Android Authority |
- CyanogenMod 10.1 nightly builds now available for the HTC One
- Galaxy S4 mini to use Exynos 5210 dual-core processor and pack an 8MP camera, report says
- Samsung Galaxy Note 8 review
- Galaxy Note 3 to feature a 6-inch AMOLED non-flexible display, report says
- Eric Schmidt thought ‘Don’t be evil’ was stupid upon joining Google, NPR interview reveals
- Rumor: After only a month, AT&T planning on discontinuing HTC First
- Verizon Samsung Galaxy S4 arriving ahead of schedule, will be here May 23rd
- Hoping to see Nexus Q at Google I/O? Don’t get your hopes up
- Motorola XT1058 (X Phone?) shows up in GFX Benchmarks, graphics tests are off the charts
- Sony Xperia L available to buy in the UK later than expected
- First picture taken with Samsung Galaxy S4 Zoom posted online (by mistake?)
- Samsung cracks the 5G code, available to consumers by 2020
- ABC to offer live TV streaming service for users of iPhones and iPads
- T-Mobile Samsung Galaxy S3 gets updated to Jelly Bean 4.1.2
- Samsung Galaxy S4 Active spotted at Bluetooth SIG and in user agent profile
- Paranoid Android HALO notification support shown on video
- Google I/O 2013 not about new hardware or new operating system, Sundar Pichai says
- White Nexus 4 spotted again; is it coming at Google I/O 2013?
- Exclusive: Google smartwatch is real, Gmail and Maps updates incoming
- Five Android sensations coming in 2013
- Nova Launcher receives 2.1 update, lets you drag drawer folder to desktop and more
| CyanogenMod 10.1 nightly builds now available for the HTC One Posted: 14 May 2013 02:32 AM PDT
Codenamed M7 – after the internal development name of the device, the nightly builds aren’t yet considered stable but are working sufficiently well for enthusiasts to use. The biggest bug at the moment seems to be that the audio on outgoing calls can be “hit or miss”. The current workaround is to enable the ‘touch sounds’ and start a call using the dial pad, that way you will have audio on the outgoing call. This doesn’t affect incoming calls which are behaving normally. The steps to get CM10.1 on your HTC are pretty much the same as for other devices. The bootloader needs to be unlocked and ClockwordMod-Recovery installed. The the CM10.1 build needs to be copied over along with the Google apps. A quick boot into recovery mode will allow the CM10.1 firmware to be flashed onto the device (along with the Google apps) and after a reboot CyanogenMod 10.1 should be running rather than the factory version of Android supplied by HTC. CyanogenMod is a free, custom firmware based on Android 4.2 Jelly Bean and is designed to increase performance and reliability over the stock version of Android. But be warned, you flash at your own risk and by replacing HTC’s firmware you void your warranty. If you hate HTC Sense 5 and don’t get on with BlinkFeed then CM10.1 might be the way to go, but it is worth noting the other features which don’t currently work including the IR blaster and Wi-Fi Calling for T-Mobile. There are wiki pages for the M7 (GSM) and the M7 (Sprint) variants with some preliminary information and the nightly builds can be downloaded from the two different M7 download sections (GSM or Sprint) of the CyanogenMod site. 
| ||
| Galaxy S4 mini to use Exynos 5210 dual-core processor and pack an 8MP camera, report says Posted: 14 May 2013 01:14 AM PDT
The leaked specifications show that the S4 mini will be powered by a 1.6 GHz dual-core Exynos 5210 processor. This is a vast improvement over the S3 mini which used the almost unheard of NovaThor U8420 from ST-Ericsson. At the moment little is known about the Exynos 5210 as it doesn’t appear to be the same processor as the “standard” Exynos Dual which was previously known as the Exynos 5250. Some reports suggest that the Exynos 5210 is in fact a big.LITTLE architecture processor using two A7 cores (for power saving) along with two A15 cores (for performance). The S4 mini’s screen will use a 4.3 inch Super AMOLED display with a resolution of 540 x 960. Although this is quite low and at least 720p would have been nice, it is again an improvement over the S3 mini’s 480 x 800 display. In terms of memory the S4 mini is expected to provide 1GB of RAM, however there is a possibility that the LTE version will have 2GB. The phone is expected to pack an 8MP camera on the back (again better than the S3 mini’s 5MP) and there will be some form of front camera, but its resolution has yet be revealed. What is interesting is that the specifications for the memory and the camera are similarly to those of the Galaxy S3. Even the 2GB of memory for the LTE version is the same as the S3. Does this mean that Samsung have taken the S3, put a smaller display on it and called it the S4 mini? An interesting notion. If that is so then we can expect at least a 1.9 megapixels front facing camera which can record 720p HD video at 30 frames per second. The only strange thing about the report is that it claims the Galaxy S4 mini will run Android 4.0. Clearly this is a typing mistake or a misunderstanding as even the S3 mini runs Android 4.1. Probably the S4 mini will use Android 4.2, most likely 4.2.2 like the Galaxy S4. What would you like to see in the Galaxy S4 mini and would you buy one? 
| ||
| Posted: 14 May 2013 12:47 AM PDT
With the Galaxy Note 8, Samsung tried to capitalize on the growing popularity of its stylus-equipped series. The Note 8 aims to strike a balance between the (relative) portability of the 5.5-inch Note 2 and the display real estate offered by the Note 10.1. For some, the 8-inch device, with its thin profile and easy to hold form factor may be the ideal Note, a device that unlocks the true potential of the S Pen. But others have criticized the Note 8, arguing that Samsung cut too many corners in order to keep the price of the device at a reasonable level. Regardless on which side of the debate you position yourself, the Note 8 is an interesting device, that is worth your attention. Let's take a closer look at the Galaxy Note 8's design, build quality, specifications, features, and software. In a hurry? Jump straight to the video review. On the 8-inch bandwagonIt is fairly clear that Samsung targeted Apple's iPad mini with the new Galaxy Note 8. At 8-inch, the Note is slightly wider than 7-inchers such as the Nexus 7 or the Galaxy Tab 7, but the device is still narrow enough to be hold with one hand, although many will find it unruly. The fact that the device is just eight millimeters thick certainly helps with the handling.
Design-wise, the Note 8 is a typical product of Samsung's design language that was first exemplified in the Galaxy S3. In fact, the tablet looks a bit like someone at Samsung took a Galaxy S3 and flattened it with a roller. The bezels surrounding the 8-inch display are relatively narrow, and, on the bottom, we find the typical Samsung button setup, with a central physical Home button flanked by two capacitive keys. The presence and placement of this button setup indicates that the Note 8 was primarily designed to be used in portrait mode.
