Android Authority

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• Rumor: Sprint Moto X phone (XT1056) pictured while in testing
• Samsung Galaxy S3 gets software update to add Multi-window support and more
• Images: LG G2 coming with volume buttons on the back – the leaks were accurate
• Samsung officially announces the Samsung Galaxy S4 LTE-A
• Photos of Samsung Galaxy S4 LTE-A leak, Snapdragon 800 confirmed
• Casio G’zone for Verizon coming soon
• Samsung in discussions to settle EU antitrust complaints
• B&N giving up on Nook tablets, turning to unnamed hardware partners instead
• The Best Racing games for Android! (video)
• Galaxy S4 and HTC One with the Nexus Experience begin selling tomorrow – which one are you getting?
• Sony SBH52 Bluetooth handheld device: perfect for big phones like the Xperia Z Ultra
• 16GB Nexus 7 available on eBay for $150, free shipping included
• Xperia Z Ultra and SmartWatch 2 pricing for some European countries unveiled
• Sony Xperia Z Ultra outclasses the supersized competition
• Leef Bridge dual USB / microUSB drive is compatible with Android devices, PCs and Macs
• Mobile Processor Guide – Summer 2013
• Verizon Galaxy S4 Developer Edition available from Samsung for $649.99
• Shareholders approve Sprint/SoftBank merger
• How the Sony Xperia Z Ultra ‘stylus’ functionality works
• PSA: Don’t forget to signup for All Access
• The HTC First experiment is over
• Google Play for Education program being rolled out to developers
• Here are 81 amazing boot animations for your phone [Android is awesome]
• Sony unveils Xperia C and new variant of Xperia SP, both heading to China
• CyanogenMod shows off new Mini-Camera Tile feature

Rumor: Sprint Moto X phone (XT1056) pictured while in testing Posted: 26 Jun 2013 02:29 AM PDT Motorola Mobility CEO Dennis Woodside A Motorola handset has been reportedly photographed while testing on Sprint's network and could be the mobile operator's Moto X phone version. According to Phone Arena, this is the Motorola XT1056, a device that was spotted at the FCC not to long ago. In addition to this particular model, the FCC has revealed other similar handsets including the XT1055 (U.S. Cellular), the XT1060 (Verizon) and the XT1058 (AT&T). These could all be versions of the Moto X that could hit U.S. stores later this year, from various carriers. Motorola, via its own CEO, confirmed the Moto X a few weeks ago during a media event, but the company did not show the device to the public. The handset is expected to arrive this summer, according to the company's own press release, but also according to various unverified rumors. The image above shows a Motorola handset that looks very much like a smartphone that has been found in Vietnam (see image below), where it was actually handled on camera just before the Galaxy S4 was unveiled in mid-March. At the time we were lead to believe this wasn't the Moto X phone, but later reports suggested that the unit was a prototype of Motorola's upcoming flagship handset. The device in the image that made its way to Phone Arena shows a smartphone that's clearly marked as "not for sale" and "Motorola confidential property." However, other details aren't available at this time, and we have no way of confirming whether this image is genuine. The Moto X phone, despite being described as an iPhone and Galaxy competitor, is rumored to offer mid-range specs (at least by 2013 standards) including 4.7-inch display with 720p resolution, 1.7GHz processor, 2GB of RAM and16GB of storage. However, we're more interested in its software features, particularly in that contextual awareness it's supposed to have.

Samsung Galaxy S3 gets software update to add Multi-window support and more Posted: 26 Jun 2013 01:25 AM PDT If you’re a Samsung Galaxy S3 user in Canada and you still haven’t gotten around to using that leaked Android 4.2.2 firmware from a few days ago, an official software update released earlier today might just be the next best thing. According to a recent report published online at Mobile Syrup, a new software update has been pushed out for users of the Galaxy S3 through Kies as well as through over-the-air (OTA) download channels. This software update is a rather small one, but still useful in that it introduces a few much-needed improvements. The update is said to offer improved download speeds when using HSPA+ network coverage and the still-ongoing E911 dialing issue that’s being affected by the usage of third-party VoIP apps. Users who have already updated their phones to the new software — which is tagged as Android 4.1.2, version MVLDMF1 — also say that Multi-window support is now available, and responsiveness has also been improved when it comes to navigating the Gallery. To get in on this software update, either get it through Kies or simply start the OTA update procedure. The update is currently available for users under Bell, Fido, Koodo, MTS, Rogers, and TELUS.

Images: LG G2 coming with volume buttons on the back – the leaks were accurate Posted: 26 Jun 2013 01:19 AM PDT Rumors that LG is going to try something different and unique with the successor to the Optimus G have been swirling from the beginning of the year. The first time we've heard that LG was going to make a device so thin that volume rockers wouldn't fit on the sides, we were skeptical. But then another report came out last week, saying essentially the same thing. And today, we have some visual proof, courtesy of @evleaks. As you can see in the pics below, LG is preparing a super slim device, with an edge-to-edge display and volume buttons positioned on the back, near the camera. And, the device is indeed going to be called G2, without the Optimus brand. All the recent leaks were spot on. Let's analyze the images in more detail. The first slide shows us that LG gave up on the capacitive keys present on the Optimus G, opting instead for onscreen keys, like those on Nexus devices. The bezel of the display seems very narrow, and the device appears to be very thin. However, from the next image, we can tell that the G2 will likely have tapered edges, similar to the curved profile of the HTC One. On to the intriguing part – the two volume buttons are located just under the camera module, with what appears to be a notification light ring acting as a separator. Some say that the ring is actually a fingerprint scanner, and it's even possible that the feature is both a scanner and a notification light. At first blush, the buttons on the back may seem an unwieldy setup, but come to think of it, they might actually be more accessible there. We know that the LG G2 will come with a Snapdragon 800 processor, 2GB of RAM, and a 13MP camera. In fact, aside of the capacity of the battery, we know almost every important detail about the LG G2. August 7 can't come soon enough.

