Android Central

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• Verizon Galaxy S4 32GB available for $299 starting tomorrow
• Sceptre releases an Android TV sound bar
• Android Central 140: Inside the Google Play experience phones
• Big Android BBQ 2013 tickets now on sale!
• ZEN & TECH 54: Change aversion
• Fresh Sony Xperia i1 'Honami' leak shows more hardware details
• Talk Mobile Apps Week Recap: The best things you said
• BlueStacks announces GamePop Mini, the 'forever free' version of its Android-powered console
• Deal of the Day: Seidio SURFACE Case (with kickstand) for Galaxy S4
• Hands-on with leaked Android 4.3 ROM for the Google edition Galaxy S4 [Updated]
• BBM still coming to Android before the end of the summer
• Android 4.3 leaks for 'Google Play edition' Galaxy S4
• Huawei 'analyzing the possibility' of 'Google edition' Ascend P6
• Gmail update brings the delete option back by default

Verizon Galaxy S4 32GB available for $299 starting tomorrow Posted: 28 Jun 2013 04:05 PM PDT Online orders of the new higher storage capacity version will ship by July 3 Verizon has made an update to its Galaxy S4 availability post indicating that the larger capacity 32GB version of the device will become available starting tomorrow, June 29th. As you would expect, the price takes the usual $100 jump up to $299 with a 2-year contract for the increased storage. The post doesn't indicate which colors will be available, but we have to assume it'll be the same white and black varieties as currently offered for the 16GB model. The post specifies that the device will go on sale at Verizon's online store tomorrow, with devices shipping no later than July 3rd for those who order on day one. No details on in-store availability at the moment, but we would expect them to become available there soon also. Keep an eye out on the Verizon site late tonight if you want to be the first to get your order in. Source: Verizon

Sceptre releases an Android TV sound bar Posted: 28 Jun 2013 03:06 PM PDT Sceptre's new SB301524W sound bar brings Android and a pre-packaged sound system to your existing HDTV There's plenty of ways to bring Android to your big screen television, but until now they have all been stand alone appliances designed to work with your existing equipment. But maybe you want an inexpensive way to marry Android to that spare TV in your house, and don't want to fool with A/V receivers or other "premium" methods to provide something that sounds a little better than the tinny speakers built into the TV itself. That's where something like Spectre's new Android-powered smart TV sound bar comes in. At $299 it offers a plug and play solution to get Android and Google Play on your TV, with zero set-up or hassle. Complete with touch-sensitive controls and a LED screen to display all your settings, you'll be able to access content like games, music and movies from Google Play without any wires or assembly. The Spectre sound bar features Android 4.0 running on a 1GHz ARM processor, with 1GB of RAM, with two USB ports and an SD card slot for expansion and accessories. The unit itself features SRS WOW HD audio technology, delivered through two front-facing speakers and a 35 watt subwoofer. Designed for 42-inch or larger televisions, it looks like an easy way to turn that old TV into something smarter and more fun. Look for it at retailers like Newegg, Amazon, Walmart, Tiger Direct, Sears and K-Mart. Hit the break for the press release. read more

Android Central 140: Inside the Google Play experience phones Posted: 28 Jun 2013 02:53 PM PDT Podcast MP3 URL:  http://traffic.libsyn.com/androidcentral/acpc140.mp3 Thing 1: Google Play experience devices First look: Google Play edition HTC One and Samsung Galaxy S4 New stock camera app debuts in Google Play edition GS4 and HTC One Google Play edition HTC One and Samsung Galaxy S4 now on sale! Android 4.3 leaks for 'Google Play edition' Galaxy S4 Hands-on with leaked Android 4.3 ROM for the Google edition Galaxy S4 What is Stock Android? This week's sidebar poll: Are you ordering a Google Play Edition phone? Other things ... Google Play Movies gets a new look, drives another nail in Nexus Q's coffin Google reportedly working on Android-powered watch, game console and next-gen Nexus Q Facebook introduces Android app beta testing via Google Groups HTC unveils 'glamor red' HTC One Sony Xperia Z Ultra hands-on Sony's next-gen SmartWatch adds NFC

