Saturday, March 2, 2013

Android Authority

Android Authority


Good news for Samsung: Judge Lucy Koh cuts fine for Apple patent infringement from $1B to $599M

Posted: 02 Mar 2013 01:18 AM PST

Apple-vs-Samsung-lawsuit

This will be good news for Samsung and its stakeholders — including investors and Samsung device users. Judge Lucy Koh, who presided over the Apple vs. Samsung patent lawsuit that was decided in favor of Apple in August of 2012, has cut down the damages that Samsung was ordered to pay.

Originally, the jury found Samsung guilty of patent infringement and ordered it to pay Apple US$1.049 billion in damages. However, Judge Koh said the jury made a mistake in computing for damage. Specifically, they made two errors.

  • First, they used Samsung’s profits in computing for damages accounting for Samsung’s infringement of Apple utility patents. This would be acceptable if the patents being discussed were design patents, but said computation was for utility patents.
  • Secondly, the jury made an error in the time frame in which the infringement occurred. Apple argued that it had met with Samsung about their potential infringement in August 4, 2010, and the jury based its computation from that starting point. However, this included Apple’s “381″ scrollback patent, which it did not present to Samsung until April 15, 2011. Apple included additional devices to the list on June 16, 2011.

See also: Apple vs. Samsung: No ban on Samsung products but the $1 billion penalty stays

This adds up to a cut of US$450,514,650. Judge Koh has encouraged both parties to go through the appeal process in order to arrive at a more acceptable resolution (or re-computation, if necessary) rather than go to trial anew.

Samsung actually requested Judge Koh to unilaterally compute for the damages. However, she declined to do so, as she is unable to determine the jury’s intent and process, and will not be able to adjust for the errors based on these.

Samsung is not yet off the hook, though, since Judge Koh said it will still be liable for infringements done after the August 2012 decision. Still, Apple and Samsung plan to battle it out in court come 2014, so the patent litigation drama is not yet over. This time, it will be for the Samsung Galaxy Nexus, which Apple had requested a ban of in some markets, with some success.

If you’ve just tuned in to the Apple vs. Samsung patent mess, you can check out our Apple vs. Samsung archives for an idea of the issues involved, the legal decisions, the market reactions and official company statements.

The post Good news for Samsung: Judge Lucy Koh cuts fine for Apple patent infringement from $1B to $599M appeared first on Android Authority.

Sony to launch the Xperia Z in India on March 6, pre-order is now live in Indonesia

Posted: 02 Mar 2013 12:20 AM PST

xperia-z-front

We told you last month that Sony's behemoth of a phone, the Xperia Z, is likely to come to India. If you're still wondering whether it'll ever see the light of day, here's some encouraging news that will put your doubt to rest.

Sony Mobile India has posted a photo on its Facebook page that teases the arrival of the Xperia Z in the country. The company has also created a new microsite complete with a countdown timer. It looks like we're only four days away from the Z’s launch. To be exact, you can mark down March 6 on your calendar.

However, we don't think that the phone will be hitting stores on the same date, seeing that the pricing detail hasn't been shared yet.

Meanwhile, folks in Indonesia can already pre-order the Xperia Z from online retailer Blibli, where it's being offered at a special price of 7 million rupiah ($725) or $50 cheaper than its regular price. All three color variants are up for grabs and the retailer said that it'll ship out the phone on March 16.

Excited about the impending arrival of the Sony Xperia Z? Hit the comments below.

The post Sony to launch the Xperia Z in India on March 6, pre-order is now live in Indonesia appeared first on Android Authority.

The Chromebook Pixel project: hardware review

Posted: 01 Mar 2013 04:53 PM PST

Chromebook Pixel gallery-touch_2x

The Chromebook Pixel is the new darling of the Chrome world, meant specifically for developers and those who are in the market for a high-end device. In engaging in this project, I made the Pixel my only device. After five days of extensive testing, it's time for a full hardware review. Is it worth the steep price tag, or should you leave this one alone?

The screen

Perhaps the most discussed aspect of the new Chromebook Pixel is the screen. It's bright, larger than most other Chromebooks, touch responsive… and has a 3:2 aspect ratio. That may sound strange, but there's a purpose. The Pixel's aspect ratio is meant to make better use of web pages, which scroll vertically. You see more of the page, and don't have to scroll as much. I thought viewing YouTube videos, which all have a 16:9 aspect ratio, would be annoying on the Pixel, as black bars would be present at the top and bottom of the screen. I didn't find it bothersome, though it would be nice if the video took up the entire page when maximized.

chromebook-pixel-official-1

4.3 million pixels

The 2560×1700 resolution at 239 PPI make it superior to much of the market, and 400 nit definitely make it the brightest out there. You can look at all the videos you like, but until you see it for yourself, it won't make sense. Upon opening the device for the first time, I was blown away at just how brilliant it is, and the screen makes just about everything better. Web pages are crisp, and even documents in Google Drive (where I write this now) are more pleasant to look at. It really is just a gorgeous, vibrant display. I found no issue with coloration, and even black is true, rather than a grey-ish like we find on many other displays.

Touch

A touch screen sounds really cool, but does it work well? There are many ultrabooks on the market, which have touch screen (and aren’t very good at it), so is the Pixel just like those? Is it really functional, or just another selling point?

Touch capacity on the Pixel is stellar. I find it to be responsive and accurate, with no lag to speak of. Grab a page to drag it, and it happens instantly. Click a button, and it's performing the task before you’ve even pulled your hand all the way back. The screen is made with Gorilla Glass, meaning high quality materials that will hold up to touch and remain beautiful for the life of the device. The lack of haptic feedback may be an issue for those who enjoy it, as that function is not available for the Pixel's screen.

