Wednesday, July 10, 2013

Android Authority

Android Authority


Google+ +1 activity may clutter streams, spam friends – here’s how to turn it off

Posted: 10 Jul 2013 02:29 AM PDT

Google Plus logo

A Google+ update has enabled a feature that puts the service on par with other social networks when it comes to +1 behavior, as Google will now show "+1 activity updates in the stream."

In other words, +1 activity works more or less like Facebook Likes, which may not be such a good thing for everyone on Google+, as it could lead to cluttered streams and +1 spamming.

Google explained that the new update will not show all your +1-ing activity to your circles, but some of it may be shown to your friends, just like some of theirs may be shown to you:

When you +1 a post, people in your extended circles who also have you in circles may see this +1 “activity update” in their streams. They will only see the activity update if they had access to the original post. Activity updates may also be visible in Google+ search results to anyone who can see the original post.

As you can see, it's not all black and white and  you may see a lot of +1 activity or none, depending on how many friends you have, how you set up your circles and whether you visit the same webpages – but the good news is that you can turn it off, so you don't actually spam your friends.

Turn yourself off

What you have to do to disable the +1 activity updates is to go to Google+ settings (quick link here: https://plus.google.com/apps/google) and choose from the drop down either "only you" or set it to custom if you want certain people to have access to your "'+1's on posts" activity" (see image below):

Google+ +1 activity

Turn friends off

The setting above solves your +1 spamming, but in order to prevent contacts from spamming you, you can either teach them how to turn off their +1 activity, set up special circles for them, or (albeit this is an extreme measure) remove them from your list.

Once you move those friends that have a lot of +1 activity in a special circle, you can go to Home, select the circle you want to update, click on the Settings wheel for that circle, and choose to get "Fewer" updates from that circle. You can even set it up to not push updates to your stream:

Google+ +1 activity

Since we're talking about Google+, we'll add that we have our own Google+ page which you should definitely circle (in case you don't do it already) to keep up with all Android-related news (and not only).

Hat tip, +Nate Swanner.

    


It’s coming – HTC One for Verizon stops by the FCC

Posted: 10 Jul 2013 01:41 AM PDT

HTC One

Much to the dismay of some of its customers, Verizon initially denied that it planned to carry the HTC One, suggesting that the Droid DNA would have to do for the moment. In early June, however, Big Red made a U-turn and announced that the aluminum masterpiece will finally grace its networks "later this summer".

We're in the middle of the summer already, so surely the One should be close, right? Actually, a FCC filing seems to suggest so – the HTC One was spotted in the federal regulator's database, meaning that the launch of the device can't be too far behind. While the FCC filing doesn't specify what carrier is the device heading to, the radio frequencies – (LTE  Band 13), GSM (850/1900), and CDMA (850/1900) – make it clear that it's Verizon.

Besides confirming that the HTC One is indeed coming, Verizon hasn't revealed any details on the price or availability of the device, though we expect to see it going for the same price as the Galaxy S4 – $199. A recent leak from @evleaks made us hopeful that Verizon would not deface the minimalist front of the HTC One with its logo.

Big Red disappointed a lot of people by not carrying the One along with the other big three carriers, and by delaying by several weeks the release of the other major device of the season, the Samsung Galaxy S4. Now Verizon wants to make it up to peeved subscribers with the Moto X and a series of new Droid devices, including the Ultra, Maxx, and Mini. Judging from the flurry of leaks in the past couple of weeks, a big announcement from Verizon is impending.

    


Google Maps for Android update rolling out, brings new design and features

Posted: 10 Jul 2013 12:31 AM PDT

Google Maps for Android

Google is rolling out the Google Maps update for Android devices, one of the Google services that was given a new look, but also new features, and which was demoed at this year's Google I/O edition.

The company overhauled both its desktop and mobile versions of Google Maps, and now the mobile experience will be available to users that have a device running Android 4.0.3 or later.

In addition to a new design for Android handsets and tablets, the update will bring you "enhanced navigation including live traffic updates, incident reports and dynamic rerouting" and improve the way you explore local "places to eat, drink, shop, play and sleep." The screenshots below will give you a quick taste of what Google Maps will feel like on your tablet and/or smartphone once you get the new update:

Google Maps for Android Google Maps for Android Google Maps for Android Google Maps for Android Google Maps for Android Google Maps for Android Google Maps for Android Google Maps for Android Google Maps for Android Google Maps for Android Google Maps for Android Google Maps for Android Google Maps for Android

As Android Police explains, the update may not be available to download on all devices just yet, but the publications offers links to software-specific APKs.

In the Google Play Store, Google says that the update will be "gradually rolling out to Android 4.0.3+ users over the next few weeks," so in case you didn't manually install the APK suitable for your device, you'll may have to wait a while to get it.

    


Droid Maxx to offer “48 hours of worry-free battery life”? Yes, please!

Posted: 10 Jul 2013 12:06 AM PDT

motorola droid maxx leak feature

Motorola has been one of the few companies that have stubbornly insisted to offer devices with long battery life, when most manufacturers decided that shaving another millimeter off the profile of their products is more important than a few extra hours of usage time. Because when your phone dies on you, you just love how thin it feels in your pocket, right?

We're glad to see that Moto hasn't given up on extra-large batteries. The company is working with Verizon to offer a new line of Droid devices, and at least one of them is apparently going to offer 48 hours of battery life, according to a leaked ad storyboard published by Android Central.

Click to enlarge

Click to enlarge

Don't mind Daniel Craig and Halle Berry making an appearance on the storyboard, those were probably just some random hot people pics used for illustration. The same goes for the device in the image.

Now, claims that companies make in ads are not always backed by real life performance, but even if the Droid Maxx won't actually get you through 48 hours of round the clock operation, it will probably still last longer than the Galaxy S4, HTC One, or other cream of the crop Android devices.

The 2012 Droid Razr Maxx HD is 9.3 millimeters thick and rocks a 3300 mAh battery, which is to this day, the best you can get on a mainstream smartphone without an extended battery. According to Verizon, the Maxx HD can power through 13 hours of straight video playback or eight hours of web browsing over LTE. Will the Droid Maxx top the Droid Razr Maxx HD when it comes to battery? We should find out soon.