Samsung officially announces the Samsung Galaxy S4 LTE-A Posted: 25 Jun 2013 10:48 PM PDT If the regular Samsung Galaxy S4 just doesn't offer the data speeds that you need, you'll be pleased to know that Samsung and South Korean carrier SK Telecom have come together to announce the world's first LTE Advanced capable device. The Samsung Galaxy S4 LTE-A is the newest smartphone to join the Galaxy S4 stable, and will be available in South Korea in blue and red. On the outside it might look like a regular Galaxy S4, but looks can be deceiving, as this version of the Galaxy S4 will include the fire breathing quad-core Snapdragon 800, clocked at 2.3Ghz. If we take a look at the benchmarks of the Snapdragon 800 taken a few days ago, we know that this will be one of the fastest smartphones in the world. Source: Samsung The Samsung Galaxy S4 LTE-A will provide speeds of up to 150Mbps, however SK Telecom plans on improving the network to go even faster in 2014. SK Telecom will offer 1080p video streaming in July, an HD video shopping service in August and FLAC audio files via its music package, all to take advantage of the higher speeds that LTE Advanced offers. What's the difference between LTE-Advanced and regular ol' LTE? 4G LTE did not fully comply with IMT-Advanced requirements to be technically considered legitimately 4G, that's why the term LTE was added for marketing purposes. It offered peak download speeds of 100Mbps and upload speeds of 50Mbps, which did not meet IMT-Advanced requirements. LTE-Advanced meets and surpasses the IMT-Advanced reuirements, even though current implementations do not. Therefore another version of LTE called LTE-Advanced was designed to meet and surpass the IMT-Advanced standards. Although LTE Advanced can theoretically achieve speeds of up to 1Gbps downloads and 500Mbps uploads, it can not currently achieve these speeds as it supports download speeds of up to 300Mbps. However, data speeds will be improved in the coming years. For an in depth explanation of LTE Advanced, click here. When will we see LTE-Advanced in other countries and what are its use cases? The world's first LTE Advanced network was launched by Russian network Yota, in Moscow in October 2012. Now South Korea is the second country to use the technology, but the first to get a mobile device that can utilize LTE Advanced. Most countries are still rolling out their regular LTE networks, so it may take some time for the technology to go into mainstream use. While U.S. carriers Verizon, AT&T and Sprint have all announced plans for LTE-Advanced, none have given a definite time frame. Most other countries are still working on deploying regular LTE, so it may take some time for the technology to go into mainstream use. With 4K technology set to boom in the years to come, LTE-Advanced will allow mobile users to stream 4K content straight to their tablet or smartphone. Samsung has set a world first by unveiling the Samsung Galaxy S4 LTE-A, and if you are an owner of the regular Galaxy S4 you shouldn't be too upset, unless you live in South Korea of course. It'll also be interesting to see how the Snapdragon 800 fares in real life performance, and whether those benchmarks can translate into blistering speeds in the real world. Are you disappointed in Samsung’s release of another Galaxy S4 variant?

Photos of Samsung Galaxy S4 LTE-A leak, Snapdragon 800 confirmed Posted: 25 Jun 2013 06:56 PM PDT Samsung just can't keep seem to keep its myriad of products from leaking. A bit more than a week since what appeared to be a Snapdragon 800 –touting Galaxy S4 smashed AnTuTu benchmark records, bloggers for Samsung Mobile, a South Korea-based smartphone blog, managed to get their hands on the refreshed GS4. Dubbed the Galaxy S4 LTE-A, it's virtually identical in appearance to the original GS4, but packs substantially improved innards. As indicated by benchmarks and leaks, Qualcomm's powerful Snapdragon 800 drives the Galaxy S4 LTE-A. Quad-core and clocked at 2.3 Ghz, it's a silicon beauty to behold. The CPU is paired with the newest Adreno 330 GPU, which offers improved performance over its predecessor, and a respectable 2GB of RAM. Significantly, the Galaxy S4 LTE-A contains radios that support LTE-Advanced network bands, allowing for theoretical data transfers of up to twice the speed of current 4G LTE. Though Samsung hasn't officially unveiled the new Galaxy S4, Co-Chief Executive of Samsung JK Shin spoke with Reuters about the company's partnership with Qualcomm last week. He said Samsung intended to partner with a carrier outside of South Korea to launch the Galaxy S4 LTE-A, and that the smartphone would be slightly more expensive than its plain LTE counterpart. It's too early to expect a release date, but we'll keep you posted.

Casio G’zone for Verizon coming soon Posted: 25 Jun 2013 06:34 PM PDT If you're looking for a phone that you can drop from a helicopter, then pick up and probably make a call with, you may already be familiar with Casio and their G'zone devices. The rugged gear may not turn heads with their hardware specs, but it may survive more bumps and falls than you or I ever will. This isn’t first of its kind available to Verizon, and Casio has been making tough devices for quite some time. We first heard about this device about two weeks ago, and now it’s here. The full press release is available on the Verizon press site, but we'll run down the bullet points: 4-inch WVGA 480×800 TFT LCD screen 1GB of RAM 16GB Memory 1800mAh Li-ion battery Android 4.0 Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) 8MP rear camera The G'zone is resistant to water, drops of up to 1.5m, and various other life issues like vibration or blowing rain. Yeah, they cover all their bases with this guy, don't they? Perhaps the saving grace here is Verizon's LTE network, which the G'zone operates using the 700MHz spectrum. It's also got tons of other proprietary services for outdoor activities, which is clearly who this is geared toward. While much of what is baked in can be found on the Play Store in one way or another (Ocean tidewatcher, compass), you can't beat rugged hardware like this. So, what do you say? Interested? Ever wanted to drop kick your phone, then make a call? We'd get one for our drop test, but that would be boring.

Samsung in discussions to settle EU antitrust complaints Posted: 25 Jun 2013 05:07 PM PDT According to SlashGear, sources are reporting to Reuters that Samsung is in negotiations to settle antitrust issues in Europe. Those charges stem from an Apple complaint made to the European Commission about Samsung's leverage of 3G UMTS standards, which Apple contended should fall under FRAND guidelines. This, as you may have guessed, all stems from the lengthy and ongoing battle between the two tech magnates over their original battle concerning device design. Reuters is reporting that the discussions may not necessarily result in a settlement, but may be to mitigate financial damages that could reach upward of $17 million. We reported back in December of 2012 that Samsung could still faces charges, even though they withdrew their injunction request against Apple. It seems this is the culmination of that scuffle. Though it's possible Samsung could simply walk away from the talks with no penalty, it's not likely. If the EU finds that Samsung willingly violated FRAND guidelines, there will certainly be penalties. Mario Marinello, a former commission economist and currently at Bruegel, notes that Samsung could have done everything right, but still be penalized. "The Commission could construct a theory of harm based on the concept of a willing licensee, in which Apple was willing to pay but Samsung didn’t negotiate. This would make it possible for it to sanction something that is contrary to competition law." The good news is that with every ruling, these disagreements start to rectify themselves. As fun as it can be to watch to tech giants wage war all over the earth, the lack of effort on either part of the table to settle these issues quickly is getting tiresome. The results are what matter, but the process is dragging on much longer than it should.

