Saturday, January 19, 2013

Android Authority

Android Authority


The HTC One SV could come to Sprint soon, FCC docs indicate

Posted: 19 Jan 2013 02:20 AM PST

htc-one-sv-red

The mid-range HTC One SV has just been released by Cricket clad in fiery red, but now it looks the Sprint customers might get to buy it too.

According to a set of FCC documents unearthed by the folks at PhoneScoop, there is an incoming HTC phone that could be the Sprint One SV. We say "could be" because there is no actual image or reference to the One SV in the documents. However, the mystery HTC device bears the PL80110 codename, which closely resemble the codename of the HTC One SV on Cricket, PL80120. HTC is known to keep its codename conventions in tight order, so the two devices should be, in theory, very similar. The final piece of the puzzle is the presence of an application for CDMA and LTE spectrum that is only used by Sprint in the US.

With that said, there's something awkward about this phone – the physical dimensions don't match with the Cricket One SV, and more intriguingly, there is a solitary Windows Phone reference in the documents. It would not be the first time mistakes end up in FCC documentation, so this could swing either way.

Still, the codename is a strong clue that HTC and Sprint are indeed working on a One SV variant, even if it would come with a different design. We'll keep you posted. Meanwhile, you can learn more about the One SV specs here.

Update: the HTC One SV will probably come to Boost Mobile, as we reported back in December.

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New game Rise of the Blobs is a mix of Tetris, Bejeweled, and marshmallows

Posted: 19 Jan 2013 02:01 AM PST

Rise of the blobs Robot Invader

After the makers of Cut the Rope unveiled Pudding Monsters a couple of weeks back, now it's time for Robot Invader, the developer of the popular Wind Up Knight, to unveil a new food-themed game.

Titled Rise of the Blobs, the new game is a well-polished mix of Tetris and a connect-the-tiles game like Bejeweled. Your hero is Marshmallow Mal a – you guessed it – marshmallow stranded on a round tower, who finds himself under attack by a horde of rising blobs.

It's your job to save Mal, by dropping blobs of different colors and tapping them to blow them up. When you match the colors of the blobs, you make combos and earn extra points. Sounds complicated? It is not – check the trailer out:

The concept is refreshing and offers a unique take on the well-worn puzzle game genre. The game art is bright and fun, and overall, Rise of the Blobs just oozes polish and attention to detail.

Rise of the Blobs is available now for free on Google Play. The game offers in-game purchases that let you improve your playing experience and complete faster the several game modes available. One flaw of the game we've seen in early reviews is the slow pace at which you collect the coins that let you buy power ups. Unless you make IAPs, you'll have to go through many hours of gameplay to get the points necessary for some of the better power ups.

If you're not put off by in-app purchases, head over to the source to try Rise of the Blobs.

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Opera’s Ice WebKit browser for Android and iOS will do away with buttons (video)

Posted: 19 Jan 2013 01:30 AM PST

Opera-logo

The folks at Pocket-lint have got their hands on some exclusive information on Opera Software's new project: a WebKit-based browser designed with touchscreen devices in mind.

Dubbed Ice (it's not clear yet if that’s a codename or the final product name), the browser is supposed to be Opera's answer to Chrome and Safari, the two major browsers that use the WebKit engine. The CEO of the Norwegian company was quite frank when he said that “Opera mini is great, but it is not a fully-fledged offering like Chrome or Safari. There are too many sites it doesn’t work with.”

We have a video demonstration of the new Ice browser, that Pocket-lint claims was recorded during a staff meeting before Christmas.

As you can see from the video, Opera is trying to replace graphical user interface elements, such as tabs and buttons, with simple swipes. Swiping left and right will take you through your history, while a nifty graphical search interface will show you search results (web pages) in real time.

Opera currently uses the in-house Presto engine to power its Opera Mobile browser. We don't think that the company will give up on Presto completely, but rather use it along with WebKit.

Ice is expected to be launched or at least demoed at MWC 2013 in Barcelona. The browser will be made available for Android and iOS, but Windows Phone and other platforms are also an option.

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Rogers pushes back Jelly Bean update for Razr HD, Galaxy Note, and others to February

Posted: 19 Jan 2013 01:15 AM PST

Motorola RAZR HD

If you've been waiting to hear some jolly good news on Jelly Bean from Rogers this January, prepare to get slightly disappointed, as the Canadian carrier has delayed rolling out the Android 4.1 software updates for some of its devices for the umpteenth time.

Wondering just how long you'll have to wait? Check out the latest OS upgrades schedule that Rogers has posted on its website below.

Rogers-Android-4.1-update

Those who own the Samsung Galaxy S2 LTE or Galaxy Note can expect to see Jelly Bean in late February. The Motorola Razr HD has been promised the buttery smooth upgrade since December, but the new schedule now puts it at early February. As for the Sony Xperia T, the handset is expected to get the software bump up in mid-February.

It's not that too bad of a delay, but there's no guarantee that it won't get pushed back again. Obviously, we're hoping that it won't.  Can you stand approximately another month living with Ice Cream Sandwich?

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First CM 10.1 experimental build available for the Galaxy Note 2 LTE

Posted: 19 Jan 2013 12:54 AM PST

CyanogenMod

The guys behind CyanogenMod have been working hard to get CM 10.1 (based on the Android 4.2 branch) on as many devices as possible. Now, the first builds are available for the Samsung Galaxy Note 2 LTE.

