Android Phone Fans |
- Samsung officially gives us our first REAL glimpse of the Galaxy S4?
- Google showing off new Glass apps at SXSW
- OnaDevice attempts to bring another free paid apps service with “Get Free Apps”
- Study: AT&T’s LTE network faster, but Verizon’s footprint tops all
- Yes, Unicorn Apocalypse is now a real game [VIDEO]
- Official DirecTV app comes to Android tablets
- Do It! task list app brings feature-rich productivity tool
- HTC 6445LVW shows up at Bluetooth SIG, potential One variant for Verizon?
- DashClock Widget User Info extension begs for attention of good samaritans
- Intel-powered Lenovo K900 pegged for April 17th release in China
- White Nexus 4 bumper appears in-store
- Motorola DROID 4 soak test invites being sent out
- Is this our first tangible look at the Motorola X Phone? [Update: Apparently, no]
- Seattle bar preemptively bans Google Glass
- Enemy Strike delivers fast-paced shooter for free
| Samsung officially gives us our first REAL glimpse of the Galaxy S4? Posted: 11 Mar 2013 06:25 PM PDT
Remember that leaked Galaxy S4 image in the wild from earlier today? Well, it’s looking a lot more legit after seeing this. Samsung’s official Twitter account is giving is our first real glimpse of the upcoming Galaxy S4 — well, the corner of it anyway — and it looks…. just like the Galaxy S3. I tweaked the image’s contrast to show more of the device (that’s why the quality looks off) and as some have pointed out, the phone no longer has speaker for listening to calls. I suppose it’s possible Samsung anticipated we’d tweak the image and released only a very generic image of the Samsung Galaxy S4. No one knows for sure. In the past, Samsung teased the Galaxy Nexus in a similar fashion, showing us only the curvature of the device, so it would only make sense if this is really the S4 and not Samsung teasing the S4 by showing us the S3. What do you guys think so far? Don’t forget to tune in Thursday where we’ll finally get to see all 4 corners of the device. [Twitter] |
| Google showing off new Glass apps at SXSW Posted: 11 Mar 2013 04:02 PM PDT Google is in Austin having a good time this week, it seems. After showing off a pair of (non-serious) smart shoes, the company decided to jump into some much more serious (yet still fun) affairs it’s been working on. Google toted Glass along for the ride, and it had some new apps to show off to the crowd attending.
Folks got a sneak peak at a New York Times app that would deliver headlines, a byline, and an image whenever you ask for news. Users can then “tap” on that story and have it read to them. The app could eventually deliver breaking news updates right to your iris as it happens — it’s like a nice, convenient propaganda tube attached right to your brain! Google also seems to have had a Gmail app on hand, though we’re not quite sure of its function just yet. For this app, new emails will show the subject line and the email sender, and once an email is read users can reply to it using voice dictation. Other apps teased were Skitch, Evernote and Path. We obviously won’t know quite how awesome or well these apps work until we have a pair on for ourselves, but it sounds like Glass is attracting a lot of big names and we can’t wait to see just how connected and app-ready it will be once Google soft launches them later this year. [via Engadget] |
| OnaDevice attempts to bring another free paid apps service with “Get Free Apps” Posted: 11 Mar 2013 02:41 PM PDT It seems Amazon has inspired quite a few folks as of late. After launching its free paid app of the day promo (it’s still running to this day), we’ve seen the likes of Getjar and others create similar options for getting premium Android apps for free. Another option by OnaDevice has come to light, though, and it does its bidding in an interesting way.
