Sunday, March 17, 2013

Android Authority

Android Authority


The Croods – The full Android app review

Posted: 16 Mar 2013 04:32 PM PDT

The Croods - app review If you’re unfamiliar with The Croods, it’s a movie that’s due out in theaters on March 22, 2013 from the well known and widely respected animation studio Dreamworks. It features a few big stars, including Nicolas Cage, Cloris Leachman, Emma Stone, and Ryan Reynolds. As a collaborative effort, Dreamworks worked with Rovio Entertainment to turn The Croods into an Android game. Is it work playing? Well read on to find out. If you’re more of a watcher than a reader, our video review is posted at the bottom.

The Croods 2 - Review

The Croods Game Play

If you’ve played a Facebook flash game in your lifetime, then you can probably play The Croods without a problem. Like Facebook flash games, you are set on a big screen where you can perform a myriad of tasks. In terms of premise, you’ll be capturing wild animals, taming them, raising them, and feeding them. Feeding them will earn you items that you can use to progress through the game and you can also use them to feed other animals.

In addition to that, you will be completing chores assigned to you by Gran, the local old person. These tasks don’t include anything difficult. You’ll be adding or removing scenery like trees, capturing animals, collecting items, and performing other menial tasks. In exchange you’ll get gold coins and experience. If you’re bogged down on items, you can hand them off to Ugga. Ugga will make you soup that you can use to upgrade your animals. It’s also a good way to grind for gold coins.

It doesn’t take nearly as long to explain as it takes to perform. All these things will keep gamers very busy as things tend to move pretty quickly. At least during the beginning of the game. However, if you look closely, there is a pattern to the game. It’s capturing and feeding animals and completing tasks assigned by Gran.

One thing we didn’t like about The Croods is that it’s a freemium game. So there are in app purchases where you can buy more crystal and gold coins. This is fine if you don’t mind spending a few extra bucks. For more serious gamers, this will be irritating as the game intentionally bottlenecks these resources to motivate people to buy them. You can play the game without spending any real money, but after a point there will be copious amounts of grinding for coins and crystals. This is an aspect we were very disappointed in.

The Croods 3 - App Review

The Croods Graphics and Sound

If you were hoping The Croods would impress you in these areas, you can forget it. The soundtrack is uninspired but it does what it’s supposed to, which is fill the silence space in the background. There are sound clips for various tasks and the characters will interact with one another occasionally.

The graphics in The Croods is about on par with most Facebook flash games. This is both good and bad. It’s good because those games are typically played on computers and this is an Android game. It’s bad because those graphics aren’t overly impressive. That doesn’t mean they aren’t good, but they just don’t impress. You will not have any problems identifying characters and associating them with their characters in the movie.

The Croods 4 - App Review

The Croods Overall

The game play for The Croods has a lot of potential to be extremely addictive. While no one likes the tedious grind of collecting items and leveling up, The Croods tries to push the pace on this so there is always something to do. In most cases, they succeed but there are still some tasks that take awhile. A plus to this, though, is that you will receive notifications for the game outside of the game. So when something is done building your animals need fed, you can receive notifications for it. So you don’t actually have to play in the game to still be playing.

At the end of the day, though, it depends on what kind of gamer you are. More serious gamers are not fans of the freemium premise and they won’t appreciate having gold and crystals (the main resources used for building things) bottlenecked to such a degree that they have to grind just to have enough. On the other hand, fans of games like Farmville 2 or Cafe World will feel right at home with The Croods as it features many similar mechanics to those games. By the time we were doing reviewing, we couldn’t really tell if we were playing a Rovio game or a Zynga game.

The Croods 5 - App Review

Wrap Up

If this looks like something you’re interested in, you can click the source link below to download it from the Google Play Store. It’s free to play, even if many of the elements in-game can be bought. We were able to see the charm in the game, especially if you’re excited about seeing the movie. However, we couldn’t get passed the fact that it looks and plays like a Zynga game on Facebook. So, once again, if you’re into that kind of stuff, then The Croods is right up your alley. If you don’t like those kinds of games, you could do your blood pressure a favor and steer clear.

The post The Croods – The full Android app review appeared first on Android Authority.

Chromebook Pixel available to buy in Australia through Mobicity

Posted: 16 Mar 2013 03:13 PM PDT

chromebook pixel (1)Australians wanting to get their hands on a Chromebook Pixel can now do so, as Mobicity has begun taking orders.

Mobicity is selling the Wi-Fi Chromebook Pixel for $1,648.90, including GST. As per usual with purchases from Mobicity, you'll get a 1-year local warranty with the device and an option to upgrade it to a two-year warranty for an additional $65.95. You can expect the total price to be around $1700 as you'll have to pay a customs fee as well.

