Android Authority |
- The HTC One SV could come to Sprint soon, FCC docs indicate
- New game Rise of the Blobs is a mix of Tetris, Bejeweled, and marshmallows
- Opera’s Ice WebKit browser for Android and iOS will do away with buttons (video)
- Rogers pushes back Jelly Bean update for Razr HD, Galaxy Note, and others to February
- First CM 10.1 experimental build available for the Galaxy Note 2 LTE
- Ingress gets faster, prettier, better with latest update
- Samsung pushes Jelly Bean for Galaxy Tab 2 7.0 and 10.1, confirms update for Note 10.1
- HTC M7 to feature 468PPI full HD display, but AMOLED is an option for One S sequel
- Switching from Blackberry to Android: your guide
- Android Authority On Air – Episode 47 – Ingress Giveaways, Root Apps, and more.
| The HTC One SV could come to Sprint soon, FCC docs indicate Posted: 19 Jan 2013 02:20 AM PST
The mid-range HTC One SV has just been released by Cricket clad in fiery red, but now it looks the Sprint customers might get to buy it too. According to a set of FCC documents unearthed by the folks at PhoneScoop, there is an incoming HTC phone that could be the Sprint One SV. We say "could be" because there is no actual image or reference to the One SV in the documents. However, the mystery HTC device bears the PL80110 codename, which closely resemble the codename of the HTC One SV on Cricket, PL80120. HTC is known to keep its codename conventions in tight order, so the two devices should be, in theory, very similar. The final piece of the puzzle is the presence of an application for CDMA and LTE spectrum that is only used by Sprint in the US. With that said, there's something awkward about this phone – the physical dimensions don't match with the Cricket One SV, and more intriguingly, there is a solitary Windows Phone reference in the documents. It would not be the first time mistakes end up in FCC documentation, so this could swing either way. Still, the codename is a strong clue that HTC and Sprint are indeed working on a One SV variant, even if it would come with a different design. We'll keep you posted. Meanwhile, you can learn more about the One SV specs here. Update: the HTC One SV will probably come to Boost Mobile, as we reported back in December. Related Posts |
| New game Rise of the Blobs is a mix of Tetris, Bejeweled, and marshmallows Posted: 19 Jan 2013 02:01 AM PST
After the makers of Cut the Rope unveiled Pudding Monsters a couple of weeks back, now it's time for Robot Invader, the developer of the popular Wind Up Knight, to unveil a new food-themed game. Titled Rise of the Blobs, the new game is a well-polished mix of Tetris and a connect-the-tiles game like Bejeweled. Your hero is Marshmallow Mal a – you guessed it – marshmallow stranded on a round tower, who finds himself under attack by a horde of rising blobs. It's your job to save Mal, by dropping blobs of different colors and tapping them to blow them up. When you match the colors of the blobs, you make combos and earn extra points. Sounds complicated? It is not – check the trailer out: The concept is refreshing and offers a unique take on the well-worn puzzle game genre. The game art is bright and fun, and overall, Rise of the Blobs just oozes polish and attention to detail. Rise of the Blobs is available now for free on Google Play. The game offers in-game purchases that let you improve your playing experience and complete faster the several game modes available. One flaw of the game we've seen in early reviews is the slow pace at which you collect the coins that let you buy power ups. Unless you make IAPs, you'll have to go through many hours of gameplay to get the points necessary for some of the better power ups. If you're not put off by in-app purchases, head over to the source to try Rise of the Blobs. Related Posts |
| Opera’s Ice WebKit browser for Android and iOS will do away with buttons (video) Posted: 19 Jan 2013 01:30 AM PST
