Android Authority |
- The HTC One Google Play Edition won’t play nice with T-Mobile’s network
- ‘Normal’ Galaxy S4 and HTC One tipped to get Google Play edition software (stock Android 4.2.2)
- Rumor: Sony Honami to be announced in Paris on July 4
- How to print from your Android phone or tablet
- Future version of Google Now might add car rental, event ticket cards
- More alleged Sony Honami (Xperia i1) photos appear, seem to confirm previous leak
- Rumor: Android 4.3 Jelly Bean coming in July to Galaxy S4 Google Play edition [Update: screenshots]
- WSJ: “K release” (Key Lime Pie?) Android arriving this fall; to support low-end devices and other hardware
- WSJ: Google Android console, smartwatch, and new Nexus Q coming; at least one to launch this fall
- 23 percent of Windows Phone users come from Android, claims Microsoft. Are we supposed to be impressed?
- Google’s new scan for Chrome Web Store submissions improves security
- Analysts argue about whether or not Google+ can overtake Facebook, but they’re missing the point
- Boot animation and live wallpaper for Google Play edition phones available for download
- Plants vs Zombies 2 apparently delayed, no new release date in sight
- Exynos 4 devices (Galaxy S3, Galaxy Note 2 and others) getting only CyanogenMod 10.1 nightly builds
- Boomerang Gmail app now available for Android
- Judge denies Apple’s request to add the Galaxy S4 to its 2014 patent trial
- Is Google Now finally coming to Chrome soon?
- Google Play Edition: exactly what we asked for, but maybe not what we wanted
- Google Play Movies updated with new layout and Watch Now feature
- Verizon 4G LTE is now available in more than 500 markets, covers 95% of the U.S. population
- Rumor: T-Mobile Xperia Z launch set for July 17
- Photo Sphere for the masses – install the new stock Android camera APK now
- Rumor: Qualcomm ZOLA smartwatch to launch in September
- HTC One Mini coming “really soon” says leaker. In Germany on August 3? [Update]
| The HTC One Google Play Edition won’t play nice with T-Mobile’s network Posted: 28 Jun 2013 02:31 AM PDT
The HTC One Google Play Edition (that’s what they’re calling these things) was released this week, and although we already knew that it wouldn't work on Verizon or Sprint, some new information has been revealed in regards to network compatibility with T-Mobile (Spoiler Alert: It's not looking good for T-Mobile customers). The HTC One Google Play Edition is a unlocked GSM phone and should therefore be able to work on AT&T and T-Mobile, however the reality is quite different. If you plan on using your HTC One on T-Mobile and you aren't in an area which has LTE, you'll most like be stuck with low data speeds.
This is due to the fact that the HTC One Google Play Edition does not support the necessary bands for T-Mobile's HSPA+ AWS service. The HSPA+ AWS service requires a smartphone to be compatible with both the 1700MHz and 2100MHz, however the HTC One Google Play Edition does not support the 2100MHz band. What this is means is that if you aren't in an area where T-Mobile has LTE service, or where T-Mobile has moved its HSPA+ service onto the 1900MHz spectrum, you'll be stuck on EDGE speeds. Note that the HTC One Google Play Edition will work on AT&T without a hitch, and the Galaxy S4 Google Edition will work on both T-Mobile and AT&T's networks. Do you still plan on getting a HTC One Google Play Edition? 
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| ‘Normal’ Galaxy S4 and HTC One tipped to get Google Play edition software (stock Android 4.2.2) Posted: 28 Jun 2013 01:40 AM PDT  HTC One running stock Android 4.2.2 Jelly Bean | Image Credit: xda-developers The "normal" versions of the Galaxy S4 and HTC One – or at least some models – will be compatible with the software of their respective Google Play edition versions, although don't expect it to be a hassle-free procedure. MoDaCo's Paul O'Brien said as much on Twitter, and even though this doesn't come officially from Samsung, HTC or Google, it's still good news for those Android users that purchased a Galaxy S4 or HTC One before the Google Play edition versions were launched – of course, don’t expect Samsung and HTC to be too thrilled about this anyway:
Digging deeper, you'll find out that the HTC One Google Play edition firmware has already been leaked and is available to flash on your current HTC One model, although you'll have to root your device, and closely follow the procedure as described on the xda-developers forum. Phandroid has already flashed the ROM on the handset, and it looks like everything is running as expected, with "the only part that's 'broken' [being] data usage settings." More importantly, you'll have to know this all seems to apply to GSM versions of the Galaxy S4 and HTC One, with O’Brien having pretty much said so in his Twitter conversations that followed the tweet above. Verizon and Sprint Galaxy S4 and Sprint HTC One owners may find it difficult to flash the Google Play experience software on their devices for now, although the community may fix the problem in the future. There’s a whole discussion on reddit going on about the matter. We'll remind you that we don't encourage you to install any unofficial ROMs on your devices and we can't be held responsible for whatever you do with your smartphones and/or tablets. But since they're your devices and you can do whatever you want to them, please make sure to back up your data and follow all the necessary steps to get to the desired end result as described, particularly if you're not feeling too comfortable about rooting and/or installing custom software. To get a small taste of what the Google Play edition software has to offer, you can always try the new camera app, the boot animation and the live wallpaper that come preloaded on these devices without actually flashing a new ROM on your device. That said, will you install Google Play edition software on your devices? 
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| Rumor: Sony Honami to be announced in Paris on July 4 Posted: 28 Jun 2013 01:03 AM PDT
Hours after a second set of images allegedly showing the Sony Honami (Xperia i1) have hit the web, a publication claims that the phone will be unveiled in Paris, on July 4, during a special media event. We wondered the other day whether the Honami could be unveiled at Sony's next confirmed event and it looks like we were not that far off. Rbmen says that the device in the teaser image released for the Paris event (image below) is actually the Sony Honami, not the Xperia Z Ultra, as it was believed before. As you can see, the teaser image shows a device that apparently features a dedicated camera button and a lanyard hole towards the lower right side of the handset, design elements that we have noticed in the most recent set of leaked photos.  Invitation for Sony Paris media event set to take place on July 4. Apparently Sony is interested in launching both the Xperia Z Ultra and the Honami simultaneously, although each device will have its own announcement event – that is if Google's translation of the original article written in Japanese is to be believed. The Honami's specs are again rumored to include a 5-inch Full HD display (1920 x 1080) resolution, Qualcomm Snapdragon 800 processor, 20-megapixel camera, 2.2-megapixel front-facing camera, non-removable battery and Android 4.2.2 Jelly Bean under the hood. Just like other recent Android handsets from Sony, the handset will be dust proof and water resistant.  Design of right side of the handset, as shown in this alleged photo of the Honami, is similar to the device shown in the invitation for the Paris-based, July 4 media event. Actual release dates for this flagship product are not available yet, but the handset is said to be launched by NTT DoCoMo in Japan. That said, we'll remind you that this is just a rumor at this point, which is yet to be confirmed, so take it with a grain of salt. 