Read also: Chromebook Pixel Hardware Review!

Google is not selling the Chromebook Pixel in Australia themselves just yet, but Google Australia said in a statement made to Ausdroid that they would like to make the Pixel available to "more users over time". In the meantime, Australians will have to settle with importing Google’s latest Chromebook offering.

The Chromebook Pixel sports a 12.85-inch 2560 x 1700 display with 4.3 million pixels. It has a Intel i5 dual-core CPU clocked at 1.8GHz, 4GB of RAM, a 64GB SSD and 1TB of Google Drive storage for three-years.

Read alsoThe Chromebook Pixel project: Chrome OS

Google launched the Chromebook Pixel in February. The device is available to buy from the Google Play Store in the U.S. and the U.K. In the U.S. buyers have an option to purchase a Wi-Fi only model and an LTE-enabled model, which is exclusive to the U.S. The LTE-enabled model comes with a free 100MB of bandwidth through Verizon Wireless.

The post Chromebook Pixel available to buy in Australia through Mobicity appeared first on Android Authority.

Google Fiber app launches in the Play Store, compatible with more than just the Nexus 7

Posted: 16 Mar 2013 12:52 PM PDT

google-fiberKansas City residents with Google Fiber: Google is improving your Fiber experience by offering you its Google Fiber app on more devices than just the Nexus 7 you received with your service package.

As noted in the change log, the app has a “re-designed user interface for simpler browse, search and discover your favorite content". Google also added better Wi-Fi connectivity to the app and made it compatible with devices running Android 4.1 Jelly Bean or higher. It works with both tablets and phones whereas it only worked on the Nexus 7 tablet previously.

Read alsoShould Google Fiber be in every home?

The app turns your phone into a remote allowing you to surf through shows and movies that are currently live, recorded on your  DVR and available on-demand. If you're one of the few lucky people to have Google Fiber, head on over to the Play Store and give this app a download.

The post Google Fiber app launches in the Play Store, compatible with more than just the Nexus 7 appeared first on Android Authority.

Cube U30GT2 goes for sale for $250, a quad-core 10.1-inch tab with full HD display

Posted: 16 Mar 2013 11:28 AM PDT

Cube-U30GT

If you're looking for an Android tablet that doesn't skimp out on specs, but at the same time won't cost a fortune, you may want to consider getting the Cube U30GT2.

We've seen some worthy tabs from Cube in the past, such as the 9.7-inch U9GT5, which was released last year sporting a 2,048 x 1,536 resolution and offered for about $270. The 10.1-inch U30GT2 only packs a 1080p IPS screen of 1,920 x 1,200 resolution. However, the overall specs have been vastly improved.

Starting with the processor, instead of going the dual-core route, the slate is powered by a quad-core 1.8GHz ARM Cortex-A9 processor, Mali 400 GPU, and paired with 2GB of RAM. On paper, the CPU is apparently faster than both Tegra 3 and Exynos 4412.

The Cube U30GT2 also comes with 32GB internal storage, microSD support, a 5-megapixel main camera, a 2-megapixel front cam, a mini HDMI slot, an 8,000mAh battery, and Android 4.1 Jelly Bean onboard.

As for its price, you can grab the tablet online for $250, but remember to factor in the shipping fee as well. We heard that Cube has shipped out the first batch of the tab. If you order now, you can expect to have the U30GT2 delivered in 1-3 weeks. Planning to take a leap of faith? Like other budget tablets, keep in mind that the build quality may not be as good as some of the bigger OEMs.

The post Cube U30GT2 goes for sale for $250, a quad-core 10.1-inch tab with full HD display appeared first on Android Authority.

Samsung Galaxy S4 vs HTC Droid DNA

Posted: 16 Mar 2013 06:20 AM PDT

samsung galaxy s4 vs HTC Droid DNA 1 aa 600

On Thursday, the Samsung Galaxy S4 was finally unveiled by Samsung in New York, putting an end to months of rumors and speculations about the new member of the insanely popular Galaxy S line of smartphones.

Arguably one of the highlights of the device is the use of a 5-inch 1080p display. With the Galaxy S4, Samsung has made its fashionably late entrance in the already crowded club of full HD phone makers. At this point, the full HD invasion is complete, with nearly every Android device maker boasting at least on full HD phone in its portfolio.

The fast adoption of full HD displays is so much more impressive when you think that just a few months back, the HTC J Butterfly, and its American doppelganger the Droid DNA were making the headlines with their new ultra crisp panels.

