Tuesday, January 29, 2013

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Ultra-Rugged Kyocera Torque 4G LTE smartphone coming to Sprint

Posted: 28 Jan 2013 12:32 PM PST

Sprint announced today the upcoming availability of the Kyocera Torque, a ruggedized 4G LTE Android smartphone. According to their press release, the Kyocera Torque meets the 810G MilSpec for dust, shock, vibration, solar radiation, humidity, blowing rain, low pressure, salt fog and extreme temperatures. It also meets the IP67 standards for dust, sprayed water and full immersion of up to one meter for 30 minutes. The device has a 4-inch WVGA 800×480 LCD IPS screen backed by a 1.2GHz Snapdragon dual-core processor, 1GB of RAM, 4GB of internal storage and the ability to add microSD cards up to 32GB in size. The Torque will support both 4G LTE on Sprint’s network as well as the Direct Connect push-to-talk service. Kyocera includes their Smart Sonic Receiver technology on the device, eliminating the need for a speaker, relying instead on vibrations to transmit sound to the eardrum.

If you are interested in a device capable of surviving some severe duty, check out the full press release after the break for more information.

Kyocera Torque, Sprint's First Ultra-Rugged 4G LTE Android Smartphone, Braves the Elements of Everyday Life and Backwoods Adventures

Featuring Sprint Direct Connect and Truly Unlimited 4G LTE data, Torque will be the first U.S. handset to offer Kyocera's award-winning, proprietary Smart Sonic Receiver audio technology for unrivaled voice clarity; visitwww.sprint.com/torque

OVERLAND PARK, Kan. (BUSINESS WIRE), January 28, 2013 – Water, dirt, drops – there seem to be 101 ways to break or damage smartphones that dutifully serve as mini computers, schedulers and entertainment devices. Today, Sprint (NYSE:S) and Kyocera Communications Inc. announce the upcoming availability of Kyocera Torque, built to survive extreme elements and everyday life.

Torque will be available this spring; exact availability and pricing will be announced this quarter. Torque is an ultra-rugged, 4G LTE Android™ smartphone featuring Sprint® Direct Connect® push-to-talk service and Kyocera's award-winning Smart Sonic Receiver audio technology.

"Anyone will quickly appreciate the durability of this smartphone, whether you work in rugged environments or just enjoy outdoor activities," said David Owens, vice president-Product Development, Sprint. "It seems like everyone I talk to has damaged a phone by dropping it on a hard surface. This phone is for all those customers who want to make sure even if that happens, the phone will withstand the fall. This is an impressive Android device that can withstand extreme conditions while bringing our customers the speed of Sprint 4G LTE and convenience of instant push-to-talk communications from Sprint Direct Connect."

Torque is built to Military Standard 810G (MilSpec) to withstand dust, shock, vibration, solar radiation, humidity, blowing rain, low pressure, salt fog and extreme temperatures, along with IP67 standards for dust, sprayed water and full immersion up to one meter deep for up to 30 minutes. The device is specifically designed to hold up to the rigors of today's rough-and-tumble lifestyles – whether on a construction site, beach trip or a kids' playground – without sacrificing style and features.

"We know from our research, conversations with customers and personal experiences that there's a tremendous consumer need for rugged handsets to deal with life's everyday challenges," said Eric Anderson, senior vice president and general manager of global sales and marketing at Kyocera Communications. "Those devices, however, have traditionally been designed specifically for an enterprise customer. Kyocera has taken the most robust, rugged MilSpec features and combined them with our easy-to-use, affordable, Android smartphone designs to create a durable mobile device that supports not only the construction foreman using Sprint Direct Connect but also the outdoor sports enthusiast or the busy mom or dad who's juggling children and playground duties."

Water(park)-Proof, Dirt-Proof, Drop-Proof

Torque has been tested to hold up against life's extremes – including some most people will never experience – to help ensure it will be there when you need it, including:

