Tuesday, February 26, 2013

Android Authority

Android Authority


Samsung Galaxy Victory 4G LTE lands on Virgin Mobile for $300 contract-free

Posted: 26 Feb 2013 02:34 AM PST

Galaxy-Victory-4G-LTE-Virgin

If you're looking to grab a new LTE-equipped phone on Virgin Mobile, keep your eyes peeled for the Samsung Galaxy Victory 4G LTE, a neat-looking handset with a pretty decent spec sheet that was first launched back in September on Sprint.

The Galaxy Victory 4G LTE can be had for $299.99 from the prepaid carrier's online store. That's a rather tempting off-contract price for the sweet package that you'll be receiving.

Virgin Mobile's first LTE offering comes with a 4-inch WVGA display, a 1.2GHz dual-core Qualcomm MSM8960 Snapdragon processor, 1GB of RAM, 4GB internal storage, microSD support (up to 32GB), 5MP main camera, 1.3MP front cam, NFC, and a 2,100mAh battery.

Adding to the sweetness is the Android 4.1 Jelly Bean that the phone ships with – unlike the Sprint variant of the device that's still stuck on Ice Cream Sandwich.

In case you're wondering, Virgin's Beyond Talk unlimited data and messaging plans start at $35 per month.

How to talk on a 7-inch smartphone, Asus Fonepad presentation explains [video]

Posted: 25 Feb 2013 07:28 PM PST

asus-fonepad-phone-talk-2

Asus on Tuesday at MWC 2013 in Barcelona, Spain, announced two new devices – well three, depending how you count them – the Asus Padfone Infinity smartphone/tablet combo and the 7-inch Nexus 7-like Asus Fonepad… smartphone/tablet combo.

We're going to focus on the latter right now, a 7-inch device that can essentially act as your everyday handset, no matter how crazy that sounds. Yes, the Fonepad has voice call support via 3G. But yes, talking to a 7-inch phone, the regular way, can be awkward.

Considering that the device will be priced very competitively, you'd think that Asus would at least try to offer a comfortable (read: not crazy) solution of using it like a smartphone in the official Asus Fonepad presentation videos, such as buying an equally affordable headset.

asus-fonepad-phone-talk-1

But no, Asus doesn't do that. The company has the guts / nerve to actually show us Fonepad users talking on the device like you'd do with a regular phone, raising it up to your ear and so on. On video. Even HTC has its own Mini headset solution for an even smaller smartphone, the 5-inch Droid DNA / Butterfly.

Yes, at least the first video shows us much more than that, as Asus explains the design principles behind the Fonepad, but we keep focusing on all the people raising the 7-inch tablet to their ears. Hopefully nobody will drop it when using it like that – but that's why the Fonepad features a back metal case doesn't it? To prevent unwanted accidents resulting from talking on it?

asus-fonepad-phone-talk-3

We're not mad at Asus actually, but very amused – that's not to say that talking on 5.x or 6.x phones gets is any easier, but a 7-inch device shouldn't be used like a phone.

From the looks of it, Fonepad is definitely a great tablet, and, as long as you pair it with a headset, it can be a great phone also. But please, pretty please with sugar on top, don't use it like Asus suggests you should. Even Jonney Shih doesn’t seem to be able to keep a straight face when presenting the Fonepad concept.

On a different Galaxy Note (pun intended,) you can also use phone features, but the device is even bigger. Hopefully Samsung will also teach Galaxy Note 8 buyers how to talk on 8-inch phones.

Back to Asus though, what the company doesn't show us in this video is how we'd pack the Fonepad in our pockets, you know, after using its phone features, because that's where phones usually go. Maybe the dude in the suit would care to explain…

Let’s hear it from future Fonepad buyers though: would you talk on a 7-inch phone?

Dual-screen NEC Medias W global smartphone/tablet makes an appearance at MWC 2013

Posted: 25 Feb 2013 06:35 PM PST

NEC-Medias-W

This isn't the first time we're talking about the NEC Medias W dual-screen Android smartphone, but the device has been spotted at MWC 2013 in Barcelona, Spain, and could provide insight into what future smartphone/tablet combos could offer. Best of all, this particular Medias W unit seems to be an international prototype, although NEC isn’t ready to make any announcements yet.

The Medias W features two 4.3-inch touchscreen displays, one on either side of the smartphone, at least in smartphone mode. Because the hinge keeping the two sides together can also offer you a 5.6-inch tablet mode, as shown in the pictures.

The Medias W is not a high-end Android device, and it may have some difficulty fighting even mid-rangers this year, but it proposes us another alternative form factor in a world where smartphone displays can only go so high up – after all we've already seen smartphones that want to be tablets and tablets that want to make phone calls at this year's MWC show, so why not consider NEC's solution of increasing the display size.

When it comes to specs and features, you can expect this dual-screen device to offer you two 4.3-inch LCD displays featuring a 960 x 540 resolution (each), 1.5GHz dual-core Qualcomm Snapdragon S4 processor, 1GB of RAM, 16GB of storage, microSD support, 8-megapixel camera (no front-facing camera here,) 2100mAh battery and Android 4.1 Jelly Bean under the hood.

nec-medias-w-1

While Japanese Android fans will get their hands on the NEC Medias W at some point in April, it's not clear when international consumers will be able to order one for themselves.

Android Authority On Air and Cruzerlite Contest Winners

Posted: 25 Feb 2013 05:51 PM PST

Android Authority on Air

 

Last week, Android Authority On Air reached a milestone, episode 52. For our 1 year anniversary with the Android Authority On Air show, we partnered with Cruzerlite to bring you 10 $15 gift cards. Thanks for watching live on Google+, YouTube, SoundCloud, iTunes, Stitcher or wherever you happened to find us.

Cruzerlite

The final contest results are in and listed below. If your name is below, you will be contacted in the near future by email. Congrats! If you didn’t win, better luck next time. Stay tuned to Android Authority so you don’t miss any of our upcoming giveaways.

  • Marc R.
  • Amine
  • Dan B.
  • Patrick T.
  • Chris M.
  • Connor L.
  • Tyler W.
  • Devesh P.
  • Brian
  • Brieanna M.

Don’t forget to tune in every Thursday night at 9:30pm EST for the Android Authority Air Show!

Google X Phone vs Galaxy S4: the battle for Android in 2013?

Posted: 25 Feb 2013 05:41 PM PST

X Phone

A new Wall Street Journal report reveals that Google is indeed worried about Samsung's increased role in the Android ecosystem, with the South Korean company being currently the number one Android smartphone and tablet maker when it comes to market share and profits.

We say indeed because we have speculated more than once that Samsung's impressive lead could become a problem for Google at some point in the future. In fact, just recently an unofficial look into googling habits from potential buyers for the past year showed that some customers may already be confusing "Android" with "Galaxy," with the later being the strongest device Android brand out there.

At the same time, Samsung is a great ally in the Android vs Apple war, one that Google can't really afford to lose, so the Google-Samsung relationship is definitely one to follow in the coming months, especially if the latter is unhappy.

The report

As it always does, the WSJ has spoken with people familiar with the matter, who remain unnamed, but are able to comment on this particular business relationship. According to them, Google executives are worried about Samsung's influence in the Android ecosystem and what the giant corporation could do in the future, as its market share increases:

Google executives are worried that Samsung could extract financial or other concessions if it gains more leverage, people with direct knowledge of the matter said. […]

At a Google event last fall for its executives, Android head Andy Rubin praised Samsung’s success and said the partnership had been mutually beneficial, a person familiar with the meeting said.

But Mr. Rubin also said Samsung could become a threat if it attains a dominant position among mobile-device manufacturers that use Android, the person said. Mr. Rubin said that Google’s recent acquisition of Motorola Mobility, which makes Android-based smartphones and tablets, served as a kind of insurance policy, or “hedge,” against a manufacturer such as Samsung gaining too much power over Android, the person said.

GT-I9500-galaxy-s4-leak-3

The worries

Apparently Google is worried that Samsung may affect its bottom line by demanding a larger cut of its mobile ad-based profits in the future – currently Samsung is getting 10% of the take – and/or that Samsung may ask for special favors, such as early access to future Android updates.

To Google, mobile ads are worth 8 billion a year according to recent estimates, and the number will certainly grow in the future. That 10% accounts for one hefty pay off to Samsung, and the South Korean giant has apparently "signaled that it might want more."

Samsung is pulling some serious cash from Android device sales – $60 billion in 2012 alone – so should it demand more cash from Google ads? Well the company may have its own reasons for being sort-of angry with Google, including the Motorola purchase, or the Nexus 7 and Nexus 4 pricing structures, which may have affected to some extent Samsung's own bottom line. So Samsung may feel it's entitled to make up for lost Galaxy smartphones and tablet sales with more of Google’s money. After all, Samsung is in it for hardware profits, and needs to make money off device sales, without being able to rely to other revenue streams such as the Google Play Store or online advertising.

Is there also a worst-case scenario that Google fears, like Samsung completely moving to a different mobile platform? Samsung is still developing its own Linux-based OS, Tizen, which doesn't look half-bad considering the recent screenshots we've seen. In fact, it looks like Tizen will become an even more important part of Samsung, with bada merging into Tizen in the future. Not to mention that Intel is also a very interested party in the Tizen project, as it could become an important play in its attack on the mobile market.

