Monday, July 8, 2013

Android Community

Android Community


Moto X tipped to sport new “Clear Pixel” camera

Posted: 08 Jul 2013 10:57 AM PDT

The Moto X smartphone is still a mystery for now, although various different leaks have revealed a good portion of what we can expect. One spec that had many confused was the odd 10 megapixel camera. Considering all other manufacturers went from 8 right to 13 MP. today we’re hearing that is because Motorola’s new lineup of smartphone will sport a “Clear Pixel” camera.

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According to Taylor Wimblerly over on Google+, Moto’s new phones will sport a clear pixel camera complete with gesture controls. We’ve heard things in the past like flicking the phone to instantly turn on the camera and shoot photos quick, and easy, so that makes sense.

Taylor, previously with AndroidAndMe, has been spot on in the past ahead of everyone else regarding multiple customizations and colors coming to the Moto X, and other leaks. So it’s safe to say he’s getting some rather accurate inside information about the upcoming device. This Clear Pixel lens is nothing like HTC’s UltraPixel, and we had to do some searching to figure it out. One comment in Taylor’s post on G+ had this to say:

Today's cameras detect light with an array of red, green and blue pixels–which each see just one color. That means each pixel is ignoring two-thirds of the incoming light. The new sensor adds a panchromatic or "clear" pixel that detects all wavelengths of visible light, making it much more sensitive to the overall light level.

The comment then goes on to mention this technology has been slowly being developed by Kodak since 2008, and will allow for great photos. “Another benefit is that greater light sensitivity allows faster shutter speeds, reducing the blur in action shots.” Sounds nice right? Google’s own Vic Gundotra recently said future phones will have “insanely great cameras” and we have a feeling this is what they meant.

We’re also hearing this same impressive camera technology will arrive with the DROID ULTRA, and DROID MAXX for Verizon, and essentially all upcoming Motorola smartphones. The DROID ULTRA leaked this weekend, the Moto X has leaked countless times, so now we just need release dates, and an official unveiling by Motorola. Lets get this summer started Moto!

Nexus 7 retail price drop brings next-generation speculation

Posted: 08 Jul 2013 10:17 AM PDT

Signs have been pointing towards a new Nexus 7 tablet for some time now and it looks like we are now getting another. This latest is a retail price cut which has come by way of Staples. Granted, this is just one price cut from one retailer, however when combined with the other recent leaks which included an FCC filing it starts getting easier to speculate.

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For now though, the key point is the Nexus 7 is now a bit cheaper with Staples. The retailer has the 32GB model priced at $199 and the 16GB model priced at $179. These are both the WiFi only models which are currently selling for $249 and $199 in the Google Play Store. Basically, Staples has a decent discount for each of these tablets.

That likely brings the question as to whether you should buy now or wait for a new model to arrive. To begin with, there will always be a new model coming. More to the point here, the current Nexus 7 from Staples (for $179 or $199) seems to be a fairly solid deal. Not to mention, while we expect a new model will have (at least) some improved specs, we have yet to see anything officially announced.

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A set of specs for the next-generation Nexus 7 leaked last week. Those details included a release timeframe and were said to have come from an ASUS support rep. According to those details, the tablet will be available during Q2. The rep also talked about how these specs were not “confirmed” but that they did come from internal documents. That said, the specs read as follows;

  • 7-inch LED display (at 1980 x 1200)
  • Qualcomm Snapdragon 600 processor
  • 2GB of RAM
  • 32GB of storage
  • 1.2 megapixel front-facing camera
  • 5 megapixel rear-facing camera
  • 4000 mAh battery
  • 4G LTE, WiFi N, Bluetooth 4.0 and NFC
  • Android 4.3

Otherwise, looking towards that FCC filing and we are seeing details that did match up with these specs. Two points in particular touch on the connectivity and rear-facing camera. The filing mentioned 4G LTE and a rear-facing camera — specifically a 5 megapixel rear-facing camera. There was also mention of a 32GB model. The next-generation Nexus 7 is also expected to arrive with Android 4.3.

That all being said, while we cannot consider this official just yet, it seems the rumors are shaping up nicely and it is more just a matter of when as opposed to if. In related 7-inch tablet news, HP also dropped the price of the Slate 7 tablet last week. That drop brought the price of the Slate 7 to $139.99 and $169.99 for the 8GB and 16GB models respectively. Those considering a purchase of the Slate 7 may also benefit from our recently published review.

Kodak Instamatic 2014 cameraphone concept runs Android

Posted: 08 Jul 2013 10:12 AM PDT

Kodak is a staple in the film and photography world, and today we’re getting a glimpse at a neat concept for 2014. What we’re seeing is a concept page showing the next-gen Kodak Instamatic 2014 camera. It doubles as a phone, and runs Android. It’s a pretty interesting idea but is most likely a fake.

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While instamatic cameras are now called point-and-shoot, Kodak has lead the era for a long, long time. The site claims Kodak is getting into the digital era with their new 2014 model, and offers both an instamatic camera and an Android smartphone in one unique device. It’s odd to say the least, and I’m no photography expect, but fun nonetheless.

The concept sure is ugly if you ask us, but it has decent specs. Listed as sporting a 4-inch display, Android OS (is that MIUI), a 14 megapixel camera with 4x zoom and 24mm wide lens. It features a phone and camera switcher, which wouldn’t make sense, and that’s just one of many reasons this is a fake, and obviously only a concept. Anywho, here’s a fun video they provided as well.