  • Waterproof whether sprayed or immersed in up to one meter of water for up to 30 minutes, Torque can handle all the rain, sprinklers, hoses, spit, drool, drinks, sinks or toilet water life can throw at it – that’s more than can be said of more than 82 million U.S. handsets that have already been destroyed by liquid.1
  • Extreme Temperatures of -22° to 140°F (-30° to 60°C) for a non-operating unit for two hours and -4° to 122°F (-20° to 50°C) for an operating unit for three hours – from backcountry snowboard trips to hikes in Death Valley, don't sweat it.
  • Dropped 26 times from four feet high – or, the average week with kids at the playground.
  • Heavy dust for six hours – going off the grid while off-roading and camping will never be harder.
  • Horizontal, vertical and sideways vibrations for one hour – that mountain bike ride or roller coaster will be no match for Torque.
  • Exposure to salt fog for a complete 48 hour cycle; this cycle included 24 hours exposure to salt fog followed by 24 hours drying time – ideal for surfers, beach lovers or those who left their hearts and phones in San Francisco.
  • 95 percent humidity for 10 days straight – the phone can handle it, but its owners may not.
  • Solar radiation exposure of 1120 W/m2 for 24 hours – you might need sunscreen, but your phone doesn't mind soaking up some rays.
  • Low pressure at 57.11 kPa/15,000 feet (4,572 meters) for two hours – higher than the tallest mountain peak in the lower 48 U.S. states.

Best of all, Torque combines the best ruggedized features from Kyocera's highly successful Dura Series of ruggedized devices with an Android 4.0 (Ice Cream Sandwich), LTE smartphone. Torque features include a 4-inch WVGA (800 x 480) LCD IPS capacitive touchscreen with ruggedized, impact-resistant glass for added protection from scratches and cracks, a long-lasting 2,500mAh Lithium Ion battery and Swype for rapid text entry. It has a snappy MSM8960 1.2GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon® dual-core processor, 4GB ROM/1GB RAM memory, and supports microSD™ memory card expansion up to 32GB. Take advantage of 4G LTE speeds and the speedy processor with unlimited data. Sprint is the only national carrier with Truly UnlimitedSM 4G LTE data, text and calling to any mobile with no metering, no throttling, and no overages while on the Sprint network.

Smart Sonic Receiver Technology

Torque is the first U.S. device to feature Kyocera's proprietary Smart Sonic Receiver technology, which eliminates the need for a traditional speaker in a handset, instead using vibrations to transmit sounds directly to the eardrum with unparalleled sound quality. Building on Kyocera’s 53-year heritage in advanced ceramics, the new technology uses a Kyocera ceramic actuator to turn sounds into vibrations. It uses twin paths to transmit those sounds to the user: traditional sound waves and vibrations that are carried by body tissue directly to the eardrum and inner ear.

Placing the phone in contact with the general area of the ear creates clear sound even in very noisy environments such as construction sites, sporting events, concerts and playgrounds. As an added benefit, removing the traditional speaker eliminates the need for a speaker cavity in the phone’s housing, enabling cleaner aesthetics and enhanced waterproofing capabilities.

The technology received multiple "Best of" awards at the wireless industry's largest U.S. trade show, while editors at Popular Science magazine found the technology “worked so well – and so imperceptibly – that it eliminated the need for a conventional speaker altogether.”

Mobile payments are enabled by Near Field Communication (NFC) as well as Wi-Fi (b/g/n), Stereo Bluetooth®(4.0 + LE/EDR) wireless technology support and high-speed USB 2.0. Torque’s 5MP rear camera and 1.3MP front camera are enhanced with features such as panorama, high dynamic range, facial recognition, smile/blink detection and burst mode.

The rugged handset also includes Kyocera's Eco Mode proprietary battery management software to monitor and conserve battery power, as well as MaxiMZR, a new software tool to save power by blocking background data connections for always-on nonessential apps.

In 2012, Sprint added more coverage area to its Sprint Direct Connect push-to-talk service – creating three times the push-to-talk coverage of its Nextel National Network – with the addition of roaming and Sprint 1xRTT coverage areas.2 The expansion of the Sprint Direct Connect network also marks another milestone for Network Vision, Sprint's nationwide network upgrade using the newest, most advanced equipment in the industry. Sprint plans to consolidate multiple network technologies into one seamless network with the goal of increasing efficiency and enhancing network coverage, call quality and data speeds for customers.

Sprint introduced its all-new 4G LTE network in July 2012 and now offers service in 58 markets.3 For the most up-to-date details on the Sprint 4G LTE portfolio and rollout, please visit www.sprint.com/4GLTE. For detailed 4G LTE maps, providing coverage information right down to the address, please visit www.sprint.com/coverage. Customers are encouraged to check back often, as the maps will be updated when coverage in these markets is enhanced.

Please visit www.sprint.com/torque or http://www.kyocerasmartphones.com/torque for more information.