While it seems like a strange proposition for now, what if Samsung decided, at any point in the future, to move from Android to its own OS? The more it builds its Galaxy brand, the more customers will follow, without knowing or even caring that their next-gen Galaxy devices won't run Android anymore. Sure, Android fans will stick with Android, and Samsung would lose customers in such a case, but the more power it can leverage in the Android landscape, the more it can present such a scenario to Google and make more demands.

We’re not forgetting that there's always Windows Phone, a mobile OS Samsung is also working with, but one that wouldn’t necessarily fit to Samsung’s needs as a main mobile OS.

More realistically though, Samsung would only need to remove Google services from its Android smartphones and tablets – in an Amazon-like manner – to get Google’s attention.

The solution

If Google does indeed have a Samsung problem, then should we view the upcoming Google/Motorola X Phone as a possible solution to it? Are we going to see Google silently fight Samsung this year in an X Phone vs Galaxy S4 clash of titans?

galaxy-s4-unpacked-new-york-livestream-invitation

Google has always said – at least so far – that it won't give preferential treatment to Motorola now that it owns it. We have no idea whether it meant it, or whether it was all just a show, so other Android device makers won't worry about competing against future Motorola Nexus devices.

Moreover, according to a Google exec, the Motorola purchase was all about the patents – and now we hear it was a hedge bet according to Rubin. The company didn't release any special Android device, not counting the new RAZR models, and did say recently that it still needs time until it’s able to make its own hardware.

But that might change with the Google X Phone, an extraordinary device expected to arrive at Google I/O in mid-May sporting high-end specs and running Google's future Android 5.0 Key Lime Pie without actually being a Nexus device.

The X Phone has been spotted in various rumors and leaks so far, without being actually confirmed, but this time around WSJ does mention it:

Meanwhile, Google’s Motorola has been developing what it calls the X Phone to compete with Apple’s iPhone and Samsung’s Galaxy S devices, people with knowledge of the initiative have said.

The fact that the WSJ talks about the device gives added weight to the current X Phone reports out there – let's not forget that just a few days ago, the same publication talked about Google's Chromebook, which was launched hours after that particularly story hit the virtual presses. This time around, an X Phone announcement will not be just around the corner, but the device is looking more and more real.

The Galaxy S4 is going to be unveiled on March 14 at a special event in New York – which we'll attend live – therefore at least two months before the X Phone becomes official. We're certainly interested to see how this particular battle will play out, since in light of this WSJ report the X Phone looks more like a Galaxy S4 rival than a device meant to further chip away at Apple's market and profit share – but yes, it will do both if successful.

android-key-lime-pie

Without mentioning any details about the device, the WSJ can certainly make Android fans dream about a high-end Motorola handset that would fight Samsung flagship devices:

In the event that Google’s relationship with Samsung goes south, the U.S. company’s Android business could work with the company’s Motorola unit—similar to the way Apple’s hardware and software units work together to create iPhones and iPads—to make sure Motorola’s Android devices are superior to the competition, people familiar with Google’s thinking said. Such a move could alienate other Android device makers, however.

Yes, other Android OEMs would also be hit by the X Phone, and could put Google in a strange situation. But Google has been in a strange situation before and was able to sort-of deal with that problem.

Looking back at how it all started – assuming Samsung disliked the Nexus 7 and Nexus 4 pricing policy – we'll remind you that Google had to come out with a cheap Nexus 7 and to fight off the Amazon threat rather than to hurt Apple’s iPad sales, even if that mean angering regular Android partners in the process. Similarly, it could now have to launch a X Phone to prevent the Galaxy S4 from selling as well as it's expected to sell, even if that means, again, angering everyone else in the process.

Naturally, don’t expect anyone to confirm that the X Phone is a product Google needs to prevent Samsung from getting an even larger share of the Android pie. The WSJ's sources could always be wrong, and we could be wrong speculating on the state of the Google-Samsung relationship. Maybe the X Phone is meant to be Google's own iPhone rival rather than a competitor to high-end Android devices. Time will tell.

From a different point of view, Google is said to have "high hopes" for the HTC One or the recently unveiled HP Slate 7 to threaten Samsung's dominance in the Android ecosystem, although these are products that aren't yet selling, and it will be a while until they hit stores. Does Google plan to help either HTC and/or HP in any particular manner? Again, time will tell and we'll be here to report everything.

But since other high-end devices are yet to show their muscles, the X Phone – or the promise of an X Phone – could keep plenty of Android device buyers at home when the Galaxy S4 launches, especially those customers that prefer Nexus devices over anything else.

Earlier today we witnessed Samsung crashing the MWC 2013 party by casting a long Galaxy S4 shadow over the show. In its turn, does Google have reason to crash Samsung's Galaxy S4 party in the coming weeks and months with more X Phone rumors primed to hit the web on a more regular basis? We'll just have to wait and see.

HP Slate 7 mwc2013 [aa] (1)

What high-end phone would you rather buy, a Google X Phone or a Samsung Galaxy S4?

Samsung Galaxy Note 8.0 vs Google Nexus 7 [video]

Posted: 25 Feb 2013 03:12 PM PST

Galaxy Note 8 vs Google Nexus 7 aa (15) -600px

Coming into MWC 2013, the Samsung Galaxy Note 8.0 was hardly a secret, as numerous leaks had already painted an accurate picture of Samsung's response to the Apple iPad Mini. But although it's no surprise that the Galaxy Note 8.0 was officially announced by Samsung, the fact remains that this S-Pen-enabled tablet is likely to play an important role in the evolution of the Android ecosystem for at least the first half of the year.

When covering new mid-sized Android tablets, or even any category of Android tablets for that matter, one interesting way of appreciating its future success is a comparison with the best selling Android tablet of all times, the Google Nexus 7.

The general rule of thumb throughout 2013 should be that only tablets that noticeably improve on the specs of the Nexus 7 have chances at selling well and thus making a dent in the ecosystem's yearly timeline. However, the rule becomes slightly distorted in the context of this article due to the fact that Samsung is not your average Android manufacturer. I'm quite confident that a tablet from the South Korean manufacturer might provide better results (more units sold, better profit margins) than a corresponding tablet from any other manufacturer.

With this in mind, let us start pitting the Samsung Galaxy Note 8.0 against the Asus-manufactured Google Nexus 7.

Galaxy Note 8 vs Google Nexus 7 aa (3) -600px

Display

The Google Nexus 7 uses a 7-inch LED-backlit IPS display that runs at a resolution of 1280 x 800 pixels. The Pixel Per Inch density (PPI) rests at 216, the colors are accurate, the viewing angles are good, and despite not excelling in the brightness department, it does feature great contrast ratios. Overall, we are talking about the modern standard in terms of acceptable displays.

As the name suggests, the Samsung Galaxy Note 8.0 uses an 8-inch LCD display, one that uses the same resolution as the display on the Nexus 7: 1280 x 800 pixels. However, due to its larger display area, the PPI ratio falls at 189. The overall display quality is similar to that of the Galaxy Note 10.1, meaning there's nothing to get really excited about.

Verdict: If display quality is what you're looking for, the Nexus 7 is definitely the better choice.

Design and Build Quality

Although it it does not feature exceptional build quality, the Nexus 7 is quite a compact slate. Add the soft touch back and narrow(ish) side bezels, and the end product is comfortable to hold and use.

The Nexus 7 measures 198.5 x 120 x 10.5 mm (7.81 x 4.72 x 0.41 in) and weighs in at 340g (11.99oz).

Galaxy Note 8 vs Google Nexus 7 aa (11) -600px

There's no easy way to say it, but the Samsung Galaxy Note 8.0 is certainly not the prettiest tablet to look at. Although it's quite thin, the Note 8.0 is basically an oversized Note 2 with huge bezels and a very plasticky build.

The Samsung Galaxy Note 8.0 measures 210.8 x 135.9 x 8 mm (8.30 x 5.35 x 0.31 in) and weighs in at 338g (11.92oz).

Verdict: Looks may be subjective, but build quality isn't, so the Nexus 7 takes this round as well!

Hardware

CPU, GPU & RAM

The Google Nexus 7 uses an underclocked version of the popular Nvidia Tegra 3 chipset. This translates into a 1.2GHz quad-core processor, an Nvidia GeForce ULP GPU and 1GB of RAM memory.

In the Samsung corner, the Note 8.0 makes use of the same SoC as the Galaxy Note 2, namely an overclocked version of the Exynos 4 Quad. The 1.6GHz quad-core processor, Mali 400 MP GPU and 2GB of RAM make the Note 8.0 a very fast tablet.

Galaxy Note 8 vs Google Nexus 7 aa (12) -600px

Internal and Expandable Storage

The Samsung Galaxy Note 8 will launch in 16GB and 32GB versions and will be able to work with microSD cards of up to 64GB.

Although an 8GB version was initially released, the Google Nexus 7 is now selling in 16GB and 32GB versions. In pure Nexus style, there is no microSD card slot.

