Sunday, August 5, 2012

Android Phone Fans

Android Phone Fans

Google discontinues a series of “unnecessary” services, including Google Listen

Posted: 04 Aug 2012 07:04 PM PDT

Google didn’t grow to be the biggest tech company in the world by releasing only successful products and services. In fact, many of their projects end up failing, only to be sent down the gutter later on. It is important to know when to move on, and Google has decided to discontinue some services that are no longer necessary or simply aren’t worth the effort anymore.

Today’s flurry of discontinued services includes Google Listen. For those unrelated to the subject, Google Listen is an Android application that allows users to search for, and listen to podcasts. The app was very clean and simple back then, but now there are many options available in the Google Play Store. Making this application no longer relevant, in Google’s eyes.

This comes to prove that while Google does compete against other apps and services in the Play Store, it can also move aside for third-party developers when the time is right. After all, other developers can sometimes do a better job.

With a bit of melancholy, we must say that this is one of the apps that was no longer being used. We have many other good options, and Google’s focus is simply more necessary in other departments. Those that have the app can continue to use it, but the search function will be disabled starting November 1st. So get ready to eventually let go. But just out of curiosity, what app/product/service do you use for finding and listening to podcasts?

For those interested in the other discontinued services, simply read on for Google’s explanations. These happen to be unrelated to Android, but the news might still be of interest to you.

We introduced Google Apps for Teams in 2008 to allow people with a verified business or school email address to collaborate using non-email applications from Google like Google Docs, Google Calendar and Google Talk. Over time, we realized that Google Apps for Teams was not as useful for people as we originally anticipated. Beginning September 4, 2012, we’ll start converting existing Google Apps for Teams accounts into personal Google Accounts, and shutting down Google Apps for Teams. This change does not affect other editions of Google Apps.

We launched Google Listen through Google Labs in August 2009, to give people a way to discover and listen to podcasts. However, with Google Play, people now have access to a wider variety of podcast apps, so we’ve discontinued Listen. People who have already installed the app can still use it, but after November 1, podcast search won’t function. You can access your podcast subscriptions in Google Reader in the "Listen Subscriptions" folder and download them from the Import/Export tab.

Google Video for Business is a video hosting and sharing solution that allowed Google Apps for Business and Google Apps for Education customers to use video for internal communication. Starting this fall, we’ll migrate all videos hosted on Google Video for Business over to Google Drive, which has similar storage and sharing capabilities. All migrated videos will be stored for free and will not count against a user’s Google Drive storage quota.

Finally, Google maintains 150+ blogs and other communications channels about our products and services, and so over time we’ll also be closing a number of Google-created blogs that are either updated infrequently, or are redundant with other blogs. This doesn’t mean that we’ll be sharing any less information--we’ll just be posting our updates on our more popular channels.

[Source: Google]

Apex Launcher Beta now with Android 4.1 base, smoother than ever

Posted: 04 Aug 2012 06:08 PM PDT


Apex Launcher happens to be one of the most popular third-party launchers in the market, along with its major competitor, NOVA Launcher. In fact, odds are that if you have Android 4.0+, you are running one of these. Though both launchers happen to be nearly identical, Apex Launcher feels a bit smoother to me, and it has just gotten better.

The New Apex Launcher Beta version 1.3.0 is based on Jelly Bean’s code, bringing some notable performance improvements and a slew of new features. All Project Butter puns aside, this beta version is smooth. It feels much faster, while keeping its good fps when going from homescreen to homescreen (the only reason I prefer Apex).

This upgrade also brings the following enhancements:

  • When placing widgets on the screen, everything else automatically moves to make room
  • When they are too big, widgets resize on their own to fit on the homescreen
  • Quickly remove apps/widgets by flinging them to the edge of the homescreen
  • Major performance boost for homescreen and drawer
  • New app enter/exit animations (JB only)
  • Switched to phone layout on 7″ tablets (e.g., Nexus 7)
  • Added background for widgets in the drawer
  • Fixed icon ordering bug within folders

As well as these bug fixes:

  • Unlimited drawer tabs and new drawer management UI (pro)
  • Improved drawer tab switching for vertical drawers (pro)
  • Fixed Play Store widgets on JellyBean
  • Fixed paid theme (icon pack) issue on JellyBean
  • Lots of other improvements and enhancements
  • Updated translations

The most notable improvements are the performance boost, the icon/widget adding and re-sizing features, and the new 7-inch layout (which could be seen as a negative thing by some).

