meet the huge demands of Samsung while maintaining a balancing act for the likes of Qualcomm and NVIDIA.

It would be one of the biggest transitions we’ve ever seen in the embedded semiconductor space, and a lot of moving parts involved could make this a risky and tricky move for Apple to take. We have a feeling that the Cupertino company would be willing to take that risk, though, if their hate for Samsung is as strong as we think it is.

Either way, it will be an interesting day if Apple ever decides to go through with it and we’ll be front row and center to see it all taking place. Who do you think would be hurt the most by such an action?

[via DigiTimes]


Give your phone a distinguished look with the Gentlemen’s theme

Posted: 28 Nov 2012 02:25 PM PST

This image has no alt text

It’s been awhile since I’ve installed MiHome Launcher onto one of my Android devices. The homescreen replacement app has been out for some time in the Google Play Store and gives your favorite Android device the MIUI look without root.

The reason I haven’t been using the launcher is because 99% of the themes in MiHome Launcher (the single biggest selling point of the launcher) were tailored to the Mi-One (Xiaomi’s official MIUI phone). That phone featured a lower res 854×480 display, not 1280×720 found on higher-end devices these days. Thankfully, when the Mi-Two was announced, I knew that meant higher-def native 720p themes would follow suit — and boy, was I right.

Now, if you would allow me to introduce to you one of the most brilliant and creative themes I’ve come across in quite sometime. Normally, I like to keep my phone looking minimal in design, with flat icons and an almost futuristic “Tron” look to it. All that went out the window with this very dapper Gentlemen’s theme. The theme, found in MiHome Launcher’s “theme” section of the app, gives your desktop a classic, 1920′s look. That is, if phones weren’t all tethered to walls and booths back then (how did they live?!). With a muted taupe background, the theme is, in many ways, minimal. At the same time, your screen will be filled with big, extremely detailed, handmade icons. You have to really take a good look at ‘em to fully appreciate the amount of painstaking detail put into these. I was flabbergasted.

Protip

The MiLocker lockscreen can be disabled in MiHome Launcher’s settings and if you put all your apps into a folder labeled “Apps,” MiHome will alphabetize them for you. Also, to get the clock to change according to the theme, long press the homescreen, then select the picture clock widget. Once placed on your homescreen (and you’re still in edit mode), click on it and select the Gentleman clock theme.

If this seems like a good look for your device, and you want something to show off to the chaps at your local speakeasy, head on over the Play Store and give MiHome Launcher a download where you’ll find even more free themes to better suit your style. Best of all, the app and all of themes are free to download. Cheers.

[Google Play]


Photoshop Touch update brings smoother brush strokes, optimization for 7 inch devices and more

Posted: 28 Nov 2012 01:20 PM PST

Listen up to all you artists out there (and those who think they’re artists but really aren’t): a nice, big upgrade for Photoshop Touch has landed in the Google Play Store! The digital image editing app has received a lot of new and important additions in this latest upgrade.

Perhaps the biggest news is for tablet owners — those who prefer 7 inch slates over the usual 10 inch behemoths will be happy to know that the app has been optimized for your screen size. Your tablet must have at least 1024×600 resolution, but most mainstream 7 inch tablets should be able to meet that requirement no problem.

There equally important changes for everyone who decides to use this app, though. For starters, brush strokes are said to be a lot smoother compared to before. This should cut down on errors due to minor hiccups and will really help keep your sanity up and frustration down if this is something that was bothering you.

Other changes include the addition of two new effects (lens flare and stamp pattern), an improved grid layout for projects, tutorials and images, the ability to share through social networks such as Facebook and Twitter, a new shortcut to access the last five colors you’ve used, and your usual round of unknown bug fixes and under-the-hood enhancements.

Photoshop Touch has blossomed into a great mobile rendition of the world’s most popular and extensive image editing suite. It costs $10, but those who have used it says it’s a blissful experience as of late.

You might expect it to be lacking compared to the desktop suite, and while that assessment is true to some degree (some things just can’t be done right now) you’ll be surprised to see how deep the mobile offering is. You can grab it in the Google Play Store if you’re really serious about digital imagery, and be sure to let us know how you’re liking if you do decide to download it in the comments section below.


Google acquires Incentive Targeting, could lead to targeted coupon program

Posted: 28 Nov 2012 12:24 PM PST

Google has acquired targeted marketing firm Incentive Targeting today, and, yes, this one is for real. The specific of the deal have not been confirmed, but has been confirmed by both sides. Incentive Targeting provides focused marketing efforts and coupon campaigns for the grocery and consumer products industries, much the same way that Google offers targeted ads online.

