Android Central

---

• Subscribe not to Talk Mobile via RSS, YouTube, and iTunes!
• Zynga lays off 18-percent of workforce to focus on mobile
• Platform numbers for May 2013 are in: Android 4.x on 59% of devices
• Feedly bringing search, better speed and new partners before Google Reader officially dies
• New-look Gmail Android app rolling out now
• Lenovo's Intel-powered K900 smartphone hits a couple new countries
• MiKandi's NSFW 'Tits & Glass' launches as the first Google Glass porn app
• Verizon finally announces it'll carry the HTC One
• Can mobile gaming kill the consoles? - Talk Mobile
• Vine launches on Android with exclusive features
• Canada finally able to escape three-year contracts, caps data overages at $50/month
• Get the newest version of the Android Central App before anyone else
• Deal of the Day: LLOYD HD Screen Protectors for Samsung Galaxy S3
• Huawei Ascend P2 now available on Three UK
• Samsung Galaxy Tab 3 10.1 announced
• Samsung announces 8-inch Galaxy Tab 3
• ASUS MeMO Pad HD7 announced: A slight upgrade to the low-end offering
• ASUS Transformer Book Trio announced, runs Android and Windows 8
• ASUS announces the new Transfomer Pad Infinity at Computex 2013
• ASUS Fonepad Note announced with 6-inch 1080p display
• We need your comments... Leave a bunch on this article for your chance to win the device of your dreams!!

Subscribe not to Talk Mobile via RSS, YouTube, and iTunes! Posted: 03 Jun 2013 04:48 PM PDT   In addition to being available right here on Android Central, now you can also catch up on all the Talk Mobile roundtable videos via your subscription services! The roundtable videos are the ones where Phil Nickinson of Android Central, Kevin Michaluk of CrackBerry, Daniel Rubino of Windows Phone Central, and yours truly, Rene Ritchie of iMore get together and, moderated by Cali Lewis and John P. of GeekBeat.tv, start the conversation about the issues in mobile that matter the most. The videos will enter the feeds shortly after they go up in flashy new super features. Of course, we'd love for you to watch them right then, on the page and in proper context, along with all the supporting articles and videos. But, if you're on the go and need your quick fix, or at home with your feed up looking for a stream, we want you to have that option too! So here they are! Subscribe now and leave a rating, it'll help us get featured and that means we'll all have the chance to continue the conversations with more awesome people just like you! Subscribe via RSS Subscribe via iTunes Subscribe via YouTube Playlist

Zynga lays off 18-percent of workforce to focus on mobile Posted: 03 Jun 2013 04:43 PM PDT 520 employees to leave the company as it also closes three offices across the country Gaming development behemoth Zynga is trimming down its workforce today by a dramatic 18-percent in order to refocus its efforts on mobile and touch screen gaming. In a company-wide memo obtained by Kotaku, CEO Mark Pincus explains that in order to focus in on Zynga's strengths the tough decision to cut jobs was necessary. While Zynga's original strategy of providing web games via platforms like Facebook took off initially, the company understands that the future is mobile. And although it seems tough on a large number of employees right now, Pincus explains that he is glad it is taking place "from a position of financial strength" rather than retreat. You can call into question whether Zynga is actually financially strong at the moment, but the good side of this is that the company will be providing generous severance packages to the employees effected by this layoff. As for the future of Zynga, we can rest assured that it will continue to pump out some of the most popular games on mobile today. The full employee memo can be found at the source link below. Source: Kotaku

Platform numbers for May 2013 are in: Android 4.x on 59% of devices Posted: 03 Jun 2013 02:57 PM PDT Jelly Bean climbs as older versions fall, continuing the trend we're used to The platform version numbers for the month of May 2013 are in, and there are still a lot of versions of Android out in the wild. It comes as no surprise to anyone who keeps track of this sort of thing, but devices running versions of Android from 1.6 up to the latest 4.2.2 are represented, and the numbers of each are holding true to the trends they always have. Jelly Bean's slice of the pie is slowing getting bigger, while the rest slowly get smaller, and when a new version comes out we get to do it all over again. But the important number -- devices running Android 4 or higher -- is showing up in healthy numbers. These really only matter to developers, who have a different set of APIs to use based on the platform version. All the good ones, the ones users want as well as the ones that make for better apps, are for Android 4.0.3 and up. As of today, that means 58.6-percent of the 900,000,000 "official" Android devices ( that's a staggering 527,400,000 devices) have access to them.  Of course, the flip side is that 41.4-percent of the devices don't have access to them. And that's a real problem, especially if you're one of the have-nots. Google has some great ideas to address this for the future, but it's going to take time to get rid of all those Gingerbread phones. Source: Google

Feedly bringing search, better speed and new partners before Google Reader officially dies Posted: 03 Jun 2013 01:49 PM PDT Feedly aiming not only to be a Google Reader replacement, but to pick up where Google left off and make RSS better In exactly four weeks (July 1) Google Reader will be officially dead, and Feedly is showing that they are determined to not only fill the void left behind, but to own the space. They're looking to pick up where Google left off, and using their user-voice site where users like you and me can express feedback, give ideas and get our questions answered they're doing it the right way. Today they have announced their short term roadmap, filled with things that they say will be ready before Google Reader goes offline. Things like an online presence that doesn't require an extension or browser add-on, faster service from a new army of servers they've picked up, support for Windows 8 and Windows Phone and more. All excellent changes which will help everyone during the transition from Reader to Feedly. But what really caught our eye was their announcement of new partners. Part of what made Reader so nice, especially on mobile, was that there were so many great apps to get to your content. Feedly plans to create the same ecosystem, and their free API will allow developers big and small to get on board. They've already been working "behind the scenes" with a list of partners: the developers of Reeder,Press, Nextgen Reader, Newsify and gReader.  If anything, Google Reader showed us that sometimes, someone besides Google does it better. We're excited to see Feedly following the same path, as well as the way they are listening to users about future features and changes. And of course, we're relieved that the news will continue to flow as well or better than it always did with an exciting new service.  Source: Feedly