As of now, the  builds are being marked as ‘EXPERIMENTAL-buildtest’, which means that it is not quite ready to be used as a daily driver and certain things might be broken. Do not be surprised if Bluetooth/Wifi does not work for the first few nightlies. However, this means that this device is being actively worked on and the problems should not persist for much longer. Also, you may see an uptick in other development as third parties take the CM source code for the Note 2 and start tweaking it and building other CM-based ROMs as well.

This build should work on the International, AT&T, and T-Mobile version of the phablet. If you ave unlocked your bootloader already, I highly recommend giving CM a try; I am using it as my daily driver on my Nexus 4 and am greatly enjoying it. Click on the source links to see the update on CyanogenMod’s G+ page or to download the build for yourself from get.cm (t0lte).

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Ingress gets faster, prettier, better with latest update

Posted: 19 Jan 2013 12:45 AM PST

google-ingress-niantic-project-1

For some Android nerds (myself included, I confess), Ingress is the sole reason to get out and actually move. The innovative location-based game from Google's Niantic Labs has become quite popular, so we're pretty confident that this report will interest lots of people.

A small update has been pushed to Ingress, bringing the app version to 1.18.1. There is nothing groundbreaking in the new version of the game (no new features), but the slew of small improvements should make your Ingress experience nicer.

Google has worked to solve "many bug fixes" but also improved the user interface and memory usage and even the "XMP explosion animation". If you're phone features a Snapdragon chip with an Adreno GPU, you should notice improved resume times, which will surely allow you to better fight those pesky Resistance agents (go Enlightened!).

If your pet peeve is the Ingress bug that makes portal shields almost invisible on the map… well, you’ll just have to put up with it, as the bug is still a "known issue".

Ingress is still in close beta, but if you haven't scored an invite yet, just look for "ingressinvite" on Google+ for a way to get one (be warned, it usually takes a little creativity).

Who's playing Ingress here?

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Samsung pushes Jelly Bean for Galaxy Tab 2 7.0 and 10.1, confirms update for Note 10.1

Posted: 19 Jan 2013 12:22 AM PST

samsung-galaxy-tab-2-10.1

Samsung has just released a press release announcing the release of the Android 4.1 Jelly Bean update for three of its best tablets – the Galaxy Tab 2 7, Galaxy Tab 2 10.1, and the Note 10.1.

We've informed you on Tuesday about the Android 4.1 Jelly Bean rollout for the Note 10.1 (looks like the press release is a bit late), but now Samsung has officially confirmed that the new version of Android is available on Kies and via OTA for the Wi-Fi model. We have no new information on the cellular equipped version, but keep in mind that rollouts for carrier models require time-consuming approvals and testing.

The Galaxy Tab 2 series will not get all the bells and whistles that Galaxy Note 10.1 users can play with, but Project Butter should provide a good incentive to upgrade. If you haven't got your OTA notification yet, check out the Settings menu or connect your device to the PC via Kies.

More details in the press release.

Show full PR text

Samsung Releases Android Jelly Bean Upgrades for Galaxy Note 10.1 and Galaxy Tab 2

Premium Suite Upgrade for Galaxy Note 10.1 Delivers Improved Performance, Enhanced S Pen Functionality and Fully Resizable Apps

RIDGEFIELD PARK, N.J., January 16, 2013– Samsung Electronics America Inc., a market leader and award-winning innovator in consumer electronics, today announced the availability of updates to Android 4.1™, Jelly Bean for both its award-winning Galaxy Note™ 10.1 and its popular Galaxy Tab 2 devices for the Wi-Fi versions.

Samsung’s Galaxy Note 10.1 upgrade includes all the performance benefits of Android 4.1 Jelly Bean as well as Premium Suite, a collection of new features that further upgrades multi-tasking and productivity, while enhancing personalization and offering new levels of creativity. Users will enjoy improved S Pen support and the ability to easily open and resize multiple apps, then view them across the screen layered on top of each other.

“Samsung’s Galaxy Note 10.1 created a new category by delivering content creation capabilities in addition to content consumption,” said Mike Abary, senior vice president of consumer IT product marketing, Samsung Electronics America. “However, we always strive to deliver unexpected value to our customers. By providing not just Jelly Bean, but dramatic improvements to the multitasking and S Pen features on the devices, we’re ensuring that the Galaxy Note 10.1 remains at the forefront of innovation.”

A range of features have been introduced which aim to further boost the capabilities of Samsung’s Galaxy Note 10.1 including:

Multi-tasking & Productivity:

Samsung’s Galaxy Note 10.1 pioneered the innovative Multi Window feature which lets consumers experience a dual view, running two apps side-by-side on the screen. The new, updated Galaxy Note 10.1 enhances the experience further in a variety of ways:

Cascade View: The feature allows users to freely resize, move and pin selected applications in multiple views, running them simultaneously or while operating the home-screen. This PC-like feature will help users to be more productive, and actually do multiple tasks at one time.

Air View: Allows users to use S Pen to conveniently and quickly preview content without having to open it. This feature allows user to preview video while scrubbing, preview email attachments without opening, preview photos without opening the album, and more.

Quick Command: With Quick Command, the S Pen quickly activates applications and services that are used most often by allowing you to write command shortcuts using customized and preset S Pen strokes.

