Wednesday, April 24, 2013

Android Authority

Android Authority

RadioShack to start selling AT&T and Sprint versions of Galaxy S4 starting April 27th

Posted: 24 Apr 2013 12:04 AM PDT

RadioShack

Last week a purported internal document from RadioShack showed the possibility that the electronics retailer would start selling the Samsung Galaxy S4 with an AT&T contract from April 26th. This has turned out to be almost true.  According to CNET, RadioShack has confirmed that it will start selling the Samsung Galaxy S4 starting Saturday, April 27.

Samsung’s new flagship phone will be available from RadioShack’s 4,700 or so retail locations and will include free lifetime tech support. Not only will the device be available on AT&T’s network but customers can also opt for Sprint.

AT&T has previously confirmed that the 16GB Galaxy S4 will be available for $199.99 with a new two-year contract from AT&T stores from Saturday and that the 32GB Galaxy S4 model will cost $249.99, also with a new two-year contract.  The device has been available on pre-order and AT&T could start shipping those devices as soon as tomorrow.

To get a 16GB Samsung Galaxy S4 on Sprint will cost $249.99 with a new two-year contract. Although the handset will be more expensive than from AT&T, the contract includes "truly unlimited" data, a feature that the carrier has heavily advertised with every new recent handset launch.

For more information on the Galaxy S4 launch in the USA checkout our launch guide.

Google buys search start-up Wavii

Posted: 23 Apr 2013 09:36 PM PDT

google search logo

Sometimes Google buys a start-up, and does next to nothing with it. Sometimes they buy Android and YouTube, and end up defining who they are with those acquisitions. Wavii has a chance to be on the latter end of that spectrum.

Today, we learn that Google has purchased the Seattle-based start-up for over $30 million. The exact terms are not known, but we do know Wavii will be absorbed into the Google knowledge graph team. Both Apple and Google were in serious discussion for Wavii, and they have an app in beta for iOS, but Google ended up winning out.

What does Wavii do?

Wavii is interesting, in that it aggregates news. Rather than have to search out topics, Wavii can feed you the info you're looking for. Right now, Wavii is a standalone platform… almost like social media for news and information. Rather than expect to see that ported straight over, we should assume that what Wavii has to offer will be parsed out.

As contextual data becomes more important, and Google designs products like Glass to take advantage of it, what Wavii accomplishes becomes more important. Considering they will be absorbed into knowledge graph, we can also expect search to continue to improve. Perhaps this will be baked straight in, or even give a separate layer of results.

Say you search for 'Samsung Galaxy S4' pretty often, then search for 'HTC One' at some point. Perhaps search would know your habits, and suggest comparisons of the two devices. If you search pretty regularly for the GS4, it's a good assumption you're doing a little comparative shopping. This has the possibility to add a depth to your use of Google products that has yet to be realized.

How it fits in

It's also possible that the aggregate could work its way into other services, like Google+. Wavii, in its own way, challenges Google+ by offering a communication layer. If that could be implemented into what is already on offer, it only adds depth to Google+. With Google+ comments coming to Blogger posts, it's conceivable that we could start seeing the same in search results.

Of course, Google Now is the best example for an immediate use-case scenario, as we already see cards similar to what Wavii is trying to accomplish. Those don't really aggregate the news, just give you stories based on recent searches. Wavii could streamline and improve on that function, and quickly.

Let's not kid ourselves, though. With Google, it all comes back to the source, and that's search. Everything Google does boils down to one thing, and that's generating ad revenue through search. While that sounds a bit clandestine, we should embrace it. The more revenue Google can generate via ads, the better. By doing so, all those products we love, like Maps or Google Drive, are free… and pretty awesome. So if they can generate better results for us, and generate revue doing so, we should be behind that 100%.

We'll be curious to see just what comes of Wavii. There are tons of use cases we can imagine for the service, but it's doubtful we'll see some kind of Wavii app or anything. This will be one of those acquisitions we don't see later on, and those have the ability to have a deeper impact than others that are seen.

Don't take our word for it, though. There is a video below from the Wavii team, which better explains what they do… or did, I guess. Take a look, and let us know how you think it could be implemented into the Google ecosystem. We're sure to see great things from this.

