Monday, March 18, 2013

Android Authority

Android Authority


Karbonn Titanium S1 and S5 quad-core smartphones launched in India

Posted: 18 Mar 2013 02:50 AM PDT

titanium s1 and s5

The number of budget-friendly quad-core smartphones, based on cost-effective MediaTek processors, continues to grow in India, with local manufacturer Karbonn announcing two such devices, the Karbonn Titanium S1 and Titanium S5. Both devices feature the 1.2 Ghz quad-core MediaTek processor that powers almost every other low-cost quad-core smartphone in the country, such as the Micromax A116 Canvas HD.

The Karbonn Titanium S5 features a 5-inch display with a 960×540 resolution, 1GB of RAM, an 8MP rear camera and 2MP front camera, and a 2,000 mAh battery. The device comes with 4GB internal storage expandable via microSD and Android 4.1 Jelly Bean out of the box. On the other hand, the Karbonn Titanium S1 features a smaller 4.5-inch display, but with the same 960×540 resolution, 1GB RAM, a 5MP rear camera and 0.3MP front camera, 4GB internal storage expandable via microSD, and a 1,600 mAh battery. The Titanium S1 also features Android 4.1 Jelly Bean on-board. Both smartphones offer Dual-SIM support.

titanium s5

Even though both smartphones don’t match up to the 720p displays found on other budget-friendly smartphones, they are priced significantly cheaper, with the Karbonn Titanium S1 priced at Rs 10,290 (~$200), and the Titanium S5 setting you back Rs 11,990 (~$230). Between the two, the Titanium S5 obviously boasts better specifications, but the smaller display of the S1 could be preferred more.

If you’re interested in the latest quad-core offerings from Karbonn, you can buy these smartphones from online retailers Snapdeal here (S1) and here (S5).

What are your thoughts? Will you be picking up the Karbonn Titanium S1 or S5? Do you think these smartphones will be able to compete against similar devices from Micromax, Xolo, and WickedLeak? Let us know in the comments section below.

The post Karbonn Titanium S1 and S5 quad-core smartphones launched in India appeared first on Android Authority.

Digitimes: Asus to launch high-end Intel smartphone in the summer, Nexus 7 follow-up in May

Posted: 18 Mar 2013 02:30 AM PDT

Asus Logo aa (2) - 600px

Last month's MWC was sort of a letdown, so we didn't really have much to talk about in the wake of what was once upon a time the biggest event in mobile. And yet there were a couple of showstoppers in Barcelona, as well as a few surprises that we didn't and still don't know if to call pleasant or on the contrary.

The 7-inch Asus Fonepad definitely falls in the surprises category, being one of the most intriguing and bizarre devices introduced in 2013 so far. The thing is marketed basically as an (uncomfortable) supersized phone and on top of it all has an Intel processor "inside".

But if you thought Intel was going to be focusing more on tabs starting now, you thought wrong. Instead, the Fonepad will probably be filed under experiments, while a new more comfortably sized phone made by Asus is headed our way come next summer.

That's according to Digitimes, who quotes sources "from the upstream supply chain". Said sources told the online publication the new Asus-Intel device will adopt a 5 to 5.5-inch display and pack an Atom Z2580 (aka Clover Trail+) processor.

1 Asus FonePad [aa] (9) - 600px

If it all proves legit, the phone will follow on the footsteps of the Lenovo K900, expected out in China in April and soon after in the rest of the world. Of course, we have no words on pricing yet for the Asus device, but one thing is clear – Intel has big plans for 2013's smartphone market and is no longer content with sitting on the sidelines and expecting the right moment to get in the game.

At the same time, Digitimes has added to the second-gen Nexus 7 rumors, saying that such a device is in fact in the works and could land in May. Asus and Google will work together once again and the 7-incher is most likely to be introduced at the I/O conference, along with Android 5.0, Motorola's X Phone and maybe even LG's Nexus 5.

Nexus 7's follow-up is to cost $249 and up and should come with "enhanced specifications" compared with the original (duh!).

The post Digitimes: Asus to launch high-end Intel smartphone in the summer, Nexus 7 follow-up in May appeared first on Android Authority.

