Android and Me |
- The future of Google Voice is here: voice calling available now in Hangouts
- LG Optimus G2 detailed in leaked video and pics
- AT&T holding July 16 event to showcase “what’s next in wireless”
- HTC Butterfly now receiving Sense 5/Android 4.2.2 update in Taiwan
- Android takes to the skies: new in-flight entertainment on Norwegian Dreamliner
- Google patches recent Android security hole, already distributed to OEMs
- Upcoming Kindle Fire line-up detailed
- Poll: Have you ordered a Google Play Edition phone? Handsets start shipping today!
- Jelly Bean finally most used version of Android
| The future of Google Voice is here: voice calling available now in Hangouts Posted: 09 Jul 2013 03:35 PM PDT There’s been a lot of noise made over Google’s transition from Talk to Hangouts. Hangouts was supposed to be Google’s all-in-one communication service, but has fallen flat. It greatly improves the Talk experience across the web and mobile platforms, but there’s still a lot of work to do. Today, Google has begun chipping away at that work by adding voice calls to Hangouts, hailing the move as the beginning of the future of Google Voice. Rolling out now, users of Hangouts in Gmail, Google+ and those using the Chrome extension will be able to hold voice calls with other users. Placing a call will be as simple as using the phone icon in your Hangouts window. Multiple users can be added to the same call, using either just voice or video. Calls to the US and Canada are free, and international calling is relatively inexpensive. No details have been shared on when or if the Hangouts app will receive an update including voice calling, but we hope it’s right around the corner. As Google has said, this is only the beginning. By the end of the year, we’d love to see one app for messaging, sms and all of Google Voice available for every Android phone. Google is headed in that direction, it’s only a matter of time now. |
| LG Optimus G2 detailed in leaked video and pics Posted: 09 Jul 2013 03:33 PM PDT Expected to be officially unveiled on August 7, Engadget has just received a handful of pictures from an anonymous source detailing the Optimus G2, strange backside volume rocker and all. The pictures don’t provide any information on technical specs, but do share a bit on how the Optimus G2 will look and feel. LG is headed the way of the Nexus 4 with the G2, giving the device itself a more rounded shape with a dark chrome bezel. The LG logo is placed near the bottom of the face of the device, right below the area reserved for on-screen buttons, with no decorations up top. Towards the back of the device, you can see the strange plus and minus switch, which we assume will be a multipurpose volume switch. Software wise, we see that the Optimus G2 will use a white camera UI, which looks rather nice, and a fully transparent notification bar and background for the on-screen buttons mentioned above. All in all, the LG Optimus G2 looks like a great device. We’re excited to know more come August 7, just under a month away now. Gallery
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| AT&T holding July 16 event to showcase “what’s next in wireless” Posted: 09 Jul 2013 02:29 PM PDT AT&T has just started sending out teaser emails to the press clueing them in on an event, or announcement, to be held on July 16 where Ma Bell and company will reveal, “what’s next in wireless.” There isn’t a whole lot of information provided in the teaser, just that it’s coming from the carrier with the fastest and largest 4G LTE network. We are assuming that it has to do with LTE-A, or LTE Advanced. LTE-A is the next stage in wireless data transmission, with theoretical speeds that put LTE to shame. While LTE has become a staple for nationwide carriers in the US, LTE-A has yet to make an appearance. If AT&T were to announce the arrival of LTE-A, there’s a good chance we’ll see a phone with it, like the Samsung Galaxy S4 with LTE-A capabilities. The S4 with LTE-A will launch in Korea later this summer sporting similar specs to the normal S4, but with the addition of a Snapdragon 800 quad-core processor. We’ll keep you posted as we learn more. |