Chromebook Pixel pixel-exploded-view_2x

The guts

The Chromebook Pixel has an Intel i5 processor clocked at 1.8GHz, Intel HD Graphics 4000, 4GB DDR3 RAM, a 32GB SSD (64GB for the LTE version), Dual band WiFi (the normal 802.11 a/b/g/n 2×2), and Bluetooth 3.0.

That's a lot of tech jargon, but does it work?! It sure does. The processor is snappy, and the graphics card never disappoints. Even streaming high definition movies, there was no stutter or lag. That's rare, so let's talk about the real day-to-day stuff!

Multi-tasking was a breeze, and having upwards of a dozen tabs open in Chrome yielded no lag or reloading issues. In my work day, I will routinely listen to music on my device, watch YouTube videos here and there, research various topics, and work in Drive. That's about 6-7 tabs open and working almost constantly, and I've never had an issue. My score on HTML5 Test was 463 out of 500, with 13 bonus points.

03-google-chromebook-pixel

All the small things

The screen is great, and the guts hold up to strain… but what about all the other stuff?! I know you're itching to know about the battery (keep reading), but there is a few other major topics we should touch on before we get to that. The goal here is to be comprehensive and objective, not give a knee-jerk reaction.

Speakers

When I heard about the speakers, I scrunched my face up in confusion. Under the keyboard?! They've got to be muffled, and downright crappy, right? I was prepared to hate them, and relegate myself to owning yet another computer with horrible built-in sound.

Surprisingly enough, they're not only adequate… they're really good. They are really loud, and very clear. I don't get a lot of low-end bass (I mean, what device really does?), but they're very true and clean. I resist cranking them, as they are surprisingly loud, but they're good at all levels. They don't interfere with the keyboard at all, so the speakers are great… and a bit of a mystery.

Google Chromebook Pixel

Keyboard

Backlit, beautiful, and brilliant. The action on the keys is superb, and the materials are top notch. I'm fairly swift when typing, but can be a pounder now and again. These hold up to anything I toss at them, as a good keyboard should. They are the now-standard "chiclet" style keys, which I've actually come to enjoy.

The backlit keyboard is a pure joy in the evenings when you need to pop open the Chromebook and get some work done, but don't want to bother turning lights on. The "action keys" along the top have a different feel than the rest of the keyboard, which is odd, but I've come to really like it. The only issue I have is that after a day or so of use, the keys start to show all the oils and such present in the skin. Not a huge issue, but if you're a clean freak like me… keep some antibacterial wipes handy.

Trackpad

The trackpad is made of etched glass, which sounded like overkill to me. Then I used it. The fingers slide over it gracefully, and it's the same black as the keys, making for a really clean, modern look. It's responsive, and has a pleasant feel when clicking. The downside? Just like the keyboard, it will show oils after a day or so of use.

Chromebook Pixel hinge

The build

The build quality of this machine is superb. The aluminum casing is just wonderful, and gives the machine clean lines. The piano hinge holds the monitor steady, and is smooth to open and close. The one-touch opening Google bragged about is the real deal, and pretty cool.

My issue with the build comes in a side-note… literally. The ports on the side of the machine are a bit suspect. The power cable doesn't really settle in to the port tightly, while the headphone jack is far too tight. The two USB 2.0 ports are fine, but there is no USB 3.0… which is very strange to me. I haven't had any issues with the power cord slipping out, or coming loose, but it's not a snug fit. The USB ports also get warm during use, and especially when the fan is on. Not too hot, just warmer than usual. Not cause for alarm, but definitely something to be aware of.

Another really nice touch on the Pixel is the fan. It's really quiet, and completely out of the way. I hear it from time to time, but I don't feel any air coming out anywhere. Even when the fan kicks into high gear, it's not loud or obnoxious. Like many other things, the fan is hidden… but does its job well.

chromebook pixel (1)

The battery test

Each time I tested the battery life, I charged the battery to 100% capacity. After being fully charged, I used the device straight away with no breaks (other than, you know, normal stuff). I depleted the battery completely, making the machine quit on me each time I tested. I had the screen at about 80% brightness, and the speakers at half (they're loud, remember?!).

In normal use, which I can best describe as medium to heavy web browsing, the Chromebook Pixel wore me out. I tested it (fully) 3 times, and averaged 6.5 hours of use. The peak was nearly 7.5 hours, and the low was about 6 hours. This all, of course, depends on use. Again, my median use stats were listed previously in this review to provide a reference point.

When I really put the pedal to the floor, it held up fairly well. Loaded on each Chromebook Pixel is a 2:11 video called "Timescapes", meant to showcase the display. I thought this would be a good way to test the battery out, as it really tasks the screen. I did this twice, and had the same results each time: I was able to get nearly 4 hours of use. Overall, I can't complain about battery life with the Pixel… the 5 hour claim holds true.

Chromebook devices-selector-home-pixel

Conclusion

Is it worth the $1,300 price tag for the WiFi version? I think so… just keep those criteria we talked about before in mind. To be honest, I was anticipating being regretful of the purchase. I thought I'd be underwhelmed, and have to hassle with the Play Store for a return. Instead, I'm pleasantly surprised with the Chromebook Pixel, and am pleased with my purchase.

As always, it's best to analyze your needs as well as how you really use a computer before making a purchase. Can I say the Chromebook Pixel is for everyone? No, but no single product is. Just as a Mac isn't right for everyone, or a Windows PC may not be. What I will say is that this is a very viable option, and you should consider it for your next computer purchase.