Battery

Both the Samsung Galaxy Note 8 and the Google Nexus 7 come similarly equipped in the battery department, featuring a 4600mAh battery and a 4325mAh battery, respectively.

Camera

The Samsung Galaxy Note 8 uses a 5MP primary camera and a 1.2MP secondary sensor for video calling, while the Google Nexus 7 features a front facing 1.2MP camera only.

Verdict: The Samsung Galaxy Note 8 features considerably better hardware specifications than the Google Nexus 7.

Galaxy Note 8

Android Version and Software Tweaks

As far as this section of our article is concerned, these are two very different tablets. On one hand we have the Nexus 7 running on Android 4.2 Jelly Bean, a device that will be always up to date with the latest version of vanilla Android. In the other, we have the Samsung Galaxy Note 8, a tablet that currently runs Android 4.1 and might not have access to timely updates in the future, but tries to compensate with an array of software tweaks.

While Samsung's TouchWiz custom Android UI is often criticized for its design, the Galaxy Note 8 not only comes with the Samsung Smart Functions and all the software features that people love about the Galaxy Note 2, but also throws in S-Pen compatibility in the equation. This is Samsung's tradeoff for that sub-par display: a digitizer that can turn your tablet into a creative or lucrative powerhouse.

Verdict: This round seems to be a draw as the Nexus 7 runs on pure Android, but the Galaxy Note 8 can do some really neat tricks as well.

Conclusion

Although they are both mid-sized, mid range Android tablets, the Samsung Galaxy Note 8 and the Google Nexus 7 could not be any different.

The Nexus 7 still remains the go-to solution if you're interested in the overall quality level, but the Samsung Galaxy Note 8 might still find a way to your heart thanks to its speedy internals and S-Pen capabilities.

The fact that the Galaxy Note 8 can place calls via 3G is probably not going to be much of a factor, although the price (a vital element that Samsung has yet to reveal) will. If the rumors placing the Galaxy Note 8 at roughly $300 come true, than sure, the Galaxy Note 8 is a viable choice for many. On the other hand, Samsung's chance to a good community reaction decreases as it passes this critical price threshold and start nearing the price of the Galaxy Note 8's true competitor, the Apple iPad Mini.

What do you guys make out of this comparison? Would you go for the Nexus 7's better display and timely Android updates over the Galaxy Note 8's speedier hardware and S-Pen capabilities?

Hands-on with the new PadFone Infinity. Bonus: Asus interview

Posted: 25 Feb 2013 01:51 PM PST

Asus PadFone Infinity

Today at MWC, Asus has unveiled the newest iteration of its unique PadFone line. Dubbed PadFone Infinity, the phone and station combo is slicker than ever, thanks to a new aluminum build, a slimmer profile, and a super scrisp full HD screen.

Without any exaggeration, the PadFone Infinity is one of the best smartphones out there right now. Features like the Snapdragon 600 processor, the full HD 5-inch display of 441ppi, and the 13MP camera put it right beside the new HTC One and the LG Optimus G Pro. Add the gorgeous looking station (also in aluminum, also full HD) and you got yourself a truly amazing piece of technology.

Here’s the full specs sheet of the Asus PadFone Infinity:

asus padfone infinity specs

We had the chance to spend some time with the PadFone Infinity today at MWC. Moreover, Darcy sat down with the project manager of the PadFone for a quick interview. Check it out below.

Video: benchmarking the Intel Clover Trail+ Lenovo K900

Posted: 25 Feb 2013 12:45 PM PST

lenovo-k900-front

The K900 has been unveiled at CES in Las Vegas, where we got to take Lenovo's gorgeous device for a quick spin. Now, the Clover Trail+ equipped device has made an appearance at Mobile World Congress, and we were curious to see how Intel's first dual-core mobile chip is doing in the benchmarks.

The device we got to try was a pre-production model, so it's possible that the software wasn't fully optimized, which may explain why the UI occasionally felt sluggish.

We installed v3.1.1 of the AnTuTu synthetic benchmark, which tests memory performance, CPU performance, and graphics, and proceeded to run it on the sleek K900. You can see the process and the results in the video below.

As you can see, the 2.0GHz Clover Trail+ processor that powers the Lenovo K900 is quite a beast. The device managed an impressive 25,138, which is ahead of the quad-core Snapdragon 600, which just made its debut on the HTC One and the Optimus G Pro. The Qualcomm chip managed a very good 22,678 in an earlier test.

Intel is betting big on the new Clover Trail+ platform, which the Santa Clara-based giant plans to put in the hands of more customers this year. For a detailed look at the technology and specs of Clover Trail+, check out this great post by my colleague Robert Triggs.

The dual-core Intel Atom Z2580 in the Lenovo K900 may not be fastest processor around though. Earlier today, we've reported about the amazing (like in 36,000 points in AnTuTu amazing) benchmark scores that the upcoming Tegra 4 registered. We'll have a video of the Tegra 4 benchmarking soon, so stay tuned.

One thing is for sure — 2013 shapes out to be a very interesting year for mobile tech!

Asus PadFone 2 heading to UK on March 1st for £599.99

Posted: 25 Feb 2013 12:24 PM PST

Asus PadFone 2

Earlier today we reported that Asus had announced the Padfone Infinity. While the Infinity looks great, it is also rather pricey. Looking for something a bit cheaper? The Asus Padfone 2 is heading to the UK on March 1st.

While not as expensive as the Asus Padfone Infinity, the Padfone 2 isn’t exactly cheap either, priced at £599.99. Still, that’s £200 less than then you will have to pay to get your hands on the Snapdragon 600-based Infinity.

For those that need the reminder on the hardware, the Padfone 2 features a 1.5GHz Snapdragon S4 quad-core processor, 2GB of RAM, a 4.7-inch Super IPS+ display and a 2140mAh battery. You also get 32GB internal memory, a 13MP camera and Android 4.1 Jelly Bean.

So are dockable tablets worth the money over simply buying a separate tablet and smartphone? The answer to that question is largely a matter of preference.There are certainly drawbacks to a dockable design, such as not being able to pass the tablet to a friend or family member while still having access to your phone, but there is also the advantage of having all your data, music and videos on one device.

What do you think, is the Asus PadFone 2 worth the money?

The Chromebook Pixel project

Posted: 25 Feb 2013 11:21 AM PST

chromebook-pixel-official-1

The premium Chromebook Pixel was an exciting announcement for Google and Chrome OS lovers the world over. Long have we wanted a really good Chromebook, and been confused time and again by low-end, high cost devices. Once announced, I was giddy with excitement, and it showed. It was everything we had all hoped for, and also a bit more than we were hoping to spend. I weighed the pros and cons while clicking "Purchase" in the Play Store, which spoke volumes about my desire to be on board with this new monster of a Chromebook.

Rather than simply have a great device, we thought it seemed fair to run it through its paces and report back to all of you. At the end of this post, you'll find news about our Chromebook Pixel project. For the next few weeks, we'll be getting very in-depth about the Chromebook Pixel and Chrome OS, running them through a myriad of tests.

Chromebook Pixel hinge

Who is this for?

This device, as Google will readily admit, is suited for a very finite market, and it may not be you. For a consumer to take full advantage of this Chromebook, a few criteria should be met:

  • You do just about all of your work in the cloud
  • You are a dedicated Chrome user, and very familiar with Chrome OS
  • You utilize the services in Google Drive as your means of producing just about everything
  • You are in the market for a premium computer

If you met those requirements, the Chromebook Pixel is the computer for you, hands down. We should also be clear that this particular Chromebook isn’t for everyone, nor is Chrome OS. There are some very distinct give-and-take scenarios within Chrome OS, which we'll get into throughout our project.

Google Chromebook Pixel

Why did Google make the Chromebook Pixel?

You know it, I know it, and Google knows it: Chrome OS is limited, but promising. Google wants Chrome OS to succeed, and is fully invested in making it shine. Like most things within the Google universe, Chrome OS is dependent on developer adoption and support. How do you get developers excited and working on your project? Give them the tools to succeed. Google makes no bones about it: Chromebook Pixel is a developers unit, first and foremost.

The Chromebook Pixel represents the future of the Chromebook, and Chrome OS. In my opinion, the premium price was meant to keep those not serious about Chrome OS from purchasing the device. A base price of $1,299 is not spent on a whim for most, so only those who are dedicated to growing the platform will jump at the device.

03-google-chromebook-pixel

Why buy one?

To begin with, I met all of the requirements listed above (how convenient, right?). For me, there was much more to it, though. I’ve long been exhausted by Windows, with the constant updates and piecemeal spending for products. Microsoft Office runs $140 for one license, and then there is the cost of security software like Norton or Kaspersky. It just got tiresome having to be the gardener of my machine.

I'm also not an Apple fan. They make gorgeous products, and have a very loyal fan base, but I'm just not buying in. Their products across the board are terribly overpriced ($69 mouse?!), and while having the Apple store is nice, it can also be a convenient crutch.

I didn't want to deal with Windows any longer, nor did I want to learn all the nuances of Apple's OS. Some may yell "Linux!", but that OS has further to go than Chrome OS. I do all of my work in Google Drive, and pretty much live inside of a Chrome browser. I survive on Android, and have actually come to enjoy Chrome OS a lot, so the real question is why wouldn’t I get a Chromebook Pixel?

