Saturday, May 11, 2013

Android Central

Android Central

Kickstarter OUYA shipments hit 65-percent, still ahead of schedule

Posted: 10 May 2013 04:36 PM PDT

OUYA controller

Shipments to international backers will continue ramping up over time to meet estimates

In its weekly update to early Kickstarter backers, OUYA has laid out encouraging numbers for the current status of the new consoles shipping out. To date, a full 65-percent of the consoles have been shipped, which is ahead of the projected schedule as has been the case since late April. 60-percent of the consoles shipped this week were to international backers, which will help get them caught up with shipments headed to North America, and OUYA says that international shipments are ramping up to meet estimates.

OUYA Shipments

Limited Edition versions of the OUYA are a bit behind schedule, but every one is expected to have shipped by two weeks from today. It's a slow but steady progression -- one with a lot of learning experiences, no doubt -- getting this many consoles out to those who helped fund the initial Kickstarter process. Retail units of the console are still expected to hit shelves by late June.

    

The Chrome developers are ready to take it up a notch at Google I/O

Posted: 10 May 2013 03:32 PM PDT

SWAG

What's in the boxes isn't nearly as important as what them being there means

Look at that pallet of swag. Some people think it may be a pile of Chrome devices to give to attendees, others think it's T-shirts and some are guessing it's box after box of fancy pens. Alex is certain that it's "so many bags of Doritos." I'm not particularly concerned about what it is (don't go to Google I/O for the swag), but what it means.

Chrome OS is due for some serious loving from Google. It's been progressing along nicely, but it's high time that it gets some of the special treatment we saw Android get way back when the Nexus One came out with Eclair. Remember how much better Android became -- and so quickly -- once Google started focusing on it? Yeah. Let's do that with Chrome. T-shirts and Chromebooks (or Doritos) will get us excited, but I'm really excited about what we'll see at the keynote and in the developer sessions. 

Just a few more days.

    

HTC One CyanogenMod 10.1 nightlies now available

Posted: 10 May 2013 03:11 PM PDT

HTC One

Nightly builds to begin rolling out "relatively soon" for both GSM and Sprint models of the One

With both a post on its official Google+ page and new thread in the HTC One forums at XDA, CyanogenMod has announced that CM10.1 nightlies are beginning to roll out for all models of the HTC One. Whether you have a GSM model or one running on Sprint, you can expect the first builds to show up on the get.cm site "relatively soon". These things take time, so while you're waiting you can follow the instructions from the forum post to make sure your device is ready. If you're running a GSM model you'll of course have to unlock the device via HTCDev, as well as have all of the downloads ready to flash a custom recovery and push all of the files over.

We're sure there are a whole lot of you that are ready to get cracking on some custom ROMs for your own HTC One, but following the right process will always help you in the long run. If you're unsure, you can always consult the forums and ask some questions before you dive in.

Source: XDA; +CyanogenMod; More: HTC One Forums

    

Android dominates Apple, Microsoft in smart mobile device shipments for Q1

Posted: 10 May 2013 02:28 PM PDT

Canalys Q1 2013 analysis

Even when counting laptops and tablets, Android powers 59-percent of all devices shipped in Q1

We often get glimpses into how well Android is performing in terms of shipments compared to other mobile competitors such as iOS and Windows Phone, but it turns out Android fares extremely favorably against mobile devices of all kinds. According to analysis by Canalys, of all "smart mobile devices" -- including smart phones, tablets and laptops -- shipped in Q1 2013, Android was the operating system of choice on 59.5-percent of them. That means that even when factoring in Apple laptops running Mac OS X and Windows-based laptops into Apple and Microsoft's numbers, Android is still a majority of all devices shipped. Canalys estimates that 183.7 million Android devices were shipped in the quarter, dramatically higher than apple's 59.6 million and Microsoft's 55.9 million.

As you would expect, things break down favorably in the manufacturer charts for Samsung, which supplied 82.2 million of those devices (keeping in mind they make Windows laptops also) even without sales of the Galaxy S4 being counted because it had not yet gone on sale in Q1. As if those crazy Android activation numbers we keep seeing weren't enough of an indication, it should be clear now that Android is genuinely dominating the mobile landscape.

Source: Canalys; Via: ZDNet

    

Spring cleaning: Win a Samsung BT S Pen

Posted: 10 May 2013 11:35 AM PDT

Samsung BT S Pen

Here's one you don't see every day. I've had this Samsung BT S Pen on my desk for months now. It's a larger S Pen than you get with the Galaxy Note 2 or Note tablets, and it also serves as a Bluetooth headset. Not a particularly great one -- I've tried it -- but it at least works.