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| How to print from your Android phone or tablet Posted: 28 Jun 2013 12:35 AM PDT
Android phones and tablets are just like computers. They’re not as powerful, but they’re extremely portable. As portable computers, they can be used to send emails, browse the Web, watch YouTube videos, and all sorts of stuff that you can also do on your desktop or laptop. Yes — including printing. With the advent of cloud-based printing technologies and services, as well as cloud-ready printers and apps, printing is no longer an impossibility on your Android phone or tablet. In this post, learn how to print from your Android phone or tablet. For a video tutorial, you can skip to the end of this article. Connecting your classic printer to Google Cloud Print
Some printers let you print from your Android phone or tablet over a Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, or USB connection. However, if your printer doesn’t have such capabilities, you can register your printer to Google Cloud Print, a technology and service that lets you connect your printer to the Web, making your printers accessible wherever you are. You can even make your printers accessible to your friends or print documents from your mobile devices. Google Cloud Print works with most printers. But, for the best experience, a Cloud Ready printer is recommended. These types of printers can directly connect to the Internet and don’t need a computer for it to work. Google keeps a growing list of Cloud Ready printers compatible with and supported in Google Cloud Print.
If your printer doesn’t have cloud capabilities, you can still connect your classic printer to Google Cloud Print via your computer. For this to work, you will need a Google account and the Google Chrome browser installed on your computer. (If using Windows XP, make sure Windows XP Service Pack 3 is installed on your PC.) The steps below describe how to set up your local printer for use with Google Cloud Print:
Google Chrome acts as a go-between for your printer and Google Cloud Print. When you print something from your mobile via Google Cloud Print, you actually send data from your mobile device to Google Cloud Print, which forwards it to Google Chrome, which in turn tells your PC to print the document on the attached printer. So, to print via Cloud Print, always make sure that your PC is connected to the Internet, that you are logged in to your Google account in Google Chrome, and that your printer is on. Printing from your phone or tablet
Now that your printer is accessible via Google Cloud Print, it’s time to print from your Android phone or tablet. For that, you will need Google’s official Cloud Print app for Android.
Printing Web pages and Gmail messagesPrinting Web pages is also possible through Cloud Print. Just open your Android browser’s Menu, tap Share, and select Cloud Print. From here, you can then print the Web page to any of your printers registered on Cloud Print.
Or, if your phone or tablet’s Internet browser supports printing functionality, you can directly send the Web page to your printer over a Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, or USB connection.
As for printing Gmail messages, Google’s Gmail app for Android doesn’t have an option that allows you to print your mails. But, if you access your Gmail account through a Web browser app, you can print your mails. Just open a Gmail message in your browser, tap the arrow to reveal additional buttons, and select Print. You will then be taken to Google Cloud Print to print your mail. Third-party printing appsSeveral third-party apps for mobile printing are available on the Google Play Store, including such apps as Cloud Print (by Paulo Fernandes) and PrinterShare Mobile Print (by Mobile Dynamix). Cloud Print by Paulo Fernandes
Developer Paulo Fernandes’s Cloud Print app for Android may have the same name as Google’s official app for its own service of the same name, but the two apps are different. Both, however, use the Cloud Print service to allow printing from phones or tablets. The free version of Fernandes’s app comes with ad support and has certain features restricted, but the app is generally still usable. You can upgrade to its premium version for about US$3.00 to remove the ads and remove the feature restrictions. Here are the general steps for using Paulo Fernandes’s Cloud Print app:
What I like about this app is that it allows you to print your SMS messages, scan documents by taking a picture and print them afterwards, create scribbles or drawings for printing later, or jot down notes and print them later. The app also allows you to access your Dropbox and Box files, Facebook images, Google Drive files, Gmail attachments, and Google Calendar events and print those files from within the app. PrinterShare Mobile Print
PrinterShare Mobile Print also uses Google’s Cloud Print service to connect your printer and Android phone or tablet via the cloud. The app’s free version includes the following features:
You can upgrade to its premium version for about US$13.00 to be able to connect and print to your printer via Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, or USB. The premium version also lets you print to shared Windows or Mac printers nearby, as well as print without limit with Remote Mode. Here are the general steps for using PrinterShare Mobile Print:
The types and categories of files that PrinterShare Mobile Print can print are displayed on the app’s main screen. You can print pictures, contacts, calendar, Web pages, SMS messages, call logs, Gmail messages, Google Doc files, and other documents. VideoCheck out our video tutorial on how to print from your Android phone or tablet: ConclusionMobile printing has become easier, thanks to Google Cloud Print and third-party printing apps on the Google Play Store. With these technologies and services, you can easily print your files or data from your Android phone or tablet. How often do you print from your Android phone or tablet? Do you use a different method or solution? If so, what solution do you use? Share your thoughts and experiences in the comments section below. (with contributions from Alvin Ybañez) 
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| Future version of Google Now might add car rental, event ticket cards Posted: 27 Jun 2013 08:44 PM PDT
Looks like the folks at Mountain View have more in store for Google Now users. The latest version of the predictive search app introduced a few features, but Android Police reports the application's code contains references to new functionality that could appear in a more substantial update soon. Specifically, users can look forward to the addition of new cards that rely on Gmail e-mails to pull up pertinent information when needed. Actions related to car rental appear to be the most useful. After receiving confirmation from a car provider, the new "rental" card will display the booking number, pickup and return date, time, and location of the vehicle. When picking up the car, users can "Navigate," "Get Directions," and "Manage [the] Reservation." Returning the car presents options for finding nearby gas stations and calling the rental center. Functioning in a way similar to the airplane boarding pass feature, an updated "event" card will display a QR ticket code when the event start time nears. Additionally, the card will populate with information relevant to the event: showtime or game start time, time to leave, seating specifics, door open time, venue, and, if applicable, the status of a table reservation. Sports events will get a new game statistics display. Like the new car rental card, the event card includes "Navigate," "Get Directions," and "Manage Reservation" buttons. Slightly enigmatic is the presence of code pointing to an "Wallet Loyalty" Google Now card. Android Police wasn't able to discern its exact function, but it's possible the code lies the groundwork for a future NFC-less payment system. For those disappointed the newest Google Now didn't add many new cards, this update should definitely suffice. I, for one, am excited to see Google tapping more and more into Gmail data to aggregate things. We'll let you know when the next version of Google Now goes live. 
