Saturday, April 20, 2013

Android Central

Android Central

Verizon's Samsung Galaxy S4 sign up page now live

Posted: 19 Apr 2013 04:47 PM PDT

VZW Galaxy S4

Still no dates given, but a great way to show your interest in Samsung's newest on Big Red

Yesterday Verizon confirmed that their Samsung Galaxy S4 would be available sometime in May, and today they have made the sign up page for the new Galaxy S model live. We know it's not the Verizon page most of us want to see when we talk Galaxy S4, but it's a start.

Potential owners can head to the page to sign up for more information, and more importantly, show that they have interest in the device. Carriers often use this sort of thing as a way to know how many units they need to have on hand for launch day.

We expect that number to be pretty big, but there will always be the chance that your store will run out before you can get your tail there to grab yours. Take a minute, sign up, and let them know they need to order yours from Samsung. When finished, share it in the forums with the rest of us waiting for this one.

Source: Verizon 

    

AT&T updates Samsung Galaxy S4 shipping date to April 23

Posted: 19 Apr 2013 04:10 PM PDT

Galaxy S4 on AT&T

The previous date of April 30 has been changed to April 23, price and selection remains unchanged

AT&T has updated the Samsung Galaxy S4 pre-order page and there is a new shipping date - April 23. The previous versions had a shipping date of April 30 for the phone, which put it a week past T-Mobile (April 24) and Sprint (April 27). The price remains the same at $639 or $199 with a new agreement for the 16GB model.

Of course we can't be sure that this date is final, but all of us would like to see it sooner rather than later. There's a lot there to love, and we certainly can't wait to have our very own for the requisite fondling. 

Are you ordering an S4 from one of the carriers? Be sure to let us know who you're rolling with in our poll, then head into the forums where at least you can wait with friends.

Source: AT&T. Thanks, Eric!

    

TweetDeck will stop functioning, be removed from Google Play on May 7

Posted: 19 Apr 2013 03:20 PM PDT

TweetDeck

Twitter API v1.0 retirement the final nail in the coffin for TweetDeck

Starting May 7, the current TweetDeck app on Android (and iOS) will cease to function, and will then be removed from Google Play the same day. This will come as no surprise to those who saw the first news back in early March, but the shutdown is due to the retirement of Twitter API v1.0, which the TweetDeck apps rely on to function. Twitter, which has owned TweetDeck since mid-2011, has chosen to retire the apps rather than re-engineer them to work with updated API's.

Considering its general push towards slowing development of third party clients and encouraging users to use its own official Twitter client, the writing was on the wall for TweetDeck's shutdown. The one surviving piece of TweetDeck after May 7 will be the web app, which Twitter will continue to support. If you are still a TweetDeck user, you'll probably want to start looking for a replacement option. Luckily there are lots of great choices out there.

Source: TweetDeck

    

Ouya Limited Edition units now fast tracked for shipping

Posted: 19 Apr 2013 02:43 PM PDT

Ouya

Ouya shows that they realize the value of communication, fills us in with another shipping update

Ouya wants to be the next big thing on console gaming. We've heard today that they now have 10,000 developers lined up, and since the end of March they have been busy shipping units out to Kickstarter backers. They realize that to be successful, they need to get units in the hands of people who want one, and more importantly, keep communicating with the folks waiting on their order.

They are doing that with weekly shipping updates on their Kickstarter page and via email, like the one they have sent out today. There's no real breaking news to tell, but the prove that they are listening to feedback and have adjusted a few things in their shipping workflow:

  • Limited Edition units have been "fast-tracked" and will be shipped out sooner, cutting nearly two weeks off the original time.
  • Standard orders are no longer prioritized over orders with extra controllers. The orders with spare controllers will start shipping early next week.
  • They are working on methods to get international orders out the door faster

Good news all around, and it's awesome to see a company let us know how things are going during the crazy process of shipping out tens of thousands of units. Well done, Ouya.