| HTC Butterfly now receiving Sense 5/Android 4.2.2 update in Taiwan Posted: 09 Jul 2013 12:16 PM PDT The HTC Butterfly was one of the first smartphones to adopt a 1080p display, and it became pretty popular. It launched as the HTC DROID DNA here in the US and has been stuck on Android 4.1.2 and Sense 4+ so far. In Taiwan,however, HTC has been rolling out an update for the device. The newest update brings the device up to 4.2.2 and Sense 5. This means that the HTC Butterfly is now on the level of the HTC One in some areas (where it also got 4.2.2). It even retains all of the cool features of the HTC One aside from one; HTC Zoe was taken out of the update, and it seems that it will stay an HTC One exclusive. I can’t complain, as that seems completely fair. We are grateful for the support of Taiwanese consumers, and Taiwan is the world's leading market to receive the new Sense 5.0 software update for the HTC Butterfly.Jack TongHTC HTC Butterfly (and DROID DNA) owners have been able to flash Sense 5 for a while, but this is an official update specifically for this device. This will surely get developers working on some awesome ROMs, so this will benefit even those who are rooted. Plus, now that you have the newest Android version, you can complain a little less about fragmentation! Here is a full changelog for the update:
We’re sure owners of the HTC Butterfly will enjoy this new juicy update, and hopefully Verizon will work fast to get this to their own customers. DROID DNA owners, are you excited to get an official taste of Sense 5? |
| Android takes to the skies: new in-flight entertainment on Norwegian Dreamliner Posted: 09 Jul 2013 10:59 AM PDT Android is an incredibly versatile operating system, used predominately in smartphones and tablets. But it can be used to great effect on a variety of other devices, like e-readers, consoles, watches, glasses, speaker bars, TV boxes and even mini USB computers. Now Android is set to take-off on passenger airplane entertainment systems. Norwegian and Panasonic Avionics have teamed up to create the first Android-powered in-flight entertainment system in the world. Installed on Norwegian’s Boeing 787 Dreamliners, this entertainment system will reside on a touchscreen and will provide built-in Android apps for passenger use and enjoyment. Flyers can watch movies, listen to music and even play pre-loaded Android games. As with many in-flight entertainment systems, passengers can also order food and drinks from the touch screen. This will be a pretty significant upgrade from the unresponsive and slow entertainment systems in most planes, even if they still use resistive touch screens. But the benefits of an Android-powered system go beyond customer satisfaction; Android is also open and easier to develop for, so the systems can be improved and can have features added far easier than whatever proprietary system airlines currently use. It’ll benefit both the customer and the airline, so we really don’t have anything negative to say. What do you think of Android finally hitting the skies? Where else has Android not yet visited? |
| Google patches recent Android security hole, already distributed to OEMs Posted: 09 Jul 2013 10:01 AM PDT The latest “scare” in Android security was a new hole found that affected 99% of users. Unless you were a fan of downloading apps from untrusted sources, you were safe. But it was found to be a pretty big security hole that allowed legitimate APK installs to be modified with malware without changing their cryptographic signature. Google quickly updated Play Store security to prevent apps from allowing modification. Apps downloaded from the Play Store are completely safe. If you pirated apps or used third party app markets, you were at risk. Samsung had fixed the issue in the Galaxy S 4, but it seemed that Google was content to do nothing. Apparently, Google was working on it the whole time. Google’s Android Communications Manager has said that the security hole has been successfully patched by Google and that phone manufacturers have already received these patches to incorporate into their own devices. That’s how Samsung had fixed it: with Google’s help. We’re glad to see Google so active with security that doesn’t even affect its own ecosystem. We’re also glad to see Samsung so quick with integrating these patches. Makes us feel all fuzzy and safe inside. And to all of our readers, remember to boldly go with caution in the great expanses of the Internet. |
| Upcoming Kindle Fire line-up detailed Posted: 09 Jul 2013 09:38 AM PDT Amazon’s family of Kindle Fire devices has been one of the most successful tablet lines out there, even giving Apple some serious competition. For 2013, it appears that the company is once again upgrading its line of tablets and adding some substantial improvements. In a new report from BGR, many of the details regarding these tablets have been revealed. Let’s start from the beginning with the 7-inch Kindle Fire replacement. The upcoming model of the 7-inch Kindle Fire will retain the same screen size, but will see a resolution bump up to 1280 x 800. That’s a nice boost from the 1024 x 600 resolution found on the previous model. It’s also