Friday, April 26, 2013

Android Authority

Android Authority


Galaxy S3 sold 50 million units, demand for Galaxy S4 deemed “explosive”

Posted: 26 Apr 2013 01:51 AM PDT

SAmsung Galaxy S4 launch korea

Credit: Korea Herald The Samsung Galaxy S4 launched today in South Korea

Samsung has high hopes for the Galaxy S4, launching into its first markets today. The Galaxy S4 is projected to sell in 100 million units, a target that is deemed "highly achievable."

It's a big day for Samsung. The Galaxy S4 started selling today in the first market, Samsung's native South Korea, with great expectations and glowing reviews.

Over the following days, the Samsung Galaxy S4 will launch in countries from around the world, although at least one major market, the US, has seen the device delayed. The official reason for the delay is "overwhelming demand", with Samsung officials being keen to boast that customers are going nuts over the latest Galaxy device.

At the Korean launch event today, Samsung executives and analysts interviewed by the Korea Times stated that the largest smartphone maker in the world would have little trouble meeting its lofty goal of selling 100 million Galaxy S4 units. Moreover, Samsung said it has been receiving "explosive orders" for the Galaxy S4 and that the sales target is "highly achievable", thanks mainly to the competitive pricing that Samsung is able to leverage, without sacrificing hardware specifications.

Another interesting piece of news that emerged today is the fact that the Galaxy S3 has sold 50 million units since it became available in May 2012. The last time we've received a sales tally on the Galaxy S3 was in January, when Samsung announced the reach of the 40 million milestone. In other words, the company moved 10 million Galaxy S3s in about three months, a very respectable figure for a phone that was launched in mid-2012.

Will Samsung manage to smash its own record with its current flagship? All signs point to a clear affirmative answer. The only potential problem that could, temporarily, derail the runaway success that the Galaxy S4 shapes out to be is a big manufacturing problem, similar to what HTC experienced with its One.

But Samsung is the biggest smartphone maker in the world for a reason. If anyone can orchestrate a huge manufacturing operation flawlessly, it's Samsung.

LG Lucid 2 Review!

Posted: 25 Apr 2013 09:19 PM PDT

lg-lucid-2-front-in-hand

Sure, you can find the occasional deal for a super-phone, provided you sign up for a contract–assuming you can sign up for a contract. What about the rest of us? Those of us with bad timing or bad luck? For a long time now, the zero-dollar smartphone has been a “get what you pay for” (I hate that phrase) sort of deal. Are times finally changing?

If you’re signing up for a new contract with Verizon, you can pick up the LG Lucid 2 for the low, low cost of absolutely nothing. But is it worth it? To find out, read on.

In a hurry? Check out the video review or jump to the conclusion at the end of the article.

Specs

  • 4.3-inch display (960 x 540, 256 ppi)
  • Qualcomm Snapdragon S4 Plus chipset
  • 1.2 GHz dual-core Krait processor
  • Adreno 225 GPU
  • 1 GB RAM
  • 8 GB internal storage (expandable via microSD)
  • 5 MP rear-facing camera
  • 1.3 MP front-facing camera
  • 2,460 mAh battery

Build Quality & Design

Like a lot of other recent phones from LG, the Lucid 2 has a very rectangular body. Those who prefer their corners rounded may not be super impressed, but as someone who has always preferred the clean look of sharp edges, I like the design for the most part. The silver highlights around the power button and volume rocker weren’t very attractive to me, but the device might have looked a little too simplistic without them.

lg-lucid-2-back-bottom

The general quality of the build feels solid, especially for a phone that manages to stay on the fairly light side, though I’d be careful about dropping it. To that end, LG has given the removable backing of the Lucid 2 a rougher texture, which should help users keep a grip on the phone during use. I didn’t test the wireless charging backing (which is sold separately), so I can’t say whether or not this provides a noticeable difference.

Display

We wouldn’t blame you for looking at the resolution and thinking that if it isn’t even 720p, it’s not worth your time, but despite the relatively low pixel count, the LG Lucid 2 packs a surprisingly nice display. With a 4.3-inch display size and 960 x 540 resolution, we’re looking at a pixel density of 256 ppi. Not the sharpest we’ve seen, but still not bad.

lg-lucid-2-front-2

No pixelation was readily apparent, and text and images were rendered very sharply despite the lower pixel density. As a result, the text and icons might appear slightly oversized, but this didn’t present itself as a problem during testing. Colors are very vivid–nearly oversaturated, actually–but images are well represented. Black levels were fairly good and the display was bright enough to be visible in bright sunlight.