Enhanced Personalization:

Enhanced handwriting: Users can quickly and easily send personalized handwritten notes and memos to friends and family via email, as well as hand-write directly into their S Planner
Enhanced S Note: S Note now features additional ready-to-use templates; allows users to add effects to their digital content with Idea Sketch; and enables the insertion of video directly into not only Note templates but also other templates. Users can also launch S Note directly from their home-screen for added convenience.

Easy Clip: Allows users to select and clip content to save, paste or share in seconds.

Photo Note: Add personalized handwritten notes on the back of your photos to help capture the moment.

Creativity:

Paper Artist: Besides enabling users to enliven sketches or content with different color or pencil styles, Paper Artist enables over 30 artistic effects that can be applied to images or media. Users can also draw or write onto the content and share it with others.

A smarter S Pen: The S Pen now allows users to select writing or color modes at the touch of a button, or unlock the home-screen simply by removing the S Pen.

Both the Wi-Fi versions of Galaxy Note 10.1 and Galaxy Tab 2 (10.1 and 7.0) will benefit from the core improvements of Android 4.1 which features a more intuitive user interface, faster performance and response times across applications, and an overall smoother user experience. This is also complemented by an enhanced user interface optimized for the 10.1-inch screen.

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HTC M7 to feature 468PPI full HD display, but AMOLED is an option for One S sequel

Posted: 18 Jan 2013 11:52 PM PST

htc-one-x-logo

HTC is putting all its hopes into the new M7 superphone it plans to unveil at MWC in February 2013. The M7 is supposed to be the engine that drives the company out of the rough patch it's been going through for the last two years. But, to do so, the M7 must outshine the Galaxy S4, so the pressure is on HTC to deliver something truly special.

We've already seen a bevy of leaks concerning the HTC M7, from the rumored specs (quad-core Snapdragon S4 Pro, 2GB of RAM, 13MP camera) to appearance (metallic unibody, an alleged rendering) and even operating system (screenshots of HTC Sense 5). But there's one issue that is a bit controversial – the display technology.

One rumor sais that HTC has booked the entire AMOLED manufacturing capacity of AU Optronics for the M7. AU Optronics (AUO) is a Taiwanese display maker that has been struggling for a while now to catch up with Samsung at manufacturing OLED-based displays. According to a Chinese website dedicated to OLED technology, AUO has finally achieved the 60 percent yield rate required to mass-produce the OLED panels that HTC requires for the M7.

Nevertheless, a recent report from Digitimes squarely contradicts the OLED rumor – AUO is not yet capable of delivering the goods, so HTC has opted for a 4.7-inch full HD LCD display manufactured by Sharp. Moreover, it's said that the M7 will delight users with an incredible 468ppi pixel density, which is slightly more than the current record of 441ppi on the Droid DNA, Xperia Z, and a bunch of other devices.

So, which rumor should we believe? Personally, I think that HTC will stick with the tried and true LCD for the flagship M7, but the Taiwanese could use AMOLED for another device in their 2013 stable.

Last year at MWC, HTC unveiled three devices, the One X, One S, and One V, of which the One S featured an AMOLED screen. It's likely that Peter Chou's company is preparing a sequel to the One S, and not only the One X. We'll see if my predictions are right in just a few weeks!

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Switching from Blackberry to Android: your guide

Posted: 18 Jan 2013 10:48 PM PST

blackberry

It's time, friend. It's time to drop that Blackberry you've got duct-taped together and move up in the world. Android is waiting with open arms, and a plethora of great devices. I'm sure you were with that Blackberry for quite some time, so let's discuss how you're going to get acquainted to your new life with Android. It won't be hard, I promise.

android world

Contacts

You have probably not concerned yourself with switching phones or operating systems for quite some time, so moving those contacts over can be a daunting task. Since you're moving to Androidville, it's going to be easy. Google has sent moving trucks to take care of everything! You just sit back and relax, this won't be hard at all.

There are a few options, all of them simple. Before you do anything, make sure you have a Gmail account. With Android, once your contacts are in your Gmail account, they will sync to any Android device automatically. If you've already got a Gmail account and have your contacts saved in there, all you have to do is log-in to your new Android device using that Gmail account. If you have multiple accounts, sign in with each one and all contacts will sync.

If you've got your contacts saved on the Blackberry, you can always ask the carrier you're using to switch the contacts for you. They have this silly little machine that they plug both devices into that moves data from one to the other. It isn't the best method, as they often don't move everything over, but it may work just fine.

The best way to go about transferring contacts is with Google Sync. It's dead simple to use, and transfers your contacts and calendar stuff straight to your new device. Simply log on to m.google.com/sync from your Blackberry mobile browser, then download the app. The video below will walk you through it step by step.

My apps!

You're about to have your mind blown with apps, so be careful. Your head may fly clean off your shoulders once you see how many apps Android has for you. Even if you can't find exactly what you've got on your Blackberry, there is definitely going to be something similar, if not better. Many developers stopped supporting RIM long ago, so the Android app may be an updated version of what you're used to.

android smartphones launchers

If you've purchased an app for your Blackberry, you may have to purchase it again. Some of those productivity apps are a bit expensive, so plan on dropping a few bucks. A very popular productivity app, Documents to Go, is $15 on both platforms, so take that into account. On the other hand, Blackberry has more paid apps than Android does, so you may be able to find a similar app or service free, offsetting some of the cost.

