Android Phone Fans |
- Leaked Screenshot Shows Google Drive Will Launch With 5GB Of Free Storage
- Friendly Reminder: Last Day To Enter The “Smoked By Windows Phone” Challenge – Better Hurry
- HTC One X and One V Caught On Camera – Unboxing And Walkthrough [Videos]
- Google Will Sell Subsidized Nexus Tablets Directly To Consumers Via Online Webstore [Rumor]
- Sony Releases Ice Cream Sandwich Beta for Xperia PLAY
- Sprint’s Officially Done Creating WiMax Phones
- T-Mobile Goes Through the Evolution of SideKick on Facebook
- Hulu Plus Update Brings Tablet UI to Select Android Tablets
- IDC: Android Devices to Outpace Windows Devices by 2016
- T-Mobile Confirms Sensation 4G and Amaze 4G Are Getting Ice Cream Sandwich
- Is This Asurion Form Hinting Toward a DROID Bionic 2?
- Report: Majority of Google’s mobile revenue comes from iOS, not Android
- NVIDIA CEO: $199 Tegra 3 tablets could be a reality by summer
- Opera Mini 7 hits Google Play, still goes easy on the data
- HTC One S Coming to T-Mobile April 22nd?
| Leaked Screenshot Shows Google Drive Will Launch With 5GB Of Free Storage Posted: 29 Mar 2012 07:43 PM PDT It was only a few days ago we learned that Google’s long fabled “Google Drive” could be launching as early as April. Pretty exciting news until the rest of the rumor revealed Google’s service would only give users a measly 1GB of cloud storage. Major letdown. This would turn a service with tons of potential, fizzle when compared to similar offerings like Dropbox. Well, today, TalkAndroid got their hands on a nice little “breaksclusive” by way of a screenshot sent to them showing we can now expect 5GB of free storage, giving Google users everywhere enough elbow room to make themselves at home. With access to Google Drive API’s, I can’t wait to see what developers come up with. I’m hoping for game save data that can be shared and access across multiple Android devices. With only 2GB of free storage, Dropbox is going to have to step up their game if they hope to compete. Something tells me they wont go down without a fight.
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| Friendly Reminder: Last Day To Enter The “Smoked By Windows Phone” Challenge – Better Hurry Posted: 29 Mar 2012 06:36 PM PDT I’ve been seeing more than a few lucky Android users showing off their winnings across the interwebs after entering into the “Smoked By Windows Phone” challenge. The event, being held at your local Microsoft Store, is sponsored by The Hunger Games and if you think your Android device has what it takes to best a Windows Phone in a few challenges (admittedly, tailored to WP7 devices), you could walk away with a brand new laptop, free of charge. Just like this one fellow above. Contest rules say the challenge officially ends tonight at 10PM, but you’re going to want to call your local Microsoft Store ahead of time just to make sure (some stop accepting new challengers at 7PM). Good luck, Androids. Don’t fail us… [Microsoft Stores | Challenge Rules]
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| HTC One X and One V Caught On Camera – Unboxing And Walkthrough [Videos] Posted: 29 Mar 2012 05:55 PM PDT We have a pair of HTC’s upcoming One devices caught on video. The first is an unboxing of the HTC One X and where normally I tend to pass on unboxings, I seem to be eating up any bit on info/leaks on the One X I can get. This phone has consumed me. Just as a warning, the video comes from a French site, so unless you took French instead of Spanish in high-school, you’re probably not going to understand very much. Don’t worry, the HTC One X in all of its elegance speaks for itself. Next up is the HTC One V, which will be headed our way on Virgin Mobile and additional regional (possibly even national) carriers. While most Android fanboys would as soon spit on a 1GHz device as look at one, the One V definitely hold it’s own in the world of “budget” devices. This could be the one entry level device to rule them all (pun intended). When Phandroid traveled to Spain for MWC a few weeks back, HTC didn’t exactly have a working model of the One V so it’s nice to be able to get a glimpse of what we can expect. Even in this blurry cam video. Remember, not every Android user is using the highest-end phone and most likely your less tech-savvy friends and family will be opting for entry level devices once their contract is up. Anyone else excited for HTC’s entire One line of devices? [HTCHub | Via AndroidCommunity and AndroidandMe]
