Android Community |
- CCleaner for Android coming soon to clean your smartphone
- Google files patent for backside touch controls on smartphones
- Sony hires Supermodel to show off waterproof Xperia Z smartphone
- Amazon joined by Apple in support of reselling digital content
- Chrome for Android updated with improved font clarity and stability tweaks
- Samsung Galaxy S4 tipped to launch with energy efficient Green PHOLED display
- HTC One could face delays due to Ultrapixel camera shortage
- XBMC up and running on the OUYA game console
- Verizon Galaxy Note 10.1 4G LTE unboxing and impressions
| CCleaner for Android coming soon to clean your smartphone Posted: 08 Mar 2013 03:29 PM PST As many of you probably know, CCleaner has been one of the most popular and successful file and cache cleanup programs in the world of PC’s and laptops. Whether you’re on Windows or a Mac the free CCleaner removes unwanted and leftover temporary files, cache, and cookies that build up over the months and years on a PC. Today Piriform confirmed they’re working hard on an Android version.
Any PC enthusiast has probably used the program in the past, and CCleaner has been a staple in this category for computers users for years and years. Now they’re happy to confirm that the official app CCleaner Android is under heavy development and should be coming soon. There’s tons of these currently available, but it will be great to see someone like Piriform finally release their own. Today in a blog post they confirmed that they’ve heard the requests from Android users, and they are hard at work getting ready to deliver CCleaner for Android. Then the developers mention it’s still currently a work in progress, but that the latest version going through the testing phase is performing extremely well and they are happy with how it looks.
So far all we have is the teaser image provided above, and they haven’t given a release date at this time. On closer look you can see simple one-click buttons for Clean History, Clean Cache, and what appears to be Clean SMS/MMS as well as many others. Just like on a PC you’ll be able to choose what to clean and clear, and do so with the tap of a button. CCleaner is highly respected in the PC world, and we’ll update when we hear more on their Android app. [via Piriform] |
| Google files patent for backside touch controls on smartphones Posted: 08 Mar 2013 02:55 PM PST A few new details have surfaced today from the US Patent & Trademark Office showing our good friends at Google are aiming to bring "simple backside device touch controls" to smartphones and tablets. It looks like they’ve recently filed a patent for the feature, and will possibly be racing Apple to offer this in an upcoming device.
The patent covers a simple way for users to control pages of an ebook, flip through photos in their gallery, or even go to the next page on a website all without ever touching their touchscreen. Instead there will be backside touch controls where a simple tap or slide will do this for you. Imagine not having to tap the screen and interrupt your view by sliding your finger to scroll or change pages. Apparently Google is a little behind however, and Apple actually filed for a similar but different patent way back in 2006 for their upcoming tablets. Apple has all sorts of patents these days, so it will be interesting to see who wins what, and who gets this technology to consumers first. Don’t forget the Sony PS Vita actually already has this, only in a different manner. A quick diagram provided by the USPTO regarding Google’s patent can be found from the via link below. It would be nice to be able to scroll up and down a webpage using the back of the device so you can keep reading with ease, or tapping the “touch sensitive” panel on the rear to skip to the next song on a playlist. Apparently the patent from Google covers the feature actually being used in future Android devices with a tactile, audible, or visual feedback letting users know the optional rear control has been touched. We could actually see this in the near future. Thoughts? [via PatentBolt] |
| Sony hires Supermodel to show off waterproof Xperia Z smartphone Posted: 08 Mar 2013 02:21 PM PST The folks from Sony and T-Mobile in the Czech Republic sure know how to launch a flagship smartphone. We all know the impressive Xperia Z phone is waterproof, but a T-Mobile store in CZ took this even further and hired a Supermodel to help show off the capability. How exactly? By having a few supermodels jump into a shower while using the device.
In an attempt to steal some of the thunder from the HTC One and upcoming Galaxy S4, Sony announced and released their new flagship 5-inch 1080p quad-core smartphone ahead of the pack. Along with a gorgeous design, 13.1 megapixel camera, and Android 4.1 Jelly Bean they also made the smartphone fully waterproof. Thanks to T-Mobile.cz we get to see just how waterproof.
While our man Chris Davies tested the waterproof capabilities in his full Xperia Z review, and it was excellent, we have a feeling this live test at a T-Mobile store will do just fine. Obviously having a gorgeous model holding a smartphone and jumping in a shower will draw a crowd, and that’s exactly what happened this week for the official CZ T-Mobile Xperia Z launch. As you can see above, she’s quite the sight (the phone we mean) and below is a rather large crowd who was enjoying the festivities.