Performance

We’ve seen these dual-core Qualcomm Snapdragon chipsets enough by now to understand what kind of performance we should expect. To make sure the LG Lucid 2 held up we started off with our go-to benchmark, AnTuTu. We ran a total of 10 benchmarks over the course of two days under differing conditions. When all was said and done, the final average score was 11,686. We also attempted to run Epic Citadel, which ran once and crashed, never to run again, even after reinstalling.

lg-lucid-2-side-with-cat

In real-world use, we found that the LG Lucid 2 lived up to our expectations. Attempting to slow the phone down by quickly scrolling through home screens and the app drawer was unsuccessful, and with the exception of a few first-run issues, apps launched very quickly. The Adreno 225 isn’t the most powerful GPU, but the few games we did try ran well, and we didn’t notice any hiccups or slowdowns.

Software

The LG Lucid 2 runs Android 4.1.2 Jelly Bean, skinned with the same overlay that we see on most every LG phone. While a lot of our readers and viewers prefer stock Android, LG’s overlay is a lot more customizable than TouchWiz or HTC Sense. If you need more customization it’s always easy enough to install a custom launcher.

lg-lucid-2-top

When it comes to the preinstalled software, there is definitely a good amount of bloatware scattered amongst the occasional useful app. Verizon has included an awful lot of stuff that many users will likely never touch, but there are some useful apps included as well. A file browser is always welcome, and the version of Polaris Office 4 included is actually usable, unlike the crippled versions that ship with some phones.

A large pile of Amazon has been dumped all over the LG Lucid 2 as well, which may be handy if you do a lot of shopping, but we would still prefer it if this could be removed.

Camera

What do you say about a mid-range smartphone camera that hasn’t already been said about a thousand other mid-range smartphone cameras before? This one is actually fairly usable as long as the lighting is good. Outdoor pictures, for example came out very well, providing that the phone was held steady during the shot. Low light performance is nowhere near as good, but that is the case with many cameras, even on high-end phones, with rare exceptions.

lg-lucid-2-from-camera

The 5 MP rear-facing camera features 1080p video capture, while the 1.3 MP front-facing camera captures 720p video. The video is generally fairly useful, though the sensor takes a very long time to auto-adjust to different lighting conditions. This is very noticeable in videos, and while it isn’t the only problem with the video (there is some jerkiness apparent in 1080p), it is definitely the most prominent issue.

Battery

Packing in a 2,460 mAh battery paired with the power-efficient Qualcomm Snapdragon S4 chipset, the LG Lucid 2 has some very nice battery life. During 8 hours of heavy testing, including benchmarking and other CPU- and GPU-intensive tasks, the battery dropped from 100 percent to around 30 percent. During a full day (around 16 hours) of “normal” use, including plenty of switching between networks and different service areas, the phone still had 20 percent when it was finally plugged in for the night.

lg-lucid-2-battery

If that wasn’t enough, the LG Lucid 2 also has a removable battery. Those who want to look for an extended battery or carry a charged spare can do so to their heart’s content, although the stock battery should be enough for most people. Unless, of course, reviewing phones is your job or something crazy like that.

Video Review

Conclusion

To echo my sentiments from the video review just above this, the LG Lucid 2 would have had to do a lot wrong to not earn itself a recommendation, given the fact that the phone costs nothing but a two-year contract. Yes, the camera isn’t the best and there are certainly better performing phones out there, but for the price, this is definitely something worth considering if you’re already looking at a two-year stint with Verizon.

What do you think of the LG Lucid 2? Any questions or comments? We’d love to hear from you in the comments below.

T-Mobile signs court-ordered agreement after ‘deceptive’ no-contract plan advertising

Posted: 25 Apr 2013 04:42 PM PDT

T-Mobile

T-Mobile announced their new, no-contract Simple Choice Plans last month. While there are technically no contracts, Washington State Attorney General Bob Ferguson discovered the carrier was failing to disclose important information. Because of this, T-Mobile has now entered into a court-ordered agreement.

From the official press release:

Today, the Attorney General's Office filed a court order signed by T-Mobile and effective nationwide that will ensure the company clearly communicates the limitations of its new "no-contract" wireless service plans and allows customers duped by the deceptive ads to exit their contracts with no penalty.

Under the new no-contract plans, a phone can cost up to $20 per month over 24 months. This is on top of the cost of a data plan, and how T-Mobile makes their money back after selling phones for just $99 or $199.

However, if you decide to cancel your service, you are required to pay for the phone in-full. According to the Attorney General's Office, this is simply a different kind of two-year agreement, and should have been disclosed in a more direct manner. If you bought a new phone or service from T-Mobile between March 26, and April 25, you can receive a full refund by calling the carrier at 1-877-746-0909.