The great equalizer

When you have Android, you also have a multitude of services from Google. You get all these services free, so there is no need to download a third party app. They come straight from the source, and you can depend on them being supported. All the services Google provides are wonderful, but only really work to their full potential when you take advantage of all of them.

Google Now

A relatively new service, Google Now is proof that being invested into the Android OS completely is wildly beneficial. It will keep track of things you don't think to, like flight info or traffic. It also keeps track of your location, so it knows where you work and will offer to keep track of your commute traffic. It will scan your opened emails for package tracking or flight info, then keep you updated on the status. Forget to check how badly the Clippers beat the Grizzlies last night? Not an issue, because Google Now knows you have searched for Clippers scores previously and now keeps track for you. That restaurant you looked up on Chrome 5 minutes ago? Check with Google Now… directions are waiting.

nexus 4 google now

Chrome

Are you using Chrome as your main browser? If not, you probably should be. Aside from the many other reasons like speed and CPU usage, Chrome will sync to your Android phone. Chrome comes pre-loaded on newer Android phones, so it's your across-the-board browser. Start reading an article on the desktop and finish on your mobile device; now that's genius.

Drive

Google Drive is your MS Office of sorts. While not as robust a utility as MS Office, Drive is still really good for a lot of things. There are other options like Dropbox or Box that are wonderful at simply keeping your files handy, but Drive steps it up by allowing you to create documents.

With Google Drive, you can easily create, edit, and Gmail documents. The service is collaborative in real-time, so sharing the document allows for things like notes or edits to occur, even if everyone is in a different place. There are all the functions you have with MS Office, like spreadsheets or presentations, so you won't miss a beat. Drive is slightly different than MS Office, and take a little getting used to, but remember that the service is free and can be accessed on any device or desktop. You always have your stuff with you, and all those documents you currently have will upload.

Don't kill the messenger

Hey, Blackberry Messenger is a pretty cool thing, I can admit that. It's used by a lot of people, and maybe you still know a few people who are insistent on going down with the Blackberry ship and won't ditch their device. Will you still be able to talk to them after you switch? Sure you will! Obviously, you won't be able to use Blackberry Messenger, but there are two really good messaging apps available on both platforms.

blackberry-messenger

First up is Whatsapp, a third party messaging service. Extremely popular, easy to use, and comes with a group chat function. It integrates with your address book, and acts like SMS. A fully customizable app that also holds offline messages for you, so you're never really out of touch. It's free for one year, and only $0.99/annually after that.

Another great messenger is Google Talk, also available on both platforms. While not as robust with the bells and whistles as Whatsapp, it does keep you connected better in different ways. Google Talk can be used on the desktop via Gmail, so you can always message contacts without picking up your phone all the time. You can SMS someone straight from the app as well, making it useful to get hold of those who aren't using a chat feature. Like all Google services, it's free to use.

What about my email?

The Blackberry was designed as a productivity tool, first and foremost. It kept us connected, it kept us involved, and it kept us communicating. Can Android do the same thing? Yes, it can… and then some. Android is much more than a platform for games or email. Android is a full-fledged productivity platform, designed to pick up where Blackberry has left off.

In your device you'll find both a Gmail and Email app. The Gmail is pretty self explanatory, but the email app can be used for your corporate email address. It will ask for some information you may not have, but your company IT guy does. Just email him, though… nobody wants to talk to the IT guy. Once you get it set up, it will act much like your Gmail app.

Which Android is right for me?

Well, that's a tough one. Most Android devices you're able to buy right now will be running Android 4.0 (Ice Cream Sandwich) or better. We always suggest getting the latest, which is Android 4.1 (Jelly Bean). The difference between the two is largely negligible, but why not have the best if it's available, right?

nexus-4-jelly-bean

There will be a slight learning curve, as the difference between your Blackberry OS and Android is substantial. It will take time, but don't fret. Ask questions if you're not sure how to accomplish something. Make a list of those things you do most often and be sure to have those down before walking out of the store. If you can at least perform your basic functions well, it will make the rest of the experience much easier to pick up.

I'm stuck!

You're going to get stumped, and that's okay. We all did, and still do, from time to time. There are a few tips you can use to get yourself out of the deep water and back to dry land, so let's run down a few quick tips. For this exercise, we'll assume you have an Android phone running Jelly Bean.

Settings

The settings menu, and many quick settings often used, can be found at the top of the screen. That little black bar at the top that has icons is meant to be dragged down, so place two fingers on the black bar and drag down. The settings menu should pop up, but if it didn't… don't stress. Just select the icon to the top right (the one that looks like a little man surrounded by squares) once the menu is pulled down, and it will come up. From there, you have a few option from which to choose. If there is something you'd like to change about your phone, it's probably there. If not, simply select "Settings" and navigate through those menus to get what you need.

android customize settings

Long press

Sometimes you look at an option or icon, and know what you want it to do… it just doesn't seem to read minds. Well, it reads touch, that's for sure! When it seems like you should have more options than you do, simply press the icon and hold. If more options are available, a new menu will pop up. This is also how you move icons around. If you want to delete an app, you navigate to the app drawer (that little button at the bottom center of the screen) and long press it. A few options will appear at the top of the screen, and you can either delete it or find out more about it.