The app — simply named “Get Free Apps” — requires you to first buy the app or game in the Google Play Store, and it will then issue you a “refund” by sending a Paypal credit in the amount that you paid to download it. It’s a bit cumbersome, but should you happen to find something you like that no other app stores are offering it could be worth the trouble. The first game being offered in this promotion is Gameloft’s Asphalt 7, and it will only last for another two days. After that expires, we’re promised that another free app will be offered. OnaDevice didn’t want to confirm whether the promotion would go on forever, but it did say that if the app couldn’t be offered for “free” then they would likely feature an app with a steep discount. It’s not my cup of tea, honestly, but if this sounds like something you want to try out then all you need to do is download the Get Free Apps app and set your Paypal account up with it. Find that in the Google Play Store. |
| Study: AT&T’s LTE network faster, but Verizon’s footprint tops all Posted: 11 Mar 2013 02:17 PM PDT In another episode of “news you probably already knew,” RootMetrics carried out a study to see which carrier had the “best” 4G networks. Best can be defined a number of ways, be it by speed, availability, reliability and more. Fortunately, the 77 or so markets the tests were carried out in took all of that into account, and what they found wasn’t anything we didn’t already know from our own personal experiences (and, well, the claims put out there by the carrier themselves). AT&T actually came out just slightly ahead of Verizon went it came to LTE speeds, as the GSM-based carrier averaged 18.6 megabits down and 9 megabits up. Ma Bell topped off at a maximum of 57.7 megabits down and 19.6 megabits up. Verizon had slightly slower averages in the download and upload departments with 14.3 megabits and 8.5 megabits respectively, and while Verizon’s top download speed of 49.3 megabits wasn’t enough to beat AT&T, it did enjoy a small win over AT&T in the uploads with 19.7 megabits.
That said, it’s imperative to note the size differences between the two. Verizon has obviously gotten a nice head start as it’s been building its LTE network with aggressive haste since 2010. Of the 77 markets tested, Verizon’s LTE signal could be found in every last one of them, while AT&T enjoyed a respectable 47. This gave Verizon an impressive 93.2% connection rate compared to just 81% for AT&T and 50% for Sprint. Some suggest Verizon might even be able to compete with AT&T if the latter’s network had as much congestion as the former’s, but until they match up in size we can’t say for sure. Where AT&T didn’t have LTE it still had HSPA+, which — while not nearly as fast as LTE — is a good deal faster than most competing 3G connections (yes, we do still consider HSPA+ to be 3G despite what AT&T’s marketing department would have you believe). Sprint took third place with its LTE network, as it saw average speeds of 10.3 megabits down and a paltry 4.4 megabits up. Those numbers topped out at 32.7 megabits and 9.9 megabits, respectively, and it was only available in five of the 77 markets. Sprint has been markedly slower than its bigger competitors in rolling out its 4G LTE network, but at least rollouts haven’t come to a complete standstill like they did when WiMax was still Sprint’s forte. And then there’s T-Mobile, of course, who hasn’t quite launched LTE yet. The signal has gone live in a couple of markets, sure, but there aren’t any devices to take advantage of any of it. Still, its HSPA+ network has been treating customers quite fine as of late and it was able to achieve averages of 7.3 megabits down and 1.5 megabits up in RootMetrics’ testing. You can check out more of the comprehensive results over at RootMetrics, and let us know if their findings match up to what you’ve noticed in everyday life on these carriers’ networks. Let’s hope by 2013′s end the playing field is a lot more even. |
| Yes, Unicorn Apocalypse is now a real game [VIDEO] Posted: 11 Mar 2013 01:06 PM PDT Remember that Samsung ad a while back that showed the everyday workings of a game studio as they worked on a ridiculous game called “Unicorn Apocalypse”? Yea, the one you see below. It was a Galaxy Note 2 ad whose purpose was to show how the phone would be beneficial to those in enterprise. At the end of the ad, employees begin to scramble as they learn that they have about four weeks until the game ships — little did we know Samsung would be bringing us an actual Unicorn Apocalypse in nearly four weeks’ time. That’s right, Unicorn Apocalypse is real, and it’s now sitting in the Google Play Store for free. As the original ad hinted at, Unicorn Apocalypse puts you in control of a killer unicorn, and the indecision of whether the unicorn should be causing or preventing the apocalypse has been decided: it’s causing the apocalypse, and it’s doing a damn good job at it. The unicorn does indeed bleed rainbow blood, but there’s no glittery doom to be found. You can use the unicorn’s horn to impale enemies as you jump and dash across fiery rooftops trying to avoid burning death. Three types of bosses will come flying at you, as well, and you can use your rainbow blast (or whatever it’s called) to take them out. The game is doing pretty poorly in the Play Store, review wise. Folks are having trouble with an unfortunate glitch that keeps them from moving on. It turns out if you don’t destroy a boss in time your unicorn will eventually fall into the fire pits below, except he won’t actually die — the game will continue and rack up points for you, and all you can do is sit there and watch. I imagine most people don’t know how to take out the first boss (the game doesn’t make it obvious, after all, and I ran into the same trouble until I was told I had to tap on the bosses to shoot my rainbow blast at them) and that’s why so many of them have run into the glitch. Some have claimed that the game eventually glitches out eve if you are properly taking enemies out, but I haven’t been faced with such trouble yet. The game uses scalable difficulty to ease up on players who seem to be having a tough time or make it tougher for players whose unicorn instincts seem to be top notch. It’s a pretty decent “run” game, though we won’t be surprised if it doesn’t win any awards for most innovative, best looking, or anything of the sort. Give it a shot in the Google Play Store (and, yes, it’s compatible with every Android device). |
| Official DirecTV app comes to Android tablets Posted: 11 Mar 2013 11:47 AM PDT In case you haven’t already found out, DirecTV has brought its app from phones over to tablets on the Android side of things. The official DirecTV app for tablets will allow you watch select television from any room in your home, including AUDIENCE Network.