The post The Chromebook Pixel project: hardware review appeared first on Android Authority.

Best Free Apps of the Week: (Feb 24-Mar 2)

Posted: 01 Mar 2013 10:33 AM PST

bestfreeapps-feb24-mar2

With all the free apps flying around the Google Play Store, it’s hard to figure out which ones are great and which ones are terrible. Well, we at Android Authority understand this frustration and that’s why we’ve begun doing a weekly segment called Best Free Apps of the Week. We’ll do brief reviews on the best stuff we could find every week and bring it to you in both written word and video. This is our first week and we’ve found a few pretty decent apps for everyone. As usual, if you’d rather watch than read, we’ve posted the video at the bottom.

Free Apps - SnapKeys Si Keyboard Beta

SnapKeys Si Keyboard

The first of our free apps this week is SnapKeys Si Keyboard. It’s an interesting concept for a keyboard. Instead of the QWERTY style like most keyboards go with, SnapKeys uses just 4 tiles. Each tile has only 3 letters on them. To the left is the backspace key and to the right is the space key. It’s really beneficial to watch the tutorial before you start typing as it’s definitely a unique way to do things. When you type a letter in a word, you hit one of the 4 tiles if it happens to contain the letter you need. If none of the tiles do, you tap the space in the center. Then, based on your character input, the keyboard lists possible words.

Snapkeys really a unique take on the keyboard and you can type lightning fast once you get used to the mechanics. It takes up much less screen than traditional keyboards and it’s predictions are right more often than not. It’s menus and symbols keyboard are easily accessible by long pressing the backspace key and space key. If you press and hold them both together, you can actually move the keyboard wherever you want it on the screen.

If you want to take a break from the traditional texting and swiping that most keyboards use nowadays, then SnapKeys Si is definitely worth checking out. After all, it is free.

Free Apps - Pyramid Run 2

Pyramid Run 2

When it comes to free apps, there is nothing quite like those games that everyone has heard of. One of those is a wildly popular game called Temple Run. Well, as these things go, developers often borrow a lot of concepts from a popular game to make their own and that’s how Pyramid Run 2 was born. If you’re a fan of Temple Run or Temple Run 2, but you’re tired of playing the same old levels, then Pyramid Run 2 may be worth looking into. As is the norm in this genre, you are moving forward constantly. You swipe left and right to turn, swipe down to duck, swipe up to jump, and tilt your phone to move side to side.

Along with just surviving, players can grab up coins, letters, and power ups to make the going easier. You can purchase various power ups and extra lives in the game’s store. Other than some small changes, there isn’t much different from Temple Run. That’s both a strength and a weakness for this game. It has all the fun and addiction of Temple Run but it’s also very lacking in the originality department.

Fans of the genre will definitely enjoy Pyramid Run 2, but fans who are burned out on the game play may be looking for something a little different.

Free Apps - Device Info Live Wallpaper

Device Info Ex Live Wallpaper

Among the most popular free apps is live wallpapers. They can spruce up an otherwise boring home screen and some of them are truly unique and beautiful. However, recently a different kind of live wallpaper has been becoming more powerful. Those would be live wallpapers that have functionality. Device Info Ex Live Wallpaper is one of these. It not only looks very nice and minimal, but it also displays much of your device settings right there on your screen. So instead of placing widgets everywhere to keep an eye on your CPU load or your RAM usage, you can simply look at your background.

It monitors quite a few stats as well. CPU load, RAM usage, temperature, storage and SD usage, compass and tilt, and even your device info will be displayed on the home screen. Included is a clock and the date, so if you are using a clock and date widget, you can actually remove that and just use the wallpaper. We wish it included weather, but frankly with all the other stuff on there, we can’t imagine where weather info would even go.

Device info follows the protocol of most live wallpapers. You can get it with all the functionality for free, but for customized settings you’ll have to pay for it. Even if you only use the free version, it’s still pretty awesome.

Free Apps - Save Ass Shooter

Save Ass Shooter

The last of our free apps this week is a puzzle game called Save Ass Shooter. If you’ve ever been bored in a cubicle pretending that your office supplies were weapons, then this game will definitely appeal to you. The concept of the game is pretty simple. Your coworkers have decided hang themselves (no, really) and you have to shoot them down before they die. Your weapons are sharpened pencils that are fired out of a bow. So it’s essentially an archery game with a dark twist at how depressing working in an office is.

As levels get harder, you have to find interesting and new ways to direct your pencils of justice around to save people. As you sit there, your coworkers slowly die, so there is a time limit. Also, you have limited ammo, so you have to figure out how to get everyone down without killing anyone. By the by, if you shoot someone in the head with a pencil, it stays there. That’s kind of funny in a twisted way.

If you’re into free apps, puzzle games and want to try something a little darker and a little more unique, then Save Ass Shooter is definitely worth checking out.

Free apps: the Pick of the Week

It was a tough call because pretty much all of these have their high points and low points. At the end it came down to SnapKeys Si Keyboard and Device Info Ex Live Wallpaper for our Free Apps Pick of the Week. We ended up choosing SnapKeys because of its unique take on a common task. The keyboard is definitely awkward for the first few days you use it, but once you get the motions down it’s one of the better keyboards in the Google Play Store.  Really, all these free apps are worth checking out but if you have to pick one to try out for a week, we’d recommend SnapKeys.

If you’d like to try any of these free apps out, you can find the links to them below. Also, if there is an awesome, recently released free app you’d like to see us cover in one of these lists, feel free to leave a comment and let us know!

