Droid Life

Carbon Backup Updated, Now Supports SMS Backup and Restore

Tim — Fri, 08 Feb 2013 15:10:39 +0000

According to the man himself, Koush just got done implementing the #1 requested feature for Carbon, SMS backup and restore. Hip hip hooray. As a bonus, he states that it won't simply just replace all of your current messages either, but nicely places them alongside already existing messages.

The nice part about this is that Carbon actually merges/syncs the messages with the existing messages on your phone. It doesn't blindly replace everything like a normal app restore would.

Grab it while it's hot! Play Link Via: +Koush Cheers David!

Vince Vaughn and Owen Wilson to Hold Live Hangout to Talk About Life at Google and New Movie

Kellen — Fri, 08 Feb 2013 14:25:40 +0000

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XPh7PIFl1IM[/youtube]

To promote their new movie "The Internship," Vince Vaughn and Owen Wilson are scheduled to participate in a live G+ Hangout on February 13 at 11AM PT (2PM Eastern). For those not familiar, "The Internship" is about two men who are in their 40s, lost their jobs and are attempting to make a career comeback (or something along those lines) by becoming interns at an internet startup. Google opened up their campus to the two actors during filming, which may include cameos by some of your favorite Googlers. In their live Hangout, the official Google+ account mentioned that they'll be talking about life at Google, so it may be worth a brief view. Tough to tell if the movie will be funny or not. Via: Google+ Cheers Dave!

Gunslugs for Android is a Great Shoot 'em Up Platformer

Tim — Fri, 08 Feb 2013 14:12:00 +0000

Nothing beats a good 'ol fashioned platformer game. Gunslugs, from OrangePixel, combines great on-screen controls, a sweet soundtrack, and bitchin' guns all to your mobile device. In terms of gameplay, it scrolls very smoothly and it just works. The controls are sized well and depending on your device, the buttons are spaced just right. There is a free version and pro version that has no ads. The free verison's advertisements are somewhat annoying, but by no means intrusive. If you are into killing baddies, go pick it up. Play Link: Free | Pro ($2.64) [youtube]http://youtu.be/XrG9pbi38aA[/youtube]

Contest: Win 1 of 2 Nexus 4 Bumper Cases (Update: Winners Picked)

Kellen — Fri, 08 Feb 2013 13:21:17 +0000

Since the official Bumper for the Nexus 4 is once again "temporarily out of stock" in the Google Play store, we figured it was the perfect time to give two of them away. Thanks to the device having both a front and back made of glass, protecting it has become something that almost every N4 should think about. I'm living proof that even someone who babies phones can manage to crack and scratch the hell out of this one with little work. Here is a quick video overview of the Bumper. So who wants one?

Contest

Update: We have picked and emailed our two winners! Prize: Two (2) Nexus 4 Bumper cases for two winners. 1. Follow us through some sort of social network: Twitter, Facebook, or Google+. 2. in the comments, tell us why you need a Bumper. Winners: Two winners will be chosen Monday at 10AM Pacific.

Is the HTC M7 Going to be Simply Named “HTC One”?

Eric — Fri, 08 Feb 2013 12:00:50 +0000

We expect the official unveiling of HTC's M7 device at a press conference scheduled for February 19, but if any more information leaks, there won't be anything left. The latest details we have come from the fairly reliable evleaks twitter account. Posted this morning, he believes that the M7 will come to market under the name "HTC One."

This is a bit interesting since HTC's last big hit was the One X and making this just the One might cause a bit of confusion in the market. HTC most likely has some marketing reason behind the name, but it's not quite clear yet. Hopefully they'll explain a few things at their upcoming event.

Think this a wise move on HTC's part?

Via: @evleaks

Google to Begin Work on Their Own Private Airport in San Jose

Tim — Fri, 08 Feb 2013 11:45:07 +0000

Apparently, Google is tired of waiting in those long security lines at public airports. You know the best way to fix that? That's right, build your own airport. According to Mineta San Jose International Airport, Signature Aviation and Blue City Holdings are to set to begin work on a $82 million 29-acre privately owned airport to house Google's massive fleet, including enough ramp space to hold a Boeing 737 and 767, along with their long list of smaller private jets. Included will be an executive terminal, aircraft servicing facilities, and a long list of other fancy things. Below are a few of the concept pictures of what we can expect once the project is completed. It's safe to say that we will be extremely jealous of anyone fortunate enough to fly out of the "Google-port."

Via: Gizmodo

Qualcomm: You Won't Be Seeing a Project SHIELD Rival From Us

Tim — Fri, 08 Feb 2013 10:50:29 +0000

From what we can see, either you love the idea of NVIDIA's Project SHIELD or find it to be the biggest waste of resources ever. According to Qualcomm's Snapdragon Product Manager's recent comments, I think we know where they stand on that one. In a recent chat with The Verge, Raj Tulluri said that these devices will find a way to come out to market on their own, which gives Qualcomm little reason to compete with their customers in the hardware-making game. In essence, he feels that they would be stealing business from themselves if they made a rival to Project SHIELD.

I don't need to make a box. I just need Moga to make a controller. I can't see too much difference between that and the Project SHIELD. It seems to do everything the Tegra 4 one does!

Although, to clarify, he mentioned that mobile gaming is indeed the future, but he would rather keep to making the chips that power these future devices instead of making one themselves. "I think the market will happen, and I think our customers will make those products happen. I've seen a lot of different products people are building." Given his role at Qualcomm, Raj works on projects that are years ahead of the market's offerings, so he is certainly in "the know" in terms of what we can see down the road with mobile gaming and devices. Long story short, don't expect to see Qualcomm unveil a gaming console/controller hybrid in the near future. Via: The Verge

Disney's Swampy and Perry Team Up For Special Edition of "Where's My Valentine?"

Tim — Fri, 08 Feb 2013 10:16:51 +0000

Disney released a special edition Where's My Valentine title to Google Play today, bringing Perry and Swampy together for some love-filled puzzle gameplay. Both titles are quite popular and these holiday-themed levels are always a bit of fun. If anything, your kid should have a blast. What's in this version:

12 exclusive heart-themed levels!
Swampy and Perry need your love!
New Valentine’s Day themes!
Play for Free!
Brand-new challenges!

Their need for love is "new" in this version. How interesting! Play Link

Rovio Hosting $0.99 Sale on HD Titles Through Google Play

Tim — Fri, 08 Feb 2013 10:01:28 +0000

Today, you can go grab the HD versions of three big titles from Rovio, including Angry Birds Star Wars, Angry Birds Space, and Amazing Alex. With HD, you will notice a few more details here and there in terms of looks and overall aesthetics of the gameplay. No telling how long the sale will last, so if you have to buy these games, I guess now would be the time. Anyone loving the new levels on Star Wars? Play Link: Star Wars HD | Space HD | Amazing Alex HD

Nexus 4 8GB Now Temporarily Out of Stock From Google Play

Kellen — Fri, 08 Feb 2013 08:50:23 +0000

The Nexus 4 returned to the Google Play store last week after an almost two-month long absence. At first, it appeared as if stock levels were holding strong, even after Google switched the shipping time frame to "3-4 weeks" within the first 5 days for the 8GB model. Well, as of this morning, we were notified to a change in the listing, one that now reads "Temporarily Out of Stock." The 16GB version is still available, though it's now shipping in 2-3 weeks instead of 1-2. So even after a major replenishment, Google still can't keep up with demand for their latest Nexus phone. While Google has reportedly only moved over 1 million units, I'd say that this is still their most successful launch to date. Via: Google Play

T-Mobile Drops Nexus 4 to $50 On-contract Until February 18

Kellen — Fri, 08 Feb 2013 08:22:25 +0000

This morning, T-Mobile dropped the price of the 16GB Nexus 4 to $50 on-contract after a $50 mail-in-rebate. The other day, we highlighted a deal that LetsTalk was having which brought the price down to about $76, but this is now much more appealing. Plus, it doesn't come with any of the shady contract deals that you typically find with online resellers because it's coming directly from T-Mo. $50, folks - you down? The deal is online-only an runs from now until February 18. That gives you just over a week. Oh, the Google Play store still has plenty in stock, so if you want to go the uber-smart approach and still avoid a contract, I'd recommend going there first. Via: T-Mobile | Slickdeals Cheers Scott!

Original DROID Incredible Reboot Fixing Update Now Rolling Out

Kellen — Fri, 08 Feb 2013 08:08:01 +0000

It's still sort of wild to think that a 3-year old phone with "Verizon" branded across the top continues to receive updates. Yes, the DROID Incredible is apparently still alive and kickin' in the pockets of many, enough that Big Red thought it needed to reduce random device reboots that were plaguing it. So if you still own the "OG" Incredible, and it's actually running stock software, hit up Settings>About phone>Software update to check for the 4.08.605.29 update. It's all of 4MB in size, so even your 3G connection should be able to handle it. Cheers David!