To make matters worse, T-Mobile is required to contact all customers who purchased between those dates, and “advise them of their right to cancel and obtain a refund”.

Amazon updates Kindle app in a big way

Posted: 25 Apr 2013 04:35 PM PDT

Kindle Redesign

The Amazon Kindle app has never looked bad… its just never been impressive. That's all changed, and the new design suggests quite a shift in thinking over at Amazon. We recently told you all about their interesting strategy for coming out ahead, and this flies in the face of that a bit.

Today, Amazon changed it up for their Kindle app. It looks quite a bit better, and is a touch more intuitive for users. Here’s the quick rundown of what's new for 4.0:

  • Redesigned library experience
  • Carousel displays recent items on the home screen
  • Redesigned naviagtion panel
  • Browse all items, both cloud and local content
  • Explore and download samples

The most startling difference is the UI. It has become more gesture based, with the double-carousel on the home screen. The top is your content, both in the cloud and device, and the bottom is recommendations. A pretty brilliant scheme, really.

The menu is also much better, and adds a level of ease not seen in previous iterations. The addition of popular samples is a great way to see what's popular, and get a quick taste to see if you'll enjoy it or not. The layout makes it easy to find what you're looking for, without being too fussy or complex.

Of course, the redesign smacks of HOLO, which is Android's language for keeping things feeling pretty similar across the board. This is a different strategy for Amazon, which has always been keen to do their own thing, on their own time, in their own way. It's a really smart move, and moves them a bit closer to the Android way of thinking.

The Kindle app is available in the Play Store now. If you already have the app, it should update shortly, if you haven't seen it already. If you do have it, tell us what you think!

 

$200 Intel-based Android notebooks confirmed by chip maker

Posted: 25 Apr 2013 04:10 PM PDT

Intel-LogoToResize

An Intel executive has officially confirmed that Android notebooks will be available in stores in the future with prices starting at around the $200 mark.

The news comes shortly after various unconfirmed reports mentioned Android laptops and is delivered by Dadi Perlmutter, Intel's chief product officer.

Perlmutter's remarks made to CNET come after Intel's own CEO Paul Otellini last week mentioned touchscreen PCs that would cost around $200 without specifying what operating system they would be equipped with.

Now things are getting clearer, with Android confirmed for such products. The fact that Google’s OS is free for OEMs to use, compared to Microsoft's Windows 8 that has to be licensed by companies, is apparently also a factor:

“We have a good technology that enables a very cost-effective price point,” Perlmutter said. The price of Windows 8 laptops “depends on how Microsoft prices Windows 8. It may be a slightly higher price point.”

The $200 Android machines would run on Intel's Atom processor, and they will most likely be tablets that ship with a keyboard dock that would transform them into laptops when needed – it's worth pointing out that no Intel partner made any announcements unveiling such products, so we have no idea how these Android notebooks will look or what they'll have to offer.

Launch periods for these Android laptops have not been provided, although Perlmutter apparently said that he expects the PC market to “pick up” in the second half of the year and into 2014, as new products become available. Does this “new products” list include Android-based notebooks? Does this mean we’ll see Android notebooks in time for Christmas? We’ll just have to wait for Intel’s future announcements.

Even more interestingly, it looks like more expensive Android tablets packing Intel's Core chips would also be available to consumers, priced at $399 and $499, which means such Intel-based products could end up competing against high-end players in the tablet business.

lenovo-k900-front

Obviously Intel wants to quickly adapt to the mobile needs of consumers and become a more important player in the smartphone and tablet businesses, especially considering the declining PC sales.

The company has already made its first steps into the smartphone business – this year's Lenovo K900 handset is a great example, as the Intel-based device managed to match the Galaxy S4 in benchmark test – and now it looks like it's ready to make a more serious play for the Android tablet/laptop business as well.

Furthermore, the company has confirmed that data-only multimode LTE Intel processors will shipped by mid-2013, while multimode voice over LTE will arrive later this year, so it’s pretty clear that the mobile business is definitely getting more and more important for Otellini and Co.

Would you replace your current PC with an Intel-based Android notebook?

Everything you need to know about OfficeSuite Pro 7

Posted: 25 Apr 2013 03:36 PM PDT

OfficeSuite Pro 7 OfficeSuite Pro is one of the most well known and popular office suite apps for Android. It’s amassed millions of downloads and people seem to be pretty pleased with it. Recently, they released version 7 of their OfficeSuite Pro software and we’re going to show you some of the new features, take a gander at the new UI elements, and everything else you need to know. Of course, if you’d rather watch it than read it, our video is below. If you’d like to see how far OfficeSuite Pro has come since the 5th version, you can find our video for that here.


