Android Authority |
- Jelly Bean update reportedly rolling out in late March for Sony’s Xperia S
- LG to bring eye-tracking “Smart Video” and other features to Optimus G Pro soon
- LG mimicks Samsung Galaxy S4 Times Square ad campaign, makes it about the Optimus G instead
- Google Reader to join the list of canceled projects on July 1
- [Download] Asus releases official Android 4.2.1 OTA for the Transformer Pad 300
- High-res Galaxy S4 image gallery leaks, reveals specs and features
- Real Boxing for Android now available with Tegra 3-optimized graphics
- Andy Rubin is an entrepreneur at heart, ready to begin new chapter with Google
- Why you shouldn’t use pirated Android apps
- Magic Radio by doubleTwist – Full Review
| Jelly Bean update reportedly rolling out in late March for Sony’s Xperia S Posted: 14 Mar 2013 02:36 AM PDT
After several mediocre years in the Android décor, Sony finally has a shot at becoming one of the greats, courtesy of the splendid Xperia Z and ZL. And yet not all the company's attention is focused on the high-end duo, with a couple of mid-rangers expected to land soon. Meanwhile, last year's Xperia line-up continues to be spoiled. It was only a week ago we heard the first reports of Jelly Bean rolling out to the humble J, with the more impressive TL getting the same butter treatment a couple of days back. And while we feared Sony would have too much on its plate to also worry about the one year-old Xperia S, that doesn't seem to be the case. At all. In fact, the early 2012 flagship might actually get its own Android 4.1 Jelly Bean bump earlier than planned – in late March.
That's based on a tweet sent out by Sony Mobile Germany, so you could say it's official information. Then again, we know how tricky "social media" can be nowadays, meaning the ETA is definitely not set in stone yet. Worst-case scenario, Sony's German branch is wrong and we go back to the old schedule, according to which the Xperia S was due for an update in April. Which would still not be awful, would it? Now how about some Android 4.2 upgrades, Sony? Also, some 4.1 love for the TX would be welcomed. And the P and U. Anyone want to add something to the wishlist? The post Jelly Bean update reportedly rolling out in late March for Sony’s Xperia S appeared first on Android Authority. |
| LG to bring eye-tracking “Smart Video” and other features to Optimus G Pro soon Posted: 14 Mar 2013 02:07 AM PDT
LG has announced that they will be bringing their truly innovative and advanced eye recognition technology to the Optimus G Pro — and future phones — soon, one that allows for a virtually hands-free video playback. Dubbed as "Smart Video", the feature will automatically pause a video if the phone – well, its front camera – detects that you're getting distracted and that your eyes are wandering away from the screen. The video playback will resume once you look at the screen back. Samsung calls this "Smart Pause", and it's very likely we'll be seeing it officially unveiled alongside the Galaxy S4 in a few hours. But back to LG, Smart Video will be arriving on the Optimus G Pro as a Value Pack upgrade starting next month, but it has only been announced for the South Korean market for now. The update will also enable the phone's Dual Camera feature, which basically lets you take pictures using both front and rear cams at the same time for a "picture-in-picture composition". Hit the PR below for more exciting new features heading to the Optimus G Pro. EYE RECOGNITION TO BRING NEW LEVEL OF ENTERTAINMENT CONVENIENCE TO LG SMARTPHONE Technology to Debut in Smart Video Feature in Optimus G Pro SEOUL, Mar. 14, 2013 – Smart Video, a new multimedia UX feature from LG Electronics (LG), will be unveiled for the first time in the Optimus G Pro. Smart Video takes viewing videos on mobile devices to a whole new level of convenience with eye recognition that eliminates the need to manually control playback during the viewing experience. Through the implementation of advanced eye recognition technology, Smart Video recognizes the position of the viewer’s eyes and automatically plays or stops the video without any manual input from the user. When the viewer’s eyes are no longer focused on the smartphone display, the front camera recognizes this and immediately pauses the video automatically. Once the user’s gaze returns to the smartphone, the video resumes playback from the point last viewed. In addition to the Smart Video feature, Optimus G Pro will also be equipped with the world’s first Dual Camera function. The Dual Camera feature is an extension of the Dual Recording feature which debuted on the Optimus G Pro introduced in the Korean market last month. Dual Camera simultaneously captures photographs using both the front and back cameras for a picture-in-picture composition. Users can now be a part of the story, not just observers. “LG is continuously innovating to offer creative ways to offer a user experience that adds value to our customers,” said Dr. Jong-seok Park, president and CEO of LG Elec-tronics Mobile Communications Company. “It’s the positive UX that will differentiate smartphones in 2013 and beyond, not only cutting-edge hardware specs.” Other features in the Value Pack upgrade include: The post LG to bring eye-tracking "Smart Video" and other features to Optimus G Pro soon appeared first on Android Authority. |
