Android Community |
- Qualcomm details Quick Charge 2.0 to power devices 75% faster
- CNN app update brings live video
- HTC One will also be available in Red
- Kyocera Event joins the pre-paid Virgin Mobile USA lineup
- HTC One launch event posted, you can watch it here
- LG Optimus F7 and F5 images leak ahead of MWC announcement
- Google talks Glass, shows how it will feel and what it will do
- ASUS teases the “next mobile transformation” ahead of MWC
- YotaPhone manufacturer picked with an expectation of release later in 2013
- Acer Liquid E1 and Z2 smartphones announced ahead of MWC
- SwiftKey 4 hits the Play Store, Flow available for all
- HTC One S and Rezound updates rolling out today
- Qualcomm’s new ‘Born Mobile’ ad series makes the bus stop fun again
- T-Mobile goes nationwide with GoSmart Mobile pre-paid service
- Vine job posting suggests an Android app is coming
- Sony Xperia Z Android 4.2.2 update tipped for March
- HTC One vs the Android and iOS competition
| Qualcomm details Quick Charge 2.0 to power devices 75% faster Posted: 20 Feb 2013 10:39 AM PST We all want to spend less time by a wall outlet at the airport and more time browsing Facebook, Reddit, Twitter, ESPN, or whatever else we all do on our smartphones. Last week we reported on a feature called Quick Charge 1.0 from Qualcomm, but today they’ve introduced 2.0 to take things up a notch. Quick Charge has been around for some time, only they just detailed it last week, now today they’re releasing details on what will make their new Snapdragon 800 series the best chip yet.
Quick Charge 1.0 has been available for months and is in their Snapdragon S4 and S4 Pro devices like your Galaxy S III or LG Nexus 4, but their future devices will have Quick Charge 2.0 – a technology that will make our devices charge up to 75% faster than the competition. We know Qualcomm just detailed this originally, but we’ll take the new features as fast as they can deliver them. This rapid-charging technology allows us to charge our smartphones and tablets powered by a new Snapdragon 800 series processor more than 75% faster than the previous generation. This means large smartphones or tablets with huge batteries can be completely charged in under 3 hours. 1.0 offered 10w of power via USB, and now Quick Charge 2.0 can supply 60w, which means bigger batteries in tablets and even laptops can be charged quickly from USB in the future. Qualcomm has put a lot of effort into making their new Snapdragon 600 and 800 processors extremely efficient so they’ll sip battery, and now they are making recharge times shorter. This means more using our devices daily for the things we love, and spending less time worrying about battery life or looking for an outlet. We can expect to see this feature rollout into devices later this year with their top end 800 series processors and beyond. Good stuff Qualcomm. Keep it up! [via Qualcomm] |
| CNN app update brings live video Posted: 20 Feb 2013 10:22 AM PST CNN for Android has recently been updated. The app update brings one main feature along with some bug fixes and something that will likely either be loved or hated. This update brings the app up to version 1.3.0 and it remains available by way of the Google Play Store and for devices running Android 2.2 or later. That one main new feature — live video.
Simply put, CNN app users will now be able to stream live broadcasts. The first launch after you update will prompt you to the new feature in the form of a pop-up. It guides you to go the Live TV section and click the “Unlock and Watch” option to get started. You can get the the Live TV section by tapping the menu icon in the top left or by swiping towards the right. Nothing all that surprising here, but you will not be able to stream until you login with your cable providers credentials. Once logged in it is just a matter of hitting the “Watch CNN Now” button in the Live TV section and worry not, the app will save those credentials until you log out. Otherwise, the fixes were not broken down and simply noted as being “minor bug fixes.” As for that last change, the one we think people will either love or hate — the app will now say “This is CNN” at launch. This is in the voice of James Earl Jones and for those not digging it, you do have the option to turn it off. Those (myself included), will need to go to Menu -> User Settings and uncheck the box for “This is CNN” Audio. Additionally, this is the same area you will need to visit to turn the breaking news updates on or off. Bottom line here, a rather nice update.    [via Google Play Store] |
| HTC One will also be available in Red Posted: 20 Feb 2013 10:04 AM PST Yesterday after all the waiting and teaser clips the folks from HTC finally unveiled and showed the world their new flagship smartphone. The HTC One looks pretty impressive but their event only had two color options available. Silver and black. Now it appears that a at least one other color will be offered, even though it doesn’t appear to be coming to the US anytime soon.