About Sprint Nextel

Sprint Nextel offers a comprehensive range of wireless and wireline communications services bringing the freedom of mobility to consumers, businesses and government users. Sprint Nextel served nearly 56 million customers at the end of the third quarter of 2012 and is widely recognized for developing, engineering and deploying innovative technologies, including the first wireless 4G service from a national carrier in the United States; offering industry-leading mobile data services, leading prepaid brands including Virgin Mobile USA, Boost Mobile, and Assurance Wireless; instant national and international push-to-talk capabilities; and a global Tier 1 Internet backbone. The American Customer Satisfaction Index rated Sprint No. 1 among all national carriers in customer satisfaction and most improved, across all 47 industries, during the last four years. Newsweek ranked Sprint No. 3 in both its 2011 and 2012 Green Rankings, listing it as one of the nation's greenest companies, the highest of any telecommunications company. You can learn more and visit Sprint at www.sprint.com or www.facebook.com/sprint and www.twitter.com/sprint.

About Kyocera Communications Inc.

Kyocera Communications Inc. (KCI) is the headquarters for Kyocera- and Sanyo-branded wireless products and accessories in the Americas. The company’s devices are driving the convergence of telecommunications, broadband and multimedia. KCI was formed in April 2009 through the combination of Kyocera Wireless Corp. and Kyocera Sanyo Telecommunications Inc., two wholly owned subsidiaries of Kyocera International Inc. The former was created when Kyocera purchased Qualcomm Inc.’s consumer wireless phone business in 2000, while the latter was formed when Kyocera purchased the wireless phone business of Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd. in 2008. Based in San Diego, KCI leverages Japan’s history of creating advanced consumer technologies around humanism and respect for the environment and blending them with a Western entrepreneurialism and style, resulting in a unique design language and a natural, user-friendly interface. For more information, please visit http://www.kyocera-wireless.com or follow the company on Facebook at www.facebook.com/kyoceramobilephones.

Kyocera Corporation (NYSE:KYO) (TOKYO:6971) (http://global.kyocera.com/), the parent and global headquarters of the Kyocera Group, was founded in 1959 as a producer of fine ceramics (also known as “advanced ceramics”). By combining these engineered materials with metals and plastics, and integrating them with other technologies, Kyocera has become a leading supplier of telecommunications equipment, printers, copiers, solar power generating systems, electronic components, semiconductor packages, cutting tools and industrial ceramics. During the year ended March 31, 2012, the company’s net sales totaled 1.19 trillion yen (approx. USD14.5 billion). The company is ranked #426 on Forbes magazine’s 2012 “Global 2000″ listing of the world’s largest publicly traded companies.

1More than 82.5 million U.S. handsets have been destroyed by water or moisture: January 2012 by TNS Global Research

2Three times the coverage based on square-mile coverage comparison of Nextel National Network to Sprint National Network (inclusive of roaming).

3Anderson, Ind.; Atlanta; Athens, Ga.; Austin, Texas; Baltimore; Barnstable/Hyannis/Mid-Cape, Mass.; Boston; Calhoun, Ga.; Carrollton, Ga.; Chicago/Naperville/Joliet, Ill.; Clark County, Va./Jefferson County, W.Va.; College Station/Bryan, Texas; Columbia, Tenn.; Dallas; Emporia, Kan.; Fort Wayne, Ind.; Fort Worth, Texas; Framingham, Mass.; Franklin County, Pa.; Gainesville, Ga.; Gary, Ind.; Gettysburg, Pa.; Granbury/Hood County, Texas; Hagerstown, Md./Martinsburg, W.Va.; Harrisburg/Carlisle/Hershey, Pa.; Harrisonburg, Va.; Houston; Huntsville, Texas; Hutchinson, Kan.; Indianapolis/Carmel, Ind.; Kankakee/Bradley/Bourbonnais, Ill.; Kansas City, Kan./Mo.; Lawrence, Kan.; Manhattan/Junction City, Kan.; McPherson, Kan.; Muncie, Ind.; New Bedford/Fall River, Mass.; Newnan, Ga.; Peabody, Mass.; Rockford, Ill.; Rome, Ga.; Salina, Kan.; San Antonio; Santa Rosa/Petaluma, Calif.; Sedalia, Mo.; Shenandoah/Page Counties, Va.; South Bend/Mishawaka, Ind.; Southern PR: Ponce/Coamo/Guayama, Puerto Rico; St. Joseph, Mo.; Topeka, Kan.; Vallejo/Fairfield, Calif.; Waco, Texas; Waukegan/Lake County, Ill.; Western PR: Aguadilla/Isabela/Cabo Rojo/Mayagüez, Puerto Rico; Wichita Falls, Texas; Wichita, Kan.; Winchester, Va.; York/Hanover, Pa.

