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• Samsung And Mozilla Working On Browser Engine With Multi-Core Support
• Sources speculate as to why Android’s Rubin is starting new chapter
• Samsung sets new goal: 500 million handsets in 2013
• First look at Facebook Home UI
• AT&T Launches 4G LTE In 14 New Markets
• Man Behind HTC One Camera Talks More About The UltraPixel
• Samsung working on new generation Galaxy Ace device
• Mid-range Samsung Galaxy Win leaked courtesy of Vietnamese retailer
• Google targeting all business users by making QuickOffice available for free for all Google Apps users
• Updated Nexus 7 with Qualcomm Snapdragon and better display coming in July

Samsung And Mozilla Working On Browser Engine With Multi-Core Support Posted: 03 Apr 2013 02:50 PM PDT Samsung and Mozilla announced a new partnership today that involves the development of a next generation browser engine. Called Servo, this browser engine will take advantage of multiple cores, allowing it to work even faster than today’s mobile browsers. To start, Servo will run on ARM-powered Android devices. Servo is written on a new language called Rust which was developed by Mozilla and will help to beef up security. There is no official release date as Rust is not considered stable yet and if you are a developer, you can access the source code from Github. Here is how Mozilla explains the programming language: “It is intended to fill many of the same niches that C++ has over the past decades, with efficient high-level, multi-paradigm abstractions, and offers precise control over hardware resources. But beyond that, it is *safe by default*, preventing entire classes of memory management errors that lead to crashes and security vulnerabilities. Rust also features lightweight concurrency primitives that make it easy for programmers to leverage the power of the many CPU cores available on current and future computing platforms.” Source: The Mozilla Blog Come comment on this article: Samsung And Mozilla Working On Browser Engine With Multi-Core Support Visit TalkAndroid for Android news, Android guides, and much more!

Sources speculate as to why Android’s Rubin is starting new chapter Posted: 03 Apr 2013 02:48 PM PDT Last month Google CEO Larry Page announced Android founder and team member Andy Rubin was moving on to something new at Google. In his place, Sundar Pichai will be taking over the lead on Android. While all parties have been pretty mum on the subject of what Google was up to, that has not stopped the rumor mill from cranking up and trying to read between the lines. Recently, some folks with Business Insider spent some time speaking with insiders and former Google employees to see if they could piece together a better understanding of the situation. The first issue addressed was whether Rubin had been transitioned away from the Android team because of his temper and general gruffness. The sources indicate that while it is true that Rubin could sometimes be difficult to interact with, that was not a reason for Page to give him the axe. They point to Nikesh Arora, chief business officer at Google, who supposedly has a similar temperament, but is not going anywhere. Rather than issues related to interpersonal technique, some think it has more to do with where Rubin saw Android going and how that fit in with Google’s overall strategy. Apparently Page sees Google as a services company, built on products like Search, Maps, Mail, and YouTube. Android is really just a means to get those services into the hands of customers. You may recall back in February when there were suggestions of friction between Samsung and Google driven by comments Rubin had made about Samsung getting too big and becoming a threat to Android. Such a view is not consistent with a company that sees itself as a services provider since they would not necessarily care what platform is used or what it is called. So, it may be the case that Page did not like Rubin stirring the pot and potentially chasing away an “access point” for Google services. This concept of Android really just being a way to get Google services into the hands of consumers is bolstered by the selection of Pichai. Pichai made a name for himself by convincing computer makers to install the Google Toolbar on their products. This effort involved the establishment of partnerships with many different players in the market and would not have been successful if Pichai had been choosy about who got the Toolbar, since the Toolbar was also a means to an end. If the conjecture is right, Page is hoping Pichai can guide Android in the same way to land on as many devices as possible regardless of the name or who controls the platform. The last piece that some may be wondering about is Motorola. Why would Google need a device manufacturer in-house if the platform does not really matter? Two possible answers exist. The first is the ever popular patent portfolio that Google can leverage. The second has to do with what Motorola does well – hardware technology development. Apparently Page is not so interested in seeing Motorola, or Google branded, devices as much as he is in seeing smartphones in general continue to improve so the Google services can run better and do more things. Pushing Motorola along in this direction is more important than creating an Apple-like integrated platform. source: Business Insider Come comment on this article: Sources speculate as to why Android’s Rubin is starting new chapter Visit TalkAndroid for Android news, Android guides, and much more!

