Thursday, January 31, 2013

Android Central

Android Central

Sony Music Unlimited now offers 320 kbps AAC high-quality streaming

Posted: 30 Jan 2013 04:54 PM PST

Sony Music Unlimited

Sony's Music Unlimited streaming service is being updated today to offer high-quality 320 kbps AAC music on all platforms, including Android. The service, which offers unlimited (go figure) music streaming for the monthly price of $9.99, is hoping to persuade users to try it over competing services like Spotify and Rdio. 320 kbps AAC is generally regarded as a high enough quality streaming that general users won't notice the difference between it and locally stored files, but also keeps data usage from streaming reasonably low.

You can download the Music Unlimited app from the Play Store link above, and there is currently a 14 day free trial available when you sign up. The higher quality audio may be enough to have more users trying this service going forward.

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T-Mobile launching GoSmart prepaid MVNO nationwide next month

Posted: 30 Jan 2013 03:55 PM PST

GoSmart

T-Mobile looks ready to start offering its new "GoSmart" prepaid MVNO service nationwide at some point in February. We heard back in early December that T-Mobile was planning to launch a new MVNO (Mobile Virtual Network Operator) under the brand name "GoSmart" as it started market-specific trials of the service near the end of the year. FierceWireless is now confirming that the service will be going live on a nationwide scale in February. The prepaid service, although completely owned and operated by T-Mobile, will carry no T-Mobile branding and offer three plans:

  • $30 per month for unlimited talk and text
  • $35 per month for unlimited talk, text and 2G data
  • $45 per month for unlimited talk, text and 5GB of "high speed" data

It still isn't clear what T-Mobile means by "high speed" data, but we have to assume at this point that it means HSPA+. Similarly to current T-Mobile plans, users hitting that 5GB threshold will be throttled to 2G speeds rather than charged overages. T-Mobile is indeed planning to prioritize it's own postpaid and prepaid customers over GoSmart customers, however, meaning that in times of congestion the GoSmart customers will be a lower priority. This can often be the case with prepaid providers, and at the prices you see above it's not surprising.

The service is said to launch with a "mobile SIM kit" for $8 that lets users bring their own unlocked GSM devices. This may be a compelling option for many of us looking to cut down the monthly cost of our phone bills, but we'll have to wait and see what the fine print says when these plans come out officially.

Source: FierceWireless; More: GoSmart Mobile

This week's sidebar poll: Are you interested in BlackBerry 10?

Posted: 30 Jan 2013 03:03 PM PST

Android Central

It's not every day that a major tech company reinvents itself like RIM has done. With Android and iOS gobbling up damn near all of the mobile market, RIM saw it was time to shift gears and deliver a revamped version of their BlackBerry operating system. I think they've done a fine job, and hope that investors and customers let it run its course to see what it can turn into. But enough of what I think.

What say you, fine readers of Android Central? We're not asking if you plan to jump ship and rush out to buy a BlackBerry Z10, only if you're interested in what the platform delivers, and more importantly, what it will blossom into. There's a poll in the sidebar to the right, and we've embedded it after the break to make it easy to find. Answer it, and tell us what you think.

Before we go, a look at last week's poll:

Are you ready to upgrade your phone?

Android Central

If posed as a yes/no question, it looks like three quarters of the folks reading AC are ready to upgrade. That's good news for Android OEMs, and watching them all deliver great gear to win out hearts and minds should be fun!

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Google+ app adds new notification tray, links when posting

Posted: 30 Jan 2013 01:34 PM PST

Google+ Notifications

The Google+ app has just been updated to add a few bits of functionality and a new notification system. With the previous update we received a new post composition screen that let you add a photo or mood to the post, and this update is putting a "link" option between the two. Tapping on it lets you manually add a URL, although we'd bet most people will be copy/pasting URLs in. On the main UI side, notifications have been redesigned as well. Instead of being hidden underneath the navigation controls in the left slide-in panel, you get a separate notification number between the refresh and settings buttons, that when tapped brings in a full notification-specific panel from the right.

The update also allows for more moderation options in Google+ Communities, which were recently released. You can grab a download of the new Google+ at the Play Store link above.

