AndroidGuys |
- Sprint serves up Android 4.1 Jelly Bean for Samsung Galaxy Tab 2 10.1
- AT&T HTC One X now receiving Android 4.1 Jelly Bean update
- Smarten up your TV with the $50 FAVI Android SmartStick
- Sony Xperia Z soldout in many markets, Sony looking forward to a strong year
- Google files a patent for backside controls on future devices
- Google showcases a talking Android shoe at the SXSW
- Motorola X-Phone now rumored as Motorola NXT as new details emerge
- Verizon upgrading DROID RAZR and RAZR MAXX to Jelly Bean
- Samsung Galaxy S4 to feature a new and efficient AMOLED technology?
- Marvel Comics offering over 700 first issues for free
- Samsung Galaxy S4 potentially photographed ahead of launch
| Sprint serves up Android 4.1 Jelly Bean for Samsung Galaxy Tab 2 10.1 Posted: 11 Mar 2013 12:54 PM PDT
Sprint this morning announced that the Android 4.1 Jelly Bean update is available for the Samsung Galaxy Tab 2 10.1. The update will be pushed automatically to Galaxy Tab 2 10.1 over the next few weeks at which point it can be installed over the air. Details, of course, include features such as Google Now, the Project Butter smooth transitions, expandable and rich notifications, and the smarter widget placement.
The post Sprint serves up Android 4.1 Jelly Bean for Samsung Galaxy Tab 2 10.1 appeared first on AndroidGuys. |
| AT&T HTC One X now receiving Android 4.1 Jelly Bean update Posted: 11 Mar 2013 12:10 PM PDT AT&T finally decided to release Android 4.1 Jelly Bean update for the HTC One X, HTC’s 2012 flagship device. The global version of HTC One X received the update back in November, although it is better late than never. Right? The update is now rolling over the air and you should soon see a notification. Or, you can give it a shot manually by going to Settings > About phone > Check for updates. Maybe it is your lucky day.
That’s a good package, and I am sure it will enhance the One X experience. So, is your One X rocking on Jelly Bean at the moment? If yes, then share your experience with us in the comment box below. Source: ATT
The post AT&T HTC One X now receiving Android 4.1 Jelly Bean update appeared first on AndroidGuys. |
| Smarten up your TV with the $50 FAVI Android SmartStick Posted: 11 Mar 2013 11:25 AM PDT
If you picked up a new television over the last couple of years the chances are good that you weighed the option of a “smart” TV. Thanks to HDMI and a growing assortment of add-on products, those who opted for a standard model can now smarten their TV up. One such device that’s is worth considering the FAVI Entertainment SmartStick. At only $50*, this 4GB product plugs into the HDMI port of your television and gives it a full-on Android experience. Now, before going any further, I should point out that this is not a Google TV device; rather, this provides a nearly stock Android UI. It takes a bit of getting used to but it’s priced right and makes for a convenient, and familiar experience.
In order to fully utilize the SmartStick you will want pick up the Wireless Keyboard with Mouse Touchpad. Yes, it runs about $40, bringing the total price to $90 or so. Without it, however, you’ll find navigation quite difficult. The desktop experience is a little awkward at first but gets easier with time. The remote control (IR port) that comes in the box works, sure, but games and clicking around on website are nearly impossible. In the box:
The desktop experience allows for widgets, which is nice for those who like to have weather or email notifications close at hand. In terms of apps that work well, think Roku and you’ll be on the right track. Netflix, Hulu+, HBO Go, Facebook, Pandora, Slacker Radio, and Flixter work great. Try playing a game, however, and you’ll come away upset. Another way the FAVI device works great is in using Google Play movie and TV show rentals and purchases. Where I found the SmartStick to be convenient was in notifications and quick text replies (Google Voice). I like being able to tap out a message, reply to emails, clean up the inbox, and other things of the sort. The entire Google Play Store is available but your results with vary depending on the type of apps you want to use.
