The Google Glass Explorer Edition has received its first over-the-air update to software version XE5. The update is pretty substantial and introduces new features, tweaks, and enhancements.
The Samsung Galaxy S4 on AT&T is getting itself a new maintenance upgrade today. It doesn't add much, but it might improve some lag issues you may have been having.
Vivo isn’t a name we typically see around these parts, but the company has unveiled a smartphone worthy of attention. Dubbed the Vivo Xplay, the beast you see above is a 5.7-inch 1080p HD smartphone that houses some pretty notable specs and a few unique software features. On the inside are a 1.6GHz quad-core Snapdragon [...]
Rovio, the esteemed development studio behind hit mobile game Angry Birds, and other titles like The Croods and Bad Piggies, has announced Rovio accounts. It’s a service that will allow you to save your progress for use across different devices and platforms. Folks often upgrade to newer phones or get tablets and have to start [...]
When AT&T originally announced it would be carrying the LG Optimus G Pro the carrier mentioned that it was an exclusive dealio. Exclusive doesn’t really mean exclusive anymore, of course — it’s more like a timed exclusive. Akin to what happened with Verizon getting the Galaxy Nexus months ahead of everyone else, it looks like [...]
Follow my first 48 hours wearing Google Glass, including mountain biking crashes, one-on-one basketball games, concerts, and birthday parties. Consider this a hands-on first impressions of Google Glass.
The Samsung Galaxy S4 Zoom is rumored to be Samsung's first phone with a zoom lens. It's not real yet, but it's interesting to ponder how such a phone would look coming from the minds of Android's biggest OEM.
Sony's new Xperia SP is set to come out soon, and the company is now taking pre-orders for the unlocked version of the device in the US. CDMA folks need not apply.
Our forum-goers are discussing the best accessories for the latest hot thing in tech. The Samsung Galaxy S4 section at AndroidForums.com is teeming with discussion so pop in and check it out.
There are plenty of fitness apps for Android, but RunKeeper has jumped to the very top of the list for Pebble smartwatch owners. The latest Runkeeper 3.3 update for Android and iOS includes Pebble support and gives users the ability to track their pace and mileage or pause their workout. The best part about RunKeeper’s Pebble integration is that there’s no additional setup. Simply download the latest version of RunKeeper from Google Play, open the app and start a workout. The RunKeeper Pebble app launches on its own.
Pebble integration is certainly the highlight of the latest RunKeeper update, but the development team has thrown in a few more goodies that make the app even more appealing. The update also includes a new lockscreen widget, giving users access to specific app controls without unlocking the device, in addition to new manual workout and weight logging capabilities.
Personally, I’ve always favored Endomondo for keeping track of my workouts, but RunKeeper’s Pebble integration is enough of an incentive for me to make the switch. What other apps do you think could benefit from Pebble support?
Kickstarter Phenomenon is First of Many RunKeeper Wearable Integration Partnerships
Boston, Ma. — May 7, 2013 — Today, RunKeeper rolls out the first-ever Pebble-connected app for iPhone and Android, turning your smart watch into a personal trainer. The partnership with Pebble is just one of many integrations with hardware and fitness tracking devices in the coming months, supporting RunKeeper’s mission to become the fitness platform that makes the world healthier at scale.
RunKeeper now allows you to control the app from Pebble, so you can leave your phone in your pocket during a workout. RunKeeper features such as pace, mileage, starting and stopping a workout, and more will be fully accessible on Pebble wearers’ wrists.
“People are rightfully excited about wearables because they extend the experience of mobile apps like RunKeeper, so they can be enjoyed without taking your phone out of your pocket,” said Jason Jacobs, CEO, RunKeeper. “Pebble is such an exciting partner for RunKeeper; it is a great device and a powerful showcase of how your runs, walks and bike rides with RunKeeper can be enhanced by wearable device integration. We look forward to integrating with more wearable devices in the future.”
“Pebble integrates tech into people’s daily lives in a fashionable and unobtrusive way. We’re excited that RunKeeper will be among the first apps to showcase our smart watch’s capabilities and how we support your day-to-day interests and activities, ” said Eric Migicovsky, CEO, Pebble. “With the RunKeeper app, fitness enthusiasts can benefit from Pebble to track their workouts, get motivated and meet their goals.”
Pebble’s smart watches have begun shipping to Kickstarter backers and are now available for pre-order at getpebble.com. Wearable technology companies interested in working with RunKeeper on custom integrations should contact api@runkeeper.com.
