Friday, March 22, 2013

Android Community

Android Community


HTC Myst FCC filing shows support for AT&T LTE

Posted: 22 Mar 2013 10:56 AM PDT

While an FCC filing does not necessarily mean a release is coming soon, it does imply that a release is coming. Enter the recently discovered filing for the HTC Myst, the phone that has previously been dubbed the Facebook Phone. This particular filing seems to confirm previous reports about the handset heading to AT&T.

myst-antenna-location-

This particular FCC filing did not reveal all that much, however it did show the handset as having support for AT&T friendly LTE bands. We also know that the Myst will have dual-band WiFi and Bluetooth 4.0. Otherwise, the filing had the handset listed as the PM33100. Of course, aside from the Myst and Facebook Phone names, earlier rumors had the handset known as the HTC Opera. As you an see from the antenna location image (above) and the label location image (below), we are not even getting a rough look at the shape.

myst-label-location-

Putting that all to the side, lets stick with Myst for the name and move into the specs. Earlier rumors had given us a look at the specs which included a 4.3-inch 720p display at 320ppi and a dual-core 1.5GHz MSM8960 processor. Certainly not what we would call high-end at this point in time, but not entirely bad either. Sounds like a mid-range phone that should launch with a relatively low on-contract price.

Basically, we are saying that this seems to be lining up nicely for the person that just wants a phone, and well, also uses Facebook on a regular basis. Some of the other (still rumored) specs for the HTC Myst include 16GB of storage, a 1.6 megapixel front-facing camera, 5 megapixel rear-facing camera, Jelly Bean and plenty of pre-installed Facebook apps.

[via Engadget]

Amazon Appstore turns 2: celebrates with 18 free apps

Posted: 22 Mar 2013 10:49 AM PDT

Today the folks from Amazon are proud to announce their Android Appstore has been alive and kicking out free apps of the day for two years now. Yup, today is the two-year anniversary for the Amazon Appstore and as expected, they’re celebrating by offering some apps for free. They have a few goodies so read on to see what’s available.

Screen Shot 2013-03-22 at 10.43.41 AM

To celebrate their second birthday in the Android game they’ve started a “Free app of the day: Greatest Hits” sale where they are offering 18 apps and games for Android absolutely free. However, this deal is only going to last for one day. That being today, March 22nd. If you’re interested in the apps you better get them today before they cost you tomorrow.

Amazon shared the news and historic day over on Twitter but sadly didn’t reveal anything else. I was hoping for that $99 Kindle Fire HD rumor to heat up again, but I guess that won’t be happening. Anywho, Amazon is offering 18 apps for free and a few are worth grabbing for the price. That being free of course.

Apps like Cubistry, Bejeweled 2 (loads of fun), Fruit Ninja: Puss in Boots, Weather+, Dabble, and a few other mediocre apps. Nothing was extremely exciting about the sale, and we already own the few worth grabbing. For those that would like to check out all 18 free apps, hit the link below and give them a try today.

[via Amazon]

Google smartwatch said to be coming from the Android team

Posted: 22 Mar 2013 10:23 AM PDT

Pebble has a smartwatch, as do several others including Sony. Samsung recently confirmed plans and we have seen other recent introductions such as the cross-platform VEAbuddy announced in the not to distant past. The other side of this smartwatch story deals with rumors though. We have seen rumors about an Apple smartwatch and now it looks like we have rumors of Google.

pebble_smartwatch_hands-on_sg_4-540x3391

Yes, the latest smartwatch rumor claims that Google is building one of their own. The details are coming by way of a recent Financial Times report which notes that; “Google's smart watch is being developed by its Android unit.” Aside from the bit about the Google smartwatch coming from the Android team, the unnamed source has said it will “act as an extension to the smartphones using that operating system.”

Assuming the Google smartwatch does come available, it sounds like it will be running Android. Otherwise, the details are rather light at the moment. The bit about it running Android does sound interesting though and if nothing else that piece alone could give it a leg up on the current front runner Pebble. At least for those using an Android smartphone anyway.

Time will tell exactly what Google has planned and just what the watch will look like and perhaps more important — how it will function. And while this does not guarantee Google will release a smartwatch, the fact that it is being developed by the Android team, as opposed to the Google X laboratories (like Glass) does appear to give it a bit more credibility in terms of being a real product.

[via Financial Times]

Xperia Tablet Z teardown video released by Sony

Posted: 22 Mar 2013 10:23 AM PDT

From our limited time with Sony‘s new and impressive Xperia Tablet Z, we can say it is one sleek and thin tablet. They’ve managed to pack tons of hardware and a quality device into one svelte package, and now we’re getting a look at the inside. Why wait for a third party to do it, when you can yourself. Enjoy the teardown video below provided by Sony.

