Wednesday, July 3, 2013

Android Community

Android Community


Samsung snags Boxee and staff for a quick $30 million

Posted: 03 Jul 2013 10:38 AM PDT

This isn’t the first time we’ve been hearing talks about Samsung acquiring the set-top box company Boxee, but now it looks to be semi-official. While both ends are still keeping quite, multiple sources have confirmed the Korean electronics giant has just purchased Boxee for roughly $30 million. The rumors are also being confirmed by Israeli media, and TechCrunch.

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The popular set-top and DVR TV company Boxee was one of the first companies to offer a product which offered full movie streaming and TV shows via the internet, something that is widely available these days. Options like the Roku, Apple TV and more all offer stiff competition.

Boxee has been around since 2007, and originally started out as a software company that now offers their own Boxee Box, and a TV dongle for streaming video and TV shows. We’re hearing the staff of about 40 employees will stay on board with Samsung, but what’s next is anyone’s guess. Maybe we’ll see some Android-powered units in the future with Samsung in charge.

So far these reports haven’t been 100% confirmed, but it sounds like Samsung got Boxee for a relatively low price. Boxee has been shopping around, and this might be perfect timing as their efforts haven’t been seeing much adoption as of late. We’ll update if we learn more, or get the official word from Samsung.

VIA: SlashGear

Samsung names Gregory Lee as president of US mobile division

Posted: 03 Jul 2013 10:31 AM PDT

Samsung has announced a new president of the US mobile division. Gregory Lee will be stepping in to replace the outgoing Dale Sohn. Mr. Lee will be stepping into this new position immediately. His official role will be as the President of Samsung Telecommunications America (STA). Mr. Lee is coming to this position by way of Asia where he served as president of Samsung's Southeast Asia Headquarters.

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That was a position held for three years and prior to that Mr. Lee was in Korea serving as the head of Global Marketing Operations. Samsung has said Mr. Lee will be “responsible for leading the company's mobile business operations and strengthening the company's leading position in the smartphone market in the US.”

They are also citing Mr. Lee as being a “recognized expert through his achievements in marketing and innovative operations in Southeast Asia.” As far as Dale Sohn, he will be heading back to Korea to serve as Executive Advisor to JK Shin. Samsung credits Sohn for helping the company climb to be number one in the US mobile phone market, as having achieved record results with the Galaxy S smartphone portfolio and driving Samsung's commitment to network business.

Otherwise, aside from this change with Samsung, we also saw a recent announcement coming from Huawei. The Huawei news arrived yesterday and named Colin Giles as the executive vice president of the Consumer Business Group. The interesting part about the Giles news is where he came from — Nokia. Giles had left Nokia back in April with claims of wanting to spend more time with his family.

SOURCE: Business Wire

AT&T privacy policy change shows a firesale of our user data

Posted: 03 Jul 2013 09:50 AM PDT

Some new tweaks and changes to AT&T‘s privacy policy have been revealed today, and things aren’t looking good. It sounds like AT&T may join other big groups like Facebook, Google, and Verizon and start selling our user data, although it will all be anonymous. This comes right as privacy is on the top of our minds, which isn’t the best timing for AT&T, but read on for more details.

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User privacy has been a hotly debated topic as of late, especially in the mobile world with the NSA and PRISM listening in on all of our calls. However, today AT&T is talking about anonymously selling user data to other businesses, and this falls under the “big data” movement we’ve been seeing as of late.

Now don’t get too alarmed. While the report states AT&T will start selling wireless and WiFi locations, web browsing stats, U-verse usage, mobile app downloads and usage, as well as “other information”, we will see some privacy. The carrier states it will protect our privacy by providing the data anonymously. Or in aggregated data so it cannot be used to identify anyone.

Verizon Wireless did the exact same thing last year, and called the business Precision Market Insights. Google and Facebook have been doing this for years, and now it appears that AT&T will join the business. Whether we like it or not. Unlike Verizon, AT&T will be sharing both wireless and wired information, as well as U-verse TV customers data.

Two wrongs don’t make a right, but what do I know. As a bit of silver lining, AT&T has stated that customers can opt out should they choose. Although surely that process won’t be extremely easy, or advertised.

VIA: FierceWireless

HTC One Mini images surface with further talk of specs

Posted: 03 Jul 2013 09:37 AM PDT

Some new images of the HTC One Mini have recently surfaced. These latest images are showing the handset in black and thankfully they are not blurry. While we are of course going to treat these as nothing more than leaked images, we should point out the original source has since taken the images down. There is probably some speculation that could go along with that, but we will leave that as it stands.

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Anyway, the images were originally posted by the smartnews.bg blog. There are three pictures and they came along with a few details and specs of the handset. The specs should sound familiar to those who have been following the saga of the HTC One Mini (M4), however it is nice to see them coming from the person responsible for shooting these pictures.

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That said, The HTC One Mini specs break down as follows; 4.3-inch 720 display (with a 342ppi), 2GB of RAM, 16GB of internal storage space and an UltraPixel camera. The handset is said to be running Android 4.2.2 Jelly Bean and as you can see in the images — it looks to have the front-facing stereo speakers of the HTC One.

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The latest rumors and reports are suggesting HTC will unveil the One Mini sometime during the third quarter of the year. In addition to these images, these were also some leaked docs coming out of O2 Germany that mentioned the handset. Those same docs also included a mention of the HTC One Max.

These O2 docs didn’t include much new and really just touched on a bit about how the handsets were heading to the carriers available device lineup. There was mention the One Mini will be available in silver and black. Finally, the HTC One Max rumors point towards a device with a 5.9-inch Full HD display, Snapdragon 800 processor and UltraPixel camera.

SOURCE: TechKiddy, the unwired

Motorola launches Moto X teaser page

Posted: 03 Jul 2013 08:49 AM PDT

An advertisement for the Moto X smartphone was revealed yesterday afternoon. That ad is running in several newspapers today and it looks like that is only the beginning of the campaign for the Moto X. We still have yet to see specifics on the phone itself, however Motorola has launched an official coming soon style teaser page.

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Sadly, similar to that newspaper advertisement — we are still not seeing any images of the phone. What we have instead lives up to the teaser name in that it is really just a place where you can trade your email address in exchange for the promise of getting additional details when they come available.

Of course, you can rest assured in knowing you will get those same details from the crew here at Android Community. Otherwise, this teaser page basically recaps some of the text we saw in that newspaper advertisement and concludes with Motorola saying the will let you know what else they are up to — that is assuming you give them an email address.

Motorola has this page listed as being a “4th of July Promo Page” which would lead one to believe this is just the first of many advertisements we will be seeing for the Moto X smartphone. One thing is for certain, they are really pushing the bit about the handset being assembled in the US and as being designed by you.

The first smartphone designed, engineered and assembled in the USA is coming.

It's also the first smartphone that you can design yourself. Because today you should have the freedom to design the things in your life to be as unique as you are.

And this is just the beginning. By the end of the summer we expect there to be more than 2000 new employees in Ft. Worth, TX working to make all of this possible. Imagine what else you can do when you have the world’s best design, engineering and manufacturing talent located here in the USA.

Going back to a point we mentioned yesterday, that whole design bit remains a mystery for now though we suspect this will have more to do with exterior color options as opposed to internal hardware. While we wait for more from Motorola, we are at least happy to see them kicking off this campaign and hopefully putting an end to some of the rumors we have been seeing.

SOURCE: Motorola, Twitter

Falcon Pro v2.0.4 update arrives outside the Play Store

Posted: 03 Jul 2013 08:21 AM PDT

Falcon Pro has been one of the more popular Twitter apps. While that statement by itself sounds like something to be happy about, there is another side that brings some issues not only for the developer but for those trying to continue using the app. That issue deals with tokens and the fact that Twitter has a 100,000 limit available for third-party apps.

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Those who have been following Falcon Pro for sometime will likely remember the story. Basically, the app reached its limit and had to revoke the tokens a few times to clear up some that weren’t being used. That was done in an effort to try and sneak a few active users back in to play. But it seems that game came to an end and earlier in the month we saw Falcon Pro disappear from the Google Play Store.

The removal was done to prevent users from downloading the app and not being able to do anything with it. This of course brought issues for existing active users in that they would not be able to get updates or be able to download the app should they get a new device. Sure, there were some APKs floating around, but that is hardly a solid option. That being the case, Falcon Pro developer Joaquim Verges has recently made an announcement that solves that issue.

Not to mention, it gives a bit of hope for those without a Falcon Pro token. Basically, Falcon Pro is now available from the getfalcon.pro website. That site will allow users to download the most recent version of the app. At the moment that happens to be 2.0.4. And along with the 2.0.4 update comes news of some smaller improvements and fixes as well as a new mobilizer with “seamless integration of articles in the app.”

Anyway, current users with an existing token may want to grab the latest version of Falcon Pro. Otherwise, those without an active token looking to start using the app may want to look for the secret mentioned by Verges. We certainly aren’t going to offer a full spoiler here, but we would suggest looking towards the beta group that was announced a short while back.

SOURCE: Google+, GetFalcon

Samsung Galaxy Note 3 rumors speak of a phablet with 3GB of RAM

Posted: 03 Jul 2013 07:33 AM PDT

It looks like another Galaxy Note III report has surfaced. This latest is coming by way of a Korean newspaper and deals with the amount of RAM the handset will have. Simply put, the Korean language hankyung is reporting the Galaxy Note III will be launching with 3GB of RAM. We should mention this is a rumor we have seen before though.

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In fact, we have also seen earlier rumors dealing with the processor, display size and camera as well as a bit about what material will be used for the Galaxy Note III. Touching on that last bit, back in May we saw reports the handset would drop with the familiar plastic design.

Otherwise, the display is expected to be 5.99-inches and Full HD with an octa-core or Snapdragon 800 processor. The camera is looking like it will be 13 megapixel, however there is more to that story than just megapixels. An earlier report has it looking like the Note III will arrive with optical image stabilization.

And of course, it seems to reason the Note III will launch with the latest versions of Android and TouchWiz. An earlier report claimed to show benchmarks for the Note III running Android 4.3. Bottom line here, this latest report coming out of Korea is just that, the latest report dealing with the Galaxy Note III.

So far we have yet to see official details coming from Samsung. What we do know is that the Note III should be arriving with a larger display and support for the S Pen — just like the original Note and Note II. At this time we are also expecting the official word from Samsung during IFA 2013 which will take place in Berlin later in the year and in the meantime it seems safe to say the rumors will continue.

VIA: SamMobile

SOURCE: hankyung

Samsung GALAXY S 4 shipments top 20 million

Posted: 03 Jul 2013 07:06 AM PDT

Samsung originally launched the GALAXY S 4 on April 27 and since then we have seen both good and bad reports in terms of shipments and sales for the handset. The reports on the bad side seem to have been coming from analysts and on the flip side, the positive reports seem to have been coming from Samsung.

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With that in mind, Samsung announced they crossed the 10 million milestone back in May and as of today we have word that another milestone has been meet. This latest is 20 million and the details are coming by way of the Korean language iNews. The news report has this as coming from Samsung CEO JK Shin.

That said, we should mention that we have yet to see anything come direct from Samsung. Basically, this report has Samsung as shipping 20 million GALAXY S 4 handsets in just over two months time. Then again, given we are so close to the two month mark, this milestone could have actually been reached a few days earlier.

Simply put, while JK Shin spoke to reporters about the 20 million number, there wasn’t a specific date given as to when it happened. Otherwise, looking at the Galaxy S III in comparison and we find a handset that took 100 days to reach the 20 million milestone. This has the GALAXY S 4 reaching the same level about 40 days sooner.

Coincidentally, the Galaxy S III took 50 days to reach that 10 million milestone while the GALAXY S 4 did the same in a little less than 30 days. Bottom line here, it looks like the GALAXY S 4 is easily outselling the Galaxy S III. Now, lets see when we get the official confirmation from Samsung on the 20 million.

VIA: SamMobile

SOURCE: inews24

Jawbone UP partner integration includes RunKeeper, IFTTT and others

Posted: 03 Jul 2013 06:36 AM PDT

Jawbone has announced the latest update for the UP fitness bracelet. Well, specifically for the app and the good news here comes in the form of partner integration. There have been 11 partners announced from various services and details from the Jawbone announcement talk about how this is ‘initial’ support.