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| Google Will Sell Subsidized Nexus Tablets Directly To Consumers Via Online Webstore [Rumor] Posted: 29 Mar 2012 04:18 PM PDT WSJ is confirming what many of us have suspected all along. According to the Journal, Google will be entering the tablet market with their very own Nexus tablet (possibly more than one) that they will sell directly to consumers via their online webstore. Big “G” wont actually be manufacturing any of this hardware themselves, instead allowing ASUS and Samsung to do all the labor for them. It’s also being said that Google will be subsidizing these tablets, keeping them around a $200-ish price-point where they plan to make up some of the costs through Play Store purchases. These tablets will challenge Amazon’s red-headed Android tab, the Kindle Fire. And yes, before you remind us that Google’s tried the direct-to-consumer route before and it didn’t exactly work out so well for the Nexus One — you’re right. But, the world wasn’t exactly ready for unsubsidized $600 handsets, not to mention carrier demands no doubt got in the way of their plans. Makes you wonder if this tablet idea takes off (and why the heck shouldn’t it?) if Google will consider reentering the off-contract smartphone handset business once again? I know, we’re getting way ahead of ourselves here, so let’s deal with matters at hand. What do you guys think of this news? Would you consider buying a $200 Nexus tablet direct from Google? Would you like them to offer a more expensive, higher-end model (possibly from Samsung)? So exciting!
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| Sony Releases Ice Cream Sandwich Beta for Xperia PLAY Posted: 29 Mar 2012 03:24 PM PDT Sony Ericsson Xperia Play owners are in for a real treat today. While we’ve known of the device’s leaked Ice Cream Sandwich update for quite some time, nothing could be better than an official beta straight from the horse’s mouth (unless, of course, you’re a rooted user and the build can’t be rooted). Sony has released a beta of Android 4.0 for anyone who owns the device to try it out and submit feedback. Specifically, they want to know how the gaming experience is. Do the controls work? Did you experience any lagging? Stuff like that. If you do run into any issues, be sure to let them know as directed – it’ll make for a better experience for everyone once it’s final. Also, they didn’t list which devices would be able to participate, but we’re going to assume Verizon’s version will have issues. That’s just a guess, though. Head to their site for full instructions and download links, and be prepared to void your warranty. Have at it!
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| Sprint’s Officially Done Creating WiMax Phones Posted: 29 Mar 2012 01:06 PM PDT I think pretty much everyone expected Sprint to do away with WiMax in the early parts of this year, and now it’s official: Sprint won’t be putting any more money into providing WiMax-enabled devices. That word comes from Sprint senior networks VP Bob Azzi who confirmed the news to reporters. He says the company is in its last set of field tests and that the network provides better benefits than they originally imagined. As we approach the Now Network’s promise of 4G LTE in the middle of this year, they’re opting to gear up for a network which will seemingly be better than WiMax and one which they’ll have much more control over. While they’ll still be offering WiMax services (up until when, exactly, is not quite known), they’ll be setting their sights on far greener planes. Clearwire is simply broke, so those without WiMax in their area now will probably ever get it. Your best bet is to get excited for one of the many LTE devices being served up this year. Sprint’s confirmed that their Galaxy Nexus will have the new radios, but we also believe the HTC EVO One ( HTC One X) will, as well. There will be a smattering of other tablets, smartphones, and MiFi devices to choose from starting from the moment the network launches (not all will be available at that time but we’re sure at least a MiFi device will be). But I digress – WiMax is dying in the US, and this is the first of more blows to come. [via Electronista]