Samsung sets new goal: 500 million handsets in 2013 Posted: 03 Apr 2013 12:36 PM PDT A new report from Digitimes says Samsung has set a goal to sell 500 million handset devices in 2013. This is a step up for Samsung given that they sold 420 million handset devices in 2012. The report also stated that BOE, a China-based panel maker, is supplying Samsung with a rate of 10 million panels per month for its entry-level and mid-range handset devices. Samsung is shooting for the stars, and depending on the success of their newly announced Galaxy S 4, they may very well reach their goal. Source: Digitimes Come comment on this article: Samsung sets new goal: 500 million handsets in 2013 Visit TalkAndroid for Android news, Android guides, and much more!

First look at Facebook Home UI Posted: 03 Apr 2013 11:09 AM PDT Just yesterday we saw pictures of the Facebook Phone’s hardware, but the software is what’s really exciting, right? Thanks to @evleaks and courtesy of 9to5 Google, we’ve got our first glimpse at what the custom Android skin is going to look like. In the first picture you can see what’s likely to be an app drawer, complete with standard Google apps. There was some speculation that Facebook might pull an Amazon and cut ties with Google completely in the software, but that’s obviously not the case. Aside from the Google apps, we have the expected Facebook, Messenger, and Instagram apps. On the top of the app drawer, there are shortcuts for posting status updates, photos, and check ins on Facebook. In the other screenshots, we can see a very clean look to the entire skin, and there’s still quite a bit of vanilla Android showing through. All of the icons are stock, the gallery application doesn’t appear to have been changed much, the status bar is keeping its holo theme, etc. More than anything, it’s just an extremely unique launcher for your apps with a few applications unique to the Facebook phone. Personally, I’m a fan of the less intrusive approach Facebook is taking here. Even though this is a pretty small peek at what the phone can actually do, we can get a pretty good idea of how the phone will function from these leaks, assuming they end up coming true tomorrow. Have these pictures changed anyone’s mind about getting a Facebook phone?   source: 9to5 Google Come comment on this article: First look at Facebook Home UI Visit TalkAndroid for Android news, Android guides, and much more!

AT&T Launches 4G LTE In 14 New Markets Posted: 03 Apr 2013 09:58 AM PDT AT&T has rolled out LTE to 14 new markets which now marks a total of 175 markets with LTE coverage. Eight locations are in the south with Florida taking the top spot. Here they are: Fayetteville-Springdale-Rogers, Arkansas Fort Smith, Arkansas Fresno, California Palm Coast, Florida Lakeland-Winter Haven Florida Fort Pierce, Florida Mount Dora, Florida Carbondale-Marion Illinois Houma/Thibodaux, Louisana Jefferson City, Missouri Las Cruces, New Mexico Binghamton, New York Temple/Killeen Texas Mount Vernon, Washington Source: AT&T Come comment on this article: AT&T Launches 4G LTE In 14 New Markets Visit TalkAndroid for Android news, Android guides, and much more!

Man Behind HTC One Camera Talks More About The UltraPixel Posted: 03 Apr 2013 09:31 AM PDT The HTC One is set to launch on multiple U.S. carriers April 19 and one feature that has people talking is the new UltraPixel camera. Instead of a higher megapixel camera, HTC went with a four megapixel camera that has some different technology behind it. As any photography geek knows, more megapixels doesn’t always mean better image quality. Factors such as image sensor and the quality of lens have a large impact. With a sensor that can capture 300% more light than any 13 megapixel smartphone camera on the market, HTC believes its UltraPixel camera is better than the competition. JR Raphael of Computerworld got to sit down with Symon Whitehorn who heads up smartphone imaging at HTC. Whitehorn doesn’t see the UltraPixel camera as a drastic evolution, but more of a forward-looking step. HTC wanted to focus on performance versus cramming in more megapixels and marketing that bigger number to consumers as better. When it comes to why they went with four megapixels, they found that it was more than enough in 90 percent of cases. Also, it gives a much more manageable file size which allows users to do more cool things with Zoe without sacrificing performance. What also makes the HTC One camera unique according to Whitehorn is the optical image stabilization and F/2.0 aperture. Early preproduction units appeared to take grainy photos and Whitehorn claims it was an automatic ISO issue that has since been fixed and shouldn’t be there once the HTC One makes its way to consumers. Source: Computerworld Come comment on this article: Man Behind HTC One Camera Talks More About The UltraPixel Visit TalkAndroid for Android news, Android guides, and much more!

