Tuesday, March 5, 2013

Android Authority

Android Authority


Google Play gift cards are now available in Tesco UK

Posted: 05 Mar 2013 02:29 AM PST

ukgiftcards

We learned yesterday that Google was planning to launch its Google Play gift cards in the UK very soon. Although the cards haven't been given an official coming out party yet, they have made their way to at least one retail store in the country.

To be more specific, the Play Store prepaid cards were spotted hanging out with their friends at Tesco by a Eurodroid tipster, who captured the outing on the picture below. We know that the gift cards will be available in £10, £25, and £50 denominations, but it looks like Tesco only has stocks for the £10 and £25 cards for now.

google-play-gift-cards-uk

If you happen to have some already, you can redeem the codes by going here. You won't be able to use them to make hardware and accessory purchases, though.

Excited about the arrival of Google Play gift cards in the UK? Planning to scoop some? Have you spotted them in other places? Let us know in the comments below.

The post Google Play gift cards are now available in Tesco UK appeared first on Android Authority.

Android 4.2.2 update for Verizon Galaxy Nexus leaks, official OTA definitely coming soon

Posted: 05 Mar 2013 02:21 AM PST

banner-galaxy-nexus-i515-pac-man-rom-121122

Although the Galaxy Nexus is almost one and a half year-old (how time flies, eh?), you would think that the 4.65-incher would always be one of the first to get updates to the latest versions of Android. You know, given the device is a Nexus and all.

And yet the LTE-enabled version on Verizon is still stuck on 4.1 Jelly Bean. With 4.2 being around ever since November 2012. Not cool, but what can you do?

Well, starting today, you can flash a leaked build of 4.2.2 that looks like the real thing. The ROM has apparently being pulled out straight from Google's servers, so an official 4.2 bump is definitely in the final testing stages and around the corner for an OTA rollout.

Then again, ain't nobody got time to wait for Verizon (or Samsung) to make the thing officially available, right? In which case, here's the direct link to download build JDQ39 and bring your flavor of Android up from 4.1.1 to 4.2.2.

android-422-galaxy-nexus

You probably know the drill by now, but just in case you don't here’s the skinny. First off, the firmware is to be installed only on devices running stock software. The ROM can't be flashed over another custom ROM, so don't even try that.

Also, you're going to need a custom recovery tool. From there on, it's smooth sailing for anyone with a basic knowledge of these things, but if you need additional help here are the step by step instructions for both rooted and non-rooted devices.

A couple of final warnings and we'll wrap it up. Although everything points at the leaked ROM being the real deal, it can still be buggy or laggy. After all, there’s a reason why Verizon and Samsung are still delaying making it official.

Also, remember that any kind of unofficial software tweaking will void your warranty, so if you care about those things you might want to wait it out a while longer. Now go and have fun, you crazy kids!

The post Android 4.2.2 update for Verizon Galaxy Nexus leaks, official OTA definitely coming soon appeared first on Android Authority.

Opera pushes a beta of their WebKit powered browser to the Google Play Store

Posted: 05 Mar 2013 02:17 AM PST

The headline above is going to confuse a lot of you without some backstory, so here’s what you should know: Opera has been making web browsers for as long as we can remember. They’ve always used their own browsing engines, and in 2003 they launched “Presto”. It’s an engine that’s served them well, but today’s world is dominated by WebKit. WebKit is the name of the open source rendering engine that Apple uses for Safari, that Google uses for Chrome, that Nokia used over half a decade ago in Symbian, and what RIM’s using in the latest version of their BlackBerry platform.

In other words, if you’re not using WebKit, you’re just plain weird.

Last month, about a week or two before Mobile World Congress, Opera said that they’re going to switch to WebKit and throw Presto out the window. The internet got pissed, saying that we need competition to exist, and blah, blah, blah. We don’t know why people would be so upset with the idea of a company as talented as Opera contributing to an open source project that benefits everyone.

Anyway, all that brings us to today’s news. Today Opera published a beta version of their web browser for Android. You can grab it from the Google Play Store right now. It looks different, it has an improved “Speed Dial”, which is Opera’s version of homepage bookmarks, and there are a ton of other small tweaks in there as well.

Should you check it out? Absolutely, but we wouldn’t be surprised if you decided to go back to Chrome, or Dolphin, or whatever you prefer. We’ll definitly take Opera’s browser a bit more seriously once it’s out of beta, but we know some of you like to live on the bleeding edge.

The post Opera pushes a beta of their WebKit powered browser to the Google Play Store appeared first on Android Authority.

LG Optimus F5 to arrive on Verizon as the Lucid 2

Posted: 05 Mar 2013 12:21 AM PST

LG Optimus F5 2 aa 600 1

Having been made official a few days before the start of MWC 2013, we were determined to get to know the LG Optimus F5, the company's latest mid-range smartphone, a little better in Barcelona last week. The result, as you may already have enjoyed, was our Optimus F5 hands-on video.

For those who are wondering about the Optimus F5's availability in America, we're hearing that the phone will arrive stateside via Verizon Wireless.

LG-Lucid-2-Verizon

According to Unwired View, the F5 has been tapped by Big Red to replace the aging LG Lucid 4G on its Android lineup. Aside from being stamped with the usual Verizon logo, the phone will also get a name makeover, as it'll be known as the Lucid 2 instead.