OfficeSuite Pro Dictionary Feature

Oxford Dictionary Support

When it comes to the English language, there are some options as to which dictionary you want to use. There are a lot out there, but arguably one of the most respected is the Oxford English dictionary. Now you can have that dictionary support in OfficeSuite Pro 7. Simply use the menu to navigate to the dictionary list and you can find it there. You can also find it if you open any document, click on a word, and choose the spell check option. It should have an option for the Oxford Dictionary.

The only caveat is that the dictionary costs $49.99 to download. That’s quite a bit for an add-on and costs more than three times as much as the app itself. For a limited time, though, they’re letting the add on go for $4.99, or 90% off. That’s just at the time of this writing and we don’t know how long the promotion will last. So if this is something you want, best to get on it quickly!


Google Search OfficeSuite Pro 7

Google Search Support

Alongside the Oxford Dictionary add on above, OfficeSuite Pro 7 now gives you the ability to Google Search words right out of a document. Simply click on the word and a little box will pop up. The left icon will take you to the in-app dictionary while the right button will open a web browser and Google Search the word in question. This is an excellent tool if you need to know what a word means quickly or if you just want to Google Search things.

Unlike the Oxford Dictionary add on, this one comes with the app so you don’t have to pay any additional money. Being able to Google Search words right from app can save some people a lot of time and it’s a pretty nifty feature for an office app.


Pictures

Camera Support

Perhaps one of the most nifty new features is the ability to snap a picture of something and have it plugged into a Word document, Excel spreadsheet, or PowerPoint presentation without being required to leave the app. Using the menu, you can open the camera app, snap a quick picture, and it’ll automatically be added to your file. This can be very useful for people who need a visual aid on the fly but don’t have one readily available.

One the picture has been added, they can be moved, re-sized, rotated, and pretty much any other basic manipulation you can think of. Also, as stated, this works for all the various kinds of documents you can create so no matter which function you use the most, it’ll work.


Excel Updates OfficeSuite Pro 7

Excel Enhancements

One thing that got a lot of revamping was Excel. There were just so many things added to Excel that we’ve decided to list them all in one spot. OfficeSuite Pro 7 now has a much cleaner Excel UI that also includes font formatting and cell dragging improvements. Perhaps the neatest new feature is the ability to re-arrange Excel spreadsheets. This may not seem like a big deal, but people who regularly use Excel will tell you that those sheets can be organized quite a bit.

Overall, the updates, improvements, and additions offer a much more cogent and reliable Excel experience and maybe the most stable Excel experience on Android.


Various Improvements - OfficeSuite Pro 7

Other Improvements

There were some other improvements that we didn’t review, but are still worth mentioning. There is now dual screen support, better compatibility with QuickSpell, and some PowerPoint improvements. The PowerPoint improvements include link support and shadow support. When you look at the list as a whole, OfficeSuite Pro 7 has a lot of great refinements, enhancements, and additions. It really helps the experience of the app and makes the whole experience more fluid and natural.


OfficeSuite Pro 7 Summary

OfficeSuite Pro 7 was already a popular and trusted office app for Android. With these improvements, it’s evolved into a more complete experience with fewer rough edges. Really, there are few office apps that can stack up to the features and stability of OfficeSuite Pro 7. You can find the app in the Google Play Store for $15 here. Or, if you prefer, you can give try it out with the free trial found here. If you don’t have an office suite app yet or you just want to find a new one, this is one of the best.

Google Drive now syncs Docs, Sheets, and Slides for offline use

Posted: 25 Apr 2013 03:23 PM PDT

Google Drive

Starting today, Docs, Sheets, and Slides in Google Drive will automatically sync for offline use. Also, you can now create, and edit drawings while offline. Google says these new features will roll out to users over the next few days. Forgetting to make certain files available offline is an easy task, and now users won't have to worry about that happening again.

In order to take advantage of the new offline syncing, you must have offline access enabled in Google Drive.

  • Step 1: Head over to the Google Drive website.
  • Step 2: On the left-hand side, select "More", and then "Offline".
  • Step 3: Install the Drive Chrome web app if you haven't already, and select "Enable Offline".

Once you’ve enabled offline access, you can simply head to the website to access your important files. Currently, Chrome or Chrome OS is required in order to access files offline. Earlier today, Google announced other features to Drive such as profile pictures pulled in from Google+, group chat, and animal related profile pictures for anonymous users.

