Android Community |
- Vizio 5-inch and 4.7-inch HD smartphone hands-on
- Vizio 10-inch and 7-inch tablet hands-on
- Basis fitness tracker Android app announced
- CyanogenMod users can now maximize lock screen widgets
- LG Panorama Note app announced for the Optimus Vu: II
- ViewSonic VSD240 display with Android 4.1 Jelly Bean coming in April
- AT&T saw “record smartphone sales” during Q4 2012
- Blockbuster released an Android app to check movie availability in local stores
- Alcatel One Touch Evo7 HD tablet unveiled at CES
- Verizon Wireless confirms upcoming release for the Samsung Galaxy Note 10.1
- Qualcomm announces next-gen quad-core 600 and 800 mobile processors
- Sony Xperia Z hands-on [Video]
- Huawei Ascend D2 hands-on: A 5-inch display with a quad-core 1.5GHz processor
- Huawei Ascend Mate hands-on: A 6.1-inch display with a massive 4050 mAh battery
- Velocity Micro Cruz D610 and Cruz Q610 Jelly Bean tablets unveiled at CES
- Polaroid unveils the iM1836 Android camera with removable lens
- Pantech Discover hands-on: A solid AT&T smartphone for just under $50
- ZTE partners with Nuance for voice app support to include the new ‘Car Mode’
| Vizio 5-inch and 4.7-inch HD smartphone hands-on Posted: 08 Jan 2013 10:50 AM PST In addition to the 10- and 7-inch Jelly Bean tablets, Vizio was also showing off a pair of smartphones here at CES. Specifically, a 5.0-inch 1080p Full HD and a 4.7-inch 720p HD smartphone. Of course, while these smartphone both looked really nice, we tried not to get all that excited due to the market availability.
Simply put, these two are heading for China. Yup, those in China can smile a little bit, but not so much for those in other markets. Both of these handsets are running stock Jelly Bean and both will have dual-SIM card slots. The 5-inch handset is powered by a dual-core 1.5GHz processor while the 4.7-inch handset will have a 1.2GHz processor.
Other goodies for the 5-inch (1920 x 1080) model include 2GB of RAM, 32GB of internal storage, MHL, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 4.0, a 2 megapixel front-facing camera and an 8 megapixel rear-facing camera with auto-focus and a flash. Moving over to the 4.7-inch (1280 x 720) and we find goodies to include 1GB of RAM, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth 4.0 along with a 1.3 megapixel front-facing camera and 8 megapixel rear-facing camera. All said and done, while both of these will not be available here in the US market, they do seem like a nice option for importing. And while they remain decent looking devices, the price to import would likely rule that option out for many users. Not to mention, should you decide to go that route, you will need to be prepared to go without the LTE speeds. |
| Vizio 10-inch and 7-inch tablet hands-on Posted: 08 Jan 2013 10:32 AM PST Coming out of CES 2013, Vizio has been showing off a pair of Android tablets. Specifically, a 10-inch and 7-inch tablet that will arrive running Android 4.2 Jelly Bean. Of course, therein lies the question, the arrival. From what we have seen, Vizio has been pretty quiet in terms of the 10-inch model, however they have said that the 7-inch model will arrive in the first half of 2013.
In other words, both tablets have some wait before a public release. The story is the same for the price and the market availability. No mention of how much these will end up retailing for, or where you will be able to make a purchase. And that is sort of disappointing because both of these tablets appear to have some promise. For one, they are both running a vanilla Jelly Bean installation. Touching on the 10-inch tablet first and we have a device with a 10.1-inch display and a resolution of 2560 x 1600. Other goodies include a quad-core NVIDIA Tegra 4 processor, 32GB of internal storage, a microSD card slot, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 4.0, NFC, microUSB, microHDMI, stereo speakers, a 1.3 megapixel front-facing camera and a 5 megapixel rear-facing camera. Moving over to the 7-inch tablet and we find a display resolution of 1280 x 800 along with a Tegra 3 processor, 16GB of internal storage, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and a 1.3 megapixel front-facing camera. Simply put, think along the lines of a Nexus 7 in terms of specs. All that being said, touching back on the price, given what we have seen from Vizio in the past, we expect these to be attractively priced.      |
| Basis fitness tracker Android app announced Posted: 08 Jan 2013 09:28 AM PST There is no shortage in terms of fitness apps and gadgets at this point. We have offerings from Jawbone, Fitbit, Nike and countless others including Basis. And speaking of Basis, we first saw the Basis fitness tracker during CES 2012, yes 2012. Though, while originally shown off in January 2012, the Basis fitness band didn’t come available until the end of November 2012.