Has Samsung managed to define what a modern smartphone should be like? Has HTC struck a better balance between specs and design, functionality and appearance? Let’s find out together.

You can jump to the bottom of this article for a video review, or join us as we pit the Samsung Galaxy S4 against the HTC Droid DNA in four rounds: display, design and build quality, internal hardware, and software.

Specs

Specifications Samsung Galaxy S4 HTC Droid DNA
Dimensions 136.6 x 69.8 x 7.9mm130g 141 x 70.5 x 9.7 mm (5.55 x 2.78 x 0.38 in)141.7 g (4.97 oz)
Display 4.99-inch, Super AMOLED1920 x 1080 Full HD, 441ppi 5-inch Super LCD 31080 x 1920, 441ppi
CPU and GPU International version

  • Samsung Exynos 5 Octa
  • Quad-core A15 (1.6GHz) + Quad-core A7 (1.2GHz)

US version

  • Qualcomm Snapdragon 600 APQ8064T
  • Quad-core Krait 300
  • 1.9Ghz
APQ8064 Snapdragon S4 ProQuad-core 1.5GHzAdreno 320
RAM 2GB 2GB
Storage 16GB/32GB/64GB internalmicroSD, up to 64GB 16/32GBNon-expandable
Cameras 13MP rear, LED flash, autofocus, burst mode, Shot with Sound, Dual record, Smart Erase 8MP rear,  autofocus, LED flash2.1MP front, 1080p, 30fps
Battery 2600mAh, removable 2020 mAh12.8h talk time (3G)
Networks GSM, UMTS, HSPA+/LTE GSM, UMTS, CDMAHSPA+, LTE
Connectivity Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n acWi-Fi Direct, Wi-Fi hotspot, DLNA, NFCBluetooth 4.0 A2DP

microUSB, MHL 2, infrared

A-GPS

Wi-Fi 802.11 b, g, nWi-Fi hotspotmicroUSB, DLNA

NFC

A-GPS

Bluetooth 4.0

Operating system Android 4.2 TouchWiz UIAir View, Smart Scroll, Smart Pause,S Translate, Knox, S Drive Android 4.1 Jelly Bean Sense 4+

Display

The HTC Droid DNA features a 5-inch full HD Super LCD 3 display that clocks in an impressive 441ppi pixel density. This Super LCD 3 display is a joy to gaze at, as it not only offers great contrast levels and pixel-free crispness, but also accurate color reproduction.

In the Samsung corner, the 5-inch full HD Super AMOLED display on the Samsung Galaxy S4 is equally crisp, has better brightness, but (as all SAMOLED panels) less accurate color reproduction.

Verdict: The HTC Droid DNA has more accurate color reproduction, thus has a small advantage in this round, although SAMOLED fans will surely want to go for the Samsung Galaxy S4.

Design and build quality

The Samsung Galaxy S4 borrows a lot from the design of its predecessor, featuring a very similar home button flanked by two capacitive buttons. The corners are less rounded on GS4 than they are on the GS3, making the phone look like a cross between last years Galaxy S and the Note.

The Samsung Galaxy S4 measures 136.6 x 69.8 x 7.9 mm (5.38 x 2.75 x 0.31 in) and weighs in at 130 g (4.59 oz), while the HTC Droid DNA measures 141 x 70.5 x 9.7 mm (5.55 x 2.78 x 0.38 in). As the numbers dictate, the Galaxy S4 is the more compact of these two smartphones.

The HTC Droid DNA features an aggressive design, with bold red aluminum accents in line with Verizon’s branding. HTC has applied a rubbery texture to the back plate,  making the DNA a bit easier to use with one hand.

Verdict: Feel free to disagree in the comment section below, but even though the Samsung Galaxy S4 is a bit more compact, the Droid DNA is the better looking device.

samsung galaxy s4 vs HTC Droid DNA 2 aa 600

Internal Hardware

CPU, GPU, and RAM

The HTC Droid DNA uses the Qualcomm Snapdragon S4 Pro system on a chip (SoC), meaning that under its hood hums a 1.5GHz quad-core Krait CPU and a Adreno 320 GPU, coupled with 2 GB of RAM.

The recently unveiled Samsung Galaxy S4 comes in two versions: an international version that uses an Exynos 5 Octa, a brand new chipset (rocking a quad-core A15 CPU plus a quad-core A7 CPU in big.LITTLE configuration, a GPU), and a North American version that will make use of Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 600 CPU (a 1.9 GHz Krait CPU, an Adreno 320 GPU). Both versions will feature 2GB of RAM.