The folks at Pocket-lint have got their hands on some exclusive information on Opera Software's new project: a WebKit-based browser designed with touchscreen devices in mind. Dubbed Ice (it's not clear yet if that’s a codename or the final product name), the browser is supposed to be Opera's answer to Chrome and Safari, the two major browsers that use the WebKit engine. The CEO of the Norwegian company was quite frank when he said that “Opera mini is great, but it is not a fully-fledged offering like Chrome or Safari. There are too many sites it doesn’t work with.” We have a video demonstration of the new Ice browser, that Pocket-lint claims was recorded during a staff meeting before Christmas. As you can see from the video, Opera is trying to replace graphical user interface elements, such as tabs and buttons, with simple swipes. Swiping left and right will take you through your history, while a nifty graphical search interface will show you search results (web pages) in real time. Opera currently uses the in-house Presto engine to power its Opera Mobile browser. We don't think that the company will give up on Presto completely, but rather use it along with WebKit. Ice is expected to be launched or at least demoed at MWC 2013 in Barcelona. The browser will be made available for Android and iOS, but Windows Phone and other platforms are also an option. Related Posts |
| Rogers pushes back Jelly Bean update for Razr HD, Galaxy Note, and others to February Posted: 19 Jan 2013 01:15 AM PST
If you've been waiting to hear some jolly good news on Jelly Bean from Rogers this January, prepare to get slightly disappointed, as the Canadian carrier has delayed rolling out the Android 4.1 software updates for some of its devices for the umpteenth time. Wondering just how long you'll have to wait? Check out the latest OS upgrades schedule that Rogers has posted on its website below.
Those who own the Samsung Galaxy S2 LTE or Galaxy Note can expect to see Jelly Bean in late February. The Motorola Razr HD has been promised the buttery smooth upgrade since December, but the new schedule now puts it at early February. As for the Sony Xperia T, the handset is expected to get the software bump up in mid-February. It's not that too bad of a delay, but there's no guarantee that it won't get pushed back again. Obviously, we're hoping that it won't. Can you stand approximately another month living with Ice Cream Sandwich? Related Posts |
| First CM 10.1 experimental build available for the Galaxy Note 2 LTE Posted: 19 Jan 2013 12:54 AM PST
The guys behind CyanogenMod have been working hard to get CM 10.1 (based on the Android 4.2 branch) on as many devices as possible. Now, the first builds are available for the Samsung Galaxy Note 2 LTE. As of now, the builds are being marked as ‘EXPERIMENTAL-buildtest’, which means that it is not quite ready to be used as a daily driver and certain things might be broken. Do not be surprised if Bluetooth/Wifi does not work for the first few nightlies. However, this means that this device is being actively worked on and the problems should not persist for much longer. Also, you may see an uptick in other development as third parties take the CM source code for the Note 2 and start tweaking it and building other CM-based ROMs as well. This build should work on the International, AT&T, and T-Mobile version of the phablet. If you ave unlocked your bootloader already, I highly recommend giving CM a try; I am using it as my daily driver on my Nexus 4 and am greatly enjoying it. Click on the source links to see the update on CyanogenMod’s G+ page or to download the build for yourself from get.cm (t0lte). Related Posts |
| Ingress gets faster, prettier, better with latest update Posted: 19 Jan 2013 12:45 AM PST
For some Android nerds (myself included, I confess), Ingress is the sole reason to get out and actually move. The innovative location-based game from Google's Niantic Labs has become quite popular, so we're pretty confident that this report will interest lots of people. A small update has been pushed to Ingress, bringing the app version to 1.18.1. There is nothing groundbreaking in the new version of the game (no new features), but the slew of small improvements should make your Ingress experience nicer. Google has worked to solve "many bug fixes" but also improved the user interface and memory usage and even the "XMP explosion animation". If you're phone features a Snapdragon chip with an Adreno GPU, you should notice improved resume times, which will surely allow you to better fight those pesky Resistance agents (go Enlightened!). If your pet peeve is the Ingress bug that makes portal shields almost invisible on the map… well, you’ll just have to put up with it, as the bug is still a "known issue". Ingress is still in close beta, but if you haven't scored an invite yet, just look for "ingressinvite" on Google+ for a way to get one (be warned, it usually takes a little creativity). Who's playing Ingress here? Related Posts |
| Samsung pushes Jelly Bean for Galaxy Tab 2 7.0 and 10.1, confirms update for Note 10.1 Posted: 19 Jan 2013 12:22 AM PST