B&N giving up on Nook tablets, turning to unnamed hardware partners instead Posted: 25 Jun 2013 03:05 PM PDT When B&N unveiled that it was adding Google Play support its Nook HD line, we hoped that bringing Google's store-front to the device would be enough to push the company forward and allow Barnes & Noble to successfully compete against other Android devices, including Amazon's Kindle Fire tablets. As it turns out, the solution was more of a quick band-aid to help drive sales and further deplete existing Nook HD stock. Today B&N announced that amid declining revenues for the Nook division, they are ending in-house production of Nook tablets, though they will continue to manufacture and sell Nook e-readers. So are Nook tablets dead and over? Not exactly. The idea is that the company wants to reign in costs and reduce risks. One of the ways they hope to do this is through the creation of a partnership program, where they will turn to other manufacturers to produce their own Nook-branded tablets. As for existing Nook tablets, B&N plans to continue to support the devices in-store and through updates. Additionally, B&N will sell the Nook HD line at least through the holiday season. Will a 3rd party model work for Nook tablets? You have to wonder how interested vendors will be in partnering with B&N on a line that clearly has seen better days. You also have to wonder whether partner devices would still feature B&N's custom UI, or would merely have the "Nook" branding and come bundled with the Nook app (as well as Google Play). If the Nook partnership model is only about tapping into the somewhat-limited power of the Nook brand, you can probably count out bigger manufacturers like Acer, Asus, Sony and Samsung from getting involved. One potential suitor that comes to mind is Foxconn, after all the company has clearly shown a desire to branch out and create its own branded hardware. Keep in mind that's nothing but pure speculation. Are you surprised that B&N is throwing in the towel when it comes to creating its own tablet hardware? Can B&N find success through co-branded Nook devices?

The Best Racing games for Android! (video) Posted: 25 Jun 2013 02:48 PM PDT Some of the best games on Android are racing games. A lot of them have stunning graphics and tons of unlockable rewards, such as an arsenal of cars, upgrades, and boosts. With that said, we’re going to show you some of the best racing games for Android! If you’re in a rush, jump straight to the video, otherwise, stick with us as we take a closer look into these awesome racers. Asphalt 7 First up on our list is Asphalt 7. This popular and well known racer has been around for a while and is a crowd favorite, despite having a bit of a rocky launch. You race around tracks at crazy speeds that even NASCAR would think is insane. Furthermore, you’ll be racing against opponents that regularly try to know you off course, so the game also provides a bit of a challenge, too. The gas is automatic, and you’ll have to tilt your phone in different directions to steer. The left side of the screen can be tapped to break, and the right side to activate NOS. Once you start playing Asphalt 7, it’s really not a difficult game to play, and if you’re looking to spice things up a bit, there’s a plethora of ways to upgrade cars and make them go even faster. CSR Racing For our regular viewers and readers, you may have noticed that we reviewed CSR racing not that long ago. So we’re not going to go into it that much, as there’s a full review for you to check out if you want to see more of this game. With that said, this game is a lot of fun, and it has a few addicting qualities. It’s a drag racing style game that is packed with a lot of modern vehicles, which will no doubt appeal to the racing enthusiasts out there. It’s free, it’s fun, it’s addicting, and the graphics look fantastic. You can’t ask for much more in a racing game. Drag Racing If you’re more into the car tuning and less into things like graphics, then Drag Racing may be something for you. It has a lot of the same controls as CSR Racing, so if you’ve played that game extensively, it won’t be difficult to adapt too, though, that’s where the similarities end. The graphics aren’t that great compared to CSR Racing and Asphalt, but don’t discount the game just yet. Drag Racing shines when it comes to tuning your car. You can purchase upgrades just as you normally can, but after that, you can then tune your car. This added customization is actually really awesome. You’re even able to tune per gear to get the best performance out of your upgrades and car as a whole. Finally, you can race full miles instead of just halves and quarters. Highway Riding Car games are a lot of fun, but is so is highway racing. This game in particular features motorcycles, and it definitely doesn’t take itself serious like these other games. Have a virtual death wish? Then this game is for you. There are two modes — arcade mode and fugitive mode. Fugitive mode is a lot of fun, in that you race against the cops trying to survive for as long as possible. You can get boosts by passing close by cars, and when you lose, the game tallies up your broken bones to measure how bad you’ve hurt yourself. All in all, it’s a really fun game. Riptide GP While Riptide GP is last on this list, it’s probably one of our favorites. Fans of the old Wave Race game for the Nintendo 64 in particular will love Riptide GP. It’s a game that puts a focus on jet skis instead of cars, and believe it or not, it’s actually really reminiscent of the old N64 classic. The controls are about what you’d expect from a racer. Tap the left side of the screen to break, the right to accelerate, tap the meter to boost, and tilt the phone to steer. Boosts can’t be used on demand, though, they have to be earned by doing tricks in midair. All in all, it’s a great game, and we especially liked the graphics. The water splashing on the screen after big jumps was a nice added effect. Video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D6OjWDBkHH4 Wrap up If you take a look at our leaderboard (image above) you can see how these app stack up against one another. As per the norm, these ratings aren’t based on our opinion. They’re based on how you, the people, voted on them in the Google Play Store, so there’s no bias on our part. There are so many great racing games out there it was a challenge to pick out a small handful. Not only that, but wanted to make sure there was a good amount of variety, thus Highway Rider and Riptide GP are on there. In other words, there are a lot of games we probably missed out on, including Real Racing 3. If it had been rated a little higher, it would have made the list. Regardless, if you have a favorite racing game that didn’t make it on the list, be sure to tell everyone about it in the comments section below!

Galaxy S4 and HTC One with the Nexus Experience begin selling tomorrow – which one are you getting? Posted: 25 Jun 2013 02:31 PM PDT The Samsung Galaxy S4 and HTC One are two of the biggest releases of the year, though, the crowd wasn’t very interested in them due to the bloated software, sluggishness, and etc. However, just recently it was announced that the two devices would be launching with the Nexus Experience (stock Android) to be sold alongside Google’s own products on the Play Store. So, when are the two handsets launching? Tomorrow, and on one of our favorite corner’s of the Internet, too — the Play Store. The Galaxy S4 and the HTC One with the Nexus Experience will cost interested buyers $649 and $599, respectively. This raises a question, though. Which of the two devices do you plan on getting, if any at all? Vote in our poll and let us know in the comments! Note: There is a poll embedded within this post, please visit the site to participate in this post's poll.

