Wednesday, June 26, 2013

Android Central

Android Central


Chromebook Pixel gets a Google+ photo app, brings instant upload and easy sharing

Posted: 25 Jun 2013 03:23 PM PDT

Chromebook Pixel

Google+ photo app makes it easy to share and manage your photo collection from your Chromebook Pixel

Google has released a very nice little utility for the Chromebook Pixel today, aptly named Google+ Photos. The application, that we first saw glimpses of in February, allows photos to be uploaded to Google+ when the user inserts an SD card into the reader slot, and provides a nicely done front end to all pictures and albums in Google+ for viewing and sharing.

For now, the app is specific for the Chromebook Pixel, but Googler AJ Asver notes that they are working to bring the app to other Chromebooks as well. After installing the app, your photos are backed up to Google+ from any inserted SD card. Once there, you can browse them and easily share individual photos or entire albums directly from the app and clicking the share button. Your pictures are kept private (just like auto-upload for a phone or tablet) and your most recent shots are made available for offline viewing.

The application uses your Google account sign-in, and displays the images in the new webP format. To get the app, head to the Pixel Owners page while using your Pixel, and install it like any other app or extension. A couple of screenshots are after the break to give you a better idea of how it all looks.

Source: +AJ Asver

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T-Mobile offering free wireless charger with white Nexus 4 purchase

Posted: 25 Jun 2013 03:08 PM PDT

Nexus 4 Wireless Chargin Orb

Web-only discount drops Nexus 4 to $0 down or $408 outright

T-Mobile has just started up a promotion that throws in a free wireless charging orb with the purchase of a white Nexus 4 from its online store. In addition, T-Mobile has also dropped the price on the white version of the Nexus 4 to $0 down with 24 months of $17 payments, or a total of just $408. That makes the 16GB white version of the phone ring up at $50 less than the black version of the handset from T-Mobile, which additionally doesn't seem to get the free charger offer deal either.

All-in if you plan to buy a Nexus 4 and wireless charger, you'll come out a couple dollars cheaper than buying them together from Google Play, more so including the fact that T-Mobile offers free shipping. It's nice to have this low price available for those wanting to pick up a device on a payment plan with T-Mobile service as well.

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Verizon Galaxy S4 Developer edition goes on sale for $650

Posted: 25 Jun 2013 02:00 PM PDT

Galaxy S4 Developer Edition

For sale directly through Samsung with no Verizon subsidy available

A few weeks ago we learned that Samsung was planning to bring a Developer Edition of the Galaxy S4 to both AT&T and Verizon customers.The Verizon handset has gone on sale first, and is available through Samsung starting today for $649.99. Since this version is only available through Samsung, there will be no subsidy for those looking to use their Verizon upgrades.

This version of the Galaxy S4 will be virtually identical to the version available through Verizon, with the important difference of shipping with an unlocked bootloader. This will enable users to install custom software on their devices right out of the box. However, with bootloader unlocking methods already available for the Verizon and AT&T versions of Galaxy S4, the value of a factory unlocked bootloader is arguable. It is worth noting that supporting developer editions such as this is important to ensure their continued future existence, especially when the day may come that Samsung bootloaders do not have unlocking methods available.

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Humble Bundle 6 adds 3 more games to the list

Posted: 25 Jun 2013 11:24 AM PDT

Humble Bundle

Donate over the average to get 10 DRM-free Android games in total

The fantastic donation-based game purchasing program Humble Bundle is expanding the offerings for Humble Bundle 6 to include 3 more games at no additional cost. If you haven't purchased a Humble Bundle before, the model is as follows -- donate any amount to unlock some of the games, and donate over the average to unlock all of the games available. For this sixth iteration of Humble Bundle there are 5 games available at any donation -- Pulse, Stealth Bastard Deluxe, Organ Trail: Director's Cut, Fractal and Aquaria -- and now a whole 5 more for donating over the average -- Broken Sword: Directors Cut, Frozen Synapse, McPixel, Waking mars and NighSky HD.

The current average donation is just $4.69 to unlock all 10 games, which is a ridiculous deal. All games are DRM-free and come with Steam access codes to play on the desktop (when available) along with access to the game soundtracks for free as well. Best of all your donations go to charity as well as the developers, which makes spending a few dollars on some great games a no-brainer.

