Android Community |
- Everything.me Launcher Hands-on: make your Android smartphone “dynamic”
- Samsung Galaxy Note 8.0 WiFi available today in the USA
- HTC’s ‘Facebook Home’ First smartphone launching as an AT&T flagship
- Google Now search goes black with inverted color app
- Deutsche Telekom “Best and Final” MetroPCS merger bid detailed
- Samsung Galaxy Victory 4G LTE getting a taste of Jelly Bean
- Google now looking out for your digital afterlife
- Xbox SmartGlass update brings full and proper tablet support
- LG Optimus F7 tipped for release with Boost Mobile
- Video accounts for 50% of Verizon Wireless network traffic
- MetroPCS, T-Mobile merger meeting delayed until April 24
- HTC One source code released
- Nexus 10 flip covers launch in scarlet and dark grey
- LG Optimus G Pro Value Pack update gets a video walkthrough
- Honeywell Wi-Fi Smart Thermostat offers control via an Android app
- Zillow app update brings 3-D property listings
- Samsung Galaxy Mega 6.3 and 5.8 get official
- SmartQ N10 Android tablet debuts
- Google Glass shipping to developers within the next month
- Samsung Galaxy Note 8.0 unboxing and hands-on
| Everything.me Launcher Hands-on: make your Android smartphone “dynamic” Posted: 11 Apr 2013 12:34 PM PDT Facebook Home, the launcher, will be available by way of the Google Play Store as of tomorrow. Given that, it seems we have recently been seeing a small surge dealing with launchers. The nice part is that these latest seem to be trying something different. We mentioned one yesterday called Homebase that had a Facebook Home-like theme and as of today we have something that is promising to be “dynamic.” This latest is called Everything.me and we went hands-on to see just how well it lives up to that claim.
The Everything.me launcher seems to not quite be a full launcher. By that, it seems to have simply placed itself on top of our existing settings. You can check those screenshots above and what you are seeing is a mix of what we had (based on Nova Launcher) and this new Everything.me launcher. This launcher makes heavy use of smart folders and seems like it will be better for those who prefer to search more than they prefer to simply tap an icon. The concept is simple, you either type what you want in the “what’s on your mind” box or tap the voice icon and get to searching.
From here, things actually return interesting results. Taking a look at the above screenshot, look towards the left side with the results for a search based on the term ‘snake.’ Here you can see the provided results, which seem to be, well, not all that great. One interesting tidbit was that it was able to pull my Calendar, which when tapped, does take me to calendar entries that have the word snake. The results in the screen capture on the right hand side were a bit more to helpful. Basically, this seems a bit hit and miss. Still, with some work it could be rather nice. And if nothing else, this does seem a bit nicer to look at as compared to the regular list of search results that you would get from performing a Google Voice search. Plus, the changing of the background image is a nice touch.
Otherwise, you can get a look at one of those dynamic folders in the above screenshots. Here we have the folder for Internet, and as you can see, it has items that one would expect to find. Some of these also overlap depending on the particular item. For example, Facebook would likely be found in other folders. These smart folders are chosen based on pre-configured folders. You basically just check the box in the “Add Smart Folders” setting page and that folder then appears. Once the folder is on your homescreen, it can be dragged and moved around to your liking. You can also add single apps to the homescreen. That is done the same way as regular, that is to say you launch the app drawer and drag the app out. The Everything.me is currently sitting at version 1.0.233 and noted as being in beta. The app is available for free and will run on devices with Android 4.0 or later. As for us, we are not entirely sure we are ready to have the Everything.me launcher replace our current setup, however we do find it interesting enough to label it as a launcher we are going to be watching. Not to mention, as a launcher that is certainly worth checking out. [via Google Play Store] |
| Samsung Galaxy Note 8.0 WiFi available today in the USA Posted: 11 Apr 2013 11:58 AM PDT For all you Samsung fans out there wanting to get your hands on the latest and greatest Galaxy Note device, we have some excellent news. In case you missed our report earlier this week, Samsung’s new Galaxy Note 8.0 tablet is available starting today across the US both online and in retail stores nationwide. Read on for more details and our hands-on coverage.