Sony SBH52 Bluetooth handheld device: perfect for big phones like the Xperia Z Ultra Posted: 25 Jun 2013 01:19 PM PDT Phones are just getting bigger and bigger, but your hands aren't. For most people, a device like a Nexus 4 or HTC One are comfortable to hold and use, often with one hand. Get into the Note 2 category, though, and things become a little more cumbersome. On the other hand (bad pun, I know), some people like larger devices. Maybe they are looking for "one device to rule them all", so they don't need a phone and a tablet. Compromising a smaller form factor for a larger screen is not unheard of, and is becoming much more normal. With devices like the Samsung Mega 6.3 or new Sony Xperia Z Ultra, the boundaries of size are being pushed. Sony understands that, and has an interesting little accompaniment for their Xperia Z Ultra: a bluetooth headset! Not the normal in-ear headset, but a handheld device meant to perform the simplest tasks like take phone calls or read text messages. It has a clip on the back which can be used to attach to clothing, and a headset jack for earbuds. The small OLED screen will give you a simple caller ID or text message readout. It's got all the normal stuff you'd want, like volume keys and micro USB port, as well. As devices get larger, it's nice to see Sony make an attempt to bridge a gap. A small bluetooth handheld like the SBH52 could bring more people to their larger devices, and opens Sony up to a broader market. In-ear headsets are bothersome for all day use, but a smaller handheld is a great idea. The handheld pairs by NFC, so a simple tap to the Ultra and you're on your way. You can also listen to radio with RDS, and Sony claims it has HD voice. A great device, and another smart innovation from Sony. It's good to see them back in the game.

16GB Nexus 7 available on eBay for $150, free shipping included Posted: 25 Jun 2013 01:17 PM PDT If you’re looking at getting yourself a Nexus 7, a refurbished 16GB model is available on eBay for $150, a $39 difference compared to the Google Play Store. Of course, some people may hesitate with the word “refurbished” slapped on this listing. Refurbished items really aren’t that bad, though. They usually go through a thorough testing process before they are put back on the market, which means any problems that it may have had should be gone, though that isn’t a guarantee. While this is one of the best deals we’ve seen yet on a Nexus 7, it’s important to keep in mind that we should be seeing a 2nd generation of the tablet pretty soon here. The original Nexus 7 launched in July of 2012, so another device shouldn’t bee too far out. In fact, there’s a lot of convincing evidence to back that up, however, nothing’s been officially confirmed. Are you going to take the plunge and get the refurbished Nexus 7 from eBay? Or are you holding out for a Nexus 7 refresh?

Xperia Z Ultra and SmartWatch 2 pricing for some European countries unveiled Posted: 25 Jun 2013 12:54 PM PDT Pricing details for Sony's newly announced Xperia Z Ultra smartphone and SmartWatch 2 smartwatch for certain European countries have been unveiled. The two products were announced earlier today at Mobile Asia Expo, but the company did not mention any prices for either device. Sony did say that the Xperia Z Ultra will be available in the third quarter of the year, while the SmartWatch 2 would hit stores in September. However, Sony France and Sony Netherlands have shared more details on Twitter and via local press releases, respectively, about the new devices. Sony France said on Twitter that the Xperia Z Ultra will be available in the region in Q3 with prices starting at €729, or around $954: Xperia Z Ultra: disponible en France au 3ème trimestre, à un prix indicatif de 729€ pic.twitter.com/IF2FeCBfFf — Sony Xperia FR (@SonyXperiaFR) June 25, 2013 Sony Netherlands said via a press release that the handset will be slightly cheaper in The Netherlands, at €719 or around $940. Needless to say, these are the unlocked prices for the device, so you can expect the handset to be more affordable from mobile operators with new contracts. Considering these prices, it's probably safe to say that the Xperia Z Ultra will cost around 700 in Europe, so a $700 price for the U.S. should be expected. Speaking about the U.S. market, it'll be interesting to see whether the Xperia Z Ultra will be picked up by local carriers. Comparatively, the Xperia Z was initially available in the region only from Sony, with T-Mobile announcing it only about a week ago. As for the Sony SmartWatch 2, it's also Sony France that revealed its pricing. The new smartwatch will apparently cost €199, or around $260, and hit stores in late September in the country: Sony SmartWatch 2: Sortie prévue en France fin septembre à 199€. http://t.co/2Fy3poKswg — Sony Xperia FR (@SonyXperiaFR) June 25, 2013 Are you interested in buying the Xperia Z Ultra and/or the SmartWatch 2?

