Friday, March 22, 2013

Android Phone Fans

Android Phone Fans

Report: Google is indeed working on an Android powered smartwatch [RUMOR]

Posted: 21 Mar 2013 07:14 PM PDT

Here’s to hoping the UI looks a little like this concept image

It’s a rumor we’ve heard before. Google isn’t content with Glass being the only form or wearable Google technology and will soon introduce another piece of jewlery, an Android powered smartwatch. Back in October of last year, we saw a patent filed by Goog’s from back in 2011 giving us a clear look at their plans for a smartwatch. More than a simple “smartwatch,” the patent filing showed a device similar to Glass with a mounted camera and even a clear flip cover for displaying augmented reality type information in the real world. Pretty much like Glass, but on your wrist.

Tonight, The Financial Times is confirming Google’s plans to release a smartwatch, this coming from their own inside source familiar with the matter. Other than that, we know little more other than this is not the same smartwatch Samsung recently mentioned in their plans to beat Apple to the punch (it’s been rumored that Apple will announce their own smartwatch in a few months time).

When it comes to Google’s smartwatch, don’t let that their patent filing get your hopes too high. Right now, everything is still hearsay and it’s entirely possible many of the ambitious augmented reality features in the watch were scrapped in favor of Glass. Whatever they’re working on, it’s big enough for Google to call in the big guns. They’ve recently recruited the once Apple fanboy Guy Kawasaki to help with their smartphone division, while Andy Rub tackles bigger fish in their X Labs.

We expect to learn more during this year’s Google I/O in May. You may remember last year saw the debute of Glass, and maybe this fabled smartwatch will have have Sergey Brin making yet another dramatic entrance. Anyone excited? For those that would have felt self conscious with Glass on their heads, will a smartwatch make the next best alternative?

Google Glass eye-piece patent secured

Posted: 21 Mar 2013 06:26 PM PDT

Earlier, we learned about a patent Google secured that detailed a way to control and interact with real-world objects through the use of augmented reality. That particular patent was an early glimpse into several possibilities Google Glass might enable, but it wasn’t necessarily something Google was promising would come to the unit in working capacity.

Welp, another patent was secured today, and it’s one of the most important of them all. It’s patent application 20130070338, and it details the eyepiece that will feed all the information you require straight to your eye. Without it, Google Glass isn’t Google Glass, so we’re sure a big sigh of relief made its rounds around the research and design offices at Google’s Mountain View campus once they were informed of its acceptance.

The patent is quite large in scope, detailing 28 different claims and detailing how the eye-piece is functional at a very technical level. For a typical casual techie, reading the patent application is like reading Latin, but the gist of it is that there isn’t much anyone can do to hurt Google when it comes to this tech — it’s theirs, and they’re putting it to work quite quickly. You can check out the application in full here if you’re curious.

[via Patent Bolt]

Ravensword: Shadowlands brings impressive RPG to Android [VIDEO]

Posted: 21 Mar 2013 05:44 PM PDT

If you were looking for a new RPG to sink your teeth into, Ravensword: Shadowlands should be on your radar starting… now. The game is another entry into the growing series by Crescent Moon Games, and it’s easy to classify this game as a mobile version of Elder Scrolls, except it has big, awesome dinosaurs to take down instead of dragons and other ghastly creatures.

The game is fully 3D and features the ability to pick locks, get around stealthily, ride horses and other flying mounts, find loot, discover magical runes, upgrade armor and weapons, and a whole lot more. It’ll cost you $7 to be a part of it all, but you don’t quite see a game this beautiful and this deep hitting the Google Play Store every other day. Give it a try in the Google Play Store.

HTC highlights BlinkFeed and BoomSound features in new One commercials, but are they effective? [VIDEO]

Posted: 21 Mar 2013 05:42 PM PDT

Aside from a few Verizon ad spots, it’s rare we get to see just about any HTC device getting some air time. Looks like that might soon change with a few HTC commercials popping up on YouTube. The first ad shows off HTC’s BlinkFeed feature which, sure, may sound gimmicky, but from what I’ve seen of it in person, was a handy tool for keeping up with news and social networks in a single feed. We’ve seen similar social aggregating apps from LG, but nothing that looks this slick. Here’s a quick ad spot that, judging from the accent in the video, is bound for UK markets.