In addition to the new Droid phones for Verizon, Motorola is also gearing up to launch the Moto X, another device that we hope will come with extensive usage time. Back in April, Google CEO Larry Page hinted at what would make future Moto devices special, including better battery life and durability. Here's hoping for a new generation of large battery, extra durable devices.

    


LG G2 leaks in all its glory in video and pics

Posted: 09 Jul 2013 10:40 PM PDT

LG Optimus G2 leak

We've seen some horrendous blurrycam images of the upcoming successor to the LG Optimus G, including a set of leaked slides and a few shots of the device in the wild. Luckily, our days of trying to make sense of fuzzy shots are over, as a collection of high resolution images and video showing the LG G2 made their way online.

Without further ado, here's the video and the image gallery.

Now, what does this imagery tells us? For once, the leaks concerning the design of the device have panned out. We're looking at an all-screen front with no capacitive or physical buttons and only an LG logo on the bottom to break the glossy black. LG did a great job maximizing the screen to body ratio, and we think the LG G2 may be leading the charts in this area.

The volume rocker and power button have been moved from their usual location on the sides of the device and can now be found on the rear of the G2, right below the camera. Some rumors suggested that the power button is actually a fingerprint scanner, though the user in the video appears to simply be pressing it.

LG G2 LG G2 leak (1) LG G2 leak (2) LG G2 leak (3) LG G2 leak (4) LG G2 leak (5) LG G2 leak (6) LG G2 leak (7)

Another interesting design touch is the placement of the speakers on the bottom edge of the device, flanking the USB port. Having the speakers there is probably better than having them on the back, though their small size is a bit worrying.

Overall, in terms of design we're looking at a distinctly Nexus 4 vibe, especially if you only look at the front of the G2, with its rounded corners and tapered glass. The device appears to sport a glossy finish, probably with a "holographic" pattern similar to that on the Optimus G and G Pro. It's hard to tell because the device in the video is covered with some sort of protective sticker.

In terms of hardware, Engadget, the outlet that got the scoop on the images, says that the leakster confirmed the Snapdragon 800 processor, but little else is known about the LG G2. The rumor consensus seems to be pointing to 3GB of RAM (at least for the Korean version) and a 13MP camera. Software-wise, we only get a glimpse of the lockscreen and a few aspects of the user interface. Interestingly, the styling of the three on screen buttons looks nothing like the presumed leaked screenshots that we've seen a few weeks back.

The LG G2 is expected to launch in mid-July in South Korea, with a full international launch to follow on August 7.

    


Skyfire Horizon toolbar for AT&T and Sprint serves ads, collects browsing data

Posted: 09 Jul 2013 10:22 PM PDT

Banner-Ads-Skyfire-Horizon-650x408

If you've purchased a phone from a wireless carrier in the past year, chances are it came preloaded with an untold amount of intrusive, bothersome bloatware. Undoubtedly, carriers' affinity for bundling an excessive number of apps with limited, expensive functionality (AT&T's HTC One, for example, comes with eight different apps that essentially duplicate the functions of system applications, but often require a monthly subscription to use) is unfortunate to say the least. Many wireless operators aren't keen to take a hint, though, as recently evidenced by AT&T and Sprint's partnership with web browser company Opera. What do the carriers see as their next big moneymaker? Your device's stock web browser with an ad-laden toolbar.

Toolbar, you ask? Sadly, that awful relic of home internet's infancy (and inexplicable magnet to the technologically uninclined) is making a comeback on mobile. Here’s what happened: Skyfire Horizon, one of Opera's third-party browsers for Android, supports extensions and plug-ins via a framework. Last year, Opera penned a deal with AT&T to begin using this framework to serve ads to phones preloaded with Skyfire Horizon. Sprint soon followed suit, and today expressed intentions to increase Skyfire Horizon pre-installations dramatically by the year's end.

Sprint released a video detailing how the service works. Basically, in-toolbar ads and banners are available for purchase by advertisers. Companies can even promote applications by paying for an app recommendation pop-up, which sounds more than a little annoying.

If the obnoxious banner ads don’t bother you, perhaps the Skyfire Horizon toolbar’s full capabilities will. For tracking purposes, the share buttons require access to your social networking accounts in order to function. Think that’s bad? It gets worse: according to a report by Geek.com, everything you do within Skyfire Horizon is, when the toolbar's active, recorded. Advertisers can access browsing and location data, among other records. That's a system ripe for abuse.

Luckily, avoiding all of the scary Skyfire Horizon toolbar stuff is easy. Several alternative web browsers for Android are available for download through the Google Play Store, many of which probably offer better features and performance than Skyfire Horizon. Until carriers like AT&T and Sprint decide to put user experience first, it seems apps like Google Chrome and Dolphin HD will have to suffice.

    


Samsung Galaxy S4 Google Play Edition review (video)

Posted: 09 Jul 2013 06:13 PM PDT

samsung galaxy s4 google play edition aa featured

Google has only launched a handful of Nexus smartphones, and frankly, the Android community wants more. Don’t say Google hasn’t done anything for you, as they have fully delivered in that area. What did they deliver exactly? A premium smartphone sporting that stock Android-experience that we all so want to have. Enter, the Samsung Galaxy S4 Google Play Edition.

In a rush? Jump straight the video, otherwise, stick with us as we take a closer look at this device.

As you might expect, this is the exact same phone as the original Galaxy S4, and thus has nearly every same attribute in terms of design all the way to hardware and the battery. Seriously, nothing much has changed on the outside. So, instead of going through each one in depth, make sure you check out my original Galaxy S4 review to get the full rundown on things you may not know about this phone.

samsung galaxy s4 google play edition aa display

Aesthetically, this is the white model of the Galaxy S4 without any changes whatsoever. You get the same nimbleness and easy handling of the beautiful 5-inch screen, along with the same, standard Samsung button layout all around. The screen is the same 5-inch Super AMOLED panel. As you might have become accustomed to, it’s very saturated and is capable of 1080p resolution rated at 441ppi.

I will say that, Jelly Bean, overall less flamboyant than Samsung’s own TouchWiz UI, looks absolutely gorgeous on this screen. If you thought the Nexus 4 was easy on the eyes, try getting your Nexus kicks from the Galaxy S4.

samsung galaxy s4 google play edition aa performance

 

The device still performs very well on the benchmark tests, as it’s still sporting the same hardware under the hood — a Snapdragon 600 CPU clocked at 1.9GHz, backed by an Adreno 320 GPU and 2GB of RAM. And going through the elements of Jelly Bean is as buttery smooth as ever.

