Saturday, July 6, 2013

Android Community

Android Community


Moto X to be a Rogers exclusive offering in Canada next month

Posted: 05 Jul 2013 06:58 PM PDT

We’ve been hearing about the Moto X in increasing detail over the past weeks, especially now that Motorola has ramped up its advertisement campaign in time for the 4th of July holiday. Now, according to a leaked screenshot, we see how the handset will be offered to our Canadian friends: as an exclusive from Rogers.

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The information comes from the folks at MobileSyrup, who nabbed a picture taken of a Rogers internal document, which shows a bit of its Android focus and plans, with one in particular standing out among the rest – a tidbit of information next to an “Android Max” info box that says “EXCLUSIVE Moto X Phone”. You can see it yourself in the image above.

The “Android Max” in the image above is referring to one of the carrier’s campaigns, which will apparently be kicked off in the third quarter of this year. It is targeted at individuals who “live on their phones,” and will be comprised of LTE devices and those who want “Max Android data.” If you recall, Rogers announced seven new locations that it would be expanding its LTE network to.

According to MobileSyrup, the Moto X will be available for Canadian buyers via Rogers on August 1, just a little over three weeks from now. As you likely guessed based on the image above, it will be offered on the carrier’s LTE Max network. Unfortunately, the one piece of information that is still missing is pricing.

In case you missed it, on June 26, Google rolled out an updated Motorola logo, which features a subtle color palette hinting at the wide array of color options the handset will be offered in, as well its own logo at the bottom, showing off its ownership of the company. Per a tip earlier today, word has it the Moto X will be announced on July 10 or 11th, with the latter date being more likely. Among others reasons, speculation has the it the “X” and “I” formed by two individuals jumping into water in Motorola’s ad from earlier this week are a subtle hint.

SOURCE: MobileSyrup

Facebook Beta for Android updated with bug fixes galore

Posted: 05 Jul 2013 05:35 PM PDT

On June 27, we reported that the social network had announced the Facebook beta for Android app, which promised to be a (sorely needed) improvement offering better performance and other such statements we’ve heard before. It has been about a week, and an update for the beta app was just rolled out featuring a host of bug fixes while retaining the same version number.

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Basically, Facebook Beta works by allowing users to test the new features 7 to 10 days early, with the stated goal being a reliable, well-performing Facebook experience across all Android devices, rather than working well on some and terribly on others. It was mentioned last month that the “diversity of devices and OS versions” makes this a bit problematic for the company.

The change log shows a variety of fixes, with 15 bugs in total being squashed. Among them is a correction of the problem causing profile pictures to sometimes not update, as well as the issue with the photo picker and messages list view crashing. Users who experience a crash after selecting “Nearby” suggestions should also see a fix.

Going down the list, there’s been a correction of the problem that caused the image cropping tool to fail on occasions, as well as the error that would appear while trying to share a story from their News Feed within a PM. One particularly bothersome issue that prevented – after installing Facebook Home – Facebook from being turned off has also been corrected.

The rest of the bug fixes provided in the change log for “Facebook App” are minor enough not to warrant their own mentions. However, there was also a separate change log posted for “Facebook Home” that included a few additional updates, among them being stability improvements for folder usage, How being easier to uninstall, Home settings that have been relocated, and fonts for foreign languages – which have had translations updated – being added.

SOURCE: Android Police

Galaxy Note III tipped with 5.7-inch display and 3GB of RAM

Posted: 05 Jul 2013 04:39 PM PDT

The rumors around Samsung’s upcoming Galaxy Note III haven’t slowed down one bit, and are only getting worse. We’ve heard anything from a flexible display, all the way to a 6.3-inch phablet. However, the latest reports are going against the “confirmed” 5.99-inch screen specs and are now claiming it will be 5.7-inches instead. And that’s not all.

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Earlier this week a few reports surfaced that the Note 3 will come equipped with 3GB of RAM, as well as an impressive 13 megapixel camera with image stabilization and more. That report confirmed the 5.99-inch screen size we’ve been hearing for the past month, but today’s rumor makes more sense.

The original Note was 5.3-inches, then the Note II comes in at 5.5-inches, so following that trend the new Note III with a 5.7-inch 1080p HD display sounds perfect. Many have speculated Samsung jumped right to 5.99-inches instead, but we have a feeling the former is correct. Today according to UnwiredView and “industry officials” we’ve learned the Galaxy Note III will be revealed on September 4th at IFA.

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This really isn’t news, to be honest, considering the last two were also revealed at IFA. So we’ve been assuming this all along. However, they state a pre-IFA Samsung unpacked event will take place on the 4th (IFA starts September 6th) and Samsung will take the stage and limelight to announce their new smartphone/tablet hybrid.

A 5.7-inch 1920 x 1080p display, quad-core Snapdragon 800 at 2.3 GHz with 3GB of RAM (or Samsung’s 8-core chip) a 13 megapixel camera, and the latest version of Android. Sounds pretty nice right? We’ll be at IFA live, as always, but expect plenty more reports and rumors before that date ever arrives.

VIA: UnwiredView

Google posts Glass FAQ page for the curious

Posted: 05 Jul 2013 03:59 PM PDT

If you’re the proud owner of a set of Google Glass wearable technology, or are considering spending the $1,500 to get yourself a pair, the new frequently asked questions site should help you out. Google’s wearable glasses are a novelty item that many want to get their hands-on, but how well do they actually work, what do they do, security concerns and more are all addressed.

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Many potential customers are probably wondering what exactly Glass does, and can do, so this is Google’s way of alleviated some of those questions. A large part is about privacy and security, as well as apps, and then Google goes on to mention just all that their product can do.

Broke down into four sections Google basically mentions what exactly Glass is, what it can do, and when it will be available. Then they discuss plenty about the lockscreen, how it’s used, and that people with prescription glasses can use Glass with ease. Pretty interesting and detailed page we have here.

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The third section, as we mentioned above, tackles the privacy aspect of things. Well, as much as they can at the moment at least. With a section about sharing information, whether public or private, taking pictures, and what do do should your Glass get stolen. Then finally the last section breaks down software and 3rd party apps for Glass.

Overall it doesn’t really answer any of the truly important questions. One like how will they really tackle the privacy concerns in public, at airports, and such. Then we want to know when it will be available. All they say is next year, which isn’t new. Finally, we’re wondering what sort of pricing they’ll have planned out, but of course, it’s way too early for that.

Give it a look and learn some new info about Glass.

SOURCE: Glass FAQ

Galaxy S4 users love their phone the most according to new study

Posted: 05 Jul 2013 02:37 PM PDT

If you own the Samsung Galaxy S4 or iPhone 5 and have talked about it on social networks, some new studies have used that type of data to award the GS4 a top rating. A research and analyst ground called We Are Social is talking up the Samsung smartphone, while also claiming the iPhone 5 is most hated among its users. Pretty interesting report so read on below.

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Research firm We Are Social uses social media, blogs, news, and other reports from around the interwebs to come up with their numbers, so this is obviously no where near official. Or even accurate to say the least. Using forum complaints or praise for a study isn’t too accurate, especially when more people take to forums when they have problems, than when they don’t.

However, the study goes on to mention that in general Samsung Galaxy S 4 owners are the most satisfied, were more excited about the launch, and overall just enjoy and love their phone more than other manufacturers as of late. Adding in numbers from Apple and the iPhone 5, Nokia, and even Blackberry. Yes, they are using random comments and complaints on the internet for their study.

Their study found that of all registered users talking about the Galaxy S4, only 11% were complaints or negative. Compare that to the iPhone 5 that they awarded “most hated handset” with nearly 20% being complaints and negative comments. That was higher than Blackberry, but then again, comparing the numbers Blackberry doesn’t have enough sales to even have users complaining.

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They do go on to mention the iPhone has the highest brand loyalty, which isn’t anything new, but their study at least backs it up. Then when it came to raw numbers in terms of discussion about a device around the web, it was no competition. The iPhone 5 had 1.7 million while the Galaxy S 4 was only around the 140,000 mark. Even Blackberry beat Samsung with 300,000.

The numbers aren’t anything near conclusive, but it’s interesting to see just what types of numbers and outcome they gather all based on social media, blogs, and forums.

VIA: DailyMail ; Phandroid

Motorola sending DROID RAZR HD and MAXX HD beta update invites

Posted: 05 Jul 2013 01:53 PM PDT

Motorola is preparing a quick beta test for their DROID RAZR HD and MAXX HD smartphones over on Verizon Wireless. As usual, they’ve started sending out soak test invites, letting users know an update is coming and checking for participants. This means an update for the smartphones should be rolling out soon if all goes well.

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Sadly we do have some bad news. After reports originally flooded in that Motorola was preparing a software update for both handsets, we quickly learned this will not be an Android OS increase. Many were expecting Android 4.2.2 Jelly Bean to be coming, but you’ll still be stock on 4.1 after this latest round of updates.

Motorola confirms right in the soak test emails that this is not an update to the Android operating system, and instead will be in the form of a small maintenance upgrade. This simply means we’ll still be waiting for Android 4.2 to arrive, but this should fix some bugs, smooth the performance, and possibly increase battery life.

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As we know, both smartphones run on the exact same software, and will be updated at the same time as well. Sadly this isn’t the latest version of Android but we’re expecting plenty of bugs to get squashed by Motorola. We’re all still patiently awaiting more news on the Moto X, but for now this should be good news for all you current DROID RAZR HD owners.

The soak test for the upgrade should start soon, and hopefully the official release quickly follows.

VIA: Droid-Life

Android Master Key exploit “could affect” 900 million devices

Posted: 05 Jul 2013 01:39 PM PDT

Bluebox Security has recently gone public with an exploit that is said to be able to affect up to 900 million Android phones. And if that number doesn’t sound scary enough for Android users, putting it another way and you are looking at 99 percent of all Android phones that are in the wild. This exploit is referred to as ‘Master Key’ and it has apparently been around since Android 1.6 Donut — around 4 years now.

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They key to all this is in the words though, Bluebox Security has said this “could affect” all of those devices. The could portion comes in here because while those numbers sound big and scary — Bluebox has gone about this the correct way and had already notified Google of this issue back in February. Furthermore, the route that could have affected most users (the Play Store) has already been fixed and taken care of from Google.

Basically, at this point the main way someone could be affected by this issue is from installing a bad APK file from outside the Play Store. This is something that far less than 99 percent of all Android users are doing. Anyway, now that we have hopefully driven home the point that while this sounds scary — it is not as bad as it could have been. That said, lets get into what the exploit is and how it works because the details are somewhat interesting.

Bluebox offered the following;

“The vulnerability involves discrepancies in how Android applications are cryptographically verified & installed, allowing for APK code modification without breaking the cryptographic signature.”

