Thursday, June 13, 2013

Android Community

Android Community


Samsung Galaxy NX Android Camera press images revealed

Posted: 13 Jun 2013 10:50 AM PDT

This morning the floodgates have been opened on what Samsung has planned with their next-gen Android camera. It is set to be revealed on June 20th in London, and we just got multiple official press images of the device revealing all the important details. It was leaked earlier today, but now we’re getting the complete picture so check it out below.

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For those that aren’t familiar, the NX line is Samsung’s high end camera. On June 20th Samsung will be blending that flagship camera lineup with Android and revealing the Samsung Galaxy NX Camera – and we have three images of this impressive looking setup below. This will be an entire level above their current Galaxy Camera we’re using today.

For now all of the details aren’t yet known, but the leakster states it should have a APS-C 20.3 MP sensor on board, although previous rumors stated a 20.9 shooter would be under the hood. It will obviously record full 1080p HD and we’re hearing the ISO range will be up to 25,600. Low light photography here we come, all with Android on board.

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Most Samsung NX cameras don’t have a huge display like the Galaxy Camera, but this will come with either a similar 720p 4.8-inch display as the original, or a smaller 4.3-inch display. That spec isn’t fully known yet. Then of course we can expect Samsung’s Exynos 4 Quad core processor to also be on board, as well as 2GB of RAM and 8-16GB of internal storage.

Based on the press images we’ll have the standard settings dial on top for quick setting tweaks, but most of the changes will otherwise come from the touchscreen running Android 4.2 Jelly Bean. Get ready to enjoy all those camera features and filters from TouchWiz. Then of course it looks like we’ll be enjoying at least 3 different lens options originally, with more probably coming soon. The standard 18-55mm, 55-200 and another 85mm. It isn’t known if other NX lenses will be compatible, but we’ll learn more in just a few days.

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SOURCE: Tinh te

Root 101 crowdfunding towards an open source 10-inch tablet

Posted: 13 Jun 2013 10:04 AM PDT

There is plenty of talk of low prices when it comes to tablets. It seems many have been searching for the ‘perfect’ sub $100 tablet and while that most often seems to reflect a 7-inch model, it looks like Root 101 is aiming to launch a low priced 10-inch tablet. They aren’t going to hit that sub-$100 price point, however they have gone the crowd funding route and the pledging begins at $169.

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Root 101 is hoping to have this tablet arrive as the “most open source and affordable tablet available today.” The device will be running a stock Android 4.2 Jelly Bean installation, however there is also a CyanogenMod and Paranoid Android ROM being developed. More to the point, the Root 101 tablet will not have any bloatware and will arrive rooted.

The team has also said the software will be open sourced so developers will be able to create new custom ROMs. Taking that a step further, the Root 101 team will also host any and all third party ROMs to allow for greater access from the users. The team is also promising to provide updates as Google releases new versions of Android.

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The hardware will include a 10.1-inch 1280 x 800 IPS display, dual-core 1.5GHz AmLogic AML8726-MX processor, Mali-400 dual-core GPU, 1GB of RAM, 16GB of internal storage, a microSD card slot, VGA quality front-facing camera, 2 megapixel rear-facing camera and a rear-shell casing that is made of aluminum.

Other specs will include WiFi 802.11 b/g/n, Bluetooth, mini-HDMI, micro-USB, a 3.5mm headphone jack, two rear speakers and a 7000 mAh battery that is said to be able to offer up to 9 hours to battery life. Otherwise, the Root 101 tablet will arrive with measurements of 260 x 173 x 9.9 mm.

One important item to note, the images seen here in this post are of a prototype model. The Root 101 team has said the final model will have a different finish along with different colors. Renders of the final hardware can be seen in the gallery below.

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That all being said, how about we get back to the pricing. The tablet has a limited amount of ‘super early bird’ slots left which are $169. Once those run out the price will increase to $179 and then top out at $189. The final product is expected to ship in August 2013.

VIA: Liliputing

SOURCE: indiegogo

Samsung Galaxy Camera NX leaks with Android and changeable lens

Posted: 13 Jun 2013 09:54 AM PDT

We’ve been talking about Samsung and cameras a lot lately. Between the newly announced Galaxy S 4 Zoom smartphone/camera hybrid, and now this new camera leaked today. Last week we mentioned this device would likely replace the original, and be called the Galaxy Camera 2, but today we’ve learned it will be a completely new and higher end product. Check it out below.

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The device in question and being seen for the first time you see below will apparently not be the Samsung Galaxy Camera 2, which we still expect to be coming soon. Instead this will be a completely different high end camera to follow along Samsung’s popular (non Android) NX line with an interchangeable lens. And of course it should be running Android, although that isn’t 100% confirmed at the moment.