© 2013 Kyocera. All rights reserved. Kyocera is a registered trademark of Kyocera Corporation. Sprint and Direct Connect are registered trademarks of Sprint Nextel. Android is a trademark of Google Inc.; use of this trademark is subject to Google Permissions. Bluetooth mark is owned by the Bluetooth SIG Inc. and any use of such mark is under license. MicroSD is a trademark of SD-3C, LLC. Snapdragon is a registered trademark of Qualcomm Incorporated. All other marks are properties of their respective owners.

Sprint 4G LTE lit up in several new locations today

Posted: 28 Jan 2013 10:24 AM PST

Sprint announced today the addition of several new locations where 4G LTE service has been officially turned on. The locations include:

  • Austin, TX
  • Bryan-College Station, TX
  • Boston, MA
  • Columbia, TN
  • Emporia, KS
  • Fort Wayne, IN
  • Framingham, MA
  • Gettysburg, PA
  • Western Puerto Rico (including Aguadilla, Isabela, Cabo Rojo, and Mayagüez)

Sprint’s announcement plays up the Texas locations and notes they join existing 4G markets Dallas, Fort Worth, Houston, San Antonio, Granbury/Hood County, Huntsville, Wichita Falls, and Waco. Check out the full press release after the break.

Sprint 4G LTE Network Gets Even Bigger in Texas

Starting today customers in Austin and Bryan-College Station will benefit from the increased power, speed and value of unlimited high-speed 4G LTE from Sprint with a comprehensive selection of smartphones and Truly Unlimited data plans

AUSTIN, Texas (BUSINESS WIRE), January 28, 2013 – Sprint (NYSE:S) today announced that it is offering 4G LTE in even more cities in the Lone Star State. Customers in Austin and Bryan-College Station will now be able to experience faster speeds for uploading photos, surfing the Web and streaming videos. Sprint continues to show significant progress in the buildout of its all-new 4G LTE network – reaching more customers every day. In addition to Austin and Bryan-College Station, today Sprint launched 4G LTE in Boston; Columbia, Tenn.; Emporia, Kan.; Fort Wayne, Ind.; Framingham, Mass.; Gettysburg, Pa.; and Western Puerto Rico (including Aguadilla, Isabela, Cabo Rojo, Mayagüez).

"Everything is bigger in Texas and now so is Sprint's 4G LTE network allowing more Texans to experience 4G LTE on their smartphones, tablets and wireless hotspots," said John Stevens, regional vice president – Consumer Sales, Sprint. "In Austin, the Live Music Capital of the World, customers will find that 4G LTE will increase the speed of streaming and downloading music and sending emails and videos to friends and relatives."

In Texas, Sprint also offers 4G LTE service in Dallas, Fort Worth, Houston, San Antonio, Granbury/Hood County, Huntsville, Wichita Falls and Waco. Customers will be able to use their smartphones – such as Samsung Galaxy S® III, Samsung Galaxy Note® II or LG Optimus G™ – to share a picture of their favorite musical group or college football team or check the Web for sports scores with greater speed. When you combine the power of 4G LTE with an Everything Data plan with Any Mobile, AnytimeSM, which includes unlimited Web, texting and calling to and from any mobile in America while on the Sprint Network, Sprint becomes the best choice in wireless.

Sprint's network buildout, known as Network Vision, not only delivers 4G LTE but also is expected to provide 3G customers better wireless signal strength, in-building coverage, and fewer dropped/blocked calls. These 3G improvements are already available to customers in several cities across the country, such as Baltimore, Boston, Los Angeles, New York and Washington, D.C. All Sprint 3G customers in these areas, including the company's prepaid customers on Assurance Wireless, Virgin Mobile and Boost Mobile, can expect to see better coverage and improved network reliability and voice quality once the improvements come to their areas.

Sprint introduced its all-new 4G LTE network in July 2012 and now offers service in 58 marketsi. For the most up-to-date details on Sprint's 4G LTE portfolio and rollout, please visit www.sprint.com/4GLTE. For detailed 4G LTE maps, providing coverage information right down to the address, please visit www.sprint.com/coverage. Customers are encouraged to check back often, as the maps will be updated when coverage in these markets is enhanced.

About Sprint Nextel

Sprint Nextel offers a comprehensive range of wireless and wireline communications services bringing the freedom of mobility to consumers, businesses and government users. Sprint Nextel served nearly 56 million customers at the end of the third quarter of 2012 and is widely recognized for developing, engineering and deploying innovative technologies, including the first wireless 4G service from a national carrier in the United States; offering industry-leading mobile data services, leading prepaid brands including Virgin Mobile USA, Boost Mobile, and Assurance Wireless; instant national and international push-to-talk capabilities; and a global Tier 1 Internet backbone. The American Customer Satisfaction Index rated Sprint No. 1 among all national carriers in customer satisfaction and most improved, across all 47 industries, during the last four years. Newsweek ranked Sprint No. 3 in both its 2011 and 2012 Green Rankings, listing it as one of the nation's greenest companies, the highest of any telecommunications company.

