Monday, April 1, 2013

Android Authority

Android Authority


How to change fonts on Android

Posted: 01 Apr 2013 02:40 AM PDT

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In almost all cases, the default font on your Android phone or tablet suffices. It looks pleasant and is usually of the right size for comfort. But, there will always be Android users who’d prefer some other typeface, who’d want to stand out from the crowd. And, there will always be that small crowd of people who tinker with their Android device’s fonts just for the sheer pleasure of being able to.

If you belong to either or both groups, you’re on the right page. The great thing about Android is that it is an extremely customizable mobile operating system; it even allows you to change the fonts used by its user interface. Font changing, however, doesn’t necessarily mean easy. In many cases, customizing fonts requires some technical know-how.

In this guide, learn how to change fonts on Android. Two types of methods are discussed: one not needing root, and the other requiring root. (For a visual guide and summary, check our video at the end of this post.)

Non-root methods

Through custom OEM skins

Stock Google Android doesn’t have native functionality for changing system fonts. You certainly can’t easily change the fonts on Nexus phones and tablets — at least not with some bit of hackery. On none of the Nexuses, for example, can you just go to the Settings page and tap an option there to change the system fonts. Not even certain AOSP-based custom ROMs such as CyanogenMod or AOKP has a built-in function for changing system fonts on the fly.

But, when OEMs like Samsung and LG get their hands on AOSP code, they add extra bells and whistles– such as font changing — into their custom skins.

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For instance, some Samsung Android devices such as the Galaxy S2, Galaxy S3, Galaxy Note, Galaxy Note 2, Galaxy Note 10.1, and even the Galaxy Camera, let you change the font style. Samsung has preinstalled a few extra fonts besides the default, but you can get more online through the Google Play Store.

There’s similar functionality on certain LG phones, too, and to fetch more fonts, you’ll be redirected to the LG Smart World instead of to the Google Play Store.

Putting on a new font requires only a quick trip to Settings > Display > Font Style. Just tap the name of the font that you want, and confirm that you want to set it as system font. Font replacement is instantaneous. No need for rebooting. The selected font will be displayed throughout your device’s interface such as the time on the status bar, system menus, and even on your text messages.

Through custom launchers

One non-root way to change fonts on Android is through custom launcher apps. Some custom launchers integrate the font-changing function, while most others will need you to install themes.

One very popular custom launcher that provides a way to change fonts is GO Launcher EX.

A downside to font customization in GO Launcher EX is that it doesn’t change the font in your apps and Android system menus. The font changes are applied only to selected parts of the custom launcher UI but not to the entire system. To change font styles in GO Launcher EX, do the following:

  1. Copy your TTF font files to the /sdcard/GOLauncherEX/fonts directory.
  2. Open GO Launcher EX.
  3. On the main home screen, tap the Menu button (represented by 3 dots) or swipe the screen upwards.
  4. Tap on the Preferences button to bring up the GO Launcher Settings page.
  5. Tap on Visual Settings.
  6. Swipe to the Font tab on the left.
  7. Tap on Scan Font to let the app scan your directories for font files. If everything goes well, the app should also be able to find the fonts that you copied to the /sdcard/GOLauncherEX/fonts directory.
  8. Tap Select Font and tap on the font that you want to use.

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Changes will apply immediately. No need for rebooting. If you want more fonts for use with GO Launcher EX, download and install GO Launcher Fonts.

iFont (for Samsung devices)

The popular iFont app can also be used for changing fonts. Although primarily for Samsung devices (both rooted and non-rooted), the app can also work on certain rooted, non-Samsung devices.

On non-rooted Samsung devices, use iFont’s Online tab to browse for available fonts. To use a font on the list, do the following:

  1. Enable installation of apps from “Unknown Sources.” This option can usually be found in Settings > Security.
  2. Launch iFont. Go to the Online tab.
  3. Tap on a font name that you want to install.
  4. Tap the Download button.
  5. Tap the Set button. Or go to Settings > Display > Font Style. Your newly installed font should appear on the list.
  6. Tap on the new font to use it as system font.
  7. Font is applied immediately. No reboot needed.

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You can also copy TrueType (TTF) fonts from your PC to the /sdcard/ifont/custom directory; the said fonts will appear on the Custom tab. But, to be able to install and use the fonts, you will need a rooted device. (For a guide on using this app on rooted devices, see the iFont subsection under “Methods requiring root.”)

iFont is free and shows no ads. It worked quite well on several devices (including non-Samsung phones) that I tested it on.

Methods requiring root

Important note

If you have root privileges on your phone or tablet, you will be able to alter system files and, in the course of doing so, you could render your device useless. So, be careful.

  • The information in this guide is provided for instructional and educational purposes only. There is no guarantee that these instructions will work under your specific and unique circumstances.
  • Use these instructions at your own risk. We shall not hold any responsibility or liability for whatever happens to you or your device arising from your use of the info in this guide.
  • Read and understand the whole guide first before actually performing the instructions.

Font changer apps for rooted devices

An easy way to change fonts on rooted Android devices is to use font changer apps that support use on rooted devices. There are several of such apps on the Google Play Store. Most of them also offer a preview function that lets you see how a font looks like.

In this subsection, know more about two font changer apps that are worth checking out: Font Installer and iFont.

Font Installer

For rooted phones, Font Installer is a great free app for changing system fonts. It has a built-in font preview feature, so while scrolling up and down the list of built-in fonts, you know exactly how they look like once activated on the device.

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This is an ad-supported app. Ads appear at the bottom. Remove the ads by purchasing a license.