They also went on to mention about how all Android apps contain a cryptographic signature and that is what Android uses to see if the app is legitimate. Or more to the point, to see if that app has been tampered with in any way. Basically, by being able to do this without breaking the signature — it would have been easy (for someone with the right knowledge) to trick Android into thinking a malicious app was perfectly harmless.

Otherwise, while Google has taken care of the Play Store, the rest of the update/fix process is up to the carriers and manufacturers. Bluebox Security has also said they will be discussing more of the technical details of this issue during Black Hat USA 2013 which runs from July 27th through August 1st.

SOURCE: Bluebox

HTC One getting Android 4.2.2 update in Europe

Posted: 05 Jul 2013 12:53 PM PDT

The impressive HTC One smartphone is getting updated to Android 4.2.2 Jelly Bean today across Europe. We’ve seen a few various reports of the same update in Taiwan, and other regions, and after initially being delayed it’s officially here. It hit earlier this week, and now multiple reports have confirmed the European model is enjoying the same software upgrade.

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While the jump from Android 4.1 to 4.2.2 Jelly Bean isn’t extremely big, the update comes in rather sizable being over 400MB from HTC. Aside from the Android Daydream feature, lockscreen widgets, and other improvements HTC themselves have added quite a bit to the update. It’s nice to see them quickly updating and improving their flagship device. It’s just too bad the One S can’t have the same fate.

The update hasn’t landed on our European handset yet, but many different tips and reports have confirmed it is indeed rolling out now. You might want to head into settings and check for updates, if you’re impatient like us. Thanks to HTCSource the image below gives us a changelog of what to expect.

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Along with Android 4.2.2 features we have launcher bar enhancements, a reorganized widget panel, and the lockscreen style widgets are also present. We have battery percentage in the top bar, and they’ve added another option to remove that ugly black menu bar from our screens. There’s also improvements to ZOE, 6 new video themes, and improved quick settings to name a few.

It looks like overall HTC is providing a pretty solid update with the latest version of Android and tons of tweaks, improvements, and changes all in one round. Now all we need is to see the same update arrive for the US models. This also means that we should hopefully be hearing a release date from Verizon on their HTC One now that 4.2 is ready and rolling out.

VIA: HTCSource

VUDU update brings support for select Android smartphones

Posted: 05 Jul 2013 12:44 PM PDT

The VUDU Movies and TV app has recently been updated for Android users and it looks like it has brought support for smartphones. Well, support for select smartphones. There was also mention of unspecified bugs being taken care of. Getting back to the smartphone support and we find a support list that is heaviest on Samsung and HTC devices.

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There are also a few from LG and Motorola as well. That being said, the full list if supported devices is as follows;

  • Samsung Galaxy Note and Galaxy Note II
  • Samsung Galaxy S II HD, Galaxy S III and Galaxy S 4
  • HTC One, EVO 4G LTE and DROID DNA
  • Motorola RAZR HD
  • LG Optimus G, G Pro and F7
  • Nexus 4

Otherwise, this update has brought the app up to version 1.4.229 and it can currently be found by way of the Google Play Store. Aside from support for those smartphones and the bug fixes, there appears to be some remaining issues with the VUDU app in general.

This latest changelog notes a known issue as being one dealing with storage migration.

“There is no storage migration so the earlier version upgrade may have issue with download when external storage exists. The solution is to remove the app and reinstall.”

Other known issues are listed as the app being slow when there is not enough network bandwidth and the app occasionally hanging. VUDU has yet to offer any timeline as to when these known issues will be taken care of, however it is nice to see them being acknowledged.

A bit for those not familiar with how VUDU works. This service allows the user to buy or rent movies that can be streamed or downloaded directly to your Android device. Given the option to buy or rent — there isn’t any set monthly subscription to worry about. In addition to movies, VUDU also offers television shows as well as an In-Home Disc to Digital service that will let you convert a DVD or Blu-ray movie to digital for streaming.

SOURCE: VUDU Blog, Google Play Store

Jay-Z Magna Carta Holy Grail album available for Samsung users

Posted: 05 Jul 2013 11:47 AM PDT

Samsung and popular Rap artist and entrepreneur Jay-Z teamed up to release the musicians brand new Album in a completely new way. As they aim to rewrite the rules in this digital era, they chose to give all Samsung smartphones owners the first chance at the new album. In case you missed it, July 4th it officially became available. And if you own a select Samsung smartphone you can get the entire thing for free, right this moment.

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The official Samsung-designed app from the Play Store has been available for a few weeks now, but yesterday the full album was unlocked for everyone to enjoy. Whether you want to listen to one track, read the lyrics (bad words blurred out and all) or even watch behind-the-scenes clips. It’s all available, but we’d suggest you just tap the “download album” and get the entire thing right on your phone.

The unlock and launch was a bit of a mess, with millions trying to access it at one the applications all but froze and stopped working completely. However, now that things have calmed if you have a Galaxy Note II, Galaxy S3, or the new S4 you can get it and start enjoying those beats.

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The app still is a bit of a mess. It freezes often, keeps crashing my Galaxy S 4, and in general is just laggy and quite awful. You’ll want to start it up, agree to the terms, sign in with Facebook or Twitter, then hit the big download button and get the album. It downloads to your internal phone storage in the “Music” folder. And can easily be accessed, shared, or uploaded to Dropbox in minutes.

They were nice enough to offer both the explicit, and clean versions of the new album for download, which was nice. Personally the best part for me was Holy Grail, simply because most of the song is Justin Timberlake. If you’re a Jay-Z fan and want his latest work for free, and happen to own a Galaxy device, get the app from the link below and enjoy the tunes.

VIA: Play Store

Sony Smart Bluetooth headset shown in Xperia Z Ultra teaser video

Posted: 05 Jul 2013 11:38 AM PDT

Sony announced the Xperia Z Ultra towards the end of June and almost immediately after dropped a pair of teaser videos on YouTube. The channel had been quite since, however it looks like the latest Xperia Z Ultra teaser video has appeared. This one has arrived showing off what Sony is calling “efficiency in an ultra slim smartphone.”

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Some of the highlights in the video touch on the handwriting recognition and multitasking, but there was still a little bit more to see including a look at the Smart Bluetooth Headset. Some of these features have been mentioned before, but it is nice to see them in action. That thought seems to apply to the use of a stylus or pencil for taking notes. Sony is showing what looks to be a regular refillable pencil in this particular video.

Sony also talks multitasking and efficiency with what is referred to as the “small apps.” Here we see the calculator app which sits on top of the note the user is currently working on. The other aspect with this handset is the size. The display is 6.4-inches and it looks like Sony has done a few things to make it more reasonable to use in an everyday situation. This was revealed in a few examples.

The keyboard can be adjusted to a one-handed mode, which is basically just a shrunken down version of the full-sized keyboard. Without actually getting hands-on this is hard to judge, but is nice to see that Sony took some thought in this regard. The other aspect dealing with the size comes in with taking calls and we are fairly certain many have thoughts of holding this 6.4-inch monster up to their ear.

Well, in this case Sony has the Smart Bluetooth headset, which is basically a small handset that can be help up to your ear (without looking foolish). Otherwise, while not covered in this video, the Xperia Z Ultra also has 4G LTE connectivity along with a Snapdragon 800 processor, 8 megapixel rear-facing camera and an IP58 rating against water and dust. With that, we are expecting the Xperia Z Ultra to arrive during the third quarter of the year.

Android Authority

Android Authority


HTC One Android 4.2.2 Jelly Bean update now rolling out in Europe

Posted: 06 Jul 2013 02:40 AM PDT

HTC One

The HTC One might have launched with the slightly outdated Android 4.1 Jelly Bean, but at least HTC is fulfilling its promise to update the HTC One to Android 4.2 Jelly Bean (unlike another one of its smartphones).

After the Android 4.2.2 Jelly Bean update began rolling out in Taiwan a few days ago, it was only a matter of time before the update began rolling out in other countries. The Android 4.2.2 Jelly Bean update has rolled out to select European countries and it brings a few added features and changes.

Along with the stock Android 4.2 features like Daydream, lock screen widgets and quick settings, there are a few additions that are sure to get some people excited. HTC is offering a setting which allows you to choose to long press the home button and bring the menu app, finally getting rid of that horrid black menu bar.

You’ll also recieve improved auto focus in the camera, a battery percentage in the status bar, interactive notifications and more. To see if the update is rolling out in your country, jump into your settings and check for a software update. Remember, if your HTC One is from a carrier, you might have to wait a few weeks longer.

Have you received the Android 4.2.2 Jelly Bean update yet?

    


Motorola Droid Maxx image leaks: capacitive buttons and Kevlar

Posted: 06 Jul 2013 12:09 AM PDT

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We know that Motorola is gearing up to unleash the Moto X, but that's not the only device that the Google subsidiary is preparing to unveil this summer. In addition to a low-cost smartphone codenamed DFX, which is aimed at developing markets, Motorola is also continuing its collaboration with Verizon for the Droid line.

Previous leaks suggested that Moto and Verizon have in the pipeline the Droid Ultra, Droid Ultra Maxx, and Droid Ultra M. Now @evleaks, the prolific purveyor of inside info, came back and clarified that the actual names of the devices are going to be Droid Ultra, Droid Maxx, and Droid Mini.

In addition, @evleaks also supplied what may be the first image of the Droid Maxx:

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Looking at the render, which, according to Android Police, @evleaks thinks is final, it seems that the new line of Droids will not be a major departure from Verizon's devices from last year. We're looking at the same Kevlar back, with the aggressive, industrial look that we've come to expect from Droid devices. The device features capacitive keys, which is odd, considering that Motorola used onscreen buttons for the Droid Razr Maxx HD, and that Google, the corporate overlord of the company, strongly favors onscreen buttons over capacitive or physical buttons.

Also interesting is the conspicuous absence of Motorola's or Verizon's logos. After the HTC One, the Droid Maxx would be the second upcoming device that leaks without a prominent Verizon logo. Did Big Red change its stance on liberally applied logos? We can only hope.

We have to keep in mind that we may be looking at a non-final render or an inaccurate one. With that said, are you satisfied with the design of this Droid Maxx?

    


Rogers Canada may be getting the exclusive on the Motorola X Phone

Posted: 05 Jul 2013 02:59 PM PDT

Rogers exclusive X Phone

An internal screenshot from Rogers shows that the Canadian service provider will have an exclusive Motorola X Phone, with release in mid August. While we're not sure if this means they have exclusivity to the Motorola X Phone in general, it does indicate they will have some sort of Rogers' device. As you can see below, the all caps “exclusive” stands out.