The FAVI SmartStick requires power at all times so keep an outlet free. What’s more, the add-on Wireless Keyboard needs to be charged up every so often, via miniUSB. There is an indicator light that tells you how much juice is left and we found it lasted longer than we expected. For $50 you get 4GB internal storage with a microSD expansion card slot. If you need more, you can spring for the 8GB model for $79.99. What we liked:
Room for improvement:
Where to buy You can learn more about the FAVI SmartStick at the FAVI website where you can also purchase the device and accessories. You’ll also find the 4GB model on Amazon for $49.99. We did find that the optional Wireless Keyboard was only $30, or roughly 25% less. The post Smarten up your TV with the $50 FAVI Android SmartStick appeared first on AndroidGuys. |
| Sony Xperia Z soldout in many markets, Sony looking forward to a strong year Posted: 11 Mar 2013 10:19 AM PDT Sony recently introduced the Sony Xperia Z, which is their new Android flagship device. It’s a beautiful and slim smartphone, and experts believe that it will be a big success for Sony. DigiTimes is reporting that the Sony Xperia Z was fully booked on the first day in Japan, Germany, France, Hong Kong and Taiwan. Sony is planning to ship more than 50 million devices this year, compared to 34 million devices shipped last year. Gunning for the ‘number 3′ spot in the mobile market, Sony hopes to be the next name after Samsung and Apple.
So folks, are you planning to get the Xperia Z? If yes then tell us why are you planning to pick it over HTC One, Samsung Galaxy S IV or any other Android phone. Source: DigiTimes The post Sony Xperia Z soldout in many markets, Sony looking forward to a strong year appeared first on AndroidGuys. |
| Google files a patent for backside controls on future devices Posted: 11 Mar 2013 08:43 AM PDT The US Patent & Trademark Office recently published a patent application from Google that shows their intentions to bring backside controls to future Android devices. These controls could possibly turn the page of an ebook, flip through photos, and even change music albums in a playlist. Apple first introduced this idea back in 2006, but the idea was two hands holding onto a tablet, with the contact points on the sides of the device. Not surprising, just like many of Apple’s ideas, they never really acted on it. After a little bit of tweaking, it may be that Google is bold enough to take this idea and run with it, and leave Apple in the dust.
Thanks to Patentbolt, a conceptual drawing related to the idea shows an index finger scrolling through an article. To prevent any unintentional scrolling, the patent shows that the device will detect finger contact and then determine if it's strong enough to proceed. It appears that the feature will not act if the device is only being held, helping prevent any misleading actions. The backside controls may also provide visual or audible feedback, letting the user know that a tap or swipe has been detected. Google’s patent application was originally filed in Q3 2012, but just recently published by the US Patent Office. What do you think of this possible feature? Do you think Goggle will actually implement it? Tell us what you think below!
The post Google files a patent for backside controls on future devices appeared first on AndroidGuys. |
| Google showcases a talking Android shoe at the SXSW Posted: 11 Mar 2013 08:29 AM PDT We know Google as the famous search engine giant and the company behind our beloved operating system, Android, but Google also love to introduce some weird but creative gadgets as well. I am sure that everyone is familiar with Google Glass project, which is an amazing innovation in the technology industry. Now at the SXSW event in Austin, Texas, Google showcased a talking Android shoe, a pair of Adidas sneakers hacked by Google’s experts, which can tell the person wearing them what they are doing, and it is linked to their smartphone via a speaker on the tongue of the shoe. However, you don’t need to get excited as Google promises they are not getting into footwear business.
So, are you impressed with it? Tell us about it in the comment box below? Via: Engadget The post Google showcases a talking Android shoe at the SXSW appeared first on AndroidGuys. |
| Motorola X-Phone now rumored as Motorola NXT as new details emerge Posted: 11 Mar 2013 08:18 AM PDT The rumored Motorola X-Phone may feature a quad-core NVIDIA Tegra 4i processor, reports AndroidWorld. New details surfacing this morning indicate the handset’s more proper name could be the Motorola NXT and that the device will be very slim indeed. Reportedly, the Motorola NTX will include a 4.7-inch Full HD 1080p display, a 16-megapixel (seriously?) rear camera, and 5-megapixel (seriously?) front-facing camera. Dimensions are said to be 131.2 x 66.7 x 7.9 mm or thinner than the Droid Razr HD.
The finer details indicate that the front-facing camera will pull double duty as a light sensor and utilize eye tracking for scrolling in emails and websites. Expected to run Android v. K(ey Lime Pie), the Motorola NXT is shaping up to be quite a remarkable device, if only on paper. Keep in mind that that none of these specs have been confirmed and the device is still not even officially recognized by anyone at Google. With that said, there’s plenty of evidence to support that such an animal exists that it should be a heck of an experience. Rumored X Phone/Motorola NXT specs
Don’t get too caught up in that image above, either. That’s merely a mockup and not indicative of the actual device.
