Android World Update # Amazon limited-time deal sees Kindle Fire HD selling for $159

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Amazon limited-time deal sees Kindle Fire HD selling for $159 Aug 6th 2013, 16:41, by AndroidGuys Amazon is offering the Kindle Fire HD for $159 for a limited time as part of a back-to-school promotion, a savings of $40 off the normal asking price. It’s not immediately clear as to how long the deal will run so if you’re on the fence we say pull the trigger as soon as you can afford to buy. We’re curious as to whether this is truly just to help move units ahead of school season or whether this is an indicator of new devices on the horizon. We’ve seen an increasing number of rumors over the last few weeks that Amazon is readying a new line of Kindle tablets. It would make sense to blow through these as quickly as possible so that there’s no confusion when the new models arrive. Amazon The post Amazon limited-time deal sees Kindle Fire HD selling for $159 appeared first on AndroidGuys.

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Android World Update # Google patent will unlock device into apps using patterns

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Google patent will unlock device into apps using patterns Aug 6th 2013, 16:59, by Scott Webster You know that great pattern unlock feature that has been standard in Android since the first release? Pretty sweet, right? The downside of this security is that you cannot launch directly into any particular apps, only the home screen. A newly discovered Google patent suggests we might soon see the best of both worlds. The patent, should it become standard or part of Android, will allow users to unlock their device with multiple custom patterns. Each pattern could, in turn, launch directly into an app such as the camera, Gmail, dialer, etc. It’s not clear if this is Google’s plan to release this or integrate into Android; for all we know, it could be a simple squat so that others cannot claim the patent. Then again, this would be a cool feature to introdce as part of the 5.0 version of Android, right? USPTO via Engadget The post Google patent will unlock device into apps using patterns appeared first on AndroidGuys.

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Android World Update # Google Play: update brings better usability features

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Google Play: update brings better usability features Aug 6th 2013, 16:23, by Kris Carlon The Google Play Store gets a new update. Again. But they didn't fix any of the issues we've been complaining about. The new features introduced with version 4.3.10 have primarily one goal: more clarity for the user. One of the main ways they've set out to achieve better usability is to include a new area that informs the user of all recently updated apps. © Google (This is a preview - click here to read the entire entry.)

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Android World Update # Android Community

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SYNC by 50 Wireless Speaker arrives by way of SMS Audio Aug 6th 2013, 15:54, by Robert Nelson SMS Audio is well established with the headphones coming by way of 50 Cent, however it looks like they have also branched out into the portable speaker market. This latest will bring the familiar “by 50″ branding and will be arriving as a Bluetooth 4.0 compatible speaker. Specifically, as the SYNC by 50 Wireless Speaker. This one will be available by way of the SMS Audio website and those considering a purchase should be prepared to part with $199.95. The speaker is available in black and is sporting the familiar looking blue accents found on the other “by 50″ products. SYNC by 50 brings 50mm drivers which SMS Audio are touting as being able to offer “dynamic, crystal clear audio” and “real” 3D sound. Other highlights include Bluetooth 4.0 aptX technology and NFC (Near Field Communication) for pairing as well as voice prompts, 5 pre-set EQ settings and touch-sensitive controls. SMS Audio has said the SYNC by 50 will be able to provide up to 12 hours of music playback. The speaker also has a rechargeable battery and ships with a microUSB cable for charging, 3.5mm cable for wired playback and a carry case for taking the speaker out and about. While we are curious as to how well the SYNC by 50 speaker will perform in the real-world, we cannot say this is a market that lacks competition. Some of the others already available include the Jabra Solemate, Beats by Dre Beats Pill and the Jawbone Jambox. VIA: SlashGear Story Timeline Jawbone JAMBOX speaker gets colorful with new custom colors SuperTooth Disco 2 Bluetooth speaker review Loewe Speaker 2go unveiled ahead of June release Sol Republic DECK wireless speakers "M4DE for Motorola" launched Google patent filing tips an improved pattern unlock experience Aug 6th 2013, 15:09, by Robert Nelson Android users already have several options when it comes to securing their lockscreen. Some of those include face unlock, pin codes and patterns. The catch is that you often have to give up on another convenience when you choose to go the secure lockscreen route. One of those conveniences is quick launching to an app. But with that in mind, judging from details found in a USPTO filing — that may soon be changing. Details coming from the filing have this looking rather simple. Basically, it appears to be rather similar to the currently available pattern unlock setup. The difference here is that you will be able to switch up (or add-to) that pattern to go directly to an app. The provided artwork details a pattern unlock that is extended with an extra swipe up. With that extra swipe up the user would be able to launch directly to the camera. While the process seems simple enough to understand, there are still some questions that remain. For one, we have to wonder if Google will allow users to set any app as the one to quick launch or if this will be limited to a select few. Given the current open feel of Android, we suspect the former. Perhaps the bigger question is when this will come available. We have already seen Android 4.3 launch and there is no sign of this being available. Maybe Google has plans to add this by way of an update, or maybe they have plans to include this in the next major Android update. Of course, on the flip side we also have to remember that just because Google has been granted a patent approval, that doesn’t mean it will ever be rolled out for users. VIA: Engadget Story Timeline Google Face Unlock patent adds facial expressions to Android security Samsung GALAXY S 4 cannot be added in ongoing Apple patent suit Qualcomm TOQ patent hints at future smartwatch Apple loses "pinch to zoom" patent claim used in Samsung lawsuit

