Sunday, September 9, 2012

Google Android News Android Forums

Google Android News Android Forums

Files From Sprint Server Show New Samsung Device Believed To Be The Galaxy Note 2

Posted: 08 Sep 2012 10:47 AM PDT

A major device may soon be destined for Sprint’s network. A leaked RDF file from Sprint’s servers show a device called the Samsung SPH-L900 that features a nice list of specs including: a Exynos 4412 processor, 2 GB of RAM, 8 megapixel camera and Android Jelly Bean running the device. Of course some of the specs we listed in this latest leaks are ones we expected since they match up with the leaked screenshots from AT&T’s Galaxy Note II.

The thing that was not in the file was the screen size. The larger screen was what made the Galaxy Note stand out from the crowd. The only listed specs about the screen was the 1280 x 720 display. So it is unclear if the smartphone is a bumped-up Galaxy S III smartphone or the Galaxy Note II as we suspect. Either way with all these features this phone will be able to compete with any other smartphone in the hardware department.

Samsung showed off the Galaxy Note 2 at IFA 2012 and it looks like a very strong sequel to the original. Samsung was focused on having the device available on more US wireless carriers. With all these features, the Galaxy Note II will have a highly anticipated launch sometime in the future Sprint and possibly a few others.

Source: Android Central

Upcoming Wikipad Gaming Tablet Gets The Hands-On Treatment

Posted: 08 Sep 2012 06:34 AM PDT

 

The game-changing Wikipad is one step closer to being in the hands of Android gamers everywhere, but one lucky son of a gun was able to see the intriguing tablet in action, courtesy of its creator James Bower. Right off the bat, users are treated to what is a fairly slim and trim profile that is smooth to the touch except for the middle of the back. That section of the device has a square-shaped groove along the back center of the tablet, which is intended to help give it a solid grip. Oh and Bower also touts the groove helps to “keep the tablet cool under stressful gaming power-consumption”.

The big focus of the device is no doubt its performance capabilities and the Wikipad delivers. Powered by a Tegra 3 chip and Jelly Bean, it helps to power games like Cody and a port of famed action-adventure game Max Payne like a true champ. The graphics were fluid as expected, while he controls gave better-than-expected results– thanks to comfortable dual analog sticks and responsive buttons. One minor critique may be the fact the tablet plus controller dock can possibly make the complete unit a little  heavier than some would like. Then again, it’s assumed most people won’t be playing on the Wikipad for hours on end.

You can see more pictures and details of the hands-on when you hit the source link below.

source: Twinfinite

Bing will be the default search engine on the Kindle Fire HD

Posted: 08 Sep 2012 02:33 AM PDT

With Amazon unveiling their new Kindle Fire lineup at such low prices given the specs of the tablets, it looks like they have been finding numerous ways to make back some of the money they’re going to lose upon each Kindle Fire they’re going to sell. First Amazon places ads around the OS (most notably the lockscreen) to create some extra revenue, and now they have struck a deal with Microsoft to make the Fire’s default search engine into Bing, as opposed to Google Search in the first Kindle Fire.

This is a huge win for Microsoft as we should expect to see the new set of Kindle Fire’s to outsell last years predecessor. Anything to help subsidize the costs of these tablets, right? Looks like there will be some slight drawbacks in having these high end tablets for a cheap price.

source: Business Insider

Amazon CEO praises Android and its flexebility

Posted: 08 Sep 2012 02:22 AM PDT

Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos took it upon himself to give Google Android OS the praise that it deserves. According to Bezos:

Android is accomplishing everything that Amazon needs it to and, at the same time, giving the company flexibility to customize things. We treat Android like Linux, and so it's a base OS layer. We have a large dedicated team that customizes Android and that's what you see on the Kindle Fire.

I think it’s great to see a CEO of such a huge player like Amazon praising Android for what it offers to everyone. It’s probably the least he can do considering the sales Android has helped give the Kindle Fire, and the upcoming success the Kindle Fire 2 and Kindle Fire HD will bring to the company.

