Wednesday, April 3, 2013

AndroidGuys

AndroidGuys


Image of ‘HTC First’ Facebook Phone leaked ahead of April 4 event

Posted: 02 Apr 2013 02:29 PM PDT

htc_first_leak_wmk_720

The first official render of the HTC Myst may have just leaked online, if the latest image from @evleaks proves to be legit. Known as the “HTC First” this is widely expected to be the name of the Facebook Phone that gets announced later this week at the April 4 event.

There are no specifications to accompany the tweet, however the details have been around for quite some time. Hardware is reported to include a 4.3-inch 720p HD display, 1.5GHz dual-core processor, 5-megapixel rear camera,16GB storage, and 1GB RAM. Expected to be an AT&T exclusive, we might see the HTC First come in with a price tag around $100 with a two-year service agreement.

In terms of software, the HTC First should run Android 4.1 Jelly Bean with a heavy Facebook feel that ties into the social networks apps and services. All signs point to the experience being called Facebook Home with support for additional devices.

The post Image of ‘HTC First’ Facebook Phone leaked ahead of April 4 event appeared first on AndroidGuys.

Get this look for your Android: G-Now Tabs

Posted: 02 Apr 2013 01:55 PM PDT

Do you know what love to do with our Android handsets and tablets? We ‘re huge fans of changing the home screen around a bit and creating a new user experience. That’s why we present a weekly series of Get This Look posts.

In a nutshell we show you a new look for your Android handset and tell you which apps you’ll need if you want to mimic the feel. Some of these are a little easier to create than others and many of them can be tweaked to no end. The following details are but the ingredients to which you can create your own delicious Android dish; your results will vary. Which is awesome!

If nothing else, this is a great way to discover new apps, widgets, icons, and more!

G-Now Tabs by mwm8180

WHY WE LOVE THIS LOOK:

We were drawn to this design because of the tabbed layout and the simple, clean, and sharp design. Looking like something Google would employ for an app or service, this one keeps everything on one panel.

This is the first GTL post to feature Google Keep however we don’t expect that to last long. As a convenient note-keeping and to-do list app, it looks great on the home screen.

Click to view slideshow.

The colors look great and the icons seem to pop off the grays quite nicely, though we wonder what it might look like with another icon pack. Because of the five tabs (instead of panels) we have plenty of room to place icons, shortcuts, widgets and other items.

The G-Now Tabs look should appeal to those who prefer a more minimal approach to their Android home screen.

 

Check the archives for even more inspiration!

WHAT YOU’LL NEED

What else:

MyColorScreen is dedicated to the great ways you can modify your home screens.

The post Get this look for your Android: G-Now Tabs appeared first on AndroidGuys.

Verizon intros LG Lucid 2 for April 4

Posted: 02 Apr 2013 12:42 PM PDT

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Verizon today announced that the LG Lucid 2 will join the carrier’s lineup on April 4. Pricing is listed as free with two year agreements, however the actual details are relatively light. Really, the announcement came in the form of a Verizon blog post. For a more clear idea as to what is inside the phone, we recommend checking out this article from yesterday.

 

Specifications include Android 4.1 Jelly Bean, a 4.3-inch qHD display, a pair of user modes: Starter or Standard, and wireless charging capability.

The LG Lucid 2 will be sold online at www.verizonwireless.com for free with a new two-year customer agreement beginning on April 4; the handset will be in Verizon Wireless stores in the coming weeks.

Verizon

The post Verizon intros LG Lucid 2 for April 4 appeared first on AndroidGuys.

Could this be the Galaxy Tab 3 Plus?

Posted: 02 Apr 2013 11:22 AM PDT

galaxy tab3

SamMobile has reportedly received pictures from an undisclosed source of what could be the Galaxy Tab 3 Plus. The tablet looks a heck of a lot like the Galaxy Note 8.0, and supposedly Samsung will name the Galaxy Tab 3 the Samsung Galaxy S Tab.

Their source also said that due to the success of the Galaxy S phone line, Samsung will be applying the same knowledge and marketing strategies to their tablets. The product codes are, as rumoured earlier, GT-P8200, GT-P8210 and GT-P8220.