To install a TTF font file that you’ve saved to your device:

  1. Copy to your device the TTF font file that you want to use, preferably into the /sdcard directory.
  2. Launch Font Installer.
  3. Before tampering with your system fonts, backup your existing default fonts first. Tap on the Menu (three dots) button and select Backup/Restore. Select Backup. If Superuser or SuperSU asks for permission, grant it.
  4. Tap on the Local tab to open the directory explorer. Locate your TTF file.
  5. Tap on the TTF file that you want to use. From the popup dialog, tap Install to set it as the default system font. (If you want to preview the font first, tap on Preview.)
  6. If Superuser or SuperSU asks for permission, grant it.
  7. Font Installer will prompt you to reboot your device. Tap on Yes.

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To install a new font from Font Installer’s online font collection:

  1. Open the Server tab in the Font Installer app to see the catalog of fonts.
  2. Tap on the name of a font that you like.
  3. From the popup dialog, tap on Preview if you want to see sample text rendered in the chosen font; or, tap on Install if you want to download the font and set it as your system font.
  4. If a backup warning/notice appears, make sure you let the app backup your font files. This shouldn’t take a long time.
  5. Allow the app to reboot your device.

iFont

Unlike Font Installer, the iFont app can work on most Samsung devices even if they are not rooted. But, to be able to use it on a non-Samsung device, you will need root access. (Yes, you can also use it on a rooted Samsung device.)

To download, install, and use a custom font using the Online tab:

  1. Tap on the font you want to install.
  2. Tap the Download button.
  3. Tap the Set button.
  4. If you get a prompt about setting the mode to System Mode, just tap the OK button.
  5. Your device will reboot to apply the new font.

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If you want to use a local TrueType (TTF) file, just copy the TTF file to the /sdcard/ifont/custom directory on your device. Then, do the following:

  1. On the iFont main screen, tap on the Menu button (three-dots at upper-right corner).
  2. Tap on Settings > Change Font Mode. If you’re using a rooted non-Samsung device, choose System Mode. If using a rooted Samsung device, choose Samsung Mode.
  3. Go to the Custom tab in the iFont app.
  4. Tap on the font that you’d like to use.
  5. Tap the Set button.
  6. If prompted whether to change the font, tap on OK.
  7. If you get a prompt about setting the mode to System Mode, just tap the OK button.
  8. Your device will either apply the new font immediately or reboot to apply the new font.

The geeky way

So far, I’ve told you about the painless, sweat-free, and easy ways to change fonts on your Android. But, if you have the heart of a geek, or you just love the thrill of doing stuff manually, then you’ll find much fun in manually changing the fonts on your Android device.

These manual methods require root because you’ll be tampering with a protected system directory, specifically the /system/fonts directory, where font files used by your device reside. There are two manual methods for changing fonts — through the Android Debug Bridge and through a root-level file manager app. Before I talk about those two, let’s talk about system fonts first.

System fonts

If you are brave enough to manually change fonts on your Android, the font files that will be of great interest to you will be the following:

  • Roboto-Regular.ttf — This font file is the most used system-wide. I see it almost everywhere — from app labels to menu text.
  • Roboto-Bold.ttf — This is the boldface variant of Roboto. Unlike the regular typeface, this one’s not as frequently seen. There’s bold text in several areas of your device, and this font face is most likely the one used.
  • Roboto-Italic.ttf — This is the italic variant of Roboto.
  • Roboto-BoldItalic.ttf — This is the boldface and italic variant of Roboto.

All of these fonts are inside the /system/fonts directory. For starters, you might want to play around with the Roboto-Regular.ttf file, as it’s the one that appears to be most used system-wide.

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The overall general idea is to replace system font files with new font files having exactly the same file names as the originals but containing the new typefaces that you want to use.

For example, if you want to use a TTF font file named Times_New_Roman.ttf in place of Roboto-Regular.ttf, you’ll need to rename the Times_New_Roman.ttf file into Roboto-Regular.ttf and copy the renamed (faux) file into the /system/fonts directory.

VERY IMPORTANT: Always make a backup copy of the font files that you will be replacing so that if something goes wrong, you will have copies to restore. I usually rename the original file into something with a *.bak extension, or with “bak” within the file name (i.e., Roboto-Regular.ttf becomes Roboto-Regular.ttf.bak or Roboto-Regular-bak.ttf). This way, the original file remains in the same directory but under a different file name.

It is also a wise idea to make backup copies on your PC hard drive and in a different directory on your Android device.

Manual method using ADB

You can use the Android Debug Bridge (ADB) to change fonts on Android. For this method, you’ll need the following:

  • A rooted Android device — Root access is needed so that you can tamper with system files that reside in restricted directories.
  • A computer with the Android Software Development Kit (SDK) properly installed and setup
  • If using Windows, your device’s USB drivers must have been installed.
  • ADB must be able to detect your device.
  • Your device’s USB cable
  • The TrueType font file that you want to use

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In the steps, the font file called Times_New_Roman.ttf is used to replace the system font file named Roboto-Regular.ttf.

  1. On your PC, rename Times_New_Roman.ttf to Roboto-Regular.ttf.
  2. Using whatever convenient method you know of, copy the impostor Roboto-Regular.ttf to your device’s /sdcard directory.
  3. Open a terminal or command prompt on your PC.
  4. Run the remote shell interactively on your device with the following command at the terminal or prompt:
    • adb shell
  5. Execute the following commands:
    • su
    • mount -o remount,rw /system
  6. Backup the original font file (Roboto-Regular.ttf, in this case) into something else by renaming it:
    • cd /system/fonts
    • mv Roboto-Regular.ttf Roboto-Regular.ttf.bak
  7. Copy the impostor font file from the /sdcard directory into the fonts directory:
    • cp /sdcard/Roboto-Regular.ttf /system/fonts
  8. Ensure that the copied file is readable (either 644 or 666). This is very important. If the system cannot read the file, your system will bootloop:
    • chmod 644 Roboto-Regular.ttf
  9. Exit the interactive shell:
    • exit
  10. Reboot your device and check whether the new font has been applied.