HTC One now won’t arrive in the Middle East until April

Posted: 18 Mar 2013 02:24 AM PDT

htc-one-front[aa]

The release of the one and only HTC One has been delayed in numerous countries, an inconvenience that we can put down to the UltraPixel shortage issue. We can now add the Middle East to the list of regions that won't be getting the phone this month.

Launched in late February in UAE, HTC initially said that the One will be in stock the following month, but now the company's representative in Dubai has confirmed that that won't be the case anymore.

HTC Middle East senior brand communications manager Neeraj Seth said that while we can still expect to see the flagship handset landing in select markets in March, the phone "will be officially released in the Middle East in April." When it does hit stores, it’ll be offered for around $625.

The phone's release has so far been pushed back in Netherlands, the UK, and Singapore, while America seems to be spared from the ordeal, where it'll be available soon from AT&T, T-Mobile, and Sprint. Despite earlier reports, Verizon won't be offering the HTC One.

Disappointed about the delay? Let us hear your thoughts in the comments below.

The post HTC One now won't arrive in the Middle East until April appeared first on Android Authority.

How to: start your own free Cloud Storage server

Posted: 18 Mar 2013 02:13 AM PDT

cloud storage

I’m the first to admit that I’m very lazy when it comes to sorting out and backing up my photos. I can spend months taking pictures, but I rarely actually bother to backup them up on my PC or cloud storage service as I go.

When I finally get around to doing it I often end up spending a fair amount of time browsing through endless folders figuring out what I need to backup, waiting for tedious broadband upload speeds, and painstakingly slow Bluetooth connections. And it takes even longer if I want to move my pictures and other files over to my tablet afterwards.

There are a few solutions when it comes to syncing your pictures and videos across your various smartphones, tablets, PCs, and laptops. Dropbox, Picasa, and even Google Photosync are all viable solutions for certain scenarios, but aren’t ideal when you need super fast transfer speeds for large files, or if you want to sync pictures across multiple accounts and platforms.

In the age of speedy, wireless technologies there’s surely an easier solution for the forgetful photographer. This is where your very own automated FTP server comes in handy. You can setup automatic syncing across an unlimited array of devices using any number of individual user accounts, access much faster Wi-Fi transfer speeds, and avoid those pesky storage limits by using your PC as your own cloud storage system.

For my home setup I have the photos from my smartphone scheduled to upload to my PC’s external hard drive once a week, so even if my PC fails I won’t lose them. All of these files are then automatically synced to my tablet as well, so that I can flick through them at leisure whilst sitting on my sofa with a cup of tea. I can also access my FTP folder over my 3G data connection whilst I’m out and about, providing that my PC is left on.

It’s very convenient, so let me show you how to set it all up.

What you’ll need

  • A configurable wireless router
  • Windows XP, Vista, or 7 based PC or laptop with some free space
  • A folder location on your PC or external hard drive where you want to sync pictures to and from
  • FileZilla Server application installed on your Windows machine
  • An Android smartphone and/or tablet with FolderSync Lite installed

Installing the Server

Start by downloading and installing the Filezilla Server on your PC – just pick the standard installation options. You’ll probably want the service to start up automatically so that you can transfer files whenever you need to, so stick with the default option there as well, unless you want to start up your sever manually.

Once the server application starts up you’ll be presented with a box asking for a server address, port and password. Leave everything as it is but pick a password and tick the “always connect to this server” option, unless you’re planning on running multiple FTP servers.

So now your server should be up and running, but you won’t be able to connect to it from any other devices yet. This next step requires you to setup users and assign which folders they can have access too. You can create multiple users and different folders if you want to segregate some of your files.

User Setup

Click “Edit” then “Users,” and a screen like the one above will appear. Proceed to press “Add” and then enter the user name. Make sure that “enable account” is checked, and I recommend setting a password so that it’s harder for unauthorized people to gain access to your files.

You can then move to the shared folders page and select the directory where you wish to sync your entire picture collection too. Give yourself all the permissions as well, marked 5, so that you can create folders and new files if needed. You can add multiple sharing locations and adjust the upload and download speed limits if you don’t want these file transfers to max out your Wi-Fi bandwidth. Once you’re done click OK.

Your server is setup and ready to go.