Now let’s remember, this is coming from a secret source and has not been confirmed, so don’t take this information as fact. Go ahead and check out the possible specs below and let us know what you think!

galaxy tab 3

Specifications:

  • Samsung Exynos 5410 Octa CPU
  • 4 x (1.6GHz ARM-Cortex A15) 4 x (1.2GHz ARM-Cortex A7)
  • Imagination Power SGX 544MP3 GPU
  • 2GB of LPDDR3 RAM with 32GB and 64GB Models
  • MicroSD card storage expansion (up to 64B)
  • 9000 mAh standard li-ion battery
  • 10.055″ 2560×1600 display – 300PPI
  • Could be PLS LCD or Super AMOLED 'PENTILE'
  • 8 Megapixel camera with AF
  • 1080p Video@30fps
  • 2 megapixel front facing camera with AF
  • 1080p Video@30fps
  • IR Blaster

The post Could this be the Galaxy Tab 3 Plus? appeared first on AndroidGuys.

DigiTimes: Android-based notebooks (Androidbook) could arrive later this year

Posted: 02 Apr 2013 09:56 AM PDT

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Yes – we’re reporting on another DigiTimes article, so… buyer beware. Reportedly, Google will introduce an Android-based notebook, or “Androidbook” later this year. Rumored for either the third or fourth quarter of the year, this project could gain momentum now that Sundar Pichai is in charge of Chrome and Android initiatives.

It remains unclear how this could differ from having something like an Asus Transformer Prime with a keyboard dock. Our gut tells us it will come in the cost and that it may not be removable from the keyboard.

DigiTimes

The post DigiTimes: Android-based notebooks (Androidbook) could arrive later this year appeared first on AndroidGuys.

Samsung ‘Galaxy Mega’ devices coming soon?

Posted: 02 Apr 2013 09:37 AM PDT

It is that time again already when we hear about a juicy Samsung rumor for upcoming smartphones. SamMobile, a source of almost every solid Samsung rumor, is reporting that Samsung is planning to launch a new line of Galaxy smartphones, which will be known as Galaxy Mega. 

Samsung is reportedly planning to introduce two more smartphones with huge display; the Galaxy Mega 5.8 a.k.a GT-I9152 and Galaxy Mega 6.3 a.k.a GT-I9200. Like the Galaxy Media Player series, the names indicate the screen sizes.

We recently heard about a Samsung fonblet with a 5.8″ display; Samsung also launched a Gamepad for Galaxy S4 which can handle devices with screen size up to 6.3-inch. Perhaps this new Mega 6.3 is is what we’re looking at instead of the Galaxy Note 3 being that large?  Allegedly, the Galaxy Mega 5.8 will come in white while Mega 6.3 will come in both black and white color.

Taking all of this with a grain of salt, we might see both of these by the end of May.

If these devices are real, would you consider buying them? Tell us about it in the comment box below.

Source: SamMobile

The post Samsung ‘Galaxy Mega’ devices coming soon? appeared first on AndroidGuys.

Ematic Genesis Prime, the $80 Google Certified Jelly Bean tablet

Posted: 02 Apr 2013 09:12 AM PDT

ematic_genesis_prime_720Ematic today announced the Genesis Prime tablet, an $80 Jelly Bean experience that features Google’s official Play Store blessing. Offering full access to the Google suite of apps, the 7-inch tablet ought to be more than enough to satisfy those just dipping their toes in the Android water.

Specifications are nowhere near what other tablets are however you can’t argue with the price tag. Details include Android 4.1 Jelly Bean, a 1.1GHz processor, 4GB internal storage, a front-facing camera, and Wi-Fi connectivity.

Click to view slideshow.

At this price, the Ematic Genesis Prime becomes a contender for the “what do we get the nephew for his birthday?” category. Sure, you can talk all ya want about how the performance and benchmarks will not be what you need, but, all things considered, it’s an affordable ereader with access to Google Play Books, Kindle, and Nook titles.  Toss in all that other stuff and it could be the tablet for your kitchen counter.

The Genesis Prime is available at amazon.com for $79.99.

Ematic Unveils Genesis Prime, a 7" Google Certified Tablet with Android 4.1, Jelly Bean Giving You Full Access to the Hottest Apps, Games and More, only $79.99

The device packs other Google services such as Chrome, Gmail, Maps and YouTube; Offers Access to Thousands of Movies, eBooks and more

LOS ANGELES- April 2, 2013- Ematic launches the Genesis Prime, its first-ever Google-certified tablet with complete access to Google Play. For on-the-go users, this 7" Android 4.1(Jelly Bean) tablet is your hub for entertainment with access to thousands of today's most popular apps, games, movies and more.

"With Google Play, we [Ematic] were able to bring an entirely new digital experience to our consumers," says Roy Rayn, President of Ematic. "Intuitive and exciting, this tablet is ideal for work or play with faster web browsing capabilities and endless possibilities for entertainment."

