AndroidGuys |
- U.S. Cellular: Samsung Galaxy S4 in stores on April 30
- Cruzerlite offering Samsung Galaxy S4 cases for $5.90 each
- Android closes in on Apple’s tablet market share
- 6 of the best Android apps for reading magazines and newspapers
- T-Mobile’s Samsung Galaxy S4 facing inventory challenges, too
- Inventory issues delay retail availability of Sprint’s Samsung Galaxy S4
- Swype officially released in Google Play Store
- Samsung Galaxy S4 in RadioShack stores April 27th
- Samsung Galaxy S4 review (video)
| U.S. Cellular: Samsung Galaxy S4 in stores on April 30 Posted: 24 Apr 2013 12:40 PM PDT
U.S. Cellular confirmed on Wednesday that the Samsung Galaxy S4 will be available in retail stores starting on Tuesday, April 30. Those who want to purchase sooner will find the phone online on Friday, April 26. Also, any of you who pre-ordered the Samsung Galaxy S4 will receive a free S View flip cover with your handset which, also, ships on the 26th. U.S. Cellular offers the 16GB Samsung Galaxy S4 in White Frost and Black Mist for $199.99 with an instant rebate. The post U.S. Cellular: Samsung Galaxy S4 in stores on April 30 appeared first on AndroidGuys. |
| Cruzerlite offering Samsung Galaxy S4 cases for $5.90 each Posted: 24 Apr 2013 12:16 PM PDT
Seriously, at this price you should just pick a couple of colors up and dress your phone in the case that matches your mood. We’ve counted no less than ten color choices in each of the two designs: Clone Army and Bugdroid.
Note that these are not some generic case and that Cruzerlite has not cut corners on the design. These are the same TPU materials used in other models. Just tossing this out there as well… we noticed that Cruzerlite products are listed with a promotion of Buy Two Get One on accessories. All you have to do is enter promo code BUY2GONE at checkout and you could score a third case at no cost. We’ve reached out to our contact at Cruzerlite who advised that these deals are for a limited time only (naturally) and that the price will go back up to the normal cost before long. What are you waiting for? HURRY! The post Cruzerlite offering Samsung Galaxy S4 cases for $5.90 each appeared first on AndroidGuys. |
| Android closes in on Apple’s tablet market share Posted: 24 Apr 2013 11:40 AM PDT Apple shared its March quarter earnings with the public yesterday afternoon, and while they managed to keep a steady quarter with their iPad sales, it wasn’t enough to thwart the growth of low-cost Android devices. Thanks to Androids presence, Apple saw big losses in terms of global market share.
Apple announced that they sold 19.5 million iPads in the March quarter, which comes out to 48.2% of the global tablet market. That figure is impressive, especially since they only have two tablets on the market, but it is also a huge decrease from the 63.1% share Apple controlled in the same quarter last year. In the first quarter of this year, Android has done nothing but grow as their tablets accounted for 43.4% of all tablets shipped. That is up from 34.2% last year. We also have to mention, with a slight chuckle, that Microsoft's Windows platforms were finally able to make a dent in the tablet market as well in the first quarter. According to Strategy Analytics, they captured 7.5% of the global market. That's up from nothing (0%) in the same quarter in 2012.
Looking at all the figures, the demand for tablets is now higher than ever. Consumers, businesses, and educational institutions are now implementing them for every day tasks. According to Strategy Analytics analyst Peter King, "Global branded tablet shipments reached an all-time high of 40.6 million units in Q1 2013, surging 117% from 18.7 million in Q1 2012. Global Android tablet shipments increased 177% annually to 17.6 million units alone."
After looking at this past quarter, Apple better be worried. With the talk of the new Nexus 7 and Samsung Galaxy Tabs in the works, I can only see the gap closing further. It will truly be interesting to see what figures we see at the end of the second and third quarter this year. Share your thoughts! Make sure to tell us what you think of the numbers in the comments below!