When asked if Amazon has any plans on straying away from Android, Bezos gave a simply answer of  ”No, we like Android.”

source: AllThingsD

 

Verizon CEO thinks Samsung should create its own mobile OS

Posted: 08 Sep 2012 02:14 AM PDT

Verizon CEO Lowell McAdam claims Samsung would be a huge player in the mobile OS market if it ever decided to jump and create it’s own OS. McAdam’s had plenty to say on Samsung’s potential in the mobile OS world:

There’s a potential elephant in the room with Samsung. Samsung is a massive conglomerate with the resources to pull off a strong third mobile platform. The company is already the largest handset and smartphone manufacturer in the world, and has a brand and clout that rivals Apple. Samsung could do well putting its resources behind an operating system and would be a clear dark horse.

On paper, this makes every bit of sense to assume and to say. Samsung has such a huge market share, and thanks to Google’s Android OS it is now the clear cut second most successful handset maker in the world, second to only Apple. Thus, Samsung creating their own mobile OS makes every bit of sense in the world.

While Samsung can certainly go that route if they choose to, I think they should stay right where they are and stick with Android. With iOS and Android the absolute top two mobile OS’, a 3rd would be a crowd in my opinion. Android is already great as it is and is only getting better as each firmware update is made. Plus, Android has created itself such a huge ecosystem with the Google Play Store and all of its offerings. No matter how big Samsung is, it’s very hard to build up a whole new ecosystem and have consumers jump on it. I’m not saying it’s impossible, but why leave such a good thing such as Android?

Let’s not forget how good Samsung has it with Android and their Galaxy S line. The Galaxy S III just surpassed 20 million units sold and is showing no signs of stopping any time soon.

What do you guys think, should Samsung continue giving us Android powerhouses such as the Galaxy S’ and Galaxy Note’s? Or should they venture out on their own with their never ending resources and create their own mobile OS? Sound off in the comments!

source: c| net

 

Ads on the new Kindle Fire staying put and will be non-removable

Posted: 08 Sep 2012 01:54 AM PDT

Yesterday we reported that the ads surrounding Amazon’s new Kindle Fire (most notably the lockscreen) would be removable upon the users choice. It looks like those reports have been rebuffed by Amazon as the company sees it as an opportunity to regain some of their losses when they made the tablets as cheap as they did. Nonetheless, I’m sure this move will annoy plenty of customers. I mean, who likes to see ads on a device they use every day, right?

Either way it looks like the ads are staying, for now. Perhaps Amazon will look to take them out on future updates, but that remains to be seen. I’m sure this move will only give people an extra incentive to root and flash custom ROM’s on their new Kindle Fire, what do you think?

source: c| net

AT&T Galaxy Note 2 confirmed in leaked screenshots

Posted: 07 Sep 2012 11:39 PM PDT

While it’s already been rumored that Samsung’s new Galaxy Note II would be making its way to Sprint, a new leak suggests the phone could be making its way to AT&T as well. A set of leaked screenshots allegedly show off the upcoming Note II with the model number SGH-I317, running on Ma Bell’s 4G LTE network.

As expected, the device features Android 4.1.1 Jelly Bean and sports a screen resolution of 720×1280. What is surprising though, is the fact that the handset is equipped with the same quad-core Exynos 4412 processor as the international version announced at IFA 2012. Additionally, it’s rumored that AT&T’s version won’t feature any carrier branding, with Samsung opting for a unified portfolio of devices across the board.

An exact release date wasn’t mentioned, but the inside source claims the device will launch “very soon”. The same source also says the 5.5-inch beast will be available on T-Mobile, Sprint, and Bell in Canada, too. Without any official announcement, it’s probably best to take this leak with a hefty grain of salt.

Source: BriefMobile

Federal judge says HTC patents challenged by Apple are likely valid

Posted: 07 Sep 2012 10:47 PM PDT

A new report suggests Apple may have a hard time invalidating HTC’s data transmission patents, potentially leading to an import ban on select iOS devices. The Taiwanese manufacturer recently accused Apple of infringing on two of its IPs related to wireless networking. Furthermore, the company reiterated that the patents in question “are critical” to the use of 4G LTE. HTC acquired the patents in April 2011 for $75 million from ADC Telecommunications Inc.

"I don't care if they bought these patents to sue you or not," Judge Thomas Pender told Apple’s lawyer. "They are a property right. Clear and convincing means something to me. I have to be pretty darn certain a U.S. patent is invalid."

