Android Central |
- Facebook for Android updated to v1.9 with improved performance, new messaging features, and shortcuts
- Hands-on with the HTC One X case
- First look at HTC Media Link HD
- About those mobile graphics predictions - games like The Dark Meadow can't come soon enough
- LG Spectrum software update docs live, look for an OTA 'soon'
- Battery maker considering HTC One extended batteries
- ShopAndroid Daily Giveaway #55: RAZR MAXX OtterBox Defender, Case-Mate Barely There for XOOM & more!
- Google+ SMS connectivity extended to 41 new countries
- Yes, mobile graphics are catching up with consoles (which also will improve)
- HTC One X now available on Rogers in Canada
- Samsung S-Cloud rumored to be unveiled alongside new flagship phone
- Deal of the Day: Incipio NGP Semi-Rigid Soft Shell Case for Galaxy Nexus
- 'Samsung Galaxy S III' sighted in leaked video, hiding in plastic dummy case
- HTC One X disassembled
- Hands-on with Toshiba's Excite tablets
- Hands-on with the LG Optimus Elite
| Posted: 20 Apr 2012 04:11 PM PDT A freshly updated version of Facebook for Android has now landed in the Google Play Store and is ready for download. Getting bumped to v1.9, this release fixes some old bugs and introduces some new features to the app as a whole:
Keep in mind the new features are not standalone apps, they're now integrated right into Facebook. Not sure what exactly that means for the Facebook Messenger app itself, but integration with the main app is nice and makes sense. You can hit the break for the download link. 
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| Hands-on with the HTC One X case Posted: 20 Apr 2012 02:42 PM PDT We've just gotten a good look at the HTC One X case that's been floating around here at the Frequencies event. The bottom line (according to HTC) is that it's meant to really not meant to break up the lines of the One X. And while its design is pretty much unlike any case you've used before, it actually feels pretty good in the hand, is easy enough to take on and off, and it should protect the phone. The screen is left unprotected, and note that it works around the charging contacts and speaker, as well as the camera. Note that this is the second version of the case that we've seen -- the first is a series of holes. HTC doesn't yet know when the cases will be available, or where they'll be sold. In fact, the cases don't even really have a name. We've got more pics after the break. 
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| First look at HTC Media Link HD Posted: 20 Apr 2012 02:22 PM PDT HTC's new Media Link accessory -- a Wifi Direct device that lets you easily connect your phone to a big-screen TV -- has been seen in fits and starts over the past couple months. One of the shining features is that it's not just mirroring what's on your device. It's a multitasker, so you can stream a movie to your TV while doing something entirely different on your phone. New to us today at the HTC Frequencies event, though, was a demo showing a third-party application using an early version of the Media Link API, as powered by HTC Dev. The API's still in development and not quite ready for public consumption, but it seemed to work pretty well in our demo. Check the video after the break. 
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| About those mobile graphics predictions - games like The Dark Meadow can't come soon enough Posted: 20 Apr 2012 01:02 PM PDT Earlier, Phil talked a bit about the way mobile graphics are inching their way up towards full-blown console performance. NVIDIA, who is entrenched in gaming and graphic performance on all fronts, at their a little shin-dig in Seattle really wanted to wow us with numbers and slides and predictions. That's all well and good, but if you're like me, the talking only makes you want to see the product and evaluate it against all the hype. I'll let others hash out the strengths and weaknesses of mobile gaming in relation to PC and console gaming. I'm that guy who bought Skyrim for the PC, but never had a chance to install it and play it yet. I also won't have time to fool with the Diablo III open beta this weekend. But I do have time to play games on my tablet, and I don't want to waste it playing crappy ones. Make it better, do it as fast as you can, and keep folks like me, who would rather play great games on a small screen while kicked back in a La-Z-Boy, all happy inside. That's why the thing I found most exciting about yesterday's little get together was the mention of two new Tegra Games -- Bounty Arms by Kerosene Games and The Dark Meadow from Phosphor studios. Seeing new titles optimized for the Tegra 3 gets me a little tingly, so I poked around the Internet a bit and found that Bounty Arms comes from the same developers who brought us BladeSlinger (which kicks a serious amount of ass), and a short preview of the THD optimized version of The Dark Meadow. These can't come soon enough. Hit the break to see the trailer and I think you'll agree. Source: NVIDIA; The TegraZone 