Google Play is a digital content experience providing access to music, movies, television shows, books, magazines, Android apps and games. Users can browse this online market from the web or Android device for content to stay entertained for hours. There are more than four million titles available in the eBookstore, thousands of TV shows and movies to stream directly to your tablet, and millions of music titles to peruse. Additionally, with music on Google Play you can upload 20,000 of your songs for free, discover new artists, browse millions of tracks and share music you buy with your friends on Google+.

Google Now gets you just the right information at just the right time. Cards appear throughout the day at the moment you need them. Google Now delivers the weather, Google Calendar appointments, reminders about when a user needs to leave their home or office to catch a flight, a heads up on nearby events, dinner reservations and much more. The Genesis Prime also includes other Google services such as Chrome, Maps, YouTube, and Google Talk.

Lightweight and portable, the Genesis Prime is designed with the active, on-the-go user in mind. The HD video player supports up to 1080p HD videos, and the tablet features a front camera to easily capture life's memorable moments. The tablet is loaded with a 1.1 GHz processor with dedicated GPU lets you get the most out of your favorite games and apps. Additionally, the Genesis Prime has 4GB of internal storage available as well as 5GB of included cloud storage to store your important content and favorite multimedia.

The Genesis Prime is available at amazon.com for $79.99.

Technical Specifications

  • 1.1 GHz processor
  • 4GB on-board storage memory
  • 5GB of included cloud storage
  • 7" capacitive multi-touch screen
  • Built-in 802.11b/g/n Wi-Fi
  • Front VGA camera
  • USB 2.0 port, 3.5 mm audio jack
  • Rechargeable battery- up to 4.5 hours of battery life
  • Weight: .59lbs
  • Dimensions: 7.56" x 4.92" x .39"
  • Android 4.1, Jelly Bean operating system
  • Google Play
  • Google Now
  • Other Google services: Chrome, Gmail, Maps, YouTube

The post Ematic Genesis Prime, the $80 Google Certified Jelly Bean tablet appeared first on AndroidGuys.

Buzz Launcher lets you apply other users’ home screens

Posted: 02 Apr 2013 08:04 AM PDT

You’ve probably noticed that we highlight a home screen look and feel every week on AndroidGuys. Called Get This Look, it’s our way of sharing some of the more cooler designs created by users from around the world. As one of our most popular categories, it tells us that you love to learn of new apps and themes for customization.

We recently learned of a new app that speaks directly to uses who like to swap up the home screen experience and think you’ll like it quite a bit. It’s called Buzz Launcher and it essentially lets you apply other user’s home screens to your handset. Conversely, you can create something awesome on your own and share it with others.

Click to view slideshow.

Buzz Launcher comes with more than 300 home screens right out of the gate and the easy setup gets you up and running within moments. It takes no time to create something new and awesome; options include wallpapers, icons, widgets, and more.

Compatible with Minimalisitic Text, details include multiple wallpapers (one for each screen panel), icon editing, multiple grid settings (can vary by screen panel), folders, frequently used apps, and gesture support.

These, in essence, can act as templates and starting points..

Should you opt for a design that includes app that you currently do not have installed, Buzz Launcher will prompt to grab them from the Google Play Store. Along those lines, it’s worth noting that you are not married to the entire look or layout of another person’s design. Don’t want to use that folder or widget? Get rid of it. Want to add your own touches? Do it and be happy. These, in essence, can act as templates and starting points for your next inspirational look.

To really get the most out of this (beta) experience, you’ll want to download the Buzz Custom Widget Beta which lets you create widgets and/or quickly apply other home screens. You can literally hop from one design to another, going from minimal to cluttered and busy, with the press of a button.

We’ve been playing around with Buzz Launcher for a few days and really think it’s something you’re going to love. It’s very simple to use and will only get better as more of you start sharing that custom designed layout. Note that it does require Android 4.0.3 or later to install.

Download Buzz Launcher (beta) from Google Play

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Sprint taps $199 HTC One with April 19 debut

Posted: 02 Apr 2013 08:00 AM PDT

sprint_htc_one_720Sprint today announced that the HTC One will arrive on April 19. Priced at $199.99, the phone will be offered in pre-orders starting from Friday, April 5.  The HTC One will come in either black or silver colors and feature 32GB of storage. Don’t forget that you can save at least $100 on your purchase should you trade in your old smartphone; HTC has extended the window for the trade-up program.

