Android Authority |
- Rumor: LG’s 5.5 inch 1080p flagship to hit the market as early as next month
- Samsung GT-B7810 leaks, a (slightly) improved version of the Galaxy M Pro with ICS
- Verizon slip-up lets Motorola Droid RAZR owners update to Android 4.1.2 Jelly Bean
- T-Mobile holds online-only sale of Samsung Galaxy S3 16GB and 32GB
- CM 10.1 nightlies now available for many Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 variants
- LG details their 2013 Smart TV portfolio ahead of CES, Miracast and NFC inside
- $50 discount off Kindle Fire HD 8.9″ for Amazon Student members with Prime
- webOS ported to Nexus 7, but should we even bother to try?
- HTC-Apple deal to benefit Android maker this year
- Plan for 2013 with the Samsung Galaxy Note 2 (video)
| Rumor: LG’s 5.5 inch 1080p flagship to hit the market as early as next month Posted: 02 Jan 2013 02:56 AM PST
HTC may have been the first company to launch a 1080p smartphone, but devices from other handset vendors are not that far behind. According to a report in the Korean publication ETNews, LG will announce a 5.5 inch 1080p flagship phone at Mobile World Congress next month. We know what you’re thinking, big deal, when is it actually going to land on store shelves? The report suggests that’s going to happen right after the phone is unveiled. We can think of only one other company who announced devices and then ships them just a handful of days later: Apple. The story also says Pantech will launch a phone using the same LG manufactured 5.5 inch 1080p panel, but knowing how Pantech operates, we’re just going to call it now and say that handset will never launch outside of South Korea. Now we can’t stress this enough, 1080p screens are going to be the highlight feature of numerous devices due to be announced during the next 60 days. Huawei has the D2, ZTE announced the Z5 during Christmas, Sony’s Xperia Z has already been reviewed in Russia, and HTC is hard at work on a refresh their current 1080p device that’s said to be called the “M7″ internally. Notice how we didn’t mention Samsung? Most rumors say Samsung will announce the Galaxy S4 in April and that it’ll have a 1080p AMOLED screen. Some people are even suggesting that the phone will come with a stylus! We’re not going to lie to you, we have absolutely zero clue what Samsung is doing behind closed doors, which is a real bummer because that’s the phone we actually want the most here at Android Authority. No offense to all the other handset makers, but there’s a reason Samsung is numero uno. Which 1080p device are looking forward to the most this year? Related Posts |
| Samsung GT-B7810 leaks, a (slightly) improved version of the Galaxy M Pro with ICS Posted: 02 Jan 2013 02:02 AM PST
Though Samsung has quite a lot of decent budget-friendly mid-rangers in its smartphone line-up, the Galaxy M Pro is not one of them. Launched back in fall of 2011, this has gone mostly unnoticed by the tech world, "rocking" a pretty bulky and dated figure, no touchscreen and mainly forgettable tech specs. Still, for some reason Sammy seems keen to reboot the M Pro "line" with a device known at this time only as the GT-B7810. This is almost certainly a close relative of the original M Pro (dubbed GT-B7800), but not many details are known about it for now. Out of the things we do know, the running of Android 4.0.4 Ice Cream Sandwich definitely stands out. Though that's still one or two software generations behind times, it's actually pretty darn nice for what we think will be a low-end physical keyboard candybar.
Unfortunately, we can't say we're very pleased about a couple of other rumored specs of the second-gen M Pro, namely the 480 x 360 pixels resolution LCD screen and the 1,200 mAh battery. The ticker's capacity is actually lower than the one powering the first M Pro (1,350 mAh), so that's definitely not what we'd call evolution or improvement. Courtesy of some internal FCC approval docs, we also know that the GT-B7810 will be coming with Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n and Bluetooth 3.0 connectivity. The same source lets us have a glimpse at the phone's design, which is not terribly different than the one of its "ancestor". Still, the overall look is a bit sleeker and more elegant this time around, while the most noticeable design tweaks are the moving of Samsung's logo and the widening of the center navigation key right below the screen.
