The first question we had when Canonical showed Ubuntu for Phones off is “when can we get our hands on this.” At the time, we were only afforded a window of “in the coming weeks,” and which devices would get the treatment weren’t disclosed (though we had strong suspicion that the Galaxy Nexus would be one of them).
Well, it looks like Canonical is keeping its word as the company’s Alan Pope has reportedly confirmed a late February distribution date to OMG Ubuntu. As we suspected, since the Galaxy Nexus was the first public reference device shown off to the public then it will be the first device to get a flashable image. We want to assume that this will only apply to the unlocked HSPA+ version of the phone, of course, because Verizon and Sprint’s proprietary cellular code will create quite the obstacle.
That said, the source code will also be released so the fine developers around the Android community will do everything they can to make sure every Galaxy Nexus owner can get in on the fun. And who knows — perhaps some coding mastermind will find a way to get this onto other devices, as well.
Note that Canonical will distribute the OS in an unfinished state. A lot of stuff will work, but a lot might not be implemented or properly working right away. We can at least expect basic phone calling and messaging to work, though, so those looking to download it for laughs can probably use it as a daily driver if they really wanted to. We’ll be getting a closer look at this thing in Vegas very soon.
Ahead of Sony’s Press Conference (which is underway now), we got our hands on the press specs of two Android phones which are just about to be announced: the Sony Xperia Z & Sony Xperia ZL. We’ll bring you as much info as we possibly can on the breaking story, with hands-on video if possible, but for now… revel in the Xperia glory.
Sony Xperia Z:
5-inch Full HD 1080 x 1920 Reality Display with Mobile BRAVIA Engine 2
13MP fast capture camera with Exmor RS for mobile & HDR video
Dust & water resistant (IP55 & IP57)
1.5 GHz asynchronous quad-core Snapdragon S4 processor with 2GB
Battery STAMINA mode improves standby time by at least four times
One-touch mirroring
4G LTE for superfast entertainment
Sony Xperia ZL:
5-inch Full HD 1920 x 1080 Reality Display with Mobile BRAVIA Engine 2
13MP fast capture camera with Exmor RS for mobile & HDR video
1.5GHz quad-core Snapdragon S4 processor with 2GB RAM
Maximized display with the highest ratio of screen to phone size
Battery STAMINA mode improves Standby time by at least four times
It looks like Google will get another name into the Google TV world as Netgear has decided to release a product with the internet TV operating system. The company has announced the NeoTV PRIME, a set-top streaming box that delivers the same Google TV experience we’ve always been used to, except with Netgear’s expertise in media streaming hardware. It’s an exciting marriage that should give Google’s struggling platform a decent boost in conjunction with other OEMs stepping into the fold.
Like most Google TV devices, the NeoTV PRIME comes with a dual-sided remote control — one side will give you traditional video and navigation controls, while the other side houses a mini keyboard for typing. Netgear’s controller is quite nice with dedicated buttons for Netflix, YouTube, Amazon Instant Video, Vudu and more.
Netgear makes use of aVia, a media playing app that can find photos, audio and video from any form of digital storage, including your Android phones and tablets. At the end of the day it’s yet another Google TV device, but at $130 it’s worth giving it a shot if you’ve been looking for something quite recent. The device is supposed to be available right now in major retailers across the United States so be sure to check out your local Best Buy or Walmart if you’re interested. Find the full press release below.
That wasn’t all Netgear came to Vegas with, though. The company introduced a night vision add-on camera which is compatible with many of its NeoTV products. The camera can stream its feed to an Android device so you can monitor your couch (or wherever your TV might happen to be pointed at) from afar.
They also introduced the Push 2 TV wireless display adapter, a plug-and-play adapter that’ll allow you to mirror your smartphone, tablet, laptop and more right to your television. It’s not unlike Intel’s WiDi or the proprietary adapters from the likes of Samsung and HTC, but this product is device agnostic so there is a lot more in the compatibility department. Push2TV supports both WiFi and Miracast so if any of your products support these two technologies you’ll be able to stream your screen all the same.
LAS VEGAS, Jan. 7, 2013 /PRNewswire/ – NETGEAR®, Inc. (NASDAQGM: NTGR) (www.netgear.com), a global networking company that delivers innovative products to consumers, businesses and service providers, announced today at the International Consumer Electronics Show (CES®) the new NETGEAR NeoTV® PRIME with Google TV (GTV100) streaming player. As the newest addition to the NETGEAR family of streaming players for connected home theater entertainment, NeoTV PRIME enables you to easily find what you love to watch —whether it’s on live TV, streaming entertainment, apps, or the web— using one small NeoTV player.
Building on the features of NETGEAR NeoTV, NeoTV PRO and NeoTV MAX family of streaming players, the new NeoTV PRIME with Google TV extends your entertainment experience beyond just streaming video or even basic TV viewing. NeoTV PRIME opens up the world of apps from Google Play, delivering access to a growing library of entertainment including movies, TV shows, and music from streaming services such as Netflix, Amazon Instant Video, HBO Go, Crackle, Flixter, Rhapsody, Pandora and many more. Google Play gives you movies and new releases in HD, music albums, and apps designed specifically for the TV.
NeoTV PRIME supports playback of your personal media from external USB hard drives and home media servers. With the pre-installed aVia media player app on NeoTV PRIME, you can play, manage and share your videos, music, and photos from any of your digital storage and Google Android devices to your big screen TV. Thanks to the ‘My Media’ quick-start button on the NeoTV PRIME remote control, you easily access the media player app with the mere push of a button.
“Today, more than ever, consumers have to go back and forth through a number of home theater devices to find the entertainment they want to watch,” said Damir Skripic, product line manager for connected entertainment at NETGEAR. “With your NeoTV PRIME, you can access apps, live TV programming, and the web through one home theater device that continues to learn as you watch.”