You can browse shows, movies and sports programs with information such as program descriptions, cast listings, and parental ratings. Other features include the ability to browse the entire channel guide (up to 14 days in advance) and tap a channel to begin playback on your TV, set DVR recordings from afar, get real-time scores and schedules for sports games, and more. The home-screen allows you to setup a list of your favorite channels, view a What’s Hot list to see what everyone’s watching, live TV streaming, info about what’s currently being watched on your TV, and more. You loyal DirecTV customers have no reason not to own the app, really — it’s free, it’s awesome, and it’s now available for download in the Google Play Store. PS: you can also grab the phone version here in case you didn’t know. |
| Do It! task list app brings feature-rich productivity tool Posted: 11 Mar 2013 11:07 AM PDT The problem with many task list applications these days is they always seem to have something. Some apps might look great, but exclude Google account sync. Some might include account sync but have a bad user interface. The balance between form and function is tough to manage, but it’s one that developer Myron Lee has gotten off to a good start with. Do It! is a task/to-do list app that features a very nice Holo UI with elements like sliding drawers to make it fit right in with the essence of Android’s design.
Aside from looking great, it also plays nicely with Google Sync, as you can sync your notes and lists between multiple Google accounts. It also includes a useful widget (including a lock-screen widget for those on 4.2+) to get a quick glimpse of your list ahead, as well as built-in DashClock Widget support for those who have fallen in love with that particular app. Here’s a quick look at the full feature-set:
You can grab the free version here just to give it a shot, and if you like what you see (and the pro version’s features sound enticing enough) you can go ahead and buy the full version for $2.99.
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| HTC 6445LVW shows up at Bluetooth SIG, potential One variant for Verizon? Posted: 11 Mar 2013 10:26 AM PDT
HTC is launching their One flagship everywhere…except Verizon. It’s a curious move for the frequent Big Red collaborator, which has led many to speculate that the carrier could still receive a handset with many of the same specs and features, albeit under a different, potentially Droid-ified, name. A handset appearing in filings at the Bluetooth SIG might just fit the bill. With model number HTC6445LVW, there is a good chance we could be looking at a phone previously rumored as the HTC DLXPLUS. The association makes sense considering the model number of the HTC Droid DNA (once codenamed HTC DLX), which was HTC6435LVW. The DLXPLUS speculatively features a hardware compliment that suggests it indeed is a variant of the HTC One: a 4.7-inch 1080p display, 1.7GHz Snapdragon 600, and 13MP camera, to name a few elements. So, Verizon could ultimately land some version of the One, even if it never goes by such a name. Chances are we will also have to deal with a more Droid-like design, as well. If this is the case, it’s interesting that HTC would eschew their “all-in” approach for a single carrier, but it isn’t unprecedented or surprising. Expect things with this one to develop rapidly. HTC and Verizon have launched a high profile handset every spring since the original Droid Incredible. Could we be looking at the next? [via DroidLife] |
| DashClock Widget User Info extension begs for attention of good samaritans Posted: 11 Mar 2013 09:11 AM PDT The DashClock Widget extensions keep rolling in, and this latest one should be something any user worried about losing their cellphones might want to install. It’s user info widget, and will show your name, email address, phone number, and company. Tapping the widget will direct users to compose an email to that email address which is helpful for anyone looking to get in contact with the person who lost their phone.
