| CyanogenMod 10.1 RC5 builds now available for many devices Posted: 07 Jun 2013 04:09 PM PDT 
Release candidates are coming out quickly; stable build can't be far off CyanogenMod has been rolling out new versions of CM10.1 as quick as people can flash them, and we've now crossed into RC5 (Release Candidate 5) territory. RC's are the final step before a stable release of the software, and after five iterations we have to think that final build isn't far off. As it stands RC5 is the latest available though, and builds have been showing up throughout the day for most popular devices. Most variants of the Galaxy SIII (S3) are here, as well as popular Sony devices like the Xperia Z, ZL and Tablet Z. Naturally, every Nexus device -- from the Nexus S to the Nexus Q -- is represented. Hit the source link below to check and see if your device has an RC5 build available. If it does, don't forget to make a full backup before you flash to the latest version. It's unlikely that there are serious bugs this late in development, but you can never be too careful. Source: CyanogenMod     |
| Get the Galaxy S4 in any color you want from ColorWare Posted: 07 Jun 2013 03:48 PM PDT 
This treatment from ColorWare takes customization to the ultimate level, but it's not cheap If you're not content with the two current colors of the Samsung Galaxy S4, and none of the four new "coming soon" colors tickle your fancy, ColorWare can help you get the Galaxy S4 you've always wanted -- provided you're willing to pay for it. Checking in at $1,000, the GSM unlocked Galaxy S4 is the same model available to everyone, but ColorWare has torn it asunder and replaced the external plastic parts with pieces that have been meticulously painted, making the phone available in thousands of color combinations. Be it Formula 1 red, or Cotton Candy pink, or even something subdued like the aptly named sand, there is bound to be something here for everyone. Yes, $1000 is a lot of money to spend on anything, let alone a phone. But if you just have to have it your way, now you can. Visit the link below to check it out, and the press release is after the break. More: ColorWare read more     |
| SoftBank could attempt to buy T-Mobile US if its bid for Sprint is turned down Posted: 07 Jun 2013 02:37 PM PDT 
One man's trash is another man's treasure: Deutsche Telekom could finally exit the U.S. market With its attempted purchase of Sprint potentially in jeopardy, SoftBank is actively considering buying T-Mobile US as a fall-back plan. Sprint and SoftBank seem confident that its current deal will go through, however a few billion extra dollars from Dish may be enough to force Sprint's hands into taking the more profitable deal -- and SoftBank is reportedly ready to move right on down the line to the next U.S. carrier it can buy, T-Mobile. After its merger with MetroPCS, T-Mobile (now T-Mobile US) is a publicly traded company, making its former parent company Deutsche Telekom now just a majority shareholder. According to three sources to Reuters, the Japanese carrier is returning to talks previously held between it and Deutsche Telekom pertaining to buying its stake in the U.S. carrier. Just as Deutsche Telekom wanted, this structure makes it a much simpler proposition to sell off its 74-percent stake in T-Mobile US to another company, such as SoftBank, if it wants a final exit from the U.S. At its current valuation T-Mobile US is worth about $15 billion, or $5 billion less than SoftBank currently has on the table to buy Sprint. The numbers work out, and it's no secret that DT has had one foot out the door for some time now -- SoftBank could just be the final piece to make everyone happy. Source: Reuters     |
| First alleged Samsung Galaxy S4 Zoom render appears Posted: 07 Jun 2013 02:08 PM PDT 
Galaxy S4 variant infused with Galaxy Camera DNA We've seen the Samsung Galaxy S4 Mini and Galaxy S4 Active, and next up could be the Galaxy S4 Zoom. The device has been rumored for the past several weeks, and supposedly combined Galaxy S4 Mini-level internals with a 16-megapixel rear shooter and 10X optical zoom capabilities. If it exists, it's an interesting twist on the "cameraphone" concept, as we discussed in a recent editorial. Today brings us our first possible look at the actual hardware of the S4 Zoom. The Samsung rumormongers at SamMobile have published the shot above, which looks like a Galaxy S4 infused with some Galaxy Camera DNA. There's an S4-like front, complete with speaker grille, a zoom lens around the back and dedicated camera key (without a zoom rocker, oddly.) We'll have to wait and see whether this will be the device to complete Samsung's "Premiere 2013" line-up. We'll be on the ground in London on June 20 to find out -- in the meantime, share any theories down in the comments. Source: SamMobile     |