The device shown below has leaked revealing to have at least a 20.9 megapixels on board, and the model number is being reported as EK-GN120, which lines up with the previous Galaxy Cameras codename of EK-GC100. However, you’ll notice the GC (Galaxy Camera) in the codename has been replaced with GN, signifying this will be a part of their NX line. More specifically their Galaxy NX line, which will be an entirely new and impressive product. Galaxy=Android.

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So what we’re concluding here is that Samsung will continue to offer their current Galaxy Camera, possibly release a new version at some point later this year, but next week at Samsung’s event in London we’ll be seeing their all-new Samsung Galaxy NX Camera. Sporting a 20.9 megapixel shooter, interchangeable lens, and much more.

This is a full-sized DSLR shaped camera, with an impressive 20.9 megapixel sensor, and will be able to swap lenses all while running on what we’re assuming will be Android 4.2.2 Jelly Bean. We loved the original Galaxy Camera, and will have ours charged up and ready to snap pictures of their new camera live on June 20th at the unveil in London.

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VIA: TechTastic

Angry Birds Star Wars Lando Bird update arrives

Posted: 13 Jun 2013 09:14 AM PDT

Rovio Mobile has offered up the latest Angry Birds Star Wars update. This one has already arrived in the Google Play Store and for those keeping track — it is indeed the Lando Bird update. This update joins Lando Bird as he betrays Han Solo and joins the Rebellion. Or perhaps a bit more important, this update has arrived with a bunch of new levels as well as a few other goodies.

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The Lando Bird update will have you fighting the Pig Empire in an additional 20 new Cloud City levels. Rovio has dubbed them epic and well, being fans of the Angry Birds Star Wars series, we sort of have to agree. Otherwise, this update also added some new power-ups for use during the fight.

This release has the Angry Birds Star Wars series sitting at version 1.3.0 and with support for devices running Android 2.3 or later. And based on previous experience, the game looks equally nice on the smaller screen of a smartphone as well as the larger screen of the Nexus 7. Of course, those looking to play the Lando Bird update will need to be up to date with the earlier levels.

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Otherwise, Angry Birds Star Wars first came available for Android back in November of 2012 and has been updated several times since. Some of the key updates included Hoth, Escape From Hoth and Cloud City. Throughout the game you have goodies to include the Mighty Falcon which will help you get passed levels the harder levels that have you stuck.

There are also some hidden goodies to keep an eye out for. These will allow the player to unlock the R2-D2 and C-3PO bonus levels. Bottom line here, the Lando Bird update appears to be another solid set of levels for Star Wars fans. With that, Angry Birds Star Wars as well as the HD version are both available by way of the Play Store.

Sony Xperia ZU appears set for an early July unveil

Posted: 13 Jun 2013 08:27 AM PDT

Sony has recently sent out an invite for an event that will be taking place on July 4th. The invite arrived as the standard ‘save the date’ style teaser, however there are a few details and hints included. Just to begin with, the invite is showing the side profile of the device that is expected to be announced, the Sony Xperia ZU. This handset is expected to arrive with a 6.44-inch display and if we are looking at the invite correctly — it also appears as if it will have support for a stylus.

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We are obviously going to have to wait until July 4th for the official confirmation from Sony, however in the meantime, it looks like some specs have leaked by way of the ePrice.com website. The handset is the Xperia ZU and is appears as if the U stands for Ultra. That would make sense given the 6.44-inch display, which will be IPS with a resolution of 1920 x 1080 and a pixel density of 342.

Other leaked specs include a quad-core 2.2GHz Snapdragon 800 processor along with 2GB of RAM, 16GB of internal storage, microSD card slot (with support for cards up to 64GB in size), 3000 mAh battery, 1.3 megapixel front-facing camera with an Exmor R sensor and an 8 megapixel rear-facing camera with an Exmor RS sensor.

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Looking back at the image and we can see what appears to be a thin profile. The handset is expected to arrive with a 6.5mm thickness. The image also shows what appears to be a headphone jack (on the side) as well as a power button, volume rocker, dedicated camera button and lanyard attachment.

Anyway, while things appear to be shaping up nicely in terms of a full set of specs and a complete look at the handset, we do have to remember that none of this is official until we hear direct from Sony. In the meantime, we have seen a few other leaked Sony Xperia ZU images and they can be seen in a previously published post.

VIA: Xperia Blog, Engadget

Sony Open SmartWatch initiative launches in search of custom firmware

Posted: 13 Jun 2013 07:46 AM PDT

There isn’t any shortage of smartwatches at the moment, however it looks like Sony has some news that make have their watch a favorite amongst the developer crowd. Sony has had the Smart Extensions API available which lead to a decent selection of apps, however as of today things are going to be a bit more open. In short, Sony has announced the “Open SmartWatch Project.”

