Saturday, March 16, 2013

Android Authority

Android Authority

Google Play News section coming soon: another nail in the coffin for newspapers?

Posted: 16 Mar 2013 03:01 AM PDT

Are newspapers obsolete?

Are newspapers obsolete? Image credit: Shutterstock

Newspapers are so 20th century, or at least this is what trends are showing us. Media companies around the globe are struggling to maintain their readership, amid the rise of online media outlets (such as Android Authority). With Time Warner considering the sale of its Time Magazine assets, it’s probably a sign that the global media landscape is getting ready to scuttle the old paper-based business in favor for a purely online one.

This is one reason why the introduction of subscription-based services for mobile devices — tablets and smartphones — and desktop/notebook computers is probably the next best thing that publishers are exploring. With Apple running its own Newsstand service and both Amazon and Barnes & Noble running their own Android-based subscription services, you’d think they have everyone covered. But new code on an upcoming Google Play release uncovered by Android Police suggests that Google might be planning to implement subscriptions soon.

“Google Play News” items come in “issues” and “subscriptions,” which clearly suggests that the Android platform might soon have a native subscription-based service for content. The web version’s CSS even includes a new color-coding scheme for content: blue for books, violet for magazines and yellow for newspapers, and so forth.

The code indicates that users will be able to purchase either an individual issue or make recurring payments for a regular subscription. The obvious question at this point for publishers and content developers would be their revenue share. Apple takes a 30% cut off subscriptions made from Newsstand, for instance. No pricing details are available at this time, although we can perhaps liken it to the Google Play Magazines model.

Perhaps we can expect Google to push newspaper subscriptions in upcoming Google Play releases. You’re likely accessing your news through apps like Flipboard, Currents, Pulse and the like. Would a native subscription-based app offer better access to content?

The post Google Play News section coming soon: another nail in the coffin for newspapers? appeared first on Android Authority.

AT&T, T-Mobile Galaxy S4 sign-up pages go live, launch dates not public yet

Posted: 16 Mar 2013 02:57 AM PDT

samsung galaxy s4 7 aa 600

The Galaxy S4 will launch in a variety of markets by the end of April, and hopefully U.S. carriers will get the handset at the same time. For now, we only have a release date for UK's Everything Everywhere, which will have the handset out in the wild on April 26.

We wouldn't be surprised to see more European and other international mobile operators kick off the Galaxy S4 launch party around the same date, but it would definitely be interesting to see how U.S. carriers will play it out. Will the handset launch simultaneously in the U.S. and Europe?

Six American operators have already been confirmed to have the Galaxy S4 in stock later this year including Verizon, AT&T, Sprint, T-Mobile, U.S. Cellular and Cricket Wireless. Of those two, AT&T and T-Mobile have already put up Galaxy S4 sign-up pages that don't reveal that many details.

You know the drill, all you have to do is fill in a form and you'll be notified the moment either carrier has Galaxy S4 information for you.

att-galaxy-s4-sign-up-page-1

Interestingly, each mobile operator has its own way of teasing the handset, with AT&T showing an empty box, while T-Mobile displays a Galaxy S4 teaser image even though the handset has been announced.

AT&T tells us that the secret is out and lists three Galaxy S4 features, Smart Scroll, which sounds better on paper than it did in Samsung's presentation, WatchOn and the camera features:

  • Scroll through a page using just your eyes.
  • Turn your phone into a TV remote control.
  • Take photos you’ll never believe came from a smartphone.

T-Mobile is insisting on the same features, although it sort of adds Air Gesture to the mix, without naming the feature:

DO SOMETHING YOU’VE NEVER DONE BEFORE
Take photos so amazing, you won’t believe they came from a smartphone. Turn your phone into a TV remote control. Navigate your screen without even touching it.

In case you have no idea what Smart Scroll, WatchOn or Air Gesture are, check out this list of software features for the handset.

t-mobile-galaxy-s4-sign-up-page-1

Will you buy the U.S. Galaxy S4 version? What carrier will you choose?

The post AT&T, T-Mobile Galaxy S4 sign-up pages go live, launch dates not public yet appeared first on Android Authority.

Apple shareholders send Samsung a thank you note

Posted: 16 Mar 2013 12:43 AM PDT

samsung galaxy s4 vs iPhone 5 4 aa 600

Just like millions of eager customers and techies, Apple shareholders have also been on their feet in anticipation of Samsung's big unveiling of the Galaxy S4 – but of course for a completely different reason.