Save Ass Shooter
SnapKeys Si Keyboard
Device Info Live Wallpaper
Pyramid Run 2.

The post Best Free Apps of the Week: (Feb 24-Mar 2) appeared first on Android Authority.

Samsung’s Galaxy Note 8.0 gets renamed as Galaxy Note 510 in India

Posted: 01 Mar 2013 10:04 AM PST

Samsung Galaxy Note 8 aa 600 px (13)

Fresh from its official unveiling at the Mobile World Congress 2013, where we had the pleasure of taking the Galaxy Note 8.0 for a quick ride, the latest member of the Note family was also introduced by Samsung in India, but not without first making some changes to its name.

Say goodbye to the Galaxy Note 8.0 and meet the Galaxy Note 510 – at least for the Indian market.

The name change aside, it's still the same 8-inch Galaxy Note that you've been craving for ever since details about the device first leaked back in January. The specs include a WXGA (1,200 x 800 resolution) TFT display, a quad-core 1.6GHz Exynos processor, 2GB of RAM, 16GB/32GB internal storage with microSD support, 5MP rear camera, 1.3MP front cam, S Pen, 4,600mAh battery, and Android 4.1.2 Jelly Bean.

If you're hoping to hear some pricing and availability information, we have to disappoint you for now, as Samsung is still keeping mum about them. However, we heard that the WiFi variant might be offered for €499 (16GB) and €599 (32GB) in Europe, though another source puts it at €359.

Still trying to make sense of the tablet’s new name? Can't wait to get the Galaxy Note 510? Let us hear your thoughts in the comments below.

The post Samsung's Galaxy Note 8.0 gets renamed as Galaxy Note 510 in India appeared first on Android Authority.

Gameloft releases new card combat game, Dragon Summoner

Posted: 01 Mar 2013 10:02 AM PST

Gameloft

While trading card games aren’t for everyone, there are mobile gamers out there that enjoy the genre. With that in mind, Gameloft recently released Dragon Summoner, a trading card game with animated battle scenes and over 200 cards to collect.

Dragon Summoner is in many ways your typical trading card video game, though its battle scenes are designed to make the game feel more dynamic than a plain static card game. Outside of the existing cards, Gameloft also plans to introduce more down the road.

Gameloft’s new trading card game features three different factions for you to choose from: warriors, mages or hunters. After picking your faction you will then fight magic dragons and even other heroes all in the effort of protecting your kingdom. Other game features include the ability to play online against other players, as well as being able to level up and grow your team of heroes along the way.

Dragon Summoner is packed full of just about every feature you’d expect in a good card combat game, but unfortunately it has received quite a few negative to mixed reviews. Many of the complaints have to do with the UI being a mess, and the fact that the game is really just a link to the browser, not a native Android experience.

Still, if you like trading card combat games, this one is free to try so the it might at least be worth checking out. What do you think, is this one worth playing or not?

The post Gameloft releases new card combat game, Dragon Summoner appeared first on Android Authority.

Sprint releases the “Force” handset for $49.99

Posted: 01 Mar 2013 08:50 AM PST

Sprint Force

There are a great numer of smartphones I could recommend in the low to mid-end category, but does Sprint's new handset, manufactured by ZTE, offer anything to set it apart from the competition?

Well quite frankly it's nothing special; this smartphone is fairly standard when it comes to mid-range hardware and doesn’t offer anything that you can’t find for cheaper elsewhere.

It features a 1.5Ghz dual-core processor, 1Gb RAM, a 5 mega-pixel camera, a 4-inch WVGA (800 X 480) display, a pretty pitiful 1730mAh battery which should give around 9 hours of talk time according to Sprint, and will ship with Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich. So that's exactly what was rumored just before MWC last month.

Jelly Bean would certainly have been a nice addition and would really have given the handset something to boast about, but I guess you can't have it all when you're on a budget.

It's not a bag of total mediocrity though; Sprint's handset will also feature NFC and come fully LTE enabled. But this is the smartphone’s only saving grace considering it will set you back $49.99, after all manner of rebates, when you sign up to a two-year contract. Overall it's a questionable deal for a questionable handset; you can certainly find a better offer elsewhere if you shop around.

Oh yeah, and for some reason Sprint has chosen to name the handset "Force". But I'll leave the inevitable Star Wars jokes up to you guys.

The post Sprint releases the "Force" handset for $49.99 appeared first on Android Authority.

ZTE Grand Memo, Grand S, LG Optimus L II, Galaxy Note 8 and more get priced in Germany

Posted: 01 Mar 2013 08:40 AM PST

Shutup

Germany. The land of poets and thinkers, schnauzers and bratwursts, aspirin, Adolf Hitler and… Claudia Schiffer. And now the land where some of the most highly anticipated Android devices of the early 2013 have been priced.

The goods have been delivered by Notebooksbilliger, Computeruniverse.net and Amazon.de, although none of the following devices are up for grabs just yet. We have a lot to talk about, so let's dig in.

We'll start with the ZTE Grand Memo, one of the most controversial devices showcased during MWC. The massive 5.7-incher is priced at €599 and listed as shipping "sometime in Q2" with a Snapdragon 800 processor inside.

Does something smell fishy here? Definitely. ZTE did untangle the Grand Memo mystery by confirming there'll be multiple versions of the phablet released, including one packing the hot 800 chip. Yet there's no way that's going to come out before the S4 Pro and 600 models. Or is there?