The HTC One will also be coming in at least one other color. That being a bright and pretty Red edition. We aren’t sure if this will be a certain carrier exclusive, or only available in select regions as a limited edition but the Red One was spotted on HTC’s website. The image above came right from HTC themselves, although reports now confirm it has been removed from the US page. However, the red edition is still listed on HTC’s global website, and simply was removed from the US page only. At first I was hoping this could be the rumored DLXPLUS for Verizon, but that’s extremely doubtful. The HTC One will be landing on most US carriers (except Verizon) as well as almost all carriers internationally. HTC’s going big with the One — and it looks to be their best smartphone yet. Do you guys like the red option? I think it’s pretty snazzy myself. HTC has a few different colors with their new Windows Phone 8 devices, so we could see the same array land for their Android lineup eventually. For now we’re still waiting exact details from carriers, but stay tuned as we’ll report back once we know more. Catch everything you missed regarding the HTC One from the timeline below. Device Info
Display
Dimension & Weight
Battery & Power
Software
Hardware
 Cellular Network
Device Connectivity
 [via Droid-Life] |
| Kyocera Event joins the pre-paid Virgin Mobile USA lineup Posted: 20 Feb 2013 09:36 AM PST Virgin Mobile USA has announced their latest Android smartphone. The handset is the Kyocera Event and it joins the pre-paid device lineup with a price point of just $79.99. Of course, given the low contract-free price, one may come to the assumption that the specs are not what could be described as high-end. Truth be told, that would be true, but remember — the point here is a low handset price and a low monthly price. And to achieve that, you sometimes need a trade-off.
In the case of the Kyocera Event, the handset is running Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich, powered by a 1GHz processor and sporting a 3.4-inch HVGA display. While not high-end, the Event should be able to get the job done. Other specs include 3G, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth 2.1 along with 4GB of internal storage, a microSD card slot, 512MB of RAM and a 3.2 megapixel rear-facing camera with an LED flash. The Event also has the Swype keyboard, an Eco Mode to help manage battery life, Virgin Mobile ID packs to make the customization process a bit simpler and MagniFont which will easily increase the font size and make things a bit easier to see. Granted, that last feature may not be for everyone, however we suspect some may really enjoy it. Aside from the specs and handset price, lets talk Virgin Mobile plans. The carrier has plans available at $35, $45 and $55 per month. These all include unlimited messaging and data. The low end plan includes 300 minutes, the middle plan includes 1200 minutes and the top-level plan bumps the minutes up to unlimited. Finally, Mobile Hotspot is available as an add-on with any and will set you back an additional $15 per month. [via Virgin Mobile] |
| HTC One launch event posted, you can watch it here Posted: 20 Feb 2013 08:55 AM PST Given the coverage, it was hard to ignore the HTC One yesterday. That said, while the coverage was plentiful, we suspect there are some that would still like to have seen the actual launch event. If you happen to fall into that category, the 37 minute video can be seen in the post below. HTC had an event in New York and London and the video shows the latter which means you will be seeing HTC CEO Peter Chou.
The presentation starts out with the usual chatter in the beginning — with Peter Chou talking a bit about the company and a bit about what they have recently done. He goes on to mention a few devices including the Butterfly. Thankfully though, things quickly shift to the One. While the hardware specs of the HTC One are nice, the announcement dives right in with smartphone behaviors and how people use the phone. They refer to this as “a new approach.” This goes on to cover some of the parts of Sense. The HTC One was unveiled with the latest version of Sense which will include goodies such as Zoe and BlinkFeed. The former is a mashup of sorts, one that will combine still images and video. The Zoe clips are put together by HTC and will include everything from background music to transitions and other effects. The BlinkFeed on the other hand is information related. This will provide what HTC is calling “snackable” pieces — it is a constantly updating homescreen that pulls information from a variety of sources including Twitter and Facebook as well as Flickr and news sources. And when you wrap up the announcement video, make sure you check out the full range of coverage that we had yesterday. Some of the posts included details about the specs and the carriers as well as features to include Sense TV and BlinkFeed. We also had details about the $100 trade-up program, the benchmarks and our hands-on. You can grab all the necessary links in the timeline below. Device Info
Display
Dimension & Weight
Battery & Power
Software
Hardware
Cellular Network
Device Connectivity
|
| LG Optimus F7 and F5 images leak ahead of MWC announcement Posted: 20 Feb 2013 08:25 AM PST Coming a day ahead of the LG Mobile World Congress teaser, it would appear as if we are being given our first look at some of the Optimus F-Series devices. The image leak includes the Optimus F7 and the Optimus F5 which can be seen in the image below. The F7 is on the left with the F5 on the right. LG had previously said the “F” stood for Freedom, however we are not entirely sure what that will mean for specs.