In essence, they're looking for signs and reasons whether to keep betting on Apple or to jump ship before things take a turn for the worse.

Upon hearing what analysts have to say of the phone, frown lines seemingly turned into smiles, as they learned that the Galaxy S4 may not be that too big of a threat after all, or at least even more so than it already is. The proof is in the stock market, as Apple's stock moved up 2.58% to $443.66 yesterday even when the rest of the market was down.

It's not that the Galaxy S4 is a total dud, but the world was waiting for something more mind blowing. "We believe the S4 will certainly sell well and it is incrementally negative for Apple," said Jefferies analyst Peter Misek. However, he adds that it's not a revolutionary device.

That type of talk alone was apparently enough to send Apple’s shares up.

The real battle hasn’t even started though. With Samsung's marketing prowess and the humungous customer base for the Galaxy S series, the Korean may not necessarily need a revolutionary phone to capture an even bigger share of the market. In case you're wondering, Samsung is aiming to move 10 million units of Galaxy S4 per month, with overall sales expected to top 100 million units.

The post Apple shareholders send Samsung a thank you note appeared first on Android Authority.

LG Optimus L9 finally receives long-awaited Android Jelly Bean update

Posted: 15 Mar 2013 09:14 PM PDT

LG Optimus L9
In a report last month, we told you about a forthcoming software update for the LG Optimus L9 that would bring it up to speed with all the latest Android handsets in the market in terms of default software. Now, about three months after it first made its official European debut, the Optimus L9 has finally received this long-awaited software update, letting its users upgrade their device software to Android Jelly Bean.

According to initial reports, the LG Optimus L9 Jelly Bean update is currently available in the following locations: Germany, France, Italy, Greece, Spain, Hungary, Poland, Romania, Portugal, and the Baltics region. Right now, this much-needed software upgrade is still not available in the U.S. But it won’t be a stretch to imagine T-Mobile rolling it out at some point in the future. The only question is when exactly.

The LG Optimus L9 comes with a 4.7-inch qHD IPS screen and uses a 1GHz dual core Cortex A9 processor with a PowerVR SGX540 GPU and 1GB RAM. Its other features include a 5-megapixel camera with 1080p video capture, 4GB of internal storage, and support for extra storage space by way of microSD cards. The LG Optimus L9 software update — all 575MB of it — is available for download over-the-air (OTA) as well as through the LG Update tool.

The post LG Optimus L9 finally receives long-awaited Android Jelly Bean update appeared first on Android Authority.

XMBC for Android gets updated as work on next version continues

Posted: 15 Mar 2013 08:47 PM PDT

xmbc
If you’re a fan of XMBC for Android and the XMBC project in general, then you’re going to love the latest bit of news published over at the XMBC Blog. The XMBC team says that they are going back to their usual monthly development cycle, which means that users can expect a new version of XMBC to come out each and every single month. In fact, right now, as most people are still getting acquainted with XMBC 12 – Frodo, the team as well as a number of other developers are already hard at work on making the next version, XMBC 13 – codenamed Gotham.

There is currently a call for those with highly-developed art skills to come up with the relevant version images now for when it finally comes out. And at the same time, “the brave” are also called upon to test the resulting build that comes out of all the work done by the end of the month, to help streamline the software development process.

XMBC Play To
For now the most stable build is still the most recent one — XMBC 12 – Frodo — and from the February changelog, the XMBC Team has pulled out a number of noteworthy highlights:

Play Using…

For those familiar with AirPlay for video and audio, this is quite similar, except now you don't need to be using an iOS device to push your content. You just need to check the box to turn on your UPnP server in XBMC under System->Services->UPnP and you can send your media anywhere that supports it.

Android Improvements

This first cycle includes a slew of Android improvements. For starters, XBMC now controls native Android audio, so users don't have to close XBMC, turn the volume up, re-open XBMC, and finally listen to whatever they were listening to. Instead, the audio is controlled like any other Android app (thanks to mcrosson). Second, XBMC for Android is no longer stuck facing one direction. If you flip your Android device 180 degrees, XBMC will flip with it (thanks to montellese).

iOS Improvements

The local iOS keyboard is already the default keyboard for XBMC, but now it has even more utility. It can accept any text from any iOS language, and it also supports the iOS clipboard copy and paste feature (thanks to ulion).