While testimonies were given in court yesterday, detailed information hasn’t been made available to the public yet. Although, HTC reportedly touted the fact that it was the first company to sell Android and 4G handsets, and was “one of the first with touchscreens”. HTC America's vice president, Martin Fichter, pointed out the company’s prominent 4G strategy, saying "LTE products were particularly important to our strategy in 2011. We’re a pioneer in that field.” Apple is claiming that HTC doesn’t have proper ownership rights of the patents, which Judge Thomas Pender says is an invalid argument.

At this point, it’s unclear if these patents will fall under FRAND law, which would require HTC to license its technology to Apple for a “reasonable” fee. It does seem unlikely that Apple’s next iPhone will be banned from being sold in the US, though. All we know for sure is that these agonizing lawsuits aren’t going away anytime soon.

Source: BusinessWeek

Wikipad is Now Available For Pre-Order at Gamestop

Posted: 07 Sep 2012 07:33 PM PDT

The Wikipad is a different kind of Android tablet, made with gamers in mind. Having impressive specs such as a NVIDIA Tegra 3 quad core processor and a 10.1 inch IPS display, the Wikipad could be the tablet that hardcore gamers have been waiting for.

What separates the Wikipad from the large selection of Android tablets is the dock that makes the tablet a controller. Of course a game system is worthless without entertaining games made for it. Gamestop is working with game publishers to make exclusive content for the Wikipad, and Sony has already left there stamp on the device giving it PlayStation Certification. It will also have the ability to play streaming games with Gaikai.

This device has long been talked about and could really find a nice niche with Android gamers who want a tablet that can handle all their gaming needs without the need to bring along another controller everywhere they go. The Wikipad is priced at $500 and will be released on October 31st.

source: gamestop
via: phandroid
Posted by at 5:51 AM 0 comments

Android Central

Android Central

Swiftkey looking for users in San Fran, NYC, and London to talk on camera

Posted: 08 Sep 2012 01:40 PM PDT

SwiftKey

The folks at SwiftKey are looking for a few people that want to get in front of the camera and tell the world about why they use SwiftKey. They're looking to do a series of short videos featuring users in San Francisco, New York City, and London, and have put out the call.

There's plenty of reasons to use SwiftKey, the biggest of which is the awesome prediction engine. I've been a believer since it first came out, and I never have to type more than a few words while the magic underneath it all finishes my thoughts for me. Without it, I'd still be wanting a QWERTY keyboard on my phone. It learns as you use it, and really is that good. If you haven't tried it yet, now is your chance as it's on sale in the Google Play store until Monday for just $0.99.

If you would like to share your thoughts about SwiftKey, and live in or around the San Francisco, New York, or London metro areas, hit the break and see what you need to do to get in touch. If you're not close to any of those places, use the comments below to share your thoughts!

read more

Apps of the Week - Playboard, TVCatchup, Gear of the Day Outdoor Deals and more!

Posted: 08 Sep 2012 12:21 PM PDT

Android Central

Another week, another great list of app picks from the Android Central writers. Interestingly, this week there aren't any games! We've gone straight for apps that might actually be useful and save you some time (or in Sean's case, money) rather than waste it away playing Granny Smith. Don't worry though, we're sure there are more game picks to come in the future.

read more

Android Central international round-up - September 8, 2012

Posted: 08 Sep 2012 03:54 AM PDT

Android Central

As we venture forth into the fall smartphone silly season, there’s plenty of international news to go around. Coming out of IFA, we learned a little more about Samsung’s Galaxy Note II, including tentative release dates and price points for the UK and Europe. Elsewhere, Sony’s Xperia T failed to show up on the retailer-promised release date of Sept 5, and Sony’s now telling us to expect a launch around Sept. 28. And in other Sony news, the new Xperia Tablet S, which was announced just a week ago in Berlin, is now available to buy.

Following Motorola’s big event in New York City, some details slipped out surrounding Moto’s international plans for the RAZR M, its new mid-ranger. Apparently the phone will arrive on British shores later this month with an Intel Atom chip inside, instead of the Snapdragon S4 found in the U.S. version. That’d make the RAZR M the first Intel-powered Android smartphone from a top-tier manufacturer, which is a big deal around these parts.