I know it’s tough to believe that some people in this world still have good intentions, but it happens. In fact, when I accidentally left my Galaxy Nexus at a local Best Buy a while ago it was only 15 minutes before some nice man decided to call the all-important “Mama” contact listed in my phone and coordinated a good-hearted return. It’s better to have something than nothing at all, I’d say. This free and useful extension isn’t available in the Google Play Store yet, but you can grab the APK here if it’s something you find yourself needing in the near future. (Remember, you must have DashClock Widget in order for this to work, which is an Android 4.2+ app.) [via Sandeep Reddy, thanks RDS!] |
| Intel-powered Lenovo K900 pegged for April 17th release in China Posted: 11 Mar 2013 08:43 AM PDT
The Lenovo K900 is quite the intriguing phone. With a 5.5-inch 1080p display and Intel Clover Trail+ processor, it will launch as arguably the best-specced Android phone to run an Atom CPU. Adding to the appeal is an all-metal design that feels solid, looks classy, and remains svelte in hand. The bad news is that we are unlikely to see the phone in too many regions outside of China. The good news is that we now have a release date. The K900 is currently in production and slotted for an April 17th release, according to MyDrivers. Pricing is said to start around 2999 yuan, or about $480. That pricing is in line with other recent high-end Chinese releases. The K900 offers a few compelling reasons for those living outside the US to consider importing the handset. The cost might ultimately outweigh the benefit, but the latest from Lenovo offers a glimpse of where the company is going. [via UnwiredView] |
| White Nexus 4 bumper appears in-store Posted: 11 Mar 2013 08:30 AM PDT While a black version of Google’s bumper case is still sold out in the Google Play Store, a white version has appeared inside a Canadian store. The beaut you see above was captured at a Montreal Videotron store. This color would create quite the interesting contrast for those who own the black Nexus 4, and it might be worth trying to track this one down if you live in the Montreal area, but we’re stumped as to why Google has yet to offer it in the Play Store. It wouldn’t be the first time accessories for Google’s flagship Nexus device have gotten into the hands of retailers before stocking it in its own store.
The Nexus 7 desktop dock took quite a while to make its way to retailers, but it took even longer before Google listed it for sale on Google Play. That unfortunate situation meant users were being asked to pay anywhere between $40 and $60 for the dock before Google eventually offered it for a much more reasonable price of $30. The same might eventually happen here, so don’t be surprised if you see a retailer stocking these for inflated prices compared to Google’s own MSRP. That said, it looks like Videotron’s price of CAD$19.95 lines up quite nicely with Google’s $19.99 in the Play Store, so head out to your local shops and see if you can secure one. [via AndroidCentral] |
| Motorola DROID 4 soak test invites being sent out Posted: 11 Mar 2013 07:59 AM PDT Next up on Motorola’s device upgrade train is the Motorola DROID 4, it seems, as users are reporting invites to a new soak test. Motorola didn’t share many details regarding what the upgrade would be, but considering the recent love being shown to the likes of the original DROID RAZR and DROID RAZR MAXX we might guess we’re in store for Jelly Bean.
We won’t know for sure until those invited to participate in the soak test have actually gotten the upgrade or until Verizon details the upgrade on its site. The timing of this particular thread — where Motorola employees are asking potential testers to prepare for a Jelly Bean upgrade by making sure their MEID numbers are accurate — might indicate this is the big upgrade we’ve all been waiting for. Whatever it is, history tells us we shouldn’t be too far from seeing a widespread rollout shortly after the soak test has ensured Motorola that the upgrade won’t melt your device. [via Droid-Life] |
| Is this our first tangible look at the Motorola X Phone? [Update: Apparently, no] Posted: 11 Mar 2013 07:53 AM PDT As Google I/O approaches, the next couple of months will be filled with speculation about what we can expect from the Android team this year, but most of the talk will be centered on Motorola. After completing a deal to acquire the mobile manufacturer last year, Google hasn’t done much but cut jobs and downsize. That will all change when Motorola unveils its first phone designed under Google’s supervision later this year.