Simply put, it looks like Basis is making sure they get things right as opposed to rushing them out the door. Anyway, flash forward till present day and Basis has returned with a CES 2013 announcement. The news includes word of an Android companion app for the fitness tracker. According to details coming from Basis, the Android app is expected to drop in March. Specifically, before the end of March. And for those Android users felling left out when apps go iOS first — take comfort in knowing that Basis is coming to Android first. The Basis Android app will take care of the basics — it will allow for automatic syncing over Bluetooth. And nicely done, the app will sync automatically in the background, which means that your data will be in the app when you look — as opposed to deciding to look and needing to sync first. The app will display (and allow you to track) all your data including event activity with charts. The app will also send reminders when you need to stay motivated. You know, for those times when you are falling short of your goals. Otherwise, the Basis fitness band is priced at $199, but currently out-of-stock. A quick visit to the Basis store website does however allow for notification of when the band will be available. [via Basis] |
| CyanogenMod users can now maximize lock screen widgets Posted: 08 Jan 2013 08:54 AM PST Sneaking in alongside the CES 2013 coverage, we have a bit coming from the folks at Cyanogen. This latest is a smaller feature, but based on what we have seen, it was once a “highly requested feature” amongst those using Cyanogen. In other words, smaller feature addition or not, this one should be well received.
Anyway, without any further adieu, the new feature is the ability to maximize your lock screen widgets. This item will be found in the Settings -> Lock screen section and is further described as allowing you to “show widgets maximized and the unlock minimized when the screen is turned on.” According to details coming from the CyanogenMod posting, this feature has just been merged. Perhaps more to the point, those using CyanogenMod should now have a nicer widget experience at times when they turn the display on. And by nicer, we mean larger and easier to read, which should help those with a smaller display.
Of course, this really just highlights one of the perks of using a CyanogenMod ROM — the ability to get new features added from time to time. Not to mention, speed of updates. Take this for example, it was announced and released within a days time. We are fairly certain that carriers are not going to do that, well, that is unless they are rolling out a fix for an urgent issue. [via Google+] |
| LG Panorama Note app announced for the Optimus Vu: II Posted: 08 Jan 2013 08:30 AM PST LG has been fairly quiet in terms of Android related announcements here at CES 2013, however they did offer one goodie for the Optimus Vu: II — a new app. The app is called Panorama Note and will allow users to create extra wide 3:1 ratio memos and drawings.
LG has said that the Panorama Note app was designed with the idea of being able to scribble freely on a large canvas. Think of it as writing on a large piece of paper, but focusing on just one small piece at a time. The app will allow users to write and draw, but perhaps more interesting, the app will also allow users to zoom in and out. In fact, the Panorama Note app has 5.8 times zooming which will allow for easy navigation both horizontally and vertically. And for those worried about getting lost in the image or note — rest assured in knowing that the app will also have a Mini Map which shows the current location of the viewed image in the original image. Aside from the Panorama Note app coming to the Optimus Vu: II, LG has also said that it will be available on “specific target devices” in 2013. Finally, in addition to the introduction of this app, LG was also using CES 2013 to show off other goodies such as QSlide, Live Zooming and Dual Screen Dual Play. |
| ViewSonic VSD240 display with Android 4.1 Jelly Bean coming in April Posted: 08 Jan 2013 08:03 AM PST ViewSonic has announced the latest entry into the smart display market, the VSD240. Or in non-model number terms, a 24-inch Full HD monitor with Android 4.1 Jelly Bean. And for those keeping track, the ViewSonic VSD240 joins the recently launched VSD220 (a 21.5-inch display).