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With that in mind, Jawbone hasn’t said when other partners will be coming, but they have revealed the initial 11 names. Those include the following; IFTTT, LoseIt, MapMyFitness, MyFitnessPal, Maxwell Health, Notch.me, RunKeeper, Sleepio, Wello Aetna CarePass and Withings. Many of these are names that will be recognized as being fitness and health related, however that is not where the support stops.

If you noticed the first in that group was IFTTT. Some may not be as familiar with this one, but essentially what IFTTT does is automate things. They tout themselves as helping you put the web to work for you. The process is simple, once you have an account created you either pick from an existing ‘recipe’ or create one of your own to make things happen.

As far as this new integration, Jawbone has said you can select the apps tab in the left hand menu to set things up. This also works both ways in that you can integrate data into your Jawbone UP feed as well as share that data out onto the feeds of other services. Two in particular that sound like a good match is Runkeeper and MyFitnessPal — both of which also have Android apps available.

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In addition to this Jawbone UP app update adding the integration with other services, the folks at Jawbone have also recently released an UP band in orange. This special colored orange UP band goes to support the Alliance for a Healthier Generation. This one is priced at $129.99 and Jawbone will make a $20 donation with every purchase.

SOURCE: Google Play Store

Samsung GEAR trademark filing hints at future smartwatch name

Posted: 02 Jul 2013 09:42 PM PDT

We received confirmation in May that Samsung is, as rumors speculated, working on a smartwatch, in fact having been doing so for quite a while as a long-term project. The word came from Samsung’s Executive Vice President Lee Young Hee, and though we haven’t seen any images of the device aside from artists renderings, we may now know the smartwatch’s name: Samsung GEAR.

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The information comes from a couple of trademark filings discovered by the folks at Phandroid, and after looking through the documents, there’s no doubt they refer to a smartwatch. One of the documents details a fairly lengthy description of an electronic device and its various software aspects, with the terminology being vague enough to apply to a range of items.

The other filing, however, is full of keywords related to smartwatches, such as “bracelet,” “wrist watch,” “clocks,” and “watchbands.” Beyond that, under a section termed Identification, there’s a description about GEAR that defines it as a watch that can “communicate data to personal digital assistants, smart phones, table PCs, PDA, and personal computers through internet websites and other computer and electronic communications networks; watchbands that communicate data to [the same aforementioned devices].”

Unfortunately, the documents don’t provide enough information to ascertain whether Samsung’s upcoming smartwatch will function similar the Pebble, which is a type of secondary wearable device that makes it more convenient to interact with a smartphone sans having to pull it out of a pocket. Some speculate that a more robust offering will be developed that extends beyond these types of features.

We do know what Mr. Lee said about the smartwatch in May, however, when he explained that Samsung is “working very hard to get ready for it. We are preparing products for the future, and the watch is definitely one of them.” This follows closely after a patent was discovered for a Qualcomm smartwatch in the making called TOQ.

SOURCE: SlashGear

Moto X will not be a DROID-branded Verizon offering, says sources

Posted: 02 Jul 2013 08:08 PM PDT

Earlier today, we reported that Motorola’s new logo, which has been redesigned to show off the company’s Google underpinning, will be shown in an advertisement slated to appear tomorrow for the Moto X smartphone. Unfortunately, the advertisement won’t be showing off the handset, but according to sources, we already know one aspect of the design: it won’t be DROID-branded.

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The information comes from sources who spoke to the folks over at The Verge, and according to them, the Moto X will not be a DROID offering on Verizon. This is a shakeup of how DROID flagship offerings are typically offered as exclusive Verizon offerings. The news isn’t particularly surprising, but is another interesting look at where the company is going with its new phone.

The handset is being hailed as “the first smartphone you can design yourself,” and we got our first somewhat detailed look at what it will offer from Motorola’s Dennis Woodside at the D11 conference in May. In particular, Woodside has said the Moto X is “contextually aware of what is going on around it,” and that it is being built in the United States.

Further elaborating, Woodside had said: “[The Moto X] is going to be broadly distributed. There are a couple things we're going to be doing differently … Motorola has always been good at managing ultra-low power sensors, such as the gyroscope and the accelerometer, and keeping those on all the time so the device knows different use states. The [Moto X] knows when it is in my pocket, it knows when I take it out of my pocket. I might want to do something, I might want to take a picture, so it fires up the camera."

Woodside had briefly talked about cell phone pricing in general during the D11 conference, having stated that the wide span in price range between handsets “won’t persist,” and that the company feels the industry is receptive to Motorola “building a low-cost, high-quality market.” This adds substance to rumors that the Moto X could be as inexpensive as $199 sans contract subsidization.

Of course, this doesn’t mean the Moto X won’t necessarily be offered from Verizon, just that it won’t be an exclusive DROID offering. Woodside, and later on a press release, stated that the Google-owned company plans to release other handsets this summer, of which the Moto X is the lead smartphone. Among them will likely be a line of DROID handsets, and we expect you’ll see it at the carrier.

Sources have appeared over the past weeks leaking details on what we can expect from the Moto X, particularly concerning the customization aspect of the handset. One source that spoke to Android And Me claimed the Moto X will be available several different colors – possibly more than 20. Later editions of the handset could also feature different casting options, including wood and carbon fiber.

Overall, the prospects of what the Moto X could offer are numerous and exciting, and if the rumors all prove to be true, this flagship offering could be a game-changer.

SOURCE: The Verge and Android and Me

MediaTek 2GHz MT6592 8-core chipset rumored for market arrival early 2014

Posted: 02 Jul 2013 06:15 PM PDT

Word has surfaced from a couple sources in China that MediaTek is working on a full 8-core offering, the MT6592 2GHz chipset, which is rumored to begin shipping in the last quarter of this year. If the leaks pan out, this will trump Samsung’s Exynos 5 Octa offering in terms of pure core usage, due to the Exynox 5 Octa utilizing big.LITTLE tech with four Cortex-A15 and four Cortex-A7 cores.

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This first tip comes from an analyst with HQ Research, Pan Jiutang, who posted on Sina Weibo what he says was a covertly taken shot of MediaTek’s roadmap for the upcoming quarters, which you can see in the image above. In the roadmap, the MT6592 octa-core offering is clearly visible under Q4 with a 1.7GHz to 2.0GHz 28nm offering.

This was preceeded by a report over at UDN stating that MediaTek has already shown off the MT6592 chipset to its clients, having begun doing so last week. Reportedly in an AnTuTu benchmark, the 8-core offering neared close to 30,000, and as such won’t be trumping Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 800. However, considering MediaTek’s other options, the price will likely be more budget-friendly.

Along with the MT6592, you can see in the image a quad-core MT6588 1.7GHz chip as well, which falls in the same time bracket, and will perhaps also be seeing a shipping date of sometime in November. According to the folks at Engagdet, both of these chips will be compatible with MediaTek’s MT6582 slated for release in the third quarter of this year.

And all of this follows a recent large spat of job openings that surfaced at MediaTek in June. The roadmap shows the MT6290 LTE modem, which was mentioned by the company’s chairman Tsai Ming-kai as being slated for launch in 2013′s fourth-quarter. Fortunately, we won’t have to wait too much longer to find out if the rumors are solid.

SOURCE: Engadget

Facebook Home gets an update, no tablet version in sight

Posted: 02 Jul 2013 04:54 PM PDT

Facebook has begun pushing out another update to their Facebook Home replacement launcher today, but so far we have no clue as to what actually changed. This isn’t the first update, but most new features have arrived through the official Facebook app, not the Home app itself. It still says version 1.0 in the Play Store, and there is no changelog. So your guess is as good as ours.

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Facebook Home isn’t doing quite as well as Mark Zuckerberg and company would have hoped, and neither is their Home-rocking HTC First “Facebook phone,” which was delayed outside of the US. While we’ve seen a few changes to Facebook Home, and they even returned our icon app tray, things aren’t looking too good.

Today they pushed out an update to Facebook Home itself, and not the regular Facebook app or messenger, but we’re not sure what has changed. Our devices aren’t showing anything new, and they didn’t even update the changelog on the Google Play Store. Get it together guys!

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According to a few tips, it sounds like the Facebook Home update could be related to last weeks news of Facebook opening a beta program. The company revealed they’ll be allowing BETA members early access up to 10 days before app releases, to test and try new features on their mobile app. They promise a better and faster app, and likely much of that will roll into Facebook Home.

When Zuckerberg announced Home the team promised monthly updates and improvements, as well as adding support for more devices as time went on. So far we haven’t seen too many devices added, so let us know if one of yours is now supported after the update today. We’re not seeing anything new here, aside from NVIDIA SHIELD support. That’s odd.

As soon as Facebook reveals more details we’ll update. In the meantime, what ever happened to the tablet version? And do you still use Facebook Home?

VIA: Play Store

Mugen Power reveals 5,500 mAh extended battery for Galaxy S4

Posted: 02 Jul 2013 03:44 PM PDT

Battery life is important, and Samsung’s Galaxy S4 flagship smartphone has some pretty great battery life. Even with a quad-core processor and a huge 5-inch 1080p display, it should easily last all day with that 2,700 mAh battery under the hood. However, if you want your phone to last for days the folks from Mugen Power just released a massive extended battery.

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Mugen Power is known for their 3rd party replacement and extended battery options, and they have quality goods. These are certainly no cheap knockoffs like you’ll find on eBay. Mugen only uses premium Li-ION in their extended batteries, and they match the manufacturers voltage and specs too. Making them a perfect replacement.

This isn’t the first time we’ve seen a huge battery from Mugen, but the latest and greatest smartphone available today, the Galaxy S4 is now getting the same treatment. Mugen is promising double the battery life. Offering a huge 5,500 mAh battery (and replacement door) to replace the current 2,700 mAh battery the device comes with stock.

Strap that thing in your Galaxy S4, and pop on their color-matched replacement battery cover and your GS4 should potentially last for 3-4 days. Depending on usage obviously. The bigger capacity adds some thickness to the device, as you can see in the image, but they don’t share exactly how much thicker it is.

The Mugen Power 5,500 mAh extended battery for the Galaxy S4 is $89.50, comes in both black and white, and ships in late July. Who’s interested?

VIA: Mugen Power

Redbox Instant update adds support for rooted devices

Posted: 02 Jul 2013 02:56 PM PDT

Just like many other apps including Netflix and Google Movies & TV, Redbox Instant launched and completely cut out users who have rooted devices. Verizon and Redbox blocked all users with a rooted device from being able to use and enjoy the app, and we couldn’t stream rented movies. Today’s update however, has fixed that issue, as well as a few others.

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Today Redbox Instant by Verizon was updated in the Play Store to version 1.2, and we have a few important things to mention. For one, the issue of it crashing on 10-inch tablets appears to be fixes, even though it isn’t mentioned in the changelog. Then they’ve “changed the way they handle rooted devices.”

What does that mean exactly? Well, if you were rooted before you couldn’t stream movies, as that was blocked. Now though, Redbox will simply warn the user to use caution, and that he/she is open to malicious activity. The big news here is the millions of root users now can use Redbox Instant should they choose.

However, the filter is a mess. That or their selection is still as terrible as before. The update mentions bug fixes and and stability improvements. Video plays a little better, but the quality is still quite poor. To put it lightly. Even Netflix looks better, and they could use some work too. It’s a small but important update for us root users. Get it from the via below.

VIA: Play Store

Google Keyboard: 5 helpful tips and tricks

Posted: 02 Jul 2013 01:55 PM PDT

When Google released the stock Android Jelly Bean keyboard to the Play Store for all users, it was quite the shocker. Offering their keyboard as an alternative to manufacture skinned models, or the likes of Swype and SwiftKey. For those who do (and don’t) use the stock keyboard, we wanted to share a few tips and tricks that make it useful. Things like gesture typing, next-word suggestions, and even text expansion support.

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Everyone has their own mixed feelings on keyboards for Android. SwiftKey is obviously one of the most popular and highest paid apps to be downloaded, Swype was really popular for a long time. And recently we’ve seen newcomers like Fleksy and Minuum. However, I’m a big fan of the stock experience and here’s some tips you might not know.