Huawei’s networking unit is leaving the US market

Posted: 23 Apr 2013 08:26 PM PDT

Huawei booth

When you consider the global market for mobile technology, the United States is pretty significant. We're a large country, and are very keen on our tech. When a relatively new manufacturer, who makes some nice devices, pledges to bow out of the US market… we wonder why. When that player is Huawei, we know the answer.

After some recent incidents of spying, which can be traced back to China, Huawei came under scrutiny. Along with ZTE, Huawei was accused of some subversive tactics, and accused of assisting with spying by congress ina roundabout way. Rather than fight an uphill battle, Huawei has decided to bow out of the US.

There is a big, bold world for Huawei to worry about, and they will. Their backyard, China, is a market ready for a growth explosion. The rest of the Asian countries are also primed for rapid growth, so Huawei focussing on other markets is not going to hurt their chances any.

Huawei estimates the US accounts for around 30% of the world's carrier business, so the decision to leave this market was not arrived at lightly. "Don't get me wrong, I'd love to get into the U.S. market. Thirty percent, it's a high-value market. We today face reality. We will focus on the rest of the world, which is reasonably big enough and is growing significantly." said Huawei's Chief Technology Officer, Li Sanqi. We're sorry to see them go, but happy they'll have the chance for the success they deserve.

Galaxy S4 features face tracking technology from DigitalOptics

Posted: 23 Apr 2013 05:57 PM PDT

samsung galaxy s4 smart pause aa

According to a new press release, Samsung has signed a multi-year licensing deal with DigitalOptics for its face tracking/detection software, which is apparently found onboard the Galaxy S4. Based out of California, DigitalOptics "designs and manufactures innovative imaging systems for smartphones".

Called "FaceTools", here is what the software suite has to offer:

With FaceTools, end users can automatically identify individuals, capture fast moving objects, use enhanced user interfaces via real-time tracking of pupils, and take flawless pictures even under sub-optimum light or color balance conditions.

With a multi-year licensing deal, Samsung could bring the software to upcoming devices. As far as which devices, we'll just have to wait and see. Samsung has really improved its software offering in the Galaxy S4, offering Smart Scroll and Smart Pause, which utilize eye tracking technology. Smart Scroll uses your eye movement to scroll up or down a page, while Smart Pause automatically pauses a video if you look away (image above). The features can be seen in the video below from our Galaxy S4 review.

Last month, Korea's Yonhap News Agency reported LG may take Samsung to court for patent infringement over its eye tracking patents. Once the Galaxy S4 is released, LG says it will take a closer look at possible patent infringement. Samsung completely denies any infringement, and claims to implement the technology in a different way.

In a recent update, the Optimus G Pro received Smart Video. Similar to Smart Pause on the Galaxy S4, it too automatically pauses a video when a user looks away.

Samsung Licenses DigitalOptics Face Detection and Tracking Software

SAN JOSE, Calif.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–DigitalOptics Corporation (DOC™), a wholly owned subsidiary of Tessera Technologies, Inc. (NASDAQ: TSRA) announced today that Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. has signed a multi-year license for DOC’s Face Detection and Face Tracking software. This software will be used in Samsung Galaxy S® 4 smartphones.

DOC’s Face Detection and Face Tracking software is part of DOC’s FaceTools™ suite, which also includes Accurate Eye Tracking and Face Recognition, Smile and Blink Detection, among others. With FaceTools, end users can automatically identify individuals, capture fast moving objects, use enhanced user interfaces via real-time tracking of pupils, and take flawless pictures even under sub-optimum light or color balance conditions. This software is compatible with all application processors and can be optimized for power consumption and increased performance via custom hardware blocks, such as the DOC advanced hardware image processing (AHIP) embedded in Fujitsu’s discrete image signal processors (ISPs).

The DOC’s FaceTools suite is also a key capability in its innovative microelectromechnical (MEMS) mems|cam™ mobile camera module recently launched in February at Mobile World Congress. By combining FaceTools along with an extensive portfolio of market leading camera technologies, DOC will enable compelling new imaging features only available in mems|cam mobile camera modules for smartphone cameras.

“Our position as the technology and market leader in imaging software is a unique asset that enables DOC to develop highly differentiated mobile camera modules,” said John Thode, president of DOC. “By combining our MEMS technology with our real-time custom hardware blocks and application software we believe we have all of the capabilities to bring exceptional professional quality still and video imaging and applications to mobile devices.”