Appearance

You want things a certain way, I get it. Android is wonderfully customizable that way. Using the long press from the app drawer, the chosen app will appear floating over the home screen with those two options mentioned previously. If you want it on your home screen, just find the spot you want to drop it, and let go. If you want it on another screen, just slide it over to that screen and let go of it. If you have apps you'd like to group together, just place one app over the next and it will create a folder. You can rename the folder, and add more apps until the popup menu for that folder fills the screen.

android devices live wallpapers smartphone tablet

Widgets!

Widgets are a great way to quickly see and access things like your calendar or email. Many widgets can be resized to fit your screen as you like, making organizing your device properly easy. You can also use many widgets on the lock screen to access information even faster. From the lock screen, simply swipe left and you'll see a plus button. Select it, and a list of available widgets will pop up. Once you select a widget, it will be there until you move it. Swiping right from the lock screen brings up the camera function, so no widgets can be placed by swiping right.

android widgets devices

Conclusion

It will take some getting used to, but you made the right choice. The mobile landscape ran away from Blackberry, and there is little hope of it catching up. Sure, the BB10 is coming soon, but Blackberry has lost too much ground to really be thought of as a viable contender. If you get stuck beyond what we've discussed here, get online and poke around. Social media is a wonderful place to get answers, and Google+ comes loaded on your device. The world is here to help, and Android is here to keep you connected.

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Android Authority On Air – Episode 47 – Ingress Giveaways, Root Apps, and more.

Posted: 18 Jan 2013 06:09 PM PST

Android Authority on Air

This week on Android Authority On Air we tackled the question “So now I’ve rooted, what apps should I install?” One of our users emailed us this question and we took a stab at it live on the show this week. Many users root their Android devices to remove carrier bloatware, tweak their device settings, or to completely customize their phone or tablet. If your’e not into running a custom ROM and you’ve already removed the bloat, what are some good apps to check out? We discussed just a few of the many, many root only apps out there floating around the Android ecosystem. We talked about near “required” ones such as AdAway or Titanium Backup as well as many others.

As always we went over the latest new and updated apps on the Play Store, carriers continue to LTE all the things, and the Sony Xperia X and XL phones are completely awesome. We’re excited to see Sony focus on high end devices, only. This week Larry Page reflected upon Apple’s thermonuclear war with Android…it’s not going to well, is it? And, last, but not least, we gave away two Ingress invite codes thanks to donations from our fans. Cheers!

Miss the show? Tune in or watch below:

YouTube |SoundCloud |Stitcher |iTunes |RSS

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Android Phone Fans

Android Phone Fans


Facebook update brings voice messaging – Messenger app no longer necessary

Posted: 18 Jan 2013 06:45 PM PST

This image has no alt text

The Facebook app was updated today in the Play Store. The update brings about nice little enhancements like faster image loading, but the biggest change comes with the ability to send voice messages to friends. If this sounds familiar that’s because the Messenger companion app added this functionality earlier this month, but now it’s no longer required if you want to send voice messages but hate having to download anything extra. Cool deal.

Hopefully once Facebook rolls out voice calling, this will also come to the stock Facebook app as well, and not be exclusive to Messenger. This latest update has us hopeful.

[Facebook on Google Play]

Opera Ice shows off next gen web browsing, coming to Android in February [VIDEO]

Posted: 18 Jan 2013 06:22 PM PST

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If you’re a web browsing veteran, you’ve no doubt heard of Opera. Sort of the underdog in the browser space, the company is probably most well known from their work in Android for releasing a browser that actually compresses data on the server end, then speedily sends a slimmed down web page to its user quicker than if it was the original page. It worked pretty well for a good while, the only problem was the vast rollout of 4G LTE kinda eliminated the need for Opera and it was back to good ‘ol Chrome/stock Android browsers.

Well, the company is attempting to make a comeback, this time they have a new web browser set to debut on Android (and iOS) in February that introduces a pure visual experience to traditional web browsing. The touch-based UI acts almost like an OS in itself, featuring a homescreen that can launch web pages and bookmark them without diving into stale, boring menus. It’s actually pretty damn cool. Take a look.

What did you guys think? You ready to ditch your current browser in favor of some Ice? What are you guys currently using as your favorite?

[Pocket-Lint]

Poster for The Internship revealed, hits theaters June 7th

Posted: 18 Jan 2013 02:22 PM PST

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If you guys missed our previous post a few months back, Shawn Levy (the guy that brought us Real Steel) is wrapping up shooting on a new movie called The Internship, starring Vince Vaughn and Owen Wilson. Yes, the dynamic duo is back again, but instead of crashing weddings, the boys play two out of work salesman looking for work at, where else, but the happiest place on earth: Google. Here’s the gist of the movie:

Billy (Vince Vaughn) and Nick (Owen Wilson) are salesmen whose careers have been torpedoed by the digital world. Trying to prove they are not obsolete, they defy the odds by talking their way into a coveted internship at Google, along with a battalion of brilliant college students. But, gaining entrance to this utopia is only half the battle. Now they must compete with a group of the nation's most elite, tech-savvy geniuses to prove that necessity really is the mother of re-invention.

Google welcomed the entire production to the Googleplex for the backdrop of the movie back in July and now, it looks like we can officially mark June 7th on our calendars for The Internship’s debut, as shown off in the new movie poster for the flick. The movie looks like it will be a lot of laughs (Vaughn and Wilson are always a winning combination) and this will the second time Director Shawn Levy, and writers Vince Vaughn and Jared Stern will team up for a flick since The Watch that released last year. Anyone else excited to see it?