Thursday Poll: Interested in a SmartWatch?

Kellen — Thu, 07 Feb 2013 16:40:12 +0000

Smartwatches seem to be all the rage these days. From indie Kickstarter funded projects like Pebble to big dogs like Sony and Motorola, everyone is taking their stab at second displays that attach to your wrist. As if the giant 5.5" screened-smartphones weren't convenient enough, we need another screen that can be viewed with the lift of an arm to give us up-to-the-minute information. And it certainly makes sense, especially as technology has improved (read: shrunken in size) so that wearing a smartwatch doesn't mean you're the calculator watch guy from the 90s. But are the majority of people, especially those in this community, all that interested? Over the last year, as we've featured almost all of them, including this random concept of a Google-powered watch, we're definitely seeing mixed opinions. And what do we do with mixed opinions? Get them in a poll. [poll id="236"]

Neptune Pine Smartwatch Features Full 3G Radios and Skinned Android OS

Tim — Thu, 07 Feb 2013 15:00:06 +0000

Now this right here is a "smartwatch," folks! Pictured above is the Neptune Pine. So, what makes this different from the Pebble and the Metawatch devices we have been checking out? Well, how about the fact that it's running a semi-full version of the Android OS? And don't forget that it is even packing full WiFi capabilities and 3G radios inside, which means it's a device that can stand apart from your smartphone for all of its knowledge and functionality. The device runs the Leaf OS, which is a derivative of Android, made specifically for the device. But what about that full color screen? It's a 2.5" 432 x 240 touchscreen, even capable of letting you send full texts and emails. It features a 800mAh battery and will come in 8GB, 16GB, and 32GB storage options. It's still in the process of being made, but customers can already go ahead and reserve their pair. The watch starts at $335 for the 8GB option, but this is much more along the lines of a wearable Android computing device.

Reserve your Neptune for free, right here. Via: Neptune | Pocket Now

Analyst Claims New Nexus 7 Will Ditch Tegra Chip in Favor of Qualcomm, Arrives in Q2 of This Year

Kellen — Thu, 07 Feb 2013 14:24:39 +0000

According to Pacific Crest analyst Michael McConnell, the next version of the Nexus 7 will feature a Qualcomm Snapdragon S4 Pro (APQ8064) processor instead of NVIDIA's next-gen Tegra 4. Because of Qualcomm's tighter integration with modem technology, McConnell figures that a Snapdragon chip will simplify the supply and essentially lower costs. As you all know, the current Nexus 7 runs NVIDIA's Tegra 3 processor. However, thus far, no version of the Nexus 7 contains an LTE chip, something that has become somewhat commonplace when it comes to Tegra 3 devices. If Google were to go with Qualcomm, they will have no issues taking the next Nexus 7 into LTE territory, should that be one of their goals. McConnell states that the new Nexus 7 will ship in Q2 of this year. This matches up to a previous rumor which suggested that Google and Asus would unveil the next-gen tablet at Google I/O in May. The latest spec chatter pegs the device has having a full HD (1080p) display, smaller bezel, and dropping in at the same $199 and $249 prices we are seeing from the current model. Thoughts on the lack of a Tegra 4? Qualcomm over NVIDIA, OK with you? Via: CNET

Box is Offering 25GB of Free Cloud Storage For New Sign-ups

Tim — Thu, 07 Feb 2013 13:40:38 +0000

Need some more cloud storage? How about 25GB, for free? Box, a leader in cloud storage among Dropbox and other top names, is hosting a special promo for all new sign-ups. To take advantage of this deal, all you need is an email address and Internet access. For anyone hoping to upgrade their account, you're out of luck. Only new accounts are supported. And once you have your account set up, go grab the Android app here. Sign up here. Cheers Scott and Nick S!

Who Needs Chocolate? Nothing Says "Happy Valentine's Day" Like a Pink Galaxy Note 2

Eric — Thu, 07 Feb 2013 13:20:41 +0000

There's no phone bigger (in size or hype) right now than Samsung's Galaxy Note 2. While there may have only been 2 color options when this device launched, Samsung has been making up ground on giving us different shades to pick from. Just in time for Valentine's Day, a Note 2 with a pink finish has been added to Samsung's Taiwanese website.

Unfortunately for us, it would be pretty hard to get this new color in people's hands by this time next week, but it does seem to be coming down the road. Maybe you should just stick with the chocolate for now and maybe an I.O.U. for this pink phone to come at a later date.

Via: Unwired View

Amazing Android Lego Set From Months Ago, Finally Reaches 10,000 Supporters

Kellen — Thu, 07 Feb 2013 12:40:36 +0000

Remember the Android-inspired LEGO kit that we first featured back in August? You know, the one that needed 10,000 supporters in order for LEGO to even consider making it an official product? It finally reached its goal and is under review by LEGO. The BugDroid LEGO project was submitted through LEGO's Cuusoo site, which is a place for creative types aspiring to be the next LEGO superstar to submit ideas. Once an idea is submitted and then hits its goal, the LEGO team at Cuusoo reviews them, decides if they'll be popular enough to go mainstream and eventually become available in stores. If you submit a project and it gets accepted, they will also pay you a 1% royalty. At this point, there is no certainty that this project will be made available publicly. LEGO appears to do seasonal reviews of projects that have hit their supporter limits, so it'll likely make a Spring or Fall list of projects to be looked at. We'll keep you updated as we hear more.

Via: Lego Cusoo

Hints of a New Tegra 4 Based Chromebook Rise, Android Mentions Found in the Code

Eric — Thu, 07 Feb 2013 12:10:14 +0000

Last night on the Droid Life Show, we talked about Chromebooks and why people might be hesitant about diving head first into the platform. One of the main complaints was the lack of power to do work that other, more beefy laptops could. However, it seems that Google plans on packing a bit more punch in an upcoming rumored Chromebook. Chrome Story found hints of a new Chromebook in the code base today that looks to use the Tegra 4 processor.

What's even more interesting is that deep in the code for this new ARM Chromebook, mentions of "android" were found. This is work-in-progress code from an unannounced device, but the thought that Android and Chromebook could be converging at some point is a pretty exciting one.

Would integration with Android make you think about getting a Chromebook at some point? Via: Chrome Story

ASUS Planning 7" Ultra-Budget Tablet Powered By Intel Z2420 Processor

Tim — Thu, 07 Feb 2013 11:40:10 +0000

We know ASUS is king of the low-priced tablet market, given the popularity of the Nexus 7, but it seems that they just can't help themselves from going lower and lower. They recently launched the 7" MeMo Pad in Europe for about $150, and now there is new talk of an Intel-powered "ultra-budget" tablet. It keeps the 7" form factor that all of the other tablets in that range from ASUS have, but this is the first time we have heard that ASUS would partner with Intel to use their new dual-core Z2420 processor. The processor is to be shown off at this year's MWC, so a release with this tablet, model number ME371MG, sounds solid enough. Down below, we have the list of specs taken from someone using the actual device that also snapped the above picture. Specs:

Intel Atom Z2420 dual-core processor
7" 1280 x 800 IPS display
1GB of RAM
3MP rear camera
1.2 front camera
Slot for microSD
4,270 mAH battery
Android 4.1 Jelly Bean

How "ultra budget" could this thing possibly be? From the look at the specs, it's an Intel-powered Nexus 7. With a camera at that! Thoughts? Via: Tablet.bg

The Simpsons: Tapped Out Hits Google Play, Homer Went and Blew Up Springfield

Tim — Thu, 07 Feb 2013 11:15:54 +0000

D'oh! This morning, an official The Simpsons title has been launched by EA called Tapped Out. The back story is your typical Simpsons - Homer, instead of doing his job at the plant in Sector 7-G, is at his station fiddling with some app on his tablet. Naturally, he is too involved with his game that the plant erupts, causing Springfield to be completely blown off the map. And as we find out, the safest place to be during an atomic explosion, is ground zero. Your job is to then recreate Springfield and find your family. The game was written by the creators of the Simpsons, so it has the same humor that you would associate with the show that has been on the air since I was still in diapers. The game itself looks great, as it was designed using HD graphics, so everything looks very crisp. As a plus, the game is free! You can never have enough Homer in your life. Play Link [youtube]http://youtu.be/mGZYBBgeAgY[/youtube] Cheers Shawn and EvanTheGamer!