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Sony has kicked this off as an experimental project in hopes to seeing “a lot of innovation” in return. Basically, this project means developers will be able to create and flash custom firmware on the Sony SmartWatch. As of this moment there is not any custom firmware options available, however Sony appears ready to have that change. In fact, they will be holding a hackathon this coming Saturday.

The hackathon will be held in conjunction with the Arduino hackathon and is set to take place in Malmo, Sweden. While that may be nice to attend, it seems Sony also realizes not everyone will be able to hop a plane to Sweden on such short notice. That being the case, Sony has launched what they are referring to as the “hacker guide” for the project.

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This guide should be enough to get you started, however it also appears to contain the fine print that you should know before you begin. According to Sony, if you flash a custom firmware you will no longer be able to use SmartConnect or any of the SmartWatch apps currently available in the Play Store. Additionally, Sony mentions this may void your warranty and should something go wrong — you may not have the same service/repair options available.

Otherwise, the Sony SmartWatch can be picked up for roughly a $100 and is sporting a 65k color OLED touchscreen with a resolution of 128 x 128. The watch also has an ARM Cortex-M3 processor, vibration motor and Bluetooth connectivity. Finally, running the standard firmware the SmartWatch is able to provide alerts for email and text messages as well as Facebook and Twitter updates and more.

VIA: xda-developers

SOURCE: Sony

AT&T GALAXY S 4 Active release date and pricing confirmed

Posted: 13 Jun 2013 07:03 AM PDT

AT&T did a bit of teasing yesterday afternoon and as we had been expected, the carrier has come forward with an announcement for the GALAXY S 4 Active. And in a bit of good news, this announcement included a release date and a price as well as a pre-order availability date. In short, those interested will be able to move forward with a pre-order beginning on June 14th.

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The GALAXY S 4 Active will be priced at $199.99 on a two-year agreement and the regular availability will begin a week later on June 21st. The GALAXY S 4 Active will be available in Urban Gray and Dive Blue and the handset will be water- and dust-resistant and sporting the IP67 certification.

The Active will be sporting a 5-inch Full HD display with Corning Gorilla Glass along with a quad-core processor, 8 megapixel rear-facing camera and running Android 4.2 Jelly Bean. One of the key additions on the GALAXY S 4 Active will be the Aqua Mode and Eraser Shot as well as multiple custom shooting modes and enhanced low light performance.

Eraser Shot is just as the name implies, it will allow the user to remove unwanted distractions from the images. The handset will also have an IR sensor which means it will be able to serve as a remote control. Plus, many of the regular GALAXY S 4 features can be expected. These goodies include Air View, Air Gesture, Drama Shot, Samsung Smart Pause and Story Album.

Bottom line here, the GALAXY S 4 Active appears to be the handset for those who want the GALAXY S 4, but are afraid it may be easily damaged with a more active lifestyle. Of course, that is not to say the Active isn’t capable in the business world and in fact, Samsung has the handset listed as being SAFE (Samsung for Enterprise) certified.

SOURCE: AT&T

Samsung GALAXY S 4 Zoom promo highlights the 10x optical zoom and more

Posted: 13 Jun 2013 06:37 AM PDT

Samsung announced the GALAXY S 4 Zoom earlier in the week and it seems they aren’t going to waste any time in showing what the camera is capable of doing. Enter the ‘Official Lifestyle Demo Video’ teaser that Samsung has recently shared. This video is a little under three minutes in length and has the handset dubbed as the “only smartphone with 10x optical zoom.” Or perhaps more important for those curious — Samsung shows many of the camera specific features.

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The video is essentially someone going on a photo walk, however you are given a look at the features throughout the walk beginning with the fact that you can use the handset to take calls. While that may sound a bit obvious given this is a phone, Samsung did highlight how you can capture and share images while on an active call. The beginning of the video also gives a look at the zoom-ring control.

Aside from the 10x optical zoom, the GALAXY S 4 Zoom also sports a 16M BSI CMOS sensor which should help to improve the images you shoot in low-light. The optical image stabilizer will help to keep your images steady and sharp — even if you cannot say the same for the hand you are using to hold the camera. Looking back to that zoom-ring control and in addition to being able to zoom, that will also serve as a quick launch to the camera features.

There are also some features that should be able to provide some help. The Zoom has a Smart Mode Suggest option that will help the user to pick the most appropriate mode based on the current conditions. And for those curious, there are 25 Smart Modes in total. Users will also see something called Photo Suggest which provides location based suggestions.

All said and done, the GALAXY S 4 Zoom looks like it could be a good option for those who want something more than the basic smartphone camera setup, but still doesn’t want to carry around a second point and shoot camera. So how about it, anyone interested in picking up a Zoom? In the meantime, make sure you check out the video sitting above because in addition to talk of features, Samsung also offers a look at some of the screens.

