Saturday, June 22, 2013

Android Authority

Android Authority


Vine gets updated, finally brings a search bar!

Posted: 22 Jun 2013 12:13 AM PDT

Vine video sharing app

Vine has been available for Android users for a while now, however many people have criticized the app for the lack of key features like a search bar. Luckily the guys at Vine have been hard at work and the first update has brought some much needed features.

The update brings a search bar, allowing you to search for users and hashtags (honestly, we don't know how it was released without it), the ability to share to Facebook, improvements to capture speed, quality and audio/video synchronization, as well as the ability to clear cache in the settings.

Unfortunately the update doesn't bring the ability to record video with the front-facing camera.

The update also includes other bug fixes and UI improvements, but the most notable omission remains the lack of the ability to record with the front facing camera.

In case you didn't know, Vine is a service owned by Twitter which allows users to record 6 second looping videos. Facebook recently came out with Instagram video, a 15 second non-looping video service aimed at combating Vine's popularity. Hopefully this will pressure Twitter into adding the ability to record with your front-facing camera.

To update or try out the Vine app, hit the source link below.

Have you tried Instagram video or Vine? Which do you prefer? Are they just passing fads?

    


Watch the Huawei Ascend P6 solve a Rubik’s Cube with the help of Legos

Posted: 21 Jun 2013 10:17 PM PDT

ascend_p6_rubiks

There's no better way to showcase the power of a smartphone than by having its processor drive a Lego Mindstorms machine capable of solving Rubik’s puzzles. At least, that's what major producers of smartphones seem to think. Chinese company Huawei further fueled the cube craze by releasing a video of its latest and greatest, the Ascend P6, quickly unscrambling those wonderful colored blocks.

In the video, Principal Engineer of ARM David Gilday explains how the Ascend P6 solves Rubik's Cubes. The 4×4 cube is more difficult than the 3×3 puzzles used in the past, he says, and requires a device – "brain" – with hardware sufficient enough to process all the data. Gilday says visual information collected via camera is fed into an algorithm that utilizes several hundred megabytes of ram and multiple CPU cores. The quickness with which the Ascend P6 solves the puzzle is a testament to the power of its hardware, he says.

While fun, this video hardly captures a use case easily envisioned. Rubik’s Cube solving is about as relevant and valid a benchmark as Pi calculation tests – something to brag about, but not a measure of real world ability. Still, it's neat to watch, and proof that, if nothing else, Legos are still frickin' awesome.

    


Samsung Galaxy Note 8.0 International Giveaway

Posted: 21 Jun 2013 04:20 PM PDT

samsung galaxy note 8 front screen aa

It’s that time again Android fans. NaturalMotion and Android Authority are here to give you a chance to win a free Samsung Galaxy Note 8.0. NaturalMotion is the company behind CSR Racing, which has stunning graphics, a variety of awesome cars, and upgrades galore. Be sure to check out our full review of CSR Racing and hands on video, then head on over to the Play Store to get a copy of CSR Racing for favorite Android device. If you like Android gaming, you need to try this game.

The Giveaway

Samsung Galaxy Note 8.0 International Giveaway

  • 1.6GHz Quad Core Processor
  • 8-inch Display
  • 16 GB Memory, 2 GB RAM
  • microSD Card Slot (Up to 64 GB)802.11 abgn Wi-Fi
  • Android 4.1 Jelly Bean OS802.11 a/b/g/n Wi-Fi

Check out our full review on the  Samsung Galaxy Note 8.0.

The Contest

It’s quite simple. Use the Rafflecopter below for multiple chances to win.

  1. 1 Entry ticket for leaving a comment
  2. 1 Entry ticket for listening to Android Authority on Air Episode #69 and entering the secret code
  3. 1 Entry ticket for listing to Android Authority on Air Episode #70 and entering the secret code
  4. 1 Entry ticket following us on Twitter.
  5. 1 Entry ticket for liking our Facebook page
  6. 1 Entry ticket for circling us on G+

a Rafflecopter giveaway

The contest ends Friday, June 28th at midnight, Eastern Time. After the contest ends, a winner will be chosen at random. The winner will be contacted via email. Please have a valid international shipping address. Good luck!

    


Android 4.2.2 Jelly Bean on a Galaxy S3!

Posted: 21 Jun 2013 01:39 PM PDT

Android 4.2.2 on a Galaxy S3

If you're a proud Galaxy S3 owner, but long for Android 4.2.2, you're in luck. SamMobile has leaked an early firmware build of Jelly Bean for the S3!

While they caution it is still in testing at Samsung, this gives hardcore fans a sneak peak at what they've been waiting for. As you can see in the video below, it looks really snappy. It's got the toys everyone looks for in Jelly Bean, like lock screen widgets. The revamped design is also here, making your S3 look and feel just like an S4.

It certainly looks nice, and porting over as much as it has is a great move by Samsung. This shows they support their devices well, and aren't afraid putting Jelly Bean on an S3 will poach S4 sales.

Still no word on whether or not some of the features from the S4 will make it to the S3 in this new Android version, but the wait for official word won't be long now. If you're really anxious, follow the source link to a download file. Again, remember that it's not official yet, so proceed at your own risk.

    


Watch the Samsung Premier event recording here!

Posted: 21 Jun 2013 01:17 PM PDT

samsung premiere 2013

If you didn't get a chance to see the live version of Samsung's Premier event, don't worry. Samsung has released the video on YouTube, allowing all of us to catch up on all the goodness that came of the event.

From Galaxy cameras to Ativ tablets, the show was packed with new products and interesting innovations. The Ativ tablets look really nice, and that Galaxy camera lineup is nothing to overlook. In true Samsung form, they've got you covered with a plethora of devices. No matter what you're looking for, Samsung has you covered.

We really like the Galaxy S4 active. That device, which is a lot like the Sony Xperia in terms of waterproof design, builds nicely on the S4 momentum. That device is probably what the original S4 should have been, but no bother. They also announced a bunch of new colors for the original S4. Now we have choices!

Check the video out below, and let us know what you think of all the new Samsung-y stuff. Does anything stand out for you?

    


$.99 Pantech Flex gets update to Android Jelly Bean

Posted: 21 Jun 2013 01:11 PM PDT

AT&T Pantech Flex LTE

Back in September of last year, AT&T launched the Pantech Flex as a low-cost, mid-ranger that supported LTE out of the box. While the phone itself is nothing special, today the $.99 smartphone just became a whole lot more appealing, thanks to the rollout of Android 4.1.2 Jelly Bean.

According to AT&T, Flex users will receive a text message when the update is ready and from there, they simply need to follow easy on screen instructions.