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| More alleged Sony Honami (Xperia i1) photos appear, seem to confirm previous leak Posted: 27 Jun 2013 07:47 PM PDT
After seeing a rumored image of the Sony Honami the other day – the company's rumored next flagship device – a new set of photos has surfaced reportedly showing the handset and apparently confirming the previous leak.
While the previous leak showed us the back of a white handset, said to be the Honami – and which appeared to be bigger than the Xperia Z but smaller than the Xperia Z Ultra (image below) – the new set of photos feature a black handset from various angles. Of the six images (see gallery below), one is of particular importance, as it shows a back side of the device that's identical to the one seen in the previous leak. It also indicates that the back case of the device will not made of glass but of metal, most likely aluminum.  Previous image showing a white Sony Honami (Xperia i1) in between the Xperia Z Ultra (left) and Xperia Z (right) | Image credit: Techtudo From the looks of it, we're looking at a thin device that could feature a small bezel, although that's hard to tell from the available angles, considering that the display is turned off. In addition to the rear camera flash and IR blaster, we can also spot the front speaker, the headset jack, the microSD slot, the by-now-iconic on/off switch on the right side of the device, what looks like a dedicated camera button and a lanyard hole (also on the right side of the device), but also what look like dock pins on the left side of the handset.       That said, we have no idea when the Honami will be unveiled, but we do know that Sony will have another media event in a few days, on July 4, in Paris. We'll just have to wait and see whether the new handset become official on that date, or whether the Paris media event will be dedicated to the Xperia Z Ultra, as previously rumored. And just to keep you on your toes, we’ll remind you that some rumors say an Xperia Z refresh is also in the works. Could these images show that rumored Xperia Z refresh? We’re only asking because the Honami is rumored to have some advanced camera features, and the rear camera of this particular device doesn’t seem to qualify. 
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| Rumor: Android 4.3 Jelly Bean coming in July to Galaxy S4 Google Play edition [Update: screenshots] Posted: 27 Jun 2013 06:51 PM PDT
A fresh rumor says that Samsung will soon update its Galaxy S4 Google Play edition to Android 4.3 Jelly Bean, which is the next expected Android OS update version. Sam Mobile has it from its insiders that Samsung is currently testing build version JWR66N on the Galaxy S4 Google Play edition (model number GT-I9505G). Now, if that particular Android 4.3 build number is familiar, that's because a recent Myce report talked about two particular Android 4.3 versions – JWR66D and JWR53F – spotted in server logs running on the Nexus 7 and Nexus 4, but also "in the issue tracker of the Google Chromium project:"
That explanation seems to indicate that JWR66N is a newer Android 4.3 build, although we're only speculating at this point. Getting back to Sam Mobile's report; while an actual release date for the update is not provided, the publication says the handset will get Android 4.3 in July. If that's accurate, that means the official Android 4.3 update is days away – and we can't but wonder whether that's when new hardware will also be released. Considering that Google will not update the Google Play edition handsets to new Android versions, as OEMs will have to do it themselves, it'll certainly be interesting to see how fast the Galaxy S4 and HTC One with Nexus powers will get their Android 4.3 updates once the new OS version is official. Speaking of the HTC One Google Play edition – boy, these product names are annoying – we would assume that HTC is also working on the respective Android 4.3 update for the device, assuming, again, that Sam Mobile's info is accurate.    Update: Sam Mobile has returned with more information, including screenshots of Android 4.3 running on the Qualcomm Snapdragon 600 version of the Galaxy S4 (GT-I9505), not the Google Play edition model (see gallery above). 
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| Posted: 27 Jun 2013 05:52 PM PDT
An ample Wall Street Journal report offered details about three new products that Google is said to be working on, but also provided details about the upcoming major Android update, "known internally as 'K release.'" We have already talked about the Android console, smartwatch and new Nexus Q that Google is apparently working on, reportedly intending to launch at least one of them this fall, so now it's time to talk about Key Lime Pie. Without specifically naming the next version of Android, the WSJ does say it's known as "K release" internally – Key Lime Pie is expected to be the name of the next major update, although that's yet to be confirmed. However, the publication did not mention a number for it – Key Lime Pie is expected to be the name of Android 5.0. Google surprised everyone at Google I/O by not announcing a new Android update. Since before the developers conference, word on the street suggested that Android 5.0 Key Lime Pie – which was initally expected to arrive at I/O – was not going to be the next Android update. Instead, more and more indirect evidence pointed to another Jelly Bean version, Android 4.3 Jelly Bean. However, Android 4.3 is yet to be unveiled. Getting back to the WSJ report, the publication says that “K release” is expected this fall, with the company "[wrapping] up development on the next version of Android," as it focuses on hardware. That's definitely a very interesting detail and, if true, falls in line with some rumors that said Google held off releasing the next major Android update to allow more devices to be updated to Jelly Bean.
However, the most interesting thing about WSJ's Android-related revelations is that the new update will be a lot friendlier to low-cost, and therefore older, Android devices than its predecessors. If that's true, then Google may be able to solve one of the major "problems" with Android, its fragmented state: According to Google, the majority of Android devices currently being used rely on a version of the software released in 2011 that has fewer capabilities than newer releases. Some industry experts say that the most recent versions of Android are better for higher-end devices than lower-end or older ones that had, for instance, 512 megabytes of memory. The coming version of Android is supposed to remedy the issue, said people familiar with the matter, and also help mobile app developers focus on optimizing their apps for fewer versions of the software. By improving its core services – at Google I/O has focused on products including Search, Maps and Google+ – the company is already taking necessary steps to offer a better experience to consumers and developers across platforms. But should “K release” be compatible with low-cost devices, Google would be able to accomplish something it hasn't really been able to do before. Naturally, users will still be at the mercy of OEMs and carriers when it comes to updates, but some of them will be able to take matters in their own hands knowing that their old device can run a newer version of Android.
This particular move from Google makes a lot of sense especially when paired with an other interesting detail provided by the WSJ – Google is creating low-cost phones for developing markets, "including in markets where Google plans to fund or help create next-generation wireless networks." This is in line with Google's motivation behind its need to dominate the mobile ecosystem: search and ads. While helping connect even more people to the Internet, Google will make money in the process from its web-based services that come bundled with Android, or are available on competing platforms such as iOS or Windows Phones. And what better way to compete in such markets than by launching cheap devices running a new operating system? In addition to supporting low-cost smartphones and tablets, the new Android release should also support laptops and desktops – that's not a secret anymore, is it? – but also other devices such as home appliances. Just like before, we’ll advise you to take everything with a grain of salt even if it comes from a trusted publication such as the WSJ. Google is yet to announce its next-gen Android OS versions, so we’re bound to see plenty of similar reports in the mean time. 