Next up, we have an ad that seems a whole lot more effective at getting its point across. The commercial highlights the HTC One’s most distinctive feature and arguably one of the best reasons to own the device — its front-facing stereo speakers. Erm, otherwise known as “BoomSound.” In the commercial, you watch a variety of musical artists all playing music with their backs towards you, facing away from the crowd and microphones. Now that doesn’t make much sense, right? Later in the video they turn to face the crowd and it finally clicks, “Why do our smartphones place their speakers on the back of the device?” BOOM(Sound).

Finally, we have a music video where the HTC One makes a cameo appearance. Looks like HTC has paired up with the musical duo Hollaphonic for the official music video to their electro single “I Don’t Want It To End.” Can’t say I’m a fan of this kinda music, so I’ll withhold my critique there. I will say the video features a lot of sexy women with an even sexier smartphone. Take a look.

What’s more interesting is HTC’s new marketing strategy. I mean, it’s no “Official sponsor of the 2012 Olympics,” but it’s definitely a start. You can argue removable batteries and SD card slots all day, but it’s no secret that Samsung’s wild success with their Galaxy line of devices was the millions of dollars they poured into advertising it. While there’s no way HTC has a budget for an ad blitz of that caliber, I guess they could keep hitting Samsung lines showing off the HTC One in hopes of swaying potential customers.

[via HTC Blog | HTCSource]

Dark Horse comics come to Google Play Books

Posted: 21 Mar 2013 04:33 PM PDT

Google has just added an extensive library of comics to Google Play Books. Over 400 editions of comics from the Dark Horse collection are available for download, with popular titles such as Hellboy, Star Wars, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, the Goon and more all ready for your viewing pleasure. To commemorate the launch, Google is offering all First in Series volumes for just $3.99 per set. Now would be as good a time as any to bring your collection to your device in digital form as it won’t cost you an arm and a leg to do so. View the full collection here, available in every country where Google Play Books are sold.

[via Google+]

SoundCloud sets come to Android app

Posted: 21 Mar 2013 04:26 PM PDT

SoundCloud has released a big update that most users have been waiting for. Sets, which are basically playlists, have finally come to the Android app. Once available only on the web, sets will let you group songs into a playable collection for personal playback or for sharing with your friends. Alongside creating and sharing the sets you’ve made, a search function will let you seek out sets others in the community have put together, as well.

You will also have a timeline/stream of sets created by your friends, so you’re always up to date on whatever it is they’re creating. Alongside that, miscellaneous bug fixes and stability improvements have been made so you’ll want to download the app as soon as possible. You can get it from the Google Play Store here to get started.

 

Review: 10000000, a brutal match-three puzzler that combines dungeon crawling with endless running [VIDEO]

Posted: 21 Mar 2013 04:08 PM PDT

It’s not often I find a game so absorbing that I completely lose touch with time and reality, but 10000000 is just such a game. Developed by a small  outfit known only as EightyEight Games, 10000000 is easily one of the year’s best, combining classic match-three gameplay with tried and true dungeon crawling. To top it all off, it’s got an amazing chiptune soundtrack to compliment its wonderful 8-bit visuals, with tracks currently humming in my brain as I write this.

Gameplay

Gameplay in 10 Million is simple enough. Players start out in a castle where you’ll have to earn 10,000,000 points in order to gain your freedom. If it sounds like a monumental task that’s because it is. You start by crawling through dungeons, upgrading your castle, improving your gear, and earning new skills by leveling up. It’s as much RPG as it is puzzle game.

I know what you’re thinking, we’ve seen this before in games like Puzzle Quest and while true, those combine epic storylines or orcs and elves, 10000000 is meant for quick consumption, without all the fluff. And it works, boy does it work. Basically, you’ll start with a character positioned near the middle of the screen and he’s booking it. Every time you meet up with an enemy or chest, you’ll slowly get pushed back to the left of the screen. Get pushed back all the way to the left, and your dungeon excursion comes to end. Make it all the way to the right to reach your goal and conquer the dungeon (or simply continue running ala Temple Run).