Besides usual Jelly Bean goodies like Google Now and improved notifications, AT&T is also bringing a few carrier specific changes such as the addition of AT&T Drive Mode – which is designed to prevent texting while driving.

It's not every day that customers get a dirt-cheap handset that runs on Jelly Bean, which could make the Pantech Flex perfect for those that are looking for their first smartphone encounter, but don't want to pay a lot to get a phone with reasonable specs and the power of Android Jelly Bean.

What does the Flex offer for hardware? The phone isn't going to blow anyone away with its 4.3-inch 960 x 540 display or 1.5GHz dual-core Snapdragon S4 processor – but it's not a complete slouch either. Other features include 8GB storage, microSD, 8MP back cam, 2MP front cam and an 1,830 mAh battery.

Any existing owners of the Flex manage to get your hands on the update yet? If so, what do you think?

    


CSR Racing full review (video)

Posted: 21 Jun 2013 12:57 PM PDT

csr racing for android review

Some of the best games on Android tend to be racing games. Sure, there’s some bad ones, but there’s a lot of good ones out there too, and CSR Racing is one of them. It has some stunning graphics, a variety of awesome cars, and you can even upgrade those cars with turbos among other awesome upgrades. If you’re in a rush, feel free to jump to the video, otherwise, stick with us for our full review of CSR Racing.

Features

When you first open CSR Racing, you immediately begin your first race. The first thing we noticed is just how gorgeous the game. Everything is very detailed, and you can tell a lot of work went into producing some great visual in this game (more on that later).

CSR_Screen3

The gameplay in CSR Racing is very simple. When you race, you need to tap the gas to start at an optimal RPM. After that, it’s mostly a matter of tapping the shift buttons at the best time, and using NOS once you’re able to unlock it. Otherwise, it’s pretty much just a simple drag race down a straight road.

It’s a matter of opinion, but one of the best parts of the game is that there’s no turning. All you’re doing is racing straight, so there isn’t any weird physics to deal with, and there’s just not a lot of features that require a lot of focus. It’s up to you to decide if that’s a good thing or not, but ultimately, CSR Racing is a game where matches can be completed quickly, and easily, which is great for those that are in a rush and need a quick break.

CSR_Screen7

Furthermore, as you earn money and coins, you can purchase upgrades to outfit on your car, and there’s quite a few cars and decals in the game that can be unlocked, too. Additionally, there’s social network integration through Facebook, and a page where you can view all of your stats.

Design

And we arrive at the graphics. As mentioned before, this game is gorgeous. In fact, it’s probably one of the best games we’ve ever tested. While the cars have their own shine and beauty to them, the environments are very well put together. It really separates itself from other racing games.

CSR_Screen2

Add to that all the decals, various car models, and the occasional change in venue, and you’ve got a game that really is as much fun to look at as it is to play. The sound effects and music definitely aren’t going to win any awards, but that doesn’t really matter or affect the game. The sounds effects are accurate, and the music is the same old techno stuff we’ve been hearing in video games forever.

Performance

So, how well does CSR Racing run? On the latest generation of smartphones, it runs great! We tested it on the Nexus 4 and the HTC One — the game performer remarkably well on both. CSR Racing will probably run optimally on devices from last year as well, such as the HTC One X and Galaxy S3.

CSR_Screen4

Other than the fact that the intensive graphics could cause problems for older devices, there really wasn’t much wrong with CSR Racing. No lag, no glitches or bugs, and no force closes. However, something to keep in mind is that this game won’t work on all devices, but it should perform quite well with current devices.

What we liked

There’s a lot to like about CSR Racing. The cars are gorgeous, and so are the environments. The gameplay is fast, fun, and it doesn’t requite a lot of attention. There are even built mechanisms that prevent you from playing the game for hours on end.

CSR_Screen6

We also liked the wide selection of cars. When you plan racing game, and even Ford cars are present, you know the developers really cared about adding variety. Nothing against Ford or anything, but it’s not every day that you’re racing with or against a Ford Focus, or even a Mustang. All in all, it was a really enjoyable experience.

What we didn’t like

Like most games, CSR Racing has its positives and its negatives. While there’s a lot to like about CSR Racing, not everything in the game is appealing. First of all, we didn’t like the generic audio. Close your eyes and listen to the soundtrack and sound effects of CSR Racing and 9 other games. Chances are, you won’t be able to tell a difference. Of course, it’s not all about the music, but it would’ve been nice to have something different.

The game takes on a free-to-play model, which means you have your standard in-game currency, and then a currency you have to purchase with real money. However, with CSR Racing being a free game to download, we can’t really complain. After all, the developers have to pay the bills somehow, right?

CSR_Screen1

Aside from that, there are points in the game where you have to grind for money to upgrade your car. You need these upgrades to beat bosses. Grinding has become a natural part of gaming, but that doesn’t make it any more fun.

Video review

Final thoughts

When it comes down to it, and considering that CSR Racing is a free to play game, you can’t really go wrong with it. The pros outweigh the cons by a landslide, and it’s simple gameplay and outstanding graphics set it apart from other racing games out there.

CSR Racing could even spark the interest of gamers who aren’t particular fans of racing games. It’s obvious that fans of this genre are going to enjoy it a lot more, but if you want to expand your into other genre’s like racing, CSR Racing has our full recommendation.

Get it on Google Play

    


HTC One comes with $100 in Play Store credit through Radio Shack

Posted: 21 Jun 2013 12:34 PM PDT

samsung galaxy s4 vs htc one one lockscreen aa

Have you been seeing the HTC One reviews, and wondered why you don't have one yet? Front facing speakers, aluminum build, sleek design. The camera is amazing, and Sense isn't so bad anymore. So, what's holding you back?

IF AT&T or Sprint offer good service in your area, you're in luck. If you purchase an HTC One through Radio Shack, and activate it on either of those services, you'll get $100 in Google Play Store credit! Provided in two $50 gift cards, purchasing an HTC One just got a lot sweeter.

If that doesn't entice you, the price for the device should. At $80 with activation, you can't go wrong. If no Radio Shack is close to you, you can get free two-day shipping with your online order. An amazing device for very little money, free expedited shipping, and $100 for apps, games, music, or whatever you like via the Play Store.

What are you waiting for?! Jump on this deal before Radio Shack realizes what they've done!

    


AT&T offering LG Optimus G Pro for just $99, Optimus G only $49

Posted: 21 Jun 2013 11:36 AM PDT

LG Optimus G Pro

The Optimus G2 is just around the corner, with a possible announcement coming August 7th in New York. In the meantime, there are already two very good LG handsets available for your buying pleasure, the Optimus G and Optimus G Pro. Even better, they can now be yours at rock-bottom prices.