Pundits love to comment on what Chrome OS is lacking, and they make good points. That line of commentary has its place, but is a bit off. What you're paying for is not so much for what you're getting, it's for what you're giving up. Security issues, a cumbersome OS, software that needs to be re-purchased on a regular basis, and poor battery life are just a few things I will not be missing with this move.

chromebook pixel (1)

First impressions

My initial reaction can be summed up in one word: wow. It looks amazing, it feels amazing, and it's quick. The keyboard is a dream come true, and the choice to make the keys back-lit was a smart one. The Chromebook Pixel is definitely a step up from previous Chromebooks, that much is clear. Every instance on this machine is refined, from the build down to the design. Google meant for this to be the device that pushes Chrome OS into the future, and it very well could be.

The curious part of the Chromebook Pixel is that there is no visible… anything. The speakers are tucked under the keyboard, yet produce a vivid sound. The webcam and microphones above the screen are unobtrusive, and there is a third microphone tucked under the keys for noise cancellation. If you’ve ever done a Google+ hangout, and been bothered by typing, you'll know why this is a really cool feature.

The screen is mind boggling in its brilliance. I was prepared for great, but this is just… stellar. My first impressions are pure awe, as 4.3 million pixels doesn't really register in the mind until you see it first-hand. The touch interface is really snappy and smooth, but won't work on everything just yet. Battery life seems to be right on par with the 5-hour promise, but we'll try to annihilate that in testing. As we get through the project, we'll be sure to carefully pace each aspect of Chrome OS and the Chromebook Pixel.

Chromebook Pixel Jellyfish

The project

You’ve probably heard a lot of reaction to the Chromebook Pixel, but not a lot of reporting. For the next few weeks, I will be using the Chromebook Pixel as my only computer. I will not be touching my Windows 8 machine. If I run into a problem, I'll just have to figure a way around it. I fully understand the limitations of Chrome OS, and as a lifelong Windows user, the change to Chrome OS full-time will be difficult. Welcome, but difficult.

We're also going to open it up to our readers to ask questions during the process. If there is something you want us to address specifically, please comment below or on our Google+ page when we post the articles there. We'll do our best to check the comments section often, and will try to answer every question we can. The goal is to leave no stone unturned, and put Chrome OS and the Chromebook Pixel through its paces. We do it all for our readers and fans, so you deserve to be part of this process!

Be sure to keep an eye on Android Authority for all the Chromebook Pixel news, and tune into Android Authority On Air! I'll be using the Chromebook Pixel for those hangouts, which will really test the machine's hardware. So far, the Pixel is a pretty amazing machine, but nothing is perfect. At the end of this process, we'll all have a better idea of what Chrome OS and the Chromebook Pixel are, and maybe should be.

Android Phone Fans

Android Phone Fans


Motorola begins Jelly Bean soak test for DROID RAZR/RAZR MAXX

Posted: 25 Feb 2013 05:27 PM PST

We’ve gotten more than enough tips to feel confident about this one: Motorola’s preparing a soak test for Verizon’s DROID RAZR and DROID RAZR MAXX. The first editions in the RAZR series will be getting Jelly Bean, though Motorola didn’t go into detail about which exact version. We imagine it won’t be anything higher than Android 4.1.2 as even Motorola’s latest phones haven’t gotten the absolute latest versions of Android yet. Users should still be quite satisfied for the time being, though.

The soak test will help Motorola in the final stretches of testing, and if things go smoothly we could see a rollout within the month. Don’t hold me to that estimation if it doesn’t pan out, though. If you’re signed up for Motorola’s soak test for these particular devices you’ll want to check your inboxes to see how to proceed, as I’m sure a ton of you will want to get your hands on the upgrade.

[Thanks to everyone who sent this in!]

Hi,

Thanks for joining the Motorola Feedback Network. We are inviting owners of the Droid RAZR or Droid RAZR Maxx on Verizon to participate in an early preview of a new Jelly Bean software release, and provide feedback. If you are not currently using a Droid RAZR or Droid RAZR Maxx on Verizon, please excuse and ignore this email.

Click this link — redacted — to take the enrollment survey if you wish to take part. Note that you must be a member in good standing of the Motorola Owners’ Forums to be included. The registration window could close without notice so please respond as quickly as possible.

This is a confidential test under the terms of the Motorola Feedback Network. Do not post any details or information about this on any public sites.

Thanks — please understand that start times are always fluid. We ask for your patience if you register but don’t hear from us right away.

Motorola Owners' Forums
Motorola Feedback Network

MetroPCS will vote on T-Mobile deal March 28th

Posted: 25 Feb 2013 04:09 PM PST

While the proposed acquisition of MetroPCS by T-Mobile isn’t getting nearly as much attention as that of T-Mobile’s failed acquisition by AT&T, it’s still of interest to us. MetroPCS has revealed that shareholders would get together and vote on the issue March 28th. The two parties still need to pass regulatory hurdles, which include the usual song and dance of anti-regulatory investigations and other boring legal processes. There’s not much reason to believe the government will play a part in blocking the deal, though.

The biggest problem stands to be the very shareholders who will punch their tickets late next month. It’s said that two of Metro’s major investors — hedge funds Paulson & Co. and P. Schoenfeld — are looking to vote against the deal, with doubts about proper valuation on Deutsche Telekom’s part. The two control a combined 11% of MetroPCS, and would certainly look to get more shareholders on board with votes to block the deal.

As it stands, T-Mobile would merge into MetroPCS’ current standing as a publicly traded company, and Deutsche Telekom would then get 74% of the combined companies. The remaining 26% of the company, as well as $1.5 billion, would be given to shareholders. I won’t pretend to know if MetroPCS is worth more or less than that, but if it’s not good enough for the millionaires and billionaires who own the company then who am I to argue? We’ll be keeping a close eye on this one as March quickly approaches.

[via Marketwatch]

Google I/O registration opens March 13th — get your accounts ready

Posted: 25 Feb 2013 03:02 PM PST

If you’re gearing up for Google I/O, which takes place in San Francisco from May 15th-17th, you might want to know that registration will be opening up soon. Google hasn’t made it a mystery — the digital lines are opening up March 13th, and it will take place starting at 7am pacific. That said, you should know that these things aren’t the easiest to get into: the initial stock of tickets sold out in less than 30 minutes for last year’s events.

You don’t want to be fiddling around with unnecessary, lengthy extra steps come March 13th so there are a few things you’ll want to do:

  1. Set an alarm to wake up AHEAD of time. Google likes to get a bit jumpy sometimes, so the site may go live a few minutes before 7am.
  2. Make sure your Google+ profile is setup and accurate. Google uses Google+ for registration and you’ll be asked to sign in to continue.
  3. Make sure your Google Wallet account is setup with your preferred payment method. Google will process orders through checkout, so you don’t want to be running around looking for your wallet or typing in numbers while everyone else is passing you by.
  4. Bookmark a replacement keyboard and monitor on Amazon, just in case. These things can be frustrating, and you’ll probably try to smash your monitor using your keyboard by the end of it all if the site crashes.

We’ll remind you once we get closer to registration, but we imagine most of you will have this in your calendar with as many reminders as you can to make sure you don’t miss out. Is anyone looking to head out to San Francisco for the must-attend developer conference of the year?

[via Google]

AT&T and GM team up for LTE, and six new cities get launches

Posted: 25 Feb 2013 01:54 PM PST

Some AT&T LTE-related news has come through the wire today. For starters, AT&T and General Motors have announced a partnership that will bring AT&T connectivity to the latter’s cars. GM currently uses Verizon’s airwaves, but for whatever reason decided Ma Bell was the better route. Was it cost? Quality of network? Did GM just want a change of pace? We can’t say for sure, but it’s happening. Those with Verizon-equipped models need not worry: service will continue to operate following the switch.

The radios will be inside GM’s 2015 OnStar-equipped models, the first of which will arrive starting in the middle of 2014. AT&T says it is very happy with the deal, economically — this probably just means they’re happy to have yet another stream of cash coming in. Ma Bell is already in bed with the likes of Ford and Nissan, so another major partnership no doubt makes its executives smile.

Speaking of AT&T LTE, six new cities have been announced, including Tunica, MS; Athens, TN; Lafollette, TN; Tallahassee, FL; Salinas and Monterey, CA; and Lawrence, KS. By the time GM starts rolling its AT&T-equipped cars out the network should be fully complete, so by then you (should) be able to get 4G LTE on the road in any area that you currently get a 3G signal in.

Samsung phones to come pre-installed with Visa payWave software for NFC payments

Posted: 25 Feb 2013 01:16 PM PST

Samsung and Visa have announced a partnership to bring their payWave partnership to the masses on a global scale. All Samsung smartphones with NFC chips will come pre-installed with Visa payWave. It’s safe to assume the Galaxy S4 will get that treatment, and we can probably expect Samsung to load the software onto the Galaxy Note 8.0 that was just announced, as well.

Samsung could also look to load the software onto existing phones via an over-the-air upgrade, but the Korean company hasn’t announced any details regarding that just yet.