NeoTV PRIME with Google TV offers PrimeTime, an app that helps you find and watch your favorite movies and TV shows all in one place, whether they are on live TV, an app, or the web. The remote control has a keyboard that makes it fast and easy to search for the shows that you want. With the press of a button, PrimeTime finds content recommended for you by learning what you like to watch and organizes it so you don’t need to scroll through the numerous pages of a live TV guide, or browse different apps to find the right movie.
The Chromebrowser offers access to the entire web directly on the TV, while Search enables you to look across multiple sources simultaneously to find your favorite entertainment. Even more, with the picture-in-picture feature, you can surf the web while watching live TV, all at the same time.
Thanks to NeoTV PRIME with Google TV, it’s never been easier to watch YouTube on your big-screen TV. Furthermore, when you update the YouTube mobile app on your Android smartphone or tablet, you will see a new button within the YouTube mobile app making it possible to send videos from your mobile devices to NeoTV PRIME with a single tap. Find a video on the YouTube app for Android, click the TV icon that appears on the app when your Android device and NeoTV PRIME are connected to the same WiFi network, and the video will play instantly.
NeoTV PRIME comes with a two-sided remote control, featuring a touchpad and directional pad on one side and a full-featured QWERTY keyboard on the other, giving you fast and easy control of all your applications and helping you to effortlessly search across the web, apps and television listings.
Pricing and Availability
The NETGEAR NeoTV PRIME with Google TV (GTV100) is available now in the United States from major retailers in stores and online at a suggested retail price of USD $129.99.
More Information
Visit www.netgear.com/gtv100 to learn more about NeoTV PRIME with Google TV. For information on other NETGEAR connected entertainment products, please visit www.netgear.com/stream.
NETGEAR launched a number of new WiFi, networking and media streaming products today during a press conference held in conjunction with the opening of CES in Las Vegas. Read the other CES-related announcements from NETGEAR atnetgear.com/about/press-releases/.
About NETGEAR, Inc.
NETGEAR (NASDAQGM: NTGR) is a global networking company that delivers innovative products to consumers, businesses and service providers. For consumers, the company makes high performance, dependable and easy to use home networking, storage and digital media products to connect people with the Internet and their content and devices. For businesses, NETGEAR provides networking, storage and security solutions without the cost and complexity of big IT. The company also supplies top service providers with retail proven, whole home solutions for their customers. NETGEAR products are built on a variety of proven technologies such as wireless, Ethernet and Powerline, with a focus on reliability and ease-of-use. NETGEAR products are sold in approximately 25,000 retail locations around the globe, and through approximately 40,000 value-added resellers. The company’s headquarters are in San Jose, Calif., with additional offices in over 25 countries. NETGEAR is an ENERGY STAR® partner. More information is available at www.NETGEAR.com or by calling (408) 907-8000. Connect with NETGEAR at twitter.com/NETGEAR and www.facebook.com/NETGEAR.
Safe Harbor Statement under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 for NETGEAR, Inc.: This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Specifically, statements concerning NETGEAR’s business and the expected performance characteristics, specifications, reliability, market acceptance, market growth, specific uses, user feedback and market position of NETGEAR’s products and technology are forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Safe Harbor. These statements are based on management’s current expectations and are subject to certain risks and uncertainties, including, without limitation, the following: the actual price, performance and ease of use of NETGEAR’s products may not meet the price, performance and ease of use requirements of customers; product performance may be adversely affected by real world operating conditions; failure of products may under certain circumstances cause permanent loss of end user data; new viruses or Internet threats may develop that challenge the effectiveness of security features in NETGEAR’s products; the ability of NETGEAR to market and sell its products and technology; the impact and pricing of competing products; and the introduction of alternative technological solutions. Further information on potential risk factors that could affect NETGEAR and its business are detailed in the Company’s periodic filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including, but not limited to, those risks and uncertainties listed in the section entitled “Part II – Item 1A. Risk Factors,” pages 46 through 65, in the Company’s quarterly report on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended September 30, 2012, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on November 6, 2012. NETGEAR undertakes no obligation to release publicly any revisions to any forward-looking statements contained herein to reflect events or circumstances after the date hereof or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events.
We’re live at Samsung’s press conference in Las Vegas where the company has just announced it would be sending its Samsung Galaxy Note 10.1 to Verizon’s store shelves. You can expect 4G LTE in tow, of course, as well lesser data radios for those areas without coverage. Other than Big Red’s super-fast data antennae this will be the same Samsung Galaxy Note 10.1 we’ve come to know and love.
The device will launch with Jelly Bean out of the box, and supports Samsung’s improved multi-view. Specs include a 10.1 inch display with Wacom digitizer support, a 1.4GHz quad-core processor, a 5 megapixel rear camera with a 2 megapixel shooter on the front, 2GB of RAM and more.
Samsung said the device would be headed to stores “this month,” but didn’t offer a specific date or any price points. We imagine Verizon will take care of sending that information out soon enough, though. And, hey, at least we know the wait won’t be long. Anyone going to spring for one of these?
SAMSUNG MOBILE UNVEILS 4G LTE-ENABLED SAMSUNG GALAXY NOTE™ 10.1 wITH VERIZON WIRELESS
Portable, lightweight tablet offers true multitasking, interactive entertainment and creative capabilities with LTE connectivity
LAS VEGAS, NV – January 7, 2013– From the 2013 International Consumer Electronics Show (CES), Samsung Telecommunications America (Samsung Mobile), the No. 1 mobile phone provider in the United States and the No. 1 smartphone provider worldwide1, today announced the Samsung Galaxy Note™ 10.1 will be available on the Verizon Wireless 4G LTE Mobile Broadband network in the coming weeks.