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| WSJ: Google Android console, smartwatch, and new Nexus Q coming; at least one to launch this fall Posted: 27 Jun 2013 05:08 PM PDT
A new Wall Street Journal report says that Google is working on a bunch of new Android devices, "as the Internet company seeks to spread the software's domination beyond smartphones and tablets," and prove itself as a hardware maker. These new devices include an Android console, a smartwatch and a new Nexus Q media device, at least according to unnamed people that are familiar with the matter. At least one of them is expected to be launched this fall, although we’re yet to find out which one will be chosen. The ConsoleApparently one of the reasons behind creating an Android console and smartwatch is to have such products ready to compete against similar products that Apple may release in the future. The iPhone maker is rumored to work on a smartwatch of its own and "launch a videogame console as part of its next Apple TV product release." In addition to making sure it has competing products for potential Apple products, Google is also said to have been keeping tabs on Ouya, a company that has been getting a lot of attention ever since raising funds to build its $99.99 Android-based console – a product that has just started selling. Details on the console are scarce, as you can see, but we’re definitely interested to see how such a product would look like and what it would have to offer. At least two new consoles are coming this fall from traditional players in the gaming business, including the Microsoft Xbox One and the Sony PlayStation 4. The WatchNot many details are known about Google's future smartwatch, although we will remind you that we got wind of such plans just ahead of Google I/O 2013. Moreover, newly discovered patent applications show how Google envisions such a product. The WSJ now says that Google's smartwatch – a name for the product has not been given apparently – will connect to smartphones via Bluetooth, and that's about everything those people "familiar with the matter" revealed. Of course, that’s what’s expected from a smartwatch – to connect to other devices, particularly mobile ones. We would assume the device would run Android, just like Google Glass, and offer various smart features, just like other similar products.
The new Nexus QFor whatever reason, Google is apparently working a next-generation Nexus Q, although the first one was not a success. Not many details about the device are known at the time, but the people in the know say the device, destined to help Google sell more movies and music, will be "much less expensive." The original Nexus Q had a retail price of $299, but, again, it was not a success. Other productsIn addition to these three particular products, Google is also reportedly working on its own "low-cost Android smartphones" for developing markets (the Motorola DFX by any chance?), and the company is ready to let its partners use Android to power other devices than smartphones and tablets. The first such products that come to mind are Android laptops (and desktops), which should be available later this year – we have already seen a dual-booting Android/Windows convertible laptop get official and an Android-powered all-in-one. The WSJ specifically mentions HP working on Android-powered laptops running "the next version of the software," but there certainly are other OEMs in the PC industry that will embrace Android. Home appliances are also listed among future devices that will come with Android pre-loaded, although we're going to have to wait and see what that means. Interestingly, the WSJ story doesn’t mention new Nexus devices – well, not counting the Nexus Q, the new Nexus 7 or Nexus 5 aren’t referred to in the story. Wrap upNaturally, even if the WSJ is more than a trusted source, we will remind you that these products are not confirmed at this time, and we can't be certain when they'll arrive and in what order. So make sure you take everything with a grain of salt for the time being. While Google refused to comment on the matter, just like with other Google products, we expect to see plenty of leaks and rumors surrounding their launch, so make sure to follow us for more news regarding the Google Android console, smartwatch, new Nexus Q, and whatever other hardware the company may build in the near future. 
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| Posted: 27 Jun 2013 03:41 PM PDT
Yesterday during a BUILD session geared towards Windows Phone, Microsoft aimed to motivate developers by talking a bit about the mobile OS' current market penetration. During the presentation Microsoft shared a few stats about where Microsoft Windows Phone users come from. According to the data, 42% of users come from a feature phone. But what Microsoft really wanted to rub in was that supposedly 23% of Windows Phone devices come from Android users that 'upgraded' (Microsoft's words not mine!) over to a Windows Phone 8 device. So that's amazing, mind-blowing – Android sure is in trouble! Except for the fact that it isn’t. Not at all. Looking at Q1 2013 data from IDC, Windows Phone represented 3.2% of the entire smartphone marketshare pie, shipping 7 million units. This was a notable growth of 133.3% year-over-year. Okay, so Windows Phone did see growth, that much is true, but so did Android. During Q1 2013, the platform made up 75% of the worldwide market and shipped 162.1 million units, reporting a 79.5% year-over-year growth. While Windows Phone 8 grew more percentage wise, the actual growth of units shipped between Q1 2012 and Q1 2013 was just 4 million more. In contrast, Android shipped 71.8 million more. Tell me, which of these figures impresses you the most?
Understanding why some Android users are jumping ship to Windows Phone 8We can point out the fact that Microsoft's growth isn’t really significant all day until we turn blue in the face. That doesn’t change the fact that there are at least some folks that have made the jump over to Windows Phone 8. The question is: why? There is no way to know for sure unless we go knocking on the door of every Windows Phone convert, but we can take some guesses. Past Windows Phone/Mobile usersFirst, at least a small portion of these ‘converted’ users might have owned Windows Mobile or Windows Phone 7 devices but jumped ship when they realized that Microsoft couldn’t keep up with the competition. Windows Phone 8 is a dramatically different experience from Android and iOS, and also represents a major leap forward from WP7 and WM. Whether you agree or not, some users also really enjoy the idea of live tiles. It's no surprise that Windows Phone 8 might attract back some of these former fans. Not everyone loves an open OSIf you are reading this and regularly keep up with Android-related news, odds are that you are a big fan of Google's open platform. You like customizing your phone. You enjoy the freedom to use any app you want, or ditch apps that you'd rather not use. More than likely you aren’t so keen on the idea of a locked down OS and would NEVER consider it. We have to face the facts though, not everyone feels that way. Some people like a platform that takes them by the hand and makes things as "simple" as can be. Why were these users on an Android device to begin with? Honestly, affordability and freedom of choice when it comes to hardware. They might like an OS that is simple, but they want to choose a phone that looks/works best for them and fits into their budget. With Windows Phone 8, they get a more Apple-ish locked-down approach, but they have several hardware options that stand out in a crowd. I may not be a Windows Phone fan, but I will admit that their software and partner hardware certainly stands out (whether that's good or bad is up to you). Elephant in the room: customer satisfactionMany Apple fans will be quick to point out that iOS is consistently rated higher overall in customer satisfaction than the Android. What they aren’t as quick to point out is that several Android devices have a higher satisfaction rating than the iPhone, including the Galaxy Note 2. Unfortunately, there are tons of low-end and even mid-range Android handsets that admittedly aren’t perfect. Many users buy these cheaper handsets, find the experience isn’t perfect and instead of blaming the junk phone – they feel that Android is at fault. It's perfectly conceivable that at least some users that have been 'burnt' by lower-quality Android handsets might have made the jump to other platforms, and that could certainly include WP8.