They’ve already taken our headphones — will they take our charging cables, too?

Posted: 18 Jan 2013 02:19 PM PST

A disturbing trend that has been sweeping the smartphone world over the past couple of years has been the death of headphones being packaged with devices. It used to be that companies were happy to give you a pair of neatly-wrapped earbuds for your listening pleasure, but most companies have stopped doing this in a consistent manner.

Some select smartphones do still come with headphones, but even that is hit or miss. We saw it with the Samsung Galaxy Note 2: the OEM had no problem supplying headphones with the device, but some carriers elected to exclude them.

It’s almost become a game of cereal treasure hunting: you never know what sort of prize you’re going to find at the bottom (or top, if you play it smart) of the cereal box. Soon enough, those cereal boxes became empty, and if you were lucky enough to see a mail-in promotion for a toy it was a glorious day. The only problem is that cellphones don’t come with mail-in promotions for headphones — if you want one in this day and age, you’re most likely going to have to buy your own.

Headphones are a bit different as they are seen as premium additions that OEMs and carriers don’t have to give us, but what if I told you some carriers were looking to try the same with phone chargers? The benefactor of this horror story is O2, the UK carrier who seems to be spearheading a movement to phase out in-box phone chargers by 2015. The carrier ran a three-month trial where users could decide whether or not their devices came with a phone charger, and a surprising 4 out of every 5 folks declined one.

It’s not that I expect people not to have extra USB cables and charging pucks lying around — I have a few too many laying around myself. But I can’t imagine those little things being such a big inconvenience to the point where someone would outright refuse them. Having extra chargers has saved me in the past when one of my USB cables shortened out or I happened to misplace a charging puck, or when I simply had more than one device to charge at the same time.

Beyond that, you have to think about the phone itself. For instance, the Samsung Galaxy S3 came with a 1A charger, while the Samsung Galaxy Note 2 came with the faster 2A charger in order to charge its bigger battery in a more reasonable amount of time. If I were forced to use a 1A charger with my Galaxy Note 2 I would probably return it.

Different strokes for different folks is always going to be the theme, of course, so if 4 out of 5 people really don’t have an issue with it then I guess I have to live with the fact that I’m in the minority. All I can do is hope that this doesn’t become a trend, and that whatever O2′s looking to do in the future doesn’t affect those of us who actually value getting those extra accessories every time we buy a new device. What say you?

[via WinSource]

Google removes racist “Make Me Asian” and “Make Me Indian” apps from the Play Store

Posted: 18 Jan 2013 12:59 PM PST

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After brief stints in the Play Store, it appears a few apps that can be described as nothing short of racist have finally been taken down directly by Google. “Make Me Asian” and “Make Me Indian” crept their way into Google Play back in November and allowed users to take pictures of themselves and give themselves stereotypical Asian or Indian “traits” by slanting their eyes, adjusting skin tone, or even pasting “fu manchu” mustaches and Native American headresses onto their pics (or pictures of friends).

After outcry from the Asian community, it appears Google finally listened and has removed both apps — as well as developer Kimbery Deiss — from the Play Store entirely. The developer also created a few less controversial apps like “Make Me Bald” and “Make Me Old” which are also no longer available for download.

These apps creeping their way into the Play Store spotlight the very different ways Google and Apple allow apps into their app stores. Where Apple takes a very proactive roll of reviewing each app individually before it enters into their store, Google’s only scans apps for malware using a process they call Bouncer, then addresses other concerns (like censorship) only after they’ve been live and downloaded by users.

[via NPR]

Does this benchmark result reveal Samsung Galaxy S4′s 1.8GHz CPU?

Posted: 18 Jan 2013 12:17 PM PST

It’s always difficult to take an entry in a benchmark database at face value, but when the potential subject is the Samsung Galaxy S4 it’s worth a second look. So goes the story with the latest AnTuTu benchmark result, er, results. Two devices have appeared with model numbers SHV-E300S and GT-I9500, but both appear to be linked to identical handsets.

If that GT-I9500 number sounds familiar, it’s because speculation has already tied it to the next iteration of Samsung’s Galaxy S flagship. If that is accurate and the benchmark results we see here hold true, the Galaxy S4 will feature a 18.GHz quad-core CPU — potentially Samsung’s Exynos 5 Octa.

Roll that in with previously rumored specs including a 4.99-inch Super AMOLED FHD display, 2GB RAM, and a 13MP camera and we’re looking at a device that will once again capture a wide swath of the market for Samsung. The specs would simply blow almost every other device out of the water. But, we haven’t even dipped our toes in, just yet. Samsung is expected to unveil the next Galaxy S later this spring.

[via BGR]

If mobile phones were NFL Quarterbacks…

Posted: 18 Jan 2013 10:51 AM PST

The weekend is here. NFL Playoffs are here. And tech… is always here. So we figured why not have some fun and mix together all of the above? I want to ask you a question:

These are our answers. Share yours in the comments.

Verizon Galaxy Note 2 receiving update, could be Exynos security fix

Posted: 18 Jan 2013 10:47 AM PST

Verizon’s Samsung Galaxy Note 2 is receiving a small update, but what exactly the new software version brings to the table is a mystery. Well, not a complete mystery. The update, which when prompted should take only a few minutes to download and install, carries the build number VRALL4. That’s the same as a recent Galaxy Note 2 update (UVALL4) for T-Mobile, save for a few different (carrier specific) letters at the the front.