We don't know the display's diagonal size, but based on the leaked pics we're ready to bet it'll be around 2.66 inches. As for the body, that looks a bit wider and thinner, although we could be wrong on that. The cloud of mystery is even thicker when it comes to availability, though we don't see any reason why Samsung would want to hold on to the B7810 for very long. It's not like the phone's specs will be getting better with time, so a March or even February release is definitely on the cards. Another question is where will Sammy look to capitalize on the popularity of low-enders with physical QWERTY keyboards and the answer probably is anywhere but in the States. That means Europe, Asia and/or South America should be getting this soon. Anyone excited about it there? Related Posts |
| Verizon slip-up lets Motorola Droid RAZR owners update to Android 4.1.2 Jelly Bean Posted: 02 Jan 2013 01:59 AM PST
Some owners of the Android-powered Motorola Droid RAZR were able to celebrate a very merry Christmas last month thanks to an unannounced Android 4.1 Jelly Bean software update that was “accidentally” leaked. The update was later pulled from Verizon’s servers not long after the leak was discovered as an apparent attempt to fix the situation. So all of the people who somehow missed the short update window when the software was still available are now unfortunately out of luck. Or are they? As it turns out, Droid RAZR users that are still running Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich still have a chance to upgrade to Android 4.1.2 Jelly Bean after all – albeit through an unofficial method. This method has been made available by user spc_hicks09 through the XDA Developers forum where he has posted all of the necessary software files along with detailed instructions. A fair amount of warning was thrown up in there as well, as it spc_hicks09 stresses:
Clearly, the instructions are only for those who have decided to fully upgrade their devices to the latest available version of the Android software for it. If you’re feeling adventurous or you want to switch up your software from ICS which is about six months old now, then by all means check out the step-by-step upgrade method posted over on the XDA Developers forum. Related Posts |
| T-Mobile holds online-only sale of Samsung Galaxy S3 16GB and 32GB Posted: 02 Jan 2013 01:54 AM PST
In case you missed out on all the big smartphone sales that happened before the world fully transitioned into 2013, T-Mobile has an online-only treat that might be of interest to you. The carrier is holding a sale of the Samsung Galaxy S3 on its web site that lasts until January 3rd. This applies to both the 16GB and 32GB models of the Galaxy S3, which have already been involved in numerous promotions that went live last month. Through T-Mobile’s online-only Galaxy S3 sale, the 16GB model can be purchased for only $99.99 after a $100 mail-in rebate while the 32GB model goes for $149.99 after a $100 mail-in rebate. T-Mobile also offers free shipping on all units that are purchased through the sale. While today’s discount prices for the Galaxy S3 aren’t quite as good as what was available last month – before 2012 ended – at least it still gives customers a chance to save some money on their next smartphone. And a smartphone like the Galaxy S3 is certainly not a model to be overlooked. Have a look at the Galaxy S3 discount sale pages here: 16GB model (white),16GB model (blue),32GB model (white),32GB model (blue). Related Posts |
| CM 10.1 nightlies now available for many Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 variants Posted: 02 Jan 2013 12:53 AM PST
When the official software update well has dried up, one can always rely on the developer community to keep one's device less ancient-like. We know that the Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 won't make it past Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich, but it doesn't mean owners of the Tab can't get a taste of Jelly Bean. If you have been longing for some nightlies on your Tab 10.1, you can start the New Year with a bang, as CyanogenMod 10.1 nightlies have finally arrived on the Galaxy Tab 10.1 and its many variants. Here's your chance to breathe a new life into your Tab 10.1 with some stock Android 4.2 goodies, such as multiple user accounts and quick settings, as well as features you can expect to see from CyanogenMod. The CM 10.1 nightlies are now up for grabs for the WiFi, T-Mobile, Verizon, and Tab 10.1v models of the Galaxy Tab 10.1. Provided you know that the nightly build is likely to contain some bugs, though nothing too significant to keep it from becoming a daily driver, hit the links above to start flashing. Let us know how life's like on the bleeding edge in the comments below. Related Posts |
| LG details their 2013 Smart TV portfolio ahead of CES, Miracast and NFC inside Posted: 02 Jan 2013 12:32 AM PST
The Consumer Electronics Show is going to kick off in less than a week, and it’s going to make us cry. Our feet are going to hurt, our eyes are going to bleed, and our tiny beating hearts are going to be screaming from the gross amounts of caffeine they’re going to have the pleasure of enjoying. We’re going to see a slew of new devices get announced, many of which are only going to hit the market during the second half of 2013, but let’s not let that take away from the excitement of the convention. One product category that gets a lot of attention, frankly a bit too much if you ask us, is televisions. Walking through the halls of CES is like visiting your local Best Buy and strolling past the TV isle; it’s that intense. LG, instead of waiting for CES to begin, today unveiled their new “Smart TV” family. What makes them special? They have NFC built-in, which makes pairing that much easier, and they even have support for Miracast, the open standard that the WiFi Alliance created in an attempt to bring Apple AirPlay like technology to the masses. In case you forgot, Miracast was added to Android in version 4.2. How much are these new televisions going to cost and when are they going to come out? We have no idea, and we’re depressed because we know we’re going to have to repeat that sentence for a majority of the stuff that’s going to get announced next week. If you want our advice, we say skip buying the latest and greatest “Smart” TVs and just get yourself a flagship television that’s a year or two old. It’s going to be heavily discounted, it’s going to deliver awesome picture quality, and if you really want it to be smart then just buy a Roku or something. Related Posts |