LG Teases MWC Unveiling With "Unlimited Possibilities"

Kellen — Thu, 07 Feb 2013 10:45:47 +0000

Yesterday, LG took to Facebook to tease their next mobile product in the most vague and generic of ways. In fact, all the teaser image said was "New series will be unveiled," only they forgot to mention a where, when, or what. Well, they finished off the teaser today by posting up a new video to YouTube that confirms it will be a product unveiling at MWC later this month. In the teaser, we see a lot of screen splitting and slicing, though I'm not sure I'm willing to take that as a reference to a razer thin design or something along those lines. What we do know for sure is that "Breakthrough will be made at MWC 2013." Wait, is that even a sentence? The device will also be premium, stylish, creative, speedy, powerful, and fresh, while making a world of difference. Maybe it's the 5.5" Optimus G Pro that we saw pictured this morning. Feel free to watch it and see if they have hidden some secret message deep within that we aren't figuring out.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YnUGAvwfTec[/youtube]

Ubuntu Smartphones to Ship in October, U.S. Launch Not Guaranteed

Tim — Thu, 07 Feb 2013 10:20:36 +0000

Fans of Ubuntu can go run to their calendars and pencil in the entire month of October as the time frame for the release of Ubuntu smartphones. According to Mark Shuttleworth, the CEO of a company that provides services for corporate customers using Ubuntu, the devices will be ready for launch sometime in October with developer units being ready to ship later this month. It's sort of interesting to think that there is now going to be another operating system competing with iOS, Android, Windows, BlackBerry, and Symbian. While Ubuntu will surely find their niche market with no issue, will it be worth it at that point? For the few that do decide to jump onto the platform, it will more than likely be an uphill road for the first while, as developers slowly churn out apps for the platform to boost its usability. Either way, we know that Android fans have always had a certain liking for open source software. So, you may be asking yourself, "Where and when will they be taking my money?" As said by Mr. Shuttleworth, availability will be limited to "two large geographic markets" in October, but he didn't promise one of those two was the States. Although, he did mention the U.S. was "absolutely a key market." If we are such a key market, then stop playing with our emotions and release it here. To familiarize yourself with Ubuntu for mobile, check out The Verge's hands-on below. When it launches, are you making the switch? [youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kXWnMTm7We8[/youtube] Via: WSJ

DROID DNA Receives S-OFF Via JTAG, Will Cost You at Least $45

Kellen — Thu, 07 Feb 2013 09:55:11 +0000

The DROID DNA has S-OFF! Throw a party! Pull out your $45 for it! Wait, what? That's right, there is a method to get S-OFF on your HTC DROID DNA, but it'll cost you. You also can't do it yourself and will need to part ways with your phone for a number of days. Phone repair shop MobileTechVideos has the solution, which appears to be nothing short of scary to watch. They use a service called JTAG, something that normal devs or tinkerers aren't going to have, hence the price. The video below shows this service in action and is apparently justification by MTV for their price. Oh, that $45 doesn't include shipping, which ranges from $10-$45. Anyone want S-OFF that badly? Didn't think so.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kGIN5ju0vIw[/youtube]

Via: XDA | MobileTechVideos Cheers Max!

Redesigned 7" Wikipad to Cost Only $250, Will Launch This Spring

Tim — Thu, 07 Feb 2013 09:25:57 +0000

Remember the Wikipad? Back in October, this gaming tablet hybrid device was delayed by its makers, stating that there was still a few enhancements they needed to complete on the device before launch. Well, it's February now and we are finally hearing the first news about a second attempt at launch. Although, this Wikipad has changed quite a bit. Previously, the Wikipad had a 10" tablet as its main focus, but after some research, the company found that a 7" tablet was easier to handle and operate. Not only is it more compact, but by using a 7" slate, the Wikipad can meet a new low price of just $250. Much more reasonable and accessible to the youth than the previous $500. Essentially, think of this new tablet inside the controller shell as a Nexus 7 in terms of specs. It has a Tegra 3, 7" 1280 x 800 display, runs Android 4.1, 1GB of DDR3 RAM, 16GB of storage (upgradeable to 32GB), and has a 4,100mAh battery. With this new low price and look, are you just a wee bit interested?

WIKIPAD BRINGS 7” TABLET TO MARKET
LOS ANGELES, CA – February 7, 2013 -- Wikipad Inc. today announced that its 7” Wikipad tablet will be available from leading retailers in spring 2013 at a launch price of $249. Wikipad combines the unrivaled gaming experience of a console with the functionality and portability of a premium tablet, thanks to its unique attachable game controller. “We wanted to get Wikipad into our community’s hands and what we found was that the smaller 7” form factor just seemed right,’” said Fraser Townley, President of Sales, Wikipad, Inc. “The smaller frame delivers an aggressive price while keeping the same amazing specs.” The 7” Wikipad possesses the same powerful product specs as the previously shown and forthcoming 10” version in a form factor that is even more portable and at a price point that is even more accessible to gamers everywhere. In addition to the new compact form factor, refinements have been made to the dual-analog stick controller to ensure lightning-fast response times and the best gaming experience possible. Wikipad also announced the relaunch of its website that now includes a comprehensive support page that has dynamic links to social networks and technical forums. Wikipad – Built for Gaming The Wikipad is the only tablet to possess the unique combination of truly immersive video game experiences found in consoles with the functionality and portability of a tablet thanks to its award winning attachable dual-analog controller. It offers a premium 7" IPS screen, 16 GB memory with micro SD slot to support an additional 32 GB of storage, ultra-light and thin chassis, is powered by the NVIDIA® Tegra® 3 quad-core mobile processor and it is optimized for cloud gaming. With an aspect ratio of 16:10, the Wikipad tablet offers true widescreen HD display. Consumers will have access to entertainment and videogame content from partners and services including PlayStation®Mobile, Big Fish Games®, TegraZone – NVIDIA's free app that showcases the best games optimized for the Tegra processor – Google Play™, OnLive and many others. When the gamepad controller is detached, Wikipad’s sleek design and full Android 4.1 Jelly Bean functionality make it a powerfully versatile device whether you are surfing the web, reading emails or enjoying films, music and apps at home or on the go. For a full list of product specs, video games that take full advantage of the Wikipad’s dual-analog stick controller and a community support page, please visit:http://www.wikipad.com/

Gameloft Releases First Gameplay Video for Blitz Brigade, a Team-based FPS

Kellen — Thu, 07 Feb 2013 09:00:08 +0000

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YLQjQqMJr4w[/youtube]

A couple of weeks back, Gameloft posted a teaser for its newest title, a "team-based" first person shooter (FPS) called Blitz Brigade. As was pointed out in the comments of that post, the game gave off a Team Fortress 2 and Battle Heroes feel. In this new gameplay video, I'd say it doesn't shed that label at all. It still looks like it could be an entertaining mobile title, just not an original one.

Questionable Retailer Screenshot Shows HTC M7 Euro Launch of March 8

Kellen — Thu, 07 Feb 2013 08:30:46 +0000

The folks over at French Android site FrAndroid, received the screenshot you are seeing above which depicts a launch scenario for HTC's soon-to-be-announced M7 handset. If real, Phone House, a big electronics retailer in Europe, is expecting to have the device available for sale on March 8 at a price of 649 euros. This date matches up to a previous rumor we saw a few weeks back. We're also seeing what could be an official spec list, which shows the device having a 4.7" FHD display, Sense 5.0, 13MP camera, 32GB internal storage, 4G LTE, NFC, and dual Beats Audio speakers. That alls sounds about right or is at least comparable to what we have heard numerous times over the last couple of months. But is it legit? Take a look at the photo of the device. See that dotted ring in the middle? That's the watermark that Unwired View uses whenever it publishes an exclusive image or render. In fact, here is the original render:

Why would Phone House use a render from a tech site in its launch documentation for employees? Tough to tell. What we do know is that retailers screw up all of the time and have been found to have used random images from the web in plenty of internal materials. For example, go to Verizon's Trade-in program page and plug-in the HTC Thunderbolt. So we don't know if it's 100% real or not. What's interesting, is that the spec list mentions dual Beats Audio speakers, something this render clearly shows it having. But do any of the other M7 leaks show dual-speakers? Not necessarily. Then again, HTC did hint at a new sound experience coming to their phones in 2013 - are front speakers what they are referring to? Clearly, we still have some questions as we get closer to the M7's official unveiling on February 19. Via: FrAndroid

OUYA CEO Says Console Will Follow Mobile Update Model, New Hardware Every Year

Eric — Thu, 07 Feb 2013 08:05:34 +0000

The Kickstarter darling OUYA was born from the mobile market, having components powering it that you would find in smartphones and tablets around the world. OUYA will apparently be influenced by the mobile market's style of updating as well. Whereas traditional game consoles have a cycle of 7-10 years, the OUYA will be refreshed with new hardware every year, according to the company.

CEO Julie Uhrman, during her DICE 2013 appearance, went on record as saying there will be a new OUYA every year. "There will be an OUYA 2 and an OUYA 3" as they take advantage of better and faster processors and falling prices. Understandably some people are unsettled by this news but Uhrman explained that all games will be backwards compatible between the different hardware versions of the OUYA, allowing you to play any game on any console.

