Sunday, May 26, 2013

Android Authority

Android Authority


Google to cease Android developer payments in Argentina

Posted: 26 May 2013 02:20 AM PDT

"Don't cry for me, Argentina!" President Cristina Kirchner's tough foreign currency policies have resulted in difficulties for Android developers and users in the country (Photo credit: AP).

“Don’t cry for me, Argentina!” President Cristina Kirchner’s tough foreign currency policies have resulted in difficulties for Android developers and users in the country (Photo credit: AP).

Even in a globalized world, not everything is perfect, and geography can still be a limiting factor when doing business. Case in point: Google is pulling out developer payments in Argentina starting June 27th this year, and final payments will be made out on July 22nd. According to Google, this change applies to both premium or paid apps, as well as in-app payments for freemium applications.

Google did not make a specific explanation as to the shift in policy, only citing “ongoing challenges making payments to Argentine developers.” It is suspected that the Argentine government’s crackdown on currency exchanges might be the reason behind the ban.

This does not mean, however, that developers based in Argentina can no longer distribute apps through Google Play. They can still do so, but will be limited to distributing free apps. The same goes for Android users in the country, who will not be able to purchase paid apps or make in-app payments.

As a brief backgrounder on the foreign currency restrictions, Argentine president Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner has introduced foreign currency controls since her re-election in 2011 to limit capital outflows and to beef up its central bank’s currency reserves. Moves that have affected the use of app purchases and payments include a steep 15 percent tax on Internet purchases (since increased to 20 percent). Even PayPal transactions are suspended from within the country. Of course, there is mixed reaction to these policies, which has made it difficult for businesses to trade, and for citizens to travel and purchase goods from abroad.

But while Android developers in the country could no longer distribute paid apps, Google has suggested that they may still offer paid apps and earn from Google Play if they can register their business and accounts elsewhere. The company has offered to “continue exploring ways to resume funding Argentine developers,” although there is no saying what exactly they can do to help out the Android development community in the country.

    


Gmail reportedly receiving new tab-based user interface for web and mobile version

Posted: 25 May 2013 01:06 PM PDT

gmail

After seeing in a series of images potential changes for Google's mobile email app, a new screenshot seem to reveal that the Gmail's web user interface will also be overhauled.

The Next Web has an image that indicates a tab-based UI is coming to Gmail at some point in the near future. As you can see in the screenshot below, we're looking at four different tabs, with each one presumably storing certain types of emails.

gmail-tab-user-interface-web-1

There are four tabs in the screenshot that read Primary, Social, Promotions and Updates. However, the publication mentions other tabs including Main, Notifications and Forums.

In Main, users will reportedly eceive emails from friends, while Social and Offers will include social networking emails and emails from retailers, respectively. The Notifications tab will include emails mentioning bills, dining reservations, flight alerts, and similar important mails. Finally, Forums will include notifications from forums.

Apparently each tab will show you that there are new emails requiring your attention, and that "+" sign in the screenshot could indicate that users will be able to create custom tabs as well – although that's only a speculation from our part.

At this point, it's not clear when the new UI will be rolled out, but we would assume that both the web and the mobile Gmail versions would be updated at the same time. The screenshot for the Android Gmail app below shows some of the same tabs we talked about for the web version, including Primary, Social, Promotions, Updates and Forums. To activate it, you’d have to tap on the three-line menu on the top left side.

gmail-tab-user-interface-app-1

Before Google I/O, a source told us that a Gmail update was on its way, but Google did not introduce it during the keynote. Will the new Gmail UI arrive once Android 4.3 launches? We'll just have to wait and see. For now, Google has refused to comment “on rumor and speculation,” according to The Next Web.

    


Verizon’s Motorola X-Phone XT1060 Passes Through FCC

Posted: 25 May 2013 11:51 AM PDT

 

Purported Google X Phone prototype.