| LG mimicks Samsung Galaxy S4 Times Square ad campaign, makes it about the Optimus G instead Posted: 14 Mar 2013 01:48 AM PDT
It was pretty bold of Samsung to pick New York City as Galaxy S4's debut stage, but after the booming GS3 and Note 2 hits we expected nothing less. Sammy is going after Apple again and what better way to start a global charge than subduing the "enemy" on its home turf? You'd think the entire NYC was drooling over the S4 prospect by now, given the mighty ad campaign kicked into gear a while ago in Times Square. However, if Apple doesn't usually like to engage in bitter anti-competition marketing, someone else does – LG. And you know what they say, it's all about location, location, location. Case in point, even if LG is the one mimicking Samsung's ads, the Optimus makers might look better in the eyes of unsuspecting New York locals just by having their billboards placed on top of the competition's. Of course, the increased brightness also helps, making Samsung's "Be Ready 4 The Next Galaxy" message look old and dusty. It's almost like the below ad is on the verge of being removed, while the one on top is flashy and shiny enough to make you think of the future.
Now, don't get us wrong. We're not defending LG. In fact, that "LG Optimus G is here 4 you now" message is pretty bland and unoriginal. We've also stopped caring for this kind of trolling marketing a while ago (unless Apple is the one being trolled, in which case all bets are off). But will it be effective? Most likely, yeah. Even if we're talking about no more than a dozen people who'll be seeing both ads and think "hey, how about I look into that Optimus G some more?". Or another few hundreds who'll simply miss the S4 ad because of the shinier LG one. And at the end of the day that's all that matters in this "take no prisoners" smartphone war. It doesn't have to be elegant or classy if it works. Agreed? Is LG a clever or a lame troll? The post LG mimicks Samsung Galaxy S4 Times Square ad campaign, makes it about the Optimus G instead appeared first on Android Authority. |
| Google Reader to join the list of canceled projects on July 1 Posted: 14 Mar 2013 01:25 AM PDT
Out of nowhere, Google on Wednesday announced a "second spring cleaning," which means more Google projects will be shut down, including the Google Reader web app that's so popular with some crowds, including tech writers such as ourselves. Google Reader will be available until July 1, so users still have over three months to secure the services of a different feed reader. They'll also be able to export their Google Reader data via Google Takeout and continue using it with other software. Hardcore Reader users will certainly protest against Google's decision to terminate this particular program, but apparently there aren't that many Reader users left, otherwise the company would have kept it in place:
And then there's this need to focus on fewer projects that we've seen with Google starting with fall 2011. Including the new round of project cancelations, Google will have killed 70 projects once this second spring cleaning ends . Let's hear it from you, Reader users, what software will you choose as your next feed reader? What apps are you using on your Android device to keep up with your feeds? The post Google Reader to join the list of canceled projects on July 1 appeared first on Android Authority. |
| [Download] Asus releases official Android 4.2.1 OTA for the Transformer Pad 300 Posted: 13 Mar 2013 11:14 PM PDT
Those of you who have unlocked the bootloaders of your Asus Transformer Pad 300s probably didn’t receive the Android 4.2 update when it started rolling out earlier this month. But now, there is no need to feel left out. If you felt the need to try out the official OTA update straight from Asus’ servers, the company has now released the full 4.2.1 ROM for the TF300. This comes with all the standard performance improvements and bug fixes you would expect from an update. It also includes all the standard Android 4.2 features like lockscreen widgets, quick settings, multi-ser capabilities and more. The update comes for three versions of the device, so make sure you choose the right one before flashing. They all weigh in at around 500MB, so you might want to start the download a little in advance if your Internet connection is not the fastest one around. However, if you are still on 4.1 and thinking about upgrading, I would also consider this ROM which you just might have come across.