AT&T is currently offering the Optimus G Pro for just $99 with a new two year contract, or you get get the older Optimus G for only $49. The promotion applies to both new and existing customers.

What's the catch here? Nothing other than the offer is only for a limited time, ending July 25th.

As a refresher, the Optimus G packs a quad-core Snapdragon S4 Pro 1.5GHz processor, a 13MP camera, 2GB RAM, a 4.7-inch 768 x 1280 display, 16GB storage and microSD. As for the Optimus G Pro, you get a 5.5-inch 1080p display, 2GB RAM, a quad-core Snapdragon 600, 13MP camera, 32GB storage and microSD.

Considering the LG Optimus G Pro? Check out our video review to get a better idea of what to expect with the handset:

For those that don't mind committing to a contract, it's hard to beat these prices. What do you think, are you tempted to pick one of these up on sale or would you rather what a bit longer to see what LG brings to the table with the Optimus G2?

    


FAA could ease restrictions on in-flight electronics usage soon

Posted: 21 Jun 2013 11:23 AM PDT

airplane-cockpit

We've all been there; sitting on the runway, wedged into a plane with a ton of strangers. We sneakily check an email or Google+ post, hiding our digital lives away from the flight attendants. Takeoff is soon, and we know we can't have our devices on during that time.

It never made sense, but we complied with the request to turn our devices off or have them in airplane mode. According to the Wall Street Journal, that could change soon. The FAA is reportedly assembled an advisory panel, which has counseled them to revisit their current stance on electronic devices usage in-flight.

Currently, we need to reach 10,000 feet before gaining the ability to use our devices. With advances made in consumer electronics over the years, those rules are now considered "untenable" by the panel. A report drafted by the panel makes some interesting points, as well as a few salient recommendations for consumers.

While details are not available, it's clear the FAA will have to come up with an updated policy regarding electronics in-flight, during all phases of flight. Some devices with lower cellular activity, like eReaders, could end up being available throughout the flight. They also worry that without a course of action from the FCC, airlines could end up making their own rules, disparate of one another.

Recent research, pointed to by the advisory panel, yielded an important fact when discussing electronics on flights. It seems that about one third of passengers leave devices on during takeoff and/or landing. If that's accurate, then change has already happened on some level, and no real harm has come of it.

Times have changed, and the FCC hasn't. An updated policy is needed, and overdue.

    


What the heck is 4K? How might it affect mobile devices in the future?

Posted: 21 Jun 2013 10:50 AM PDT

ultrahd-LG-TV

I'm sure by now you’ve at least heard a little about 4K technology, and you likely pieced together that it has something to do with the resolution of displays. The real question is what exactly 4K means for consumer devices going forward, and how it differs from common resolutions like 720p and 1080p.

Basically "4K" is marketing-speak, and refers to two high definition resolutions: 3840 x 2160 or 4096 x 2160. The term comes from the idea that it is roughly four times the definition of FullHD or 1080p (1920 x 1080). You might also know 4K devices and technology under the name-badge "UltraHD".

In a nutshell, ultraHD is considered a huge leap over 1080p and looks posed to eventually dethrone 1080p as the de facto standard for high-quality HD content, though other formats like 8K could get in the way of this vision.

It’s very likely that you own a 1080p device by now, whether its a tablet, TV or even your smartphone. Should you care about 4k? Your current equipment does the job and looks great after all.

The answer to that question is honestly at least partially subjective, but let's take a look at just some of the benefits to 4K.

What 4K means for the future

The real advantages to UltraHD are most obvious with large screen TVs, monitors and projectors.

With 1080p, you start to see some pretty awful images with displays above 80-inches in size. With 4K you get much more detail, and less pixel visible images. This creates almost life-like content that make 1080p look like childsplay.

Another major improvement for 4K has to do with 3D technology.

Right now 3D TVs using passive polarized glasses are able to do this by putting out a 540p resolution for each eye. With 4K, each eye would see true 1080p images.

4K also brings us a step closer to true, glasses-free 3D as 4K can delivery nearly enough depth as current 3D methods – ditching the glasses.

How does 4K change the mobile world?

We see that 4K means better image quality and 3D for big-screen devices, but what's the benefit when it comes to the mobile world – is there any?

While Panasonic has already shown off a 4K tablet running Windows 8, 4K resolution displays on tablets and smartphones are still a long ways off.

Does that mean that 4K won’t have an immediate influence on the mobile world? Not at all. As you might already know, the Snapdragon 800 chipset supports 4K output. We’ve also seen camera sensors that are capable of capturing 4K video.

What this means is that the immediate relationship between 4K (UltraHD) and mobile devices will surround video capture and pushing 4K signals out to televisions and monitors. An example of an Android device that can already do this is the Transformer Pad Infinity.

At MWC we also saw LG show off a tech demo for its new system that takes HD video feeds, upscales them to 4K and then pushes them out to 4K televisions and monitors.

transformer-pad-infinity

When can we expect 4K-friendly mobile devices?

Keep in mind that the first 4K-capable tablets and smartphones will NOT have 4K displays. Instead, they will merely be able to push out 4K signals to other devices, either through a cable or even wirelessly. As mentioned above, this has already happened with Asus’ latest Transformer.

As for 4K video capture? It might not be perfectly smooth, but odds are that we will see the first mobile devices with 4K capture abilities anytime between late summer and the holiday 2013 season.

Speculating even further, it doesn’t seem completely crazy to think that the upcoming LG G2 might feature both LG’s own 4K upscaling technology and even maybe 4K video capture support.

If you really have your heart set on a tablet or smartphone with a 4K display, you are going to be disappointed. While it isn’t impossible for a manufacturer to release a 4K tablet later this year or early next year, such a device would be very expensive and would have serious battery draining issues.

Until we finally manage to improve battery technology in a meaningful way, and up processor power further – 4K displays on mobile devices will likely not catch on in any big way.

Do we even NEED UltraHD resolutions on a tablet or smartphone? Would we be able to tell the difference? That’s hard to say, but let’s not forget that there were (and still are) folks that felt 1080p on a smartphone was crazy and unnecessary.

What do you think of 4K technology, is it the future or will another format usurp it before it becomes truly popular? How long do you think it will be before mobile devices start embracing UltraHD?

    


Softbank is confident their purchase of Sprint will close in July

Posted: 21 Jun 2013 10:18 AM PDT

Softbank-Sprint

It seems the ongoing struggle for Softbank to acquire Sprint may be near an end. Dish Network has bowed out, after their offer was rejected by the Sprint board. Softbank improved its offer for Sprint marginally, laying the groundwork for another multinational carrier. That improved offer injected more cash to shareholders, which solidified support.