| Action Launcher 1.8 lets you choose widgets, improves support for Ice Cream Sandwich Posted: 07 Jun 2013 01:21 PM PDT 
Action Launcher today has dropped Version 1.8 on us in Google Play, bringing with it a few welcomed improvements. You're now able to choose which widget you want associated with a Shutter action (that's the one where you swipe an app icon to open its widget), which gives you far better control over what's being shown. It also lets you associate any widget with any icon, whether or not it actually is supposed to have a widget. Neat trick. And because of the way that works, you're now able to use Shutters with Ice Cream Sandwich devices. More backward compatibility is always a good thing. Look for the Action Launcher update in Google Play any time now (hit the link above, or just go to Google Play, where it should be listed as a Featured App soon), and be sure to check to the changelog and demo video after the break. read more     |
| Google on the NSA 'PRISM' to-do: 'What the ...?' Posted: 07 Jun 2013 01:02 PM PDT |
| MOGA announces new 'Power Series' mobile gaming controllers Posted: 07 Jun 2013 11:38 AM PDT 
No more battery life worries, next generation of controllers will charge your device as you play MOGA has just announced that it will be unveiling the second generation of its popular mobile gaming controllers, dubbed the "Power Series", at the E3 gaming show next week. Building on the success of the original MOGA Pro controller, these second generation controllers have improved ergonomics and Bluetooth radios, but are still compatible with a wide range of devices from Android 2.3 and up as well as Windows Phone 8. MOGA's "S.M.R.T. Lock" arm ensures that your device will connect safely and securely to the controller as well, even during intense gameplay. The smaller, more portable of the two second-gen controllers features a completely redone design with clickable joysticks, new D-pad and shoulder buttons. On top of the enhancements in the physical controls, what sets these apart from their predecessor (and competitors) is the new "MOGA Boost" feature, which will charge your device as you play with the controller. This is a big deal to take away some of the battery worry associated with high-end mobile gaming, and we'll be interested to see how much battery life users can expect. On top of our continuing Talk Mobile coverage of mobile gaming this week, we'll surely be seeing more about MOGA and other new mobile gaming-related products from E3 next week. read more     |
| Google Experience phones: What's the big deal and are they worth it? Posted: 07 Jun 2013 11:07 AM PDT |
| What's the future of mobile gaming? - Talk Mobile Posted: 07 Jun 2013 08:16 AM PDT As much as mobile technology has advanced in the last five years, the evolution and revolution of the next five years is going to be even more drastic. Who would have thought that today we'd have cellular data connections that outstrip most hardwired home connections, or screens with pixels so small we can't discern them with the naked eye? Or that we'd be cramming all of this into phones a quarter of an inch thick? Five years ago the best games we had were basic racers, two-dimensional strategy games, and variations on board and card games. Today when you fire up your app store there are graphically-rich racers, intense shooters, interactive puzzles, physics engines put to work powering animated slingshots, and so much more. Just what does the future hold in store for mobile gaming? Let's get the conversation started! read more     |
| Sony 'Xperia ZU' allegedly pictured in kitten-balancing blurry-cam shot Posted: 07 Jun 2013 06:54 AM PDT 
First paws-on image We've been hearing rumors of a 6-plus-inch Sony handset for a few months now, with the codename 'Togari' being closely linked with the alleged phone. Today brings some more nuggets of pre-release info surrounding this elusive device. Sources for VR-Zone suggest that the device will come to market as the Xperia ZU -- a good enough name, considering Sony's quickly depleting the rest of the alphabet. Purported specs include a 6.44-inch Triluminous 1080p display and a 2.3GHz Snapdragon 800 CPU, which could make the ZU one of the first Snapdragon 800 devices to come to market. Meanwhile an early alleged photo of the device has emerged, showing a small kitten balancing on its 6.44-inch screen. (For scale, we imagine, though we sincerely hope that stacking animals on unannounced smartphones will become the next Internet trend.) The shot seems to originate from the SEBBS forum on Chinese site it168.com, along with claims that the device will measure in at just 6.5mm thin. That certainly fits with earlier rumors surrounding the Togari. Finally, Sony Mobile Germany has scheduled an event for June 25, leading to speculation that the 'Togari' -- or Xperia ZU -- will become official before the end of the month. That said, Sony's got lots of stuff in the pipe, including the 'Honami,' which is rumored to pack a 20-megapixel Cyber-shot camera. Source: VR-Zone, Esato; via: PhoneArena     |