ZTE_Grand_Memo

Not a great start to today's pricing saga, but let's move on. To ZTE's Grand S, priced at €629. Kind of expensive, but we guessed that much. No shipping date is mentioned, but you should probably expect it by the end of Q2.

Huawei's Ascend P2 and Ascend Mate are also a tad pricey and also don't have exact release dates. The former is listed as coming in four weeks+ for €399, while the latter will go for €599 "soon".

LG's Optimus L II family is a lot cheaper, with the L3 listed at €99, the L5 at €179 and the L7 at €249. As for Alcatel's One Touch Idol X, that's one nasty surprise, being set to go for… wait for it… €699. More expensive than ZTE's Grand S? Are these guys for real?

HTC One

Amazon's German branch helps us wrap up the phone section of our post with an unexpectedly lucrative deal. The HTC One has been discounted before being made available in the first place, from €679 to €599. Nice, really, really nice!

And now some bad news from the two tablets that have captured the spotlight at MWC – Samsung's Galaxy Note 8 and Sony's Xperia Tablet Z. Both are way too expensive to be worth your time, at €499 and €599 (the 16 and 32 GB Note 8) and €639 (the 16 GB Tablet Z). So uncool!

Before finishing up, a quick little reminder. These are most likely not the recommended retail price points, so before making a decision give other retailers the shot to woo you with better deals. Or, in other words, if you wait, they will come (the better prices, that is).

The post ZTE Grand Memo, Grand S, LG Optimus L II, Galaxy Note 8 and more get priced in Germany appeared first on Android Authority.

Type Hindi text faster with Google’s new Hindi Input app

Posted: 01 Mar 2013 08:30 AM PST

Hindi Input Google

As anyone who has to regularly type in two or more languages can tell you, switching between languages or even typing apps is a major pain in the butt. The hassle is especially aggravating when the two languages don't share the same script.

The good news today, English and Hindi speakers, is that Google feels your pain. The tech giant recently released a typing app specifically designed for people who write in the Devanagari alphabet. The app doesn't just offer distinct English and Hindi keyboards, between which you can easily switch, but also a way to transliterate into Devanagari.

In other words, Hindi Input lets you type into English, using the standard Latin alphabet, and the app will automagically transliterate your words into Devanagari. Not only is this a boon for those who frequently type in English and Hindi, but also (I believe) for those who want to type faster in Devanagari.

Check out the video above to see the app in action, which is now free on Google Play. And, if any non-Hindi speakers read this, see how mind-boggling complicated Devanagari is here.

The post Type Hindi text faster with Google's new Hindi Input app appeared first on Android Authority.

Flexible displays are still three years away, according to Corning

Posted: 01 Mar 2013 07:45 AM PST

corning-willow-glass-

If you were looking forward to some futuristic bendy computer built from one of those flexible displays, that we’ve been hearing about on and off for the past year, then you will be waiting a little longer I’m afraid. Sadly Corning has said that it still thinks the technology is years away from being released, at least in the form of bendable displays.

Corning is probably most famous for its Gorilla Glass technology; which stops your touch screen from chipping if you drop it, or scratching it against the change in your pocket. It most recently announced its new Willow Glass technology, an ultra thin and flexible type of glass, which we were hoping to see in some products in the near future.

In an interview with Bloomberg, James Clappin, president of Corning, said that products utilizing flexible displays are likely still three years out. On the plus side he did confirm that the company was working with a “very big name” to show them how to make the most use of Willow Glass technology.

In the interview he also restated that products using Willow Glass would be heading to the market this year, but that they would be in the form of easier to implement products like solar panels or films used behind touch panels.

Of course this doesn’t mean that we won’t see one of Samsung’s OLED flexible displays or something from one of Corning’s other competitors sooner. I’m certainly intrigued to see what a flexible smartphone will look like, how about you?

The post Flexible displays are still three years away, according to Corning appeared first on Android Authority.

Android Phone Fans

Android Phone Fans


Google hires former Apple evangelist Guy Kawasaki to help turn around Motorola

Posted: 01 Mar 2013 11:09 AM PST

This image has no alt text

In an effort to save the sinking ship that is Motorola Mobility, Google could be enlisting some help from author/motivational speaker Guy Kawasaki — a turncoat once known for being the Apple evangelist for many years, only to switch over to “Team Android.”

“Motorola reminds me of the Apple of 1998: a pioneer in its market segment, engineering-driven, and ripe for innovation. I believe that great products can change everything.”

Apparently, Guy will be taking on more of an “advisory role” with the company, focusing on key areas as product design, user interface, marketing and lastly, social media. To kick things off, Mr. Kawasaki has created a Google + community for mobile device talk and while the focus isn’t necessarily that of Moto devices, you can bet he’ll use some of these ideas to help with the rumored Motorola X Phone he’s more than likely already working on.

As for Motorola, they need all they help they can get. Their current track record had them continually posting operating losses in 2012, so Kawasaki definitely has his work cut out for him. What do you guys think? Can Guy really turn around things for Motorola? What key areas does Motorola need help with before you’d purchase one of their products?

[Google+]

AT&T engages in ironic marketing spat with T-Mobile

Posted: 01 Mar 2013 11:03 AM PST

Well, this is quite interesting. It wasn’t that long ago that AT&T and T-Mobile were all buddy-buddy as the former tried to swallow the latter up in a major (but eventually failed) acquisition deal, but it looks like the status quo has been restored. AT&T has released a new newspaper ad — with full-page spaces in the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, and USA Today — showing “the truth about T-Mobile’s network” compared to its own.