In the grand scheme, Windows Phone 8's ’23% Android stat’ doesn’t really matterWe’ve explored some of the reasons why a small minority of Android users might consider converting to Windows Phone, but does this statistic matter in reality? Not really. Windows Phone 8 is a new OS and Microsoft has put a lot of hype behind it, enough that early on it might have won over some converts from another platform. Unfortunately for the Redmond giant, all evidence suggests that Microsoft can’t sustain this growth or hype. We might have pointed to IDC’s data showing that Windows Phone 8 grew tremendously in Q1 2013 compared to last year, but looking at things from a month-to-month basis? ComScore reports that in the United States Microsoft actually went down .1% during the period ending in April, compared to where they stood back in January. What does this mean? Basically, that Microsoft’s revelation of this “23% from Android” figure is simply about smoke and mirrors. It is an attempt to excite developers into developing for their platform. Unfortunately for Microsoft, they don’t really back up their claims with meaningful facts. And so far even developers don’t seem convinced. Even if – by miracle – Microsoft does continue to slowly gobble up some Android users, Android will continue to expand its user base as well, negating any loss of users to Microsoft. Microsoft is desperate to solidify its place as the third most popular mobile OS, and to do so, they are going to work hard at downplaying iOS and Android. It's as simple as that. 
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| Google’s new scan for Chrome Web Store submissions improves security Posted: 27 Jun 2013 01:55 PM PDT
Chrome users are probably familiar with the Chrome Web Store. Much like the Play Store for Android, the Chrome Web Store is where all kinds of apps and extensions are housed for the powerhouse browser. Having already mastered security better than anyone, the Chrome team is taking it one step further. In what is being coined "Enhanced Item Validation", apps and extensions submitted to the Web Store will now undergo a scan for anything troubling or malicious. It won't take long, as the Google+ blog post notes it should last 60 minutes at best, but they now see it as a necessary step. Will this require any additional steps for developers? Nope! According to the blog post, developers will have to perform no additional steps:
Google has always scanned apps and extensions, but the delay is new. Why a possible hold up? Just a stopgap for early detection, that's all. As Chrome development becomes more of a focus for Google, steps like these are necessary. Development is becoming more prominent, with tools like Editey or Code Envy making waves. It's nice to know the Chrome team still has security at the forefront. A trusted, secure platform becomes both adopted by users and reliable for developers, and that's something we can all get on board with. 
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| Analysts argue about whether or not Google+ can overtake Facebook, but they’re missing the point Posted: 27 Jun 2013 01:40 PM PDT
What good is social media? The real aim is to engage people with similar interests, right? Maybe get a different point of view, or expand your horizons a touch. Some people aren't worth the time it takes to say "hi", and others fascinate us thoroughly. The real question that seems to dominate is where we accomplish all of this personal growth and exploration. The "Facebook sucks" or "Google+ is a ghost town" comments rage on, and are defended by believers of either service. Whatever our reasons for being where we are in social media, we're there for a purpose. Be it Reddit, Flickr, Facebook, Google+, MySpace (yeah, it still exists!), or wherever we go, the purpose is always the same. But, why do we choose where we are? Maybe it's sheer numbers, or maybe another factor. Google+ users may choose to be there because it's not Facebook, and has a very different crowd. Facebook users may stay for the sheer number of members, as is evident by the "my family is all there" reasoning you get when people are asked why they prefer Facebook over other social media.
Marcus Tober, founder of Searchmetrics, thinks Facebook's reign of supremacy is coming to a close. According to him, Google+'s rapid growth will cause it to usurp Facebook in early 2016. That's interesting commentary, considering Facebook has one billion users, and Google+ checks in with about one-fifth of that. While he points to the quick uptick in Google+ membership as the reason for his premonition, others consider that metric hollow. "That is idiotic", says Michael Pachter of Wedbush. His reasoning for that was engagement, noting that while Facebook's growth has slowed, users are still locked-in. According to Pachter, "Google+ users average 11 minutes per month of use, compared to Facebook's 400. Google almost forces you to sign up when you have Gmail, but nobody really uses Google+."
Google is quick to counter with overall user numbers, claiming that about 400 million users engage across all of their social brands. Be it YouTube, Google+, Gmail, or other mediums like the Chrome Web Store or Play Store, users are commenting and interacting. The knock is legitimate, too: sign up for a Gmail account, and you're tied into all of Google's services. It's sneaky, but also a sublime way to make it easy for users to engage. We can all remember a Gmail password, so why not use it for all Google services? While Google+ may not be the Facebook killer we all assumed it could be, it has a place. More importantly, it has a place in many different locations. Google+ was always meant to be the social spine running through all Google services, and is shaping itself in that mold. As Google works to integrate Google+ comments through websites and blogs, the reaching effects of that one brand are starting to be realized. Comment in one place, and you've reached a wider audience. Google, and by virtue Google+, has begun to transcend social media as it stands. With such a reaching effect, Google is keen to not tie you into one site as a means of interacting or engaging.
Which brings into question the metric of time spent interacting and engaging. If we compare all of Google's social services to Facebook, how do the numbers look at that point? Are they even, or maybe slightly tilted in Google's direction? Most users probably don't consider YouTube a social entity, or sending an email as engaging. They're just part of our life, and we probably don't consider them social, but they are. So is Google+ going to overthrow Facebook? Probably not, but it doesn't matter. Google is a company comprised of a litany of services, not a social media website. Whether you comment on a funny YouTube video, or leave a review for a favorite restaurant, you're using Google in a social way. I just got an email from YouTube. It landed under the "Social" tab in my Gmail. Point made, Google. 
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| Boot animation and live wallpaper for Google Play edition phones available for download Posted: 27 Jun 2013 11:46 AM PDT
The boot animation and live wallpaper for the Google Play edition phones (also known as Galaxy S4 and HTC One Nexus experiences smartphones) can be downloaded and installed on other devices. After they started selling, we heard that the two brand new Nexus-like phones come with a new camera app, but also with their own live wallpaper and boot animation. Earlier today we told you that the new camera app can be installed on your device of choice, as long as it's running Android Ice Cream Sandwich or later. Now the boot animation and live wallpaper can be installed, with the latter being the easiest one to get. Called SunBeam, the new wallpaper is a variation of the PhaseBeam wallpaper on the Nexus 4. The boot animation requires a more complex effort, including rooting your device. The boot animation is compatible with the Nexus 4 and other devices, and has been resized to fit devices with lower resolutions as well. The live wallpaper apk is available at the Dropbox link below, while the boot animation can be installed following the xda-developers Source link. 