More: Humble Bundle 6

    


T-Mobile HTC One S update fixes Jelly Bean battery life

Posted: 25 Jun 2013 10:34 AM PDT

HTC One S

OTA notifications start today, along with a manual update path

Since T-Mobile updated the HTC One S to Android 4.1.1 back in April, many users have seen a noticeable drop-off in battery life. This unfortunate bug soured an otherwise much anticipated update for One S owners who waited patiently on Ice Cream Sandwich for many months.

The newest update -- bringing the software version up to 3.14.531.17 70RD -- is solely focused on fixing the lower battery life caused by the update to Jelly Bean. Those wishing to update need to already be on software version 3.14.531.11 710RD, have a device that is not rooted, and ensure they have at least a 50% charge before beginning the update.

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Sprint shareholders give final blessing to Softbank merger

Posted: 25 Jun 2013 10:00 AM PDT

Softbank

An overwhelming 98 percent of voters welcome the deal with the Japanese carrier

The ongoing saga of the fight for Sprint's hand in marriage is coming to a close, with a single suitor finally able to close the deal. Today, Sprint shareholders voted in an overwhelming majority to approve the merger between Sprint and Japanese carrier Softbank. 98 percent of voters were in favor of the deal, representing 80 percent of the outstanding common stock.

Talks of a significant investment from Softbank were initially confirmed by Sprint in October of last year. This was followed by a slightly larger offer from competing investor Dish Network in April of 2013. After the recent decision by Dish not to invest in Sprint, but instead only focus on a separate offer for Clearwire, Softbank emerged as the victor. Sprint believes this marriage with Softbank "should enhance Sprint’s long-term value and competitive position by creating a company with greater financial flexibility."

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Press is still the best for RSS on Android after moving to Feedly

Posted: 25 Jun 2013 09:12 AM PDT

Press

Google Reader is going away, but Press is here to stay and integrates perfectly with new services

When Google casually noted that it would shut down its RSS aggregation service Reader back in March, news apps that relied on it as a backbone were left scrambling. As alternative services to Google Reader such as Feedly and Feed Wrangler popped up on the scene, a few of the aforementioned apps pivoted quickly to integrate the new services. We gave one of such apps, Press, the review treatment as a Google Reader client back in December and came away extremely impressed with its design and performance.

Even though Google Reader will close its doors on July 1st, Press lives on as a fantastic RSS client that will work with (among other systems) the Feedly account you may have set up to save yourself from losing everything. The developers have made some great settings and user interface improvements along the way as well, so let's take a refreshed look at Press.

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Hands-on with Android 4.2.2 for the Sony Xperia ZL

Posted: 25 Jun 2013 07:47 AM PDT

Sony Xperia ZL Android 4.2.2

Several subtle but noticeable changes create an overall improved experience

In case you missed it, Sony started pushing out an Android 4.2.2 update to its Xperia ZL (and now Xperia Z) handsets, including the unlocked LTE model available in the U.S. market. We have loaded up the update on our own ZL, and wanted to give a quick look at everything that has changed both user-facing and under the hood.

Hang with us after the break where we break down the changes that come with an update to Android 4.2.2 on the Sony Xperia ZL, one of the few devices currently available with the software.

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Deal of the Day: Seidio SURFACE Case for Samsung Galaxy S4

Posted: 25 Jun 2013 06:36 AM PDT

Deal of the Day The June 25 ShopAndroid.com Deal of the Day is the Seidio SURFACE Case for Samsung Galaxy S4. Crafted from a hard yet flexible material, the SURFACE Case provides an amazingly thin layer of protection without adding the excessive bulk of other cases. This case consists of interlocking top and bottom pieces that fit your Galaxy S4 snugly. Available in black, blue, red, purple, pink and white.

The Seidio SURFACE Case is available for just $19.00, 37% off today only. Grab yours while supplies last!