With customization in play for the X Phone, it would be safe to assume Rogers will get exclusive rights to the device, but we're not willing to make that assumption. This could be a special color backplate only available to the provider, or some kind of bundle. It's hard to imagine Motorola would give their new device exclusivity to one carrier on Canada, but perhaps they're comfortable with that. The push for this device seems to be unsubsidized ownership, as the price is said to be about $299.

What we do find interesting is the marketing strategy for the device, which is geared toward "Premium Mindset Youth". While the specs for the X Phone aren't earth-shaking, we'd like to think they're more than a child's device.

Another great thing about this? The launch date. The US market typically gets devices before Canada, so if that mid-August launch holds water, we could be seeing the X Phone here very soon. That July 11th launch may hold a little water, now. Whatever the case, it seems Canadians will now have an option to the White Nexus 4, which is also headed their way.

Rogers Moto X Phone

    


Samsung Galaxy Mega 5.8 review (video)

Posted: 05 Jul 2013 01:14 PM PDT

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It seems as if Samsung is on a quest to offer a smartphone in just about every size. While many don’t like big phones like the Note 2, Samsung decided to go even further with the Galaxy Mega 5.8, the little brother of the Galaxy Mega 6.3, which is easily one of the largest smartphones on the market.

We already took a look at the Mega 6.3, so what does the Mega 5.8 have to offer? While there aren’t many software differences, a lot has changed under the hood, effectively making it a mid-range device. As you can see, it’s a lot smaller than the Mega 6.3, as well.

If you’re in a rush, jump straight to the video, otherwise, stick with us as we take a closer look at the Galaxy Mega 5.8, a decidedly mid-range handset.

Design

The design of the Mega 5.8 is almost an exact duplicate of its big brother, the Mega 6.3, expect it’s, well, smaller. Not too small, though, as it’s still noticeable larger than the venerable Galaxy Note 2.

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Much like any other phone in the Galaxy lineup, the general setup and button layout is the same — power button on the right, volume rocker on the left, headphone jack up top, and USB port on the bottom.

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Even with the one handed operation options, this is still a very trick device to use with a single hand. That said, you’ll want to stick with using two for optimal, and comfortable use.

Display

While we weren’t happy that the Mega 6.3 was only 720p, the qHD resolution of 960 x 540 on the 5.8 is even less promising, providing a pixel density of just 190ppi.

At the very least, things do look very sharp, for the most part. Pixelation and lack of sharpness are definitely apparent if you look closely, but most of the time you should be holding the Mega 5.8 far enough away that it shouldn’t be as noticeable, if at all.

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Being a TFT display, colors are well represented without being overly saturated, though some buyers may be a tad disappointed that the Mega 5.8 isn’t equipped with one of Samsung’s own Super AMOLED displays. Overall, the screen is generally bright, thought it’s glossy surface does make it difficult to see in the sunlight. However, it’s still an all-around, nice screen.

Performance

It’s unusual for Samsung to put a Broadcom CPU in its devices, so we were interested t see how the Mega 5.8 would perform in benchmarks.

As per the norm, we started with the tried and true AnTuTu benchmark. We ran the test 10 times, and while scores are nearly identical every time, they actually varied quite a bit. We saw scores ranging from the high 7,000s to the low 10,000s, finally coming up with an average score of 9,419.

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Next, we loaded up Epic Citadel. The Ultra High Quality setting wasn’t available, so first we tried High Quality mode, reaching an average framerate of 56.1 FPS. High performance mode barely made a difference, coming in at an average 56.7 FPS.

The hardware is powerful enough to keep the UI responsive and apps running smoothly, but you might want to look elsewhere if you plan on heavy gaming. However, light gaming will do just fine.

Hardware

The Galaxy Mega gets its name from its 5.8-inch qHD display. Under the hood, we’re looking at a 1.4GHz dual-core Broadcom CPU, 1.5GB of RAM, and 8GB of internal storage, expandable by a microSD card.

The primary rear-facing camera is 8-megapixels, and it is indeed capable of 1080p video capturing. Looking around the front, we have a 1.9-megapixel camera. As for power, the Mega 5.8 has a 2,600 mAh unit. The model we’re reviewing here is the Duos model, so it also has support for dual-SIMs. Other than that, it’s pretty identical to the single-SIM model.

Software

The Galaxy Mega 5.8 is running Android 4.2.2 with the latest version of TouchWiz. Like the Mega 6.3, the 5.8 includes a landscape or tablet mode. It’s unlikely that you’ll want to use this particular device for simple tasks, such as making a call, but it’ll prove to be a handy device for entertainment reasons.

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Since no carrier got their hands on our review unit, there was very little bloatware included, aside from Samsung’s usual bevy of apps — S Memo, S Planner, S Translator, S Voice, and it’s own app store. However, apps that we usually see on Samsung’s devices weren’t included, such as Flipboard. That was definitely appreciated, given the low amount of internal storage the Mega 5.8 has.

Battery and camera

Samsung’s Galaxy Mega 5.8 is loaded with a 2,600 mAh battery, and with relatively modest hardware, you can expect to get a good deal of juice out of the Mega 5.8. After 16 hours of of benchmarking, testing, and downloading a few apps, the battery still had a whopping 68% of juice left. However, the screen brightness was fairly low and so SIMs were installed, so that may have contributed to that number quite a bit.

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Even with fairly heavy use, the Mega 5.8 should hold up well during a full day of work and beyond. However, if you still manage to find yourself running out of battery life, there’s a power saving mode that can be setup in the settings menu.

As for the camera, the Mega 5.8 has a standard 8-megapixel rear-facing shooter, and photos are what you would expect from a mid-range device.

The camera app includes Samsung’s usual bevy of shooting modes — Auto, Best Photo, Continuous Shot, Best Face, Sound and Shot, Panorama, and sports. I captured my test photos in Auto mode with everything set to default, excluding the resolution, which I cranked up to max.

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Shot with the Galaxy Mega 5.8

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Shot with the Galaxy Mega 5.8

Colors reproduction is done well, but much like my thoughts on the Mega 6.3, photos could have been a little sharper. The 1080p video capture is solid, and colors are as vivid here as they are with still photos. The only real disappointment here is that there are no fun video options like SLow or Fast Motion, though it’s unsurprising since they weren’t included in the Mega 6.3, either.

Video review

Price and final thoughts

The Samsung Galaxy Mega 5.8 is one of those Samsung phones where it’s hard to figure out who exactly it’s for, due to its very niche audience. If you’re looking for an even bigger phone with mid-range specs, the Mega 6.3 outperforms the Mega 5.8 in every aspect. Not only that, but both devices can be found online for, relatively, the same price, which currently sits around $550.

However, if you’re in the market for something in a smaller size, but with better performance, the Galaxy note 2 is the way to go. Nonetheless, if you need dual-SIMs, the Galaxy Mega 5.8 will prove to be a good option and a great performer.

Brad Ward contributed to this review.

    


Phone customization: Do we want it? Do we need it?

Posted: 05 Jul 2013 11:34 AM PDT

The-Friday-Debate aa Evan Forester

This week, we're debating the merits and drawbacks of phone customization, spurred by Motorola's teasing of the upcoming Moto X. The Google subsidiary promised that the Moto X will be the first phone we'll be able to design ourselves, though a leak revealed that the “designing” is just picking the colors and a custom engraving.

Customization is what makes Android so powerful, so we wondered what would happen if hardware would be just as open as Android software is.

Join us for the discussion, vote in our poll, and sound off in the comments!

Robert Triggs

I'm not totally sold on the idea that we really need detailed phone customization, after all, there are so many handsets already available to choose from.

Now case customization is actually an idea that I can back. Having the choice between different covers, waterproofing, additional scratch protection, etc. Those are all relatively easy to implement and will let consumers pick features which fit their lifestyles.

But there are limiting factors when it comes to implementing anything beyond the aesthetic level. Most SoCs aren't compatible with different sockets for a start, so you're going to be limited when it comes to hardware choices anyway. Then what about different bezels for screen sizes, or stocking different chips for various memory capacities? It's just totally impractical to have intricate customization of a smartphone in the same way that you do a PC, not to mention that the build time and cost would be horrendous.

I like the idea behind the Sony XTRUD concept, as a guy who builds his own PCs, but I'm unsure whether it can be support properly enough to give people what they want. Just look at how many resources are poured into projects like CyanogenMod so that Android can run on various hardware configurations. I just don't see any company stumping up that much of a time and monetary investment to support something which will most likely be a niche product anyway.

The Moto X seems to be the sweet spot in my opinion. It has enough customisation options to personalise your handset without the costs and technical issues associated with having a huge range of hardware configurations to satisfy.

Joshua Vergara

I actually think customization would bring back some fun that has been missing in the smartphone market. In my previous video giving current thoughts on the Galaxy S4, I made the case that because the phone doesn’t really attract eyes like I feel it should, the device itself started to feel old. That’s because conceptually and in design, it really is. Sticking to the same general idea as the Galaxy S3 wasn’t a mistake, but it is a bit of a bummer after some time.

Now, imagine if at the time of buying your new phone, you were presented with options. I’m talking the same level of customization that Nike Jordans or Kobe shoes give you. Seriously, if you’ve never looked at basketball shoe customization, check it out and imagine the same system for smartphones. Perhaps an example that better hits home is laptop/desktop customization, but I think you all get my drift.

Different colors for different parts of the phone, perhaps etched designs, and, while we’re at it, what if you bought one with slightly lesser specs to make it even more affordable? I do this with laptops every time – go for the best of last generation’s hardware to keep the cost low. Imagine getting a Moto X with a Snapdragon S4 Pro knowing it’ll still be fast for you!

Customization excites me because I learned something recently – I miss the old days of phones. We call them dumbphones or feature phones now – but back when Sony was paired with Ericsson, back when Japanese phones seemed like things of myth, before every phone was a black screen with differing backs, we had a lot more choice and it was possible to get a phone no one else had.

It’s not entirely that we want a phone no one else has – that’s a misleading way of putting it. In the end, some (plenty) of us want something quintessentially us. If our smartphones are supposed to be extensions of ourselves, why not take that to the fullest extent?

Andrew Grush

As someone who loves building powerful desktop rigs just so I can get the hardware specs exactly how I want them, you'd think I'd be all over the idea of a truly customizable smartphone platform. In reality? It's a cool idea, but not a practical one.

With a smartphone you are talking about a tiny little chassis, and many components that are tightly squeezed together or even fully integrated. Having to make room for quick design changes certainly would be a challenge.

While creating full processor/RAM/screen customization isn't impossible in the smartphone arena, it could prove to be a very expense process. And much of that expense would translate over to consumers.Why pay $1000+ for that customized smartphone when there's already likely a vendor out there with a smartphone configured 'close enough' to your dream phone, but at a price that is hundreds of dollars less?