Hardware is where the story starts to get interesting here. This phone still comes with all of the same inner bits, including every sensor and even the IR blaster. We’ll get to their applications soon, but it’s important to note that everything is still there.

samsung galaxy s4 google play edition aa same specs

Of course, you also get to keep the removable battery and the microSD card slot under the back cover. The battery is the same 2,600 mAh unit that provides a great deal of battery life that can easily support your busy day.

Looking at the camera, we have the same 13-megapixel rear shooter, but that’s all that returns here. Instead of the full featured TouchWiz camera with its arsenal of modes and settings, the stock Android camera brings its simplistic, but stylish interface to the Samsung camera. The entire screen becomes the viewfinder, and there are only a few buttons on the side.

samsung galaxy s4 google play edition aa camera app

All settings can be accessed by touching anywhere on the screen and swiping through the small, arched menus. When it comes to modes, there really isn’t much to choose from — you get your standard HDR mode and a few preset scenes to choose from. And of course, you get access to Photo Sphere, as well.

The picture quality is largely the same, as the optics still do well at capturing details, especially in areas with good lighting. A more in-depth look between the two cameras will be done in an upcoming VS video, but rest assured that any differences you might see in the pictures from either phones aren’t explicitly noticeable.

samsung galaxy s4 google play edition aa camera 1 samsung galaxy s4 google play edition aa camera 2

And finally, this is where we see a lot of the changes that happened to make this a Google Play Edition device. You get the same, premium hardware inside the Samsung Galaxy S4 with a whole new operating system baked in — Android 4.2 Jelly Bean.

It sounds like a dream pairing – and for the most part, it really is. The stock Android experience is widely regarded as the best way to enjoy Google's operating system and until now, the only way to get it was to buy a Nexus device. Anyone who has used anything from TouchWiz to Sense, and lamented over the extra, unneeded software will really enjoy the stripped down, simple, yet elegant look and feel of Jelly Bean.

samsung galaxy s4 google play edition aa lockscreen widgets

As for the user interface, it gets back to the basics. You get your app drawer, the homescreens ripe for widgets and folders, and the notification drop-down with the original shade for settings. Hold down the tactile home button and you get access to a very coveted software feature — Google Now.

Some people might see every setting and feature in original Galaxy S4 and get overwhelmed, but that is far from the case here. You get simplistic elegance that is ready for customization once your adventurous side takes over.

samsung galaxy s4 google play edition aa jelly bean

Of course, you lose quite a bit when you convert to vanilla Jelly Bean. Think back to all of those commercials Samsung put out, highlighting the features that made the Galaxy S4 something special. None of that makes a return here, and it’s almost painfully obvious from the get-go in the notification shade. No S Health, Group Play, or even WatchON. However, if those are must have features, there’s no doubt that you can find a few APKs floating around on the Internet to rectify that need.

samsung galaxy s4 google play edition aa no air view

All of the sensors that you might use for Air View or hand gestures will lie dormant, as none of the software in the installed operating system can take advantage of them. All in all, this is as traditional and stock as it gets on the Galaxy S4, and besides the disabled Samsung features, everything is the same as it ever was.

Perhaps the most controversial part of this device is its price. While it’s great that the Galaxy S4 now has that buttery Nexus experience, it doesn’t bring the coveted Nexus price. In fact, you’ll be shelling out quite a bit of money for this premium device. You can get it unlocked at $649 straight from the Google Play Store.

And so, there you have it. I have to admit that using stock Jelly Bean on this best selling Android device was very refreshing. You could argue that getting very vanilla with the operating system and losing all of the extras might quickly make the phone boring, but for us seasoned Android users that isn't what it's all about. The look and utility of stock Android is pretty unanimously loved and everything else about the general experience is a blank canvas ripe with customization possibilities. That's why we love our Nexus — and it only gets better on the S4 hardware.

samsung galaxy s4 google play edition aa standing back

Unfortunately, many people have already found it to be very difficult to swallow the price point of the Galaxy S4 Google Play Edition, even when it’s technically a Nexus device. It goes without saying, the $649 price point is quite hefty compared to what we’ve paid for Nexus devices in the past. However, let me present you a possibility that might just make the price tag easier to swallow.

I don’t hate TouchWiz on the original S4, but I always wondered what stock Android would be like on it. I never jumped ship for stock Android because I was afraid to lose the extras, even if I only used them here and there. However, after using the Google Play Edition of the Galaxy S4, I didn’t find myself missing many of the added Samsung features. Not only that, but I realized how much I missed the real, vanilla Android experience.

So, if you were anything like me, take the Google Play Editions as a sign. Stock Android really does work well with the Galaxy S4, however, if you want on the original S4, just root, and flash away.

Video review

Brad Ward contributed to this post.

    


Google updates Hangouts, allowing us to make phone calls

Posted: 09 Jul 2013 03:04 PM PDT

google-hangouts

Are you one of those Google Talk users who didn't make the switch to Hangouts in Gmail because you like making calls? Yeah, me too. I like the updated interface of Hangouts, but the inability to make calls was a Gmail deal breaker.

Google has heard our cries, and blessed Hangouts with the ability to make calls! Inside of Gmail, much like we currently can with Google Talk, Hangouts will soon give us the ability to make calls. The updated Hangouts interface is also here, and there are some fresh new tools to help usher in a new era of Hangouts phone calls.

The update is rolling out over the next few days, so keep an eye out.

First, you can add multiple numbers or video participants to a hangout. So, conference calling while doing a hangout is possible, or simply having a few people on the line to make plans. We can also use the Google Effects app to play things like laughter or applause, for those times when nobody gets your joke.

The update is rolling out over the next few days, so keep an eye out. When you get it, you'll see a little phone icon next to the field where you type in participants for a new hangout. Click on that icon, select "Call a phone" from the drop-down menu, and you're on your way!

This will also work in the Chrome extension for Hangouts, with "Call a phone" nestled between "Customize new request" and "Archived Hangouts" in the drop-down menu. If you have it already, please feel free to comment below and let us know how you like it compared to the Google Talk version!