Google Glass teardown shows us the tiny tech inside

Posted: 12 Jun 2013 06:59 PM PDT

Google Glass has been making waves across the tech segment, and those waves finally culminated in a teardown of the product itself – something which we certainly have nothing against checking out. With a Torx T5 Screwdriver in hand, and some time (and money) to kill, someone did just that, and this is the result.

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When we first got our hands on Google Glass awhile back, we struggled to fully comprehend how Google had fitted so much useful tech into such a slim, streamlined package. Yes, from time to time, we did look like dorks wearing them in public, but the most astonishing thing about them was their capability, and the way they could interact with the real world to provide an almost effortless user interface. We didn’t quite know how they did it, but now we at least have a clearer picture.

The teardown comes courtesy of Star Simpson and Scott Torborg who picked up a Google Glass and in no time at all bought some prescription lens before beginning the teardown (the goal of which being to add prescription lens to the device itself). To take it apart, they carefully pryed the plastic from the main unit close to the display, which in turn revealed both the Proximity and the Ambient light sensor.

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With the rest of the plastic, they did face some trouble, the results of which included slight permanent damage to the unit. This happened through the cutting of plastic around one of the internal screws. After this screw however, it was smooth sailing.

Once free of the plastic, they then took out the main board, which was covered in a typical adhesive mixture. After clearing out the mixture, they also managed to find a TI OMAP4430 chip and a 16GB SanDisk flash chip. After that, came the battery, but this too required some plastic cutting. The rest of the intense process is detailed on the Catwig site, should you be interested. It’s obvious however that the teardown of Google Glass is doable, but perhaps not advised unless you have a skilled hand in taking apart small devices.

Via: SlashGear

Android 4.2.2 update delayed for Galaxy S III and Note II

Posted: 12 Jun 2013 05:08 PM PDT

Samsung has been busy lately with updates for many of their flagship devices, but if you enjoy the Galaxy S III or Note II, the latest update could be a bit late. We’ve recently seen T-Mobile and Verizon update the Galaxy S III to Android 4.1.2 (just recently) and now the next update to 4.2.2 Jelly Bean could already be facing delays. Bad news for both devices.

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We’re hearing many of the smart pause, smart scroll, and other features are busy being ported over from the GALAXY S 4, to the GS3 and Note II. Sadly they aren’t going as well as planned. We’ve already seen Android 4.2.1 leak for the GS 3, but the bump to 4.2.2 isn’t going quite so smooth.

According to the folks from SamMobile the update to 4.2.2 for the Note II and GS 3 is facing a delay. Both devices are currently enjoying 4.1, and now we’re not sure when they’ll see the latest and greatest. Between adding new features and tweaking TouchWiz, this won’t come as quick as expected.

However, don’t be alarmed, because overall we’re not expecting too long of a delay. The GALAXY S 4 is already running Android 4.2.2 Jelly Bean, so adding the features to old TouchWiz builds really shouldn’t be that tough. While this report states the updates are facing delays, we never had a date set in stone to begin with. Good things come to those who wait, and Android 4.2.2 Jelly Bean is coming sooner than later for the GS 3 and Galaxy Note II.

VIA: PhoneArena

HTC One Mini continues to poke its metal nose into our hearts

Posted: 12 Jun 2013 05:03 PM PDT

Well, here’s another look at the HTC One Mini. In all its metallic, refreshingly small glory. The small, 4.3 inch handset has been leaked, and manages to still look just as good as its bigger brother. What’s in store for it? We can’t be sure on everything, but a picture tells a whole lot more than you’d expect.

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We’ve talked about the One Mini before, but this image solidifies all that we already knew. For one, it is most certainly a scaled down version of the One, and it also has an all metal enclosure. Also, we can see that with the scaled down screen there is quite likely to be a scaled down resolution, at 720P. Still, we believe that at 720P on a 4.3″ display, you’re not exactly being shorthanded. That being said, if you want to use it as a wireless remote for your 4K TV, you might be out of luck, as the HTC Mini One more than likely does not carry a IR blaster like its bigger brother.

Up front is a ring of plastic that adds an extra bit of durability to the design. For the moment, the actual Mini itself is quite likely running Android 4.2, but we can’t confirm that. Expected in the 3rd Quarter of 2013, it’ll likely have an updated OS by then, and will be a slick contender against Samsung’s Galaxy S 4 Mini.

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Out back, you’ll enjoy an Ultrapixel HD Camera capable of both still photos, video and Zoe Share capture. The Mini will likely be powered by a 1.4GHZ dual-core Processor as well, most likely the Snapdragon chipset found on the HTC First. We’re excited to see what the Mini One will bring to the table… or in our case, our pockets.