Sony Xperia Z Ultra outclasses the supersized competition Posted: 25 Jun 2013 12:42 PM PDT It wasn’t that long ago that a 4-inch display would have been considered gigantic. Fast forwarding to 2013 and "bigger is better" certainly seems to be the accepted philosophy when it comes to smartphones. Manufacturers like Samsung and Huawei have quickly pushed past six inch displays and are flirting ever so closely with the border between phone and tablet. Not one to be shown up for long, Sony recently unveiled its massive Xperia Z Ultra. The 6.4-inch supersized Sony smartphone truly bests the competition in every way, not just when it comes to size but functionality and design, too. As you can see, the Ascend Mate and Galaxy Mega 6.3 don't even begin to hold a candle to Sony's newest big-screen smartphone. The Z Ultra not only has a beefy Snapdragon 800 processor and Full HD display, it also wins the show with an extraordinarily thin design. The ZU comes in at just 6.5mm versus the Galaxy Mega's 8mm, or the Mate's 9.9mm profile. There's clearly a lot to be impressed about when it comes to the Z Ultra, especially on paper. From a hardware standpoint, is the Xperia Z Ultra perfect though? Admittedly, it isn’t without its weaknesses. For starters, the 8MP camera has no flash, which could certainly anger photo buffs out there. The ZU also has just a 3,000 mAh battery, though we really can't say how this affects its battery life until we get the chance to play with the handset for ourselves. Still, Samsung and Huawei should be sitting up and taking notice of the Sony Xperia ZU. Sony saw the trend of increasing screen sizes, and reacted just like the competition – but with one major difference: Sony did more than slap a big display on an otherwise unimpressive handset. What sets the Xperia Z Ultra apart from the crowd. With the Ascend Mate, Huawei at least went a little above and beyond by giving it a reasonably performing quad-core processor and 2GB RAM. The Ascend Mate's hardware isn't ground-breaking, but it isn't at all bad either. As for the Galaxy Mega? Take away that 6.3-inch display and all you are left with is a dual-core decisively mid-range handset with only 1.5GB RAM, 8GB storage, a 720p display and few features to really make us say "WOW". If you were to shrink the Sony Xperia Z Ultra's display down to something much smaller, you'd still find a highly-powerful 1080p smartphone with a bleeding-edge Snapdragon 800 processor. It’s also worth mentioning that the phone is also waterproof and dust resistant. Beyond the obvious, Sony's Xperia Z Ultra employs quite a bit of "extras" that further help it stand out. Sony's Triluminous technology improves color gamut considerably over the Xperia Z, and the X-Reality Engine gives us much sharper video. Let's also not forget that the Z Ultra has true note-taking functionality thanks to its unique ability to use pens, a graphite pencil or just about anything as a stylus. What the competition can learn from the Sony Xperia Z Ultra Sony made some sacrifices with the Xperia Z Ultra. In order to keep the profile thin, the camera and battery aren’t as good as they could be. The design also appears to have a non-removable battery, though the Z Ultra is far from the only phone moving towards such a design. Will any of this hurt the reception of the Z Ultra? While we can’t predict the future, we doubt it. Instead, consumers will probably be too busy taking notice of its impressive 1080p display, powerful processor and extremely thin, sexy design. The Ascend Mate and Galaxy Mega aren’t bad phones by any means, but you can’t exactly call them head-turners. This is somewhat similar to how the HTC One has won over quite a bit of attention, due to an equal mix of solid specs and amazing design. Like the Xperia Z Ultra, the HTC One made some sacrifices (such as no microSD), but in the long-term, the average consumer doesn’t really pay mind these shortcomings, or at least can look past them. How the Galaxy Note 3 factors into the super-sized phone battle For now, the Sony Xperia Z Ultra is the fastest, sexiest and most powerful phone in its class. Unfortunately, like all things, it is a position that won't last. The smartphone world evolves quickly and what is the best today might not be on top of the game tomorrow. The most immediate rival will probably be the Note 3. While the Galaxy Note 3 will come nowhere near the Xperia Z Ultra in terms of display size (rumored at 5.7-inches), if the specs and feature set are similar – it will still be Sony's biggest threat in the big display smartphone market. Sony’s Xperia Z Ultra has also come to the market early enough that Samsung may be able to learn a few lessons from the 6.4-incher before bringing out its next-gen Note. Still, Sony has done a fantastic job with the Xperia Z Ultra and for those that want an absolutely massive phone with tons of power, you’ll be hard pressed to find anything better.

Leef Bridge dual USB / microUSB drive is compatible with Android devices, PCs and Macs Posted: 25 Jun 2013 11:57 AM PDT Leef Technology on Tuesday unveiled a new flash drive that's compatible with both PCs and Macs but also with Android devices thanks to its regular USB and microUSB connectors. The Leef Bridge features a sliding mechanism that lets you access the connector your want to use, with the regular USB and microUSB connectors being placed at opposite sides. The memory stick comes in three capacities, 16GB, 32GB and 64GB. The 16GB model costs $17.99, while the 32GB version is priced at $28.99. Both models can be purchased at Amazon.com or 2Leef.com. As for the third version, the 64GB model will be available in July, with pricing to be announced when the device is launched. The Leef Bridge is compatible with all laptops and desktops out there, whether they run Windows or OS X and it's compatible with Android smartphones and tablets that run Android 4.1 Jelly Bean or higher and support micro USB On-The-Go (USB OTG) connection. In addition to announcing the new memory stick, Leef also mentioned in its press release that ASTRO File Manager developer Metago has updated its application to offer Leef Bridge owners "a seamless experience" using the two products. SAN FRANCISCO (June 25, 2013) – Leef Technology today announced Leef BridgeTM, the first USB flash drive for file sharing between Android phones and tablets, Macs and PCs. Leef Bridge is a simple, innovative USB flash drive that allows users to easily transfer files to other devices without the need for cables, cloud services, Wi-Fi or any type of data connection. Leef Bridge features a micro USB connector and full-size USB connector that access the same memory so users can share content, photos, videos, music and documents to and from any compatible device. The memory utilized within Leef Bridge has fast read and write speeds to ensure slick video and music playback directly from the USB drive, without the interruptions or delays that accompany low-grade USB flash drive products. Designed in California by the Leef design team, Leef Bridge boasts a unique design featuring an exposed slide-and-lock tray, which enables users to easily switch to the USB connector appropriate for their device connection. "Leef Bridge represents a major technical achievement," said Jonny Anderson, partner and director of product design at Leef. "With all products we develop, we want them to represent something people want to own, for their functionality, design and style. Leef Bridge makes managing content on a phone as simple as plugging in a USB flash drive. It is really a life hack product." Leef Bridge is currently compatible with mobile devices operating Android Jelly Bean OS 4.1 or higher and a micro USB On-The-Go (OTG) connector. Metago, the company behind ASTRO File Manager – the most downloaded content management application in the Android ecosystem – has teamed up with Leef to release an updated version of their app that provides users with a seamless experience using Leef Bridge and ASTRO File Manager. Instructions to download the app from Google Play are included on Leef's product packaging. Although ASTRO File Manager is not required to be able to use Leef Bridge, it is recommended by the Leef design team for its intuitive file management system. Leef Bridge is the latest addition to the company's product set, which includes quality USB flash drives that demonstrate a variety of innovative materials and design features. The company's approach to design was recognized in 2012 by PC Magazine – Russian Edition, which awarded Leef Fuse – the first patented USB drive with magnetic closure – "Best of the Year 2012" in the flash drive category. Availability and Pricing Leef Bridge is initially available for purchase in the USA at www.amazon.com and www.2Leef.com for a suggested retail price of $17.99 for the 16GB model and $28.99 for the 32GB model. The pricing for the 64GB model, which is expected in stock in July, will be announced upon availability. In addition, Leef Bridge is available for purchase at leading retailers in several international markets, including Russia, Asia and Central Europe.