Manual method using file manager app

This alternate method accomplishes exactly the same thing as the ADB method, but this one’s easier because it doesn’t require typing commands at the terminal or command prompt.

For this method, you’ll need:

  • A rooted Android device — Root access is needed so that you can tamper with system files that reside in restricted directories.
  • A file manager/explorer app capable of navigating up to the root directory (e.g., ES File Explorer)
  • Read and write permissions for the /system directory (if this is mounted as read-only, the procedure may not work or you could foul up your device)
  • TrueType font files (with *.ttf extension) copied to the /sdcard directory or another convenient location of your choice

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The following steps illustrate the process of manually changing fonts on Android with the help of a file manager app. These steps use ES File Explorer; if you use a different file manager app, the steps may vary a bit. Just like in the ADB method, this method uses Times_New_Roman.ttf as the example replacement file.

  1. Using your most convenient method, copy/save/download the Times_New_Roman.ttf file to a convenient directory on your Android device (preferably the /sdcard directory).
  2. Launch ES File Explorer on your device.
  3. Tap on the Menu button, then tap Settings > Root Settings. Turn on “Root Explorer” and “Up to Root”. If Superuser or SuperSU prompts you asking for permission, grant it. Also enable the “Mount File System” option.
  4. Navigate to the /system/fonts directory. Look for Roboto-Regular.ttf, long-tap on it, tap Rename on the menu, type a new name for the file, and then tap the OK button. The renamed file serves as your backup copy of the original Roboto-Regular.ttf, just in case you want to revert to it later.
  5. Navigate to where you saved the font file that you want to apply as default system font (i.e., Times_New_Roman.ttf in this example).
  6. Rename Times_New_Roman.ttf to Roboto-Regular.ttf by long-tapping the file, selecting Rename, typing a new file name, and tapping the OK button.
  7. Long-tap the newly renamed file. Select Copy To from the popup menu. Select /system/fonts from the popup directory browser. Tap the OK button to copy the file into the chosen directory.
  8. Navigate to the /system/fonts directory.
  9. Long-tap on the newly copied Roboto-Regular.ttf file. Select Properties from the menu.
  10. On the Properties dialog window, tap the Change button. Make sure that there are check marks for the “Read” permission for User, Group, and Other. Then, make sure that there’s a check mark for the “Write” permission for User. Tap the OK button to save the new permissions.
  11. Reboot your device to apply the new font.

Video

For a visual guide and summary on changing fonts on Android, check out this companion video:

Conclusion

Changing fonts on Android is not an everyday task that majority of people perform on their phones or tablets. But, among those that do need to change the typefaces on their devices, it is heartwarming to know that (1) it is possible to do so and (2) there are several ways to do so.

What font is splattered all over your Android device’s UI today? Have you ever changed it to something else? If so, did you use any of the methods discussed in this guide? If not, how did you change your system fonts? Tell us your story.

The post How to change fonts on Android appeared first on Android Authority.

Galaxy S4 root apparently achieved before launch, only for Exynos 5 Octa model

Posted: 01 Apr 2013 02:30 AM PDT

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The Galaxy S4 is already available for pre-order in some markets, but it will be a few more weeks until we see it in stores. Even so, it looks like a first root method for Samsung's 2013 flagship handset is already available.

Xda-developer forums senior member as i9000 has posted instructions that will help Galaxy S4 buyers root their devices once they're shipped.

However, there's a small problem with this root version, as it will apparently only work on the GT-I9500, which happens to be the Exynos 5 Octa Galaxy S4 model. Most markets will receive (at least initially) the Qualcomm Snapdragon 600 Galaxy S4 version (model number GT-I9505,) which will need its own root. We'll be back with more details on that version when it's available.

We're not encouraging you to root your Android devices and install any custom software on them, and you'll be the only person responsible for whatever happens with your handsets and tablets during such processes. If you do decide to go the root way, make sure you exercise caution and follow the available instructions (see Source link below,) especially if you're not comfortable performing such tasks. Backing up the data on the device is also in order before rooting the device.

Will you use the Galaxy S4 as-is right out of the box, or will you root and further customize your experience?

The post Galaxy S4 root apparently achieved before launch, only for Exynos 5 Octa model appeared first on Android Authority.

Samsung Galaxy S4 priced at €690 in Portugal, pre-orders are live via Expansys

Posted: 01 Apr 2013 01:36 AM PDT

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Samsung's Galaxy S4 is official for quite some time now, but the pieces of the pricing and availability puzzles are falling into place rather slowly. Basically, the only things we know for sure is "the next big thing" will cost $249.99 with AT&T contracts, $99 outright plus 24 monthly payments of $20 on T-Mobile US, £530 and up in UK and starting at £0 with British contracts.

Thankfully, the Portuguese branch of well-known retailer Expansys is now adding a little something something to the puzzle by revealing GS4's off-contract pricing in Euro. The 5-incher is listed on the seller's website at €689.99 ($884) in the 16 GB variant, both for the white frost and black mist flavors.

We know, that's not exactly affordable, but it's not like we expected the S4 to be budget-conscious, did we? Also, you have to keep in mind that this just one retailer's price point and our guess is we will be seeing Samsung's latest flagship go for as less as €600 via other European sellers.

The exact model listed by Expansys Portugal and available for pre-orders already is the one packing a quad-core Snapdragon 600 processor clocked at 1.9 GHz. As far as we know, the Exynos Octa version is not headed to Portugal, but that could change in the near future if Sammy manages to accelerate the CPU's manufacturing process enough.