As preliminary benchmark tests demonstrate, the Exynos 5 Octa proves itself faster than the Snapdragon S4 Pro.

samsung galaxy s4 vs HTC Droid DNA 4 aa 600

Internal and Expandable Storage

The Samsung Galaxy S4 comes in 16GB, 32GB, and 64GB versions and can work with microSD cards, while the HTC Droid DNA comes with 16GB of internal space and no microSD card slot.

Cameras

The HTC Droid DNA features an 8MP primary camera and a 2.1MP secondary camera for video calling, while the Samsung Galaxy S4 seems to be a bit better endowed in this department, with its 13MP primary camera and a 2MP secondary shooter. Besides the larger sensor (and probably better optics), the Galaxy S4 also integrates a number of new little feature, that some might find gimmicky, but I am sure that many users will appreciate.

samsung galaxy s4 12 aa 600

Battery

The Samsung Galaxy S4 uses a 2600 mAh user-removable battery, which is obviously preferable to the 2020 mAh non-removable battery that's inside the HTC Droid DNA.

Verdict: The hardware specs round clearly goes to the Samsung Galaxy S4

Android implementation and software 

Verizon’s HTC Droid DNA runs on Android 4.1 Jelly Bean. Naturally, both the carrier and HTC have promised a timely update to Android 4.2, but don’t hold your breath.

The Droid DNA uses the HTC Sense 4+ interface, which is arguably better designed than the Samsung Galaxy S4's TouchWiz interface, albeit the latter comes with a number of useful software features such as: Air View, Smart Scroll, Smart Pause, and a number of others that you can learn all about in the article here.

Verdict: The TouchWiz interface on the Samsung Galaxy S4 wins this round thanks to its array of software features.

Hands-on video

Verdict

Both the Samsung Galaxy S4 and the HTC Droid DNA are great Android smartphones, but the Galaxy S4 is not only faster, but also the more complete and versatile device.

The Droid DNA features one of the best displays on any phone (especially if you want true-to-life colors) and features a snazzy design, it does have a couple of flaws that could have been easily avoided by HTC. Yes, I'm talking about that smallish battery and lack of microSD card support.

What do you guys think: is the Samsung Galaxy S4 the new king of full HD smartphones ? Has the Super LCD 3 display on the HTC Droid DNA charmed you? Let us know in the comments!

The post Samsung Galaxy S4 vs HTC Droid DNA appeared first on Android Authority.

Sony’s unannounced Xperia SP gets its first render

Posted: 16 Mar 2013 05:15 AM PDT

Xperia-SP-M35h

Aside from the flagship Xperia Z and Xperia ZL, Sony is prepping a pair of mid-range phones that have yet to be made official, the Xperia SP and L.

We first learned of the former last month, when leaked pictures of the device made their way online. We also know that it's possibly going to be unveiled in Russia in a few days. Now, we have what appears to be the first rendering of the Xperia SP.

sony-xperia-sp

The render seems to match the live pictures of the Xperia SP, as seen above. So it looks like there'll be no visual surprise when Sony finally introduces the handset. Some rumored specs of the SP include a 4.55-inch HD display, a dual-core 1.7GHz Snapdragon S4 processor, 1GB RAM, and an 8-megapixel rear camera.

Not too shabby, right? But apparently they're only good enough to be classified as a mid-ranger nowadays.

If you're in the UK, you may get to play with the Xperia SP very soon, as it's been rumored to hit stores in the coming days. It might be offered for around £310 ($470) off-contract, which isn't at all cheap.

Are you at all intrigued by the Xperia SP?

The post Sony's unannounced Xperia SP gets its first render appeared first on Android Authority.

Second-gen Nexus 7 with high-res display to launch before Retina iPad mini, analyst says

Posted: 16 Mar 2013 04:29 AM PDT

nexus-7-vs-ipad-mini-600px

Budget tablets with high-resolution displays are coming later this year, an analyst estimates, with the second-gen Nexus 7 to beat to market a Retina iPad mini.

DisplaySearch analyst Paul Semenza said that a Nexus 7 2 could arrive with an HD+ resolution display – 1920 x 1200 – that would bump pixel density from 216ppi for the current model up to 323ppi.

Display mass production for the Nexus 7 could start in the second quarter of the year, much earlier than panel production for the Retina iPad mini.

Apple is said to launch the iPad mini in the third or fourth quarter and equip it with a 2048 x 1536 resolution display, like the one found on the iPad 3 and iPad 4, but smaller. Pixel density would double, from 163 on the first-generation iPad mini to 324 on its successor.