If the page is to be believed, Kodak is working on some prototype cameraphones for 2014, and another for 2015, but we’re taking it all with a large grain of salt for now. The page is informative, and even has pre-order options, but we’d advise against any such thing. Oh, and they even claim 4G LTE connectivity, yet only give us 512MB of storage on the device, so that’s a thing.

Overall it’s a pretty neat concept, and maybe we will see Kodak or other camera companies fight Samsung in the mobile space, but for now Sammy is leading the charge. More pics and details available at the link below.

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VIA: Instamatic

Samsung GALAXY S 4 arrives with C Spire Wireless

Posted: 08 Jul 2013 09:03 AM PDT

C Spire Wireless has become the latest US carrier to announce the Samsung GALAXY S 4. The handset is available with the carrier as of today and it has arrived priced at a familiar sounding $199.99 (on a two-year agreement). The carrier has the handset available in Black Mist or White Frost and both will be available online and in C Spire Wireless retail stores.

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For the most part the C Spire Wireless branded GALAXY S 4 is the same as what you would find with other carriers however there are a few extras included. According to details coming from C Spire, the GALAXY S 4 will come pre-loaded with “a suite of built-in C Spire apps to include Vū and WiFi on.

The Vū app is described as being the “world's first comprehensive online content personalization tool that delivers content users need and want.” The WiFi On app is a bit simpler. This one will make it easier for users to find available WiFi networks while out and about. Of course, the complete range of Samsung apps will also be included. Some of these include WatchON, Air Gesture and Air View, but there are several more that deal with the camera.

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The GALAXY S 4 has a 2 megapixel front-facing camera and 13 megapixel rear-facing camera and some of the Samsung specific camera apps include Drama Shot and Eraser Shot. The former will allow you to capture what is described as a progressive event. Basically, Drama Shot will capture an action shot (with multiple shots of the person) all in one frame. The Eraser Shot is just as the name would imply — it allows the user to erase unwanted objects to include photo bombers.

Finally, aside from the apps, the GALAXY S 4 has arrived running Android 4.2.2 Jelly Bean with the TouchWiz user interface. The handset also has a 5-inch HD Super AMOLED display at 1080p, quad-core 1.9GHz processor, 2GB of RAM, 16GB of internal storage, a 2600 mAh battery and 4G LTE connectivity.

CyanogenMod delivers Google Voice messages to stock message app

Posted: 08 Jul 2013 08:27 AM PDT

If you happen to be a Google Voice user and running CyanogenMod there is now a way to have all your messages delivered through the stock messaging app. Or for that matter, have those Google Voice text messages delivered to the third party messaging app of your choice. This method has been detailed by Koushik Dutta of ClockworkMod fame and doesn’t appear to be all that difficult to setup.

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As mentioned, you will need to be a Google Voice user to start. For this the Google Voice app will need to be installed first with notifications enabled. You will also need to be running a recent CyanogenMod nightly build (July 1st or later). Assuming you have these two requirements already set and in place, you have the hardest part already completed.

From here you will need to install an app called babel-signed. According to the details shared by Koush, you will need to push this apk to /system/app because an adb install will not work as the app requires system/signature permissions. Once that is installed you can start the Babel app, choose Google Voice and then authorize it.

After that has been completed you tap the Accessibility Service button which will take you to the settings to enable the Babel app. That completes the process. For those looking for the simple explanation as to what this actually does;

“The app will sync your existing Google Voice messages into your messaging store. New Google SMS will be received as if it were a normal SMS.”

On the flip side, users will also be able to send messages from that same messaging app and have them shown as being sent from your Google Voice number (as opposed to your regular telephone number). Koush also pointed out that ‘Babel’ will not be the final name which brings the last point — this is all still a work in progress.

SOURCE: Google+ (Koushik Dutta), Babel-Signed app

Samsung Galaxy Note III line tipped to include four models

Posted: 08 Jul 2013 07:39 AM PDT

Samsung isn’t a company that has been shy in terms of dropping new models and it looks like they may be prepping four somewhat unique variants of the Galaxy Note III. This of course should be considered rumor until we hear something direct from Samsung, however for now the details that we are seeing are coming by way of the Korean language ETNews.

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According to the report, Samsung will be releasing four models of the Galaxy Note III — each with some different specs. Basically, it looks like Samsung will be chasing various price points. The handsets haven’t been named, other than being referred to as another Galaxy Note III variant, however it looks like the top-end model will be made of higher quality materials with an unbreakable AMOLED display.

That same model also looks like it will be a limited edition run and feature a 13 megapixel rear-facing camera. Looking down the line and the remaining three models appear to be coming with the familiar plastic design that we have seen on countless other Samsung products. The second model (from the top) is expected to arrive with a regular AMOLED display and a 13 megapixel rear-facing camera.

The third and fourth models will both have an LCD display with the bottom of the line featuring an 8 megapixel rear-facing camera and the model sitting just above having a 13 megapixel rear-facing camera. Otherwise, it is expected the other specs such as the display size, processor, RAM and storage options will remain the same across the line. And of course, they are all expected to arrive running the latest versions of Android and TouchWiz.