Of course, those who don’t roll with Visa might be left out of the fun, but other options do exist. We have a feeling Visa and Samsung are reaching quite the wide user-base, however, as the former commands the top spot among credit card companies, while the latter is the world’s biggest phone manufacturer. A match made in heaven? Perhaps. We just hope this won’t keep Samsung from eventually doing something with the likes of Mastercard, American Express or Discover in the future. Read on for full press details.

Visa and Samsung Sign Global Alliance Agreement to Accelerate Mobile (NFC) Payments
Financial institutions will be offered a secure service to download payment account information to Samsung's mobile devices.

FOSTER CITY, Calif.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Feb. 25, 2013– Visa and Samsung today announced a global alliance that combines Visa's expertise in payments with Samsung's leadership in mobile device technology – an alliance that has the potential to significantly accelerate the availability of mobile payments globally.

According to the agreement, financial institutions that are planning to launch mobile payment programs will be able to use the Visa Mobile Provisioning Service1 to securely download payment account information to NFC-enabled Samsung devices. In addition, Samsung has agreed to load the Visa payWave applet onto its mobile devices featuring NFC technology. Visa payWave is Visa's mobile payment applet that enables consumers to make "wave and pay" contactless payments using mobile devices.

"Samsung devices enabled with Visa payment functionality will no doubt be a powerful product offering – especially in markets where paying with a mobile device is becoming commonplace," said Jim McCarthy, global head of product, Visa Inc. "However, the key to making mobile payments broadly available all over the world is to offer financial institutions a secure way to provision millions of smartphones with payment account information – and that is exactly what Visa and Samsung are ready to deliver."

"Samsung has been a pioneer in NFC devices and is again leading the way in enabling NFC-based mobile payments. The partnership with Visa represents a step towards a global mobile payment platform," said Dr. Won-Pyo Hong, President and Head of Media Solution Center, Samsung Electronics. "We believe that we have a strong value proposition for financial institutions that will ultimately allow consumer choice in NFC payments."

Near Field Communication (NFC) technology is the global communication standard that enables mobile devices to securely communicate with a payment terminal. ABI Research forecasts that a total of 1.95 billion NFC-enabled devices will ship in 20172. The Visa Samsung global alliance is a first of its kind between a leading NFC handset manufacturer and payment network that is paving the way for the implementation of large scale mobile payment programs. The initial areas of engagement that the two companies have agreed to include:

Global Strategic Alliance
Visa and Samsung have agreed to work together to enable the next generation of Samsung mobile devices with Visa payment technology, and to partner with financial institutions to accelerate the availability of mobile payment solutions globally.
Samsung to Connect to Visa's Mobile Provisioning Service
In order to enable financial institutions to launch large scale mobile (NFC) payment programs, Samsung will offer banks the ability to load payment account information over-the-air to a secure chip embedded in Samsung devices, using Visa's Mobile Provisioning Service3 which is linked to Samsung KMS (Key Management System) – a service that creates secure data storage domains for issuers.
Samsung Awarded Global Visa payWave License
The Visa payWave mobile applet will be preloaded onto selected next-generation Samsung mobile devices featuring NFC technology and an embedded secure element. Off the shelf, these devices are ready to be personalized with Visa payment account information – a simple step that consumers will be able to initiate using a mobile payment application provided by their financial institution.
At Mobile World Congress 2013 in Barcelona, February 25-28, Visa will demonstrate Visa payWave for mobile and its Mobile Provisioning Service that can be used by financial institutions to securely load payment account information to NFC-enabled Samsung mobile devices. For more information, visit Visa at Mobile World Congress, Hall 6, Stand 6E40.

About Visa Inc.

Visa is a global payments technology company that connects consumers, businesses, financial institutions and governments in more than 200 countries and territories to fast, secure and reliable electronic payments. We operate one of the world's most advanced processing networks—VisaNet—that is capable of handling more than 24,000 transaction messages a second, with fraud protection for consumers and assured payment for merchants. Visa is not a bank and does not issue cards, extend credit or set rates and fees for consumers. Visa's innovations, however, enable its financial institution customers to offer consumers more choices: pay now with debit, ahead of time with prepaid or later with credit products. For more information, visit corporate.visa.com.

About Visa Europe

Visa Europe is a payments technology business owned and operated by member banks and other payment service providers from 36 countries across Europe. Visa Europe works at the forefront of technology to create the services and infrastructure which enable millions of European consumers, businesses and governments to make electronic payments. Its members are responsible for issuing cards, signing up retailers and deciding cardholder and retailer fees. As a dedicated European payment system Visa Europe is able to respond quickly to the specific market needs of European banks and their customers – cardholders and retailers – and to meet the European Commission's objective to create a true internal market for payments. For more information, please visit www.visaeurope.com

About Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.

Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. is a global leader in technology, opening new possibilities for people everywhere. Through relentless innovation and discovery, we are transforming the worlds of televisions, smartphones, personal computers, printers, cameras, home appliances, LTE systems, medical devices, semiconductors and LED solutions. We employ 236,000 people across 79 countries with annual sales exceeding KRW 201 trillion. To discover more, please visit www.samsung.com.

1 Visa's Mobile Provisioning Services are not available in all territories

2 Source: ABI Research, November 21, 2012 http://www.abiresearch.com/press/nfc-will-come-out-of-the-trial-phase-in-2013-as-28

3 Visa's Mobile Provisioning Services are not available in all territories

Intel officially introduces dual-core Atom chipset (Clover-Trail+), and partners are already lined up

Posted: 25 Feb 2013 12:44 PM PST

Intel has been making steady progress in its mobile ambitions, and the company has taken another step today. Intel announced the launch of its Clover-Trail+ platform, a dual-core 32nm atom chipset that comes in 2.0GHz, 1.6GHz, and 1.2GHz flavors. All models will feature Hyperthreading, and a GMA GPU clocked at 533MHz should prove to be quite decent for gaming, HD video playback, and more.

The chipset will support camera sensors up to 16 megapixels, and burst mode implementations will provide 15 frames-per-second (though the sensor will be limited to 8 megapixels for that mode). You can also expect support for resolutions up to 1900×1200, so these fancy ultra HD tablets we’ve been seeing lately will be accommodated quite nicely.

Intel looks to skip the 28nm train as its next step will be 22nm SoCs, and that particular innovation will be here later this year. With that, Intel’s also announcing that ASUS, Lenovo, and ZTE will be among the first partners to adopt Clover-Trail+. Intel has also debuted its multi-purpose LTE modem, the XMM 7160, that will enable smartphones, tablets, and ultrabooks with 4G LTE and 3G connectivity. This should help Intel greatly as it looks to break into major LTE markets like the United States and other parts of the world.

Intel’s chipsets have never been that powerful on the mobile side of things, and the latest is not being touted on the same level as NVIDIA’s Tegra 4, Samsung’s Exynos Octacore, or Qualcomm’s Snapdragon S800, but it should bring a very affordable and power efficient option for smartphone vendors looking to keep costs down. It’ll be interesting to see how this performs in real-world usage, but we’ll have to wait just a tad longer to get a taste of that for ourselves. Head to the source link for full press details.

[Businesswire]

First Android 4.2.2 build of AOKP released

Posted: 25 Feb 2013 11:48 AM PST

AOKP has moved quickly on the release of its first Android 4.2.2. This release brings us to JB-MR1 Build 4, and alongside the usual suspects there are a few new supported devices. Those with the AT&T HTC One XL, Motorola DROID 4, Motorola DROID 3, Motorola DROID RAZR, Motorola DROID Bionic, the Sprint Galaxy Nexus and the GSM Motorola RAZR have been added to the pot of fun.

As with all builds, wiping is optional but highly recommend if coming from an existing 4.2 base. If you’re coming from a 4.0 or 4.1 base you’ll need a full wipe. Get your backups in order and that battery charged to 30-50% before proceeding, and remember that your device is your own responsibility — no one is going to send you $600 to replace it if it happens to disappear into a black hole.

[via AOKP]

Koush releases open-sourced SuperUser app for rooters [VIDEO]

Posted: 25 Feb 2013 11:14 AM PST

Well… that was fast. It was only a few days ago that we learned Koushik Dutta would be making his next project a superuser app for rooted devices. Chainfire’s SuperUser app is great, but it’s not open-sourced. Chainsdd’s app is open-source, but rather outdated. Koush made it his job to bring an updated, modern, and open-sourced version of the app that enables us to do all sorts of cool things with our phones.

The deed has already been done, and he’s calling the result Clockworkmod SuperUser. The app brings us a lot of cool features. For starters, there’s support for Android 4.2 tablets’ multiple user profiles, advanced logging features, PIN protection, support for both X86 and ARM architectures, customized notifications, and more.

One big feature Koush is trying to push is a new Android permission — android.permisison.ACCESS_SUPERUSER — that will let users (and the Superuser app) know if an app has code that is going to request superuser access. The change will be purely cosmetic at first, but the plan is make it so that the app will automatically deny apps superuser permission if that app doesn’t have the permission declared. Here’s a better explanation from the man himself:

Android has a way for apps to create and request various permissions via the AndroidManifest.xml file. This is how the list of permissions and features shown in an app’s Google Play description is generated. Superuser should definitely be listed there. But currently, no such permission exists to be enforced, which is a terrible precedent:
You can download an app, and without your prior knowledge it can request Superuser access.