For one, text expansion support was huge, and something I rely heavily on. When typing something like AndroidCommunity.com being able to just write ‘ac’ is much easier. So head into the settings of the stock Google Keyboard (that’s on the Play Store) and go to personal dictionary. Then hit the + sign up top to add a new word. Under the input field is a ‘shortcut’ area. and that’s all she wrote. Instant text expansion to make typing fast and simple.

Without getting too into it, just take a peek at the quick video below for 4 or 5 tips and tricks that makes using the stock Google Keyboard even better.

Many of you probably already know about blocking (or unblocking) offensive words, gesture typing, and advanced settings for contact names. It was the next word suggestion (or disable) that gives you the punctuation suggestions, the shortcut quick keys, and of course text expander that really makes it unique. Sadly the dictionary and expansion doesn’t sync to other devices, but that could arrive in a later update.

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Once in settings > keyboard > personal dictionary you’ll want to add a new phrase. Write it out as shown above, then choose the shortcut (and language) and hit back. It’s that simple. I rely heavily on text expansion, gesture typing, and the punctuation to the point that this is my new go-to keyboard. The newest feature I just learned was highlighting all the text and tapping shift to instantly lowercase or capitalize every word in seconds. That’s super helpful.

There’s plenty of choices when it comes to a keyboard for your Android smartphone and tablet. Hopefully you just learned a few new tips and tricks for the stock Google option. Feel free to share any other tips in the comments below.

Download: Google Keyboard

Motorola teases the “design yourself” Moto X smartphone

Posted: 02 Jul 2013 01:47 PM PDT

Motorola recently revealed a new logo, one that touts itself as being “A Google Company” and while that was interesting to see, it looks like we are now getting a look at that logo in action. The new logo will be appearing on a new advertisement set to hit newspapers on July 3rd. That advertisement is for the Moto X smartphone, though we will offer this warning right in the beginning — it doesn’t contain any images of the handset.

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According to a AdAge report, Motorola will have this advertisement in a handful of newspapers to include The New York Times, USA Today, Wall Street Journal and Washington Post. Motorola also appears to be setting things up for a message of freedom — timing this with Independence Day. In fact, the ad talks about how “tomorrow, you’ll eat burgers, watch fireworks and celebrate the freedom to be whoever you want to be.”

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Perhaps key here, the copy in the ad goes on to talk a bit about the Moto X. Motorola mentions how this will be the first smartphone that you can design yourself. The other aspect with the timing of the release of this ad includes how the handset will be coming out of the USA. Motorola has said “this is just the beginning” and goes on to ask readers to “imagine what will be possible when you have the world’s best design, engineering and manufacturing talent located here in the USA.”

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This ad is nice to see if for no other reason than it seems to imply we will soon be able to put some of these Moto X related rumors to rest. But with that in mind, there are still some important details missing at this time. As mentioned earlier, we have yet to see any official images of the handset. Another question is when the handset will be fully revealed. This ad closes by saying is is “coming soon” but reveals nothing more than that teaser.

As you can see from reading the full text of the ad (in the above image), the Moto X will be customizable. That of course is the other big question — just how customizable will the Moto X actually be? This ad doesn’t reveal any specifics, but we suspect this will include various color options. In the meantime, don’t forget this ad will be landing in newspapers tomorrow.

SOURCE: Ad Age

SelfLoops accessory brings ANT+ support with 2000 mAh of battery power

Posted: 02 Jul 2013 01:05 PM PDT

SelfLoops has announced a new accessory that brings ANT+ support to just about any Android device. This little goodie is called the SelfLoops ANT+ Accessory and it arrives with support for devices running Android 2.3.4 or later. And in addition, this is also packing a 2000 mAh battery and promises support for any app that is using the official ANT Alliance API.

smartconnected

Basically, the SelfLoops ANT+ Accessory sounds like something the fitness lovers may want to check out. The ANT+ Accessory will be able to display data to include heart rate, foot speed, distance, bike speed, power and cadence. It pretty much just needs any certified ANT+ sensor so it is really up to the user in terms of what they want to track and record. While there are a wide variety of ANT+ products, a few manufacturers include Timex, Garmin and Geonaute.

This setup connects to your smartphone using a USB connection. The ANT+ Accessory weighs 1.76 ounces and measures in at 0.43 (H) x 2.4 (W) x 3.45 (D) inches. In addition to being able to grab data from ANT+ sensors, this will also power your smartphone by way of the 2000 mAh battery.

Judging from the SelfLoops website, using the ANT+ Accessory looks to be simple enough. There will be a few apps to install (ANT Radio Service and SelfLoops ANT Service) the first time, but otherwise, it is just a matter of turning it on and connecting it to your phone.

With that, the SelfLoops has the ANT+ Accessory is currently priced $115. SelfLoops has this available in a variety of colors and are accepting pre-orders at this time. The ANT+ Accessory is then expected to begin shipping on October 1.

SOURCE: SelfLoops

Polamatic by Polaroid app released, we go hands-on

Posted: 02 Jul 2013 12:16 PM PDT

It looks like Android users now have another image filtering app to choose from. This latest is called Polamatic by Polaroid. The app comes by way of Appadana and this is described as being an officially licensed Polaroid app. That bit aside, the app brings options for 20 photo filters along with 36 Polaroid frames. Users are also able to caption these images and then share them out on other networks.

polamatic-01

Aside from seeing this as just another image app with filters, this will likely bring some nostalgia for the Polaroid fan. Of course, that comes with some good and some not so good. For one, there is a delay from the point when you capture an image to the point of actually seeing it and being able to do anything with it. In testing the app this delay (while only a few seconds) was frustrating, but then we remembered that with a regular Polaroid camera — you have that same wait.

In fact, using the Polamatic by Polaroid you will still see your image spit out (in a manner similar to what is expected with a regular Polaroid camera. The app also has an image counter that keeps track of how many pictures you have saved in the gallery. Basically, it looks like the Polamatic app is attempting to bring back some memories.

polaroid-02 polaroid-03 polaroid-04

Anyway, perhaps more important here, once those images have been captured you can choose the frame and filter you want. The filters are well, filters. The frames are a bit different and are said to be “high-quality scans of new, used and vintage Polaroid picture frames.” Again, this is going to the nostalgia aspect here. Once the perfect frame and filter has been applied you can then add a caption with an option to pick from 24 different fonts.

polaroid-05

Otherwise, while the Polaroid frame aspect is neat and interesting, the remaining features are pretty standard. For example, this app allows you to capture a new image or start with an existing image from your camera gallery. You can also share those images on a wide variety of sites including Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, Tumblr, email and more.

polaroid-06

A few other perks include these images being saved in high-resolution as well as being able to save pictures in the original unedited format (in addition to your Polaroid edited version). All said and done, we liked the app for the nostalgic side, but sort of feel that many are going to overlook this app simply because it is not available for free. In fact, as of the time of this writing the app is showing between 1 and 5 installs — one of which came from us and another commented about how they asked for a refund after 3 minutes.

SOURCE: Google Play Store

YouTube app with picture-in-picture and multitasking in the works

Posted: 02 Jul 2013 12:01 PM PDT

With our smartphone displays getting bigger and bigger as of late, not to mention tons of processing power, being able to truly multitask and offer things such as picture-in-picture with YouTube seems like a given. Samsung’s been bringing multitasking and multi-screen modes since the Galaxy Note II, and we’re now hearing Google will be doing the same with YouTube, and possibly others.

youtube-5-500x333-c

A popular tipster by the name Ryan Socio has shared as many details as he can about the new YouTube over in The Verge discussion boards, and it sounds pretty interesting. He also brought us news about the new Gmail before it arrived, and also was the original tipster behind Babel, which is now Google Hangouts, so we’ll take this with a little more than just a grain of salt.

According to the details YouTube will be getting a major update that will focus on features, more than design. We’ll get getting a true multitasking option where you can gesture or swipe the video to the bottom side, and minimize YouTube. At the same time the video will continue playing (audio) and you’ll be able to search for another while listening to the current one being played.

Screenshot_2013-07-02-11-54-26

Ryan goes on to mention picture-in-picture, or as Samsung calls it, Multi-window mode. Being able to minimize and watch one YouTube video in a small box, while searching for and playing, another in fullscreen. Sounds nice right. Now I can watch the Phillip Defranco Show (sxephil) while searching for some kitten videos at the same time.

He does mention these new features aren’t system wide, but they could be by the time the new YouTube app hits the Play Store. It would be nice if Google brought native multi-screen options, but we’ll have to wait and see once they deliver the new version.

Android Authority

Android Authority


Samsung sold 20 million Galaxy S4s in two months (that’s 228 per minute)

Posted: 03 Jul 2013 01:58 AM PDT

samsung-galaxy-s4-lock-screen

Recently, Samsung has been plagued by a series of reports that questioned the market performance of its flagship Galaxy S4. Worried about a looming slowdown, a number of brokerage houses cut their estimates causing Samsung's stock value to plummet in the past few weeks.

Investors might regain some of their confidence when they hear that Samsung managed to sell 20 million Galaxy S4 units in just two months. For perspective, last year Samsung needed 100 days to reach the same milestone. The Galaxy S4 is now the fastest selling Android device ever.

333,333 per day; 228 per minute

The Samsung Galaxy S4 first became available internationally at the end of April, and rolled out without major issues in most markets. Last year, the initial sales performance of the Galaxy S3 was affected by availability problems, caused by defective back covers.

The first reports about the slower than expected performance of the Galaxy S4 were issued in early June, with a string of estimate cuts putting a damper on early expectations, which seem overly optimistic in hindsight. Samsung's CEO JK Shin publicly denied that the company is having trouble selling the S4, but that didn't stop the speculation.

This year, Samsung diversified the Galaxy S family with a series of specialized devices: Galaxy S4 Active, Galaxy S4 Mini, Galaxy S4 Zoom, Galaxy S4 Play Edition, and Galaxy S4 LTE-Advanced.

For more insight, my colleague Adam Koueider rounded up some of the reasons why the Galaxy S4 hasn't been doing as well as some had expected.

The news of the 20 million milestone is expected to become official soon through a press release.

    


Report: LG G2 will be the first smartphone with 3GB of RAM, followed by the Note 3

Posted: 03 Jul 2013 01:03 AM PDT

SK Hynix RAM memory chip

The LG G2, the successor to the Optimus G2, shapes up to be one beast of a phone. The new Snapdragon 800 version of the Galaxy S4 stole a bit of its limelight by being the world's first LTE-Advanced device, but LG will still have one "first" to boast about – the world's first phone with 3GB of RAM.

The LG G2 is rumored to hit South Korea as soon as mid-July, but the device will get its international introduction on August 7, at a New York event.

Competition is hot on the heels of the G2, according to the Korean publication Hankyung. The Samsung Galaxy Note 3, expected in late summer, will reportedly also feature 3GB of RAM.

LG was the first manufacturer to deliver a smartphone running 2GB of RAM. A South Korea exclusive, the Optimus LTE 2 was announced in May 2012 as a competitor to the Galaxy S3, which was still running on 1GB.

LG G2: Snapdragon 800, 3GB RAM, 5-inch Full HD, 13MP camera

It looks that LG will continue to push the envelope of smartphone specifications with the G2. The device will feature a Snapdragon 800 processor and will offer LTE-Advanced compatibility. We also expect a 5-inch Full HD display and a very slim profile, with a set of leaked slides showing that LG moved the volume rockers on the back of the phone to allow for a thin almost bezel-less design.

As for the Note 3, we're still not sure about the size of its display – some rumors say it will have a 5.7-inch display, while others maintain that a 5.99 panel is in the works. Samsung is rumored to be having problems making enough AMOLED displays and to be considering an LCD-equipped Note 3 variant as a result. In terms of specs, we expect the Note 3 to be powered by a Snapdragon 800 processor, with 3GB of RAM, and a 13MP camera.

What about 4GB of RAM? SK Hynix, one of the leading suppliers of memory chips, recently announced the world's first "8Gb (Gigabit) LPDDR3 (Low Power DDR3)". In plain English, this means that manufactuers will soon be able to deliver phones with up to 4GB (Gigabytes) of RAM, by stacking 4 8Gb chips. SK Hynix said that mass production of the new memory should start towards the end of the year, so the first devices with 4GB of RAM are likely to hit in 2014.