There’s been a whole lot of speculation on whether the HTC One will ever come to Verizon lately. Back in March, we reported on a device coming to Verizon that had some leaked specs which were similar to the One. Since then, it seems more plausible that this phone is more likely a follow up to Verizon’s HTC Droid DNA, possibly the DNA+.
HTC’s Twitter account also caused some controversy when it deleted a tweet announcing that the One would not be released to Verizon. HTC’s director of public relations, Tom Harlin, mentioned on a Q&A session on Yahoo! this morning that when they announce their next phone coming to Verizon, they’ll be sure to make a big deal out of it. Here’s how Harlin responded to the question at hand:
“There are tons of rumors online but we haven't made any official announcement about HTC One coming to Verizon. The DROID DNA continues to be the HTC hero smartphone at Verizon. It launched in late 2012, it's features still compete with products in 2013. When we announce our next product with Verizon, we'll make a big deal about it so you're all aware”.
So there you have it everyone. There is no HTC One coming to Verizon.
Are you in the market for a mid-range smartphone, but don’t want to deal with crummy contracts and would rather get a new phone outright? If yes— then you’ll be happy at this tidbit of news as Sony has officially listed its unlocked Xperia SP smartphone on its website as available for pre-order. The modest device features a zippy Snapdragon dual-core processor, a 4.6-inch 720p HD Reality Display, 8MP camera and an expandable microSD slot. Additionally, the device will come equipped with a nice assortment of various cellular radios, so it will more than certainly be Ma Bell or Magenta-friendly. Not too shabby indeed.
The device will run customers a cool $489.99 and will start shipping devices sometime later this week. You can find more details once you hit the source link.
In an effort to support its dying brand, AOL announced a content distribution partnership with Verizon which has some implications for Big Red smartphones and tablets running Android, Windows, or RIM operating systems. This summer, AOL will officially become the exclusive provider of the VZW Home mobile web portal, and all Verizon customers will have the AOL homepage bookmarked on their smartphone and tablet browsers. Users will be able to personalize news, weather, and other categories and tools on the AOL homepage. Anyone think this is a bit intrusive, or do you like the move by Verizon?
Check out the presser after the break.
AOL to Offer Exclusive Mobile Web Portal to Verizon's Smartphone Customers
NEW YORK–(BUSINESS WIRE)–AOL (NYSE: AOL) announced today a content distribution partnership that will bring the AOL.com portal to Verizon Wireless smartphones and certain tablets running the Android, Windows Mobile and RIM operating systems. It is the first time that AOL will be the exclusive provider of the VZW Home mobile web portal on smartphones and tablets for the nation's largest wireless carrier.
Beginning this summer, existing and new Verizon Wireless customers will have the AOL portal bookmarked on their smart phones and tablets' web browsers. The multi-device experience will feature the recently refreshed AOL homepage — with breaking news, weather and maps — as well as live streaming events and popular videos. Personalization features will allow users to customize news sources, categories and other tools to their needs.
"We are always looking to reimagine how AOL delivers high quality content across multiple devices," says Chris Grosso, General Manager of AOL Homepages. "This arrangement with an industry leader — Verizon Wireless — helps us deliver digital experiences, at scale, to millions of consumers in innovative ways.”
About AOL
AOL Inc. (NYSE: AOL) is a brand company, committed to continuously innovating, growing, and investing in brands and experiences that inform, entertain, and connect the world. The home of a world-class collection of premium brands, AOL creates original content that engages audiences on a local and global scale. We help marketers connect with these audiences through effective and engaging digital advertising solutions.
Samsung has been killing it in terms of mobile market share, but Apple still leads the way when it comes to profitability. Actually, when you really look at it, Apple and Samsung are the only companies actually making a profit from mobile according to Canaccord Genuity. For the first quarter 2013, Apple took in 57% ($8.03 billion) of the total profits made from mobile, while Samsung came in second with 43% ($6.02 billion). If you’re doing the math, you will notice that the total combined is 100%, which ironically is down from 101% for the 4th quarter 2012. The rest of the manufacturers either broke even, had losses, or very small profits.