Looking back towards some of the other recent Galaxy Note III related rumors and it appears as if we are going to see a handset with a 5.7-inch display, Qualcomm Snapdragon 800 (or Exynos 5 Octa) processor and 3GB of RAM. But again, while a hot topic at the moment, these details are all in the rumor category at the moment. Finally, Samsung is expected to bring the official announcement during IFA which takes place in September.

SOURCE: ETNews

MetroPCS GALAXY S 4 availability begins today

Posted: 08 Jul 2013 07:06 AM PDT

MetroPCS offered the teaser last week and as of today it looks like the official confirmation has arrived. The carrier has announced the Samsung GALAXY S 4 and the handset will be available as of today. Those considering the purchase will need to be prepared to shell out $549, but otherwise, the GALAXY S 4 will be available contract-free and with the MetroPCS plans that begin at $40 per month.

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The one catch with the MetroPCS GALAXY S 4 will be in where it is actually available. For now the carrier has it listed as being available in “select” markets with additional market and online availability to be announced soon. Basically, it is looking like the carrier has the handset available for those in a MetroPCS LTE covered area.

Otherwise, looking towards those plans and as mentioned they begin at $40 per month. The plans then go up to $50 and $60 per month. All three options include unlimited talk, text and data. The main difference between the three plans come in with how much high-speed data is also included. The $40 per month plan includes 500MB, the $50 per month plan includes 2.5GB and the $60 per month plan is unlimited.

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The handset itself will arrive running Android 4.2.2 Jelly Bean with the TouchWiz user interface. The handset will also have a 5-inch HD Super AMOLED display protected by Corning Gorilla Glass along with a quad-core 1.9GHz processor, 2 megapixel front-facing camera and 13 megapixel rear-facing camera with 1080p HD video recording.

Finally, in addition to the hardware, Samsung has the GALAXY S 4 loaded up with plenty of software features. Some of those include Smart Pause which will have your video pausing when you look away from the screen and Air View which shows previews of emails, images from the gallery and even stories that are in Flipboard. Samsung also includes Air Gesture which means you can wave your hand to do things such as answer a call or skip a track.

Lenovo IdeaTab S-6000 arrives to fill out the S-Series lineup

Posted: 08 Jul 2013 06:38 AM PDT

Lenovo expanded the IdeaTab A-Series tablet lineup back in early June and it looks like they have since begun shipping another model in the S-Series. This model is the Lenovo IdeaTab S6000 and at the moment it can be picked up for as little as $255. That being said, that is a limited time price and requires the tablet to be purchased from the Lenovo website using a special coupon code.

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The regular price is $319. For those curious, that coupon code is “JULY4PRICINGEVENT” though it is also clearly listed on the Lenovo website during the checkout process. While $255 sounds like a fairly solid deal for a Lenovo tablet, lets recap the specs so you can get a better idea of what you will be buying.

The IdeaTab S6000 is sporting a 10.1-inch HD (10-point multi-touch) display with a resolution of 1280 x 800. The tablet is powered by a quad-core 1.2GHz MT8125 processor with 1GB of RAM and Android 4.2 Jelly Bean. Other specs include 16GB of internal storage, a microSD card slot (with support for cards up to 64GB in size), WiFi 802.11 b/g/n, Bluetooth 4.0 and a 6300 mAh battery that promises up to 9 hours of WiFi browsing time.

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Remaining specs for the S6000 include dual-speakers, a VGA quality front-facing camera and 5 megapixel rear-facing camera with measurements of 10.2 x 7.1 x 0.3 inches and a weight of 1.24 pounds. Lenovo also has an optional Bluetooth keyboard available that attaches magnetically.

Bottom line here, this isn’t going to be a top of the line tablet, however given the specs and pricing — it seems like it should be one to consider.

VIA: Liliputing

SOURCE: Lenovo

LG sends out August 7 NYC press invite as G2 images leak

Posted: 07 Jul 2013 10:52 PM PDT

A few weeks back the folks from LG announced August 7th they’d be holding a media event, where they’ll likely be announcing their new flagship Optimus G2 (or just G2) smartphone. Today, they’ve sent out formal invites for a press only event on August 7th in New York City. At the same time, we’ve just received another image of the unannounced LG G2 in the wild.

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In case the image above wasn’t clear enough for anyone. LG made sure to highlight and make extra large the “G” and tossed in a 2 for good measure. If anyone was doubting we’ll see their next flagship smartphone, this basically tells us all we needed to know.

At this point everything is a rumor, but the phone is shaping up to be their best yet. With a 5.5-inch 1080p HD display, and the first device to ship with Qualcomm’s impressive 2.3 Ghz quad-core Snapdragon 800 on board. Add in 2 (or maybe 3GB) of RAM, tons of internal storage and a 13 megapixel camera with image stabilization. Right? Sounds pretty nice.

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Then what we have here is a brand new set of leaked images of the device. Just like recent Samsung phones, LG is protecting the final design in a protective shell as a disguise. The phone looks rather beat, and the front clearly shows the case, some lockscreen widgets, and what appears to be no navigation buttons. LG’s recent phones have switched to on-screen buttons, but those aren’t present here.

Then from the gallery below, you’ll also see beat up blurrycam image of the rear. Previous reports and rumors suggest this ultra-thin flagship phone will have backside touch controls, and that’s what you see below the camera. We’re still not exactly sure what LG has planned, but we now know all the details will be revealed on August 7th.

Our tipster states an early September release, handily ahead of the Galaxy Note III, and we’ll be live in NYC for LG’s event with all the details.