    


Wearable tech: A brief history and a look into the future

Posted: 02 Jul 2013 07:51 PM PDT

Google Glass video

Much has changed since the invention of the first computer that was available for the masses. After several decades, computers have become smaller, more efficient, and more powerful. Modern computers no longer need to occupy huge spaces. They can even be pocketed and now worn as fully-functional gadget accessories. Before ogling on the magnificent Google Glass and looking forward to the future of wearable tech, it may be worth some time looking back at the history and development of the geeky wearable devices the current generation is now enjoying.

A few takeaways:

  • Wearable computing is not exactly new, but the concept has been refined over the decades.
  • The definition of wearable computers has evolved over time, much like how the definition of “smartphones” has changed.
  • Wearable tech has mostly involved head-mounted displays and wrist-mounted user-interfaces like watches.
  • Wearable computing is no longer reserved for uber-geeks, especially with Google Glass and smartwatches now going mainstream.
  • These user interfaces are not just reserved for mobile computing, but also for other purposes, like accessibility, learning, research and navigation.

The advent of wearable computers

Wearable computers are basically small and compact electronic devices designed to be worn by a user. They are also referred to as body-borne computers, considered as a type of wearable technology that has in its core an electronic device that performs calculations and processes information. With this definition, watches from the 1990s that doubled as calculators can be considered as wearable computers.

However, today’s concept of a wearable computer has advanced into something that is more than just simple calculations and information processing. This is similar to how devices are being classified as smartphones. Before, many advanced phones were already referred to as smartphones but were eventually relegated to being simply called “feature phones” as more powerful smartphones emerged.

Today’s wearable computers are characteristically more powerful, more efficient, and more compact. They also possess a greater range of features and are more convenient to wear. Additionally, they feature better technologies in terms of displays, processors, batteries, and input and output systems. There’s still so much room for improvement but we may have to revisit the predecessors and forefathers of these modern wearable tech to better appreciate all the features we already have.

1980s

An evolution of Steve Mann's wearable devices since the 1980s

An evolution of Steve Mann’s wearable devices since the 1980s

This is the decade when the pioneering wearable computers were introduced. In 1981, a 6502-based multimedia computer was designed to be worn as a backpack by Steve Mann, a researcher and inventor renowned for his works on computational photography, high dynamic range imaging, and wearable computing. In 1983, toe-operated computers were commercialized based on the Z-80s for counting cards. In the latter part of the decade, a head-mounted display called Private Eye was developed and marketed by Reflection Technology. It had a red monochrome display with a resolution of 720×280 pixels and a 1.25-inch screen size that appeared like a 15-inch display when viewed from an 18 inch distance.

1990s

KARMA, or the Knowledge-based Augmented Reality for Maintenance Assistance, developed at Columbia

KARMA, or the Knowledge-based Augmented Reality for Maintenance Assistance, developed at Columbia

The first student electronic notebook that featured the Private Eye and mobile IP was demonstrated during the start of the 1990s. It used a Toshiba diskless AIX notebook computer prototype and featured TCP/IP based services, NFS mounted file systems, stylus-based input, and a virtual keyboard. In 1991, through a Scientific American article entitled “The Computer for the 21st Century,” Mark Weiser proposed the idea of ubiquitous computing.

In 1993, a wearable computer system was developed using a kit made by Park Enterprises, a Private Eye display, and the Twiddler chording keyboard produced by Handykey. This system eventually evolved into what is now known as the MIT Tin Lizzy wearable computer design. Fall of the same year, BBN completed the Pathfinder system, a wearable computer that features a radiation detection system and GPS. Also in 1993, the KARMA (Knowledge-based Augmented Reality for Maintenance Assistance) system was developed.

By 1994, a wearable computer capable of continuously recording interactions with people and devices was developed. This was called “Forget-Me-Not” and it featured wireless transmitters. Still in 1994, a “wrist computer” was invented and introduced during the CHI-94 conference in Boston. It was developed from a modified HP 95LX palmtop computer and featured a half-QWERTY keyboard. 1994 saw two more major developments in wearable computing with the initiation of DARPA’s Smart Modules Program and the development of a head-mounted camera called “Wearable Wireless Webcam.”

These progresses in wearable technology became more exciting as Boeing hosted a wearables conference in Seattle in 1996 and the first IEEE International Symposium on Wearables Computers was held in 1997. In 1998, the Trekker was introduced. It was available to the public for a ridiculously high $10,000 price tag.

2000s

The earlier years of the new millennium weren’t as productive in the field of wearable computing as today. No major milestones were reached, but there were a few systems created in the pursuit of wearable computing. Nevertheless, the Tinmith wearable computer by Dr. Bruce H. Thomas and Dr. Wayne Piekarski was introduced in 2000 at the ISWC conference. It was a system created to support research in augmented reality.

Sacha Chua in he early 2000s with a Twiddler one-handed keyboard and an M1 head-mounted display. (Photo: John Chua)

Sacha Chua in the early 2000s with a Twiddler one-handed keyboard and an M1 head-mounted display. (Photo: John Chua)

In 2002, Xybernaut’s Poma Wearable PC was introduced. It won an award from a tech magazine but did not find commercial success. In 2003, the Fossil Wrist PDA was released, running on Palm OS 4 and offering MicroUSB to PC synchronization. Moreover, the W200 wearable computer from Glacier Computer was introduced in 2009. It was designed to run either Windows CE or the Linux operating systems. It featured a touch color display with a 320×240 resolution, backlit keyboard, and integrated wired and wireless connectivity including Bluetooth, Wi-Fi and GPS. The W200 was designed for emergency services, field logistics, and security and defense purposes.

2010s

Google co-founder Sergey Brin wearing a Google Glass prototype at the subway.

Google co-founder Sergey Brin wearing a Google Glass prototype at the subway.

The new decade is ushering in renewed interest in wearable computing as many technologies have matured. With components such as displays, processors, batteries, and memories becoming cheaper, more efficient, and more advanced, developing wearable tech has become easier. The early 2010s has seen the introduction of the sixth generation iPod Nano, which comes with a wristwatch attachment that enables it to act as a wearable wrist-worn computer. The new decade also popularized the smartwatches and established them as a new segment in consumer electronics.

Likewise, the 2010s brought us Google Glass, which can arguably be considered the best form yet of the earlier wearable computers pioneered by Steve Mann. Of course, similar products from other companies are expected to rival or even surpass Google Glass but as of this writing, only Google Glass has reached traction so far, with verifiable details, features and specifications. 

Smartwatches

After the rise of the smartphones, wearable computing technology has jumped on the “smart” bandwagon to come up with a counterpart or complementary device: the smartwatch. Wristwatches have adopted new technologies to do more than just displaying time and date. They now come with significantly better displays, connectivity, and software that match those of smartphones.

The definition for a smartwatch, however, is quite ambiguous. There are no well-established standards as to what qualifies as a real smartwatch. Nevertheless, among major international manufacturers, it is Sony that introduced the world’s first smartwatch in what the company aptly but uncreatively calls the Sony SmartWatch. This smartwatch does its job as a wristwatch and pairs with a smartphone to offer a number of functions like viewing social media feeds, reading text messages, receiving notifications, and serving as a remote control for a smartphone. Sony’s smartwatch fits the bill on what can be the ideal wrist-worn device.

Sony SmartWatch

Sony SmartWatch

Of course, before Sony outed its own smartwatch, there were a number of smaller companies that already came up with their own versions of the device. Chinese manufacturers have already developed wristwatches that were capable of making calls and accessing the Internet even before the Japanese electronics giant introduced its smartwatch. These devices left a lot to be desired in terms of quality and reliability, but they were already able to implement the concept of a wristwatch that can make calls, receive text messages, process information, make calculations, and access the web.

Other players in the consumer electronics field are widely believed to be in the final stages of developing their own versions of the smartwatch. Apple, for instance, has already applied for an “iWatch” patent in Japan and beyond. Qualcomm is expected to launch the Zola smartwatch in September. Intel is reported to be experimenting with smartwatch product. A Samsung VP confirmed that it is currently working on a smartwatch. Google is also rumored to be developing a smartwatch based on the Android operating system.

However, it is a group of college students from India that could be considered the first to launch a smartwatch that offers the full features of the Android OS, also capable of making calls and taking photos. This £150 ($227) smartwatch is called Androidly and offers Bluetooth, GPS and Wi-Fi connectivity.

Other smartwatches worth mentioning are the Pebble Watch, MotoActv and WIMM One. Pebble Watch is a smartwatch developed by Pebble Technology under a crowd-funded model launched on Kickstarter. It features a 144×168 pixel 1.26-inch low power memory LCD display more commonly referred to as an “e-paper.” The MotoActv is Motorola’s version of a smartwatch that comes with a 600 MHz OMAP3 ARMv7 CPU, 256 MB of RAM, 8 GB flash memory, and Bluetooth connectivity. It also has an FM tuner and runs on Android. Its display is a 1.6-inch capacitive multi-touch LCD with a resolution of 220×176. WIMM One, on the other hand, runs on a modified version of Android and features a transflective bi-modal screen, 3-axis magnetometer, 3-axis accelerometer, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, and USB connectivity.

Google Glass and other “eyewear computers”

Fortunately or unfortunately, there isn’t a generic term yet for this new type of mass market wearable computer pioneered by Google. (While Google is certainly not the first ones to design a wearable device in the form of glasses, they are the first ones who have successfully garnered enough mainstream interest.) Google Glass would seem to establish a new kind consumer electronics device distinguished by its integration of an optical head-mounted display, augmented reality, camera, web access, and voice-based interaction.

Forget glasses. Innovega's iOptiks plans to embed an Augmented Reality system right into contact lenses. I'm thinking of MI: Ghost Protocol right now.

Forget glasses. Innovega’s iOptiks plans to embed an Augmented Reality system right into contact lenses. I’m thinking of MI: Ghost Protocol right now.

Aside from being considered a wearable computer, Google Glass is also categorized as an “ubiquitous” computer — mainly because it is meant to be used  both actively and passively. Some of the device’s notable features are 5 MP camera with 720p HD video recording, touchpad input, a 640×360 display, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, gyroscope, accelerometer, magnetometer, ambient light sensing, and a bone conduction transducer. It has an OMAP 4430 dual-core CPU and runs on the Android operating system.

A number of companies are expected to release their Google Glass counterpart devices. One of them is Scope Technologies, which has partnered with Epson in developing a computer-assisted eyewear dubbed as an “augmented reality training system.” Another possible rival is the Spark from Seebright. Spark is a head-mounted device intended to provide an immersive experience by allowing its user to look into the small details of an object being examined or to see different points of view. Innovega, on the other hand, is embarking on a more ambitious goal of developing a contact lens that presents images right on top of a user’s eye to enhance normal vision. Then there’s also Vuzix, which has been touted as one of the bigger potential competitors against Google Glass.

Technologies that improve wearable computers

Thanks to the advancement of various technologies, using wearable computers has now become less unwieldy and awkward. More efficient and smaller high capacity batteries provide enough power to run wearable devices. Thinner and sharper displays now make it possible to create more comfortable means through which users interact with their devices. Touch input systems have become more responsive. Likewise, processors have become faster without overheating or requiring active cooling systems. They can even be enclosed in dust- and water-protected cases without becoming overheated. Sensors have also become smaller. Who would have thought that it is now possible to clump an IR blaster, accelerometer, barometer, thermometer, proximity sensor, pedometer, and gyroscope in a 7.9-millimeter thin device?

What good is a wearable device if you can't power it with wearable batteries, too?

What good is a wearable device if you can’t power it with wearable batteries, too?

Things will only get better as companies perfect their more power efficient, sharper, and flexible displays. The Koreans have also reported having developed a flexible battery. NFC has made file sharing and the interconnection of devices easier. Moreover, hydrophobic coating technologies have advanced that, now, devices don’t need to be sealed to be made water-resistant or waterproof. We are still in earlier years of the decade but the amount of new technologies and technological advancements we are witnessing makes the future of wearable tech more anticipating than ever.