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| Plants vs Zombies 2 apparently delayed, no new release date in sight Posted: 27 Jun 2013 11:18 AM PDT
A short update on the official Plants vs Zombies Twitter account delivered some bad news, at least for fans of the popular game – Plants vs Zombies 2 will not be launched on July 18, but "later in the summer." The highly-anticipated sequel should have hit the App Store on July 18 – we would assume that the Android version would have followed rather quickly – but that's not the case anymore. For unknown reasons, PopCap has decided to postpone the launch:
A new release date for the game has not been provided at this time, but the company did mention in Twitter replies quite a few times that it wants its game to live up to its "fans' standards" when it comes out:
Is there something wrong with Plants vs Zombies 2? We have no way of knowing that at this time, but we'll be back with updates once they're available. Meanwhile, you can always check out the available trailer for the upcoming game:
For what it's worth, the company is also working on a Plants vs Zombies-based first-person shooter that's called Plants vs Zombies: Garden Warfare and which will be released later this year for Xbox – most likely in fall when new Xbox One console is launched. 
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| Exynos 4 devices (Galaxy S3, Galaxy Note 2 and others) getting only CyanogenMod 10.1 nightly builds Posted: 27 Jun 2013 10:53 AM PDT
The CyanogenMod team explained that while Exynos 4-based devices won't get the general release CyanogenMod 10.1 version for the time being, they will still have access to nightly builds. The "affected" devices include the Galaxy S2 (AT&T and international versions), Galaxy S3 (international version), Galaxy Note (international version), Galaxy Note 2 (AT&T, T-Mobile, international GSM and LTE versions) and Galaxy Note 10.1 (Wi-Fi and international versions). Nightly builds will continue to roll out, so users will continue to receive "the latest bug fixes, security fixes and features," but bug reports will apparently not be accepted. The team is not yet ready to offer a general release CyanogenMod 10.1 version to Exynos 4 devices, because there are plenty of issues still left to resolve, according to its recent Google+ post: That said, to those keeping an eye out for a CM 10.1 general release for Exynos 4 devices, there won't be one. Supporting this family of devices beyond CM 9.1 (ICS) has proven difficult to accomplish, with various issues surfacing from the binaries and sources we have to work with. However, we are not going to be giving up on this platform, especially given that the i9100 and i9300 are in the top 3 of our user base (according tostats.cyanogenmod.org); we know many of you are counting on us for support. Our maintainers thus far have done an admirable job getting these devices to work well in their current nightly form. There are still plenty of issues left to be resolved, and they aren’t the type of issues that will be solved in days or weeks. It is because of those issues that a general release has been withheld. The team mentioned that Exynos 3 and Exynos 5 devices will continue to be supported, and that it it's also working to bring the Exynos 5 Octa platform "up to release quality." 
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| Boomerang Gmail app now available for Android Posted: 27 Jun 2013 10:12 AM PDT
If you've ever received an email, and procrastinated sending a reply, you're in good stead. We all do it, and we all forget about messages at one point or another. We make mental notes to check it again later, but life happens. We forget, or other things come up. Maybe we put it off because we want to time a response carefully. Whatever our reason for putting messages off, we can now manage our email lives a bit better with Boomerang. The Gmail app brings a variety of gesture based functionality, as the video below demonstrates. What you'll also see is a few great ways to better coordinate effective responses to emails. Maybe you're away from the office, and can't be bothered to check a spreadsheet for info the sender needs. No bother, just set the email to bounce back, or boomerang, in the morning. You can set a custom boomerang time, or simply ask it to bother you a little later with some built-in presets. Perhaps you need that mic-drop moment via email. You know that situation, where you need to say something, but don't need to be confronted about it immediately. You want that big finale to the day, where you get all your issues or commentary off your chest. With Boomerang, you can also set replies to emails, or new emails, to be sent when you like. So take that long lunch with the "meeting" afterward, and know that at the end of the day, your anger and frustration will be heard! Boomerang has been available for Gmail, but this is their first attempt at an Android app. With an average rating of 3.8, things are going pretty well for them. The app is still very young, but also very nice for those who want the ability to procrastinate, which is probably most of us. 
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| Judge denies Apple’s request to add the Galaxy S4 to its 2014 patent trial Posted: 27 Jun 2013 09:52 AM PDT
Raise your hand if you are sick and tired of Apple and Samsung's little patent war. I suspect there are quite a few hands raised up. Not only is a trial date in the cards for re-calculating how much Samsung owes Apple from the first battle on U.S. soil, there is also a second infringement hearing scheduled for March 2014. As Apple gears up for its second attack on Sammy in the U.S. courts, the Cupertino giant had hoped to convince the courts that the Samsung Galaxy S4 should be added to the list of infringing devices. Apple was even willing to remove one of the existing 22 devices to make room for the GS4. Unfortunately for Apple, the courts aren’t going for it. In a ruling dated June 26th, U.S. Magistrate Judge Paul S. Grewal officially turned down Apple's request to add the Galaxy S4 to the lawsuit. Here's what the Judge had to say:
Basically Judge Grewal determined that allowing Apple to add the GS4 to the list would not only further tax the court's resources, but it also went against Judge Koh's orders to slim down the number of infringing devices. Another reason for not allowing the addition of the GS4 to the hearing is that it would cause "undue prejudice" to Samsung. Since the Galaxy S4 hasn’t been on the market for very long, requiring Samsung to throw together the information needed in time for the case wouldn’t be fair. Lastly, Grewal points out that no matter what happens, Apple is going to have to slim down some of the devices from the March 2014 lawsuit. This means that a third infringement trial is all but guaranteed, so why can't Apple wait until then to bring up Samsung's latest flagship? Regardless of what happens, the Samsung/Apple wars are far from over. We can't say we are surprised. 
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| Is Google Now finally coming to Chrome soon? Posted: 27 Jun 2013 09:39 AM PDT
The ability to enable Google Now in both Chrome and Chrome OS has actually been available to users for a few weeks now. But the service itself hasn’t gone live yet, and there hasn’t been any real indication of when that might happen — or whether or not it could happen any time soon. However, it appears that users are now being prompted to “Enable Google Cards Now” in Chrome to finally let the most relevant Google Now cards through. According to the CNET report, the Google Now prompt in Chrome appeared in both Windows and OS X. And on Windows, there’s even a dedicated control panel that allows specifying what notifications are received by any particular user. For now, it looks like Google is taking baby steps to the full deployment of Google Now outside of Android. The technology behind it is still not perfect, to be sure, but having it in more platforms means more people can put it to good use and also further its development in the long run. 