AT&T notes how T-Mobile has twice as many dropped calls, twice as many failed calls, and 50% slower data then its own network. AT&T’s data claims might be a tad substantiated considering the growing 4G LTE network it’s building, but those claims won’t last long as T-Mobile is just about ready to build out its own. And we’re not sure what AT&T’s basis for the claims of dropped and failed calls are, but it assures us its data has been backed up by independent, third-party testing.

The fact that AT&T is attacking T-Mobile head-on isn’t too shocking — after all, the wireless industry here in America has been known to be quite nasty when it comes to marketing. We’re just surprised AT&T was so blunt in this particular campaign after it had nothing but praises to shower on the fourth-largest US carrier while the two were still in bed. I guess that just goes to show that you’re only friends in business when you really, really want something.

[via Bloomberg]

Acer’s next phone to be quad-core phablet

Posted: 01 Mar 2013 10:41 AM PST

Acer didn’t have much of note to show off at Mobile World Congress. We had a chance to check out previously announced models like the Acer Liquid E1 and Acer Liquid Z2 and a new budget-friendly tablet, the Iconia B1, but a true flagship was not present. Turns out Acer is following the lead of other manufacturers and experimenting with the phablet category, as revealed by an executive at MWC.

The phone, the Acer Liquid S, will be sized in that range and utilize a quad-core processor. The specifics are unclear, but we can assume we’re dealing with something in excess of 5 inches. When we can expect an announcement is unclear, as well.

Acer has been known to release a few pretty nice designs here and there, so there is hope we could get something unexpected here: a truly premium device from the brand.

[via GSMArena]

Rovio, Dreamworks team up to bring official “The Croods” game March 14th [VIDEO]

Posted: 01 Mar 2013 10:19 AM PST

Rovio has just announced its involvement in the development of a new official mobile game for Dreamworks Animations’ “The Croods.” It’s an animated film that follows the story of Grug, a caveman from the prehistoric era. An earthquake ravaged the poor man’s home, unfortunately, and he has to set out to find a new place for himself and his family to settle.

The developers, of Angry Birds fame, gave us a quick teaser for the game letting us know that we’d be partaking in the experience starting March 14th. The film won’t even be out in the United States by then (it got a head-start premier in Berlin) so you’ll have a good chunk of time to get familiar with the Croods’ universe before heading to theaters.

Unfortunately, the trailer doesn’t show us what, exactly, to expect from gameplay. We’ll be reaching out to Rovio to see if we can get a beeline on what sort of game this will be. Regardless, if you’ve been looking forward to this film we’re sure you wouldn’t mind playing anything they throw at us. Watch the quick teaser for yourself above.

Verizon readying new update for Galaxy Nexus, could it be Android 4.2?

Posted: 01 Mar 2013 10:14 AM PST

 

Verizon’s Twitter support handle dropped some interesting news in a response to one curious customer. Apparently a new update is almost ready for deployment by Samsung, but there is little to tell us what we might expect. The wishful thinkers among us will hope for a build of Android 4.2 or higher, bringing the Galaxy Nexus in line with its other Nexus brethren.

For now, there is no way to tell if we will be seeing a minor bug fixer or something a bit more substantial. “Soon” is a relative term, so that could mean any indefinite amount of time in the future.

Nexus owners are no doubt frustrated at Google’s seeming insistence on neglecting the Verizon LTE version of the phone. Whether that has to do with their relationship with Verizon, or more with the hardware they are dealing with isn’t quite clear.

[via DroidLife]

Patent wars: America Invents Act

Posted: 01 Mar 2013 10:04 AM PST

A long, long time ago, in the world we currently live in, the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) was established. For 60 years, it has ruled over the mostly unchanged laws of all patents concerning the United States of America. On March 16, 2013, everything will change (sort of).

Remember last year when news came out that the USPTO had ‘rejected’ all claims of the Apple “pinch to zoom” patent, and concluded that all 20 claims of Apple’s “rubber-banding” (or over-scroll bounce) patent were invalid? How about when the famous Steve Jobs patent for ‘touchscreen heuristics’ was tentatively invalidated?

All three of those rulings flowed from changes introduced with the Leahy-Smith America Invents Act, yet most people do not even know what it is and why it should matter to them.

America Invents Act: part 3 – A new hope?

On September 16, 2011, the Leahy-Smith America Invents Act, Pub. L. 112-29 (AIA), was signed into law. The USPTO even prepared an in-depth resource guide on it’s implementation, in addition to an educational tour around the country to talk about it. Formerly known as the Patent Reform Act of 2011, it put in place changes that would take place over the course of 18 months, with the third and final installment in March of this year.

When introduced, the AIA was widely praised as the first major overhaul to the U.S. patent system in almost 60 years.

Theoretically, this would make an idea-to-invention-to-business 3 times faster! The AIA also reduces the current patent application backlog by almost 100,000,  increases patent quality, and reduces the costs of patent litigation (trolling); all while harmonizing the U.S. patent process with that of most of the world’s other developed countries.

The bulk of these changes will be tested once March 16 arrives and the following are implemented:

  1. First to File System
    • The U.S. will move to a first-to-file system instead of a first-to-invent system.
    • Require that applications be examined against prior art dated before an application’s filing date. The date of invention will no longer be relevant in determining what is prior art against future applications.
  1. Post Grant Review
    • A nine-month window for challenging a patent on any ground.
  1. Patent Related Provisions
    • Patents will not be granted to any strategy for reducing, avoiding, or deferring tax liability.
  1. Prioritized Examination
    • The USPTO will be authorized to proceed with a program for a fee-based prioritized examination, which may be useful for those interested in expedited examination for particular applications.