Chances are you will be very pleased with it, as so many of us have been before. I do believe the overall experience after updating should be silky smooth, as Asus has generally been very reliable in the update department. Head over to the source link to try it yourself, and do let us know how the update is working on your device. The post [Download] Asus releases official Android 4.2.1 OTA for the Transformer Pad 300 appeared first on Android Authority. |
| High-res Galaxy S4 image gallery leaks, reveals specs and features Posted: 13 Mar 2013 11:05 PM PDT
With less than a day until the Galaxy S4 becomes official, a new extensive image gallery featuring the device has been leaked, and from where we're standing, the images look very convincing. The images, found by it168, seem to confirm the dual-SIM purported Galaxy S4 model we've shown you a few days ago, also leaked in China, and which we initially questioned – not that we can be 100% that this is indeed the Galaxy S4. After all, we've seen a fair share of concept images and fakes to hang on to our grains of salt until Samsung actually unveils the device. Even so, the high-res images available in the gallery below are pretty interesting. According to it168, this Galaxy S4 model features a 4.99-inch display with 1080p resolution, 1.8GHz eight-core Exynos 5410 processor, PowerVR SGX 544MP3 GPU, 2GB of memory, 16GB of storage, microSD support and 2600mAh user-replaceable battery. The Galaxy S4 GT-I9502 (that's the model number of this unit) weighs 138g and has a 7.7mm profile. Before you ask, yes the Galaxy S4 comes with a plastic body, at least the model in these images, one that's already cracked in these images. And yes, there's a physical Home button in there as well. Other features worth mentioning are the S Pen-like hovering touch support and the eye tracking feature that was mentioned in various leaks so far.         We'll cover the Galaxy S4 extensively today – we're even giving one away to a lucky winner – so keep us bookmarked for more Galaxy S4 details! Meanwhile, let us know what your thoughts are on these new Galaxy S4 images and the details they reveal. The post High-res Galaxy S4 image gallery leaks, reveals specs and features appeared first on Android Authority. |
| Real Boxing for Android now available with Tegra 3-optimized graphics Posted: 13 Mar 2013 08:21 PM PDT
As a game that has been optimized for the NVIDIA Tegra 3, Real Boxing is featured as one of the numerous titles in TegraZone, the free Android app from NVIDIA that showcases all of the latest and greatest Tegra-optimized games. And it’s not just about fancy grapics and luscious eye candy, either. Real Boxing has a Career Mode where players can make their way through more than 30 fights and three title belts to secure the title of World Champion. There is even an option to train boxers through mini games the are available in the game itself. Here’s a more detailed list of all of the game’s features:
Real Boxing is available for download now through the Google Play store for $4.99. If you’re still on the fence, you may want to watch the Android launch trailer embedded below to see what exactly Real Boxing on Android is all about. The post Real Boxing for Android now available with Tegra 3-optimized graphics appeared first on Android Authority. |
| Andy Rubin is an entrepreneur at heart, ready to begin new chapter with Google Posted: 13 Mar 2013 06:01 PM PDT
Early today, Google CEO Larry Page announced that Andy Rubin was going to be passing the Android torch to Sundar Pichai. Andy has written an email to the Android Open Handset Alliance partners to say thanks, and goodbye. During his farewell letter, Andy reminds us that he is an entrepreneur at heart, having fostered Android since the beginning to it’s current successful state. That fact that he mentions this as well as moving onto the next chapter as a Googler, hints that he might be going to work on something truly amazing. Something that is able to “transform computing for people everywhere”, similar to what Android helped accomplish under his watchful eyes.