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| Google Play Edition: exactly what we asked for, but maybe not what we wanted Posted: 27 Jun 2013 09:31 AM PDT
The Nexus 4: maybe not your cup of tea, but a stellar device. Nexus devices are built with the aim of setting a hardware standard for the next year of Android, and raising the bar a bit for all manufacturers. We may look back at each Nexus with a laundry list of pros and cons, but those devices are definitely responsible moving the entire Android market forward. While LG may have been a bit of a surprise last year as the Android OEM to get the Nexus nod, they really outclassed themselves and much of the market with the Nexus 4. It remains at or near the top of the Android heap, and users are often delighted with it. There remains a vocal few who lament LG's device, and call for a bigger name to have made the current Nexus device.
The speculation only deepened when device manufacturers like Samsung and HTC came out with their own powerhouse devices. The One is a grand slam for HTC, and the Galaxy S4 is a healthy progression for Samsung's feature lineup. What if those were Nexus devices?! The world wondered aloud, and looked crossly in the direction of LG's subtle buzz generator. The Nexus 4 was a boon for LG, cementing their place as a top manufacturer, if only briefly. HTC needed similar mojo, and Samsung always commands attention. We all have our preferences, but we also love to question things. Why LG? Why only one Nexus device a year? Why can't we get any device with stock Android? Good questions. Why not, right? Android is there waiting to be used, so why not just give us those devices with plain 'ol Android? Just give us the stock OS, on the devices we want, and we'll be happy. That's what so many of us said, right? Google delivered. Those "Google Play Edition" devices deliver exactly what we asked for. We asked that those devices come with stock Android, but come with the hardware we all clamor for. That happened, and yet we still can't get on board.
NexpensiveThe OEM's made the kernel for each of the "Google Play Edition" devices, and that makes perfect sense. They should control the kernel and updates for their devices, because — you know — they are their devices. It would be silly for Google to try and support hardware they had no hand in. Only the OEM truly knows how to best utilize the hardware for Android, stock or not. If Android with Ultrapixels is what you wanted, it's not going to be a true Nexus device.
That means slower updates. With Nexus, you're on the cutting edge. With a "Google Play Edition" device, you've got to get the blessing of the OEM before you get the latest and greatest. It shouldn't delay you much, but you're still subject to their whim. They could even stop updating the device, if they decided to stop supporting it. As for the price, well, those the going rates for an unlocked device. Actually, the $600 for an HTC One is a pretty good deal. They could have easily charged $50-100 more and been in the right ballpark for such good hardware. That's just a reality most don't grasp, in part due to our current M.O. for obtaining mobile devices. The point is twofold. First, we're spoiled. That's not a knock, it's a fact. We've grown accustomed to spending so little out of pocket that $650 seems insane to many of us. We'll comfortably spend $200 or so for a device, sign a contract, then lament the update cycle or coverage. It's about the bottom line for us, and that's exactly as it should be. We should re-examine our process, though. Many of us who are reading this would probably save quite a bit of money going with a "Google Play Edition" device and a prepaid plan, much less a Nexus 4. Secondly, this is about compromise. We can't have it all, but we are getting what we asked for. Neither HTC or Samsung agreed to make a Nexus device. They agreed to have stock Android on existing hardware, and sell the device for a profit, not bend over backwards for Google as Nexus manufacturers do.
These are not the Nexus devices you’re looking forA Nexus device is sold to us at cost because it's really just a piece of hardware. Google accepts all the responsibility for it. They support it, and use it to drive their program forward. LG was completely hands-off when those devices left their facilities. They fulfilled an RFP for Google, nothing more. HTC and Samsung, however, still have to support these stripped down devices of theirs. We get top-of-the-line hardware at cost with Nexus, and we now have "unskinned" landmark devices from two of the major manufacturers. Those two new devices are sold for a reasonable amount, considering fair market prices, and require minimal software support. You're not indebted to a carrier, so you'll get updates fairly quickly. If anything, this program will continue to highlight just how muddled carriers make device updates. You're on the Google Play Store device page, looking at three devices. One is half the price of the others, and you'll get cutting edge updates. The hardware stands up nicely to any other device, and you're not indebted to a carrier. The reviews are good, and it has the Nexus blessing. The other two are more money than you wanted to spend. So, you go back to that first device, and start talking yourself into it. "The glass back won't matter, I'm careful. 16GB is enough memory, I use the cloud. 4.7-inches is almost 5, I won't notice the difference." It seems like we have a winner, here, and it was the champion we always had. Go figure. 
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| Google Play Movies updated with new layout and Watch Now feature Posted: 27 Jun 2013 08:40 AM PDT
Google’s been updating its apps with a slide-out navigation bar recently, and the next app to receive this handy tool is Google Play Movies. However, the slide-out navigation bar isn’t the only thing included in this new update. Alongside the slide-out navigation bar, Google Play Movies also received a new layout, taking on the Google Now-esque card-like design. Furthermore, a new Watch Now feature was added to the app, which will predict what you’re going to watch next, and provide easy access to those titles. Overall, the update is a pretty good one, and we can see the Watch Now feature becoming quite handy, especially if you watch TV series on Google Play Movies, such as The Walking Dead. Here’s the full change log:
You can either hit the Google Play link below to grab the update or download it directly on your smartphone. 
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| Verizon 4G LTE is now available in more than 500 markets, covers 95% of the U.S. population Posted: 27 Jun 2013 08:38 AM PDT
Mirror, mirror on the wall, who's the fastest LTE network of them all? According to reports by both RootMetrics and PC Mag, the answer to that question is actually AT&T. In a recent RootMetrics report, Verizon averaged 14.3Mbps down and 8.5Mbps up. In contrast, AT&T managed an average of 18.6Mbps and 9Mbps. While AT&T’s results certainly are impressive, Verizon doesn’t seem to be the least bit worried. According to Verizon's chief network officer Nicola Palmer, LTE service is about "more than just speed, we provide speed where you want it, when you want it." In other words, Verizon's coverage might not be as fast, but it is certainly a hell of a lot more widespread. Just today the company turned on several new LTE locations such as Parkersburg (WV), Liberal (KS) and Warren (PA). What's most exciting is that these latest three rollouts push Verizon's market total to over 500, which is quite an accomplishment when you consider there were only 100 LTE markets just eight months ago. For those keeping score, Verizon's latest push brings their LTE coverage to more than 95 percent of the US population, and covers around 99 percent of the company's 3G network. Meanwhile AT&T currently covers only 291 markets with its faster LTE service. So what's next for Verizon?Verizon says it has basically finished its initial deployment of 4G LTE, though it still plans to bring its LTE service to a few new markets by the year's end. The next step after that will probably be working to set up and rollout its faster AWS-based LTE services. The company also plans to continue with its voice over LTE (VoLTE) deployment, though unfortunately the effort has been pushed back to 2014. The bottom-line is that Verizon previously set priority #1 to getting its LTE service out to as many folks as possible. Now deployment is almost wrapped up, the company is free to focus on speeding up the network and adding other improvements to the mix. What do you think of Verizon's LTE network compared to other existing options? Impressed or not? 