You know the drill. Leave a comment on this post, and we'll pick a winner after midnight EDT tonight. We'll announce all the winners later this week.

    

How to turn off the new persistent Facebook notification

Posted: 10 May 2013 11:18 AM PDT

Facebook Settings

Wade through the tangled mess of Facebook notification settings

Facebook likes to do a lot of "opt out" rather than "opt in" changes on its app updates, and the most recent culprit is a new persistent notification for users to keep up with their Facebook notifications at all times. The notification will pop up when you first install the new version of the Facebook app, and will stay in your bar until you tap part of it to enter the app or tap a small "x" on the right side to dismiss it, much like notifications from media players. Unfortunately, it will keep coming back if you don't go change the settings in the Facebook app. To disable it, open your Facebook app, tap "menu" (or the soft menu key) and tap into the Facebook settings. Scroll down to the very bottom of the list, where under "Advanced Notification Settings" you should see an option to uncheck "Ongoing notifications". (Some users report not seeing the setting, which we have yet to figure out the reason behind.)

While you're in there, you can also choose to disable any other notification from Facebook. This will be especially important if you happen to like the ongoing notification, because if you keep the other notifications turned on you will receive two Facebook notifications any time that something happens. We know, Facebook's settings are a mess, but if you're going to keep the app installed the least you can do is keep the notifications in check.

    

Donate your unwanted and unlocked Android phones for a Good cause at Google I/O 2013

Posted: 10 May 2013 09:54 AM PDT

Phones

One man's trash is another man's treasure. Help out by donating your old Android phones to a worthy cause.

If you're sitting on any old, unlocked Android phones and are headed to Google I/O this year, Android for Good is ready and waiting to take them off your hands. They have plenty of good homes, filled with people who will appreciate a working Android phone.

Donate your old, unlocked Android devices and make a difference. Android for Good (located on the second floor of Moscone in the Develop for Good Sandbox) will be a part of I/O again this year, helping to bring used Androids to organizations such as Village Reach in Mozambique and Save the Elephants in Kenya. Although the device may seem antiquated to you, it could make a world of a difference to an organization that needs it.

Remember, they don't stop working -- or being useful -- we outgrow them. Spread a little Android love, and help those in need while you're at it.

    

AT&T Optimus G Pro review

Posted: 10 May 2013 07:51 AM PDT

LG Optimus G Pro.

The Optimus G Pro is the greatest device LG has created, but does it have what it takes to stand its ground against the HTC One and Samsung Galaxy S4 and Note 2 on AT&T's shelves?

Has there ever been a more exciting time to be an Android fan? While iPhone and Windows Phone users have been nursing their flagship models in the hopes of an upcoming spec bump, Android users have seen the market flood with headline-grabbing models from three of the four major manufacturers. First HTC revamped its identity with the stunning aluminum unibody HTC One — later, Samsung added a handful of features to its already-phenomenal Galaxy S3 for its Galaxy S4. Now LG, never one to lay down and take a licking, has dropped a whopper of a device onto the American market—the Optimus G Pro proves that LG has both the capability and the savvy to compete in the toughest smartphone market to date.

The Optimus G Pro is big in every sense of the word. At 5.5-inches, this is the largest smartphone to hit the mainstream market this year. It’s got big processing power, a big beautiful display, and big shoes to fill — the Optimus G failed to make the splash that its competitors did in 2012, and the Pro is LG’s opportunity to steal headlines from Samsung, the king of all things “big.” But as we've continued to see over and over again, that chore is easier said than done.

Whereas LG could have simply released a refresh of the Optimus G and hoped for the best, it instead took a bold step in refining both its hardware and UI language. LG has gathered some of the best bits and pieces it’s ever created, from the lovely 1080p IPS display and super 13-megapixel camera to a well-balanced, attractive, and functional custom UI, to create a powerhouse that fills a void in the smartphone market at a crucial point in the refresh cycle. The Optimus G Pro is a worthy adversary to the HTC One and Galaxy S4, a product of LG’s refined vision and business savvy that can, and deservedly so, sit front and center amidst AT&T’s summer portfolio. 

read more

    

AT&T LG Optimus G Pro now on sale

Posted: 10 May 2013 06:54 AM PDT

Optimus G Pro

LG's 5.5-incher is now available from AT&T, priced $199.99 with a two-year plan

Alongside the 32GB Galaxy S4, AT&T has also officially launched the LG Optimus G Pro today. The G Pro packs a gigantic 5.5-inch 1080p display, along with a Snapdragon 600 CPU, 2GB of RAM and a 13-megapixel camera. Around the back there's 32GB of built-in storage, expandable via microSD card, alongside a monstrous 3,140mAh battery. So it's certainly a beastly device, matching the latest phones from HTC and Samsung on paper.