What do we need wearable computers for?

I would have wanted to write this part in an earlier paragraph. However, considering how wearable technology has been progressing, it would seem more appropriate to somewhat use this enumeration of purposes as a summary after examining the development of wearable computers through the years.

Wearable computers have doubtlessly become significantly better since they were conceptualized before the 1980s. They are expected to achieve near-perfection and possibly undergo another technological revolution in the years to come. Therefore, wearable computers are expected to be more useful in serving the scope of purposes listed below:

  • Enabling ubiquitous computing and wireless communications
  • Assisting visually-impaired and hard-of-hearing individuals in interacting with their environment
  • Aiding deaf-mutes in communicating with other people
  • Recording and documenting activities, processes, and events (especially for scientists, or perhaps intelligence agents)
  • Accessing and sharing information quickly and wirelessly
  • Making computations and preparing electronic documents on-the-go
  • Multimedia entertainment
  • Schedules setting and tracking
  • Capturing and sharing textual, audio, and visual data
  • Interacting with or controlling other electronic devices
  • Facilitating learning and instruction

Even with Google Glass expected to go mainstream soon, we’re only hitting the tip of the iceberg in terms of the potential of wearable computing, especially with how quickly development has accelerated compared to the previous decades. In the future, instead of smartphones and tablets, perhaps we will all be plugged into the cloud through our eyeglasses, watches and even our clothes. Isn’t this an exciting time we live in?

    


Real Racing 3 update brings massive overhaul: new career progression, time trial mode and new cars

Posted: 02 Jul 2013 05:31 PM PDT

Real Racing 3

The popular Real Racing 3 game has received a new update, which brings major changes, both when it comes to new features but also to the user interface.

When looking at the changelog, you'll think that this is another “regular” Real Racing 3 update that brings new cars to race on new tracks, but that's not so. Firemonkeys has completely updated the user interface of the app, basically offering a new career progression system and a better way of managing cars.

Over 180 events have been included in the update, and there are two new manufacturers to choose cars from including Bentley and Mercedes-Benz.

The company has introduced a new race mode, Time Trial, which will let you race against competitors from all over the world – the fastest time takes the cake. The new mode uses a new currency called Drive. Without Drives, you won't be able to enter Time Trial races – Drive accumulates in time, or you can always purchase it with Gold, which, in turn, can be purchased from the Store.

In other words, yes, in-app purchases are still strongly pushed by the game maker, although you can still play Real Racing 3 without buying anything.

Other tidbits include the new Clean Race mode (you get bonuses when not crashing your car into opponents during races) and Daily Race Bonuses (the more you play, the more cash bonuses you get inside the game).

You can also expect improved graphics once you update to the new version of the game.

    


Moto X phone not coming to Verizon as a “Droid” device, report says

Posted: 02 Jul 2013 04:36 PM PDT

X Phone concept

X Phone concept

Shortly after a first ad for Google's confirmed Moto X phone has been discovered, a new report claims that the handset will not be included in Verizon's famous Droid family of Android handsets.

The Verge says it has learned from multiple sources that the "Moto X will not be a Droid device on Verizon," which means, if true, that Google is very much interested in creating a strong Moto X brand.

Verizon has traditionally been the U.S. carrier of choice for Motorola – in fact, the original Motorola Droid is a very important handset for the history of the Android ecosystem, with Verizon being partly responsible for the popularity of the late 2009 device – but the carrier will apparently not be able to sell the Moto X as just another Droid.

That said, it doesn't mean that Verizon won't get other Droids. We have recently seen details leak for a couple of Droid Ultra handsets, which will most likely be heading to Verizon, since the Droid family is a Verizon exclusive.

Moreover, the Verizon Moto X phone version is believed to have been spotted with the FCC already (XT1060), even though Google is yet to confirm the device.

It's also worth pointing out that Moto's CEO Dennis Woodside said at the D11 event back in May – while confirming the Moto X device – that the handset will be an iPhone and Galaxy rival. He also added that the Moto X will not be the company's only smartphone, with cheaper models also coming soon.

Motorola X Phone ad

First Moto X phone ad

In other words, Google surely wants customers to be able to tell the difference between the Moto X and the Droid lines of products, which means it can't allow Verizon to market the handset a Droid device.

While we have no way of telling what the state of the Google-Verizon relationship is, it's certainly interesting to see Google getting into a stronger position when dealing with carriers. So far, we've seen this happen with Samsung, which, starting with the Samsung Galaxy S3, did not sell its flagship under a different name with certain U.S. carriers, nor did it make a custom flagship version for certain carriers. HTC followed with the HTC One.

Also important to notice is that the Moto X will arrive from various other carriers – other FCC filings suggest that AT&T, Sprint and U.S. Cellular will also get the handset. That's certainly a step up for Google, considering that it's main partner in the region has been Verizon so far.

Considering today's Moto X leaks, the phone is now expected to be announced in the coming weeks, so we'll certainly look forward for more Moto X details for you.

    


Samsung Galaxy Exhibit review (video)

Posted: 02 Jul 2013 03:24 PM PDT

samsung-galaxy-exhibit-aa-in-hand-front

Enter, the Samsung Galaxy Exhibit — one of the latest devices to enter the Galaxy family. While it’s a new device, the Samsung Galaxy Exhibit is intended for the low-end budget market, so it definitely isn’t going to “wow” anyone who has some of the higher end, and even mid-end, stuff.

So, let’s see how this device holds up, shall we? If you’re in a rush, jump straight to the video, otherwise, stick with us as we take a closer look at the Samsung Galaxy Exhibit.

Design

The Samsung Galaxy Exhibit has more than a little in common with the Galaxy S3 Mini. It’s apparent in the specs, which are close to identical, and it’s even noticeable in the design, too! So what does this mean? Well, it means it looks like a Galaxy, though it’s small profile causes it to look a little more rounded than most Galaxy devices.

samsung-galaxy-exhibit-aa-in-hand-rear

The standard Galaxy layout is mostly here — power button on the right, volume rocker on the left, headphone jack up top, and the USB port is on the bottom. The only slight difference here is that the microSD slot is on the left side, rather than tucked on the battery cover.

samsung-galaxy-exhibit-aa-left

Due in part to the smaller profile of this device, it feels weightier for its size, much more than the higher end Galaxy devices. On the positive side, it give it a more solid feel. Whether or not this is actually any tougher than a standard Galaxy, it’s not really something I want to test.

Display

Resolution ratings isn’t everything when ti comes to displays, but it does count for quite a bit. With the Exhibit’s 3.8-inch screen and resolution of 800 x 480 pixels, that leaves us with a 245ppi rating. It’s not eye-destroyingly low, but it’s nothing to rave about either.

The lack of sharpness is definitely noticeable, especially when viewing text, but the small size of the display makes it easier to deal with than it would be on a larger device.

samsung-galaxy-exhibit-aa-display

The display is a TFT LCD, so colors are more natural and less saturated than they on the Super AMOLED displays used on Samsung’s higher end phones. It’s up to you to decide whether that’s good or bad, as it’s a matter of taste and opinion. Personally, I prefer the slightly muted colors, but there are also a ton of fans who enjoy the saturated colors of the Super AMOLED displays.

Viewing angles are decent, right in line with what we’d expect from a TFT display. Brightness levels could definitely use a boost, as the screen in direct sunlight isn’t great, at all. Black levels on the other hand, are fairly good, but isn’t anything to write home about either.

Performance

The Galaxy Exhibit runs a NovaThor STE U8420 chipset, with a 1GHz dual-core processor and a Mali 400 GPU. This is a configuration that we don’t see a whole lot, so we were curious as to how well it performed.

As per the norm, we started things up with AnTuTu Benchmark, and ran it 10 different times in differing conditions. The scores seemed to be fairly consistent, ranging from the 6,300 mark on the low end to upwards of the 6,800 mark on the high end. Our final average score came out to 6,629.

samsung-galaxy-exhibit-aa-antutu

Next, we turned to Epic Citadel. Considering the Galaxy Exhibit is using a Cortex A9 processor, the Ultra High Quality setting wasn’t available to us. That my have turned out for the better, too, as the Exhibit struggled quite a bit even on the High Quality setting, reaching an average of just 34.9 FPS. The High Performance setting was better, but not by much. It reached an average of 37.4 FPS.

Despite the unsurprisingly low benchmarks, the Galaxy Exhibit doesn’t usually feel sluggish under normal use. While you might notice the occasional stuttering when scrolling through screens, apps launch quickly enough, and it never feels like you’re waiting for a task or process to complete. If you’re a gamer, you might be disappointed, as the most hardware intensive gaming isn’t really possibly here, but light gaming should do very well.

Call quality is good, but I wasn’t able to test data speeds very well — both T-Mobile and AT&T have spotty service in my area. At times, I was able to connect to HSPA+ and achieve marginally decent speeds, while at other times, I was limited to EDGE. However, I imagine that data speeds will do just fine.

Hardware

The Samsung Galaxy Exhibit has a 3.7-inch WVGA TFT display, and runs a 1GHz dual-core CPU, backed by a Mali 400 GPU and 1GB of RAM. It features 4GB of internal storage, which is expandable through a microSD card. The microSD card is a godsend, considering that there’s only a mere 1.3GB of storage available to the user.

When it comes to the camera, we have a 5-megapixel rear shooter, capable of 720p video recording. On the front we have a VGA secondary camera, and finally, the device features a modest 1,500 mAh battery.

Software

The Galaxy Exhibit runs Android 4.1.2 Jelly Bean, which is overlaid with Samsung’s TouchWiz UI. Initially, I was worried that this would affect the performance of the device, but luckily, it didn’t seem to do such a thing. T-Mobile branding is very present, from the home screen to the preloaded apps.

samsung-galaxy-exhibit-aa-front

As per the norm, you’ll find some of the usual suspects from Samsung, like its app store, S Memo, and S Voice. While this is indeed a Samsung device, there are a whole lot more T-Mobile apps included — 411 & More, CallerTunes, Mobile Hotspot, T-Mobile NameID, T-Mobile TV, and Visual Voicemail. Other than that, you get the usual apps like Yelp and Lookout Security.

Some of these apps can be useful to certain people, but on a smartphone with so little internal storage, I’m sure that a lot of people would prefer to have fewer installed apps.

Battery and camera

With a 1,500 mAh battery, you’re right to worry about short battery life, especially with the advertised talk time being a mere 9 hours. While the Exhibit isn’t going to last you the weekend, it should be just enough to get most people through even a long day, but don’t expect much more than that.

samsung-galaxy-exhibit-aa-battery

During testing, the Exhibit went through quite a bit. Between benchmarking and shooting, while leaving the screen on quite a bit, the Galaxy Exhibit had roughly 35% battery life left after about 15 hours of use. Not to mention that the device was actively using HSPA+, 2G, and Wi-Fi.

When it comes down to it, and if you’re careful with how you use it, the Galaxy Exhibit should last you throughout the day. However, it’d be wise to keep a charger or even a spare battery on hand.

As for the camera, you have to keep in mind that the Samsung Galaxy Exhibit is a budget phone. So as you might expect, you get a budget camera with that. That’s pretty much what we were expecting, but it was surprising to see that the camera performed better than we thought it would.

samsung-galaxy-exhibit-aa-camera-in-use

The camera app is very similar to higher end Galaxy models, though it has less features and shooting modes. Still, it does have some of the more helpful modes, including Continuous Shot, Smile Shot, and Panorama modes. It also has some of the more gimmicky, yet fun modes, such as Cartoon. Other than that, you can adjust exposure, ISO, white balance, and metering if you want to get into deeper editing with your photos.

The 5-megapixel camera produces sharp, and fairly neutral looking photos. In single-shot mode with everything set to auto, the photos we took didnt appear over- or even under-exposed. Colors were well-balanced and reproduced nicely, too.

samsung-galaxy-exhibit-aa-camera-01

samsung-galaxy-exhibit-aa-camera-02

 

720p video capturing produces similar results when it comes to color reproduction and sharpness, and motion was fairly smooth as well. All in all, the Samsung Galaxy Exhibit’s camera was pleasant surprise with it being a budget smartphone and all.