Hangouts in Gmail calls

    


Samsung concept video shows off the future of wearables and phone displays

Posted: 09 Jul 2013 02:38 PM PDT

Samsung Logo aa 600px 2

Mobile tech has come a long way from the early era of cellphones and massive laptops. Today we have extremely fast yet thin smartphones, powerful tablets and even wearable devices such as Google Glass and the next-gen Sony smart watch. Where are we going next? It's hard to say for sure, though today Samsung gave us a brief look at their vision of the future in the form of a new concept video shown off at the MobileBeat conference in San Francisco.

At the beginning of the video, Samsung reveals a concept display technology, found within a bendable mobile device that can change from tablet to phone. The video also touches on wearable technology by showing off a disposable sensor that can painlessly take health data using radio frequency waves. You can check all that out here:

Speaking at the conference, Samsung strategy chief Young Sohn made it clear that the Korean giant sees a lot of potential in both wearable and medical technology.

Sohn says that while only about 10 percent of those at the conference were using wearable tech, this number will continue to rise quickly as computers make their way into more devices like glasses, clothing and watches. Once wearable tech becomes widely accepted, it could also open new doors for personal medical technology.

Before you get too excited by the concepts discussed in the video, just remember that these are currently nothing but ideas and early experiments. You don't have to look any further than Samsung’s flexible display technology demos to know that it can take many years to go from the concept stage to an actual product. Sometimes it never happens.

What do you think of the concepts shown off in the Samsung video, when might such ideas move out of the conceptual phase and into reality?

    


Android Jelly Bean: A look at how it became the champion we all wanted

Posted: 09 Jul 2013 01:41 PM PDT

Jelly Bean fragmentation

The first time we saw Jelly Bean in any kind of official capacity was back in August of last year. The new Android iteration (4.1, to be exact) made a subtle appearance, popping up on less than 1% of Android devices. What it represented was an incremental step forward from Ice Cream Sandwich, with a bevy of little tweaks and improvements. The UI was enhanced, and Chrome replaced the "official" Android browser. Aside from those two changes, not much was notable. Incremental changes were made until October 9 of 2012, which would be the last update for 4.1 (4.1.2 officially, by that time).

Android 4.2 was the serious upgrade we'd been hoping for, and it didn't disappoint. Photospheres, gesture typing, and Miracast were the powerful jabs this time around, and we all ate it up. Of course, we were all concerned Google hated Christmas, but they added December to Jelly Bean on November 27th, so all was well in the world.

Now that Jelly Bean has become the most used Iteration of Android, let's take a look back at its rise to the top. Overthrowing the Gingerbread king wasn't easy, but Google had a little help from their friends. If nothing else, Jelly Bean represents a major shift in Android hardware, and how devices are able to support newer versions. More importantly, it represents how OEMs are supporting Android.

android-fragmentation

The beginning

Debuting with 0.8% of devices running Jelly Bean, we had yet to see the true implementation of the new version. Two months later, We saw the first significant improvement to adoption, as Jelly Bean was now showing up on 1.8% of devices. This was the beginning of October, and a few weeks away from the Nexus 4 launch.

Let's also give Google credit for not pushing out another Android version, which only serves to complicate the fragmentation discussion.

About a month after the Nexus 4 was launched amidst Hurricane Sandy and a botched event in New York, Jelly Bean took a big step forward. By the end of November, Jelly Bean 4.1 would see another 1% increase. At 2.7%, it was catching on pretty quickly, and outpacing Ice Cream Sandwich which came before it.

Now that December had made a home in Jelly Bean, Jelly Bean took another step forward. December 4th was the first time we would see the new Jelly Bean 4.2 listed, clocking in at the familiar 0.8%. Just as curious was the increase 4.1 was seeing, this time with nearly 6% of Android devices running the now older Jelly Bean. that number would remain in place until four days into 2013, with 4.1 showing up on 9% of devices, and 1.2% for 4.2!

Jelly Bean October 2012 to January 2013

By early 2013, the Nexus 4 kluge was in full effect, and other devices were starting to see Jelly Bean. The Galaxy S3 had been getting the Jelly Bean update for quite some time, and the RAZR lineup joined the Droid DNA in the land of Jelly Bean. Each month would see a remarkable improvement in Jelly Bean implementation, growing to nearly 14% combined in February, and nearly 17% by the end of March. In the span of three months, Jelly Bean had gained roughly 7% in Android market share, while Gingerbread fell 4%.

Since that time, Jelly Bean has skyrocketed, surpassing Gingerbread to take the Android lead. At 38% compared to 34% for Gingerbread, Jelly Bean has turned tide for Android. But where did this come from?

android-fragmentation

A little help

Android survives on its devices, just as those devices survive on Android. A large part of the reason we weren't seeing Ice Cream Sandwich overcome Gingerbread was hardware, as the older phones simply didn't have the guts to effectively run the latest version of Android. Now that hardware has caught up a bit, and become more cost effective, what were once considered premium devices are now easily had on a larger scale. With the push HTC made with the One, and the Galaxy S4 from Samsung steamrolling, it was really only a matter of time before Jelly Bean took the lead.

Android has come a long way since Gingerbread, and so has the hardware running it.

Let's also give Google credit for not pushing out another Android version, which only serves to complicate the fragmentation discussion. Had we seen another Android version at I/O, the water would once again be muddied. Jelly Bean is shaping up to be that fragmentation conquering hero we so desperately want, and it shows no signs of letting up. With a strong Nexus lineup, and Google Play Edition devices starting a new trend, Jelly Bean is set to conquer.

Android fragmentation

Fragmentation still exists, but now that we have hardware which is as mature as Android Jelly Bean, updates become less of an issue. We can also look to the Motorola X Phone, a mid-range device running the latest version of Android. Over time, those lesser devices running older versions of Android become obsolete. Users upgrade, which gets them an improved Android. If we can look to the X Phone as the new mid-level phone, we can see where fragmentation starts to diminish.

Android has come a long way since Gingerbread, and so has the hardware running it. At the time, Gingerbread was as good an OS as the hardware could reasonably handle. Now, we have hardware that is effectively a PC in your pocket. What was once a discussion about whether or not a device could handle the newest Android has turned into a query as to why the device hasn't been upgraded yet. Soon, these charts and graphs could start to be a lot less fragmented over time, and that is good for everyone.