Softbank had been exploring other option for a foray into the U.S. market, should the Sprint deal not have worked out. They were notably interested in T-Mobile recently, when the Sprint fracas looked its worse. That, of course, was not necessary, and Softbank is now confident their deal with Sprint will close at or near the original July timeframe.

At a shareholders meeting, Masayoshi Son, CEO of Softbank, cautioned that Dish could still counter with a better offer before the Sprint shareholders meeting on June 25. At that, he quipped "We don’t know what could happen before the meeting, but we took a big step forward after Dish missed the deadline to make a new proposal."

As for Clearwire, Sprint recently improved their offer, making it much more attractive to shareholders. Dish was willing to pay the "going rate" for Clearwire shares, giving it the remaining half or so Sprint didn't already own. The Softbank acquisition hinged on Sprint owning Clearwire outright, which prompted Sprint to offer $5/share, a $0.60 premium over Dish. That move is said to have appeased a group of Clearwire shareholders not impressed with Sprint's original plan.

For Sprint and Softbank, the good news abounds. Softbank stock is up in anticipation of the deal, and Sprint will gain much needed capital and support to update their network.

    


Could Android ever become the dominant PC operating system?

Posted: 21 Jun 2013 10:03 AM PDT

Friday Debate no text Evan Forester

In this week’s Friday Debate, we discuss the potential of Android as a PC operating system. Could Android ever take the place of Windows, OSX, or Linux? Should Google even try to turn Android into an universal OS? What would be the pros and cons for using Android on computers?

Join us in the comments and vote in our poll!

Nate Swanner

I’m not a fan of Android being on a PC. The entire platform is geared toward mobility, and while most computers are portable, those don’t mean the same thing in this context.
This ends up being close to the same argument you have with Chrome OS. The main complaint there is the need for near constant connectivity. That doesn’t go away with Android on a PC; you still need a connection to make most apps and services work well.

To get a little deeper into that, let’s discuss productivity. If you compare Google Drive on both platforms, the ability to create and edit on Chrome OS is much better than on Android. You also run into the same arguments with software, in that you can’t load software onto the device.

While Android has more apps than its Chrome counterpart, it’s still no match when it comes to most productivity needs. Chrome OS is also no match for productivity when it comes to Windows or OSX, largely due to those software issue. Because PCs are more about productivity, Android on a PC is a step backwards.

Joe Hindy

It’s perfectly conceivable that Android could become a desktop OS. It has many of the basic stuff people already use desktops for. There’s web browsing, word processing, excel spreadsheets, media management, and even chat services. So for people who only do those things, they could switch to Android on PC today and be totally happy.

In terms of ergonomics, Android isn’t doing anything that desktop users haven’t seen for years. Putting icons on a home screen? Yep, except desktops usually only have one home screen (you can always add more if you need them). There is mechanisms like control panel to uninstall apps and choose your settings. We call it the Settings menu. At it’s core, there’s really nothing Android can’t do that most operating systems can’t do.

What they won’t find, and what ultimately would tank the idea if Android was a desktop OS, is the lack of specialized programs. No Photoshop, no Adobe AfterEffects, no Sony Vegas Pro, very little (if any) options for programming IDEs, and other things like that. If Android could bring these kinds of things into the ecosystem and make them work well, then Android could be a very fierce desktop competitor.

Of course there are other factors as well. Buying a quad core, 10.1″, top of the line Android tablet is nearly $800. You can still build a really awesome PC for that much with a larger display and more power in the CPU.

The only other thing that would require change is tweaks in the settings. Some more stuff for desktop (like multi-monitor support) and it can be quickly adapted.

I’m not saying it would be all that easy, because Microsoft still owns the desktop OS market, but with a few changes and a few additions, Android could take them on.

Samsung ATIV Q

 

Robert Triggs

Can Android beat Windows, Linux, and OSX? I'd say of course it can, but it depends what at.

Nate is quite right when he says that Android is all about mobile workflow, and that Android simply isn't geared towards productivity in quite the same way as say Windows is. Google would definitely need to make some big changes to the way Android works to make it comparable to Windows on a desktop.

Remember the wave of complaints from desktop users about the Windows 8 interface, which resulted in the re-introduction of the classic Start Button in the 8.1 update? Desktops these days are often about doing some serious work, and users often require quick access to options hidden under the hood, not just applications.

Android would need significantly updating to work with typical desktop accessories; printers, scanners, sound cards, dedicated graphics chips, multiple monitor setups, etc. These are all standard pieces of kit in a lot of offices and home setups which Android doesn't work well with at the moment. But that's not to say that it can't be done.

Overall, I just don't see Android heading to desktops any time soon, I don't think it's a worthwhile investment on Google's part. That being said, Android does offer non-power users most of what they need, but these consumers have mostly migrated to laptops and tablets already. But with a few more minor tweaks, Android could certainly compete in the laptop market where it's a much more even playing field between the big companies.

Adam Koeuider

Apple and Microsoft have been tweaking the desktop OS for years now, and even they are trying to move their OS’s towards the mobile front. Android is king of the mobile market, yet trying to make it do two things at once hardly ever works out well.

Look at the Windows OEMs, they are all moving towards using Android in a dual-OS system for their hybrids. Windows 8 failed at combining mobile and desktop because they are two different things.

When I go on my phone it’s to listen to music, when I go on my computer it is to create music. When I go on my tablet it’s to read a novel, when I go on my computer it’s to (try, it never works out) write a novel. They are two different entities and Microsoft needs to understand that, and do that rather than staple a mobile OS (Metro UI) to a desktop OS, and call it a day.

As to what Android needs to be a viable desktop OS. Well a full-fat version of Google Drive would be a great start, and the full, flash capable, version of Chrome would further Android’s appeal.

There are other apps sure, but in the end I’d much prefer Chrome OS to blossom than Android to try to do two things at once. Because what usually happens is that either mobile users will suffer or desktop users will suffer.

Transformer Book Trio Credit: Engadget

 

Can Android ever become the dominant PC operating system?

Join us in the comments and vote in our poll.

Note: There is a poll embedded within this post, please visit the site to participate in this post's poll.
    


PSA: Galaxy S4 Active, Galaxy Note 8.0 4G LTE now available from AT&T

Posted: 21 Jun 2013 10:00 AM PDT

Galaxy Note 8.0

A couple of new Samsung Galaxy devices available from AT&T today, the Galaxy S4 Active rugged handset and the Galaxy Note 8.0 4G LTE tablet.