Other Improvements

Dev Montellese continues his breakneck work of improving the XBMC library. With this cycle, he has added tags for tv shows and musicvideos, and he has also made it possible for those individuals who like to pick and choose each piece of media art individually to add alternative artwork (landscape, banner, etc.) without needing to use an addon like the automated Artwork Downloader. To use this feature, click "Choose art" on a piece of media's info screen, and then select "Add art" at the bottom.

If you would like to learn about all of the changes introduced in the most recent stable version, XMBC has a list of all February milestones gathered all in one page. And as always, you may contribute through either donations or offering support through the user forums and submitting your own bug reports.

The post XMBC for Android gets updated as work on next version continues appeared first on Android Authority.

Facebook hashtags will soon be official, according to Wall Street Journal report

Posted: 15 Mar 2013 08:13 PM PDT

facebook hashtag
Some day, people will remember Facebook as the social networking giant that it is today, and they will say, “Remember when hashtags on Facebook were not a thing? Yeah, those were the days.”

It hasn’t happened yet, but Facebook will indeed introduce hashtags as a feature that its users can use — and possibly abuse — if a recently published report on the Wall Street Journal is to be believed. Apparently, Facebook is currently looking into incorporating hashtags as its battle with microblogging site Twitter rages on.

According to sources cited in the above-mentioned report on the WSJ, Facebook hashtags are currently in the testing phase. And much like the original, Twitter-based counterpart, Facebook hashtags will be used to group similar content on the same topics.

Even now, Facebook users are already using hashtags, despite the fact that they don’t really do anything at all. Except maybe make short, indirect, and “witty” statements that could otherwise only be shared via typing out complete sentences. If Facebook does indeed decide to finally add hashtags as a feature at some point in the future, then it would perhaps be put to much better use by Facebook users.

At the moment, the hashtag-as-a-way-of-grouping-content feature only really works with its originator, Twitter, as well as online photo sharing site Instagram, which Facebook famously bought for $1 billion back in April 2012.

The post Facebook hashtags will soon be official, according to Wall Street Journal report appeared first on Android Authority.

Verizon Samsung Galaxy Tab 2 10.1 and 7 now receiving their Jelly Bean OTA update

Posted: 15 Mar 2013 07:46 PM PDT

Samsung Galaxy Tab 2 10.1

If you are tired of seeing the same outdated software on your Verizon Samsung Galaxy Tab, there is an OTA update that is rolling out to most users that upgrades your tablet to, well, newer outdated software.

Android 4.1 is now hitting the Verizon Galaxy Tab 2 10.1 and 7, bringing all the performance improvements you would expect from Project Butter, as well as a healthy serving of Google Now.

While those are the 2 biggest improvements, there are going to be specific features that will only be available on your particular device: click here to check out the entire list of changes for the Galaxy Tab 2 10.1 and here for the Galaxy Tab 2 7.0.

As always, if you are one of the people who have not had the update pushed to your tab yet, head into the Settings -> About device -> System updates to manually ping the servers. The update has already been approved and pushed to the non-carrier branded unlocked models, so hopefully there should not be any hidden problems or major bugs. Do let us know how the update is performing in the comments.

The post Verizon Samsung Galaxy Tab 2 10.1 and 7 now receiving their Jelly Bean OTA update appeared first on Android Authority.

Galaxy S4 infographic highlights specs and features, made by Samsung

Posted: 15 Mar 2013 07:32 PM PDT

Samsung Galaxy S4 cover 2 aa 600

It's not everyday that you see a device maker come out with its own infographic, but Samsung has just done that today for its latest Android handset, the Galaxy S4.

The Galaxy S4 was unveiled only yesterday at a special event in New York City – a strange one considering all the theatrics involved – and by know anyone interested in Galaxy S4 specs, software features, accessories, availability details and comparisons with other devices can access plenty of Galaxy S4 information.

But for some reason Samsung felt the need to highlight the main specs of the phone in a short infographic that takes you through the main hardware characteristics of the device.