The question remains, is this a good idea? Part of the long console cycle is that developers are just now figuring out how to use the Xbox 360 and PS3 to their full potential. Yearly cycles of hardware won't leave developers a lot of tinkering time on their game before they have to anticipate different hardware.

Then again, the OUYA is shipping with an older chipset by mobile standards, in the Tegra 3. It's also sporting a lowly 1GB of RAM, so if it plans to follow mobile patterns, it makes sense for it to see upgrades on a yearly basis.

Backers of the OUYA are getting theirs next month and full retail sale starts in June, so we'll see how this experiment in changing up traditional consoles pans out pretty soon.

Via: Engadget

A Bigger, 5.5" LG Optimus G Pro Spotted By Blurrycam, Is It Coming at MWC?

Eric — Thu, 07 Feb 2013 07:34:58 +0000

Just a few weeks ago we got news that the LG Optimus G Pro would be coming to Japanese carriers featuring a 5" screen and slightly better specs than the original G. If the leaked device pictured above is to be believed, LG didn't think that was big enough to compete with the likes of the Galaxy Note 2. Phone Arena has pictures that suggest a larger 5.5" device will be coming soon featuring even better specs.

That 5.5" screen is reportedly at a resolution of 1080x1920 (full HD LCD-IPS), it'll come with 4G LTE, 2GB of RAM, a 13MP camera on the back and 2MP camera on the front. This should all sound familiar since they are comparable to the Optimus G Pro that we've already heard announced, but they get better. LG has bumped the battery up to an impressive 3,140 mAh and added in 32GB of storage as well as an SDcard slot.

This device already looks enough like the Galaxy Note 2, do you think it will be able to compete if it comes to the US?

Via: Phone Arena

The Droid Life Show: Episode 14

Kellen — Thu, 07 Feb 2013 01:30:25 +0000

Here we go, Droid Life Show episode 14 starts now! A lot on the plate tonight, including talk of an all-in-one Google Messenger app, a rumored launch schedule for the Galaxy S4, how often the community upgrades phones, and whether or not I'm still using the Pebble. But that's not all, we want to share our favorite apps and games of the moment, discuss Samsung's Super Bowl ad, Android app designs, and try to figure out why Chromebooks get no love. The show is live at 6:00PM Pacific (9:00PM Eastern). There is live video and chat below.

Subscribe | iTunes | Show Page

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DY3T7B4_l54[/youtube]

Droid Life Show Episode 14 Tonight at 6:00PM Pacific!

Kellen — Wed, 06 Feb 2013 22:15:41 +0000

Episode 14 of The Droid Life Show is going down tonight, folks. After one epicly long episode 13 from last week, this may sound surprising, but we still have plenty to talk about as we inch closer to HTC's M7 event, MWC, and the eventual Samsung Unpacked event that will feature the next Galaxy. We'll give Thunderbolt owners a hug while shaking our heads at the delays behind its Ice Cream Sandwich update, discuss the thought of an all-in-one Google Messenger, run through some of our favorite apps, and decide why the world seems so disinterested in Chromebooks. The show will be live tonight at 6:00PM Pacific (9:00PM Eastern). Be sure to subscribe if you can't catch it live.

Subscribe | iTunes | Show Page

Q4 Android U.S. Marketshare Numbers are in, Still Sitting Pretty at 53.4%

Tim — Wed, 06 Feb 2013 15:29:30 +0000

New numbers are in from comScore's Q4 2012 report, ranking the top five U.S. marketshare contenders. In terms of operating systems, Android is still sitting on the throne with 53.4%, growing from last year's 52.5%. Following Android is Apple's iOS at 36.3%, which is quite respectable, considering BlackBerry and Windows make up just a little over 9% when combined.

Outside of OS share, comScore also took a look at who controls the hardware aspect of these numbers. With little change, Apple still holds a 36.3% of that market, with Samsung coming in second with an even 21%. Samsung has gone up 2.3% since last year's Q4, with Apple also growing by 2%. In terms of growth, no other handset maker is even putting up numbers. HTC has fallen 1.8%, Motorola has sunk 0.7%, and LG saw little gain with 0.5%.

Here in America, this has become a two dog show. 2013 is sure to be a huge spectacle, as Apple and Samsung go head-to-head in a giant mobile showdown. Via: comScore

Samsung and Apple Combine for 103% of Mobile Industry Profits

Eric — Wed, 06 Feb 2013 14:30:07 +0000

The only Android OEM worth talking about lately seems to be Samsung with the dominance of their Galaxy line. That dominance is reflected in profit numbers as well according to a recent industry report. Research from Canaccord Genuity, says that Samsung and Apple together accounted for an "astounding" 103% of the mobile profits in 2012.

Canaccord is calculating this number by taking each OEM and their operating margins, then factoring in the losses of the other vendors, so you can see how well Samsung and Apple did. The only other Android manufacturer to post any significant number was HTC.

Do you see these numbers changing this year? Is the HTC M7 or Motorola's X Phone going to challenge Samsung? At this point, it's going to be hard for any OEM to compete.

Via: BGR

Dropbox Sync API Now Available for Android and Other Mobile Developers

Kellen — Wed, 06 Feb 2013 13:42:06 +0000

Dropbox announced today that it has released its Dropbox Sync API to mobile developers, including those who make beautiful apps for Android. With this new Sync API, devs will be able work with Dropbox as if it were a local filesystem, with Dropbox taking care of the background tasks to help make the experience for users seamless across multiple platforms. The goal here is to allow the API to take care of the complexity behind syncing, caching and working offline, so that devs can focus on building great apps. While I'm no developer, and talk of APIs is above my pay grade, I'm always excited to hear that Dropbox support has become easier for developers to integrate into their apps. In the past, from the sounds of it, writing code to include Dropbox syncing was a mess. In fact, the Dropbox team mentioned that the Squarespace Note developer was able to cut his Dropbox code in half after switching over to this new API. Via: Dropbox

Google Chrome Pixel Concept Video Leaked, Gives Us Glimpse of a Beautiful Future

Tim — Wed, 06 Feb 2013 12:54:49 +0000

Today, there is some potentially exciting "news" about Google and Chromebooks. Without diving too far into the back story, let's talk about the actual video and then we will discuss how it came to be leaked to the Internet. In this video, a narrator (that we wish was Morgan Freeman), discusses pixels and their importance to anything image-related. Now, imagine a Chromebook that featured a touchscreen display with a resolution of 2560 x 1700. Too good to be true, right? Maybe or maybe, not. No one has been able to confirm if this is real or not. It is referred to in the video as the Chromebook Pixel. Think of this device as a Nexus-like Chromebook, designed and manufactured entirely by Google, "down to the last pixel." It is quite the video, which someone clearly spent a ton of time working on. From what we can tell, this isn't your everyday sloppy leaked video. So, how did it come to light? According to the CEO of the website, Slinky.Me, the video was stolen after their servers were "hacked." Interestingly enough, some are speculating that this is some type of hypebeasting move by either Slinky or even Google to get people excited for what is next in the Chromebook department. Watch the video and let us know what you think. If this thing ever becomes real, I might just have to be the first in line. Needless to say, it's gorgeous. Via: +François Beaufort | Android Authority

Wednesday's App Updates: Carbon for Twitter, Flipboard and Sliding Messaging

Tim — Wed, 06 Feb 2013 12:13:18 +0000

Application updates are in the house. Today, we have the first major update of Carbon for Twitter, some minor fixes and additions for Flipboard, and of course, yet another update for Sliding Messaging. To get the links and full changelogs for each update, check down below. Carbon for Twitter:

Notification bug that crashed after tapping
Repeat Notifications
Notification bug that crashed app when Avatar couldn't be loaded
Retweeting, adding to Favorites, and Deleting tweets did not update Cache.
Direct Messages Delete bug wasn't saving changes
Long press bug on Messages
Composition Screen Account Selector bug
User Profile Bio: tapping on Mentions & Hashtags bug.
Timeline duplicated tweets on concurrent refreshes
Compose bug that didn't allow tweeting at 140 characters
Verified & Private badges
Quick mentions on Compose Screen

Flipboard:

More bug fixes
Now you can select "Save image to device" for any post with an image and it will be saved to your Gallery. Tap and hold on the post, or open the sharing menu to access this option.
Resolved problem with retweet button
Install size has been reduced

Sliding Messaging:

More quick updates and some changes how notifications are displayed.

