Friday, January 18, 2013

Google Android News Android Forums

Google Android News Android Forums

Nexus 7 Beats Out iPad In Japan

Posted: 17 Jan 2013 02:56 PM PST

A report from Japan’s largest business daily newspaper shows the Nexus 7 has surpassed the iPad in market share. The Nexus 7 had 44.4 percent of the market compared to 40.1 percent for the iPad. The survey for Nikkei was conducted by market research firm BCN who collected information from 2,400 consumer electronics stores in December 2012.

The report cited price as one of the biggest factors for why it was chosen over an iPad. The Nexus 7 is $100 less than the cheapest Apple alternative, the iPad Mini. Keep in mind, Nikkei also reported a huge iPad Mini shortage at the time of the survey. While this report does not represent a resounding market victory for Android, it does verify that more and more people are looking at Android as viable alternative.

Via: CNET
Source: Nikkei

 

 

Featured Android App Review: FxGuru – Movie FX Director [Entertainment]

Posted: 17 Jan 2013 11:49 AM PST

Want to be a movie director utilizing big time special effects that you can only find in big budget movies? Then you need to check out FxGuru: Movie FX Director from Picadelic. I guarantee you that if you download this app you will be the life of the party or you next friendly gathering.

You can film your house with UFOs flying above it or maybe your friend’s house with a satellite crashing on their front lawn. You would think this would be complicated, but you can have a video ready for sharing in less than a minute. All you have to do is make sure there is a decent amount of light, pick your effect, and film the location. The app guides you during the filming process so that you know where the effects will take place. You’re only going to shoot for about 15 seconds, so it doesn’t take long to make a pretty polished video.

There are a number of effects that include a Satellite Crash, Holiday Bot, UFO Shuttle, TNT Barrel, Meteor Impact, UFO Invasion, Molotov Cocktail, Grenade, Building Demolition, Mech Attack, UFO Arrival, Alien Probe, Flame Thrower, UFO Calling, Rocket Launcher, Cruise Missiles, and a Bunker Buster. The possibilities are endless: destroy parked cars, have a crash landing in a pool, or UFO’s in the sky while you are sightseeing. Now at first I was skeptical in that I figured the effects would be cheesy and wouldn’t blend in well. I was dead wrong. Picadelic put together some really nice high quality effects. They simply look stunning.

Filming is quite easy. All you have to do is pick the effect and shoot your video. When shooting your video, you want to make sure there is a decent amount of light. FxGuru will give you a red overlay to show you where the effect will take place so that you can make sure everything is aligned. Most videos will be between 10 and 20 seconds. After your done filming, you can either cancel or proceed to rendering. It will take a few seconds to render the video, which is combining your video and the effects. After completion, you will be able to watch your video to see how it looks. From there you can share it to YouTube, email, Facebook, Gmail, Dropbox, Google+, Picasa, and more. You will be able to see your finished videos from within the app or from your gallery.

It’s totally a blast and I guarantee you that you will have a lot of fun with this one. FxGuru is free to try. You will get Satellite Crash, Holiday Bot, and UFO Shuttle for Free. You can also grab TNT Barrel for Free by simply sharing on Facebook. The remaining 13 effects are $8.99. Yes, it is one of the more expensive apps out there, but you can try out 4 effects to see if they will be worth your hard earned money. If you find that you’re as impressed as I am, the $8.99 won’t seem so high. Again it’s Free to try so give it a shot and surprise your friend with a satellite crashing on their front lawn or a UFO flying over their house. Check out my hands on video (and the trailer video) below and hit one of the download links to get started.

Features

  • A huge assortment of visual FX from explosive action scenes to heart-pounding sci-fi
  • Proprietary MotionMatch™ technology lets you add realistic movement while filming
  • Effects that last over ten seconds give you time for enhanced creativity
  • Virtual Decals provide guidance for each effect to align your shots seamlessly
FxGuru_Movie_FX_Director_01 FxGuru_Movie_FX_Director_02 FxGuru_Movie_FX_Director_03 FxGuru_Movie_FX_Director_04 FxGuru_Movie_FX_Director_05 FxGuru_Movie_FX_Director_Splash_Banner

Click here to view the embedded video.