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VIA: Twitter - Thanks for the tip Johnny!

Motorola DROID ULTRA spotted – no sign of Google’s influence

Posted: 07 Jul 2013 05:02 PM PDT

Earlier this week the first press images appeared of Motorola‘s upcoming DROID MAXX, but today we have something even better. An actual look at the hardware of the DROID ULTRA. Leaked over on XDA we’re potentially looking at the Verizon-bound DROID ULTRA in white, and the phone shows no signs of Google‘s influence, to say the least.

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There is absolutely zero details to go along with the leak, but hopefully more will be coming. A random 1-post user over on XDA revealed the photo, so we’re stuck waiting for more. Right out the gate we see Motorola has changed their mind from last year, and they’ve returned to capacitive touch hardware buttons. Which has us confused.

Recently Motorola moved away from hardware capacitive touch buttons to on-screen buttons, then the latest Jelly Bean update for the DROID RAZR, RAZR HD, and RAZR MAXX HD all saw Motorola change the design to stock Android too. This means the actual look of the back, home, and menu button looked how we see above, originally (which is the old design) and after the latest update changed to look just as Google offers with stock Android on a Nexus.

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This leak leads us to believe Motorola changed their mind on both aspects. Which is odd to say the least considering many though they were slowly headed into a more Google-inspired design. One idea is their DROID phones for Verizon will be capacitive with the old design, and the Moto X (above) will be on-screen buttons with the stock look. To differentiate Verizon’s Moto phones from the rest of the pack.

That aside the design is similar to previous RAZR HD models, but is all white on the front. The bezel is fairly thin, but not as thin as the RAZR M, so that’s a bummer. We’re not sure what Motorola is doing here, and we’re just as confused as they appear to be. In the meantime we’ll be waiting for more leaks, and will update the minute we know more.

SOURCE: XDA – Thanks to everyone who sent this in!

Android Authority

Android Authority


Rumor: Moto X phone to offer “pure Android” experience, “fast” upgrades and Clear Pixel camera

Posted: 08 Jul 2013 01:19 AM PDT

Motorola X Phone Ad

A new set of Moto X phone rumors seems to reveal more information about the upcoming flagship Motorola smartphone, this time detailing Android updates and main camera.

Android and Me's Taylor Wimberly is the person behind the new rumors, the same source that has offered various details about the Moto X so far, many of them accurate.

Wimberly took to Google+ again to share information about the Moto X. First he mentioned the camera:

Moto X will feature a Clear Pixel Camera with gesture controls.

It's not clear at this time – pun not intended – what the Clear Pixel camera actually is. Sure, it's a marketing term probably devised to compete against HTC's UltraPixel, but other than that we have no idea what camera powers it will feature. Wimberly did say about it that "it means 'dark, blurry pics and lack of details" will be things of the past," without revealing camera functions.

A previous rumor revealed the phone will pack a 10-megapixel main shooter, and we're certainly interested to see more details about those gesture controls, not to mention the camera-related contextual awareness features – the phone will supposedly know when you want to take a picture and automatically start the camera app.

Wimberly also mentioned Android updates for the handset in a different short Google+ post:

Moto X will feature a “pure Android” user experience with a commitment to “fast upgrade cycles.

This isn't the first time we hear that the Moto X will offer a stock Android experience – or close to it – so we're certainly not surprised to see it mentioned. It makes sense for Motorola to go this way considering that it's a Google company.

However, this won't be a Nexus device, most likely because Google still feels the need to keep the two worlds separate – Motorola handsets and the Nexus family – so it doesn't look like it's playing favorites to the other OEMs.

That said, it'll certainly be interesting to see how fast the Moto X will be upgraded to the latest Android version available, especially when compared to existing Nexus devices that will be eligible for similar upgrades.

In addition to today's rumors, we have already covered the most important Moto X rumors for you, and showed you a few images reportedly featuring the front and back side of the handset.

    


HTC One mini listing shows up on GFXBench web site, confirms long-rumored specs

Posted: 07 Jul 2013 09:29 PM PDT

HTC One Mini benchmark
Over the past few weeks, we’ve seen a bunch of new info pop up about the upcoming HTC One mini, a downsized version of the flagship HTC One. We’ve named it as one of several Android devices worth waiting out for, and for good reason. The rumored specs are really not that bad, and a recent appearance on the GFXBench web site confirms this.

A page for the HTC One mini recently appeared on the GFXBench web site, revealing some info about the phone’s technical specs, as well as its 3D graphics performance when compared with its big brother, the HTC One, through a couple of benchmarks.

The benchmark listing’s info matches what we already know. It says the HTC One mini uses the model name “m4″ and will be running Android 4.2.2 Jelly Bean right out of the box. Also, its processor will have a minimum CPU frequency of 384MHz and a maximum CPU frequency of 1.4GHz. Its GPU is identified as the Adreno 305, as it should be with the Qualcomm Snapdragon 400 SoC.

Interestingly, the incomplete benchmark results tell us that the HTC One mini performs, on average, about 60%-70% lower than the HTC One when it comes to 3D graphics. But then again, that’s what it’s supposed to do, and it shouldn’t really have all that power given that it has modest specs — starting with its use of a 720p HD (1280×720 pixels) screen.

There may be more of the HTC One mini that we have yet to see. Its rumored release date is supposed to be in August, which is less than a month from today, so perhaps the leaks will be even more frequent in the coming weeks.