The shipping start date is kept under wraps for now, but we'll be keeping an eye out for all of you and come back with updates as soon as possible. All that being said, is the S4 on your shopping list despite the slightly extravagant pricing? Check it out in the flesh in our hands-on video below before deciding.

The post Samsung Galaxy S4 priced at €690 in Portugal, pre-orders are live via Expansys appeared first on Android Authority.

95% of the mobile users can be uniquely identified from location data

Posted: 01 Apr 2013 01:09 AM PDT

red dots on mapIt isn’t hard to think of a dozen films where at some point in the story a tracking device is placed on a person, car or ship so that someone can keep tabs on them. Well, that might be fiction but the truth is that millions of people willingly carry around tracking devices every day – their mobile phone. New research published in Nature has shown that by cross referencing location data with other freely available data sources it is possible to track 95% of mobile phone users using what is meant to be anonymous location data!

The research is full of some heavy statistical analysis of around 1.5 million mobile phone users who had  the location of their nearest cell tower recorded every time the they interacted with the phone network (by making a call, receiving an SMS and so on). The data was recorded in 2006 and later analysed. The researchers found that if the phone interacted with the carrier’s network once an hour it is possible to uniquely identify 95% of the individuals.

The idea is basically this, if I am in location A and receive a call then the anonymous data shows approximately where the call was received and a dot is placed on the map. If I then move to location B and receive another call, that call appears as a new dot on the map. But the dot from location A has now gone. By tracking all the other dots and by a process of elimination it is possible to work out that the phone used to receive the call at location A is the same phone now in location B. If either location is a known address like my house or my office it is quite easy to use other data, like a voters list, to start linking the phone data with an individual.

Worried? Let me know below.

The post 95% of the mobile users can be uniquely identified from location data appeared first on Android Authority.

Why we love the iPhone 5!

Posted: 01 Apr 2013 12:11 AM PDT

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We here at Android Authority have just had an epiphany. We have finally realized that we do like the iPhone 5, why? you might ask.

Because it’s fun to break!

Happy April Fools’ Day

from your friends at Android Authority

The post Why we love the iPhone 5! appeared first on Android Authority.

ASUS MeMO Pad Smart 10 Review!

Posted: 31 Mar 2013 09:43 PM PDT

DSC_2232 The ASUS MeMO Pad Smart 10 is a bit of an odd duck. With what are essentially the guts of a Nexus 7 and a body similar to the Transformer series (sans dock), it’s a little difficult to figure out who it’s aimed at. With so many other tablets out there, is this one worth your hard-earned cash? Read on to find out. In a hurry? Check out the video review or jump to the conclusion at the end of the article.

Specs

  • 1.2 GHz quad-core Nvidia Tegra 3 processor
  • 10.1-inch 720p display (149 ppi)
  • 1 GB RAM
  • 16 GB (expandable via microSD)
  • 5 MP rear-facing camera
  • 1.2 MP front-facing camera
  • Android 4.1.1 Jelly Bean

Build Quality & Design

While it’s a problem with any device, shoddy build quality is especially noticeable in tablets, as any creakiness or flexing in the body is an order of magnitude more apparent due to the larger size. Luckily, neither of these is a problem with the ASUS MeMO Pad Smart 10. Even trying to twist the device lead to no flexing, and throughout constant use there was none of the feeling of loosening up over time that I’ve noticed in some other tablets. DSC_2207 My review unit came in black, though the Smart 10 is also available in white, pink and blue. The fairly large bezel size is likely going to be a matter of contention for some. Like it or not, you need some sort of sizeable bezel if you want to hold a tablet without covering the screen, but it’s a very thin line between just enough bezel and way too much bezel. The MeMO Pad Smart 10 works for me, especially functionally, but it isn’t quite as attractive as it could be with a slightly smaller bezel. The sound pumped out by the speakers on the MeMO Pad Smart 10 is surprisingly loud and full sounding. This tablet definitely uses its size and construction to its advantage, as you can feel the sound vibrations through the plastic back while you’re holding it. The various software sound modes help this out as well, especially with movies or other video content. Music on the other hand sounds a little on the muddy side.

Display

It’s easy to look at the specs up at the top and think “wow, 149 pixels per inch is pretty low.” I know I did, and while this is true when you’re talking about phones, it’s not all that uncommon with laptop screens and tablets. Yeah, we’ve seen a lot higher, but it doesn’t mean that the display on the Smart 10 is junk. DSC_2216 You’ll definitely notice pixelation in spots, particular text and icons, but when looking at photos or movies, the lack of sharpness isn’t very apparent. I watched a full movie on this tablet and certainly didn’t find myself noticing anything sub-par about the display. The display isn’t washed out, but colors weren’t quite as vivid as they could have been. The screen definitely isn’t the best feature of the MeMO Pad Smart 10, by a long shot, but it doesn’t drag it down either.

Performance

To get a metric on the ASUS MeMO Pad Smart 10′s performance, I started by running a few benchmarks. I ran AnTuTu Benchmark three times in succession and averaged the results, ending up with a final score of 12,774. I then moved on to the always fun Epic Citadel. In High Performance mode, the average framerate was 49.8 FPS, while the framerate took an small but understandable hit in High Quality mode, producing an average of 46.2 FPS. DSC_2143 While real world performance was generally decent, some stuttering and less-than-smooth scrolling was definitely apparent from time to time, though this seemed to depend on what apps were running and other factors that couldn’t be ascertained. For example, I never noticed this issue in Comixology, and it rarely appeared when scrolling through the app drawer, but it was sometimes very noticeable in the YouTube app or when browsing web pages.