________________________

i Anderson, Ind.; Atlanta; Athens, Ga.; Austin, Texas; Baltimore; Barnstable/Hyannis/Mid-Cape, Mass.; Boston; Bryan/College Station, Texas; Calhoun, Ga.; Carrollton, Ga.; Chicago/Naperville/Joliet, Ill.; Clark County, Va./Jefferson County, W.Va.; Columbia, Tenn.; Dallas; Emporia, Kan.; Fort Wayne, Ind.; Fort Worth, Texas; Framingham, Mass.; Franklin County, Pa.; Gainesville, Ga.; Gary, Ind.; Gettysburg, Pa.; Granbury/Hood County, Texas; Hagerstown, Md./Martinsburg, W.Va.; Harrisburg/Carlisle/Hershey, Pa.; Harrisonburg, Va.; Houston; Huntsville, Texas; Hutchinson, Kan.; Indianapolis/Carmel, Ind.; Kankakee/Bradley/Bourbonnais, Ill.; Kansas City, Kan./Mo.; Lawrence, Kan.; Manhattan/Junction City, Kan.; McPherson, Kan.; Muncie, Ind.; New Bedford/Fall River, Mass.; Newnan, Ga.; Peabody, Mass.; Rockford, Ill.; Rome, Ga.; Salina, Kan.; San Antonio; Santa Rosa/Petaluma, Calif.; Sedalia, Mo.; Shenandoah/Page Counties, Va.; South Bend/Mishawaka, Ind.; Southern PR: Ponce/Coamo/Guayama, Puerto Rico; St. Joseph, Mo.; Topeka, Kan.; Vallejo/Fairfield, Calif.; Waco, Texas; Waukegan/Lake County, Ill.; Western PR: Aguadilla/Isabela/Cabo Rojo/Mayagüez, Puerto Rico; Wichita Falls, Texas; Wichita, Kan.; Winchester, Va.; York/Hanover, Pa.

NVIDIA to begin Tegra-powered smartphones and tablets through local partners

Posted: 28 Jan 2013 09:14 AM PST

NVIDIA had some pretty decent success with their Tegra 3 processor, and after CES, they’re poised to make an even bigger splash with the Tegra 4. But in a market as competitive as smartphones and tablets, where Qualcomm dominates the high end and Mediatek is slowly taking over the low end devices, it’s no guarantee that your product will sell, even if it’s the best product available on the market. NVIDIA knows this, and they’ve got a plan to stay relevant. Sources say NVIDIA will begin making reference designs for smartphones and tablets, and those designs will be licensed out to smaller vendors to actually sell the devices under their own brands. This is a great strategy for starting a strong market presence in regional markets, and it will help NVIDIA make quality tablets that can be offered at a cheap price. We’ll supposedly start to see some of these tablets pop up between May and June. Would you be interested in an NVIDIA manufactured tablet? Sound off in the comments.

source: Unwired View

Best Android keyboard replacements for phones and tablets [January 2013]

Posted: 28 Jan 2013 08:48 AM PST

Keyboards are important. They’re easily the most used application on your Android phone, so having one you actually like can go a long way towards enjoying your phone. Sometimes, you’ll get stuck with an OEM keyboard that you don’t really care for; that’s where this guide comes in. We’ll go over all the best keyboard replacements for your device to help you pick one the right one for you.

Swype

Swype came along and really turned text input on its head. Instead of tapping out letters, you simply trace those letters along the keyboard and Swype fills in the words for you. It’s a weird concept, and it takes some practice to get used to it, but it can be a much faster input method than traditional typing, especially with one hand. At first, you might be a little skeptical about how well it works, but the prediction and recognition is excellent and is usually better than most stock keyboards. Swype is also constantly adding new features to keep that prediction and recognition up to par with the competition, too.

Is this the keyboard for you? If you type one handed often and don’t mind trying out new things, Swype is one of the best keyboards available. It’s unfortunately not available on the Play Store, so if you’re weird about installing third party applications, you may want to pass on this one. (Although as long as you’re only installing trusted applications, this should never be an issue.) If you’re trying to use Swype on a tablet, it does offer a moveable keyboard and split keyboard layout for tablets larger than 7 inches, but unfortunately for tablets like the Nexus 7 or Kindle Fire, the keyboard mirrors the phone layout, which can be uncomfortable depending on how your hold your device. The same application works on both phones and tablets, and it’s free, so it’s worth at least testing the water to see how you like it.