SOURCE: Engadget

Google Cloud Print app hits the Play Store

Posted: 12 Jun 2013 04:19 PM PDT

Previously, if you wanted to print from the Google cloud through an Android device, you had to use a third party, unofficial application to do just that. Finally (and thankfully) there is an authentic solution to your problem, and it’s now available on Google Play as an official, licensed Google product.

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Following the Google keyboard last week, we now have this. The previous solution seemed legit, but wasn’t actually a Google app. Today we have exactly that, an app from Google themselves. With the need for an app for those with a schedule too busy to allow for jumping onto a desktop and going through all the steps, Google has finally found the time to bring a fully licensed app to the table in the form of Google Cloud Print.

What Google Cloud Print allows you to do is to find a photo/document within your Cloud, send it to your Android device, and then in turn send it directly to a printer. This makes collecting your printouts as simple as one, two, three, and can all be done in a very simply laid out format. Right through Google Drive with ease!

In the Play store, there already resides a ton of apps that can do this. But the massive refreshing knowledge of knowing that you can finally do it in perfect, harmonized conjunction with the software you’re using makes us all tingly inside. With a familiar look and UI from Google, this should be all most need. The new Google Cloud Print app will make it easy for you to get your work handed in on time, and will gladly chew up some good old fashioned 8.5×11 in the process.

SOURCE: Google Play Store

Android finally gets Vodio, the video searching application

Posted: 12 Jun 2013 03:51 PM PDT

Vodio, the video searching application that merges Youtube, video news results, and other services such as DailyMotion together in one vast detailed list of results based on search subjects, has finally made its way over to Android. Previously it was only available on iOS, where it began to garner rave reviews. But surprisingly, that’s not the biggest news of all.

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What really makes the step over from iOS to Android is the wide support for devices. (Vodio is available on all phones fitted with Honeycomb Version 3.2 or higher) It is also now backed by some huge investments to help it grow exponentially on Android. Investments from New York seed fund RSL Venture Partners and BTG Pactual as well as a few other private investors have all netted Vodio with the opportunity of $800K in investments, Vodio will seek to expand its algorithm team and continue to grow its consumer base.

Vodio launched at the beginning of last year on the Apple iPad, where it quickly made a strong impression in the video application segment. So far more than one million hours of video out of 30 million videos in total have been viewed by the Vodio userbase, and with the switchover to Android, even more are to follow.

A version compatible with Android 2.3 and above is said to be in the cards very soon, according to Vodio reps. Give it a try today and let us know how you like this video gathering app.

VIA: TheNextWeb
SOURCE: Play Store

Vodafone gets thrifty with the £50 Smart Mini

Posted: 12 Jun 2013 02:44 PM PDT

Ahh, the UK. Home of quiet cottages, friendly people, lovely tea, and super good deals on smartphones. Now it seems, they have a new one to whisper about, and it comes in the form of the £50 Smart Mini, from Vodafone, set to be released later today. It’s as cheap and budget friendly as they come, and surely nothing impressive, but lets take a look.

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Inside the Vodafone Smart Mini you’ll find Android‘s (Jelly Bean) UI, working through a 1GHz single-core MediaTek CPU cruising on 512MB of RAM, with 4GB of internal storage an external microSD slot. For the non-visually impaired, you’ll also be glad to know that it packs a 3.5-inch HVGA (320×480) display, and is fitted with a rear mounted 2 mega-pixel camera.

At 50 UK Pounds, it sits at a decent deal for what is decent performance. It would be interesting to test it out, and to see what it’s capable of day to day, as most phones of this type of quality are usually thrown in the kitchen drawer, but perhaps that is the best argument for this kind of phone; it can be dropped, prodded, and poked all without any real concern to its owner. The best part of all is that it’s 50 Pounds, untied to a contract, and pay as you go.

Certainly it’s no high tech device, and there in lies the appeal. Whether or not it will be a big seller for Vodafone is an even more critical question, but with such a basic operating system on such a basic phone, you can bet that they’ll sell like tickets for the Big Ben Double Decker bus tours.

SOURCE: MarketWatch

Sony Xperia ZL Review

Posted: 12 Jun 2013 02:34 PM PDT

With the Sony Xperia ZL, the company decided to take a two-device approach to their flagship offering. We have the fully waterproof and impressive 5-inch 1080p powered Xperia Z. Then they dropped the slightly different, thicker, and not waterproof Xperia ZL in a shorter package. It’s available unlocked for US carriers as we speak, but today we’ll be giving it a closer look so read on after the break for our thoughts on this flagship top-tier Sony smartphone.