Earlier this week Samsung confirmed this new slate would be available online and in retail stores like Best Buy and more starting today, April 11th, priced at $399. Now whether or not that seems a bit high is up to you, the buyer, and below we’ll just give you the details in case you’re considering making the jump. The Note 8.0 rocks a 1280 x 800 resolution HD display, and is powered by a Samsung Exynos 1.6 GHz quad-core processor with 2GB of RAM. So it’s certainly got plenty of power in a sleek form factor. Then of course you’ll get 16GB of storage, a micro-SD slot for expanding storage. And it even has a IR-blaster for controlling your TV and Home Theater all from the couch. For a better idea of what to expect the video above showed plenty of the options and features that will be available to buyers of this S-Pen stylus-touting device. You can also check out our hands-on post for more details, pictures, and benchmarks. Get it today from multiple online retailers, as well as local shops and let us know what you think. Personally priced around $275 or $299 would certainly make this an easier buy. Device Info
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| HTC’s ‘Facebook Home’ First smartphone launching as an AT&T flagship Posted: 11 Apr 2013 11:27 AM PDT We suspect many would think AT&T will have the HTC One or GALAXY S 4 listed as a flagship, but it looks like the carrier has other plans. In fact, it seems they have plans that might surprise more than a few of you. Think Facebook, or more specifically, think HTC First. It seems AT&T will be launching the HTC First smartphone as their flagship.
In speaking with CNET, AT&T spokesperson Claudia Knop noted that the HTC First will be the carriers ” flagship smartphone for the spring.” With that in mind, AT&T will be launching the HTC First on April 12. The handset will sell for $99 on a two-year agreement. Shifting back to bit about the First being a flagship, this news also came with a bit about why the decision was made. It seems this decision actually comes down to more than just the phone and the hardware. AT&T is choosing the HTC First as a flagship based in part because of the partnership with Facebook. That and, the bit about the First only coming to AT&T. In that respect, AT&T will be focusing their promotional efforts on the First. Basically, that means you will likely be seeing more and more of the HTC First over the upcoming weeks and months. Anyone considering the First? Or at the very least, anyone considering recommending the First for a Facebook loving friend or family member? If so, you you may benefit from reading our recently published HTC First review. [via CNET] Device Info
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| Google Now search goes black with inverted color app Posted: 11 Apr 2013 11:07 AM PDT One of our favorite features lately of Android has been without a doubt Google Now voice search. Especially for those running Android 4.1 Jelly Bean and above. Google’s continued to update it into one of the best parts of Android. Yesterday we introduced a black themed version of the new Google Play Store v 4.0.25, and today we have the same thing for Google Now. Time to get sexy!
While we can all agree that having more than one option is a good thing, we had tons of comments from readers saying they wish Google offered a light/dark theme on all of their apps. Sadly we just don’t ever see that happening, even though many 3rd party apps developers offer exactly that. We also know not everyone is a fan of black on their phones, but for those who are you’ll want to keep reading.
The same awesome developer we highlighted yesterday, @B_boytm has more than just the Play Store in black, he actually has 12 of Google’s most popular apps all in black color themes to get your entire device looking unique. He even offers Gmail in black with the holo-inspired blue text – and it looks amazing. For now though, we’re focusing on Google Now thanks to @djdarkknight96. Since I use it more than almost anything else these days I wanted it to be black too, and now it can be and here’s how to get it looking like the above picture.
This is Google Now/search version 2.4.10 and is the absolute latest version that was released earlier this month back on April 3rd. So you’ll be up to date and enjoying it all with a brand new black color. As usual, messing with system apps and such can be tricky so proceed at your own risk. And don’t forget to backup any files such as GoogleQuickSearchBox before you remove them. Of course you can get Google Search from the Play Store, but still use caution. More details can be found at this RootzWiki thread. Enjoy folks and let us know how you like it in the comments below. |
| Deutsche Telekom “Best and Final” MetroPCS merger bid detailed Posted: 11 Apr 2013 10:40 AM PDT We knew Deutsche Telekom was planning to submit a new bid dealing with the MetroPCS and T-Mobile merger and it looks like that has not only been done, but also detailed. This will not change the earlier bit about the MetroPCS shareholder meeting having been pushed back to later in April, however we now know what this new bid includes. Coming by way of Deutsche Telekom, here are the details of what they are describing as the “best and final offer.”
