Wednesday, July 10, 2013

AndroidGuys

AndroidGuys


LG G2 details and images spill online

Posted: 09 Jul 2013 04:35 PM PDT

The team over at Engadget have just scored a handful of images of the upcoming LG G2 smartphone. Rumored (read: expected) for an August 7 debut, the handset is set to be LG’s flagship experience for the second half of the year.

The photos you see here show the phone as having a rather thin bezel and not quite edge-to-edge display. There are no physical keys on the handset; LG is going with the stock Android approach with software keys. Around back, yep, there’s the volume rocker sitting above and below the camera. That’s either the best place we’ve ever heard of or the absolute worst. Can you imagine the smudges that could happen as a result of adjusting volume levels?

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lg_g2_wmk4
lg_g2_wmk2
lg_g2_wmk1

See the rest of the photos at Engadget

The screen looks to be the 5.2-inch HD stuff we’ve heard recently and, truth be told, is stunning in these early photos. The overall design is reminiscent of the Nexus 4 and gets further from the old Optimus aesthetics — we love it.

According to Engadget’s source, this particular model was designed for Sprint’s network. We’ll go ahead and assume that at least Sprint and AT&T will be on board with the successor to the Optimus G. We’d love nothing more, however, to see it spread across all major carriers.

Engadget

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Galaxy Note III shows up at Samsung’s website, real or not?

Posted: 09 Jul 2013 03:38 PM PDT

A few days ago, a rumor came out that Samsung is planning to launch four variants of the Samsung Galaxy Note III. We took the rumor with a grain of salt and decided to move on, but now something appeared at Samsung’s website which is making us scratch our heads again.

Samsung-Galaxy-Note-III-SM-900A-UaprofTwo devices with model number SM-N900A and SM-N900T can be found in the UAProfiles over at Samsung's official website. Last month, model number of the Galaxy Note III was leaked which is SM-N9000, so this pretty much tells us that the models mentioned above are related to the Note III.

As showed in the image above, Note III will feature a Full HD(1920×1080) display. What we can assume from this is that not four, but maybe just two versions of Note III are coming ‘or’ there’s also a possibility that both model numbers are used for the same phone. As I always say, lets wait for the company to let the cat out of the bag.

What do you think about it? There will be different variants of Note III? Tell us about it in the comment box below

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Brands we love: Seidio

Posted: 09 Jul 2013 02:34 PM PDT

In the market for a new smartphone or tablet accessory for your beloved Android? Fortunately for you, there are a number of companies who provide a portfolio of wonderful products to choose from. One such company that we’d like to draw attention to is Seidio.

We recently received a couple of products from Seidio for both the Samsung Galaxy S4 as well as the Samsung Galaxy Note 2. While these are certainly not our first time testing things out, we were impressed with the quality and overall attention to detail in both products.

seidio_gnote2_convert

The SEIDIO Convert (Galaxy Note 2) features shock absorbing silicone and a hard shell exoskeleton that fit together in a snug and comfortable case. Accompanied by a belt holster, the case also adds in a handy kickstand around back. Those of you with the 5.5-inch smartphone will appreciate how convenient it is to watch video or consume media on a screen of this size.

All in all, we found this unit to be solid and versatile; the face-in design adds one more layer of protection. It might be a little more expensive than you would expect but we had a hard time finding flaws. Our advice is to check places like Amazon for discounts. Seidio’s website lists the kit at $54.95, Amazon is also selling it for $54.95. There are also bundles and other kits you may stumble across to save additional money.

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The SEIDIO Surface (Galaxy S4) is a similarly designed shell/case for the flagship smartphone and comes in a variety (Glossed White, Black, Garnet Red, Fuschia, Amethyst, Royal Blue) of colors. Details include a magnetic kickstand, precision cut-outs for volume, power, speakers, and camera, and a soft-touch coating.

We really appreciate the way in which Seidio makes putting the case on a simple process. Splitting into two separate pieces, you essentially slide the ends on and snap them together. Once in place they feel great and don’t give the impression as if they’ll come apart.

The price range for the Surface series is officially listed at $34.95 however Amazon is selling them for around $21.00 each, or about 40% off the normal price. For whatever reasons, prices fluctuate with different colors.

Seidio has a wide assortment of products and accessories for your smartphone needs, and not just in Android. Indeed, there are a number of products available for iOS and there are tons of universal devices.

Seidio Online | Amazon

What brand(s) do you prefer for your Android accessory needs? Leave a comment below!

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ZTE U988S leaked, world’s first Tegra 4 smartphone?