After talking with +Ricardo Cerqueira about this, we’ve decided on a strategy to ramp up and start enforcing this good practice.
0) Add a new permission with the Superuser, “android.permission.ACCESS_SUPERUSER”.
1) The new Superuser will simply warn that the developer is not declaring “android.permission.ACCESS_SUPERUSER” in the manifest. (as seen below)
2) Add an option to Superuser to automatically deny Superuser access to apps that do not have this declared.
3) After 6 months, this option is enabled by default.
4) After 1 year, this is no longer optional (always on).

This is an insanely trivial change for an app to make, and will assist with the transparency of root apps on the market. So there’s really no excuse for the developer not to do it!

It’s all about security and transparency, folks, and we like it that way. The app is in beta form for now so not everything will be working or enabled, and you may run into some bugs, but the project is already very far along and if development on Carbon — Koush’s apps backup utility — is anything to go by, you can expect very fast development time here.

Folks interested in trying this superuser app out will want to head to the ClockworkMod section in ROM Manager or download the .zip file and flash it manually in recovery. Koush says the app will eventually be available in APK form, but he has yet to implement the installation and upgrade process that will allow you to install it in one click. More details can be found at his Google+ posts here and here. Let us know how you’re liking it if you end up giving it a shot!

[Thanks to everyone who sent this in!]

Virgin Mobile US gets Samsung Galaxy Victory 4G LTE, while Boost gets HTC One SV and own-branded Force

Posted: 25 Feb 2013 10:15 AM PST

A couple of Sprint subsidiaries have announced the arrival of a few new smartphones for those who like taking the pay-as-you-go route. Starting with Virgin Mobile, it is planning to offer the Samsung Galaxy Victory 4G LTE. This won’t be bleeding edge stuff, of course, but for the price — $300 without a contract — you’re getting an exceptional smartphone.

The Galaxy Victory 4G has a 4-inch display, a 1.2GHz dual-core processor, NFC with S Beam, a 5 megapixel rear-facing camera with a 1.3 megapixel front-facing camera, Bluetooth 4.0, and has a microSD card slot for expansion up to 32GB. The phone is available today at VirginMobile.com or by visiting a local dealer.

On the other hand, Boost Mobile has two new phones for those looking for affordable smartphones. HTC’s One SV will cost you $300 for a 4.3-inch WVGA display, a 5 megapixel camera with 1080p HD video recording, a 1.6 megapixel front-facing camera, a 1.2Ghz dual-core Snapdragon S4 processor, NFC and more. It’ll launch with Android 4.0 and HTC Sense 4 — not the latest, and not the greatest, but not bad for $300.

Boost also has an own-branded smartphone in the Boost Force. It’s an Android 4.0 smartphone with stock user interface, a 1.5GHz dual-core processor, a 4-inch display, a 5 megapixel camera on the back with a 1 megapixel sensor on the front, and more. It’ll be just $200 off-contract, a decent price for what might turn out to be a very decent phone.

Both devices are coming March 7th so be sure to clear some room in your wallet ahead of time if you’re looking forward to either of them. You can find more details about Boost’s upcoming smartphones here, while the presser for the Samsung Galaxy Victory 4G LTE awaits you below.

Virgin Mobile USA Adds Samsung Galaxy Victory™ 4G LTE

 

4G LTE Speed With the Value of No-Contract Plans

 

WARREN, N.J. – Feb. 25, 2013 – Given the ongoing demand from consumers for speed, power and value in wireless, Virgin Mobile USA is now offering 4G LTE[1] service to its No-Contract customers. Virgin Mobile adds Galaxy Victory™ 4G LTE from Samsung Telecommunications America (Samsung Mobile), the No. 1 mobile phone provider in the United States and the No. 1 smartphone provider worldwide[2], to its all-smartphone lineup.

 

Savvy speed enthusiasts will enjoy the cutting-edge technology, high-speed[3] Web browsing and amazing value of this Android™ device with Virgin Mobile's No-Contract[4] Beyond Talk unlimited data and messaging plans[5] that start at $35 per month. Samsung Galaxy Victory 4G LTE is available today in gray for $299.99 [excluding taxes] only at virginmobileusa.com and will then roll out to national retail and participating dealers in mid-March.

 

"With the phones customers want, unlimited data and messaging included on all plans, and now 4G LTE  capable devices, we continue to provoke customers to ask themselves why they haven't switched from postpaid to a better deal with Virgin Mobile," said Mark Lederman, director, Virgin Mobile USA.

 

Samsung Galaxy Victory 4G LTE is Virgin Mobile's first LTE device, delivering a postpaid experience without a contract and loaded with Android™ 4.1 Jelly Bean, which brings stunning graphical capabilities and an upgraded Google Now™ service, including contextual search. S Beam™ lets you quickly share large video files, photos, documents and more just by tapping the back of two S Beam-enabled devices together[6].

 

Access to the speedy 4G LTE network from Sprint lets you browse the Web, upload photos and stream music faster than ever before on the 4-inch touchscreen display. Behind the scenes, a 1.2GHz dual-core processor handles with ease whatever you can throw at it. Other features include:

  • ·         5.0MP rear-facing camera
  • ·         HD video capture
  • ·         1.3MP front-facing camera
  • ·         Bluetooth 4.0
  • ·         NFC capable
  • ·         Wi-Fi capable
  • ·         MicroSD™ slot for expandable storage up to 32GB (card not included)

 

[1] 4G LTE where available as of Feb. 25, 2013; list of markets at end of document.

2 Samsung Mobile is the No. 1 mobile phone provider in the United States based upon reported shipment data, according to Strategy Analytics, North America Handset Vendor Marketshare, Q3 2012.  Samsung Electronics Company is the No. 1 smartphone provider worldwide based upon reported shipment data, according to Strategy Analytics Global Smartphone Vendor Market Share by Region: Q3 2012.

3 Coverage is not available everywhere.

4 Service is subject to Virgin Mobile's Terms of Service and other materials provide at time of activation.

5 All plans include 2.5GB/month of 3G/4G high speed data or 3.5GB/month with purchase of mobile hotspot capable device and plan. Adaptive protocol video limited to 600Kbps. Speeds (including video) reduced to 256Kbps for remainder of plan cycle, with speeds restored at beginning of next plan cycle. Additional terms apply.

6 S Beam requires initial connection between devices; transfer times may vary.

 

About Virgin Mobile USA 

Virgin Mobile USA offers millions of customers control, flexibility and connectivity through Virgin Mobile’s Beyond Talk™ No-Contract plans with unlimited 3G data, and available 4G data speeds for mobile phone service, including Android™-powered smartphones and for prepaid Broadband2Go high-speed Web access on the Nationwide Sprint Network. Virgin Mobile Beyond Talk monthly unlimited data plans, which start at $35, are ideal for those smartphone users hungry for the most connectivity and the least amount of voice minutes. Virgin Mobile-branded devices are available at more than 40,000 retail stores, including Target, Walmart, Best Buy and RadioShack. Top-Up cards are available at approximately 150,000 locations nationwide. Experience Virgin Mobile on the Web at FacebookTwitter, You Tube, and purchase Virgin Mobile USA products at www.virginmobileusa.com. For more news, click here.

 

About Samsung Telecommunications America

Samsung Telecommunications America, LLC, (Samsung Mobile) a Dallas-based subsidiary of Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd., researches, develops and markets wireless handsets, wireless infrastructure and other telecommunications products throughout North America. For more information, please visit www.samsung.com.

 

About Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.

Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. is a global leader in technology, opening new possibilities for people everywhere. Through relentless innovation and discovery, we are transforming the worlds of televisions, smartphones, personal computers, printers, cameras, home appliances, LTE systems, medical devices, semiconductors and LED solutions. We employ 236,000 people across 79 countries with annual sales exceeding KRW 201 trillion. To discover more, please visit www.samsung.com.

Samsung, Galaxy Victory, and S Beam are trademarks of Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. Other company names, product names and marks mentioned herein are the property of their respective owners and may be trademarks or registered trademarks. "4G" used in connection with the Samsung Victory 4G LTE refers to the fact that the device is capable of operating on Sprint's 4G LTE network.