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| Verizon upgrading DROID RAZR and RAZR MAXX to Jelly Bean Posted: 11 Mar 2013 07:58 AM PDT Verizon’s DROID RAZR and RAZR MAXX are probably one of the best Motorola smartphones you can grab from Big Red. If not the best, they may among the most popular these last few months. Verizon is currently deploying the Android Jelly Bean update for these two but you can also manually download it. To so do, head to settings and follow the typical procedure of upgrading your phone.
Source: VZW The post Verizon upgrading DROID RAZR and RAZR MAXX to Jelly Bean appeared first on AndroidGuys. |
| Samsung Galaxy S4 to feature a new and efficient AMOLED technology? Posted: 11 Mar 2013 07:31 AM PDT Samsung has a very solid name in the smartphone industry with their Android powered phones, most notably with the Galaxy S series. When each successive release, experts debate about how amazing the display the device is and how it stacks up. It seems they will have plenty to debate for the Galaxy S4, if new rumors are true. According to SamMobile, Samsung’s upcoming flagship device will feature a floating touch technology along with a new kind of AMOLED display, known as the "green PHOLED”. As the word green infers, the new technology will consume less battery power – at least 25% more efficient than the AMOLED display. Reportedly, the Galaxy S4 will feature a 4.99 inch display, and with features like Smart Scroll, I am pretty sure that the phone will pose big problems for the HTC One. SamMobile is further reporting that it will come with a new camera feature known as Samsung Orb, a 360 degree photo capturing feature. March 14 is just around the corner! Do you think the Samsung Galaxy S4 will be the phone we all are waiting for? Tell us about it in the comment box below. Source: SamMobile The post Samsung Galaxy S4 to feature a new and efficient AMOLED technology? appeared first on AndroidGuys. |
| Marvel Comics offering over 700 first issues for free Posted: 11 Mar 2013 07:22 AM PDT
Looking to dip your toes in the comics waters but aren’t ready to spend much money? You may want to check out the limited-time Marvel promotion which offers more than 700 first issues for free. Note, this is for the “first” issues and not any one entire series. Still, it’s pretty awesome stuff. If you’d like to read the first issues from various volumes of the Avengers, X-Men and Spider-Man then this is the deal for you.
So how do you take advantage of the offer? Well, you have to hurry up and grab them through the Marvel App or website. This special promotion begins Sunday March 10 and runs until 11PM Eastern Time on Tuesday, March 12 as free downloads via the Marvel Comics app and Marvel Comics Digital Comics Shop. We’ve tried all morning long and keep running into connection and billing issues. Let’s hope Marvel is on top of things and gets it figured out. Either that, or they extend the deal a bit so we can all get a taste. The post Marvel Comics offering over 700 first issues for free appeared first on AndroidGuys. |
| Samsung Galaxy S4 potentially photographed ahead of launch Posted: 11 Mar 2013 06:37 AM PDT Well, it’s crunch time and the Samsung Galaxy S4 is breathing down our proverbial necks. Set to launch later this week (March 14), the flagship device has been the subject of many leaks and rumors. Here we are, three days until its debut, and we’re still getting new and juicy stuff. It’s difficult to say for certain that the photos we’re looking at are, in fact, the Samsung Galaxy S4. On one hand we’re inclined to say, “Yeah, that looks pretty accurate and falls in line with rumors.” On the other hand, we’d be surprised if it leaked to the wild before the reveal. We could also be looking at an entirely different model, something else that could end up in the Samsung Galaxy line.
According to 52Samsung (translate), this is the GT-i9502 and it’s a dual-SIM verison of the GS4 headed to China Unicom. Details include Android 4.2.1, 2GB RAM, a (Samsung Exynos) 5410 (Octa) processor, 13-megapixel camera, and 1080p display. For what it’s worth, this does have Samsung’s design cues written all over it and seems like an actual phone. On the contrary, it does not match up at all with the leaked cases from a few weeks back. One or the other, or both, are not the real deal. We’ll be in attendance at the Galaxy S4 launch and are only too excited to share the news first-hand! Be sure to follow along this week as we get photos and videos and our first impressions! Via: Engadget The post Samsung Galaxy S4 potentially photographed ahead of launch appeared first on AndroidGuys. |
Setup is rather easy and the SmartStick comes with a very simple diagram of how to go about the process. In a nutshell, you connect to HDMI and your wireless internet. From there, you can hop to your input whenever you want.
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