Swype Beta Website

Swiftkey

Another extremely popular keyboard that’s constantly on top of Google Play’s best selling charts, SwiftKey boasts insanely accurate text prediction and correction. It learns from your text messages and emails and adapts to how you type to help correct your mistakes and even predict the rest of your sentences for you. And, believe it or not, it’s extremely accurate with its predictions, almost to the point of being creepy. If you type certain phrases often, after typing the first word or two, SwiftKey will automatically suggest the next few words to fill in the rest of the phrase. SwiftKey has also encroached on Swype’s territory a bit by introducing some text-swiping features called SwiftKey Flow.

Is this the keyboard for you? If you’re a fast typer who relies on autocorrect and word prediction, SwiftKey is going to become your new favorite app. After a week or so of using it, it almost starts to read your mind and speeds your texting and tweeting way up. Again, though, if privacy is a big concern to you,  you  may want to pass on SwiftKey. It does collect quite a bit of information to learn about your typing style to better tailor predictions and corrections, and some people may not want a company to have that much information. There are also two separate applications Swiftkey offers; one is for phones, one is for tablets. If you’re looking for a single keyboard with one install to use across devices, you may want to look at other keyboards on this list.

QR Code generator

Play Store Download Link

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Play Store Download Link (Tablet Version)

Go Keyboard

The Go Dev Team makes arguably the best replacement applications and widgets for Android phones, and their popular Go Keyboard is no exception. It doesn’t do the swype input quite as well as Swype, and it doesn’t do predictions quite like Swiftkey, but it beats them both by a mile in another category: customization. The Go Team brags that there are over 60 themes for their keyboard, and it supports several different languages and keyboard sizes. There’s even dedicated Emoji support baked in to the keyboard, if that’s your thing. It’s absolutely full of features that you won’t find in another keyboard.

Is this the keyboard for you? If you’re a constant ROM-flasher who wants everything customized a specific way, or if you’re just tired of the aesthetics of traditional keyboards, the Go Team has you covered. No other keyboard gives you the kind of options that Go Keyboard does, from the colors to picking between QWERTY keyboards of T9 keyboards. It also supports several different tablet sizes, designed specifically for 5″, 7″, and 9/10″ tablets.

QR Code generator

Play Store Download Link

Ice Cream Sandwich Keyboard

Maybe you don’t like fancy keyboards. Maybe you’re the kind of person that wants what Google intended, plain and simple, with nothing else complicated on top of it. The freely available Ice Cream Sandwich Keyboard on the Play Store is exactly what you’re looking for; no unnecessary bells and whistles, just the plain keyboard with Google’s standard predictions, options, and attractive holo theme.

Is this the keyboard for you? If you want a keyboard that just works, that’s easy to figure out, and doesn’t require twenty minutes to set up, then yes. There’s a few tweaks for autocorrections and punctuation and things like that, so technically it’s a little more featured than Google’s AOSP keyboard, but it stays true to what Google intended. There’s no gimmicks here, and no privacy issues. Type away.

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Play Store Download Link

Perfect Keyboard

Perfect Keyboard takes a different approach to typing. Instead of the traditional landscape keyboard layout, it splits itself into three separate pieces with half the keyboard on one side, half on the other, and a numpad in the middle. The thought behind it is that it reduces the strain on your thumbs to stretch to some of those hard-to-reach keys in the middle of the keyboard, which is especially useful on some of the larger phones we’re beginning to see. It does also offer quite a bit of customization, including setting different keyboards for both landscape and portrait, different themes, and being able to set a picture as a custom background.

Is this the keyboard for you? If you have a hard time reaching some of the keys on your keyboard, definitely give Perfect Keyboard a try. There’s a learning curve at first, but after playing with it for a few days, it’s will easily speed up your typing. It’s also pretty handy for typing on a tablet, since it lets you type just like you would on a phone without having to reach your hand halfway across the screen. That customization across devices is where Perfect Keyboard really shines over the rest of the keyboards on this list.

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Play Store Download Link

There are enough keyboards to try out in the Play Store to keep you busy for months. Some of them offer a few niche features that may appeal to you, but these four offer the biggest features better than most other keyboards available. Did we miss one of your favorite keyboards? Hit us up in the comments section and let us know what you’re using.