Software

The ASUS MeMO Pad Smart 10 runs Android 4.1.1 Jelly Bean and, while it isn’t exactly heavily skinned, we’re not looking at stock Android here. An update to 4.2 is said to be on the way, and I did receive two software updates during testing, but so far the review unit is still running 4.1.1.

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The Smart 10 is mercifully light on bloatware, with the few apps that are included being at least marginally useful. A file manager included out of the box is always appreciated, App Backup is certainly useful and, while I can’t see myself using it, I can see certain users getting some use out of App Locker. Press Reader comes preinstalled, and though not everyone will want to use it, it’s a useful inclusion. On the other hand, Glowball is just a link to download the app in the Play Store, which doesn’t make a ton of sense, but I’d rather see this than have the app included by default and unable to be uninstalled.

Camera

Before we begin this section, I’d like for you to acquaint yourself with the phrase “for a tablet.” Now, make sure to insert it after nearly everything I say about the camera. Here, I’ll give you an example: the camera in the ASUS MeMO Pad Smart 10 isn’t bad, for a tablet. Sure, it often includes more than its fair share of visual noise, and low light performance isn’t the best, but in most cases the only time you’re going to be using this camera is when you don’t have access to anything else, and in that case, it does an admirable job. The front-facing camera is similar, though with its lower megapixel count, anything that is an issue with the rear camera is more of an issue here. That said, it will still do the job in a pinch. DSC_2236 1080p video capture was similar when it came to color reproduction and image quality, though it was a little on the jerky side. Overall, you’re probably not going to find yourself relying on the Smart 10 for all your photo and video needs, but that isn’t really the goal here. If you look at the cameras as a bonus rather than a selling point, they’re certainly nice enough.

Battery

With tablets, it’s much harder to really quantify battery life than it is with phones because it isn’t very likely that you’re going to be carrying a tablet with you and using it all day long. It’s even harder when you encounter a device that is as unpredictable as the Smart 10. During heavy testing, the battery seemed to drain fairly quickly, but with 24 hours of intermittent use, I still had around 30 percent battery left.

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That’s where AnTuTU Tester’s battery test comes in. It may not explain real world use, but at least it’s a number that you can test your own device against. The AnTuTu tester battery score was 481. Unfortunately, I ran the test overnight and when I checked in the morning, the battery was fully drained, so other information about this particular test is now lost to the ages.

I’ve definitely seen better battery life in other tablets, so it’s important to ask yourself how you plan to use your tablet and what you expect of it if you’re planning on picking up the MeMO Pad Smart 10.

Video Review

Conclusion

If you have ever looked at a Nexus 7 and thought to yourself “I would be all over that if it was larger and had a few more ports,” you may have just found your new favorite tablet. Even if you haven’t, the ASUS MeMO Pad Smart 10 isn’t a bad choice for prospective tablet buyers on a budget. That said, if you need a little more and are willing to pay more for it, Google’s Nexus 10 or something in ASUS’s own Transformer line would likely be a better choice.

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If you already own ASUS MeMO Pad Smart 10, we’d love to hear your thoughts on it in the comments below. If you don’t, are you thinking about buying one? If not, what would you get instead?

The post ASUS MeMO Pad Smart 10 Review! appeared first on Android Authority.

Facebook Home to be the OS name of Facebook’s Android phone?

Posted: 31 Mar 2013 02:07 PM PDT

facebook-phone

Facebook will reportedly unveil a new Facebook phone later this week, with the device said to be running a new Android user interface / fork which could be called Facebook Home.

What appear to be two distinct sources suggest that Facebook Home is the name the social network is going with. A new 9to5 Google report reveals the Facebook Home name:

Facebook's invitation to its Android-related media event next week is much less cryptic than it would seem. The invitation reads "Come See Our New Home on Android." While, based on these words, Facebook seems to be teasing at a new Android-related Facebook experience, our sources say that the tagline reveals the actual product name: "Facebook Home…"

The same product name seems to be confirmed by a new @evleaks tweet:

“The version of Facebook for Android currently on this device needs to be upgraded to support Facebook Home.”

Facebook will make everything official on April 4, and we'll cover the event thoroughly since it's Android-related.

A previous report revealed that this supposedly HTC-made Facebook phone will run a forked Android version that will incorporate various Facebook apps and that the handset will look more or less like an iPhone and will offer competitive specs. Facebook and HTC are apparently already in talks with mobile operators to carry the handset, although we'll have to wait a few more days to find out availability details for the handset.

On the other hand, a recent Wall Street Journal article said that Facebook only wants to take over Android devices by replacing the Home screen with a Facebook-based user interface of its own rather than actually creating a different Android fork like Amazon did with the Kindle Fire tablet family. While some OS modifications would be required to make everything possible, this wouldn’t actually be an Android fork. The name Facebook Home makes a lot of sense combined with this particular story.

Would you replace your current smartphone with one running a Facebook-based Android OS version (whether it’s forked or not)?

The post Facebook Home to be the OS name of Facebook's Android phone? appeared first on Android Authority.

YouTube to select best video ever, shut down tomorrow for 10 years

Posted: 31 Mar 2013 01:28 PM PDT

youtube-contest-april-2013

YouTube has posted an unexpected video on its own channel earlier today, reminding everyone that for the last eight years the purpose of the website was find the best video around.

Not many users are probably aware of this and many people have probably forgotten about the competition, but today is the last day for submitting your video and hoping for your chance of winning an MP3 player and a $500 stipend to go into your future creative endeavor. The prize will be awarded in 10 years from now, in 2013, when the site will reopen to only show the winning video.