New-look Gmail Android app rolling out now Posted: 03 Jun 2013 01:18 PM PDT Looks like we didn't have to wait too long after all for that fancy new Gmail app for Android. The new app -- Version 4.5 for you folks playing at home -- kills the action bar at the bottom and moves things up top, and introduces the left-anchored drawer for things like accounts and labels. You've also got the much-desired pull-to-refresh, and conversations how have a new look as well.  Spend a couple minutes with the app and it you'll be quick to find that it's worthy update, though you will be stretching for the top of your phone when you're working with individual e-mails, instead of easily reaching the archive and delete buttons at the bottom. We'll have to see how much of an annoyance that is over time. The update's propagating now, so head on into your local Google Play Store to snag it. Thanks to everyone who sent this in!

Lenovo's Intel-powered K900 smartphone hits a couple new countries Posted: 03 Jun 2013 11:15 AM PDT Lenovo and Intel today announced that the K900 -- one of the few Android smartphones we've seen this year with an Intel processor -- is now available in Thailand and Malaysia. China picked it up a few weeks ago. We got our first look at the K900 at Mobile World Congress in Spain in February, and this thing is quite the beast. Eight more countries will get the K900 later this summer, Lenovo says. Source: Press release

MiKandi's NSFW 'Tits & Glass' launches as the first Google Glass porn app Posted: 03 Jun 2013 11:07 AM PDT It was a matter of time, of course, before we saw the first porn apps come to Google Glass. And Android porn pioneer MiKandi, true to its word, has launched the obviously not-safe-for-work "Tits & Glass" app for Google Glass. The app lets you do two things -- submit your own POV-style photos and videos (candid photography, nudge nudge, wink wink, know what I mean) and view photos and video. The app is preloaded with content that serves as a preview for what's in the decidedly adult MiKandi Theater. You'll be able to comment and vote on images -- and see them all floating in mid-air. How hands-on an experience you have is, of course, up to you. Regardless, everyone around you will wonder just what the hell that person with the funny looking glasses is smiling at. To get the app, you'll have to visit (again, folks, if we haven't made it abundantly clear, this is NSFW) TitsAndGlass.com and sideload onto your Google Glass.

Verizon finally announces it'll carry the HTC One Posted: 03 Jun 2013 09:43 AM PDT 'Later this summer' is all we've got to go by for now In what really shouldn't be all that much of a surprise, Verizon has finally acknowledged that it will carry the HTC One at some point this summer. No word yet on how much it'll cost (figure flagship-level pricing), when, exactly you can get it ("later this summer" is as official as we've got) or what sort of tweaks Verizon could have had one. (Red, perhaps? We're not holding our breath, but this thing would be bad-ass in black with red accents.) It’s coming – the HTC One will be available on the #Verizon Wireless 4G LTE network later this summer #HTCOne @htcusa — Verizon Wireless (@VZWnews) June 3, 2013 The HTC One marks the manufacturer's major release for 2013, with nearly identical versions on the other three U.S. carriers having been released for about a month now. More: Check out the discussion in our HTC One forums!

Can mobile gaming kill the consoles? - Talk Mobile Posted: 03 Jun 2013 09:09 AM PDT Five years ago if you'd told anybody mobile devices stood even the chance of challenging dedicated home gaming console, you'd have been laughed out of the room. After all, the state of the art of mobile back then included the Apple iPhone 3G, BlackBerry Storm, Palm Treo Pro, and HTC G1. Comparing them to the powerhouses that were the Sony PlayStation 3 and Microsoft Xbox 360, as well as the not-powerful-but-still-enormously-fun Nintendo Wii would have been ludicrous. Fast forward to today and the landscape's changed. A whole industry has grown up around mobile gaming, drawing the attention of incredible indies and the biggest of the big gaming studios alike. iPhone and Android have unseated dedicated portable gaming devices like the Sony PSP and Nintendo DS, thanks in no small part to their less expensive, more easily available content, better screens and processors, always-on connectivity, and the fact that it's just one fewer device to carry. Yet the consoles have endured. So the question is, can mobile devices make the next generation of PlayStations and Xboxes and Wiis the last? Is the very idea as ludicrous today as it was five years ago, or can an argument be made that now, or in the near future, our phones and tablets could make the consoles obsolete? read more

Vine launches on Android with exclusive features Posted: 03 Jun 2013 07:14 AM PDT Six-second video app hits Google Play with new zoom feature Twitter-owned video-sharing app Vine is launching on Android today, seven months after the initial iOS-only release. The app allows you to create and share six-second square-shaped videos and follow fellow Viners through your own tailored feed. Essentially, it's Instagram for video. In addition to all the editing and social networking features of Vine for iOS, the Android version of the app is getting something unique -- zooming support. The Vine team also promises further updates in the weeks ahead, including front-facing camera support, search, mentions, hashtags and Facebook sharing. After a brief delay, the app is now live on Google Play at the link above. You'll need a device running at least Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich. Anyone been eagerly awaiting the arrival of Vine on Android? How are you getting on with the Android version of the app? Shout out in the comments. Source: Vine