The Galaxy Note 10.1 optimizes productivity with multiscreen viewing and advanced S Pen functionality, offers entertainment features at home and on-the-go, and allows for creativity through S Pen-specific applications.
MULTITASKING & PRODUCTIVITY
The Galaxy Note 10.1 is the ideal tool to be more efficient. The multiscreen feature on the Galaxy Note 10.1 gives users the ability to effortlessly utilize two different applications side-by-side simultaneously for true and easy multitasking. Users can view Web pages or videos, or launch other applications while writing or sketching ideas with the S Pen on the other half of the screen without having to toggle back and forth between apps.
Polaris® Office provides robust word processing, spreadsheet and presentation capabilities on the Galaxy Note 10.1, and the S Pen support makes it a snap to mark up and annotate documents. Additionally, the Galaxy Note 10.1 is available with Kno education software available for K-12 and high education students. The e-textbook software allows Galaxy Note 10.1 users to download thousands of interactive textbooks.
ENTERTAINMENT
The Galaxy Note 10.1 is also the perfect living room companion. The Galaxy Note 10.1 features Samsung Smart Remote, which transforms the device into a universal remote control that can control an entire home entertainment system and even recommend programs. With Smart Remote, users can easily discover new TV shows and movies, and change the channel directly from the tablet.
The Galaxy Note 10.1 carries over several features first introduced on the Samsung Galaxy S III smartphone, including:
AllShare® Play enables users to seamlessly pass content from the Galaxy Note 10.1 to other Samsung devices. AllShare Play automatically notifies the Galaxy Note 10.1 of other devices on the same network that are ready to receive video files (Samsung HDTVs, mobile tablets, laptops and other consumer electronic devices).Users can also remotely access files from devices on other networks.
Pop up Play – Galaxy Note 10.1 users can watch side-loaded video content while operating any application in full-screen, background view at the same time, providing a "picture in picture" experience.
Group Cast allows users to share and collaborate on documents, presentations or images in real-time with multiple friends or co-workers without loading the file separately.
CREATIVITY
Creativity is taken to a new level with the intuitive S Pen that boasts 1,024 levels of pressure sensitivity. The S Pen is embedded directly into a slot in the Galaxy Note 10.1, which activates a taskbar with quick access to optimized S Pen apps such as S Note™, Adobe® Photoshop® Touch, Polaris Office and Kno.
The S Note application on the Galaxy Note 10.1 gives users the ability to combine notes and sketches with other digital content in ready-to-use templates. S Note also features productivity tools such as Shape Match, which converts hand-drawn shapes into perfect versions instantly, and Formula Match, which translates hand-written formulas into type and solves them with the Wolfram Alpha search engine.
Preloaded with Adobe Photoshop Touch, Galaxy Note 10.1 users can utilize popular Photoshop Touch features such as layers, selection tools, adjustments and filters to customize and edit images, remove people or objects from a photo, or blend two photos together. Photoshop Touch is integrated with Adobe Creative Cloud that gives users free access to file syncing and sharing features and 2 GB of storage space. User's files can be synched to the Creative Cloud and opened in Photoshop Touch on the desktop or online for further refinement.
HARDWARE PERFORMANCE & CONNECTIVITY
The Galaxy Note 10.1 boasts a brilliant touchscreen display, allowing customers to watch movies, view pictures and play games that come to life in high-definition (1280×800). The Galaxy Note 10.1 runs on the Android™ 4.1 operating system and is equipped with a 1.4 GHz quad-core processor that allows users to surf the internet at blazing speeds using the Verizon Wireless 4G LTE network. Measuring just 8.9 millimeters thin (less than half an inch) the Galaxy Note 10.1 weighs only 597 grams (roughly 21 oz.), making this tablet one of the most portable, premium and stylish tablets available. The device also includes a 5-megapixel main camera and a 1.9-megapixel front-facing camera.
ENTERPRISE READY
The Galaxy Note 10.1 is enterprise-ready and SAFE™ (Samsung for Enterprise) out of the box, meaning that enterprises across multiple industries can fully utilize these phones for business, including emerging Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) programs. Samsung SAFE smartphones and tablets provide stronger security to corporate employees using IT policy management through Microsoft Exchange ActiveSync (EAS), top-tier, multi-vendor Mobile Device Management (MDM) and Virtual Private Network (VPN) support, as well as on device encryption (ODE). In addition, it provides the most extensive Software Development Kit (SDK) to Solution Partners, which allows them to develop differentiated solutions on Samsung devices. This security-oriented SDK support applies to horizontal and various vertical solutions.
Editor's Note: The Samsung Galaxy Note 10.1 will be on display at CES 2013 in the Samsung booth (Las Vegas Convention Center, Central Hall, Booth #12004).
# # #
1 Samsung Mobile is the No. 1 mobile phone provider in the United States according to Strategy Analytics, North America Handset Vendor Marketshare, Q2 2012. Samsung Electronics Company is the No. 1 smartphone provider worldwide according to Strategy Analytics Global Smartphone Vendor Market Share by Region: Q2 2012.
Samsung, Galaxy S, Galaxy Note, and TecTile are trademarks of Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. Android is a trademark of Google Inc. Other company names, product names and marks mentioned herein are property of their respective owners and may be trademarks or registered trademarks.