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Hardware
With the Sony Xperia ZL we have the exact same specs almost entirely that they delivered with the Xperia Z. Those include a 5-inch 1920 x 1080p full HD BRAVIA 2 powered display, which looks gorgeous and crisp. The entire device isn’t quite as long and the back lost the easy-to-break glass in favor of a textured rubbery back. You’ll still enjoy a 13 megapixel camera on the rear and a 2 MP shooter on the front, and the internals are the same too.

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Sony’s Xperia Z and ZL aren’t quite the top-end we’re seeing with the GALAXY S 4 and HTC One, but they’re close. Sadly the price is still above $600 unlocked so that might be a cause of concern for potential customers. To round off the specs of this device we have the aging Snapdragon S4 Pro quad-core processor, 2GB of RAM, and 16GB of internal storage. They’ve added a micro-SD slot on bottom next to the SIM slot, and tossed in a sizable 2,370 mAh battery.

As far as the actual hardware we had some pretty mixed feelings. We love how small the form factor is given the 1080p display, quad-core, 13 megapixel camera, and on-screen navigation buttons. Sadly the square corners just aren’t comfortable to hold. However, Sony designed this thing extremely well and it feels as durable as a tank. Certainly doesn’t give off the cheapish feeling you get from a Samsung.

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The power button on the right edge is in the middle and easy to tap, but is squishy and will take some getting use to as it doesn’t respond as well as it should. The volume up/down and dedicated camera buttons are also on the right edge, and are a breeze to tap. The power button should have been designed the same way. There’s a lone 3.5mm headphone jack up top, and an oddly placed micro-USB port for charging on the top left edge of the device. This is new, and I’m not a fan. Just leave it on bottom.

Sony’s textured back is comfortable and you won’t be dropping the Sony ZL on accident anytime soon, so that’s a plus. The odd reflective plastic on all 4 edges is a nice touch and gives the phone a unique and appealing look others don’t offer. Overall we applaud Sony for offering a design that differs from the competition, but for some reason I just don’t enjoy the overall design and feel of the phone. It’s glossy and button free on the front. Smooth and reflective premium edges, yet has an ugly and durable looking textured back. They seemed confused, but that’s just my thoughts.

Software
Sony has graced this smartphone with Android 4.1.2 Jelly Bean, and we hear an update to 4.2.2 is coming down the pipes at some point. Here I love the software, but also hate it. They’ve kept the overall UI and Android OS as similar to stock Android as Google intends when compared to other manufacturers, but changed it just enough to make it completely different. Their Android skin doesn’t offer anything substantial or beneficial however, so just give us stock Android. Here’s our hands-on unboxing while also showing you a glance at the software.

However, Sony does bring some improvements and things worth mentioning. You’ll just have to enter their realm. You've got apps like WALKMAN, Sony Album, Movies, and Sony Select. Each of these wants to keep you in the Sony world, and makes it easy to stay around if you’ve already been a fan of Sony products in the past, or are willing to enter now.

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That side the phone doesn’t come with any carrier bloat (at least not in the U.S.) and that is because no carrier in the states offers this phone. You’ll have to pony up $630 or so cash and get it from Sony’s site yourself. That’s fine with me, I don’t need all those AT&T and T-Mobile bloatware apps taking up my precious space. Are you listening Samsung?

So while we like their minimally skinned UI, we’d rather have stock Android. Samsung’s TouchWiz brings new features, multi-screen modes, airview and gestures and more. HTC’s custom software improves the camera, BlinkFeed delivers news like never before, and Beats integration makes audio impressive. Sony’s software doesn’t have any of these things. Which is a reason I’m excited about the potential Xperia Z Google Edition coming later this summer.

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Benchmarks
Of course we had to run a few quick benchmarks, even though we know exactly what to expect with the aging 1.5 GHz quad-core Snapdragon S4 Pro. It’s no GALAXY S 4 or HTC One, but will keep up great with the LG Nexus 4, DROID DNA, and others. It scores a respective 7800 in Quadrant and 20k in AnTuTu. Above the Nexus 4 across the board but lagging behind the others mentioned above.

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Of course this is all subjective. During daily use the phone has absolutely zero lag and is blazing fast for daily use. Some just enjoy seeing the numbers. Google Chrome is the stock browser, and it’s quick, and flipping through the gallery filled with impressive photos (snapped with the ZL) and more was all quick and swift. Android 4.2 Jelly Bean should help, but this phone is buttery smooth as it is.

Camera
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Speaking of the camera, lets take a peek at a few samples. Sony’s no stranger to the camera space and their 13 megapixel sensor here works quite well, even indoors. There’s an aluminum ring around the lens on back too, as to protect it from scratches while laying on tables and such.