Source: BGR The post Android closes in on Apple’s tablet market share appeared first on AndroidGuys. |
| 6 of the best Android apps for reading magazines and newspapers Posted: 24 Apr 2013 10:31 AM PDT
One of our favorite uses for an Android tablet is to put that thing into portrait mode and read digital copies of our magazines and newspapers. Well, to be fair, landscape mode isn’t so bad either. We simply love not having to lug around all these paper copies of monthly issues or daily rags as it’s lighter and more flexible. Not to mention, it’s also far more convenient to have them delivered where you want them, when you want them. We’ve come up with a number of Android apps that help make reading magazines and newspapers enjoyable when on the go, especially on tablets. Some of these also look really good on larger screen sizes such as the Samsung Galaxy Note 2. While we do concede that we’ll miss a favorite or two we think we’ve gathered up some great titles to get started. If you see something that we might have overlooked, leave a comment below with your favorite app(s). Note that there’s going to be new stuff all the time and, if the situation calls for it, we’ll put together another short list down the road. The list at a glance: Click to view slideshow.ZinioWith a library that boasts thousands of titles, Zinio offers many of your favorite magazines in single issue or subscriptions. A quick glance yields popular magazines such as Wired, Rolling Stone, PC World, Maxim, Esquire, Vogue, and Elle. Many of the titles allow for previews; users can sync issues across devices and online accounts. Read in offline mode or connect with Facebook and share with your friends. [FREE] Press ReaderWith more than 2,300 newspapers from 100+ countries, Press Reader is one of our favorite ways to read print news from around the globe. Looks as great in landscape as it does in portrait mode, this one renders PDFs in a clean and easy-to-understand layout. Schedule automatic delivery and your newspapers are there for you every morning! Additional features include sharing to social networks, on-demand audio, and adjustable fonts and sizes. Pay for individual newspapers at $.99 each of subscribe to an all-you-can-eat plan for $29.95/month. [FREE] Amazon KindleOne of the great features in owning a traditional Android tablet is that it you’re able to dabble in multiple ecosystems. Why bother buying a Kindle Fire when you can access the same books, newspapers, and magazines on the tablet on your coffee table? The free app syncs with your account and provides access to titles such as The Economist, The Spectator, The Guardian and The Daily Mail. Note that all Kindle magazine subscriptions come with the first 30 days free. [FREE] Google Play MagazinesGoogle’s official application for reading magazines, Google Play Magazines provides new issues and/or back issues. Buy individual issues or subscribe and get free 14 or 30-day trials to a slew of magazine titles. Popular monthly mag Wired, for instance, offers single issue for $4.99, a subscription (with free trial) at $1.99 per month, or a full year at $19.99. [FREE] Next IssueUnlimited, all-you-can-read access to more than 80 of the most popular magazine titles, there are two options to choose from. Get monthly magazines at $9.99 per month or go with the premium account at $29.99 and you’ll also have access to weekly magazines (People, EW, SI, etc) as well. No commitments or long term obligations and the app delivers your magazines open as soon as they’re downloaded. [FREE] Barnes & Noble NOOKMuch like Amazon does with Kindle, the Barnes & Noble NOOK app provides users with a seamless sync experience across tablets, web, and NOOK devices. Try out newspapers and magazines for free up to 14 days, and also enjoy comics, graphic novels, and books. A quick peek at TIME magazine shows current issue at $5.99 with subscriptions listed at $2.99 a month. Do you subscribe to print titles? Chances are good you can enjoy the digital version for free. [FREE] Also consider:
The post 6 of the best Android apps for reading magazines and newspapers appeared first on AndroidGuys. |
| T-Mobile’s Samsung Galaxy S4 facing inventory challenges, too Posted: 24 Apr 2013 08:32 AM PDT
T-Mobile has followed Sprint’s lead in announcing an inventory shortage for the Samsung Galaxy S4. Expected to go on sale today through T-Mobile.com, the flagship smartphone will be made available on April 29. A five day delay is not the worst thing ever; at least T-Mobile knows when the handset will be offered. On the other hand, it has to hurt just a little bit for those hoping to order the device today. "We know customers are really looking forward to getting their new Samsung Galaxy S 4 soon. However, due to an unexpected delay with inventory deliveries, the Galaxy S 4 will not be available on www.T-Mobile.com as planned on Wednesday, April 24. Instead, online availability is expected to begin on Monday, April 29. We apologize for any inconvenience and are working with Samsung to deliver the device to T-Mobile customers as soon as possible." – T-Mobile
The post T-Mobile’s Samsung Galaxy S4 facing inventory challenges, too appeared first on AndroidGuys. |
| Inventory issues delay retail availability of Sprint’s Samsung Galaxy S4 Posted: 24 Apr 2013 07:22 AM PDT
Sprint just dropped us an email advising that the Samsung Galaxy S4 will not get the full retail push this weekend. Citing unforeseen inventory problems, Sprint will instead offer the handset through the web and phone starting Saturday, April 27, followed later with a retail presence.