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| LG Spectrum software update docs live, look for an OTA 'soon' Posted: 20 Apr 2012 11:32 AM PDT Verizon has published the support documents for an upcoming LG Spectrum update, and going on the history of such matters, we expect an over-the-air update rather soon. It's not the Ice Cream Sandwich update many users are wanting, but it does address some issues and bring newer versions of the bundled applications along for the ride. The details:
As you can see, it's a fairly big update. It also brings the Spectrum up to the Android version 2.3.6 code-base, which includes various security fixes and enhancements to the Android system from Google. For more details, and instructions on how to apply the update when it goes live, visit the source link. Source: Verizon 
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| Battery maker considering HTC One extended batteries Posted: 20 Apr 2012 08:44 AM PDT So you've got your shiny new HTC One X or One S, but maybe you're a little underwhelmed by its battery life. Given the phones' lack of removable batteries, you might think you're out of luck. But aftermarket battery manufacturer Mugen Power thinks it has the answer -- user-serviceable battery replacement kits, which include instructions and tools for HTC One series owners to crack open their phones and perform a battery transplant. A poll posting on the company's official Facebook page states --
As you may have seen, taking apart the One X in isn't for the feint of heart -- you'll need a generous supply of spudgers, some elbow grease and plenty of care if you want to take apart the phone and put it back together in working order. And of course doing so, even successfully, will void your warranty with HTC. To us, this particular avenue sounds like a really bad idea, but all credit to Mugen for thinking outside the box here. Currently the self-service option leads in the company's Facebook poll, with the option to take the phone to a service center proving to be less popular. HTC One owners, would you take your phone's life into your own hands and risk installing an aftermarket battery yourself? Let us know in the comments. Source: Facebook; via: Android Central forums 
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| ShopAndroid Daily Giveaway #55: RAZR MAXX OtterBox Defender, Case-Mate Barely There for XOOM & more! Posted: 20 Apr 2012 07:59 AM PDT Happy Friday everyone! We're wrapping up another week of ShopAndroid.com Daily Giveaway's, and today we're featuring the OtterBox Defender Case for Droid RAZR MAXX, Case-Mate Barely There Case for Motorola XOOM, HTC Messenger Case, and the Mobi Hard Case for Photon 4G. As always, just leave us a comment below letting us know which of these featured items you'd like for your Android device. We'll select one lucky winner and announce them next week along with the rest of the winners from this week. OtterBox Defender Series Case for Motorola Droid RAZR MAXXRated as one of the most protective cases available for the Motorola Droid RAZR MAXX, the OtterBox Defender Series Case features three layers of solid protection for your Android device. A Thermal formed clear membrane protects the RAZR MAXX's display against scratching and dust, a hi-impact polycarbonate shell guards against drops and absorbs shock, and a high quality silicon skin wraps around the entire device to ensure complete protection. 
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| Google+ SMS connectivity extended to 41 new countries Posted: 20 Apr 2012 07:56 AM PDT When Google+ launched last summer, users in India and the United States were able to interact with their circles via SMS, however other territories have so far been left out of the text-based fun. That changes today, as Google+'s SMS features are rolled out to 41 new countries, mostly in the developing world --
The idea is to allow G+ members to interact in places where standard voice and SMS coverage is available, but mobile data is not. By texting a particular number on a supported carrier, users can post to their stream, either publicly, or to a specific circle. Likewise, any responses are fed back by text message. A list of networks supporting these new SMS features can be found over on the Google+ support page. Source: Google India Blog 
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| Yes, mobile graphics are catching up with consoles (which also will improve) Posted: 20 Apr 2012 07:47 AM PDT A couple of things to remember when you're looking at this slide of projected mobile graphics performance, which NVIDIA showed us Thursday at HTC's Frequencies meetings in Seattle and has been making the rounds.