the same resolution as the existing 7-inch Kindle Fire HD, which will also see an upgrade in the resolution. The 7-inch Kindle Fire HD gets a screen upgrade, and like the standard Kindle Fire, it deals with resolution rather than the size. The Kindle Fire HD will get a significant increase in resolution, up to 1900 x 1200 pixels. That’s a big number for a 7-inch display, and it’s the same pixel count found on the current Kindle Fire HD 8.9. Speaking of the Kindle Fire HD 8.9, it’s also getting a res boost. Even though it currently has a very high resolution (1920 x 1200), the sources say it will receive a boost up to 2560 x 1600 pixels in the new model. At that resolution, the 8.9-inch display becomes one of the sharpest on the market, even beating out the Retina display on the iPad. This line-up of tablets will also feature new, more angular design. From what we can tell, it sounds as though Amazon will be dropping the very curved look of the current models and replacing some of the rounded edges with flatter slopes. We’re interested to see what exactly this looks like, but one of BGR’s sources described the new design as “chiseled.” That certainly sounds angular to us. The power and volume buttons have been moved from their positions on the side of the tablets. They have a new home on the back of the tablets, reminiscent of the Motorola Xoom. The sources reported that this was a major improvement, and that they have been designed to avoid accidental presses. Finally, all three of the tablets are said to be lighter than last year’s models. This leak gives us at least some idea of what to expect with the new Kindle Fire tablets. Pricing has reportedly not been decided yet, but Amazon is said to be shooting to hit the same price points as last year’s line-up. With Barnes & Noble shutting down their Nook line, it looks as though Amazon has even more of a clear shot with the new Kindle Fires. What do you guys think of this? Would you buy a Kindle Fire with the rumored specs? |
| Poll: Have you ordered a Google Play Edition phone? Handsets start shipping today! Posted: 09 Jul 2013 07:51 AM PDT The Google Play Edition HTC One and Samsung Galaxy S4 are now shipping to those who pre-ordered the phones through Google Play. The Samsung Galaxy S4 Google Play edition with 16GB of internal storage sports a price tag of $649.99, while the HTC One Google Play edition with 32GB of internal storage comes in slightly cheaper at $599.99. Both phones are SIM and bootloader unlocked with HSPA+ and LTE support on AT&T’s and T-Mobile's networks and feature a nearly stock version of Android 4.2.2 for those who simply can’t stand Samsung and HTC’s custom Android builds. While there are quite a few people who prefer stock Android on their phones, it’s a bit hard for many to spend $600 on a new device. Do you think it’s worth paying full retail to experience Android as Google intended on the HTC One and Samsung Galaxy S4? Fill out the poll below and let us know if you purchased a Google Play Edition phone. |
| Jelly Bean finally most used version of Android Posted: 08 Jul 2013 07:42 PM PDT Android fragmentation is a hot issue in the Android world, especially with the crowd who are less than fond of our little green robot. While we could write essays on the subject, in the end, fragmentation is not as serious an issue as it is made out to be for many reasons. However, a lot of people still hate being left behind on an old Android version, and all of us can relate. So on that front we have some great news. According to the latest stats provided by the Android developer console, Jelly Bean 4.1 and 4.2 together are the most used Android version. This is a huge improvement over the now unseated long time holder of that title: Gingerbread. Yes, for an eternity Gingerbread was the most used Android version in existence. Finally, it’s now a modern and beautiful version of Android on top. With 4.1 at 32.3% and 4.2 at 5.6%, they total 37.9%, which based on our calculations is higher than Gingerbread’s 34.1%. As huge fans of the platform, we couldn’t be happier. This is a big step for Android as a whole, and a big improvement for manufacturers. Those who used to be horrible at updating their devices, like Samsung, are now doing a solid job. And even HTC isn’t doing too bad, though we have some complaints. Keep in mind that these stats don’t reflect every device running Android, but every device accessing the Play Store within the specified timeframe. This is a smaller subset of the Android world, but the most relevant one for developers. Regardless, it’s a really big improvement, wouldn’t you agree? |
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