Canada finally able to escape three-year contracts, caps data overages at $50/month Posted: 03 Jun 2013 07:08 AM PDT The Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission today announced that starting December 2, 2013, those of us up north will be able to cancel our contract after two years without penalty, that domestic data overage charges will be capped at $50/month ($100 for roaming), and that devices will be able to be unlocked after 90 days (or immediately if bought outright). The new code also stipulates that buyers will have 15 days to return any device so long as it's within certain usage limits, have the power to accept or decline mid-term contract changes, and that they'll have a contract they can actually understand. These changes are all a result of public hearings that happened back in February.  read more

Get the newest version of the Android Central App before anyone else Posted: 03 Jun 2013 06:22 AM PDT Join our beta test group and move yourself to the front of the line We love beta testing. We love playing with things that might break, will break and need some testing. To that end, Google recently introduced proper beta testing of applications through Google Play, and we're going to start using it. Want to get the latest version of the newest Android Central App before anyone else? Want to help us test things out and squash bugs? Here's how to order: Join the Android Central App Beta group. Sit back and wait for us to start pushing beta builds. It's that simple. We'll start with the beta builds in the coming weeks. Thanks for your help!

Deal of the Day: LLOYD HD Screen Protectors for Samsung Galaxy S3 Posted: 03 Jun 2013 06:14 AM PDT The June 3 ShopAndroid.com Deal of the Day is the LLOYD HD Screen Protectors for Samsung Galaxy S3. These screen protectors are custom designed to protect your Galaxy S3's screen while giving you an ultra-clear, high definition look and feel to your device. Durable and scratch resistant, the TruTouch sensitivity gives these custom protectors a more natural feel on your touchscreen. The LLOYD HD Screen Protectors are available for just $5.00, 75% off today only. Grab yours while supplies last! Never miss a deal. Sign up for Daily Deal alerts

Huawei Ascend P2 now available on Three UK Posted: 03 Jun 2013 05:44 AM PDT Free from £23 per month, or £299.99 on Pay As You Go Three UK sends word that it's launched Huawei's latest mid-to-high-end handset, the Ascend P2. The data-centric operator is selling the Ascend P2 on-contract starting at £23 per month. That gets you unlimited data, 500 minutes and 5,000 texts on a 24-month plan. Alternatively, Three's also selling the P2 on Pay As You Go for £299.99 plus a PAYG top-up. That money -- or monthly commitment -- will get you a reasonably speedy handset, powered by a 1.5GHz quad-core CPU, with a 13-megapixel rear camera and a 4.7-inch 720p display. On the connectivity side, the P2 supports Three's current 42Mbps DC-HSDPA, as well as 4G LTE, due to be rolled out by the operator later in the year. The Huawei Ascend P2 is available now from Three's online store, and will be launching in brick-and-mortar Three outlets from tomorrow. More: Three UK

Samsung Galaxy Tab 3 10.1 announced Posted: 03 Jun 2013 01:47 AM PDT The 10-inch form factor returns, but the top-end Tab 3 is still a mid-range device Samsung’s second Tab announcement today brings news of the Galaxy Tab 3 10.1, which as you may have guessed is a 10.1-inch version of the Galaxy Tab 3 line. Spec-wise, there’s not much to separate the Tab 3 10.1 from the 8-inch variant announced alongside it. You’ve got a 1.6GHz dual-core CPU, 1GB of RAM (less than the 8-incher, oddly), 16 or 32GB of storage backed up by microSD expandability. It’s also running the latest Android 4.2.2 Jelly Bean along with the most recent iteration of Samsung’s TouchWiz interface. And you’ve got Wifi, 3G and 4G LTE connectivity options available, as well as Bluetooth 4.0. Disappointingly, Samsung has opted to stick with a 1280x800 display resolution on the 10-inch Tab 3, meaning you’ve got the same pixel count as the Tab 3 8.0, only spread over a much larger area. So we’re dealing with a mid-range Android tablet here, and Samsung will likely choose to compete on price rather than specs when the Galaxy Tab 3 10.1 reaches British shores later this year. There’s no word of any official release date or price just yet, however. Check past the break for more images and the official spec sheet. read more

Samsung announces 8-inch Galaxy Tab 3 Posted: 03 Jun 2013 01:28 AM PDT 8-inch variant brings upgraded specs and a slightly larger screen Not to be left out of the fun following this morning's ASUS tablet announcements, Samsung has taken the wraps off two new Galaxy Tabs this morning, the first of which is the Galaxy Tab 3 8.0. The device shares a lot in common with the earlier 7-inch Tab 3, with modest upgrades including the obvious boost in screen real estate. The Galaxy Tab 3 8.0 is powered by a 1.5GHz dual-core CPU with 1.5GB of RAM, runing on an 8-inch 1280x800 LCD display. Connectivity-wise, you’ve got Wifi-only, 3G and 4G LTE options alongside Wifi a/b/g/n and Bluetooth 4.0. Internal storage comes in 16 or 32GB flavors and is expandable via microSD. The specs point to a solid mid-range Android tablet, in a familiar Samsung-designed chassis. When it comes to software, you’re looking at Android 4.2.2 Jelly Bean, up from 4.1 on the 7-incher. That also means you get the latest version of Samsung’s TouchWiz UI, as evidenced by the newer widgets in the promotional shots. There’s no word on pricing for the Galaxy Tab 3 8.0 just yet. A UK release is promised for “later in the year,” but that doesn’t narrow things down much. While you wait, you can check past the break for a few more photos and the official spec sheet. read more