That being said, the ViewSonic VSD240 will arrive sporting a 24-inch (more specifically, a 23.6-inch display) with a resolution of 1920 x 1080. Inside the display one can expect a quad-core 1.7GHz NVIDIA Tegra 3 processor and this will all be powered by the previously mentioned Jelly Bean. Other goodies include a Google certification which means access to the Google Play Store for apps. The display is a touchscreen display with Ethernet and Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n connectivity. Users can also expect to find an integrated 1.3 megapixel webcam, SRS 3D Technology speakers, a microphone and Bluetooth along with USB ports, an SD card slot and HDMI for connecting to a computer or tablet. With that, the ViewSonic VSD240 is expected to be available (in North America) beginning in April. The retail price will be $499. Given this display is running Android and dubbed as having a PC-less web connection, it should be nice for those looking for an external display for a notebook because the display will still have some use and functionality even without the notebook attached. |
| AT&T saw “record smartphone sales” during Q4 2012 Posted: 08 Jan 2013 07:25 AM PST Coming ahead of their Q4 2012 quarterly report, AT&T has announced that they have seen “record smartphone sales” during the quarter. The quarterly results are due to be released later in the month — after market close on Thursday, January 24. But in the meantime, it looks like AT&T has sold quite a few smartphones.
In fact, the company is touting sales of “more than” 10 million. This breaks the previous quarterly record of 9.4 million which was back in the fourth quarter of 2011. The one catch here, while AT&T has announced the record breaking smartphone sales, they have yet to offer any breakdown in terms of devices. In other words, as of now AT&T has noted that “this included best-ever quarterly sales of Android and Apple smartphones.” And while AT&T should be happy about a record breaking sales quarter, it looks like they are also happy about the future revenues that will come as a result. In fact, Ralph de la Vega, the president and chief executive officer for AT&T Mobility stated that; "These are the industry's most valuable postpaid subscribers with average revenues twice that of non-smartphone subscribers.” Finally, it was also noted that this meant sales averaging 110,000 smartphones per day. |
| Blockbuster released an Android app to check movie availability in local stores Posted: 08 Jan 2013 07:05 AM PST Blockbuster has officially released their latest Android app. This latest app is aimed at disc rental (as opposed to on-the-go streaming) and is available by way of the Google Play and Amazon app stores. The app is said to be aimed at making movie renting a more mobile experience.
That being said, the app will be compatible with devices running Gingerbread or later and is free (to download and to use). Blockbuster notes that this app will benefit those who have Blockbuster by Mail accounts as well as those who simply want to visit a local store and know that a specific title will be available upon arrival. Some of the features of this new Blockbuster app include being able to search for movie and/or game titles. Those listings will return details such as the synopsis of the movie as well as a list of stars and available formats. Other goodies include being able to sort by title, actor or genre as well as being able to manage your queue including adding, removing and organizing. The app also has support for English and Spanish. Some of the other perks include being able to manage your in-store membership, which means no more having to carry that rental card in your wallet. But perhaps key here, this new Blockbuster app will allow you to find the closest retail location as well as check for title availability in that (or other) locations. [via SlashGear] |
| Alcatel One Touch Evo7 HD tablet unveiled at CES Posted: 08 Jan 2013 06:41 AM PST Arriving as the latest Android tablet announcement coming out of CES 2013, we have the One Touch Evo7 HD from Alcatel. This is a Jelly Bean device with a 7-inch display. Or more specifically, a tablet with a 7-inch WXGA display with a resolution of 1,280 x 800.
In terms of Jelly Bean, the tablet will be running Android 4.1. Otherwise, those considering the One Touch Evo7 HD can also expect to find a dual-core 1.6GHz processor, 1GB of RAM, 4GB of internal storage, a microSD card slot, Bluetooth 4.0, VGA quality front-facing camera and a 3 megapixel rear-facing camera. This tablet is expected to be available in May and with a price point of around $180. The One Touch Evo7 HD will weigh in at 12.35 ounces, measure in at 10mm thick and be able to get 3G/4G connectivity courtesy of a removable cellular module. Of course, there will also be Wi-Fi (802.11 b/g/n) for connectivity. Aside from the add-on 3G/4G cellular module, Alcatel will also have a variety of “stylish” accessories available including integrated flip covers, leather pouches, colored frames and “much more.” Bottom line here, at less than $200, the One Touch Evo7 HD looks like it may be one to consider. Of course, we cannot help but feel a bit cheated on the internal storage though. |
| Verizon Wireless confirms upcoming release for the Samsung Galaxy Note 10.1 Posted: 08 Jan 2013 06:23 AM PST The leaks and rumors were numerous, however Verizon Wireless and Samsung have officially put an end to them. In short, the Samsung Galaxy Note 10.1 has been confirmed as coming to Verizon Wireless. The 10.1-inch tablet is expected to be available in the “coming weeks.” In other words, we know the tablet is coming, however neither company has yet to offer a specific release date.