The so-called Motorola X Phone, which could be the centerpiece of Google I/O, has been little more than a name until a leak dropped today purporting to be our first look at the device. Along with the not so clear image depicting what is labeled “Motorola nXt” comes a pretty complete list of specs. The X Phone (or nXt?) is said to sport NVIDIA’s LTE-enabled Tegra 4i, a 4.7-inch 1080p display, 16MP rear camera, and 5MP front camera. The higher resolution on the front camera not only provides better picture quality for things like video chat and Google+ Hangouts, but it is also said to accommodate a range of eye-tracking features such as automatic webpage scrolling (we’ve heard of similar tech making its way to Samsung’s Galaxy S4). As far as the Tegra 4i chip goes, it uses the older ARM Cortex-A9 architecture rather than the more recent Cortex-A15. It’s a tradeoff that should allow Google to cut down on the manufacturing cost of the phone while still providing plenty of power (and 4G connectivity). The rumors go on to say that Motorola will borrow from the Droid RAZR M’s design in terms of using little to no bezel to provide a device that covers a small footprint despite its screen size. The X Phone is said to measure 131.2×66.7×7.9 mm, smaller in every dimension than the HTC One, a phone with an identical screen size. But as we said before, this information is untested. The specs don’t sound so outrageous so as to read as unbelievable, but there is a long way to go between now and the end of May. Assuming for a moment that the hardware details are true, does the X Phone sound like a good enough reason to hold off on buying the soon-t0-launch HTC One or Samsung Galaxy S4? Update: As pointed out by a commenter over at AndroidWorld, these rumors are of the untrue variety. In fact, here is a picture of the original render that was then photographed to create the above “leak.” This means the list of specs are also almost certainly dubious. I guess we’ll have to stay in the dark a bit longer about how Google and Motorola plan to “wow” us in the coming months.
[Androidworld via UnwiredView]
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| Seattle bar preemptively bans Google Glass Posted: 11 Mar 2013 07:14 AM PDT
In a future where people could soon be wearing a personal computer in the form of eyeglasses, complete with the ability to discretely record video and capture photos, privacy is already a concern. It’s enough of a concern, too, that The 5 Point Cafe in Seattle has preemptively banned its patrons from wearing Google Glass under threat of “ass kickings…for violators.” The news was posted on the bar’s Facebook page, and aside from the viral marketing angle (subsequent posts go on to mock those wearing glass as “complete idiot[s]“), owner Dave Meinert may have a point. Folks going out to enjoy themselves don’t necessarily want to feel like their every move could be secretly recorded. To that we say think of all the cameras that are already recording your every move. From security cameras to the less discrete iPhone photographers, a night out on the town hardly goes undocumented these days. At least pulling out a cell phone to take a picture is a bit more obvious, but it hasn’t stopped folks from grabbing unsolicited photos in the past. Still, the ban of Project Glass should serve to get the privacy conversation going. It just wouldn’t be a new Google product without some concern about the misuse of personal or private data. [via PhoneArena] |
| Enemy Strike delivers fast-paced shooter for free Posted: 11 Mar 2013 07:05 AM PDT Gameloft has captured the mobile military shooting game market by storm with its Modern Combat series, but those aren’t the only shooters you can enjoy on Android. A new option has come to the forefront by Killer Bean Studios, and it’s free. Its name is Enemy Strike, and the game throws tons of nonstop action at you in over 250 different missions. You’ll do your bidding with 15 upgradable weapons, 5 different gameplay modes, and lots of options for armor, gadgets and gear. The story is about as unique as a rock, frankly — aliens invade earth and threaten to overrun the last of the human population, and it’s up to you to stop it all — but it works, and things like cluster bombs, gunships and battle tanks will keep the explosions rolling in if that’s your thing. There’s no real reason not to give it a try if you’re remotely interested as the game doesn’t cost you a dime, so find it in the Google Play Store and give it a download if you’re looking for an alternative to the usual suspects in the “shooter” department. |
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