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The photos were all snapped using their “Superior Auto” camera mode, and they turned out quite well. The Sony camera app will recognize dark lit situations, too much brightness, and even macro settings with ease and adjust for you. The zoom was the fastest and most smooth I’ve seen to date, but we’d love some image stabilization features in the future.

Battery Life
For a 5-inch 1080p display this has a small 2,370 mAh battery compared to the 2,600 in the GALAXY S 4, and even bigger in the Note II, however it manages quite well. The Snapdragon S4 Pro handles battery life with ease, and Sony’s power management and stamina modes were decent. Don’t enable them if you need data though, as that gets killed whenever the screen is off and you won’t get those Gmail alerts and Facebook status updates.

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Overall the battery life was better than expected, but Sony’s BRAVIA 2 engine appears to handle bright screens and apps better than most to conserve battery. Automatically adjusting brightness to suit the optimal viewing experience without draining your battery. We managed well over 4 days on standby, and about 15 hours on a hard days use. This will last from morning to night for most average to heavy users.

Wrap-Up
Overall we enjoyed using the Sony Xperia ZL, and like what it offers over the Z before it. Sadly the expensive price off-contract makes it a tough sell. Maybe getting this for $99 from AT&T with a new contract would make the pill easier to swallow, but that’s just a guess. The device is pretty, powerful, extremely well built, and has one of the better 1080p displays and cameras on a phone available to date.

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Sony’s Xperia Z is slated to hit T-Mobile later this year, and hopefully more of their devices start making it stateside. For now they’ve been few and far between here in the USA. In the end the device will work with AT&T and T-Mobile 4G LTE if bought from their online store, and represents one of the best handsets around from the folks at Sony. If you’ve loved their previous products, this will surely impress you all over again. It won’t be replacing my GALAXY S 4, but to each his own.

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Samsung Galaxy Note III tipped as model number SM-N900

Posted: 12 Jun 2013 01:59 PM PDT

The rate of Galaxy Note III related rumors seems to be remaining fairly steady. Just recently there were a few questionable images of what was said to be a 6.3-inch Note III and as of today we are learning some details on what could be a model number. The model number has recently turned up on the official Samsung Global Download Center.

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The one catch, while the model number has appeared, the important files such as the manuals weren’t available. That said, it is believed the Galaxy Note III will be arriving as the SM-N900. In addition, there was a second similar model shown, the SM-N900J.

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These model numbers were listed in the Mobile Device -> Smart Phone categories (on the Samsung website) and have both been removed since that initial discovery. The one reminder we have comes by way of the folks at Blog of Mobile who managed to grab a screen capture before these references disappeared.

While this certainly doesn’t offer what we would consider solid proof, it does seem to be lining up with a leak that surfaced earlier in the month. If you remember back, the Samsung Kazakhstan revealed the Galaxy Note III as the SM-N9000. Basically, a similar model number as we saw today (just with the addition of an extra zero at the end). The reference on the Samsung Kazakhstan website was also quickly removed.

We are expecting the Galaxy Note III rumors to continue, however this latest does give us another bit to start watching for in hopes of learning more down the road. Otherwise, Samsung is expected to announce the third-generation Galaxy Note during IFA which is set to take place in September.

VIA: Blog of Mobile

Angry Birds GO racing game quietly teased

Posted: 12 Jun 2013 01:44 PM PDT

While all the hype in new racing games from Microsoft and Sony with their respective launches of brand new consoles is enough to make our eyes bleed in succulent happiness, the idea of a new Angry Birds game that involves racing certainly can’t be overlooked. If it’s to be as comedic as previous Angry Birds titles, it’ll be sure to be a blast, and may even (in some way) be the perfect time killer for those taking a break from all the realism that the aforementioned big companies provide.

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Although there is absolutely no info to go by, the new Angry Birds game is most probably a racing game, as evidenced by their teaser site. With the previous Angry Birds games being absolute hits out the door, we have no doubt this one will be too. When it comes out is anyone’s guess, but it will likely have tons of challenges (as per every other Angry Birds game), levels, and characters.

Previous iterations of Angry Birds have been great fun, but it’s clear that a new spin would be welcome. Racing games are big news these days, and Rovio would be wise to get in on it. Most everyone has played the killer game series too, where you shoot a bird at a set of loosely lined up pillars and try to break a house down. Not exactly realistic… we’re pretty sure you would end up killing the poor bird in real life if you attempted it, but fun nonetheless.

The Angry Birds franchise has expanded into a massive money grabber for their developer Rovio, who has seen sales of everything from plushies, to books, to pencils.

We just hope that when Angry Birds Go does finally make it into Google Play, we can afford the time to “take it for a spin” as well.