Samsung working on new generation Galaxy Ace device Posted: 03 Apr 2013 09:10 AM PDT According to reports, Samsung is working on a new generation Galaxy Ace device to succeed the Galaxy Ace 2 released last year. The third generation in the Ace line will have a 4.0-inch display, a 5MP camera, 4GB of internal storage and will run Android Jelly Bean. No information on a processor is available yet, but some are guessing it may carry a 1.2GHz dual-core chip. Samsung is expected to release the new Ace device in four colors – Metallic Black, Metallic Blue, Pure White, and Wine Red - sometime in June. The device’s model number is GT-S7272. source: SamMobile Come comment on this article: Samsung working on new generation Galaxy Ace device Visit TalkAndroid for Android news, Android guides, and much more!

Mid-range Samsung Galaxy Win leaked courtesy of Vietnamese retailer Posted: 03 Apr 2013 08:56 AM PDT While many people are waiting and watching for news about flagship devices from the major manufacturers, work continues on devices for other strata in the market. Today Vietnamese retailer Mai Nguyen posted information about a new device from Samsung, the Galaxy Win (I8552), expected to launch in May 2013. The Galaxy Win will be powered by a 1.2GHz quad-core Snapdragon S4 processor driving a 480×800 4.7-inch screen. The device will run Android 4.1.2, has a 5MP camera, supports up to a 32GB microSD card for additional memory, and is dual-SIM capable. The device does not have 4G capability. No information on pricing, carriers or markets was provided. Hit the break for a couple more images of this new Samsung smartphone. source: SamMobile via: Mai Nguyen Come comment on this article: Mid-range Samsung Galaxy Win leaked courtesy of Vietnamese retailer Visit TalkAndroid for Android news, Android guides, and much more!

Google targeting all business users by making QuickOffice available for free for all Google Apps users Posted: 03 Apr 2013 06:44 AM PDT   Since the major acquisition last year, Google has made it clear that it wants QuickOffice to make accessing and editing various Microsoft Office documents for the average consumer— but what about the various businesses out there? Sure business have the option of using their Google Apps account to access Google Drive, but let’s face it— Google Drive isn’t exactly intuitive and doesn’t mesh well with various Office documents out there. Well Google has heard businesses’ cries and made QuickOffice available for all Google Apps users… all for the smooth price of free. This means that all you Google Apps users out there will have instant access to all your files stored in Google Drive or open up an Office file on your device and have the ability to edit and save the file back to your device or Drive and access them from anywhere, anytime. Again, the app is available for free for all Google Apps users, so if you have one of those coveted accounts, head on down to the Play Store link and grab your copy today.   Play Store download link   Come comment on this article: Google targeting all business users by making QuickOffice available for free for all Google Apps users Visit TalkAndroid for Android news, Android guides, and much more!

Updated Nexus 7 with Qualcomm Snapdragon and better display coming in July Posted: 03 Apr 2013 05:40 AM PDT We already reported that the next Nexus 7 will sport the Qualcomm Snapdragon CPU instead of the current NVIDIA Tegra 3, and Reuters is now confirming it. Also unsurprisingly, they are reporting that it will have a better display. We expect the next generation Nexus 7 to be unveiled at Google I/O in May, but Reuters is saying that it won’t be available till July. Pricing is going to be key now that Amazon has lowered their pricing. Google may choose to stick with the $199/$249 plan, but there is a rumor that they will drop to $149/$199. I believe they will opt for the latter, and I wouldn’t be surprised if they drop the price of the Nexus 10 around the same time. source: Reuters Come comment on this article: Updated Nexus 7 with Qualcomm Snapdragon and better display coming in July Visit TalkAndroid for Android news, Android guides, and much more!