The fact that Samsung and Apple are controlling the profits is just part of the story. Countless market share reports have shown Samsung to be winning in terms of units sold, but so far it isn’t translating into pure profit. If you look at the trend though, Samsung is poised to take the lead soon. Looking back at the 4th quarter 2012, Apple led the way with 72% ($12.26 billion) of the profits and Samsung came in second with 29% ($5.03 billion). In looking at quarter vs quarter, Apple dropped 15% while Samsung went up 14%. Samsung still has a ways to go, but there is no reason to believe Samsung’s growth is going to slow down anytime soon. The fact that the Galaxy S 4 was approved by the U.S. Department of Defense is just another indicator that they are moving full steam ahead.
We know that LG isn’t holding back when it comes to its plans to introduce new and cutting-edge smartphones, but it appears that LG is possibly looking to take the next step and introduce some new tablets in the near-future. According to various Korean media outlets, LG is quietly working behind closed doors and working on a new tablet that will be unveiled sometime in Q3 of this year. There are no concrete details of the upcoming device— so we don’t know about the display size, processor or operating system– at least not yet. Despite the lack of details, all indications are pointing that the Korean giant is wanting to try the whole tablet thing again after its Optimus Pad tablet, which generated lackluster sales and never seemed to gain any sort of popularity. So hopefully LG’s rumored new tablet will be able to break in and get a piece of the ever-growing tablet market share and help LG to achieve its goal of world dominance for 2013.
Be sure to stay tuned with us as we will try to provide any further details that we may hear about this developing story…
It looks like the Sony Honami is going to be called the i1 and it will be available this fall in the U.S. as the first One Sony phone. This one (no pun intended) is all about the camera, which could possibly be the best ever in a smartphone. It will supposedly feature a 20MP CyberShot G lens and an Exmor RS Sensor. Rumors point to a body of both glass and metal with some carbon fiber. At 10mm thick, it certainly won’t be the thinnest phone in the world, but it might be one of the best looking.
The rest of the rumored specs include a 5-inch 1080p Reality display, a 2.3GHz Snapdragon 800 processor, 2GB of RAM, and a battery ranging from 2,700 to 3,000mAh battery. The i1 sounds like an incredible phone, but if you’re in the U.S., don’t expect it to be available on any carriers come fall. Word is that it will only be offered unlocked, which means expensive.
I am not sure where the name “cameraphone” comes from, but if it’s a smartphone with a camera, isn’t it still a smartphone? Well SamMobile received some information regarding the Galaxy S4 Zoom, and they are calling it a camera phone, which doesn’t make sense. The bottomline is this is a smartphone that has a 16MP camera, a 4.3-inch qHD (960 x 540) Super AMOLED display, 8GB of storage, microSD slot for extra storage, Bluetooth 4.0 LE, Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n, A-GPS and Jelly Bean. No word on the processor or RAM, but don’t expect anything earth shattering.
It’s codename is SM-C1010, which means it might not be the same device that we reported last week. It’s expected to launch in June or July in both black and white, but I doubt we will see it till the later summer or after IFA 2013. We will certainly let you know more as soon as we find out.
STARZ fans can rejoice because STARZ Play, ENCORE Play, and MOVIEPLEX Play has been released in the Play Store. Each app allows users to stream featured STARZ programming, movies, and original series to their Android device. All three apps have a very similar interface, and are essentially the same app, only released individually for each STARZ programming package. Play, pause, and rewind controls are implemented, and users can start and pick up their programming where they left off on either their tablet, phone, or computer.
These apps are free along with a Starz subscription for Cox, AT&T U-verse, Directv, and Verizon subscribers. Comcast users can instead use the XFINITY TV Player app to access their STARZ content.
You can download the apps from the links after the break.
With hectic schedules, it can be hard to keep track of everything in your news feed. That’s why we created the TalkAndroid Daily Dose. This is where we recap the day’s hottest stories so you can get yourself up to speed in quick fashion. Happy reading!!
A new filing with the Bluetooth Special Interest Group for a new LG device may point the way to the successor to the LG Optimus G. The new device carries the model name LS980, which seems to be consistent with LG devices headed for the Sprint network. Some digging on the Sprint site yielded a build.prop info page for the LS980 indicating the device will run Android 4.2.2 and has a Qualcomm Snapdragon 800 MSM8974 chipset. The Snapdragon 800 is not scheduled to be available until later this year, so the release of this device may be timed to hit the holiday shopping season.
The Sprint page also reveals the LS980 will have a 1920×1080 screen, so it will likely be capable of displaying full 1080p HD video. The device will have 2GB of RAM and carries 32GB of onboard memory. However, it does not look like it will support an external microSD card for additional memory. A rear-facing camera is listed at 13MP and capable of recording full 1080p HD video. All of these specs are consistent with earlier information discovered in some AnTuTu benchmark scores for a new LG device.