Mobile Processor Guide – Summer 2013 Posted: 25 Jun 2013 10:59 AM PDT A fair bit has changed in the mobile processor space since we last took a look at the market earlier in the year. New handsets have been released, new benchmarks leaked, and a few brand new SoCs have been unveiled too. So here's a round-up of all the mobile processor news for the second quarter of the year. The next generation Earlier in the year, we were eagerly awaiting the arrival of processors powered by ARM's new Cortex A15 CPU cores, which were promising substantial performance improvements over the old Cortex A9 generation. Most of the big chip manufactures were lining up their new SoCs, the Exynos 5 Octa and Snapdragon 600 were two of the biggest releases which we'll take a look at in a bit more detail in a minute, and all the tech junkies were eager to know exactly what these chips could do. Well, now we know, one of the most obvious changes over the past quarter has been the leap up in mobile processing power. Top of the line handsets launched around the start of the year, like the Xperia Z, have already be surpassed with faster pieces of hardware — just take a look at our benchmark results: The Cortex A15 may have been the big step forward for mobile processes so far this year, but its implementation has come in many different forms. Qualcomm Snapdragon Qualcomm continues to do what Qualcomm does best – produce a range of high quality chips with everything that handset manufactures need already built in. This time last quarter, we were taking our first look at the upcoming Snapdragon 600 processors which would be replacing the older S4 Pro, another incredibly popular Qualcomm processor. Qualcomm doesn't use the exact specification for the Cortex A15, it licenses the architecture from ARM which it then implements into its own Krait CPU cores, the newest version of which, the Krait 300, has shown up in the new Snapdragon 600 SoC. The Galaxy S4, Optimus G Pro, and HTC One are all using Snapdragon 600 chips Since then, a range of handsets powered by Qualcomm's newest chips have appeared on the market, the flagship Samsung Galaxy S4 and HTC One being the two most notable models which are both some of the best performing smartphones on the market. Performance wise, the Snapdragon 600 has proven to be a decent enough jump up from the previous generation, performing well in most benchmark tests. We've also started to hear about a few devices featuring the lower end Snapdragon 400 and 200 chips, with a range of entry level processors using various ARM architectures heading to the market in the near future. So far this year high end smartphones have received the biggest performance improvements, but these new chips should give the midrange a much needed boost later in the year. So whilst Snapdragon 600 is certainly the most popular high-end chip on the market right now, we've already started to see our first snippets at Qualcomm's next big thing, the Snapdragon 800. There's been lots of official and unofficial data floating around over the past few months regarding this new chip, and from, what we can tell, it looks to be one powerful piece of tech. Qualcomm demoed some of the new chip's improved 3D performance earlier in the year, and more recently we've seen a few benchmarks popping up for new devices, which place the Snapdragon 800 at the top of the benchmark scores come it's release. First, there was the Pantech IM-A880 smartphone, which scored an impressive 30133 in the popular Antutu benchmark, followed by the rumoured beefed up version of the Galaxy S4, and most recently the new Xperia Z Ultra which pulled in the most impressive score yet, a whopping 32173. We've also seen some more official looking benchmarks from AnandTech and Engadget which confirm the Antutu scores of above and around 30,000, and also gives us a good look at how the chip performs in a range of other tests. The conclusion — it's a bit of a beast. These notable benchmarks scores are no doubt down to the new higher clocked Krait 400 CPU cores and the new Adreno 330 GPU, which is supposed to offer around a 50% performance improvement over the already quick Adreno 320. The test results we've seen have shown that the Snapdragon 800s CPU is fine compared with the current crop of processors, but the chip really shines through when it comes to GPU performance, which has proven to be even quicker than the Tegra 4 and iPad 4 chips. We've already seen that Qualcomm is taking graphics extra seriously with its latest chip, as the Snapdragon 800 became the first processor to receive OpenGL ES 3 certification and is compliant with all the big graphics APIs. Quite a few upcoming top of the line handsets are rumored to be utilizing Qualcomm's latest processor, including the Galaxy S4 LTE-A, Oppo Find 7, and an Xperia Z refresh as well, so the Snapdragon 800 is perhaps the biggest chip to look out for in the coming months. Exynos 5 Octa Moving away from Qualcomm, there was certainly a lot of hype surrounding Samsung's octo-core monster of a processor. Upon release, the chip mostly lived up to expectations — the Exynos version of the Galaxy S4 topped our performance charts and is currently the fastest handset on the market. The SoC is the first to utilize the new big.LITTLE architecture, with four new Cortex A15 cores to provide top of the line peak performance, and four older low power Cortex A7s to keep idle and low performance power consumption to a minimum. The chip is certainly one of the best when it comes to peak performance, but it has had its share of troubled when it comes to balancing power consumption and performance. The Exynos 5 Octa version of the Galaxy S4 is the fastest smartphone around right now, by a slim margin, but availability varies by region. If you're in the market for the fastest smartphone currently around, then the Galaxy S4 is the one to pick right now, providing that it's available in your region. It has the fastest CPU currently on the market, and its PowerVR SGX544 tri-core GPU matches that of the latest iPad. But with the Snapdragon 800 just around the corner, there could soon be a new processor sitting on the performance throne. Looking forward, it's difficult to see the Exynos retaining its top spot for much longer. Other companies are starting to look beyond the power-hungry Cortex A15 architecture, but Samsung hasn't yet unveiled any new plans. Intel Clover Trail+ and Baytrail Speaking of which, perhaps the biggest mover this year has been Intel, and although the company still isn't competing with ARM in terms of the number of design wins, Intel has finally show off some products which will pose a threat to ARM's market dominance. Although we've been hearing about Clover Trail+ since last year, the chip is now moving into full swing, with a few handsets arriving which are running the chip, and some of the benchmarks we've seen are really quite impressive. Clover Trail+ has managed to find the right balance between performance and power consumption, unlike previous Atom chips which been far too slow to keep up with the top of the line ARM-based processors. The results show a benchmark score followed by the average and peak current draw during the test. Intel’s chip scores highest on the most tests and draws the least current, and it’s only beaten by the Exynos 5 Octa when it comes to GPU performance. Then there's Baytrail. Back at Mobile World Congress earlier in the year, Intel laid out its plans for its Clover Trail+, but we've already heard information about the processor’s successor. Intel claims that its new Silvermont cores will further improve on both energy efficiency and peak performance. It sounds great on paper, but we always have to take these unveilings with a pinch of salt. What we are most likely looking at with Baytrail is a decent performance improvement, which should keep the processor ahead of the current Cortex A15 powered handsets in the benchmarks, but energy improvements are likely to come in the form of idle power consumption and low power states, rather than saving energy at the peak performance levels. But Intel isn't just interested in breaking into the smartphone and tablet markets with its new line-up of processors. The company is still very much focused on producing chips for laptops. One particularly interesting prospect is the confirmed new generation of Android based netbooks and laptops powered by more robust Intel processors, which could give Microsoft a real run for their money. Intel has clarified that it will also be assigning the additional Pentium and Celeron titles to its upcoming Silvermont architecture as well as using it in the new BayTrail mobile chips. What this potentially means is a further blurring of the line between tablets and laptops, where the same processor technology will be powering a range of Intel based products. I'm expecting the performance rankings to go from Baytrail for phones and tablets, to Celeron for notebooks, and Pentium chips for small laptops, but this naming strategy hasn't been confirmed yet. It's also interesting to see where this will stack up with Intel's newly released Haswell architecture, which is also aimed at providing power efficient solutions to laptops. Taking all that into consideration, Baytrail has the potential to be a big game changer for Intel, as it could stand out well ahead of Samsung's top of the line Exynos chips and will certainly rival the upcoming Qualcomm Snapdragon 800 processor. But we'll be waiting until the end of the year before we can finally see what the chip can do. In the meantime, we'll look forward to seeing if Clover Trail+ can finally win over some market share.