SAFE Disclaimer: Disclaimer of Warranties: EXCEPT AS OTHERWISE PROVIDED IN THEIR STANDARD END USER LICENSE AND WARRANTY, TO THE FULL EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD., SAMSUNG TELECOMMUNICATIONS AMERICA, LLC, AND THEIR AFFILIATES (COLLECTIVELY REFERRED TO HEREIN AS THE "SAMSUNG ENTITIES") EXPRESSLY DISCLAIM ANY AND ALL WARRANTIES, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING ANY WARRANTY OF MERCHANTABILITY, FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, INTEROPERABILITY OR NON-INFRINGEMENT, WITH RESPECT TO INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY SECURITY PROTECTION, SAFE™ DEVICES AND APPLICATIONS TESTED WITH SAFE™ DEVICES. IN NO EVENT SHALL THE SAMSUNG ENTITIES BE LIABLE FOR ANY DIRECT, INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, PUNITIVE, OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES OF ANY KIND WHATSOEVER WITH RESPECT TO INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY SECURITY PROTECTION, SAFE™ DEVICES OR APPLICATIONS TESTED WITH SAFE™ DEVICES. In addition, information technology security protection will be affected by features or functionality associated with, among other things the e-mail platform, master data management, and virtual private network solutions selected by the software provider, solution provider or user. Choice of an e-mail, master data management, and virtual private network solution is at the sole discretion of the software provider, solution provider or user and any associated effect on information technology security protection is solely the responsibility of the software provider, solution provider or user. For complete statement of limited warranty, please refer to www.samsung.com/us/safe, available on the web and where Samsung smartphone and Galaxy Tab™ devices are sold.
About Samsung Telecommunications America
Samsung Telecommunications America, LLC, (Samsung Mobile) a Dallas-based subsidiary of Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd., researches, develops and markets wireless handsets, wireless infrastructure and other telecommunications products throughout North America. For more information, please visit www.samsung.com.
About Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. is a global leader in consumer electronics and the core components that go into them. Through relentless innovation and discovery, we are transforming the worlds of televisions, smartphones, personal computers, printers, cameras, home appliances, medical devices, semiconductors and LED solutions. We employ 227,000 people across 75 countries with annual sales exceeding US$143 billion. Our goal is opening new possibilities for people everywhere. To discover more, please visit www.samsung.com.
The days of Huawei as a manufacturer of low-tier phones are officially over, as the company today revealed not one but two quad-core Android powerhouses. The Huawei Ascend Mate (above) and Huawei Ascend D2 (below) , which feature displays measuring in at 6.1 and 5 inches respectively, both run Android 4.1 and are a far cry from the sort of devices the Chinese company was unveiling only a few short years ago.
The latest Ascend models continue a trend that began with the Huawei Ascend P1 and Ascend D Quad, putting an emphasis on design and performance. The Ascend Mate, which boasts the biggest screen on a device billed as a smartphone that we have ever seen, and also carries an 8MP camera.
Speaking of cameras, Huawei is putting a new emphasis on imaging technology. The Ascend D2 carries a 13MP camera and f/2.2 aperture. The sensor is capable of HDR video recording. Also emphasized is battery life and performance among the new models. The D2 carries a 3000mAh battery while the Mate holds a whopping 4000mAh within. Huawei claims two days of use on a single charge for that device.
Finally, Huawei has made sure their latest phones are resistant to all the dangers that may befall our beloved handsets, including dust, water, and falls from height. The displays have been engineered with technology that can sense touch through gloves.
All things considered, there is little reason to not be impressed with what Huawei has shown this year at CES. Based on the limited showing of other manufacturers so far, we the Ascend Mate and Ascend D2 might just be some of the best handsets of the show. We can’t wait to get some hands-on time at Hauwei’s booth.
The folks at Alcatel came to Vegas to prove that there’s still life in their smartphone aspirations, and have decided to announce three decent-looking phones for the public to drool over. The OEM announced the ONE TOUCH Idol, ONE TOUCH Idol Ultra and the ONE TOUCH Scribe HD.
The Idol Ultra looks to claim the “world’s thinnest smartphone” tag, a title which changes hands quite often in this day and age. Coming in at just 6.45mm thin, the Idol Ultra features a 4.7 inch HD display, a 1.2GHz dual-core processor, an 8 megapixel camera with 1080p HD video recording and will run Android Jelly Bean to start.
The One Touch Idol is a smidgen thicker than the Idol Ultra, and it comes in at a weight of just 3.88 ounces. The specs are quite similar to the Idol Ultra with a 4.7 inch IPS display, a dual-core processor, an 8 megapixel HD camera, a 2 megapixel front camera and Android Jelly Bean. The device will come in brushed metallic finishes so it should feel like a premium experience.
The One Touch Scribe HD is really interesting, though. It boasts a 5 inch HD display (resolution unknown) and is powered by MediaTek’s quad-core MT6589 chipset, has an 8 megapixel HD camera, a 720p webcam on the front and Android Jelly Bean.
Alcatel has a lot of ground to make up if it wants to come within reach of the likes of Samsung, Motorola and HTC, but if you needed a line of smartphones to start a journey with I’d say this is a pretty good one to get behind. Stay tuned as we look to get hands on with all of these new wares, and read on for full press details.
World's Slimmest Smartphone, ALCATEL ONE TOUCH Idol Ultra, Unveiled at 2013 Consumer Electronic Show
Las Vegas, Nevada (Consumer Electronic Show) – January 7, 2013 – TCL Communication, the leading global designer and manufacturer of ALCATEL ONE TOUCH branded mobile devices, today announced the brands 2013 smartphone lineup, including the world's slimmest smartphone, the ONE TOUCH Idol Ultra and the first phone to feature the new MediaTek MT6589 quad-core chipset, the ScribeHD.
"The Alcatel ONE TOUCH brand has grown exponentially since entering the U.S. market eight years ago," said Nicolas Zibell, President, Americas & Pacific for ALCATEL ONE TOUCH. "And with the launch of our new smartphone collection we plan to take things to the next level."