Screen Shot 2013-03-22 at 10.10.42 AM

These teardown videos are slowly but surely becoming more popular with each device. Every big launch iFixit usually tears through the latest and greatest device we wish we had, only they don’t enjoy it. They make it into hundreds of tiny pieces for our viewing pleasure, then rate fix-ability.

Sony pops out a few screws and shows us the carbon fiber battery cover, all the internals that make it tick, and even goes over explaining a few of the important parts. They show us the super thin battery powering the slate, which is actually 3 slim batteries working together. Then move on to the camera and more. Here’s the video for you tech junkies.

Of course Sony does their teardown videos with style. Starting off by going over the specs of their beautifully crafted and lightweight tablet. Giving us all a little demo and spec details before they tear her open and reveal the insides. Then of course Sony mentions it will be available in May, and we’re all still waiting to get our hands on it for a full review. In the meantime check out our previous coverage and hands-on with the Z below.

[via Sony]

Google Babble unified messenger reportedly leaks

Posted: 22 Mar 2013 09:56 AM PDT

Earlier this week we reported on a new app and service coming from Google that’s being called Google Babble. Which will be the companies new unified messaging service to take on Apple’s iMessage and BlackBerry Messenger. Now this afternoon we have what appears to be leaked screenshots of the app, or at least a mild attempt at a mock-up design.

google-babble-leaked-screenshot

First off we’re going to go ahead and say it. This thing looks pretty darn ugly. Given Google’s smooth lines and fancy design in Google Now, Google Keep, and everything they’ve done lately we’re pretty sure this is fake. Google Babble (name still only a rumor) is supposed to blend all of Google’s chat, G Talk, and hangout message services into one. A unified messenger for all devices, not just Android.

At first glance this looks pretty terrible. If I had to guess, I’d say it’s a mock-up using parts of Google Talk and Google+ messenger rolled into one, then had a bunch of junk added. This could be an extremely early design of Babble or a rough draft for designers, or just fake. We’re still up in the air on a verdict.

Update: Yup this is certainly a fake! More info

The font is a mess, it doesn’t have that Roboto look we love on Android and the “start a vote” popup just looks out of place. Not to mention the second screenshot has two menu buttons, and everything is just, no. It looks awful. While there’s a chance this could be an early version of some sort, we’re hoping for a much better looking app when Google drops this. Rumor has it we’ll see the new service at Google I/O come May.

[via 9to5Google]

HTC One to arrive in the US before the end of April

Posted: 22 Mar 2013 09:37 AM PDT

The story of the HTC One seems to be sort of a mess at this point in time. HTC has done a fairly good job at keeping people talking about the handset. We have seen several promo videos since the announcement and the One actually received fairly nice reviews. In short, it seems that the One is a device that people may actually want to buy. Of course, therein lies the problem — the handset has yet to come available for purchase.

Reasoning-behind-HTC-One-shipment-delays

We do have a bit of good news though, HTC has recently provided us with a statement on that very subject. The HTC One global roll-out will begin next week. According to HTC, the roll-out will begin in the UK, Germany and Taiwan. Otherwise, looking towards other markets and things become bit more generic. HTC has said that the One will be available “across Europe, North America and most of Asia-Pacific before the end of April.”

In other words, those outside of the UK, Germany and Taiwan may still have roughly five weeks to wait. We have to wonder how may people are willing to wait. Then again, we have yet to see the GALAXY S 4 arrive for sale either so that does mean some potential good news for HTC. In addition to providing a release timeframe for the One, HTC has cited “unprecedented demand” and made it clear they appreciate the patience. You can read the full statement below;

“HTC has seen unprecedented demand for and interest in the new HTC One, and the care taken to design and build it is evidenced in early reviews. The new HTC One will roll out in the UK, Germany and Taiwan next week and across Europe, North America and most of Asia-Pacific before the end of April. We appreciate our customers' patience, and believe that once they have the phone in their hands they will agree that it has been worth the wait.”

Otherwise, looking back and the HTC One was announced on February 19. We initially noticed that Verizon was not on the list for release in the US and that is a subject that remains discussed to this day. In addition to a solid piece of hardware, HTC has also added some software perks such as BlinkFeed, BoomSound and Zoe. Those who may have missed it, you can check out our HTC One review, and yes, it does include a sample Zoe.