On the back, Samsung opted for the typical plastic back cover, which helps with keeping the weight of the device low at 338 grams. The plastic is, however, prone to collecting fingerprints and becoming a little slick to the touch. The sides of the Note 8 are rounded, but not rounded enough to make the grip of the device uncomfortable.
Display: you get what you pay forWith the barrage of full HD devices coming our way, it's easy to become spoiled and look down at new devices that don't belong to the full HD club. The Note 8 features a TFT display of 1280 x 800 resolution, which will certainly not blow your mind, but might be just good enough to offer an enjoyable experience.
The TFT panels boasts a 189 ppi density, well below the level of 300 ppi at which pixels become indistinguishable for all but the most eagle-eyed of users. This means that, while the images and text will look decent at a normal (for a tablet) viewing distance, the pixels will be distinct once you bring the tablet closer.
Contrast levels are reasonably good, but if you're used with AMOLED screens, such as that of the Note 2, the TFT will look a little dull to you.
Ultimately, the display of the Note 8 will do just fine for reading, and is likely you will find it enjoyable for other activities, but don't set your expectations too high. Quad-core performance and an S PenSwiping through the colorful TouchWiz, it's visible that the Exynos 4 Quad processor that powers the Note 8 does a great job. The 1.6GHz CPU has no trouble powering the system with little to no stutter and the Note 8 got an adequate 18,000 score in the AnTuTu benchmark. For reference, the newest devices out there, powered by the Snapdragon 600 processor, go over 25,000 points, while devices from last year hover between 15,000 and 20,000. Assisting the CPU in graphics-intensive and multitasking applications are the Mali-400MP GPU and 2GB of RAM. Overall, the setup ensures a snappy user experience.
The Galaxy Note 8 offers two versions of storage, 16GB and 32GB, which can be expanded thanks to the SD card slot on the side. The device we tested didn't have phone capability like international versions have, but we think that few users will really miss it. (For a discussion of the pros and cons of having a tablet that can make phone calls, check out our Asus Fonepad review.) Another absent feature is NFC, probably removed to minimize costs.
Of course, the defining feature of any Note device is the presence of the S Pen stylus, which lets users write, diagram, or simply navigate through the interface of the Note 8. The S Pen is slotted in the bottom right corner of the device, and removing it awakes the tablet, a handy ability for quick note taking. The S Pen is one of the unique benefits of the Note 8 and it doesn't take too much for it to become an extension of your hand.
Battery and camera: move along folksThe Galaxy Note 8 is equipped with a non-removable 4600mAh battery, which, in theory, should get most "average" users through two days of moderate usage. In our tests, the Note 8 endured a full day of moderate to heavy usage, which is certainly important with a device designed for productivity. However, power users should be cautioned that several hours of intensive use can deplete the Note 8, leaving them scrambling for an outlet. Overall, we rate the battery of the Note 8 as decent, but not spectacular.
Tablet cameras are notorious for their poor optics (not to mention the ridicule you will be exposed to for using them). The Note 8 is no exception – the 5 megapixel back camera lacks a flash, and we feel that Samsung put it in there to cross a point off a checklist, rather than as a true selling point. The shooter can take some decent images in adequate conditions, but don't think of it as anything more than an emergency/backup camera for the times your primary camera is out for some reason.  Camera sample – click to enlarge |
There is some good news for all those HTC One owners who are keen to try out CyanogenMod 10.1, official nightly builds are now available for the GSM version and the Sprint variant.
There has been 
     |
Galaxy Note 3 to feature a 6-inch AMOLED non-flexible display, report says
Posted: 13 May 2013 06:43 PM PDT
Galaxy Note 2 (left) vs Galaxy S4 (right)
A report from a South Korean investment firm reveals that the third-generation Galaxy Note would pack a 6-inch AMOLED display, but that it won't be a flexible one as certain rumors have recently said.
In a detailed note to investors (see PDF file at the second Source link), Korea Investment & Securities Co. reveals that Samsung's “first-ever” 6-inch flagship handset is more likely to sport a 6-inch AMOLED display than an LCD one. OLED displays are seen as a "pillar" of Samsung's brand image by the firm, and therefore a logical choice for a flagship handset like the Galaxy Note 3.
It’s worth noting that both the Galaxy Note and Galaxy Note 2 feature AMOLED displays, with the former packing a 5.3-inch AMOLED PenTile screen with 1280 x 800 resolution and the later featuring a 5.5-inch AMOLED non-PenTile display with 1280 x 720 resolution. Previous rumors have said that the Galaxy Note 3 would feature a 5.99-inch display.
More interestingly, the report claims that said display would not be a flexible one, as some reports have suggested. Apparently Samsung would not be able to mass-produce the appropriate number of flexible 6-inch AMOLED screens to meet demand for such a potentially popular handset as the Galaxy Note 3:
Although equipment for most processes has been delivered and the supply of remaining equipment (only for a specific process) should be finalized in 1H13, we cannot say [Samsung Display] is ready to mass-produce flexible OLED panels. Production technology still seems incomplete, and even assuming the start of production in 2H13, shipments that can be supplied to finished products would be minimal. As such, we believe chances are slim for [Samsung Electronics] to adopt flexible OLED panels for its Galaxy Note 3 (slated for release in 2H13). [Samsung Electronics] will likely choose flexible OLED for its smartphones as a differentiating design feature but would need more time to adopt it for the major models.
LG, which previously confirmed that it will have a smartphone with flexible display in stores by the end of the year, seems to have issues mass-producing such panels also, and may delay the launch of such a product.
Without going into too many details about flexible display technology, the report reveals that Samsung and LG use two different technologies. Samsung relies on thin-film encapsulation while LG is developing face-sealing encapsulation technology. In either case, the object is to prevent water and/or oxygen to reach the inside of the device. The report says that Samsung “is still far away from securing product reliability that guarantees mass-production” and LG’s technology “has not yet been tried for mass-production.”
The Galaxy Note 3 is expected to be unveiled at some point in Q3 2013, most likely at IFA 2013 in Berlin, Germany, according to other rumors. The report also mentions that Samsung’s “6-inch display smartphone model [is] scheduled for release in 2H13.”
That said, we’ll remind you to take everything with a grain of salt when looking at such reports, as, after all, both Samsung and LG are yet to announce commercial products sporting flexible displays.
| |
Eric Schmidt thought ‘Don’t be evil’ was stupid upon joining Google, NPR interview reveals
Posted: 13 May 2013 03:30 PM PDT
Google Chairman Eric Schmidt has a new book out titled, “The New Digital Age,” written in collaboration with Jared Cohen. And in order to promote this new book of his, he got on NPR’s Wait Wait…Don’t Tell Me! for an interview wherein he revealed some information about what it’s like to work at Google, the biggest search engine in the world, and arguably one of the world’s biggest companies ever.