Chances are most of you have the stable versions only. I have been running Beta versions since I started using Apex, and I must say they are rather stable, with the few exceptions. This Beta version works very well, and it is definitely worth a try. If you would like to check it out, just go to Apex settings > About Apex Launcher > Automatically check for updates > Beta Version. After that, simply tap on “Check for updates now” and you should get the newest Beta version of the app.

You can also download it from here, if that gets too complicated.

[Via: XDA Developers]

Motorola Corvair comes back to the rumor mill after almost 9 months of absence

Posted: 04 Aug 2012 05:24 PM PDT


The Motorola Corvair made a quick appearance around the inter webs last November. The easily-forgettable tablet has been hiding under the blankets ever since, making us think that the project could have been canceled. The 6-inch device has made an epic come-back almost 9 months since its first leak. This time courtesy of a Verizon FIOS survey, which states that this device “may be available in the future.”

The Motorola Corvair would run Android 2.3 and work as a controller for Verizon’s FIOS TV offerings. Users would also be able to stream some TV channels, and past rumors indicate that the tablet would be able to control certain Home Automation services.

Not much else is known, and the survey is not revealing any other details about the product’s features. But at least we know the project hasn’t been relinquished. A tablet that works well with a TV provider’s system would be ideal. At this point, it is much more enticing to go with Google Fiber and its Nexus 7 offer, but we must consider Verizon’s coverage is very well extended. Google is only offering its internet and TV services in one city.

Maybe we will see the Corvair again soon… or maybe never. Only time will tell.

[Source: Engadget]

Poll: Are We Tired Of Angry Birds Yet?!

Posted: 04 Aug 2012 04:17 PM PDT


Angry Birds has been about the most successful game series for mobile. Everyone has played it. I am guilty of spending many hours flinging birds, myself. There are holiday versions, the regular game, the space iteration, and more. We have all gotten to know these birds very closely, but just when is it enough?

It is very hard to succeed in the gaming industry, and even the all-time giants are having trouble keeping game series successful after a long period of time (e.g. Final Fantasy). In the mobile world, the flow moves at a much quicker pace. Updates come more often, multiple sequels are released a year and even the phones get old in less than a year. As such, a game’s life is also much shorter. Could it be that the popular game, Angry Birds, has finally reached its end-of-life?

As I sit here learning about the new Angry Birds Space: Red Planet update that is to come in the Fall, I find myself much less excited than I used to be. After a minute I even said to myself: “Another one?”. Not to say that the game is not good for those quick bus trips or while waiting in line at the DMV. But a game like Angry Birds, while it can offer some variety, is very linear and repetitive. You throw birds at pigs and obstacles; that is it.

Personally, this franchise is starting to become rather stale. And it seems android fans over the web are starting to get tired of Angry Birds, as well. Mot as many users comment on Angry Birds articles (and that applies to other sites, as well), and such posts generally drive much less page views than ever. I have also seen much less people playing Angry Birds in “the wild.”

Who knows. Maybe it is time to let this one go, Rovio. Or at least make some major changes to it. But before reaching any conclusions, I would like to take into account the fact that I may simply be crazy. So we decided to throw this little poll at you and see what everyone else thinks. Are you done saving eggs, or do you have some more flinging to do?




Menu button issue to be fixed for all HTC One X and HTC One S devices

Posted: 04 Aug 2012 03:33 PM PDT


Probably one of the most exciting OTA updates we have seen recently came to the AT&T HTC One X this week. This update brought the HTC device from Android 4.0.3 to 4.0.4, but the exciting part is hidden in the settings. It allows users to re-map the task-switcher button to become the menu button. It is still rare to see the AT&T version get the update before all others, but According to HTC, this option will also be rolling out to all versions of the HTC One X and HTC One S.

HTC was praised for adopting Google’s new button strategy, which gets rid of the menu button. HTC decided to avoid sacrificing its devices’ screen real estate by adding physical buttons instead of on-screen ones, though. Something that brought upon a new set of issues.

As these are not software buttons, they can not accommodate to apps that have not been updated to support the new button configuration. If an app is not designed to have a menu button within its software (which, many aren’t), a bar with such functionality would appear at the bottom of the screen. HTC devices are hence forced to be pestered by the same issue the company tried to avoid – the bar is still taking a section of the screen.

With this new option, users can now enjoy every single pixel of the screen when using apps that have not yet been updated to support the new system. For now, only AT&T users can enjoy this, but the update should be hitting all other HTC One X and One S devices some time in the near future. There is no word on whether this will come to other HTC devices with the same button scheme (including the very popular HTC EVO 4G LTE), but odds are that most of them will.