ASUS MeMO Pad HD7 announced: A slight upgrade to the low-end offering Posted: 03 Jun 2013 12:54 AM PDT Bumps in CPU, storage, display and camera with the same bargain bin pricing As part of its Computex 2013 keynote presentation, ASUS rolled out a small but notable update to its recently announced MeMO Pad -- this time adding "HD7" to the name and making important improvements. While it retains much of the same design (and most of the same name), the MeMO Pad HD7 tweaks the design a bit to make it both thinner and lighter than it's predecessor -- down to 10.8mm thick and 302g in weight. On the display side ASUS bumps things to "HD" with a 1280x800 IPS display, up from the original 1024x600 panel. On the inside, ASUS says the MeMO Pad HD7 is running an ARM Cortex A7 quad-core CPU, but didn't specify a clock speed or manufacturer. It did specify that the tablet will have both Bluetooth 4.0 and GPS, however, along with the addition of stereo speakers and a 5MP rear camera (keeping a 1.2MP shooter up front). Pinning this device at the low-end are some appealing prices too: 16GB for $149, 8GB for $129. The MeMO Pad HD7 will be released in a few different bright color options, with no specific sales dates given at this point.

ASUS Transformer Book Trio announced, runs Android and Windows 8 Posted: 03 Jun 2013 12:49 AM PDT ASUS' latest dockable device boasts dual CPUs and three usage modes ASUS has announced the latest member of its Transformer family, the Transformer Book Trio, at its pre-Computex press conference in Tapiei. The Trio is a dockable laptop/tablet hybrid device running both Windows 8 and Android "Jelly Bean." To take advantage of both operating systems, the Transformer Book Trio packs two CPUs -- a fourth-generation Intel Core i7 U4500 for Windows and an Atom 2580 for Android. It's also got two banks of storage available -- a 1TB traditional hard drive and 64GB of flash storage. Other notable specs include a 1080p IPS display. Being a Transformer device, the Trio can be docked and used as a tablet or a laptop. But it also boasts an additional usage mode -- the docking station can be connected to a monitor to create a full desktop PC experience. So it looks like the Atom chip lives in the display, while the Core i7 likely resides in the dock. No word on pricing or availability just yet, but considering you've essentially got a full-powered laptop PC along with an Android tablet, we imagine the Trio won't come cheap.

ASUS announces the new Transfomer Pad Infinity at Computex 2013 Posted: 03 Jun 2013 12:32 AM PDT A respectable bump in internals and design to the previous model ASUS is currently giving its keynote presentation at Computex 2013 in Taipei where it has just rolled out the first of a few new Android devices, the refreshed and redesigned Transformer Pad Infinity. Although the device was only quickly flashed on-stage, it seems to fall in line with the same design as the original -- which makes sense as it shares a name with the previous version of the tablet. We're looking at a standard 10-inch tablet body with a keyboard dock that folds down in a clamshell like a laptop. As for the specs, here's the breakdown of what we know at this point: 10-inch 2560x1600 IPS display with 178-degree viewing angle 1.9GHz Tegra 4 CPU 2GB of RAM 32GB of storage, expandable by SDcard 802.11a/b/g/n Wifi USB 3.0 port 4K video output over HDMI The story here seems to be all about the serious bump up in specs from the previous version, and less about the external hardware. With specs like that we're not going to complain either. We'll be bringing you more information -- such as more detailed pictures -- as soon as they become available.

ASUS Fonepad Note announced with 6-inch 1080p display Posted: 03 Jun 2013 12:27 AM PDT 6-inch Intel-powered tablet unveiled at Computex At its Computex 2013 press conference in Taipei, ASUS has just announced a new 6-inch smartphone/tablet hybrid device. The Fonepad Note is a 6-inch device with pen input, powered by an Intel Atom Z2560 CPU, with 2GB of RAM and a 1080p iPS display. Like the HTC One and many Samsung Galaxy Tabs,  the Fonepad Note has front-facing stereo speakers. It's also packing an 8-megapixel rear camera and 1.2 In terms of connectivity, it looks like you're topping out at DC-HSDPA (42Mbps) speeds. On the software side, ASUS is boasting customized pre-loaded apps that take advantage of the bundled stylus. No word on availability just yet, but we imagine the Fonepad Note will be headed primarily to Europe and Asia in the months ahead.

We need your comments... Leave a bunch on this article for your chance to win the device of your dreams!! Posted: 02 Jun 2013 03:49 PM PDT We're testing out the new cross-site commenting system we're going to be using for Talk Mobile articles across Android Central, CrackBerry, iMore and WPCentral. This post is our first public test. Help us stress test it! Leave comments, help us find any bugs, and we'll reward you with the chance to win $600 towards the device of your dreams. Keep reading for all the details! read more

You are subscribed to email updates from Android Central - Android Forums - News - Reviews - Help and Android Wallpapers To stop receiving these emails, you may unsubscribe now.	Email delivery powered by Google
Google Inc., 20 West Kinzie, Chicago IL USA 60610

Android Community

---

• Google Play app downloads top iOS by 500m a month
• Acer Liquid S1 unveiled as a 5.7-inch phablet
• ASUS Transformer Pad Infinity detailed with Tegra 4 and Retina display
• ASUS MeMo Pad HD 7 and FHD 10 tablets unveiled
• Verizon HTC One finally official – no release date in sight
• PopCap snubs Android users with an iOS-only Plants vs Zombies 2 launch
• Verizon HTC One spotted in Bluetooth SIG filing
• Vine for Android is down: it’s not just you
• Samsung gets official with the 8-inch and 10.1-inch Galaxy Tab 3
• Vine for Android launches with the basics and promise of frequent updates
• ASUS FonePad Note getting a 6″ 1080p display and Atom processor