New sorting methods for your tunes and playlists plus bug fixes make today's update a must-have
If you're a Spotify user there is an update available that you'll want to download. While the list of new features is short, as is often the case quality trumps quantity and today's update allows users to filter and sort their playlists and songs, making searching and categorizing much easier. The full list of changes:
New: Now you can filter and sort your playlists and tracks.
Fixed: When returning to your playlist view, you’ll always go back to the same position.
Fixed: No more crashing when faced with special character$ in usernames.
Fixed: When you next log in, Spotify will remember what you'd been listening to.
Fictitious: This app looks great in trousers.
Besides the new sorting capabilities, correctly remembering where you left off is a welcome fix, and looking good in trousers is always a bonus. If you're a current user, or want to check out Spotify to see if it satisfies your streaming music needs (there's a free 48 hour trial), hit the Google Play link above.
Up next in our "Get crap off Phil's Desk" content is the Nexus 4 wireless charger. This is the one that's about the size of a tennis ball, only it's black and charges a smartphone. This one is new and still in the box and completely free of dust and dog hair. (If ya'll want, I'll throw in a second charging orb, only this one might have that dust and dog hair stuff I mentioned.)
To enter, just leave a comment on this post and we'll get this charger to a good home.
21-megabyte update now hitting AT&T-branded handsets, users report smoother performance
Following the T-Mobile update that landed this morning, AT&T's Samsung Galaxy S4 is also getting its first firmware upgrade. The over-the-air package weighs in at just over 21MB, and although there's no changelog provided with the update, GS4 owners over on the Android Central Forums are reporting faster performance and smoother animations on the new software version. If lag fixes are indeed present in this new firmware, then it'd be a welcome change -- in our review of the U.S. Galaxy S4 on Sprint, we noted occasional, frustrating jitteriness in certain animations.
To see if you're ready to update, head to Settings > More > About device > Software update. If you're not seeing anything there, you could try connecting your phone to a PC or Mac and using Samsung's Kies desktop software instead.
AT&T Galaxy S4 owners, be sure to let us know how you're getting on with this latest update down in the comments.
Seamlessly continue conversations, calls and video chats from mobile to desktop
Popular cross-platform messaging and VOIP service Viber is introducing brand new desktop apps along with a complete refresh of its mobile apps today. First up are the desktop apps, which are now available for both Windows and Mac and give users the ability to continue all of their VIber conversations and activities just as they would on the phone. You can text and voice chat, send pictures and stickers, make video calls and even transfer audio calls between devices mid-call.
On the mobile side, Viber v3.0 refreshes the interface, and enables a new set of features to be in sync with what the desktop now offers. The mobile app now lets you send stickers, leave video messages and a couple of back-end improvements such as sound quality and language localization. If you haven't yet tried Viber you can grab the app from the Play Store link above, and the desktop versions from the link below.
Just 6.2mm thick but still packing many of the latest specs of any high-end device
Huawei's latest ultra thin high-end device -- known as the P6-U06 for the moment -- may have just leaked out, and this time it is posing for the camera instead of just a few device renders. While it is hard to confirm that this is the exact device Huawei have teased in the past because the back is not shown, all signs point to this being the same 6.2mm thick phone packing a 1.5GHz quad-core processor, 2GB of RAM and a 4.7-inch 720P display. That's a solid set of specs considering the limited space they have to work with.
The design feature of having a metal band around the perimeter also adds a little bit of evidence to this being a new P series device from Huawei, as it has used the same technique on other recent phones such as the Ascend D2. It also seems to pull some design from the Ascend P2. The radio specs suggest a Chinese-only launch for this device, and we wouldn't be surprised if it never launched beyond that market either. Hit the break for a couple more pictures.
The Samsung Galaxy Note 8.0 brings features a-plenty and the beauty that is the S Pen to the small tablet form factor. But is the $399 price too much to justify?
The Galaxy Note 8 is Samsung's latest small form-factor tablet, and it checks in with a $399 price point. That's important, and we'll be referring back to the price several times during this review. Why? Because there are two great tablets at this size that the Note 8 is directly competing against -- the $200 Nexus 7 and the $330 iPad Mini.
