Android Authority |
- 5-inch LG Optimus G Pro lands in Japan, America still expected to get the 5.5-incher
- Google Play lists new Nexus 4 accessories up for sale
- What Babel should be
- Sony receives Guinness World Record for Xperia ZL mobile phone mosaic
- Chrome for Android updated
- A 5.2″ HD OLED screen? Yes please.
- Sony Xperia ZL arrives in Germany, currently only available through Phonehouse
- The wait is over: Motorola sending out Droid Bionic Jelly Bean soak test invites
- MetroPCS investors oppose merger with T-Mobile
- Twitter for Android gets new makeover, features Holo-inspired look
| 5-inch LG Optimus G Pro lands in Japan, America still expected to get the 5.5-incher Posted: 04 Apr 2013 02:35 AM PDT
LG's newest flagship, the Optimus G Pro, pushes the display size and hardware limits to an absolute max. And yet very few people are taking it seriously enough to consider it a worthy challenger for the Samsung Galaxy S4 or HTC One. Why? First off, there are two G Pro models for some reason, which some might find confusing. Also, not everyone is sold on the 5.5-inch form factor. The fact LG has miserably missed the mark with most of its latest spearheads can't help, while the cherry on top is the G Pro still doesn't have a clear ETA in the West. But all that can't stop LG's crown jewel from taking Asia by storm. And after it's become a box-office hit in South Korea, it's now time to do the same in Japan. The land of the rising sun has the G Pro up for grabs starting today via NTT DoCoMo, the country's leading wireless carrier. The more compact 5-incher is available in Japan, unlike South Korea, which got the 5.5-inch G Pro. As confusing as all that might sound, we're pretty certain the 5.5-inch edition will be the one LG will count on in the West.
We don't have an official confirmation yet, but the smaller variant is said to have been "designed specifically for the Japanese market". That sounds pretty clear-cut to us, but, knowing LG, anything could still happen. Aside from the panel's reduced size, the Japanese Optimus G Pro is in no way inferior to the “international” version. The screen is full HD, there's a 1.7 GHz quad-core Snapdragon 600 CPU beneath the hood, 2 GB of RAM, a 13 MP shooter slapped on the back and a 2.1 MP cam on the front. The overall design is somewhat similar to that of Samsung's Galaxy Note 2, but the G Pro is a little chunky in order to accommodate a whopping 3,000 mAh ticker. The 32 GB of on-board storage can be extended with microSD cards, while the battery is user removable. Rumored to replace the first-gen Optimus G on Sprint "soon", the G Pro only has a vague "Q2" ETA in the US, meaning it could hit the ground running tomorrow or on June 30. While you wait, don't forget to check out our exclusive video review below. We'd also like to hear if you do in fact view the G Pro as a contender for this year's Android crown. Is it better than the GS4 and HTC One? Yes, no, maybe? The post 5-inch LG Optimus G Pro lands in Japan, America still expected to get the 5.5-incher appeared first on Android Authority. |
| Google Play lists new Nexus 4 accessories up for sale Posted: 03 Apr 2013 11:10 PM PDT
The new Nexus 4 accessories that can now be purchased through Google Play look to be your average smartphone accessories. At least from the outside, none of them really look that remarkable, though the use of flat cords on both the USB cable and the headset is a bit noteworthy. And speaking of noteworthy, the new Nexus 4 headset comes with rubber earpieces as well as a built-in mic. So this headset is clearly meant to be used not just for listening to the phone’s audio but also for regular phone calls as well. The Nexus 4 headset can be purchased directly from Google Play for only $19.99 plus $5.99 for 2-day shipping. Meanwhile, the USB cable costs $9.99 and the power adapter costs $15.99. - Nexus 4 wired headset with mic The post Google Play lists new Nexus 4 accessories up for sale appeared first on Android Authority. |
| Posted: 03 Apr 2013 07:34 PM PDT  Unified messaging will usher in improved interaction (Photo credit: Women using phones / Shutterstock). A week back, we featured an update on what was supposedly Google’s latest effort into creating a unified messaging service. Dubbed “Babel,” the unified chat service currently in internal testing supposedly combines Google’s various messaging services and offers cross-device support, group conversations, improved notifications, among other features. But I have an idea of what Babel should be. Rounding up the supposed features of the upcoming messaging service, I would say I’d like Google to come up with something like Apple’s iMessage, BBM and then some more. FragmentedOne big gripe I have with Google’s messaging services is that these are fragmented. You have a slew of services like Google Talk, Google+ Messenger, Google Voice, Hangouts, Chrome OS and even email messaging through Gmail. In some cases, these play along nicely, such as Google Talk chats being recorded into conversation threads in Gmail and Google Voice SMS and voice mail going into Gmail. But in most cases, it is not always easy to pick up where you left off when switching to another device or platform. Even Google Talk, which is supposed to be among the most accessible among Google’s instant messaging services, is not always baked into Android devices and ROMs, which means some users will have to install third-party apps like IMO, IM+ or BeeJive just to chat with online contacts. It does offer choice, but this is not always the most elegant of solutions. With Android now being the top mobile platform worldwide in terms of numbers, it only makes sense for Google to implement a unified messaging service. Never mind the carriers and their SMS and calling plans. Everything is going to data, and they know it. Here’s where I think a service that works like iMessage would be excellent. I can already see some advantages, and these should, of course, go beyond what iMessage currently has to offer.