Big Android BBQ 2013 tickets now on sale! Posted: 28 Jun 2013 11:45 AM PDT Get together with thousands of like-minded Android nerds October 10-12 It's that time of year where tickets become available for the Big Android BBQ, the top yearly gathering of Android hackers, enthusiasts, friends and families. The BBQ returns to the same Hurst Convention Center, outside of Dallas, as last year but runs a little earlier in the month from October 10th to the 12th. Tickets start at just $55 for general admission, and there are $100, $175 and $250 ticket levels as well if you want some extra perks with your BBQ experience. You can check out all of the details and buy your tickets at the link below. More: Big Android BBQ

ZEN & TECH 54: Change aversion Posted: 28 Jun 2013 11:09 AM PDT ZEN & TECH is our Mobile Nations lifestyle podcast, focused not just on the gadgets and apps that we use, but how we can use them to make our lives happier and better. It's centering for our inner geeks! Windows 8 made us want our Start button back. iOS 7 caused icon strife. BlackBerry 10 was a huge departure. Going from TouchWiz to Sense can be stressful. And that's just technology! Imagine changing jobs, partners, and places in life! Georgia and Rene discuss the challenges of change! Subscribe via RSS: Audio | Video Subscribe via iTunes: Audio | Video Download Directly: Audio | Video read more

Fresh Sony Xperia i1 'Honami' leak shows more hardware details Posted: 28 Jun 2013 09:56 AM PDT A couple of days back we got our first look at what could be Sony's upcoming 20-megapixel "cameraphone," the Xperia i1, or "Honami." In addition to a beastly rear camera, alleged specs for the future Sony flagship include a Snapdragon 800 CPU and a 5-plus-inch display. Today we're seeing fresh images of the device cropping up on Just Another Mobile Blog. The site shows a device matching the earlier "Honami" leaks, while revealing new hardware details, such as a microSD slot, an Xperia Z Ultra-like magnetic charging port and a dedicated camera key (natch). The report also claims the final version device will ship with a Xenon flash rather than the LED flash pictured. Aside from the specs, Sony's clearly still utilizing its "Omnibalance" design language in its latest product, and the device pictured would look right at home alongside the manufacturer's current line-up. We've heard through our own sources that a Q3 launch is likely for the product, so hopefully we won't have to wait too long to find out more. Source: Just Another Mobile Blog; via: GSMArena

Talk Mobile Apps Week Recap: The best things you said Posted: 28 Jun 2013 08:49 AM PDT While the first week of Talk Mobile 2013 was all about mobile gaming, in the second topic we tackled broader issues with apps, developers, and app stores. As with last week, we're working to move past the debates over features and specs and spark a discussion on what really matters: how these advanced devices have actually impacted our lives. We're going to continue to tweak the Talk Mobile formula as we go, and your feedback is always welcome as we work to make Talk Mobile the best that it can possibly be. So feel free to sound off in the comments about what you think of Talk Mobile so far. As with our first week's recap, we want to focus on the discussion that was generated, because that's really what we're after here. We've seen a lot of great comments spurring even better conversations about what's great and not so great about apps today, and we'd like to take a few minutes to highlight the best. read more

BlueStacks announces GamePop Mini, the 'forever free' version of its Android-powered console Posted: 28 Jun 2013 08:32 AM PDT Access to hundreds of apps from well-known developers with no up-front hardware cost In an effort to expand the audience of its upcoming GamePop gaming subscription service, BlueStacks is announcing today that it will offer a smaller "forever free" version of its GamePop console. Dubbed the "GamePop Mini", this smaller console will offer much the same experience as its larger counterpart, but will be free with a subscription to its gaming service whereas the original GamePop will jump up to $129 up-front once its pre-order period ends. This "Mini" version of the GamePop console will work in the same way as the larger version, connecting to your TV via HDMI and pairing up with your smart phone as a controller. The GamePop subscription service will remain the same for either console, giving customers access to games from over 500 partners -- including some of the best-known developers such as HalfBrick and Glu -- for just $6.99 per month. BlueStacks says at this point the subscription will offer customers access to the equivalent of $200 in paid apps with the single subscription. Pre-orders for the original GamePop will end on June 30th, along with its promotional pricing, which will then open up the market for GamePop Mini pre-orders on July 1st at that magical $0 up-front price. The GamePop Mini is expected to ship to consumers this Winter. read more