Device Specifications and Information
Device Info
    Device Name : One
    Manufactuer : HTC
    Carrier : AT&T T-Mobile
    Announced Date : February 19, 2013
    Release Date : March 15, 2013
    Also Known As : HTC M7
Display
  • Screen Size : 4.7 Inch
  • Resolution : 1920x1080
  • Screen Type : TFT
Dimension & Weight
  • Height : 5.41 Inch
  • Width : 2.68 Inch
  • Depth : 0.36 Inch
  • Weight : 143 Grams
Battery & Power
    Battery Type:
  • Lithium Ion
  • Battery Capacity : 2300 mAh
  • Talk Time : NA
  • Stand By Time : NA
Software
    Android OS:
  • 4.2.x
    Audio Playback:
  • AAC
  • AAC+
  • AMR
  • MID
  • MP3
  • WAV
  • WMA
    Video Playback:
  • h.263
  • h.264 / AVC
  • 3GP
  • MPEG-4 (MP4)
  • WMV
    Messaging:
  • SMS
  • MMS
  • IM
Hardware
    CPU : Snapdragon 600
    CPU Clock Speed : 1700 Mhz
    Core : 4
    Ram : 2000 MB
    Internal Storage : 64 GB
    Front Facing Camera :
    Camera Resolution : 4 MP
    Camera Features:
  • Auto focus
  • Flash
  • 1080p Video Recording
  • 720p Video Recording
    Sensors:
  • Accelerometer
  • Ambient light
  • Proximity
    QWERTY :
Cellular Network
    Network Technology:
  • GSM
    GSM Band:
  • 850
  • 900
  • 1800
  • 1900
Device Connectivity
    Wi-Fi:
  • 802.11a
  • 802.11b
  • 802.11g
  • 802.11n
  • 802.11ac
    Bluetooth:
  • A2DP
  • Bluetooth 4.0
    Location Features:
  • Compass
  • GPS
  • Cellular location
  • Wi-Fi location
    FM Radio :
    NFC :

ZTE Grand X Quad press style images leak

Posted: 22 Mar 2013 08:47 AM PDT

Yesterday we saw the images leak for the Huawei Ascend G700 and today we have a similar leak for the ZTE Grand X Quad. That is to say another set of what appears to be the press renders. The ZTE Grand X Quad images are offering a look at both the front and back side of the handset.

BF9zukxCYAAv2vC

The Grand X Quad is shown as the ZTE V987 and coming by way of the TENAA database, we have already seen the majority of the specs. The handset will be arriving with a 5-inch capacitive display with a resolution of 1280 x 720. Other specs include a quad-core 1.2GHz processor, 1GB of RAM and Android 4.1.2 Jelly Bean.

As evident by the image above, the Grand X Quad will be sporting an 8 megapixel rear-facing camera. Of course, the usual goodies such as Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and a microSD card slot can also be expected. Looking back we also saw mention of the V987 in January. At that time we also saw details of the battery, which will be a removable 2500 mAh.

All said and done, it looks like we now have a decent image and set of specs for the Grand X Quad — now we just need to see something regarding the release and pricing. On that note, this should be a lower priced device and one that will likely not make it to the US market. We should however see it come available for those in China.

[via Twitter]

FCC Chairman Julius Genachowski to step down in the “coming weeks”

Posted: 22 Mar 2013 08:05 AM PDT

Julius Genachowski has been the FCC Chairman since June 2009, however as of this morning we are learning that will soon be coming to an end. Chairman Genachowski has officially announced plans to step down. A specific end date has yet to be announced, however Genachowski has said his time as Chairman will come to an end in the “coming weeks.”

Screen-Shot-2012-05-08-at-8.33.06-AM

Chairman Genachowski has been with the FCC during a time of what is described as being a “time of rapid growth and transformative change.” More to the point here, we have seen Genachowski touch on subjects to include unlicensed wireless spectrum, the use of gadgets while in-flight and perhaps key — high-speed internet.

In fact, Chairman Genachowski touched on that very subject in some of his remarks. He noted that they “adopted a landmark overhaul of multi-billion dollar universal service programs, modernizing them from telephone to broadband and creating the Connect America Fund and the Mobility Fund.” Going on to call that an “unprecedented commitment to broadband infrastructure.”

Otherwise, he also thanked all the Commision’s employees by saying that they have helped to “drive economic growth and improve the lives of all Americans.” In addition to Genachowski stepping down, we also learned that Robert M. McDowell resigned earlier this week. So far a successor has yet to be named for Genachowski.