Are you waiting for the HTC One mini? Which of its rumored qualities so far do you find most exciting? Let’s hear your thoughts on it below.

    


Weekly News Roundup #10 – India

Posted: 07 Jul 2013 05:13 PM PDT

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Note: Due to unavoidable circumstances, there was no Indian weekly news roundup last week. Today’s feature will include top news from the previous week as well. 

It’s been a busy couple of weeks in the mobile world in India. India has now taken over from Japan as the third largest smartphone market in the world! We have a few new smartphones to look at, some app updates, and as mentioned before, the much-needed national roaming plans from various network providers. As you can see, there’s a lot to talk about. Let’s get started!

Smartphones

Videocon A55HD quad-core smartphone launched at Rs 13,499

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Videocon has decided to jump into the budget-friendly quad-core smartphone arena with the launch of the Videocon A55HD, which boasts a 5-inch 720p display and Android 4.2 on-board. The specifications of the Videocon A55HD include -

  • 5-inch IPS LCD display with 1280×720 resolution
  • 1.2Ghz quad-core processor
  • 1GB RAM
  • 4GB internal storage, expandable via microSD up to 32GB
  • 8MP rear camera, 3.2MP front camera
  • 2,000 mAh battery
  • Android 4.2 Jelly Bean

There are numerous smartphones from other local manufacturers with very similar specifications, but by being priced at Rs 13,499 (~$236), the Videocon A55HD is ever so slightly cheaper than the rest, giving this device a minor advantage. That being said, companies like Micromax, Spice, and Xolo market their products aggressively, so that is something Videocon will have to do as well, to compete effectively in the over-crowded Indian market.

Source - IBN Live

Karbonn Titanium S9 launched days before the highly-anticipated Micromax Canvas 4

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It’s no secret that the rivalry between smartphone manufacturers is intense, none more so in India where local manufacturers are giving their all to capture a piece of the diverse, and very lucrative, market. Micromax has been advertising their latest upcoming product that is releasing tomorrow, the Canvas 4, all over social media. So it’s not really surprising that rivals Karbonn, have released what is expected to a similar product, only a few days before the highly-anticipated launch, with the launch of the Karbonn Titanium S9.

Before we get into how this competition might shape up, let’s take a quick look at the specifications of the Karbonn Titanium S9 -

  • 5.5-inch IPS display with 1280×720 resolution
  • 1.2Ghz quad-core processor
  • 1GB RAM
  • 16GB internal storage, expandable via microSD up to 32GB
  • 13MP rear camera, 5MP front camera
  • 2,600 mAh battery
  • Android 4.2 Jelly Bean
  • Dual-SIM support

Other than taking on Micromax, Karbonn is also providing a cheaper alternative to the Samsung Galaxy Note 2 (let’s be honest, it does look alike) as well, with the Titanium S9. While there is very little information available about the Canvas 4, we can look forward to a similar, if not in some ways better, product from Micromax, at a similar price range, and it’ll certainly be very interesting to see how this competition plays out. The Karbonn Titanium S9 is available for Rs 19,990. (~$350).

Source – NDTV Gadgets

LG Optimus G Pro officially released in India

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Talking about viable alternatives to the Samsung Galaxy Note 2, another amazing smartphone boasting a beautiful 1080p 5.5-inch display has finally made its way to Indian shores. First unveiled during MWC 2013, the LG Optimus G Pro has now been officially launched in India. Here’s a quick look at the specifications -

  • 5.5-inch 1080p resolution
  • 1.7 Ghz quad-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 600 processor
  • 2GB RAM
  • 32GB internal storage, expandable via microSD up to 64GB
  • 13MP rear camera and 2.1MP front camera
  • 3,140 mAh battery
  • Android 4.1 Jelly Bean

Premium specifications means a price to match, the things are no different with the LG Optimus G Pro, which will set you back a whopping Rs 42,500 (~$745). While slightly higher than other competing flagships such as the Sony Xperia Z, HTC One, and Samsung Galaxy S4, the difference is definitely worth it if you’re looking for a smartphone with a larger display.

If you want to see how the device stacks up against the Samsung Galaxy Note 2, don’t forget to check out our detailed comparison here. You can also take a look at the hands-on review below -

Source – IBN Live

Samsung begins buyback scheme on the Samsung Galaxy S4, discounts up to Rs 5,000, plus a lot more, now available

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The flagship smartphone wars are a lot closer this year, and Samsung hasn’t enjoyed the same runaway success it did last year with the Galaxy S3. Of course, marketing is the company’s forte, and Samsung is leaving no stone unturned to continue its upward climb. In India, Samsung is now offering a buyback scheme which will get you a rebate of Rs 5,000 on the Galaxy S4 when you bring in your old smartphone, effectively reducing the price of the device to Rs 36,500 from Rs 41,500.

That’s not all! In addition, you also get an S-View flip cover, worth Rs 2,499, absolutely free, along with one free display replacement (worth Rs 7000). Not Enough? Then the free 12,000 coins (worth Rs 12,000) that is available to use with the MyServices app for movie streaming, games, live TV, and songs, will definitely interest you. Along with Samsung Galaxy S4-specific Vodafone all-in-one plans that promise savings up to Rs 12,000, the buyback scheme boasts a value addition package worth up to Rs 41,749!