That said, it is fully possible to do a partially customizable phone – like with the Moto X. With this approach you get a phone that is in the color combo you desire, making it easier to stand out in a crowded sea of mobile devices. It's not quite full customization, but for most mobile users, it is enough.Will other brands follow if the Moto X proves popular? Maybe. But let's be honest, there are probably expenses and other considerations even in Motorola's approach that might not make sense for most manufacturers.

Motorola is able to pull of some of these moves because they are part of Google, and Google doesn't aim to make money directly off phone hardware.

Joe Hindy

I believe that phone customization is, in and of itself, the epitome of Android. You look at 100 Android phones from 100 random people and you’re likely to get 100 different configurations. Different widgets, apps, launchers, and even OEM skins in you’re into that sort of thing. So why not phone customization? Why not be able to only customize what’s on the screen but around the screen as well? In my mind’s eye, it’s the next big, logical step in the smartphone market.

Now, as Andrew pointed out, customization to the extent of the internals is simply silly. All those pieces are also very small and, in my cases, are soldered together. Unlike the PC market, where you can screw or snap everything into place, putting a smartphone together from scratch would be ridiculously difficult for the average person and even most tech nerds. I can build a PC, but I have no clue how to handle a solder gun.

However, that doesn’t mean that internal customization isn’t possible. There are scenarios where the company can add customizations easier than the customer could. For instance, a customer who doesn’t take a lot of pictures could change the camera from a base 13MP to an 8MP or even a 4MP to save a few bucks. Maybe they want to MAXX it out and give it a bigger battery (see what I did there?). I mean if you never use the front facing camera, is there any reason to include one that records 720p video? Of course not. The point being that while the main specs such as the CPU, GPU, RAM, etc may not be ergonomic enough to customize, there are plenty of other pieces inside the phone that can be customized.

The last thing I want to point out is that, theoretically, it is possible to put the guts of one phone into the case of another. I’m not saying it’s easy or cost effective, but it is possible. Just take a look at Project Revolution, which got the guts of the legendary HTC HD2 into the the HTC EVO 4G body.

Bottom line. Am I for customization? Oh yeah. Do I hope it happens? You betcha. It would be beyond awesome to customize your phone as easily as you can customize your Android experience. Is this what the Motorola X delivers? Not by a long shot, but as the old staying goes, it’s a start!

Adam Koueider

A lot of people buy their smartphones based on the brand name or the product name. For example: my mother wants to get a Galaxy Note 2, but does she really need a 1.6Ghz Quad-core processor and 2GB of RAM? Probably not. Since it's a Galaxy Note 2 it makes it a desirable, but with phone customization you can save a few dollars. Now I'm not asking for too much, but here's a rather simple proposition:

  • Processor: Snapdragon 400, 600 and 800
  • RAM: 1GB, 2GB, 3GB
  • Camera: 5MP, 8MP, 13MP
  • Screen resolution: 720P, Full HD
  • Operating system: Stock Android, TouchWiz/Sense/Xperia UI etc.

In fact, some could say that smaller OEMs like HTC could just have one or two products with these customizations available. But then we snap back to reality and realize that this is probably never going to happen. The other side of phone customization is a little more possible though.

I remember my old Nokia 2730 classic. The first thing I did was go to a guy at the market who swapped the shell of the device for a neon orange one. Why? Because I was 15, and when you're 15 the only colors you are interested are neon colors and having your phone's color match your neon soccer boots. It cost me $15 and about 15 minutes of my time, however, now it is virtually impossible.

Samsung indirectly offers a little customization by having a removable back plate, so for those of you who dislike the plastic back of the Galaxy S3 or S4, a quick ebay search will find you an aluminum back plate.

But yet again, it's Nokia leading the smartphone customization options (I've said this a few times, Nokia please come to Android, I miss you) with the Nokia Lumia 820. Believe it or not, Nokia has released a 3D-printing Development Kit to allow consumers to 3D print a custom shell for their Lumia. That's without adding the fact that it's also available in wide range of colors.

While we don't all have access to a 3D printer now, perhaps in 10 years we might have our own 3D printers at home, and not to mention the businesses that can be created for creating a custom shell for your smartphone. I'm genuinely interested in the customization that the Moto X will offer. It probably won't be as good as I would like it to be, but it's a start.

Does true phone customization have a future?

Join us in the comments and vote in our poll.

Note: There is a poll embedded within this post, please visit the site to participate in this post's poll.
    


Amazon drops price on Kindle Fire HD 7″

Posted: 05 Jul 2013 11:25 AM PDT

kindle fire hd price drop

For the Amazon faithful, the Kindle series of tablets is exactly what they need. The tablets were instrumental in setting the pace for modern tablet pricing, and their tie-in to Amazon's ecosystem is great for Prime members. Their attention to safety for kids is great, and their media selection is nearly unbeatable.

Even at the regular price, these tablets were well worth the money. Amazon has discounted them, though, making them even more attractive. Whether as as second tablet for the family or a first for you, the Kindle Fire HD is a great choice. The 7-inch screen is perfect for all use-case scenarios, and is perfect for little hands.

The timing is strange, but could just mean Amazon has quite a bit of stock on hand they wish to unload. The typical release time frame for Kindle tablets is in the fall, so we don't expect a new one any time soon. The Kindle Fire HD was released in September of 2012, so we have a few months before we can expect another.

The price drop is international, as we're seeing new pricing on the UK site as well as a few others. The domestic discount seems to be fairly applicable elsewhere, as the UK site shows a £20 drop in price. The 16GB is $169, while the 32GB is $199.

If you're interested, head over to Amazon and check them out! If you have one, let us know what you think of it in the comments section below.

    


Google Glass APK teardown discovers “Boutique” marketplace

Posted: 05 Jul 2013 10:13 AM PDT

Google Glass teardown 2

The Google Glass XE7 update went live earlier in the week, but poking around under the hood has revealed a few hidden features, which could turn out to be quite a bit deal for Google Glass.

A user going by the name of zhuowei has discovered signs that Google has been working on a market place for Glass applications, named Boutique. This is one key feature which Glass is currently missing that will probably be required to make the device successful when it goes on sale to the public, so this discovery is pretty significant.

After trawling through the code, zhuowei found that Boutique would sync Glassware and APKs to Glass, the important thing to note there is the use of the word APK. The mention of APKs suggests that a native app SDK is in the works for Glass too, which is sure to please developers.

Unfortunately though, the feature was removed for the public release of the update, so we don't know what the Boutique store may look like, at least not yet.

Delving through the update also revealed a few extra features, including a new lock screen which uses a swiping pattern for security, a video player, and a new volume slider function. Development is clearly still going strong on the Glass front, I can't wait to see what the final public release version turns out like.

    


Sony highlights Xperia Z Ultra in new video

Posted: 05 Jul 2013 10:13 AM PDT

Xperia Z Ultra

If a larger phone intrigues you, the Sony Xperia Z Ultra may be right up your alley. It's the biggest on the market at 6.44", and looks stellar. It's Sony, so you know the quality is top notch, but the other great part is that Sony seems to have some humility about the situation.

The device is simply too large for traditional one-handed interaction, so Sony has a few tricks up their sleeve. A keyboard that slides to one side of the screen, and a bluetooth device meant to take calls and view text messages. There is also a stylus, and the tactile reaction to it looks just as good (maybe better) than the Note 2 from Samsung.

Check out the video below, and decide for yourself. It may be huge for a phone, but we think Sony has taken the right steps to make a device that large your daily driver. What do you think?

    


Samsung Galaxy S4 vs. Samsung Galaxy S4 Active (video)

Posted: 05 Jul 2013 08:52 AM PDT

galaxy s4 vs galaxy s4 active aa both standing

The Samsung Galaxy S4 has only been available for three months now, and as expected, it’s been met with critical acclaim. And now, we have another device joining the Galaxy S4 family — Samsung’s Galaxy S4 Active, a rugged, and better handling version of the S4.

While there wasn’t a huge bevy of changes, the Galaxy S4 Active might just be appealing to those who shied away from getting themselves an original Galaxy S4. Regardless, since the device is now a member of the Galaxy S4 family, it’s only right that we pit them against one another and see how well they do!

If you’re in a rush, jump straight to the video, otherwise, stick with us as we take a closer, more detailed look at the Samsung Galaxy S4 Active.

Design

It wouldn’t be far off saying that the Galaxy S4 Active is highly similar to its original counterpart. The best way of putting it is that the original, plastic body of the S4 has been beefed up. Taking a look at the Galaxy S4, we see that it has the plastic clad, tried and true design with a removable back cover, which quite frankly, is pretty flimsy. A silver spine connects the front and back, and there’s a home button on the front flanked by softkeys for back and menu.

galaxy s4 vs galaxy s4 active aa s4 back cover

The buttons on the sides are classic Samsung and overall, it is a safe design that plenty of people either love or hate by now. However, the main feat of the S4 was taking a 5-inch display and making it as easy to handle as possible. After all, the general size is the same as the previous Galaxy S3.

Now, onto the Galaxy S4 Active. At a glance back to back, you can see that this phone is a just a little bit longer, a little bit thicker, and heavier in the hand. It's available in a few different colors and instead of having a silver spine, this color comes from the back to the front and is visible in the very rim around the phone.

galaxy s4 vs galaxy s4 active aa active in hand

All of the buttons are in the same place but now have harder shells for a definitely better feel. Perhaps they aren’t as elegant — especially the new tactile back and menu buttons — but they feel great and bring no question to their quality. The port on the bottom has a small cover now, though over time it could break off.

galaxy s4 vs galaxy s4 active aa active button layout

The real action is on the back. Four screws on each rubberized corner surround a smaller plastic cover that is slightly textured for feel but definitely seems sturdier than the one found in the original. You can tell it is meant to really seal the phone shut because of all the loud snaps you hear putting it back on.

Let’s face it, plenty of people are sick of Samsung’s plastic choices now, and while it can be argued that this didn’t change with the Active, it definitely did improve on it. It's meatier in the hand, giving it a more reassuring feel as opposed the nimbleness of the original. That's what it comes down to as far as feel goes. For looks, it depends on your hate or love for the tried and true Samsung plastic design.

galaxy s4 vs galaxy s4 active aa both from above

Personally, the only thing I didn’t like about the Galaxy S4 Active was the color I got. However, with a grey variant out there, that doesn’t really matter as much. I do believe, however, that the Active can better attract the eyes than the all-too-familiar original S4.

Display

The real difference between the S4 Active and original S4 lies in the displays, as Samsung seems to have opted for an LCD display in the Active, instead of the usual Super AMOLED panel. The original S4 sports the Super AMOLED display, capable of 1080p rated at 441ppi.

galaxy s4 vs galaxy s4 active aa s4 display

Samsung’s Super AMOLED displays are well know for having a high saturation that does help contrast, but otherwise, makes colors really pop. It’s a great performer that makes for a great example of how good 5-inch screens really can be.