Samsung has just released a press release announcing the release of the Android 4.1 Jelly Bean update for three of its best tablets – the Galaxy Tab 2 7, Galaxy Tab 2 10.1, and the Note 10.1. We've informed you on Tuesday about the Android 4.1 Jelly Bean rollout for the Note 10.1 (looks like the press release is a bit late), but now Samsung has officially confirmed that the new version of Android is available on Kies and via OTA for the Wi-Fi model. We have no new information on the cellular equipped version, but keep in mind that rollouts for carrier models require time-consuming approvals and testing. The Galaxy Tab 2 series will not get all the bells and whistles that Galaxy Note 10.1 users can play with, but Project Butter should provide a good incentive to upgrade. If you haven't got your OTA notification yet, check out the Settings menu or connect your device to the PC via Kies. More details in the press release. Samsung Releases Android Jelly Bean Upgrades for Galaxy Note 10.1 and Galaxy Tab 2 Premium Suite Upgrade for Galaxy Note 10.1 Delivers Improved Performance, Enhanced S Pen Functionality and Fully Resizable Apps RIDGEFIELD PARK, N.J., January 16, 2013– Samsung Electronics America Inc., a market leader and award-winning innovator in consumer electronics, today announced the availability of updates to Android 4.1™, Jelly Bean for both its award-winning Galaxy Note™ 10.1 and its popular Galaxy Tab 2 devices for the Wi-Fi versions. Samsung’s Galaxy Note 10.1 upgrade includes all the performance benefits of Android 4.1 Jelly Bean as well as Premium Suite, a collection of new features that further upgrades multi-tasking and productivity, while enhancing personalization and offering new levels of creativity. Users will enjoy improved S Pen support and the ability to easily open and resize multiple apps, then view them across the screen layered on top of each other. “Samsung’s Galaxy Note 10.1 created a new category by delivering content creation capabilities in addition to content consumption,” said Mike Abary, senior vice president of consumer IT product marketing, Samsung Electronics America. “However, we always strive to deliver unexpected value to our customers. By providing not just Jelly Bean, but dramatic improvements to the multitasking and S Pen features on the devices, we’re ensuring that the Galaxy Note 10.1 remains at the forefront of innovation.” A range of features have been introduced which aim to further boost the capabilities of Samsung’s Galaxy Note 10.1 including: Multi-tasking & Productivity: Samsung’s Galaxy Note 10.1 pioneered the innovative Multi Window feature which lets consumers experience a dual view, running two apps side-by-side on the screen. The new, updated Galaxy Note 10.1 enhances the experience further in a variety of ways: Cascade View: The feature allows users to freely resize, move and pin selected applications in multiple views, running them simultaneously or while operating the home-screen. This PC-like feature will help users to be more productive, and actually do multiple tasks at one time. Air View: Allows users to use S Pen to conveniently and quickly preview content without having to open it. This feature allows user to preview video while scrubbing, preview email attachments without opening, preview photos without opening the album, and more. Quick Command: With Quick Command, the S Pen quickly activates applications and services that are used most often by allowing you to write command shortcuts using customized and preset S Pen strokes. Enhanced Personalization: Enhanced handwriting: Users can quickly and easily send personalized handwritten notes and memos to friends and family via email, as well as hand-write directly into their S Planner Easy Clip: Allows users to select and clip content to save, paste or share in seconds. Photo Note: Add personalized handwritten notes on the back of your photos to help capture the moment. Creativity: Paper Artist: Besides enabling users to enliven sketches or content with different color or pencil styles, Paper Artist enables over 30 artistic effects that can be applied to images or media. Users can also draw or write onto the content and share it with others. A smarter S Pen: The S Pen now allows users to select writing or color modes at the touch of a button, or unlock the home-screen simply by removing the S Pen. Both the Wi-Fi versions of Galaxy Note 10.1 and Galaxy Tab 2 (10.1 and 7.0) will benefit from the core improvements of Android 4.1 which features a more intuitive user interface, faster performance and response times across applications, and an overall smoother user experience. This is also complemented by an enhanced user interface optimized for the 10.1-inch screen. Related Posts |