Posted: 09 Jul 2013 11:37 AM PDT

Earlier this year, NVIDIA officially announced the Tegra 4 processor, which will boost 72 GPUs; making it the strongest Tegra chip to date. In February, Nvidia and ZTE announced that the Chinese handset maker will be the first one to officially launch the first ever Tegra 4 smartphone in the market. However, they didn’t tell us about when they will release it or how the phone will look, but it seems the image below is probably the world’s first Tegra 4 smartphone, as reported by PhoneArena.

zte-u988s-tegra-4It is rumored that the handset will be running on a 1.8 GHz Tegra 4 processor, 13MP camera with 2 MP front facing camera, 5-inch Full HD 1080p display, 2 GB of RAM and a microSD card slot. In the image above, it looks like a thick phone, but it is actually quite thin at just 9mm. It is said that it will run Android 4.2.1 right out of the box.

China Mobile logo is visible on the back cover of the smartphone, so hopefully it will land there first and then somewhere else. Will it be available in US or UK market? We have no information on that but we will hear about it sooner or later. As 4G/LTE connectivity in smartphones is becoming really common in US and other countries, we might see smartphones with Nvidia Tegra 4i in the States  as that chip comes with integrated LTE modem. Tegra 4i smartphones are said to debut in Q1 2014.

What are your thoughts about the upcoming Nvidia Tegra 4? Tell us about it in the comment box below.

Source: PhoneArena

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Get this look for your Android: Vibandroid

Posted: 09 Jul 2013 10:44 AM PDT

We’re huge fans of changing the home screen around a bit and creating a new user experience for our Android. So much so that we present this weekly series of Get This Look posts.

In a nutshell we show you a new look for your Android handset and tell you which apps you’ll need if you want to mimic the feel. Some of these are a little easier to create than others and many of them can be tweaked to no end. The following details are but the ingredients to which you can create your own delicious Android dish; your results will vary. Which is awesome!

If nothing else, this is a great way to discover new apps, widgets, icons, and more!

Click to view slideshow.

 

Vibandroid by rabrot

WHY WE LOVE THIS LOOK:

Calm, cool, and gorgeous are three adjectives that sprint to mind when we see this one. We love the way the icon pack pops off the background; blends well with the minimal widgets as well.

The lock screen provides a number of at-a-glance notifications but is not required to achieve the overall design. We say spring for the $2.99 and you’ll have plenty of customization options for other looks. And, really, Zooper comes with a great many pre-made templates and widgets that look fantastic on their own.

Change up the wallpaper and/or icons and this one becomes a completely different animal, try it!

Check the archives for even more inspiration!

WHAT YOU’LL NEED

What else:

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Taskbar W8 – A Start button for Android

Posted: 09 Jul 2013 10:06 AM PDT

Taskbar Windows 8 style (W8) adds a very familiar, but almost incompatible, feeling to Android.  Even though Microsoft did not think it was worth keeping, the Start button has been added to Android along with some new, Android-specific features.  Did Microsoft count the Start button out too soon?  (Hint:  Yes).

unnamed (4)W8 adds a small, Windows-like Start button to the bottom or top, left or right part of your screen, which gives you accessibility to your apps and a few settings.  Instead of having to navigate your app drawer and toggling any settings you may need to toggle, W8 provides all these actions within the easily accessible Start button.

From the button, a Windows-esque menu pops up with your customized list of apps.  You can hide apps and add folders or simply scroll through the list of all your apps to select and launch one.  It is very much a condensed form of the app drawer, and the menu offers just as much customization.

W8 comes with quick-setting toggles too.  These are, again, very customizable, albeit with less options than AOKP or CM for obvious reasons.  These toggles pull up beside the apps menu, and they offer the standard settings including favorite contacts for easy dialing and Bluetooth settings for convenient pairing.

Aside from the main features, W8 gives you quick access to your most-recent apps.  W8 is also customizable itself.  You can change the positioning of the button and where the menu pops up.  You can also change the transparency or opaqueness of the entire app as well as change themes and the Start-button look itself.

Some people may find the persistent notification off-putting, but it is necessary for the app to function.  The features of W8 are all features of Android itself, from the customizable app drawer to the quick-setting toggles, but W8 allows these two functions to perform simultaneously and without leaving your current screen.

If you are nostalgic for the Windows Start button, W8 has you covered on Android, and it brings all the functionality with it, including a search bar (with Google, not Bing).  W8 is discreet and fast while offering an easy way to open all your apps, your recent apps, and your quick settings.

Click to view slideshow.

What we liked

  • Easily configurable.
  • Nice, unobtrusive button.
  • Very quick access to your apps and settings.

What could be improved

  • Ever-present notification in the taskbar.
  • Some features are already better implemented/easier within Android itself.

Download Taskbar Windows 8 (Google Play)

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Aio Wireless dials up ZTE Overture for latest smartphone

Posted: 09 Jul 2013 09:20 AM PDT

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Aio Wireless announced on Tuesday that the ZTE Overture is the latest smartphone to join the upstart carrier’s lineup. Powered by Android 4.1 Jelly Bean, the handset features a dual-core 1.2GHz processor, 5-megapixel rear camera, 4G LTE connectivity, and a 1780mAh battery. Additional specifications include 1GB RAM, 4GB internal storage, a microSD expansion slot, and 1-megapixel front-facing camera.