Among the potential Retina iPad mini display makers, Semenza lists LG Display, AUO, Japan Display and even Sharp, but he doesn't mention Nexus 7 2 screen suppliers.

Actual launch dates for either product aren't provided yet, so we'll have to wait a while for more availability details on these two new products. At the same time, we'll remind you that analysts do make mistakes, and we're yet to see either Google or Apple announce their upcoming tablets, so take everything with a grain of salt for now.

The post Second-gen Nexus 7 with high-res display to launch before Retina iPad mini, analyst says appeared first on Android Authority.

Motorola Electrify 2 gets upgraded to Jelly Bean

Posted: 16 Mar 2013 04:21 AM PDT

Motorola-Electrify-2-US-Cellular

The Motorola Electrify 2 was launched in August of last year on U.S. Cellular. Following the arrival of Jelly Bean on its next of kin, the Electrify M, the same Android 4.1.2 upgrade is now rolling out to the Electrify 2.

The software update will be pushed out to the device in phases, which means you won't be seeing it right away, unless you're very lucky. Once you've made the jump to the new 9.8.3O-118-14 firmware, you'll be able to enjoy the many awesome features that Jelly Bean has to offer, such as Project Butter, expanded notifications, Voice Search, Google Now, and more.

If you're not too familiar yet with Google's excellent personal assistant, you may want to read our Google Now guide, which should make for a good starting point as to how the feature can help get you the information you need automatically.

Back to the Jelly Bean update, let us know in the comments below whether you've received it or not.

The post Motorola Electrify 2 gets upgraded to Jelly Bean appeared first on Android Authority.

5.2-inch LG Nexus 5 leaks, sounds too good to be true

Posted: 16 Mar 2013 03:26 AM PDT

lg-nexus-5-prototype-rumor-1

Now that the Galaxy S4 is out we've seen a variety of reports hinting at other smartphones that could be launched in the future, with most of them focusing on Google's X Phone. But there's also a new wild LG Nexus 5 rumor out there.

From an untrusted source, Android and Me has gotten a hold of a leaked picture of an LG device that's a candidate for the Nexus 5 position. The leak for this LG Megalodon – apparently that's its codename for now – includes specs and features as follows:

  • 5.2-inch OLED Display with 1920 × 1080 resolution
  • Qualcomm Snapdragon 800 @ 2.3 GHz
  • 3GB LPDDR3 RAM
  • 16/32/64GB of internal storage
  • 16MP rear camera by OmniVision (4k video recording @30FPS, 1080p video recording @60FPS, Real Time HDR & HDR video recording, optical image stabilization, BSI 2.0)
  • 2.1MP front camera (1080p video recording @30FPS)
  • 3300mAh Lithium Polymer battery
  • Front positioned stereo speakers
  • Qualcomm RF360 (LTE 150 Mbps & HSPA+)
  • Integrated DVB-T / ATSC-antenna
  • Gesture like controls (navigation, zoom, etc)

Naturally, we're advising you to take everything with a large chunk of salt for now, as this Nexus 5 sounds too good to be true, doesn't it?

At the same time, this isn't the first LG Nexus 5 rumor we've seen, so we wouldn't be surprised to see LG get the Nexus 5 contract after all, no matter whether today's leak proves real or fake.

In case we're looking at the real deal, this LG Nexus 5 is said to arrive in October, so there's plenty of time to find out more details about the handset.

The post 5.2-inch LG Nexus 5 leaks, sounds too good to be true appeared first on Android Authority.

Android and Me

Android and Me


Rumor: Is this the LG Nexus 5?

Posted: 15 Mar 2013 11:11 PM PDT

WARNING: If you are allergic to rumors, speculation, or leaked phones, then do not click on this story. We just received a hot tip and we are not able to verify the source, so help us decide if it’s fake or real. Is the above image the LG Nexus 5? An anonymous [...]

Visit our site to read the full article.

Android Phone Fans

Android Phone Fans


Android Overload: LG Nexus 5 leaks, Feedly getting all Google Reader users, Redbox Instant Video out of beta and more

Posted: 16 Mar 2013 05:07 PM PDT

This week was quite eventful and we are getting ready for more! With so many awesome Android stories hitting our homepage, you know many other’s will have to be left out. This is why we have the Android Overload, where we bring you everything there is to know about Android. Sit back and check this out before taking off to your weekend adventures.

