Android Community |
- Android Community at CES 2013: What to expect!
- Samsung Galaxy S IV tipped for May release
- Acer Iconia Tab B1 leaks ahead of CES
- HTC CEO Peter Chou seems positive on what 2013 will bring
- Evernote Skitch app update brings a handful of notable improvements
- Vuzix releases the M100 Smart Glasses SDK emulator for app testing
- Google Play Magazines adds ‘Free for print subscribers’ option
| Android Community at CES 2013: What to expect! Posted: 04 Jan 2013 03:45 PM PST Well guys, it is finally that time of year again. The time where around 150,000 tech fans descend on my city of Las Vegas for the biggest tech trade show of the year. It’s CES time! As you all know this is where we’ll see the latest and greatest consumer electronics of all types, shapes and sizes. We’ll be focusing heavily on Android obviously, and we have a lot planned so get ready for some fun.
We say get ready for fun, and that is because you guys will be enjoying hands-on pictures, videos, details, and interviews of all the upcoming gadgets we can’t wait to try. Samsung, LG, Toshiba, ASUS, HTC, Motorola, Sony, Huawei, drinks… yes please, and much more. We call it “hell week” but for you readers it’s all about the excitement of what’s coming. Another way to explain CES is by calling it a beautiful disaster — because that’s what it is. I’d be lying if I didn’t say we love it too, because we do. Tomorrow we’ll be gathering the troops and flying across the country while getting ready to enjoy the warm Vegas desert, NFL playoffs, BCS games, and of course smartphones! It’s hard to get going after we just smashed tons of food and snacks for the holidays (read: food coma) but rest assured we are ready to rock with 4G LTE smartphones, hotspots, tethering apps, cameras, tripods and more. You name it, we’ve got it. Here’s what I’m bringing (kidding)
The Las Vegas Convention Center and surroundings will be filled with all sorts of goodies. We’ll be focusing on smartphones, tablets, Android powered toys and devices, and of course a few TVs I’m sure. Not to mention flexible displays (hopefully), Octa-core processors, new battery technology and more. We’ll probably check out tons of cars with Android displays, and hopefully a few Android home automation items. The possibilities truly are endless at CES, and we’d be here forever trying to list them all out. I’ll be checking out that 150-inch LED TV for a few minutes, but that doesn’t concern you guys. While we’re not expecting to see the Samsung Galaxy S IV or their rumored Note III, surely there will be tons of smartphones to grace your minds with excitement. Google won’t unveil the next Nexus, but surely they’ll have plenty of fun things to share. We already know this year will be all about large 1080p HD displays, powerhouse quad-core processors exceeding 2.0 GHz, 13 megapixel cameras, NFC controlled doors, cars, and so much more. Ahhh, are you excited? We’ll be live on site with the entire crew, and surely be updating you guys daily with news, pictures, video, blogs, keynote details and more. Be sure to stay tuned right here at AC, or follow along for a broader spectrum at our sister site SlashGear. To make your CES week even easier, be sure to follow us on a number of the options available below. Follow our CES 2013 Portal |
| Samsung Galaxy S IV tipped for May release Posted: 04 Jan 2013 03:13 PM PST While we all know Samsung is preparing their next generation smartphone, today the folks from Samsung Lebanon posted to their Facebook Page and revealed some information — of sorts. During some discussion the release date of the upcoming device was brought up, and was clearly detailed as May of 2013. For those expecting a CES reveal, sorry to let you down. More details are available after the cut.
We probably won’t see it at MWC either as Samsung will hold their own event for the Galaxy S IV specifically, just as they did with their new flagship Galaxy S III. They want their own stage, and the smartphone rightfully deserves one. The actual comment on Facebook was "The Galaxy SIV won't be released before May 2013." Which not only confirms the name, but also confirms its existence — even though we all know it’s coming. Their yearly release schedule shouldn’t really be a surprise to anyone. Samsung released the Galaxy S III around the same April time frame, followed by the exact same thing with their Galaxy S III. Just like many others, they will release a new flagship each year around the same time. So this only makes sense and is no way anything extremely exciting.
Then after a few blogs went wild with the news, Samsung’s Facebook page updated with the comment you see above. Basically stating exactly what we all thought. That the comment wasn’t trivial and we should all relax. With that news, we’ll just let you check out the multiple links, details, and leaks below that we’ve gathered on Samsung’s upcoming Galaxy S IV smartphone. Hopefully we see a few leaks soon and can all get excited. [via SlashGear] |
| Acer Iconia Tab B1 leaks ahead of CES Posted: 04 Jan 2013 02:17 PM PST As you all should know, budget tablets are expected to be a huge part of 2013 after the success of Google’s Nexus 7. One in particular that we’ve heard about a few times is the upcoming arrivals from Acer. First spotted back in December the Acer B1 looks to rival Google and B&N, while offering a budget Jelly Bean tablet possibly for $99. Today some hands-on photos have appeared so check it out.