While the S4 Active does have an LCD display, it actually performs very well. It has the same capabilities of 1080p resolution and 441ppi, so sharpness and high resolution media is still nice to look at. A LCD screen has its advantages, such as being somewhat brighter.

galaxy s4 vs galaxy s4 active aa active display

However, the Active’s screen is covered in Gorilla Glass 2, not 3. In other words, it’s arguably not as protection as version 3, which can be found on the S4. However, the Active’s main disadvantage is the lack of saturation on the LCD panel. More specifically, the lowered saturation lowers the overall contrast. Dark hues have a lighter profile to them, and you can just tell that the colors on the original S4 seem to just have more dimension.

Sure, there are some disadvantages to an LCD screen over a Super AMOLED panel, but the LCD on the Active is still great, and it sits among some of the best LCDs out there. If you really want your colors as vibrant and accented as possible, the Galaxy S4′s Super AMOLED display will get the job done. Really, these points feel somewhat like nitpicking, as general users will still have a great time with the similarly performing LCD on the Active.

galaxy s4 vs galaxy s4 active aa displays

However, one of the great things the Active to brings to the table is choice. Don’t like the Super AMOLED screen on the Galaxy S4? Get the Galaxy S4 Active — a relatively same experience, just with a new screen. It goes the other way around, too.

Performance

What’s great about the Galaxy S4 Active is that it comes with the same processing package as the original. Both of these handsets tout a Snapdragon 600 clocked at 1.9GHz, backed by the tried and true Adreno 320 GPU and 2GB of RAM.

galaxy s4 vs galaxy s4 active aa performance

When it comes down to it, there’s no real difference between the two in performance, though, the scores in ANTuTu tell a different story. Perhaps this is because of a lack of optimization or even Samsung opting for an LCD screen instead of a Super AMOLED on the Active, resulting in the lower AnTuTu score.

galaxy s4 vs galaxy s4 active aa benchmark

Regardless, there’s not much to worry about here. The performance is comparable, and you should have no issues either way.

Hardware

In terms of hardware, when comparing the Galaxy S4 Active and the original S4, it’s pretty much exactly the same, with the exception of the meters for measuring temperature and humidity in S Health. Otherwise, every sensor for hand, eye, and air gestures makes a return — along with the IR Blaster and the usual bevy of Bluetooth and S Beam. Unfortunately, the Galaxy S4 Active only comes in a 16GB model, but you can still expand the memory with a microSD card either way.

galaxy s4 vs galaxy s4 active aa ir blaster

The real difference between these two handsets is water and dust resistance. Yes, folks, the S4 Active is made for the klutz in all of us who spills drinks or, God forbid, is prone to dropping phones in the toilet. Of course, it’s important to keep in mind that the Galaxy S4 Active is definitely not idiot proof, though, as the instructions clearly state, the Active can handle half an hour in one meter depths.

galaxy s4 vs galaxy s4 active aa water resistance

If it stays submerged any longer than that, it’s possible that your new Active will sustain some damage. What I did notice about the water resistance was that the uncovered headphone jack at the top did work a little weird. With the little bit of water slowly drying in it, the headphone sensor kept firing off. Doing that, the phone told me I had headphones in it when I didn’t. It eventually stopped, so either the water eventually dried up or filtered out.

galaxy s4 vs galaxy s4 active aa active water resistance

It’s a slight complaint, but believe me, that can get annoying. Obviously, though, if you really want that extra layer of safety, the Galaxy S4 Active is a perfect choice. However, it’s important to keep in mind that the S4 Active is not a super rugged phone, so it might not be wise to put the phone through any serious beatings. The screen can still crack, and enough water can still make it break. If you’re prone to accidents, though, the S4 Active has you covered.

Battery and camera

Both the Galaxy S4 Active and original Galaxy S4 sport the same 2,600 mAh unit. Power saving features are the same across the board, and standby times, as usual, are very, very long. Perhaps because of the Active’s LCD display instead of the Super AMOLED, the Active loses some time in full endurance tests, but it still rivals the general day’s life of the original Galaxy S4.

galaxy s4 vs galaxy s4 active aa battery

Either way, both handsets — the Galaxy S4 and Galaxy S4 Active — provide great battery life. You’ll have more than enough to get through the day on heavy usage.

As for the camera, the Galaxy S4 Active doesn’t have the 13-megapixel rear shooter of the original S4, as it’s been bumped down to a standard 8-megapixel rear camera. As far as quality goes, the smaller resolution does put a tad bit of a toll on the quality, but it’s not very noticeable. The performance is still on par with the S4, with great details in well lit environments. When it comes to low light performance, it’s decent at best, but that’s not really surprising.

galaxy s4 vs galaxy s4 active aa active camera modes

However, the main attraction of the Galaxy S4 Active’s camera is the Aqua Mode. With the light water resistance, you won’t really going diving with the Active, but you can capture pool party memories just fine. Aqua Mode kills touchscreen functions when underwater, effectively making the volume rocker your new shutter button.

galaxy s4 vs galaxy s4 active aa active camera aqua

If underwater photography is a big part of your summer plans this year, the S4 Active can easily get all that done for you. If not, well, the higher performing original Galaxy S4 might be more up your alley.

galaxy s4 vs galaxy s4 active aa camera fishbowl galaxy s4 vs galaxy s4 active aa camera

Software

There isn’t much comparison to be had in the software department. After all, both of these handsets bring you the very same version of TouchWiz. The Active brings you that very same general experience that you might be familiar with on the Galaxy S4, however, if you need a rundown on all of the software features, check out my review on the original Galaxy S4.

galaxy s4 vs galaxy s4 active aa software

Video review

Price and final thoughts

And finally, we come to price. The Galaxy S4 Active is currently only available at AT&T for the price of $199 on a new two-year contract with the carrier. The same goes for the original Galaxy S4, though now that it’s been out for awhile, discounts are starting to surface. If you’d like to ditch the contracts, you can find both devices, unlocked, for $700, give or take.

And so, there you have it. The first S4 variant is a version of the original that can withstand some punishment. Otherwise, both are so similar that general users will probably find the same experience either way. If you wanted a better feeling S4, the Active is what you've been waiting for. And if for whatever reason your lifestyle requires a phone that can take some bumps and splashes, same story.

The S4 is the bleeding edge in this comparison, so that would be your trade off. In the end, it's nice that if you felt like you were settling for the S4, there's a new version out there that might pique your interest.

 

Brad Ward contributed to this post.

    


Sony Xperia Z and ZL Radioactive Custom ROM available, complete with Honami apps

Posted: 05 Jul 2013 08:30 AM PDT

Sony logo aa (1) - 600px

If you've got a Xperia Z or ZL and you're prepared to be a little adventurous, you can grab the Xperia Z Radioactive ROM, complete with Honami apps.

Developer krabappel2548, dropped the ROM a few days ago and has assured us that the ROM is both fast and smooth. The ROM is based on Android 4.2.2 Jelly Bean and features apps ported from the Sony Honami system dump from last week.

Some of the Honami apps that have been added are:

  • Calculator
  • Calendar
  • Clock
  • Walkman
  • Video
  • Album
  • Phonebook
  • Camera
  • Sketch
  • Small apps
  • Launcher and widgets

These apps all showcase Sony's new Xperia UI and the new Walkman app looks great too. Small apps is a multitasking feature which allows users to open up to 3 smaller versions of applications at the same time (check the screenshots below).

While krabappel2548 has assured us that the ROM is fast and smooth, remember that you are doing this at your own risk, That being said, you can now experience some of the Honami apps on your Xperia Z or ZL, so happy flashing people!

Check out the screenshots below for some of the Honami apps, or skip over to the Source link below to start flashing.

Home Small apps Walkman Sketch Clock Phonebook
    


White Nexus 4 heading to Canada

Posted: 05 Jul 2013 08:27 AM PDT

white nexus 4

Although the white version of the Nexus 4 is currently sold out in the US, there appears to be some stock left to send over to Canada. LG Canada sent out an email earlier today indicating that the white Nexus 4 will be arriving in Canada very soon, although the timing was simply stated as "TBA", which is a little irritating.

The device will be heading to Canada courtesy of Google and WIND, meaning that there will be multiple purchasing option available, and citizens living in Quebec will be able to get their hands on a white handset from their regional carrier, Videotron.

Sadly, the announcement doesn't specify a launch date or which internal storage sizes will be available, but hopefully there will be a choice between 8GB or 16GB versions. As for pricing, it will probably be around the same as the original black version, so expect something around the $400 mark, depending on the seller.

    


In the market for a new Android phone? Here are some devices worth waiting for

Posted: 05 Jul 2013 08:15 AM PDT

android smartphone shopping

We take a look at upcoming Android smartphones that you should be aware before buying a new device.

Should I wait for the new Galaxy or should I get the HTC now? Is the next Nexus worth waiting another month? If I get this phone now, will I regret it next week? We've all had dilemmas like these, or, at least, we've heard others wondering if purchasing a device would give them buyer's remorse.

Everyone hates buyer's remorse, and when new devices launch every other week, it's hard to avoid the feeling that you've just spent your precious cash on the wrong gadget.

We're here to help. These are some cool Android phones coming in the next few months that we think you should know about before making a buying decision.

  • The Sony i1 has been rumored to launch "soon", but we can't really tell when you can expect it to see it in stores. In other words, you better be patient!
  • The Sony Xperia Z Ultra will be available in the first markets in September.
  • The LG G2 is rumored to be launched in July in South Korea and in the rest of the world in August. Add at least another month for store availability.
  • The Samsung Galaxy Note 3 is widely expected to launch in early September, with availability later that month.
  • The Oppo Find 7 is rumored to launch in the first markets in mid-September.
  • The Motorola Moto X is expected to become available by the end of the summer, probably this month.
  • The HTC One Max is rumored to launch in Q4, likely in early fall.
  • The HTC Butterfly s already sells in Taiwan, is set to debut in Asia in Q3, while other regions could get a localized version.
  • The HTC One Mini is widely expected to be launched in August.

Looking for the best camera?

You may want to wait for the Sony i1, a.k.a. Honami. This rumored beast of a phone will sport a camera like no other -  a leaked system dump revealed a 20MP sensor, 4000×2000 video recording (4K video) powered by an algorithm aptly dubbed Super Resolution, ISO up to 12800, optical image stabilization (Steadyshot), various software goodies, and a new API that would allow developers to create "Xperia camera add-ons".

Looking for raw power?