    


Update rolling out for AT&T’s Galaxy S4

Posted: 09 Jul 2013 01:10 PM PDT

Samsung Galaxy S4

Update ahoy, AT&T Samsung Galaxy S4 users! Coming hot on the heels of new software Samsung rolled out to German variants of the Snapdragon Galaxy S4 last week, the firmware update for the U.S. carrier contains a number of enhancements owners have been clamoring for, including (but not limited to) a reduced memory footprint and expandable app storage via SD card. The update also incorporates support framework for Samsung's enterprise security platform, Knox, which should be music to the ears of those at companies with "bring your own device" policies.

Other notable improvements include the camera app, which has been updated to support HDR video, and a toggle for Smart Pause. A few minor U.I. tweaks are present, also: the status bar is now semi-transparent, and the Settings app contains new icons.

Here's the full changelog:

  • New Camera firmware
  • Smearing issue has been fixed (Purple effect while scrolling)
  • Smart Pause Toggle
  • Move Apps to SD Card
  • HDR Video (Can record HDR video)
  • Semi-transparent status bar
  • New Icons in Settings
  • Secure boot status (About Phone)
  • Increase legibility (Display) (New feature)

The update is 357 MB is size, and is available for download through Samsung's KIES desktop software or OTA (over-the-air).

    


Tiny Thief coming to Google Play on July 11th, first Rovio Stars game for Android

Posted: 09 Jul 2013 01:05 PM PDT

Tiny Thief

Back in May, Rovio announced plans to start publishing third party games alongside its own titles under a new brand, "Rovio Stars". Apple iOS users have already seen the first fruit of this effort, Icebreaker: A Viking Voyage. Now it is Android's turn. On July 11th, Tiny Thief (from 5 Ants) will arrive to Google Play.

Tiny Thief is a puzzle game, but unlike Rovio's usual offerings – it isn’t a physics-based title. Instead, the game is more of a medieval themed stealth-puzzle game that has candy stores, bears in cages, pirates, dragons and even some sort of steampunk robot-like device.

Tiny Thief also features over 30 different stages with more than 50 different characters to interact with. You’ll even find well over a hundred items to collect.

The game certainly looks like it has potential, though it remains unseen whether or not the 3rd party title will achieve the same kind of success as 1st party Rovio games.

What do you think of the Rovio Stars 3rd-party publishing brand, will it prove successful for Rovio? What do you think of Tiny Thief based on the trailer?

    


New Floating Touch app brings Chat Heads-like experience to your settings

Posted: 09 Jul 2013 10:37 AM PDT

Floating Touch

Let's not beat around the bush here, Facebook Home was an awful idea. Who really wants a full-time Facebook experience? Not very many people we'd wager. Not everything about Facebook Home is horrible, however. In fact, Facebook's "Chat Head" notifications have proven popular enough to see several unofficial spin offs including the Floating Notifications app and Paranoid Android's HALO feature.

Now comes something that takes the idea of a floating icon a step further, the Floating Touch app. This unique app isn’t another message and notification program, instead it is a floating system tool that is somewhat reminiscent of Acer's Ring.

Basically you get a floating touch button that you can move around anywhere on the homescreen or even in any open apps. If you are bothered by the idea of a spot on the screen that is always in the way, you'll be happy to know you can long press on the spot to hide it within the notification bar.

Okay, so what exactly does the floating button do? Clicking on it reveals a 'wheel' of sorts that offers quick system settings, memory cleaning, a button to lock the screen, and a home button.

All the features mentioned above come in the free version of the app, but it's also worth noting that there is a Pro upgrade that sets you back just $2.00 but but adds quite a few additional customization features.

These features include changing the color of the wheel, adding new folders and icons to the wheel, and much more. There are also some special features that will only work with rooted devices.

What do you think, could you see yourself using a floating 'quick settings' button or not?

    


Facebook Home continues to play catch up, now includes folders

Posted: 09 Jul 2013 10:19 AM PDT

Facebook Home Facebook Home’s release will forever be known as one of the worst ones ever. To date, it carries a 2.9 rating in the Google Play Store despite having millions of downloads. It’s also been responsible for the swift death of the HTC First. However, it isn’t for a lack of trying. With this latest update, Facebook Home now includes folder support.

We know what you’re thinking. Why is Facebook Home just now including features that have been available for years on Android? Unfortunately, we don’t have an answer for that, but at least that’s one problem that Facebook Home can check off their long, long list of things that are still wrong with Facebook Home. As per the norm, you create a folder by dragging an app on top of another app. This creates the folder where you can drag and drop more apps.

This comes on the coattails of a slew of other improvements. Recent updates have also included bug fixes, performance enhancement, battery savings, and even a much needed dock. So many might look at this and see a lackluster update that simply brings Facebook Home current with every other Android launcher. However, the truth of the matter is that when you add this update to everything else, Facebook Home has actually been improved quite a bit.

Will Facebook Home ever be worth using?

One never knows, does one? However, CNet writer Jennifer Van Grove reported this week that Facebook may be making more drastic improvements in the near future. According to a spokesperson who talked to CNet, Facebook Home will soon include widgets and working out more kinks. They believe that’ll put them on par with at least most Android launchers.

It’s impressive that Facebook is still making effort despite the equally impressive number of people who keep saying that Facebook should just scrap it. With the improvements that are publicly known, it’s not crazy to think that Facebook Home may be usable in the future. Of course, we’d like to hear from you. Are Facebook Home folders and the promise to add widgets and bug fixes improving your opinion of Facebook Home or will they have to do a lot more to make it a competent launcher?

    


Twitter for Android gets an update, now supports direct message syncing

Posted: 09 Jul 2013 09:38 AM PDT

twitter

Don't you just hate when you read a Twitter direct message on your PC, only to find that your tablet or phone still has the same message marked as unread? Okay, it's not the end of the world, but it's still a minor annoyance.

The good news is that Twitter is rolling out a new Android app, alongside a new cross platform sync feature that ensures that if you read messages on one device, it shows up as read on all your other devices/platforms. The only catch is that you'll have to be running official Twitter apps for the functionality to work – so no support for apps like Falcon Pro.

Outside of the new sync feature, the Android app also received a few search-related changes such as the ability to see user avatars while searching. You can also easily clear past searches from the dropdown menu.

Last but not least, the change log mentions “richer search results indicate when there are new Tweets for your query and show account results with bios and social context.” While not directly mentioned, there are also probably a few minor bug fixes in the update as well.