Combining what Andy mentions above and Larry Page’s “more moonshots” statement from earlier today, this might just spell Google’s Project X that we know very little about. Rubin’s background in launching successful mobile products makes him a great addition to X Lab’s rumored wearable computing initiatives. Good luck Andy. We at Android Authority hate to see you go, but we’re excited for what products you’ll help materialize for us in the future. The post Andy Rubin is an entrepreneur at heart, ready to begin new chapter with Google appeared first on Android Authority. |
| Why you shouldn’t use pirated Android apps Posted: 13 Mar 2013 05:30 PM PDT  (Image credit: wikinoticia) Time and again, we hear about Android being the worst platform in terms of security, mostly because it’s rife with malware. Apps that steal personal information and call into expensive premium numbers have purportedly proliferated even the official app repositories at one time or another. Malware is mostly widespread in third-party app marketplaces, though. One thing’s for sure: if an app does not come from Google Play or reputable sources like Amazon AppStore, then there is a higher likelihood of it being tampered with or infected. Read also: Android malware will eat your children Here’s one reason why you shouldn’t use pirated Android apps. It’s very easy to inject malicious code into Android app packages, which means any app out on the wild can potentially include malicious code. If you can download a cracked, free .APK of an app of an otherwise download as a paid application from Google Play, chances are it may already have been tampered with. A post on Android App Development Ireland blog details how easy it is to inject keylogger code into SwiftKey, one of the more popular third-party Android keyboards (alongside Swype and Touchpal, among others). “Android apps are coded in Java and compiled to byte code that is run on the Dalvik VM and this byte code is not that hard to edit and insert back into an APK,” said the author, who has detailed how he was able to insert keylogger code into the Swiftkey APK, which then resulted in a keyboard replacement that sends all keylogs to the predefined server. The method involves reverse-engineering the application package with apktool. Then the author injected the keylogger code into the source, after which the app was rebuilt and then signed. The author offers readers access to the hacked APK, which they can test. Results of the logged keystrokes are made available on this site (you can also view previously logged keystrokes from other users). Read also: Best antivirus apps for Android 2013 Again, there’s no doubt that the more open nature of Android (relative to other platforms) makes it more susceptible to malware. Side-loading .APKs from untrusted sources adds to the risk. While there’s nothing inherently wrong about being able to side-load apps to your device, this is just a warning to be more careful with the apps you install. The post Why you shouldn’t use pirated Android apps appeared first on Android Authority. |
| Magic Radio by doubleTwist – Full Review Posted: 13 Mar 2013 04:31 PM PDT
Moving around Magic RadioGetting to Magic Radio can be confusing if you’ve never done before. This is mainly because Magic Radio is not a standalone application. Rather, it’s a feature in an already existing application by doubleTwist. Their already popular music application is free to download in the Google Play Store. Once you get it, open it up, and then select Magic Radio at the bottom. You can start with a 7 day free trial, but once that’s over it’ll cost you $3.99 per month to keep using the service. Paying for Magic Radio was easy enough as you can do it with your Google account like any other in-app purchase. Once you’re in Magic Radio, it’s time to set up your services. There are three stations that come with Magic Radio. The first is called Music You Like and it may be pretty worthless to start out with. You’ll need to add some stations first and then Music You Like will play a hodgepodge of music based on what stations you listen to. The second is called Music You Discover. This station will play music that’s similar to the music you have in your stations to help you discover new bands that you may like based on the stuff you already like. The Hot Artists station is pretty self explanatory, as it’ll play music by the highest selling artists right now. To set up your own stations, click the plus button at the top right of the app. You can set up a radio station one of three ways. You can search for a word, artists, song, or album that you want your station to revolve around and create one that way. You can also select a certain mood, like happy or angry, and the station will play happy or angry music. Lastly, you can choose by genre. So if you want something like Rock or Hip-Hop, you can find it. Magic Radio has some pretty ridiculous genres as well, like Pagan Black Metal and Hi Nrg.