The devices were just recently announced by the carrier, and should be available for purchase in stores and online starting today.

The Galaxy S4 Active is basically a sturdier version of the Galaxy S4. The plastic back is replaced with metal, and the front side has three physical buttons instead of just one. Other than that, the Galaxy S4 Active is virtually similar to the original Galaxy S4 model.

The handset will cost you $199.99 with a new two-year contract with AT&T and it's available only in a 16GB version. The Galaxy S4 Active can be purchased either in Urban Gray or Dive Blue. The full price for the handset is $594.99, if you don’t want to ink a new deal with the mobile operator.

Galaxy S4 Active

Moving over to the LTE version of the Galaxy Note 8.0 tablet (see our review of the Wi-Fi-only model here), the device should also be available in AT&T stores and online starting today.

The LTE tablet costs $399.99 when purchased with a new two-year contract or $199.99 when purchased with one of the three Galaxy smartphones it can be bundled with.

Interestingly, the Galaxy S4 Active is one of them – the other two are the Galaxy S4 and the Galaxy Note 2 – and all of them are priced at $199.99 with new two-year contracts (the 16GB versions) while the 32GB Galaxy S4 costs $249.99 with a similar agreement.

Curiously though, at the time this article was written the tablet was not found on AT&T's website, even though it should have already started selling.

Are you buying either device today? Which one?

    


Google Mine: a way for Google+ users to share what they own

Posted: 21 Jun 2013 09:47 AM PDT

google_mine

Do you like to inventory with alacrity? Have you ever wanted to categorize not only your every belonging, but compose a history and wish list of your property, too? Well, Google apparently thinks so, because the company is internally testing a new component of Google+ called Google Mine, a service which allows users of the venerable social network share what they own with friends and the public.

Specifically, the new Google Mine service integrates with Google+ to enable the posting of items, the rating and reviewing of items, the uploading of item pictures and videos, and the sharing of the items to Google+ Streams. Users can also request items from other people, indicate the status of a particular object (i.e. "lent," "given away," "got it back," "lost it," "had it in the past"), and view 3D models of items.

Here's a full list of features:

  • Catalog your belongings, track what you have
  • Review your belongings for your friends to see
  • Control who sees what, track conversations
  • Send requests to borrow or try out friends’ stuff
  • Share stuff you wish for, get recommendations
  • Share stuff you are giving away, find takers
  • Follow, browse, search stuff that friends share
  • Search for stuff people have shared on Mine.
  • See instant matches for your stuff, and the people in your circles.
  • Use What’s Hot to follow what others are sharing.
  • Organize and share your stuff as lists.

Google Mine, with its item-centered note taking and social sharing functionality, sort of sounds like a cross between Evernote and Craigslist. For Google users, it'll certainly make borrowing and proffering items easier, and perhaps even selling and bartering if Google Shopping is integrated at some point.

Right now, Google Mine is available as a web and Android app to Google employees. Hopefully, we'll hear more about the new service soon.

    


Buying guide: Best Android phones – USA, June 2013

Posted: 21 Jun 2013 08:56 AM PDT

samsung galaxy s4 vs htc one standings aa

Android is a seemingly ever growing mobile operating system, which currently dominates the smartphone market, and there is a good reason for that – choice. Android offers an enormous amount of choice compared to iOS, Windows Phone 8, or Blackberry.

Having options is very good, however, it can become confusing when too much choices are on the table. Samsung, HTC, Sony and various other smartphone manufacturers have created some amazing smartphones over the last couple of months, but which one is the best for you? Join us in taking a look at the best Android smartphones currently available in the US.

Best phones on contract: high-end

Samsung Galaxy S4/S4 Active

Samsung overtook Apple in becoming the world's largest smartphone maker a couple of years ago, and since then, they have been pushing out a vast number of smartphones, all of them aimed at a different kind of market and consumer. Their most successful phones, however, are in the Galaxy S series, which are their most heavily marketed and hyped devices. Last year, the Galaxy S3 became an extremely popular device selling over 50 million units, and this year, Samsung is bouncing back into the game with the Galaxy S4.

The specs of the Galaxy S4 include a 1.9 GHz quad-core processor, a 5-inch 1920×1080 Super AMOLED display, a 13 megapixel camera, a 2600 mAh battery, Android 4.2.2 and 2 GB of RAM, which are certainly respectable specs in 2013. There are also a variety of software features such as "Air View", "Smart Pause" and "Smart Stay" which aren't necessarily needed but definitely add to the experience of the phone. One criticism of the Galaxy S4 is the plastic build, which does allow however for microSD card support, as well as enable the battery to be removed.

Samsung also released an "Active" version of the Galaxy S4, which mostly has the same specifications while adding a much more rugged build quality and IP57 waterproofing. You do however lose the thin and light form factor of the original.

Samsung Galaxy S4 review

Samsung Galaxy S4 availability and pricing

Verizon – available for $199 on a new plan starting May 30

AT&T – available for $199 on a new plan

Sprint – available for $249 on a new plan

T-Mobile – available for $149 down payment, $20 per month off contract

U.S. Cellular – available for $199 on a new plan

HTC One

HTC is currently struggling through financial trouble, but the HTC One may be their savior. Last year, HTC introduced three flagship phones, all of which were on different carriers, which clearly hold their potential down. HTC started fresh this year and introduced one phone (no pun intended) which is available from three of the major carriers in the US.

The HTC One has a beautiful aluminum build, which rivals the best phones out there in terms of build quality. The choice of premium materials has made many customers choose the One over the Galaxy S4, with its plastic build. Other buying factors include the “UltraPixel” camera which takes extraordinarily clear low-light pictures and the “BoomSound” front facing speakers, which give more bass and a crisp sound. HTC also redid its Sense overlay for the HTC One by refining it and adding several software features, such as “BlinkFeed” which is a homescreen replacement similar to Flipboard, the popular news feed app.

The specs of the HTC One include a 1.7 GHz quad-core processor, 4.7-inch 1920×1080 Full HD display, 4 ultrapixel camera, 2300 mAh battery, Android 4.1.2, and 2 GB of RAM.

HTC One review

HTC One availability and pricing

AT&T – available for $199 on a new plan

Sprint – available for $199 on a new plan

T-Mobile – available for $99 down payment, $20 per month off contract

Verizon – Coming soon, price TBD

LG Optimus G Pro

LG is gradually working its way up to the top of the smartphone game, now ranking as the third largest smartphone manufacturer on the planet. After the lukewarm response to the Optimus G, LG has been working hard to deliver a phone that would catch the buyer's eye in a retail store and it's done just that with the Optimus G Pro, the latest addition to its high-end smartphone line.