Is Samsung trying to make up for the fact that it sort of ignored the hardware side during the show in order to highlight the Galaxy S4's many new software features? Or is it just another marketing trick – infographics are popular with certain crowds – with Samsung trying to turn it into a viral image?

galaxy-s4-infographic-1

Whatever it is, it seems to be working, so let's check out, once again, the main specs and features as listed by Samsung in the image above:

  • 5-inch Full HD Super AMOLED display: 1920 x 1080 resolution, 441ppi
  • Gorilla Glass 3
  • Size: 136.6 x 69.8 x 7.9 mm
  • Weight: 130g
  • 1.6GHz Octa-Core or 1.9GHz Quad-Core processor
  • 2GB of RAM
  • 13-megapixel rear camera
  • 2-megapixel front-facing camera
  • 2,600mAh battery
  • Android 4.2.2 Jelly Bean
  • 3G (HSPA+ 42Mbps)
  • 4G LTE

The handset will be available in black and white, and like always we have fancy names for them, Black Mist and White Frost, respectively. Are you buying the smartphone when it comes out in late April?

The post Galaxy S4 infographic highlights specs and features, made by Samsung appeared first on Android Authority.

Samsung Galaxy S4 display might be best one yet, says expert

Posted: 15 Mar 2013 07:00 PM PDT

Samsung Adapt Display
Much has been said about the Samsung Galaxy S4. In fact, we ourselves have written over 20,000 words about it in articles published in the last 24 hours. We’ve talked about its camera, its wireless features, its software add-ons, and a whole lot more. But what about its display? What level of quality was Samsung able to forge into its 4.99-inch multi-touch capable screen? Well, Ray Soneira, president of display analysis and software calibration company DisplayMate, weighed in on a recently published article on CNET to say that things are looking pretty good for Samsung in the Galaxy S4′s screen department.

To be more specific, Soneira praised Samsung’s inclusion of what is referred to as a CIE Chromaticity Diagram and grayscale for the adaptive screen settings found on the Galaxy S4. This roughly translates to the phone’s capability of showing more naturally pristine colors instead of the bluish whites that Samsung screens have tended to show in the past.

In other words, the Samsung Galaxy S4′s touchscreen display will be very interesting to watch not merely for its high pixel density (441 ppi) and use of a full high-definition panel on a 5-inch screen. We may have to wait a little further until we can get our hands on one for a proper review before issuing a final verdict, but for now, it looks like it’s safe to say that the Super AMOLED panel used on the latest Samsung flagship Android phone is the best one yet.

The post Samsung Galaxy S4 display might be best one yet, says expert appeared first on Android Authority.

U.S. Galaxy S4 vs HTC One vs NVIDIA Tegra 4 fight in early benchmark comparison

Posted: 15 Mar 2013 06:46 PM PDT

Galaxy-S-4-AnTuTu-1

Two of the most important Android handsets of the year aren't even out in stores yet, the Galaxy S4 and the HTC One, but early benchmarks for these devices have already been performed and compared to the results of an important player in this year's mobile processor business, NVIDIA's Tegra 4 chipset.

Laptop Mag was able to benchmark the U.S. Galaxy S4 version – which packs a 1.9GHz quad-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 600 processor under the hood – using AnTuTu Benchmark and found the device ready to outperform various contenders.

The Galaxy S4 scored a total of 21,089 points in the test, significantly higher than the Galaxy S3 (16,301,) the Galaxy Note 2 (17,531,) and the Nexus 4 (18,096). In our own AnTuTu benchmarks we found the U.S. Galaxy S4 to score even higher, almost 26,000 points (check out the following image).

The international Galaxy S4 version which will pack Samsung's eight-core Exynos 5 Octa chip was been tested, and it will be interesting to see the scores for this model too once they’re available.

Galaxy-S4-vs-Galaxy-Note-2-

According to Android and Me's HTC One AnTuTu benchmark, the HTC One performs even better than the U.S. Galaxy S4 version tested by Laptop Mag, scoring slightly over 21,089 (an actual number has not been given.)

antutu-galaxy-s4-htc-one-nvidia-tegra-4-1

The same publication offers the comparison table above, including the NVIDIA Tegra 4 processor in the mix. While the processor is not found on any flagship Android device yet, and won't be for some time to come, it's very powerful, at least according to NVIDIA's own benchmarks. The Tegra 4's AnTuTu score is over 36,000, but we're definitely looking forward to see the processor in actual user testing.

The same goes for the HTC One and the Galaxy S4, since we're still looking at pre-release devices in these early tests, which means their performances can improve by the time they hit stores.

We'll certainly be back with more Exynos 5 Octa vs Qualcomm vs Tegra 4/4i benchmark comparisons in the future, but in the mean time we're curious what processor you'd choose for your next smartphone.