Specs-wise, you won't find anything too awe-inspiring, but the Lucid 2 offers some improvements over the predecessor, starting with its bigger 4.3-inch qHD display. The rest of the specs include a 1.2GHz dual-core processor, 1GB of RAM, 8GB internal storage with microSD support, 5MP main camera, 1.3MP front cam, 4G LTE, NFC, 2,150mAh battery, and Android 4.1.2 Jelly Bean.

Expect the LG Lucid 2 aka Optimus F5 to hit Verizon stores in the coming months.

The post LG Optimus F5 to arrive on Verizon as the Lucid 2 appeared first on Android Authority.

Embarrassing: LG clones Samsung’s Flip Covers, rebrands them as Quick Covers

Posted: 04 Mar 2013 09:47 PM PST

Whenever LG announces something, anything, we have to throw the story around the office like a hot potato because none of us want to write about yet another widget that LG copied from Samsung. Today’s newest doohickey: Quick Covers. They’re cases for LG’s new Optimus G Pro that function exactly like Samsung’s Flip Covers, the ones that have been shipping since … we can’t remember because it feels like they’ve always been out.

Is LG ever going to stop copying Samsung? We certainly hope so. Several of you give us flack for making fun of LG, that them existing is a healthy for the Android ecosystem. We don’t exactly agree with that. What’s so healthy about introducing subpar products to market when there are better gizmos available? There’s a reason why HTC fanbois exist, because they’re passionate about HTC’s products. The same can be said about Samsung. But LG? No one uses an LG phone because they bought it with their own money, chances are they got it as a gift or free on contract from their operator.

But let’s get back to these Quick Covers for a second. Samsung likes to offer their Flip Covers in white, black, baby blue, lime, orange, pink, and maybe one other color, this writer’s memory isn’t that good. LG will offer the exact same colors, including a purple hue!

That’s innovation people. Purple.

How much will these covers cost and when will they hit the market? They’ll be in South Korea “soon” for between $36 and $40. That’s not terribly unreasonable, especially considering that they replace the back of the device, which is again, exactly how a Samsung Flip Cover works.

The post Embarrassing: LG clones Samsung’s Flip Covers, rebrands them as Quick Covers appeared first on Android Authority.

Mobiroo: What if you could pay $5 and download as many apps as you wanted?

Posted: 04 Mar 2013 09:23 PM PST

There’s a company out in Canada that wants to take a business model we’re all familiar with, monthly subscriptions, and bring it to the relatively young market of third party applications. It’s called Mobiroo, and here’s how it works: You sign up for the service, which is $2.49 per month for a limited time, normally it’s $5, and then you can download as many applications from their app store as you want. According to the official press release, some apps in the store cost as much as $20, so you’re actually saving quite a bit of money.

What types of apps are in the Mobiroo store? We don’t really know. They say that there are some EA games in there, as well as apps from publishers such as Herocraft, Vector Unit, GameHouse. There’s also a free seven day trial which we need to investigate at some point later today.

Will this take off? That’s incredibly hard to say. Everyone knows what happens when you buy a new phone. You spend the next few days hunting for apps, you find the ones you like, and then that’s it, you stop consuming. Sure, you might hear about a game from a friend or on a tech site like this one, but you don’t spend time just scrolling through new apps like you once did.

We’re extremly curious to see how Mobiroo pans out. Subscription music is one thing, we’re all huge fans of Spotify here at Android Authority, and subscription movies are obviously a win, we can’t tell you how much we all love Netflix, but subscription apps? It’s one of those concepts that sounds good on paper, but in the real world it’s just … strange.

The post Mobiroo: What if you could pay $5 and download as many apps as you wanted? appeared first on Android Authority.

Amazon’s new ad API aims to hit Google where it hurts, but will it take off?

Posted: 04 Mar 2013 08:41 PM PST

Google is an innovate company, no one is denying that, but many people don’t understand how they many money. Everything Google does comes back to advertising. Android was created so that phones with web browsers could become cheap. Gmail was created so Google could serve you ads based on what you were talking about with your friends. Google Maps was created so Google could offer you ads for nearby restaurants and bars.

The list just goes on an on.

Samsung creating a new operating system doesn’t register on Google’s radar. Neither does Windows Phone or Microsoft’s Surface tablet. But when a company tries to enter the ad game, that’s when the proverbial shit hits the fan.

This brings us to today’s news: Amazon is introducing an ad API that anyone making Android applications can use. That means developers who are currently relying on AdSense to make money now have another choice, and that choice is the largest retailer in the United States.

Will Amazon’s ad API take off? It’s really early days, and we haven’t even seen it in action yet, but here’s one thing that needs to be pointed out: Amazon is a household brand in the USA, but in other countries they might as well not even exist. Amazon will obviously try to address that over the coming years, but even then, if you’re a developer in Germany who’s trying to make a game that’ll appeal to people in America, you’re going to think about going with Amazon’s ads instead of Google’s ads, right?

As soon as we know more, we’ll let you know. Also, let’s not forget about all those Amazon phone rumors that cropped up in 2012. Maybe we’ll finally see the device in 2013?

You never know.

The post Amazon’s new ad API aims to hit Google where it hurts, but will it take off? appeared first on Android Authority.

IDC: This year will be the first year that smartphones outsell feature phones

Posted: 04 Mar 2013 08:20 PM PST

The bean counters at IDC have just published a prediction that we’re not going to dispute: Smartphones are going to outsell feature phones in 2013. They say that 50.1% of the mobile phones sold this year will run some sort of smart operating system, and that by 2017 that number will hit 66%.