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YouView launches first Android app, TV guide and remote record included

Posted: 25 Jun 2013 06:36 AM PDT

Android Central

Check the schedules and set your YouView box to record with this handy Android app

YouView TV customers in the UK now have their very own Android app to download that gives them a couple of great features to add to their overall TV watching experience. The new app gives full 7-day listings for the 70 or so channels offered by YouView, and by connecting the app to your box you can also take full advantage of the remote record feature. Remote record requests need to be submitted around 15 minutes ahead of time, but when you're out of the house it's a fantastic feature to have at hand. 

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Verizon's Casio G'zOne Commando follow-up adds LTE data

Posted: 25 Jun 2013 06:22 AM PDT

Casio G'zOne Commando 4G LTE

Verizon this morning announced the second generation of the horribly named Casio G'zOne Commando, adding 4G LTE data to the rugged Android smartphone.

It'll be available starting June 27 for $99 on a two-year contract and after a $50 mail-in rebate.

We've got full specs after the break.

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Grow Mobile launches a universal mobile app marketing platform for Android

Posted: 25 Jun 2013 06:06 AM PDT

Grow Mobile app marketing platform reports

Game and app developers have a lot to consider when choosing to market their products through in-game/app advertising. Which advertising networks reach the most users? Who gives developers the best deal? If a developer decides to use multiple ad networks, tracking and comparing the results of each network becomes a time consuming task of its own.

San Francisco-based startup Grow Mobile seeks to reduce all those headaches with the launch of their new mobile app marketing platform. Grow Mobile’s platform has just completed a successful closed beta, and today it becomes publicly available to Android and iOS developers. By providing a single cohesive dashboard and single integration for developers’ apps, Grow believes that developers who sign on will be able to market their products more effectively and with fewer resources than before.

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Sony Xperia Z Ultra hands-on

Posted: 25 Jun 2013 04:00 AM PDT

Xperia ZU.

Sony enters the big leagues with a 6.44-inch screen and the latest Snapdragon 800 CPU

Sony hasn't always found itself ahead of the technological curve when it comes to smartphone internals. Often it's lagged a generation of so behind the competition, giving the likes of HTC and Samsung the first shot at releasing phones running the latest mobile chips. Yet here we sit with one of the very first Qualcomm Snapdragon 800 devices, and above its ginormous screen sits a Sony logo.

Say hello to the Xperia Z Ultra.

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Rdio updates its family plans, now allows up to five on one subscription

Posted: 25 Jun 2013 03:40 AM PDT

Android Central

Most expensive plan now $32.99 per month, limit increased from three people to five

Rdio, the popular music streaming service, has updated their family subscription plans to now allow up to five people to subscribe for one monthly payment. The previous plans only allowed for three different people, but thankfully those with slightly larger families can now take advantage. 

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Sony Xperia Z Ultra heading to Three UK

Posted: 25 Jun 2013 02:32 AM PDT

Android Central

UK carrier has confirmed they will be carrying the Ultra on their Ultrafast network

There's a whole lot of ultra going on at Three UK this morning. The UK carrier has announced they will be offering the brand new Sony Xperia Z Ultra on their Ultrafast network. And, that's about all we do know. They have talked about all-you-can-eat data, so it's presumable that you'll be able to pick the Ultra up on Three's highly competitive One Plan. Three is the first out of the gate with an announcement for Sony's new 6.4-inch goliath, and we're sure they won't be the last. 

Source: Three

    


Sony announces the stylus-friendly, 6.4-inch Xperia Z Ultra with Snapdragon 800

Posted: 25 Jun 2013 01:30 AM PDT

Sony Xperia Z Ultra

Sony today at Mobile Asia Expo in Shanghai entered the world of the gianormous smartphone with the oversized, ultra-powered (and aptly named) Xperia Z Ultra.

The Xperia Z Ultra is a 6.4-inch monster with a 1080p display that works with a stylus (or any pencil, Sony says), runs Android 4.2 Jelly Bean and is powered by Qualcomm's latest, the Snapdragon 800 processor. Sony is heralding the phone as the "world's slimmest and largest full HD smartphone." At 6.5 mm, it's not quite as thin as the 6.18 mm Huawei Ascend P6 we got a look at last week, that's where the "largest full HD smartphone" comes in. (The full press release, which you can read after the break, is loaded with such caveats.)