The post U.S. Galaxy S4 vs HTC One vs NVIDIA Tegra 4 fight in early benchmark comparison appeared first on Android Authority.
Posted by at 4:08 PM 0 comments

Android Phone Fans

Android Phone Fans

Hands-on with The Conduit HD, Android’s first Wii port [VIDEO]

Posted: 15 Mar 2013 01:40 PM PDT

Great news making its way to Android gamers as another triple-A title has hit the Google Play Store. A well-received Wii game from yesteryear, The Conduit (HD) is now officially available for Nvidia Tegra devices, bringing all the action of the original, down to the small screen. Unlike its Wii counterpart however, The Conduit HD features Tegra-optimized visuals that improve upon the original, bringing enhanced HD graphics, more detailed characters, real time shadows and the like. Our walkthrough video going through the games first 2 levels can be found below.

Story

The story goes a little something like this: in a post apocalyptic future America is being ravaged by a virus know as “the Bug.” To make matters worse, there’s an invasion by an alien race known as the Drudge. Thing can’t get much worse than that, right? Well, a terrorist group has seized the opportunity left to them by these series of unfortunate events to make an assassination attempt on the president, using the president’s own secret service against him. Ouch. You play as secret service agent Michael Ford, the one agent who apparently never got the memo. Now it’s up to you to uncover the masterminds of the invasion, and stop the Drudge from taking over the world. Shouldn’t be too hard.

Gameplay

Gameplay is your standard first-person shooter fare. You shoot, you reload, and occasionally lob a grenade. Oh, there is this little orb thing called the ASE that can detect hidden objects and stealthy enemies, also lighting your path for when you happen to get lost. Touching on the left portion of the screen controls movement, while the right controls your view and shooting. Controls by default are set to make gameplay on the tablet a breeze. Simply aiming your reticule at an enemy will auto fire your weapon which, of course, may sound like cheating, but it works well for a genre that’s usually a pain to play with touch screen controls. Of course, a quick trip to your pause menu will let you go into full manual, should you choose.

Visuals

Graphics are sort of a mixed bag. Yes, it looks great for a mobile game, and leaps and bounds better than it did on the Wii. But somehow even with all the graphical settings set to max and the Tegra processor flexing it’s muscle, sometimes things still looked “flat.” Textures are high-res, true, and the Drudge look great when you get in close, but environments can sometimes look a little lifeless. Maybe it has something to do with a total absence of real-time physics or bullet holes when you shoot a wall, but now I just sound like a spoiled console gamer.

What the game looks like with “Wii” settings enabled (lawl)

Don’t get me wrong — The Conduit HD looks better than 99% of the first person shooters you’ll find on the Google Play Store and it makes sense. This was originally a console title, so there was just a little more time and effort put into the game than your typical Gameloft console-clone. Real voice actors, engaging cut scenes and story line. Best of all it’s NOT FREEMIUM. I can’t stress this part enough. That means you don’t have to worry about in-game currency, coins, sharing on Facebook or any of that mess. It’s weird to get excited about something like this, but honestly it lets you just simply enjoy the game, as it’s meant to be played, stress free. It’s refreshing, really.

The Conduit HD features:

  • Pick-Up and Play Accessibility: The robust sensitivity of the touchscreen controls gives players a seamless sense of connection with the game.
  • One of the Best Looking Games on Android: The Conduit looked awesome on the Wii but has been further improved by the graphics power of NVIDIA Tegra devices!
  • Fearsome Enemies: Fourteen (14) challenging human and alien creatures work against you, and are more challenging through their use of cover and tactical thinking.
  • Intense Weaponry: Unleash destruction with a huge arsenal of eighteen (18) different weapons, many of which utilize unique aiming and firing modes.
  • Puzzle Solving Unlike Other FPS Games: Use a device called the All Seeing Eye (ASE) to reveal concealed objects and enemies, providing additional layers of gameplay.
  • Unparalleled Customization: The Conduit can be adjusted for your style of play through changing the huge number of control options, layouts, and more!
  • GameStop Controller Support: Enjoy more traditional control by using the fully supported Tablet Wireless Bluetooth Controller by GameStop!

Verdict

All-in-all we give The Conduit HD 2 blistered thumbs up. I had a ton of fun blasting baddies, not managing in-game currency, and uncovering the mystery behind the story. Good times to be had for all. The best part about The Conduit HD is that the first 2 levels are available free of charge. After you’ve been hooked, High Voltage Software offers the other 7 missions for just $5. Not bad for a game that was retailing on the Wii for around $50 bucks. And should you decide you want to take things a little slower, there’s even the option to break things up, paying $3 for levels 3, 4, 5, and another $3 for 7, 8, and 9. Options are good.