Price aside, the Note 8 is one of the best tablets Samsung has offered. It's full of the same great features that we're used to seeing in the Galaxy Note line, and it's hardware is plenty fast enough to make the experience pretty good overall. And of course, there's the S Pen to consider. Stop thinking of it as a stylus, because it's deeply integrated into the software and brings things to the table a regular stylus never could.
Is that enough to justify the $399 price? To answer that, hit the break and see what we think of the Galaxy Note 8.
Android, even indirectly, is but one tool in Google's money-making arsenal
On Monday Google stock (GOOG) closed above $861, marking a new all time high for the Mountain View search giant. This news, of course, sparked a bunch of headlines talking about it. Most of the “stories” behind the headlines are lacking any substance whatsoever. “Google hit a new all time high. It rallied by x% to close at $y, and the stock is now up over z% year to date.” That’s typical. Useless. Garbage. Fill-in-the-blank process stories.
So let’s talk a bit about Google. Google went public in the summer of 2004. I remember it well because, as an analyst in the financial community, the online auction style of IPO they forced upon Morgan Stanley and Credit Suisse was very much unconventional. And that pretty much sums up how Google operates. It runs the show, and it’s not your average show.
Google went public at $85 per share and had a massive run leading up to 2008, when the whole market collapsed as a result of bad mortgage portfolios (the whole collateralized debt obligation market, asset backed commercial paper, etc). So after peaking out around $700, the stock tanked, dropping briefly below $300. As the market recovered from the housing market problems, Google recovered, too. But not to where it once was. It had been bouncing between $500 and $600 for a couple of years.
Wall Street had moved onto other exciting stories. Google was still growing, but not by super high double digits, or triple digits like before. Yet grow, it did. And collect cash it did. And launch important new businesses like Android, it did.
iMore compares HTC's Ultrapixel camera to the iPhone's 8MP rear shooter
Outside of the Android world, one of the HTC One's biggest competitors is Apple's iPhone 5, a device which has earned praise for its 8-megapixel camera and advanced optics. As such, our sister site iMore.com decided to put both cameras through their paces in a side-by-side comparison.
As you'll know if you've been following the phone's launch, the HTC One sports a 4-megapixel 'Ultrapixel' camera, with larger (2 micron) pixels on the sensor itself and f/2.0 aperture, not to mention optical image stabilization. On the iPhone 5, Apple takes a more traditional approach, with a large-ish 8-megapixel sensor, supported by a fancy sapphire crystal lens and f/2.4 aperture. So the iPhone wins on megapixels alone, but the HTC One would seem better equipped for low-light photography.
Here's what iMore's Ally Kazmucha had to say after putting both phones' cameras to the test in a variety of conditions --
Both cameras produced stellar images, yet excelled in different areas. The iPhone 5 does much better when it comes to handling color depth, tone, and saturation. The HTC One leaves the iPhone in the (noisy, noisy) dust when it comes to capturing low light, relatively stationary images.
Apple has been focusing on the iPhone camera for years now, and it's really paid off when it comes to everyday photography. Competitors like HTC, however, are really nailing areas like low light. Hopefully Apple follows their lead, and the lead of Nokia, and starts adding features like optical image stabilization (OIS) and f/2.0 apertures or wider.
For the full article, complete with a few dozen comparison shots, check out the full article over on iMore.
Latest app update allows workout tracking on Pebble
Good news for RunKeeper users also lucky enough to be in possession of a Pebble smartwatch -- the former has just been updated to take advantage of the latter. In its latest update, RunKeeper for Android has gained the ability to connect to Pebble, allowing users to track their workouts in real time.
The app still does all the heavy lifting, with the watch acting as a secondary display, so you'll still need to keep your smartphone on you during your workout. However, the ability to track your stats without reaching (possibly with sweaty hands) for your phone.
Unsurprisingly, with wearable devices set to become more widespread over the next year, RunKeeper says Pebble integration is "one of many integrations with hardware and fitness tracking devices in the coming months."
To grab the latest version of RunKeeper, hit the Google Play link above.
Samsung's full-screen multi-tasking feature returns on the Galaxy S4. Here's where to find it and how to use.
A favorite feature of the Galaxy Note 2, Samsung's 'Multi-window' multitasking capability is included out of the box on the Galaxy S4. It's probably one of the coolest software tricks Samsung has come up with to date, but it's easily overlooked if you don't know it's there.