It's also probably safe to say that there's been more room for improvement and innovation in the mobile space. Console gaming, relatively speaking, is more of a long-term endeavor than mobile. Yes, new versions of Tegra SOCs are coming. (And, no, Tegra 3+ is not the official name for what's next.) Yes, they'll be faster and more powerful, and we'll all fawn over them when they arrive. 
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| HTC One X now available on Rogers in Canada Posted: 20 Apr 2012 07:02 AM PDT As expected, Rogers' LTE version of the HTC One X is now available to order online. The Canadian version of HTC's new flagship is available from Rogers off-contract for C$624.99, or C$169.99 with a three-year service agreement. The LTE One X, known internationally as the HTC One XL, swaps its quad-core Tegra 3 chip for a dual-core Snapdragon S4, as Tegra 3 doesn't currently play nice with LTE. Nevertheless, we've been impressed with the S4's performance in other phones, including the One X's 4.3-inch sibling, the HTC One S, so don't dismiss it on core count alone. In the U.S., this version will launch on AT&T on May 6, for $199 on a two-year contract. For more on the HTC One X, be sure to check out our exhaustive review of the international version. And if you're in Canada and looking to pick up the LTE version today, be sure to let us know in the comments. Source: Rogers; via: MobileSyrup 
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| Samsung S-Cloud rumored to be unveiled alongside new flagship phone Posted: 20 Apr 2012 06:46 AM PDT With the May 3 Samsung Mobile Unpacked event less than two weeks away, we're starting to hear more about what the manufacturer may be unveiling alongside its next flagship. The latest rumor to hit is that Samsung is planning to launch its own cloud storage service, dubbed "S-Cloud" in tandem with the Galaxy S III in London on May 3. According to Korean news site MK.co.kr, the "S-Cloud" service will offer upwards of 5GB of storage, with no restrictions on the types of content that can be uploaded. "Free and paid" entertainment content is also reported, including TV shows, movies and music. The move could put Samsung into competition with the rumored Google Drive service, expected to be launching soon, as well as more established players like Apple and Dropbox. Whether Samsung announces a new cloud storage service, or just that other thing we're expecting to see on May 3, we'll be on the ground in London to bring you full coverage. 
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| Deal of the Day: Incipio NGP Semi-Rigid Soft Shell Case for Galaxy Nexus Posted: 20 Apr 2012 06:42 AM PDT
The Incipio NGP Case is available for just $12.95 today only, 35% off the regular price. Get yours today while supplies last! 
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| 'Samsung Galaxy S III' sighted in leaked video, hiding in plastic dummy case Posted: 20 Apr 2012 03:14 AM PDT Leaked video claims to show 4.6-inch, 720p display, quad-core 1.4GHz chip encased in temporary plastic shellUpdate: The original post on Tenhte.vn seems to have been pulled, but you can still check out the embedded video (and photos) after the jump. Original story: Behold, the Samsung Galaxy S III! Only, it's probably not the Galaxy S III we'll be seeing in London on May 3, as it seems Samsung's taken to encasing demo units in a temporary plastic shell to to keep the final design of its next flagship top-secret. We've previously heard, as others have, that the earlier purported images of the Samsung "GT-i9300" were in fact final hardware placed inside generic plastic chassis to protect the phone's finished design. And that seems to be exactly what we have here, in the latest leaked images and videos from Vietnamese site Tinhte. Tinhte's video provides a fairly thorough tour of the (dummy) hardware and software, and there's a selection of photos to back up their claims, too. In terms of specs, here's what the device seems to be packing --
A worthy spec list to be sure, but nothing too surprising, if it turns out to be accurate. Much of the mystery of the Galaxy S III -- or whatever it ends up being called -- now surrounds that elusive final retail design, which so far has remained hidden behind chunky plastic exteriors. Rumors of a micro-arc oxidation finish persist, but with security around the device likely to be even tighter following this latest leak, we might now know for sure until we see this thing in London on May 3. Check out the photos and video for yourself after the break. Source: Tinhte More in the Samsung Galaxy S III forums 
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| Posted: 19 Apr 2012 08:18 PM PDT See that beautiful display? It can come out of the phone, but it's not something you'd want to do to yourself. XDA China has posted instructions on how to disassemble the HTC One X. It's not for the faint of heart, and the translation isn't perfect, but it's there for those of us that care about such things. For someone like me (a self-professed hardware junkie) this is extremely interesting. The One X is definitely one of the most desirable pieces of hardware to come from HTC in a while, and seeing how they package the components in the thin, one-piece polycarbonate shell really makes you realize how much work goes into the engineering of these things. We get a good look at the display, which is the Super LCD 2 variety (learn more about display tech in our display tech discussion), Tegra 3 chip, and all the other various boards, chips, and cameras that make this phone awesome. And see, the battery CAN be removed. Source: PCOnline; Thanks, garfnodie! 