  • Is this the LG Nexus 5? [Android and Me]
  • Feedly gets over half a million Google Readers users [Feedly]
  • Verizon’s Redbox Instant Video goes out of beta [Redbox]
  • How much did Dropbox pay for Mailbox? [All Things Digital]
  • Telcel’s Carlos Slim’s empire under assault [WSJ]
  • HP and Samsung to offer setup-free printing on the Galaxy S4 [Engadget]
  • Samsung Galaxy S4 price leaked [GSM Arena]
  • Samsung announces Exynos 5 Octa availability [BusinessWire]
  • AT&T Sony Xperia ZL goes through FCC [Engadget]
  • Go’s Next Launcher 40% off this weekend [Android Police]

HTC confirms the One will not come to Verizon

Posted: 16 Mar 2013 03:14 PM PDT

We have sad news for Verizon subscribers today. HTC has confirmed via their Twitter account that the HTC One will not be coming to Verizon, despite earlier rumors confirming the opposite.

The HTC One is arguably among the best devices of the year. At the very least, it is up there with the Samsung Galaxy S4, but not many were very impressed by the latter. Really, it is a matter of preference, but one thing is for sure, Verizon subscribers will have an easier time trying to decide which of the two to get.

The Samsung Galaxy S4 is confirmed to come to Verizon and we highly doubt the DROID DNA will be enough to compete against it. Even if its specs are not much worse than the HTC One’s.

We are still expecting a successor to the DROID DNA to come, though. The HTC DLXPLUS has been rumored for a while, with a codename that highly ressembles that of the DROID DNA (HTC DLX). This rumored device should come as a good upgrade, probably with all the features of the HTC One.

[Source: HTC]

This Week In Google TV: Shopping guide, stay tuned for I/O Google TV news, Sony NSZ-GS7 GTV V3 update and more

Posted: 16 Mar 2013 01:28 PM PDT

Welcome to this week’s edition of our “This Week In Google TV” feature! This is where we bring you your weekly dose of Google TV news. The platform is finally starting to grow more rapidly and we know many of you are struggling to get your Google TV content. You can stop searching all over the internet – now you can get it all here, every Saturday.

Google TV Will Not Be Ignored At This Year’s Google I/O!

If you were on top of Google I/O last year, you know Google TV was far from being the star of the show. In fact, Google TV fans were quite disappointed after seeing our favorite smart TV platform not even getting a mention.

If the Google TV Developers Google+ page is to be believed, we have something to wait for this time around. They posted a comment asking us to “stay tuned for Google TV news at I/O.” We are not sure how small or big the news could be, but at least we know something is coming. What do you think it is?

For more go to: Google: "Stay tuned for Google TV news at I/O"

Need Help Purchasing Your Next Google TV Device?

We’ve got you! We know it can be a complicated process to purchase a new Google TV. They are pretty much nowhere to be found in physical stores, so we have to depend on the few reviews out there to make the best choice. If you need a little extra help, though, we have a brand new Google TV Shopping Guide for you!

There are options for people on a budget, as well as options for those with cash to spare. But most importantly, we go over the best upcoming devices, which are scheduled for release very soon. Check out the guide and let us know what you think! Which device are you getting next?

We will also be publishing updated guides a few times a year, depending on how much things change. So stay tuned for those.

For more go to: Google TV shopping guide – March 2013

Sony NSZ-GS7 Google TV Receives GTV V3 Update

It couldn’t take much longer for the Sony NSZ-GS7 GTV version 3 update to come around. Sony’s $50 voice-enabled remote was released early this week, and we knew it was only a matter of days before the update started hitting our devices.

Thankfully, it started rolling out the very next morning. It came with all the features we could expect, like Voice Search (which requires the new remote), PrimeTime Quick Guide, and all the other upgrades and fixes. So if you haven’t updated your Sony Google TV, it’s about time you start checking for those updates!

For more go to: Sony NSZ-GS7 Google TV box receives its GTV V3 update!

Able Remote Updated With Netflix Fix

If you have been following our Google TV coverage, you know Able Remote is our favorite remote app for Google TV. The app offers great flexibility and customization, which you can read all about in our review (or see the video review below).

A small issue has been plaguing Able Remote users lately, though. We have been experiencing issues with Netflix pairing, a problem that has just been fixed with the latest update. Now all we need is Google to release the GTV V3 APIs and Able Remote will be back to the top of the pyramid.

For more go to: Able Remote updated, still not optimized for GTV V3

Wrap Up

What a nice week! We have more devices updated with GTV V3 now, and other Google TV devices are about to be released. Not only that, but now we also know Google TV news will be coming during Google I/O! We have a lot to look forward to, guys.

Meanwhile, you can stay updated by reading our “This Week In Google TV” feature and checking out GTVSource.com, our sister site. See you next week!