Google Play Music update improves widget, adds features, fixes bugs

Posted: 30 Jan 2013 12:36 PM PST

Google Play Music widget

Google Play Music has just received a notable update to add a few features that have been bugging users for some time now. Right off the top you'll spot a proper reverse button on the music widget, letting you go backwards in albums or playlists without entering the app. Instant mixes can now continue on past 25 tracks as well, and you can shuffle albums, artists or playlists. The default album art is changed to a simpler grey tile also.

When you pin albums or tracks, you can now see the progress of the download from that album or playlist view rather than just in the settings. There is also apparently a bugfix that should solve the problem of some Galaxy SIII (S3) devices freezing when using the app. It's a whole bunch of useful fixes and improvements, so go grab the update from the Play Store now.

RUUs, ROMs not the target of takedown, HTC says

Posted: 30 Jan 2013 12:04 PM PST

HTC

HTC today responded to concerns about the future of custom ROMs after a site that was hosting ROM Update Utility files -- HTC's proprietary full restore files -- received a takedown letter from a lawyer representing the manufacture. The site -- HTCRUU.com -- posted the apparent exchange at Reddit (and was later picked up by Rootzwiki). HTC on its blog today explains that it was the branding -- the use of the HTC logo along with the domain name -- that was really at issue. 

Wrote HTC:

The issue with the site in question was NOT that it provided custom ROMs or RUUs. The site used HTC trademarks without a license from HTC. The domain name contained ‘HTC’ and it used HTC logos, making it appear to be an official HTC website. Like any other company, we must protect our trademarks and brand. We cannot risk being associated with, and held liable for, software that we don’t have any control over that’s put onto an HTC device through a third party.

Stockpiling RUUs remains a bit of a gray area -- we've seen other sites taken down over the years -- but HTC pointed to its bootloader unlocking problem (which remains subject to the whim of its clients -- the carriers) as proof that it's committed to the modding community that that "we think the custom ROM community is valuable to the overall health of the Android ecosystem, and we have no intention of abandoning them."

Source: HTC

Windows Phone-using Gmailers get a reprieve

Posted: 30 Jan 2013 11:26 AM PST

Windows Phone 8 Google Sync

Google extends EAS sevice through July; Microsoft says it'll update to CalDav/CardDAV

Google is making a nice gesture today by extending the cutoff point for using EAS (Exchange Active Sync) to sync Google services to Windows Phone devices until July 31, 2013. If you'll recall back to December 2012, Google swiftly pulled support for EAS on Windows Phones, with the service set to expire today, January 30th. Google's hope was to move everyone over to using IMAP -- along with CalDAV and CardDAV for contacts and calendar -- to sync all types of devices. Because Android and iOS both support IMAP, CalDAV and CardDAV there were no issues to be had. Windows Phone, on the other hand, didn't have the extra protocols ready to go and was about to leave new customers out in the cold when they went to add Google accounts to their devices.

Luckily for both Microsoft and its customers, the new deal extends EAS support for Google Account syncing another 6 months. This will give Microsoft time to properly integrate CalDAV and CardDAV into Windows Phone, so that when this new extended cutoff period ends users will not be losing any features.

Source: Official Windows Phone Blog; More: WPCentral

Android 4.2.1 pushing for the Sprint Galaxy Nexus

Posted: 30 Jan 2013 10:30 AM PST

Sprint Galaxy Nexus

It's been a scant couple of weeks since the Sprint Galaxy Nexus saw an update to Android 4.2. Today it's got another update rolling out. This one brings things to Android 4.2.1 build JRO03U.L700GA02) and includes the following:

  • Redesigned camera interface and new Photo Sphere feature (a 360-degree panorama mode)
  • Notifications Shade accessible by swiping top screen edge downwards; swipe down with two fingers to view notifications; tap the notification to expand and take action on it.
  • Lockscreen widgets to access certain apps without unlocking the screen; sidescroll right for camera or left for other widgets (time and weather, gmail, etc.)

You can snag the update over the air (hit your settings>about menu for that), or download manually from Google and apply  it that way. (If you need help with that, hit up this thread in our forums.)

Note that this update is for the Sprint Galaxy Nexus and not the Verizon Galaxy Nexus. Repeat: Verizon's Galaxy Nexus has not been updated. Still.