Windows Firewall

Firewalls are the bane of the FTP server’s existence, but as we are only focusing on setting up a Wi-Fi network at the moment, you shouldn’t run into too many problems.

You’ll need to set Filezilla as an exception in the Windows Firewall program. You can find the firewall settings under your computer’s control panel. From there you’ll need to add a program to the exceptions list by browsing to the Filezilla server installation folder, which is something like C:\Program Files\FileZilla Server\FileZilla server.exe.

If you have any anti-virus software acting as a firewall it might also be wise to allow Filezilla access there as well. Once that’s done you can move on to testing out the connection.

Setting up your mobile

Now for the fun part: install FolderSync Lite from the Google Play store, as this will allow you to access and sync files over your FTP sever. It also works with a ton of other cloud storage servers if you want to integrate with other accounts.

You’ll need to know the WLAN IP address of your host PC, so run the command window and type “ipconfig”. Follow the image below for a step by step.

find my LAN IP

Find the run command and start cmd.exe. Then enter “ipconfig” and press enter to find your WLAN IP address

Back on your Android device, open up the FolderSync app and click on the accounts option, then the add icon at the bottom of the screen. Select FTP and you’ll move on to the screen where you can input the required settings.

Give the account a name, I used “Home Server WiFi”, and then enter the IP address you obtained from the steps above. Leave everything else blank except the username and password you created earlier. Once that’s filled in you can test the connection, you should receive a message confirming that the connection was accepted. Click the save icon in the top right corner to confirm these settings.

WiFi connection sucessful

If you’re running into errors you can try manually entering the port information (port 21 is the default), and try adjusting the port settings using the server interface. If you’re still running into issues, double check your Firewall settings and try reading the official network configuration guide.

Syncing and viewing files

The “file manager” option on the home screen will allow you to browse, open, and download any files located in your shared folders on your FTP server. But if you want to setup automatic syncing then you’ll need to use the “Folderpairs” option.

FTP folder syncing

Use the account you created to sync via Wi-Fi, and then pick the remote folder you wish to connect to on your PC. The local folder is the folder you want to send or receive files from on your smartphone/tablet. The sync type is probably the most important field here, you can either send data to the remote server only (upload to your cloud), receive data to the local folder only (download data from your cloud), or have the folder work both ways, where any data added to one folder is automatically added to the other. For my camera syncing I picked “to remote folder,” so that my pictures are automatically sent to the FTP server.

You can then specify regular intervals for syncing if you desire, as well as whether or not to use Wi-Fi, 3G, or roaming connections. I recommend turning off old file overwriting to cut down on syncing times.

The option to copy files to a time-stamped folder is a great touch if you want to keep things organized automatically. Every time the files sync any new pictures will be automatically sorted by date. But beware of the sync deletions option, as using this in two-way mode means that deleting something on your server will also delete it from your phone and vice versa. It’s a nice feature for managing files, but wait until you’re comfortable that everything is set up correctly before using it.

Hit the save button in the top right when you’re done, then you can click the refresh option to force sync the two folders and see that everything is working.

syncing speed

Hundreds of images syncing between two different Android devices and an FTP folder over high speed WiFi

Feel free to setup multiple paired folders to different sync files and folders at different intervals. The possibilities are almost limitless. And don’t forget that you don’t have to sync automatically, you can simply manage your cloud data through the file manager if you prefer.

That’s all there is to it, now you can automatically transfer files wirelessly in your own home, and never have to bother dragging pictures from folder to folder ever again.

Configuring for Internet usage

So hopefully by this stage you’ve synced up a few folders between your smartphone and PC, but what if you want to access your cloud storage system whilst you’re out and about? Well, you can do this too just by tweaking a few settings, but be forewarned that some routers aren’t very friendly when it comes to allowing Internet connections through their firewalls.

If you have a dedicated IP then this will be a little easier, if not then you’ll have to ask Google what your IP address is, but remember that this will likely change when you restart your router. You can try to connect to your server again via your internet IP, rather than LAN, by creating a new account in FolderSync.

If you can’t connect then there are a couple of things to try, firstly by bypassing your router’s firewall. You’ll need to access your routers settings, which can usually be done through your browser by typing in something like 192.168.X.XXX. Check the bottom of your router as the details can usually be found there.