The acquisition is expected to help Google run targeted coupon programs for retailers and physical goods, likely using their Wallet service as the base. It is not unlikely that the whole thing could be rolled into Google Offers to provide a more robust system of deals catered to the individual user based on things such as preferences and location.

A statement from Google reads:

"We look forward to working with Incentive Targeting in our ongoing efforts to help consumers save time and money and enable retailers deliver relevant discounts to the right customers."

Incentive Targeting has raised $4.4 million in funding. The exact price Google paid to acquire the startup has not been disclosed.

[via TechCrunch]


You can now pre-order books in the Google Play Store

Posted: 28 Nov 2012 11:50 AM PST

Google Play Books gets better by the day, it seems, and now Google’s introduced even more functionality. Those of you who just can’t wait to throw your money at your favorite author before their novel is released can now do so. Google has announced the ability to pre-order books within the Play Store.

It’s straight forward, really: you buy the book like you would any other book or Play Store item, except you can’t access it until release date. We’re not sure how much value, if any, this adds to a particular user’s purchasing experience because we imagine there won’t be any sellout scenarios — it’s digital, after all.

But no matter: the functionality is there if you want it. Use it as a nice gesture toward an author you really love, or just pay a book off ahead of time so you won’t have to worry about digging into your wallet the day it launches.

I’m not quite sure if there is any pre-loading functionality as there are no books I’m personally willing to pre-order right now, but that would be a great incentive to dishing money out early. Who really wants to sit there and wait on a download to finish when you could be reading your heart out? Exactly. Well, if you find it to be a useful tool you can give it a shot by pre-ordering some of these upcoming titles.

[via Twitter]


Enhanced spreadsheet support comes to Google Drive for Android

Posted: 28 Nov 2012 11:11 AM PST

As announced today in a post over at the official Android blog, Google Drive now features enhanced spreadsheet support. The new functionality allows users to create, edit, and format spreadsheets directly from their mobile device, much like the Google Docs app.

The app recreates the same experience you would find on a desktop PC, including the ability to see who is currently viewing and editing a particular document in real time.

Other than the ability to go bananas with your spreadsheets, Google Drive also has been updated to feature better text formatting across documents and the ability to edit text within a table. You can also use the app to create a direct home screen shortcut to any file saved in Drive.

You can grab Google Drive from the Google Play Store now.

[Thanks, Mike!]


Samsung Galaxy Camera is $450 at Daily Steals

Posted: 28 Nov 2012 10:23 AM PST

If a new point-and-shoot is on your (or someone your shopping for’s) holiday wish list, you might want to take a gander at one of Daily Steals‘ Cyber Week deals. The Samsung Galaxy Camera, which is normally priced at $499 (if you purchase through AT&T), can be yours for $50 cheaper. And shipping is free.

The Galaxy Camera not only offers a fully-funtional camera with 21x optical zoom and 16MP image sensor, but it also comes with the power of Android 4.1. It’s like a Galaxy S3 camera on steroids, sans the mobile connection. But you can still hop on WiFi and share your latest and greatest shots quickly and easily.

If you’re not totally convinced, check out some images and early impressions from our very own Rob Jackson’s time with the Galaxy Camera. And unlike the Nexus 4, which Daily Steals attempted to sell at a markup for customers anxious to get their hands on the device, you will actually save some cash on Samsung’s first true Android-powered camera.

[via DailySteals]


Verizon Galaxy Note 2 officially headed to stores November 29th

Posted: 28 Nov 2012 09:47 AM PST

The launch of the Samsung Galaxy Note 2 on Verizon has been a tricky one to pin down. We’ve long had notice of the November 27th ship-by date that Verizon posted on pre-sale pages, and with the standard two-day shipping option we assumed November 29th was the day. Verizon never committed to a solid release date for all retail channels, though, and we finally have that today.

The company has confirmed that the Samsung Galaxy Note 2 will be available in-store and online tomorrow, November 29th, and those who have pre-ordered the device should be seeing shipping notifications for a November 29th delivery soon if they haven’t already gotten them.

Available in marble white or titanium grey, the devices can be had for $300 with a new two-year contract agreement, but those opting to buy one off-contract will be asked to pay a whopping $700. It’s no small price to pay, but the device is big enough to justify it in every way possible.

Inside is a 1.6GHz quad-core Exynos processor with 2GB of RAM, a 5.5 inch Super AMOLED HD display, an 8 megapixel HD camera with a 1.9 megapixel front camera, 16GB of internal storage, NFC, 4G LTE, and more. And don’t forget the all-important S Pen that will be one of many main attractions this device has to offer. V

erizon customers are pretty much the last out of all major carriers in the United States to get a chance to own one, but it is sure to be a hot item despite it being out more than a month later than its competitors. Set your alarms and make sure your excitement doesn’t get the best of you when the Verizon stores open tomorrow morning.