| HTC M7 to feature 468PPI full HD display, but AMOLED is an option for One S sequel Posted: 18 Jan 2013 11:52 PM PST
HTC is putting all its hopes into the new M7 superphone it plans to unveil at MWC in February 2013. The M7 is supposed to be the engine that drives the company out of the rough patch it's been going through for the last two years. But, to do so, the M7 must outshine the Galaxy S4, so the pressure is on HTC to deliver something truly special. We've already seen a bevy of leaks concerning the HTC M7, from the rumored specs (quad-core Snapdragon S4 Pro, 2GB of RAM, 13MP camera) to appearance (metallic unibody, an alleged rendering) and even operating system (screenshots of HTC Sense 5). But there's one issue that is a bit controversial – the display technology. One rumor sais that HTC has booked the entire AMOLED manufacturing capacity of AU Optronics for the M7. AU Optronics (AUO) is a Taiwanese display maker that has been struggling for a while now to catch up with Samsung at manufacturing OLED-based displays. According to a Chinese website dedicated to OLED technology, AUO has finally achieved the 60 percent yield rate required to mass-produce the OLED panels that HTC requires for the M7. Nevertheless, a recent report from Digitimes squarely contradicts the OLED rumor – AUO is not yet capable of delivering the goods, so HTC has opted for a 4.7-inch full HD LCD display manufactured by Sharp. Moreover, it's said that the M7 will delight users with an incredible 468ppi pixel density, which is slightly more than the current record of 441ppi on the Droid DNA, Xperia Z, and a bunch of other devices. So, which rumor should we believe? Personally, I think that HTC will stick with the tried and true LCD for the flagship M7, but the Taiwanese could use AMOLED for another device in their 2013 stable. Last year at MWC, HTC unveiled three devices, the One X, One S, and One V, of which the One S featured an AMOLED screen. It's likely that Peter Chou's company is preparing a sequel to the One S, and not only the One X. We'll see if my predictions are right in just a few weeks! Related Posts |
| Switching from Blackberry to Android: your guide Posted: 18 Jan 2013 10:48 PM PST
It's time, friend. It's time to drop that Blackberry you've got duct-taped together and move up in the world. Android is waiting with open arms, and a plethora of great devices. I'm sure you were with that Blackberry for quite some time, so let's discuss how you're going to get acquainted to your new life with Android. It won't be hard, I promise.
ContactsYou have probably not concerned yourself with switching phones or operating systems for quite some time, so moving those contacts over can be a daunting task. Since you're moving to Androidville, it's going to be easy. Google has sent moving trucks to take care of everything! You just sit back and relax, this won't be hard at all. There are a few options, all of them simple. Before you do anything, make sure you have a Gmail account. With Android, once your contacts are in your Gmail account, they will sync to any Android device automatically. If you've already got a Gmail account and have your contacts saved in there, all you have to do is log-in to your new Android device using that Gmail account. If you have multiple accounts, sign in with each one and all contacts will sync. If you've got your contacts saved on the Blackberry, you can always ask the carrier you're using to switch the contacts for you. They have this silly little machine that they plug both devices into that moves data from one to the other. It isn't the best method, as they often don't move everything over, but it may work just fine. The best way to go about transferring contacts is with Google Sync. It's dead simple to use, and transfers your contacts and calendar stuff straight to your new device. Simply log on to m.google.com/sync from your Blackberry mobile browser, then download the app. The video below will walk you through it step by step. My apps!You're about to have your mind blown with apps, so be careful. Your head may fly clean off your shoulders once you see how many apps Android has for you. Even if you can't find exactly what you've got on your Blackberry, there is definitely going to be something similar, if not better. Many developers stopped supporting RIM long ago, so the Android app may be an updated version of what you're used to.