You can either attempt to mess around with port forwarding if you know what you’re doing, or alternatively you should be able to locate something called DMZ. Assign this to your PC host server and it will place it outside the protection/hindrance of your router’s firewall.

port forward and DMZ examples

An example of ports forwarding data from external sources and DMZ enabled on the PC hosting the Filezilla server

Secondly, you can avoid some problems with routers blocking certain ports by reassigning the default port in the Filezilla server options. Use “edit”, “settings” and change the port field to something above 21. I found that 212 worked just fine for me. You’ll have to adjust these settings in your accounts on FolderSync, but just edit the accounts you created earlier and manually enter the port number.

Net connection sucessful

Connecting over the Internet rather than Wi-Fi works in exactly the same way, and if you want to setup automatic syncing then you use the same steps as before, but chose your internet IP rather than Wi-Fi account. Although I wouldn’t recommend syncing larger folders automatically, as you could easily use up your monthly data allowance. Instead this is probably most suited for file managing and access on demand.

If you’re still struggling to achieve a working Internet connection, but Wi-Fi connectivity was working fine, then the problem is most likely something to do with your firewall settings. Of course I can’t account for the hundreds of different routers you will all have, so keep browsing through the options until you find something similar to my example above or perhaps consult this port forwarding guide for your specific router.

Is home FTP for you?

I must make it clear that there are definitely distinct pros and cons between local and other cloud storage solutions. Firstly, as I’ve already stated, the main benefit from using your own Wi-Fi network is that transfer speeds are fast, and syncing between multiple devices is almost instantaneous. Whereas uploading and downloading from cloud storage services takes a fair bit longer. You also have total control over the content which stays on the server, can set up daily or weekly sync schedules, and best of all, you no longer need to deal with USB cables, dragging and dropping files, or irritating software suites like Samsung’s Kies.

However, transfers speeds are obviously severely reduced when you’re away from home, defeating much of the point of using a Wi-Fi-based storage system. You have to factor in the additional expense of leaving your PC on all the time if you want to use your FTP server as an anywhere cloud storage solution, in which case you might be better off sticking with Dropbox. FTPs are also not as ideal for sharing content with others, as you still have to upload your files via email or a social media site anyway.

And of course, if your computer ever ceases to function you won’t be able to rely on re-downloading your files from the web, but if you’ve synced between two or more devices then this shouldn’t be a major problem.

I’m a fan of having my own cloud computing system, and I doubt that I’ll be using Google Drive as much anymore. If you’re looking for a convenient wireless syncing solution, or are fed up with hitting cloud storage limits, then it’s certainly worth putting an hour aside to set one up for yourself. If you run into any problems, leave a comment below and I’ll try my best to help you out.

The post How to: start your own free Cloud Storage server appeared first on Android Authority.

Android 5.0 Key Lime Pie: Galaxy S4, S3, Note 2, Note 8.0, Note 10.1; Galaxy S2, Note to stop at Android 4.2.2 Jelly Bean

Posted: 18 Mar 2013 01:44 AM PDT

Samsung Galaxy S4 2 aa 600

The Galaxy S4 has been announced to launch with the latest Android version on board, Android 4.2.2 Jelly Bean, but it won't be running Google's latest mobile OS version in only a few months, if certain reports are correct.

The Search giant is rumored to announce Android 5.0 Key Lime Pie at Google I/O 2013 in mid-May alongside an X Phone that will run KLP out of the box. Then the waiting will begin for timely KLP updates especially for high-end Android handsets.

So, which Samsung devices will go to Android 5.0? Sam Mobile seems to have more information on Samsung's OS upgrade plans, from an insider close to the matter.

Android 5.0 Key Lime Pie

According to this "first pre-list about upcoming Android updates" for Galaxy phones only five Samsung devices from the company's current lineup will get KLP including the Galaxy S4, Galaxy S3, Galaxy Note 2, Galaxy Note 8.0 and Galaxy Note 10.1. Naturally, the list doesn’t include Samsung Nexus devices or upcoming products that could launch with KLP on board.