If cutting edge specs and raw power make you really happy, now may not be the best time to invest in a new mobile device. That's because current flagships are about to be left in the dust by a new crop of Snapdragon 800-equipped devices. These include the LG G2 and the Galaxy Note 3, which are both rumored to feature 3GB of RAM, as well as the Sony Xperia Z Ultra, the HTC One Max, the Sony i1, and later in the year, the Oppo Find 7. Benchmarks tell us that the Snapdragon 800 will be noticeably faster than the Snapdragon 600, without consuming much more power.

Looking for an affordable phone?

If you don't want to spend too much on your next smartphone, you should wait for news on the Motorola Moto X. The device is widely expected to be affordable, as Motorola's CEO Dennis Woodside told us himself. Rumor has it we're looking at a $299 or less price tag. For that money, you won't get the latest specifications, but a 720p display and a dual-core Snapdragon processor should be enough for a great user experience.

Looking for a waterproof smartphone?

The Galaxy S4 Active and the Xperia Z are two nice waterproof devices currently on sale. If you don't like them for some reason, you could wait for the above mentioned Sony i1 or the Sony Xperia Z Ultra. We just wonder why more manufacturers don't bother with water resistant devices.

Looking for a big battery?

If big batteries are your thing, you might want to wait for a few devices – the HTC Butterfly s packs a massive 3200 mAh unit without going overboard with the dimensions. The Note 3 is likely to come with a large battery, just like the Note 2, which has a 3100 mAh unit. The Moto X is rumored to feature "industry leading" battery life, though we're not really sure what that means.

Looking for a huge display?

If you just can't have enough inches, you should look forward to the Xperia Z Ultra and the HTC One Max. The former will come in September with a 6.4-inch LCD display with Triluminos tech and X-Reality Engine, while the latter is rumored to hit the stores in fall with a 6-inch SLCD panel.

Looking for a moderately sized phone?

Some people just want a "normal" phone, that they can easily pocket and operate with one hand. If you fall into that category, the Moto X might be a good choice, as well as the HTC One Mini. Both are rumored to feature a 4.3-inch display and to be quite compact.

Looking for a productivity device?

Road warriors should look forward to the Galaxy Note 3, which should have more bells and whistles that you can shake a stylus at. The Xperia Z Ultra strikes back with a display that you can scribble on with any pencil, but the battery may leave you wanting for more.

Looking for something different?

The most distinctive of the upcoming devices is certainly the Moto X. First, Motorola refused to participate in the specs war, so the Moto X may be the first flagship in recent memory to come with mid-range specs. Then, the Google-owned company promised that the phone will be customizable, though that may not mean much. But the really special thing about the Moto X is the fact that it will be always listening to you and offer contextual awareness. In other words, the phone will "know" what you are doing with it and react accordingly, without any input from you.

Looking for the best all around?

There are plenty of great Android smartphones already on the market, but from the upcoming crop the most exciting shapes up to be the Sony i1. But that's just my opinion. What's yours?

    


With Q2 performance below expectations, has Samsung finally peaked?

Posted: 05 Jul 2013 07:26 AM PDT

Samsung Logo aa 600px 2

Has Samsung reached its peak? Or is everyone just expecting too much?

Last month, Samsung’s market capitalization was reduced by an alarming $25.3 billion, a figure that is greater than the total value of Sony Corp. This was after the sales of the company’s latest flagship smartphone turned out to be lower than what investors expected. Now, as the company prepares to present its second quarter results on July 26, can the company put an end to its declining market capitalization?

Earnings report

In a preliminary statement released Friday, Samsung said that the company is expecting to have made around 9.3 to 9.7 trillion won ($8.2 billion to $8.5 billion) for the company’s second financial quarter. This is lower than what analysts estimated. Based on polls made by Bloomberg and Thomson Reuters I/B/E/S, the average of analysts’ forecasts is around 10 trillion won ($8.7 billion).

Still, the reported earnings figure is a significant rise from last year’s 6.46 trillion won ($5.7 billion). It represents a 44 to 50 percent increase, although lower than the 54 percent growth achieved during the first quarter.

The company made sales of around 56 to 58 trillion won ($49.1 to 51 billion), an 18 to 22 percent rise from last year’s sales figure for the same quarter. These numbers are close to the 58.6 trillion won ($51.3 billion ) average made by 38 analysts surveyed by Bloomberg.

Samsung did not provide a breakdown of the earnings for the company’s different divisions. Also, net income numbers were not released but are expected to be presented later within the month as audited.

Effect on Samsung shares

As much as Samsung tried to make its earnings expectations look good with high percentage increases in sales and income, the company’s shares still went down by more than 3% on Friday. Apparently, investors are not convinced that the earnings growth Samsung posted is enough.

As of Friday’s announcement from Samsung, the company’s market capitalization has already dropped by 17%, which translates to $34.2 billion. This is now more than the total value of both Sony Corp and LG Electronics Inc.

The S4 factor

Koreans and other East Asians consider the number 4 unlucky, and analysts are saying that the reason for Samsung’s disappointing sales is mainly its latest flagship, the Galaxy S4 or the Galaxy SIV as Samsung would like to have it written.

Despite winning an award for its environmentally-friendly components, having the smallest dimensions among 5-inch flagships, and showing considerable improvement with its Super AMOLED display, the Galaxy S4 is viewed as a weak successor. It also does not help that it closely resembles the Galaxy S3, making some users feel like they have not had an upgrade. The S4 is not a revolutionary device but it certainly is one of the best on the market at present.

The sales performance of the Galaxy S4 is blamed for the 13% drop in Samsung’s market capitalization last month as JPMorgan Chase & Co and Morgan Stanley lowered their Galaxy S4 sales estimates by up to 25%. Of note, 70% of Samsung’s total profit comes from its mobile business. The performance of its mobile division will certainly affect the company’s overall value.

What analysts are saying

A Seoul-based analyst at KB Investment & Securities Co, Byun Han Joon, noted that Samsung’s report “sharply missed the market expectation.” He added that analysts were initially worried about sales during the third and fourth quarter but were surprised and disappointed to know how the sales numbers for the second quarter turned out. Byun also mentioned that total smartphone shipments were 2 million lower than expected.

The Galaxy S4 may rightfully deserve the blame for the lower earnings. Nho Geun-Chang, an HMC Investment Securities analyst, believes that Samsung’s marketing expenses significantly increased with the launch of the Galaxy S4. Additionally, the company made significant investments in distribution channels across the United States.

On the other hand, a fund manager at Dongbu Asset Management, Jung Sang-jin, disagrees with comments that Samsung’s dominance has already waned. While he agrees that the disappointing sales can be attributed to the Galaxy S4, he believes that “Samsung has some exciting stuff up its sleeves.” Disclosure: Dongbu Asset Management owns Samsung shares.

Neil Mawston of Strategy Analytics has an interesting statement on Samsung’s predicament: "Apple is suffering from iPhone fatigue, while Samsung is suffering from Galaxy fatigue." This is likely true considering how it isn’t difficult to find unfriendly comments online about Samsung, especially when it comes to its designs and use of plastic. Of course, this is assuming that Samsung’s rivals are not employing the infamous “fake web review and comment” scheme Samsung is accused of.

What happened to Samsung?

Samsung remains to be the top Android device seller by a long mile. The Galaxy S4 is currently the fastest-selling Android device, surpassing the record of its immediate predecessor which supposedly brought Samsung to the top of the smartphone market. Samsung’s problem now is not about sales but more on meeting expectations and preventing the further devaluation of its market capitalization.

The reaction from investors could be a temporary “shock” as Samsung lost one of its bragging points: being able to surpass sales forecasts. It is clear that the company made more than decent earnings for the second quarter. While other manufacturers struggle with their sales, Samsung continues to make money and is only let down by being unable to measure up to high expectations.

The decline in Samsung’s shares, however, needs to be quickly remedied because it is not comparable to that of Apple Inc’s decline in the earlier part of the year. Apple’s shares went down because analysts thought interest in the iPhone 5 already waned and because the company was not about to release a new device. In Samsung’s case, despite the availability of a brand new flagship, share value continued declining.

Outlook

Things can still change in the later part of the year as new products from Samsung are expected to be introduced. The Galaxy Note 3 and possibly a wearable tech device are being anticipated. Samsung, though, should be more mindful of expectations—not necessarily those of analysts but those of consumers.

The current flagship smatphone from Samsung already excels in terms of speed and battery longevity. What it failed to address is the buyers’ desire for a device with better design and build. It has to learn from the Galaxy S4 and iPhone situation. The iPhone similarly suffers criticisms over its rehashed design. On the contrary, HTC gained great praises and acclaim especially for its design, which is completely different from its predecessor’s. Similarly, it has been reported by Kantar that a significant 38% of Xperia Z owners in the UK are former Galaxy S2 owners. The shift is believed to be attributable to device design and build preferences.

Hopefully, Samsung announces new products that will demonstrate significant technological and aesthetic upgrades. Gone are the days when it can attract iPhone users to shift to a Galaxy. Samsung simply cannot play the alternative-to-iPhone card anymore. Ads that attack the iPhone are unlikely to work this time. The company has to demonstrate its willingness to change at least in the new products it will announce later this year.

By now, Apple’s customer base could primarily be those who have notably high levels of brand loyalty. Apple has even reportedly grabbed the number one spot for customer satisfaction in South Korea. It’s time for Samsung to adopt a new approach to product development and marketing as it now appears to be the new “Apple” in the Android realm.

    


5.7-inch Galaxy Note 3 to be unveiled at IFA 2013 in Germany, “industry officials” claim

Posted: 05 Jul 2013 06:45 AM PDT

Galaxy S4 vs Galaxy Note 2

Galaxy S4 vs Galaxy Note 2

A South Korean report reveals where the Galaxy Note 3 will be unveiled and mentions the size of the display, apparently confirming some of the previous rumors on the matter.

In an article speculating on a potential Samsung vs Apple "phablet" war, The Korea Herald says that according to "industry officials," the Galaxy Note 3 will be announced at IFA 2013 in Germany and will feature a 5.7-inch display.

While reports so far pointed to an IFA 2013 announcement for the handset – that's where the Galaxy Note and the Galaxy Note 2 were also launched – when it comes to screen size, most rumors say the handset will offer a large 5.99-inch display, but some think the handset will pack a 5.7-inch panel.

The previous Galaxy Note generations had 5.3-inch and 5.5-inch displays (Galaxy Note and Galaxy Note 2, respectively), so jumping to 5.7-inch for the next version makes some sense, assuming that Samsung wants to keep adding 0.2 inches to the display of the new Note model.

However, the publication doesn't mention more details about the handset, nor does it reveal who those industry sources are.

