Friday, March 15, 2013

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Google Android News Android Forums

Latest ‘Value Pack’ for Optimus G Pro Adds Eye-tracking Software and More

Posted: 13 Mar 2013 07:22 PM PDT

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LG is allegedly planning to release a new “Value Pack” (VP) for their Optimus G Pro handset. The new VP brings with it a slew of updates, to include Smart Video and a Dual Camera feature. Smart Video, is eye-tracking software that will:

  • Pause video playback when the phone recognizes that the user is no longer focused on the screen.
  • Resumes video playback the moment it recognizes the user is paying attention again.

Dual camera is an extension of the Dual Recording feature LG recently debuted, and will:

  • Allow the user to take simultaneous pictures from the front and rear cameras.

These are the two big features coming down the pipe, but there are a few more that might catch your eye, they include:

  • Improvements to the QRemote app: Increasing functionality in controlling TVs.
  • An update to the home button LED to: More granular control of its flashing.
  • A new video camera feature: Will let user stop/start video but save to one continuous file.

The VP may be poised to release on other LG handsets, but they didn’t release any information to indicate which at this time. What we do know is that Optimus G Pro owners will be receiving this dose of awesome sometime next month.

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."
The Smart Video and Dual Camera features will be introduced as a part of the Value Pack upgrade which will be offered for the Optimus G Pro in the Korean market next month. These features will also be made available for some LG premium smartphones in the future.

Other features in the Value Pack upgrade include:

• Magic Remote Pad and Text Keypad via the QRemote function. These new options for QRemote work specifically with LG
Smart TVs to enhance convenience when using Optimus G Pro as a remote control for LG Smart TVs.
• The Smart LED Lighting outlining the home button of the Optimus G Pro will be upgraded so users can customize the colors
to correspond to their favorite contacts. The flashing of the LED in different colors will allow users to identify the source of
incoming calls, missed calls, unread messages and emails.
• Video Pause/Resume allows the user to stop and start in record mode for one continuous video file.
• The first Color Emoticons in an Android smartphone for more personalized text messages.


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Andy Rubin says it’s the right time to start a new chapter within Google

Posted: 13 Mar 2013 07:01 PM PDT

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Though he is stepping down from his position as head of Google’s Android Mobile Operating System, Andy Rubin, has something to say about his future with the company.  Andy stated in a letter to Android Partners that he is “an entrepreneur at heart and now is the right time for me to start a new chapter within Google."

Earlier today Larry Page used the term “moonshots” in his post announcing Andy’s departure from the Android team, which could only mean he is heading to Google X Lab (GXL). Lets hope Andy is hinting that “new chapter” is indeed GXL.

Hit the break for the entire letter.

He wrote:

Dear friends,

In November of 2007 we announced the Open Handset Alliance with 34 founding members. Today, I’m grateful to the over 85 OHA members who have helped us build Android and drive innovation at such an incredible pace. The Android ecosystem has seen tremendous growth since the launch of the very first Android device in October 2008. The volume and variety of Android devices exceeds even my most optimistic expectations – over 750 million compatible devices and counting!

At its core, Android has always been about openness – the idea that a thousand brains are better than one. Just as the ecosystem has grown, so has our team at Google. I am incredibly proud of the phenomenal group of people that spend their days (and nights) building the Android platform and services. Just look at last year…a lean yet incredibly ambitious team released Jellybean with Google Now, launched Google Play in many languages and countries and collaborated with several partners to build three new Nexus devices to help drive innovation in the ecosystem.

Today, the success of Android combined with the strength of our management team, gives me the confidence to step away from Android and hand over the reins. Going forward, Sundar Pichai will lead Android, in addition to his existing work with Chrome and Apps. Hiroshi Lockheimer – who many of you already know well – plus the rest of the Android leadership team will work closely with all of our partners to advance Android and prepare the platform for new products and services yet to be imagined.

As for me, I am an entrepreneur at heart and now is the right time for me to start a new chapter within Google. I am amazed by what we have accomplished from those early days (not so long ago!), and remain passionate about the power of a simple idea and a shared goal – an open source platform freely available to everyone – to transform computing for people everywhere.

Thank you for your support,

- andy

This is an exciting time for GXL, and having Andy, and his innovative mind, on the team is going to take them to new heights for sure.

For those of you that don’t know, GXL is where products are rigorously tested.  Most of the products being tested are kept secret and on a strict “need to know” level.  Some great projects that have come out of GXL are Project Glass and self driving cars.  The latest innovation, announced by the division head, Astro Teller, is an upcoming “moonshot” product that will be release at an unspecified time in the near future.  You can read more about it here.

Fingers crossed that the hints Larry and Andy are throwing around inherently lead to Andy’s addition to team GXL!