That's definitely good, but unconfirmed, news for anybody planning to buy, or already owning one of these devices. However, it looks like Samsung won't be able to offer timely updates to these devices and that it will take its time with releasing KLP ROMs:

The insider confirmed Google's next version is expected to be a big update and Samsung will take some time to update their devices.

key-lime-pie-1

Android 4.2.2 Jelly Bean

Galaxy S2 and Galaxy Note owners will stop at Android 4.2.2 Jelly Bean, at least officially, because unofficially they may be able to go to KLP too – keep in mind that we still have no idea what KLP will have to offer and whether it will be compatible with such "old" hardware.

In addition to these two famous models, other Galaxies are said to stop receiving updates at Android 4.2.2, even handsets that have been launched more recently, including the Galaxy Grand, Grand Duos, Galaxy S3 mini, Galaxy Express, Galaxy Premier, Galaxy S2 Plus, Galaxy Young, Galaxy Young Duos, Galaxy Fame and Galaxy X Cover 2.

Value pack

The same insider revealed that "plenty of mid-range Android devices of 2012/2013 will also receive a value pack update," although it's way too early to tell you what that update will include, so we'll just have to keep following the rumor mill until Samsung announces anything official.

At the end of the day, all of this is unconfirmed news for now, and while plenty of it is definitely plausible considering the timeliness of OS updates in the Android ecosystem, so don't get too excited/annoyed (depending on what Samsung device you're currently holding) at hearing about this unofficial Samsung upgrade schedule.

The post Android 5.0 Key Lime Pie: Galaxy S4, S3, Note 2, Note 8.0, Note 10.1; Galaxy S2, Note to stop at Android 4.2.2 Jelly Bean appeared first on Android Authority.

Galaxy S4 Germany: Amazon.de pre-order available, priced at €649

Posted: 18 Mar 2013 12:50 AM PDT

samsung galaxy s4 7 aa 600

After Italy, pricing for another European Galaxy S4 version has been revealed thanks to Amazon.de, which already lists the handset for pre-order in Germany.

We're looking a 16GB Black Mist Galaxy S4 version on the retailer's online store, which pre-orders for €649, down from €699. That €699 price is on par with the Italian full-price offer that got leaked the other day, and yes, this is off-contract pricing for the handset. But an actual shipping date is not provided at this time.

We're yet to see German carriers announce the Galaxy S4 in the region, but considering that Samsung announced the phone will ship in 155 countries starting with late April, we expect German mobile operators to soon unveil their Galaxy S4 versions.

Speaking about Galaxy S4 versions, Amazon.de lists the GT-I9505 for pre-order, or the Qualcomm Snapdragon 600-powered Galaxy S4 model, which means this particular handset that's heading to Germany will come with LTE support under the hood.

The same LTE model will be available for sale in the U.S. in the coming months, although it's worth mentioning that Amazon.de doesn't list LTE connectivity for the handset, nor does it mention what kind of processor it will equip.

galaxy-s4-amazon-germany-pre-order-1

So, German readers, are you buying the handset?

The post Galaxy S4 Germany: Amazon.de pre-order available, priced at €649 appeared first on Android Authority.

Sprint’s Galaxy S3 in purple outed in render form

Posted: 18 Mar 2013 12:28 AM PDT

Sprint-Galaxy-S3-purple

Compared to the Samsung Galaxy S3, the newly announced Galaxy S4 has a bigger and better screen, a faster processor, and more software features, some that will make it to its predecessor anyway. But one area that the S4 can't compete with – for now – is in the paintjob department, as it'll only be available in black and white.

As for the S3, we heard earlier in the month that Sprint might be offering a new purple variant soon. Now, we have what appears to be the first official rendering of said purple model, which actually isn't that far off from our own render.

Leaked by the folks at @evleaks, the purported new model is adorned with the usual Sprint branding on the back. But apart from what meets the eye, everything else should remain the same. The latest leak suggests that the handset will be arriving in mid-April. The price is still unknown.

It's worth to note that Sprint has yet to make the purple variant of the Galaxy S3 official. If it's really hitting stores next month, we should be getting an announcement in the coming weeks. How do you like the new color?

The post Sprint's Galaxy S3 in purple outed in render form appeared first on Android Authority.