To grab the new version of Twitter head on over to Google Play. Have you updated yet? If so, what do you think of the new cross-platform sync and search-related changes?

    


The best cases for the Samsung Galaxy S4! (video)

Posted: 09 Jul 2013 09:12 AM PDT

galaxy s4 best cases

The Samsung Galaxy S4 is one of the most highly anticipated devices of the year, and it’s probably one of the more expensive ones out there, especially if you pay for it outright. Most people like to protect their investments, and in this context, you do that by purchasing a case.

Now, there are a lot of cases out there, making it hard to choose which one is right for you. So we’re going to show you some of the best ones available, though we can guarantee they’ll be the cheapest ones. If you’re in a rush, jump straight to the video, otherwise, stick with us as we took a closer look at some of these awesome cases for the Samsung Galaxy S4!

Speck Candyshell Grip

This is a highly sought after case because of its 2-in-1 hard and soft construction. Looking at the case, you’ll notice the four rubberized grip areas. It’s great because it provided maximum grip to almost any surface, which means you shouldn’t have any trouble with your phone sliding off the table.

speck candyshell grip galaxy s4 aa

You have your usual cutouts with this case — headphone jack, microUSB port, and etc. There’s also a rubberized edge around the screen, which protects the Galaxy S4 from any unfortunate face-down falls. For maximum protection, you may want to throw a screen protector on your Galaxy S4 as well. And don’t worry, the Speck Candyshell Grip will still fit nicely, even after adding a screen protector.

I have the black version, but it comes in seven other colors as well. It sells for $34.95, which really, isn’t too bad for all this case has to offer.

Cygnett FitGrip Hybrid Active

It’s a dual-material case with raised edges, and a really sleek dual-color design. Looking around the front of this particular case, you immediately notice the raised edges. It’s very nice because it will, also, protect from face-down falls.

DSC_0090

Again, you have your usual cutouts — speakers, microUSB, headphone jack, etc. There’s also two rubberized button for easier control of the volume rocker and power button. Additionally, the Cygnett comes with extra rubberized corners for added protection in the event of your device landing on one of its corners.

This case comes in four different colors and retails for $25.49.

Samsung S-View Cover

This case in unique because it offers fullscreen protection, but still allows you to use basic features of the phone without removing the cover, such as answering or rejecting calls. Simply open up your cover to get to the home screen, or close the cover to access S-View.

DSC_0092

Now, this is just a shell replacement, so it doesn’t really offer any extra protection on the back and corners. The S-View cover is one of the more expensive cases out the bunch, running at $41.99, but it is available in seven different colors.

Otterbox Commuter

Next up is the Otterbox Commuter case. It’s one of my favorite cases for the Samsung Galaxy S4, and due to the popularity of the case, you may have heard of it, too. It features nice protection, but it’s not as bulky as the Defender case.

DSC_0099

You can see that it has a raised edge to protect against face-down falls, which it does really nicely. It has a rubberized power button and volume rocker, which makes the two buttons really easy to press, unlike some of the previous models of the Commuter. Then, once again, you have your usual cutouts, but there’s a nice deep dish for the camera to protect it from any sort of impact.

As you might expect, it also has rubberized corners to help it bounce in the case that you do drop it. This case is available in ten different colors, and retails for $34.95.

Sonivo Sneak Peak

This is another case that utilizes the Samsung Galaxy S4′s S-View functionality. It’s pretty much the same as the Samsung official case, but it rings in at $21.95, instead of the much more expensive $41.99 from Samsung. It’s also available in 10 different colors.

DSC_0095

It has a great, leather texture, and it has cutouts for all of our ports and buttons. Now, the Sonivo does offer extra protection, as you put your Galaxy S4 in an existing case, instead of taking the back cover off. This does add a bit more bulk, but not much.

Spigen SlimArmor

This is a very shock absorbing case with a hard shell exterior, which is great if you ever drop your Galaxy S4 on hard surfaces. I really enjoy this case because of the rubberized corners. The colors also blend is very nicely, and we have access to our usual cutouts — camera, LED, headphone jack, and etc. With this case, the power button and volume rocker are rubberized for easier control.

DSC_0088

It’s available in five different dual-colored options, and it retails for $25.49.

Otterbox Defender

Available in 12 different colors, the price is very fair for the triple player protection it offers. We have a very large bezel along with a nice screen protector that sits atop of the Galaxy S4. There’s nice cutouts for our camera, speakers, LED, and there’s even flaps on the headphone jack and charging port for dust resistance.

DSC_0102

The raised edges will protect the device from any face-down falls, and the included screen protector will keep the display intact in case it does shatter, however, the screen shouldn’t crack or shatter with this mighty case attached, so I wouldn’t worry.

The Otterbox Defender ranges anywhere from $50 to $60, and if it’s not worth it to you, a belt holster is even included with this case, so you can clip to your belt for easy use in heavy working environments.

Video

Final thoughts

As we mentioned earlier, there are a lot of cases out there. The cases that we listed here will offer you either a good amount of protection or accessibility. They aren’t the cheapest cases on the market, but as they always say, you get what you pay for.

If you’re not looking to spend a whole lot of money on giving your device maximum protection, a quick Amazon search will reveal a lot of cheap cases with minimal protection. They’ll protect against basic stuff, such as dropping your phone on the carpet, but not much more than that.

Do you have a favorite case for the Samsung Galaxy S4? Let us know in the comments below!

    


New Kindle Fire line will bring better resolutions, “chiseled” design, at the same price tag

Posted: 09 Jul 2013 08:48 AM PDT

Amazon Kindle Fire HD

There's nothing particularly exciting in this leak from BGR, but it's still nice to get some confirmation on our educated guesses.

Here's the run down – the folks at BGR claim that Amazon will launch its newest generation of Kindle Fires sometimes in autumn, probably in September, the same time of the year when the 2012 launched.

The base model, the $159 Kindle Fire, will feature an improved display, with a resolution of 1280×800 pixels, a jump from the current 1024 x 600 resolution. Similarly, the upcoming Kindle Fire HD will go Full HD, with a resolution of 1920×1200. The Kindle Fire HD 8.9 will obviously get the best panel, of an impressive 2560 x 1600 resolution.

Besides the souped up resolution, we don't have any details on the rest of the spec sheets, but, knowing Jeff Bezos' company, we probably won't be blown away by any technical achievement on the 2013 Kindle Fire line.