Get help in our Sprint Galaxy Nexus forums; More at Sprint

Waste time and flex your brain with Shift It

Posted: 30 Jan 2013 09:58 AM PST

Shift It

There's no shortage of quick and fun puzzle games on Android, and Shift It still stands out as a great one. When you start up Shift It and play the first level, you'll instantly draw comparisons to the paradigm of a Rubik's cube. The basic idea of the game is to take the nine section grid of different colored blocks, and move it around so that the blocks of the same color are all connected. You are faced with a 2D view, but the blocks are effectively 3D -- moving blocks off of one edge, you will see them reappear on the other side.

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Specs battle: BlackBerry Z10 vs. the best of Android

Posted: 30 Jan 2013 09:01 AM PST

BB10 comparison

Comparing the Z10 to the Galaxy S3 and others

Now that BlackBerry has finally managed to get some new hardware out the door, it's time to put it up against the best of Android. The BlackBerry Z10 is your basic black-slab phone, not unlike what we've come to know and love (or at least accept as standard design) with Android devices the past couple years. 

The specs probably won't send your jaw toward the floor or anything, but then again they're not really supposed to.

After the break, we've got a full breakdown of the BlackBerry Z10 (and read CB's full Z10 review if you get a minute) versus the Samsung Galaxy S3, HTC Droid DNA, Motorola RAZR MAXX HD and the Nexus 4.

And be sure to hit up our pals at CrackBerry for all the latest BB10 news.

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Carbon backup app launches on Google Play [updated]

Posted: 30 Jan 2013 08:49 AM PST

Android Central

Update: Whoops. Koush sends word that Carbon wasn't quite ready to go when we posted and that the folks in the forums spotted it early. It's now "live" live, so make sure you have the most recent version.

After a couple of weeks in beta, Koushik Dutta -- aka Koush -- has released his Carbon backup app on Google Play. The app uses Android's built-in backup feature to sync apps -- and crucially, app data -- to the SD card or cloud storage. If you're rooted, you just need the app itself. If not, there's an accompanying desktop app that can help you sync an unrooted phone.

A word of warning for Motorola users -- the app isn't available for Moto devices due to a bug in these phones which prevents Android's backup features from working correctly. A manual download link is provided on the Play Store listing for those running custom ROMs, or anyone who just wants to try anyway.

Carbon comes in two flavors -- there's a free version, which offers an basic ad-supported service. Then there's an ad-free premium version, which costs $4.99 and adds in more advanced stuff like Android-to-Android sync and cloud storage sync.

Both apps are available for phones running Android 4.0 or above -- hit the Google Play link above to grab the basic version, or head over here for the premium version.

via Android Central forums

Android and BlackBerry 10: How they stack up

Posted: 30 Jan 2013 08:04 AM PST

It’s BlackBerry 10 day today, and you knew we had to take a few minutes to see just what BlackBerry has to offer. Right off the bat, we’re going to say it’s good enough to keep folks still using the BlackBerry platform happy that they hung around, and probably even tempt a few people to give BlackBerry a try for the first time. Kevin has a good look at the hardware and some of the UI and features in the video. Give it a watch, then join us after the break we can see how it all matches up to Android.

For more info, be sure to check out CrackBerry's reviews:

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Nexus 4 back on sale at UK Google Play Store (Update: France too)

Posted: 30 Jan 2013 07:19 AM PST

Android Central

Update: The Nexus 4 is back on sale through Google Play in France too, with a 2-3 week shipping period.

Brits, here's your first chance of the year to get hold of a Nexus 4 at the crazy-low Google Play Store price. As before, prices are £239 for 8GB, or £279 for 16GB. Phones ordered today are scheduled to ship within 1-2 weeks.

And if you're in the U.S., the Nexus 4 still appears to be on sale stateside, and the links above are valid for you, too. If you're seeing the Nexus 4 for sale on any other regions' Google Play Stores, be sure to hit the comments and let us know!