Huawei MediaPad 7 Vogue tablet leaks: image, specs and features

Posted: 17 Mar 2013 11:51 PM PDT

huawei logo [aa] (2)

Another 7-inch Android tablet will soon hit stores, the Huawei MediaPad 7 Vogue, which has been leaked ahead of its launch.

The MediaPad 7 Vogue – that's a rather complex name for a tablet – will apparently be available in two versions, and it's not clear yet why we're looking at two models that seem to be rather similar.

According to leaked information from what looks to be the DLNA certification process (screenshot below) the MediaPad 7 Vogue will pack either a 1.2GHz quad-core ARM Cortex A9 processor or a 1.5GHz ARM Cortex A9 processor, but we have no idea what we’re looking at two processors for this tablet, especially considering that both of them are quad core ARM Cortes A9s. Other specs and features include a 7-inch display with 1024 x 600 resolution, Wi-Fi HDMI support, DLNA and Android 4.1 Jelly Bean.

huawei-mediapad-7-vogue-2

The description on this DLNA.org screenshot says that the tablet will come in two versions, but also that the MediaPad 7 Vogue will have three submodels. This sounds confusing for now, so we'll wait for Huawei to clear the waters on the matter.

huawei-mediapad-7-vogue-1

There's no release date or price for the MediaPad 7 Vogue 7 models in sight, but the leaked certification above is dated February 22, 2013, so the device may soon be heading to stores. Anyone interested in such a tablet?

The post Huawei MediaPad 7 Vogue tablet leaks: image, specs and features appeared first on Android Authority.

Galaxy S4 India: Samsung flagship launching in early May

Posted: 17 Mar 2013 04:20 PM PDT

samsung galaxy s4 4 aa 600

After looking at the Australian and Italian Galaxy S4 launches earlier today, we now have a report for you detailing the Indian release of the handset.

According to TechOne3, Samsung will launch the Galaxy S4 in the region at some point in early May, therefore almost around the same time the handset will be available in other markets – the earliest confirmed launch date for the device is April 26, when EE will have in stores in UK.

The Indian Galaxy S4 will feature an Exynos 5 Octa processor, so initially you can only expect a 3G version of the phone. The same source says that a TDD/FDD LTE dual mode Galaxy S4 will be available in India later this year.

The phone is expected to cost Rs. 40,000-45,000 without a contract (or $740-833,) although it will surely be more affordable when purchased with new contracts. Vodafone and Airtel are listed as the carriers that will have the handset in stock, but we don't have actual release dates for their Galaxy S4 launches.

Are you buying the Galaxy S4 in India, or are you going to pick up a different flagship Android handset this year?

Thanks, Jyot!

The post Galaxy S4 India: Samsung flagship launching in early May appeared first on Android Authority.

HTC One not coming to Verizon, company officially tweets

Posted: 17 Mar 2013 03:57 PM PDT

HTC One [aa] 600px (1)

The HTC One will be officially available with three out of the Big Four carriers in the USA including AT&T, Sprint and T-Mobile, with Verizon apparently not getting the handset later down the road as it was initially speculated.

An official HTC tweet – hey, social media is a powerful thing – has confirmed that the HTC One won't hit Verizon. Instead, interested HTC fans that want to stay with Big Red can always get the "awesome Droid DNA."

We've seen various rumors suggesting that Verizon could soon get its own HTC One flavor, a device that won't necessarily carry the One brand. At the same time, we have said plenty of times that it's time for HTC to stick with its own strong Android brand – just like Samsung does with its Galaxy models – and not allow carriers to customize flagship devices down to picking the name for the product.

Earlier rumors did say that Verizon's HTC One could be called the Droid DNA Plus or something like that, and we have no way of knowing whether HTC had a tough time negotiating with Verizon the name for a Verizon One and whether that ultimately lead to that particular public revelation via Twitter. What's certain is that at least for now, the HTC One will not make it to Verizon as the One. Or are we reading too much into this and HTC is simply doing what companies usually do, which is to deny rumors before official announcements?

htc-twitter-verizon-one-1

We'll certainly be on the lookout for that HTC device that is supposed to launch with Verizon – codename DLXPLUS – and see if it pops up in more leaks and reports.

Meanwhile, let's hear it from Verizon subscribers, would you like to buy the HTC One from your carrier?