Google Drive

User photos are much more prominent now, and when you scroll over someone's photo, you're met with the same pop-up from Google+. From there, you can add them directly to a circle. For developers, earlier this month Google Drive introduced app data folders, and the ability to add custom permissions to files.

Movie tie-in game Iron Man 3 has arrived to Google Play

Posted: 25 Apr 2013 01:53 PM PDT

Iron Man 3

Whether you are simply a fan of endless runner games or desperately waiting for anything related to upcoming Iron Man movie, you’ll be happy to know that the official tie-in game Iron Man 3 has finally arrived to Google Play.

The game itself is pretty typical of the genre, and since the game is said to take place after the movie events, no need to worry about spoilers either. Is this one worth checking out? As far as tie-in promotional games go, the game isn’t at all bad, though expect to see quite a few ads for in-app purchases in this freemium title.

While this title might not be perfect, you will certainly take notice of the graphics. Gameloft clearly went all out with Iron Man 3, at least in the graphics department. As far as levels are considered? There are three randomly generated levels that take place in New York City, Malibu Shores and China. There are also eighteen unlockable suits in the game and it is also possible to upgrade each armor with special powerups.

Now for the downside. As mentioned this is a freemium title, but beyond that it also has had a few incompatibility reports with some devices. The good news is that you don’t have to pay anything for the game, so if it doesn’t work the only thing lost is the time it took to download the hefty 795MB game.

Have you checked this one out yet, if so what do you think?

Siva Cycle Atom uses pedal power to charge your USB devices

Posted: 25 Apr 2013 01:26 PM PDT

Atom

While the idea of generating power from a bike isn’t anything new, the Siva Cycle Atom aims to improve on the idea by creating a system that not only can charge devices like your Android smartphone while you pedal, but can even provide you battery power long after ending your ride.

The idea of the Atom is to create an unintrusive battery system that is easy to install on just about any bike and works through the power of pedaling. Any USB-powered device will work with the Siva Cycle Atom. The device charges at a rate of 5V @ up to 500mA, about the same amount of power as a typical PC USB 2.0 port. That’s not as fast a wall charger, but still not half-bad.

Need more power once your off the bike? The Atom includes a detachable 1,300mAh battery pack. Now 1,300mAh might not be a lot, but it should be more than enough to give your phone or tablet an extra jolt of electricity to keep it going until you get back on the bike or find yourself a wall socket.

The only catch to the Siva Cycle Atom is that it doesn’t exist yet. The project is now on crowdfunding site Kickstarter, allowing you to pledge $95 to get your hands on the Atom, which is about a $15 discount over the projected retail cost. It’s also worth noting that for every ten Atoms it sells, they will donate one Siva Cycle Atom device to those in need of easily accessible electric charging.

What do you think of the Siva Cycle Atom, could you see yourself using one of these or not?

Oppo R809T officially announced, won’t be world’s thinnest smartphone after all

Posted: 25 Apr 2013 12:36 PM PDT

oppo

Earlier this month a rumor cropped up suggesting that Oppo was preparing to break another record by introducing the R809T as the world’s thinnest phone. The mid-range R809T became official today by way of Sina Weibo (China’s equivalent of Twitter), though a record breaker it is not.

At the time the rumor suggested the phone would manage to be just 6.13-mm thin, the reality is that the phone is actually 6.93mm. Quite a difference. Is this really the end of the world? Of course not. It is still a relatively thin handset and for fans of Oppo looking for a good mid-range handset, it could be exactly what you were waiting for.

Oppo R809T

The Oppo R809T features a 4.7-inch 720p display and is powered be a quad-core 1.2Ghz processor accompanied by 1GB of RAM. Other specs include an 8MP rear cam, 2MP front cam, and Android 4.2 Jelly Bean right out of the box. The addition of Android 4.2 makes this one of the few non-Nexus phones out there to feature the latest version of Jelly Bean.

So when can you expect the R809T to touch down in China? While we have no official date, the previous rumor surrounding the handset points to April 26th, so we have to wait just a day to find out if this release date proves true.

Android Phone Fans

Android Phone Fans


LG confirms first smartphone with flexible display technology releasing later this year

Posted: 25 Apr 2013 06:05 PM PDT

LG exec reveals the company's plans to release their first smartphone with flexible display technology later this year.

T-Mobile’s Uncarrier advertising deemed deceptive by Attorney General, forces them to make some changes

Posted: 25 Apr 2013 03:44 PM PDT

T-Mobile has been ordered to change their "deceptive" Uncarrier advertising, after Attorney General files a court order.