Google Play app downloads top iOS by 500m a month Posted: 03 Jun 2013 11:24 AM PDT Recently both respective app markets have been boasting their numbers. With Apple claiming to have passed the 50 billion downloads mark, and Android doing the same getting to 48 billion as of late. While both numbers are impressive it looks like our good friend Android is beating Apple on the daily. A new report out by The Telegraph has Android keeping up the pace and beating out iOS for total app downloads by as soon as October. With more than 900 million Android devices activated as mentioned in the link above, and growing at an extremely fast rate, these numbers will climb so fast that the small 2 billion+ lead Apple has will soon disappear. According to the report and numbers, Apple is seeing roughly 2 billion iOS app downloads each and every month. That coming from their App Store of nearly 850,000 apps. While that’s impressive, the folks from team Android have already passed the monthly download count, and Android is seeing roughly 2.5 billion app downloads per month. Analyst Horace Dediu of Asymco claims "the total downloads/install base are currently 83 apps per iOS device sold and 53 apps per Android device activation," meaning "the sheer weight of Android units will generate more downloads, but on a per-device basis, the iOS devices do seem to consume more apps, and the gap is not narrowing." With Samsung devices being in nearly everyone’s pocket, and selling by the millions, not to mention an impressive HTC One on all carriers things aren’t slowing down anytime soon. Obviously the iPhone 6 is coming later this year, which will surge iOS numbers once again, but at the current rate Android will pass iOS in total downloads by mid October. Lately we’ve been seeing most developers launch on both platforms simultaneously, and hopefully that trend continues. SOURCE: The Telegraph Story Timeline Google Play Store hits 25 billion downloads, celebration sale ensues Temple Run 2 breaks mobile gaming records, passes 50 million downloads Smartphone app downloads predicted to reach 56 billion in 2013 Google I/O 2013: 900 million Android activations and 48 billion app installs

Acer Liquid S1 unveiled as a 5.7-inch phablet Posted: 03 Jun 2013 11:01 AM PDT Acer has officially announced the Liquid S1, a device they are touting as a phablet. This marks the first such device for Acer and it will arrive sporting a 5.7-inch 1280 x 720 display and running Android 4.2 Jelly Bean. Acer is pushing the Liquid S1 as being the “new travel companion for professionals and adventurers alike” and that statement appears to be coming by way of some pre-loaded applications. First though, the specs. Aside from a 5.7-inch display and Jelly Bean, the Liquid S1 will be powered by a quad-core 1.5GHz processor with 1GB of RAM, 8GB of internal storage, a microSD card slot, 2 megapixel front-facing camera and an 8 megapixel rear-facing camera with LED flash. The handset will also be sporting a 2400 mAh battery, which according to Acer will be able to provide “a day’s worth of battery power.” Acer has also said the Liquid S1 will feature a design that is “ideal for assertive businesspeople and passionate explorers.” While we aren’t entirely sure how they came to that conclusion, further details on the exterior talk about how the handset will have a slender profile with aluminum side grips. The handset will also be available in two colors — matte black and white. In addition to Jelly Bean, the Liquid S1 will have the Acer Float User Interface which will allow for some multitasking. This includes the Float Apps shortcut that will bring a translucent screen with shortcuts to the supported apps. Those apps include camera, maps, calculator and notes as well as a Float Caller notification. Some of the Acer specifics include Auto Profile and Voice Unlock as well as Wide Front Shot which means users will be able to capture wider and taller visuals. Plus there is also Voice Shot to capture images by saying cheese, Smile Shot to detect smiles in images and Studio Sound which should serve to improve the audio quality. Acer will have the Liquid S1 available in a handful of markets to include Belgium, France, Germany, Netherlands, Ukraine, Russia, UK, Spain and Italy beginning in the third quarter of 2013. Also worth nothing, while Acer hasn’t specified which markets, they have said the Liquid S1 would have dual-SIM support in select regions. Lastly, the handset will be priced from €349. SOURCE: Acer Story Timeline Acer Liquid E1 and Z2 smartphones announced ahead of MWC Acer Liquid S quad-core 4.7-inch smartphone in the works Acer Liquid E2 smartphone gets official

ASUS Transformer Pad Infinity detailed with Tegra 4 and Retina display Posted: 03 Jun 2013 10:36 AM PDT This morning the team at ASUS has been quite busy. The folks from ASUS just announced a slew of new products on the first day of Computex 2013 in Taiwan. From a 6-inch FonePad Note to take on Samsung’s GALAXY to tons of tablets and more. One that stood out however, is the New Transformer Pad Infinity complete with an ultra HD display and NVIDIA‘s new quad-core Tegra 4 processor. Live on stage ASUS confirmed yet another Transformer Pad Infinity is in the works, only this one has been improved across the board. Sadly they’re sticking to the same useful (yet old) design, and that single speaker is still in a terrible location, not to mention the squared and uncomfortable edges. We were hoping for a new design, but will take the boost in performance and hardware. It shares the same name and design as the model from last year, oddly, but internally everything has been severely improved. From beefing up the processor to NVIDIA’s latest powerhouse flagship 1.9 GHz quad-core Tegra 4 and 2GB of RAM, to offering a 10.1-inch 2560 x 1600 truly HD LED display. We’ll get the same 32GB internal storage, 5 megapixel rear and 1.3 front cameras, as well as a micro-SD slot and all the usual goods. Here’s the rundown. As you can see they are simply calling it the “New” Transformer Pad Infinity, which we aren’t a fan of that idea, but whatever works right? The keyboard dock now supports USB 3.0 and full size SD slots, and that Tegra 4 under the hood enables the device to output Ultra HD 4k video with HDMI-out. ASUS has been quite so far in 2013 but this is one impressive and well-rounded tablet, we just wish it would have received a design change too. Stay tuned for more details and official pricing, which should be coming soon and are expected to be similar to the original. SOURCE: NVIDIA Blog Story Timeline Asus Transformer Pad Infinity 700 LTE hands-on ASUS Transformer Pad Infinity Jelly Bean update rolling out today ASUS rolls out Android 4.2 Jelly Bean for Transformer Pad Infinity ASUS Transformer AIO PC getting update to 4.2 Jelly Bean ASUS MeMo Pad HD 7 and FHD 10 tablets unveiled