The LG Optimus G Pro on AT&T sells for $199.99 on a two-year plan, or $549.99 outright. Keep watching later today for our full review.

Source: AT&T

    

Deal of the Day: LLOYD FX Case for Samsung Galaxy S3

Posted: 10 May 2013 06:17 AM PDT

Deal of the Day The May 10 ShopAndroid.com Deal of the Day is the LLOYD FX Case for Samsung Galaxy S3. Made from a shock absorbent and scratch resistant TPU, the LLOYD FX Case provides great protection for the Galaxy S3 from day to day use and drops. Flexible, easy to apply and remove, this affordable case features Android Central's LLOYD in front of a blue and white background.

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

Never miss a deal. Sign up for Daily Deal alerts!

    

32GB AT&T Samsung Galaxy S4 now available

Posted: 10 May 2013 06:01 AM PDT

Galaxy S4

$249.99 on two-year plan, "black mist" color only

Right on schedule, AT&T has launched its 32GB version of the Samsung Galaxy S4. If you're after a Galaxy S4 with a bit more internal storage -- and after the recent controversy surrounding the S4's available memory, we wouldn't blame you -- it'll set you back $249.99 on a two-year plan. That's $50 more than the base 16GB model, which goes for $199.99. If you're buying it outright, you're looking at a hefty $669.99 price tag.

At the moment it seems AT&T is only stocking the 32GB Galaxy S4 in the "black mist" color option, as the store page for the 32GB model doesn't allow you to pick a color.

Anyone picking up a 32GB GS4 today? Or are there any 16GB buyers out there wishing they'd waited a little longer and paid a bit more? Hit the comments and share your thoughts.

Source: AT&T

    

Huawei Ascend P2 coming to the UK in June

Posted: 10 May 2013 05:29 AM PDT

Huawei Ascend P2

London event scheduled for June 18, Three UK confirms plans to carry the device

Huawei has announced that its latest flagship handset, the Ascend P2, will be hitting British shores this June. And on a related note, it's sending out press invites to an event in London on June 18. It'll be "a special moment to celebrate beauty, glamor and inspiration," the invite says. It's possible we might see some more unannounced Huawei stuff in London next month, but we're expecting the event to be very much P2-focused.

The Ascend P2 was announced back at Mobile World Congress in late February, with a 1.5GHz quad-core CPU inside, a 4.7-inch 720p display, a 13-megapixel camera and Android 4.1 Jelly Bean. In terms of specs and build quality it's not quite up to the standards set by the Galaxy S4 and HTC One, but it looks like a solid mid-to-high-end device regardless.

In other Ascend P2 news, Three UK is the first British operator to announce plans to sell the device. Three says it'll support its 'Ultrafast' network on DC-HSDPA out of the box, and 4G LTE when it launches later in the year.

Source: Three, Recombu

    

Carmageddon lands on Android, free for the first day

Posted: 10 May 2013 04:53 AM PDT

Carmageddon

Classic pedestrian-masher now available on Google Play, and you can get it for free if you're quick

Over-the-top driving game Carmageddon has finally hit Android today, following a Kickstarter campaign to bring it to mobile devices. The Android version, featuring pedestrian-mashing, cow-crushing gameplay across 11 environments, looks every bit as ridiculously violent as the 1997 PC original.

As a "thank you" to Kickstarter backers, the Android version is available for free for the first day, so grab it while it's hot at the Google Play link above. If you want to support the developers, the full paid version is also available, priced $1.99 or £1.49.

    

BBC Watchdog to investigate Samsung Galaxy S4 internal storage controversy

Posted: 10 May 2013 03:10 AM PDT

Galaxy S4

British consumer affairs show will air segment on Samsung's new handset next Wednesday

There's been some controversy over just how much of the Samsung Galaxy S4's internal storage is actually available for apps, music, pictures and other content. Of the 16 gigabytes on the current crop of GS4s, around 9.5 is available on the international model. On some U.S. carrier-branded models, it's even less.

Now it appears the phone's storage issues have caught the attention of long-running BBC consumer affairs show Watchdog, as a clip from the end of this week's edition reveals that it'll be investigating the S4 on its next broadcast, to go out next Wednesday, May 15. In the teaser, which we've embedded after the break, presenter Anne Robinson says "[Samsung] claims its new Galaxy phone has an extra-large memory - what did it forget to mention?"