In the interview, Schmidt dropped his thoughts on things like Google Glass, Internet etiquette, and more. Among those was Google’s famous “Don’t be evil” slogan, which you may be familiar with. So what exactly did he think of it when he first joined Google?
In a word, stupid. According to Schmidt himself, he thought “Don’t be evil” was “the stupidest rule ever” when he got to Google and joined founders Larry Page and Sergey Brin.
“Well, it was invented by Larry and Sergey,” began Schmidt, who was asked how Google came up with its slogan. “And the idea was that we don’t quite know what evil is, but if we have a rule that says don’t be evil, then employees can say, I think that’s evil,” he added.
But even though he thought it was stupid, at least it worked — he tells the story of an advertising project that got shut down after an engineer declared it was evil and shouldn’t be done by Google. So in the end, the slogan wasn’t such a bad idea after all.
What he revealed about Google Glass is nothing we don’t already know. But the rest of the interview is still quite interesting, especially during the part where Schmidt plays the Wait Wait…Don’t Tell Me! quiz with the help of Google. We won’t spoil the results for you, but let’s just say that using Google to figure out answers to a quiz is super effective.
Listen to the full interview or read the transcript via the source link below.
| |
Rumor: After only a month, AT&T planning on discontinuing HTC First
Posted: 13 May 2013 03:11 PM PDT
Last Thursday Facebook made a big deal about its latest milestone: hitting 1 million downloads for its new Facebook Home launcher.
One million downloads is all well and good, but what Facebook doesn’t tell us is how many of these downloaders turned around and uninstalled the app right way. Considering the phone has a 2-star rating on Google Play, you can bet that it was a large share of folks.
So what does this mean for HTC’s Facebook phone? Unfortunately, nothing good. According to an unnamed source reporting to BGR, the HTC First is doing so poorly that AT&T is preparing to discontinue the handset after just a little over a month on the market.
The source says that fewer than 15,000 units sold through last week, when the phone was slashed down to just $.99. Furthermore, the HTC Status (aka ChaCha) – considered one of the worst phones ever – even managed to sell more in its first month on the market than the HTC First.
Can Zuckerberg and team save Facebook Home and the First?
Despite the BGR report, AT&T has come forward stating that they haven’t made any real decisions about the future of the First:
"As mentioned previously, we do pricing promotions all the time and have made no decisions on future plans."
In other words, the first few nails might be in the coffin, but the HTC First isn’t dead yet.
More than likely, that AT&T and HTC are hoping to turn things around through aggressive pricing in the short-term, and see where that eventually takes them. Is it too late for Facebook Home and the First? It really depends.
For AT&T, focusing advertising on the stock Android underneath Facebook Home’s launcher might help some. For Facebook, they already have announced plans to improve the Facebook Home launcher by including both docks and folders into the Home experience.
Again, it’s hard to say if any of these changes can really make a big difference for the First or for Facebook Home. What do you think of the HTC First? Conversely, how do you feel about Facebook Home?
| |
Verizon Samsung Galaxy S4 arriving ahead of schedule, will be here May 23rd
Posted: 13 May 2013 01:34 PM PDT
While Verizon might (arguably) have the most extensive cellular coverage in the United States, it also tends to be a little slow to the punch when it comes to getting the latest and greatest devices, unless they are Verizon-only exclusives.
Take for example the Galaxy S4, which has been around for carriers such as AT&T and T-mobile for a while now. The latest Sammy flagship isn’t supposed to arrive to Verizon until May 30th! Suffering from the "I hate waiting blues"? The good news is that Verizon has now officially bumped up its launch date to May 23rd, a week ahead of schedule.
For those that need a refresher, the Galaxy S4 is powered by a 1.9GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon 600 processor, Andreno 320 GPU and 2GB RAM. The phone also has a 4.99-inch 1080p display, 13MP main cam, 2MP front cam, 16/32/64GB storage, microSD, and Android 4.2 with TouchWiz.
Come the 23rd, the phone will be yours either through their website or through Verizon stores, all you need to do is throw down $200 and sign a two year contract.
If you already have the AT&T version, the release of the Galaxy S4 to Verizon could still potentially be great news for you. Why’s that? Because security researcher Dan Rosenberg has found a way to unlock the bootloader-locked U.S. Samsung Galaxy S4, but has been waiting for Verizon’s version to be released before unveiling the method.
That means that shortly after May 23rd, the AT&T version (and likely all U.S. Versions) of the Galaxy S4 will finally be free of any constraints holding the phone back from being modded.
| |
Hoping to see Nexus Q at Google I/O? Don’t get your hopes up
Posted: 13 May 2013 12:31 PM PDT
Last year around this time, Google unveiled the Nexus Q, a device that would forever change our living room experience – except for the fact it didn’t. The Google Nexus Q was an interesting idea, but it ultimately fell short when it came to features and functionality, especially considering its $300 asking price.
With limited consumer interest in the device, Google promised it would go back to the drawing board, and find ways to create a Nexus Q experience that would really blow us away. Could Google I/O 2013 be the time that Google finally unveils such a reworked Nexus Q? No, not if sources reporting to All Things D prove correct.
The sources say that not only will Google not have anything new to report about the Nexus Q, they won’t even be bringing it up. It seems that Google has chosen the route of pretending the Q never happened.
Should we be surprised or even care? The Nexus Q was certainly a sexy device. It had a unique spherical design, and was encircled by LED strips that could change in color when working with other Android devices. Ultimately though, it just was an unnecessary creation, at least in original form.
Will the Nexus Q ever return?
The big question is whether Google will ever bring back the Nexus Q. With strong hints about Google I/O focusing on a push towards gaming and the creation of a gaming platform, the Nexus Q could potentially play a role in Google’s gaming future.
With the Q’s ability to work as a hub for Google content, the Nexus Q might be a great way to bring gaming into the living room and take on other micro-console devices such as the Ouya.
Of course that would mean Google would either have to create a controller peripheral or simply require you to still use your phone/tablet as the controller.
Keep in mind that this is purely speculation. Even if Google does have plans for the Nexus Q in the future, unless All Things D’s sources are incorrect, we won’t be hearing about them right away.