Source: Ouya

    

Samsung Galaxy Note 8.0 now available in Canada

Posted: 19 Apr 2013 02:09 PM PDT

Galaxy Note 8.0

Now on sale at Best Buy, Future Shop, Staples and other authorized retailers for $429

Launching nearly simultaneously with the U.S., Canadians can now get their hands on a Galaxy Note 8.0 from one of several retailers. We seem to be looking at pretty much the exact same stylus-toting tablet as down in the states, with a 1280x800 8-inch display, Exynos 4412 quad-core processor, 16GB of storage, 2GB of RAM and a camera on each side. Of course on the software front we're looking at Android 4.1 with all of the extras that TouchWiz brings -- including stylus-optimized apps. The one thing that's different up in Canada is the price.

While the official Samsung materials tell you to "visit your nearest retailer", we're seeing a $429 price tag for the device at both Best Buy and Future Shop. That's a $30 premium over what is generally being charged at U.S. retailers for the moment. Any Canadians out there going to pick this one up? Let us know in the comments.

read more

    

The AT&T HTC One

Posted: 19 Apr 2013 01:37 PM PDT

AT&T HTC One

Try not to let the bloatware get you down - this is still a great Android smartphone​

I hadn't planned on it, but I picked up an AT&T HTC One this morning. This is the third version of the phone I've used -- along with the European model (that's the one we did our full review on) as well as Sprint's. I'd hoped the HTC One Developer Edition would have shipped today, but no dice. It would have been nice to have AT&T LTE with none of the carrier-mandated software junk along with it. Oh well.

On the outside, there's not a lot to talk about. The AT&T logo on the back is the only real identifying mark. This could just as easily be any other HTC One without it.

So what makes AT&T's HTC One different? As you could well guess, carriers usually can't keep from changing things every so slightly.

read more

    

Sony: Work on Jelly Bean for several Xperia phones in final stages, more news next week

Posted: 19 Apr 2013 12:20 PM PDT

Xperia P

Sony says Jelly Bean is close for a range of 2012 Xperia phones via an official Twitter account

An official Sony Twitter account has spilled the beans on the upcoming Jelly Bean update for a handful of Xperia phones today. Users with an Xperia P, Xperia Go, Xperia S, Xperia SL, Xperia Arco S and Xperia Ion should be seeing Android 4.1 in short order, as work on the updates is in the final stage.

Sony has come a long way in a very short time when it comes to Android versions and compatibility. The company that once left phones to die on old versions of Android is now the company that has worked with the AOSP maintainer and is taking an active hand in providing code and updates. We love seeing that sort of communication and cooperation between manufacturers and Google.

Sony says to expect more news about Jelly Bean for the mentioned Xperia phones next week. We'll keep an eye on things, and let you know as soon as they have more to say.

Source: @SonyMobileNews; via Android Central forums

    

Samsung Galaxy S4 kernel source released

Posted: 19 Apr 2013 11:36 AM PDT

Galaxy S4

Kernel source code is now available for the GT-I9500, GT-I9505, and SGH-I337M

GPL compliance is a wonderful thing -- Samsung has just posted the kernel source code for three Galaxy S4 models: GT-I9500, GT-I9505, and SGH-I337M. All three sources are currently available for download through the Samsung open source repository. While this doesn't help the average user (plus nobody actually has the phone yet), it will allow kernel developers to begin tweaking Samsung's kernel in order to get flashable zips ready for root users once the phone launches.

The Galaxy S family has been huge with the aftermarket developer community in the past, and despite some initial bad news, there is no reason that the Galaxy S4 can't reach the same level of support and popularity among ROM and kernel devs. It will be interesting to see how far this powerhouse of a phone will be pushed. The links to the source code can be found below.

Source: Samsung; via Android Police

    

HTC apologizes, gives more details on dev edition delay

Posted: 19 Apr 2013 10:28 AM PDT

HTC One

Weather, security in wake of Boston terror attack affecting shipping nationwide

We've just gotten some more details from HTC regarding the shipping delay for its 32-gigabyte SIM-unlocked HTC One as well as the 64-gigabyte "developer edition" with its unlockable bootloader.