Click here to view the embedded video.

QR Code generator

Play Store Download Link

Sony Xperia Z To Get Android 4.2 Update Shortly After Launch

Posted: 17 Jan 2013 10:32 AM PST

The Xperia Z, set for a March launch, will run Android 4.1 Jelly Bean out of the box but Sony announced it will be updated to Android 4.2 “shortly after.” Unfortunately, that’s about as specific as we’ve come to expect from manufacturers regarding update ETAs. Looking back on the Android 4.2 announcement, it doesn’t look like the Xperia Z’s update will be too extreme. It’s doubtful Sony will scrap its camera and keyboard for their stock Android equivalent and the only other major 4.2 enhancement I can think of was to Android Beam. We’ll let you know if we learn of any specifics related to the update. In the meantime, feel free to go back and check out our hands on with the Xperia Z from CES.

Source: Sony

Motorola Atrix 4G on AT&T software update testing set to begin

Posted: 17 Jan 2013 10:15 AM PST

Motorola, via their Motorola Owners’ Forums and Motorola Feedback Network, is in the process of soliciting testers for a software update intended for the Motorola Atrix 4G. There is no indication in the e-mail sent out soliciting candidates as to what is included in the update, though many are hopeful it will be an update to Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich. Motorola has used these soak tests for a full gamut of updates in the past, from full OS updates to just minor bug fixes.

To participate in the test, you have to own an AT&T Motorola Atrix 4G and be in good standing on the Motorola Onwers’ Forums. No start time is indicated nor does Motorola indicate how long they will accept registrants for the test. If you think you qualify, keep an eye on your e-mail and follow the directions to get signed up. Check out the full e-mail from Motorola after the break.

Hi,

Thanks for joining the Motorola Feedback Network. We are inviting owners of the Motorola ATRIX 4G on AT&T to participate in an early preview of a new software release, and provide feedback. If you are not currently using a Motorola ATRIX 4G on AT&T, please excuse and ignore this email.

Click this link – redacted – to take the enrollment survey if you wish to take part. Note that you must be a member in good standing of the Motorola Owners’ Forums to be included. The registration window could close without notice so please respond as quickly as possible.

This is a confidential test under the terms of the Motorola Feedback Network. Do not post any details or information about this on any public sites.

Thanks — please understand that start times are always fluid. We ask for your patience if you register but don’t hear from us right away.

Matt

Motorola Owners' Forums
Motorola Feedback Network

source: AndroidCentral

Google Applies For Laser Projector Patent For Project Glass

Posted: 17 Jan 2013 09:52 AM PST

Google’s patent request will make their DIY cyborg kit even crazier better. Need to dial a number? Just type it on the palm of your hand. That’s at least one expected functionality of  a tiny laser projector for Project Glass. The system would project the dial pad or QWERTY keyboard on to your hand, arm, desk or whatever. A tiny Kinect-like camera would then interpret your movement. Google, you had me at laser!

Source: Engadget

Sony Xperia Tablet Z to be revealed next week

Posted: 17 Jan 2013 08:57 AM PST

A few days ago information about the Sony Xperia Tablet Z (SO-03E) leaked. Why they didn’t show it at CES is anyone’s guess. We were thinking that it would show up at Mobile World Congress at the end of February, but it looks like it NTT DoCoMo in Japan will announce it next week on January 22. They will also display it in the DoCoMo Smartphone Lounge from January 23 through January 27.

The leaked specs include a 10.1-inch 1080p display, a quad-core Snapdragon S4 Pro CPU, a 6,000 mAh battery, NFC, and it’s supposed to be only 6.9mm thick. There will be an LTE version and like the Xperia Z and Xperia ZL, it’s water and dust proof.

source: xperiablog

“Andy Krueger” toy available for all you horror movie buffs

Posted: 17 Jan 2013 07:58 AM PST

If you are a horror movie buff (I am too pansy for horror movies), and an Android fan (I can sign off on that one), then we’ve got the perfect little toy for you. Some creative folk on Etsy have handcrafted a Freddy Krueger version of those little Android toys that we all love so dearly. It is aptly titled: “Andy Krueger in: A Nightmare on Infinite Loop.” The toy is handcrafted by Patrick Bateman and it seems he will soon be selling these little guys, as we see shipping fees at the bottom of his Etsy page. As of yet no “Add to cart” button is available on the page, so hopefully Andy Krueger’s creator will be making a few more of these guys and posting the “add to cart” button soon. We could see of few of you readers wanting to pick one of these up for your self.