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AndroidGuys

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• Leaked images provide first glimpse of Facebook Home experience
• Twitter for Android updated with Holo UI, new features
• One year later, Android accounts for nearly half of all Instagram users
• Official Colourform widget bundle debuts for HD Widgets
• Rdio takes on Amazon, Netflix, Hulu Plus with new Vdio service
• Details leaked for the mid-range Samsung Galaxy Win
• AT&T drops the Samsung Galaxy S4 to $199.99 with contract
• Reuters: Google to introduce new Nexus 7, may lower price
• Jelly Bean powers one in four Android devices

Leaked images provide first glimpse of Facebook Home experience Posted: 03 Apr 2013 01:58 PM PDT The first alleged images of the Facebook Home experience have leaked online, giving us an early look at what lies ahead for the HTC First.  As you can tell from the three photos things do not look to be too heavy on custom feel and, at first blush, look clean. We’ll have to see how this feels in the real world but we get the sense that the average social-media junkie might appreciate a phone experience such as this. Presumably, and hopefully, it puts the Facebook apps and services front and center without hiding the rest of the Android features. Facebook is expected to announce the HTC First and Facebook Home at an event on April 4. 9to5google The post Leaked images provide first glimpse of Facebook Home experience appeared first on AndroidGuys.

Twitter for Android updated with Holo UI, new features Posted: 03 Apr 2013 01:12 PM PDT The official Twitter app for Android has been updated today, bringing about a new design and a number of new features. Available in Google Play immediately, the app looks more in line with Android 4.0′s Holo UI aesthetics. New in this release of Twitter for Android: We've got a brand new look and feel crafted for Android 4.0+. Navigate seamlessly between your favorite parts of Twitter with a simple swipe. It's easier to connect with friends and join conversations with @username and #hashtag suggestions that appear as you search or compose a Tweet Discover, install and launch your favorite apps from Tweets Other bug fixes and improvements We understand that many of you guys prefer a third party client for Twitter, however we think this new look is worth a gander. Download Twitter for Android (Google Play) Twitter The post Twitter for Android updated with Holo UI, new features appeared first on AndroidGuys.

One year later, Android accounts for nearly half of all Instagram users Posted: 03 Apr 2013 12:52 PM PDT One year after it made its debut on the platform, Android users make up nearly half of all Instragram users. A post on the Instagram blog tells us that Android now accounts for roughly fifty percent of all users but stopped short of providing any hard numbers. We’ve seen Instagram pick up a number of new features over the last year and have enjoyed watching the app evolve. Despite a bit of backlash over the user agreement, momentum continues to build for the service. Most recently, Instagram introduced a full website that nearly mimics the mobile experience. Are you surprised by the “nearly fifty percent” number? Did you expect more? Less? The post One year later, Android accounts for nearly half of all Instagram users appeared first on AndroidGuys.

Official Colourform widget bundle debuts for HD Widgets Posted: 03 Apr 2013 12:35 PM PDT Cloud.tv has released the final version of its Colourform widget pack for HD Widgets. Available in Google Play for only $.99, the add-on bundle provides a seemingly endless number of customization options. We’ve been using the beta pack for the last few months and really love it, but the first few minutes we spent with the final release changes everything. We’re talking all sorts of background options, gradients, indicators (formerly switches), and more.  In a word, it’s stunning. In a sentence, Colourform is all at once simple, elegant, and very impressive. Click to view slideshow. While we generally love to tweak the widgets with custom touches and user-defined settings, there’s nothing quite like hitting that “random” icon. Note that you must have HD Widgets 3.9 installed before the Colourform widget pack will work. The post Official Colourform widget bundle debuts for HD Widgets appeared first on AndroidGuys.

Rdio takes on Amazon, Netflix, Hulu Plus with new Vdio service Posted: 03 Apr 2013 11:59 AM PDT As if we needed another entry in the video on demand space, Rdio has tossed their name in the ring. A new service, Vdio, is being previewed which lets users buy, rent, and share movies and television. We're introducing the notion of Sets ­— playlists for TV shows and movies — so anyone can make and share lists of their favorites, making it easier than ever to discover new stuff. Or, you can just check out what your friends are watching in the moment and jump in. Reading through the announcement, we see plenty of familiar and noteworthy titles. Indeed, there are references to The Walking Dead, Breaking Bad, Skyfall, Zero Dark Thirty, and more. As of today, Vdio is only available to Rdio Unlimited subscribers in the US and UK. As an incentive, Rdio is giving all Rdio Unlimited subscribers a $25 credit to use on Vdio. In the event you were not already an Rdio Unlimited user, you can take advantage of the deal as long as you sign up in the next 60 days. The only real drawback, as we see it today, is that there is no Android app to download yet. So why bother sharing the news with you guys? We’re huge fans of Rdio and fully expect to see the Vdio client before long. In the meanwhile, we recommend checking out Rdio on Android and using the Vdio website. The post Rdio takes on Amazon, Netflix, Hulu Plus with new Vdio service appeared first on AndroidGuys.