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Android World Update # ASUS MeMO Pad HD7 review

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ASUS MeMO Pad HD7 review Aug 6th 2013, 16:07, by Andrew Martonik A tablet stuck between a price point and a hard place. ASUS is a huge name in the Android tablet space, and while it may be best known for its "Transformer" tablet line and Google's Nexus 7, it also produces a more budget-centric line of tablets under the "MeMO Pad" brand. Targeted directly at the lower end, the MeMO Pad line doesn't focus on specs and instead tries to offer acceptable performance with a few useful features wrapped up in a solid case at an undercutting price. We reviewed the original MeMO Pad 7 and came away with mixed feelings about the value proposition of a 7-inch tablet with shaky internal hardware hitting the $150 price point. This time around ASUS has bumped up some of the sorely low specs and even dropped the entry price as well, but is it enough to make you consider it as a budget tablet choice? Hang with us after the break where we find out if the MeMO Pad HD7 has what it takes. read more

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Android World Update # Pantech debuts Vega LTE-A IM-A880S for South Korea

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Pantech debuts Vega LTE-A IM-A880S for South Korea Aug 6th 2013, 16:08, by Scott Webster Pantech has announced a new Android smartphone for its home-turf Korean market which includes a couple of cutting-edge features. For starters, the Vega LTE-A IM-A880S (what a mouthful) boasts a quad-core 2.3GHz Snapdragon 800 processor, 2GB RAM, a 13-megapixel rear camera, and 16GB/32GB storage capacities. The display is 5.5-inches and offers a 1080p HD resolution; the 3100mAh battery can be fully charged in as little as 94 minutes. Additional specifications include LTE-A(dvanced) support for Korea’s burgeoning network and a touchpad and fingerprint sensor on the rear for unlocking the Vega LTE-A via fingerprint authentication. Click to view slideshow. The Pantech Vega LTE-A will offered in black and white color options, however there’s no indication as to exact availability or pricing. Indeed, the smartphone also has accessories much like Samsung’s S View Flip Cover and LG’s QuickWindow Case. Sources suggest an August roll out for South Korea SKT customers but’s it’s not clear whether the United States will see a variant. Pantech has a history of offering high-powered devices at prices below the competition so we’re hopeful that this is the case for the Vega LTE-A. Via: Cetizen (translate) The post Pantech debuts Vega LTE-A IM-A880S for South Korea appeared first on AndroidGuys.

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Android World Update # Moto X-like voice activated features may come to more devices courtesy of the Qualcomm Snapdragon 800

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Moto X-like voice activated features may come to more devices courtesy of the Qualcomm Snapdragon 800 Aug 6th 2013, 14:36, by Adam Koueider Have you taken a liking to the Moto X's “always listening” feature, but haven't been quite as impressed by the Moto X itself? Perhaps the Moto X simply won't be available in your country. Fear not, as Qualcomm has got you covered. With the hype over the Moto X peaking last week, the “always listening” feature was the most talked about aspect of the Moto X. But what many people forgot was that the upcoming Snapdragon 800 processor is going to feature similar capabilities. Motorola used a custom X8 Mobile Computing System to allow the Moto X to remain listening at all times even while the screen is off. Through the use of a dedicated chip specifically for voice activation, the Moto X can be activated with the keywords "Okay, Google Now". The Snapdragon 800 features a similar feature which Qualcomm calls "Ultra-Low Power Voice activation", and can also be activated using a pre-set keyword or sentence. This is done by using the device's audio codec, and the new Hexagon QDSP6 (Qualcomm Digital Signal Processor 6) as well as the CPU, allowing the device to be activated by using your voice even if it’s locked. The Snapdragon 800 has tonnes of other improvements, like the new Adreno 330 GPU, and support for 4K external displays. The SoC is rumored to be used in the upcoming Samsung Galaxy Note 3 and is already confirmed for the LG G2 and the Sony Xperia Z Ultra. We will have to wait and see whether OEMs take full advantage of this added functionality. Hit the source link for more info on the Snapdragon 800 as well as a video showcasing the “Ultra-Low Power Voice activation” feature. Are you excited about the Snapdragon 800 processor?

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