The Optimus G Pro is LG's second attempt at an oversized smartphone after the Optimus Vu, which was badly received. While there is nothing extremely remarkable about the Optimus G Pro, it is still an excellent all around phone with fantastic performance and battery life. LG's Optimus UI added on top of Android 4.1.2 is, perhaps, not the best looking, but it still gets the job done and doesn't affect the overall feel of the device.

The specs of the LG Optimus G Pro include a 1.7 GHz quad-core processor, a 5.5-inch 1920×1080 Full HD display, 13 megapixel camera, a 3140 mAh battery, Android 4.1.2, and 2 GB of RAM.

LG Optimus G Pro review

LG Optimus G Pro availability and pricing

AT&T – Available for $199 on a new plan

Best phones on contract: budget

HTC First

Facebook and HTC finally revealed the long rumored Facebook phone in an event two months ago, and the result was the HTC First, a mid-range Android smartphone running Facebook Home, a launcher which incorporates Facebook into your handset. Facebook Home has, however, been heavily criticized for removing widget support and having an unintuitive UI.

Facebook Home can be turned off on the HTC First though. Without it, the First is running stock Android, which will appeal to many Android fans thanks to the clean and responsive interface.

Specs of the HTC First include a 1.4 GHz dual-core processor, 4.3-inch 1280×720 display, 5 megapixel camera, 2000 mAh battery, Android 4.1.2, and 1 GB of RAM.

HTC First review

HTC First availability and pricing

AT&T – Available for free on a new plan

Samsung Galaxy S3

Samsung's 2012 flagship, the Galaxy S3 was the first truly successful Android handset and for a good reason, as it was recognized as the best smartphone of 2012 and still remains one the best phones available for the price. The Galaxy S3 is running Samsung's TouchWiz over Android 4.1.2, and has a respectable amount of built-in software features.

Specs include a 1.5 GHz dual-core processor, a 4.8-inch 1280×720 display, 8 megapixel camera, 2100 mAh battery, Android 4.1.2, and 2 GB of RAM. Compared to the specs of 2013's top phones, the S3's specs may look weak, but with a reduced price, the Galaxy S3 is an extremely worthy contender.

Samsung Galaxy S3 review

Samsung Galaxy S3 availability and pricing

Verizon – available for $99 on a new plan

AT&T – available for $99 on a new plan

Sprint – available for $99 on a new plan

T-Mobile – available for $69 down payment, $20 per month off contract

U.S. Cellular – available for $99 on a new plan

Motorola Droid Razr M

Since the original Motorola Droid, Verizon has continued to expand the Droid line and make sure is there an option at every level. The Droid Razr M serves as the budget member of the line and does the job in style with moderately high-end specs for a phone of its price and size. It also has an edge to edge display which allows for easy one handed use.

Motorola has opted to go with an almost stock Android experience, changing some fonts and icons, as well as adding several software features which are not available on stock Android.

The specs of the Droid Razr M include a 1.5 GHz dual-core processor, a 4.3-inch 960×540 display, 8 megapixel camera, 2000 mAh battery, Android 4.1.1, and 1 GB of RAM. The specs, while no longer cutting edge, are still decent enough to keep the phone running smoothly.

Motorola Razr M promo video

Motorola Droid Razr M availability and pricing

Verizon – available for free on a new plan

Best phones off contract (SIM-free)

Oppo Find 5

Chinese smartphone companies are often dismissed for supposedly making low quality phones. Oppo however, is beginning to make a name for itself in the US market with the Find 5, a high-end phone with a tough build quality and good all round performance. Oppo has also added its own skin, which dramatically changes Android, adding iPhone-like icons and diminishing the app drawer. Like most Android phones though, the Find 5 can be rooted and used with a custom ROM.

Specs of the Oppo Find 5 include a 1.5 GHz quad-core processor, 5-inch 1920×1080 Full HD display, 13 megapixel camera, 2500 mAh battery, Android 4.1.2 and 2 GB of RAM. The Find 5 is definitely a great start in the US market from Oppo, and certainly impressive considering it’s coming from a virtually unknown Chinese manufacturer.

Oppo Find 5 review

Oppo Find 5 availability and pricing

Oppo – available for $499 unlocked

Nexus 4

LG is perhaps not the first company that comes to mind when you think of great smartphones, but they did a fine job with Google's latest Nexus. The phone itself has a beautiful glass build, decent camera, and snappy performance, which is, for many, everything you'd want and need in a smartphone.

For those of you unfamiliar with the concept, a Nexus device is a phone or tablet running pure stock Android instead of a company overlay. Stock Android has a cleaner, smoother interface, and also provides more hackability which will appeal to many geeks and enthusiasts.

The specs of the Nexus 4 include a 1.5 GHz dual-core processor, 4.7-inch 1280×720 display, 8 megapixel camera, 2100 mAh battery, Android 4.2.2, and 2 GB of RAM. While not competing with the specs of 2013 smartphones, the Nexus 4 still runs smoothly and will continue to receive update support from Google for the foreseeable future.

Nexus 4 review

Nexus 4 availability and pricing

 Google Play – available for $299 unlocked

T-Mobile – available $49 down payment, $20 per month off contract

"Google Edition" HTC One and Samsung Galaxy S4

Instead of a introducing a new Nexus smartphone or tablet at Google I/O, Google opted to reveal a “Google Edition” of the Samsung Galaxy S4. A few weeks later a "Google Edition" of the HTC One was also revealed. But what exactly does it mean for a phone to be “Google Edition”? Well, most smartphone manufacturers choose to put their own skin on top of Android, so that their smartphone can be identified as one of their products. The “Google Edition” means that there is no company skin and the device is running pure stock Android, while retaining the same hardware.

Stock Android generally runs more smoothly than an overlay and also has a clean and intuitive interface. For example TouchWiz on the Galaxy S4 marginally slows down the handset, which is an annoyance for some people. Stock Android also allows the device to be hacked/rooted easily, which is a must-have for some Android fans.

htc one google edition

HTC One Google Edition availability and pricing

Google Play – available for $599 starting June 26

Samsung Galaxy S4 Google Edition availability and pricing

Google Play – available for $649 starting June 26

Wrap up

There is no doubt that Android will continue to grow in popularity and dominate the mobile market space. Samsung, HTC, LG and even Oppo are contributing greatly to the Android market and helping secure Android’s place at the top. The amount of choices on the market give consumers and geeks a great amount of freedom in deciding what kind of smartphone they would like.