What the Herald does say is that Samsung has an advantage over Apple in the even the latter would launch its own extra large iPhone next year, as rumored, since Samsung has been building various such devices so far.

Galaxy Note 3 concept

Galaxy Note 3 concept

Increased Internet speeds provided by LTE-Advanced support in upcoming devices seems to be a factor that would motivate manufacturers, Samsung and Apple included, to create bigger smartphones. Here's what one of those official apparently had to say about it:

"The revolutionizing LTE-A technology, which allows the users to search and download at up to 150 Mbps right in the palm of their hands, is expected to encourage more companies to explore a variety of ways to commercialize larger handheld devices from now on," an industry official said. [...]

"Slower mobile connection speeds back then [when the original Galaxy Note was launched] not only prevented the smartphone users from doing more on their devices but also held back the handheld makers from diversifying their products with different sizes," the official said.

"The concept of the phablet can now be truly realized with the introduction of the LTE-A network and the apparent eagerness of handheld makers to answer the growing global demand for larger and more innovative mobile devices."

On a different note, pun not intended, same publication sort-of-mistakenly suggests that the Galaxy Megas come with a stylus. The Galaxy Mega 6.3 and Galaxy Mega 5.8 are two supersized but mid-ranged smartphones announced by Samsung a few months ago, both lacking a built S Pen, even if they have support for a stylus.

Similarly, the Herald says the LG Optimus G2 will come with a 5.5-inch display when it launches later this year. But that’s contrary to what most rumors say. The device – which is rumored to be called LG G2 sans the Optimus part – is rumored to have a 5- or 5.2-inch display. The LG Opimus Pro, already available in stores, has a 5.5-inch display.

That said, we'll take these new Galaxy Note 3 details with the appropriate grain of salt, just like we do with all rumors, until the handset will indeed become official.

    


Why are smartphone companies losing their market value? An inside look at the smartphone industry.

Posted: 05 Jul 2013 06:36 AM PDT

stock price

If your stock portfolio is made up of big mobile technology companies, you're probably feeling a little worried about the return on your investment recently. Over the past months we've seen lots of troubling financial data and weak stock performances from many of the big smartphone companies. The chart below shows the stock performance of a selection of the industry's big players since the beginning of the year.

Global handset share performance

Interestingly, only ZTE is better off than it was at the start of the year, share price wise anyway. The largest manufactures, Apple, HTC, and Samsung (SEC) are the worst performers so far this year, despite having some of the largest shares of the global smartphone market.

But even if you're not an investor, stock prices are a good indicator of how the market views a company's performance, and a troubled stock price often signals struggling fundamentals with a company. But what could possibly be wrong with this multi-billion dollar industry?

Saturated markets

One simple explanation would be that the high-end market is simply becoming saturated with handsets, which is having a direct impact on the sales of handsets like the Galaxy S4, HTC One, and the iPhone. We've heard a lot of concerns recently about sales forecasts and results for the Galaxy S4 in particular, which we know is having a direct impact on the company's valuation. If we compare estimates for the Galaxy S4 against the performance of previous Galaxy handsets, we can see an interesting new trend emerging.

Galaxy series sales

So what does this tell us? Well, it looks like early smartphone adopters are just as keen as ever, we already know that the Galaxy S4 sold a lot of handsets in its opening quarter, but it appears that the average consumer is becoming less interested.

Sales estimates for the Galaxy S4 are now predicted to trail off at much faster rates than with previous handsets, dropping nearly 50% from their peak come the end of the year. Other Galaxy handsets, like the S2 and S3, had a lot of market staying power, but the Galaxy S4 may not. You can also see that the rate of growth is slowing too, down to 42.3% compared with sales increases closer to 90% for the previous generations.

The reason for this could be quite simple; people are already quite happy with their existing smartphones. Older handsets, like the Galaxy S2, are still more than capable at doing everything that most people need, and consumers may simply be more reluctant to change up for new models all the time when they don't see a clear benefit.

Increased Competition

An alternative explanation for this apparent trend could be that the market has become much more competitive over recent years, with more manufacturers producing handsets all within the same price ranges. Looking back to the days of the Galaxy S2 and S3, Samsung's smartphones were the only real competition to Apple's dominant iPhone. Since then, HTC, Sony, LG, and even company's like Pantech and ZTE, have all released high-end products into the market with competing features and prices.

US manufacturer results May

Samsung seems to be growing faster than its rivals in the US, increased competition doesn’t seem to be affecting the company.

This could certainly account for a squeeze in each manufacturer's market share, but that explanation doesn't quite fit in with the continued dominance by Samsung that we've observed recently. However, competition does incur other costs on companies, such as marketing, handset subsidy costs, and even legal battles.

Increased competition is clearly very good for consumers, but it has an adverse effect on profit margins, which is a major factor in determining the value of the company.

Growth in budget products

So if the high-end market is overly competitive and saturated with handsets, perhaps companies should start looking to the mid-range and budget ends of the global market to pick up some more revenue. The chart below confirms what we'd already expected about the premium market, that it's become saturated, but also reveals a great opportunity at the cheapest price point.

Global smartphone markets by price

Since 2008 the highest price range has shrunk by about 8%, whilst the lowest range has grown by 18%. A lot of the movement has also caused a squeeze on the mid-range market, and it's clear that the top price range is also stagnant. With more and more players entering the market, and huge emphasis being placed on sales of flagship devices, is it any wonder then that high-end handsets are seen to be under-performing?

As technology costs come down we are clearly now at the point where smartphones can be provided at lower prices, Firefox OS has already demonstrated this, and there's clearly a growing demand for these handsets, which some the big manufacturers haven't managed to capitalize on yet.

Perhaps we are nearing the peak in terms of high-end smartphone sales, but as we’ve been hinting at for quite a while, budget and emerging markets could well determine the next big name in the industry.

Realignment of expectations

All of the points mentioned so far are highly tentative, and are heavily dependent on factors in the wider industry that are highly unpredictable.

Take a look at HTC's sales revenue for example, it's simply very difficult to accurately gauge consumer reactions to a product. Even with glowing reviews and strong consumer support for its flagship One, HTC failed to meet analyst forecasts. It's worth noting that HTC didn't even do anything wrong here, analysts simply misjudged the figures. But even so, expectations make up a huge part of a company's valuation, and a failure to meet them is often cause for a re-evaluation.

Similarly, the Galaxy S4 is falling short of many investors expected sales figures, but who's to say that these targets were ever attainable in the first place?

Many analysts appear to have expected the launch of various high-end products to generate a new boom in the smartphone market. But in a slowed global economy, these sales simply never matured, which accounts for the general decline we've seen across the industry.

Is there really anything to worry about?

To be honest, the almost universal decline in share prices are probably a combination of all the factors above. But are any of the issues above really fundamental problems which will have a lasting impact on the smartphone industry?

In my opinion, probably not. It's clear that the market is shifting slightly, but that's a constant process in every single industry. High-end smartphones make not be as lucrative as they were before, but that doesn’t mean that money can't be made and that innovation won't happen.

The smartphone industry has taken a little shock after missing expectations with this new line-up of flagship products, but there are lots of new opportunities on the horizon. The growth of LTE and high-speed data networks, faster processors, and better displays, are all advancements that are sure to capture the interest of consumers. And don't forget, the smartphone market is still growing across the globe, it's certainly not time to sound the alarm bells just yet.

    


Iceland Galaxy S4 ad is the weirdest anti-iPhone Samsung commercial yet

Posted: 05 Jul 2013 05:03 AM PDT

Galaxy S4 Iceland

Screenshot from latest Galaxy S4 ad | Image Credit: Samsung Iceland

A recently released Galaxy S4 ad in Iceland is arguably the weirdest anti-Apple ad made by the company.

Unlike with previous marketing efforts, especially for the Galaxy S3, Samsung mainly focused on showing Galaxy S4 features in its TV commercials. Sure, there have been hits at iPhone users here and there, but not to the same extent as in previous marketing campaigns.

Samsung Iceland seems to think it's worth diverting from the general Galaxy S4 ad direction with this latest ad release called Sími sem skilur þig, which is roughly translated to "phones that separate you."

While the iPhone isn't actually present in the video – spoiler alert – there are lots and lots of apples around a buyer looking for a new handset. The buyer is clearly not happy with the apples, and he can't make out what they're intended for. That's when the Galaxy S4 comes to the rescue, and you'd think that's nothing weird about the ad so far.

Enter strange (ninja?) dancers and a sheep. In the previous Galaxy S3 campaign that targeted the iPhone, Samsung also made fun of potential buyers who were using iPhones, and one would easily think that theme is back with this particular choice of animals. But what's the point really?

Samsung Iceland's message wanted to be simple: you should get a phone that understands you (that's what the ad says at one point, also from Google translated Icelandic), but the second part of the commercial really ruins everything.

Not to mention that, at the end of the day, there's just one Galaxy S4 in a sea of apples. The image above, taken from the official site, shows a Galaxy S4 owner surrounded by 17 apples. Is the ad subliminally telling us the Galaxy S4 is not selling as well as predicted, as recent reports seem to suggest?

Last year's Galaxy S3 ads, no matter how negative they were towards Apple and iPhone buyers, were among the most watched online ads. And they were way funnier!

Samsung spent close to $12 billion on marketing its Galaxy line of products last year, and we'd assume its marketing budget is even bigger this year, considering that it increased from year to year. But hopefully ads like the Icelandic one will not appear that often.

    


NVIDIA’s Tegra 4 not selling as fast as expected

Posted: 05 Jul 2013 04:19 AM PDT

Nvidia Tegra 4Recent successes by mobile processor makers such a Qualcomm and the Taiwanese fab-less semiconductor company MediaTek seem to be putting pressure on the sales of NVIDIA’s latest ARM based processor the Tegra 4. Although NVIDIA has managed to attract some big clients for its new processor, it seems that the high price of the SoC is causing some of its partners to wait for the cheaper Tegra 4i which also has the benefit of the integrated i500 LTE modem.

According to upstream suppliers which have spoken to the Digitimes, shipment volumes of the Tegra 4 are limited. The Tegra 4, which was announced at the beginning of this year, is a quad-core Cortex-A15 design which, like the Tegra 3, also features a extra 5th companion core for use in ultra low power situations with the other cores shutdown. Running at a maximum speed of 1.9GHz the chip is manufactured by TSMC using a 28nm process.

Big wins for NVIDA so far include the Slate 21, HP’s Android-powered all-in-one computer with its massive 21.5 inch display; Toshiba’s Excite Pro and Excite Write tablets, both of which are 10.1-inch devices; and the new Transformer Pad Infinity from Asus, which features a 2,560 x 1,600 display.