UPDATE – Wednesday, Nov. 28: Just in time for the holidays, the Samsung Galaxy Note II will be available for purchase online and in stores starting tomorrow, Nov. 29. Customers who pre-ordered the Galaxy Note II will receive an e-mail alert when their device has been shipped. Customers have the option of two color models, Marble White or Titanium Grey and can pick up the Samsung Galaxy Note II for $299.99 with a new two-year customer agreement.


Motorola S11-FLEX HD Headphones Review

Posted: 28 Nov 2012 09:36 AM PST

With the holiday season right around the corner, we have more than our fair share of shiny new Android devices to check out (see our Nexus 4 Review & Droid DNA review as examples). Motorola sent us a pair of their new S11-FLEX HD Bluetooth headphones, but with an excess of reviews in the pipeline we weren't sure how to fit them in! Fortunately, Mark Jackson from HeadphoneScout.com was able to step up and take on the review. In addition to being an audiophile and headphone enthusiast, Mark also happens to be the brother of Phandroid founder, Rob Jackson.

Introduction

The S11-Flex HD is a new fitness-minded Bluetooth headset from Motorola. Just released in October, it offers an array of features that, on paper, make it totally worth the $129 asking price. Training for a marathon? The S11-FLEX HD fits securely and offers up to 6 hours of music playback on a single charge. Do you spend a lot of time on the phone and listening to music? Switching between the two is seamless on the S11-Flex HD, and it works from up to 150 feet away from the paired Bluetooth device.

This all sounds great, but every device has its flaws. Can you safely invest your money in the S11 as a companion to your mobile device? Let's take a look!

Build Quality – 4/5

The headphones are made mostly of plastic and rubber, but the build quality is solid. Both the earpieces and headband are flexible and sturdy, and nighttime runners will be happy to hear there is a 3M Scotchlite™ reflective inlay on the headband so you can better be seen at night. They do not fold or come with a case so I had to be careful putting them in my overflowing backpack, but they held up without a problem.

My favorite aspect of the design is the tiny size of the embedded battery and Bluetooth. Many wireless headphones look bulky and awkward but the S11 manages a relatively low profile look. Whether you consider the S11-Flex HD stylish is another story. I find it a bit too sporty looking to be used outside the gym, but that's just me!

Worth a mention is Motorola's "rapid charge technology" which gives the headphones 3 hours of playtime after only 15 minutes of charging. Or, if you are really in a rush, 5 minutes of charging will give you an hour of playtime.

Wireless Controls – 4/5

When you first turn on the S11-Flex HD, you are greeted with instructions on how to pair the device via Bluetooth and a notification of available playback time.

On the right earpiece is the on/off button, volume rocker, and your standard micro-USB charging port. On the left is the Smart Controls button which can be used to mute (single click), skip songs (double click), or switch to one of the 5 equalizer presets (press and hold).

Overall I am satisfied with the array of buttons, but to nitpick, I wish the on/off button was a switch since the LED indicator does not blink when the device is on (it is only activated during start-up, charging, pairing, and shut-down). Another imperfection is the Smart Controls button which I found a little sticky. Sometimes I had to press it a few times before it registered. Not a huge issue but I question its longevity.

Design & Comfort – 3/5

From the looks of it, the S11-Flex HD is a very sleek and ergonomic headphone. It is very light (weighing in at 54g), the earpieces swivel 45 degrees and extend downward to accommodate different size ears, and an optional inner headband is included for additional stability (more on this later). Unfortunately, this does not add up to a comfortable headphone in my opinion.

The biggest culprit is the half in-ear design, which means it is shaped like an earbud but the driver nozzle reaches into the ear. The earbuds are very large, making it virtually impossible to achieve a proper seal. Although this type of fit ensures that you are not completely cut off from your surroundings (a great thing for runners), it negatively affects the overall sound, especially the bass (more on that in the next section). Although I never felt as if the S11 was going to fall off, the nozzle would slowly drift outside my ear, so I found myself having to adjust them every 10 minutes or so.

The S11-Flex HD comes with four pairs of ear tips, and as with all in-ear headphones you should experiment to see which tips offer the best combination of comfort and sound quality. To my surprise, I preferred the stock medium tips over various third-party tips I own such as the Sony Hybrids. Comfort is the name of the game since the seal has already been sacrificed, and the stock tips offer a loose, comfortable fit.