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| T-Mobile Goes Through the Evolution of SideKick on Facebook Posted: 29 Mar 2012 12:55 PM PDT After discontinuing their last known SideKick, the Android-based SideKick 4G, T-Mobile has decided to establish a period of remembrance for the entire line. They’re going through the “Evolution of SideKick” and it, of course, kicks off with the first ever SideKick device in 2002. It goes all the way to the aforementioned SideKick 4G, and that’s it. So is this just their way of saying farewell or are they trying to tell us something? We’ve heard no rumors of a new SideKick headed our way, but when they discontinued the SideKick 4G they never necessarily said that we would never see another one. For now, just use this as a healing tool while we try and figure out if there is any deeper meaning. [via Facebook]
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| Hulu Plus Update Brings Tablet UI to Select Android Tablets Posted: 29 Mar 2012 12:24 PM PDT Hulu Plus has finally been updated to include the Android tablet part of the family into the mix. They’ve created a tablet UI optimized for Honeycomb devices and higher, though their list of support doesn’t include all Honeycomb devices. In fact, it appears there are only seven devices currently supported:
It’s odd that not a single Samsung device is on there. Don’t fret if your device isn’t included because Hulu is always working to add new devices over time, just as they do with the phone version of the app. If you have any of the above devices and want to check it out, take a journey over to the Google Play Store. [list via Android Police]
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| IDC: Android Devices to Outpace Windows Devices by 2016 Posted: 29 Mar 2012 12:06 PM PDT Once upon a time, it was a shocker to think that Android could completely overtake iOS by 2015 like some analysts predicted. Not so crazy now, is it? In fact, it’s all happening at a more rapid pace than they imagined. Imagine my surprise when IDC reported that Android devices were on pace to overtake Windows devices by 2016. Notice what I wrote following the names of both operating systems: “devices.” Yes, they believe that Windows PCs, tablets, phones and more will all succumb to defeat at the hands of Android devices of the same variety. Windows devices on x86-based CPUs currently have a leading 35.9% share, and IDC predicts it’ll drop to 25.1% by 2016. Meanwhile, Android will go from 29.4% to 31.1%, effectively taking over as the leading platform. Even now, Android holds a pretty significant piece of the pie. Just as with smartphones, this prediction could easily change over the coming years, or even over the coming months. Android still hasn’t broken any significant ground on the tablet side of things. If we can assume that it’ll have even half the success Android phones have had since launch, we could see this happening much sooner. It’s not wise to assume anything, though, so we’ll just call it “wishful thinking” for now. Oh, and iOS ill grow from 14.6% to a measly 17.3%. IDC predicts that the increasingly low prices of tablets and an expanding tablet application ecosystem will fuel growth. Read the rest of the report at their site.
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| T-Mobile Confirms Sensation 4G and Amaze 4G Are Getting Ice Cream Sandwich Posted: 29 Mar 2012 11:17 AM PDT T-Mobile has confirmed to their customers that two of their HTC phons, the Sensation 4G and Amaze 4G, will be getting Ice Cream Sandwich. I don’t think many of us doubted these dual-core phones would eventually get the update, but if you did you can now rest easy. We’re willing to bet the farm that these won’t come with HTC Sense 4.0, as evidenced by the HTC Vivid’s update. Of course, there will always be after-market options for that stuff (even if they aren’t all perfect right now). [T-Mobile 1|2 via Android Police]
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| Is This Asurion Form Hinting Toward a DROID Bionic 2? Posted: 29 Mar 2012 10:53 AM PDT Something strange has brewed over at the Asurion website. The enrollment form, the one people use to apply for replacement devices, seems to have one “DROID Bionic 2″ listed underneath Motorola phones. This name hasn’t been in the rumor mill at all until now, and Droid-Life makes a pretty good point that the Motorola Droid RAZR has multiple entries for different colors, and the DROID Bionic does technically come in two versions - one without a 16GB microSD card and a retired one with a microSD card. The “Bionic 2″ could refer to that. Or it could be a devastating mistake by Asurion resulting in the mobile world’s acknowledgement of a follow-up to the original. Either way, only time will tell what the case is.