Furthermore, the price also remains a mystery at this point. That being said though, the Galaxy Note 10.1 tablet will arrive with the expected goodies including a 10.1-inch display at 1280 x 800, 4G LTE connectivity, the S Pen and Android 4.1 Jelly Bean. Other specs include a quad-core 1.4GHz processor, 1.9 megapixel front-facing camera and 5 megapixel rear-facing camera. The tablet will be pre-loaded with some apps (that we first saw introduced with the Galaxy S III) including AllShare Play, Pop up Play and Group Cast. Polaris Office will also be another pre-loaded app. The office app is aimed at students along with the availability of the Kno education software and e-textbook software. And for those looking towards the Galaxy Note 10.1 for creativity, the tablet will bring the S Note application which will allow users to combine notes and sketches and use tools including Shape Match and Formula Match as well as Adobe Photoshop Touch which is integrated with the Adobe Creative Cloud and offering 2GB of cloud storage. All said and done, Verizon and Samsung have confirmed the release — now we just need to sit back and wait for a specific release date to be announced. Device Info
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Dimension & Weight
Battery & Power
Software
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 Cellular Network
Device Connectivity
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| Qualcomm announces next-gen quad-core 600 and 800 mobile processors Posted: 07 Jan 2013 06:39 PM PST Today those awesome folks from Qualcomm have outlined and detailed their attack on the mobile processor market for 2013. With their highly popular quad-core Snapdragon S4 Pro being the king of the latter half of 2012, they’re back with two brand new and improved quad-core Snapdragon’s for 2013. With improvements to all areas from speed to battery life, read on for the full details.
The all new Snapdragon 600 and 800 series mobile processors represent a significant leap in performance and usability for mobile devices, while expanding on more than just the average mobile aspects. Being the central hub of our content these days, Qualcomm is working to improve in all areas. The Snapdragon 600 series is what we’ll be seeing first, and is set to replace their current flagship S4 Pro 1.5 GHz quad-core. We all know the excellent performance it offered in the LG Nexus 4, Optimus G, DROID DNA and more, and Qualcomm’s looking to take that to an all new level in early 2013. The Snapdragon 600 should theoretically offer “up to 40% increased performance” over the S4 Pro before it, and has speeds ranging from 1.5 GHz to 1.9 GHz on all four cores. Then as usual, Qualcomm’s focused heavily on battery life and promise to give us a 40% performance increase while offering less battery usage. While they haven’t detailed exact battery stats, we’re expecting pretty significant increases across the board. This new SoC works with a quad-core Krait 300 CPU and the graphics are powered by a faster Adreno 320 GPU as well as support for LPDDR3 memory. We can expect mobile devices to rock their new 600 series in Q2 and throughout the summer of 2013.