We noted earlier that at this point it seems the merger is going to be approved, but how this last minute fussing seems to be more about making sure everyone is happy. Needless to say, nothing is final until we get the official word from the carriers. That being said, here is what those shareholders will be spending their time considering. The current bid was dealing with $15 billion in shareholder loans and as part of the new bid, Deutsche Telekom will reduce these shareholder loans by $3.8 billion. This means a new number of $11.2 billion, which will be “significantly increasing the equity value of the combined company.” Further details on this, Deutsche Telekom has also said they will be reducing the interest rate on these shareholder loans by 50 basis points. Deutsche Telekom will also commit to a lockup period in which they will be prohibited from publicly selling shares in the combined company. This lockup period was initially set at 12 months and has been extended to 18 months. Otherwise, parts of the original agreement remain in place. These remaining pieces include a $1.5 billion aggregate cash payment to existing MetroPCS shareholders and the agreed ownership structure of the combined company, with 26 percent of the shares being held by current MetroPCS shareholders and 74 percent by Deutsche Telekom. [via Telekom] |
| Samsung Galaxy Victory 4G LTE getting a taste of Jelly Bean Posted: 11 Apr 2013 10:16 AM PDT Today the folks from Samsung have just announced yet another device that is getting updated to the latest Android 4.1 Jelly Bean. This is one of many in a long line of recent updates from Samsung, and it’s something we’re glad to finally see. Samsung’s been busy updating everything from the original Galaxy Note, Galaxy S II, and now less popular devices like the Galaxy Victory.
When it comes to updates lately Samsung is letting it be known that they haven’t forgot about the little guy, which we’re extremely happy to report about. Maybe Motorola and some others could take a few hints from this approach. So back to the update, the Galaxy Victory was one of the first 4G LTE devices for the Now Network, and now it’s getting nearly the latest version of Android. It might not make that extremely slow and painfully little rollout of 4G LTE from the Now Network any bigger or faster, but the Galaxy Victory in general is getting a heck of a lot better today. The update brings many of the latest and greatest features introduced with Jelly Bean. Of course the regular things like Google Now voice search, expandable and more usable notifications, project butter and more will be added, but you’ll also get a new Swype keyboard, notification toggles and more. As well as many of those awesome widgets you’ve probably seen from the Galaxy S III and others. Stay tuned as the update is rolling out today. I’d be checking for updates in settings right about now. Enjoy that Jelly Bean! Device Info
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| Google now looking out for your digital afterlife Posted: 11 Apr 2013 10:13 AM PDT Like it or not, at some point you will face death. The topic of what happens to your stuff is often discussed and when it comes to real-world items, that doesn’t seem to be much of an issue. That sort of stuff is generally taken care of in a will and ultimately will be taken care of because those who outlive you will be forced to see that stuff sitting around and taking up space. The other side here deals with the digital side, which for most, could end up just sitting around given the bit about it being easy to ignore.
Well, it looks like Google has since stepped in with something to help you out. In this case, Google has launched the Inactive Account Manager that will help you determine what happens to your account when you stop using it. Sure, that could mean a time when you simply stop using Google, however there is a bit more here. The Inactive Account Manager has options to set a timeout period and even the ability to automatically delete your account. This covers a range of Google products to include your +1s; Blogger; Contacts and Circles; Drive; Gmail; Google+ Profiles, Pages and Streams; Picasa Web Albums; Google Voice and YouTube. And worry not, Google will let you know before they actually move forward with deleting your details. The process to get things setup appears simple and to the point, Google has steps for Alert Me, Timeout Period, Notify Contacts and Share Data and then Optionally Delete Account. Beginning with the Alert me, here you provide an alternate email address and phone number so you can make sure to be notified. From here you move into the Timeout Period settings which includes choosing a timeframe of 3, 6, 9 or 12 months. Moving into the Notify Contacts and Share Data portion here and you can choose up to 10 friends to have notified should your Google accounts go inactive. And lastly, have everything deleted. So how about it, anyone going to move forward and get this all set up? [via Google Public Policy Blog] |
| Xbox SmartGlass update brings full and proper tablet support Posted: 11 Apr 2013 09:30 AM PDT Microsoft has updated the Xbox SmartGlass app for Android. And nicely done, this time the update brings full and proper support for tablets. This goes back to a previous update that was released back in 2012. That update added tablet support, but did so only for 7-inch tablets. As of today, the Xbox SmartGlass v1.5 update adds support for “Android tablets 7" and larger.”