What’s responsible for this shift? It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to figure it out. Smartphones used to be painfully expensive devices that were only sold in Western markets where operators offered subsidies. But gradually, thanks to the relentless pace of technological innovation, people today can buy a device with the same specifications as the Nexus One for less than $200. You could probably find a single core 1 GHz Android phone with a 5 megapixel camera for even less than that actually.

Which country is the biggest consumer of smartphones? Again, easy answer: China. There are more people living in China than there are in Europe and the United States combined. Many of those people starting to climb up the socioeconomic ladder, and they can now afford a smartphone, whereas before it was just a flight of fancy.

In the number two spot is America, but it’s nowhere near China. IDC says China will buy over 301 million smartphones this year. America on the other hand, “just” 137.5 million. Granted, many of the devices that will be sold in America will be subsidized superphones, whereas in China they’ll be sub $200 smartphones from local players, but still, a smartphone is a smartphone.

What operating system is going to power a majority of these smartphones? Android, of course, but you already knew that. People cry about Android fragmentation all the time, but it’s because of fragmentation that $99 Android smartphones exist in emerging economies.

Should Google be scared of a so called “cheap” iPhone? We’ll just have to wait and see.

The post IDC: This year will be the first year that smartphones outsell feature phones appeared first on Android Authority.

Here are the first two legitimate renders of what the Samsung GS4 will look like

Posted: 04 Mar 2013 06:36 PM PST

The man or woman behind the Twitter account @evleaks just dropped two huge bombshells on us. They’ve published two renders of the upcoming Samsung Galaxy S4. Should you trust @evleaks? We do. We can’t count the number of times that they’ve published accurate information. In fact, we’re not even sure if @evleaks has ever said anything that was incorrect.

But enough about that, let’s discuss the renders. The device looks more square than the GS3. We’d go so far as to say that it even looks a bit like the original 5.3 inch Galaxy Note. The bezels are insanely thin, which we like, and there appears to be no front facing buttons.

If true, that would be amazing, since that’s the number one complaint we have about Samsung hardware. That and cheap plastic that flexes far too easily.

Looking at the top, the hole for the front facing camera looks massive. Earlier today we filed a report that said the GS4 would include a feature that tracked a user’s eyes while they were reading a web page. When the user reaches the end of the last paragraph, the device scrolls automatically for them. Having an advanced front facing camera is needed for that. Let’s also not forget about all the wide angle stuff HTC has been doing with their front facing cameras. Perhaps this is Samsung taking a lesson from their enemy in Taiwan.

We’re 100% sure that more leaks are going to take place between now and the 14th, when Samsung officially announces the GS4. You’re either going to love the leaks or hate them. This writer falls into the latter camp, but at the same time he also understands that most people love this sort of stuff.

That’s life.

The post Here are the first two legitimate renders of what the Samsung GS4 will look like appeared first on Android Authority.

Android and Chrome OS: what does it all mean?

Posted: 04 Mar 2013 05:57 PM PST

chrome

We've all seen the Android statue, placed above the entrance to the building on Google's campus in which Chrome is developed and maintained. The speculation ran rampant, and still does. Is Android going to destroy Chrome? There is a line of code present in Chrome that mentions Android, lending credence to the panic. Google is saying nothing, as usual, so we're still left to wonder why that statue is there, and what (if anything) it means.

 Is Android coming to Chrome OS?

The natural assumption is that Android and Chrome OS are merging, or that Chrome OS will get Android somehow woven into it. When the statue emerged, we were pretty sure there was going to be some kind of Android inside of Chrome OS. Some cheered, many jeered. Do we need that? Do we want that? The Chrome faithful thought it to be a slight against their OS, while Android fans were just confused as to why Google would do that.

To some, it seemed a concession that Chrome OS was less-than, and needed Android to survive. Chrome OS is severely lacking in apps, which means it simply doesn't have the functionality it should. Being based on the web has a downside, and that's a major one. Was Google making a simple fix for the app situation by baking Android in?

chrome-beta-for-android-header

Would Android help Chrome OS?

They may both be Google services, and share some traits, but Chrome OS and Android are very different. Take a similar function, like Google Drive: Chrome has the full-fledged version, while Android has an app. A great mobile app, but nowhere near the functionality of the desktop version. Without more functionality, it’s hard to be truly productive.

There are apps for Android, like Quickoffice, that really are better suited for Chrome, yet Chrome OS goes wanting (for now). We wondered if somehow implementing Android was a quick way to add a bunch of functionality and appeal to Chrome. It makes immediate sense, but on closer review… that may not work, or even be smart.

SamsungChromebook21_large_verge_medium_landscape

Why Android makes sense to Chrome OS

The Chromebook Pixel is meant to pave the way for Chrome OS, and a large part of that is the touchscreen. While the touchscreen on the Pixel is really cool, it has a long way to go. So far, we can press some buttons, or scroll through pictures as in Android, but not nearly the gamut of function we would like. We can't pinch to zoom on every page, which is the immediate desire when looking at something small. All that functionality is available in Android, which is probably why we want it on the Pixel.

To our minds, a touchscreen is a touchscreen. We neither want or care to differentiate between platforms or devices. If I can do something on my phone or tablet, I want to be able to do it on the desktop. The mind wants what it wants, and it doesn't want to think critically about can and can not before taking action. The touch interaction is the most glaring benefit of Android to Chrome, and it just makes more sense to take some really good functionality and implement it rather than build your own.

new-google-chrome-logo

Is Chrome coming to Android?

Here is where it gets tricky. If Android isn't coming to Chrome, are we getting it the other way around? Why does Chrome have a mobile browser, and an additional Chrome beta browser? It's pretty clear the Chrome team is up to something, but exactly what that is remains a mystery.