Source: Etsy

Nexus 4 charging orb shows up on Norwegian retailer with a February ship date

Posted: 17 Jan 2013 07:56 AM PST

Nexus devices are certainly cool, but one thing that drives me crazy is the lack of accessories. We saw the charging orb back when the Nexus 4 launched, but still nothing. Well good news in that it has shown up on Norwegian retailer Dusin Home for a price of 739 kr or $114. A little pricey, but their price does include a 25% VAT. For now, the shipping date is February 12. Anyone want to guess on if that date will actually hold up? I am going with no.

source: Dustin Home

Sony is giving away PlayStation Mobile games for Free for six weeks

Posted: 17 Jan 2013 07:37 AM PST

If you’re lucky enough to have a PlayStation Certified device, you will want to check out the PlayStation Store because Sony is giving away one free game each week for the next six weeks. This week’s game is Samurai Beatdown, which is a rhythmic-action scroller. The service is only available in Japan, United Kingdom, France, Italy, Germany, Spain, and Australia. Now you won’t find a lot of devices that have the PlayStation Certification. It’s mostly Sony branded with a few Sharp and HTC devices, but we have the complete list after the break as well as the trailer video for Samurai Beatdown.

Click here to view the embedded video.

Sony

  • Sony Tablet P
  • Sony Tablet S
  • Xperia Tablet S

SonyMobileCommunications

  • Xperia acro HD IS12S
  • Xperia acro HD SO-03D
  • Xperia acro IS11S
  • Xperia acroS LT26w
  • Xperia acro SO-02C
  • Xperia arc SO-01C
  • Xperia AX SO-01E
  • Xperia GX SO-04D
  • Xperia ion LT28at
  • Xperia ion LT28i/LT28h
  • Xperia NX SO-02D
  • Xperia PLAY R800i/R800a/R800at
  • Xperia PLAY R800x
  • Xperia PLAY SO-01D
  • Xperia S LT26i
  • Xperia SL LT26ii
  • Xperia SX SO-05D
  • Xperia T LT30a/LT30p
  • Xperia TL LT30at
  • XperiaTXLT29i
  • Xperia V LT25i
  • Xperia VLSOL21
  • Xperia Z C6602/C6603/C6606
  • Xperia ZL C6502/C6503/C6506

Sharp

  • AQUOS PHONE ZETA SH-09D
  • AQUOS PHONE SERIE ISW16SH
  • AQUOS PHONE SERIE SHL21 *1
  • AQUOS PHONE Xx SBM106SH
  • PANTONE® 6 Soft Bank 200SH
  • AQUOS PAD SHT21 *1

HTC

  • One V *2
  • One X *3
  • One S *3
  • One XL *3
  • One EVO 4G LTE *3
  • One X+ *3

Official device names may vary by country or region.
Country and region of sale vary by devices.
*1 Please update to the latest software. For how to update, please refer to SHARP’s website http://www.sharp.co.jp/k-tai/(Only in Japanese).
*2 Details to be announced later on.
*3 Please update your firmware to Android™4.1 or above. For how to update, please contact HTC’s “Customer Service & Product Support” in the country/area you are using the device in.

 

LG Seems Primed To Sell 45 Million Handsets For 2013

Posted: 17 Jan 2013 06:55 AM PST

 

Despite LG having one hell of a shipping snafu with one of the most coveted smartphones around, the Korean manufacturer plans on achieving a high water mark in terms of sales’ numbers. Reports are coming in that LG plans on selling a whopping 45 million handsets for 2013. It’s reasoning for such lofty aspirations? Well essentially sales have gradually been trending upwards as of late and despite not making too much of a profit, LG sold a respectable 41 million smartphones for 2012.

Considering LG has some solid smartphones in the works for this year— we probably shouldn’t be too surprised if or when LG reaches the impressive mark.

source: Ars Technica
Posted by at 6:52 AM

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