The update for Verizon’s phone, then, likely deals with the same issue as the one for T-Mobile’s handset: a root exploit pertaining to Samsung’s Exynos chipset. Perhaps confirming this are reports that the update cannot be rooted using current methods. So, if rooting is your thing, there is a tradeoff here. But if you are the type to root, you should be familiar enough with potential security risks to make an educated decision on whether or not to update to the latest software version.

[via DroidLife]

Samsung Galaxy “Fonblet” said to be a Galaxy Player 5.8 with phone radios [RUMOR]

Posted: 18 Jan 2013 09:59 AM PST

It seems we can’t go more than a week without hearing rumors about some new Samsung device with some obscure screen size. From 5.5 inches to 6.3 inches, all the way up to 8 inches and beyond, Samsung is rumored to be testing pretty much every screen size you can think of. Now, new rumors are surfacing that the company might be trying out the 5.8 inch screen size on for size.

This isn’t really a new screen size for Samsung — the Samsung Galaxy Player 5.8 currently on sale in Korea comes with it. The rumor does state Samsung will be looking to bring a phone out with this size, and that Samsung will be calling it the Samsung Galaxy Fonblet. SamMobile, usually a reputable source, says that it’s “confirmed,” though no substantial evidence was given to back that claim up.

If real, the Galaxy Fonblet (ouch on the name, by the way) would most likely sit somewhere between the upper echelon of mid-range and on the lower end of the high-end side of the market. It doesn’t sound like a device Samsung would look to bring to all markets, but it’s always tough to try and pinpoint the target markets for these releases.

Not much is known about the Fonblet, but we can’t imagine it won’t share some of the characteristics that the Galaxy Player has. That device has a qHD resolution, a 3 megapixel camera and Bluetooth 4.0. Being that it’s a media player and considering that the original Galaxy Player wasn’t that powerful we never expected it to have uber impressive specs, but perhaps the Fonblet will step things up a bit. Should this device be in the works then we could expect to hear about it at Samsung’s showing at Mobile World Congress next month, but we’ll keep our fingers crossed to hear something concrete ahead of time.

Huawei Ascend P2 to pack biggest punch in world’s slimmest profile?

Posted: 18 Jan 2013 08:42 AM PST

We’ve heard a little bit about the Huawei Ascend P2 following CES 2013. According to rumors, Huawei is set to unveil the device at Mobile World Congress as the latest “world’s thinnest smartphone,” and although that title has become less and less prestigious over the years (a new manufacturer seems to reclaim it every other week) we’re still excited to see what the Chinese manufacturer is looking to bring.

According to recent rumors, this phone will be the thinnest in the world while also being one of the most powerful. According to Chinese outlet CSR, the device will sport a 1.8GHz quad-core K3V2 processor, an in-house chipset that isn’t half bad. Other specs would include a 13 megapixel rear camera, a 1.3 megapixel front camera, 2GB of RAM, 8GB of internal storage and a 3,000 mAh battery. It also stands to come with Android 4.1 Jelly Bean out of the box, though it’s possible that we could see Android 4.2 by the time it launches.

The K3V2 doesn’t have the same name power as NVIDIA’s Tegra, Qualcomm’s Snapdragon or Samsung’s Exynos, but Huawei has refined its chipsets quite nicely and they provide exceptional performance for the company’s various smartphones. The most interesting thing about this package is the battery — how can Huawei fit a 3,000 mAh battery into a chassis expected to be thinner than 6.45mm (the size of the current thinnest smartphone, Alcatel’s One Touch Idol Ultra)?

That particular freak show is one we’ll be looking to attend front row and center as the company heads to Barcelona next month for its big annual showing. I should note that the source of these rumors isn’t the strongest, but I could definitely see Huawei looking to bring a package close to this as it looks to improve its status as a premium device manufacturer. We’ll see if it’s enough to have people looking at them on the same level that we do HTC, Samsung and the other big names in the smartphone industry.

[via IntoMobile]

Samsung to debut rugged Galaxy Xcover 2 at MWC [RUMOR]

Posted: 18 Jan 2013 08:12 AM PST

Here’s another one to mark down on your Mobile World Congress watch list: the Samsung Galaxy Xcover 2. The phone would follow the original Samsung Galaxy Xcover (S5690) and feature a similar combination of mid-range specs and rugged construction.

Specs being floated for the device, which carries model number S7110, include a 4-inch WVGA display, 5MP camera, and 1700mAh battery, all upgrades from the original Xcover. It will launch with Jelly Bean in Titan Gray and Red/Black color schemes.

It’s a no brainer to include IP67 certification for the device, the same standard for the original Xcover approving the device for resistance to shock, dust, and dirt. It can also survive submerged in up to 1 meter of water for 30 minutes. Now, implement the same sort of resilience in a flagship phone like the Galaxy S4 and then we’re really talking…

[via SamMobile]

HTC One X+ Android 4.2 update being readied?

Posted: 18 Jan 2013 07:23 AM PST

Considering the HTC One X+ launched with Android 4.1 Jelly Bean we’d like to think HTC and AT&T have plans to release the next version, Android 4.2, at some point down the line. It’s not always a certain thing when it comes to mobile upgrades, but the general consensus is that the HTC One X+ is powerful and popular enough to warrant an upgrade.