Going back to the video teaser and we see the F-Series as being associated with sporting style activities. The video shows a race car driver along some runners. Maybe the F-Series will have some durability related features. One thing that we can say based on these images is that neither look all that unique in terms of design. In fact, they seem to have an appearance similar to some of the other Optimus devices. There is little doubt that these will be running Android, we only hope that it is Jelly Bean. The F7 appears to be the larger of the two handsets, however it does not appear to be a drastic size difference. Both handsets have a front-facing camera and the F7 has a physical home button as opposed to the capacitive home button on the F5. Otherwise, both the F7 and F5 have capacitive buttons for the menu and back keys. Time will tell what the complete range of F-Series devices will consist of. Not to mention, whether or not these two images prove to be the real deal. But remember, the F-Series is just one of four series that LG will be talking about come Mobile World Congress. They also have the G, L and V-Series, which were said to stand for greatness, style and view respectively. [via Twitter @evleaks] |
| Google talks Glass, shows how it will feel and what it will do Posted: 20 Feb 2013 08:01 AM PST Google has recently released some updated information regarding Google Glass. The goodies include a video showing what using Google Glass will feel like, a bit about what you can do with Google Glass and even how you may be able to get a pair ahead of others. On that last one though, keep in mind — Google is now giving these away for free. Lets begin with the first of the three, how using Google Glass will feel, for which Google has released a video.
While we suspect there will be a world of difference between watching this video and actually wearing a pair of glasses, this appears to be a rather nice look at how it will feel and what can be done. If nothing else, this video is quite a bit nicer as compared to the original concept video. Basically, Google Glass will allow you to do things such as capture and share images and video, perform web searches and even get directions. Nothing all that new in that respect, however how you are able to do those things appears pretty nice. For example, based on the video it would appear as if you are able to use fairly simple terms and triggers to make things happen. Waking the headset can be done by saying “Ok, Glass” and taking a picture or recording video is as simple as saying “take a picture” or “record a video.” And at 22 seconds in you get a look at launching a Hangout, in this case, the command is as simple as saying “hangout with.” Basically, Google Glass appears as if they will be able to help you navigate through life in a way that we currently use our smartphone to do. The one catch, while Google Glass appears as if will be able to do lots of things and provide assistance — you will still most likely have the awkward feeling that you are talking to yourself. Touching back on the possibility of getting a pair, Google has opened the ability to apply. This is being done with the Explorer program and by handing over the required details such as a 50 word or less application (posted on Google+ or Twitter) along with up to five images and a video that is no longer than 15 seconds in length. The catch with being accepted into the Explorer program — you will need to pay $1500 and also be able to attend a special pick-up experience in New York, San Francisco or Los Angeles.       [via SlashGear] |
| ASUS teases the “next mobile transformation” ahead of MWC Posted: 20 Feb 2013 07:23 AM PST ASUS has posted the first of what appears to be a series of Mobile World Congress teaser videos. This video has been dubbed the ASUS MWC 2013 Teaser I and is throwing around phrases like “ultimate craftsmanship” and “metallic miracle.” While the video is on the shorter side and doesn’t directly answer any questions as to what we can expect to see, ASUS has said that this will be “when the Pad and Phone come together” and that we should watch as they unleash the “next mobile transformation.”