Now, if any of you have Sliding Messaging installed on your device, you have probably noticed that this app receives about one hundred updates a week. While I appreciate this speedy work of the developer, is it just me that gets somewhat annoyed when I have to update the same app several times a day? That could just be me. By no means am I actually frustrated, but I did feel like pointing that out. Either way, go enjoy your updates. Play Link: Carbon for Twitter | Flipboard | Sliding Messaging

1SaleADay Wants You to Buy a Refurbished Nexus 7 for $180, New One Just $20 More

Kellen — Wed, 06 Feb 2013 11:30:57 +0000

For the most part, we really like these flash sale deals from sites like 1SaleADay and DailySteals. They often times offer still-relevant products at slashed prices to consumers who are always on the hunt for the best deal. For those of you who have followed us for our 3+ years, then there is probably a good chance that you have acquired a product from one of these sites. It's tough not to. Well, until you see deals like today's. 1SaleADay is offering up a refurbished version of the Nexus 7, our favorite Android tablet of all time. Normally, refurbished items are worth a look since manufacturers tend to fix known issues with them and essentially turn them into better-than-new products. But in this case, where the deal is for a 16GB version of the Nexus 7 for $180, we aren't all that thrilled about this approach. As you know, the Nexus 7 16GB can be had directly from Google for $199. This deal site wants you to believe that it actually costs $249, but that's a lie. The 32GB version is $250, and this certainly isn't that version. If there is one bonus to take away, it's that the deal includes free shipping, though with deal sites, that can take up to a couple of weeks or a month before your product arrives. Google will charge you $14 to have it shipped. The lesson from today, is that you should never fully trust these deal sites. We try to highlight the legit deals, however, today's like isn't one of them. Via: 1SaleADay

Twitter Updates Official Android App, Brings Discovery and Search Improvements

Tim — Wed, 06 Feb 2013 11:03:17 +0000

Today, Twitter is releasing an update to their official Android application which brings improvements to their already decent Discovery and Search features. From now on, all tweets, trends, and activity will appear in a single stream for easy use. Furthermore, when searching, all relevant results (photos, tweets, etc.) will also appear in a single stream. Looks like someone at Twitter had a light bulb go off over their head. To peep the full feature changelog, look below.

Discover: Now all the content in Discover — Tweets, Activity, Trends and suggestions of accounts to follow — appears in a single stream, on both iPhone and Android. You can also dive into Activity and Trends from new previews at the top of the Discover tab. Search: Search results now surface the most relevant mix of Tweets, photos, and accounts, all in one stream (similar to the stream in Discover). We’ve also added a new search button to Twitter for iPhone, letting you search from anywhere within the app. (This button was already available in the Android and iPad apps.) Look for the magnifying glass icon next to the button you use to compose a Tweet. Connect: To provide a simpler experience in the Connect tab, the default view is now Interactions, which shows you new followers, retweets and mentions. If you prefer to view only your mentions in Connect, you can adjust the default in settings – find the “Connect tab” option and select “Mentions only”. Links: Click a URL in a Tweet to go directly to that website from any timeline and get to content highlighted on Twitter faster. (Previously, when you tapped any part of a Tweet, it would first expand and then a second click was required to get to the website.)

The update doesn't appear to be live yet, but it will be soon. Play Link Via: Twitter

Google: You Won't Be Seeing an Android Booth at This Year's MWC

Tim — Wed, 06 Feb 2013 10:45:53 +0000

In a bit of sad news for anyone hoping to see a major Android presence at the 2013 MWC like we have seen in past years, Google France has gone ahead and crushed those dreams. In a recent statement, a company spokesman confirmed that there will not be an Android booth in Barcelona, but the Android team will be on hand to support their OEM partners. Previously, Google has spared zero expense on making sure they had one of the best booths of all time. There have been smoothie bars, claw games with Android plushies, and almost any Android gadget you could think of. This is something we might bring up on tonight's show, but it is starting to become clear that many companies have recently shied away from major industry shows, such as CES, and are now opting for their own major events. Will this trend continue? Who knows. [youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kH0YuP2H_hI[/youtube] Via: Pocket Now

Here is the New DROID RAZR M Platinum in the Wild

Kellen — Wed, 06 Feb 2013 10:25:42 +0000

On Monday, we reported that Best Buy was offering an exclusive new version of the DROID RAZR M, called Platinum. The device, with its blue accents and "platinum" exterior, was met with mostly positive feedback, however, we still had yet to see what the backside looked like. Thanks to one of our fabulous readers, we have a shot of the backside which as expected, features the same kevlar backing from other versions of the RAZR M, only it has a blue accent around the camera housing. The device can still be had for as little as $50 on-contract. And don't forget that Best Buy is also running their $50 giftcard promo for anyone who upgrades to a new smartphone through them in 2013. Not bad, right?

Cheers D!

HTC Germany Posts Teaser, Says Something is "Alive Soon!"

Tim — Wed, 06 Feb 2013 09:55:47 +0000

I guess I didn't get the memo that today is officially teaser day. Apparently, HTC Germany has something big coming it would appear and it has to do with human hearts being attached to a circuit board or something. All we have from the image is, "Alive Soon." Well, I am completely stumped. As K and I both feel, this is so unlike HTC in terms of a teaser. This is the type of imagery you would see from Verizon and the DROID brand. This leaves us with a lot of questions rather than answers. Thoughts? Via: Best Boyz

LG Teases New Device Series With Unexpected Distinction on Facebook

Tim — Wed, 06 Feb 2013 09:25:29 +0000

A few hours ago, LG posted the above picture to their official LG Mobile Facebook page. In the description, they tease that a new series will be unveiled, but give no hints as to what, when, or where. The only interesting piece of info is that LG says it will come, "with an unexpected distinction." What on Earth could that be? Sometimes, we like to look deep into these pictures and see if there are any hidden meanings. For example, the first thing I notice is the large flash coming from the middle and couple other parts of the bow. No, putting a camera/flash on your phone is not an unexpected distinction, but maybe since there are multiple flashes, could we expect some type of multi-LED flash? I know, I'm stretching. The question is, can we expect to see this at MWC? Let us know what you think we can expect down below from LG. Via: LG Facebook

Google Maps Now Shows Ski Resorts With Lifts and Runs on Android and iOS

Kellen — Wed, 06 Feb 2013 09:12:35 +0000

As you arrive at your next winter vacation destination with your skis or snowboard packed, think about leaving room in a pocket for your smartphone because Google just announced that they have full maps of 38 of the most popular ski resorts in the country in Google Maps. The new maps include lift and run guides, that feature color coded solid bars for black, blue, and green runs, plus red dotted lines so you can pin point your closest lift. These are already available on your Android device or iPhone. Here is the entire list of ski resorts in Maps:

Via: Google Lat Long

How to: Disable System Apps and Bloatware on Android [Beginners' Guide]

Kellen — Wed, 06 Feb 2013 08:40:33 +0000

With the introduction of Ice Cream Sandwich (Android 4.0), Google gave users the power to disable system-level apps on an Android device. At first, you may think, "Why would I ever need to do that?" But if you look at it from a control perspective, you'll quickly realize that this move could be perceived as a slap in the face to carriers and their need to install bloatware, or apps that they have installed on your phone through partners which cannot be removed. It's also a way to disable rogue system apps that may be gobbling up battery, are running too often in the background, or that you wish were unavailable to users of your phone or tablet. Bloatware, as we refer to these carrier-installed apps, typically cannot be removed by a simple "uninstall." Many of them have been permanently placed at a system-level on your phone or tablet, which means you cannot manipulate them without having superuser power over your phone. So if you want to remove the trial of EA's latest game or the suite of Amazon apps that you wouldn't normally have installed, disabling them will at least hide them from your view. It's not the optimal situation for control freaks, but it does at least get them out of your app drawer and keep them from running in the background.

Instructions:

1. From your home screen, enter your phone's settings menu.

*Most phones running Jelly Bean - pull down notification bar and tap the Settings button.

2. In Settings, scroll down to "Apps" or "Manage Apps." 3. Scroll over to the "All" section to view all apps. 4. Find the app you would like to disable and tap on it. 5. You should now be at the App Info page of the app.

*Should see how big the app is, an option to stop it or clear its data, and of course, disable it.

6. When you tap "Disable," you'll be warned that this move may affect other apps.

*Depending on the app, this warning could be true. However, most of the bloatware installed by a carrier, will not be tied into other apps and can safely be disabled.

7. If you think it's safe, go ahead and OK the disable. Your app should now be disabled. 8. You can find the list of disabled apps at the bottom of the All column in "Apps." 9. To re-enable an app, simply head back to this App Info screen and hit "Enable."

Quicker Instructions:

*This tip should work on almost all Jelly Bean devices.

1. From your app drawer, long press on the app you would like to disable. 2. When it takes you to your home screen, look at the top of the screen for an "App Info" option. 3. If you drag and drop your app here, it will take you directly into the "App Info" screen. 4. You can then choose to disable or uninstall the app.

Presented by Norton 360™ Multi-Device. Protect your new computers, smartphones, and tablets with Norton 360™ Multi-Device.