Along the way you’ll gather wood and stone by matching tiles in the puzzle area, and defeating enemies is as easy as matching swords or magical staves. Unlock chest by matching keys and you’ll be awarded with special items (that can come in handy when in a pickle). It’s because gameplay is so fast paced and players have to stay on their toes if they hope to say alive that many times you’ll find yourself completely losing track of time. Really, I don’t think I need to say anymore. The game is fun — damn fun.

Verdict

At $2, I can’t think of a better way of spending my money in the Play Store and rewarding hardworking devs like these for making such a masterpiece. 1000000 is available on iOS, PC (via Steam), and now Android. Only recently it’s climbed its way up to the #5 spot on Google Play’s “Top Paid Apps” list and with good reason: it’s friggin awesome. If puzzling and dungeon crawling are your thing, you deserve to treat yourself to 10000000.

[10000000 on Google Play]

Verizon Messages brings your SMS and MMS messages to all your devices [VIDEO]

Posted: 21 Mar 2013 03:52 PM PDT

Verizon has just announced a new version of Verizon Messages, the service that allows you to easily get all your SMS and MMS messages in one place. The service is now available on Android, and with it users will be able to access their messages from their smartphone, tablet, or desktop PC. Messages sent to your phone number are saved to the cloud for up to 90 days.

The app also features decent group messaging support and the ability to setup automatic responses for those times when you just can’t be bothered to personally respond to a text. Give the 6.3MB update a shot in the Google Play Store, and find out more about the service by watching the quick video above.

[via Verizon]

Canadians to get Google Play gift cards soon?

Posted: 21 Mar 2013 02:55 PM PDT

Americans were the first to get their hands on gift cards for the Google Play Store, but it wasn’t long before we were joined by our friends across the pond. Now, our friends up north might be getting some gift card love. Silent upgrades to the Google Play Store for phones in that region seem to be enabling the ability to redeem gift cards.

Nothing is appearing in shops just yet, but if we’re going based on rollouts for other regions Google typically upgrades the Play Store a few days to a week before rolling them out to retail. If you’re in Canada be sure to check your Play Store to see if this has popped up for you yet, and keep an eye out for the cards at your favorite electronics shops and other retail stores over the coming days.

[via Blank's Universe, thanks Gary!]

LG E980 hits FCC with AT&T radios, could be LG Optimus G Pro

Posted: 21 Mar 2013 02:31 PM PDT

AT&T could soon be ready to serve up the LG Optimus G Pro as a device with a similar model number has hit the FCC with the carrier’s radios. It’s sitting in the FCC’s halls with the model number LG E980, and has both the GSM and LTE radios necessary to run on Ma Bell’s network without an issue.

The Optimus G Pro is LG’s 5.5-inch refresh for its 2013 flag ship, featuring full-HD resolution, a 1.7GHz quad-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 600 chipset, 2GB of RAM, 32GB of internal storage, a 13 megapixel camera, Android 4.1 and more.

If it really is headed to AT&T’s shores it should be a hot item as it still enjoys a spot alongside Android’s current elite crop of smartphones. We got some nice hands-on time with this device at Mobile World Congress so be sure to check that out here if you’re curious as to what kind of smartphone you should soon see donning the AT&T banner.

[via Engadget]

Kobo Arc gets Android 4.1 Jelly Bean

Posted: 21 Mar 2013 01:53 PM PDT

It looks like Kobo is quite serious about supporting its Arc e-reader as the 7-inch Android tablet has just gotten itself a nice upgrade. This upgrade steps users up to Android 4.1 Jelly Bean, and you know what that brings with it — Project Butter, Google Now, expanded notifications, face unlock, better voice input and more are just a few of the many improvements being made.

Not much else is new on Kobo’s side of things so it should be a very familiar experience for anyone who has been using the tablet since its launch. The device will serve the upgrade up the next time you connect to a WiFi network, so be sure to take a look whenever you get the chance if you’ve been waiting to get your hands on it. Read on for full press details.