Source: The Wall Street Journal


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Oh what a surprise: Apple’s Phil Shiller thinks Android phones are inferior to the iPhone

Posted: 13 Mar 2013 06:28 PM PDT

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So what do you do when your the Apple marketing chief and it’s the eve of the Samsung Galaxy S IV announcement? You do a little trash talking, but in this case Phil Shiller didn’t really go after Samsung, but instead went after Android as a whole. Where do we begin? He started off by saying that products that run the Android software are inferior to Apple’s iPhone. He went down the fragmentation path as he said that a lot of Android users are running old operating systems. In his defense, that is absolutely correct. Only about 15% of Android users are actually running Jelly Bean. In Android’s defense, I will say that most consumers aren’t all that concerned with that.

He continued with, “Android is often given as a free replacement for a feature phone and the experience isn’t as good as an iPhone.” Overall, Shiller thinks Android’s weakness is a result of many manufacturers making phones whereas Apple is in complete control of the hardware. Again a very true statement and is definitely the reason for fragmentation, but unfortunately Android as a whole is still the better OS. The consumer is the judge of that. According to Gartner, the iPhone represented 19.1% of the global market share while Android had 66.4% in 2012. Of course Mr. Shiller will give you a different story as their research suggests that four times as many iPhone users switched from an Android phone than to an Android phone in the fourth quarter 2012. He also downplayed market share estimates by saying, “I’m not sure that the estimates and the modeling accurately gives an accurate picture of it all.”

This outburst was obviously out of anger as Android has astounded even myself with the amount of growth it has achieved in the last couple of years. At the same time, Samsung is now a force to be reckoned with. Samsung is now the face of Android and they will announce a new phone tomorrow that will prove to be yet another thorn in Apple’s side. Shiller makes some valid points, but talking isn’t what sells phones. It’s innovation and something Apple has lacked for a while now.

source: WSJ


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Huawei Ascend Mate set to hit Chinese market on March 21st

Posted: 13 Mar 2013 03:58 PM PDT

Huawei_Ascend_Mate_TA

It seems like we have been waiting for the release of the Huawei Ascend Mate for a really long time, but in reality Huawei is not too late in releasing the device relative to some of our earlier projections of a February release date. Huawei has confirmed today the giant phone will be available in the Chinese market on March 21 for 3,120 yuan ($500 USD). You may recall the Ascend Mate comes with a huge 6.1-inch IPS display, a 1.5GHz quad-core processor, 2GB of RAM and a gargantuan 4050mAh battery, running Android 4.1 Jelly Bean.

What is still unclear is whether the Ascend Mate will ever find its way outside of China. There is some hope that it will at least make it to some European markets like Germany, where Amazon has listed the device for €499 ($646 USD).

source: Softpedia
via: Android Authority


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Amazon Kindle Fire HD 8.9-inch model price cut

Posted: 13 Mar 2013 03:41 PM PDT

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Amazon announced today that it was cutting the price on both versions of its largest Kindle device, the Kindle Fire HD 8.9. The WiFi only version of the tablet was priced at $299 in the U.S. and will see its price drop to $269. The price cut for the 4G enabled version is more dramatic, going from $499 down to $399. According to Amazon, they sell their Kindle devices at cost. With the impending release of the device to several new markets including the U.K., Germany, France, Italy, Spain and Japan, Amazon claims they have achieved some new economies of scale as they ramp up production to meet the expected demand from the new markets.

Amazon sells their devices at cost as part of a strategy to make their profit selling content for the devices, whether it is books, movies, magazines, games or other digital products. A small amount of profit is also made selling accessories for the devices. This strategy depends on Amazon selling a lot of units, something some analysts don’t think is happening. Chad Bartley with Pacific Crest Securities cites sources in the supply chain who have told him demand is weak. Others, like BGC Partners’ Colin Gillis, think the price drop is part of the normal sales cycle that slows down during the first part of the year.

If you have been eyeing a Kindle Fire HD 8.9, now may be the time to make your move.

source: Reuters


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More Galaxy S IV case designs leak

Posted: 13 Mar 2013 01:38 PM PDT

galaxy-s-IV-cases

We’re just one day away from being shown the most anticipated device of the year, but that’s definitely not going to slow the rumors down. Today, we’re getting an early look at some cases that may fit the S IV’s design shape. These cases look like they’d fit the latest leak we saw just yesterday, so this very well could be the final shape of Samsung’s newest superphone. The biggest difference from the S III is the LED flash placement and speaker placement; the LED flash has moved below the camera, and the speaker has moved to the bottom of the phone, similar to the Note II. Aside from that, USB and headphone jack placement are identical. (That’s great news if you’ve invested in a dock of any kind. The S IV should be compatible with at least some of them.)