Video review

Price and final thoughts

The Samsung Galaxy Exhibit comes in at $19.99 on a new two-year contract. If you’d rather purchase the device outright, you’re looking at $216. Either way you choose to go, the Galaxy Exhibit is a perfect match for someone who wants to take the Android experience for a spin, but doesn’t want to risk too much cash, or simply doesn’t want to pay too much for a smartphone.

Of course, there are phones with similar performance to the Exhibit at similar price points, but if you’re looking for a decent low-cost Galaxy device, the Samsung Galaxy Exhibit is easy to recommend.

Brad Ward contributed to this review

    


Skype for Android goes flatter, cleaner with Metro-inspired redesign

Posted: 02 Jul 2013 02:48 PM PDT

Skype video messaging update

Much has been said about the new trend today moving toward flatter, cleaner and more content-oriented designs. While Apple went for the skeumorphic look since the early iPhone ages, smartphones are now becoming more avant garde, with flat interfaces focused on bringing content rather than style.

Some would even say this is Microsoft’s revenge, with smartphone UI and UX increasingly becoming more like the Zune of old. What? Zune? You read it right. This is especially evident with Apple’s latest iOS 7, which has taken cues from both Microsoft’s Metro design concept, as well as Google’s user interface standards for Jelly Bean.

Skype for Android app

Skype, with its latest update on Android, follows with the same design philosophy — flatter, cleaner and more focused on content. Some would even say Skype’s latest redesign takes cues from Windows Phone. After all, Skype is now owned by Microsoft, and it’s only natural for the Redmond company to try to bring some of its own brand and image to other smartphone platforms. Some even claim that you might mistake your Android device for a Windows Phone while Skype is running, if you don’t look closely enough.

Perhaps the first thing you will notice is that when you launch Skype, the first view that will greet you (apart from the login screen, of course), is your most recent conversations. This seems to indicate that Skype is now more focused on bringing conversations front-and-center with this new update.

Skype for Android update

But the changes go beyond skin-deep, though. Apart from the flatter design, is that Skype is more responsive and takes less resources than older versions. Conversations — instant messages, calls and video messages — should be more easily accessible. While the app is supposedly version 4.0, developers say it’s a brand new app that has been “rebuilt from the ground up to make it faster and more reliable.”

Here’s a brief rundown of what the latest Skype update has to offer:

  • Swype left and right to switch across the conversations/recent view, favorites view and contacts view.
  • Tap on the phone icon to the lower corner left for quick access to calls.
  • You can now attach files and video messages in chats.
  • Instant messages are now differentiated by shade or tint of blue, which helps differentiate your messages from your correspondents’
  • You can now start group messages right from the Android app.

No word on whether the iOS variant will also get an update with the same design treatment. It’s likely that Skype will either go for the same look-and-feel, thereby following the same “Metro” like treatment, or make Skype look more at home with iOS7 once officially launched. What’s clear at this point is that Skype is trying to become more competitive in the mobile scene, especially with the popularity of cross-platform messaging apps, like WhatsApp, LINE, Viber and others, which are crowding out Skype in terms of user uptake and revenue.

Have you tried the latest Skype for Android update? What do you think of the new interface?

    


The new Motorola X Phone ad: It could mean more than we know

Posted: 02 Jul 2013 02:16 PM PDT

Motorola X Phone Ad The Verge

It's something I've long hoped for the Motorola X: complete customization. Even though the rumors leading up to it hinted it was made of unicorn horn and gypsy tears, we've since learned it's just going to be a cell phone. In fact, we've been hearing the X Phone could be a pretty middle-of-the-road device.

What of Android, though? I don't want a monster device running the latest version of Android, only to have to step down in both hardware and Android version.

But a persistent rumor that stuck with me was regarding customization. I wondered how that would go over, too. It makes a lot of sense, but what about Android? Also, is the X Phone going to even have a skin? MOTOBLUR was reported as "gone for good" in 2011, but it still showed up. It was never prominent, but it was there, mocking us with its presence, perhaps only there to serve a Verizon overlord.

The skin was a relic of better days for Motorola, but their acquisition by Google meant Larry Page took the wheel of that ship and spun it hard to the left. A quick appointment of Dennis Woodside to CEO, the jettisoning of the set-top box division, and a good hard look at mobile was the order of the day. Motorola had things in the works, but perhaps Google could steer that division clear of the mud they had ran aground in. Aside from the Razr MAXX, the only thing Motorola had really done right was device build and sourcing good materials for them.

A Motorola X Phone sounds delightful, but not if it's just going to be some easily dismissed device. That rumor, though — the one about customization — haunted me. What if I could go onto the Play Store, and build the device I wanted? Even better, I could build the device I could afford. If I lost that 5-incher with the Snapdragon 800, I could easily replace it with a lesser device I could afford. How nice!

What of Android, though? I don't want a monster device running the latest version of Android, only to have to step down in both hardware and Android version. How annoying! Well, if the Wall Street Journal is correct, we'll see a new "K release" Android version that bridges those gaps. The newer version is said to be available for a wider variety of device hardware specifications, leading to less fragmentation.

If all the pieces of this puzzle fit as they seem to, the Play Store could be your go-to source for building your very own Motorola X Phone.

Interesting wrinkle. Now I've got two very solid sources of information to consider. The Wall Street Journal is tried-and-true, and this Motorola advertisement is set to run in major newspapers, including the Wall Street Journal. In the ad, Motorola claims the X Phone will be "the first smartphone you can design yourself." That leads me back to that original rumor about customization.

Interesting conundrum. Now I've got two reliable sources of information, and a persistent rumor to reference. Could we possibly be seeing a customizable X Phone? If all the pieces of this puzzle fit as they seem to, the Play Store could be your go-to source for building your very own Motorola X Phone.

Imagine the possibilities: color, screen size, material, processor, memory, RAM — all customizable! We would be able to design a device exactly as we need it. This flies in the face of all we know about smartphones, from subsidies to hardware. As a recently branded Google company, it's also feasible that the new X Phone would keep cost pretty low as well as utilize the Play Store for an eCommerce solution. The Nexus 4 proved that subsidizing devices are less important to consumers, and the "Google Play Edition" devices show we're not interested in paying a lot. An X Phone could still be that “middle of the road” device we heard it would be, but this time it could mean pricing.

"Designed by you. Built in the USA." That's the last line of the ad. The worst line? "Coming soon." I'm getting anxious again, Motorola.

Motorola X Phone ad

    


Facebook Android app security flaw affects those who don’t even use the app

Posted: 02 Jul 2013 01:14 PM PDT

Facebook security flaw

While it's not clear just why the app would do this, or what purpose it has for doing so, the Facebook app for Android is taking your phone number the first time you open it up. Without even logging in, the app takes your number and stores it on the Facebook servers. You don't need a Facebook account, or even initiate an action within the app. Simply having it and opening it will allow the app to take your phone number.

Norton discovered this security flaw during routine testing they perform on apps for their Mobile Insight security app. According to Norton, their testing methods are sound:

Through automatic and proprietary static and dynamic analysis techniques, Mobile Insight is able to automatically discover malicious applications, privacy risks, and potentially intrusive behavior. Further, Mobile Insight will tell you exactly what risky behavior an application will perform and give you specific, relevant, and actionable information.
Norton

Norton then reached out to Facebook, who claimed to be unaware of the issue. They told Norton they "did not use or process the phone numbers and have deleted them from their servers", and said they had no knowledge of the issue. Norton also notes that Facebook is not the only app doing this, or even the worst offender. They promise more information on other culprits in coming weeks, but we're still curious why Facebook would take numbers from a device that wasn't even logged in. If I were to download the app, then open it to see what it looked like out of curiosity, my number would then be uploaded to the Facebook server.

We're not ready to call Facebook nefarious on this account. Giving them the benefit of the doubt, even in the face of all their other security flaws, we'll chalk this up to another error on their part. What this does do is bring into focus app permissions, and how important they are. Perhaps more importantly, how they can be abused by the app publisher, and ignored by users as fine-print.

    


Samsung’s latest YouTube video showcases Galaxy Note 8.0, features Andrew Park

Posted: 02 Jul 2013 01:01 PM PDT

samsung galaxy note 8 writing aa

The Samsung Galaxy Note 8.0 isn’t exactly the cheapest smaller-screened tablet on the market, with a price of $399 for the 16GB version. For that kind of cheddar there are plenty of much more affordable tablets with similar specs, including the Nexus 7.

So why get Samsung's tablet over the competition? Ultimately, it is the S-Pen that sets the Note 8.0 apart from other tablets in the 7 and 8-inch class.

In a new YouTube video, Samsung drives this point home by highlighting exactly why the Note 8.0 could be the perfect tablet for those looking for a device that combines a traditional tablet with note-taking, drawing and other functions optimized for a stylus.

The video itself is essentially an interview with Andrew Park, a London animator best known for the “RSAnimate" series. For those who have never heard of the it, the series basically takes lectures from RSA and transforms it into an animated presentation of sorts.

Back on point, the video focuses on how Park uses the S-Pen and Note 8.0 to capture his thoughts, do quick research and even make initial drawing and images with the Note.

As Parker puts it, "If you’ve got everything in one device, like the Note 8.0.. you can just concentrate on making sure you are serving your ideas the best."

If the latest video has you curious about the Note 8.0, head over to our full review to get a better idea of what to expect with Samsung's note-taking 8-inch tablet.

    


Android 4.3 to sort apps and widgets by usage amount, new code apparently suggests

Posted: 02 Jul 2013 11:21 AM PDT

Android

A look at recently discovered code seems to reveal that Android 4.3 Jelly Bean will automatically sort apps and widgets by usage amount rather than alphabetically, as it's currently done.

Mycethe publication that first mentioned details about the Chromebook Pixel – discovered the new bits of code pointing to this particular features in the Google Launcher code, not in the leaked Android 4.3 build:

Numerous code snippets indicate that the mobile operating system will count the amount of times an application is started. Due to that it will allow sorting applications by the number of times they are used currently called sort by favorite by the developers.

It appears that it will also be possible to sort widgets this way. The code appeared in a project on the Linux Foundation Labs website where developers of several companies actively contribute to the Android code.

Here are a few samples of said code:

Android code

Click here for full image. | Image credit: Myce

The same publication spotted a while ago new Android versions believed to be the latest Android 4.3 builds.

A leaked Android 4.3 version is already available in the wild, and while it may not bring any major new features, the update is expected to pack a variety of improvements, including Roboto font refinements and new notification abilities.

Android 4.3 traces have been available for a long while now, since before Google I/O, but Google is yet to officially unveil it – Android 4.3 traces have been seen on a Google support website, in server logs (our included) and in other leaks related to upcoming devices.

The company is rumored to launch the new Nexus 7 at some point this month, with the device expected to launch with Android 4.3 on board.

Moreover, a new rumor has indirectly revealed that Android 4.3 is coming soon, as it has a stable release, with most Googlers reportedly running the OS.

However, despite the available leaks so far, including Myce's reports on Android 4.3, nothing is official at this time, so don't get too excited about these unconfirmed features of Android 4.3 just yet.

    


HTC confirms that the One S won’t move beyond Android 4.1 and Sense 4+

Posted: 02 Jul 2013 11:15 AM PDT

HTC-One-S-T-Mo

When you go to buy a mid-range or high-end Android handset, you probably have a few expectations. First, your phone's hardware should be good enough to last you at least two years without seeming like a total dinosaur. Second and just as important, the phone should continue to see new features and changes thanks to future updates to newer versions of Android.

That's what makes today's news so disappointing. Released in April of 2012, the HTC One S is only a little over a year old, and yet the company has now confirmed the phone will forever be stuck with Android 4.1.1 and Sense 4+.

Although the HTC One S wasn’t a "top of line" handset when released last year, it was a solid dual-core mid-ranger that should be more than capable of continued Android support.

HTC isn't the first company to go back on a promise, but this is negative PR that they really can't afford.

So why retire the phone so early, while many users are still on contract? It probably comes down to focusing on the future, instead of wasting resources on phones that are starting to show their age.

The problem is that the HTC One S was originally billed as one of the company’s 2012 “One” flagship devices. It was also a special exclusive for T-Mobile users in the United States. This is not the type of device you should leave in the dust so soon.