If the Nexus Q could return under a cheaper price point as a device that allowed a more immersive Google experience across all your networked devices and television sets, would you be interested? Or do you feel that Google is better off killing the Q for good and moving forward on other projects?
| |
Motorola XT1058 (X Phone?) shows up in GFX Benchmarks, graphics tests are off the charts
Posted: 13 May 2013 11:02 AM PDT
We’ve heard a lot of conflicting rumors about the X Phone. It’s going to be customizable. It’s actually not very powerful. It shoots rainbows and comes in 20 colors. Eh, it’s enough to give you a headache isn’t it? We still can’t say with 100%-certainty that the X Phone even exists, but that’s not stopping the rumor mill from turning at full speed.
Just this weekend, the Motorola XT1058 showed up over at the FCC, and reportedly could be the AT&T version of the Motorola Ghost (aka X Phone). Now a new GFX Benchmark has shown up for the XT1058 as well.
In recent times it has become increasingly apparent that the X Phone won’t be a record-breaker, instead featuring Android 4.2.2 and a modest 1.7GHz processor. Depending on who you ask, the processor itself is likely a Snapdragon S4 Pro or a Snapdragon 600.
As for the phone’s display, the GFX data lines up with recent claims that the phone won’t have a full HD display, instead featuring a 1196×720 resolution.
All of the evidence seems to suggest the Ghost won’t be a bad handset, just nothing revolutionary. If it follows Motorola’s past trends in any way, it will likely make up for modest specs by throwing in some impressive battery life.
That’s it, all cut and dry. We can move on folks – or can we?
GFX graphics tests for the XT1058 are off the charts
Just when the X Phone was starting to look like another modest handset from Motorola, here comes the graphics testing from GFX.
In the first test, "GFXBench 2.7 T-Rex HD C24Z16", the Motorola XT1058 achieved 1485 Frames (26.5 Fps). In contrast the HTC One achieved 853 frames (15.2 Fps) and the Galaxy S4 GT-I9500 achieved 704 frames (12.6 Fps).
The second graphics test was the "GFXBench 2.5 Egypt HD C24Z16", where the Motorola handset achieved 6078 frames (53.8 Fps), versus the HTC One’s 4133 frames (36.6 Fps) and the Galaxy S4′s 4572 Frames (40.5 Fps).
What does all this mean? It could simply mean that the tests are fake. It could also mean that there is more to the Motorola XT1058 than first meets the eye, at least in the graphics department. At least one tech site, the Droid Guy, even suggests that a Snapdragon 800 might be under the hood of the XT1058, though we really can’t say for sure.
Just remember that until Motorola or Google confirms it, take everything you hear about the X Phone with a grain of salt.
What do you think of the Motorola X Phone based on this latest info: excited, intrigued or couldn’t care less?
| |
Sony Xperia L available to buy in the UK later than expected
Posted: 13 May 2013 10:29 AM PDT
The Sony Xperia L is now available in the UK from retailer Clove, with shipping set to start in a couple of days.
Clove has the device listed on its website, both in black and white SIM-free versions, at a price of £228.00 including VAT (or £190.00 not including it). Deliveries are set to start on May 15, which is when the retailer says that the first stock is expected.
If you prefer to get it from Amazon.co.uk, you should know that you’ll pay £249.99 for it and you can only pre-order it at the moment, with the listed release date being May 30.
You may remember that the device, which was officially announced in March, had been pr0mised to UK customers by Carphone Warehouse in April. But for some reason, it doesn’t show up on the retailer’s website right now.
While the Sony Xperia L may not be a top smartphone, it still offers some interesting features for its price. It has a 4.3-inch FWVGA display and a 1GHz dual-core CPU, coupled with 1GB of RAM memory and runs Android 4.1 Jelly Bean. Internal memory is 8GB, but it’s expandable using the microSD slot. Probably the best thing about it, the device has an 8-megapixel camera with HDR mode and a dedicated button for it.
You can check out an introduction video for it below:
Does the Sony Xperia L tempt you, UK readers?
| |
First picture taken with Samsung Galaxy S4 Zoom posted online (by mistake?)
Posted: 13 May 2013 09:25 AM PDT
Samsung Galaxy Camera
The Samsung Galaxy S4 Zoom looks more and more like a real product, as the first known picture allegedly taken with it has been posted online by a Samsung employee.
Shahriar Hossain has posted a very common picture – a building on a sunny day – on his Google+ page that would have probably gone unnoticed under regular circumstances. That is, if one of his friends on the social network wouldn’t have snooped through the image’s EXIF data, noticing that it had been taken with a device called Samsung SM-C101, as you can see in the screenshot below.
SM-C101 is the model number of a device that has recently been seen at the Bluetooth SIG, and which is thought to be the much-rumored 16-megapixel Samsung Galaxy S4 Zoom. The fun part came when Niels Zomer (the name of the person noticing it) asked about it. In turn, Hossain asked him how he knew, which does sound like a confirmation.
A look through the EXIF data reveals, as Sam Mobile has noticed, that the picture has been edited with Snapseed, confirming that the Samsung Galaxy S4 Zoom runs Android, as previously rumored.
The Samsung employee didn’t deny it afterwards either, but it would be pretty interesting to know whether this was an intentional thing, designed to keep the discussions about the device going, or just a slip up. Fact is that the picture, which you can take a look at below, does look pretty good, but it’s certain that the camera can do much more in terms of resolution than the 1920 x 1080 this image has been taken at.
It will be interesting to see if more images taken with the Samsung Galaxy S4 Zoom surface in the weeks to come, before the device is made official.
Are you looking forward to getting a Samsung Galaxy S4 Zoom, when it comes out?
| |
Samsung cracks the 5G code, available to consumers by 2020
Posted: 13 May 2013 09:00 AM PDT
If you've come to the conclusion that 4G LTE simply isn't fast enough for you, you’re in luck. That is if you can wait until 2020. On Sunday, Samsung announced that it had developed a core technology of the fifth-generation wireless network, hoping to bring even faster data speeds than 4G networks can provide.
The more stringent followers of wireless network technologies will remind us that 4G LTE isn't even real 4G in the first place, and they'd be right, but even real 4G can not stand up to the might of this new technology.
The new wireless technology will enable customers to access a stream of data faster than the current fourth-generation network and download an entire movie in less than a second.
Samsung Electronics
Using 5G, users can reach upload and download speeds in the tens of gigabits per second (Gbps), compared to the rather meager in comparison, 75 megabit upload and 299 megabit downloads provided by 4G LTE.
Samsung said it cracked the 5G code using 28 Gigahertz waveband, allowing it to transmit data at a speed of 1 Gbps, an issue which had puzzled researchers before. The smartphone maker utilized 64 antenna elements to overcome the problem, allowing a device to exchange real-time signals.