With the popularity that is almost guaranteed to follow this phone, we should expect to see some great accessory support. These cases come in nearly every color you could want, and should hopefully be available around the phone’s actual release date. Are you excited yet?

source: MobileFun

via: Unwired View


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Featured Android App Review: Sharpee – Powered by Behance [Social]

Posted: 13 Mar 2013 12:40 PM PDT

Sharpee_Powered_By_Behance_Splash_Banner

Whether you’re a creative genius or someone trying to be more creative, you might want to check out Sharpee  - Powered by Behance. If you’re not familiar with the Behance Network, it’s a an online site that allows creative professionals to share their portfolios. At the same time anyone can view these portfolios and utilize them for inspiration.

Anyone can create an account and set up a profile on Behance. Then it’s time to upload projects. For now it can only be done on the desktop, but that feature is coming soon to the Sharpee app. Projects can consist of just about any type of creative field imaginable including advertising, architecture, animation, drawings, graffiti, graphic design, illustrations, photography, visual effects, web design, and 57 others. Portfolios can be complete collections or simply a work in progress.

The cool thing about Sharpee is that you don’t need to be an artist to enjoy the app. Thanks to apps like Instagram, we have become a very visual world and Behance has not only incredible images to enjoy, but professional as well. Behance isn’t about taking a picture of a salt shaker at the diner, adding a filter to it, and calling it art. Behance is about people who know what they are doing. Aspiring artists will love Sharpee because you can get a lot of inspiration and ideas by looking through all the incredible works.

The app itself is as easy as it gets. Upon opening the app, you will get a quick glance at all the featured portfolios, which include the titles, author name, creative field, how many people appreciated it, and how many people have commented on it or viewed it. Tap on the portfolio, and you will be taken to the artist’s description as well as all the images associated with it. You will find an option to view comments at the bottom of the page. By tapping on any of the images, you will be taken to a gallery-like experience where you can swipe through the collection of images. From here you can tap the icon at the bottom left that will give you options to download the image, set it as a wallpaper, share it via email or various social networks like Facebook, Google+, and Twitter. If you’re searching for something in particular, you can tap the search icon to further refine things by keyword, creative field, collections, work in progress, or artists. If there is one negative it’s the wallpaper aspect in that you can’t download high resolution images, so if you have a high-end phone or tablet, you can forget it.

If you’re looking for something new to inspire your own works of art or just simply enjoy looking, you should definitely download Sharpee today. It’s absolutely Free so give it a shot. For now it’s only for phones, but a tablet version is coming soon. Hit one of the download links below to get started, and as always, let me know what you think.

Features:

  • search & explore projects, collections, works in progress and artists from Behance network
  • filter your search over creative field, time or country
  • download images to your device
  • set artworks as wallpaper
  • share artworks with your friends

New features coming soon: login, works upload, creating collections, appreciations etc. to make application full functional.

For more information: Sharpee and Behance Network

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Play Store Download Link

 


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Google I/O tickets sold out in under an hour

Posted: 13 Mar 2013 12:39 PM PDT

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This shouldn’t surprise anyone. Last year, Google I/O tickets didn’t last very long, and this year they went just as fast. If you didn’t manage to snatch your $900 ticket up in under an hour, you were just out of luck. While it didn’t break the record for 23 minutes last year, it’s still pretty impressive. Did any of you manage to get a ticket? Let us know in the comments.


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Samsung Ramped Up Advertising In 2012, Outspent Apple By $68 Million

Posted: 13 Mar 2013 12:33 PM PDT

Samsung

Samsung is the top manufacturer of Android devices and to maintain its dominance in the marketplace, outspent Apple by $68 million in 2012. According to ad research and consulting firm Kantar Media, Samsung spent $401 million advertising its devices in the U.S. last year while Apple spent $333 million. Prior to that, Apple spent three times more on advertising in 2011 than Samsung. The increase in advertising is definitely noticed with the South Korean company investing millions in Super Bowl Ads, having a big presence at Mobile World Congress, and even consuming commercial time during the Oscars.

Wireless carrier executives claim that Samsung also spends a sizeable chunk on advertising off the screen with in-store advertising, promotions, and training for sales representatives who help get devices into the hands of consumers. Better yet, that advertising backs quality products. Patrick Remy, VP of Devices at Orange in the UK, says customers rarely ever return Samsung devices.

Source: The Wall Street Journal


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HTC One Making Its Way To Verizon

Posted: 13 Mar 2013 11:16 AM PDT

HTC One_Silver_3V

The HTC One will be available for Verizon customers after all. All Things D, citing an unnamed source, is reporting Verizon will carry the One about a month or so after it launches on the other three major US carriers. We had originally reported a March launch for AT&T, T-Mobile and Sprint but had not heard a word about Verizon.

Fans of Beats Audio and Sense (there are some Sense fans, right?) on Verizon are not the only winners here. Finally getting the same flagship phone on all the big carriers is a huge win for struggling HTC. This will allow HTC to focus its ad campaign on a single device and maybe start taking some mind share back from Samsung.

Source: All Things D


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