Chrome beta… again

The Chrome browser you have for Android isn't all that old, nor out of beta for very long. It was put through its paces, then released to the wild. Chrome has now been cloned into a new beta, which does some different stuff. It has full-screen functionality, which is pretty awesome, especially on a tablet.

So, why do we need a beta on top of the stable Android version? When released, the beta version of Chrome for Android was version 25, same as the desktop Chrome variant. The stable Android version of Chrome was release 18. Google would like to have both Chrome variants updated on the same 6-week cycle, so this move would satisfy that. Both versions of Chrome for Android are now on the same update, but the beta is still being toyed with.

The same version of Chrome solves an update issue (a small concession, really), but it has much more implication than that. The same iteration of Chrome, updating at the same time, with the same functionality sounds more like Google wants a single Chrome browser than it does anything else. We'd all love a true cross platform browser, so this is a great move by Google… but is it just another sneaky way for Google to get us to do their beta testing?

chrome-os-tablet-mockup

 

Chrome OS on mobile devices

There are a few other platforms which utilize web apps rather than native apps in Firefox and Ubuntu. Those are two platforms that, while lacking in comparison to Google and Chrome, will have a cross platform presence. Web apps may be a bit cumbersome right now, but the usability on all devices is convenient and welcome. It also makes Chrome OS on mobile a much more salient option, and perhaps one that suits a larger need. Google has admitted to Chrome OS coming to mobile, but nothing has come to light.

Let's ponder a company with employees on the go. They're in the office about 50% of the time, and the rest of the week they're out in the field. If those employees could tote a tablet around, rather than a Computer or even a Chromebook, it makes a bit of sense. If your needs don't require a full-fledged computer while out of the office, Chrome OS for mobile is a great option. An office full of Chromeboxes, and a staff armed with tablets. This makes apps like docusign much more useful for Chrome OS, where an e-signature is required.

Pinching a bit of project butter or the Android keyboard into Chrome OS makes the platform much more viable for a greater cause, which is enterprise. The more arrows Google has in their quiver, the more companies will begin to see the benefit of their services. With Google's recent acquisition of Quickoffice, enterprise seems to be the new battleground… and Google is serious about controlling it.

Google Chrome

Where is it?

Just what is going on with Chrome Os for mobile? Nobody has a clear answer. We can, however, follow the breadcrumbs. Those breadcrumbs lead us to a trail, and it also answers a few questions about development of Chrome OS and how it relates to mobile.

First, development. Web apps are harder to develop for touch, and the industry standard keep shifting. This may be why the push for HTML5 has been so widespread, and the shift so sudden. It seemed that, overnight, companies were willingly dumping languages like Java for HTML. Let's forget the security implications for a minute and consider just how radical a shift this was, and is. Apple paved the way, but everyone following suit so quickly thereafter is telling.

Now for the breadcrumbs. Google announced a Chrome OS for mobile in 2011, and went on to say there would be tablets running the it. When the Pixel was released, the story was that it was two years in the making. In 2011, we had Chrome OS for mobile being developed, which is primarily a touch-based platform. We now have a Chrome OS machine.. touchscreen and all… meant for developers. It's all coming together, now.

chrome-bugdroid-google-campus-1

Conclusion

Android has a lot of functionality to offer Chrome OS, especially if that platform really is coming to mobile. If we take a look at the evidence, it seems as though Android functionality is being folded into Chrome because of Google's desire to take that platform mobile. We may not get full Android within Chrome, but the functionality is welcome. Apps and widgets would be cool, but the core functionality is of more consequence to Chrome OS.

What does this mean for Android? Nothing… yet. Right now, Android is at the top of the food chain, and taking up more of the market share all the time. Is it wise to have two platforms? Google seems to be doing well with it, just as Apple is. Shared functionality is one thing, a copycat platform is another. Then again, if Linus Upson, Google’s Vice President of Engineering, was right, Android may be counting the days to retirement. Look at the picture above and tell me… does that look like a wave hello, or goodbye?

The post Android and Chrome OS: what does it all mean? appeared first on Android Authority.

Android and Me

Android and Me


Samsung Galaxy S 4 rumor roundup: Antutu spec leak, build-quality and special software chancements

Posted: 04 Mar 2013 06:11 PM PST

The Samsung Galaxy S 4 is, without a shadow of a doubt, the most anticipated phone so far this year. As such, the rumor mill is going absolutely crazy with it. Just what’s being said about Samsung’s new flagship device just ten days before its release? Today alone we’ve got...

Visit our site to read the full article.

White House in full support of legalizing cell phone unlocking

Posted: 04 Mar 2013 06:06 PM PST

Last October, a decision was finalized to drop support of keeping the act of unlocking cell phones without carrier consent (even after their contract has expired) a valid exception to the DMCA, essentially making cell phone unlocking illegal. Here we are, some four months and over one hundred...

Visit our site to read the full article.

Samsung entrusts Mr. Maxwell with Galaxy S IV until unveiling on March 14

Posted: 04 Mar 2013 10:01 AM PST

Are you ready for the next Galaxy? With the unveiling of the Samsung Galaxy S IV scheduled for March 14, Samsung has kicked off a teaser promotional campaign that will certainly keep us all intrigued for the next week and a half. The clip shows Jeremy Maxwell as the secret messenger of Samsung...

Visit our site to read the full article.