One thing I am simply baffled about is the optional inner headband attachment, which does not seem to have much of an effect. Even at its tightest setting, there is still a good half inch between it and the back of my head, rendering it almost useless. This is a shame because it was a good idea that was simply executed poorly. All I think Motorola needed to do was add a few notches to the headband!

All things considered, the S11-Flex HD offers a secure but loose fit, something that is hard to come by in the world of headphones. Unfortunately this is at the expense of sound quality, which we will discuss in the next section.

Sound Quality – 2/5

The sound signature of the S11-Flex HD is significantly altered by the inability to achieve a proper seal, the result being a cold, dry presentation. The midrange is decently clear, but the bass does not extend well, nor does it have good texture, and the treble becomes harsh at medium to high volumes.

The built-in equalizer helps achieve better balance depending on the type of song you are listening to, but it does not improve the overall sound quality by any means.

Motorola advertises "better than wired HD sound" but frankly this seems like marketing jargon. Not only are there better wireless technologies out there for music (Kleernet for example), there is a high frequency hiss that can be heard during quiet and slow parts of songs. Some people will find it more annoying than others, but it is noticeable nonetheless.

To put it simply, the S11-Flex HD does not sound like a $129 headphone. Heck, there are $20 headphones that sound better than these. A case in point is the $15 Koss KSC75 which is my go- to workout headphone. That might be an unfair comparison since the KSC75 is not wireless and it utilizes a totally different form factor (clip-on), but it shows that you don't always get what you pay for.

Call Quality – 5/5

If there is one area where the S11-Flex HD excels, it is call quality. I had no issues when talking to people using the S11-Flex HD, although one person mentioned that I sounded louder than normal (could be considered a plus). But out of all the possible problems, this is not a bad one to have.

Conclusion

The S11-Flex HD brings a lot to the table in terms of features, but its ergonomics were not able to match the sleek design. The earbuds are simply too large for a comfortable fit, which causes a domino effect on the sound quality. Obviously the size of user ears varies, but these earbuds are ginormous.

The lack of wires is liberating, but anyone who demands even mediocre sound quality will not be happy with these headphones. They function well for phone calls, but these were designed for music and phone calls, and unfortunately I cannot recommend them for the former.

All things considered, I find it hard to recommend the S11-Flex HD, even for people who fit the target audience. It offers a lot on paper, but there are simply too many flaws in the design for it to be considered a good buy.


Check out this video of webOS running as an Android app

Posted: 28 Nov 2012 09:24 AM PST

When webOS was laid to rest by HP after its acquisition of Palm, many of us wept for what was once a nice OS. It was a tad ahead of its time, but bad hardware and little developer support (due to low market share) eventually rendered it almost dead in water. Once the full guillotine came down, though, HP was nice enough to release the latest source code to the development community to do with it what they wish.

While nothing meaningful has come from it yet, many folks are hard at work on reviving webOS through the Open webOS project. The road hasn’t been smooth — in fact, it’s been nothing but bumpy. But we understand how hard it is to port an entire mobile OS to devices it was never intended to run on, and for that we can’t fault any of the developers hard at work on the task. Hell, we applaud them for sticking with it for so long.

An interesting new project is showing progress, though, and it has our eyes peeled for the time being. It’s being headed up by a group of volunteer developers who call themselves Phoenix International Communications, and the team is looking to get webOS up and running on the Nexus S 4G in the form of an APK. Yes, you read that right — they are attempting to wrap webOS into a single APK.

The project is in pre-alpha 2 status right now, and it most certainly shows. If I didn’t know any better I’d think the Nexus S had a 200MHz processor with 30MB of RAM. It’s slow to the point that it’s virtually unusable, and anyone trying to use this thing as a daily driver might as well take traditional torture as an alternative.

But progress is being made, and this method of emulation is quite interesting. If webOS can be emulated smoothly inside an APK it could widen compatibility by a boatload and make it as easy as pie to switch between two different operating systems.  We don’t expect it to be quite that simple, though, so we’ll do our best not to get ahead of ourselves. Go ahead and check things out in the video embedded above.

[via Liliputing]


CyanogenMod begins rolling out nightlies for Nexus 4; Nexus 10 coming soon

Posted: 28 Nov 2012 08:31 AM PST

As a Nexus device, the Nexus 4 is sure to get deep support from the development community. We aren’t surprised to learn that he biggest entity in the after market ROM world — CyanogenMod — has officially given the green light for nightlies for the Nexus 4 (mako) to start rolling out.

As suspected, the version of CyanogenMod we’re officially looking at for Android 4.2 is CyanogenMod 10.1, and we imagine it won’t take the team as long as they took to bring us up from Ice Cream Sandwich to Jelly Bean. The Nexus 10 isn’t quite ready for prime time yet, but the team has confirmed that it would be getting nightlies sometime soon.