ONE TOUCH Idol Ultra
The ONE TOUCH Idol Ultra smartphone is the thinnest smartphone yet. The device breaks current market records at 6.45mm thin. Performance is not compromised in this design with features such as a stunning 4.7'' HD AMOLED display, a 1.2GHz dual-core processor, 8MP camera that captures 1080p video, and running on Android Jelly Bean.
ONE TOUCH Idol
In the same product line, the ONE TOUCH Idol also breaks current records, weighing in at 110 grams (3.88 oz) making it the lightest smartphone in its category. The device's dual-core processor and Android platform provides a feature-rich experience and supports a large, bright 4.7" IPS display, 8MP camera and 2MP front camera, running on Android Jelly Bean and offered in premium brushed metallic finishes.
"The ONE TOUCH Idol device series represents a breakthrough in technology," said Alain Lejeune, Head of Research and Development for ALCATEL ONE TOUCH. "We've pushed the barriers on design, resulting in devices that offer the perfect balance between ultra-slim form factor, large display, outstanding performance, and rich user experience, while keeping the devices affordably priced to consumers."
ONE TOUCH Scribe HD
The ONE TOUCH SCRIBE HD introduces new creative tools for personal expression and productivity. The 5″ HD smartphone is first to debut the new MediaTek MT6589 quad-core chipset, providing faster Internet performance, smoother user-experience to simultaneously run power-hungry apps & games, along with premium multimedia & graphics capabilities. Beyond running a quad-core CPU, the ONE TOUCH Scribe HD also supports 4G speeds, 8MP camera plus 720p HD front camera, and operates on Android Jelly Bean.
A perfect blend of technology and design, these phones offer both form and function and are available in a wide collection of fresh and trendy colors. Additionally the company will be showcasing the exciting and colorful ONE TOUCH POP series of smartphones that redefine simplicity, as well as a series of thinner, sharper and faster tablets and new innovative connectivity devices.
A couple years ago, Nokia CEO Stephen Elop said they wouldn’t use Android because it was like being a Finnish boy that pees in his pants to stay warm throughout the winter. The latest rumors suggest the company might do exactly that and now further speculation is being made based on a comment Elop made himself that apparently leave the Android door open (and zipper down?).
"In the current ecosystem wars we are using Windows Phone as our weapon. But we are always thinking about what's coming next, what will be the role of HTML 5, Android… Today we are committed and satisfied with Microsoft, but anything is possible."
It was one of our 12 predictions for Android in 2013: Nokia ends Microsoft partnership and embraces Android. Sure it sounded like a long shot — what with Nokia CEO Stephen Elop’s harsh words about the Android platform. But it seems lackluster sales and a not-so-bright future could signal the end of their exclusivity agreement with Microsoft.
Nokia’s sword is definitely getting duller and turning to Android may be their last hope at giving the company their edge back. The Nokia 920 running stock Android 4.2 Jelly Bean is a mighty fine proposition and Android could always use another player entering the market. It’s no fun having Samsung dominate the industry.
Naysayers will point to the comment and say a Nokia Android phone is hogwash, claiming a high profile company exec needs to maintain neutrality to some degree; playing it safe is a classic PR move. That luxury would normally be granted, but when you’ve likened an operating system to pants peeing, and then later to decry said pants peeing platform, you’ve got to wonder if that Microsoft Gerber 8 did something to baby Nokia’s belly.
If Stephen Elop and Nokia do enter the Android space, I’ll welcome them with open arms. After all, I am a huge Billy Madison fan:
And if peeing in your pants is cool… I hope to consider Nokia as Miles Davis.
For Android fans, Panasonic didn’t have the most exciting press conference. In fact, this year’s CES is shaping to be big for the television industry with mobile stepping a bit out of the limelight. Panasonic announced a full range of products – from beauty and hair care appliances to televisions and cameras – but the most interesting announcements came on the software side.
Take this video demo, for example, where Panasonic demonstrates their new TV Touchpen feature:
(Best video moment: 20-second mark where a “let’s shake hands” gets confused for a “ehrmagerd gimme muh iPad”)
While not Android-specific and not ground breaking, I found it cool enough to share. And I think the non-story here is a pretty big story itself. Google TV has failed to gain traction. Android-based gaming devices are currently the hot thing, with the announcement of NVIDIA Shield and the imminent release of OUYA. But television manufacturers are largely reluctant to hop onboard the Android bandwagon.
Instead, TV manufacturers are banding together to continue development of their own ecosystems and services. Whereas Android was able to consolidate and unify an incredibly broad mobile ecosystem that previously refused to adapt, the television industry may be looking on, unwilling to give up control to Android. I can’t say I blame them… once that happens, Android is pretty much in the TV driver’s seat.
Above is Panasonic’s new MyScreen feature that allows each member of the family to have their own start screen. This is a feature recently offered by other home entertainment solutions, most recently the Nintendo Wii U. It almost seems like the battle for mobile os over, won by Apple and Google with Microsoft clinging on; the next tech war frontier is the television, and before the big guys go from a gaze to stare, the TV makers are putting a stake in their ground.
If all the TV makers were able to band together and make it happen, I’d be enthused. But the ecosystem is still fractured, preventing developers from producing far reaching solutions, which in the end limits the speed of innovation and value to consumers. Take for example this “innovative” app for the Home Shopping Network (HSN) available on Panasonic’s new Smart TVs:
This is disappointing for a few reasons:
They chose this app of all the options to showcase their product
It’s basically an on-demand “spam-yourself-with-shopping” catalog and strays from the reasons HSN and QVC are successful in the first place (the concept of “live TV” and limited quantities/deals)
The UI is horribly disgusting and outdated… and that’s being generous
So will HSN make this half-willed attempt at an app on a bunch of different provider’s television systems? Wouldn’t HSN, Panasonic’s customers, and consumers all be better off if HSN could focus on one platform (say… Android?) and focus on creating one app to work across many TVs that was actually… good?