The list of smartphones eligible for the buyback scheme include all Apple, Blackberry, and HTC devices, and the Sony Xperia Ion. If you are a Nokia user hoping to make the switch over to Android, you can bring in your Lumia 710, Lumia 610, Lumia 510, and Lumia 800 to do so. A lot of other Nokia devices are also included, such as the Asha 311, 300, 302, and 303, and the Nokia C5-05, C5, C5-03, E5, 500, 5233, N8, X3-02, C6, and C3. Local brands haven’t been left out either, with the Karbonn A9 and A21, and the Micromax Canvas A110, A75, A100, A87, Ninja 4, and A73. Of course, if you’d like to stay in the Samsung family, Samsung devices such as all Galaxy (expect the Samsung Galaxy Note 2), Wave, and Omnia smartphones are also eligible for the discount.

Of course, this is excluding the zero interest EMI schemes available for all Samsung products. As you can see, Samsung is definitely going all out in their effort to maintain the number one position in the Android world.

If you’re still undecided, don’t forget to take a look at our hands-on review of the Samsung Galaxy S4 here -

Source – IB Times

App News

Cleartrip for Android adds support for train bookings

wnri cleartrip

The Cleartrip for Android app so far allowed users to book domestic and international flight tickets. Now updated to version 3.0, the app allows you to book tickets for Indian Railways as well. You can now search for Indian Railways trains, find trains between stations, check seat availability, train fares, and book train tickets. By linking your IRCTC account to your Cleartrip account, you will also be able to check the status of wait-listed tickets from inside the app.

While the idea behind the update is great, a lot of user reviews and comments suggest that the new features aren’t working too well, with users complaining of syncing between the IRCTC and Cleartrip accounts not working, user profiles and passenger information not being saved, and in some cases, the app crashing, so do keep these issues in mind before trying it out. Hopefully a quick update will follow that will sort all these issues out.

Source – Google Play Store (Cleartrip)

MapMyIndia introduces “Locate,” a new Android app to track people

wnri locate

MapMyIndia, one of India’s premier GPS services, has now introduced an app called “Locate,” which will help you identify, locate, and stay connected with friends and family with ease. Features of the people-tracking app include -

  • Add up to 3 people from you contact list or via email
  • Once your request is approved, you can track your friend or family’s movement live on an interactive map as they check-in
  • Locations are automatically updated without draining phone battery even if users don’t manually check-in
  • Location is cached locally when phone does not have GPRS connectivity. It is updated as soon as data connection is back
  • See historical movement reports up to five days with full address mapping
  • Your own movement reports are provided by default
  • All reports are accessible via a web dashboard as well at http://locate.mapmyindia.com

Locate uses GPS, Wi-Fi and Cell Tower Triangulation as available to get location. Of course, the obvious privacy concerns do come up, but the app does some to give the “trackees” some sort of protection. First of all, a person cannot track you without your own approval of their request. Secondly, the person being tracked can specify particular days and time during which they can be “seen.”

The MapMyIndia Locate app is now available for free from the Google Play Store here.

Source – Google Play Store (Locate) 

Network Carrier News

Airtel, Vodafone, and Idea introduce new national roaming packs

wnri airtel vodafone idea

Airtel, Vodafone, and Idea Cellular announced new national roaming packages and plans, just a few days after TRAI (Telecom Regulatory Authority of India) allowed network providers the chance to provide subscribers with free national roaming using special combo packs. Here are the details -

  • Airtel prepaid subscribers can avail a Rs 5 per day plan or a Rs 79 per month plan, with both featuring free incoming calls while roaming. Outgoing calls are charged at 1.5p per second while roaming as well as in your home circle. Postpaid subscribers can receive the same benefits at a cost of Rs 75 per month.
  • Idea Cellular has introduced two vouchers priced between Rs 230-240, and another priced between Rs 35-40, with a varying price in that range in different circles.There is a 75p per minute for incoming calls on roaming under cheaper voucher, with incoming calls being free only for subscribers who avail the Rs 230-240 plan. Unlike the Airtel plans, both plans feature a validity of up to 6 months.
  • The Vodafone roaming packs are similar to those available from Airtel, with a Rs 5 per day plan available with the same benefits. The monthly plan from Vodafone is slightly cheaper at Rs 71 per month. Postpaid customers can enjoy free incoming calls while roaming for Rs 75.

It’s important to note that Aircel had introduced its “India One” plans a while back, and it’s good to see other network providers joining the bandwagon as well.

Source – Money Control

    


Android 4.3-running HTC One Google Play edition spotted at the Bluetooth SIG

Posted: 07 Jul 2013 03:16 PM PDT

HTC One Google Edition

The HTC One Google Play edition running Android 4.3 Jelly Bean has apparently been spotted at the Bluetooth SIG.

According to the available documentation, the HTC PN071xx_Android4.3_G has received certification on July 5, with the application having been filed on June 18.

PN071 is the model number of the HTC One, and that "G" most likely describes the fact that this is a Google Play edition phone. "Android 4.3" doesn't require any more introductions, as that's the next expected update from Google.

According to the Bluetooth SIG, the HTC PN071xx_Android4.3_G will be upgraded to software version 3.05.1700.2, most likely once Android 4.3 is released.

The HTC One Google Play edition model was launched on June 26 alongside the similar Galaxy S4 version. These devices are expected to run the latest Android version as soon as it's released – in this case Android 4.3 – although it's HTC and Samsung, respectively, that will be responsible for issuing the updates, not Google.