Android Phone Fans

Android Phone Fans


Is this our first look at the Samsung Galaxy S4? Leak seemingly confirms full HD display, storage, camera, and Android version

Posted: 04 Mar 2013 06:24 PM PST

This image has no alt text

Right before the closing of the day, the boys (girls?) at @evleaks are it again. This time they’re bringing us some possible images of the Samsung Galaxy S4 ahead of its official unveiling in New York next week. While little information regarding the images was given (literally just “…”), it appears as if the images were screen grabs taken possibly from Samsung’s website, showing off a few of the device’s specs, along with a very plain (almost too plain) render of the phone.

Super squarish in appearance, the S4 shows a fitting departure from the S3′s rounded “Pebble” styling, and something this writer finds a bit more appealing than the long and skinny display of the original. We know it’s not much to go on, but if true, how are you guys taking to the almost Note-like stylings of Samsung’s upcoming flagship? Anyone out there feel like they should have stuck with the S3 shell, updating only the screen res, camera, and processor speed ala Apple?

[Twitter 1, 2]

CyanogenMod 10.1 M2 builds bring Android 4.2.2 base

Posted: 04 Mar 2013 04:05 PM PST

With Android 4.2.2 code hitting AOSP you had to think the CyanogenMod team would make quick work out of it. The folks behind the world’s biggest custom Android ROM have gotten CyanogenMod 10.1 to build M2, and that brings us all the latest and greatest code from both the official AOSP trunk and from the deepy, juicy customization injected by the CyanogenMod team.

A great deal of devices will be getting builds right away, including the Samsung Galaxy S3, most Nexus devices down to the Nexus S, the HTC One X, One S, EVO 4G LTE, DROID Incredible 4G LTE, and more. The full list can be found below, and if you see your device on it then you’ll want to head right here for the download links.

Be sure to back your data up and charge your battery, and a full wipe might be a good idea depending on where you’re coming from. Don’t forget that your device is your own responsibility. No one’s putting a gun to your head and making you transfer these potentially risky files to flash in your custom recovery, so if anything goes wrong then you’ll have no one to blame but the powers that be (and, well, yourself).

[via CyanogenMod]

Acer Iconia a700
Google Nexus S (crespo, crespo4g)
Google Nexus 7 (grouper, tilapia)
Google Galaxy Nexus (toro, toroplus, maguro)
Google Nexus 4 (mako)
Google Nexus 10 (manta)
Google Nexus Q (steelhead)
Hardkernel Odroid-U2
HTC One X (evita)
HTC Incredible 4G LTE (fireball)
HTC Evo 4G LTE (jewel)
HTC One S (ville)
LG Nitro HD (p930)
LG Optimus LTE (su640)
LG Spectrum (vs920)
Samsung Galaxy S (captivatemtd, galaxysbmtd, galaxysmtd, epicmtd)
Samsung Galaxy SII (i9100g, hercules, skyrocket)
Samsung Galaxy SIII (US variants d2att, d2cri, d2mtr, d2spr, d2tmo, d2vzw)
Samsung Note (quincytmo, quincyatt)
Samsung Galaxy Tab 2 7.0 (p3100, p3110)
Samsung Galaxy Tab 2 10.1 (p5100, p5110)

Toy Defense brings 24 new levels in desert-themed

Posted: 04 Mar 2013 02:55 PM PST

One of our favorite defense games is back with another juicy update to satisfy the appetite of gamers everywhere. It’s Toy Defense, of course, and today’s Die Hard update puts you smack dab in the middle of the desert as you’ll tackle 24 new missions. If you don’t know, this game gives you command of toy-like units that you will use to protect your base with.

Your army can be upgraded with new weapons and abilities over time, so the more victorious you are the more variety in weaponry you’ll have to take your foes down. It employs a very nice art style that somehow delivers a sense of nostalgia as we reminisce about playing toy defense in real life with our little plastic army men. We’re still awaiting a way to get rid of those dreaded in-game advertisements, but we’re even more happy that it’s free for all to play. Give it a try in the Google Play Store if you haven’t already.

FCC taking up the fight against unlocked cell phones?

Posted: 04 Mar 2013 02:05 PM PST

According to an interview with Techcrunch, FCC Chairman Julius Genachowski has stated the unlocking “ban raises competition concerns; it raises innovation concerns.” The FCC’s proposed action may be in response to the petition to the White House asking the government to reverse the Library of Congress’ decision to ban cell phone unlocking, or to propose law that would negate said decision. The petition reached over 100,000 signatures and has garnered the attention of the federal government (if you haven’t signed the petition, you should. It’s located here).

On March 4, 2013, the White House has responded to the petition in this press release. To sum it up (read the entire release to get all the information) R. David Edelman, Senior Advisor for Internet, Innovation and Privacy, stated that the “White House agrees with the 114,000+ of you who believe that consumers should be able to unlock their cell phones without risking criminal or other penalties.” Further, Edelman said that tablets should be included when talking about removing unlocking restrictions.

As for what the White House will do to promote it’s view, Edleman had this to say: “[t]he Obama Administration would support a range of approaches to addressing this issue, including narrow legislative fixes in the telecommunications space that make it clear: neither criminal law nor technological locks should prevent consumers from switching carriers when they are no longer bound by a service agreement or other obligation.”

DMCA Background Information

To give a little background on the Digital Millennium Copyright Act (“DMCA”), one provision states that unlocking cell phones from carriers is illegal. As it’s been repeated many times, unlocking a cell phone from a carrier is not the same as unlocking the bootloader. Unlocking a cell phone from a carrier enables a user to purchase a phone that is locked to a carrier like AT&T and then unlocking that cell phone from AT&T and using it on T-Mobile’s network. For six years, this was perfectly legal, as the Library of Congress exempted cell phones from this locking requirement. As most of our readers know, on January 26, 2013, unlocking cell phones by an individual became illegal under the DMCA. However, carriers can still unlock cell phones from their network at their discretion.