Verizon VoLTE coming in early 2014

Posted: 23 Apr 2013 01:57 PM PDT

Verizon Wireless

Voice Over LTE is a technology we see mentioned off and on, but never seems to come to fruition. It sounds cool, but it never gets closer than being mentioned as upcoming technology. Verizon is naturally at the forefront of this technology, having perhaps the most robust LTE network in the country, but we still haven't seen VoLTE.

For those unfamiliar, VoLTE is simply the ability to make calls over the data network. While it seems simple enough,there is a lot of back-end work to do, as LTE is a radical step forward for actual voice call technology. For a carrier like VErizon, which operates on a CDMA network, it also means they can have devices without htat CDMA modem.

Verizon CFO Fran Shammo recently revealed that Verizon VoLTE devices will be available later this year, with rollout of a VoLTE network starting in early 2014. While the service will, of course, be limited at first, it's an important step toward full integration. This fits a timeframe reported late last year by Verizon, so it looks like all systems are go for VoLTE.

AT&T has also commented on bringing VoLTE to light, as their LTE network continues to grow. While this is still a long way from being widely implemented, we're starting to see it in a real-world scenario, and that's pretty awesome.

Now, about that unlimited data, Verizon…

Verizon LG Spectrum 2 Jelly Bean update on its way soon

Posted: 23 Apr 2013 01:17 PM PDT

LG Spectrum 2

Owners of the LG Spectrum 2 have something to be excited for, Jelly Bean is just around the corner! Verizon has now officially approved its latest update for the Spectrum 2, build number VS93021B, which includes an upgrade to Android 4.1.

Outside of the expected Jelly Bean improvements like notifications and Google Now, Verizon is also bringing plenty of their own software changes and fixes that are specific to the Spectrum 2. Some of the changes include Bluetooth optimizations, the ability to back up contacts when a SIM is swapped, and the removal of several preloaded widgets such as Social+, Finance and Power Control. The Weather app and widget also receives an update.

Alright so this is great news, but when exactly can we expect the rollout?

No official day is mentioned by Verizon, but typically Verizon releases this final information just days before the rollout begins. In the meantime you can always start manually checking for the build’s arrival by going to Menu>Settings>About Phone>Software Updates>Check for Updates.

Keep in mind that in Verizon’s usual fashion, the rollout will likely happen in phases and so it could take several weeks before it actually reaches you.

Rugged Galaxy S4 to be announced in the coming weeks, Samsung exec apparently says

Posted: 23 Apr 2013 01:13 PM PDT

samsung galaxy s4 viewing angle aa

A Samsung executive apparently confirmed during the Galaxy S4 launch event in Dubai that the company would announce a rugged version of its flagship smartphone at some point in the coming weeks.

Young Soo Kim, Samsung Gulf Electronics president, mentioned the water and dust proof Galaxy S4 in a Q&A session that took place during the event when asked why the company didn't make such a device.

No other details have been revealed about the product at this time, so it will certainly be interesting to hear more about a water and dust proof Galaxy S4. And we’ll certainly take everything with a grain of salt even if it apparently comes from Samsung. Maybe something was lost in translation in there.

Such a product would directly compete against Sony's flagship Android handset, the Xperia Z, also a smartphone that's reportedly selling like hot cakes. In fact, the Xperia Z is the only flagship smartphone of the first months of the year that comes with waterproof capabilities, with competitors including the Samsung Galaxy S4, the HTC One or the LG Optimus G Pro lacking such features.

While this Galaxy S4 model is yet to be official, we wouldn’t expect it to offer any other features in addition to water and dust proof features. However, we will note that such a device would be the first in the Galaxy S family to come with rugged characteristics.

Anyone looking forward to such a Galaxy S4 model?

Fujitsu smartphone shows up on an AnTuTu benchmark coming in at an impressive 25,458 points

Posted: 23 Apr 2013 12:59 PM PDT

Fujitsu_logoj

Fujitsu isn’t exactly the cream of the crop when it comes to Android handsets, but it seems that the Japanese based company is preparing a very impressive phone, which has been spotted in an AnTuTu benchmark going by FJDEV001.

antutu-fujitsu

According to Japanese publication Ameblo, this mystery device could be running a Qualcomm Snapdragon 600 CPU clocked at 1.7GH resulting in a very impressive AnTuTu score of 25,458 points. It’s no record breaker, but is certainly up there with the Galaxy S4 and HTC One.