Android Overload: Infographic shows us everything new in the GS4, Qualcomm confirms Snapdragon 600′s for GS4, and more

Posted: 15 Mar 2013 11:49 PM 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.

  • Here’s a handy infographic to show you everything that’s new in the Samsung Galaxy S4. [SamsungTomorrow]
  • Samsung’s Exynos 5 Octa is now available but which manufacturer — outside of Samsung — will be the first to implement it in their handsets/tablets? [Samsung]
  • Samsung is about to release their first Tizen phone later this year. Is this is a sign of things to come? [Bloomberg]
  • Samsung is already planning their “Great Escape” from Android, and onto Tizen. [BGR]
  • Google is launching an ebook line for its popular augmented reality game Ingress. [PaidContent]
  • Motorola Electrify 2 on US Cellular gets Jelly Bean. [Motorola]
  • Belkin acquires Linksys. Snatches up the networking division away from Cisco. [Engadget]
  • Keek updated for Android. Bring a tons of improvements and UI enhancements. [Google Play]
  • Motorola Droid RAZR and Droid RAZR MAXX over-the-air update incoming (software version 9.16.6.XT926.Verizon.en.US). Expect lot’s-o-bug fixes. [Verizon Wireless]
  • NowThis News video app now available for Android devices. [Google Play]
  • WhatsApp update brings all new, slick, minimal UI. Your move, Kik. [Google Play]
  • EA announces that they’ll have 16 titles compatible with the Samsung Galaxy S4 by the time it launches in April. [PocketGamer]
  • Qualcomm confirms Snapdragon 600 will power some Samsung Galaxy S4′s in specific regions… but which ones? [Qualcomm]
  • UK retailer reports Samsung Galaxy S4 demand is 40% greater than the S3′s. [TechRadar]
  • Jet Set Radio available for discounted $3 price tag in the Play Store. [Google Play]

Google Android News Android Forums

Google Android News Android Forums


100,000 Google Reader Fans Sign Petition to Save it from Extinction

Posted: 15 Mar 2013 09:18 PM PDT

google-reader-logo

Google has really hit a sore spot for fans of its extremely popular Google Reader app. Google Reader has been around for years, and for some, meant the beginning of user-friendly and simple RSS reading/social networking.

One fan, Dan Lewis from New York, NY, has decided not to let the reader go down without a fight, and 100,000 followers have his back!

The petition, pleads with Google to end the madness and keep its Reader alive. It reads:

Dear Google:

A few years ago — years, wow — Google Reader was one of my go-to social networks. It was an accidental one. I was using it for its intended purpose — aggregating and reading a lot of web content in one place — but it turns out, a lot of other people were doing the same thing. A lot. Many of which shared interests and when you added the amazing (amazing!) share and comment features, Google Reader blossomed into a wonderful experience for many of us, core to our day-to-day consumption of content online.

Unfortunately, you decided to kill those “extra” functions. I’m not here to ask you to reverse that (you should, though). In doing so, Google Reader’s day-to-day value declined, and I, like many, ended up using it less often. Instead of hitting the bookmarklet I have on my Chrome install three, four times a day, it’s now a once a day (okay, once every other day more often, recently) experience.

But it’s still a core part of my Internet use. And of the many, many others who are signed below.

Our confidence in Google’s other products — Gmail, YouTube, and yes, even Plus — requires that we trust you in respecting how and why we use your other products. This isn’t just about our data in Reader. This is about us using your product because we love it, because it makes our lives better, and because we trust you not to nuke it.

Oh.

So, please don’t destroy that trust. You’re a huge corporation, with a market cap which rivals the GDP of nations. You’re able to dedicate 20% of your time to products which may never seen the light of day. You experiment in self-driving cars and really cool eyewear which we trust (trust!) you’ll use in a manner respectful to our needs, interests, etc.

Show us you care.

Don’t kill Google Reader.

“Out with the old and in with the new” is the best motto for any company that wishes to be known for its innovation, and Google is just that.  Humans will always inherently fight change. Change brings with it unfamiliarity and unknowns, and people fear these implicitly. Google knows that their Reader is dated and they are taking steps to refresh this popular but antiquated app. I wish Dan and his supporters the best of luck in their quest, and I hope Google makes the right choice for their loyal fans.