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| Rumor: T-Mobile Xperia Z launch set for July 17 Posted: 27 Jun 2013 08:33 AM PDT
What looks like a leaked image showing T-Mobile’s product launch plans for the near future seems to reveal the release date of the Xperia Z. Sony's flagship device has been rumored for quite a while to be sold by the U.S. fourth largest mobile operator – with the rumor being confirmed only a week ago – but pricing details and an actual release dates are still missing in action. Now, TmoNews says that, based on the image below, the Xperia Z will be launched on July 17, alongside two other smartphones, the Windows Phone-running Nokia Lumia 925 and a yet-to-be-unveiled T-Mobile 768, believed to be "a prepaid device backed by Huawei, ZTE or some other manufacturer that releases under T-Mobile branding." Pricing details for the Xperia Z isn't available at this time, although you can expect it to be quite affordable under the contract-free UNcarrier plans – this still ties you down to T-Mobile for up to two years, as you'll have to pay 24 installments of $20 each in addition to what you'll initially have to shell out for the handset.
Comparatively, the Nokia Lumia 925 is said to cost $99.99 down, followed by 24 monthly payments of $20 per month. Pricing for the T-Mobile 768 is not mentioned at this time. The same leaked image shows one more interesting event in T-Mobile's calendar, the July 14 "Major EIT Release." The publication speculates that on that date, Phase 2 of the UNcarrier plan will be launched, although it's not clear what the new phase entails "beyond the [rumored] 'Simple Choice with No Credit Check' plan." We'll note that T-Mobile is the only major U.S. carrier preparing to stock the Xperia Z, a flagship device that started selling almost five months ago in certain markets. The handset is already available directly from Sony in America for off-contract purchases, although that may not be ideal for most potential buyers. In short, the Xperia Z is one of the best Android handsets of the year, featuring a 5-inch display with 1920 x 1080 resolution, 1.5GHz quad-core Snapdragon S4 Pro processor, 2GB of RAM, 16GB of storage, 13.1-megapixel camera, 2.2-megapixel front-facing camera, 4G LTE support, NFC, and Android 4.2.2 Jelly Bean (the update has been recently rolled out). Additionally, the handset is dustproof and water resistant (IP55 and IP57 certifications) – see our review here. 
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| Photo Sphere for the masses – install the new stock Android camera APK now Posted: 27 Jun 2013 08:08 AM PDT
The brand new HTC One and Samsung Galaxy S4 Google Play editions come with a little bonus – a revamped version of the Camera app that is different from that on the Nexus 4. It is speculated that the revamped camera is a feature that was initially planned to be part of Android 4.3, but for some reason, it's out now on the Android 4.2 HTC One and Galaxy S4 GPe. The new stock camera app is mostly the same with the version on Nexus 4, apart from a redone settings menu – you can now flick through the settings menu to change things like the flash mode, exposure, and more. In addition, the volume rocker now acts as a shutter button. So yes, you can finally snap shots using either the volume up or volume down buttons.
Now to the good part – someone has extracted the app from the Android image of the GPe devices, and made it available as a standalone APK file. You can download it from one of the mirrors set up by Reddit users here, or by XDA-Developers forum users here. Note that the very first mirror seems to be down due to bandwidth limitations. You can simply install the APK file just like any other app and get to use the new stock camera, with features such as Photo Sphere, HDR (if your hardware supports it), new settings menu, and volume rocker snapshots. From the comments on the forums, installing the app doesn't require root access or any other special actions. Just transfer it on your phone and install it. I tried it with my Galaxy S2 with Android 4.1 and it works like a charm. Note that installing the APK will add a new Gallery app and a new Camera app to your system. Some XDA users had to remove or rename the old camera app for the new one to install properly. It's not clear to me yet if this works with older versions of Android, as users who installed were on Ice Cream Sandwich or Jelly Bean. Anyway, enjoy Photo Sphere on your non-Nexus smartphone! 
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| Rumor: Qualcomm ZOLA smartwatch to launch in September Posted: 27 Jun 2013 07:58 AM PDT
A Twitter account known for the mobile-related leaks it presents on a frequent basis says that Qualcomm will have its own smartwatch in stores later this year, called the ZOLA. However, other details aren't available about the device at this time. Here's what @evleaks tweeted about it:
We shouldn't be surprised to hear that yet another company is going to have a smartwatch in stores at some point later this year. Sony has just unveiled its SmartWatch 2 device (pictured above), and companies including Apple, Google, Microsoft and Samsung are also rumored to launch their own smartwatch models this year. However, we're very interested in what the ZOLA may have to offer, because it's not every day that you see Qualcomm coming out with consumer electronics products, or at least rumored to do so. The company provides some of the most powerful mobile chips out there and other mobile components to virtually every player in the mobile business, but it doesn't sell its own brand of gadgets directly to consumers. So while the Snapdragon 800 may be the talk of the town when it comes to mobile systems-on-a-chip, it'll definitely be interesting to see how the ZOLA would be received by the public. Since we're talking about Qualcomm, we definitely expect to see an energy-efficient chip to power the ZOLA, and we expect the device to friendly to a variety of mobile operating systems including Android and iOS. That said, we'll end our speculation here, as we wait for more official information about the ZOLA to be released. But if the product is indeed real, and today's rumor turns out to be true, then September may bring us at least two different smartwatches, with the SmartWatch 2 also expected to launch during the same month in various markets. 
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| HTC One Mini coming “really soon” says leaker. In Germany on August 3? [Update] Posted: 27 Jun 2013 06:43 AM PDT
Take this with a pinch of your favorite condiment, but these two reports today seem to corroborate. First, @LlabTooFeR, a Twitter user who has a good record when it comes to outing HTC's plans, replied to a question about the release of the HTC One Mini with this:
Then, a German site claimed that the Mini version of the HTC One is going on sale at O2, the fourth largest carrier in the country, starting with August 3. Update: The folks at the German site Caschys Blog came forward with an alleged screenshot from O2′s internal management system. Check it out:
With all the rumors, it's increasingly probable that we will see the HTC One Mini in the coming weeks. Previous reports suggest that the shrunk down version of the One will be carried in the US by T-Mobile and AT&T. As for the design and specifications of the device, they aren't really a mystery anymore. We're looking at a 4.3-inch 720p SLCD display, a dual-core processor, 2GB of RAM, 16GB of internal storage, and a 4UP rear camera. This decidedly mid-range device will sport the same design as its bigger brother, including a similar aluminum unibody. All the bells and whistles you may know from the One will be present on the Mini – BlinkFeed, BoomSound, Zoes, etc. Bottom line, if you're in the market for a compact, good looking phone with decent specs, you might want to wait another month. 
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