This new development is sure to invigorate global development of 5G networking, as well as help create a standard for the platform. Some countries have already invested money in the creation of 5G networking and this new development is sure to accelerate the progress of wireless technology.
Is 4G LTE simply not fast enough for you? Or would you prefer to see existing technologies become more energy efficient? Let us know in the comments.
| |
ABC to offer live TV streaming service for users of iPhones and iPads
Posted: 13 May 2013 08:29 AM PDT
Less than a week ago, we informed you about a rumor involving paid subscriptions and Google’s video streaming web site YouTube, which as you know is currently free — it always has been. So while it looks like YouTube is about to become more like TV in the future, ABC is looking to “get with the times” by offering its own video streaming service for users of iPhones and iPads.
Today, ABC announced its plans to launch a live TV streaming service for paying subscribers of cable and satellite providers as part of its app for the iPhone and iPad, according to a report on The New York Times. This new option will be made available through the simple addition of a new button called “live” that will be added to ABC’s already available mobile app for iOS devices.
Speaking with the New York Times, Disney-ABC Television Group president Anne Sweeney said that they are keeping “a very close eye on consumer demand.” It’s due to this that they’ve decided to speed up the development process of this upcoming live TV streaming service, which was originally scheduled to roll out some time in 2014.
Right now, ABC’s live TV streaming service is available in New York and Philadelphia in the U.S. But there are also plans to launch it in six other cities during summer of this year. ABC is looking to get its more than 200 affiliates in on this live TV streaming action.
There is speculation that this move by ABC might cause other broadcasters to follow suit, which as The New York Times points out, is similar to what happened nearly a decade ago when ABC started offering users the option to stream full episodes of shows that went live the day before. That is definitely likely, and can only be a good thing especially for those who still watch television.
| |
T-Mobile Samsung Galaxy S3 gets updated to Jelly Bean 4.1.2
Posted: 13 May 2013 08:09 AM PDT
The T-Mobile Samsung Galaxy S3 is getting updated to Android 4.1.2 Jelly Bean, with users already downloading the update as we speak.
The good news has been reported by Tmo News, with users on the XDA-Developers forums confirming it. The T-Mobile Samsung Galaxy S3 had received its updated to Jelly Bean 4.1.1 in November last year.
The new update is coming over the air, and it’s a rather large one, at no less than 186.72MB. But there were also users saying that you can also get it through the Kies software if checking for the update on your phone doesn’t do the trick for you. It must be mentioned that the build number for the new update is JZO54K.T999UVDMD5.
A list of changes and details for the update has just been published on the T-Mobile Samsung Galaxy S3 support page. New features include multi-window, auto-pairing using NFC, enhanced options for the camera, Sound Balance, Samsung Gallery, Blocking Mode (a feature the Galaxy S4 has introduced, allowing you to control your communication easier), as well as the Easy Mode (which has been shown in one of the Samsung Galaxy S4 ads recently). Also included is the Paper Artist app (which has been previously part of Jelly Bean tablet updates).
Users are also mentioning Group Play as being part of the update, as well as a new T-Mobile 4G logo. The most appreciated feature seems to be the multi-window one, allowing you to run two apps on your screen, at the same time.
If you are a T-Mobile Samsung Galaxy S3 user, have you received the update? Have you noticed any other new features? If so, make sure you let us know in a comment.
| |
Samsung Galaxy S4 Active spotted at Bluetooth SIG and in user agent profile
Posted: 13 May 2013 07:24 AM PDT
Samsung Galaxy S4
The Samsung Galaxy S4 Active, rumored for a while now as a rugged version of the Korean company’s flagship device, now has some new clues pointing towards it.
A device bearing the model name GT-I9295, which Sam Mobile has recently said that it belongs to the Samsung Galaxy S4 Active, has appeared in a recent Bluetooth SIG filing. Just a few days ago, the Samsung Galaxy S4 Zoom has also appeared in the same place.
What’s even more interesting is that the same model number also appears in a User Agent Profile, as discovered by TechTastic, and that same user profile includes some more interesting information. The device, which has also been apparently confirmed by a Samsung executive, reportedly has Full HD screen resolution, just like the original Samsung Galaxy S4.
Just a few days ago there was a rumor about the Samsung Galaxy S4 Active coming to AT&T, but under model number SGH-I537. The Full HD resolution is also mentioned in those rumors.
The Samsung Galaxy S4 Active seems very close to being released, but it wouldn’t be Samsung’s first rugged phone – you may remember the Xcover and Xcover 2. You can check out a video hands-on of the latter below.
Would you be interested in purchasing the Samsung Galaxy S4 Active when it comes out? Are you a fan of rugged devices?
| |
Paranoid Android HALO notification support shown on video
Posted: 13 May 2013 07:13 AM PDT
The Paranoid Android team have been on a roll recently, we've already seen some of the new features being implemented in one of Android's most popular custom ROMs, and now we get a glimpse at how it plans to cope with multiple notifications.
The latest improvements to HALO allow users to scroll through various notifications waiting for a response and interact with other apps, without having to go back and forth between bothersome app draws or menus.
It's quite a neat way of seeing all your notifications quickly without interrupting whatever you're currently doing, and it doesn't take up a lot of screen real-estate. This is definitely a video that you'll want to check out.
Perhaps most impressively, you can still access the little HALO notification from within any other app, even a full screen game, without having to exit or return to the home screen. Changing music tracks, replying to texts, checking Facebook, it all works seamlessly.
This looks like the much sought-after multi-tasking functionality that Android has always needed, I can't wait to try it out. Let us know what you think in the comments below.
| |
Google I/O 2013 not about new hardware or new operating system, Sundar Pichai says
Posted: 13 May 2013 06:50 AM PDT
In his first interview since taking over the reigns of Android after Andy Rubin's departure, Sundar Pichai talked about Google plans for the future, revealing in the process that this year's Google I/O edition will not be focused on new hardware or operating systems, but rather on developers and user experience.
Google I/O 2013
Talking to Wired, Pichai had this to say when asked about Google I/O 2013:
It's going to be different. It's not a time when we have much in the way of launches of new products or a new operating system. Both on Android and Chrome, we're going to focus this I/O on all of the kinds of things we're doing for developers, so that they can write better things. We will show how Google services are doing amazing things on top of these two platforms.
As you can see, Google will not have "much" when it comes to launches, but that leaves plenty of room for interpretation. "Not much" means there will be some hardware announcements and software updates.