Given we have already seen the ASUS Padfone and Transformer we are lead to believe this will be either another in one of these series or maybe even a combining of these series. The metallic miracle comment however does suggest something with a higher build quality. But really, that is just a bit of speculation and as we often see with these teaser videos — this one seems to have left plenty of questions. If nothing else, we are a bit curious and likely to now keep an eye (and ear) out for whatever ASUS plans to unveil during Mobile World Congress. Based on the date in the video, it looks like ASUS has plans to make their announcement on February 25. Thankfully this will not be a long drawn out mystery, as of this point we have a bit less than 5 days remaining. We will also be on the lookout for additional teasers in the lead up to the show. So how about it, any guesses as to what ASUS plans to unveil during Mobile World Congress? Remember, Android Community will be in Barcelona for the show and will be bringing you coverage from the show floor. Things are shaping up like we are going to have a few days packed with announcements. Of course, that thought could just be based on some of the hype and teasing we are seeing now. After all, several companies have already unveiled products ahead of the show. |
| YotaPhone manufacturer picked with an expectation of release later in 2013 Posted: 20 Feb 2013 06:46 AM PST We first got word of the YotaPhone back in mid-December and then spent a bit of hands-on time with this unique handset during CES. You can check out that hands-on video below, however perhaps a bit more pressing for today — we have some information regarding the manufacturing and release of the YotaPhone.
Keep in mind, these details are what we would consider early. Basically, the folks behind the YotaPhone have announced the manufacturer as being Hi-P. The official details about Hi-P have them described as being “one of the fastest growing Tier 1 contract manufacturers in Asia, specializing in wireless telecommunications and consumer electronics.” Regardless, Hi-P are located in Singapore and have been the manufacturer behind products from other companies to include Amazon and Apple as well as BlackBerry. In terms of a release, the YotaPhone is “expected to be ready” for sale first in Russia and followed with a global release during the second half of 2013. As far as what that global release will include, nothing specific has been given at this time. And while we are still some time away from the initial release of the YotaPhone, the company appears to already be looking forward and have noted that they have established an R&D and Asian sales office in Singapore. Otherwise, for those who may have forgotten, or simply skipped the initial YotaPhone news, this is a unique smartphone in that it will launch with two-displays. The handset will have a 4.3-inch LCD display with a 1280 x 720 resolution on the front and a 4.3-inch e-ink display on the backside. Finally, aside from the dual-display setup being interesting, the YotaPhone will be running Android. [via SlashGear] |
| Acer Liquid E1 and Z2 smartphones announced ahead of MWC Posted: 20 Feb 2013 06:19 AM PST This isn’t the first time we are hearing about the Liquid E1 smartphone, however Acer has recently come forward with an official announcement. More specifically, Acer has announced a pair of smartphones, the Liquid E1 and the Liquid Z2. Both are entry-level devices that are expected to begin rolling out in various countries.
Both of these devices will be running Android 4.1 Jelly Bean at launch. For the most part the specs will vary from device to device however they do share some of the more common features including Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, Bluetooth 3.0+EDR and GPS. They will both also have 4GB of internal storage with a microSD card slot for anything extra and dual-SIM support. Cellular connectivity for both will include 3G on the 900/2100MHz bands and 2G on the 850/900/1800/1900 bands. Both handsets will also be available in carbon black or pearl white. Shifting from common to unique features and we have the Liquid E1 with a 4.5-inch (960 x 540) qHD display, dual-core 1GHz processor, 1GB of RAM, 1760 mAh battery, dual-speakers, VGA quality front-facing camera and 5 megapixel rear-facing camera with an LED flash. The Liquid Z2 will arrive with features to include a 3.5-inch (480 x 320) HVGA display, 1GHz processor, 512MB of RAM, 1300 mAh battery and an option for either a 3 or 5 megapixel rear-facing camera. These will also be Google devices which means access to the Play Store as well as pre-loaded versions of Gmail, Google Maps, Google Search and all the other Google branded apps. Finally, while the pricing remains somewhat of a mystery, it is looking like the Liquid E1 will fall somewhere between €199 to €229 with the Liquid Z2 coming in somewhere between €99 to €129. The handsets will initially be available in France, Belgium, Netherlands and Ukraine with Russia, UK and Italy coming at a later time. [via Engadget] |
| SwiftKey 4 hits the Play Store, Flow available for all Posted: 20 Feb 2013 12:02 AM PST The time has finally come and the SwiftKey Flow keyboard is now available to all. The extremely popular 3rd party keyboard for Android has been in a limited beta for a few months, and today SwiftKey has announced that Flow is finally ready for prime time. Only they’ve dropped the ‘Flow’ from the name and have added it as an optional feature to the keyboard. Today’s the official launch of SwiftKey 4.