Android 4.3 HTC One

Why is a handset that's already Bluetooth-certified getting a new certification from the Bluetooth SIG? Well, Android 4.3 is expected to bring Bluetooth 4.0 LE support, so maybe that's the reason. Similarly, we've seen the Nexus 7 and Galaxy Nexus (both reportedly running Android 4.3) receiving similar certifications.

While the Bluetooth SIG can offer such details about certain devices, we'll remind you that Android 4.3 is yet to be made official by Google. That said, we do expect the new OS version to be unveiled later this month, maybe alongside new Nexus hardware.

    


Purported Moto X shown in new images; phone reportedly not coming on July 10-11

Posted: 07 Jul 2013 11:28 AM PDT

Motorola X Phone Ad

Images showing alleged Moto X phone components (specifically the front and back panels of the handset) have hit the web, ahead of the phone’s announcement. At the same time, a new report is now claiming that the phone won’t be introduced later this week, as previously rumored.

While the images can't be confirmed at this time – so make sure you take them with the appropriate amount of salt – we will notice that it looks like Motorola's marketing team is on the attack these days.

Moto X leak

Earlier this week we've seen the first Moto X phone ad leak before it actually hit newspapers on July 4, but we've also seen a variety of leaks concerning other upcoming Motorola devices – most recently, purported images of the new Motorola Droid Ultra and the Motorola Droid MAXX have also been (conveniently?) leaked.

Now it's time to look at several pictures (see gallery below) that reportedly show the flagship smartphone of the company, the Moto X. The front panel of the device is shown in most photos, and from the looks of it, it's clear that we're not looking at the Droid Ultra or the Droid MAXX from the other leaks.

As you can see in these images, the Moto X has Nexus 4-like corners that are rounder than the Droid Ultra’s and Droid Maxx’s – assuming all these recent leaks actually show the final product versions.

Moto X leak Moto X leak Moto X leak Moto X leak Moto X leak

Moreover, we're apparently looking at a device that will feature an edge-to-edge display with small bezels, and which will be available in both black and white, in addition to all the other colors that are rumored to be available to buyers.

On the front side of the device we're can also see the front-facing camera, speaker and sensors, and, interestingly, a hole placed near the mid section of the bottom bezel.

The black panel features a Motorola logo as shown in previous similar leaks (image below), but the same logo isn't present on the white one.

Moto X Phone

Purported Google X Phone prototype | Image credit: Tinhte

The back of the handset, available in only one picture, shows the camera, flash and Motorola logo (in this order from top to bottom) all placed towards the top side of the device. The back plate seems to be similar to a device spotted in Vietnam in mid-March, which was said to be a Moto X prototype (image below).

G for Games doesn't tell us where it got these images from, but the publication says they came from different sources. Other details about the Moto X aren't offered at this time either.

Moto X phone

Purported Moto X phone prototype | Image Credit: Tinhte

While the Moto X was said to be unveiled next week, a more recent report from CNET seems to indicate that the July 10-11 Motorola event will not star the Moto X:

Despite speculation that Google could be planning to reveal the Moto X at a special media event next week, a source tells CNET that the Motorola event is actually about something else besides the company's first big Android release as a Google company.

That said, we'll remind you that we have already put together a collection of Moto X rumors for you to check out while you wait for the company to unveil its latest creation.

    


White Motorola Droid Ultra alleged photo shows up

Posted: 07 Jul 2013 10:21 AM PDT

Motorola Droid Ultra XT1080

An alleged image of the Motorola Droid Ultra has hit the web well ahead of the phone's official announcement.

After just seeing a picture reportedly showing the new Droid MAXX, we're now looking at the white version of the Droid Ultra, at least according to xda-developers user xavierk75. However, the user has not specified where he got the image from or other details of the device. In case it matters, we’ll also notice that xavierk75′s forum photo post is his first and only post on xda – is it a controlled leak by any chance?

The phone is said to be the XT1080, a device that has already been spotted at the FCC – at the time, we wondered whether the XT1080 model stood for one of the new Ultra models.

Moreover, we've already seen the Ultra listed on Motorola's website, so it's probably only a matter of time until we see the company announce this particular device.

The image reveals an Android smartphone that packs a large display with rather thin bezels, a front-facing camera near the top speaker and sensors, three capacitive buttons, and a on/off button and volume rockers on the right side of the device.

The device also features a Motorola logo on the top left corner, a logo that's similar to the one spotted on other leaked Motorola handsets – including a rumored Moto X prototype – and is clearly marked as a "Motorola confidential property."

The Droid Ultra in this image is looks like the Droid MAXX that we've seen the other day, although we're yet to confirm any of these two devices. According to known leakster @evleaks, the Droid Ultra is the XT1080 while the Droid MAXX is the XT1080M.

That said, considering the variety of Motorola-related leaks and reports, we expect to see the company announce these devices sooner rather than later.

    


AA Weekly: top Android news of the week, July 7, 2013

Posted: 07 Jul 2013 07:07 AM PDT

aa weekly July 7

This week, we've learned more details about the upcoming LG G2, Motorola teased the Moto X, the Galaxy S4 reached a sales milestone, HTC broke the hearts of One S users, and we got some interesting news about the Android 4.3.