[via FCC]

AT&T LG Optimus G Pro looks to have landed with the FCC

Posted: 22 Mar 2013 07:34 AM PDT

This latest FCC filing does not specifically mention the Optimus G Pro, however it does mention the LG E980. The key here though, the LG E980 is believed to be the AT&T version of the Optimus G Pro. Given we have already seen an official announcement, not to mention, spent some hands-on time with the handset — lets get into the parts about this being a model for AT&T.

lg_optimus_g_pro_hands-on_ac_1-540x419

That part is basically that the Optimus G Pro has LTE coverage. Or more specifically, that this FCC filing shows support for LTE on the bands that would be required by AT&T. In addition to the LTE connectivity, the handset is somewhat of a powerhouse and is sporting a 5.5-inch 1080p display and powered by a quad-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 600 processor. Other goodies include Android 4.1 Jelly Bean, a 3140 mAh battery and 2GB of RAM.

The Optimus G Pro is also not lacking on the camera. The handset has a 2.1 megapixel up front and a 13 megapixel rear-facing camera. Anyway, with this FCC filing out of the way it looks like the next bit of news that we need to see is from AT&T. We look forward to seeing when they plan to release the Optimus G Pro and also what the price point will be.

This release, combined with the HTC One, Samsung GALAXY S 4 and maybe even the Galaxy Note III and it is looking like this will be a tough year when it comes to picking (and sticking with) a smartphone. The Optimus G Pro was on full display back in February during Mobile World Congress and we managed to spend a bit of hands-on time with the handset, which you can check out right here.

[via SlashGear]

Device Specifications and Information
Device Info
    Device Name : Optimus G Pro
    Manufactuer : LG
    Carrier : NA
    Announced Date : February 18, 2013
    Release Date : TBA
    Also Known As :
Display
  • Screen Size : 5.5 Inch
  • Resolution : 1920x1080
  • Screen Type : IPS LCD
Dimension & Weight
  • Height : 5.91 Inch
  • Width : 2.99 Inch
  • Depth : 0.37 Inch
  • Weight : 172 Grams
Battery & Power
    Battery Type:
  • Lithium Ion
  • Battery Capacity : 3140 mAh
  • Talk Time : NA
  • Stand By Time : NA
Software
    Android OS:
  • 4.1.x
    Audio Playback:
  • AAC
  • AAC+
  • AMR
  • MID
  • MP3
  • WAV
  • WMA
    Video Playback:
  • h.263
  • h.264 / AVC
  • 3GP
  • MPEG-4 (MP4)
  • WMV
    Messaging:
  • SMS
  • MMS
  • IM
Hardware
    CPU : Snapdragon 600 APQ8064T
    CPU Clock Speed : 1700 Mhz
    Core : 4
    Ram : 2000 MB
    Internal Storage : 32 GB
    Front Facing Camera :
    Camera Resolution : 13 MP
    External Storage:
  • MicroSD
  • MicroSDHC
    Camera Features:
  • Auto focus
  • Flash
  • 1080p Video Recording
  • 720p Video Recording
    Sensors:
  • Accelerometer
  • Ambient light
  • Proximity
    QWERTY :
Cellular Network
    Network Technology:
  • GSM
    GSM Band:
  • 850
  • 900
  • 1800
  • 1900
Device Connectivity
    Wi-Fi:
  • 802.11b
  • 802.11g
  • 802.11n
    Bluetooth:
  • A2DP
  • Bluetooth 4.0
    Location Features:
  • Compass
  • GPS
  • Cellular location
  • Wi-Fi location
    FM Radio :
    NFC :

Sony Xperia Z sudden-death fix now rolling out

Posted: 22 Mar 2013 07:09 AM PDT

Some Sony Xperia Z users had been reporting sudden death issues with their handsets over the past few days. While Sony seems to have been quick to acknowledge the issue, they also seem to have been quick on the fix. The issue at hand was dealing with sudden death. Basically, users were reporting that their Xperia Z had suddenly died and would not come back to life.

sony_xperia_z_review_sg_28-580x385-540x358

Sony had said the problem was dealing with battery issues, specifically dealing with a low battery status. But on that note, some users were also reporting it happening with a charged battery. Regardless, it seems Sony has already begin pushing the fix. We have yet to see a timeline as to when all Xperia Z users should have the update.

That said, those sporting an Xperia Z will likely want to keep an eye out for the notifications and update as soon as possible. From what we have seen the update is arriving as build number 10.1.A.1.434. Otherwise, the version of Android remains as 4.1.2 and the kernel number remains as 3.4.0. Sony has yet to offer a specific changelog for this update.

Of course, we aren’t expecting this update to do anything other than fix the sudden death issue. Those already affected can try doing a hard reset. This has been said to work for some and can be done by holding the power button and volume up buttons at the same time. Finally, in addition to the update coming over-the-air, it can also be grabbed using the PC Companion app.