To use Multi-window, you'll first need to enable it in the quick settings area. Drag the notification bar down, hit the block icon in the top right corner and make sure "Multi-window" is lit up. From there, you can toggle the Multi-window bar on or off by long-pressing the back key. It's possible to move the bar around by long-pressing the rounded tab while it's open. (To move the tab up or down, simply long-press and drag up or down when the bar doesn't have focus.)
First update for T-Mobile Galaxy S4 going out over the air and through Kies
The first update for T-Mobile US's Samsung Galaxy S4 is pushing out today over the air and through Samsung's Kies desktop software.
The new software version M919UVUAMDL is a minor update containing "improvements to the visual voicemail app" and "ISIS app improvements," according to T-Mo's support pages. (ISIS being the NFC-based mobile wallet app backed by many U.S. operators.)
There's always a chance some other bug fixes or improvements have been sneaked in behind the scenes, so if you're rocking a T-Mo GS4 then hit the comments and let us know how you're getting on after today's update.
The May 7 ShopAndroid.com Deal of the Day is the LLOYD HD Clear Screen Protectors for Galaxy Note 2. These protectors are custom designed to protect your Note 2 screen while giving you an ultra-clear, high definition look and feel to your device. Durable and scratch resistant, the TruTouch sensitivity gives these protectors a more natural feel on your touchscreen. Includes 3 per pack.
Sony's latest mid-ranger to sell for $489.99 unlocked
Hot on the heels of the Xperia Z, Sony's new mid-range offering, the Xperia SP, has also appeared for pre-order on the company's U.S.-based online store. The Xperia SP packs a 1.7GHz dual-core Snapdragon S4 Pro CPU with Adreno 320 GPU, 1GB of RAM, 8GB internal storage and an 8-megapixel Exmor RS rear camera. On the front is a 720p Sony 'HD Reality Display.' Like its high-end siblings, the SP's internal storage is expandable via microSD card.
The Xperia SP also sports a unique aluminum-frames design and a large, illuminated transparent element under the screen.
Bizarrely, Sony's spec listing for the North American Xperia SP shows support for HSPA+ on 850, 900, 1900 and 2100MHz bands, as well as LTE bands I, II, IV and V. If those specs are accurate, they'd point to an incomplete set of frequencies for both AT&T and T-Mobile. On AT&T you'll get full HSPA+ coverage but no LTE; on T-Mo you're looking at LTE, but no 1700MHz HSPA+ support.
The unlocked U.S. Xperia SP variant (C5306) is due to begin shipping from May 20, priced at a not insubstantial $489.99.
Top threads for first impressions of Samsung's new handset
Depending on where you live, you'll have been able to pick up Samsung's latest handset, the Galaxy S4, for up to two weeks now. As such, the Android Central forums are buzzing with discussion about what's sure to be one of the biggest-selling phones of the year. Whether you're just getting started with your S4, or you're looking to pick one up in the future, here's a selection of the top forum threads to check out --
The Galaxy S4 bug thread - It's impossible to ship completely bug-free software, and so if you've noticed any software glitches on your S4, this is the place to discuss them.
Galaxy S4 photography thread - The S4's 13-megapixel camera is among the best we've seen on a smartphone. Check out some awesome photos from forum members, and post your own!
Galaxy S4 better than the HTC One? - This question isn't going to be resolved anytime soon, but the GS4 forum denizens are offering their thoughts in this thread.
Verizon Galaxy S4 pre-order/waiting thread - The GS4 isn't available on Big Red just yet, but there's a thread full of Verizon pre-order discussion here to see you through to launch.
AOL and Verizon bringing a new Internet portal to Verizon customers' phones and tablets this summer
America OnLine has announced that a new partnership with Verizon Wireless will allow them to bring the complete AOL.com portal to Android, Windows, and BlackBerry smart phones and tablets. They say they will be the "exclusive provider of the VZW Home mobile web portal." We're not exactly sure what that means, but they go on to say:
Beginning this summer, existing and new Verizon Wireless customers will have the AOL portal bookmarked on their smart phones and tablets’ web browsers. The multi-device experience will feature the recently refreshed AOL homepage -- with breaking news, weather and maps -- as well as live streaming events and popular videos. Personalization features will allow users to customize news sources, categories and other tools to their needs.
So it appears that a bookmark will be added to the device's default browser, leading users to an AOL page that provides curated news and events for Verizon subscribers. We're pretty sure you'll just be able to delete the bookmark should you feel the need, so we can't rail on them too hard. Look for your new portal to the Internet this summer.