Most likely the crowd was there to see the impressive phone and how waterproof it was, and not for the models. To be fair the folks from Sony and T-Mobile also had a guy in there testing the new device. We loved the Xperia Z when we got our hands-on it, and sadly haven’t heard any details on a US release but are expecting to learn more shortly. Sony just earned a few more points in my book, and there’s additional photos you’ll want to see from the source below. Check out that smartphone!    [via XperiaBlog] Device Info
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| Amazon joined by Apple in support of reselling digital content Posted: 08 Mar 2013 02:15 PM PST Back in early-February we learned of an Amazon patent that would allow for the re-sale of digital goods. Specifically, the Amazon patent filing was calling for an "electronic marketplace for used digital objects." Of course, those objects could be anything from audio and video to ebooks and maybe even apps. The key here, it now looks like this idea has gotten some additional support. Not necessarily direct support for Amazon, however support for the idea as a whole.
Basically, what we have is a similar patent filing. This latest comes from a company that we suspect some of the die-hard Android users may not particularly like. But again, the idea of being able to resell ebooks is appealing and therefor, we have some details on this patent. That company, if you hadn’t guessed, is Apple. The Apple patent was published on the USPTO website on March 7 and it talks of “managing access to a digital content item (such as an ebook, music, movie, software application) to be transferred from one user to another.” Further details in the filing talk about how the person doing the transfer will then be “prevented from accessing the digital content item after the transfer occurs.” Sort of sounds like what would happen if you were to re-sell an actual paper book, DVD or audio CD. You would have it, sell it and then no longer have physical access to it. The Apple filing also makes it clear that this process could be used to give away, or to sell. The filing notes that the “transferee may pay to obtain access to the digital content item.” While we are not necessarily convinced that this last part needs to happen, the patent also takes into consideration that a “portion of the proceeds of the “resale” may be paid to the creator or publisher.” The last past about the portion of the proceeds going to the creator or publisher sits funny in that they will not get anything when someone sells the non-digital equivelant. Basically, we are going by the thought that digital and non-digital should remain on equal grounds. The other side of this is that it may actually be easier to control the resale of digital items and actually restrict use once the sale has been made. After all, it is fairly easy to purchase an audio CD or DVD, make a digital copy for yourself and then sell the physical copy. With digital items, that could actually be controlled. Either way, it seems like this still has some time before we see companies such as Amazon or Apple open a digital resale store, however it is interesting to see another company come forward with a similar patent. [via New York Times] |
| Chrome for Android updated with improved font clarity and stability tweaks Posted: 08 Mar 2013 01:10 PM PST Today the folks from Google have just detailed and started rolling out another update to the official Chrome Browser for Android. Today’s update brings tons of little tweaks, fixes, and plenty of performance enhancements. If you’re not running the beta, this update is surely worth getting this afternoon.
According to Google they’ve added tons of new fixes in place, and transferred plenty of changes over from the Chrome Beta. They specifically detail that text clarity has been severely improved, and so far it does seem to be a bit more on the crisp and easy to read side. Then as usual Google mentions stability fixes. That isn’t all either. It looks like ol Goog also improved scrolling performance and speed, increased responsiveness while using pinch-to-zoom, and even improved the Java V8 engine to have better and more interactive pages on mobile devices. These were all added a few weeks ago, but have again been improved today. Google expanded support for upcoming HTML5 features, whatever those are, and audio will now continue to play from Chrome browser even after you head to another screen on your smartphone or tablet. Google has continued to improve their Chrome browser for Android and it’s slowly but surely becoming rather powerful. With autofill, password sync, and tons of other features all being added this is only looking up. Do you use the Chrome Browser, Chrome Beta, the standard Android browser, or a 3rd party like Dolphin? Let us know in the comments below. [via Play Store] |
| Samsung Galaxy S4 tipped to launch with energy efficient Green PHOLED display Posted: 08 Mar 2013 01:05 PM PST The Galaxy S4 announcement may be coming up soon, however that doesn’t mean the leaks and rumors will stop. In fact, it looks some additional Galaxy S4 details have recently leaked. Keep in mind, these details are not official until we get the word from Samsung. But on that note, this latest leak does include a few pieces we hope to see come true. Just to begin with, we are now talking floating touch, a green PHOLED display and more.
Lets kick things off with the green PHOLED display. Aside from a rather interesting sounding name — this could mean a nicer display to look at and also slightly better battery life due to its efficiency. Apparently the green PHOLED technology will be about 25 percent more efficient as compared to the previous Galaxy S display. The other interesting bit is the floating touch technology. This is expected to be similar to what we have seen on the Xperia Sola smartphone. Basically, you will be able to sort of hover over the display without actually touching it. One potential use would be to hover your finger over an image gallery to get a preview of the pics on the inside. Coming with this latest round is also some additional talk of the Samsung Orb. This looks to be a 360 degree camera feature, which will basically be the Samsung version of Photosphere. Otherwise the Galaxy S4 is expected to launch with Android 4.2.1 Jelly Bean and receive an update to 4.2.2 “in the same month of release.” As for the update, lets just say those picking this up with a US carrier — you may want to get used to 4.2.1 and not count on an upgrade quite that soon. [via SamMobile] |
| HTC One could face delays due to Ultrapixel camera shortage Posted: 08 Mar 2013 12:36 PM PST If the new flagship HTC One wants to compete with the likes of Samsung and their Galaxy S4, they better have everything ready to rock when launch date arrives. However, today we’re getting scattered reports from industry sources inside Taiwan stating the One could get delayed and faces huge shortages due to a lack of components – mainly that new camera. HTC just can’t catch a break.