[via Xperia Blog]

Device Specifications and Information
Device Info
    Device Name : Xperia Z
    Manufactuer : Sony
    Carrier : NA
    Announced Date : January 07, 2013
    Release Date : February 25, 2013
    Also Known As :
Display
  • Screen Size : 5 Inch
  • Resolution : 1920x1080
  • Screen Type : TFT
Dimension & Weight
  • Height : 5.47 Inch
  • Width : 2.79 Inch
  • Depth : 0.31 Inch
  • Weight : 146 Grams
Battery & Power
    Battery Type:
  • Lithium Ion
  • Battery Capacity : 2330 mAh
  • Talk Time : NA
  • Stand By Time : 530 hours
Software
    Android OS:
  • 4.1.x
    Audio Playback:
  • AAC
  • AAC+
  • AMR
  • MID
  • MP3
  • WAV
  • WMA
    Video Playback:
  • h.263
  • h.264 / AVC
  • 3GP
  • MPEG-4 (MP4)
  • WMV
    Messaging:
  • SMS
  • MMS
  • IM
Hardware
    CPU : APQ8064
    CPU Clock Speed : 1500 Mhz
    Core : 4
    Ram : 2000 MB
    Internal Storage : 16 GB
    Front Facing Camera :
    Camera Resolution : 13.1 MP
    External Storage:
  • MicroSD
    Camera Features:
  • Auto focus
  • Flash
  • 1080p Video Recording
  • 720p Video Recording
    Sensors:
  • Accelerometer
  • Ambient light
  • Proximity
    QWERTY :
Cellular Network
    Network Technology:
  • GSM
    GSM Band:
  • 850
  • 900
  • 1800
  • 1900
Device Connectivity
    Wi-Fi:
  • 802.11a
  • 802.11b
  • 802.11g
  • 802.11n
    Bluetooth:
  • A2DP
  • Bluetooth 4.0
    Location Features:
  • Compass
  • GPS
  • Cellular location
  • Wi-Fi location
    FM Radio :
    NFC :

Verizon Messages app update will let you message from your smartphone or tablet

Posted: 22 Mar 2013 06:45 AM PDT

Verizon Wireless has announced (and released) the latest update for their messaging app. The app is called Verizon Messages and is now sitting at version 4.0. Those looking for the app will be able to grab it from the Google Play Store and while it will run nicely on your smartphone, this update has added some functionality that will have you wanting to install on your tablet as well.

verizon-messaging-4-540

In short, Verizon Messages 4.0 has added the ability to send and receive messages on multiple devices. This includes text and multimedia messages and will allow you to send and/or receive from your smartphone, tablet or the web. The messages are all sent and attached to your Verizon Wireless number and Verizon will store up to 90 days of messages between devices and the web.

This update also added the ability to create auto-reply messages. Some of the other features of the Verizon Messages app include being able to create custom notifications and using the Content Finder to retrieve images or other details from your stored messages. Verizon Messages also has the option to save and store your messages on an SD card. Otherwise, there is also the option to get pop-up notifications, use custom signatures and customize the messaging experience with the ability to pick a background and the bubble colors.

This app does require you to set it up with your Verizon telephone number, but otherwise, it will run on devices with Android 2.2 or later. One thing to keep in mind though, using this app will still count towards your messaging limit/rates. In other words, these are still counted as regular text or multimedia messages so make sure you have an appropriate plan with Verizon before going crazy

[via Google Play Store]

Archos GamePad now available in the US

Posted: 22 Mar 2013 06:19 AM PDT

Despite an availability that was originally expected for February, the Archos GamePad is now available for those in the US. The Android running handheld game system is available by way of several retailers and has arrived at an expected price. The GamePad can be found with Amazon and for those looking for alternatives, it is also listed on Google Shopper.

IMG_3541-540x405

The Archos GamePad is priced at $179 across the board. The Amazon listing is through J&R Music & Computer, which really just goes to say that it is not a Prime eligible item. Needless to say, those who may have been waiting for the GamePad to come available — now is the time to finally make that purchase. Interestingly, the GamePad is not yet available direct from Archos.

Otherwise, given it has been a little while since we last mentioned this device, a recap of the specs seems to be in order. Archos has the GamePad fitted with a 7-inch capacitive display with a resolution of 1024 x 600 and running Android 4.1 Jelly Bean. The GamePad is powered by a dual-core 1.6GHz processor, sporting quad-core Mali 400MP graphics and with 1GB of RAM, 8GB of internal storage and a microSD card slot.