If you've purchased an app for your Blackberry, you may have to purchase it again. Some of those productivity apps are a bit expensive, so plan on dropping a few bucks. A very popular productivity app, Documents to Go, is $15 on both platforms, so take that into account. On the other hand, Blackberry has more paid apps than Android does, so you may be able to find a similar app or service free, offsetting some of the cost. The great equalizerWhen you have Android, you also have a multitude of services from Google. You get all these services free, so there is no need to download a third party app. They come straight from the source, and you can depend on them being supported. All the services Google provides are wonderful, but only really work to their full potential when you take advantage of all of them. Google NowA relatively new service, Google Now is proof that being invested into the Android OS completely is wildly beneficial. It will keep track of things you don't think to, like flight info or traffic. It also keeps track of your location, so it knows where you work and will offer to keep track of your commute traffic. It will scan your opened emails for package tracking or flight info, then keep you updated on the status. Forget to check how badly the Clippers beat the Grizzlies last night? Not an issue, because Google Now knows you have searched for Clippers scores previously and now keeps track for you. That restaurant you looked up on Chrome 5 minutes ago? Check with Google Now… directions are waiting.
ChromeAre you using Chrome as your main browser? If not, you probably should be. Aside from the many other reasons like speed and CPU usage, Chrome will sync to your Android phone. Chrome comes pre-loaded on newer Android phones, so it's your across-the-board browser. Start reading an article on the desktop and finish on your mobile device; now that's genius. DriveGoogle Drive is your MS Office of sorts. While not as robust a utility as MS Office, Drive is still really good for a lot of things. There are other options like Dropbox or Box that are wonderful at simply keeping your files handy, but Drive steps it up by allowing you to create documents. With Google Drive, you can easily create, edit, and Gmail documents. The service is collaborative in real-time, so sharing the document allows for things like notes or edits to occur, even if everyone is in a different place. There are all the functions you have with MS Office, like spreadsheets or presentations, so you won't miss a beat. Drive is slightly different than MS Office, and take a little getting used to, but remember that the service is free and can be accessed on any device or desktop. You always have your stuff with you, and all those documents you currently have will upload. Don't kill the messengerHey, Blackberry Messenger is a pretty cool thing, I can admit that. It's used by a lot of people, and maybe you still know a few people who are insistent on going down with the Blackberry ship and won't ditch their device. Will you still be able to talk to them after you switch? Sure you will! Obviously, you won't be able to use Blackberry Messenger, but there are two really good messaging apps available on both platforms.
First up is Whatsapp, a third party messaging service. Extremely popular, easy to use, and comes with a group chat function. It integrates with your address book, and acts like SMS. A fully customizable app that also holds offline messages for you, so you're never really out of touch. It's free for one year, and only $0.99/annually after that. Another great messenger is Google Talk, also available on both platforms. While not as robust with the bells and whistles as Whatsapp, it does keep you connected better in different ways. Google Talk can be used on the desktop via Gmail, so you can always message contacts without picking up your phone all the time. You can SMS someone straight from the app as well, making it useful to get hold of those who aren't using a chat feature. Like all Google services, it's free to use. What about my email?The Blackberry was designed as a productivity tool, first and foremost. It kept us connected, it kept us involved, and it kept us communicating. Can Android do the same thing? Yes, it can… and then some. Android is much more than a platform for games or email. Android is a full-fledged productivity platform, designed to pick up where Blackberry has left off. In your device you'll find both a Gmail and Email app. The Gmail is pretty self explanatory, but the email app can be used for your corporate email address. It will ask for some information you may not have, but your company IT guy does. Just email him, though… nobody wants to talk to the IT guy. Once you get it set up, it will act much like your Gmail app. Which Android is right for me?Well, that's a tough one. Most Android devices you're able to buy right now will be running Android 4.0 (Ice Cream Sandwich) or better. We always suggest getting the latest, which is Android 4.1 (Jelly Bean). The difference between the two is largely negligible, but why not have the best if it's available, right?