In carrier news, Vodafone announced a new price plan for heavy network users, dubbed ‘Vodafone Red.’ Red offers unlimited calls and texts -- just as customers are using less and less of both -- and keeps data capped at between 1 and 2GB. There are promising noises coming from Everything Everywhere on the data front, though, as the offspring of Orange and T-Mobile UK looks set to announce its new brand and 4G network at a London event next Tuesday (we’ll be there!)

And finally, Kindle Fire came to the UK. the second-generation Fire will launch in Blighty next month, along with the 7-inch Kindle Fire HD. Amazon hasn’t revealed any plans to launch the 8.9-inch Kindle Fire HD outside the U.S. yet, but it is offering both 7-inchers at highly competitive price points -- £129 for the basic Fire, and a Nexus 7-matching £159 for the HD.

Check out all the latest international developments from around the Android world below. If you’ve got news, be sure to tip us at the usual address.

Special features:

News:

Spigen Ultra Thin Air Series case for Samsung Galaxy S3 review

Posted: 08 Sep 2012 03:23 AM PDT

Android Central

 

Not every smartphone case has to be a heavy-duty, rubberized monster. Sometimes, you just want something slim and light to protect vulnerable areas of the phone, without adding too much extra bulk and weight. In the case of the Samsung Galaxy S3, Spigen's Ultra Thin Air series of cases fits that bill.

Lightweight and constructed of polycarbonate, the Air Series case protects the edges and back of the Galaxy S3 without introducing too much additional heft. If you've used a Galaxy S3 for a few weeks, you'll know how susceptible the back can be to scratches and knocks, and a case like this will protect those plastic areas from damage. There are also cut-out areas for all the major ports and keys, so the case shouldn't get in the way of regular use. And a screen protector is included in the box too, if you're concerned about keeping the front of your phone pristine.

A larger, bulkier case may offer more protection against falls onto hard surfaces, so if you're accident-prone, that's worth bearing in mind. However, as a basic safety precaution, it's hard to beat a lightweight case like this. 

The Spigen Ultra Thin Air series is available from ShopAndroid.com for $19.99. We reviewed the satin silver version, but it's available in a wide range of colors, including black, white, pink and orange. We've got more photos after the break.

read more

Red Samsung Galaxy S 3 available at Carphone Warehouse in the UK

Posted: 08 Sep 2012 03:06 AM PDT

Android Central

Just last week Samsung dropped a whole range of new colors for the Galaxy S 3, but as you would expect not everyone seems to be able to get all of them, everywhere. In the UK at least, the Garnet Red variety is available should you desire one. The phone is exclusive to the Carphone Warehouse in the UK, but seems to be available at the same price as the other colors, and across the major networks provided by the retailer.

Previously we've seen the Garnet Red Galaxy S 3 offered up by AT&T in the United States. And, whilst differing European carriers were displaying the black, and grey versions at IFA 2012 in Berlin, the red S 3 was nowhere to be seen. We've still not seen the brown version yet either. 

Source: Carphone Warehouse

Ringtones reset, Adding contact info to lock screen [From the Forums]

Posted: 07 Sep 2012 07:22 PM PDT

From the Forums

Just in case you missed out on some of the Android news today, now is the time to go ahead and get yourself fully caught up. Here on the blogs and in the Android Central Forums there is plenty to talk about. Have some questions? Need some help or just looking to chat Android? You know where to go, check out some of the threads below to get started.

We've got nearly 1 million members helping members and nearly 2 million posts in our Android Forums. Are you one of them? Join today!

Audible for Android updated to support Whispersync for Voice

Posted: 07 Sep 2012 06:01 PM PDT

Audible

Amongst the slew of hardware announcements at Amazon's event yesterday was the confirmation that Whispersync was expanding to more of Amazon's services, such as Audible. The new feature, dubbed Whispersync for Voice, will let you sync reading/listening positions of a book if you own both editions. In addition, it will sync bookmarks and notes across devices. However, it doesn't appear to sync listening positions across devices, which is what I was really excited about. I listen to my audiobooks on a variety of mobile devices and would like not to worry about what position I'm at on any of them. This is a step forward, but I hope to see a full sync option soon. To download the free app, hit up our Google Play Store link. 

 
Posted by at 5:45 AM 0 comments
Subscribe to: Posts (Atom)