Up next is Qualcomm’s new flagship Snapdragon 800 mobile processor. A system on chip that Qualcomm claims will power all "premium mobile and computing devices." The Snapdragon 800 will be their first processor on the improved, faster, and more efficient 28nm processor fabrication. Much like the Cortex-A15 processors. Qualcomm Snapdragon 800 processors include the new next-gen quad core Krait 400 CPU, Adreno 330 GPU, Hexagon v5 DSP and more. They’ve also integrated their latest 4G LTE Cat 4 modem to deliver increased system performance, connectivity, battery life, and much more. Above when we stated "premium mobile and computing devices" there was a reason for it. With smartphones only needing so much power, is a 2.3 GHz Snapdragon 800 really needed? Qualcomm’s answer is undoubtedly yes. With smartphones being the central hub for all of our daily tasks, pictures, videos, gaming, and more the power will always be improving. When your smartphone needs a single-core for web browsing you’ll be fine, when it needs the power for HD gaming streamed to our home theaters and 60-inch TV’s, Qualcomm will have that covered too. Smartphones are the hub of our daily lives, as well as other computing devices will also be powered by their latest and greatest. While the new Snapdragon 600 offers 40% improved performance over the current 1.5 GHz S4 Pro, the Snapdragon 800 will offer over 75% performance improvements, as well as much improved battery life due to the improved and more efficient 28nm processor fabrication process. The Snapdragon 800 also supports displays up to 2560×2048 as well as Miracast wireless video streaming at 1080p HD. Which works with Android 4.2 Jelly Bean and above. Qualcomm’s made huge strides in increasing performance, without compromising on battery life. In fact our mobile devices will see better battery performance while also offering top-tier speeds. As soon as we get some hands-on time we’ll test em out with a few quick benchmarks and report back. 2013 is already shaping up to be another huge year for Snapdragon. |
| Sony Xperia Z hands-on [Video] Posted: 07 Jan 2013 05:00 PM PST Sony has revealed its new flagship for 2013, the Sony Xperia Z, pairing a 5-inch Full HD display with a quadcore Qualcomm S4 Pro processor, 2GB of RAM, a waterproof chassis, and a 13-megapixel camera. The company has sprinkled a little of its Sony sparkle, too, bringing in the latest Mobile BRAVIA Engine 2 for improving screen quality, the Exmor RS sensor for photography – including HDR video, as well as stills – and a battery extending feature that could increase runtimes fourfold.
Sony’s style has evolved, happily, from previous Xperia phones: the Z ditches the cheaper-feeling plastic of before, in favor of shatterproof glass front and back, and inset glass-style strips along the gently curved edges. Even the power button has been refined, a milled nugget of aluminum that Sony believes will be more pleasing to the finger when it’s regularly stabbed at through the day. The whole phone comes in at 139 x 71 x 7.9 mm and 146g. It will last up to 30 minutes immersed in water.
Inside, there’s Jelly Bean on Qualcomm’s S4 Pro APQ8064+MDM9215 quadcore with Adreno 320 graphics and 2GB of RAM. A 4.2 upgrade will come “shortly after” the global rollout begins sometime this quarter. Connectivity includes LTE and HSPA+ – local market depending – plus WiFi, Bluetooth 4.0, NFC, MHL-HDMI, aGPS/GPS/GLONASS, and a microSD card slot for up to 32GB cards. Internal storage is 16GB, and there’s NFC.
The 2,330 mAh non-removable battery is rated for up to 14hrs of UMTS talktime or up to 510hrs of LTE standby. Sony also uses a Battery STAMINA Mode which – by turning off all background data use when the screen is off, except for user-whitelisted apps – can increase the amount of time the phone will last by up to 4x. A dynamic runtime estimate shows predicted longevity based on user usage style and historic app demands. Sony Xperia Z overview: The camera supports 10fps burst photography at 9-megapixels, continuing to shoot for as long as you have battery life or storage space. There’s also both HDR photo and video support, and Sony’s Superior Auto mode pulled from CyberShot cameras. The display can automatically improve the quality of video in real-time, boosting contrast, colors, and crispness, with an effect that’s clearly visible.
Sony is pushing NFC hard for its 2013 range, and not just in phones. The short-range wireless is used to quickly pair the new Stereo Bluetooth Headset SBH20 and Wireless Headset DR-BTN200M, but also works with the NFC-equipped remotes in Sony’s new TV range, to instantly pair them up for WiFi Direct video streaming. Sony Xperia Z walkthrough: A second version of the phone, the Sony Xperia ZL, will be offered in certain markets; it’s slightly shorter and slightly thicker, and isn’t waterproof. Both will begin a global rollout from Q1 2013, with pricing and availability to be confirmed later; Sony isn’t saying which US carrier(s) will get the Xperia Z, but the company did confirm to us that it will be launching in the country. Sony Xperia Z hands-on:                |
| Huawei Ascend D2 hands-on: A 5-inch display with a quad-core 1.5GHz processor Posted: 07 Jan 2013 02:19 PM PST In addition to the Ascend Mate, we also grabbed a few minutes with the Huawei Ascend D2 smartphone. Though, while this one is a smartphone as compared to the Ascend Mate, with a 5-inch display it still borders on that phablet category. But names aside, the 5-inch display on the Ascend D2 has a resolution of 1920 x 1080 and a PPI of 443 — both nice in every respect.