In other words – time for some speculation on our part – we may not see a Nexus 5 or Android 5.0 (dubbed Key Lime Pie) but instead we could see a slightly updated Nexus 4, maybe a new Nexus 7 tablet, a Motorola-made smartwatch (which we have exclusively reported on earlier today) and an incremental Android 4.3 Jelly Bean update.
We'll end our speculation there and quote Pichai again, talking about Google-branded hardware:
You will see a continuation of what we have tried to do with Nexus and Chromebooks. Any hardware projects we do will be to push the ecosystem forward.
In addition to cautiously talking about Google I/O, the Google exec that's now heading both the Chrome and Android efforts talked about other Google matters.
On other companies and Android…
When asked about certain companies that use Android at their advantage, Pichai was very diplomatic, suggesting that Google is happy as long as OEMs decide to rely on Android to meet their needs. The names that came up during the conversation were Facebook, Amazon and Samsung, for different reasons.
On Facebook Home, Pichai said Google is excited to see the social network choose Android and that it did good work, while not completely agreeing with Facebook's focus on people. Furthermore, he said that Google would not block companies from taking advantage of Android as Facebook did, or at least that won't happen as long as users have a "good overall experience."
When talking about Amazon's Kindle Fires that run a forked Android version, Pichai said this isn't the kind of stuff Google is trying to prevent and that the company "would love everyone to work on one version of Android.”
Finally, when talking about Samsung, the Googler said that the relationship between Google and Samusng is not as bad as described by the press and that Samsung is “a great partner to work with.” He even revealed that he is using the Galaxy S4, although he hasn't tried some of its features including the "eye-tracking thing," as Wired puts it.
On Motorola, well, the company is still just a partner for Google.
On Android and Chrome sitting in a tree…
Since the exec is now leading Google's computing efforts, Android and Chrome, he got the obvious question: will the two operating systems merge?
And the answer seems to be a negative one, at least for now. The two operating systems are seen as "large, open platforms, growing very fast" that will continue to exist as separate entities. He did add that "the picture may look different a year or two from now, but in the short term, [Google has] Android and [Google has] Chrome, and [Google is] not changing course."
Pichai also said that he will focus on user experience for the two operating systems in the future, so that both end-users and app developers will be able to benefit from the Android and Chrome coexistence.
On time travel…
Managing such two complex products can't be easy so it looks like Pichai has worked on a Google project of his own to address this problem. Unlike regular humans, he seem to have been able to add "four hours every day to the 24 hours we have," in order to be able to deal with Android and Chrome better. And there's "a bit of time travel involved," after all, how else would he accomplish his mission:
Larry wants to make sure we are driving innovation and doing amazing things for users and developers. That's what I want too. So there's a melding of minds– his marching orders are, "Please go and do Google-scale things."
Seriously though, we'll be on location in Mountain View this week, from where we'll report on all things Google this I/O edition, so make sure you stick around!
| |
White Nexus 4 spotted again; is it coming at Google I/O 2013?
Posted: 13 May 2013 04:30 AM PDT
New images showing a white Nexus 4 version have hit the web with two days to go until this year's Google I/O edition kicks off, prompting speculation that the product could be unveiled during the show.
Google+ user Ervin Sue who got the device from a "local buy and sell Web site" has posted the images of this white Nexus 4 online without revealing any other details about the device.
As CNET Asia points out, this isn't the first time the white Nexus 4 model is mentioned, but this is the first time "we've heard of the handset being sold."
However, there's no indication that a white Nexus 4 will be unveiled at Google I/O 2013. Assuming that Google would indeed make such a product available, we're going to ask the obvious question (at least to anyone following mobile-related news): is there any chance this is the Nexus 4 LTE model?
In case you're not aware of it, some reports say that Google would not announce a Nexus 5 handset at Google I/O 2013. Instead, it would only unveil a slightly upgraded Nexus 4 version, which would offer users official LTE support and 32GB of storage.
From a different point of view, we'll remind you that Google I/O attendees usually get free hardware. So could this white Nexus 4 version be some sort of special edition for devs attending the show? After all, Google gave attendees white Nexus 7 tablet versions last year.
We'll be reporting live from Google I/O in a few days, at which point we'll be able to tell you more details about future Nexus products.
| |
Exclusive: Google smartwatch is real, Gmail and Maps updates incoming
Posted: 13 May 2013 04:18 AM PDT
Leading into I/O, lots of information gets tossed around. Some of it is complete nonsense, later unearthed to be so. Some is solid information, and questioned thoroughly before being vetted as accurate.
Android Authority has recently spoken with sources close to Google regarding some of what is in store for us. We know, the ubiquitous "sources" moniker is tiresome, but had we not spoken to these folks ourselves, we wouldn't feel confident in what we're reporting.
The annual I/O conference always brings us great stuff, and this year should be no different. Now that you all know Hangouts is real, we're looking to the next big thing. We may not see skydiving and bike tricks, but we will get some poignant future developments that have their roots at this year's I/O. We'll also see some various updates and tweaks. While perhaps minor, all changes represent a step forward, and Google is always focused on "what's next".
Finding yourself
Easily a top-tier Google service, Maps has long been fairly static on mobile. The UI hasn't varied much in quite some time, but that's all about to change. According to our sources, Maps is about to go full screen. Essentially, we're set to get the iOS version of Maps, which is much prettier, on Android.
Rather than the bottom and top bar, Maps for mobile is said to have a floating search bar towards the top of the screen, with the navigation button to the right of it. The Android menu button (three dots, vertically aligned) will rest at the bottom right of the screen, and house all other functions associated with search.
These developments would more closely resemble the new desktop version we heard about not long ago. The only question remaining is whether or not searching via mobile will bring up cards like Google Now, as the desktop is said to do.
Email me when you get the update
Gmail is also set for an update, and makes a move in a slightly different direction than we’re used to. It also mimics Maps a bit, going full screen. Gesture based and full screen seems to be the order of the day for Google apps.
One source tells us "it's really cool, with a swipe from the left bringing up the menu." That menu will house things like inbox, sent, draft, and labels. The bar at the top will still be there to make navigating multiple accounts easier, and will have the menu button to the right. So, like Maps, the bottom bar will go away and the functions housed in it will reside elsewhere. "I think they're getting away from bottom bars" one source told us.
When I asked how this would affect swiping to delete an email function, we were told it wouldn't. Swiping the menu in "requires touch from kind of off the screen, and swipe to delete is more of grabbing the email and swiping it away". This reasoning makes sense, and utilizes Project Butter nicely. Think of it like the tablet version of Gmail, with the menu hiding.