For now these reports are only that. Reports, and nothing has been confirmed. If they plan to launch the new flagship device globally on the 15th of March they have some serious work to do. According to a KGI Securities analyst, the supply and yields on producing the new “Ultrapixel” camera are so low they might have a hard time producing more than 1 million units over the next few months. Then the analyst also goes into mention the voice-coil motor HTC is using also appears to be having a major shortage for whatever reason. With Samsung increasing production to meet their suggested 100 million Galaxy S4 sales, HTC’s 1 million will be a sad state of affairs. While we’re looking for additional details it looks like HTC might have to delay or cut back shipments to smaller markets in order to meet what is expected to be quite the demand come March 15th for the global launch. The report also states some larger Chinese and Japan markets might see delays until May so HTC can fill the demand here in the US as they aim to launch on all major carriers but Verizon. We haven’t heard anything from US carriers yet, but the global launch is March 15th. Which is just one day after Samsung will unveil their Galaxy S4 in New York City. Things will be tight, and hopefully HTC can deliver. [via BriefMobile] Device Info
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| XBMC up and running on the OUYA game console Posted: 08 Mar 2013 12:26 PM PST XBMC for Android is something that we have seen before. On top of that, we had previously been told that the OUYA game console was going to offer support. The key bit here, up until now we haven’t been able to get a look at how XBMC will run on the console. Yes, we said up until now because a video of just that has recently been discovered. Trying to avoid offering a spoiler right from the beginning, but, it is looking pretty nice.
The video was spotted on reddit and comes by way of a developer named Nathan Betzen. Nathan is part of the XBMC team and notes that his console came by way of OUYA, hence him having the clear developer unit. Perhaps more important though, he has said that this video shows the OUYA running XBMC and “performing fantastic hardware decoding.” We sort of have to agree that it does look good. Not perfect, but good nonetheless. Of course, with the console not even in the hands of users just yet, there is still plenty of time for improvements. Anyway, the video is almost 8 minutes in length and those who have seen the OUYA before will likely want to skip ahead a bit. The beginning part of the video offers a rundown on the OUYA itself with the XBMC portion coming in at about the two-minute mark. Those who may now be looking to purchase an OUYA, now that you have seen XBMC running, remember that pre-orders are still available by way of the OUYA website. Otherwise, a full retail launch is expected in June. All said and done, this sort of makes the OUYA console a bit more appealing for those who either aren’t gamers or those who are looking for a low priced media device for the big screen. [via Liliputing] |
| Verizon Galaxy Note 10.1 4G LTE unboxing and impressions Posted: 08 Mar 2013 12:13 PM PST The popular Samsung Galaxy Note 10.1 tablet has arrived with full 4G LTE connectivity from Verizon Wireless this week. While the slate has been available for some time, yesterday March 7th, Verizon added the tablet to their lineup complete with LTE. Available today for $599, we have our hands all over it to give you an idea of what to expect. Read on for our unboxing and first impressions.
The Galaxy Note series has been extremely popular thanks to an array of awesome features and custom applications. The S-Pen stylus makes multi-tasking and content creation better than ever before, and now we have front facing speakers to really enjoy all the content you’d like. We’ve seen the Note 10.1 multiple times, got our hands-on it, and even posted a full review. Even Samsung signed up the gorgeous Kate Upton to help launch the slate. So we basically know all there is to it, but now lets have a peek at Verizon’s version. The Verizon Galaxy Note 10.1 with 4G LTE launched yesterday and is the same slate we already love. As mentioned above in the video the details are the same. Featuring a 10.1-inch 1280×800 HD display, 1.4 GHz Exynos quad-core with 2GB of RAM on board, and even 16GB of internal storage. The two differences here are 4G LTE, and this slate is already running Android 4.1.2 Jelly Bean with the Samsung premium suite all included. All those multi-view and multi-window modes are available and work great. Check out the image below browsing the web while multitasking.
Happily this tablet has a 4G LTE sim slot for connectivity, as well as a micro-SD card for expanding storage. Then we have two features I love about this tablet that I wish others would adopt. That being the infrared blaster for controlling the TV and cable box, as well as front facing speakers. The sound on this slate is top-notch, and I couldn’t be more satisfied while viewing YouTube and the likes. Overall we’ve already seen plenty of this tablet, and there’s nothing too new here, but we figured you’d like to take a peek. Android 4.1 Jelly Bean makes the OS smooth and stable, and Google Now voice search works great by holding the home button or instantly tapping the widget. So far our limited time with the slate has been a positive one, just like the WiFi model, but stay tuned for more details and pictures in our full review. We’ll also test those 4G LTE waters so stick around. If you have any specific questions drop us a comment and we’ll give it a look.            Device Info
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