As far as the specs go, the Ascend D2 feature set includes a quad-core 1.5GHz Hi-Silicon K3V2 processor along with 2GB of RAM, 32GB of storage, a microSD card slot, 1.3 megapixel front-facing camera and a 13 megapixel rear-facing camera with auto-focus and HDR. The battery on the Ascend D2 is not quite as massive as compared to the Mate, however at 3000 mAh it should hold its own in terms of getting through the day.
Other goodies for the Ascend D2 include GPS, Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n, Bluetooth 4.0, a weight of 170 grams and measurements of 140 x 71 x 9.4mm. This handset will also be available in two colors — Crystal Blue and Pure White. In terms of the OS, expect to find Android 4.1 Jelly Bean.
In terms of the exterior design, the Ascend D2 is dust and water-resistant as well as anti-scratch thanks to the Corning Gorilla Glass. The handset also has an aluminum body and metal frame and according to Huawei, thanks to the curved design, it should fit “comfortably in the hand.” But as always, some real world experience will determine just how accurate that statement is.       |
| Huawei Ascend Mate hands-on: A 6.1-inch display with a massive 4050 mAh battery Posted: 07 Jan 2013 02:02 PM PST The Huawei press event is currently underway and we managed to steal a few moments with the Ascend Mate before things got underway. The handset, as had been rumored — is massive. The Ascend Mate does in fact have the 6.1-inch display, however that is not where the massive stops. We could also describe the battery as rather large as it comes in at 4050 mAh.
And for those wondering, that is large even as compared to the top dog Galaxy Note II with its 3100 mAh battery. Huawei notes that this should be able to provide up to two days of “ordinary” usage. Of course, some real-world usage will end up telling the tale of how good the battery life actually is. Other goodies for the Ascend Mate include Android 4.1.2 Jelly Bean along with a quad-core 1.5GHz Hi-Silicon K3V2 processor, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 4.0, a 1 megapixel front-facing camera and an 8 megapixel rear-facing camera with auto-focus and HDR.
Touching back on the display, aside from being 6.1-inches in size, it is IPS with a resolution of 1280 x 720. Oh, and we would be remiss if we failed to mention the Corning Gorilla Glass. The Ascend Mate will be available in two colors — Crystal Black and Pure White. Otherwise, the size. The handset weighs in at 198 grams and measures in at 6.5 x 3.4 x 0.4 inches.
The measurements bring us to the next point — the fact that Huawei has put some thought into handling and use. Some of the features that will make for easier use include a minimized keyboard and dial-pad (as seen in the above image). The handset will also ship with an “Easy Panel” which is said to be a Universal Quick Panel that gives access to apps such as Notes, Messages and Calculator from anywhere. That all being said, check out the hands-on images included in the post as well as in the gallery below.          |
| Velocity Micro Cruz D610 and Cruz Q610 Jelly Bean tablets unveiled at CES Posted: 07 Jan 2013 01:34 PM PST Velocity Micro has announced a pair of Android tablets, the Cruz D610 and the Cruz Q610. Both models are similar in features in that they are both sporting a 9.7-inch displays at 1024 x 768 and running Android 4.1 Jelly Bean. These two tablets are expected to come available in the later part of Q1 2013 and will be priced at $199 and $249 respectively.
That being said, lets get in to the break down for these models and share what you can expect for the $199 and $249 price points. To begin with, looking at the D and the Q in the names will give a clue in the processor — the D610 is powered by a dual-core processor and the Q610 is powered by a quad-core processor.
The Cruz Q610 is being powered by a quad-core Allwinner-A31 processor with 2GB of RAM, up to 64GB of internal storage space, a microSD card slot, microHDMI, microUSB, VGA quality front-facing camera and a 2 megapixel rear-facing camera. The Cruz D610 on the other hand is powered by a dual-core Allwinner A-20 processor with 1GB of RAM, 8GB of internal storage and a VGA quality front-facing camera. Otherwise, both tablets will arrive Google certified which means access to the Google Play Store. Bottom line here, these may not be the best tablets around, however they are certainly a nice step in the right direction for Velocity Micro, who in the past have been known for budget tablets. |
| Polaroid unveils the iM1836 Android camera with removable lens Posted: 07 Jan 2013 01:01 PM PST As we were expecting to happen, Polaroid has come forward with an official announcement for their Android based camera. The model is the iM1836 and as was rumored, the camera is running Android and sporting a removable lens. Polaroid has yet to offer anything specific in terms of a release date, however those interested should not have all that long of a wait.