To make matters worse, HTC’s decision goes directly against a previous promise. In February of this year, HTC took to Facebook to let us know that HTC Sense 5 would be coming to the One X, One X+, Butterfly and One S. Five months later, and they’ve done a complete about-face. 

HTC isn’t the first company to go back on a promise, but this is negative PR that they really can’t affordDoes HTC's discontinuation of upgrade support for the One S surprise you? For current One S owners, how does this news affect your future phone buying plans, would you still consider another HTC handset?

    


DoubleTwist intros AirPlay-like, open source MagicPlay protocol

Posted: 02 Jul 2013 10:49 AM PDT

magicplay

Why does flinging music from your smartphone to another device have to be so complicated? A number of companies boast room-to-room wireless audio streaming services. However, all of the major players rely on proprietary solutions, which typically means their technologies will only work with devices produced by companies willing to pay licensing fees. Bluetooth is a workaround, as are potentially illicit apps like AirFoil, but none are as simple as, say, the AirPlay button on iOS and iTunes. DoubleTwist hopes to solve that problem. Known mostly for music library middleware and Android apps, the company hopes to make WiFi music streaming ubiquitous with a new, open source framework called MagicPlay.

A major differentiator between MagicPlay and other streaming solutions is the lack of licensing fee: MagicPlay is free to implement. That means manufacturers of wireless speakers, headphones, Smart TVs, and other devices are able to incorporate MagicPlay features by simply adding code freely available on Github. DoubleTwist maintains that, because the service was built using Qualcomm's AllJoyn framework, code with a high level of compatibility, MagicPlay should function on most any chipset, regardless of manufacturer.

How well does it work? Judging by the company's website, pretty darn well. Just like Apple's AirPlay, options to send music from the app to compatible devices appear when all of the aforementioned are connected to the same Wi-Fi network. As you might expect, MagicPlay synchronizes playback between devices, and allows control of volume and playback. According to a report by The Verge, audio quality is excellent, and the service works without stuttering or dropping connection.

Availability of devices and apps that work with the new protocol is important, which DoubleTwist seems to understand. The company has already integrated MagicPlay into its own music player app for Android, but the source code is freely available for any developer who wishes to incorporate the service. The company expects compatible speakers and home stereos to begin shipping early next year, but does have plans to bring MagicPlay to the Google TV platform and Raspberry Pi in the future.

It's hard to tell if manufacturers and app makers will choose to embrace MagicPlay, but adoption of an open source streaming solution would certainly be a positive step for the tech industry.

    


Pebble smartwatch to hit Best Buy shelves on July 7th

Posted: 02 Jul 2013 10:33 AM PDT

Pebble retail packaging

Smartwatches are a niche market, but one that could probably catch on widely if we had the right exposure. Even when available, they're often relegated to the corner of a store, as is the case with my local Verizon store. Sony and Motorola smartwatches, shoved into a corner, rarely visited or acknowledged.

As some major hitters like Apple and Google appear to be coming to the plate, Pebble needs a wider audience.

Pebble, the wildly popular kickstarter project, was the first time in a long time we've been excited for a Smartwatch. It didn't promise much, but delivered as promised. Pebble is about as basic a smartwatch as you can have, but also loved by those who have one.

Those that don't yet have one balk at not being able to try it out, or see it up close. Is it bulky? Well made? That's subjective, but we will be getting our answer soon. Pebble is set to make its retail debut on July 7th! Coming to Best Buy stores, Pebble will be available only in Black until the red version hits shelves sometime next month. As for the other colors? They will only available on the Pebble website for now.

Pebble is also smart to be staying ahead of the curve. While they aren't the first smartwatch, or even the entirety of what we'd like in a device of its kind, they have worn a path to popularity. As some major hitters like Apple and Google appear to be coming to the plate, Pebble needs a wider audience. Keeping to the $150 price was also smart, as it's currently sold out online.

Do you have Pebble? Interested in getting one? Tell us what you think.

    


Opera browser goes Chromium for its newest version

Posted: 02 Jul 2013 09:43 AM PDT

Opera Browser goes Chromium

With browsers, we have both the most important and subjective decision of our digital life. An increasing dependence on web-based software makes the browser crucial, and the myriad of choices leaves us wanting for very little. Usually coming down to IE or Chrome, since Safari is happy to stick with Macs, the other choices often aren't even considered by many.

One of those contenders is Opera, a quiet little dynamo from Norway. Having always been fast and smooth, it just got quite a bit better. The new version is now built on Chromium, the open source framework for the Chrome browser.

Opera already had a really nice engine behind their browser, so why switch to Chromium? It turns out the IE versus Chrome decision may have been having an adverse effect on their place. From the press release:

The new Opera for Windows and Mac runs on a Chromium engine, so you can access all your websites in a blink of an eye and have a smoother experience when you get there, thanks to improved site compatibility.
Opera Press release

Site compatibility is paramount for a browser, and Opera had struggled in that arena. Chrome is wildly popular, stable, and built on an open source platform. Like so many do with Android, Opera has taken something wonderful in Chromium and put their own little spin on it. Things like "Stash", which allow you to store web pages for viewing later, are an Opera service its fans are used to seeing, and will continue to hold onto.

For Opera fans, this is great. Retain all that you love about your browser, and get added compatibility. We're not sure if this means other compatibility benefits, like Chrome Web Store, but building on Chromium could yield some interesting results. All in all, a smart move for Opera.

    


Google’s list of dead services; an infographic.

Posted: 02 Jul 2013 09:16 AM PDT

Google logo aa

It's July 2, 2013. Google Reader is shuttered, yet the world continues to spin. All of the consternation and folded-arm pouting about our favorite RSS reader couldn't save it. In our new reality, plenty of great successors are here to take the king's throne. News won't stop, so why should we?

We've been here before with Google. Plenty of times. Just like Reader, each 'closed service' announcement brings out a vocal minority who want it saved. If you've ever wondered just how many services and such Google has pulled the rug from under over time, we've got you covered. Courtesy of Wordstream, we give you a ghoulish look at all the Google services that have had their lights turned off.

Some of them caused us to shrug, and others made us laugh just thinking about them. Some probably don't really belong (I'll argue that Talk is yet to be dead), and others make us wonder what Google was thinking. Google's famed "20% time" is usually pretty awesome, but can clearly yield some nonsense as well. A lot of it was simply folded into other stuff, cobbled to make a bolder service better. Some services simply show a company finding itself, and losing some dead weight along the way.

Now that Reader tops the list, what's your bet for which service is next? Rather, what do you hope is next? As for me, I'm hoping that "Google Mine" gets the axe, should it ever see the light of day.

Services Google has shuttered

    


Rumors: Android 4.3 coming soon, more stock core apps heading to the Play Store

Posted: 02 Jul 2013 09:16 AM PDT

Android

A tipster revealed various details about the upcoming Android 4.3 update but also about stock core apps, while responding to questions related to a leak he initially posted on a forum.

According to him, the Android 4.3 Jelly Bean update is rather close, as "4.3 is stable and running on most devices in Google." A release date has not been provided though.

We'll note that Android 4.3 will likely arrive much sooner than that, probably when new hardware is released. Not to mention that a leaked Android 4.3 leak is already floating around.

More interestingly though, he said that Google plans to bring to the Play Store "pretty much every [core] app," but he didn't offer any examples. However, that's certainly something to look forward too, particularly if you want to turn your Android experience into a stock Android mod without actually rooting your devices and installing custom ROMs.

Recently we did see the camera app from the Google Experience handsets launched by Google get leaked, bringing Photo Sphere features to a variety of devices.

These new details about Google’s rumored Android plans for the near future came from a The Verge forums poster who goes by the name of ryan_socio – in case that forum nick sounds familiar that's because he did leak accurate information about Google plans in the past – but the whole story is not written in the YouTube update forum post he authored.

In that post he said that a future YouTube Android app will bring an in-app multitasking feature that will allow users to continue watching a video while simultaneously looking for other videos inside the app.

Camera app

Camera app from Google Play edition phones

Heading to the comments section of that post you'll find a trove of his replies to readers that reveal the above tidbits about Android 4.3 and core apps.

In the comments, he also said that the YouTube update will arrive as a standalone Play Store update, and not part of the Android 4.3 release – apparently, the app could be launched in "about a month and a half at least." That’s where he also revealed that the YouTube multitasking feature should be extended to allow system-wide support, meaning that users would be able to watch a video using the YouTube app while using other apps at the same time.

Naturally, nothing is official yet; so don't consider it that way until Google actually confirms these rumors.

Speaking about his sources, he did reveal that the apps he's allowed to inspect are connected to certain @google.com accounts, which means he can't share images or apps apks:

I won't ever post photos because that wouldn't make my sources too happy and also I cannot provide apk's because most of these apps are being dog fooded and are connected to specific @google.com accounts. As you can guess this would mean a world of trouble. These are not photo's of unreleased mobile phone I'm dealing with.

We'll be back with more details as soon as we have them.

    


Samsung Galaxy S4 Mini now available at Three UK

Posted: 02 Jul 2013 09:12 AM PDT

Galaxy S4 Mini

It’s been three months since the Galaxy S4 launched, and since then, we’ve seen a plethora of speculation and rumors concerning its little brother, the Galaxy S4 Mini. And now, the device is finally here, available on Three UK with no initial payment — as long as you sign-up for a new contract with the carrier.

As for the specs, the Galaxy S4 Mini proves to be a really nice mid-range smartphone. It has a 4.3-inch qHD display, a 1.7GHz dual-core CPU, 1.5GB of RAM, an 8-megapixel rear shooter, and 8GB of internal storage, which is expandable, thanks to the microSD card functionality. It also has a 1,900 mAh battery. As for software, it’s running Samsung’s own TouchWiz UI atop of the latest version of Android, 4.2.2.

You can get the Galaxy S4 Mini at Three for free with any of their contracts, starting at £26. Of course, some people might prefer the pay-as-you-go model. In that case, the smartphone will cost you £349.99 outright, and from there, you’ll need to choose the plan that is right for you.

Alternatively, the Galaxy S4 Mini is available on eBay for $509, though it’s only available for US residents.

Do you plan on getting the Galaxy S4′s little brother, the S4 Mini?

    


Samsung Galaxy S4 – After the Hype (video)

Posted: 02 Jul 2013 08:48 AM PDT

samsung galaxy s4 after the hype aa featured

Let’s begin with how I first felt and still feel about the S4. For a phone with a 5 inch screen, it's one of the easiest to handle. A replaceable battery and expandable memory are obvious pluses. As far as all of the new features were concerned, I thought they were all great new ways of doing tasks we’ve done before.

Were they all practical? Well, even back then I knew some of them were more gimmicks than real game changers. And when it came to TouchWiz, I was never actually a fan of it as a user interface. But on a bigger screen, I thought it actually worked better. So, I had a phone that was both new and very familiar. I’ve played plenty of games on it and haven't had any problems — speed has never been an issue on the S4 and I’ve only counted two times that it has crashed on me.

Now here is some disclosure — I was never a Galaxy S3 owner. I was familiar with it, though. So a lot of what might have returned in the S4 was still somewhat new to me. Some of the gestures and MultiWindow all worked awesomely and with the new stuff, it was a jam packed device. And for a while, I used all of them. Especially hand gestures.

samsung galaxy s4 after the hype aa air gesture

Website reading was done in a better, lazy fashion when I could wave my hand while it was on the table. Air View helped me zoom into elements on webpages. YouTube viewing was enhanced by the Smart Pause function, especially when I got distracted. But the rest? Yeah, they lost their usefulness within the first few weeks. The Smart Scroll, especially. A simple demonstration of it amazed my friends but otherwise, it was never used.

samsung galaxy s4 after the hype aa smart scroll

That S4 commercial that shows people asking about the phone is actually true. Well, half-true. When people realize you are using the Samsung Galaxy S4, they do get excited and ask a lot of questions. Which is great – when they can tell you're using the S4.

samsung galaxy s4 after the hype aa commerical

We Android users might be able to differentiate between the S3 and S4 easily but it’s become clear to me that the general user can’t. And without being overtly head turning, the S4 just looks and feels like the old S3. As tried and true as the design of the S4 is, in and out, none of it matters of the phone can’t reel people in from the start. As the exciting features were used less and less, the more the phone felt older. And without anything else that could turn heads, it gradually felt less exciting. And this is only after three months.

samsung galaxy s4 after the hype aa vs s3 3

Don't get me wrong, I still think the Galaxy S4 is a fine device. A true example of the finest that Android can offer. I am obviously in a special position in that I have access to all of the Galaxy S4's competitors. There are many — and that is the rub. Look at it this way — there is no doubt how well the Galaxy S4 has been selling and will continue to sell. It will get a refreshing boost when more accessories are released for it, all of which allow for customization. But how has it been able to achieve all that? Simple – with the success of the original S3.