Deal of the Day: Incipio NGP Soft Shell Case for Galaxy S3

Posted: 30 Jan 2013 06:46 AM PST

Deal of the Day The Jan. 30 ShopAndroid.com Deal of the Day is the Incipio NGP Soft Shell Case for Galaxy S3. This flexible case guards your Galaxy S3 with a semi-rigid polymer shell featuring custom-cut holes for complete access to the ports and buttons of the device. The NGP material is malleable enough to slip around and snugly hold the Galaxy S3, but also firm enough to withstand impacts and scrapes. Color options include black, pink, gray, and turquoise.

The Incipio NGP Soft Shell Case is available for just $13.00, 35% off today only. Backed by our 60-day return policy and fast shipping!

Never miss a deal. Sign up for Daily Deal alerts!

ZTE teases Grand Memo for Mobile World Congress

Posted: 30 Jan 2013 06:24 AM PST

ZTE

Android Central at Mobile World CongressBecause it's never too early to start pimping hashtags, ZTE this morning sent out invites to its Mobile World Congress press event on Feb. 25, promising to show a new Android device in the ZTE Grand Memo (which it recently showed off in Hong Kong), as well as a phone with the fledgling Mozilla OS. The hashtags, of course, are #ztegrandmemo and #ztemozilla.

Mobile World Congress runs Feb. 25-28 in Barcelona, Spain. We'll be there, of course, to bring you the whole thing.

This is the white Nexus 4

Posted: 30 Jan 2013 04:25 AM PST

Android Central

Just hours after we got our first look at the LG Nexus 4 in white, we have an even clearer look at the new color option for the device. These latest pics come from Vietnamese site Tinh tế, and show the white Nexus from a variety of angles. As with earlier white Nexus phones, only the back part changes color, with the front face remaining pitch black.

At the right angle it's possible to make our the "crystal reflection process" (sparkly) back, just as on the black model. And the camera and lens trim are reflective, in contrast to the black trims on the original. So from a design perspective, it's the same old Nexus 4 we know and love.

There's no indication as to when -- or even if -- the white Nexus 4 will be due for public release, but we're sure it'll sell out just as fast as the current model if it ever does. We'll keep you posted with any further details that emerge. In the meantime you'll find more pics after the break, and at the source link.

Source: Tinh tế, via: SlashGear

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US Cellular wants to pay you $300 to switch carriers

Posted: 29 Jan 2013 09:03 PM PST

US Cellular

U.S. Cellular is hoping to compel some users to head over to its network by offering $300 to families that bring along two or more lines and activate a smartphone. The incentive comes in the form of a prepaid MasterCard debit card, which is probably better than other ways they could've done it, although we may have preferred to have it put on your bill as a credit for service.

The promotion U.S. Cellular is running right now also includes several other incentives. New and existing customers living in LTE markets can take advantage of the carrier's unlimited data plans for $40 per month. The carrier says that 58-percent of its customers currently have LTE coverage, and that number will be almost 90-percent by the end of 2013. There are a few device discounts going on currently as well, with the Huawei Ascend Y for $0.01 and the Samsung Galaxy S III (with LTE) for $149.99.

If you've been thinking about moving to U.S. Cellular, now may be the time. These smaller and regional carriers tend to put together some pretty decent incentive packages to get new customers in.

Source: U.S. Cellular

Cameringo update fixes sharing intents, bugs

Posted: 29 Jan 2013 06:28 PM PST

Cameringo

We took a look at Cameringo a couple days ago, and the one issue we had was that sharing intents didn't work. Thankfully the developer has made a couple updates in the last day, fixing a few issues including sharing. We've gone through version 1.1 and 1.2 in the last 24 hours, and both have brought notable updates. 1.1 brought improved rendering on HTC devices and other internal improvements, and 1.2 fixed the sharing bug. The developer has been quick to respond to bug reports and get these fixes out quickly, which is great to see.

The end result is that Cameringo's UI has improved notably. Gone is the legacy menu key, and the UI elements to control settings and to capture photos are now transparent, giving you a full-screen viewfinder. When taking a shot you can now properly share that image to any available app, and the picture will actually come along.

As we said in our initial look at the app, it has a lot of great things about it that make it worth the $1.00 to purchase. Now with these improvements and bug fixes it's really a no-brainer if you're looking to add filters to your photos.
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