It's about time
We've heard it now and again, but the Android smartwatch is now in physical form. The watch has been shown in at least three different Google offices: Berlin, Manchester, and Mountain View. We were told the original watch rumors popped up when displayed in a rough form at the Berlin and Manchester offices. Having recently been shown off at the Mountain View campus, the watch is set for release sometime soon.
Our source reports some interesting tidbits about the watch. "Functionality will be very much like Glass". When prompted for further info, our source tells us that while they haven't experienced Glass, they're aware of the interface. That interface relies on a type of card, a bit like Google Now, with swipes to the left telling you what is coming up.
Still not free of the smartphone
One of the values we see to a smartwatch would be the inclusion of radios, which Glass could then tether to, freeing us from smartphones. Is Google ready to take the leap? Are we going to see a completely alternate method for information consumption? "Still needs tethering", our source tells us. "It's not a standalone device yet. It needs to be tethered to a smartphone."
If it uses the same interface as Glass, we're left to wonder if it uses the same or similar Mirror API. We have no word on that.
Another nagging question we had was who made the watch. Google is usually fairly tight lipped about who manufacturers their hardware, but this one is no real secret. In fact, it doesn't stray far from home.
Our source tells us, without hesitation, "Motorola". While we have a bit of hesitation believing that, it makes quite a bit of sense. If wearable technology is Google's new focus for mobile, Motorola making their smartwatch makes perfect sense.
Motorola made a very good smartwatch once upon a time, with their MOTOACTV watch a great offering. It was solidly made, and among the best on the market. Wearable technology was, at the time, not popular or welcome. Glass proves that times have changed, and opinions softened.
Now what?
There was no solid answer as to when any of this would take place, or be available , but I/O would be a great time to do so. The apps are simply an update, and currently being "dogfooded". If they're stable, that's no big deal to push an update.
The watch, however, is a different story. If it has been mass produced, we should see it as the splash at I/O. A Motorola produced watch would be subtly brilliant, and out of left field. We've been so consumed with the X Phone unicorn, it's plausible that we'd all have missed that boat.
All of this sounds great, and we're hopeful we see it sooner rather than later.
Stay tuned for more Google I/O coverage this week. Our Nate Swanner and Joshua Vergara will be in San Francisco to bring you the hottest information on all things Google.
| |
Five Android sensations coming in 2013
Posted: 13 May 2013 03:44 AM PDT
We’ve seen a plethora of a great devices released in 2013 already. HTC managed to make a comeback with its immaculate and beautifully crafted device, the HTC One. Samsung? They launched the Galaxy S4, and though some may not like it, it’s still one of the most anticipated and biggest releases of the year.
There’s been some other great devices released in addition to the two superstars. Sony launched the Xperia Z/ZL and LG launched its Note-competitor, the Optimus G Pro. There’s been a number of other awesome devices too, but the point is, a lot has happened in the wide world of Android and we’re barely halfway into 2013.
With that said, what else should we be looking forward to? Are there any other great devices we can expect in the next half of 2013? Of course there are! In fact, there are quite a few. Let’s take a look.
Galaxy Note 3
I’ll admit it, I’m a big fan of massive smartphones, and so are a few others here at Android Authority. That said, I’m sure you can understand why I’m a huge fan of Samsung’s line of Note smartphones and why I’m excited for a Note 2 successor. As you might expect, there’s been quite a few compelling rumours on the Galaxy Note 3, but nothing in the way of anything official from Samsung itself. If you’re a fan of big phones, then it’s one of this year’s most compelling up and comers.
The Note 2 is a really good phone, and a crowd favorite. Though, it begs the question – what can Samsung do with its successor to make it even better? Of course, much like Galaxy S4, it really only needs some simple and subtle improvements. Why fix what isn’t broken? Besides, Samsung really doesn’t need to do much to make the next Note a huge success. After all, they have a seemingly infinite marketing budget.
Look how much thinner the bezel is on the Galaxy S4 (right) relative to the Note 2 (left)
Personally, I’m hoping I’m wrong with the “why fix what isn’t broken?” thought. It’d be amazing to see the next Galaxy Note pack a larger display in the same form factor, a larger battery, a Snapdragon 800 or eight-core Exynos 5 Octa processor clocked at 2GHz, 3GB of RAM, a 1080p next gen AMOLED display, and a body with a more premium feel.
If they can achieve this, they will have created an absolute monster of a device; a truly portable computer. Can they do it? This remains to be seen, but we’ve got faith on a few fronts - in particular the 1080p AMOLED panel, the larger screen in the same form factor, and the larger battery. It’s likely though, that they will stick with the material usage/body they have become infamous for. And that might not be a bad thing as anyone who has dropped their Note 2 will certainly attest to.
The Next Nexus
1080p, 5inch Nexus cometh? Only time will tell, but consumers are clearly demonstrating a preference for this form factor.
Regardless of the number of rumours we’ve seen float across our screens here at Android Authority regarding the next Nexus smartphone, it’s a device that you should really be looking forward to. As you know, Google always brings a major refreshing to every smartphone they release, both in terms of hardware, and in terms of software. That’s not going to change anytime soon either.
So, why should you look forward to the next Nexus device? The usual stuff, really – speedy updates, awesome software and top-of-the-line hardware. Aside from that though, Google has demonstrated that they are extremely committed to releasing devices that are usually the best bang for buck out there, and the next Nexus is unlikely to be an exception. We all know the cost to manufacturer high end devices (BOM = build of materials) is anywhere between $217-$250. Google made everyone perk up and pay attention when they released the Nexus 4 at one of the most aggressive price points ($299 for 8GB model) ever seen on a device. And this wasn’t a device with low end specs or made by some obscure Chinese manufacturer either; it featured high end specs for the time, and was made by a very respectable manufacturer, LG.
That said, the Google experience is something to always look forward to, and with the recent changes happening at Google, we can only imagine that the next Nexus smartphone will be even better than the previous.
LG Optimus G2
LG is aggressively pushing the thin bezel boundary, with their latest, the Optimus G Pro
OK, let’s face it. Some of LG’s recent devices really take on that Samsung feel, and there’s nothing wrong with that. While we’d prefer to see something unique, LG still makes some great devices. Both the LG Optimus G and Optimus G Pro are fabulous. Due to that reason alone, the LG Optimus G2 should be something to look forward to.
Like every device on this list, we don’t have official information on what the Optimus G2 will pack, but LG does seem to have a few exciting things in store for 2013. As usual though, it’s inevitable that there’ll be a minor hardware bump and some added software features.