SOURCE: Rovio Angry Birds

T-Mobile GALAXY S 4 gets a summertime price drop

Posted: 12 Jun 2013 01:22 PM PDT

T-Mobile has recently announced some price drops. The devices are all from Samsung and include the GALAXY S 4 as well as the Galaxy S III and Galaxy Note II. Basically, it looks like T-Mobile has dropped the price of entry by lowering the downpayment. The one catch, these sale prices will only be available for a limited amount of time. Specifically, they will be available from June 12th through July 13th.

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Those interested in a GALAXY S 4 will be able to pick it up with an initial downpayment of $99.99. That price then includes 24 monthly payments of $20. The Galaxy S III will be available for $49.99 down and the Galaxy Note II will be available for $169.99 down. Similar to the GALAXY S 4, both the S III and Note II will come with 24 monthly payments of $20.

These of course, are all eligible for use with the Simple Choice plan. This is the T-Mobile UNcarrier approach which means you will not have the standard two-year agreement attached. Basically, this means that you will be paying a total of $580 for your GALAXY S 4 between the downpayment and the monthly payments.

Perhaps more important though, the Simple Choice plan begins at $50 per month for unlimited talk, text and data with an additional 500MB of high-speed data. Those looking for more high-speed data can also opt to include a $10 add-on with 2GB or a $20 add-on with unlimited 4G data.

Otherwise, if Samsung devices are not what you are looking for — T-Mobile also has the HTC One available with a downpayment of $99.99. The One also has the same 24 month $20 payment schedule. Those interested may also benefit from our GALAXY S 4 and HTC One reviews.

T-Mobile Xperia Z teased in underwater video

Posted: 12 Jun 2013 12:48 PM PDT

T-Mobile has recently posted a short video on YouTube. The video measures in at just 23 seconds in length and shows little more than someone diving into a pool and then swimming a short distance underwater. That may sound a little strange by itself, but then we look back to the earlier rumors which have been leading up to an announcement for the Sony Xperia Z — which just so happens to be a waterproof handset.

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That said, T-Mobile hasn’t said which handset they are talking about with this video. What they have offered is a bit of a teaser for what is coming tomorrow. Along with the video is word about how T-Mobile will be making an announcement on June 13th. No word yet on when the handset may be arriving for sale, or how much it will cost once available, but we hope to see those details revealed on June 13th.

While the evidence has been building for a T-Mobile Xperia Z for sometime now, there is also another waterproof handset that will be getting some attention on June 13th. That other is the GALAXY S 4 Active and coincidentally, AT&T has also shared a waterproof teasing video today. Bottom line here, it looks like tomorrow will be a good day for those looking to pick up a waterproof smartphone with a US carrier.

On the topic of these video teasers, we do have to remind T-Mobile that video looks much better when shot horizontally. That pet peeve aside, we do look forward to seeing what will be announced tomorrow. And if nothing else, June seems like a good month to have these waterproof handsets coming available. So how about it, anyone excited about picking up an Xperia Z with T-Mobile?

VIA: TmoNews

Samsung Galaxy S 5 to be made entirely out of metal

Posted: 12 Jun 2013 12:19 PM PDT

The Samsung Galaxy S 5 is currently in development stages, but what isn’t known is what it will look like or feel like in the palm of your hand. With over 10 million S 4‘s sold already, it’s exciting to think about how different (or similar) the S 5 will be, and whether or not it will be an evolution or a brand new product altogether.

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As of now, all Galaxy’s have had plastic bodies, which are extremely durable, and cheap to manufacture. However, when consumers pick up a new, high tech product, they’re not looking for “cheap” – they’re looking for high quality, even if the product itself (in terms of pricepoint) is on the lower end of the scale.

That’s exactly why rumors of a new all metal body for the S5 that are circulating should not be ignored. If it was to have an all metal body, it would of course be more expensive to manufacture, but in turn, could increase brand/quality perception, which may in turn also increase sales. The theorized metal to be used would be aluminum, which itself is a very light, durable metal. However, it is difficult to keep free of dings and other small imperfections.

Also, by using an all aluminum unibody construction, it will likely be that the owner of the product cannot manually replace the battery of their S 5, and may instead need to take it into a registered Samsung retailer, or a private shop that specializes in Smartphones. By doing this, Samsung hopes to again be neck and neck with Apple in terms of brand quality, and expects an enhancement in customer relations and service. HTC as well has begun to use aluminum for their One series, and reviews are already pouring in about how much the consumers love it. Samsung won’t just stand back and watch all the accolades to competitors pour in; they want a piece of the pie as well.

All this aluminum talk only further verifies the “Design 3.0″ news, which was purported to be part of Samsung’s new design direction. Although nothing is entirely set in stone, there is a very good possibility that this may happen. Either way, the S 5 is still about a year away from introduction, so we’ll have lots to speculate about until then. It’s never too early to start. Right?

SOURCE: AndroidGeeks