A simplified list of all the changes introduced by the AIA can be found here and the USPTO has just published their final examination guidelines governing the first-inventor-to-file system on February 13, 2013.  However, the only one on the list that concerns phandroids would be the ‘first-to-file’ system.

Is it a red herring?

In the current first-to-invent system, a person who wants to own a patent has to first invent the product in question. The inventor must have the actual product made before even starting the application process, then prove that concepts in the application do not already exist in the real world. This was very time consuming, which ultimately lead to applications getting backlogged.

The first-to-file provisions change a founding principle of patent law in the U.S. by rewarding patent filing date, and not the date of invention, as the basis for securing the right to a patent. A hidden problem within the new move to have a similar filing system as the rest of the world is that the AIA greatly expands the scope of materials qualifying as ‘prior art’ against the claims of a U.S. patent or patent application. Compared to existing law, there will be no geographic restriction to prior art, a.k.a. a patent in Uganda can and will affect a pending patent application in the U.S.A.

This shift is not the game-changer some make it out to be. While the current system is time consuming, it provides an equal playing field for all inventors, big or small. First-to-file will actually put small and individual inventors at a disadvantage.  The invention process is rarely inexpensive. Small and individual investors often lack the funding at the end of the development process to speed their new intellectual property into a full patent applications ready for filing. First-to-file does not change that, but instead puts that step in front of everything else, thus inhibiting the movement of new inventions to market, as the application process will need to be completed prior to presenting the idea to manufacturers or  investors who may have the funding.

Bigger and older corporations win out with the new AIA implementation and they know it. Microsoft was one of the first, if not the first, major corporation to support the AIA since the beginning. The other well known corporations are: General Electric, Caterpillar, IBM, BP, Dow Chemical, PepsiCo, and Procter & Gamble.

Fear not, because there are some companies that did not support the AIA when it was first introduced. Although these younger ones still support the act’s change to first-to-file, they believe that the AIA’s changes to the patent dispute process would “increase the time and money spent on lawsuits that could be spent on the development of new technology.” The evidence supports this: In 1990, when Canada shifted to first-to-file, there was a 26% decrease in small/individual investor share after implementation. With first-to-file, investing in small startups may be riskier. These young crusading companies for the smaller inventors are: Google, Oracle, Yahoo, Dell, eBay, and Apple.

The mobile world and patent trolls

This new first-to-file system only increases the madness that has already engulfed the technology patent wars we all know and loathe. Take for example that even as we are less than a month away from this third phase being in effect, a company such as Apple has already gone crazy with it’s own patent filings. The aggressive patenting stance that companies take now will not be changed because of the AIA, but it will be amplified. A former Apple lawyer has said in an interview, that, “even if we knew it wouldn’t get approved, we would file the application anyway. If nothing else, it prevents another company from trying to patent the idea.” And with the AIA’s shift to the new system, this is the reality and no longer crazy talk.

On the software side, unfortunately, the AIA does not affect the way those patents are handled in the U.S. In fact, nothing new has been addressed since the June 2010 U.S. Supreme Court decision in Bilski v. Kappos, where it ruled that, at least in principle, business method patents are patentable subject matter under the definitions of “processes” and “methods” found in the code and that “federal law explicitly contemplates the existence of at least some business method patents.” It stands to reason that the AIA’s effect on the mobile world is nonexistent to pure negative and until the laws affecting mobile technology actually gets a real makeover, no amount of fancy words signed into law will matter.

The AIA has already curtailed patent trolls from mass litigations. This was done by making it impossible for patent trolls to bring a patent infringement litigation against dozens of defendants, sometimes well over 100 defendants, in a single infringement action. The famous U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Texas no longer aids the extortion of defendants by patent trolls after the  first phase of AIA was implemented on September 16, 2011.

It is true that corporations will have an easier time smashing patent trolls through the courts, but the system still does little to deter trolls from filing bad patents in the first place, despite the AIA including supposed ways for inventors to avoid litigation.

Just another phantom menace

While the first-inventor-to-file system is a significant change, patent practitioners and potential patentees must remember that not everything has changed. First-to-file patenting strategies (early and often) are not new for U.S. applicants, since commercial markets are worldwide and most companies already file outside of the United States.

The AIA does not really fix anything, and in some instances only makes things worse. This is not only about ‘rushing to the Patent Office’, but also about how investors must assume they would need to make larger investments per startup in order to ensure adequate resources for accelerated reduction to practice (Larger firms with ample resources have timing advantage over less resourceful inventors). The first-to-file system rewards companies with resources to file many patents quickly and the post grant review implies that you should monitor every patent issued and challenge them within 9 months (from under your bridge-like accommodations).

Ultimately, the core process does not change much because in order to be awarded a patent, one must still be an inventor, no matter how vague it is defined. You cannot learn of an invention now, or under the America Invents Act, beat the inventor to the Patent Office and get a patent. Inventors must contribute conception, and stealing from another provides no conception to support awarding a patent.

Do you think this new set of rules affecting the patent wars was necessary, or are we poised to make another 3 part change in the future to correct this one?

 

[The public may contact the AIA Helpline at 1-855-HELP-AIA or the AIA Email at HELPAIA@uspto.gov for answers to any AIA related questions, or for more information and links : the U.S. House of Rep. Committee on the Judiciary.]