As of now there is no indication that the delay will affect the Sprint Samsung Galaxy S4 at RadioShack. We’ll assume, for now, that it’s still good to go. The post Inventory issues delay retail availability of Sprint’s Samsung Galaxy S4 appeared first on AndroidGuys. |
| Swype officially released in Google Play Store Posted: 24 Apr 2013 07:08 AM PDT
Swype, one of our favorite Android keyboard clients, is now available in the Google Play Store. Previously only offered as a beta program or as part of a pre-installed experience, Swype is listed at $.99 for now. There is no indication as to when the price will rise nor what it will be so our suggestion is to download it right away. As a frame of reference, SwiftKey is listed at $3.99. Download Swype for Android (Google Play)
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| Samsung Galaxy S4 in RadioShack stores April 27th Posted: 24 Apr 2013 06:57 AM PDT
The Galaxy S4 will be available for purchase on AT&T and Sprint networks ($199.99 for the 16GB or $249.99 for the 32GB with qualifying two year contract) with a few extra bonuses for RadioShack customers. Not only will there be an array of accessories available to purchase for your new device, but customers spending $30 or more will receive a $10 off coupon for future purchases, as well as the ability to take advantage of RadioShack's Trade & Save program. The Trade & Save option gives customers as much as $300 when they trade in an eligible phone. Trade-in value of the old device will be instantly credited toward the purchase of a Galaxy S4 in RadioShack stores, or customers can use their trade-in credit to purchase accessories as well. To find a store near you, head on over to RadioShack’s website. And make sure to check out our in-depth review of the Samasung Galaxy S4 (with video) and let us know what you think! The post Samsung Galaxy S4 in RadioShack stores April 27th appeared first on AndroidGuys. |
| Samsung Galaxy S4 review (video) Posted: 23 Apr 2013 09:19 PM PDT
Samsung captivated and fascinated the world with the epic Galaxy S3. With over 40 million units sold, it’s clear that they did something right. Samsung learned that combining high-end hardware and custom software really helps to make a phone successful. Following the success of the S3, let’s take a look at Samsung’s next big thing, the Galaxy S4. Now, there is a lot to love about this device, Samsung has once again packed in every bit of cutting-edge technology into a slim 7.9mm device. But the real question is whether this device will retain the same popularity as the S3. Samsung has defiantly payed close attention to Apple’s iterative upgrade schedule. Meaning, the Galaxy S4 adds a very minimal design change from the S3, although still packs some serious horsepower under the new 1080p display.
“It’s Still Plastic, but i’m okay with it.”From a strictly “looks” standpoint, the average consumer will not notice the difference between an S3 and an S4. Although place the phone in your hand and the difference become apparent. It’s much sharper than the S3, offering a flat back and relatively flat sides, the phone feels a bit more high-end. I find it very difficult to say this hardware is “high-end”, especially when you compare it to its two major competitors, the iPhone 5 and HTC One. It almost not even an opinion at this point, aluminum and glass hold a higher value than plastic. But plastic or not, the phone still feels great and we get a removable battery.
“Pixels, pixels, and more pixels.”Samsung has always held their head above the water when it comes to their displays. Offering the latest resolution and screen technologies at the time. The S4 is no different, with a gorgeous 1080p AMOLED display, it really is beautiful. Most complain about the brightness on AMOLED displays, but I found it completely suitable in just about any lighting situation. The 5″ screen squeezes in 441 pixels-per-in (ppi), which leaves a single pixel abstruse to the naked eye. Thanks to Samsung’s clever workings, the screen grew in size, while the device did not.