We’re big fans of SwiftKey here at Android Community, and have been since the beginning. It’s still the number one 3rd party keyboard for Android due to all the features, next-word prediction, and unparalleled prediction engine just to name a few. Add on the fact that they now have the most accurate gesture based typing experience on top off all those features — this is truly the most versatile and complete keyboard experience available to Android. For an idea check out our initial Flow fingers-on. Flow was released back in December and has been in beta ever since. Today they’ve finally released it to the Play Store, and it should be available shortly. Just as an FYI, it will simply be called “SwiftKey” in the Play Store, and not SwiftKey 4. Everything we love about this keyboard is still in-tact, and they’ve even added more themes, additional colors, and now support for over 60 languages. Something no other keyboard can claim. Take a peek at their newly released video below. With the all new SwiftKey 4 there’s not too many new features, aside from Flow, but they’ve integrated the gesture typing into everything we already love. For those that are familiar with the keyboard, their “rapid or precise” typing style option is no longer available, and the keyboard will learn from you as you go. SwiftKey will learn when you’re rapidly typing to be more accurate and predict current words. Or recognize when you’re typing in a more precise manor and focus on next-word prediction. This blends all the styles into one, and you can even rapidly switch from hunt and peck to flowing and it will still give you that experience we all love and expect. Here’s what’s new specifically to SwiftKey 4:
Today they are happy to announce more than 200,000 users participated in the BETA, making SwiftKey 4 their most popular and highly anticipated release to date. As usual, those who’ve already purchased SwiftKey will have a free update in the Play Store. For those who’ve not tried the next-gen keyboard, it’s available for a limited time on sale for just $1.99 but that price won’t last long. Get it from the link below and get to flowing!    SwiftKey Phone [Free version] |
| HTC One S and Rezound updates rolling out today Posted: 19 Feb 2013 03:39 PM PST While we’ve had tons of news today regarding HTC’s newest smartphone, simply named the One, now we’re getting additional details regarding a few of their already available and popular smartphones. Both the HTC One S from T-Mobile, and Verizon’s HTC Rezound have updates rolling out today. Sadly neither are Jelly Bean, but we have the details below.
Yesterday we learned that Verizon was preparing to release updates for both the Rezound and the Incredible 2, and now today we’re getting scattered reports that the Rezound was first on the list. The update isn’t Android 4.1 Jelly Bean like many were hoping for, but it’s stated to be bringing some “device enhancements” to the aging smartphone.
The image above, provided by Droid-Life shows the small 6MB update that’s arriving this afternoon for the Rezound. There hasn’t been any reports of the DROID Incredible 2 update arriving, but it should be following shortly. Start checking for updates on that Rezound and let us know once it arrives if you notice any changes.
Then, according to multiple tips and reports from TMoNews HTC has also issued and started rolling out a very minor update to the T-Mobile One S. While most One S phones have received Jelly Bean, the Tmo version is still waiting for the tasty treat. Sadly this update is still Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich, and appears to only be a bug fixing update. T-Mobile’s support page doesn’t reveal too much either, but for now it’s safe to say Jelly Bean is still at least a few weeks or more away. For those rocking either of these phones, now might be a good time to head into settings and check for updates. Drop us a comment if you have issues or notice any changes. Enjoy! |
| Qualcomm’s new ‘Born Mobile’ ad series makes the bus stop fun again Posted: 19 Feb 2013 01:50 PM PST For those that saw Qualcomm‘s Born Mobile keynote at CES this year, you probably have a good idea at what is coming below. For those who didn’t, get ready to see the chip maker pull out all the stops. Basically the folks from Qualcomm have released a series of awesome videos from a local bus stop, showing that this mobile generation will head to a webpage while waiting for the bus. What comes after that will surprise you all.