Sprint to Launch the New HTC One on April 19; Pre-Order Begins April 5

New HTC One boasts a slim aluminum unibody design, amplified minimal distortion sound, HTC UltraPixel camera

OVERLAND PARK, Kan. – April 2, 2013 – Sprint (NYSE: S) today announced Friday, April 19, as the availability date for the highly anticipated new HTC One®, the latest international smartphone with Truly Unlimited™ data while on the Sprint Network. HTC One reinvents the mobile experience by providing users a live stream that feeds personally relevant updates, a breakthrough camera that brings the photo gallery to life and the first dual front-facing stereo speakers on a phone with amplified audio.

HTC One will be available with 32GB of internal memory in Silver or Black in Sprint sales channels, including Sprint Stores, Sprint Business Sales, Telesales (1-800-SPRINT1) and Web Sales, for $199.99 with a new two-year service agreement (excludes taxes and surcharges). New and existing customers can pre-order HTC One beginning Friday, April 5, at www.sprint.com/htcone.

HTC One is equipped with eco-friendly attributes, including Underwriters Laboratory Environment (ULE) Platinum Certification, the highest level of environmental performance recognized by sustainable requirements established by ULE and Sprint, and packaging that is 98 percent recyclable.

HTC One brings users an unprecedented smartphone experience with unique features including:

  • HTC BlinkFeed™ – a bold new experience that transforms the home screen into a single live stream of personally relevant information, such as social updates, entertainment and lifestyle updates, and news and photos with immersive images so the user no longer needs separate applications to find out what's happening. HTC BlinkFeed aggregates the newest content from relevant and interesting sources, giving it to users at a glance, all in one place, without the need to jump between multiple applications and websites.
  • HTC UltraPixel Camera with HTC Zoe™ mode – a new feature bringing photos to life showing more personality and emotion than a still photo ever could. HTC Zoe mode gives users the ability to shoot high-resolution HTC Zoe highlights that come to life in three-second snippets. HTC Zoe highlights are then displayed in a unique way in the new gallery, transforming the traditional photo gallery of still images into a motion gallery of memories.
  • HTC BoomSound™ – front-facing stereo speakers with a dedicated amplifier and an amazing full high-definition display that brings users closer to their music, videos, games and YouTube™. Beats Audio™ integration is enabled across the entire experience for rich, authentic sound. HDR recording uses advanced dual microphones and audio processing to capture clean, rich sound that is worthy of HD video footage.
  • Additionally, HTC One boasts a 4.7-inch, full-HD 1080p display, 1.7GHz quad-core processor, international roaming capabilities and Near Field Communications (NFC).

HTC One customers can enjoy an unlimited data experience with Sprint Everything Data plans. Sprint's Everything Data plan with Any Mobile, AnytimeSM includes unlimited Web, texting and calling to and from any mobile in America while on the Sprint Network, starting at just $79.99 per month for smartphones1 – a savings of $20 per month versus Verizon's comparable plan with unlimited talk, text and 2GB Web.

Sprint introduced its all-new 4G LTE network in July 2012 and now offers service in 67 markets. For the most up-to-date details on Sprint's 4G LTE portfolio and rollout and detailed 4G LTE maps, providing coverage information right down to the address please visit www.sprint.com/coverage. Customers are encouraged to check back often, as the maps will be updated when coverage in these markets is enhanced.

About Sprint Nextel

Sprint Nextel offers a comprehensive range of wireless and wireline communications services bringing the freedom of mobility to consumers, businesses and government users. Sprint Nextel served more than 55 million customers at the end of 2012 and is widely recognized for developing, engineering and deploying innovative technologies, including the first wireless 4G service from a national carrier in the United States; offering industry-leading mobile data services, leading prepaid brands including Virgin Mobile USA, Boost Mobile, and Assurance Wireless; instant national and international push-to-talk capabilities; and a global Tier 1 Internet backbone. The American Customer Satisfaction Index rated Sprint No. 1 among all national carriers in customer satisfaction and most improved, across all 47 industries, during the last four years. Newsweek ranked Sprint No. 3 in both its 2011 and 2012 Green Rankings, listing it as one of the nation's greenest companies, the highest of any telecommunications company. You can learn more and visit Sprint at www.sprint.com or www.facebook.com/sprint and www.twitter.com/sprint.

 

 

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Former Windows Phone GM hired by Amazon

Posted: 02 Apr 2013 07:17 AM PDT

According to The Verge, former Microsoft Windows Phone GM, Charlie Kindel, announced that he has been hired by Amazon. Listing his role as director of “something secret” on his LinkedIn profile, Kindel is wasting no time and is already courting mobile developers and testers, with the hopes of building “a new team going after a totally new area for Amazon.”