In terms of design, the leaksters claim that the new Kindle Fire line will be completely redesigned. Gone are the soft curves and amply rounded corners – a new "chiseled" look, with flat edges and sharper corners, is what we should expect. Amazon supposedly changed the position of the power button to make it easier to reach, and the new devices are said to be "noticeably lighter".

Finally, Amazon's goal is to sell the new Kindle Fire line for the same prices as the 2012 generation. That means $159, $199, and $299 for the Kindle Fire, Kindle Fire HD, and Kindle Fire HD 8.9 respectively.

    


HTC One on sale for just $49.99 from Amazon

Posted: 09 Jul 2013 08:47 AM PDT

htc one vs sony xperia z on design back in hand aa

There's certainly plenty of choice if you're in the market for a new high end smartphone right now, especially considering that the Google Edition HTC One and Galaxy S4 are now shipping out. But if you're on the hunt for a really good deal, then perhaps this is the one for you.

Amazon has lowered the price on both its AT&T and Sprint subsidized HTC One's, knocking the price tags down to just $49.99 when you sign up for a two year contract with one of the carriers.

Fortunately, both new and existing customers can benefit from this deal, proving that you add a new line to your account. Otherwise, existing customers will have to pay $99.99 for an upgrade to replace their current handset with a new HTC One.

The deal applies to both black and silver versions of the smartphone on both of the two carrier options. However, you'll only be able to pick up the 32GB version for this reduced price, the 64GB still only appears to be available through AT&T.

But if $50 isn't already a good enough deal, you can also claim a free $25 Google Play Gift card when you purchase the HTC One between now and July 15th. All you need to do is punch in your handset's serial number on HTC's registration site, and you'll receive a promotional code to use on Google Play. In fact, if you've brought a new HTC One since June 14th you can still nab your free Google Play credit.

Buy Now from Amazon

    


Android 4.2.2 with Sense 5 arrives on the HTC Butterfly

Posted: 09 Jul 2013 07:37 AM PDT

HTC Butterfly Press Shots 600px wide (4)After the odd hint and rumor, HTC has finally released its Sense 5 update for its popular Butterfly handset.

This update has been expected for quite a while, we initially heard about a possible Sense 5 update coming to the One X, One X+, One S, and Butterfly all the way back in February. But sadly there's a catch, and a pretty big one at that, the update is currently only available in Taiwan, it hasn't yet made its way to the US Droid DNA version of the handset.

According to Engadget Chinese, owners of the Taiwanese HTC Butterfly can now download a Sense 5 skinned version of Android 4.2.2, which is delivered in two downloaded packages. The first prepares the system for the update, probably to patch up a bug or two, whilst the second contains the actual update. Interestingly, Blinkfeed is also included in the Butterfly update, so HTC clearly isn't too intent on keeping features just for the HTC One.

But don't despair, there's a good chance that the update could head on over to the US Droid DNA, after all we've been hearing about this update for quite a while, and we've even seen some photographic evidence to go on. Not to mention that the handsets are virtually identical in the hardware department, so there shouldn’t be too much more work to do.

In the meantime, there's always the option of flashing a ROM, if you're up for it.

    


Samsung Galaxy S4 Active now on sale in the UK, prices start at £495 sim-free

Posted: 09 Jul 2013 07:17 AM PDT

galaxy s4 vs galaxy s4 active aa active water resistance

If you're in need of a more rugged smartphone to suit your lifestyle, but still want some top of the line hardware specs, then the Galaxy S4 Active might give you everything you need. The handset is now on sale in the UK, sim-free, with prices starting at £465 from Unlocked Mobiles, and the high-street retailer Carphone Warehouse is stocking the smartphone for £530 online.

Amazon is by far the most expensive seller that I've seen so far, but is offering the handset as a pre-order set for an August 1st delivery, whilst charging a whopping £676 for the wait. If those prices seem a little steep, you might want to hold off your purchase for a week or so, as several other internet sellers are currently listing the Galaxy S4 Active as delayed until next week.

If you haven't checked out any of our coverage on the S4 Active before, the smartphone offers pretty much the same package as the regular UK Galaxy S4: a 5-inch 1080p display, although it’s an LCD display rather than AMOLED, 2GB of RAM, 16GB of internal storage, and 1.9GHz quad-core Snapdragon 600 processor, but with a tougher, water resistant outer casing. The only major internal hardware difference is the change down to an 8 megapixel camera, but at least you can use it to take pictures underwater.

If you're thinking about purchasing a Galaxy S4 Active, make sure to check out Joshua Vergara's video comparison with the regular Galaxy S4.

    


Press shots for the ZTE U988S leak, unveil the world’s first Tegra 4-powered smartphone

Posted: 09 Jul 2013 06:29 AM PDT

ZTE logo aa - 600px

It has been a little over six months since Nvidia unveiled its next-gen Tegra 4 processor. While we were genuinely impressed with its performance and especially its monster 72-core GPU, it seems smartphone OEMs were not as impressed, as most of them opted for Qualcomm's Snapdragon 600 and 800 series.

So while we've seen a few tablets featuring the Nvidia Tegra 4, we hadn't seen a smartphone unveiled with the processor. That is until now, after a leaked press shot and some rumored specs have unveiled what looks to be the world's first Tegra 4 smartphone, the ZTE U988S. No this isn't the leaned down version, the Tegra 4i, this is the full fat, quad-core (well 4+1) A15 version.

ZTE-U988S-Tegra-4

A leaked press shot of the ZTE U988S.

The smartphone is rumored to feature a quad-core Tegra 4 clocked at 1.8Ghz, a 5-inch Full HD display, 2GB of RAM, a 13 MP rear camera, a microSD slot and Android 4.2 Jelly Bean, all in a slim 9mm thick frame. The only missing pieces of information are the battery size, an official name and unveiling, and the most important piece of the puzzle, the price.

Would you be interested in the ZTE U988S? Do you prefer the Tegra 4 over the Snapdragon 800?