Mystery shoppers find Samsung recommended over Apple in U.K.

Posted: 28 Jan 2013 08:44 AM PST

A recent mystery shopper survey conducted by Informa Telecoms and Media found Samsung Galaxy devices were the most likely smartphones to be recommended by major British retailers. Leading the pack as the most recommended phone is the Samsung Galaxy S III despite being one of the older phones on the market now. Another popular choice was the Samsung Galaxy Note II, with Apple’s iPhone 5 drawing a few recommendations and other manufacturer’s devices seeing little action.

The survey was conducted at retailers John Lewis, Everything Everywhere, O2, 3, Maplins, PC World, Carphone Warehouse and Phones 4U. The researchers visited the retail establishments and looked for store window or in-store advertising and then asked sales associates to recommend three smartphones or tablets. The survey found Samsung and Apple devices were just as likely to be advertised in the store, but sales associates were opting to recommend Samsung devices by a margin of six stores versus only two for Apple’s devices. Informa seems to think the reason is financial – sales associates believe they have a better chance at obtaining a commission if they push the Samsung devices.

Have you been in a retailer lately and watched what was being recommended? Did you ask for recommendations and if so, what did the sales associate encourage you to buy?

source: The Telegraph

Garnet Red Samsung Galaxy Tab 2 7.0 Now Landing In Stores

Posted: 28 Jan 2013 08:31 AM PST

 

So you’ve been eying a Samsung Galaxy Tab 2 7.0 tablet, but weren’t so keen on a conservative color of the device and would rather have a color with some zing? Well great you’re in luck as Samsung has announced the Galaxy Tab 2 7.0 in a garnet red color variation. This special edition color of the tablet features not only an appealing red color, but also Jelly Bean running the show, a dual-core processor and the Smart Remote App plus built-in IR Blaster, effectively turning the Galaxy Tab 2 into a universal remote to enjoy all that television content that your heart desires. Oh and best of all— Sammy is even going to toss in a matching garnet red case as part of the overall package. Not a bad deal at all.

The tablet will run interested parties $219.99 and can be found at Walmart, Amazon, Office Depot, Fry's, Tiger Direct, Toys"R"Us and other retailers as well. You’ll find complete details and information once you hit the break for the full presser from Sammy.

 

RIDGEFIELD PARK, N.J., January 28, 2013 – Samsung Electronics America Inc., a market leader and award-winning innovator in consumer electronics, today announced that a new Garnet Red Edition of the powerful Galaxy Tab® 2 7.0 will be available for a limited time, beginning this week from participating retailers.

The new Galaxy Tab 2  7.0, preloaded with Android 4.1, Jelly Bean, showcases Samsung's commitment to providing users with choice, portability and entertainment. This limited edition version of the Galaxy Tab 2 7.0 is competitively priced at $219.99 and also includes a matching Garnet Red case ($50 value) at no additional cost.

A stylish choice perfect for Valentine's Day or any occasion

The Garnet Red Edition Galaxy Tab 2 was created for consumers who want to stay connected and entertained on-the-go, and are seeking a unique color offering.

"This new eye-catching version of the Galaxy Tab 2 offers endless entertainment in the palm of your hand, while the stylish Garnet Red look will set you apart from the crowd," said Michael Abary, Senior Vice President, Samsung Electronics America, Inc. "The Garnet Red version of the Galaxy® S III has been incredibly well-received, so we are happy to make the same brilliant color available for our Galaxy Tab 2 as well."

A compact 7" powerhouse that's smart and easy to use

The Galaxy Tab 2 is a powerful dual-core tablet running Android Jelly Bean, and features an easily accessible memory card slot for convenient loading of multimedia files in a range of supported file formats.

The tablet offer endless content access in a sleek design that can maximize the home entertainment experience. The Smart Remote App and built-in IR Blaster turns the Galaxy Tab 2 into a universal remote, helping users to easily find their favorite shows and change the channel directly from the tablet. Users can choose from hundreds of thousands of apps or access favorite movies and TV shows from Google Play or Media Hub.

The new Garnet Red Edition Galaxy Tab 2 will be available while supplies last, from Walmart, Amazon.com, Office Depot, Fry's, Tiger Direct, Toys"R"Us and other fine retailers.

It features a 7" TFT display and measures 0.41" x 4.8" x 7.6". Weight including battery is 0.76 lbs and it features a built-in microSD slot supports up to 32 GB of additional storage. Connectivity includes WiFi, Bluetooth 3.0, USB 2.0 host, and integrated IR for home theater control.