Aside from the support for tablets larger than 7-inches in size, this update also took care of some bug fixes. There was also mention of “numerous” design and usability improvements. The fixes and improvements were not fully detailed though. Touching back on the specifics, v1.5 also added an ‘always-on’ state so you can ensure your device remains awake while you are playing. Basically, Microsoft has taken an already good app and made it that much better. We suspect many of the users will be happy with the always-on feature, however this will likely come as just as good a news for those rocking a larger sized tablet. We suspect many of the Xbox users already have this downloaded and installed, however for those who have somehow yet to give it a look — here are some of the features you can expect. The Xbox SmartGlass app allows you to edit your Xbox profile, message your Xbox friends, switch up your avatar and also keep track of and compare your achievements. Other goodies here include the ability to browse the web on your Xbox 360 with a full keyboard and zooming, the ability to control (play, pause, ect.) your music videos as well as the ability to search the full Xbox catalog of music, videos and games and more. [via Google Play Store] |
| LG Optimus F7 tipped for release with Boost Mobile Posted: 11 Apr 2013 08:47 AM PDT LG officially unveiled the Optimus F7 during Mobile World Congress. We then later saw the handset released as the Optimus LTE III in Korea, however otherwise, release news for the F7 has remained on the quiet side. And well, while we have yet to see anything official, rumors suggest Boost Mobile will soon be launching the handset.
The details are coming by way of Twitter, more specifically, @evleaks who has said rather simply that the LG Optimus F7 is going to be joining the Boost Mobile lineup. Basically, that is to say a release timeframe and possible price remain a mystery. The handset is said to be sporting a Boost Mobile codename of LG FX1. Looking back, LG announced the Optimus F7 as a mid-level device stating that with the F-Series of smartphones, they were looking to bring a "premium user experience and the speed of 4G LTE to a mass audience." In other words, this should go to suggest the Boost Mobile price probably won’t be all that high. Specs for the handset include Android 4.1.2 Jelly Bean along with a 4.7-inch True HD IPS display and dual-core 1.5GHz processor. Other specs for the Optimus F7 include 2GB of RAM, 8GB of internal storage, a microSD card slot, 2450 mAh battery, 1.3 megapixel front-facing camera and an 8.0 megapixel rear-facing camera. Aside from the hardware, LG was also showing the handset as having software goodies to include QSlide and Live Zooming — both of which were features previously available only on the higher-end LG devices. [via 9to5Google] Device Info
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| Video accounts for 50% of Verizon Wireless network traffic Posted: 11 Apr 2013 08:19 AM PDT Coming by way of the National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) conference, Verizon Communications CEO Lowell McAdam has said that streaming video now accounts for 50 percent of the network traffic. And extending that out a few years, McAdam believes that streaming video will account for nearly two-thirds by the year 2017.
Time will tell how accurate that prediction will be, but for now McAdam seems happy about the company’s investment in LTE. McAdam spoke about how with 3G you have buffering and went on to say that “with 4G you can stream video.” The event also had McAdam talking about their plans for LTE Broadcast technology. This is something that was touched upon back in January during CES. Part of that talk included how Verizon plans to use LTE Broadcast technology to make live events such as the Super Bowl available for Verizon customers to stream on mobile devices. Interestingly, McAdam acknowledged that majority of customers would still prefer to watch the Super Bowl in their living room on a regular television and made it clear they “don’t want to get in the way of broadcasters.” As to the reasoning why they would want to stream the Super Bowl, McAdam believes Verizon could “add a dimension” and have it become “better.” We will have to see if they will end up streaming the Super Bowl come 2014, however with plans like that — it starts to become easier to understand why Verizon believes streaming video will account for two-thirds of network traffic by 2017. Assuming they begin streaming large events like that, the two-thirds milestone may end up coming quite a bit sooner than 2017. So how about it, anyone watching lots of streaming video on a tablet or smartphone? [via Fierce Wireless] |
| MetroPCS, T-Mobile merger meeting delayed until April 24 Posted: 11 Apr 2013 07:49 AM PDT Yesterday brought news that Deutsche Telekom was considering a improved bid to help save the MetroPCS and T-Mobile merger and today has word of a delay. The delay is not on the part of Deutsche Telekom, but instead as a result of MetroPCS delaying the special stockholder meeting. That meeting was originally scheduled to take place on April 12, but has been bumped to later in the month.