Those making the purchase can also expect to find a front-facing camera, Wi-Fi, access to the Google Play Store and a game mapping tool. That all being said, those curious about the Archos GamePad but still on the fence about making a purchase may benefit some from our earlier hands-on which you can check out using this link.

Device Specifications and Information
Device Info
    Device Name : GamePad
    Manufactuer : Archos
    Carrier : NA
    Announced Date : August 29, 2012
    Release Date : December 06, 2012
    Also Known As :
Display
  • Screen Size : 7 Inch
  • Resolution : 1024 x 600
  • Screen Type : NA
Dimension & Weight
  • Height : NA
  • Width : NA
  • Depth : NA
  • Weight : NA
Battery & Power
    Battery Type:
  • Lithium Ion
  • Battery Capacity : mAh
  • Talk Time : NA
  • Stand By Time : NA
Software
    Android OS:
  • 4.0.x
    Audio Playback:
  • AAC
  • AAC+
  • AMR
  • MID
  • MP3
  • WAV
  • WMA
    Video Playback:
  • h.263
  • h.264 / AVC
  • 3GP
  • MPEG-4 (MP4)
  • WMV
    Messaging:
  • IM
Hardware
    CPU : RK3066
    CPU Clock Speed : 1500 Mhz
    Core : 2
    Ram : 1000 MB
    Internal Storage : 8 GB
    Front Facing Camera :
    Camera Resolution : NA
    External Storage:
  • MicroSD
  • MicroSDHC
    QWERTY :
Cellular Network
Device Connectivity
    Wi-Fi:
  • 802.11b
  • 802.11g
  • 802.11n
    Bluetooth:
  • Bluetooth 3.0
  • A2DP
    FM Radio :
    NFC :

Agawi platform aims to bring PC games to Android devices

Posted: 22 Mar 2013 04:41 AM PDT

It doesn’t really matter if you’re in the PC or console camp when it comes to gaming at home, we all want more games and better games on our Android devices. A company called Agawi has announced a new platform that will allow independent PC game developers to publish their games using streaming technology for Android mobile devices. The company claims that developers will have to perform no additional effort to port their games to Android devices.

agawi-android

Agawi says that it’s platform is a business-to-business-to-consumer platform allowing the developer to directly publish the games via Agawi so consumers can enjoy them. On the consumer end, players won’t simply purchase the game outright, which is a bit of a bummer. The games will be rentals.

Agawi will make games available as three-day or five-day rentals. Honestly, this could be a deal breaker for a lot of people out there it would be no fun to find the game you really like only to have to keep paying rentals rather than being able to purchase the game outright. The game service uses cloud technology converts the games in the data center allowing them to be streamed as a video to the players tablet.

Interactivity and control inputs are sent back to the web-connected datacenter where the game is actually running. The good news is that since the game runs directly on the server it doesn’t matter what hardware the player is using. That should mean even if you’re using a slower, older Android device, you’ll still get a good game play experience.

[via Venture Beat]

Magic 2014: Duels of the Planeswalkers heads to Android

Posted: 22 Mar 2013 04:28 AM PDT

If you’re one of the Android users who also likes to play the Magic series of card games, you will be tickled to death to hear this. The video game that goes along with the card game franchise has traditionally been available for the PC, PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, and Apple devices only. However, with the latest version that will change.

planeswalker

The next game in the franchise, dubbed Magic 2014: Duels of the Planeswalkers will come to Android devices for the first time. This will be the fourth edition of the Planeswalkers game and the card component will include 10 new decks. There’ll also be 15 new encounters and 10 the puzzle challenges.

Eurogamer reports that the game will feature digital versions of the Magic 2014 Core Set cards and a storyline that has players working with Planeswalker Chandra Nalaar. You can check out the video at the end of the story to see the trailer for the game yourself.

A little tidbit that I’m more excited about than the Planeswalkers game comes from the developer of the Magic game Stainless Games. The developer is also tipped to be working on a new version of the classic car combat series Carmageddon. I loved the original Carmageddon on my PC back in the day and can’t wait to see the refreshed version. I hope it comes to Android.

[via Eurogamer]

Kobo Arc gets Android 4.1 update

Posted: 22 Mar 2013 04:19 AM PDT

If you are the owner of the Kobo Arc tablet, Kobo has announced that the tablet now has a new Android update available. The new update brings the operating system on the tablet to Android 4.1 Jelly Bean. The update also bring some new optimizations for the user experience on the tablet.