| Is Android about to lose the exclusive on a top-ranked keyboard to iOS? Posted: 07 Jun 2013 05:15 AM PDT |
| Deal of the Day: Incipio Frequency Soft Shell Case for HTC One Posted: 07 Jun 2013 04:45 AM PDT |
| How to turn on and off contact images in the new Gmail Posted: 07 Jun 2013 04:08 AM PDT 
The new Gmail turned on contact images, but that doesn't mean you have to stick with them We took a look at the latest update to Gmail the other day in a broad sense, but there are so many small changes in this update that we think a few warrant extra attention. The most noticeable change comes by way of new contact images next to emails, which are turned on by default. The issue is that not everyone has a contact image associated to each person that will send them mail, meaning there are often big, randomly-colored letters next to the emails instead. We wouldn't disagree if you thought this was a waste of space and looked a bit cartoonish, so here's how to turn them off. From the main Gmail inbox view, head to your settings (via your phone's hardware menu button or the action bar menu), then select "General settings" from the first view and uncheck the box labeled "Sender image". Back out to your inbox view and you'll now get a wider view of your emails without distraction. Unfortunately this means you can no longer hit the images as a way to select multiple messages; you'll now have to initiate that multi-selection with a long-press on any email in the list instead. Stick around after the break for a video walkthrough of how to turn on and off the new contact images, and a clear explanation of how navigating the interface changes slightly when you do so. read more     |
| 'Google Edition' Sony Xperia Z coming soon Posted: 07 Jun 2013 02:18 AM PDT 
Sony Mobile will partner with Google to release a ‘Nexus user experience’ version of its flagship Xperia Z phone, Android Central can confirm First came the Samsung Galaxy S4 "Google Edition." Then last week brought news of the HTC One "with Nexus user experience." In the past couple of days, rumors have been circulating that Sony will join the "Google Edition" club and release a vanilla Android phone of its own, with Romanian site AndroidGeeks breaking the story. Today we can confirm through our own sources that the Japanese manufacturer is indeed preparing a "Google Edition" of its flagship Xperia Z handset. The "Google Edition" Sony Xperia Z should be sold in the U.S. through the Google Play Store later in the year, just like the two other Google Edition handsets. Being a "Nexus user experience" phone it’s very likely this new Xperia Z will benefit from speedier system updates, though we weren’t able to specifically confirm this point. (Nor could we nail down any details on possible international availability -- though we’re not holding our breath.) read more     |
| AT&T ready to restructure GoPhone prepaid plans in the coming weeks Posted: 07 Jun 2013 01:04 AM PDT 
Highest plan remains; lower tier of plans to be replaced with new options AT&T is planning to completely eliminate one of its prepaid GoPhone smart phone plans and severely hurt a second by changing data pricing on June 20th. According to a statement given to CNET, AT&T plans to remove the ability to add data (and therefore smart phones) to its $50 plan, as well as the ability to add anything more than 50MB buckets of data (for $5) to its $25 plan starting later this month. If you're not familiar with AT&T's GoPhone options, they previously allowed users to add buckets of 200MB or 1GB for $15 or $25, respectively, as they saw fit. All that will remain at that point will be the relatively new $65 plan, which gives users unlimited talk and text with 1GB of data, but no option to buy additional buckets when that data cap is reached -- just pay per kilobyte. Fortunately, in statements given to both CNET and Engadget AT&T confirmed that it plans to replace these $25 and $50 plans with other options for smart phone users that want to stick to the prepaid route. While it wouldn't give any indication of what pricing levels or features would be available, the carrier said there would be "new, additional plan options soon." Being that AT&T recently added the ability for users to access LTE data on prepaid, we hope they continue to improve on their GoPhone offerings. Source: CNET; Via: Engadget     |
| HTCDev posts latest RUU for HTC One Developer Edition Posted: 06 Jun 2013 10:26 PM PDT |