Deal of the Day: Seidio SURFACE Case (with kickstand) for Galaxy S4 Posted: 28 Jun 2013 06:29 AM PDT The June 28 ShopAndroid.com Deal of the Day is the Seidio SURFACE Case (with kickstand) for Galaxy S4. This case protects your Galaxy S4 from scratches and drops while adding minimal bulk and convenient viewing with its built-in kickstand. Durable plastic is accompanied by a soft-touch coating, which enhances the look of your device without attracting lint. Comes in black, blue, red, purple, pink and white. The Seidio SURFACE Case (with kickstand) is available for just $19.00, 46% off today only. Grab yours while supplies last! Deal also available in the Canada store Never miss a deal. Sign up for Daily Deal alerts

Hands-on with leaked Android 4.3 ROM for the Google edition Galaxy S4 [Updated] Posted: 28 Jun 2013 05:56 AM PDT First glimpse of the next version of Android looks a lot like what's come before There's a leaked Android 4.3 Jelly Bean ROM out in the wild this morning, in the form of a pre-release build for the 'Google Play edition' Galaxy S4. It's also been ported to the European LTE Galaxy S4 (GT-i9505) in the form of a custom ROM, courtesy of the original source of the leak, Samsung fansite SamMobile. We've fired up that ROM on our European GS4 and shot a quick hands-on video, giving an early glimpse of the next version of Android. And, well, it looks an awful lot like the current version of Android, supporting earlier reports that 4.3's changes are mostly under-the-hood, rather than user-facing. That means for the most part, we're dealing with the same user experience found on the current Google Play edition GS4. Check out our video after the break, along with a list of behind-the-scenes changes we've noticed. read more

BBM still coming to Android before the end of the summer Posted: 28 Jun 2013 05:18 AM PDT BlackBerry CEO Thorsten Heins this morning on the company's quarterly earnings call reminded us that BBM — that's BlackBerry Messenger — will be available for Android and iOS "before the end of the summer." He didn't give any further details, and it's worth noting that summer officially is all of a week old. More: CrackBerry earnings call liveblog

Android 4.3 leaks for 'Google Play edition' Galaxy S4 Posted: 28 Jun 2013 04:29 AM PDT The next version of Jelly Bean has leaked for the 'Google Play edition' GS4 — and there's a port for the European GS4 model already Android 4.3 Jelly Bean isn't even official yet, but already a leaked build has appeared for the Samsung Galaxy S4 "Google Play edition." The pre-release build was uploaded by Samsung fansite SamMobile in its original form, and in the form of a custom ROM for the European Galaxy S4 — GT-i9505. The initial batch of screnshots from the ROM (build number JWR66N) doesn't show any major differences from version 4.2.2, however we'll have to reserve judgment until we've played with the software for ourselves. For the moment, however, 4.3 looks to be a relatiely minor bump up from 4.2. We'll bring you more coverage of this story as it unfolds. Source: SamMobile (1, 2)

Huawei 'analyzing the possibility' of 'Google edition' Ascend P6 Posted: 28 Jun 2013 03:37 AM PDT Despite earlier denials, Huawei reportedly now says it's looking into the possibility of a 'Google Play edition' P6 At his company's flashy London launch event for its new Ascend P6 handset last week, Huawei Consumer Business Group CEO Richard Yu told journalists in no uncertain terms that the manufacturer wasn't interested in putting out a "Google edition" version of the product it'd just announced. But today we're seeing signs of a turnaround, as UK tech blog Pocket-Lint reports that another Huawei exec has said such a device is very much within the realms of possibility. read more

Gmail update brings the delete option back by default Posted: 27 Jun 2013 07:17 PM PDT A quick update to the Gmail app tonight brings about a couple changes. First off is that Google has brought back the delete option by default, alongside the archive button. (Previously you had to turn that back on in the settings.) Also listed is "tap sender images to select multiple e-mails in the conversation list," but we've been doing that for a little while now, right? Plus, the requisite bugfixes.  Not a huge update, but any update to the Gmail app is an important one. Head on over and set things right.

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