[The Conduit HD on Google Play]

Dropbox acquires email startup Mailbox

Posted: 15 Mar 2013 10:48 AM PDT

Cloud storage powerhouse Dropbox might be looking to expand its offerings to email with the announcement of the acquisition of startup Mailbox. Mailbox currently provides an email client for iPhone users, and as of today the only plan is to use Dropbox’s infrastructure to launch Mailbox on a wider scale, but the future could see tighter integration between the two services.

An all-in-one storage and email client could finally provide a true rival to Google’s suite of interconnected services, though it will take a lot of might and hard work to catch the arguable leader in that space. Perhaps the best we can hope for early on is that the extra resources will allow for the launch of an Android version of Mailbox, at least giving us users of the platform an opportunity to see what the early hype is all about.

The move feels like a no-brainer, if only going off of the names alone. Dropbox, Mailbox…it’s a match made in heaven. Check out the link below for the full story.

[via Dropbox]

Motorola X to be a flagship brand with customizable hardware [RUMOR]

Posted: 15 Mar 2013 10:15 AM PDT

Recent years have seen the major smartphone manufacturers each develop a consistent brand under which to launch their Android handsets. The latest X Phone rumor says Motorola could be next. In order to compete with the likes of Samsung’s Galaxy line, HTC’s One, and LG’s Optimus, it is being put forth that Moto’s ‘X’ won’t be a single device, but rather a line of devices.

This would be Motorola’s flagship brand moving forward. The closest the company has to such a brand currently is their RAZR line, though those devices remain largely exclusive to a single carrier (Verizon). The ‘X’ lineup would be introduced with a single device said to launch in June and be followed down the line by other models.

Speaking specifically about that first device, rumors persist that it will be available at a highly reduced cost via a singular online retailer. The handset will not launch through other retailers or via carriers. While the rumors don’t mention a specific outlet, that sure sounds like Google Play, to us.

Furthermore, the first X Phone will feature a customizable hardware set centered around an octo-core CPU with a full core dedicated to human language processing. With a lack of octo-core chipsets on the horizon, this bit of info should be taken with a grain of salt. Otherwise, it is being said that customers will be able to configure their phone’s color, RAM, and internal storage at checkout, much like has been the case in the PC industry. They can even preload all of their content out of the factory so the device is ready to run out of the box.

The last little bit to this rumor states that Motorola will guarantee an upgrade to at least one full Android version beyond what X-branded devices initially ship with. Moto would handle the process independent of carriers. With most major market phones already seeing at least one new Android version in their lifetime, perhaps this is the easiest part of this rumor to believe.

If we haven’t said it enough, this is all rumor for now. Speculation around the X Phone (or phones) will surely start to fly as summer approaches. With Samsung’s announcement of the Galaxy S4 yesterday, all eyes are now turned squarely to Motorola and Google.

[via Android and Me]

Re-watch Samsung’s entire Galaxy S4 announcement online

Posted: 15 Mar 2013 07:57 AM PDT


Because you didn’t get enough tap-dancing and shirtless gardeners last night, Samsung has posted their entire Unpacked event showcasing the Galaxy S4 online. You can watch it right now, in fact, and relive all the laughs, the tears, the squeals of sheer joy. Or just sit with a bored gaze for the better part of an hour, it’s really up to you.

While the Galaxy S4 is shaping up to be another monster success for Samsung, their show from Radio City Music Hall was equal parts bizarre and underwhelming. Why couldn’t we just get the standard rock concert bit and a short demonstration of the phone? Where were the B-list celebs? The Bruno Mars performance? The answer to all those questions and more won’t be found in the above video, that’s for sure.

Facebook skips Play Store in latest version, app now features direct updating?

Posted: 15 Mar 2013 07:45 AM PDT

According to reports, Facebook’s latest update is being pushed direct to Android users without the aid of the Google Play Store. Rather than receiving a prompt from the apps marketplace that an update is available for the social network’s Android offering, some users have been seeing a pop-up message upon launching Facebook informing users that a new update is ready to be installed.

The app will download the update in the background before prompting users, and after upgrading to the newest version enables a permission to automatically pull down future updates when connected to WiFi. Other new features available in the latest version of Facebook for Android include the ability to change profile pictures, improved messaging, and options to flag spam or hide stories from the feed.