Also, credible reports from some industry insiders point to the fact that LG has a near bezel-less device coming out quite soon, which is a very exciting proposition. The reason for this is simple. More more display on form factors we are comfortable with is a great thing for consumers. While we won’t explore the drop test angle on this, I think you will agree when I say a device that is all display with no bezel sounds amazing, right? You bet it does, and LG is alleged to be close to unveiling one. Could it be the Optimus G2? Only time will tell. And the leaks just keep coming.
Motorola X Phone
As we all know, Motorola is going through some pretty drastic changes since Google acquired it, but we haven’t seen a smartphone from them since last November. So, the question has to be asked: what’s Motorola cooking up in 2013 to stay relevant?
There’s no question that Motorola is working on the X Phone; a LinkedIn job listing gave that away. Since then, there has been a consistent stream of X Phone rumors — some that back previous rumors up and some that contradict them. That said, we can’t know what the X Phone is going to bring to the market, but we do know one thing, both Google CEO Larry Page and Chairman Eric Schmidt seems to be really excited about it, and you should too.
In fact, when asked about what was happening at Motorola since Google took over, Motorola design chief Jim Wicks said, "We've been spending the past eight months on this next generation of phones, and we've all seen positive feedback and collaboration around things." If that doesn’t sound exciting and something to look forward to, I’m not sure what is.
Sony i1
Sony has timed their releases poorly, and didn’t succeed in swaying US carriers to their latest and greatest, which was actually a rather unfortunate thing for consumers, because the Xperia Z and ZL were both amazing devices, and won numerous best of show awards at CES. Fast forward to today, and looking even further, we have a device codenamed Honami, and it’s reputed to be officially dubbed as the Sony i1. In addition to a 5 inch 1080p display it’s rumoured that Sony will be bringing its best of breed optics to the fore, in the form of either a 16 MP or 20.1 MP Cybershot camera. Rumoured to have a Snapdragon 800 processor clocked at 2.3GHz, it is alleged to also contain a beefier battery, too, ranging from 2700 – 3000 mAh.
We know that Sony has successfully produced 20.1 megapixel sensors, and we know all the other bells and whistles are provided by Qualcomm and others, so really, there’s nothing stopping this device from coming to market in the next little while. Look out for big file sizes, guys. Plus, it’s likely that this and other future devices will have Sony’s trademark water and dust resistance and a 10mm profile. Like what you hear? Let us know!
So much more in store
Folks, this is by no means a comprehensive or full complete list, and the truth is, it’s impossible to make one. We do our very best at Android Authority, every day, to scour all corners of the web for credible leaks, to speak to industry insiders both that work for manufacturers, and others that are in the supply line. What we can tell you is that there is some incredible technology being worked on as we speak. So what’s in store? Read on, dear reader, read on.
Don’t count Japan out yet – JDI has a 5.2″ OLED display that has the potential to change the mobile display landscape
JDI (Japan Display Inc) has a 5.2 OLED panel that, while not as high, pixel density wise at the 4.99i nch 1080p (441ppi) on the Galaxy S4, features a unique pixel arrangement that will enable it to produce 100% of the color gamut (NTSC standards) by the time it is produced, further putting pressure on Samsung to continue to improve their AMOLED display technology. Rich, saturated colors, and higher brightness than anything out there. Nice! Also, Sharp has a 2560×1600 6.1 inch panel in the pipe, too.
Samsung has currently begun production on 4GB LPDDR3 RAM for mobile devices, which will be able to transmit 17Gbps (!) per second, with a 30% lower power envelope than its LPDDR2 counterpart. Targeting high end markets, this beast will translate into incredibly responsive performance, both in media consumption, graphic processing, and multitasking.
Chipworks Sony IMX135 13 megapixel image sensor, first found used in the Oppo Find 5, and also used in the Galaxy S4
Sony continues to raise the bar in its image sensor business. Already the market leader, and sourcing its finest wares to Apple for usage in the past several iPhones, Sony also supplies Samsung (Galaxy S4), Oppo (Find 5), and many more with its excellent image sensors, too. And, as we all know they produce absolutely fantastic images and video, in a variety of environments.
Sticky fingers, anyone?
And let’s not forget the strides being made in gesture based device interaction, too. Expect major advancements to be made in this area over the next 12 months, making our mobile devices of the future ever easier and more intuitive to control and interact with.
Sapphire is the second hardest material in the world
Gorilla Glass what? Let’s not forget Sapphire screens, folks. Advancements in both material science and the benefit that economies of scale bring means that sapphire screens are likely on the horizon as well. Sapphire is the second hardest material known to man in the world, and where it was once cost prohibitive for it to be included in our mobile devices, recent advancements have made it such that we are likely to have virtually unscratchable and unbreakable displays in the not too distant future.
There are few industries more competitive than mobile technology, folks, and we’re all in for a wild ride! Whether its improved cameras, lightning fast processing, impossible-to-scratch-displays, or blindingly bright, color rich displays – you have so many competitive forces at work vying for your dollars that it’s almost enough to make your head spin.
The reason behind this is simple: there are seven, and soon, eight billion potential consumers of mobile technology at stake. Rest assured, your best interests ($$$) are at heart. What manufacturer is best positioned to put it all together? What device is on your radar, and what are you most excited about? Let us know down below!
| |
Nova Launcher receives 2.1 update, lets you drag drawer folder to desktop and more
Posted: 13 May 2013 03:15 AM PDT
Trusty old Nova Launcher Prime, where would I be without you. The latest update to one of Android's favorite launchers brings a host of much sought after features, ranging from a unique wallpaper chooser to individually customizable app drawer icons.
The most noticeable change in version 2.1 is the addition of new icon and wallpaper menus, which allow you to swipe between categories and preview the available choices. Icons can also now be applied to individual apps in the app drawer, regardless of any icon themes that have been applied.
There's also the "new app" option in the Nova Launcher settings menu, which grants control over how your phone will handle new app installations. You can designate a page to assign new shortcuts on, or whether to place shortcuts for new apps at all. However, this can clash with the default Play Store settings, so it's best to turn those off if using Nova's options.
For Prime users, there are improvements to grouping, allowing for superior management of groups by dragging drawer apps onto the edit icon, as well as the ability to drag a drawer folder into the desktop, which keeps the two linked.
As well as the obvious new features, there are also some bug fixes and stability improvements. As always head on over to the Play Store if you haven't already been manually updated, or you can use the update option in Nova Settings to check as well.
| |
| You are subscribed to email updates from Android Authority To stop receiving these emails, you may unsubscribe now. | Email delivery powered by Google |
| Google Inc., 20 West Kinzie, Chicago IL USA 60610 | |
No comments:
Post a Comment