What it all comes down to is Qualcomm replaced the maps at a local bus stop with a link for passerby’s and those waiting to check out. Giving them the option to wait for the bus, or get to their destination in a hurry. Those that were ‘born mobile’ were more inclined to visit the site, and choose to get to their destination in a hurry rather than waiting. Then here’s where the fun starts. Sled dogs, cute blondes driving bright yellow Lamborghini’s, limo vans filled with puppies and everything else in-between. The videos are completely off-topic in a sense, but wonderful at the same time. It shows that people really do visit webpages while sitting around at the bus stop. We really are living in a new breed of born mobile people. No more talking, enjoy the first of many crazy videos below. I guess what it all comes down to here is that Qualcomm has recognized this is a born mobile world these days, and we all want things faster. Faster than a bus by taking a Lambo to work, and faster web pages by using Qualcomm Snapdragon enabled smartphones with blazing fast 4G LTE. The new HTC One announced today is powered by Qualcomm, and it certainly will be getting things done faster than usual. Here’s my favorite video of them all first, but we’ll post all of these outrageous clips anyways for you all to enjoy. Take from them what you will… If you thought ads couldn’t get any crazier, we’ve certainly seen it all with these. I guess in the end we are all born mobile these days. That and certainly enjoy things being better, faster, and fun. We’ll be seeing plenty of Qualcomm and their new Snapdragon 600 and 800 series next week in Spain for Mobile World Congress, so stay tuned for all the news. |
| T-Mobile goes nationwide with GoSmart Mobile pre-paid service Posted: 19 Feb 2013 01:46 PM PST Coming out of a limited trial in nine markets, T-Mobile has officially launched their GoSmart pre-paid service on a national basis. T-Mobile will have the GoSmart service available at more than 3,000 reseller stores across the country and with prices beginning at $30 per month. For that price, users can expect unlimited talk and text, however those willing and/or able to pay a bit more can grab a plan with some data.
A $35 per month plan includes unlimited (2G) mobile data which T-Mobile is describing as being “appropriate for web browsing, email, and social networking.” Those looking for a bit more in terms of speed can opt for the $45 per month plan which gives 5GB of 3G data (with anything extra throttled down to 2G). All three plans also include the basics such as voicemail, call waiting, caller ID and 3-way calling. The phone situation is a bit limited. Those looking to sign up will have the option to bring an unlocked GSM phone and pick up the GoSmart Mobile SIM Kit for $8 or grab one of the two available phones. The options include the Alcatel OT838 messaging phone for $49 (after rebate) or the Gingerbread running ZTE V768 for $99. The ZTE V768 is running Android 2.3.5 and sporting features to include a 3.5-inch touchscreen, 2MP camera, GPS, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and a 1500 mAh battery. Phones and plans aside, Doug Chartier, senior vice president of marketing for GoSmart also gave some stats in terms of pre-paid service such as how reports are projecting a growth rate of 7 to 8 percent per year and that roughly 80 million US customers are currently using a pre-paid service plan. As far as the GoSmart growth is concerned, Chartier said that during the testing (since early December), they were able to sign up “tens of thousands” of users. [via Reuters] |
| Vine job posting suggests an Android app is coming Posted: 19 Feb 2013 12:59 PM PST Vine launched a short while back, and while it came with lots of hype, it did so without support for Android. Simply put, Vine launched as yet another app that ignored Android upon launch. We suspect there may be a little bitterness and we would be lying if we were to say that we were not anxious to give it a try. But as of today, there may be a glimmer of hope for Vine on Android.
That glimmer comes in the form of a recent job posting on the Vine website. Specifically, the job listing is looking for a Lead Android Engineer at Vine. If you happen to be qualified, you can visit the Vine website for a bit more in terms what they are looking for in terms of qualifications. Otherwise, we will not bore you with the specifics. Instead, we will just take this small bit and hope the lead engineer is hired soon and that they are able to work quickly. Being realistic though, while we may joke a bit, we certainly are not expecting a Vine app to land in the Google Play Store anytime soon. For those who may have missed the hype surrounding Vine given it was not available for Android, for lack of a better way to describe the app, think Instagram for video. More to the point, the Vine app will allow you to capture and share short looping videos. Plus, as with other social minded apps, Vine allows you to friend and follow others. The one catch that we may see will likely come in with device support. We can hope the support goes back to older devices, at least for Gingerbread and up (given the current user base), however there has not been anything said along those lines. Basically, what we have at the moment is nothing more than Vine looking for an Android engineer. [via TechCrunch] |
| Sony Xperia Z Android 4.2.2 update tipped for March Posted: 19 Feb 2013 12:28 PM PST We had already known that Sony was planning to upgrade the Xperia Z to Android 4.2 Jelly Bean shortly after the official launch and as of now, it is looking like that will indeed be how things play out. Keep in mind, Sony has yet to offer a specific launch date just yet, however the update is expected to begin in March.