A choice for every consumer

In addition to this new version of the Galaxy Tab 2 7.0, Samsung continues to offer the Galaxy Tab 2 in classic black or white in both 10.1 and 7.0 sizes. As well, the award-winning Galaxy Note 10.1 with integrated S-pen is available in black or white as well.

More information can be found at www.samsung.com.

 

 

U.S. Leaders Global Android Tablet Share, With Amazon Kindle Fire Tablets Leading The Way

Posted: 28 Jan 2013 08:17 AM PST

 

Amazon can stake its claim of being the undisputed leader in the Android tablet market share out here in the States. According to a nice report by research firm Localytics, out of all the Android tablets out there in the world, 59% the overall tablets worldwide are based in the U.S.— with an astounding 33% of those tablets being an original Kindle Fire or Kindle Fire HD, 10% being that of a Nook tablet and 9% being some sort of Samsung Galaxy Tab variant among other things. Even more astounding about this study is that outside of the U.S., Kindle Fire are essentially non-existent as 89% of Amazon’s tablet models are in the States, followed by a much smaller percentage of models being found in Great Britain and an even smaller percentage of Amazon tablet models out in other markets worldwide. This all points out to the fact that the Kindle Fire family of tablets are having a major impact on the overall number of tablets worldwide… even if they’re found mostly in 2 specific markets.

The findings of this study paints an even bigger picture for apps developers and subsequently— owners of an Amazon tablet. What the study implies is that app developers should begin developing apps not only for the Play Store, but also Amazon’s App Store as well as it gives yet another important distribution channel to the masses— resulting in much more exposure of a great brand, game or developer.

Additional fun facts and details can be found once you hit the source link below.

source: Localytics

Google+ And YouTube Are Now #2 And #3 In Terms Of Daily Active Users Among Social Networks

Posted: 28 Jan 2013 07:42 AM PST

 

It’s no surprise that Facebook reigns king among the masses out there in terms of daily active users, but it appears that Google+ and YouTube are certainly trending towards overtaking Facebook as the most widely used social networks in terms of active users. According to a report done by UK market research firm Trendstream, Facebook’s active users in December 2012 was at 693 million, compared to a more modest 343 million for Google+ and while the report does not give an exact number of YouTube active users, approximate estimates seem to have the figure somewhere in the neighborhood of 280 million. So while the exact number of combined active Google+ and YouTube users seems to fall short of the number of active Facebook users, the approximate number would almost certainly be greatly larger than the current 343 million Google+ users. Seems like all those clever integration ideas Google implemented recently are finally coming to full fruition as Google+ and YouTube each experienced tremendous growth in terms of active users… and it probably doesn’t hurt that the Android platform continues to grow and grow— giving Google+ and YouTube and extra leg up on the competition.

You’ll find more details and fun charts in the interesting report once you hit the source link.

source: Forbes

HTC M7 chassis leaks in new video

Posted: 28 Jan 2013 07:36 AM PST

After seeing the leaked press image of the HTC M7 a few weeks ago, little was left to the imagination as we caught a glimpse of HTC’s next super phone in all its glory. Still, a computer render doesn’t give quite the same impression as handling the physical product, which is what we have for you today (well…sort of). A new video has surfaced of the M7′s chassis (back and front) being compared to other HTC flagship phones. Most notably, it seems to share a lot in common with the HTC Droid DNA that we love so much, albeit, packed into a smaller package to suit the M7′s 4.7-inch screen. Besides that we can see that the phone seems to have a dedicated camera button on the right edge, nestled below the volume rocker and even more intriguing, seems to have a front facing speaker, which is something of a rarity in the smartphone world, but certainly could come in useful. Check out the video below and let us know what you think of the M7.

Click here to view the embedded video.

Source: ETrade Supply

Sony Xperia Z working demo units now in Japan retail stores, Release date scheduled for February 9

Posted: 28 Jan 2013 06:38 AM PST

Sony is hoping for a hit with the Xperia Z and Xperia ZL. Both certainly seem like really nice phones from what I saw at CES. Probably the most unique feature is the waterproof and dustproof aspect, but will this be enough to put a dent into Samsung’s market share?

They certainly seem to be trying to get a jump start ahead of other flagship devices that will be announced at Mobile World Congress. According to Yodobashi Camera in Japan, the release date will be February 9, and they already have working demo units for you to try out. The picture above was taken in the Kichijoji store. They didn’t tell us pricing yet, but I am sure word will drop soon. Will this be Sony’s breakout year?

You can also check out our hands on from CES on both the Xperia Z and Xperia ZL.

Cheers Bradley
Posted by at 6:43 AM

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