Given Google’s track record, it seems possible that a new Nexus phone will be appearing later this year, as well a new version of Android, Key Lime Pie perhaps?

    


Sony teases a new SmartWatch, could be announced next week

Posted: 21 Jun 2013 08:34 AM PDT

Sony Logo

In a tweet sent out by Sony Xperia, the successor to the SmartWatch was teased when a picture which stated "One out of 3 smartphone users want smart wrist wear." Sony then felt the need to add the hashtags #itstime and #MAE13, the latter stands for next week's Mobile Asia Expo 2013 in Shanghai.

Just in case you didn't get the message in the first tweet, Sony Xperia teased us some more with a retro-inspiring tweet which reminded us of the wearable Sony Walkman. Of course, someone at Sony's twitter account was having so much fun that they decided to release another tweet stating "Tick-tock, tick-tock, tick-tock".

While most of the attention in the wearable computing market has been garnered on Google Glass, many products like the Pebble smartwatch have tried their hand at a smartwatch. Who knows, maybe Sony can crack the smartwatch code.

Sony has been busy with the Xperia ZU, a monster 6.4-inch phablet which should be unveiled in Paris, on July 4, but it is holding a media event at Mobile Asia Expo 2013 next week, so we should see the new Sony SmartWatch then.

Would you rather wear a smartwatch than Google Glass?

    


Apple publishes iOS fragmentation chart on its website, target’s Google’s Android

Posted: 21 Jun 2013 07:58 AM PDT

iOS 6 vs Android Jelly Bean

iOS (left) vs Android (right) fragmentation – data collected for both charts during a 14-day period ending June 3, 2013

Following its WWDC 2013 event, Apple has published on its website (the section dedicated to developers) a pie chart that shows the iOS fragmentation state in a similar manner to how Google's displays its own Android fragmentation chart.

Thus, Apple is indirectly attacking Google's mobile OS by showing potential and existing developers that iOS doesn't suffer from the same fragmentation issue as Android.

According to the chart, 93% of iOS users are running iOS 6, the latest version of the operating system, 6% are on iOS 5 while just 1% are on al older iOS version. We're looking at data gathered "during a 14-day period ending June 3, 2013."

Comparatively, data gathered by Google during the same period – unlikely a coincidence – shows that the latest Android version is now on 33% of devices (Jelly Bean) while Ice Cream Sandwich is at 25.6% and Gingerbread is at 36.4%. Older Android versions still power nearly 5% of Android versions. It's worth noting that a few months ago Google changed the way it counts Android versions, not including those devices that aren't used to contact the Play Store. From the looks of it, Apple is also measuring iOS adoption rate with help of the App Store.

As you can see, Jelly Bean adoption is rising, but Gingerbread is still an important presence in the Android ecosystem.

Since we're comparing Apples to Androids, we're also going to add that over 900 million devices running Android have been activated so far, according to what Google said at its I/O 2013 developers conference, while Apple has activated 600 million iOS devices to date. The App Store has passed over 50 billion downloads to date, while the Google Play Store is at over 48 billion, but projected to pass the App Store this fall when it comes to the total number of downloads.

The chart shown on Apple's site was also presented to the audience during Apple's WWDC 2013 keynote. On stage, Tim Cook directly addressed the fragmentation issue that affects Google's OS and it looks like Apple is taking the comparison to the next level by showing developers interested in creating iOS apps the state of the iOS ecosystem right on its own developer pages.

In the video above, which shows the WWDC 2013 keynote in its entirety, Cook talks about iOS vs Android, starting at about the 1:10 minute, with Android fragmentation vs iOS fragmentation being one of the points he makes.

if you do the math you would find that iOS 6 is the world's most popular mobile operating system and in second place is a version of Android which was released in 2010.” qperson=”Tim Cook at WWDC 2013″ qsource=”" qposition=”center”]

On its part, Google would not publicly admit to a fragmentation problem – and this particular term is likely to cause a fierce debate between the users of the two platforms – but the company is definitely taking various measures to ensure that fragmentation is less of an issue for users and developers.

At Google I/O, the company focused on improving its services across the board including Maps, Chrome, Google+ and Search in order to offer users and developers a better overall experience no matter what platform they're on and without requiring them to update to a newer OS version.

Furthermore, Google is rumored to have postponed the launch of a new major Android OS version to allow more OEMs to get some of their devices to Jelly Bean before having to update them again to a new version. Even Android 4.3 – the next rumored incremental Android update – is not available yet.

As for Apple, while it does says that 93% of iOS users are on the latest release, we'll remind you that some of the iOS 6 features aren't available on all devices. Similarly, when iOS 7 will be launched, not all supported devices will get all the new features. Moreover, while iOS 7 adoption will most likely be very high, it'll be interesting to see how the pie chart will look this fall, considering that not all iOS devices will be able to make the jump to the latest OS version.

Naturally, the same goes for the Android ecosystem. Once Android 5.0 arrives, many devices won’t be able to run it, or will receive an update a lot later than others. For that matter, that’s how things are for every operating system out there, whether mobile or desktop. You can’t expect older hardware to be continuously updated to newer OS versions. That’s not to minimize the fact that Android updates are still not ideal for both users and developers. But unlike Apple, who’s in control of updates, in the Android universe OEMs and carriers are in charge for releasing those updates, and chances are that won’t change anytime soon, as they have their own interests in mind.

What’s your stance on Android fragmentation? Is it an issue for you?

    


44 Google Now backgrounds available online for your downloading pleasure

Posted: 21 Jun 2013 06:22 AM PDT

Google Now Wallpaper collage

A few days ago, a Redditor found the Flickr page of Brent Couchman, the illustrator responsible for the Google Now backgrounds that we all know and love. However, only three backgrounds were available out of the multitude of variants that exist.

Luckily for those interested in getting hold of the Google Now backgrounds, Google Plus user Atharva Washimkara uploaded a large collection, that he claims contains all the backgrounds that he is aware of.

Browsing through the collection, we've spotted  "classics" such as Great Plains or Rocky Mountains, but also all localized backgrounds, including London, Chicago, Honolulu, or New York City.

The backgrounds are in large resolution, so you should be able to use them on a variety of devices.

Here's a sample of the collection:

Google Now Backgrounds Honolulu (Dawn) Google Now Backgrounds Great Plains (Night) Google Now Backgrounds Berlin (Evening) Google Now Backgrounds Tahoe (Dawn) Google Now Backgrounds Seattle (Day) Google Now Backgrounds San Francisco (Day) Google Now Backgrounds Rocky Mountains (Day) Google Now Backgrounds New York City (Day) Google Now Backgrounds London (Day)

For the rest of the backgrounds head over to the source.