What are the penalties for unlocking?

The DMCA has two levels of penalties to punish unlocking, criminal and civil (you can view the entire damages section of the DMCA with this pdf). Does unlocking your cell phone mean you will go to jail? Probably not. Section 1203, the civil remedies section, states “[a]ny person injured by a violation of section 1201 or 1202 may bring a civil action in an appropriate United States district court for such violation.” This is an all encompassing section, meaning anyone who violates the DMCA, with regard to cell phone unlocking, will be subject to potential civil damages. However, section 1204 states “[a]ny person who violates section 1201 or 1202 willfully and for purposes of commercial advantage or private financial gain….” This section deals with a subset of cell phone “unlockers”, who unlock cell phones without carrier approval and are doing it as a business or for some private financial gain.

Actual Damages

If a user is unlocking a cell phone for personal use (i.e., not selling the unlocked phone as part of a business — we’ll get into what happens to people who subsequently sell unlocked phones when they’re upgrading later) then the user is firmly within section 1203.  However, just because a user who unlocks their cell phone won’t be spending time in a federal prison, doesn’t mean that user has nothing to worry about.  Section 1203 authorizes actual or statutory damages. Actual damages are those damages that are actually incurred by the aggrieved party (wireless carriers) and they include any profits, attributable to the violation of the DMCA, made by the person who unlocked the cell phone.

Statutory Damages

This is where, if the carrier decides to bring a civil suit, they will seek high damages. Unlike actual damages, which the carrier must prove the dollar amount the individual unlocker damaged them, statutory damages provide a flat rate for each violation. What this means is, a carrier does not have to prove they were injured by “x” amount of money, only that the person who unlocked the cell phone, actually unlocked the cell phone in violation of the DMCA.  This is a much easier burden.  So what exactly does the law provide as a remedy? A person who unlocks a cell phone in violation of the DMCA may be subject to “statutory damages for each violation… in the sum of not less than $200 or more than $2,500 per act of circumvention, device, product, component, offer, or performance of service.”

The DMCA does provide a “safe harbor” provision that states “[t]he court in its discretion may reduce or remit the total award of damages in any case in which the violator sustains the burden of proving, and the court finds, that the violator was not aware and had no reason to believe that its acts constituted a violation.” This is section (Section 1203(5)(A) for those who are curious) is likely to protect users who unlock their phone for their own personal use, then, subsequently sell it on eBay (or another site like that) when they upgrade to a new device.

The DMCA basically gives users a one time free pass if they’re sued for unlocking their own device and use it as such or upgrade and sell the unlocked device. However, to curb abuse of subsection 5, the DMCA has a specific provision for repeat violators, and it is where real damages can start adding up.  If a user is caught more than once in three years, the courts, in their discretion, can award treble (triple) damages.

For those who are curious what DMCA violation penalties may look like if a person were to fall into the criminal category:  Section 1204(a)(1) authorizes up to 5 years in jail and/or up to $500,000 in fines for a first offense; a repeat offense, section 1204(a)(2), ups the ante to up to 10 years in jail and/or up to $1,000,000 in fines. Just to put that in perspective, in NY, 2nd Degree Manslaughter (which is recklessly causing the death of another person) is not to exceed 15 years in prison and includes no fines.

Does the FCC have the power to do anything?

Even the FCC’s Chairman isn’t sure whether the FCC has the power. However, Genachowski stated, ”[i]t's something that we will look at at the FCC to see if we can and should enable consumers to use unlocked phones.” The FCC is an executive agency, meaning they do not have the power to create or modify law, that power solely resides within the legislative branch. However, executive agencies are charged with enforcement of the law. These agencies can adopt policies that interpret the law and define how enforcement will be carried out.

Since the DMCA is federal law, the FCC cannot simply change it, that would take an act of Congress or judicial intervention. The FCC may choose to a) not enforce it; b) enforce it very loosely (i.e., only against major offenders); or c) try to convince the Library of Congress, using political pressure, to change its mind. As we’ve seen in other areas of politics, executive agencies can choose to not enforce laws they believe are unjust, unconstitutional or not in line with policy goals, such as the US Department of Justice not prosecuting marijuana violations in states that have legalized marijuana in one form or another.

What does it all mean?

Well, the FCC has at least acknowledged the issue, which is a step in the right direction. This provision of the DMCA only protects carriers. Verizon Wireless and AT&T posted $8.63 billion ($6.8 billion and $1.83 billion respectively) in profit in Q2 of 2012 , while cell phone unlocking was legal. It may be a tough sell to show, despite soaring profits, the carriers are being hurt by unlocking.

As you’ve read, the law is pretty severe when compared to typical “criminal” acts. We cannot say for certain how, or even if, the FCC will act.  If you’re interested in reading how the FCC’s statements may actually play out, in the opinion of an attorney familiar with the FCC, and a discussion of the whether this section of the DMCA is even needed, check out the forthcoming opinion piece on the DMCA unlocking ban.

In the mean time, tell us what you think of the law as it stands now. How do you feel about the consequences for violations of this law or the law in general?