Pricing is listed as $149.99 and the ZTE Overture can be found in all Aio Wireless stores in Aio's markets as well as online.

Do you have Aio Wireless in your market yet?

 

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Early details surface for next generation of Kindle Fire tablets

Posted: 09 Jul 2013 08:29 AM PDT

Amazon is readying three new Kindle Fire tablets for release later this year, according to a new BGR report. Expected to launch in time for the holiday buying season, the new line will include higher resolution displays and more angular designs.

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On the low end of the spectrum the Kindle Fire  will bump its 7-inch 1024×600 display up to 1280×800 pixel resolution.  In other words, it will get an HD display.

The current Kindle Fire HD will see its resolution improved from 1280×800 pixels to 1920×1200 pixels. As for the Kindle Fire 8.9 model, it’s rumored to pick up a display akin to the Nexus 10, which is 2560×1600.  At that size screen, the pixel density will be unmatched at around 339 PPI.

It’s unclear if the new lineup will come with a fresh set of names or if the prices will remain largely the same. Obviously, there’s plenty to learn in the coming months.

Also of note, the power and volume buttons are no longer located on the side of the tablets. Instead, they have been situated on the sloping area on the case-back and they are positioned to avoid accidental button presses when a tablet is placed on its back. We're told that the new button design is a big improvement

Have any of you picked up a Kindle Fire (HD) for your Android tablet needs? Is it enough or would you like a more traditional Android experience? Leave a comment below with your thoughts!

BGR

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Samsung Galaxy Tab 3 portfolio now available across U.S.

Posted: 09 Jul 2013 07:52 AM PDT

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Just a friendly reminder to let everyone know that the Galaxy Tab 3 7.0, Galaxy Tab 3 8.0 and Galaxy Tab 3 10.1 are now in stores. If you’re in the market for a new Android tablet, Samsung’s 2013 lineup is priced more competitively ($199, $299 and $399, respectively) than in previous generations and is definitely worth a look. Each comes with their own particular hardware details, however they all offer similar software experiences.

To make things even more attractive to potential buyers, Samsung is tossing in a handful of goodies:

The Galaxy Tab 3 family comes with added value through pre-loaded content and Galaxy Perks available at www.samsung.com/us/galaxyperks. Specifically, hundreds of dollars' worth of content, including a $10 voucher for the purchase of apps, books, movies and music in Google Play; one year of free access to the Boingo Wi-Fi network in North America, including more than 35,000 hotspots in the United States, Canada and Mexico; three months free Hulu Plus service; and two years free Dropbox Service with 50GB storage space.

Look for the Samsung Galaxy Tab 3 family in two colors: White and a unique Gold Brown. Retailers around the country include Best Buy/Best Buy Mobile, Amazon, Wal-Mart, h.h. Gregg, Office Depot, Toys 'R' Us, P.C. Richard & Son, Fry's, Newegg, Sears and Samsung.com.

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Jelly Bean is now (finally) most common version of Android

Posted: 08 Jul 2013 01:41 PM PDT

The monthly Android distribution figures are out today and they show Jelly Bean jumping out to a 37.9 percent share of the pie. Contrast that with one month ago and the 33 percent and you see some moderate gains. Finally, after more than one year of existence, Android 4.1 and 4.2 hold the lion’s share of the platform.

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While Android 2.3 Gingerbread was the king of the hill for much of the last few years, 4.2 Jelly Bean now wears the crown. Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich also saw its numbers dip a bit, going from 25.6 percent to 23.3 percent.

In order of most popular (used) versions of Android:

  • Jelly Bean (4.1/4.2)
  • Gingerbread (2.3)
  • Ice Cream Sandwich (4.0)
  • Froyo (2.2)
  • Eclair (2.1)
  • Honeycomb (3.0)/Donut (1.6)

Android

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A new set of Moto X pictures leaked

Posted: 08 Jul 2013 11:36 AM PDT

Moto X will be launched as a flagship device from Motorola, and it is a device with a unique concept in mind;  letting the user design the phone with back cover available in different colors and engraving. We saw the new colorful Motorola logo, so are the covers for the Moto X. But lets talk about what is new in the world of Moto X. Pictures of Moto X's chassis, glass face, outer casing, and a Kevlar shell were released by Nowhereelse.fr.

bgr-moto-x-leak-case-1All these pictures (check the source) were leaked on Weibo and republished by the French blog. Also, the custom-version of Moto X with custom back covers and engraving will be available through Motorola’s online store and will be shipped directly to the customer. Also, a non-customized version will be available in the market as well.

So, let’s just wait and see when this long-awaited smartphone will finally hit the market. I really love the way Motorola/Google is going for a ‘unique’ perspective, and if it comes with a balanced price tag, there’s a possibility this smartphone might be able to bring Motorola back in the smartphone game.

Are you looking forward to the Moto X? Do you think it will be the next big thing? Tell us about it in the comment box below.

Source: Weibo via NWE, SlashGear

 

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