Rumor: Samsung Galaxy S4 to be Unveiled on March 15, in Stores by April

Kellen — Wed, 06 Feb 2013 08:15:10 +0000

According to SamMobile, a site with a decent track record when it comes to Samsung leaks, the Korean electronics behemoth will hold an Unpacked event on March 15 to announce their new Galaxy phone, possibly named Galaxy S4. Invites will go out to members of the media shortly after this months Mobile World Congress conference in Barcelona. The location of this media event is still said to be kept under wraps. After announcing the product in mid-March, Samsung will then have the new Galaxy available in European shops some time in early April. The U.S. rollout will then happen around May or June. Some time around week 15 of 2013 (mid-April), Samsung will make the entire accessory lineup available which will include: Clear Cover, Flip Cover, Protective Cover, Pouch, Extra Battery Kit, Wireless Charging Kit, HDTV Adapter and Headset. The new Galaxy is expected to run under the model number GT-I9500 (internationally) and arrive in two colors - black and white. What do you think? Are you willing to buy this latest rumor? In the past, Samsung hasn't had its new Galaxy flagship device out before May, so an April launch does seem a bit surprising. Then again, they may need to put something out to help them continue on with their massive quarterly earnings numbers. Then again, the Note 2 is still fairly fresh. Via: SamMobile

Tuesday Poll: How Often do You Upgrade Phones?

Kellen — Tue, 05 Feb 2013 17:02:42 +0000

In a time where new phones seem to populate our news feeds on a weekly basis, it would make sense that consumers in general are always looking for ways to upgrade. But the reality is, that most people can't afford to buy a new phone every six months off-contract. Most have to wait until they have upgrades available through their carrier, which includes a subsidized discount. So in today's poll, we're wondering which category you fit in. Do you typically wait out the entirety of your 2-year contract, steal upgrades from other lines on your account, or purchase phones at will as you please? [poll id="235"]

Nexus 4 Available From Lets Talk for $76 After Discounts

Kellen — Tue, 05 Feb 2013 17:01:05 +0000

Lets Talk, one of the bigger online wireless retailers, currently has the Nexus 4 on T-Mobile for the lowest price we have seen to date. If you are a current customer looking to add a new line, or a new customer to T-Mobile in general, you can grab the phone for $76.49 on-contract. The price they have listed actually says $84.99, but if you use the coupon code "TALK4TEN" at checkout, you'll slash another $8.50 off the price, bring it $76.49. Overnight shipping is free from Lets Talk. Keep in mind that these online wireless retailers tend to have critical lines in their fine print and contracts. Before jumping into bed with their insanely low price, always read through their documents thoroughly. You are probably also better off just buying the phone through Google Play and then finding a really cheap prepaid plan. But, we wanted to share the deal anyway.

Via: Lets Talk Cheers Scott!

App Sales Roundup: Need for Speed Most Wanted, Dead Space, and Doodle God

Tim — Tue, 05 Feb 2013 15:22:15 +0000

Another day, another sale. If you have been looking to score a new app and don't feel like shelling out all of that hard earned cash, check out this sweet list of apps/games that are currently on sale through Google Play. If you watch the Droid Life Show, then you will know that Need for Speed: Most Wanted is the best $3 you will ever spend. I've played Doodle God, which is quite the interesting time waster. And making its way through the Google Play game rankings is Superbrothers Sword & Sworcery, which is supposed to be a fantastic indie title. Today's list of sales:

Need for Speed: Most Wanted ($2.99)
AndroZip File Manager ($1.00)
Doodle God ( $1.02)
Dead Space ($4.99)
Field Compass Plus ($0.99)
Holo Launcher Plus ($2.99)
RadiON ($0.99)
Superbrothers Sword & Sworcery ($2.99)
Office 2012: Presentations ($4.99)
Office 2012: PlanMaker Mobile ($4.99)
Office 2012: TextMaker Mobile ($4.99)

Go get 'em while they're hot.

AT&T Announces New and Expanding 4G LTE Markets as Build Out Continues

Eric — Tue, 05 Feb 2013 13:40:44 +0000

Any news is good news when it comes to new markets of 4G LTE going live. AT&T is the carrier today who has announced four new markets to receive LTE and three more markets will have their existing network expanded to make the coverage even better.

New markets:

Dalton, GA
Calhoun, GA
Norfolk, VA
Albany, GA

Existing markets in three different Pennsylvania counties are being expanded to cover more people and make the download speeds better across the board. AT&T isn't on Verizon's level yet, but they're slowly getting there month after month.

Via: AT&T

Android Distribution Numbers Updated for February - Jelly Bean Slithers Along, the Rest Drop

Kellen — Tue, 05 Feb 2013 13:08:24 +0000

Within the hour, Google released new Android distribution numbers for the month of February. The numbers, as usual, aren't anything to have your IRC troll group run to reddit with, but they do offer up a look at whether or not any Android OEMs have updated phones over the last month. As expected, there have been, so the numbers are changing in the slightest of ways. Jelly Bean is up to 13.6% (from 10.2%), Ice Cream Sandwich actually dropped to 29.0% (from 29.1%), Honeycomb dropped to 1.3% (from 1.5%), and Gingerbread still leads all but is down to 45.6% (from 46.6%). Neat, right? If you say so. Via: Android Developers

Pebble E-paper Smartwatch Review

Kellen — Tue, 05 Feb 2013 12:45:14 +0000

After using the Pebble E-paper Smartwatch for five days, I'd say I've spent enough time with it to give you all my final impressions. And when I say that I've used it for five days, I'm not kidding. This sucker has been attached to my wrist from the time I wake up until my face hits my pillow at night. I've tried to make it as much a part of my daily life as I would a smartphone to see if there are any real benefits to having a smartwatch. So far, I'm seeing a lot of potential here. But is potential enough?

Design

Overall, I really like the look of Pebble. It's simple, minimal, and not obvious. I chose the all-black version, which features a semi-glossy exterior and matte-rubber watch band. It may not stand out as the flashiest watch on the planet, but sometimes that's a good thing, especially when the point of a smartwatch is to be constantly staring at it. The face is slightly curved (outward), the buttons on each side stick out just far enough to be pressed with ease, and the entire watch fits perfectly onto my wrists, which I do not consider to be big by any means. The size matches up to many of the standard watches these days, and does not fit into the "oversized" watch category in my opinion

Build

The Pebble is supposed to be waterproof and scratch-resistant. While I have yet to take it swimming, I'll assume they aren't lying when they added that spec to the feature list. As far it being scratch-resistant, all I can say is that I haven't scratched mine to this point. With that said, we are hearing reports of others scratching theirs "with normal use." I'd definitely take care of the display of this like you would a smartphone, as I do not believe it to be the most scratch resistant substance on the planet. Outside of the display, the unit itself feels solid and like it won't die after a single drop. And actually, I just dropped it from my desk to hardwood floor while writing this and it survived.

Battery Life

The Pebble team claims that their watch with its E-paper display will last for up to 7 days on a single charge. As of writing this post, I'm at 5 days and counting on my first full charge. I don't know if it'll last the full 7 days, but I'm pretty happy with it at least getting me through a work week. There is a problem, though - it doesn't have a battery meter. Unless we see an update that includes one, you have no idea how much life your Pebble has left in it before it dies. Update: In the menu, my Pebble is now showing a low-battery icon. This is the first time this has showed up, so I'll assume this means that I should charge the watch or it will be dying soon. At least they notify you that death is near - would still like an ongoing battery meter. Update 2: Battery did die today, the 5th day of the first charge. Assuming the battery will get better over time, I can't complain.

Notifications

The star feature of Pebble is its ability of it to show you notifications from your phone as they come in. It does a great job of populating your screen within seconds of a notification arriving. For now, Pebble can show notifications for incoming calls, SMS messages, calendar reminders, emails, Gmail messages (multiple accounts), Google Talk messages, Google Voice messages, Facebook messages, and WhatsApp messages. There will likely be more as developers build out support for Pebble. While I mentioned that Pebble does a great job of notifying you immediately upon arrival, there are some limitations that I hope to see addressed before long. First, emails are limited to a certain number of lines or characters. If you are a power email user, you may find that a bit frustrating. For me, I eventually just had to use Pebble as a way to preview emails and to decide if I actually needed to pull my phone out or not. Then again, that's sort of the point anyway, since you can't actually reply to anything from the Pebble. Also, notifications themselves aren't handled well when you receive one after another. If you are looking at an email on Pebble and a Google Talk message comes in, the email disappears forever and you are left with the Google Talk message or whatever is newest. There is no way to return to the previous notification or manage say, your last five or ten notifications. At this point, Pebble can only handle one at a time.