 

 

Sprint 4G rolls out to nine new markets

Posted: 04 Mar 2013 01:57 PM PST

Those on the Now Network will be seeing Sprint’s glorious 4G LTE signal live in nine new markets as the carrier has announced expansion of its network. Folks in Altoona, Pa., Asheville, N.C., Columbus, Ind., Elkhart/Goshen, Ind., Hammond, La., La Crosse, Wis., San Juan, Puerto Rico, Statesville, N.C., and Temple, Texas will all be able to pull down high-speed data on devices like Samsung’s Galaxy Note 2 and the upcoming HTC One. This also means those on Virgin Mobile and Boost mobile will be able to access LTE in those areas as those Sprint subsidiaries share the same 4G LTE signal. Happy times for all, indeed. Be sure to check for the 4G icon on your phone whenever you get a chance.

[via Sprint]

Samsung phones suffer lock-screen security flaw [VIDEO]

Posted: 04 Mar 2013 01:08 PM PST

It appears Samsung’s phones are a tad insecure. A new flaw has been uncovered by a user that puts the home-screen of a user’s locked device at risk. In case you don’t know, the pattern and password unlock screens on Samsung phones offer access to the emergency dialer. From there, you can access the user’s ICE contact list.

Pressing the home or back button should normally take you back to the lock-screen, but Samsung’s latest phones — such as the Galaxy S3 and Galaxy Note II — incorrectly display the home-screen for a brief second at this point. The home-screen is show just long enough for you to see which apps and widgets are on that default home-screen, and you can even launch an app if you’re quick enough. The lock-screen will come up even if you do manage to get the app open, but there’s still reason to be worried here:

  1. If you have any sensitive info on your home-screen, like something a widget might show, peeping eyes could see all of that in one or two glances.
  2. If you have a direct dial widget for a contact on your home-screen the culprit could dial people you don’t want them to.

It’s not too alarming in the grand scheme of things, but we imagine it’s something Samsung won’t want to take lightly. The fix would appear to be rather simple, though, so we’ll see what they say in response to the flaw and inquire about any potential updates to address it in the near future. Watch a quick video of the flaw in action above.

[via PhoneArena thanks Joel!]

T-Mobile keeps the Nexus 4 deals rolling in with $50 sale

Posted: 04 Mar 2013 11:57 AM PST

You won’t see a better deal for T-Mobile’s Nexus 4 than the “free” price tag they slapped on it this past weekend, but don’t fret if you happened to miss that particular sale — there’s still a very lucrative offer for anyone who doesn’t mind signing a new two-year contract. The device can be had for just $50 following instant discounts and a $50 mail-in rebate.

You’ll be paying $100 up front, but if you’re patient enough to wait for that rebate you’ll be better off in the long run. T-Mobile’s Nexus 4 is pretty much identical to the Play Store version in every category except price. Google subsidizes the cost of the Nexus 4 itself, of course, so you could get it from them for just $300-350 without signing a two-year contract.

It might save you a lot of money to go that route in the long run, but if you don’t think you’ll be leaving T-Mobile within the next couple of years then getting those extra savings from T-Mobile up-front might be worth it. T-Mobile’s service gets cheaper if you bring your own phone, though, so you’ll have to consider the long-term savings, as well. Do all the math you need to do to figure out which solution is right for you, and get to it at T-Mobile’s site or the Google Play Store.

[thanks to everyone who sent this in!]

Report: Samsung Galaxy S4 could introduce ‘eye-scrolling’

Posted: 04 Mar 2013 11:46 AM PST

According to The New York Times, The Samsung Galaxy S4 will introduce new eye-tracking technology to allow users to navigate their devices hands-free. The information comes from an unnamed Samsung employee less than two weeks away from the phone’s official unveiling in New York City.

The new functionality would follow on the heels of other advancements such as Smart Stay introduced with the Samsung Galaxy S3, a feature that could detect when a user was actively viewing the screen and thus prevent the display from timing out. Eye-scrolling would monitor a users eyes as they peruse webpages, instantly advancing to the next paragraph as the end of the previous is reached.

The exact technology being uses to accomplish such “smart” scrolling was not disclosed, but like Smart Stay, the front-facing camera is no doubt involved. The function could be core to the Galaxy S4 experience and make for a great demo for Samsung to show off come March 14th.

[via The Verge]

SmartBot uses your smartphone to power a simple robot

Posted: 04 Mar 2013 10:54 AM PST

I must admit that simple robotics is not something I am terribly enthusiastic about, but the SmartBot has succeeded in catching my eye. It’s a small robot that uses your smartphone as its brains, eyes, and ears to do its bidding. You cradle your smartphone inside its dock-like cradle, and the companion app produces a cheery-looking face to give the combo a bit of personality.

SmartBot is equipped with many different ports for accessories and extensions, and for compatibility with those powering the unit using an Arduino development board instead of a phone. The expansion port, for instance, can be used to add things like motors, buzzers, electromagnets and more. Current accessories include a gripping claw, a trunk, an adapter for LEGO brick pieces, a pen adapter, a ball gun and a lot more. SmartBot is also equipped with NFC so you could put together a pretty nice in-home automation setup.

The graphic below shows the many different sensors and hardware the SmartBot will take advantage of while your smartphone is in play, including the use of GPS, front and rear cameras, and more. Anything your smartphone can do, the SmartBot can use. The folks at Overdrive Robotics will make it easy to develop unique apps and games for the thing with an expansive SDK for developers to sink their teeth into.

This little guy would be good for learning, fun, entertainment, and a lot more according to the folks at Overdrive. It looks interesting, but you’re probably wondering how you can get one for yourself. It’s not available just yet, but they’ll begin shipping in April 2013, and it’ll cost you just €160,00 including tax. Get more info here, and pre-order one for yourself if it looks like something you’d be interested in.