As of now, we haven’t spotted the update on our own Android devices, how about you, dear readers? Let us know if you have received the new version directly.

[Facebook via Liliputing]

Google Fiber app now available for all Android 4.2 devices, Google Fiber still only available in Kansas City

Posted: 15 Mar 2013 07:28 AM PDT

Good news! The Google Fiber remote app is now available for all Android 4.2+ devices. Bad news! Google Fiber is still only available to those residing in Kansas City. For those lucky enough to fall within the realm of Google’s envied broadband service, the ability to control their television will no longer delimited to the Nexus 7.

The latest update to the app enables browsing of shows and movies on any device running the latest version of Android (that would include that shiny new Samsung Galaxy S4). The user interface has also been tweaked to provide a simpler, cleaner experience.

Google Fiber launched last year as an all-in-one broadband internet and fiber television service. Fiber boasts some of the most amazing consumer broadband speeds around and offers several internet/TV packages at tempting prices. Currently, Kansas City, KS is the first test market to receive the service. Google hasn’t announced any plans to expand their Fiber offering.

[via Engadget]

Android Overload: HTC One headed to Verizon Wireless, Galaxy S4 dismantled for all to see, and more

Posted: 15 Mar 2013 02:13 AM PDT

The Android Overload is where we stash all of the stories/articles/news bits that didn't make it onto our front page (some, for more obvious reasons than others). In any case, just because they weren't featured doesn't mean they aren't worth taking a look at. In fact, there's almost always a little something here for everyone. So, take a look around and let us know if you find anything interesting.

  • Redbox Instant is now officially open to the public. Unlike Netflix, sole focus will be on movies titles, not TV shows. [GigaOM]
  • HTC One will be coming to Verizon Wireless, says a source familiar with the situation. All just rumor for now. [AllThingsD]
  • HTC’s CMO Ben Ho joins in on the fun. Bashes the Samsung Galaxy S4 calling it “more of the same.” [Engadget]
  • Samsung Galaxy Tab 2 7.0 receiving Android 4.1 Jelly Bean update on Verizon Wireless (software version JZO54K.I915VRBMA3). Thanks, Anon!
  • The Samsung Galaxy S4 can easily print documents, photos, and web pages directly to HP printers. Galaxy S3 and Galaxy Note 2 will receive this functionality in a software update later this year. [HP Press Release]
  • Wanna see what the Samsung Galaxy S4 looks like when completely dismantled? I know you do. [IT168]
  • Intel-powered XOLO (not to be confused with YOLO) X1000 offers a 4.7 -inch display, 8MP camera and a 2GHz Intel Atom processor for $370 in India. [XOLO]
  • Samsung announced 2 new co-CEO’s, President Boo-keun Yoon and President J.K. Shin. [Samsung Tomorrow]
  • Sony Xperia ZL gets FCC certified. Loses the textured backing we saw from the model at CES. [Engadget]
  • 35% of Android apps in China are secretly stealing user data. TechCrunch believes it’s another sign of Google’s lack of control, but I don’t see it as a bad thing. Shows Google’s hands-off approach with Android, its open sourced-ness, and is the sole reason it’s dominating smartphone market share. [TechCrunch]

Samsung’s wireless gaming controller is my favorite accessory of the night

Posted: 14 Mar 2013 10:02 PM PDT

You burnt out on Samsung Galaxy S4 news yet? Good. We have one more little tidbit of news you might find interesting. If you watched the live stream, you may remember Samsung touting the Galaxy S4′s all new S Health application and a variety of accessories that would bring additional functionality to the app. Things like a Nike Fuelband-esque wearable wrist strap and a body scale that syncs up to S Health and yells at you with the voice of JK Shin for putting on weight (maybe not).

Well, if that whole health thing isn’t really your cup of tea (I wouldn’t blame you), maybe this is. A prototype gaming controller was spotted on the showroom floor, looking like a cross between an Xbox controller and something out of Nintendoland. Actually, the controller — which doesn’t even have a formal name as of yet (I’d guess “S Controller”) — shares a lot more in common with the MOGA we showed you guys a few months back. The controller comes with the standard 4-button layout along the front, 2 analogs and a d-pad, left and right shoulder buttons, and a hefty clamp up top for fitting a wide variety of Android devices (yes, even the Note 2 but Note 8.0 is pushing it). Have to admit it’s pretty slick.