Going after a totally new area for Amazon.

Kindel left Microsoft in 2011 to begin his own start-up, and this new appointment undoubtedly increases speculation that Amazon will soon launch its own smartphone. We reported in December last year that Amazon may be working on an Android-based smartphone for 2013, and with Kindel joining the team, this rumor may be closer to truth. If you remember, Kindel worked closely with mobile developers while at Microsoft, and was the key to evangelizing the Windows Phone platform. These are important skills that could definitely help Amazon move into the handset market.

Make sure to check back often, as we will keep you updated with any new information as it is released.

 

 

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AT&T: HTC One arrives on April 19 with $199 price tag

Posted: 02 Apr 2013 07:03 AM PDT

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AT&T confirmed today that the HTC One will be offered starting from April 19 with pre-orders kicking off in but a couple of days (April 4). Priced at $199, the 32GB model comes in black and silver while a 64GB exclusive model runs $299.99. Of course, these prices require two -year service agreements.

AT&T, for its part, is also tossing in a free HTC Media Link HD wireless HDMI adaptor so you can wirelessly share content from your phone to your HD television

As a reminder, those of you who want to save on the HTC One can trade-in your old smartphone and scoop up at least $100 for the effort.

HTC One Arrives at AT&T April 19 Starting at $199.99

Pre-Sales Begin April 4

Dallas, Texas, April 02, 2013

Beginning April 19, AT&T* plans to offer the highly-anticipated HTC One® smartphone to customers for $199.99 with a two-year commitment, for the 32 GB memory variant. AT&T is the only U.S. wireless carrier at launch to also offer a version with 64 GB of memory for $299.99 with a two-year commitment.

Customers eager to reserve their HTC One will be able to pre-order athttp://www.att.com/htcone on April 4 starting at 1:00 p.m. CT. Only AT&T offers a free** HTC Media Link HD wireless HDMI adaptor*** (a $90 value), which lets you wirelessly share content from your phone to your HD television.

The HTC One runs on AT&T 4G LTE, the nation's fastest 4G LTE network.**** AT&T has the nation's largest 4G network, covering 288 million people.

HTC One is available in black and silver and boasts a powerful 1.7 GHz quad-core processor, and zero-gap aluminum unibody with a 4.7-inch full HD (1080p) screen and HTC Sense® innovations, to re-shape your smartphone experience.

  • HTC BlinkFeed™ provides customized content and real-time updates streamed live on your home screen. HTC BlinkFeed aggregates your content from a variety of media sources, serving up fresh content all in one place, without the need to jump between multiple applications and web sites.
  • HTC Zoe™ mode on the HTC One lets you grab the entire moment and bring it to life in three-second snippets. Special moments can be captured in HTC Zoe highlights, and displayed in a living gallery that you can set to music and special effects. AT&T Locker helps you hold onto those memories no matter where you are. You can automatically store photos, videos and documents in the cloud, so you can access and share from your smartphone or computer.
  • The HTC UltraPixel Camera with a breakthrough sensor gathers 300 percent more light than traditional smartphone camera sensors and delivers outstanding low-light performance.
  • HTC BoomSound™ provides rich, clear sound with minimal distortion, as well as the authentic sound experience you expect from built-in Beats™ by Dr. Dre Audio. HTC One features dual front-facing speakers and a built-in amplifier to bring music, movies and games alive. Since the speakers are on the front of the device, you no longer have to worry about muffled sound when setting your phone down.
  • HTC Sense TV™ lets you use your HTC One as an interactive TV guide and remote control. It can be set up in a few simple steps and gives you the ability to access electronic program guides and control a receiver and home theatre right from your phone's screen.
  • The HTC One features AT&T DriveMode®, an app that helps curb texting and driving. The app can be set-up to automatically send a customizable reply to incoming messages once a vehicle starts moving 25 mph. The auto-reply message is similar to an "out-of-office alert" and can reply to texts, emails and wireless callers letting your friends know that you are driving and unable to respond.*****

Setting up your new HTC One is a snap with AT&T Ready2Go, a free service that helps you to easily set up and personalize your device in minutes from the comfort of your personal computer. With Ready2Go, it's easy to set up your email accounts, import your contacts, connect to your social networks and more.

The post AT&T: HTC One arrives on April 19 with $199 price tag appeared first on AndroidGuys.

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