PS: this list gives you a quick look at the devices that have been tested with SmartBot so far. Other devices might work just fine, but they aren’t guaranteed to be fully compatible. It’s quite slim so keep that in mind before putting your money onto the table.

500px update brings push notifications, comment replies and more

Posted: 04 Mar 2013 10:37 AM PST

All of you photography lovers out there will be happy to know that the official 500px app for Android has gotten a nice new update. This update brings push notifications so you’ll be alerted as soon as someone follows you, leaves you a comment or likes one of your photos.

Speaking of leaving comments, you can now reply to comments straight from the app so you won’t have to be kicked to the website or head to a desktop whenever you want to exchange words with someone. Other bug fixes and improvements have been made, so be sure to get the free upgrade in the Google Play Store and continue to enjoy professional photography at its finest on the go.

Samsung Galaxy Note 8.0 spotted in black

Posted: 04 Mar 2013 10:24 AM PST

As it stands, Samsung has only confirmed their upcoming Galaxy Note 8.0 for a white color scheme upon launch, but a new leaked photo suggests a black version could follow shortly after. The promo render showcases a tablet that is identical to the white counterpart we had a chance to fondle at last week’s MWC. Specifically portrayed here is the 16GB 3G version (you know, the one that can function as a full-on phone).

There is a chance this secondary color could launch simultaneously with the white version, but there is also a small chance it could go somewhere as an exclusive version. We can’t say because the photo came with no additional info.

The Samsung Galaxy Note 8.0 is prepped to launch in Q2 of the year internationally. Plans for the US release have not been solidified at this time.

[via PhoneArena]

Verizon Galaxy Note 10.1 coming March 7th?

Posted: 04 Mar 2013 09:53 AM PST

image

It looks like Verizon might be the latest carrier to launch the 4G LTE-equipped Samsung Galaxy Note 10.1. New evidence received by Android Central suggests Verizon will launch its version of the Wacom-powered tablet this Thursday, March 7th. That’s a typical launch day for Verizon so its not totally outside the realm of possibility.

Verizon’s version wouldn’t differ much from others’. You can expect the usual 10.1 inch display with S Pen support, a 1.6ghz quad core processor, 2GB OF RAM, Android 4.1 with TouchWiz and more. Pricing is also a bit of a mystery at this time, but we reckon itll be somewhere around $500 following your John Hancock on a new two-year contract agreement. Are you in for one?

Verizon’s Samsung Galaxy S3 to receive maintenance update

Posted: 04 Mar 2013 08:52 AM PST

Verizon is readying for the launch of a new update for the Samsung Galaxy S3. Weighing in at 150MB and pegged as build version VRBMB1, the tweaked edition of Android 4.1.2 comes with predictive keyboard improvements, improved Bluetooth performance, and the ability to use the phone’s camera while on a call.

All in all, the additions are minor in the grand scheme of things. Most would likely trade such upgrades as a manual refresh button on the lock screen stock ticker for Android 4.2, but alas that option is not on the tablet. With support documents going live for the update, the release should only be a matter of days away. Verizon GS3 owners, be sure to let us know when you see the new software hit your handsets!

[via DroidLife]

Google Glass sightings become more frequent

Posted: 04 Mar 2013 08:48 AM PST

You had to know that Google Glass sightings would increase as Google looked to evolve its program to the next level. Another commuter was spotted with the smart glass sitting on his eye as he rode his bike throughout the streets of New York. We typically don’t see these sightings outside of the Bay area, but this particular episode is believed to have taken place in New York City.

Granted, Google does have a pretty big presence there, but this could also be one of those lucky developers from the Glass Foundry development workshop that was hidden from public view and protected with a non-disclosure agreement. We’re not sure if a clause exists within that particular NDA that allows developers to go out and use the glasses in their day-to-day lives, but it would make sense — after all, location-aware apps would be quite hard to test if you could never go anywhere with the glasses.

As we head into the summer months and inch closer to Google I/O we should be seeing Google Glass in the public eye (get it? eye?) a lot more. Google has recently started accepting applications for everyday, typical early adopters to buy these, though that privilege won’t come without a significant cost (close to $1,500 a piece). We imagine we’ll see a full-blown showcase of the things at Google I/O as Google looks to get product on store shelves by holiday season 2013.

[Reddit]

Benchmark result offers possible look at final Samsung Galaxy S4 specs

Posted: 04 Mar 2013 08:13 AM PST

In the wake of Samsung’s first teaser for the Galaxy S4, which we thoroughly expect to be announced next week, a new benchmark score has surfaced, revealing a possible final hardware configuration for the phone. According to the AnTuTu result, the specs will stay in line with much of what was floated when rumors of the device first surfaced. That is, 1080p 4.99-inch display, next-gen Exynos processing, and Android 4.2

Specifically, it sounds as though rumors of a Qualcomm Snapdragon chipset might not be totally factual, as the benchmark here presents Samsung’s Exynos 5410, the 4+4 Exynos 5 Octa cranked to 1.8GHz. As with the Galaxy S3, though, there is a chance that different markets could see phones utilizing different chipsets.

Other specs detailed in the report include 2GB RAM and PowerVR SGX 544MP graphics. The phone should feature a 13MP rear camera with 2.1MP front-facing camera.

Of course, we won’t know anything for certain until March 14th, the date all will be revealed at a New York City press event.

[via PhoneArena]