Screen-Shot-2012-11-16-at-9.47.07-AM (1)

The Arc is a seven-inch tablet with full access to the Google Play store and all the apps that are available. The display supports high-definition resolution and 16 million colors. The tablet was offered with 16 GB, 32 GB, or 64 GB of storage available. The Android 4.1 update brings with it access to Google Now to help people organize their busy schedule right from the device.

The update also brings improved notifications with actionable notifications that can be accessed from directly within the notifications area. Those notifications can also be expanded or collapsed to display more or less detail. The search functionality on the tablet was also improved.

Content can now be searched with text or voice search capability. Google Search can be opened directly from the locked screen by swiping up with a finger. The OS update also brings optimizations for voice recognition and improved predictive typing. The tablet also gets a new Face Unlock feature that can optionally require a blink to verify that a real person is unlocking the tablet. The Android 4.1 download should be offered to Arc customers the next time they connect to a Wi-Fi network.

[via SlashGear]

Handy Photo now available for Android

Posted: 22 Mar 2013 04:10 AM PDT

There are several applications available for Android devices that allow people who take a lot of photos to manipulate those photos right on the device. A new photo editing application has now launched for Android devices called Handy Photo. The app promises some impressive photo editing tools that will be more appealing for some users than simple filters.

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Version 1.0 of Handy Photo is on Google Play right now for $1.99. The developer of the application is ADVA Soft, and the app has some very cool features. The app has a tool called Move Me that makes it easy to extract objects such as people or other items from your pictures and move them around. The application also has a Magic Crop tool that can not only crop your photos, it will also allow you to un-crop them.

That un-crop feature means that if you take a great photo that isn’t quite centered, you can expand that photo to fix your mistake. The application also has a number of retouching tools available that allow you to improve your photos right from your device. If applying photo filters is something you enjoy doing, the app includes 20 allowing you to put artistic touches on your pics.

The application also has a set of high-quality textures and frames and supports 100% size image viewing. Images of up to 36 megapixels are supported and the application is optimized to run on multiple core processors and GPU’s. The application is available to download right now.

[via SlashGear]

Google Play Store gift cards headed to Canada

Posted: 21 Mar 2013 04:46 PM PDT

For those Android loving users up in Canada that have been hoping to be able to use Google’s Play Store gift cards, we have some good news. After Google initially launched the service in the US only, it’s slowly making its way to other regions around the globe. Earlier this month they launched Gift cards for the UK, and we’re hearing Canada is next.

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The entire Play Store gift card situation has been rather odd. The system for using and redemption has been available for some time, but getting retailers on board has probably been the setback. Now that they are in the US and the UK, Canada is up next and should be getting the option any time now. Possible in the next few weeks.

After receiving a few tips that Canadian devices were starting to see the option to redeem gift cards in their Play Store, we’re now seeing a wider confirmation at Blank’s Universe but nothing officially from Google. While there is still no retailers offering Play Store gift cards in Canada, the back-end service on their Play Store is slowly being rolled out.

A few users have since confirmed that now when hitting the menu button in the Play Store, the “redeem” option is showing up for those in Canada. If you’d like to see if they are available in your region, feel free to check here. We’re expecting to hear more in the coming days from Google. Has the option popped up on your device yet? Let us know in the comments below.

[via Phandroid]

Temple Run 2 gets more weekly challenges and power-up features

Posted: 21 Mar 2013 03:47 PM PDT

For all you runners out there we have some good news. Today it appears the developers of your favorite game have just published a quick update giving you more fun stuff. Today Temple Run 2 was updated with a load of new achievements for those who’ve managed to finish everything already. Read on for all the details.

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This is the third update in the past month for Temple Run 2, so at least the developers are keeping their promise to update it often and fix bugs. One of the most downloaded games in the history of Android just keeps getting better and better! After fixing performance issues and a few bugs in February, this week they’re adding more content.

The update running onto the Play Store today brings tons of new content and chances to earn coins. We now have more daily and weekly challenges to let users win tons of free coins and different gems to use for power-ups. Then speaking of power-ups, we have some stuff there. Power-ups collected now extend the time of already active powers any runner is using at the moment. Fun stuff!

Imangi Studios also states they’ve fixes multiple issues that were causing objectives to get stuck for some users, as well as general bug fixes. Hopefully some of those cheats to help you earn extra coins haven’t been closed. You didn’t hear it from me. A few readers suggested some tablet force close issues have been fixed with today’s update too. Get it from the link below and enjoy some classic running fun.