Listening to some music with Magic RadioOnce you get a station set up, listening to it is as easy as clicking on the station. In our experience, the station stayed pretty true to the music the station was based on. We didn’t get any sad music on our happy station, and we didn’t get any Britney Spears on our Social Distortion station (thank goodness). The only caveat is that, like most streaming services, you have a song skip limit. For Magic Radio, it is 6 songs per hour. So if your station plays a particularly long stretch of music you don’t want to listen to, you may have to suffer until the next hour starts sometimes. On the bottom of the play screen are the play and skip buttons. There seems to be a skip backward button, but it was grayed out the entire time we’ve used Magic Radio so far. On the bottom left is a button that will take you to a menu screen where you can buy the song you’re currently listening to should you want it or ban it from your station permanently. It also shows the equalizer and Tune Station settings. The equalizer is a premium add-on and costs extra money. The Tune Station settings are pretty nifty, though. You can use the settings to determine whether your station plays faster or slower songs and dictate how close your station sticks to the artist it’s based on. The bottom right button takes you to a list of songs that were played on that station so you can go back and find a song you liked.
Social Networking and other feaures with Magic RadioOf course, no modern mobile application is without social media sharing capabilities. Magic Radio is no different. You can share to Twitter and Facebook along with pretty much any other social media site you can think of. It can be shared via email and Google Drive. When you share what you’re listening to, the links take people to an online card of the song where people can choose to buy it, watch the music video if applicable, and find out other info. Sadly, it won’t actually play the song. A couple of miscellaneous features we found were some improved lock screen controls and a method to create new stations based on songs playing on a current station. The lock screen settings are nice because it actually comes up above your whole lock screen. From there you have your standard music controls and the ability to unlock the phone from there. If there’s a song you particularly loved on one of your stations and want to make a new station based on that artist or song, you can click the bottom left button where you can select the band or the song and Magic Radio will create a new station.
Final Thoughts on Magic RadioOverall, Magic Radio by doubleTwist feels like a complete music streaming service. There is nothing difficult or confusing about the application, it has all the features you’d find in an app like Pandora, it has a gigantic library, and it even did fairly well when searching for obscure artists. For $4 a month, this is definitely a service worth owning if you’re into music streaming on your phone. Of course, if you have your own massive library and don’t use streaming very often, the $4 a month can feel like a rip off. This is definitely for people who depend more on apps like Pandora than their own personal collection for music. Magic Radio isn’t all sunshine and puppy dogs though. There were a couple of things we didn’t like about the app. The first, as mentioned above, is the song skip limit. When a station plays a string of bad songs, you can end up stuck listening to it because of the song skip limit. The only other thing we weren’t fond of is that there isn’t a free version of this. Even if it were ad supported, a free version of this would’ve been nice to see. However, doubleTwist stuck with a full, premium-only service with Magic Radio. If you want to give Magic Radio a try, just grab the doubleTwist app from the Google Play Store, open it, and give it a whirl. We’d love to hear what you guys thought of it too, so feel free to leave a comment with your own experience with Magic Radio. Also, don’t forget to check out Android Authority’s Google+ page for the March 14th episode of Android Authority On Air to watch a live interview with doubleTwist Chief Creative Officer Sebastiaan de With. The post Magic Radio by doubleTwist – Full Review appeared first on Android Authority. |
When most people think of music streaming, they think of services like Spotify, Pandora, or Grooveshark. These streaming services have been going for awhile and have built up quite the user base. So is there room for another streaming service? We think there is and apparently so did doubleTwist. With already successful Android music player, doubleTwist has taken that music player and added a new streaming service called Magic Radio. While the doubleTwist music player app is free, using Magic Service will cost you $3.99 per month. Here is our full review!
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