These however are all high-end devices and have limited general consumer appeal. None of them are high volume 7 inch or 8 inch consumer level tablets. The previous generation of processor, the Tegra 3, was chosen by Google for use in its Nexus 7 tablet, but so far the rumors are that the next iteration of the Nexus 7 will use a quad-core Qualcomm Snapdragon processor instead.

Since the Tegra 4i, which is based on the Cortex A9 micro-architecture not the A15, is cheaper (but slower) and comes with an integrated i500 LTE modem, it is thought that device makers could use it in upcoming mobile phones, but since it is really just an overclocked Tegra 3 (running at 2.3GHz), it is only part of the Tegra 4 family by name alone. This means that Qualcomm could see its Snapdragon 800 flagship processor used instead of the Tegra 4 as it does include an integrated LTE modem.

Clearly the Tegra 4 is a fast processor and it can be used together with the i500 LTE modem, which is also available as a separate but complementary chipset. However, it seems that NVIDA has some work to do in convincing its OEMs about the processors benefits.

    


Moto X phone rumor round up – everything we think we know

Posted: 05 Jul 2013 03:57 AM PDT

Motorola X Phone Ad

As more and more Moto X rumors and reports keep on pouring in right alongside official mentions of the phone, we look at the big picture – here's what you need to know about the future Motorola flagship device according to the information available before its official (second) announcement.

The phone has been confirmed back in May at the D11 event, where CEO Dennis Woodside confirmed the device, revealing its official name and mentioning some of its features. But we didn't get to see the handset, nor were we offered a complete list of specs for the smartphone.

Since then, we've seen plenty of rumors hitting the web, with more details being apparently revealed around July 4, a day Motorola chose to start its Moto X advertising campaign. After all, one of the company's marketing pillars is the fact that the phone will be assembled in the USA, unlike its competitors, which are made overseas.

Is that just a cheap marketing campaign or is it actually important for Motorola?

Design and customization

Motorola is going to let users customize their Moto X handsets to a certain degree – this particular detail appeared in various rumors and was widely known by anyone following Android-related news well ahead being official – but buyers won't actually be able to customize the hardware.

Sprint Moto X

Purported Sprint Moto X phone | Image credit: Sprint

That's maybe something we'll see in the future (something like what that Sony XTRUD concept phone proposes maybe?) but for now users will be limited to personalizing their device when it comes to case colors and materials, as well as wallpapers and preinstalled apps, if recent rumors are to be believed.

Taylor Wimberly from Android and Me, one of the first publications to publish Moto X details, said recently that users will be able to choose case material (rumored materials include plastic, metal, wood and carbon fiber) and colors. On that note, a leaked that followed Wimberly's Google+ answers post on the Moto X, has shown purported case colors for the Moto X including red, purple and teal. A distant rumor did say that the handset will be available in 20 colors, although that’s yet to be made official

x-phone-leak-1

Purported AT&T X Phone | Image credit: @evleaks

As for the wallpaper and preloaded apps, users will reportedly be able to set up their handsets on a website, most likely in a similar manner HTC One and HTC One X+ buyers can personalize their device.

Additional details about customization options for the handset arrived via ABC News, which has learned from sources close to the matter that buyers would be able to "select from a palette of different colors" through a website – most likely Motorola's – and choose a different color for the trim of the phone and the back case. Moreover, Moto X buyers will apparently be allowed to engrave a name of message on the back plate.

So while the fact that the phone will be assembled in the USA may be considered a marketing trick, it'll also help Motorola ship customized Moto X handsets in a timely fashion. The same ABC News report revealed that the company will have orders shippped in a matter of days, which wouldn't be exactly possible with a device made over in Asia.

Moto X Phone

Purported Google X Phone prototype | Image credit: Tinhte

The publication also mentioned that carriers will get "standard" versions, which sounds like carriers will have a certain model in stores, with users interested in customizing the handset having to order the handset directly from Motorola.

An image of the Moto X is still not available yet, although various rumors and purported leaked photos seem to indicate that the phone could be similar to the handset that starred in a hands-on report for a Vietnamese publication a day before the Galaxy S4 was unveiled.

    


Don’t be a victim: How to spot a fake Samsung Galaxy S4 (or any other name brand smartphone)

Posted: 05 Jul 2013 03:44 AM PDT

Fake Samsung Galaxy S4
With Samsung still holding on to its place at the very top of the world smartphone market, there is no shortage of China-made clones of its most popular handsets — namely, the Galaxy S3 and its current flaship, the Galaxy S4. Unlike the imitation phones of many years ago, the ones that you can purchase now look very similar to the models that they are based on. And not only that, but in some cases, clones can even surpass the original in terms of features (which is quite confusing).

And so we have a bit of a problem: how do you spot — and avoid — imitation, clone, or downright fake Android smartphones? What steps can you take to ensure that you don’t become just another victim of a sort of scam involving phones like the Galaxy S4, or rather, fake ones? Recently, users on reddit posted about their unfortunate experiences in buying fake Samsung handsets.

These were phones sold online (one was specified to be from eBay), and had the general appearance of the real thing. However, they were revealed to be mere clones upon closer inspection. Buying a so-called China phone is generally not a bad idea. But in cases like these where there’s deception involved, well, that’s a different issue entirely.

So with that in mind, we’ve put together a list of some things you need to watch out for when trying to figure out whether the phone you’re about to buy is authentic or not. Throughout this post, we’ll be using the Galaxy S4 as an example, but these signs could be used for just about any other name brand phone as well. We’re going to start with the obvious.

Physical differences

Fake Samsung Galaxy S4 front
A Galaxy S4 clone may look similar to the real Galaxy S4, which it is based on, but it will hardly look identical. So if you are able to physically look at it (or even just see it through a photo), you should make it a point to study its physical attributes.

An authentic Galaxy S4 has a 5-inch touchscreen display that doesn’t have much of a bezel surrounding it. Clones (such as the one pictured here) often have larger spaces between the display and the actual edge of the phone, which is a sure sign that the display is either smaller than it’s supposed to be or the phone is not as compact as the designers intended.

Another thing to consider is the placement of hardware buttons, such as the prominent home button right below the screen. The real Galaxy S4 has a chrome-lined piece of plastic for its home button, and it is located right in the middle of the space below the display. Clone units have the home button placed a small distance lower, giving a slightly different appearance.

It has also been reported that clone units don’t have capacitive touch buttons flanking the home button. That’s pretty much a dead giveaway. In case you still need more pointers, also consider the appearance of the brand logo, the size and color of the built-in LED flash, the smoothness or overall feel of the phone’s surface, and the grippability along with the weight of the unit itself.

Once you’ve got all of the above things covered, your next move should be to examine the phone’s software.

Software quirks

Fake Samsung Galaxy S4 screens
In case you still can’t spot a fake by examining a unit’s hardware, you still have a chance by looking at the pre-installed software. In the case of the Samsung Galaxy S4, the pre-loaded version of Android should be version 4.2.2. It should also have TouchWiz, which is Samsung’s very own custom-made UI or skin for Android. How do you find out whether or not a phone is running the version of Android that it’s supposed to? Why, head to the Settings screen, of course.

However, that isn’t always foolproof. Above, you can see photos of a phone which, according to its Settings screen, is running Android 4.2.2. But the software actually looks nothing like Jelly Bean (Android 4.2.2′s codename). And the truth is that it’s running Android 2.3 a.k.a. Gingerbread (as evidenced by the Build number specified in the same Settings screen).

This is not normal — for a phone to say it runs one version of Android and completely show that it actually runs another. You can easily look up screenshots of Android 4.2.2 Jelly Bean to see it for yourself, and to make sure that the phone you’re buying has that exact same software pre-installed and running right out of the box.

And speaking of software that runs right out of the box, all units of the Samsung Galaxy S4 come with exclusive software features. These simply cannot be found anywhere else. For clone units, of course, these features are all off-limits. So if you ever get a fake phone, you’ll find that some features are missing. Like user mhoffma on reddit, you may find that things like Air Scrolling don’t work. That would certainly get in the way of watching Monster’s University like a wizard, just as the commercial shows.

Final thoughts

Fake Samsung Galaxy S4 new
Buying an Android smartphone such as the Samsung Galaxy S4 should be a fairly straightforward endeavor. You look for a phone, you see the phone, you pay for the phone, and you get the phone. But the fact that there are fake handsets floating around makes things slightly more difficult.

Will we ever get rid of these so-called clones and imitation units? It’s hard to say. The differences between real and fakes ones seem to be getting fewer and fewer with each generation. But it should always be possible to avoid buying fake units if you know what to look for.

As a final reminder, always be wary of a phone that’s being sold with a markedly lower price tag than its current market value. We’d like to think that clones and fakes will always be sold at much lower price points than the original models, because doing otherwise would be just plain evil.

Do you have any tips for spotting a fake Samsung (or any other brand) Android smartphone? What about tablets? Share these secrets in the comments.

Credit goes to users f****duphere and mhoffma on reddit for all photos used in this post

    


Modest quarter for HTC: profits increased, but failed to meet analysts’ forecast

Posted: 05 Jul 2013 03:31 AM PDT

HTC CEO Peter Chou (4) Credit: HTC

Today HTC announced its revenue and profit for the second quarter of 2013, pouring cold water over some market watchers' hopes for a turnaround.

Despite very good performance in May, the overall results in the quarter were dragged down by poor results in April, the month when the One was originally scheduled to launch, and June, when Samsung kicked the Galaxy S4 machine into high gear.

In Q2 2013, HTC brought in revenues of $2.35 billion, a sharp decrease compared to the same period last year, when revenues clocked in at $3.05 billion. On the bright side, the launch of the One and the good performance of the Butterfly allowed HTC to bag roughly $950 million more revenue than in the first quarter of the year.

In terms of profit, HTC again managed to end the quarter in the black; the company never ended a quarter with a loss in its entire existence. Profit in Q2 was a measly $41 million, compared to just $2.8 million last quarter. This time last year, HTC recorded a profit of $248 million.

HTC widely missed the forecast consensus

While revenue for the quarter was fairly healthy, almost reaching the levels from Q2 2013, analysts cited by Reuters had bigger expectations. HTC widely missed the forecast consensus, and, worse than that, the outlook for the next quarter is just a bleak.

Sales of the One already began to lose steam, while the Butterfly s has only been released in Taiwan so far. The Taiwanese company is expected to release a Mini variant of the HTC One in August, with an oversized Max version to follow in early autumn. Meanwhile, Samsung is powering ahead with the Galaxy S4 family and a myriad of other devices, while the Note 3 looms at the horizon.

To be fair, it's not just HTC that's doing badly financially. With demand for high-end smartphones waning, a weak global economy, and fierce competition, most players are suffering. Not even Samsung, the star of the industry, could beat expectations this quarter, despite record profits.