Verizon Galaxy S4 Developer Edition available from Samsung for $649.99 Posted: 25 Jun 2013 10:48 AM PDT The Verizon Galaxy S4 Developer Edition is now available for purchase directly from Samsung.com for full retail price ($649.99). We're still looking at the 16GB version of the SCH-I545 model (Verizon's Galaxy S4) but, as always with developer edition phones, you can expect the device to arrive carrier unlocked and, more importantly, sport an unlocked bootloader. The Developer Edition version of the Verizon Galaxy S4 isn't available on Big Red at this time. The mobile operator sells the 16GB model for $199.99 with a new two-year contract, and the handset is available both in black and white. Off-contract, the handset is also priced at $649.99. However, the Galaxy S4 model sold by Verizon comes with a locked bootloader, which means you'd have to unlock it yourself before customizing your Android experience – there are ways of doing that in case you don't necessarily want to pay full price for the device. Samsung Galaxy S4 Review [11:50] In case you still haven't purchased a Galaxy S4 version, you can always check our thorough review of the device (video above).

Shareholders approve Sprint/SoftBank merger Posted: 25 Jun 2013 10:04 AM PDT This morning, Sprint announced their proposed merger with SoftBank cleared another major hurdle, with the shareholders overwhelmingly approving the deal. With 98% of shareholders approving the deal, it's clear that shareholders are ready for the new company to take shape. Dan Hesse, CEO of Sprint, had the following to offer: http://newsroom.sprint.com/news-releases/sprint-shareholders-overwhelmingly-approve-merger-agreement-with-softbank.htm Dan Hesse Sprint This takes things a step closer to a newly formed company, with only the FTC needed to approve the deal. For shareholders, the deal gives them $7.65/share, or they can convert their shares 1:1 into the newly formed company. That new company, which will be 78% SoftBank and 22% Sprint owned, should take shape sometime in mid July. Shareholders currently have election ballots for a new board, with the deadline for submission as July 5th. This effectively brings the Sprint/SoftBank merger drama to a close. Through distractions from Dish Network and SoftBank's noted interest in T-Mobile, the two companies remained committed to the deal. What we need to see now is added benefit for the consumer. Sprint's network is severely lacking, and they have a lot of room for improvement elsewhere.

How the Sony Xperia Z Ultra ‘stylus’ functionality works Posted: 25 Jun 2013 09:36 AM PDT Earlier today, the Sony Xperia Z Ultra was officially announced, bringing with it a stunning 6.4-inch 1080p TFT display and a blazingly fast Snapdragon 800 processor. The phone's specs are bleeding edge in nearly every aspect, but it is the display that really has us buzzing. No, it isn’t just the size that blows us away, as we’ve seen that before with the Ascend Mate and Galaxy Mega. What really sets the Xperia ZU apart from the crowd is the technology behind its screen. We've already discussed Triluminos and X-Reality Engine display technology, but what about the Xperia Z Ultra's unique ability to use nearly any device as a stylus, how is this accomplished? Sony has yet to get into the specifics of this technology, though speaking to All Things D, a Sony rep did mention the display has a special type of coating, Super Hard Coat ASF. This coating is said to allow the ZU’s display to work with pencils and pens. The coat also protects the ZU from scratches and marks while using makeshift styluses. Digging a bit deeper it seems likely that the Sony Xperia ZU makes use of some form of Neonode's MultiSensing touch technology. Neonode is a Swedish company that has previously partnered with Sony for its e-Reader line, so it makes sense that Sony and Neonode could have teamed up here. Just remember that Sony has yet to confirm Neonode was involved in the ZU’s design, so take this all with a slight grain of salt. If the Z Ultra really does utilize Neonode multiSensing tech, that means it basically works by utilizing optical infrared light that can potentially sense any object and identify it pressure, size, depth, speed and proximity to the surface. What do you think of the Sony Xperia Z Ultra, how does it compare to other large screen smartphones including Samsung’s Galaxy Note 2 and Galaxy Mega?

PSA: Don’t forget to signup for All Access Posted: 25 Jun 2013 09:23 AM PDT If you’re like me, you cancelled all other music subscriptions right after Google announced All Access at its annual Google I/O convention. If you’re not not like me, you’ve probably been tossing around the idea of subscribing, but something important to keep in mind is that this is the last week you can sign-up and take advantage of the $7.99/mo price tag. After June 30, All Access will cost interested subscribers $9.99 per month. It’s still not a bad price, but the discount early adopters receive is also really nice, and it isn’t something you want to miss out on if you like saving money. If you haven’t used All Access yet, you can sign up for the one month trial, and if you do that on or before June 30, you’ll still be able to take advantage of the $7.99 subscription fee after your trial expires sometime in June. It might be difficult to make the jump from Spotify’s massive library of 25 million tracks, but you can bet that Google will probably make sure that All Access has all of the latest, popular, and well-known songs available. Not to mention the fact that more tracks will be added to Google’s own library everyday, and who knows, maybe Google’s library will eventually surpass Spotify’s? Do you plan on making the jump to All Access? If not, why?