Other specs of note include an 8-megapixel camera, a 3,000 mAh battery and 16 gigabytes of internal storage, with about 11 GB available to the user, and a microSD card slot for extra space. (Props to Sony for being up-front about the usable storage space.) It's loaded with Sony customizations and entertainment options.

The Xperia Z Ultra will be available in the third quarter (which starts next week, by the way), in black, white or purple.

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Sony's next-gen SmartWatch adds NFC

Posted: 25 Jun 2013 01:30 AM PDT

Sony SmartWatch 2

Sony was one of the first to enter the Android wearable game, and today at Asia Mobile Expo in Shanghai it announced the SmartWatch 2.

Sporting a 1.6-inch face at a 220-by-176 resolution (that's about 176 pixels per inch), the SmartWatch 2 can serve as a standalone watch when not connected to a phone. But pair it to a phone and you've got a quick and easy way to glance at notifications, control your music player, take pictures, control presentations, interact with fitness apps — oh, and it can tell time, too. In addition to NFC capability for easier pairing, this latest version boasts a water-resistant design (splash-proof, really — you won't want to wear this thing in the water) and runs for three or four days with normal use, Sony says.

The SmartWatch 2 is compatible with any standard 24mm band, and Sony says it'll have its own custom bands available down the road. It'll be available worldwide in September.

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Sony Xperia Z Ultra specs

Posted: 25 Jun 2013 01:30 AM PDT

Android Central

Snapdragon 800, 6.44-inch Triluminos display and Android 4.2 make the Z Ultra a beast of a smartphone

Sony's just made official its latest high-end handset, the Xperia Z Ultra, a device which straddles the line between smartphones and tablets with a 6.44-inch screen. The star of the show is Qualcomm's new Snapdragon 800 chip, which combines a 2.2GHz quad-core Krait 400 processor with the new Adreno 330 GPU.

On top of that there's a Full HD (1080p) "Triluminos" display, waterproof and dust-resistant credentials, and a chassis measuring in at 6.5mm thick. Also of note is the 8-megapixel rear camera and Android 4.2.2-based software.

We've got the broad strokes of the Xperia Z Ultra spec sheet and a few press shots for you after the break.

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BlackBerry launches Secure Work Space platform on Android

Posted: 24 Jun 2013 11:19 PM PDT

BES10 Secure Work Space

A secure area to keep all enterprise apps, data and communication safe without a VPN

Following up on its goal to have the products released by the end of June, BlackBerry has just put its Secure Work Space apps into the Play Store. The pair of apps -- "Secure Work Space for BES10" and "Work Space Manager for BES10" -- together let enterprise network administrators control corporate data on users devices and keep it safe. The app provides an alternative launcher that gives access to a completely sandboxed set of enterprise apps such as email, calendar, contacts and a secure browser. These apps and their associated data can be controlled by the BlackBerry Enterprise Service (BES) administrator just like any other BlackBerry can, which is a huge step in the right direction for BYOD (Bring Your Own Device) programs.

Although they won't do you much good until your company has set up your device (and its back-end) to use the service, both of the apps are now showing as available for download in the Play Store. Now is the time to go talk to IT at your place of work to see if they can get you set up -- more information can be found at the source link below.

More: BlackBerry

    


OUYA retail availability starts tomorrow at $99

Posted: 24 Jun 2013 07:08 PM PDT

OUYA

The little Android console that could hits store shelves in the US, UK and Canada

It's been a long time coming, with a lot of changes along the way, but OUYA has finally hit widespread retail ability and will officially go on sale starting tomorrow. Several different online and traditional retailers -- such as Amazon, Best Buy, GameStop, Target and GAME -- will be carrying the Android-powered console, and OUYA says it will be available in "hundreds of stores" across the U.S., U.K. and Canada.

Pricing sits at $99 for the console with one controller, and a (seemingly steep) $49 for additional controllers. Check the links below to either set up a pre-order or have the page ready to go for when the orders go live:

For those of you who don't mind putting pants on to go buy a console, you'll be able to head to local retail locations of the aforementioned stores to grab your own, although OUYA isn't specifying the amount of stock or specific availability at this time.

    


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