Confirmed: Vine for Android coming soon to the Google Play Store

Posted: 25 Apr 2013 02:06 PM PDT

After launching on iOS back in January, Vine developers confirm that an Android version of their popular video app is indeed in the works and coming soon.

LG Optimus G Pro leaked for AT&T ahead of next week’s announcement

Posted: 25 Apr 2013 12:52 PM PDT

LG's planning a big launch event next for the LG Optimus G Pro, and today we're getting a good look at the AT&T version of the device. Turns out there's also a small difference in hardware...

No, Huawei isn’t giving up on the US market

Posted: 25 Apr 2013 12:36 PM PDT

Earlier reports suggested Huawei was ready to pull out of the US market for good, but the OEM says that's a bunch of bologna. (Or why quality translators are worth every penny.)

Sprint Motorola Photon Q now receiving Android 4.1 Jelly Bean

Posted: 25 Apr 2013 12:00 PM PDT

It's been a long time coming, but it looks like Sprint is finally ready to push out the Jelly Bean update to Motorola Photon Q owners.

Google Glass easter egg lets you meet the Glass team (and Sergey Brin)

Posted: 25 Apr 2013 11:04 AM PDT

It's just like Google to sprinkle its products with easter eggs, and that's exactly what it did with Google Glass. Check out the panorama of the Glass team that was hidden deep within.

Gameloft’s Iron Man 3 endless runner is now available on Google Play for free

Posted: 25 Apr 2013 10:46 AM PDT

It's been teased for weeks now, and Gameloft's official movie tie-in, Iron Man 3, is now available for Android devices.

The Siva Cycle Atom uses pedal-generated power to charge your smartphones while you bike

Posted: 25 Apr 2013 10:07 AM PDT

If you often find yourself losing juice while biking on a trail, the Siva Cycle Atom aims to be the cure to all your worries. Find out how to back this unique idea on Kickstarter.

Need a mobile hotspot? FreedomPop offers you 500MB of 4G data for free

Posted: 25 Apr 2013 08:48 AM PDT

One of the hottest deals in wireless hotspots is now available for your consideration. Pay for the device and get free data (but not without a catch or two).

Samsung Galaxy S4 vs. HTC One

Posted: 25 Apr 2013 08:34 AM PDT

Two of the hottest smartphones on the market, many buyers are wondering which is the right phone for them. We take a head-to-head look at the HTC One and Samsung Galaxy S4, comparing everything from display and design to software and battery life.

Don’t forget to pre-order your Verizon Galaxy S4 today

Posted: 25 Apr 2013 07:45 AM PDT

The Verizon Samsung Galaxy S4 is now available for pre-order. You won't be able to get it until the end of next month, but if you must guarantee a device be sure to take care of that starting today.

T-Mobile HTC One S finally gets Jelly Bean

Posted: 25 Apr 2013 06:40 AM PDT

T-Mobile HTC One S owners have been a patient bunch, and that patience is finally about to be rewarded with. Jelly Bean is out, and it's waiting for your sweet tooth right now

Don’t look now: Chinese HTC One has a microSD card slot

Posted: 25 Apr 2013 05:58 AM PDT

The Chinese HTC One has a microSD card slot. That wouldn't be huge news if HTC included it on all models, but this highly anticipated feature is exclusive to one region for the time being.

Verizon Pantech Perception now available for $100

Posted: 25 Apr 2013 05:25 AM PDT

With Verizon announcing its release date for the Samsung Galaxy S4 yesterday we’re sure some users’ arms are being pulled in that particular direction, but let’s not forget the carrier has another smartphone launching today. The Pantech Perception, while not the world’s most exciting device, will come in at $100 for those who need a [...]

Android and Me

Android and Me


LG said to debut device with flexible OLED display by Q4

Posted: 25 Apr 2013 04:50 PM PDT

What’s next for the smartphone display? We’ve already got pixel densities far higher than the human eye can detect, amazing color reproduction, and panels are thinner and more energy efficient. We’re at the point where innovation in the display space is going to either come to a grinding halt, or explode as companies can push more money into research and development. There’s no definitive answer as to what the next big thing in smartphone display technology will be, but companies like Samsung and LG are banking on flexible OLED technology.

During an investor call, LG’s vice president of mobile Yoon Bu-hyun has said that not only is LG’s mobile division working on flexible OLED display technology, by the fourth quarter of this year, the company plans on delivering a phone utilizing it. As much as we’d like to see a phone that can be twisted back and fourth, rung out like a towel, something even close to that is realistically years away. The display panel might be there, but other important components most certainly are not.