The details have arrived by way of the Xperia Blog and an anonymous tipster. Basically, what we have is that the Android 4.2.2 Jelly Bean update is expected at the end of March. The update is expected to begin in Europe. And while this does not necessarily prove the timeline, these details did come along with a screenshot showing the handset running 4.2.2.
The key details such as the baseband and kernel versions have been blurred, however we are getting a look at the build number. That said, given this is an early (said to be beta) release, the build number is likely to be different once this update begins rolling out for all Xperia Z users. As of now the build number is shown as being 11.1.A.1.450. The final release should keep the 11.1.A.x.xxx format though. Otherwise, assuming this timeline proves to be accurate we would have to commend Sony on their speed. Then again, assuming they are able to get this update out so quickly, this just proves that fast updates can be done and other Xperia users may begin to expect similar updates in the future. [via Xperia Blog] |
| HTC One vs the Android and iOS competition Posted: 19 Feb 2013 12:15 PM PST Now that the HTC One is finally here full of aluminum edges, an HD screen, and ultrapixel camera features how does the device stack up against the rest? Based on what we’re seeing today the new HTC One is certainly ready to handle its own vs the competition. Whether that be the Galaxy Note II, the Nexus 4, or even the upcoming Galaxy S IV and iPhone 5s. Read on for more details and several pictures.
Now we could do a detailed breakdown of each individual device, but most likely many of you smartphone enthusiasts already know plenty about all of the above — including the newly announced HTC One. The screen might be bigger than the iPhone 5 and smaller than the Galaxy Note II, but it’s the pixel density and brightness that sets this phone apart. Then there’s that new “ultrapixel” camera, an improved user interface, and we can’t forget that extremely impressive 1.7 GHz quad-core processor either. Without getting into the nitty gritty here, we figured a few pictures comparing the HTC One vs the competition was in order. During the HTC launch event we were able to snag some benchmarks, which shows the One blowing away the competition. So now that we know that, lets take a look at the hardware shall we. While it sits right in the middle with a 4.7-inch display — personally I feel that’s the perfect size. Add in the fact that it’s the first with a 1080p full HD in this size and it’s destined for greatness. For now here’s a picture next to the iPhone 5, since we know so many consider them very similar.
We really don’t need to run down the specs since the One is basically one of the best smartphones on the planet, but really quick we will. You’ll get a 4.7-inch 1920 x 1080p full HD display. Then it’s pushed with a 1.7 GHz quad-core Snapdragon processor and 2GB of RAM. HTC added 32 or 64GB for storage options, then an extremely impressive ultrapixel camera. It only has 4 megapixels technically – but honestly – that doesn’t matter. It’s all about quality, not quantity. You’ll enjoy an all aluminum design, awesome beats audio powered stereo front-facing speakers, Android 4.2 Jelly Bean, and a brand new Sense UI that looks amazing. Was that enough? Well here’s our HTC One hands-on coverage. The HTC One wins in almost every category regarding current, and possibly even upcoming smartphones. HTC beat everyone to the 1080p HD punch, they will have the first Snapdragon 600 series phone available, and if the camera is as good as they claim it will be mind-blowing. Now we know everyone is concerned about battery life, but lets look at the facts. Galaxy Note II aside (since it has to power a massive 5.5-inch screen) the only other mainstream phone with a bigger battery is the MAXX HD. The Galaxy S III, Nexus 4, Optimus G, One X, and even the iPhone 5 all have smaller batteries under the hood. While it remains to be seen how the One will do, I have a feeling it will handle daily tasks just fine. Again, we’re just rehashing specs here, so instead we’ll simply leave you with a gallery of comparisons showing the new HTC One next to a few of the top smartphones available today. Will you be buying one?         Device Info
Display
Dimension & Weight
Battery & Power
Software
Hardware
Cellular Network
Device Connectivity
|
| You are subscribed to email updates from Android Community To stop receiving these emails, you may unsubscribe now. | Email delivery powered by Google |
| Google Inc., 20 West Kinzie, Chicago IL USA 60610 | |
No comments:
Post a Comment