Since there’s been no official details or announcements, we aren’t fully sure what to expect yet from Acer and their B1, but rumors have it as a $99 slate. Today a Bulgarian tech site got their hands all over it a bit early, and they have confirmed all the specs as well as snapped tons of photos. Like earlier leaks suggested, the Acer B1 will be a 7-inch 1026 x 600 resolution packing budget friendly tablet. Coming with a MediaTek dual-core processor, 512MB of RAM, 8GB of storage and Android 4.1 Jelly Bean. It certainly isn’t the strongest, but for $99 you can’t really complain. Sounds like the only downside is the 512MB of RAM and a TN panel that isn’t as vibrant as the Nexus 7. So far we’ve heard this particular slate will be hitting India and a few other regions, and possibly won’t make its way to the US. Either way we can expect a similar device to arrive in the US from Acer, along with the budget friendly ASUS we’ve been hearing about and more. This will be a year of powerful yet fair priced tablets, that’s for sure. Stay tuned for more details and we’ll probably get some hands-on at CES so be ready to check it out.    [via Tablet.bg] |
| HTC CEO Peter Chou seems positive on what 2013 will bring Posted: 04 Jan 2013 01:55 PM PST Things were not all that great for HTC in 2012. In fact, according to a recent Wall Street Journal report, HTC had one of their worst years in 2012. It was said that the third quarter earning have them sitting at the lowest in about six years. Or to put that another way, the share price is down about 80 percent as compared to the record high that HTC saw in 2010. That being said though, it looks like HTC has been making some plans for a comeback.
Time will tell how well the plans work out for HTC, however CEO Peter Chou did discuss some of this in a recent interview. Perhaps most notable here, Chou believes that the worst has passed and that “2013 will not be too bad.” That doesn’t sound all that encouraging by itself, but Chou did go on to further note that they realize they haven’t done enough on the marketing front. More to that point, Chou said that HTC did not do enough while their competitors were strong and resourceful and pouring lots of money into marketing. Despite recognizing that things were not going all that well, Chou did not mention anything specific in terms of plans and instead stayed a bit more general saying that he believes “the most important thing is to have unique products that appeal to consumers.” It does seem as if many want to see HTC rise back. The Droid DNA captured quite a bit in terms of praise. And looking forward, it is getting harder to look away from the rumors of the HTC M7. Specific devices aside though, HTC still has a bit more to report for 2012. In fact, their preliminary fourth-quarter results are expected Monday which means we may see a bit more bad news before the good news arrives. |
| Evernote Skitch app update brings a handful of notable improvements Posted: 04 Jan 2013 01:25 PM PST Evernote rolled-out the 2.0 update for the Skitch app back in late-October. That update was rather nice and included goodies such as deeper integration with Evernote. And well, it looks like another Skitch related update has come available in Google Play. This latest isn’t full of new features, however it does include a handful of notable updates and improvements.
Simply put, this is an update that current Skitch users will want to grab. It may also be enough for those who stopped using Skitch to give it another look. That being said, this update brings Skitch up to version 2.0.5.63 where it remains available for free and for devices running Android 2.0 or later. The folks at Evernote are touting this release as having better, smarter tools. And by that, the pen tool and the move/pan tool have both been improved. Skitch also got a new hold and lock feature which will allow users to prevent the app from auto-switching tools. The pen tool is now faster and smoother and the move/pan tool change deals with a new behavior that makes it become active when you select an object and then revert back to the previous tool when you delete, deselect, or swipe your finger elsewhere. Otherwise, the remaining goodies in this update include easier access to settings with a new icon on the home view, new tool tips, an improved Move tool and “numerous other improvements make the app smoother to use and more stable.” Those looking for Skitch can fire up the Play Store on their device or use this link to head on over to the Play Store. [via Evernote] |
| Vuzix releases the M100 Smart Glasses SDK emulator for app testing Posted: 04 Jan 2013 12:39 PM PST Vuzix began showing off their Google Glass competitor back in November. At the time they offered some details in terms of the glasses, mainly covering the specs and the fact that they would eventually be opening them up for developers. Simply put, Vuzix was planning to release an SDK that allowed to developers to create apps for the glasses. And well, Vuzix has released the beginning stages of the SDK today.
According to details coming from Vuzix, this release is Phase 1 and it will provide developers with the software required to start writing code using the PC emulator for Android. With this bit of the SDK available, developers will be able to begin writing as well as testing their apps. The SDK will be available for new developers as well as those who were pre-registered and can be found in the Vuzix developer center at developer.vuzix.com. As part of the developer program, those involved will be able to get support, technical advice and regular updates as well as early access to the M100 smart glasses. Further details from Vuzix notes that the M100 SDK will be available in a Gold and Silver version and that these will be delivered in stages and include frequent updates. Otherwise, developers and the SDK aside, the M100 smart glasses will be running Android and feature a built-in color display, integrated head tracker and GPS as well as a camera that will allow for the capture of still images and video. When the M100 smart glasses were originally announced, Vuzix had said that they would feature a WQVGA display with a 16:9 aspect ratio that gave the impression looking at a 4-inch display from 14-inches. And while we have yet to see any public release date for the M100 smart glasses, Vuzix will have them on display during CES. |
| Google Play Magazines adds ‘Free for print subscribers’ option Posted: 04 Jan 2013 11:38 AM PST Google has recently added a new subscription option for Play Magazines. And nicely done, this is an update that those with print subscriptions should be happy to see arrive. In short, a ‘free for print subscribers’ option is now available in the Magazines section of the Google Play Store.
This of course comes with the catch that not all magazines have this option available. This will vary over time but for now includes (but is not limited to) Conde Nast magazines such as Wired and GQ as well as others such as People. If you happen to be a print subscriber to a magazine that also has a digital version, you may want to fire up Google Play and subscribe. In order to subscribe you will need to pull up the listing for the magazine, click the Subscribe button and then pick the ‘Free for print subscribers’ option (the last of the three available). This should say free for the price. From this point, click Continue and then begin to verify your account. For example, in the case of Wired (Conde Nast) you will need to enter your email address and password. That all being taken care of, you will now have one additional way of reading new issues. And for those who still prefer the print copies as opposed to digital, you may want to subscribe anyway — because you never know when you may be in a situation where you have your phone (or tablet) and some downtime. [via Android Police] |
" – Samsung Lebanon
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