ASUS MeMo Pad HD 7 and FHD 10 tablets unveiled Posted: 03 Jun 2013 10:15 AM PDT ASUS has unveiled the MeMo Pad FHD 10 and HD 7 tablets. While both of these tablets are in the same family of devices, they will likely each have unique audiences. The HD 7 is a smaller tablet with a relatively low price point while the FHD 10 is larger and should be a bit more powerful. Similar to the other Computex announcements we have seen from ASUS, this one is also missing some of the finer points. With that in mind, how about we get into the specs and pricing details for the MeMo Pad HD 7. This one will arrive with a 7-inch display with a resolution of 1280 x 800. There will also be a quad-core ARM Cortex-A7 processor, 1.2 megapixel front-facing camera and optional 5 megapixel rear-facing camera. The tablet will be running Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich and sporting either 8GB or 16GB of internal storage space. The 8GB HD 7 will run you $129 and the 16GB model will be $149. While ASUS has announced the pricing, they have yet to say when and where the tablet will be available. Of course, with the HD 7 launching with Ice Cream Sandwich we are fairly certain some will be turned off — even with the relatively low price point. The other model announced today was the MeMo Pad FHD 10 which has a 10.1-inch display with a resolution of 1920 x 1200. ASUS has yet to announce any pricing for this tablet, however they did reveal some of the specs. The FHD 10 will have a dual-core 1.6GHz Clover Trail+ processor (which is Atom) along with WiFi, Bluetooth 3.0, GPS, front and rear-facing cameras and a 25Wh battery that should provide up to 10 hours of usage. The MeMo Pad FHD 10 will also arrive running Android 4.2 Jelly Bean and with options for 16GB or 32GB of internal storage. Both the HD 7 and the FHD 10 will be available in a variety of colors. Otherwise, in addition to these 10.1-inch and 7-inch tablets, we also saw ASUS unveil the FonePad Note which is a 6-inch device that appears to be launching as competition to the Samsung Galaxy Note. Story Timeline ASUS Fonepad spec increase brings an Intel Atom Z2460 processor ASUS Padfone Infinity rumors point towards a U.S. release ASUS Transformer AIO PC getting update to 4.2 Jelly Bean ASUS teasing 6-inch Transformer tablet for Computex ASUS FonePad Note getting a 6" 1080p display and Atom processor

Verizon HTC One finally official – no release date in sight Posted: 03 Jun 2013 09:41 AM PDT After all the reports, rumors, and confusion it has finally been made official. This morning the folks from Verizon Wireless have flooded our inbox and blasted Twitter with the news. The HTC One will be arriving on Verizon Wireless “later this summer” but so far that’s about all we know. Who told you so, like multiple times? This has been the best and worst kept secret to date with leaks coming out of every corner of the media. From FCC filings to Bluetooth verifications and more. Sadly all the secrecy and back and forth didn’t help. Why Verizon would confirm it was not coming to their network, only to announce it later. If anything this hurt HTC and Verizon. The news was quietly mentioned on Twitter today by @VZWnews and so far we have very little actual details aside from the “later this summer” comment. We’ve heard rumors of a June release date, but hopefully they manage to get this device in our hands before the end of July – but don’t get your hopes up. Now that the GALAXY S 4 is available and selling well on Verizon, and all other carriers, it makes you wonder what the long wait was for. With the HTC One selling nearly 5 million already, it’s a clear winner, and a Verizon release alongside the stock version on the Play Store things will only improve. Most likely you can expect a $199 device with a 2-year contract, but we officially have no pricing or release date at this time. Stay tuned and get excited! Story Timeline No Verizon HTC One among 185 operator launch blast Verizon HTC One appears again in leaked code Verizon HTC One "will be announced later" Verizon HTC One tipped for late June by analyst Verizon HTC One spotted in Bluetooth SIG filing

PopCap snubs Android users with an iOS-only Plants vs Zombies 2 launch Posted: 03 Jun 2013 09:16 AM PDT PopCap Games has returned with additional Plants vs. Zombies 2 release details. The game will be launching on July 18th and while that would normally sound like good news, Android users that have been waiting will likely be a bit disappointed. You see, in addition to the release date, PopCap Games has mentioned that being “exclusively for iPhone, iPad and iPod touch.” With that in mind, we don’t expect the iOS exclusivity to last forever but at this time PopCap Games has yet to say when the game will be arriving in the Google Play Store. Looking back and we remember the original Plants Vs. Zombies game also arrived first for iOS users. Our take on that, the iOS exclusivity may have made sense a few years back but with the present breakdown of Android and iOS that doesn’t seem quite as acceptable these days. Without diving into a full rant, how about we shift to the features of the game and look forward to the time when Android users will be able to join in on the fun. Plants vs. Zombies 2 details coming from this announcement include how the “vast majority of the game will be entirely free to play.” There wasn’t much in terms of the “vast majority” comment, however PopCap has also that “players can face every zombie and access every level in every world at no cost.” On the flip side, there will be upgrades and other in-game items available for purchase. Plants vs. Zombies 2 will bring a return of the classic gameplay from the original and also bring dozens of new levels as well as new power-ups, plant food that can supercharge plants and new game mechanics that are said to both “help and hinder players' efforts to thwart the zombie hordes will enthrall existing fans and new players alike.” Of course, Crazy Dave the neighbor will also be making a return. Crazy Dave will act as the guide and shopkeeper offering plant upgrades as well as other tools and weapons. PopCap Games is planning to show more of Plants vs. Zombies 2 next week at E3. In the meantime, while Android users are left waiting for release details, we do have the official trailer video which can be seen above. VIA: SlashGear SOURCE: PopCap Games Story Timeline PopCap announces Plants vs. Zombies sequel Plants vs. Zombies 2 coming in "early summer" Plants vs Zombies 2 release confirmed for July