The HTC First experiment is over Posted: 25 Jun 2013 09:20 AM PDT In an interview with CNET, AT&T's CEO Ralph de la Vega has stated that the carrier has now sold off all of its remaining Facebook Home powered HTC First handsets. Interestingly, he declined to indicate exactly how many handsets AT&T had sold, which certainly raised a flag or two. Now, usually you'd consider selling out all of your handsets to be a sign of strong demand, but we're quite sure that the HTC First hasn't exactly been popular. After all, AT&T knocked the price of the First down rather significantly from the $99 starting price to just $0.99, which no doubt helped shift the carrier's remaining stock. In fact the handset has been described as a bit of a disaster for HTC, leading to its launch being cancelled in the UK and, without any other manufacturers keen to jump on the sinking Facebook Home ship, it looks like the venture is over, at least for the foreseeable future. Whilst it may not have been particularly surprising that sales of the First have been slowly wound down, De la Vega also made an interesting comparison between the HTC First and the ill-fated Motorola ROKR. You may recall that the ROKR was Apple's first attempt at breaking into the cell phone market, by integrating iTunes with the handset. But the phone ended up being a total flop, and that's putting it nicely. However, De la Vega believes that even though the initial handset was a failure, it did give AT&T a head start and an "inside track" when it came to selling the iPhone. De la Vega also stated that he is committing to working on different iterations of products with its partners. So, is he perhaps hinting that Facebook Home could well come back at some point in the future in an updated form on a different handset? Have a little read of this quote and decide for yourself. We have a great relationship with Apple just like we have a great relationship with Facebook… We look forward to working with them to make Home better. Either way, we bid farewell to the HTC First for now, but I can't say that it's a handset that will be particularly missed.

Google Play for Education program being rolled out to developers Posted: 25 Jun 2013 08:56 AM PDT Good news for the kids! Developers can now offer educational apps via the Play Store. Google has created an extension of the Play Store, called Google Play for Education, which is meant to house those apps developers have created for K-12 students. Developers who have an app they feel is age appropriate can now tag it as educational, which will then be reviewed by an independent panel of educators. This panel will peruse the app, ultimately deciding which age level it meets and whether it adheres to strict guidelines for appropriateness and safety. Those apps deemed safe will not collect personally identifiable information about the student, or use any in-app data for non educational uses. Developers are urged to create free apps, or paid apps which don't have ads throughout. The use of in-app purchases is also frowned upon. While any monetization model is accepted, developers should keep in mind these apps may be purchased by schools for students, and in app purchases or ads could distract from the educational process. Currently, in app purchases are blocked by Play Store for Education, but guidelines for implementation are available, lending credence that they will be accepted at some point. It's a great idea, but we're also wondering if it's going to work out. The educational angle for Google has always been Chromebooks in the classroom, and we hope this doesn't distract from that program. The Chrome Web Store already has an "Education" tab, and it could really use more apps.

Here are 81 amazing boot animations for your phone [Android is awesome] Posted: 25 Jun 2013 08:44 AM PDT I first stumbled upon the work of Croatian artist Paolo Ceric a few months ago on Google Plus. I was in awe with the beauty of Ceric's animated GIFs, which typically depict abstract shapes that move in a mesmerizing, almost organic way. From pulsing stylized hearts to hypnotic animations inspired by Escher's impossible constructions, these animations prove that art can take many forms, including a lowly GIF. Back when I first discovered Paolo Ceric's animations, I thought they'd make wonderful boot animations. Apparently, XDA-Developers forum user raishiro thought the same, because he took some 56 of Ceric's finest creations and turned them into boot animations that can be used on any rooted Android device. Raishiro added 25 variations of some of the 56 GIF images, bringing the collection to a grand total of 81 boot animations. All images are available in HDPI (480×800) and XHDPI (720 x 1280) resolutions. Here are just a couple of samples (high resolution):   The XDA user even made a helpful tutorial for changing boot animations on rooted Android devices, which you can watch below. The process if fairly simple and the results are definitely worth it. For the full collection of Android boot animations by Paolo Ceric and packaged by raishiro, head over to this link. Enjoy!

Sony unveils Xperia C and new variant of Xperia SP, both heading to China Posted: 25 Jun 2013 07:31 AM PDT Sony has just announced a few new devices in Shanghai, and although the Xperia Z Ultra might be the main attraction at the moment, the company has also officially unveiled two more handsets, the new Xperia C and an update to its Xperia SP smartphone. The Xperia C will be Sony's first MediaTek powered device, showing once again that MediaTek is proving to be a viable alternative to the familiar big names like Qualcomm and Samsung. This Xperia handset will be powered by the quad-core MT6589 MediaTek chip, which uses four ARM Cortex A7 cores for the CPU and a PowerVR Series5XT graphics processor. Sony's new Xperia C is a 5-inch qHD (960 x 540 pixel display) handset with dual SIM card capabilities, it will also feature a 8 megapixel Exmor R camera complete with a voice shutter function. Customers in China will also have access to over 3 million tracks from local music content provider Duomi, which certainly sweetens the deal. The smartphone will be available in either black, white, or purple, but there currently aren't any details available for either pricing or a release date, and we don't know if this device will make it out of China. The second handset unveiled by Sony is the Xperia SP M35t, an update to the existing Xperia SP model but with enhanced connectivity. This updated handset will be TD-LTE compliant, meaning that it will be heading to China Mobile which has a bit of a monopoly on the high speed network. Hardware wise we're looking at exactly the same as the original Xperia SP handset; a 4.6 inch 720p display accompanied by a dual-core 1.7 GHz Snapdragon S4 Pro chipset and an 8 megapixel camera. The smartphone will also retain the funky looking LED strip at the bottom of the device too. Again there's no news on the retail price or a release date just yet, but stay tuned.

CyanogenMod shows off new Mini-Camera Tile feature Posted: 25 Jun 2013 06:16 AM PDT The CyanogenMod developers have been on a roll recently, unveiling plenty of new features and rolling out some more stable builds of the popular custom ROM. Well now there's another new feature currently under review which has been developed by Nebojsa Cvetkovic, which gives users even quicker access to their smartphone camera. The new feature appears as a simple tile on the quick settings panel, which can be accessed from the standard drop-down notification menu, allowing users to quickly take a picture from the notification menu without having to load up the main camera application. Here's a quick video of the feature in action. A quick tap on the tile with start up the camera, providing you with a small preview and auto focusing the shot, providing that your smartphone camera supports auto focus. Then it's a simple case of tapping again to take your picture and again for any subsequent shots. When you're done just swipe away the notification shade and the camera will automatically close. Even better still, the quick shot still takes pictures at full resolution just like the regular app, so even though it's a quick setting you won't end up with low resolution shots. Of course this isn't really ideal for taking the perfect picture, but if you just need to quickly take a snap of something or simply can't wait for the normal camera app to load, then this seems like a really useful new feature.

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