LG G2: tantalizing rumors

LG is expected to stage a soft launch of its new flagship in mid-July, followed three weeks later by a grand international event in New York. With weeks to go till the official debut, leaks paint an almost complete picture of the G2.

On Monday, we learned that the Snapdragon 800 processor that will power the G2 will not be a power-hungry beast, as some have feared. The processor did as good as or better than competitors when it comes to stamina, giving us hope for a new generation of long lasting super devices.

galaxy s4 lte-a snapdragon 800 3d battery test feature

The G2 will be the world's first device to rock 3GB of RAM, while mobile shutterbugs should rejoice knowing that an optical stabilization system would ensure great shots even in the midst of action.

Motorola, you better deliver something amazing

We're entering hypebeast territory with the Moto X. And we can't blame Motorola, happy to be in the spotlight after so many months of deafening silence – we just hope the device will live up to the hype. With that said, we're really excited about the Moto X.

On July 3, Moto ran a full page ad in major US newspapers, announcing the world that "the first phone designed, engineered and assembled in the USA" is coming. The ad and a signup page that went live this week claim that customers will be able to design the Moto X themselves.

However, don't get too excited about it – if a leak from Wednesday is to be believed, Motorola idea of "designing" means picking the colors of the case, choosing a custom text for engraving, and uploading a custom wallpaper. Cool, but we hoped for more.

Moto X ad

Samsung sold 20 million Galaxy S4s, but that’s not enough for analysts

Talk about high expectations – despite ruling the mobile industry, selling one of every two smartphones in Europe and raking in enough money to fund a small country, Samsung isn't doing too well in the stock market.

This week, CEO JK Shin told Korean media that Samsung sold 20 million Galaxy S4 units in about sixty days, an impressive achievement that casts doubt on various negative reports that emerged over the last month.

Still, when the Korean tech giant announced its earnings guidance for Q2 2013 on Friday, analysts were not impressed, in spite of record profits. The truth is no one in the mobile industry is doing very well these days, for a variety of reasons that we discuss here.

Android 4.3 rumors and predictions

Last week, an Android 4.3 build leaked online, giving Android pundits a chance to look at what's new, before Google makes it official. A teardown revealed that Google has been working to make Android notifications smarter, with a focus on making wearable devices such as Glass more easily controllable from a smartphone.

On Tuesday, an alleged insider revealed that Google plans to make most stock Android core apps available on the Play Store, thus making it easier than ever to obtain a stock-like experience even on unrooted devices running TouchWiz, Sense, or other manufacturer overlays. One example may be the new camera app.

Camera app

Speaking of which, Chainfire, the noted Android developer, has already rooted the Android 4.3 build that leaked last week.

HTC breaks the hearts of One S users

The One S was one of the flagships that HTC launched in early 2012. It didn't feature the best specifications, but it was, and still is, an excellent device. So you can imagine the disappointment and frustration of One S users, when HTC announced that the phone won't be joining the One in the Sense 5/Android 4.2 club. The news is especially vexing because the company promised a timely update to Sense 5 for the One S, just a few months back.

HTC Beats Audio Logo aa 5 1600

Petitions rarely help accomplish their goals, but that hasn't stopped One S users from starting one asking HTC to keep its promise and update the phone to the latest version of Android. As of this writing, the petition still needs more than 900 signatures, so if you're a One S user itching to do something about HTC's cruel rejection, head over here and sign away.

Video roundup

What's your take?

In your opinion, what were the most important news this week, and why?

    


The Sunday Giveaway: Sony Xperia J

Posted: 07 Jul 2013 04:30 AM PDT

xperia-j-0016

Welcome to the very first episode of our new show called: The Sunday Giveaway! Each and every Sunday we will give away an Android phone, tablet or other cool product.

To start the sunday giveaway off this week we will be giving away a Sony Xperia J Android phone.

Sony Xperia J Quick Specs

  • 1 GHz Qualcomm MSM7227A Snapdragon processor
  • 4.0″ FWVGA, 854 x 480 pixels 16,777,216 colour TFT
  • 5 megapixel camera with LED flash and Auto focus
  • Internal phone storage: 4GB
  • RAM: 512 MB
  • Expansion slot: microSD™, up to 32GB
  • OS: Android OS, v4.0.4 (Ice Cream Sandwich), upgradable to v4.1.2 (Jelly Bean)

Sony Xperia J Review

Read our full written review on the Sony Xperia J or watch our video review below:

How to enter the giveaway

Entering our Sunday giveaway is just about as easy as it gets. You simply need to join our new Team Android Authority newsletter. Once you join our newsletter and remain subscribed you’ll be automatically entered into the draw each and every sunday. It’s that easy and don’t worry we won’t spam you, at most you’ll get an email with the top Android news of the week.

Team Android Authority Newsletter

The team AA Newsletter is your personal connection to everything that happens at Android Authority.

*Please note you will need to verify your email address, so ensure you enter a valid email address.

Terms & Conditions

  • The giveaway is an international giveaway and is open to everyone worldwide.
  • If we can not ship to your country, you will be compensated with an online gift card of equal value to the prize.
  • We are not responsible for any duties or taxes that you may incur.
  • Only 1 entry per person, do not enter multiple email addresses. We will verify all winners and if we detect multiple email addresses by the same person you will not be eligible to win.
  • The winner will be drawn at 11:59pm PST every sunday, we will select the winner at random from our team AA newsletter list.