In regards to other devices, the CyanogenMod team has reminded everyone that nightlies will still be based on Android 4.1 (CM version 10.0) until they “flip the switch” on Android 4.2 builds for everyone else. We didn’t expect existing devices to be stepped up to Android 4.2 right away anyway, so this news doesn’t come as much of a surprise.

And, as always, there’s no ETA on the OTA — it’ll all come when it’s ready, so be patient and relax, and know that the CyanogenMod team has your back. As for you Nexus 4 owners you can head right here to get the treats you crave (but remember that bugs may exist and things may not work right as nightlies are not intended for everyday use).

[via Google+]


Latest numbers suggest Android could overtake Apple for tablet lead sooner than expected

Posted: 28 Nov 2012 07:57 AM PST

A Gartner study from April of 2011 predicted that Android would hold a 38 percent share of the tablet market by 2015. A new report from ABI research suggests Google’s OS could surpass that figure much sooner. According to the latest data, Android devices accounted for 44 percent of all tablets shipped last quarter, just 11 percent shy of Apple’s lead.

The numbers may speak only for a particular period in time, but they show a continuing trend. While Apple maintains its lead thanks to the popularity of its iPad lineup, the margin between those tablets and the one’s made by Android manufacturing partners such as ASUS and Samsung is closing quickly.

The surge in Android tablet popularity can no doubt be attributed to the successful launch of low-cost devices such as the Nexus 7 and Amazon Kindle Fire. Both look to be hot ticket items this holiday season, further bolstering Android’s overall share.

The general consensus from a year or so ago was that it would take some time for Android to completely catch and eclipse Apple. At the time, it seemed a fair assessment. Most Android options were clunky and expensive and didn’t benefit from a built-in customer base like that of Apple. Thanks to OS improvements, rapidly progressing hardware, and a focus on pricing, Android tablets have become viable competitors.

Now estimates are shifting from 2015-2016 or later to as soon as mid-2013 for Android to overtake Apple in the tablet market. Such an achievement would be quite the accomplishment for Google and its partners.

[via TechCrunch]


Wise TIVI multimedia stick looks to challenge the OUYA

Posted: 28 Nov 2012 07:42 AM PST

There’s no doubt that a ton of people were surprised by the OUYA’s meteoric rise. As a mere idea it generated tons of interest — in the form of multi-million dollar funding on Kickstarter — and is poised to be one of the most highly anticipated Android-powered boxes to date. With great success comes a big spotlight, though, and many other companies are beginning to shine it on a segment of the television computing market that has great potential.

The latest player is Wise, and its Wise TIVI product is looking to whisk folks away with its sleek and modern looks, but also its impressive specs. Well, they’re not quite as impressive as the OUYA’s but when you look at the size of this thing you won’t think much of the differences.

Packed into what could be the size of a flash drive is a 1.6GHz Cortex-A9 dual-core processor with quad-core Mali-400 MP graphics, 1GB of RAM, 4GB of internal storage, WiFi, a micro-USB port, a full-sized USB port, a TF Card slot for up to 16GB of additional storage and more. It connects to your HDTV using a built-in HDMI port, and as simply as you can plug it in you can transform any HDTV into a smart TV.

The unit will run Jelly Bean 4.2 to start, and it’s our understanding that you will be able to get your content straight from the Google Play Store so you already have a pretty large backlog of apps and games at your disposal once it launches. We’re told that the full Google TV experience will be enabled here, enabling users to search for their favorite TV and movies across a multitude of services and utilize picture-in-picture to let you watch and surf at the same time.

Wise TIVI will be compatible with several accessories such as a wireless gaming controller, and an “air” keyboard/mouse for wireless control and navigation. You can also choose between several different colors, including green, blue, white and black.

The smallish multimedia stick will also be flanked by a more traditional set-top box with component connections, but it will only come with Android 4.2. A third unit, the Wise Camera, will give users the full Wise experience with the ability to do live video chats and take pictures.

You can’t get these just yet, but a pre-sale period has begun for those who might be interested in one in the future. The Wise Box will run you $59, the portable stick will run you $79, and the camera-enabled unit will cost you $89.

We haven’t been able to get much information on whether or not the accessories will be sold separately, but you can be sure we’ve asked to find out. Wise tells us that its Kickstarter campaign will also be starting up soon so there may be a chance to get in on some unique pledge deals. We’ll be on the lookout for that so stay tuned to Phandroid as more details of this promising bundle of joy are unveiled. Head to Wise’s site for more information in the meantime.