In addition to reminding users about the contest, YouTube further explained how the winning video will be chosen by its team of dedicated engineers. Apparently every video ever uploaded to the site will be reviewed by a team of 30,000 technicians who will choose a short list for the best video on YouTube.

A final panel comprised of film critics, YouTube celebrities and prolific commentators will actually get to choose the best video and views won't matter that much. Whether is the official Gangnam Style video that got a bazillion hits or the video of a man feeding bread to a dog that got around 40 hits, they all have an equal chance to win the top prize.

A bunch of well-known YouTube personas also appear in Google's official video, talking about their hopes of winning the top spot on YouTube, see for yourself:

Naturally, since we have an established presence on YouTube ourselves, we surely hope that one of our videos will actually be selected as the winner. Sadly though, you won't be able to watch our videos after today – except for the one of them in case it does win the contest – so better grab a coffee and check them all out before Google deletes them.

Note: yes, this is one of Google's April Fools Day jokes that hit the web a day earlier and yes, we’re aware it’s a joke. No, YouTube is not going anywhere, and yes, we'll continue to put out great videos for you to enjoy, so don't forget to subscribe to our YouTube channel. And yes, those are Apple iMacs in the video above whose logos have been hidden. 

The post YouTube to select best video ever, shut down tomorrow for 10 years appeared first on Android Authority.

Galaxy S4 Mini release date set for May/June after next week announcement, report says

Posted: 31 Mar 2013 12:08 PM PDT

samsung-galaxy-s4-mini

Samsung's Galaxy S4 will hit stores in late-April but the device may be too big – it features a 5-inch display – for some potential buyers. Just like last year, the company also has a Galaxy S4 Mini in the works and a new report suggests that Samsung will unveil it next week.

Sam Mobile says that its insiders have revealed that the Galaxy S4 could hit stores from the end of May or beginning of June following next week's announcement.

The handset is expected to pack a 4.3-inch qHD display, 8-megapixel camera, Wi-Fi, AGPS and Android 4.2.2 Jelly Bean with TouchWiz on top. The phone will come in single- and dual-SIM versions, with the former (GT-I9190) reportedly sporting a quad-core processor, while the later (GT-I9192 or Duos model) will only pack a dual-core CPU.

When it comes to color options, the Galaxy S4 Mini will also ship in Black Mist and White Frost, just like its bigger brother.

It's not clear at this time where the Galaxy S4 will launch, and we wouldn't be surprised to see certain carriers skip the handset like they did with its predecessor.

Interestingly, the publication notes that Samsung's decision to unveil the Galaxy S4 Mini so soon after its Galaxy S4 media event came after Galaxy S4 Mini pictures and specs hit the web in recent leaks.

As always with unconfirmed reports, we'll tell you to hold on to your grain of salt until the company properly introduces the device, especially since tomorrow is April Fools Day.

The post Galaxy S4 Mini release date set for May/June after next week announcement, report says appeared first on Android Authority.

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HTC One X to receive Sense 5 and 4.2 over the summer

Posted: 31 Mar 2013 10:03 AM PDT

htc-one-x-jelly-bean

Naturally when a new device comes out, owners of the previous generation of the device are left wondering if they’ll ever see the new software features on their current phones. And, after seeing the cool stuff Sense 5 can do, I can imagine there were some envious One X owners after HTC took the wraps off the One.

Well, good news if you do own a One X. The latest leak from a trusted Twitter user, @LlabTooFeR, says that the international One X will be receiving Android 4.2.2 and Sense 5 in one update as soon as June or July. Supposedly, other members of the family will get the same update, (One S, One X+, Butterfly) but no time frame was given for those devices. I imagine HTC is realizing that to play with the big boys, you have to keep some of your older devices updated, and this is a big first step in the right direction.

We’ll be sure to keep you updated as soon as we hear anything else about these updates.

source: Gotta Be Mobile


Come comment on this article: HTC One X to receive Sense 5 and 4.2 over the summer

Latest filing from Samsung on infamous patent suit confirms Apple could get more than the original $1.05 billion award

Posted: 31 Mar 2013 09:51 AM PDT

Apple vs Samsung

I’m sure you’re all too familiar with the huge patent battle between Samsung and Apple that ended with Apple being awarded $1.05 billion in damages. Then, the damages were reduced to about $600 million, and then Apple claimed mistakes were made in calculations, etc… It’s been a long, drawn out process.

Now, the second trial concerning 14 devices that infringed on Apple’s patents will be opened up again for a second verdict. Samsung wants the jury to review whether or not those devices infringed on Apple’s patents in the first place to attempt to reduce the damages, but by doing so, Samsung admitted that Apple could “seek even more damages on these products in the new trial.” So that $600 million could come way down… or it could back up to $1 billion in damages again. Obviously Samsung’s lawyers feel pretty confident they can make a better case this time around.

As a side note, Samsung also said Apple’s claims for reinstating the $85 million Judge Lucy Koh took away were ”procedurally improper and substantively incorrect.”  Like with all the other patent trouble, we’ll be sure to keep you updated as soon as anything else comes out of the courtroom between these two.

source: FOSS Patents


Come comment on this article: Latest filing from Samsung on infamous patent suit confirms Apple could get more than the original $1.05 billion award

Sprint Galaxy S II to Receive Jelly Bean Update (Finally)

Posted: 31 Mar 2013 05:42 AM PDT

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If you have been sitting in the wings watching the GSIII and GS4 come and go, you are probably feeling a little “left behind”. If you are still stuck in your two year contract and have fallen a bit behind the power curve of late, fear not, a refreshing new update to your old trusty handset should be just what the Doctor ordered.