MetroPCS has rescheduled the meeting for April 24. Details coming from MetroPCS note the decision to postpone the meeting was agreed upon by Deutsche Telekom. The delay will allow stockholders additional time to consider a proposal from Deutsche Telekom to revise the business combination agreement. It was also said the valid proxies that have already been submitted will remain valid. Aside from the rescheduling of the meeting, nothing else seems to have changed. Previous details on the merger show all regulatory approvals as having been received. Basically, that means the Department of Justice, FCC and the Committee on Foreign Investment have all given their approval on the merger. Touching back on the news from yesterday, we have yet to hear any official response on the updated bid, however it was looking like Deutsche Telekom was going to make some revisions. Some of the initial concern for the previous bid touched on the subject of debt — it looks like the original plan was to include $15 million of intercompany debt owed to Deutsche Telekom being transferred into the new company. [via PR Newswire] |
| Posted: 11 Apr 2013 07:23 AM PDT HTC has begun releasing source code for the One smartphone. The one catch as of now is that the source code has only been made available for select variants of the HTC One. Specifically, HTC has released source code for the Vodafone UK and Vodafone France variants of the One. The code is based on Android 4.1 Jelly Bean and the files measure in at a bit under 100MB in size.
The key here, while this may eventually bring good news for those who like to run alternative ROMs, for now it means little more than those who are capable of tearing down existing and building new ROMs will now have something from the One to begin playing with. In the long term, this could mean HTC specific features being ripped out of these ROMs and included in others. Maybe say, something that eventually arrives with some of the Sense 5 goodies such as BlinkFeed. We will have to begin looking towards the capable folks that tend to hang out on the xda-developers forums for something new. In the meantime, the US availability of the HTC One is getting closer and closer. We previously saw HTC begin accepting pre-orders for the Developer Edition One. This one came available for pre-order a few days back and is sitting priced at $649. Aside from the Developer Edition, the HTC One is also available for pre-order with AT&T. The carrier has the 32GB model priced at $199.99 and the 64GB model priced at $299.99 — both of which assume a two-year agreement. Pre-orders aside, those still on the fence about a purchase may want to check out our recently published AT&T HTC One review. [via CNET] Device Info
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| Nexus 10 flip covers launch in scarlet and dark grey Posted: 11 Apr 2013 06:56 AM PDT Google has officially launched a cover for the Nexus 10. The cover is described as being a ‘Book Cover’ and attaches directly to your tablet. In other words, this Nexus 10 cover is nothing more than a screen protector. That being said, it is a screen protector that will fit perfectly on your tablet and also one that will turn the tablet on and off as you open and close the cover.
The Nexus 10 cover is available in two colors — Dark Grey or Scarlet. The cover is priced at $29.99 and noted as being in stock and ready to be delivered in as little as 3 to 5 business days. Of course, in addition to the $29.99 price tag, those making the purchase will also need to shell out for tax and shipping. Otherwise, these Nexus 10 covers, given how they attach to your tablet, will keep the slim profile. The corners are rounded and the cover has a matte finish. Basically, these are designed to protect the screen while at the same time having it add as little extra bulk and weight as possible. On that note, the case is shown as having a weight of 68 grams. All said and done, while official case options are generally nice, we cannot help but think an equally nice case can be found for less money. The other curious part here, the release of these cases seem to imply that the current Nexus 10 will be sticking around come Google I/O. Or at the very least, that if a new Nexus 10 is introduced, it will keep the same dimensions. Device Info
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| LG Optimus G Pro Value Pack update gets a video walkthrough Posted: 11 Apr 2013 06:27 AM PDT We may still be waiting for additional details in terms of a wider global release for the Optimus G Pro, however LG appears ready to begin rolling out an update. The update has been dubbed the Value Pack Upgrade and LG has recently shared a three minute plus video detailing what can be expected. The teaser for the video notes the update as bringing some “cutting-edge eye recognition features.”
With that in mind, things kick off with talk of a feature called Smart Video. This one means the device will be able to recognize the position of the viewer’s eyes and automatically play or pause the video based on whether said viewer is actually watching. In order to do this, LG takes advantage of the front-facing camera. Seems like a neat feature, but one that may not be all that beneficial for those who like to multitask and may let their eyes wander. Another feature that will be arriving with Value Pack update is Dual Camera. This one will allow the user to take two pictures at the same time. This is done by using both the front- and rear-facing camera. With Dual Camera, the person taking the picture can also capture their image simultaneously. Similar to other camera modes, this one can be adjusted off or on after launching the camera app. LG also allows you to draw on and annotate the images. Next up is the Pause and Resume Recording option. This allows is just as the name would imply and means the user can pause and start while in record mode and end up with one continuous video file. While this one may initially sound a bit silly, after seeing the demo in the video, this could actually lead to some interesting videos. Otherwise, the LG Optimus G Pro has been announced for Korea and Japan and while still unconfirmed, it believed to be heading towards AT&T in May. [via LG] Device Info
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| Honeywell Wi-Fi Smart Thermostat offers control via an Android app Posted: 11 Apr 2013 05:29 AM PDT A number of smart thermostats for your home or office have turned up over the last few years bringing interesting features to help you save money on your utility bills. A new smart thermostat has turned up this week called the Honeywell Wi-Fi Smart Thermostat. The thermostat offers complete control to users from anywhere via an Android smartphone application.