Based off of a Picasa listing, it seems that the device will also use a 12-megapixel camera and is running on Android 4.2.2, but that’s really all the facts we know about the device at this point. We can speculate a bit though. According to Phone Arena, based off its model number, FJDEV001, it’s possible that we could be looking at a development device.

Considering that devices at similar speeds have 2GB of RAM, such as the HTC One at 1.7GHz and the Galaxy S4 at 1.9GHz, it’s possible that Fujitsu’s new high-end device would have the same. We may also see expandable storage, and if the HTC One and Galaxy S4 are anything to go by, we could also see a Full HD screen. That’s just speculation though.

In most cases, Fujitsu smartphones aren’t sold outside of Japan, but the Japanese company at a product announcement in February said, “"We are committed to the success of this partnership as we strive to expand our smartphone business overseas, while advancing the promotion of Japanese technology worldwide."

Hopefully we’ll see more about the device in the near future. Are you looking forward to this smartphone?

Google Street View updated, now covers 50 countries

Posted: 23 Apr 2013 12:42 PM PDT

google street view

Google Street View has now reached the 50 countries mark with the inclusion of Hungary and Lesotho, the update pushed today being the largest single one so far.

According to the Google Lat Long blog, alongside the inclusion of Hungary and Lesotho, the service has significantly expanded its coverage of Romania and Poland, together with other interesting locations. The update, which is the largest single one so far (bigger than the one in October), includes and updated imagery of an incredible 350,000 miles of roads, in 14 countries. The good Google Street View news doesn’t stop here, as Google says that coverage has also been added and expanded for France, Italy, Russia, Singapore and Thailand.

The blog post mentions some of the beautiful places in Budapest, Hungary, that you can now check out on Google Street View (like the Danube bank in the screenshot below), as well as the beautiful African views in Lesotho.

Google Street View

Also, some special collections of picturesque spots in Portugal, Hong Kong and Ireland have been added, for those wanting to do some virtual tourism, or maybe select their future vacation destination (you may remember Google travelling to the Grand Canyon for the same purpose a while ago).

How about you? What interesting uses for Street View on Google Maps have you found?

HTC One breaks new ground, bypasses carrier shenanigans

Posted: 23 Apr 2013 12:26 PM PDT

HTC One

Despite unexpected setbacks, the HTC One is finally available in the U.S. from top carriers. With the 32GB version costing $199 or less, it's priced right up there with similarly specced phones. However, as we all know too well, paying the subsidized price means getting locked into a contract, T-Mobile being the exception.

Even further, opting for a carrier subsidized version often leads to pre-installed bloatware, slow updates, and the carrier's logo on the device so people won't mistake who you pledge allegiance to. Now, if you want to buy an unlocked version, most carriers offer that as well. With higher-end Android smartphones, you can expect paying upwards of $700.

Enter The HTC One

You can buy the unlocked version (with a truly unlocked bootloader) directly from HTC for $574.99, which works on AT&T or T-Mobile's LTE network. What's interesting is that it's priced around $25 less than buying directly from AT&T. AT&T-branded devices have typically been the only ones able to access its 4G LTE network. Last year with the launch of the Nexus 4, many users were disappointed with the lack of LTE onboard.

Integrating LTE meant working directly with carriers. Because of Google wanting to control the user experience, and keeping carriers out of the process, users were stuck with 3G. Fast forward to the HTC One, and things are starting to change. Not only can people completely bypass buying from AT&T, but HTC has promised its own updates to the unlocked version.

htc-one-in-hand

This means a completely unadulterated user experience, similar to the Nexus line of devices. AT&T definitely has an impressive and growing LTE network. If you're in the market for the HTC One, and mostly use data, T-Mobile has an offer that's hard to refuse. For just $30 per month, you can get 100 minutes talk, unlimited text, and 5GB of 4G data, an option that's been very popular with Nexus 4 owners.

However, unlike the Nexus 4, you can actually run at 4G speeds.
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