The official word form HTC is still "before the end of April," but things might well not be that bad. 

We'll explain ...

read more

    

Sony Xperia SP hands-on

Posted: 19 Apr 2013 09:05 AM PDT

Sony looks to follow up the Xperia Z with a worth mid-range contender

Back in March Sony announced the Xperia SP - a mid range device but still with some pretty impressive specifications. Of course the device is overshadowed by the Xperia Z, but we were reasonably impressed during our recent hands-on time with the SP, and it should give other mid range handsets a run for their money.

The Xperia SP sports a 4.6-inch 720p "HD Reality display," and combined with Sony's Mobile Bravia Engine 2 the screen looks super crisp, and the colors really pop out when viewed front-on. Sony's 8MP camera is on board with 'Exmore RS for Mobile' for producing some decent photographs thanks to its stacked image sensor. In addition, the "battery stamina mode" should improve battery life over long days, as we saw in our review of the Xperia Z.

Powered by a 1.7GHz dual-core Snapdragon S4 chip performance seems fast and I didn't experience any lag with my short time with the device. The SP's aluminum frame feels great in the hand. It's not the thinnest of phones but it's still sufficiently comfortable.

We'll have a full review of the Xperia SP coming up in the near future, so if this one looks your cup of tea then keep watching Android Central in the weeks ahead.

    

HTC One gains greater availability today - here's what you need to know

Posted: 19 Apr 2013 07:30 AM PDT

HTC One

Who's got the HTC One, and what to do with it once you've picked it up​

Today's the day many of us have been waiting for -- the HTC One is finally available. Folks in the UK and a couple other countries have had it for a week or two now, and even a few in the U.S. sneaked one out over the past few days. But today it's official. Three U.S. operators and others worldwide are now selling the phone that many believe is a must-win for HTC.

We've been using the HTC One for more than a month now -- be sure to read our full HTC One review --  and it's safe to say that this is a lot of phone. The hardware is certainly is something to crow about -- the display is gorgeous, the phone is fast and the new front-facing speakers have to be heard to be believed. The new camera has some excellent features and is capable of taking excellent photos. And HTC got some interesting new software features.

So if you're just getting started with the HTC One, or if you're just now looking at getting one, strap it. We'll explain it all for you.

read more

    

Dungeon Hunter 4: The latest action-packed RPG in the series

Posted: 19 Apr 2013 06:56 AM PDT

Dungeon Hunter 4

Quality graphics, content and gameplay packed into a mobile RPG

Gameloft has taken the wraps off of the fourth iteration in its Dungeon Hunter franchise, and it doesn't disappoint as a worthy successor to the first three. The franchise is a top-down hack-and-slash game, but just leaving the description at that sells it a little short. There's also an extremely expansive RPG component to the game, with character management, skills, upgradable weapons, item crafting, quests and so much more.

The depth of content available in games on mobile platforms is baffling, and the experience provided in Dungeon Hunter 4 is a great example of this. Hang with us after the break and learn more about what Dungeon Hunter 4 has to offer.

read more

    

Deal of the Day: LLOYD Flex Case for LG Nexus 4

Posted: 19 Apr 2013 06:49 AM PDT

Deal of the Day The April 19 ShopAndroid.com Deal of the Day is the LLOYD Flex Case for LG Nexus 4. Made from a shock absorbent and scratch resistant TPU, the LLOYD Flex Case provides great protection for the Nexus 4 from day to day use and accidental drops. The case features our very own Lloyd on the back with four different colors to choose from.

The LLOYD Flex Case is available for just $8.00, 60% off today only. Backed by our 60-day return policy and fast shipping!