This particular thermostat is aimed at the DIY market and will be available in home improvement stores across the country in May for $249. Honeywell says that one of the big features of the thermostat is the ability to customize it to blend in with just about any home decor. The thermostat has a silver bezel, but the background of the LCD screen can be changed to color coordinate with your wall color. The thermostat uses a large touchscreen and has robust mobile and e-mail notification services. The notification services can alert you if your home is too hot or too cold. Notifications can also be sent to the homeowner if the humidity level in the home gets too high or low and to alert you when it’s time to change the filter. Alerts can even go out to your mobile device if your home loses power. One of the most important features of the Wi-Fi Smart Thermostat is its Smart Response technology. That technology allows the thermostat to learn how long it takes to heat and cool your home making it easier to maintain the temperature you want. Like most programmable thermostats, the Honeywell unit can be programmed to turn off the air conditioning or heat when you’re not in the home. However, this thermostat knows how long it takes to get your home down to the temperature you like and can adjust its program schedule to be sure when you walk through the door the environment in your home is comfortable. [via SlashGear] |
| Zillow app update brings 3-D property listings Posted: 11 Apr 2013 05:20 AM PDT If you’ve ever been in the new home market, you may have used the Zillow app. This app is designed to make it easier for you to find and compare prices of real estate in whatever area you’re looking to live in. The Android application from Zillow was recently updated with a very nice new feature.
The application now supports 3-D listings that look a lot like what you might find in some GPS navigation apps. The new features available for both Android smartphone and tablet users. The new features allow users to take advantage of enhanced search functions using toolbar navigation options. This enhanced function makes it easier for shoppers to view homes in a list or on a map. The search upgrade also makes it easier to save home listings and contact real estate agents. The update also offers easier access for expanded home details on the listing page for each property. The most notable of the updates for the application is the ability to view search results on the 3-D map with integration for the latest version of Google Maps. The application is also been optimized for navigation on tablets. [via Zillow Blog] |
| Samsung Galaxy Mega 6.3 and 5.8 get official Posted: 11 Apr 2013 05:08 AM PDT It’s only been a couple of days since the specifications for the new Samsung Galaxy Mega 6.3 and 5.8 devices leaked. Today Samsung has made both of those big-screen devices official with full specifications and all the details we want to know. As the names suggest, the screen sizes are 6.3-inches and 5.8-inches.
The Galaxy Mega 6.3 runs a 1.7 GHz dual-core processor and the Android 4.2 Jelly Bean operating system. The Mega 5.8 runs the same operating system, but uses a slower 1.4 GHz dual-core processor. Both devices also have the same eight-megapixel rear camera and the devices support up to 64 GB of total storage. The Mega 6.3 LTE version supports up to 100 Mbps downloads depending on the network and supports HSPA+ as well. The Mega 5.8 gets no LTE connectivity relying solely on HSPA+. The 6.3-inch Mega has a screen resolution of up to 720p. It’s also able to track the user’s finger when they have hover a finger over the display just like the GALAXY S 4. The Mega 5.8 has a qHD screen resolution and you actually have to touch the screen on the smaller device. Both Mega devices have a 1.9-megapixel front camera and integrated Wi-Fi. The devices support Bluetooth 4.0, GPS, GLONASS, and a microSD card slot. Onboard storage for the Mega 5.8 is 8 GB with a 16 GB version available for the Mega 6.3. [via SlashGear] |
| SmartQ N10 Android tablet debuts Posted: 11 Apr 2013 04:51 AM PDT There is no shortage of Chinese-made Android tablets on the market today. Some people purchase these off brand tablets because they’re cheap, despite the fact that quality control with some Chinese tablet makers is notoriously spotty. If you’re willing to take the risk, a new tablet has surfaced from a Chinese maker called Smart Devices.