Kobo Releases Android Jelly Bean Upgrade For Kobo Arc Tablet

Improved search, Google Now, Face Unlock, and more with latest Android Jelly Bean 4.1 firmware update

 

TORONTO, March 21, 2013 /CNW/ – Kobo, a global leader in eReading, today announced itsAndroid™ 4.1 Jelly Bean firmware update for Kobo's award-winning 7″ Google-certified Kobo Arctablet. This update optimizes the user experience with faster performance, improved search capabilities, increased touch responsiveness, and additional intelligence features to help organize and streamline information with actionable notifications. The update is now available to Kobo Arc customers when they next connect to Wi Fi.

"Kobo Arc is the perfect tablet for people who love consuming books, movies, and surfing the web," said Wayne White, EVP of Devices, Kobo. "With the latest Jelly Bean update, Kobo Arc becomes the perfect eReading companion that offers more with intelligent search recommendations, voice-to-text, and a highly responsive touch screen."

Key Android 4.1 Jelly Bean features and benefits include:

Google Now™: Perfect for on-the-go Kobo Arc users looking for an easy way to organize their busy schedules, Google Now personalizes information based on a user's location, time of day, history, and calendar events. Google Now shows restaurants in the area, how much traffic to expect before the morning commute, when the next train is coming, the score of a current game, a flight status, and more.

Richer notifications: Kobo Arc users will never miss a beat due to a richer notification experience. They can now receive action notifications directly within the notifications area as well as expand and collapse notifications to display more or less detail.

Improved search: Finding online content has never been easier with text or voice searches, which are now presented in a visually rich way. Google Search can be opened directly from the locked screen by swiping up and users have the option to simply say "Google" to activate Voice Search within the Google Search screen.

Optimized voice recognition and boosted predictive typing: To complement speech-enabled online searches, Jelly Bean introduces impressive text-to-speech capabilities and an embedded speech recognizer that enables Voice Typing without an Internet connection. For those who prefer typing, an all-new keyboard lets them glide over letters to type a word while it dynamically predicts text.

Face Unlock: Keeping the Kobo Arc secure has never been easier with the improved Face Unlock, which now calibrates in different conditions and can now optionally require a blink to verify a live person is unlocking the device. In addition, users can feel safer with improvements in malware blocking.

KOBO ARC: READS YOU LIKE A BOOK
Kobo Arc is a sleek 7″ Android multimedia tablet with full access to the Google Play™ store, with access to more than 700,000 apps and games. It provides users with a new way to discover content – eBooks, movies, TV shows, music, web pages, and more. Kobo's exclusive interface, Tapestries, allows users to collect and curate content of interest in dynamic, visual Tapestries by "pinning" content to the home screen. The Kobo Arc's Discover Ribbon recommends related content based on the items pinned to Tapestries. The more users collect in their Tapestries, the more the Kobo Arc learns what they love and provides them with more engaging content.

The device has a high-definition display that delivers crisp, sharp text, and with more than 16 million colours, brings photos, videos, and games to life. With front-facing speakers enhanced by SRS TruMedia™, a built-in microphone, and a front-facing camera, Kobo Arc provides 10 hours of continuous reading or video play and two weeks on standby. Kobo Arc is available with 16GB, 32GB and 64GB configurations at local retailers.

For information, please visit: http://www.kobo.com/koboarc

About Kobo Inc.
Kobo Inc. is one of the world's fastest-growing eReading services offering more than 3.2 million eBooks, magazines and newspapers to millions of customers in 190 countries. Believing that consumers should have the freedom to read any book on any device, Kobo provides consumers with a choice when reading. From its Family of eReaders, which includes the Kobo Touch™, Kobo Mini, Kobo Glo and Kobo Arc, to its free, top-ranked eReading applications for Apple®, BlackBerry®, Android®, and Windows® products, Kobo ensures the next great read is just a page-turn away. Headquartered in Toronto and owned by Tokyo-based Rakuten, Kobo eReaders can be found in major retail chains around the world. For more information, visit www.kobo.com.

[UPDATE] Gameloft reveals UNO & Friends [VIDEO]

Posted: 21 Mar 2013 12:56 PM PDT

The UNO scene on Android hasn’t been particularly hot, but Gameloft is looking to up the ante as it has a new game in the works for mobile devices. Dubbed UNO & Friends, the game should bring us classic 4-player UNO like we know and love, complete with online multiplayer.