Another Motorola X-Phone variant, model XT1060 has pass through the FCC recently. The model XT1060 version sports CDMA frequencies, LTE Band 4, Band 13 and GSM capabilities. We know that the XT1060 is the Verizon Wireless variant because radio frequencies 850 MHz and  1900 MHz just happen to be used by Verizon Wireless for CDMA capabilities, LTE Band 13 is be used by Verizon, and they have future plans for Band 4. Like most current Verizon smartphones, you’ll be able to take the X-Phone overseas or use it here in the US on GSM networks due to ‘Global’ support. Sadly, FCC filings don’t reveal all too much when it comes to internal hardware specifications leaving much to the unknown.Verizon Motorola X-Phone

While we don’t know a lot about the X-Phone as we’ve seen some conflicting reports. It is rumored to be a mid-range phone affordable to the masses. Whether that’s true or not is yet to be seen. What we do know is that the X-Phone is said to run stock Android, a byproduct Google’s Motorola acquisition and we’ve even seen that leak multiple times over and over again like the image above from Tinhte.vn.

Verizon Motorola X-Phone FCC RadiosBesides Verizon, we’ve seen Sprint and AT&T variants pass through the FCC. This would be new territory for Motorola, launching a major device across multiple carriers. When do we think we’ll see the X-Phone? I was told sometime next month by an anonymous source. Who knows?

 

    


Android Authority On Air – Episode 65 – The HTC One Stock Android ‘Senseless’ Rumor Is True

Posted: 25 May 2013 10:59 AM PDT

Android Authority on Air

This week on Android Authority On Air we covered the latest and great Android ecosystem rumors to hit the web since Google IO last week. Will we see Android 4.3 announced and a few new devices come June 10th? We’re not sure but, a white Nexus 4 has been spotted again and a new, Google branded media player pass through the FCC.

During IO13, a few Google apps were updated with the new “Holo Card” user interface and the new 3-dash menu indicator for slide out menus. Since IO, a handful of Google apps have been updated to reflect this new gorgeous design. So far we have Play Music, Magazines, Books, Shopping, Drive, YouTube, and Google Earth all reflecting these new design guidelines. Rumors point to a new Maps and new Gmail in the near future.

On the device front, the big news this week is a reported, imminent release of a completely stock HTC One. We don’t know the price, carriers, or availability; we only know it’s pretty damn awesome. The current Sense based HTC One has sold 5 million units thus far and its’ competitor, the Samsung Galaxy S4 has sold 10 million. #IfIHadGlass contest winners have started to receive their purchase links this week. Another X-Phone variant passed through the FCC. If you’re still rockin’ last years Samsung Galaxy S3, current leaks will make you happy.

In breaking carrier news, Verizon announced a new partnership at CTIA 2013. It’s pretty dam exciting… The severe lack of news coming out of CTIA this year continues to prove that CTIA is a dying conference.

And last but not least for patents Apple seeks to add the Galaxy S4 and Google Now to their current Samsung lawsuit. Yeah, we laughed too.

As always, if you missed the show, you can watch or listen below. Have a safe and fun Memorial Day weekend!


    


Some Galaxy S4 Zoom specs hit the web, as UAProf appears

Posted: 25 May 2013 10:42 AM PDT

Samsung Logo aa 600px 2

The Samsung Galaxy S4 seems to be more than just a high-end product name, but a family of products designed to cater for your every need. We've already reported heavily on the Samsung Galaxy S4 Active and the Galaxy S4 Mini, and now it looks like its time for some more Galaxy S4 Zoom details.

As the name hints, the Galaxy S4 Zoom is dedicated to providing better picture quality on smartphones and, as such, is said to contain a 16-megapixel camera, with a 10x optical zoom slapped on for good measure. Samsung is yet to officially confirme the device though.

Now however, it seems we have had a few other specifications come to light. The UAProf of the Galaxy S4 Zoom (SM-C101) has been discovered, revealing a 540 x 960 screen resolution and a vague ARM11 CPU.

S4 zoom UAPROF

The screen resolution is considerably lower than the original Galaxy S4‘s but the screen is rumored to be smaller, at 4.3 inches. However, it is the same reported resolution as the Galaxy S4 Mini, meaning that Samsung could be looking to save a few dollars on manufacturing costs. That puts the pixel density of the Galaxy S4 Zoom at a less than inspiring 256 PPI, assuming the information in this UA Profile is accurate.

Until the Galaxy S4 Zoom gets official, you can check out an alleged photo taken with the Galaxy S4 Zoom.

samsung galaxy s4 zoom

Would you be interested in a product like the Galaxy S4 Zoom? Or are smartphone cameras good enough?