Panasonic has some incredibly compelling products at CES 2013 and I’m eager to see them on the show floor, but I can’t help but see the comparisons and parallels of the mobile industries former challenges and television’s current challenges. The next several CES events could very well be focused on the tech battle for the television and seamless home entertainment for the entire family.
Based on the way my words project, I assume you’ve understood my opinion. Now I’d like to hear yours.
Amid all the crazy CES happenings, AT&T saw fit to sneak this presser into the busy news day. The Pantech Discover will be headed to America’s second biggest carrier starting January 11th, and will cost you just $50. This price point may lead you to believe the Pantech Discover doesn’t have much to offer under the hood, but the truth of the matter is that this is one impress smartphone.
The device features a 4.8 inch 1280×720 display, a 12 megapixel camera with 1080p HD video recording, a 1.5GHz dual-core processor, 1GB of RAM, 16GB of internal storage, 2,100mAh battery, NFC and more. Software wise, we know this thing will come with at least Android 4.0 as the older Pantech Flex does, but we aren’t 100% sure. We’ll look to get more information about the version of Android, but we imagine those details were left out of the press release for a reason.
No matter which exact version of Android it has, though, you can expect to find the same Easy Experience mode that was featured on the Pantech Flex. This feature allows you to switch between a more traditional, customizable Android experience and a simplified experience for those new to Android. I reviewed Easy Experience mode a while ago, and while I’m personally too advanced for it to be satisfying I can see how an inexperienced user would love it. Read on for full press details.
DALLAS, Jan. 7, 2013/PRNewswire/ – Kicking off 2013 with one of Pantech’s most impressive Android smartphones to date, AT&T* announces the Pantech Discover™, available for $49.99** with a two-year agreement, in all AT&T channels beginning Jan. 11. Pantech Discover will be the first AT&T smartphone pre-loaded with the AT&T DriveMode® application, an app designed to help prevent texting while driving.
A 4G LTE smartphone, the sleek Discover boasts a large 4.8-inch HD display (1280 x 720) and an impressive 12.6-megapixel camera with 4X zoom, as well as the ability to record and playback video in HD 1080p (1920 x 1080) at 30 frames per second. The Discover’s dual 3D surround sound speakers provide a rich audio experience, ideal for listening to music and watching movies, while the built-in near field communication (NFC) technology allows users to share content, read smart tags, or pay for goods and services right from their phone. Packed with high tech features for an affordable price, the Discover provides tremendous value, fast data speeds, and high performance to entertainment seekers and business professionals alike.
The Discover features AT&T DriveMode®, an app that helps curb texting and driving . The app can be set-up to automatically send a customizable reply to incoming messages once a vehicle starts moving 25 mph. The auto-reply message is similar to an “out-of-office alert” and can reply to texts, emails and wireless callers letting your friends know that you are driving and unable to respond. The app will automatically send all calls directly to voicemail; however, the user has the option to create an “allow list” or it can also be turned off manually at any time if the user needs to make a call immediately. ***
“The Pantech Discover combines a feature-packed experience – complete with a 12.6-megapixel camera and HD display – with a cost-effective price point, giving AT&T customers yet another strong option in our 4G LTE portfolio,” said Jeff Bradley , senior vice president- Devices, AT&T. ”AT&T is dedicated to educating customers about the dangers of texting while driving and providing real solutions to help prevent the behavior. With DriveMode pre-loaded on the Discover, we hope that users will be less likely to text and drive.”
First announced for AT&T on the Pantech Flex in September 2012, Pantech’s exclusive Easy Experience and Standard Experience modes, are also available on the Discover. The Easy Experience mode prioritizes customers’ apps on the home screen in a clearly organized and easy-to-read format. Customers can easily switch between Easy Experience and the Standard Experience, a classic Android format available for users who prefer to access Discover’s wide range of features – social media, video, email – in a highly customizable interface.
In addition, the Discover is a great option for business users as it comes with full VPN and EAS support, plus device encryption for secure access to corporate email and intranets. Its 1.5 GHz dual-core processor, 16 GB on-board memory plus SwiftKey app allow for maximum efficiency, while its 2,100 mAh battery makes it easier to be productive all day.
“Pantech is taking 2013 by storm with the launch of Discover,” said Gary Cherner , vice president of marketing and sales at Pantech. “By launching products at very competitive price points, Pantech is continuing to prove that high quality smartphones don’t need to come with a high price tag.”
AT&T customers have access to the nation’s largest 4G network , covering 288 million people. AT&T’s 4G LTE network covers more than 170 million people.****
*AT&T products and services are provided or offered by subsidiaries and affiliates of AT&T Inc. under the AT&T brand and not by AT&T Inc.
** Requires 2-yr wireless agreement with qualified voice and data plans or Mobile Share. Other charges and restrictions apply.
***Data and text messaging charges may apply for download and app usage. Standard messaging rates apply to auto-reply messages. AT&T DriveMode is free to AT&T customers only. Compatible device required.
**** 4G speeds not available everywhere. Limited 4G LTE availability in select markets. LTE is a trademark of ETSI. Learn more at att.com/network.
About AT&T
AT&T Inc. (NYSE: T) is a premier communications holding company and one of the most honored companies in the world . Its subsidiaries and affiliates – AT&T operating companies – are the providers of AT&T services in the United States and internationally. With a powerful array of network resources that includes the nation’s largest 4G network, AT&T is a leading provider of wireless, Wi-Fi, high speed Internet, voice and cloud-based services. A leader in mobile Internet, AT&T also offers the best wireless coverage worldwide of any U.S. carrier, offering the most wireless phones that work in the most countries. It also offers advanced TV services under the AT&T U-verse® and AT&T │DIRECTV brands. The company’s suite of IP-based business communications services is one of the most advanced in the world.