Verizon HTC One spotted in Bluetooth SIG filing Posted: 03 Jun 2013 08:38 AM PDT The talk of a Verizon branded HTC One continues. While that by itself does not sound all that exciting, this latest mention does provide some further evidence of an upcoming release with Big Red. Of course, we still need an announcement from Verizon Wireless and HTC before we can call this official. With that in mind, a device that is believed to be the Verizon HTC One has surfaced in a Bluetooth SIG filing. The Bluetooth SIG filing is showing a device that is listed as the HTC6500LVW. For those who may not recognize that number, we have seen that mentioned in the past as the HTC M7. Many will make the connection here, but the HTC M7 is the device that was eventually announced as the HTC One. Basically, this by itself suggests an announcement may be getting closer to reality. The nice part about this latest Verizon HTC One mention are the additional details. Aside from the Bluetooth SIG filing, the folks at phoneArena are reporting the HTC6500LVW has been added to the Verizon Wireless inventory system. The actual addition is listed with a description of HTC M7 and HTC6500LVW-DU with the DU standing for demo unit. According to the details of this report, that particular handset was added on May 22nd after the Verizon CTIA announcement. Those looking back will remember that many were expecting to Verizon to announce the HTC One that day. Of course, what we saw was Viva Movil. The catch with Bluetooth SIG filings and having device model numbers added to an inventory system — that does not necessarily suggest an announcement is coming soon. That bit remains open for discussion, however the last report we saw had the handset being tipped for a late-June arrival. All said and done, the HTC One should be on the way to Verizon Wireless. Basically, if you have an upgrade available, now seems like a time that you may want to hold tight, at least just for a little while. In the meantime, those considering a purchase may benefit from our previous HTC One coverage which included the original review as well as one for the AT&T model. Thanks for the tip, Vlad! VIA: G for Games, phoneArena SOURCE: Bluetooth SIG Story Timeline Verizon HTC One reality returns as DROID DNA offer pops up Verizon HTC One running Android 4.2.2 could be coming soon Verizon HTC One tipped for CTIA event unveiling Verizon HTC One "will be announced later" Verizon HTC One tipped for late June by analyst

Vine for Android is down: it’s not just you Posted: 03 Jun 2013 07:48 AM PDT After a rather long wait and several coming soon style promises, Vine has been officially announced for Android. We saw the announcement a bit earlier this morning, but it looks like the launch is not going quite as well as one could have hoped. The app hadn’t yet begun showing in the Play Store when the earlier announcement hit and while that has since changed, there are still some issues. Basically, this is for those who have tried to download the Vine app and are having issues — take some comfort in knowing that you are not alone. We have received word from several readers alerting us of the issue, however having been trying to download the app ourselves, we are already seeing the same thing. You can take a look at the specific error message above. The Vine app is listed in the Play Store and showing as available, however there seems to be some issues with device compatibility. This error comes despite mention that “this app is compatible with all of your devices.” You will see that in the Play Store, however a click of the install button will tell you the Play Store “could not determine if this item is compatible with your device.” All said and done, it looks like those who have been waiting for Vine to come available for Android will remain waiting. Well, at least for a little while anyway. Looking on the bright side though, we do think this will resolve itself soon enough. But with that in mind, this little delay just goes to add that little bit of extra frustration. The original frustration arrived with the Vine for Android announcement and the features. Or in this case, the lack of features. The Vine app is launching for Android, however it has only the basics in terms of features and the promise of frequent updates over the coming weeks. [Update] It looks like the device compatibility issues have since been resolved. Or in other words, if you have yet to do so, you can now follow the Play Store link below and begin creating some 6-second masterpieces. VIA: Google Play Store Story Timeline Vine job posting suggests an Android app is coming Vine glosses over Android with new Embeds for web Vine developers confirm app is "coming soon" to Android Vine update brings new features - no word on Android version Vine for Android launches with the basics and promise of frequent updates