Details leaked for the mid-range Samsung Galaxy Win Posted: 03 Apr 2013 08:40 AM PDT Samsung may be reaching out to users looking for an affordable mid-range device as pictures and specs of the Galaxy Win were leaked today. The rumored smartphone looks to have a large 4.7-inch sAMOLED display, as well as a dual-SIM option, a 1.2GHz quad-core Snapdragon 200 chip (with Adreno 203 graphics), and a 5 megapixel camera. It will run on Android 4.1 Jelly Bean with the familiar Nature UX. Don’t be fooled by the screen however. That sizable 4.7-inch screen only has a resolution of 480 x 800 pixels, so jagged edges and pixelization will definitely be visible. According to the sources, the Samsung Galaxy Win should launch in ceramic white sometime in early May. Take a look at the device and some of it specs below and let us know what you think: - Display: 4.7″ 480 x 800. (sAMOLED) - CPU: 1.2 GHz Quad-Core Qualcomm Snapdragon 200 - GPU: Adreno 203 - RAM: Unknown - Camera: 5MP Back. Front: VGA. - Battery: 2000mAh - OS: Android 4.1.2 Jelly Bean - Connectivity: Bluetooth 4.0, Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n, GPS       Via: Source 1 Source 2   The post Details leaked for the mid-range Samsung Galaxy Win appeared first on AndroidGuys.

AT&T drops the Samsung Galaxy S4 to $199.99 with contract Posted: 03 Apr 2013 08:30 AM PDT AT&T today announced the price of the upcoming Samsung Galaxy S4 will be $199.99 with a two year service agreement. Initially listed at $249.99, the 16GB smartphone will be priced the same as the 32GB HTC One. Of course, it’s possible that AT&T really meant to have this price structure all along, right? *Update: The 32GB model will be $249.99 with a two-year commitment and the 16GB model will be $199.99 with a two-year commitment. Whether this move comes as a result of fan and user backlash or pressure from HTC is unclear however we have to imagine it’s a bit of both. Toss in a bit of “Hey, the iPhone 5 is cheaper than the Galaxy S4″ and you can  see why AT&T might have caved. The Samsung Galaxy S4 features a 5-inch HD Super AMOLED display, a quad-core Snapdragon processor, 2GB of RAM and runs Android 4.2 Jelly Bean.  As a reminder, AT&T customers will be able to pre-order the Galaxy S4 beginning on April 16th. AT&T The post AT&T drops the Samsung Galaxy S4 to $199.99 with contract appeared first on AndroidGuys.

Reuters: Google to introduce new Nexus 7, may lower price Posted: 03 Apr 2013 07:33 AM PDT Google will introduce a next-generation of the Nexus 7 tablet, possibly with a lower price tag, according to Reuters.  Reportedly, Asus will be the hardware partner of choice however the processor will come from Qualcomm instead of NVIDIA. The details match up with previous rumors that Google would swap out the CPU maker. Google may choose to sell the new gadget for $199, the same as the first generation rolled out last June, while the old model may be discounted, one of the sources said. Alternatively, the new tablet could be priced more competitively at $149 and the previous model discontinued, the source added. With Google I/O 2013 just a little over a month from now, we might hear more about the next-gen tablet. If Google expects to release the tablet in July, it is possible that the Nexus 7 could take stage at the annual developer event. Reuters The post Reuters: Google to introduce new Nexus 7, may lower price appeared first on AndroidGuys.

Jelly Bean powers one in four Android devices Posted: 03 Apr 2013 07:06 AM PDT Nearly one year after it was announced, Android 4.1+ powers one out of every four Android devices. The monthly developer dashboard figures are out and it shows that while  Jelly Bean accounts for 25% of all devices it trails Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich (29.3%) and Gingerbread 2.3 (39.8%). Beginning in April, 2013, these charts are now built using data collected from each device when the user visits the Google Play Store. Previously, the data was collected when the device simply checked-in to Google servers. We believe the new data more accurately reflects those users who are most engaged in the Android and Google Play ecosystem. It’s worth noting that starting in April, Google has changed the manner in which it collects data. Designed to more accurately reflect the active user base, it accounts for how Jelly Bean was able to make such a leap in one month. Android The post Jelly Bean powers one in four Android devices appeared first on AndroidGuys.

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