Sprint announced yesterday that Android 4.1 Jelly Bean is on its way! I know this has been a long wait for those of you who have had your GSII since its release in 2011, but your wait is finally over. As you probably know, and have severely drooled over time-and-time again, the new update will bring with it:

  • Google Now
  • Project Butter Animations
  • Lock Screen Widgets
  • Numerous stability and battery saving enhancements

But get this, the new update will also bring with it numerous GS3 GUI enhancements, to include Smart Stay eye tracking for keeping the phone awake, and Pop Up Play for watching videos in a window hovering over simultaneously running applications.

The Android update is currently available to download and install. Check out Samsung’s help site for more information on the update and specific installation procedures.

Source: CNET


Come comment on this article: Sprint Galaxy S II to Receive Jelly Bean Update (Finally)

TalkAndroid Weekly Recap for March 25 – March 31, 2013

Posted: 30 Mar 2013 07:18 PM PDT

TalkAndroid_Weekly_Recap

We had another busy week at TalkAndroid so here’s a recap of all the top stories. The HTC One and the Samsung Galaxy S 4 continue to dominate the news, but things are starting to heat up regarding the Motorola X phone as well. Google made a few updates to their apps, and word is that they are working on an all-in-one messaging system too. It’s time to get caught up and get ready for another exciting week.

Reviews

Aces Gin Rummy [Cards & Casino]

Jokes HD [Entertainment]

Guides

How to automatically receive MMS picture messages

How to send SMS or MMS text messages from your PC or tablet using your Android phone number

Accessories

When To Expect Samsung's Galaxy S 4 Accessories And For How Much

Image of Samsung Galaxy S 4 wireless charging accessory

Apps

New Apps & Games

Pac-Man + Tournaments hits the Play Store for free

Digg Outlines Focus on Creating an Improved Google Reader Replacement

New (believable) Google Babble mock-up shows up

Google's Babble is actually Google Babel and will come to Android, iOS, Chrome, Gmail, and G+

Samsung's New S Voice Available To Download

Gameloft teases possible Iron Man game for March 27th

Fieldrunners 2 coming to Android in April

Verizon Announces Playphone Games Portal, Coming Q2 2013

The original Sonic the Hedgehog coming to Android in April according to SEGA

Gameloft announces Iron Man 3 for Android on April 25th

App Updates

Evernote Launches Version 5 For Android: New Camera, Document Search And More

Google Translate gets offline language packs

Google adds info cards to Play Movies app

Live Transit Information Added for Washington D.C. and Salt Lake City in Google Maps

Action Launcher Makes Widgets Cool Again With Shutter Feature

Google Play shows off "Featured Android Apps for Tablets" page on website

Tasker's New Holo Redesign Graduates to the Play Store, Brings It to Android 4.0+

Misc

The Humble Mobile Bundle Is Back: Choose Your Own Price For 6 Android Games

Carriers

T-Mobile's UNcarrier Simple Choice no-contract plans now live

T-Mobile formally announces its 4G LTE network

UK carrier Three to launch 4G LTE, just not before the end of the year

EE Turns On 4G In 13 New Locations, Now Covers 50% Of The UK

AT&T nabs US exclusivity on the 64GB variant of the HTC One

Google

Say no to Google Glass while driving says West Virginia lawmaker

King of Chrome Leaks François Beaufort Hired by Google

Google+ Now Allows Animated GIF Profile Photos

Google's LTE-equipped Chromebook Pixel to start shipping April 8th

Google's Takes 'OPN Pledge' to Protect Open Source and Patents

New Google patent application could produce better photos using weather info

Google Glass

The first batches of Google Glass could be made inside the U.S.

Google TV

Amazon Prime Content Comes to Google TV's PrimeTime

Hardware

Samsung Exynos 5 Octa Will Support All 20 LTE Bands

Phones

Amazon / HTC

Amazon Kindle smartphone to go into production in Q2 with a 4.7-inch display

HTC

HTC Desire P and Desire Q Images and Specs Leak

HTC One to get software update in April to improve camera performance in lighted conditions

HTC Butterfly to get successor, could this be the DLXPLUS for Verizon?

Well, this certainly is a new record; Verizon has apparently discontinued the DROID DNA after only 4 months

HTC to get help from Qualcomm to market the HTC One

US HTC One hits "several hundred thousand" preorders

T-Mobile announces the launch details for the HTC One and Galaxy S 4 smartphones

HTC One first smartphone to receive iFixit's lowest possible repair score

AT&T nabs US exclusivity on the 64GB variant of the HTC One

Huawei

Rumor: Huawei currently working on a Galaxy S 4 competitor featuring a 4.9-inch 1080p screen and quad-core processor

LG

LG Optimus G 2 shows up in GLBenchmark database

Meizu

Rendered Image Leak of Meizu MX3 Confirms Previous Design Spec Rumors

Motorola

Rumor: Motorola X phone to be launched in November with a 4.8-inch display, Sapphire glass, and Qualcomm Snapdragon 800

Motorola X Phone rumor updated

Leaks & Rumors about Motorola's X and Upcoming Nexus Smartphones

Neo

The world's cheapest quad-core 1080p smartphone gets leaked and is possibly due for arrival by the end of April

Nexus

Nexus 5 to be all about the camera, will be more compact, and will skip the 1080p display

T-Mobile's 4G LTE can be accessed with Nexus 4 under right circumstances

Did Google and LG quietly update the Nexus 4 design? It sure appears to be the case

4.2.2 Verizon Galaxy Nexus and 4.2.1 Sprint Galaxy Nexus Factory Images Posted

Samsumg

Samsung Fonblet appears in Global Download Center with 6.3-inch display

Samsung Exynos 5210 processor revealed, Could power the Galaxy S 4 Mini

Report says 70% of first 10 million Galaxy S 4s to have Snapdragon 600 processors