As a more realistic idea of what LG may announce, look back to the prototype Samsung demoed at CES 2013. Samsung had a phone on the floor that featured a wrap around display. It’s nothing breathtaking, but it’s a start. And with the power of Android, there’s bound to be some interesting things both Samsung and LG could do with a similar handset. Can you think of anything better? Let us know in the comments.

    


Vine for Android coming “soon”

Posted: 25 Apr 2013 02:10 PM PDT

It’s only once every six months or so, maybe even once a year, that we see a really great app break into the mainstream. Much like Instagram, Vine has done just that. Everyone from comedians to electronic music super-duos (I’m looking at you, Daft Punk), have adopted the 6-second video service in a big way. And also much like Instagram, Vine in all of its massive popularity, didn’t start out with an Android app. According to the developers behind Vine, that will be changing soon.

In an interview with The Verge, it was mentioned that Vine for Android is being actively worked on, and is coming “soon.” For those of who have been intrigued by the app, but not enough to dump Android for it, this is great news.

Large companies glazing over Android, and releasing as iOS only at first, has proven to be a relatively smart move. While some would argue the fact that half of Instagram’s users are now on Android means the company missed out in the beginning, some might argue the exact opposite. Launching on iOS only gave the team behind Instagram the option to support a small amount of handsets, and hone their product before expanding overnight to double the user base. And you can’t forget that even though Instagram launched initially just for iOS, Android users still gobbled it up when it was released.

It’s highly unlikely that in the end, Instagram missed out on anything by not supporting Android out of the gate. Someday that won’t be the case, but for now, Vine is in the same situation. The fact does remain that even now, if you do ignore Android, you ignore a huge amount of the market, but expanding to more platforms responsibly is best for everyone. If Vine for Android really does release soon, it looks like Vine may have found the sweet spot with a paced rollout that doesn’t put strain on its developers or the service itself.

    


Viggle is the perfect companion app for the NBA playoffs

Posted: 25 Apr 2013 09:35 AM PDT

Fantasy sports games make watching live sports more fun, but not everyone wants to invest the time into drafting a team or playing out an entire season. Thankfully Viggle has come to the rescue with MyGuy Fantasy Sports, an app that lets you participate in instant fantasy challenges and earn real rewards. I’ve been using Viggle this week as I watch my San Antonio Spurs march towards the NBA Finals, and I’ve had a blast competing with other players.

Joining a MyGuy game is super easy and it only takes a few minutes to get started. All you need to do is launch the Viggle app, check-in to the game you are watching, and then join a MyGuy challenge. Each MyGuy game includes up to 10 people, and you can start playing when the game begins or at any point after that.

Once you are inside a MyGuy game, you get to choose a starter from either team. Every time your selected player does something good (field goal, steal, block, free throw, or rebound), your score goes up. If your player does three positive things in a row, then you go on a streak and earn double points (similar to being on fire in NBA JAM). You are free to change players at any time during the game, and a leaderboard helps you keep track of which players the other fantasy competitors have selected.

There is a joy in competing with others and talking smack during the game, but Viggle Rewards adds another bonus for participating. Viggle Points are handed out at the end of each MyGuy game and they can be exchanged for prizes like a gift card to Foot Locker, CVS, Old Navy, or JC Penny, a free month of Hulu Plus or Spotify Premium, or a free pizza from Papa Johns. Most of the rewards are of the gift card or coupon code variety, but they rotate them frequently and there are some premium prizes if you decide to save up your points.

If you plan to tune in to an NBA game tonight or anytime over the coming weeks, download Viggle and give MyGuy Fantasy Sports a try.

    


Top 10 Android game releases this week: Iron Man 3, Anthill, Zombie HQ, Fieldrunners 2

Posted: 25 Apr 2013 08:20 AM PDT

Welcome back to Android Gaming Weekly, our weekly recap to focus on new releases. We still plan to cover upcoming releases and games we're playing, but this column is dedicated to new games you can install and start playing right now. Check out our top picks and let us know if you have any suggestions for next week in the comments below.

Iron Man 3

Description: Become billionaire Tony Stark as Iron Man in this free, fast-paced, endless runner, the official game of the upcoming movie! After the events of Iron Man 3, Tony has become a peacekeeper, but new threats emerge regularly all around the globe and Iron Man is the only one who can take care of them. Confront 4 epic villains from the Iron Man comics: Crimson Dynamo, Ezekiel Stane, Living Laser and the mighty M.O.D.O.K.

Fieldrunners 2

Description: The biggest sequel in tower defense history is finally available for Android phones and tablets: Fieldrunners 2 has arrived! With legions of soldiers and a gaggle of new tricks, they're ready to conquer the globe. Or so they think! Our top scientists at SubaLabs have built a bleeding-edge arsenal of devastating weapons for any heroes willing to stop these dastardly invaders. Help your people by taking action – defend the world!