There will be a slight learning curve, as the difference between your Blackberry OS and Android is substantial. It will take time, but don't fret. Ask questions if you're not sure how to accomplish something. Make a list of those things you do most often and be sure to have those down before walking out of the store. If you can at least perform your basic functions well, it will make the rest of the experience much easier to pick up. I'm stuck!You're going to get stumped, and that's okay. We all did, and still do, from time to time. There are a few tips you can use to get yourself out of the deep water and back to dry land, so let's run down a few quick tips. For this exercise, we'll assume you have an Android phone running Jelly Bean. SettingsThe settings menu, and many quick settings often used, can be found at the top of the screen. That little black bar at the top that has icons is meant to be dragged down, so place two fingers on the black bar and drag down. The settings menu should pop up, but if it didn't… don't stress. Just select the icon to the top right (the one that looks like a little man surrounded by squares) once the menu is pulled down, and it will come up. From there, you have a few option from which to choose. If there is something you'd like to change about your phone, it's probably there. If not, simply select "Settings" and navigate through those menus to get what you need.
Long pressSometimes you look at an option or icon, and know what you want it to do… it just doesn't seem to read minds. Well, it reads touch, that's for sure! When it seems like you should have more options than you do, simply press the icon and hold. If more options are available, a new menu will pop up. This is also how you move icons around. If you want to delete an app, you navigate to the app drawer (that little button at the bottom center of the screen) and long press it. A few options will appear at the top of the screen, and you can either delete it or find out more about it. AppearanceYou want things a certain way, I get it. Android is wonderfully customizable that way. Using the long press from the app drawer, the chosen app will appear floating over the home screen with those two options mentioned previously. If you want it on your home screen, just find the spot you want to drop it, and let go. If you want it on another screen, just slide it over to that screen and let go of it. If you have apps you'd like to group together, just place one app over the next and it will create a folder. You can rename the folder, and add more apps until the popup menu for that folder fills the screen.
Widgets!Widgets are a great way to quickly see and access things like your calendar or email. Many widgets can be resized to fit your screen as you like, making organizing your device properly easy. You can also use many widgets on the lock screen to access information even faster. From the lock screen, simply swipe left and you'll see a plus button. Select it, and a list of available widgets will pop up. Once you select a widget, it will be there until you move it. Swiping right from the lock screen brings up the camera function, so no widgets can be placed by swiping right.
ConclusionIt will take some getting used to, but you made the right choice. The mobile landscape ran away from Blackberry, and there is little hope of it catching up. Sure, the BB10 is coming soon, but Blackberry has lost too much ground to really be thought of as a viable contender. If you get stuck beyond what we've discussed here, get online and poke around. Social media is a wonderful place to get answers, and Google+ comes loaded on your device. The world is here to help, and Android is here to keep you connected. Related Posts |
| Android Authority On Air – Episode 47 – Ingress Giveaways, Root Apps, and more. Posted: 18 Jan 2013 06:09 PM PST
This week on Android Authority On Air we tackled the question “So now I’ve rooted, what apps should I install?” One of our users emailed us this question and we took a stab at it live on the show this week. Many users root their Android devices to remove carrier bloatware, tweak their device settings, or to completely customize their phone or tablet. If your’e not into running a custom ROM and you’ve already removed the bloat, what are some good apps to check out? We discussed just a few of the many, many root only apps out there floating around the Android ecosystem. We talked about near “required” ones such as AdAway or Titanium Backup as well as many others. As always we went over the latest new and updated apps on the Play Store, carriers continue to LTE all the things, and the Sony Xperia X and XL phones are completely awesome. We’re excited to see Sony focus on high end devices, only. This week Larry Page reflected upon Apple’s thermonuclear war with Android…it’s not going to well, is it? And, last, but not least, we gave away two Ingress invite codes thanks to donations from our fans. Cheers! Miss the show? Tune in or watch below: YouTube |SoundCloud |Stitcher |iTunes |RSS Related Posts |
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