Well, first indications of an impending upgrade might have just reached the interwebs. XDA developer Shen Ye was caught testing the Photo Sphere feature on an HTC One X+, indication that he must have some form of Jelly Bean on the device. Unfortunately the developer would not confirm whether or not this was an AOSP-based ROM or a leaked version of an HTC Sense Android 4.2 ROM.

The latter scenario would mean either HTC has incorporated Photo Sphere into its own camera app or Ye ended up sideloading the stock Android 4.2 camera app. All of it is shrouded by a degree of uncertainty as the developer wasn’t willing to spill any more beans (no pun intended) following his initial slip, but either way it would look to be the first bit of Android 4.2 that one can find on the HTC One X+. We’ll be reaching out to see if we can gather any more details, but for the time being just know that somehow, somewhere and in some for, Android 4.2 is being cooked up for the HTC One X+.

[via Google+, thanks Hasnain!]

Chrome Beta for Android updated, here’s the change log

Posted: 18 Jan 2013 07:15 AM PST

Chrome Beta for Android is receiving a minor update to deal with performance and stability issues. Pegged as version number 25.0.1364.37, you shouldn’t notice any major changes or additions after moving to the latest software revision. Fixed for this release are iframe scrolling, issues with displaying the Chrome progress bar, and a myriad of smaller bugs.

The complete list of changes can be found at the Chrome Releases blog and the SVN revision blog. You can also find an account of known issues in the current build, which includes problems with updating the app icon after installation of the new version.

If you have Chrome for Android and are wondering where your update is, note that Chrome Beta is a separate app in the Google Play Store. To be privy to an early look at upcoming Chrome releases, you will want to Beta version of the browser.

 

LG Optimus G Pro leaks with 5-inch 1080p display

Posted: 18 Jan 2013 06:26 AM PST

LG’s update to their Optimus G handset released last fall looks primed for release in Japan, according to a series of leaks. Dubbed the Optimus G Pro, the device features several improvements over the original including a 5-inch 1080p display. Other specs listed are a 1.7GHz Snapdragon S4 Pro, 13MP camera, and 3000mAh battery. It will launch with Android 4.1.

The leak in question pegs the Optimus G Pro for a launch on NTT DoCoMo in two color options, Platinum White and Indigo Black. Given the phone’s overall design, the G Pro comes across as more of a iterative update rather than a true sequel.

The specs don’t quite jive with rumors we have heard related to an Optimus G2. Sources have said that phone would feature a 5.5-inch display and could launch next fall running Android’s unannounced Key Lime Pie version out of the box. It could be that LG is taking a Samsung-esque approach with their G series.

Just like the Galaxy S often receives several variants (mini, plus, etc.) before the next flagship model is introduced, we could see the same from LG with the Optimus G. You can already count the Nexus 4 in there, if you’d like. Unless DoCoMo releases this independently, the Optimus G Pro looks like another candidate for a Mobile World Congress debut.

[Engadget via TechCrunch]

 

Google Glass Laser Keyboard: will it further fuel patent wars?

Posted: 17 Jan 2013 11:04 PM PST

At CES 2013, I showed you the crazy eyesight controlled computer that could become a Google Glass partner. Many of you had your doubts, but as we reported yesterday, a recently filed patent by Google illustrates some of the exact functionality we predicted Tobii could bring to Glass.

Look at your hand. Dialpad beams onto it. Press your hand. Number dialed. What the heck just happened?

The functionality is a little bit different from Tobii because rather than tracking your eyes and correlating eye movement with a pressed button, Google Glass already knows where your eyes are looking because the glasses are pointed in that direction. But note number 304 where you’re visually seeing the display? Looks familiar.

Combine the technology that’s already working brilliantly in the Tobii display with the concept shown above and Google Glass could have something really interesting in store for us all. While the Glass possibilities are undoubtedly marvel, how do you activate all the ideas app developers could initiate? Do you need to provide voice commands? Will your phone be a remote control for them? What’s the deal? This type of interaction could solve that problem.

But this concept isn’t new as pointed out by Devin Coldewey of NBCNews Digital.

Above, you can see a 2009 video from TED discussing SixthSense technology. Last year, Microsoft showed off an eerily similar Kinect-ish concept that makes everything a touch screen. First let’s take a look at a screenshot from the SixthSense video shown two years ago:

Now how about Microsoft’s rendition from last year?

Uhoh, I can see where this is headed: patent court U-S-A. That being said, Google’s variation mounts the laserto a pair of glasses, cooperates with a glasses-mounted camera, and possibly incorporates eye-tracking technology (among other tech) to efficiently process user interactions. Crazy stuff.

Although the first Google Glass developer event is right around the corner, incorporating consumer-ready technology found in this patent isn’t likely within the next couple years. And therein lies the patent race debacle: if these glasses and this technology becomes popular, what parts of which patents are valid or first or overlapping? By the time these products generate corporate profits (if they do), the string of related patents will be so confusing that… well, things will seem like they haven’t changed.

I think it’s about that time. Time to start thinking of futuristic movie ideas and, instead of writing a screenplay, file patents based on that imaginary movie in hopes that someone else will one day try to patent it. On the contrary: the awesome, crazy, and exciting thing about Google is that, whereas other companies leave these ideas on the shelf as futuristic “concepts”, Google is actually making them a reality.