Here’s how JetBlue would put Google Glass to use

Posted: 01 Mar 2013 09:58 AM PST

I’m sure we’ve all thought about what we’d like to use Google Glass for if we actually had a pair for ourselves. Personally, the gamer and geek in me would be elated to have an app that would point out Ingress portals and energy sources to control (and since we’re dreaming, perhaps it’d let me take an energy source simply by looking at it, too). Well, us enthusiast users aren’t the only ones with big dreams for Google Glass.

JetBlue participated in the #ifihadglass hashtag on Google+ and showed its vision of what Google Glass could be useful for. The mock-up showed a user looking at an airport parking garage, and the app spit back information about how full the garage was so a user can know if they’ll have a parking spot before entering. It definitely sounds like something that could work beautifully as long as it hooks up to JetBlue’s tracking system to get updates on garage activity in real time.

Other use cases included the ability to show users how many wall outlets are available for charging devices, displaying flight information such as arrival time and delay status, showing you where your baggage will come from, how long it would take, and directions to get to the right carousel, and a quick estimate of how much your taxi fare would be and how long it would take to get to your destination.

This sort of open-ended thinking is what has many of us excited about Google Glass and the unique possibilities it brings, and it’s why we at Phandroid couldn’t be any more excited to have a crack at the units whenever they become available. How would you use Google Glass if you had a pair? Share your thoughts in the comments section below!

 

Sony’s Xperia C670X flagship gets specced, features 1.8GHz Snapdragon 600

Posted: 01 Mar 2013 06:01 AM PST

With the Sony Xperia Z flagship still fresh off its unveiling at CES in January, we are hearing our first whispers of what could possibly be the company’s next flagship. According to the latest report, the Sony Xperia C670X could push a Snapdragon 600 processor at 1.8GHz with 2GB RAM and 32GB of internal storage.

The Android 4.2 handset would be unique for a high-tier smartphone these days. Rumors say it won’t be another 5-inch+ smartphone (like the pictured Xperia Z), but rather one measuring closer to 4.8 inches with 1080p resolution. A 13 MP camera would handle the photo snapping work.

Whether rumor or fact, the specs seem to be about what we expect from this sort of hardware these days. But Sony typically offers great design and build quality, making us eager to get our first look at the phone. When that will, that’s any one’s guess.

[via TechCrunch]

AT&T Sony Xperia TL receiving Android 4.1 update

Posted: 01 Mar 2013 05:52 AM PST

AT&T’s Sony Xperia TL is getting its taste of Jelly Bean just a few weeks after its international counterpart, the Sony Xperia T, received the new software. According to users over at XDA, the update is now appearing via Sony’s PC companion software for installation via sideloading.

Users can expect a smoother software experience with the addition of all the Android 4.1 trappings, including Google Now. Sony has added an “extended battery mode” and the camera gets HDR functionality. In terms of tweaks and bug fixes, the update offers better stability when using WiFi.

No word on if the update is rolling out over the air, or if it will in the future. For now, if you have the PC app you should be able to perform the upgrade with little hassle.

[via UnwiredView]

Best of Mobile World Congress 2013

Posted: 01 Mar 2013 05:39 AM PST

Mobile World Congress has come and gone, and though it wasn’t as exciting as years past, there was plenty of cool new kit to check out. From dual-screen concepts to 7-inch smartphones, manufacturers got creative this year as advancements in hardware specs have stalled. If you missed any of our coverage from the past week, here is a list of must-see first looks at the latest Android gear.

Yotaphone

We didn’t have high hopes for the Yotaphone, but after a short demonstration we were sold. This dual-screen phone with a standard LCD as well as eInk display stole the show.

Samsung Galaxy Note 8.0

Samsung continues to grow their Note lineup, this time with an 8-inch form factor. The Samsung Galaxy Note 8.0 is everything you would expect from the S Pen-driven slate, and it makes calls, too.

ASUS Fonepad

Speaking of tablets that make phone calls, ASUS debuted their Fonepad, a 7-inch hybrid smartphone/tablet. They also showed off the ASUS Padfone Infinity.

Sony Xperia Tablet Z

Sony gave us our first proper look at the Xperia Tablet Z, a device built with the same design-minded quality as its counterpart smartphone. Simply one of the most beautiful Android tablets we have ever seen.

NEC Medias W

NEC had their own dual-screen smartphone to show off, the Medias W. Similar to previous folding, dual-display smartphones, the NTT DoCoMo-bound handset pulls if off better than any before.

LG Optimus G Pro

LG had plenty to show off, but perhaps the most impressive was their Optimus G Pro. A 5.5-inch powerhouse, LG should make a strong push with this one.

***

Check out all of our coverage from this year’s show and let us know what you’re most looking forward to in the comments below.

Android devices rank high on iFixit’s tablet repairability list, Apple at bottom

Posted: 01 Mar 2013 04:20 AM PST

iFixit has ranked top tablets by their repairability, and the results were positive for Android. Apple’s iPad line, however, took the opposite honors. While Dell’s XPS 10 Windows slate took top accolades, second place belonged to the Android-based Amazon Kindle Fire. The now ancient Dell Streak tied with that device, as did the Motorola Xoom and Samsung Galaxy Tab 2 7.0.

Repairability was ranked based ease and cost of repair, as well as the availability of an easy-to-attain service manual. The lowest ranked Android tablets were the Google Nexus 10 and Amazon Kindle Fire HD 8.9, but neither of those devices dropped nearly as low as the iPad’s repairability rating of 2.

Android has always been known for having open software, but hardware that is design to be user serviceable is yet another bonus. Of course, just because a tablet is easy to repair doesn’t mean making said repairs are a walk in the park. Check out the full rankings at the source link below.

[iFixit via Engadget]