Samsung gets official with the 8-inch and 10.1-inch Galaxy Tab 3 Posted: 03 Jun 2013 07:33 AM PDT Samsung previously announced the 7-inch Galaxy Tab 3 and as of today they have dropped news of the two larger models. Samsung has announced the Galaxy Tab 3 in an 8-inch and a 10.1-inch variety. Of course, this likely comes with little surprise for those who had been following the leaks and rumors. With that in mind, both models are packing dual-core processors and display resolutions of 1280 x 800. Other specs that are shared across both models include Android 4.2 Jelly Bean, 1.3 megapixel front-facing camera, WiFi 802.11 a/b/g/n, Bluetooth 4.0, a microSD card slot and options for other 16GB or 32GB of internal storage. The tablets will also have A-GPS along with the standard array of sensors which includes one for ambient light, a magnetometer and accelerometer. Shifting over to the Galaxy Tab 3 8-inch and you will find a dual-core 1.5GHz processor and 1.5GB of RAM. The 8-inch Galaxy Tab 3 will also have a 5 megapixel rear-facing camera. Samsung also has this one pegged for one-handed use and has the tablet weighing in at 314 grams. The Galaxy Tab 10.1-inch will bring a dual-core 1.6GHz processor and 1GB of RAM along with a 3 megapixel rear-facing camera. Similar to what we have seen from Samsung in the past, both the 8-inch and 10.1-inch models will launch in three varieties — WiFi only, 3G and 4G LTE. One catch is that Samsung has yet to say which LTE bands would be supported. Following on the missing details, Samsung has also yet to confirm the pricing and the market availability. What we do know is that the Galaxy Tab 3 availability will begin in June. Finally, in addition to running Jelly Bean, these tablets will have plenty of Samsung branded apps that are pre-installed. The apps include ChatON, S Translator, Dual View and Pop-up Video and the Samsung Hub. The tablets will also have WatchON which is a remote control app as well as the typical Google apps to include Gmail and Navigation as well as full access to the Play Store. Galaxy Tab 3 8-inch Galaxy Tab 3 10.1-inch Story Timeline Samsung debuts Galaxy Tab 3 7-inch tablet Samsung Galaxy Tab 3 FCC filing appears ahead of May launch Intel-powered Galaxy Tab 3 leaked in benchmarks Samsung Galaxy Tab 3 retail product listings appear Samsung's upcoming 10-inch Galaxy Tab 3 tipped to arrive with Intel

Vine for Android launches with the basics and promise of frequent updates Posted: 03 Jun 2013 06:55 AM PDT We have seen a few coming soon style teasers in terms of Vine for Android and as of today there is a bit of good news for anyone that may have been waiting. Vine for Android has been officially announced and the app will be available from the Play Store today. Similar to Vine for iOS, Android users will be able to create those 6-second looping videos. Of course, the Vine app will also allow you to share those videos as well as watch those from other users. The Vine app will be available for those running Android 4.0 or later and is said to have “many of the features that more than 13 million people have grown to love.” Further details tell the story of an Android app that may not have all the same qualities as the iOS app. The folks at Vine have said the app is launching today, but that it will not be perfectly in sync with the iOS app. Looking at the positive side here, Vine has launched for Android and the app has brought goodies to include the ability to Find Friends as well as sharing by way of Twitter. Android users have also gotten one feature the iOS users have yet to see. That feature is the ability to zoom. The one catch with the zoom feature, it was said this will be limited to devices that support it. There was also mention of an “improved” offline browsing experience. Otherwise, looking forward and Vine for Android users should be seeing “frequent updates” over the “coming weeks.” Some of the upcoming goodies will include sharing over Facebook as well as front-facing camera support, search, mentions, hashtags, bug fixes and other performance improvements. All said and done, while it is nice to see Vine launching for Android, it is looking like these future updates will be more than welcomed once they arrive. That being said, Vine for Android is available by way of the Google Play Store and we are looking forward to doing some playing as well as seeing what kind of looping videos the Android community will bring to the party. SOURCE: Vine Blog, Google Play Store Story Timeline Vine job posting suggests an Android app is coming Vine glosses over Android with new Embeds for web Vine developers confirm app is "coming soon" to Android Vine update brings new features - no word on Android version

ASUS FonePad Note getting a 6″ 1080p display and Atom processor Posted: 03 Jun 2013 06:27 AM PDT ASUS had been teasing a 6-inch note-taking tablet ahead of Computex and now that the show has officially kicked off, there has been an announcement for the FonePad Note. ASUS has yet to announce every detail that we were hoping to see, however we do know the FonePad Note will be launching with a 6-inch Super IPS+ display and powered by a dual-core 1.6GHz Atom Z2560 processor. Other details on the display include a 1080p resolution and a brightness of 450 nits. Otherwise, those considering the FonePad Note would be looking at specs to include 2GB of RAM, a 1.2 megapixel front-facing camera, 8 megapixel rear-facing camera and DC-HSPA+ in terms of connectivity. Basically, that means the FonePad Note will be lacking LTE, but that it will have support for 42Mbps networks speeds. The front of the FonePad Note contains a pair of speakers with one sitting along the top and the other sitting along the bottom. And for those thinking a 6-inch FonePad Note is sounding like potential competition for the Galaxy Note, this next bit will only further those thoughts. The FonePad Note is also sporting a digital stylus. Whether this phablet will be able to compete will have to be decided upon launch. In the meantime, ASUS did leave everyone wondering what the price will be. Additionally, ASUS has decided to keep everything in terms of the availability a secret for now. Simply put, they have yet to say when the FonePad Note would be available or which markets it will be found once the availability begins. While ASUS has officially announced the FonePad Note, aside from keeping an eye out for those missing details, we are also looking towards another upcoming device in the oversized smartphone category. Samsung is expected to announce the third-generation Galaxy Note a bit later in the year. The Samsung Galaxy Note 3 announcement is expected to happen during IFA which takes place in September. Story Timeline ASUS Tranformer tablet teased in latest Computex video ASUS Fonepad spec increase brings an Intel Atom Z2460 processor ASUS Padfone Infinity rumors point towards a U.S. release ASUS Transformer AIO PC getting update to 4.2 Jelly Bean ASUS teasing 6-inch Transformer tablet for Computex

You are subscribed to email updates from Android Community To stop receiving these emails, you may unsubscribe now.	Email delivery powered by Google
Google Inc., 20 West Kinzie, Chicago IL USA 60610