Cut the Rope: Time Travel

Description: Join Om Nom as he travels back in time to feed his ancestors with candy. Cut the Rope: Time Travel is a completely new adventure filled with time-traveling, candy-crunching, physics-based action! With two cute monsters to feed in each level, Cut the Rope: Time Travel is twice the fun but familiar to play. If you like Cut the Rope, you'll love Cut the Rope: Time Travel!

Anthill

Description: A gorgeous strategy game with an award-winning interface, Anthill is based on the real-world behavior of ants. By drawing pheromone trails, you direct your ground forces to different destinations, working with streams of units rather than individuals. Your mission is to protect the hill as wave upon wave of enemy bugs are thrown at you with tower defense gameplay. Slay a bug carry out air raids upgrade your troops with four types of ants to deploy: workers, soldiers, spitters and drones.

They Need To Be Fed 2

Description: The sequel to the popular They Need To Be Fed is finally here! Run and jump in this 360 degree gravity platformer! Gravity in all directions means you can never fall off, but that’s not to say the game is easy!

Boulder Dash XL

Description: A classic reborn, Boulder Dash-XL updates the best 80's action-puzzler with cutting-edge graphics and gameplay. With over 100 caves of frantic robo-mining fun across 5 game modes – including Retro caves! As mining robots Rockford or Crystal dig, dynamite, push and puzzle to the exit as fast as you can – but watch out for many types of roaming monsters determined to block your delving delight.

Zombie HQ

Description: The zombie infestation in the city is seriously getting in the way of your down time. Take back your city and reclaim what is yours! Scour the streets for salvage to get bigger and badder guns, explosives, and other zombie-killing weapons. Rescue survivors from the zombie horde and airlift them to safety for bonus rewards.

RE-VOLT Classic

Description: RE-VOLT Classic brings the original PC and Dreamcast kart racer back to life with retina visuals, control methods tailored for touch devices and all the great gameplay that made the title such a fan favorite when it was originally released. Fast paced, exciting driving, with explosive weapons and unique track designs deliver a larger than life racing experience like no other.

Thor: Lord of Storms

Description: Use the awesome power of Thor, God of Thunder, to push back the forerunners of Ragnarok in this unique, highly stylized interpretation of the classic myths! Thor: Lord of Storms is a free action-packed game based on the magnificent Norse myths. Choose your hero – mighty Thor, wise Freya or intrepid Brunhilde – to strike against the forces of evil. Fight against demons, giants and monsters, and confront their masters: Loki the trickster, Surt the bringer of flame, and Fenrir the great wolf.

Planets Defense

Description: Planets Defense is a 3D space strategy game where you create, develop and command your space fleet, research new technology and acquire new resources. Invest into planet mining or debris scavenging and form habitable atmosphere, deploy on new planets and build defense structures – protecting mankind from ruthless invasion!

Talisman Prologue HD

Description: 30 years young, the prologue to the seminal fantasy adventure board game now available! The legend begins with a single-player series of adventures designed to invite both veterans and newcomers to explore the land of Talisman. While multiplayer gameplay will be available in upcoming expansions, Talisman Prologue focuses on creating narrative depth through its single-player campaigns. The story unfolds as the player rolls dice to move around the outer, middle, and inner regions of the board. Each space will require the player to draw a card or resolve a special effect, leading your hero to encounter monsters, discover friendly followers, and gather treasure.

COMING SOON

    


T-Mobile rolls out Jelly Bean update for the HTC One S

Posted: 25 Apr 2013 07:36 AM PDT

The long-awaited Android 4.1.1 update for the T-Mobile HTC One S has finally arrived. The update is considerably late when compared to the international rollout which began in December of 2012, but it’s only a month behind the Android 4.1 update for the AT&T HTC One X.

To start the download process, you can manually ping T-mobile’s update servers by going to Settings > About > Software updates > Check now.

T-Mobile has yet to release its official change log for the HTC One S Android 4.1.1 update. Based on what we know about the Jelly Bean update for the international HTC One S, the US version should be getting HTC Sense 4+, Google Now, Project Butter, offline speech-to-text, advanced notifications, a handful of UI tweaks, an updated camera app with Sight Seeing mode (allows you to launch the camera app by pressing the power button) and a new gallery app which sorts images by events and time while plotting them all out on a map.

Since we have a T-mobile HTC One S on hand, we decided to document the Android 4.1.1 update and install process by creating a Video Highlight with the HTC One. We hope you enjoy it.