Thanks, Atharva!

    


HTC’s CEO wants a 10 to 15 percent share of the global market

Posted: 21 Jun 2013 04:51 AM PDT

HTC CEO Peter Chou (4) Credit: HTC

HTC is trying hard to stop the decline it's been facing since its fortunes peaked, back in 2011. From a global market share of about ten percent and a good slice of the crucial American market, the Taiwanese company dropped to less than four percent in 2012. Profits and market valuation plummeted to a small fraction of what they used to be, and many rushed to write off HTC as a dying company.

But Peter Chou, HTC's charismatic chief executive officer, thinks otherwise. This week, Chou denied that he has any plans to step down from HTC, and stated that he's ready to do whatever it takes to make a turnaround happen.

At a shareholder meeting today, Peter Chou reiterated his commitment to turning HTC around and even laid out some very optimistic goals for the future. In Chou's vision, 10-15% of the global market share is a realistic target for HTC:

We managed to maintain a 4-percent global smartphone market share last year and we are determined to do our best to expand the percentage to 10 to 15 percent in the future.
Peter Chou, HTC

Chou went on to ask shareholders for more time for the company to stage a comeback, though he acknowledged that HTC has its work cut out for it. So how does HTC plan to beat Samsung and Apple? Through heavy investment in research and development and an emphasis on marketing.

We will redouble our efforts this year to further enhance our brand recognition and loyalty around the world
Peter Chou, HTC

Now, skeptics may point out that HTC has been singing this tune for a while now, with little palpable results. But some encouraging signs exist – even if HTC hasn't managed to sell five million units of the One, as one executive reportedly told WSJ, the aluminum device has been received with enthusiasm by critics and users alike, and is said to be selling well.

As for marketing, the company did become more visible in the past few months. It brazenly hijacked the launch of the Galaxy S4 in New York to show off the One, and is now reportedly tapping into the celeb power of Iron Man star Robert Downey Jr., who will endorse the brand in a $12 million deal.

Will HTC manage to ever get to 15 percent global market share? It's hard to tell, but it's certainly not impossible. The mobile market is fickly – just two years ago, HTC was flying high, and here it is today, struggling to survive.

Are the fortunes turning up again for HTC? We can only hope so.

    


Is the Ativ Q the beginning of a lifelong friendship between Windows and Android or more of a cease fire?

Posted: 21 Jun 2013 02:57 AM PDT

Samsung ATIV Q

At Samsung's premiere yesterday there wasn’t a whole lot for Android fans to get excited about. We already knew about most of the products unveiled there, and the most exciting Galaxy device was the Galaxy Camera NX.

Now what was truly exciting for Android fans was the Samsung Ativ Q. It's a dual-hybrid laptop capable of running both Android and Windows 8 seamlessly. No need to reboot, and you won't be caught tapping your toes for a few seconds while you wait for Android to come up, because with a single tap you can swap between Windows 8 and Android 4.2.2 Jelly Bean.

But what does this mean? Is this the beginning of a lifelong friendship between Windows and Android or is it more of cease fire?

The Ativ Q: The ultimate piece of engineering

The Ativ Q is an amazing piece of engineering. At only 13.9mm thick, and tipping the scales at 1.29kg, it isn't the lightest tablet on the block, but for a laptop/tablet hybrid it is perfectly acceptable. No need to worry about Samsung's legendary love of all things plastic either, because the Ativ Q is made out of Magnesium alloy, so the high-end look and feel will definitely be there.

Credit: Samsung

Credit: Samsung

Speaking of high end, the 13.3-inch frame of the Ativ Q houses the world's highest-resolution display, which is a QHD+ 3200×1800 panel, coming in at a whopping 275 pixels per inch. Comparing it to a 13.3 inch Full HD panel almost seems cruel, because a Full HD model has almost half the amount of pixels per inch, at 165 ppi. Suffice to say that this will be the best display you'll lay your eyes upon this year.

The Haswell chip will ensure up to 9 hours of battery life.

All of those pixels and both those operating systems are going to need a lot of power to run them, so Samsung has put in the very power efficient Intel Haswell i5 chip meaning you're going to get up to 9 hours worth of battery life on the Ativ Q. Couple that with 4GB of RAM and a 128GB SSD, and you get the picture that this is a laptop worth bragging about. There's also the S Pen which is great for graphic designers.

On the ports side of things, there's a USB 3.0 port, a USB 2.0 port, a micro SD slot for expandability and a HDMI port.

It's Windows and it's Android, pure Android.

Windows is the all supreme ruler of the desktop and Android is the king of the mobile castle, so it would make sense for the two of them to combine on a laptop, which can convert into a tablet.

The difference between the Ativ Q, and those that have come before it, is the seamless transition between the two operating systems. Android is quite literally a tap of a button away, and you can be running either Android or Windows in laptop or tablet mode.

Dual OS (2)

Image credit: Samsung

This means that you'll be able to run the millions of apps designed for Windows PCs, and the hundreds of thousands of apps designed for Android. This is great for touch screen usability, as the Windows Store pales in comparison to the Google Play Store.

Windows 8 runs as you expect it would (note this is full Windows 8 and not the light version called Windows RT), but it's on the Android side where things get interesting, because Samsung has chosen not to use its TouchWiz interface. Instead what you'll be seeing is pure, unadulterated stock Android 4.2.2 Jelly Bean. The two operating systems can also share photos and other data, meaning that the photos you have saved on the Windows side of your laptop instantly appear in the Android gallery.

Microsoft is not going to like this

Windows 8 was supposed to be both a mobile and desktop operating system, but OEMs have chosen to use Android for the mobile side of things.

Microsoft designed Windows 8 to be an all in one operating system which can be used with a touch screen, mouse or track pad. However, it seems as if the OEMs have decided that it would be easier to place Android on top of Windows.

The simple reason for the decision is apps. Android has way more applications that have been built for touch screens than the Windows Store (800,000 in the Play Store compared to 80,000 in the Windows Store).

Wrap up

But in the end Microsoft shouldn't care, because if Android is enough of a reason to get people to buy Windows 8 laptops, then Microsoft is still selling Windows 8 licenses and that's what Microsoft needs.

The only danger for Microsoft is if manufacturers decide to get rid of Windows altogether, and run Android as a desktop operating system. Luckily for Microsoft, Android isn't ready for the prime time yet, and until then, Windows will reign supreme on the desktop.

Is the Ativ Q the most amazing piece of engineering you've ever seen? Can Windows and Android be best buds? Will Android ever make the leap to a desktop operating system?

    


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