[via Play Store]

DROID RAZR HD and MAXX HD update rolling out now with camera fixes

Posted: 21 Mar 2013 03:24 PM PDT

Today Verizon Wireless is pushing out yet another update for their highly popular Motorola DROID RAZR HD and bigger brother MAXX HD smartphones. We first confirmed the update at the tail end of last week, and today it is officially hitting smartphones around the US. Prepare to accept the update and get tons of improvements across the board.

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This isn’t Android 4.2.2, but since the RAZR HD was already updated to Jelly Bean instead they’ve opted to just fix a few software and audio issues, improve camera performance, and hopefully make connectivity even better. According to the details released by Verizon last week, that’s exactly what we’ll be getting.

The update will bring the RAZR HD and MAXX HD to version 9.16.6 and will run roughly 96MB in size. A WiFi connection is recommended. Verizon states a specific data roaming issue has been fixed, USB connection/deconnect has been improved drastically, and WiFi has even been improved today. Lastly Verizon and Moto confirm the update improves the camera touch-to-focus as well as low light performance.

That’s certainly good news. We all know the camera hasn’t been one of Motorola’s strong points on their smartphones. Again the update is around 96MB in size and you should be getting it anytime now. Feel free to check for updates yourself in settings > about phone > check for updates and enjoy the latest and greatest.

[via Droid-Life]

Device Specifications and Information
Device Info
    Device Name : DROID RAZR HD
    Manufactuer : Motorola
    Carrier : Verizon
    Announced Date : September 05, 2012
    Release Date : October 18, 2012
    Also Known As :
Display
  • Screen Size : 4.7 Inch
  • Resolution : 1280x720
  • Screen Type : Super AMOLED
Dimension & Weight
  • Height : 5.19 Inch
  • Width : 2.67 Inch
  • Depth : 0.33 Inch
  • Weight : 146 Grams
Battery & Power
    Battery Type:
  • Lithium Ion
  • Battery Capacity : 2530 mAh
  • Talk Time : NA
  • Stand By Time : NA
Software
    Android OS:
  • 4.0.x
    Audio Playback:
  • AAC
  • AAC+
  • AMR
  • MID
  • MP3
  • WAV
  • WMA
    Video Playback:
  • h.263
  • h.264 / AVC
  • 3GP
  • MPEG-4 (MP4)
  • WMV
    Messaging:
  • SMS
  • MMS
  • IM
Hardware
    CPU : MSM8960
    CPU Clock Speed : 1500 Mhz
    Core : 2
    Ram : 1000 MB
    Internal Storage : 16 GB
    Front Facing Camera :
    Camera Resolution : 8 MP
    External Storage:
  • MicroSD
  • MicroSDHC
    Camera Features:
  • Auto focus
  • Flash
  • 1080p Video Recording
    Sensors:
  • Accelerometer
  • Ambient light
  • Proximity
    QWERTY :
Cellular Network
    Network Technology:
  • CDMA
    CDMA Band:
  • 800
  • 1900
Device Connectivity
    Wi-Fi:
  • 802.11a
  • 802.11b
  • 802.11g
  • 802.11n
    Bluetooth:
  • A2DP
  • Bluetooth 4.0
    Location Features:
  • Compass
  • GPS
  • Cellular location
  • Wi-Fi location
    FM Radio :
    NFC :

BlackBerry Wins: Schmidt confirms he loves his keyboard

Posted: 21 Mar 2013 02:32 PM PDT

Oh no he didn’t! Google’s once CEO Eric Schmidt has been busy in the news lately. We’ve heard plenty of his comments make the news, and today’s surely will get a few people fired up. Get out the pitch forks! Google‘s own Eric Schmidt just confessed to still loving his BlackBerry. Don’t get too angry here folks, it appears he just loves the keyboard.

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Uhhh. I can feel the comments building up already. Apparently while conducting an interview with The Guardian, Schmidt was refreshingly open and calm with his answers. Even openly confirming he still loves his BlackBerry and no one can pull it from his fingers. He even said he tried to quit cold turkey and go to touch-only Android phones, he tried wearing gloves all day and more – all to no avail. Eric just loves that aging, old, and basically paperweight phone we all know as BlackBerry.

Don’t get me started. There is the DROID 4,3,2,1 and tons of keyboard rocking Android phones, even the Motorola Pro or XPRT have that terrible candy bar style it sounds like Schmidt likes. Don’t worry Eric, we have you covered!

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While we can’t confirm his exact words from the interview, in the end the conclusion seems to be that he just adores the dedicated hardware keyboard. Even though Motorola and others have released nearly identical devices. In the interview he even states he feels the Nexus 7 and iPad mini are too small. Pretty interesting read, that’s for sure. You might not like that he’s outing Android in favor for Blackberry, but at least he is honest.

[via CNET]