Not just platforms, also languages?Going beyond messaging, though, I think that a cool feature would be for Babel to enable on-the-fly translations during a chat session or even a voice call. The term “Babel” itself has linguistics and communication-related connotations. The Babel biblical account involved a united humanity, in which God confounded humans’ languages and scattered people across lands so that they could not reach heaven by themselves through the tower they were building. A contemporary interpretation of the Babel account, though, identifies it as the cradle of human civilization, which means Babel could be something that does bring together humans regardless of language and culture. To describe what I would want Babel to be in one word, it would be “seamless.” I already rely on a handful of messaging services to correspond with friends, family members and colleagues, and these include iMessage, Google Talk and even Facebook Messenger. I don’t like fragmentation, but I do like having choice. It’s often cumbersome to have to maintain separate clients for different contacts and platforms, though. If Google were to make things easier through a more unified messaging application, then I’m sold. The post What Babel should be appeared first on Android Authority. |
| Sony receives Guinness World Record for Xperia ZL mobile phone mosaic Posted: 03 Apr 2013 04:12 PM PDT
Sony Mobile is now a Guinness World Record holder after being awarded the record for world's largest animated mobile phone mosaic. During Mobile World Congress 2013, which took place February 25-28 in Barcelona, Spain, Sony created a mosaic comprising of 196 Xperia ZL smartphones that measured 6 feet 2 inches by 3 feet 4 inches. The mosaic was arranged in a 14 by 14 grid and the company managed to sync all the phones to create one large display.
At MWC 2013, aside from the record breaking stunt, Sony also showed off its upcoming flagship tablet, the Xperia Tablet Z. With a 10.1-inch Full-HD display, 1.5GHz quad-core processor, and slim design, its very appealing. In our comparison going head-to-head with the Nexus 10, the Xperia Tablet Z stacked up quite well. Meanwhile, the Xperia ZL smartphone – check our review here, including video above – has been launched in various markets including the U.S., Canada and Germany. The post Sony receives Guinness World Record for Xperia ZL mobile phone mosaic appeared first on Android Authority. |
| Posted: 03 Apr 2013 03:27 PM PDT
Chrome for Android received a nice little upgrade today, adding password sync and autofill functionality. A fix that handles blank pages loading was also included, though that wasn't prevalent or major. There were, of course, performance improvements as well. The password sync and autofill functionality are the most poignant updates, as they represent a step closer to true cross platform functionality. Now, rather than having to sign-in to a website on each device, your sign-in credentials will migrate to any Chrome browser you use. The autofill function is also handy for those who take advantage of that feature. Entering your information can be tedious on smaller screens, and this adds a layer of convenience that is more than welcome. These functions were only available on the desktop and Android Chrome Beta versions previously, so making it to the regular version of Chrome for Android is great for everyone. The ability to go anywhere, and have your info follow you, is appropriate and welcome. We'll all feel less like our various Chrome browsers don't sync out side of bookmarks and open tabs.
The post Chrome for Android updated appeared first on Android Authority. |
| A 5.2″ HD OLED screen? Yes please. Posted: 03 Apr 2013 02:46 PM PDT
Japan Displays (JDI) has developed a 5.2" HD screen, sporting a mind-boggling 423 PPI. The company has actually developed this OLED display mere months after announcing a 4.5" display with 326 PPI. This is comparable to Samsung's highest resolution OLED panel, the 4.99" display used in the upcoming Galaxy S4. The difference there is the Samsung display is Pentile, and uses a RGBG matrix while the JDI display is true HD. If that was a bit confusing, stay with me. The RGBG matrix is short for red-green-blue-green, meaning there are two green pixels for every red or blue one (below right). Pentile displays last longer, and often have a better resolution, but also have warmer colors and a visible pattern. A full OLED HD screen uses a 'real stripe' matrix to achieve its PPI (think of that leaked Chromebook Pixel video that had all the colored bars on the screen, also below left). A full HD OLED screen, like the one JDI has created, would be amazing. In addition to the density, it operates on an LTPS backplane, which has a lot to do with screen transition and speed of rendering images. In a nutshell, it's bright, fast, and beautiful … and you thought we were crazy.