Never miss a deal. Sign up for Daily Deal alerts

    

HTC One developer edition and unlocked editions delayed

Posted: 19 Apr 2013 06:19 AM PDT

HTC One

E-mail notification says 'slight delay' in shipping; cases won't hit until mid-May

Uh oh. If you ordered the 32GB unlocked or 64GB developer version of the HTC One directly from HTC (via Let's Talk), you might have just received the same e-mail we did, indicating some sort of delay.

Hello Phil

We have an important update about your order. Due to shipping issues with the 32G unlocked and 64G Developers Editions of the New HTC One®, there will be a slight delay in shipping your HTC One® to you. We expect to have your phone delivered to you, via overnight shipping, before the end of April. We’ll do everything we can to get it shipped to you as soon as possible.

Also, due to overwhelming demand, there will be a delay in shipping your free case. We expect to begin receiving the Double Dip cases in mid-May, and will ship them as soon as they’re available.

We understand the excitement and anticipation that comes with a new phone, and we are confident that the HTC One® will exceed that anticipation

Thanks for the support,

HTC ShopAmerica

That's no bueno, especially since HTC has had a couple dates -- April 18 and April 23 -- listed thus far, and no new shipping date is listed here. And that's to say nothing of the HTC One facing a global delay from March in the first place.

We're gonna rattle some bushes and see what we can find out. Stay tuned.

More in the HTC One forums.

    

Dish urges FCC to postpone Sprint-Softbank deal

Posted: 19 Apr 2013 05:49 AM PDT

Sprint / Dish

Dish merger proposal currently before the Sprint board of directors for consideration

In a rather curious turn of events on April 15th, Dish made a buyout offer for Sprint of some $25.5 billion dollars, over $5 billion more than what has been agreed upon by Sprint and Softbank previously. In order for Dish to increase the chances of its deal being accepted, however, it is urging the FCC (Federal Communications Commission) to postpone its review of the Softbank deal. As Sprint's board looks over the deal independently, the FCC's evaluation of Softbank's proposal will move along as planned if it isn't blocked or postponed.

The original deal, according to chairman of the FCC Julius Genachowski, was expected to go through by the end of May. Postponing the deal would give Dish more of a fair shot at convincing Sprint that its deal is more lucrative. The up-front purchase price being $5 billion higher certainly sounds better on paper, but there are more components to these large deals. Though Softbank's bid has been on the table for some time now, we would expect Sprint to take a long, hard look at the latest offer.

Source: Bloomberg

    

One Today by Google launches to support non-profit organisations

Posted: 19 Apr 2013 01:17 AM PDT

Android Central

Google's limited pilot program brings people and non-profit projects together through the act of giving $1 a day

Google's latest efforts to change the world have been unveiled, with the launch of the One Today app. The app, currently limited to the U.S and only to Android users, is designed to highlight non-profit organizations and their work and allow you to support them through giving $1. Each day a new project is highlighted with a new opportunity to donate. As with so many other Google projects, you will need to request an invite to take part, so if you're interested hit up the source link below. You will need a Google Wallet account to donate, but if you get in and take a look at this, be sure to jump into the comments below and let us know what you think. 

Source: One Today by Google

 

    

Vonage Mobile adds video calling for Android 2.3 and up

Posted: 18 Apr 2013 06:29 PM PDT

Vonage Mobile

After so many years as a voice-only service, Vonage is no longer just for phone calls

Vonage is releasing an update to both its Android and iOS apps today to offer users completely free video calling over both Wifi and mobile data. The video calls are of course locked to only being available between two Vonage users, but will support some pretty handy features. You can choose to display either your front or rear camera, which can let you show off what is going on around you. While in a call you can also seamlessly switch between a video and just audio, something that isn't simply done on most video calling solutions.

This puts Vonage more squarely in the camp of services like Skype, which seem to dominate the space currently. The app says it hasn't yet been updated, but when we took a look the feature seems to be live now. So if you're a Vonage user, go grab your update. Those who haven't yet given Vonage a try may now be compelled to give it a shot as well. 

    
Posted by at 5:45 AM

No comments:

Post a Comment

Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)