“Full performance all in a day’s battery.”Lets face it, when we heard the rumors of an 8-core mobile processor, we all got a bit excited on the inside. When Samsung announced the full specs for the US variants of the S4, ever feature seemed to match except the processor. Samsung decided to swap the international variants 8-core processor for a quad-core snapdragon 600. Disappointing? A bit, but use this phone for 30-seconds and try to tell me its slow. It blows the S3 out of the water and paired with Android 4.2, this phone soars. In addition to the speed, Samsung has once again managed to jam a huge battery, 2600 mah, into a small chassis. After a full day of 6 constantly pulling email accounts, hardcore tweeting, and full brightness, I ended with an average of 30%.
“TouchWiz is… good?!”As an Android enthusiast, I prefer my device to be running a stock build of Android, manufacturer skins? No thank you. While that just my personal preference, when review devices I like to keep the device as they were out of the box, and well, I had a really good experience. Samsung has tailored their applications, refined their user interface and the result is a very unified, cohesive experience. Whereas previous versions of TouchWiz carried “cartoon-like” traits, this version is very modern and much lighter on the processor. Bundled with the Galaxy S4 are a few Samsung applications, more specifically, WatchOn and Samsung HUB. WatchOn works in conjunction with the IR blaster on the top of the device. Using Peel’s technology, you can use the S4 as a universal “smart” remote, offering more than just volume and channel control. WatchOn actually works to replace your horrible TV guide system. Using a series of algorithms, Samsung is able to locate TV shows and movies that you watch frequently, as well as recommend similar programs. Furthermore, instead of glaring at a list of 1000+ channels, you can see 15-20 personalized shows that are available right then. The newly designed Samsung HUB was also a breath of fresh air compared to previous versions. Instead of 4-or-5 separate ”HUB” apps, you now have one application to host all of them. Allowing you to quickly purchase games, movies, music, and books. To be honest, the Samsung HUB was still an application I could never find myself using, it looks great, but the purpose just is not there for me.
“Samsung, shoot.”In today’s day in age, a phone’s camera is usually the only camera most people have on them all the time. With that, a good camera has really become a vital feature in every smartphone. As far as specs go, the S4 boasts a 13MP camera with 1080p video recording, and the best part of all, the camera looks as good as it sounds. Photos were rich and vibrant, with plenty depth-of-field. The macro capabilities were pretty intense, I could get much closer to the subject and retain great detail and sharpness. Besides the optics, Samsung has also included a few modes to create some unique shots. Drama Mode allows you to take one image with multiple instances of your subject, it sounds great in theory, but my results looked more like the same item blurred four times. Night Mode was a nice feature, it lowers the devices shutter speed to compensate for low-light situations and it really worked well. Other modes include a revamped Panorama, Beauty Mode, and Auto.
“Gimmick-ly useful”.You cannot mention the Galaxy S4 without speaking of the new IR sensors. These sensors allow you to manipulate and interact with the phone in a more unique manor. Straight from the Galaxy Note 2, air view has made its way to the S4 in a very interesting way. Instead of using a S Pen to hover over the screen, you can now place your finger just about the display to reveal information without actually tapping into the application. This was one of the more useful features, especially in the calendar. Air Gesture was another useful feature that seemed to work 9/10 times, allowing you to scroll by waving your hand over the Samsung logo. Then of course, there is Overall, the screen is great, the phone is fast, and the battery life is suitable. As a successor to one of the most popular Android devices ever, the Galaxy S4 makes a great upgrade from any phone. There are zero outstanding flaws with the S4, although it is far perfect. The still plastic build does creek and add an overall “cheap” feeling to phone. But without a doubt, the pros outweigh the cons and as they did last year, Samsung has once again put together a very solid device. The post Samsung Galaxy S4 review (video) appeared first on AndroidGuys. |
Yes, that headline is right. Our friends over at Cruzerlite are now selling cases for the Samsung Galaxy S4 for the ridiculous price of 
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