Source: Change.org


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Samsung Galaxy S 4 Infographic Reveals Detailed Specs

Posted: 15 Mar 2013 08:24 PM PDT

Samsung-GALAXY-S-4_Samsung_Tomorrow

Samsung just released a detailed infographic showing off the specs for their new Galaxy S 4 handset. The infographic shows that the new handset will release with:

  • A 5-inch full HD, Super AMOLED, 1920 x 1080, 441ppi display
  • 1.6GHz Octa Core, or 1.9GHz Quad-core CPU
  • 136.6mm (length) x 69.8mm (width) x 7.9mm (thick)
  • Weighs a mere 130g
  • 2,600mAh high capacity battery
  • Android 4.2.2 Jelly Bean OS
  • 13MP Rear-facing Camera and 2MP Front-facing Camera
  • HSPA+ 42 Mbps 3G, 4G LTE wireless connectivity
  • Available in “Black Mist” and “White Frost”

Impressive specs to say the least…I can’t wait to get my hands on one!  Check out the infographic below and the source for more information.

Samsung_Galaxy_S_4_Infographic_01

Source: Samsung


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Google Play News coming soon to compete with Apple Newstand

Posted: 15 Mar 2013 08:12 PM PDT

newsstandappios

That’s right news fans, Google is rumored to be launching an Apple Newsstand competitor in the Play Store sometime in the near future.  The news reader will be affectionately called “Google Play News”, and it will allow users to purchase single issues of newspapers, or fully subscribe to them.

A piece of JavaScript was discovered from the desktop web version of the Google Play Store by Android Police.  Here is what they found that referenced the news reader:

To read Google Play News, you must have a supported Android phone or tablet

Please sign in to get this News edition.

Please sign in to purchase this News Issue.

Please sign in to purchase this News Edition Subscription.

Subscribing you to this news edition…

You have subscribed to this news edition. It is now available on your device.

This is a welcomed addition to Android’s already wide variety of RSS and magazine readers. The ability to read newspapers through a customized application on Android devices is appealing to say the least. I know I am looking forward to trying it out.

Source: Android Police


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Samsung appoints two new co-CEOs after GS 4 announcement

Posted: 15 Mar 2013 06:57 PM PDT

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After the theatrics of last night’s Galaxy S 4 announcement, it’s back to business for Samsung. First “business” move? Appoint two more CEOs. Samsung presidents Yoon Boo-keun and J.K. Shin are the newest co-CEOs, joining CEO Kwon Oh-hyun. It sounds a bit odd, but it puts a CEO at the top of each of Samsung’s major divisions; Yoon was in charge of consumer electronics, such as Samsung’s television line, and Shin was the head of the mobile division, concerning Samsung’s Galaxy devices. Kwon is currently the head of the component division, which includes Samsung’s popular memory products (RAM, SSDs, etc.) and the Exynos processors.

Samsung stated the move ”recognizes the strong performance of President Yoon and President Shin,” and ”the new leadership structure will serve to clarify and enhance independent management” over each division. While this news definitely isn’t as exciting as a new device announcement, it’s a sure sign that Samsung is doing everything in their power to stay competitive in every market they enter.

source: The Verge


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AT&T and T-Mobile post sign up page for Galaxy S 4

Posted: 15 Mar 2013 06:29 PM PDT

Samsung-GALAXY-S-4_Samsung_Tomorrow

Now that the S 4 is official, I’m sure everyone is wondering when their carrier is going to offer the device. We don’t have any official word on that yet, but like what we saw last night with a few Canadian carriers, AT&T and T-Mobile have launched pages letting you sign up to be the first to know when your new gadget becomes available, and how much cash it’s going to set you back. Hopefully we’ll get some preorder information out of the page in the near future as well. Hit the links below to check out the pages for each carrier.

source: AT&T

T-Mobile


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The Conduit HD hits the Play Store with Tegra optimization

Posted: 15 Mar 2013 06:14 PM PDT

the-conduit-HD

The Conduit, a well-received first person shooter on the Nintendo Wii, has been remade for Android devices and is now on the Play Store, fully optimized for Tegra devices.

The game features an epic campaign centered around aliens occupying Washington DC. You play as a Secret Service agent named Michael Ford who gets caught up with a mysterious organization to stop the alien invasion and unravel a massive conspiracy theory that dates back a few hundred years. It’s a fast paced shooter with a pile of unique weapons to use and several different kinds of alien enemies to fight over the game’s campaign mode. And if you’re running the game on a Tegra device, you’ll get optimized graphics, including higher resolution and enhanced lighting effects. Possibly the best feature of the entire app is the fact that you can completely customize your touch screen controls to suit your device and playing habits, and it supports bluetooth controllers.

Sound interesting? Hit the source below to download the app and try out the first two levels of the campaign for free.

QR Code generator

Play Store Download Link


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