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| Report: Majority of Google’s mobile revenue comes from iOS, not Android Posted: 29 Mar 2012 09:27 AM PDT It should stand to reason that the majority of revenue generated by Google’s mobile products and services would come from their in-house mobile OS, but a new report compiled by The Guardian shows Apple’s iOS being a far bigger cash cow than Android. Using data from court documents filed in the ongoing Oracle lawsuit and a bit of extrapolation, it was estimated that Google brought in about $550 million between 2008 and 2011. It is curious then, that Larry Page estimated that in 2011 alone their mobile ventures would bring in a total of $2.5 billion. So where is the rest of the cash flowing from? According to The Guardian, iOS. A deal that Google struck with Apple dating back to the original iPhone licenses the company’s search technology and extensive database of maps for use on the iPhone, iPad, and iPod Touch. With over 300 million iOS devices sold, Google’s cut adds up. Still, I’m not completely sold on the data. The Guardian deduced their figure from damages claimed by Oracle and verified by Google, which estimate that Google earns about $10 per Android handset per year. There seems to be some veracity to that number, as Eric Schmidt has referred to it in the past, but it isn’t clear if this includes all advertising revenue, revenue generated from the sale of applications and media, and other licensing agreements. At any rate, iOS still factors heavily into Google’s profit line. As long as that money continues to get funneled back into Android development there isn’t much to complain about. Consider it a small victory. [via Gizmodo]
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| NVIDIA CEO: $199 Tegra 3 tablets could be a reality by summer Posted: 29 Mar 2012 08:48 AM PDT At CES NVIDIA and ASUS unveiled a 7-inch tablet with a quad-core Tegra 3 processor. The specs aren’t exactly special at this point in the game, but the pricing model was. The new slate would be hitting shelves at $250. Since then, rumors of the device becoming a Nexus-branded ASUS tablet in partnership with Google have mucked things up a bit, potentially driving the price to as low as $150 while sacrificing certain hardware elements that may or may not include the Tegra 3 chipset. Whether or not a Nexus tablet launches, and regardless of if it holds the power of four cores, NVIDIA CEO Jen-Hsun Huang still sees affordable Tegra 3 options in the very near future. He predicts tablets utilizing the chipset could come to market by summer at a price of only $200. Other expensive hardware elements (memory, display) would take a hit, so we wouldn’t be getting a Transformer Pad Infinity at that price, but that’s the tradeoff for squeezing the margins as much as possible. Does the prediction of NVIDIA biggest of wigs lend credence to the Nexus tablet rumors? Does it suggest other things altogether like an updated Kindle Fire with quad-core processing? I guess we’ll be finding out soon enough. Summer is right around the corner. [via The Verge]
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| Opera Mini 7 hits Google Play, still goes easy on the data Posted: 29 Mar 2012 08:31 AM PDT Opera has another update available for their data-friendly mobile browser ready for deployment. Opera Mini 7, which still aims to save on data usage and increase browsing speeds by reformatting and compressing web content, has the added benefit of virtually unlimited homescreen favorites. That’s a pretty nice increase from the nine users could store in older versions. Opera also improved on the browsers hardware acceleration, making site navigation even smoother. You can grab the latest version in the Google Play Store. The price remains free. Google Play Link: Opera Mini
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| HTC One S Coming to T-Mobile April 22nd? Posted: 29 Mar 2012 07:35 AM PDT The HTC One S will be launching in Europe next week, but it will take a bit longer for the handset to reach the US. A new leak is suggesting that the phone will launch on T-Mobile on April 22nd. TMoNews has the original story, which carries and image that seems to come from an internal TMo employee site that clearly states 4/22/2012 as the release date for the One S. We saw the One S for T-Mobile pass through the FCC, and more recently saw the phone running an Android build with magenta fingerprints all over it. With the handset remaining mostly identical to its international counterpart, an April release seems more than appropriate. Take it as a rumor for now, though. [via TMoNews]
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