 

Sprint 4G LTE markets as of Feb. 25, 2013

Anderson, Ind.; Atlanta; Athens, Ga.; Austin, Texas; Baltimore; Barnstable/Hyannis/Mid-Cape, Mass.; Boston; Bryan/College Station, Texas; Calhoun, Ga.; Carrollton, Ga.; Chicago/Naperville/Joliet, Ill.; Clark County, Va./Jefferson County, W.Va.; Columbia, Tenn.; Dallas; Emporia, Kan.; Fort Wayne, Ind.; Fort Worth, Texas; Framingham, Mass.; Franklin County, Pa.; Gainesville, Ga.; Gary, Ind.; Gettysburg, Pa.; Granbury/Hood County, Texas; Hagerstown, Md./Martinsburg, W.Va.; Harrisburg/Carlisle/Hershey, Pa.; Harrisonburg, Va.; Houston; Huntsville, Texas; Hutchinson, Kan.; Indianapolis/Carmel, Ind.; Kankakee/Bradley/Bourbonnais, Ill.; Kansas City, Kan./Mo.; Lawrence, Kan.; Manhattan/Junction City, Kan.; McPherson, Kan.; Muncie, Ind.; New Bedford/Fall River, Mass.; Newnan, Ga.; Peabody, Mass.; Rockford, Ill.; Rome, Ga.; Salina, Kan.; San Antonio; Santa Rosa/Petaluma, Calif.; Sedalia, Mo.; Shenandoah/Page Counties, Va.; South Bend/Mishawaka, Ind.; Southern PR: Ponce/Coamo/Guayama, Puerto Rico; St. Joseph, Mo.; Topeka, Kan.; Vallejo/Fairfield, Calif.; Waco, Texas; Waukegan/Lake County, Ill.; Western PR: Aguadilla/Isabela/Cabo Rojo/Mayagüez, Puerto Rico; Wichita Falls, Texas; Wichita, Kan.; Winchester, Va.; York/Hanover, Pa.

HP brings Android-powered Slate 7 tablet

Posted: 25 Feb 2013 09:14 AM PST

Instead of taking webOS and doing something special with it, HP decided to ditch it (word is LG will pick it up for its TV business) and go with Android, it seems. The Palo Alto computer manufacturer has announced the HP Slate 7, an Android 4.1 tablet which is set to launch as an affordable option for those who don’t need a ton of bells and whistles. It’s a 7-inch device that has 1024×600 resolution, a 1.6GHz dual-core Cortex-A9 processor, 8GB of internal storage, a 3 megapixel camera o the rear with a VGA front camera, and more.

Jelly Bean will be a near-stock experience, too, as HP apparently didn’t want to muck things up too much. Some might conclude HP doesn’t have the know-how to do much with Android yet, but we obviously don’t know that to be true. Whatever the case may be, we certainly won’t be complaining.

The Slate 7 will come to the United States for just $170, making it a attractive option for those who aren’t interested in spending an arm and a leg. It may be inexpensive, but HP promises it isn’t cheap. The company exclaims you won’t find another tablet in this range with the same build quality. We’ll be testing their claims for ourselves once we get a chance to go hands-on in the coming hours.

ZTE attacks high-end market with Grand Memo

Posted: 25 Feb 2013 08:46 AM PST

ZTE has announced the upcoming arrival of the ZTE Grand Memo, the Chinese company’s new high-end smartphone that it hopes to use to attract a lot more eyes to its brand. It’s a huge 5.7 inch smartphone sporting Qualcomm’s 1.7GHz Snapdragon 800, 1GB of RAM, a 13 megapixel camera and Android 4.1 Jelly Bean.

ZTE’s custom user interface will sit on top of the operating system, and will include features like ZTE Safe, an intelligent power management technology which, when coupled with the massive 3,200 mAh battery inside, should make for supreme battery life. Other features include ZTE Drive for navigation, a custom keyboard to facilitate one-handed typing for both left-handed and right-handed users, and more.

Asian and European markets will see the device first, and while ZTE is exploring options for North American rollouts we wouldn’t hold our breath — the company’s track record over in these parts of the world hasn’t been great. Stay tuned for our hands-on coverage of the device live from Mobile World Congress.

Sony boasts world’s thinnest 10.1-inch tablet with Xperia Tablet Z

Posted: 25 Feb 2013 07:50 AM PST

Sony has added another “Z” device to its lineup, except this time it’s on the tablet side of things. The Sony Xperia Tablet Z is the world’s thinnest 10.1-inch tablet as it comes in at just 6.99mm thin. What can Sony stuff inside such a sleek package?

For starters, you can expect a quad-core 1.5GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon S4 Pro chipset, 2GB of RAM, an 8.1 megapixel camera on the back with a 2 megapixel camera on the front, a 1920×1200 “Reality Display,” NFC, and will be IP55 and IP57 water-resistant, which means the tablet can be submerged in up to three feet of water for up to 30 minutes.

You can expect Playstation certification, Sony’s Battery Stamina technology for longer standby times, MHL connectivity, and Android 4.1.2 out of the box (though you can look forward to Jelly Bean 4.2 soon after). Sony is pegging a Q2 2013 launch date for this bad boy, and it’ll come in a 16GB configuration for $500 and a 32GB configuration for $600. Read on for full press details.

Sony’s New Xperia™ Tablet Z Packs Powerful Specifications into a Slim and Sleek Design

The Premium Android™-powered device features the best of Sony technology, entertainment, design and connectivity in the world’s thinnest 10.1″ tablet

SAN DIEGO, February 25, 2013 (12:00 AM PST) – At Mobile World Congress, Sony announced today the launch of the Xperia Tablet Z, a premium 10.1″ Android tablet that is also the world’s thinnest.* The new device joins Sony’s flagship smartphone, the Xperia Z, in offering consumers premium specifications with the best of Sony technology, entertainment, design and connectivity.

Premium Tablet Design

Xperia Tablet Z is the most premium, high performance 10.1″ Android tablet available. Built from quality materials and featuring the same stunning OmniBalance design as the Xperia Z smartphone, Xperia Tablet Z is also the slimmest 10.1″ tablet in the world at 6.9 mm* and lightweight at 495 grams. It is the first tablet to run on the Qualcomm® Snapdragon™ S4 Pro asynchronous quad core processor and has the highest levels of water resistance (IP55 & IP57) ever seen in a tablet, making it immersible in up to three feet of water for up to 30 minutes.

“Xperia Tablet Z sets new standards in entertainment by matching premium specifications and Sony technology with cross-device connectivity and a consistent user-experience,” said Kaz Tajima, corporate vice president, head of UX creative design and planning, at Sony Mobile Communications. “Xperia Tablet Z reinforces our intention to be a leading player in the premium Android device market, by building on the principles established by Xperia Z and perfectly optimizing them for the tablet form factor.”

Integrated Sony Technology

Xperia Tablet Z includes the very best of Sony technology. With a 10.1″ full-HD Reality Display, powered by Mobile BRAVIA® Engine 2, it delivers enhanced color reproduction for a brilliant TV-like viewing experience. By offering the widest spectrum of color on any tablet, the Xperia Tablet Z provides a vivid, life-like display. It also draws upon Sony’s camera expertise with an 8MP HD rear camera featuring the Exmor® R for Mobile image sensor and a 2 MP HD front-facing camera for capturing the best images in any condition, including low light. Sony’s S-Force Front Surround 3D provides superior audio performance while Sony’s Clear Audio+ mode and the innovative use of two built-in speakers with four ‘speaker halls’ on the left and right corners help the tablet deliver amazing sound no matter how it is held. Xperia Tablet Z also includes Battery STAMINA mode, Sony’s unique battery management technology that can improve standby time. The Xperia Tablet Z also offers a microSD card slot for up to 64GB of expandable storage.

Seamless One-touch Connectivity

Xperia Tablet Z is available in a WiFi version in the US and includes more connectivity options than any other tablet, placing it at the heart of the connected home experience. It includes Sony’s Near Field Communication (NFC) One-Touch functions which allow users to transfer content among compatible devices, including audio, video and images, seamlessly from tablet to TV, tablet to speaker or phone to tablet just by touching them together. One-Touch functions are a key component of Sony’s device range this year and no other consumer electronics company today is bringing as many NFC-enabled products to market. The tablet’s Universal IR Remote allows users to control their TV and other Sony devices – as well as products from other manufacturers – directly from the tablet. Additionally, TV SideView is a new application, available from the Google Play store, that gives users an entirely new way to interact with the TV: Discover content via the interactive and visual TV guide, change channels, share with your social networks and cross-search other TV application listings like Netflix®, Video Unlimited™ and YouTube™ in your home network for additional content.

“The living room continues to be the number one location for tablet usage in the US. Consumers are using their tablet as a second-screen companion while watching TV, which is why we packed the Xperia Tablet Z with more connectivity options than any other tablet on the market,” said Phil Lubell, vice president of networked technologies and services at Sony Electronics. “The Xperia Tablet Z makes it easier than ever to connect, share and discover content across all your devices in the home.”

Sony’s Media Applications

Sony’s signature media applications – Walkman®, Movies and Album – allow users to enjoy, control and view content. The Sony Entertainment Network ecosystem is also integrated into the application experience and includes Music Unlimited™ which provides subscribers with access to 18 million songs and Facebook® social integration, Video Unlimited™ with access to over 100,000 movies and TV series and PlayStation® Mobile.

Xperia Tablet Z Accessories

Xperia Tablet Z will launch with a number of accessories including a Cradle, an LCD Screen Protector and a Leather Carrying Cover that comes in Black, White or Red. These will be available from Sony stores and registered retailers.

Xperia Tablet Z will launch on Android 4.1 (Jelly Bean) and is upgradable to 4.2 after launch for the latest Android user experience.