The tablet is the SmartQ N10 and its fitted with an eight-inch screen and ships with an interesting case. That case flips open and props the tablet up allowing you to watch media at more comfortable angle. The tablet is powered by a 1 GHz TI OMAP 4430 dual-core processor. The tablet also features 1 GB of RAM and 8 GB of internal storage. The included case is also designed to protect the tablet during travel and promises to last for up to 100,000 openings. The case adds a reported 4.4 mm of bulk to the tablet. The tablet features an eight-inch screen with a resolution of 1024 x 768. The rear camera on the tablet has five-megapixel resolution and the front has two-megapixel resolution. The camera also features integrated Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and a 7000 mAh battery. Pricing and availability for the tablet are unknown at this time. [via Geeky-Gadgets] |
| Google Glass shipping to developers within the next month Posted: 10 Apr 2013 04:03 PM PDT Just in time for the annual Google I/O developer event that will be taking place in late May, it appears that some lucky developers will have Google’s prized Project Glass augmented reality glasses. Today at a Google Ventures event it was stated that the Explorer Edition Google Glass would begin shipping within the next month. Time to get excited and see what it can really do.
Google made a huge splash last year at Google I/O by skydiving right into the event with Google Glass, and we’re expecting even more excitement this year as the project gets closer to becoming a reality and available to the public. They allowed developers (us included) to sign up for a pair for $1,500, but so far we haven’t heard much since. However, it looks like we could have them in-hand before the end of May. Exciting stuff. Most likely Google looks to have at least the initial rollout sent to multiple developers who pre-ordered last year, so they’ll be able to take part in the Glass Mirror API we’re expecting to be released at Google I/O. Google has hosted a few Glass Foundry developer events but didn’t let anyone share details on the project, but we have a feeling the next month we’ll be learning a whole lot more about Glass. Don’t let the talk in the news about bans at bars and strip clubs get you down. Google Glass will still be awesome! Just look at this parody video for an idea of the possibilities. All jokes aside, we haven’t received an email yet regarding Glass as we pre-ordered a pair, but rest assured we’ll update the second we hear more details. Google Now and Project Glass are potentially the future of Android – so stay tuned! [via TechCrunch] |
| Samsung Galaxy Note 8.0 unboxing and hands-on Posted: 10 Apr 2013 03:37 PM PDT Earlier this week the folks from Samsung finally announced their latest tablet to grace the Note lineup, the Samsung Galaxy Note 8.0 WiFi, will be hitting US shelves come April 11th for $399. Tomorrow you’ll be able to head to your nearest retail store and take one home, so naturally we have one already to share with you guys. Read on for our initial thoughts, hands-on pictures, and a quick video.
We got our first look at this new 8-inch tablet back at Mobile World Congress in Spain, but that model also doubles as a smartphone and had full phone capabilities included. Sadly the model hitting US shelves tomorrow for $399 does not, and is only WiFi. Not only that, but it also comes at a pretty penny compared to something like the Nexus 7 for $199. Read on to see if that price is worth it. The Galaxy Note 8.0 is no slouch though, and it rocks some pretty impressive specs all around to make up for the difference. Some of those include a beautiful 8-inch 1280 x 800 HD WACOM display with full S-Pen stylus capabilities. It is also running Android 4.1.2 Jelly Bean and a powerful 1.6 GHz quad-core processor. Samsung’s added 2GB of RAM, 16GB of storage, and a decent camera on back and front for good measure.    Along with a dedicated home button, S-Pen stylus for some amazing content creation and more you have a 5 megapixel rear camera, and 1.3 front for video chatting. The 4,600 mAh battery should give you plenty of usage time too, but we’ll report back on that after our full review. For now see what it can do from our quick video below. Thoughts Aside from not being the biggest fan of the continued use of plastic, it does make for a lightweight and comfortable experience. Whether we were drawing with the S-Pen, multitasking using the multi-window premium suite feature, or playing games. We’ve also ran a quick few benchmarks so you can see just how fast this thing is. Take a peek below.   The Galaxy Note 8.0 certainly is a nice slate, but we were hoping for a slightly lower price point if we weren’t getting the voice and phone features. The bezel is also a bit big for our taste too. For those that love the idea of the S-Pen stylus but don’t want the large Note 10.1 or a phone as big as the Note II, we suggest taking a look at the Note 8.0 in stores tomorrow. If you have any questions relating to the Note 8.0 drop us a comment below. Stay tuned for more details and a review coming up quick.    Device Info
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