The post HTC One not coming to Verizon, company officially tweets appeared first on Android Authority.

Android and Me

Android and Me


Yes, 4K UltraHD video is coming to Android devices this year

Posted: 17 Mar 2013 04:04 PM PDT

“4K video recording? LMAO yeah, ok,” said the internet in response to this weekend’s rumor that LG might product the Nexus 5. We could argue for hours if 4K video capture and playback is really necessary, but the reality is that Qualcomm will bring this impressive spec to mobile...

Visit our site to read the full article.

HTC comes up One carrier shy of a complete set in the U.S.

Posted: 17 Mar 2013 03:39 PM PDT

HTC has confirmed via their official US Twitter account that Verizon won’t be carrying the HTC One. Their less than satisfying solution for Verizon customers is to check out the Droid DNA. While we really enjoyed the DNA that doesn’t change the fact that technology marches on and the...

Visit our site to read the full article.

Android Central

Android Central


HTC One to release in April for the Middle East region

Posted: 17 Mar 2013 03:15 PM PDT

HTC One

The HTC One will release to customers in the Middle East in April, according to Neeraj Seth, senior brand communications manager for HTC Middle East.

While the phone will be available in selected markets in March, it will be officially released in the Middle East in April

The One is currently available on the German O2 network, and other European pre-ordered devices are set to be delivered in March, but it appears that general availability is going to be sometime in April for most everyone. Of course, individual carriers will make their own announcements with their own release schedule.

As Phil reminds us, timing is everything. Pushing back the release date means there will be more great phones to choose from there beside it on the shelf. That's a good thing for us, but HTC doesn't want the latest from Samsung, Sony, or LG there to steal your eyes away.

The good news is that April is only two weeks away. We should soon here solid release dates from carriers world-wide, and we'll let you know as soon as that happens.

Source: tbreak technology; Thanks, Moe!



Pocket Tanks: classic arcade tank battles

Posted: 17 Mar 2013 01:51 PM PDT

Pocket Tanks

Games like Pocket Tanks have been around in some form or another for decades, on who knows how many platforms. Pocket Tanks itself has been around since 2001, and is now bringing a little slice of nostalgia to Android. The game certainly looks like it is over 10 years old but plays smoothly like a game that was made today -- and best of all is free to play.

Jump into our time machine after the break and check out Pocket Tanks for Android.

read more



From the Editor's Desk: Timing is everything

Posted: 17 Mar 2013 06:38 AM PDT

Phil Nickinson

The recurring theme running through my head the past few days is, obviously, the headline for this column. Timing is everything. OK, maybe not everything in the mobile business -- hardware and software still count for something -- but timing is still damned important.

That's particularly true when launching a new smartphone.  Last week's Samsung Galaxy S4 event in New York City offered any number of ways to consider how timing affects a launch, and affects a product as a whole. And not just for Samsung. HTC and LG did their best to nip at Samsung's heels Hell, so did Apple.

Make no mistake -- every other mobile company sees Samsung as the one to stop. There's some serious realpolitik going on these days.

read more



Feedly sees 500,000 new users since Google Reader closure announced

Posted: 17 Mar 2013 04:09 AM PDT

Android Central

The news that Google Reader is to be closed down for good later this year has hit a lot of us really hard. For many it's the go-to way of getting their daily news fix, and for others -- including everyone on staff here -- it's an integral tool to help us get through the working day. There will be alternatives, but we will miss Google Reader. 

One such alternative is Feedly, and the team has announced a huge influx of new users. In the first 48 hours since the announcement by Google, Feedly has seen 500,000 new Google Reader users join their ranks. Not bad numbers, considering the service is supposed to be in decline. Feedly also has clients for iOS, Chrome, Safari and Firefox, so it's got a big chunk of the bases covered. The reason behind the influx is most likely the fact that Feedly is developing their own system to transition Google Reader users over seamlessly when turn off day finally arrives. 

Feedly has also announced how they're coping with the increased user base, including massively increasing their bandwidth and adding new servers. And, if you're all about function and less about fashion, the Feedly team has also written up some sweet tips on how to make it less pretty and more functional. Great stuff. 

Source: Feedly