Until then, we will just have to live with that custom on-screen menu button. Many of you have probably gotten used to it, but is this new option welcome?

[Via: Anandtech Image: Droid-Life]

Crazy Deals: HTC One X for $80 and Samsung Galaxy S3 for $120

Posted: 04 Aug 2012 02:36 PM PDT


If you are looking for a top-of-the-line smartphone, there is no doubt both the Samsung Galaxy S3 and the HTC One X are in your radar. Both devices offer the best specs around, great features and awesome performance. They both also come with a pretty hefty price-tag, though. Paying premium for the best smartphones in the world seems to be becoming part of the past, though. This weekend brings us some of the best deals we have seen in a while, offering both devices for a price we can’t refuse.

Amazon is selling the AT&T HTC One X for $79.99 and the Sprint Samsung Galaxy S3 for $119.99. They are both 16 GB versions. And while the HTC One X price applies to both new contracts and upgrades, the Samsung Galaxy S3 will cost a bit more for existing customers ($149.99).

You simply can’t go wrong with any of these smartphones. The only question remaining is whether you are willing to stick with, or switch to the devices’ carriers. If one of these sounds right, though, right now is about the best time to sign up.


Samsung will buy your old phone if you upgrade to a Galaxy device

Posted: 04 Aug 2012 01:58 PM PDT

Ready to upgrade to that shiny Samsung smartphone? The Korean manufacturer has made it a bit more enticing to do so. It is now ready to buy your old smartphones if you are upgrading to a Galaxy smartphone.

The process is rather simple. After purchasing a Galaxy S2, Galaxy s3, Galaxy Note or “other Samsung phones,” one only needs to fill out a form straight from Sammy’s Facebook page and send out the used device. The form will ask you basic information about your older form. Does it work? Is the screen cracked? etc. After that, you send out your device and a check will come in the mail soon afterwards. They accept all kinds of smartphones; from BlackBerries to iPhones.

As expected, Samsung will not give you top dollar for your used smartphones. In fact, you are much better off selling it on your own. I know I can get $200 or more if I sold my Verizon Galaxy Nexus, which is significantly more enticing than the $130 that Samsung would offer me. Many prefer not dealing with the issues of selling a device, though, in which case a solution like this would be most convenient. Unless a store like Best Buy were down to give you more for it.

Also, you should be able to take advantage of this if you have recently purchased a Galaxy device. As the company stated: “If you’ve already purchased a new Samsung smartphone, have the proof of purchase handy.”

Personally, I would rather keep my device or sell it myself. But if you think this is the most convenient way to upgrade to a new Samsung smartphones, head over to the company’s Facebook page and fill out the form. But we are interested to see what you guys think is the best way to re-sell your no longer needed phones. Do you sell it to the carrier/store/manufacturer? Do you use services like Craigslist, Ebay or Swappa? What do you think is the most convenient and/or easiest?


HTC Proto comes as an affordable handset with better specs than the One V

Posted: 04 Aug 2012 01:28 PM PDT


HTC’s promise of a less congested 2012 device selection doesn’t mean the manufacturer is not going to release some more smartphones. In fact, the Taiwanese giant is getting ready to release another device, if the latest rumors are to be taken as truth. The rumored device is named the HTC Proto, featuring similar specs to the HTC One V, but with a bit of a stronger punch.

Specs include a 1 GHz dual-core Qualcomm MSM8225, 512 MB of RAM, a 4-inch WVGA Super LCD display, 4 GB of internal storage and a 5 MP camera. All of this accompanied by 7.2 Mbps HSPA+ radios and Beats Audio. As mentioned above, specs are very similar, with the exception of a larger screen and a better processor. It should be a rather affordable handset, leaving us wary about the HTC One V’s future.

It is still unknown what markets this smartphone might be for, or whether it will be part of the One family or not. The same applies for pricing and availability. But if priced right, it should be an issue for the HTC One V to keep up with it. Meaning this could be the beginning of the next generation HTC devices. We have also been hearing of the HTC One X+, bringing improved specs over the current One X.

Let’s just sit tight and see what comes to fruition. We know many of you, HTC One V owners, may want a bit more juice now that you have been playing with the device for a while. But would you upgrade to the rumored Proto? Also, this may seem like a great option for non-power users.

[Via: The Verge]
Posted by at 8:03 AM

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