Not much was revealed with this first teaser so we’re not sure if there’ll be any more game modes aside from classic UNO, but we’re definitely going to be hitting Gameloft up to find out. This classic favorite was already tried by Gameloft before, but that particular experience is a bit dated these days.

It looks like the developers have put a lot more into the polish and presentation of it all. The minute-long teaser above tries to make the dreaded moment of getting hit with a wild draw 4 a lot more dramatic than it really is, but if you can stomach the cheesiness of it all then hit the play button and get excited for its eventual release.

[Update]: Gameloft has confirmed to Phandroid that there will be one main game mode: a four-way multiplayer mode with user avatars and cross-platform play with Facebook friends. We’re glad to see that last bit confirmed as it will open up a huge pool of potential players to help keep competition plentiful and fresh.

The game will also be free-to-play, though we’re not sure if there’s going to be some sort of alternate revenue model just yet. More of those details will come to light in due time, but for now we’re just going to have to sit back and wait.

T-Mobile UNcarrier plans revealed?

Posted: 21 Mar 2013 12:48 PM PDT

Much noise has been made about possible forthcoming changes to T-Mobile’s rate plans, also known as the UNcarrier movement, but we’ve had little to go on until just recently. It seems we might have a clearer idea of what to expect if recent leaks by TmoNews are to be believed. According to them, all UNcarrier plans will unlimited talk, text, and 500MB of high-speed data included.

Beyond that, users can pay $10 for every 2GB of high-speed data they use, and this also includes free tethering. Another option for unlimited data exists on both the individual and family levels, but you will lose the option to tether for free. Tethering options for the unlimited plan include 500MB of free tethering, $10 for 2.5GB after that, or $20 for 4.5GB after that.

The kicker is that these plans are said to be in place for third-party authorized retailers only, meaning folks like RadioShack, Best Buy, Walmart and those pesky mall kiosks will get these plans. Meanwhile, T-Mobile will maintain the same value plans it’s offering right now in its own corporate stores. It sounds like users won’t be forced in either direction, but details regarding grandfathered plans and upgrade conditions have yet to come to the forefront.

With that, this UNcarrier business is still a tad confusing, but rumors suggest T-Mobile will be officially unveiling these new options at the end of this month so it shouldn’t be long before it’s all cleared up. Take a look at the graphics above and below to get the full breakdown of new plans that will be available.

5-inch Huawei Ascend G700 leaks

Posted: 21 Mar 2013 10:52 AM PDT

A new Huawei handset has hit in the internet today with multiple sources offering up a first look at the upcoming 5-inch device. The Huawei Ascend G700 could ride the line between entry-level pricing and the higher end Ascend D2. Rumors point to a quad-core processor from MediaTek as opposed to Huawei’s in-house K3V2 chip. The display is pegged as HD. We’re guessing 720p.

If this is destined as a mid-range device, the price point could land somewhere between $300 and $400 without subsidy. As far as when we can expect the device to grace the Chinese mainland, that’s not so clear. We won’t even get into the possibility of the G700 reaching other markets.

[@evleaks, Baidu Tieba via Engadget]

Motorola wins patent for octagon-shaped smartphone

Posted: 21 Mar 2013 09:52 AM PDT

Forget rounded rectangles, the future is all about the octagon. Or it could be, anyway, with news of Motorola’s latest patent approval. The USPTO has awarded the Google-owned brand a patent for an octagonal smartphone. The design is a bit more specific than Apple’s rectangle patent, which has been the subject of numerous court battles focused on smartphone and tablet design.

Rulings have been mixed when it comes to Apple’s design, but Motorola would likely have an easier time going after those copying the more unique shape. But would any company even both to infringe upon the shape? Is it something we want to see for devices of the future? It could be that Google and Motorola are merely stacking ammunition. Maybe it’s a tongue-in-cheek jab at Apple (though it seems like a lot of effort to go through to simply mock your competition). Regardless, Motorola lays claim to the design now.

[via GigaOM]
Posted by at 8:12 AM

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