To compliment the controller was a gaming hub application packed with a variety of games that no doubt offer S Controller functionality out of the box. We’ll have to wait and see what Samsung’s plans are regarding this little accessory as far as pricing and availability, but let’s just hope this forgotten like the wireless charging accessory for the original Galaxy S3.

[via Engadget]

Samsung delivers four minute overview of the Galaxy S4 [VIDEO]

Posted: 14 Mar 2013 08:41 PM PDT

Samsung Galaxy S4 Specs and Pictures | Samsung Galaxy S4 at AndroidForums.com | Sign up to the Galaxy S4 Mailing List

Need another look at the Samsung Galaxy S4? Samsung has prepared its own 4-minute overview of its latest flagship smartphone, showing off the new hardware alongside new TouchWiz features such as Air View, Smart Pause, Dual Camera and more. If that hour-long stage play of a press conference is too much for you and you just want the condensed, down to the point version then be sure to check the video out above. Oh, and don’t forget that our own hands-on with the device is up so you’ll want to check that out as well.

Annnnnnd… The Nexus 4 bumper is back in stock on Google Play

Posted: 14 Mar 2013 07:50 PM PDT

Alright, we’re tired of your little games, Google. We know, the Google giveth and the Google taketh away, but you can’t just keep toying with our emotions like that. First the Nexus 4 bumper case is available, then it’s out of stock, then it’s no longer available for sale. We’re not sure what’s going on here, but it looks like Google may have found a few boxes of the official Nexus 4 Bumper case as it is currently back in stock on Google Play. The Play Store is just a roller coaster of emotions. Oh, Google.. this is so us, isn’t it?

[Nexus 4 Bumper case on Google Play]
Posted by at 7:52 AM 0 comments

Android and Me

Android and Me

AnTuTu Benchmark: Samsung Galaxy S 4 vs HTC One vs NVIDIA Tegra 4

Posted: 15 Mar 2013 02:28 PM PDT

Benchmarks are meaningless, right? For entertainment purposes only, we decided to compare the new Samsung Galaxy S4 against the HTC One and NVIDIA’s Tegra 4 platform. Keep in mind we are talking about unreleased devices and non-final software, so don’t read too much into this single...

Visit our site to read the full article.

Qualcomm confirms their Snapdragon 600 will power some Galaxy S 4s

Posted: 15 Mar 2013 02:04 PM PDT

When Samsung announced their Galaxy S 4 device last night, they revealed that some versions would ship with their 1.6 GHz Exynos 5 Octa chip and others would include a quad-core 1.9 GHz Qualcomm chip. There was some initial confusion over which Qualcomm processor would be used, but the company...

Visit our site to read the full article.

Big does not equal premium

Posted: 15 Mar 2013 01:44 PM PDT

Something has been really bothering me lately. You know those nights, when you’re trying to fall asleep, and no matter how hard you try, you can’t get comfortable? That’s the relationship I have with my phone, a Nexus 4. No matter what I do, I feel like I can’t settle in...

Visit our site to read the full article.

This is the Motorola “X Phone”, and it’s going to level the playing field this summer

Posted: 15 Mar 2013 10:35 AM PDT

Imagine a world where you buy your smartphone first and then pick your wireless carrier. Picture a fantasy land where you can customize your phone’s hardware to your liking, similar to how Dell or Lenovo lets you build a PC. You can laugh and say I’m full of it, but I’m here to...

Visit our site to read the full article.

HTC goes from “quietly brilliant” to “boisterously confident”

Posted: 15 Mar 2013 08:36 AM PDT

HTC believes they have the best smartphone in the world, and they are not afraid to let you know. The Taiwanese manufacturer once embraced “Quietly Brilliant” as their company motto, but now they have adopted a new strategy to promote their flagship HTC One. “With a continuation...

Visit our site to read the full article.

Poll: Samsung Galaxy S 4, HTC One, or something else?

Posted: 15 Mar 2013 07:41 AM PDT

Both companies have made their pitch. Which phone are you most likely to buy next? Vote in our poll and make your voice heard.

Visit our site to read the full article.

Feedly tops Google Reader in every way possible

Posted: 15 Mar 2013 07:26 AM PDT

This week Google announced they were closing Reader, and many of us news junkies panicked as we searched for another solution. We asked our audience, “What is the best alternative?“, and began searching for a new home to manage our feeds. I thought it would be a long journey or...

Visit our site to read the full article.
Posted by at 7:43 AM 0 comments
Subscribe to: Posts (Atom)