The show will likely get into the difference between available and advertised storage, as well as reasons why a microSD card isn't necessarily a cure-all for storage problems on Android. For those wanting to tune in, Watchdog goes out on BBC1 at 8pm UK time next Wednesday.

Source: YouTube; via: Clove Blog

read more

    

Motorola RAZR i now available on Three UK

Posted: 10 May 2013 02:53 AM PDT

RAZR i

Intel-powered handset available for free on £17 per month contract or £250 on PAYG

Better late than never, Motorola's Intel Atom-powered RAZR i has landed on Three UK.  The phone packs a 4.3-inch qHD SuperAMOLED display, Android 4.1 Jelly Bean and an 8-megapixel rear camera. (Essentially, it's a RAZR M with a different CPU.)

When we reviewed the RAZR i back in September we found it to be a capable mid-ranger, and it's still decent value today at Three's asking price. The network's offering the RAZR i for free on contracts starting at £17 per month (that gets you 250MB, 100 minutes and 5,000 texts) or for £249.99 up-front on PAYG.

For more on the Motorola RAZR i, check out our full review.

Source: Three UK

    

Stealth Black HTC One now available online from AT&T

Posted: 09 May 2013 09:20 PM PDT

Stealth Black HTC One

If you're looking to buy an HTC One, but silver's not really your thing, this "stealthy" black model is for you

AT&T has made the "Stealth Black" HTC One available from their website this evening, offering both the 32 and 64GB versions. Pricing is the same as the silver version we're all used to by now, namely $199 for the 32GB, and $299 for the 64GB with a new agreement, or $599 and $649 off contract and bought at full price.

We knew they were going to offer it eventually, so we're not very surprised, but it's good to see it available for the folks who have been waiting. Consider this your notice so you can jump on one of these if you're one of those people.

Source: AT&T

    

Facebook quietly adds Facebook Home support (and unofficial support) for Galaxy S4, HTC One, others

Posted: 09 May 2013 08:55 PM PDT

Facebook update

New persistent notifications also part of undocumented update

Facebook -- facing increasing negative reaction to its Facebook Home launcher as AT&T (at least temporarily) dropped the price of the HTC First to a mere 99 cents -- has silently added support for the HTC One as well as unofficial support for the Samsung Galaxy S4.

The change comes as the official Facebook app received an update just hours after Facebook held a small press conference at its campus in Silicon Valley, touting some 1 million total installations, apparently without listing how many active installations it has. (And that still wouldn't account for anyone who has installed Facebook Home but isn't actually using it.) Following that event, the Facebook application itself received an update. The Facebook Home launcher has not been updated as of April 22.

That brings us to the Galaxy S4, which you see above. Without a mention in any changelog in any of the Facebook Apps, our Galaxy S4 now show the option to "Use Home Anyway." Tap it, and Facebook Home launches just fine. Same goes for the Sony Xperia ZL.

Additionally, Facebook Home is working without this "Use Home Anyway" intercept on the HTC One. It wouldn't surprise us in the least to see it working -- with or without the warning -- on other devices. Both the HTC One and Galaxy S4 were listed as "supported" devices when Facebook Home was announced, but until now they'd been unable to officially run the launcher.

Also, the Facebook app update has added a new notification -- a persistent "ongoing" notification that lives in your notification pull-down. You can turn it off in the settings menu.

If you've been waiting to try Facebook Home but your device hasn't been supported -- and let's face it, that's probably not a whole hell of a lot of you reading this -- give it a shot now.

    

NVIDIA posts Q1 earnings - $78 Million profit, $955 Million total revenue

Posted: 09 May 2013 05:12 PM PDT

NVIDIA earnings

Profits are up 29-percent year-over-year, revenue up by 3-percent

NVIDIA has posted their Q1 2013 financials, and while profit, at $78,000,000 is down by 55-percent compared to last quarter, the year-over-year numbers is up by 29-percent. Earnings show a similar trend, with today's $955,000,000 down by 13-percent from last quarter, but up 3-percent year-over-year. Today's news beats the projections by Wall Street, and we expect the stock to reflect that when the market opens tomorrow.

NVIDIA  CEO Jen-Hsun Huang says the successful quarter comes from the Kepler GPU, and the Kepler and Tegra 4 platform are both expected to drive next quarter's numbers further into the black.

The success of Kepler-based GPUs within and beyond the PC helped drive another quarter of record margins. Kepler is capturing share among gamers, strengthening our workstation and supercomputing segments, and will fuel new growth opportunities for our GRID server graphics solutions. With Tegra 4 devices and Tegra 4i certification on the way, we're gearing up to return to growth in the second half.

All you financial types can check out the full statement at the source below. 

Source: NVIDIA

    
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