The Polaroid iM1836 camera will bring features to include an 18.1 megapixel lens that is capable of shooting 1080p HD quality video, a 3.5 inch display and Android 4.1 Jelly Bean. Looks like the rumors were off on that one point, they were calling for the camera to be running Ice Cream Sandwich. Some of the camera features include a panorama mode along with an auto blink detection and auto face exposure. The camera will also feature an interchangeable lens, which assuming one is willing to buy an additional adapter, will work with micro four third lenses. Those making the purchase can expect to find a 10-30mm lens in the box. Other features include Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity as well a pop-up flash and an HDMI out for connecting to an HDTV. Finally, Polaroid has said the the iM1836 camera will be available during Q1 2013 and with a retail price point of $399. Bottom line here, the Polaroid Android camera may not have the cellular connectivity or larger display found on the Samsung Galaxy Camera, however the interchangeable lens system (along with the price tag) should be enough of a perk to make this one to consider. |
| Pantech Discover hands-on: A solid AT&T smartphone for just under $50 Posted: 07 Jan 2013 12:24 PM PST Earlier this morning we mentioned the new Pantech smartphone with AT&T, the Discover. This device will be available in just a few days time, on January 11. But perhaps key for some — the Discover will launch at a rather nice price point — $49.99 on a two-year agreement. And unlike some budget priced phones, the Pantech Discover has a rather nice set of specs.
Granted, that is not to say a perfect set of specs, however aside from launching with Ice Cream Sandwich as opposed to Jelly Bean, the Discover could be a handset to consider. Aside from the version of Android, the Discover is sporting a 4.8-inch 720p display along with a 12.6 megapixel rear-facing camera, NFC and a dual-core Qualcomm MSM8960 Snapdragon S4 processor.
An interesting tidbit about the Discover are the speakers, or maybe more accurately — the location of the speakers, of which there are two. Pantech touts these as dual 3D surround sound speakers and they will be found on the sides, towards the top of the phone. The Discover ships with the Pantech Easy Experience which is designed for those new to Android or new to smartphones in general as well as the Drive Mode app which further helps to stop you from texting while driving. The Drive Mode works and blocks incoming messages based on speed. That all being said, make sure to check out the hands-on images of the Pantech Discover as well as the video. And don’t forget that we will have plenty more CES coverage during the week so make sure you keep your browser pointed here.     |
| ZTE partners with Nuance for voice app support to include the new ‘Car Mode’ Posted: 07 Jan 2013 11:42 AM PST Coming out of CES earlier this morning, we learned that Nuance had added some new features to Swype. And more recently we have learned that Nuance has partnered with ZTE. The ZTE partnership is described as being multi-year, but really means that ZTE smartphone users will have the power of voice thanks to Nuance.
The details coming out of this announcement note that Nuance’s voice will be integrated into the new portfolio of ZTE devices. These devices will begin rolling out this year and the support will bring voice interaction in more than 25 languages. ZTE hasn’t gotten super specific into the full list of apps that will benefit as a result of this partnership, however they are touting the new Car Mode app, which will begin showing up on ZTE devices in 2013. The ZTE Car Mode app will allow users to do things such as make hands-free phone calls, have text messages read and access music. The key here, ZTE notes that this support will work in noisy automotive environments and not need any network or data connection. Perhaps key here though, the Car Mode (along with Nuance voice control) will allow users to remain both hands- and eyes-free. Some other neat features of the Car Mode app include being able to wake it using a hands-free wake-up word. You will also be able to enter a “Do Not Disturb” mode where the app will block incoming calls and messages until you arrive at your destination. Of course, assuming you stay out of the “Do Not Disturb” mode, the app will continue to announce items such as incoming calls and text messages and even tell you the local weather. |
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