The post A 5.2″ HD OLED screen? Yes please. appeared first on Android Authority. |
| Sony Xperia ZL arrives in Germany, currently only available through Phonehouse Posted: 03 Apr 2013 02:44 PM PDT
Yesterday we reported that the Sony Xperia ZL had arrived in Canada, and now we can add another country to the list. German buyers can also get their hands on the Xperia ZL, with a catch. Apparently only Phonehouse.de appears to currently have it in stock. Heading to Amazon reveals the phone doesn’t even have a launch date yet, and Cyberport has the phone slated for a May release. In other words, if you have your heart set on the Xperia ZL, you pretty much only have one option. It is also worth mentioning that the phone is only available in black, with the red and white versions listed as "available soon." The phone will set you back €549,99 outright, though it can also be purchased with cheaper pricing for those willing to commit to a contract. For those that need the reminder, the Xperia ZL has a 5-inch full HD display, and is powered by a 1.5GHz quad-core Snapdragon S4 processor. Other specs include 2GB RAM, an Adreno 320 GPU, 16GB storage, microSD, a 13MP rear cam, 2MP front cam and a 2,370 mAh battery. As for the OS, the phone ships with Android 4.1.2 Jelly Bean. If you are unsure if the Sony Xperia ZL is what you are looking for, check out our hands-on review to get a better idea of what the handset is like. What do you think, interested in getting your hands on the Xperia ZL or not? The post Sony Xperia ZL arrives in Germany, currently only available through Phonehouse appeared first on Android Authority. |
| The wait is over: Motorola sending out Droid Bionic Jelly Bean soak test invites Posted: 03 Apr 2013 02:22 PM PDT
Here’s the e-mail Droid-Life received from a bunch of tipsters:
After the soak test starts, and once the software is bug free and up to quality standards, Motorola and Verizon should announce when the update will be made available to the public. In most cases, It does not take very long for the soak to be labeled as a success, so it shouldn’t be long before Jelly Bean will be available to every Droid Bionic owner. Not too long ago, Motorola quietly confirmed that it will release the Jelly Bean update for the Droid Bionic at some point in the second quarter of the year. The post The wait is over: Motorola sending out Droid Bionic Jelly Bean soak test invites appeared first on Android Authority. |
| MetroPCS investors oppose merger with T-Mobile Posted: 03 Apr 2013 02:15 PM PDT
Think the MetroPCS merger with T-Mobile is a done deal? Think again. Investment groups with an interest in MetroPCS are becoming increasingly vocal about their opposition to the deal. Their position is that a merger would saddle the new company with too much debt. Essentially, it's a "reverse" merger, in which shareholders of a private company purchase stock in a newly formed shell company. This new company would be 74% owned by T-Mobile parent company Deutsche Telekom. A reverse merger is a good option for a company that doesn't need an immediate influx of revenue, and has a long-term growth strategy. MetroPCS is currently supporting the deal, saying it has "both immediate and long-term compelling economic value" for their investors. In addition to owning a large stake in the new company, Deutsche Telekom would pay investors of MetroPCS a $1.5 billion lump payment, and loan $15 billion to the newly formed entity. With an interest rate of seven percent, that presents a lot of debt, and is centric to the argument against the merger. The current structure of the deal values the company at $7-8/share, and MetroPCS currently trades around $11. Nobody else has come forward with an offer for MetroPCS, and the mobile carrier market is getting tighter every day. The rumored AT&T-Verizon deal to purchase Vodafone looms large, and T-Mobile lost around two million subscribers last year. T-Mobile and MetroPCS are the fourth and fifth carriers, respectively, so merging makes a lot of strategic sense. Investors, however, don't think the numbers add up. The post MetroPCS investors oppose merger with T-Mobile appeared first on Android Authority. |
| Twitter for Android gets new makeover, features Holo-inspired look Posted: 03 Apr 2013 01:46 PM PDT
Twitter has now released version 4.0 of its Android app, and with it comes a totally new look and feel, at least for those of us with a device running Android 4.0 or higher. As you might have guessed, the new UI brings with it a visual style that is more in-line with Android “holo” guidelines. Simplicity is key here, and swiping across the screen makes it easy to switch between the four tabs: home, discover, connect and me. Is the new version perfect? Not by a longshot, but it is still a huge jump forward compared to the what we’ve seen in the past. Outside of the visuals changes, there are a few other new changes coming to Twitter such as the ability to install and launch apps directly from Tweets. Additionally, when searching or composing a Tweet, all you have to do is type "@" or "#" and it will bring up a list of suggestions for you. Here’s the full change-log for those interested:
What do you think of the newly redesigned Twitter app, like it or not? The post Twitter for Android gets new makeover, features Holo-inspired look appeared first on Android Authority. |
Droid Bionic owners will be happy to hear that Motorola is sending out invites to members in the Motorola Feedback Network to participate in the Android 4.1 Jelly Bean soak test.
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