User Interface

The user interface of Pebble is not incredibly advanced, and that may be a good thing. Since it doesn't have a touchscreen, you rely on back, home/select, up and down buttons to navigate. It doesn't take long to figure out, so for those concerned that it may be too advanced shouldn't worry. There are a couple of simple screens - the clock face and then the menu. As you can imagine, you use the back button to get out of options, the home/select to choose them, and the up and down to navigate the menu. The UI is much better explained in the video review below, so I'll spare you from me trying to explain it here. What I will say, is that in world where we touch everything, it does seem like somewhat of a step backwards. Maybe this was how they kept it somewhat reasonable on the price?

Price

At $150, the Pebble is not necessarily cheap. It may carry the "smartwatch" tag, but it still needs to pack in a robust feature set in order to get people to want to commit to such a product at that price. For now, it lacks some features that we would like to see in the very near future (like pairing with workout or GPS-enabled apps). Give me Nike+ support with Pebble, and you won't need to go out and buy a separate watch, just for exercising. The problem right now, is that we don't know if apps like that will ever work with Pebble. I should point out that you can buy a product like the Sony Smartwatch for as little as $100. It also handles notifications, does social media, controls music, and has a touchscreen.

Gallery

[nggallery id=51]

Video

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CcBF9k3wetk[/youtube]

The Verdict

Overall, I've definitely enjoyed my time with the Pebble. I love the idea of having notifications for emails or messages appear on my wrist so that I don't have to pull out my phone all of the time. I've also been able to use it during the course of a normal workday, as it has allowed me to avoid having to dive into email every 30 seconds. Instead, I can look at my wrist for a second and decide if the email is important enough for me to take a deeper look at. It has a subtle design that makes it look like nothing other than a typical black watch, phenomenal battery life so far, and could turn into one heck of a product assuming developers decide to build out support for it through their apps. On the downside, Pebble needs to fix the watch's handling of multiple notifications and expand email output. They also need to convince those previously mentioned developers to build out support for their apps, so that this watch can be taken to the next level. At $150, I wouldn't necessarily say that the Pebble is overpriced, but I'm also not sure it's priced to grab the average tech user. This is for early adopters and tech geeks, like myself that will have some patience as this eventually turns into the watch we all dream of it becoming.

MoviePass Launches Android App - $30 Monthly Subscription Gets You Unlimited Movie Goings (Update)

Tim — Tue, 05 Feb 2013 12:22:08 +0000

If you are an avid fan of heading to your local movie theater and seeing a new flick, then check out MoviePass. We all know that the cost of seeing a new movie has gone up like crazy over the last few years, but MoviePass could be a solution if you end up going to see a new movie at least a few times each month. The service has a monthly subscription fee of $30, but with that, you can go to any theater that accepts a credit card and see unlimited movies for an unlimited amount of time. No blackouts, no exceptions. It will be as if the theater is your playground. Anyways, the service has been around and they are currently issuing invites to join. Now that there is an Android app, checking in to theaters and seeing what movies are showing around you is even easier. If you are a member or you want to sign up, go grab the app in Google Play. Update: After reading one beta user's comments down below, I went to check out the Terms of Service for MoviePass and read through the fine print. The service allows for the viewing of one movie a day, every day of the month. This excludes 3D, IMAX, etc. Here is a chunk from their ToS.

27.2. A valid MoviePass subscription entitles you to: (1) see one 2D film per calendar day through MoviePass; (2) see a 2D film title one time through MoviePass; and (3) a single seat, depending on availability, for a 2D film showing open to the general public. This excludes premium showings such as: 3D films, IMAX, 4D, XD and specialty theaters. MoviePass access is available every day of the week, subject to the theater being open, inventory, and usage.

Also, MoviePass does have quite high subscription cancellation fees.

After the first month, the subscriber will be liable for cancellation fees based on the number of months their account has been active: (i) If account is cancelled within months 2 or 3, cancellation fees are $75 (ii) If account is cancelled within months 4, 5 or 6, cancellation fees are $60 (iii) If account is cancelled within months 7, 8 or 9, cancellation fees are $40 (iv) If account is cancelled within months 10 or 11, cancellation fees are $20

This information doesn't make the service bad by any means, but we want to make sure everyone knows what they could be possibly signing up for. Play Link Cheers Greg for the heads up!

Best Buy Offers Up $50 Gift Card For Anyone Who Upgrades Their Phone in 2013

Tim — Tue, 05 Feb 2013 11:46:30 +0000

If you or anyone you know plans on upgrading their smartphone between now and December 31 of 2013, then Best Buy is offering a little incentive to have you do so through them. The deal goes, if you sign up (an agreement that you will upgrade your phone this calendar year in Best Buy), they will hand you a $50 card. Juicy prize, right? Sign-ups are open until Feb. 9, so if you have an upgrade coming up, this isn't a bad idea to anticipate that and even get some free spending money while you're at it. To reserve your gift card, go sign up here.

Shapes & Sounds: The Shape Shooter Makes Asteroids a New-School and Beautiful Android Game

Kellen — Tue, 05 Feb 2013 11:05:04 +0000

Last night, we were turned onto a new game to Android called Shapes & Sounds: The Shape Shooter. The name, while a bit lengthy and overdone, is the exact opposite of the actual game. Shapes & Sounds is quite like the Asteroids of old, but it has been designed in such a beautifully minimal way that it's like playing a new game. The idea is pretty simple - you start out as a circle, triangle, or square, and then shoot the shapes that aren't like you. So for example, if you start out as the triangle, you shoot all squares and circles, while trying to absorb all triangles to help fuel your life. But if you aren't down with the triangle, you can use swiping gestures to quickly switch to the square or circle and then continue to blast away. The game gets fun as more objects fly at you, when you unlock powerups (each shape has its own), and eventually let yourself zone out thanks to the amazing sound experience. It's $0.99 in the Play store, but again, is one of the more beautifully designed games we have seen in some time. Feel free to give it a shot. Play Link ($0.99)

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sqMe18skfMk[/youtube]

Cheers Nader!

New Samsung Galaxy S4 Render Spotted, Shows Love to the Metal Community

Tim — Tue, 05 Feb 2013 10:31:18 +0000

No, not that metal community. Recently, a new "render" of Samsung's next flagship device, the Galaxy S4, was released to the Internet. We can pretty much say that this is not the phone, but it does suit itself as a nice conversation piece that would look lovely on my coffee table. Not only do we get to dissect the look of the actual device, but we get to look at all of those pretty specs at the same time. We will list the specs below, and then offer up why or why not this will work for the Galaxy S4. Supposed specs:

Android 4.2 w/ TouchWiz UI
5" 1080p Full HD Super AMOLED+ Display
2GHz A15 Exynos 5450 quad-core processor
2GB DDR3 RAM
ARM Mali T658 GPU
13MP rear-facing camera
2MP front-facing camera
Li-Ion 3,100 mAh battery
16GB/32GB/64GB storage options
Removable SD card slot
Gorilla Glass 3
4G LTE
Dedicated camera button
Bluetooth 5.0
Front-facing speakers

So, let's get the quick ones out of the way. Android 4.2 "Jelly Bean" is hopefully a given at this point, since it has been out for almost a year now and Samsung will no doubt want to launch the device with the latest version of the Android OS. TouchWiz UI is of course, also a given. We have heard that Samsung would incorporate their new Exynos 5 Octa chip into the S4, but maybe it's not ready for release? Given we are expecting this phone sometime in Q2, it's hard to imagine that we wouldn't see their newest SoC technology come aboard this device. So, let's scratch the 2GHz 5450 quad-core for now. A 13MP camera would make plenty of sense, given all OEM's are currently in the process of upgrading their sensor offerings. We know HTC has something big planned, as well as Motorola, who has been sort of absent in that department in terms of picture quality. The one spec on here that I am really hoping for is that 3,100mAh battery. We can't enjoy these overly-powerful devices for a full day if we don't have a sufficient power supply. That size, coupled with some battery-friendly technology from either the Octa or this Exynos 5450 would suit it well. Not that there isn't already a manufacturer throwing huge batteries in phones, see Moto's RAZR MAXX HD, but I think you know what I mean. HTC has been throwing in rather puny batteries in their devices for sometime and it's starting to become an issue for potential buyers. The two "specs" on here that rub me funny are the dedicated camera button and the front facing speakers. Samsung has been fortunate enough to find a design that sells to the public, thanks to millions of dollars in advertising, but the S3 sells nonetheless. I wouldn't expect to see huge changeups in hardware design if Samsung wants to keep their buyers happy. To see this example in use, see Apple's iPhone. People aren't looking for drastic hardware changes. I think Samsung knows this and we can expect to see back-facing speakers on the S4 as well as this camera button being omitted from their design. Plus, the above image does give off a metal look. It should be safe to say that metal won't be found on anything Samsung unless it's a washer and dryer. As always, this is me just rambling and I would love to hear what you think of this render. Again, just to clarify, we by no means think this is the device. The phone itself looks quite nice, so let's hear your thoughts down below. Via: Android Community | Twitter Cheers ItsASamsung and George!