Additional information about AT&T Inc. and the products and services provided by AT&T subsidiaries and affiliates is available at http://www.att.com . This AT&T news release and other announcements are available at http://www.att.com/newsroomand as part of an RSS feed at www.att.com/rss . Or follow our news on Twitter at @ATT .
Pantech Wireless, Inc., an Atlanta, GA based subsidiary of Pantech Co., Ltd., researches, markets and develops wireless handsets, tablets and telecommunications products throughout North America as part of the Pantech Group. PR Newswire (http://s.tt/1y3RW)
In previous years at CES we’ve seen several different interesting waterproofing technologies, for example Liquipel’s magical waterproofing last year and Zagg has similar solutions. In fact, this isn’t the first time we’ve seen Hz0 either: you may recall when we reported their waterproofing of the Galaxy S2 way back in November 2011.
Well they’re back and this time they’re bullying demo Android devices with beer, orange juice, fruit punch, water, and other nasty liquids. If anyone was foolish enough to think beer and Android didn’t mix delightfully, think again:
The difference between Hz0 and their competitors? Hz0 representatives claims it’s the difference in sealing technology. Hz0′s product is based on nanotechnology, allegedly less porous than the competition and therefore offering greater protection. According to Hz0, that’s why Liquipel and Zagg wouldn’t dare rip open the battery case, expose some internals, yet still drop a phone into a bucket of water with music still playing.
If you ask the folks at Liquipel and Zagg, I’m sure they would tell you a much different story. Regardless of what story they tell you, I want to hear the story from OEMs and carriers: why aren’t these waterproofing services included by default on every phone you offer? Oh, let me guess: because you make more money selling replacements for broken water damaged phones than tacking on additional costs on each device.
Exactly. Let’s hear from you in the comments if you think the majority of high end phones should be waterproofed by default. And, well, let’s hear from you if you disagree as well.
While OUYA has been hard at work compiling its impressive list of development partners for the console’s spring launch, the folks behind the Kickstarter sensation wants to encourage developers everywhere to create wares for the console. It’s easy enough to create and port games to OUYA with the ODK, but perhaps a little bit of a fruitful nudge will get a few more independent developers excited for the Android console.
That’s where OUYA CREATE comes in, a new development competition that will deliver $45,000 in cash and prizes for developers to create working game prototypes for OUYA. The games have to be new, meaning no porting existing titles, and the prototypes have to be whipped up by January 23rd. If you can buckle down and get knee deep into some code you could find yourself in line for some nice prizes. Here’s a more detailed account of how things will go down:
Create a *new* game for OUYA – any style, any genre as long as it's playable (and, of course, fun).
Submit your playable OUYA game prototype between January 14 and 23 to Kill Screen for review.
Show off a video of your demo on YouTube, tweet it up on Twitter, gather your fans on Facebook to gain gamer support and awareness of your OUYA game. Social media support will be one of the criteria used to select finalists.
Kill Screen is OUYA’s partner on the competition, and they — alongside some other industry names — will be the ones reviewing and judging entries. Winners will be picked based on purposely subjective views of the games’ “sheer greatness,” community support for the game (meaning you need to get those “likes” and “thumbs up” campaigns going), and successful use of the OUYA to its full potential.
The grand prize will be $20,000, nothing to sneeze at for most budding independent game developers. The grand prize winner will also get a “you did it” bonus once the game is complete and fully launches on OUYA. Five runner ups will receive $5,000 for winning one of the following categories:
“Most Surprising” Award: For the game that does something new and unexpected.
“Four Bright Buttons and Two Joysticks” Award: For the game demonstrating the best controls.
“Most Immersive” Award: For best demonstration of how a game feels in your living room, instead of your pocket.
“Best Couch with Friends” Award: For the game that makes us most nostalgic for the days of all-nighters and Goldeneye in our friend’s basement.
“Pop Your Eyes Out” Award: For the game that astounds, visually.
And should those winners complete and launch their games, they will get $1,000 bonuses. It sounds great to me. I would be quick to download the ODK if I were a developer because these are some great prizes to be had, and if you were looking to expand your portfolio and get some more eyes on your wares then this is a great way to do just that.
Entries will be accepted starting January 13th and will continue to be accepted through January 24th. Head to the OUYA CREATE site for more details. Oh, and if you’re looking for an awesome community to share ideas with why not head to OUYABoards.com and sign up? It only takes a minute, and you’ll be mingling with some of the most enthusiastic OUYA fans you’ll find.
The folks at ASUS have announced one of the most exciting Google TV devices we’re probably going to see this year. It’s the ASUS Qube, and it’s the first device which aims to break the traditional model of long set-top boxes or Google TV embedded directly into television sets. This little sucker is a cube, and it will deliver a Google TV experience unlike anything we’ve seen before.
ASUS has employed a custom user interface that uses “cubes” for navigation, allowing you to find the content and apps you want in a very awesome way. It almost sounds like what Samsung tried to do with its old Behold phones, though we expect the implementation to be much better and a lot more user friendly.
One of the unique features of the Qube is its motion-enabled remote. You can navigate the Qube interface by waving the remote around, and although other uses haven’t been unveiled just yet we’re expecting ASUS to do even more with it. There weren’t any other details or specs to be had, but we imagine the box will pack enough of a punch to handle anything Google TV has to offer.
Pricing and availability couldn’t be had right away, natch, but we hope to hear a lot more very soon. We’ve been saying for a while that Google TV needs an injection of something exciting, and ASUS might be the first to deliver in 2013 with the most interesting device we’ve seen thus far. PS: Google, this is what the Nexus Q should have been. Just sayin’.