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| Hands-on with Toshiba's Excite tablets Posted: 19 Apr 2012 06:53 PM PDT Toshiba was here in New York tonight showing off some of its finest new technology, including its upcoming Excite line of tablets. Though we already got a look at the tablets at this year's Mobile World Congress, it's always fun for us to revisit upcoming devices. All three models were on hand tonight- the 7.7-inch, the 10-inch, and the behemoth 13.3-inch. All three are packing a Tegra 3 processor under the hood, and all will ship with Ice Cream Sandwich. They also share a 5-megapixel rear camera, a 2-megapixel front-facer, a Gorilla Glass coating, and a remarkably slim and svelte profile. The screens differ in both size and resolution- the 7.7-inch model's got the highest ppi of 196 due to its AMOLED display with 1280x800 resolution, while the 10-incher has a slightly lower 149 ppi with identical resolution (LED technology, not AMOLED on this one). The 13.3-inch (did we mention how big it is?) uses "Autobrite LED" technology, which ups the resolution to 1600x900, which translates to 138 ppi. Not many bad things to say about each of the displays; while they might not be the best in the biz, they're bright, crisp, and surprisingly vibrant. I love the 7.7-inch Excite-- it's got the display to beat, and the footprint is borderline perfect. Use it with one hand or two; either way, it's going to fit comfortably. The 10-inch is nothing to write home about (I've seen plenty in my day), which leaves the 13.3-inch model, the star of the show. It's big and beautiful, though the size and weight might turn some off. At 2.2 pounds, this one certainly isn't going to fit in your pocket. Toshiba describes it as a bridge between tablets and laptops, a description that's pretty darn accurate. It'll be perfect for watching movies and TV, though if you're used to doing things with one hand on your tablet, this is not the device for you. The 10-inch model will launch on May 6: 16 GBs will cost you $449.99, while 32 and 64 GBs will set you back $529.99 and $649.99 respectively. You'll have to wait until June 10 for the 7.7 and 13.3-inch models: the smaller will cost $499.99 and $579.00 for 16 and 32 GBs, the larger will cost $649.99 and $749.99 for the same sizes. Hit the break for some comparison shots. 
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| Hands-on with the LG Optimus Elite Posted: 19 Apr 2012 06:06 PM PDT Sprint and LG were at tonight's Pepcom event in New York City, where the theme was eco-friendly technology. On hand was the upcoming Optimus Elite, the entry-level "green" device scheduled for an April 22 release. The Elite will not be the device of your dreams, but for $29.99 on contract, there really isn't much here to complain about. The Elite's got 3.5-inch display with a 320x480 resolution-- if you've gotten used to an HD display, this one's going to feel like a punch in the forehead. There's an 800 Mhz single-core processor pumping Gingerbread under the hood, and a 5 megapixel camera around back. The Elite is NFC-enabled, which means you'll have access to Google Wallet without breaking your wallet. Performance wise there's nothing truly remarkable, nor is there anything disappointing. I didn't notice any slowdowns or stutters, but if you're looking to do some heavy-duty computing, look elsewhere. The Elite will ship in two colors: white and titan silver. The Elite will launch on Sprint.com on Earth Day-- a fitting release date for this ULE Platinum and CarbonFree-certified device. If you want to pick one up in stores, you'll have to wait until May 18th. Oh, and if prepaid is your preferred flavor, you're in luck-- the Elite will be heading to Virigin Mobile in the near future, though how near is yet to be announced. Hit the break for some photos and a quick video. 
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