Key features for Xperia Tablet Z

  • 10.1-inch Full HD 1920 x 1200p Reality Display with Mobile BRAVIA Engine 2
  • The world’s thinnest 10.1-inch tablet at 6.9mm and lightweight at 495 grams
  • Dust and water resistant (IP55 & IP57) with a durable glass front display
  • Built-in universal IR remote control can control Sony and other manufacturers’ consumer electronic devices
  • Snapdragon S4 Pro processor with 1.5 GHz asynchronous quad-core CPU and 2 GB RAM
  • One-Touch connectivity with Near Field Communication (NFC)
  • A unique OmniBalance design with subtly rounded edges and smooth reflective surfaces
  • 8 MP rear camera featuring Exmor R for Mobile and Superior Auto plus 2MP HD front camera
  • Battery STAMINA mode further improves the standby time
  • S-Force Front Surround 3D provides realistic surround sound using two speakers

Availability and Pricing

The Xperia Tablet Z is available in black in a 16 GB and 32 GB version and will be sold at Sony Stores, including online, and other authorized dealers nationwide for about $499 and $599 respectively this Spring. A white 32 GB version will be available exclusively at Sony Stores, including online.

Hands-on: ASUS Fonepad [VIDEO]

Posted: 25 Feb 2013 07:29 AM PST

ASUS has yet another twist on the phone/tablet hybrid here at Mobile World Congress. The ASUS Fonepad is, as the name suggests, a combination of the two devices. It is not, however, another Padfone. Instead, it’s a 7-inch tablet with full calling capabilities.

Appearance-wise, the Fonepad shares a lot in common with the ASUS-made Nexus 7, but on specs alone it couldn’t be more different. The tablet is powered by an Intel Atom Z2420 clocked at 1.2GHz and sports PowerVR SGX540 graphics. The 7-inch IPS display features a 1280×800 resolution. The system is backed by 1GB RAM and will be available in 8GB/16GB storage options. Rounding out the specs are a 3MP camera and 1.2MP front-facing camera.

Ultimately, it’s more pad than “fone,” and it’s hard to imagine any real benefit the device offers over owning two devices. Unless, of course, you absolutely need a tablet and don’t want to carry both a tablet and a phone. So as you can probably tell, owning a Fonepad is a bit of a special case. Perhaps helping the slate’s cause is its pricing. For $249 straight up you can own the tablet later this spring.

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ASUS unveils the Fonepad, a tablet that can make phone calls

Posted: 25 Feb 2013 07:28 AM PST

What do you get when you flip “PadFone?” Why, Fonepad, of course. That’s exactly what ASUS announced today at Mobile World Congress. The Fonepad shakes things up a bit as a 7-inch 1280×800 tablet which can make phone calls. It’s a trend that seems to be growing by the day, as competitor Samsung also announced an edition of the Galaxy Note 8.0 that could make phone calls.

The Fonepad will leverage Intel Atom technology with the Z2420 stuffed inside. It’s not bleeding edge processing technology, but the chipset should make for a more affordable tablet for folks who don’t want to spend too much. The Fonepad will launch with Android 4.1 Jelly Bean, and you can expect the usual suite of customization from ASUS on top of that.

Other specs of the Fonepad include 1GB of RAM, storage capacities of 8GB and 16GB with up to 32GB of additional storage available via microSD, a 3 megapixel camera on the rear and a 1.2 megapixel camera on the front, and more. The device will launch aside an assortment of accessories, including the VersaSleeve and Turn Case. Both cases offer stands for viewing the tablet in an upright position for watching videos and using it as a display for other purposes.

ASUS will roll the Fonepad out globally starting next month, with the US getting the 8GB variant with camera for $250, and Europe getting the 16GB option without a camera for €219. The VersaSleeve and Turn Case cost €19.99 and €39.99, respectively. Read on for full press details.

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ASUS Announces 7-inch Fonepad™ with 3G Mobile Data and Voice-Calling
Built-in 3G for fast mobile data and full telephony support give two-in-one
flexibility at a competitive price

Mobile World Congress, Barcelona, Spain (25th February, 2013) — ASUS today announced Fonepad™, a competitively priced handheld with 3G voice and mobile data for all the features of a smartphone, with the versatility of a 7-inch tablet. Powered by the new Intel® Atom™ Z2420 processor with Android 4.1, Fonepad™ features a vibrant HD display with IPS technology for wide viewing angles and outstanding clarity.
"It is ideal to have a larger screen with entertainment, social media and other online activities now playing an increasingly important part in our mobile lifestyles," said Jonney Shih, ASUS Chairman. "The incorporation of 3G mobile data with full telephony support, makes the Fonepad™ the perfect combination of a tablet and phone in one single device."
"Extending our long history of collaboration, including most recently on the Ultrabook™ and Intel®-based tablets, we are very excited to be partnering with ASUS again," said Hermann Eul, Intel® vice president and co-general manager of the Mobile and Communications Group. "Intel's new Atom™ Z2420 processor delivers the power, performance and flexibility required to accommodate a range of devices and market needs. We think the ASUS Fonepad™ is a very innovative device in an emerging category of 3G tablets with telephony features."

Beautiful metallic design with Intel® Atom™ performance
ASUS Fonepad™ is ideal for people who value both the voice communication features of a smartphone and the entertainment opportunities afforded by a tablet, but prefer the convenience of carrying just one device. Fonepad™ is a sleek and compact tablet with a metallic design that can be held comfortably in one hand, thanks to its light 340g weight and slim 10.4mm profile. Powered by the latest Intel® Atom™ Z2420 processor with full Android compatibility, Fonepad™ features a perfect balance of performance and energy efficiency, with hardware-accelerated 1080p Full HD video decoding and up to nine hours of battery life.
The 7-inch screen features 10-point multi-touch, and a crisp 1280 x 800 HD resolution for crisp, readable web page text and incredibly detailed photos. IPS technology ensures vibrant color with 178-degree wide viewing angles, and images that are clear and bright, even outdoors.

Built-in 3G for mobile data and voice calls
Built-in 3G with HSPA+ mobile data means ASUS Fonepad™ is an always-connected mobile device for seamless web browsing, fast downloads from Google Play Store, and smooth streaming of audio and video. Thanks to its full 3G telephony support, Fonepad™ can also be used for voice calls using the built-in noise-cancelling digital microphone or an optional Bluetooth headset. With just one mobile data plan to pay for, running costs are also much lower than those of a separate smartphone and 3G tablet.
Fonepad™ is available in 8GB and 16GB capacities, and has an SD card slot for up to 32GB of additional storage. All models feature a front 1.2-megapixel camera for easy video chat and an optional rear 3-megapixel autofocus camera with 720p HD video recording. ASUS SonicMaster audio technology with MaxxAudio 3 processing by Waves ensures clear, well-rounded sound quality.

Exclusive ASUS apps and accessories enhance productivity
ASUS Fonepad™ comes with a number of exclusive ASUS productivity apps: Floating App for easy management of running apps and multi-tasking; SuperNote lite for handwritten notes and drawing; and WebStorage Office Online for Microsoft Office-compatible document editing on the move. Fonepad™ users also get 5GB of free lifetime ASUS WebStorage for syncing and sharing data with other devices.
Two new optional accessories are also available for Fonepad™. Available in four snazzy colors, VersaSleeve 7 is a wraparound cover with a folding design that both protects Fonepad™, and props up the screen in two different positions for typing and watching video. Turn Case is a lightweight hardshell case for Fonepad™ that features a soft interior that keeps the screen clean and a built-in stand that puts the screen at the perfect angle for watching video.

AVAILABILITY & PRICING
ASUS Fonepad™ and accessories will be available globally from March 2013. Fonepad™ prices start from US$249 (MSRP) for 8GB storage with three-megapixel rear camera in APEC markets and from €219 (MSRP) for 16GB storage with no rear camera in Europe. VersaSleeve costs €19.99 and Turn Case €39.99 (both MSRP). Please contact your local ASUS representative for further information.

Hands-on: ASUS Padfone Infinity [VIDEO]

Posted: 25 Feb 2013 07:18 AM PST

ASUS just introduced us to the latest member of the Padfone family, the Padfone Infinity and we had a chance to go hands-on with the phone/tablet hybrid. Unlike the equally new Fonepad, which is more or less a tablet with full phone functionality, the Padfone is all phone until you slide the 5-inch handset into its docking station. That’s when the magic happens.

The Padfone Infinity gets its power from the phone portion of the combo and features a quad-core Snapdragon 600 clocked at 1.7GHz. The 5-inch display features a resolution of 1080p and a pixel density of about 440 ppi. Add in 2GB of RAM, storage options of 32GB and 64GB, and a 13MP camera (2MP front-facing) and you have the sort of hardware that can turn heads.

While the specs are on par with some of the best devices on the market, it’s the only one that can dock into a tablet. The tablet portion features a 1080p 10.1-inch Super IPS display, 1MP camera, and a microUSB port, leaving the heavy lifting to the actual phone.

The Padfone is a pretty gorgeous device to behold, and even without the tablet half it would be well worth consideration. The slate/phone will drop later this year at a price of about 999 euro. That’s a little steep, even considering everything you get. Hopefully some carrier will be brave enough to subsidize the Padfone and make it more affordable for the masses.

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