We know about LG’s 2013 Google TV lineup, but until today we haven’t been able to see them live. The new sets have been officially unveiled today at CES, and they are looking nice, guys. As expected, they will come in 42, 47, 50, 55 and 60-inch versions. More than enough to cover any room in the house!
These are as bezel-less as you have seen, and look gorgeous. One can also use all the new features from Google TV 3.0, like Voice Search, the new PrimeTime and more. LG is also showcasing its new remote, but it is not much different. They just moved the D-pad a little higher. We weren’t able to use the set so we can’t say much about performance and software, but we will definitely be looking for some hands-on action at the showfloor.
LG wouldn’t comment on price either, but they said it would be released by March and be equally similarly to last year’s sets. Last year’s 47-inch LG Google TV was $1600 upon release, while the 55-inch version was $2100. So, you get an idea – they are not cheap.
That is all we could get from LG for now, but we will find more details at the show floor. Stay tuned! Are you guys buying one of these, now that we know what the average price will be?
Tobii (tobii.com) isn’t a new company – they’ve been around for over a decade – but what they’re showing this year at CES is nothing short of outrageously innovative. You look at your computer monitor, it tracks your eye movement, and you use only your eyes to scroll, click, and perform actions. While we’ve heard of this idea in practice there is a difference with Tobii: it’s working and I tried it successfully for myself.
The Tobii Rex, which will first be available to developers for $995, plugs in through any USB port and works instamagically. But as you can see from the above video, only (at least for the moment) works with Windows 8 devices. So why are we covering it on Phandroid? You’ll likely see Tobii technology built into Google Glass when it launches.
Below is a picture of an existing Tobii product… look familiar? As I mentioned, Tobii has been around for 10+ years, only not in the consumer technology space. Tobii is mostly focused on in the B2B space as a research company. For example, take 100 consumers, ask them to wear the Tobii glasses, put them in a grocery store aisle, and see exactly where there eyes wander. The resulting information offers invaluable information to marketers about product placement, packaging, and other critical information that helps companies make decisions and sales.
Privacy concerns aside, Google is the type of company that loves analytics, collecting information about consumers, and crowd sourcing that data to create valuable resources for others.
I want to make something very clear: I’m only speculating that Tobii will be a Google Glass Partner. When asked directly, VP of the Silicon Valley Tobii location said explicitly that he could not disclose any partnerships with Google or Google Glass. But it doesn’t take a genius to connect the dots. Just browsing around their website lends itself some interesting ideas on how they might leverage their “Gaze Interaction” and “Eye Tracking Research” down the road.
Tobii’s technology is truly fascinating, partly because of the innovative concept, but even moreso because it actually works. If you couldn’t understand how Google Glass might create opportunities for new interactive experiences, I highly suggest you watch the video above and discuss in the comments below. And even then, watching someone control the Tobii made it seem like a tech demo that somehow cheated its way to seeming cool. Controlling it yourself? Blown away.
Watch for Tobii in 2013 and beyond, whether it’s with the Tobii Rex and Windows 8, Google Glass, or other platforms and opportunities. They specifically mentioned the potential opportunities in the gaming sector… think about THAT! How about a gun-slinging first person shooter where you use only two things: your eyesight and the trigger button.
Tobii is definitely a company to keep your eye on and we’ll make sure to keep you up to date with the latest developments.
We just got back from LG’s CES 2013 showing, and while much of the OEM’s announcements regarded Smart Home appliances, LG threw a sliver of Android news in there for us to sink our teeth into. The company announced Panorama Note, a feature not unlike Samsung’s S Note that’ll allow you to draw to your heart’s content.
Coming to the LG Optimus Vu: II, Panorama Note’s claim to fame will be that you can create your masterpieces on the odd 3:! aspect ratio display instead of the normal ratio we’re used to. Yep, that’s all it is. LG Mobile CEO Jong-Seok Park says that the company’s phone will continue to come with industry-leading specs, but that its user experience will remain just as big of a focus as LG looks to continue to differentiate itself throughout 2013.
Oddly enough, the South Korean manufacturer opted to save its biggest mobile news for a later date. It will wait until the tech industry converges on Barcelona, Spain this February for Mobile World Congress. We’re sure to see a round of smartphones, and perhaps LG will take another crack at the tablet market. Whatever happens, though, you can bet we’ll be in attendance to get a nice, long look at all the latest LG has to offer. Read on for full press details.
SEOUL, Jan. 7, 2013 -– LG Electronics will introduce a new feature, Panorama Note, on the Optimus Vu: II for the first time at the 2013 International CES, held in Las Vegas, Nevada. Panorama Note allows users to create extra wide 3:1 ratio memos and drawings directly on smartphone displays.
Panorama Note feature was developed from the analog philosophy of scribbling freely on a large canvas and allows users to write, draw or jot notes while navigating the wide 3:1 ratio image. Panorama Note features 5.8 times zooming capability, easy navigation of the screen both vertically and horizontally via cursors and a Mini Map that shows the location of the viewed image in the original image.
"Panorama Note is just one of many user experience features that LG will be introducing this year to differentiate our mobile devices," said Dr. Jong-seok Park, president and CEO of LG Electronics Mobile Communications Company. "Our UX features will be deeply integrated with our devices to take advantage of the smartphones' specific hardware. The battle of smartphone specs will continue but we're going to take the competition to the next level."
At CES LG will provide an experimental zone where visitors can personally experience LG's innovative UX such as QSlide, Live Zooming and Dual Screen Dual Play on LG handsets. The new Vu: Talk feature will also make its international debut at CES on Optimus Vu: II. The Panorama Note will be available on specific target devices in 2013.
PR Newswire
PR Newswire
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