Steve Kondik leaves Samsung, shares thoughts on Samsung Galaxy S 4

Samsung Galaxy Note III Rumored To Have Unbreakable Display

Samsung Galaxy S 4 wallpapers now available to download

Samsung Galaxy S 4 ringtones now available for download

Samsung Galaxy S 4 videos show Group Play, camera, motion functions, and video help

T-Mobile announces the launch details for the HTC One and Galaxy S 4 smartphones

Free Tablet From Carphone Warehouse When You Pre-Order The Galaxy S 4 Starting March 28

Samsung Galaxy S 4 goes through extensive battery testing, shows it can stay on for possibly 3 days

AT&T announces pricing, pre-order schedule for Samsung Galaxy S 4

US Cellular to take Samsung Galaxy S 4 pre-orders starting April 16th

Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4 gets green-light from FCC

Sony

Sony Xperia ZL Finally Priced For The U.S., Be Prepared To Pay A Premium

Lockscreen security flaws seem to be contagious as Sony Xperia Z becomes next victim

Sony Xperia A 'Dogo' and Xperia UL 'Gaga' heading to Japan this summer

Sony prepping entry-level smartphone with 5-inch display for Q3

Sony rumored to be working on Cyber-shot and Walkman-based Xperia smartphones behind the scenes

Tablets

Samsung's 10.1 and 11.4-inch AMOLED Full HD (1920 x 1200) displays now delayed, 8.0-inch still on track as scheduled

Updates

Android 4.1 scheduled for Motorola Droid Bionic during 2nd quarter of 2013

Sprint Galaxy S II to Receive Jelly Bean Update (Finally)

Misc

Android tethering could be threatened by judge's patent ruling in favor of Nokia

HTC's marketing chief talks about brand making a bolder approach

Samsung sues LG for tarnishing brand image

Smart connected devices surpassed 1 billion units for 2012 worldwide, smartphones and tablets grew exponentially

Samsung to break smartphone sales record with 70 million units for Q1

Apple Claims Reduction Of Samsung Damages Was An $85 Million Mistake

Samsung continues to strenghten their ecosystem with launch of the 'Content & Services' app store

Toshiba Launching Thinnest Ever 13 Megapixel Camera Sensor

Nearly half of all commuters admit to texting and driving

Samsung Stores find their way into Best Buy, just in time for Samsung Galaxy S 4 launch

Texas Instruments Develops New Chips That Cut Battery Recharge Time In Half

OUYA shipping to early backers, retail launch on June 4th

 

 


Come comment on this article: TalkAndroid Weekly Recap for March 25 – March 31, 2013

AT&T nabs US exclusivity on the 64GB variant of the HTC One

Posted: 30 Mar 2013 05:22 PM PDT

htc-one-64gb-650x360

Thanks to a recent video of the HTC One by AT&T, we have  now learned that the wireless company has been awarded US exclusivity of the 64GB variant of the upcoming HTC One. While it’s great for AT&T users, this is terrible news for everyone else.

My question  is, if HTC is trying their best to crawl themselves out of the hole they’re currently in, why in the world would they grant any carrier exclusivity on the 64GB variant of their flag ship device? Let’s just hope this exclusivity won’t last too long.

Click here to view the embedded video.


Come comment on this article: AT&T nabs US exclusivity on the 64GB variant of the HTC One

Well, this certainly is a new record; Verizon has apparently discontinued the DROID DNA after only 4 months

Posted: 30 Mar 2013 05:14 PM PDT

HTC_DROID_DNA_TA_Front_01-450x444

The title certainly isn’t a mistake folks, Verizon has apparently “retired” the HTC DROID DNA after only 4 months of being on the market. I’m sure we’re all wondering why this move was made, could it have been due to lackluster sales? Or perhaps Verizon is planning on making room for the upcoming HTC One device? Either way, 4 months is just not acceptable and embarrassing for Verizon to do this to their customers.

This was first brought up when users started to notice that the DNA wasn’t available on Verizon’s website anymore. After several XDA users contacting Verizon to ask about it, several have confirmed that the device has been discontinued by Verizon. Below is a conversation from XDA user robertmoore208 with a Verizon representative that seemed to have confirmed the retirement of the DNA.

uploadfromtaptalk1364669964087

On the other hand, a Droid-Life reader points out that you can find the DROID DNA on this pre-order page. This reader was told that devices can go in and out of stock, but a few Verizon store reps mentioned that their stores have been out of stock for some time. There is also the possibility that the SKU has changed to ADR6435LVW2, but I have no idea why Verizon would need to make that change. In my opinion, it’s likely we will see the updated Butterfly that we reported about earlier in the week. Since the DROID DNA is based on the original Butterfly, it’s likely the Verizon will launch this phone as either the DROID DNA 2 or the DROID DNA+ very soon. Stay tuned.

sources: Verizon Forums / XDA / Droid-Life

 


Come comment on this article: Well, this certainly is a new record; Verizon has apparently discontinued the DROID DNA after only 4 months

Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4 gets green-light from FCC

Posted: 30 Mar 2013 03:24 PM PDT

Samsung_Galaxy_S_4_Verizon_FCC

The FCC has just gave the Verzion variant of the upcoming Galaxy S 4 from Samsung the go ahead. Some things to note are the presence of 4G LTE, as expected, on both Verizon’s 700 MHz band and their AWS band which they recently acquired.  Also worth noting is the presence of HSPA-3G network which could mean a better experience for consumers who travel overseas. As of now the only other carriers left to pass through the FCC’s tests are AT&T and T-Mobile, but we don’t expect that to take very long.

Source: FCC


Come comment on this article: Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4 gets green-light from FCC