But over a year ago, the smartphone market was different. While there were plenty of other Android phones worthy of praise, the Galaxy S3 basically had one goal — contend with the iPhone. And it did a great job. It skyrocketed Samsung's status in the smartphone market and made the term Galaxy as ubiquitous as Droid. It paved the way for future Galaxy phones to enjoy the same kind of success.

samsung galaxy s4 after the hype aa galaxy name

But then the S4 was released without any real drastic changes to the general formula. It focused on perfecting what was already started by the Galaxy line. At this point in the smartphone market, though, sticking to what worked may not always hold up to what other manufacturers are attempting. It's no longer just about contending with the iPhone – it's about keeping up with all of these other players that more easily represent change.

I don't fear that the Galaxy S4 will fade into obscurity -- that's quite impossible with how huge Samsung is.

I don't fear that the Galaxy S4 will fade into obscurity – that's quite impossible with how huge Samsung is. What I can admit is that even as a big S4 supporter, I soon started to experience phone envy. One year ago, that might not have been as possible with the S3 – but now, it's not quite so lonely at the top. The HTC One, the Sony Xperia line, and even lesser known phones like the Oppo Find 5 are looming in the shadows.

Do I still love the Galaxy S4? Yes, I do. The Samsung Galaxy S4 is fast, reliable, and it can be a very exciting device. It belongs among the best. I still use it everyday because of its familiarity and it is just as reliable as it was the first day I got it – even if the extras no longer excite me as much. But when you strip all that away, it's a phone you already know and may have loved since the S3. And that's when you take a step back – and realize that the Galaxy line no longer stands alone.

samsung galaxy s4 after the hype aa competition

I'm not telling you to go out and get multiple phones – the takeaway here is: play the field. If you find everything the Galaxy S4 offers you will keep you engaged and happy, more power to you. Just remember there are plenty of other devices out there – a fact that has gotten truer every year for the past half decade. And that's what's awesome.

    


YouTube Android app update tipped to bring picture-in-picture in-app “multitasking”

Posted: 02 Jul 2013 08:21 AM PDT

YouTube Android app

Official YouTube Android app – version 4.5.17

A new update is reportedly in the works for the official YouTube Android app, with a tipster claiming that "real multitasking" is coming to the app.

The Verge forums poster ryan_socio – whom you may already know from his previous Nexus-related and Hangouts leaks that he posted on the same forum – now says that he was able to test the new app on a Galaxy Nexus, where it worked "really fast and fluidly."

So what's this real multitasking feature anyway? Apparently the new YouTube app version will let you watch a video while simultaneously looking for other videos, an in-app multitasking feature if you will, or a sort of picture-in-picture kind of functionality – although you won't be able to play two videos simultaneously.

Here's how the work should work according to the tipster:

  • App will retain current aesthetic
  • When you start a video an arrow pointing down will appear at the top left corner
  • Swiping on the arrow will create a small window at the bottom left corner of the screen where the video will continue playing
  • You can continue scrolling through other videos simultaneously
  • It currently doesn’t support system wide capabilities but that should come by launch time

The tipster did not say when the app would be updated – it was last updated about a month ago to version 4.5.17. Even though he has proven to be a more than reliable source in the past, there's nothing official from Google on this rumored update, so you should still hold on to a grain of salt while waiting for Google to release it.

In the mean time, we'll remind you that if you have certain Samsung devices, you can already enjoy the Pop Up Play multitasking feature that lets you watch locally stored videos while you perform a different task.

Moreover, if you want to do the same thing with YouTube videos, there's an app for that – aptly called Floating YouTube Popup Video – that offers pretty much the same Pop Up Video functionality to a variety of devices. However, the official YouTube Android app is expected to offer such functionalities in the future, as the same ryan_socio said in the comments section of his post that “system wide capabilities” actually means watching YouTube videos while using other apps.

    


Google accused of “coercive sales tactics” in Smart TV business

Posted: 02 Jul 2013 07:37 AM PDT

samsung smart tv

It might not be a household name for the average TV buyer, but Google has a fledgling Smart TV platform that it's trying hard to get off the ground. Based on Android, Google TV runs on dedicated set-top boxes, such as those from Sony or Vizio, but also directly on Smart TVs, most notably from LG.

While equipping Smart TVs with Google's platform seems a great deal, not every TV maker wants to depend on the Mountain View company for their TV software. Samsung, for instance, prefers to use its own platform, and access web applications such as YouTube via HTML5-based apps.

According to a report from ETNews, some TV makers accuse Google of demanding preferential treatment for its YouTube app and requiring every device that ships with the YouTube app to pass a "browser conformity test". The problem is this test requires up to three months to complete, causing, say TV makers, delays in product development. The report says that Samsung is one of the TV companies that ran into this problem. An "industry insider" cited by ETNews claims that the requirement from Google to give a central place to the YouTube app is a "coercive sales tactic".

So, what's going on here? I find it a bit hard to believe that Google would use the YouTube app as a stick to beat TV makers into adopting Google TV. Rather, the YouTube app is the carrot that Google dangles in front of TV makers to coax them into accepting some of its terms.

However, I am not sure how legal it is for Google to demand preferential placement for its app. Until we learn more details, take this report with a grain of salt. It could be just a way for TV makers to put some pressure on Google.

    


Qualcomm TOQ smart watch trademark patent uncovered

Posted: 02 Jul 2013 07:17 AM PDT

Qualcomm Logo aa (2) - 600px

The smart watch seems to be the next big innovation which has caught the eye of quite a few mobile manufacturers. We’ve already seen devices from Pebble and Sony, and then heard that Motorola, Samsung, Apple, and Google are all rumored to be working on their own smart watch ideas. But I bet that few of you would have suspected that Qualcomm was also working on its own design.

Qualcomm filed a name trademark for a device called "Qualcomm TOQ" back on June 26th. The device is described as a "personal communication hub in the form of a wristwatch; portable electronic devices for transmitting and reviewing text, data, image, and audio files, hands free device for mobile phones; battery chargers."

That's quite a mouthful, but sadly it's not overly specific about what the device will actually contain. Knowing Qualcomm though, it's rather unlikely that this device will ever actually make it on to a store shelf. Instead, the company typically opts to develop reference design products, like the tablet used to demonstrate the Snapdragon 800's LTE-A capabilities, for other designers to use as the basis for their products.

All that this trademark suggests is that Qualcomm is working on circuits and embedded solutions which would suit a smart watch type device, but who could be interested in such a design?

It's unlikely that Samsung would be attracted to this technology, considering that they've supposedly been preparing their own smart watch for quite a while. Similarly, Sony already has its design in place, so they wouldn't really benefit from Qualcomm's reference watch either.

Google Smartwatch 3D render concept

This Nexus smart watch concept is great, let’s hope that something similar becomes a reality soon.

There's always the possibility, or perhaps it's just wishful thinking, that Google could potentially make use of a reference design. We know that Google likes to use other companies for its hardware, and working directly with the chip manufacturer would have a huge benefit for Google if it was to bring a Nexus type smart watch to the market.

Of course, that's all conjecture for now, we'll just have to be patient and wait to see who, if anyone, decides to pick up Qualcomm's design.

    


Android 4.2.2 rolling out for international HTC One, see it in action

Posted: 02 Jul 2013 06:59 AM PDT

HTC One Stealth Black 5 1600 aa

The HTC One is a top of the line Android flagship, but it does lag behind some competitors when it comes to the version of Android running on it. The device features Android 4.1 out of the box, leaving users to wait for the latest version of their favorite operating system, at a time when Android 4.3 appears to be getting closer.

That’s about to change soon – last week, the dual-SIM version of the HTC One, which is available in China and some other markets, made the jump to Android 4.2 and the international version is going to get the same treatment soon. The update is already rolling out in Taiwan, and more markets are likely to follow.

Some of the changes that the update brings to the Sense 5-running device include the Quick Settings panel, which can be accessed by swiping with two fingers from the notification bar, a screenshot button in the notification, interactive notifications, and menu button functionality – you can now set your device so that long pressing the home button will bring the menu and remove the dreaded black menu bar displayed by some apps.

The folks from Geek.com got their hands on a build of Android 4.2.2 for the HTC One and proceeded to install it on a device. Check out their impressions in the video below.

International unlocked HTC One units are likely to get the update first, followed by carrier-locked devices. We'll keep you posted with any development.

    


Verizon prepares Droid Ultra, Ultra Maxx, and Ultra M – Landing page is online

Posted: 02 Jul 2013 05:57 AM PDT

Verizon logo ces [aa] (3)

Verizon isn't worried about keeping its upcoming devices secret, it seems. A product page for the unannounced Droid Ultra has been publicly accessible for more than a day on the carrier's website.

Last week, @evleaks revealed that the Razr Ultra and Razr Ultra M are upcoming devices from Motorola and Verizon, but now it looks like the carrier will drop the "Razr" branding, and replace it with "Ultra". At least that’s what Droid Life's sources, as well as a second tweet from @evleaks claim. Sadly, Verizon and Motorola won't kill the terrible Maxx name.

To wrap up, we expect these devices from Verizon: Droid Ultra, Droid Ultra M, and Droid Ultra Maxx.

Back to the product page, the tag line for the Droid Ultra will be Think Thin. The listing doesn't include any image of the device, but we can get an idea about how the Droid Ultra will look from the product description:

Available in a bunch of glossy colors, this high-grade DuPont™ Kevlar body proves you can be even thinner and still be tough as steel.

There's also a full set of specifications, but as Droid Life noticed, they are identical to those of the Razr M, suggesting that they are just a placeholder.

What's even more confusing is that this page claims that an Otterbox case for the Droid Razr M is also compatible with the Droid Ultra. Will the two phones have the same dimensions or is it just a mistake? Hard to tell, for the moment.

As for the Ultra M and Ultra Maxx, we don't have any concrete information or release schedule. If Verizon and Moto keep the convention from last year, the Ultra M should be a 4.3-4.5-inch device with mid-range specs, and the Ultra Maxx is going to be a thicker version of the Droid Ultra that comes with a larger battery.

    


Amazon GameCircle now available on all Android devices

Posted: 02 Jul 2013 05:41 AM PDT

Amazon GameCircleCredit: gagadget

Kindle Fire owners are probably already familiar with Amazon's GameCircle service, which offers gamers support for achievements, leaderboards, and save game syncing across various devices. Well now the rest of us Android users will able to make use of the service, as support for every Android device has gone online for the first time as of today.

Various Android games could soon, if they don’t already, make use of Amazon’s service, if the developer so chooses. This is definitely a win for Android, as it's previously been lacking several features which iOS users enjoy courtesy of Apple's Game Center. Amazon has also made a few improvements to its Whispersync function, so that it automatically resolves data conflicts between different mobile devices and the user cloud data, and will also now queue updates for users who chose to play offline.

Basically, the service has been streamlined so that customers can easily game on one Android device and pick up their save on another Android or Kindle product without any hassle. Don't forget that this service is also integrated with the company's new "Login with Amazon" feature, so you can keep a single user name and password across a range of Amazon services.

But Google's own Play Game Services is already out of the door, which essentially offers the same services as Amazon's GameCircle. Google's solution also has support for cloud saves and achievements, but also integrates leaderboards with your Google+ account so that you can easily compare results with your friends.

It remains to be seen whether developers will chose to implement the third party Amazon option or stick with Google's own service. Consumer preference is also going to be an equally important factor, so which would you rather use?