| $50 discount off Kindle Fire HD 8.9″ for Amazon Student members with Prime Posted: 01 Jan 2013 07:27 PM PST
The holidays have come and gone, but if you are still in the market for a new tablet computer or e-reader, you might want to consider the Amazon Kindle Fire HD, which would be a great back-to-school device after the holiday break. The e-commerce giant is offering a discount off of this 8.9-incher, but only if you’re an Amazon Student member with an active Prime account. Eligible buyers get a $50 discount off of the Kindle Fire HD WiFi model ($249 from $299) or the LTE model ($449 from $499). The discount comes with a few requirements, of course. You will need to have an Amazon Student membership, with an active Prime account, which costs $39 annually after a six-month trial period. Prime is actually discounted for students, retailing at $79 annually for the general public. Simply use the promo code KNDL4STU to avail yourself of this discount, which should get you a 8.9-inch Kindle Fire HD tablet running on a dual-core Texas Instruments OMAP 4470 processor running at 1.5 GHz, a screen resolution of 1,290 x 1,200, and 16 GB of internal storage. Granted, a similar promo ran a few days back for the general public, which offered a $50 discount to buyers (even outside of the Amazon Student program), but that only ran for one day. Amazon also offered discounts to Amazon Moms members. With this particular promo, you get to use the code through January 30, 2013. Remember, though, that the code will be usable at least 24 hours after activating your Prime account. The promo can only be redeemed once per customer, so better decide now if you want to avail more than just one unit. Also, remember that you will need to pay $15 to opt out of advertising on any of these devices. Is the Kindle Fire HD 8.9″ a great deal for going back to school after the Christmas break at 50 bucks off? Related Posts |
| webOS ported to Nexus 7, but should we even bother to try? Posted: 01 Jan 2013 06:07 PM PST
Back in the day, webOS was lauded as a potential contender against the first-gen iPhone’s iOS in its early iterations. But the platform had stagnated, and Android fast became the dominant platform in the smartphone industry. HP — which acquired webOS when it bought Palm — has since spun off its webOS division, and the project is in development and marketing limbo. Independent developers are still working to port webOS on a variety of Android devices, which include the Samsung Galaxy Nexus and Barnes & Noble Nook Color. If this is the kind of news that interests you, you might be happy to know that webOS is now being ported to the Google Nexus 7. The port is still in alpha stages, which means it’s not a usable operating system unless you’re a developer or hacker. More specifically, hardware acceleration does not work yet, which means the system will be laggy. Still, the alpha port has the following working functionalities: Wi-Fi, brightness settings, gestures, and even features the webOS keyboard. The port uses Open webOS, which means the developers won’t have to work from scratch in developing drivers for Android smartphones and tablets. This particular port uses work by the LibHybris group, as well as inputs from developers involved in Merprojects, FreeSmartphone and SHR project. The port is untethered, which means you can run webOS on your Nexus 7 even without the device tethered to a computer. Booting up is tethered, though, which means you will have to boot up webOS via desktop computer. Check out the demo video below. Is webOS on the Nexus 7 something to get excited about? Perhaps this would be the case for die-hard Palm and webOS aficionados, but maybe not such a big deal for other Android fans. But given the popularity of the Nexus 7, being able to run webOS on the 7-incher might just help popularize the platform a bit more, at least to tweakers and users willing to experiment. Is webOS something worth exploring? Or should we just leave the Nexus 7 be with its stock Jelly Bean and Google’s promise of timely updates? Related Posts |
| HTC-Apple deal to benefit Android maker this year Posted: 01 Jan 2013 05:16 PM PST
A few weeks ago HTC and Apple surprised the tech-loving crowds by announcing an unexpected settlement that put an end to the legal quarrel between the two, a fight that was largely won by the iPhone maker at the time. While Apple still fights in courts two other important Android OEMs, Samsung and Google's Motorola, the brawl with HTC is now over, and it looks like the settlement is good news for the Taiwanese company. According to Focus Taiwan, HTC China president Ray Yam stated that the HTC-Apple deal will benefit the company, as HTC will be able to utilize resources to drive innovation rather than finding workarounds to avoid patent suits from Apple:
HTC is rumored to be working on some interesting Android devices that will hit stores later this year, but the fact that it's not on Apple's patent-infringing radar anymore may not help the company get back on top of the Android business that easily, an ecosystem dominated by Samsung, at least according to Barclays:
Are you buying an HTC device next year? Related Posts |
| Plan for 2013 with the Samsung Galaxy Note 2 (video) Posted: 01 Jan 2013 05:00 PM PST
If you’d rather watch than read, the video is posted at the bottom. We start with Trevor White setting a scene for a busy new year. Resolutions and plans will be made. Events will be attended. But how does one plan for all these events? The video outlines some of the features of the Galaxy Note 2 to help people plan for the year. While the features are really fun looking, it isn’t anything new being revealed. Using handwriting to enter events into a calender was one instance discussed. Most Galaxy Note 2 owners already know about AirView and how awesome it is. The last requires a some creative skills as Trevor shows us how to create a resolution map. Are these Galaxy Note 2 features really useful for planning?Yes, they actually are. However, Samsung has been advertising these features since before the device was released. So really, it’s just introducing a new use for the features. If you miss the video, you aren’t missing out on anything new. You will, however, miss the chance to check out the world’s ugliest Sprite-inspired bicycle. For those who viewed it, do you plan on using any of these features to help your 2013 planning? Related Posts |
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