    


The Moto X’ Clear Pixel camera could feature a RGBW sensor

Posted: 09 Jul 2013 06:12 AM PDT

Moto X ad

According to Taylor Wimberley, the founder of Android and Me and a person that leaked stuff from Google's kitchen before, the upcoming Moto X will feature a Clear Pixel camera. Wimberley revealed the info on Google Plus, and, when asked what Clear Pixel actually is, he said "It means 'dark, blurry pics and lack of details' will be things of the past…"

That certainly sounds exciting. Low light photography has always been the Achilles' heel of smartphone cameras, a weakness that HTC tried to mitigate on the One by making pixels larger, so they capture more light. But UltraPixels have the drawback of being… well, large, which means HTC was only able to equip the One with a 4MP (or UP, if you prefer) sensor. In other words, the Taiwanese company sacrificed detail for low-light performance.

So, how could Motorola deliver better low-light performance without making pixels larger? The solution may be, according to Brian Klug of AnandTech, a RGBW sensor.

Let's back up a little. Regular smartphone camera sensors use a RGB (red, green, blue) filter to form the digital image. Each pixel on the sensor is covered by an array of red, green, and blue "specs", for lack of a better term. Each spec lets only light of certain wavelengths pass through and reach the pixel. Using an algorithm, the imaging chip then converts the light intensity and wavelength from each pixel into a color, and then all the pixels are put together to form the final digital image.

The problem is that some of the light is lost when it passes through the colored RGB filters, which isn't an issue in bright light, but causes blurry, noisy images when light is insufficient.

To solve this problem, Eastman Kodak created a RGBW filter, which is similar to RGB, but also includes white specs in the filter pattern. The white specs let through light of all wavelengths, as opposed to colored filters, which ignore much of the light that hits them. As a result, RGBW sensors fare much better in low-light, because the white filters let them make the most of the available light.

Sony RGBW

Sony RGBW sensor demo

Last year, Sony announced that it planned to include an RGBW filter in the Exmor RS sensor that equips devices like the Xperia Z. However, in autumn Sony cancelled the RGBW sensor because "it was found not to meet certain conditions of Sony’s image quality standards". In other words, they couldn't get the technology to work in time to ship in Exmor RS.

Will the Moto X come with a Sony-made RGBW sensor? We can only speculate, but as Brian Klug (who is an optical engineer by formation) puts it, the description of Clear Pixel does sound a lot like RGBW.

    


Google Edition Samsung Galaxy S4 and HTC One handsets are now shipping

Posted: 09 Jul 2013 05:35 AM PDT

HTC One Galaxy S4 Google Play Edition

Here's some good news if you've been eagerly awaiting the arrival of your new smartphone, the Google Edition Samsung Galaxy S4 and HTC One handsets have begun shipping out from Google, right on schedule. If you pre-ordered one, then you should receive an email with a tracking number sometime today.

As you probably already know, the Google Edition versions of the Galaxy S4 and HTC One are pretty much just stock Android versions of these flagship handsets, with exactly the same hardware as their standard counterparts. .

One of the major perks, beside the absence of Samsung and HTC user interfaces, being that you'll receive Android updates quicker than you would on a standard Galaxy S4 or HTC One handset. Android 4.3 is incoming, and is already expected to land on these Google Edition smartphones in just a few weeks, now that the handsets are shipping out.

If you need a quick recap of the differences, or if you're still undecided about whether you should choose stock Android over Touchwiz or Sense 5, then check out our own David Gonzales' recent breakdown of the stock Samsung Galaxy S4. If you haven't already ordered your handset, there’s still time to grab one from the Google Play Store.

    


Motorola’s PRIP push-to-talk service launches in the US

Posted: 09 Jul 2013 04:41 AM PDT

PRIPCredit: Ubergizmo

Motorola has now officially launched its PRIP service in the US in conjunction with NII Holdings, and it's now available for downloaded from the Google Play Store. Motorola's push-to-talk service was already available in Mexico, Brazil, and across Latin America, so now US users can connect to the 11 million subscribers already connected to the service.

For those of you know don't know about PRIP, Motorola Mobility’s Push-to-Talk technology allows to you send calls over any wireless carrier's 3G or 4G networks or a WiFi connection, so think something along the lines of Skype. However, PRIP offers unlimited calling between other users and Nextel phone owners, rather than universal calling credit, and works on a monthly subscription basis.

Unlimited calls are available from PRIP for $7.99 per month, which seems a little bit on the expensive side for local calls, but it could save you money if you need to call abroad frequently. To sweeten the deal, for a limited time customers who sign up will receive their first month for free.

To top it all off, there are no in-app adverts, the application will automatically sync with your existing contacts, and it has a group conversation function too. So it looks like a well-rounded app.

The software is compatible with most Android smartphones running version 2.3 (Gingerbread) and above, so you shouldn’t have any trouble getting up and running, even on older handsets. The developer also understands that not everyone is using Android, so PRIP is also scheduled to land on iPhones in the coming weeks.

    


8 distinct Galaxy Note 3 model numbers spotted online

Posted: 09 Jul 2013 04:00 AM PDT

Samsung Logo

A wild rumor made the rounds through the blogosphere yesterday, sparked by a report in the Korean publication ETNews. According to the report, Samsung is preparing no fewer than four distinct variants of the Galaxy Note 3, including a "limited edition" premium variant with an unbreakable display, an AMOLED version, an LCD version, and an LCD version with an 8MP camera.

Now, several model numbers have been spotted online, which may or may not prove the theory that Samsung is bringing an entire Note 3 family to the market.

First, two model numbers were spotted on a Samsung site that collects User Agent Profiles – these are SM-N900T and SM-N900A. From the UAPs, we can tell that the devices will feature Full HD displays, but we can only speculate what the difference between them is. The different model numbers could belong to devices sold in distinct markets or with distinct hardware configurations.

Stefan Constantinescu from Android Beat ran a search on the "SM-N900" code and discovered a site that keeps track of goods that are imported in and exported from India. The site's database contains multiple references to devices bearing variations of the SM-N900 code that were imported from South Korea for "R&D purposes".

The variants are:

  • SM-N900
  • SM-N900V
  • SM-N900T
  • SM-N900A
  • SM-N900AI
  • SM-N900P
  • SM-N900R4
  • SM-N900S

This laundry list of codes could indicate that Samsung is simply testing multiple prototypes, but it could also add credence to the multiple versions theory. Two of the entries contain references to a 5.7-inch display, which corroborates with earlier reports.

Update: According to Samsung Updates, the V, A, T, and S codes could refer to the four big US carriers.

According to multiple sources, Samsung will manufacture the Galaxy Note 3 in August, with a likely announcement to follow in early September at IFA Berlin.