Nexus 4 Android 4.2.1 "occam" Factory Image Returns

Kellen — Tue, 05 Feb 2013 10:02:52 +0000

The factory image for the Nexus 4 "occam" has returned today. After somewhat of an absence that the Android team couldn't comment on, it's now back for your downloading pleasure. It's Android 4.2.1 build JOP40D. No, it's not the mysterious 4.2.2 or anything. Still, be sure to download it for safe keeping in case it disappears again. The binaries appear to still be missing. Via: Google Developers

Vivid Icon Pack, Brings 1,000 Shiny and Vibrant Icons to Your Homescreen

Tim — Tue, 05 Feb 2013 10:00:38 +0000

I came across this icon pack last night in Google Play and really enjoyed the look of it. It's called, Vivid and the pack really catches the eye with that glimmer each icon gives off. Inside the pack, which costs a single $1, is 1,000 icons so there shouldn't be an issue in terms of it not having the ones you want. Worst case scenario, you can always email the developer and ask him to make it if it isn't inside the pack. What's your favorite icon pack? I'm always looking for something new! Play Link ($0.99)

Ice Cream Sandwich Update for the HTC Thunderbolt Rolling Out Now!

Kellen — Tue, 05 Feb 2013 09:42:19 +0000

According to our inbox, and various Android forums like XDA, the Ice Cream Sandwich update that Verizon approved last week for the HTC Thunderbolt, is rolling out now. As expected, the update is a whoppin' 395MB, but that's expected with the big jump from Gingerbread to Android 4.0. Head into Menu>Settings>Software update to pull it. Full changelog. Update: Verizon has confirmed that it is indeed rolling out in batches starting today. Let us know if you can pull it!

Via: XDA Cheers James and Paul!

NVIDIA Teases More Project SHIELD, This Time With Borderlands 2

Tim — Tue, 05 Feb 2013 08:46:24 +0000

Late last night, NVIDIA decided to continue its tease fest of Project SHIELD to the Android/Gaming communities. We still have no release dates and no pricing, but sure, let's go ahead and watch some more demos of this thing in action. This time, we have them showing off some Borderlands 2 gameplay, with textures cranked all the way up to 11 while the game is being streamed from a Falcon TiKi PC in the same room. I know I'm not alone when I say this. NVIDIA, please stop messing around and just give us a price so we know whether to be excited or saddened. It's not that hard, right? [youtube]http://youtu.be/UF7V3h24w38[/youtube] Via: NVIDIA

OUYA to be Sold Through Amazon, Target, Best Buy, and Gamestop in June for $100

Kellen — Tue, 05 Feb 2013 08:19:45 +0000

The OUYA team announced this morning through the Wall Street Journal that they have teamed up with Target, Amazon, Best Buy, and Gamestop to sell their inexpensive, Android-based consoles at launch in June. At a price of $99.99, with additional controllers running $49.99, OUYA is clearly trying to carve out their own niche in the console gaming market. We still aren't sure if we think they can do it successfully, but the buzz around this Kickstarter funded project is undeniable. With their 68,000 backers that will receive the OUYA in April, the crowdfunded gaming system is hoping that with some promotion and partnerships with these retailers, that they can do big things. They are already claiming to have some 200 gaming titles lined up for launch, including "a larger suite" that are exclusive to OUYA. Pre-orders for the June launch will start today. Via: Wall Street Journal

Verizon Galaxy Nexus Available for $219 Without Contract

Kellen — Tue, 05 Feb 2013 07:54:42 +0000

Verizon may have killed off the Galaxy Nexus LTE, but that doesn't mean it's gone for good. Deal sites like Ice Monkey have "recertified" versions in stock at insanely low prices for those who aren't willing to leave Big Red yet still want that Nexus experience. For $219, and no contract attached, you can pick up what may be Verizon's first and last Nexus device. I'm not exactly sure what "recertified" means, but hey, it's not a bad option if you don't feel like shelling out $600+ for another phone. Update: If you want to go even cheaper, Cowboom has "preowned" versions for under $200. Via: Ice Monkey Cheers John and Scott!

Stitcher Radio for Android Receives Full Makeover in Latest Update

Kellen — Mon, 04 Feb 2013 20:15:43 +0000

Stitcher, one of the most popular podcast services on the planet, gave its Android application a full makeover this morning. The app's new UI takes notes from some of the new Android design guidelines, with its use of a fully swipe-able column style browsing experience and the action bar. The Stitcher team also improved content discovery, made browsing much easier, allows for notifications controls with Jelly Bean phones, and made the app incredibly fast and stable. The Droid Life Show is also on Stitcher, so be sure to find us and subscribe. Here is the full list of changes:

Complete Interaction and Visual Redesign – Based on intensive user research, the latest version of Stitcher is more intuitive than ever and expresses the visual design set forth by Google’s design guidelines. The app’s core navigation methods now use Android’s Action Bar, dropping the learning curve for Android users in handling the app. Improved Content Discovery – This update adds a standalone Smart Station, which serves dynamic recommendations based on individual listening activity. Better Browsing – Listeners can thumb through an infinite list of recommendations without interrupting their current listening, for an uninterrupted browsing experience Upgraded Performance and Stability – Stitcher for Android is reengineered using the latest media APIs to best deliver a smooth listening experience, rebuilding the audio player from scratch. Rich Notifications – Exclusive to Jelly Bean users, listeners can control playback, pausing and tracking without unlocking their phones.

Listen to The Droid Life Show | Play Link

Is This the Icon for a New All-in-One Messaging Service From Google?

Kellen — Mon, 04 Feb 2013 15:58:25 +0000

Developer Francois Beaufort, the guy who first pointed out that Chrome would be receiving Google Now-like notifications, posted up the screenshot you are seeing above to his G+ account, today. In the shot, we are seeing at least two things that have grabbed our attention - rich notifications in Chrome OS and an icon that looks a lot like one that would be for a messenger client of sorts. First, on the right is a shot of what "rich" notifications will look like in Chrome OS. As you can see, it shows very much in the style of Google Now. It also seems to be showing notifications for missed calls (Google Voice?), users who have circled you (Google+), and messages from friends (Gmail or G+ Messenger). Unified messaging center? Umm, hell yes. Taking that a step further, the icon in the launch bar by the Google Drive icon is something we haven't seen before. Beaufort mentioned in his G+ post with the photo that he "doesn't know yet" what that icon is, followed by a winking smiley face. What's he hinting at here? In the comments of his screenshot, a number of G+ users are praying for this to be a unified messaging app from Google. For far too long have we had to deal with separated Google Talk, Voice, Messenger, Gmail, G+, etc. But will it actually happen? At some point, it only makes sense that Google would try to release a unified messaging service. In fact, it should have been done long ago. But since they seem to have neglected Google Talk for the last two years, we can only hope that means they have been working on their next big solution.

Oh, and that argument is also helped by the fact that the icon looks like four messaging icons piled onto one another. What do you think? Are we finally getting an all-in-one messaging solution from Google? Via: +François Beaufort Cheers Dave!

HTC Hints at New Camera Tech Coming to Phones in 2013 Via Infographic

Kellen — Mon, 04 Feb 2013 15:40:15 +0000

This morning, the word "ultrapixel" was introduced to us as it could potentially be the new camera tech headed for HTC's new flagship phone, the M7. With this being the first mention of this new camera experience, we weren't exactly sure what to make of it. And then a couple of hours later, HTC posted up "A History of Photography" infographic on their official company blog and may have semi-confirmed that their new phones in 2013 will indeed have some sort of new camera tech. If you skip to the very bottom of the graphic, you'll see a section for 2013 that reads "HTC kicks off a new sound and camera experience in 2013." While that doesn't mention the word "ultrapixel," it certainly points to a brand new "experience" coming to their phones during the next year. Does that mean a camera with three separate 4.3MP sensors that will take on Nokia's Pureview cameras and produce some of the cleanest mobile photos ever? We hope it tops them. As you can see in the image below, they also talk about a new sound experience joining the party, but we have yet to hear rumors suggesting anything other than more Beats integration. Thoughts?

Here is the full infographic:

Via: HTC Blog

Samsung Investing $1.1 Billion Into New Worldwide Innovation Centers

Tim — Mon, 04 Feb 2013 15:07:16 +0000

This afternoon, Samsung has announced plans to throw down a large amount of capital into SSIC, the new Samsung Strategy Innovation Center. The amount of cash that Samsung is looking to invest is a whopping $1.1 billion, with $100 million of that going towards the Samsung Catalyst Fund. According to Samsung, these innovation centers with will largely focus on R&D for, "cloud infrastructure, mobile privacy, Internet of Things, human interface, and mobile health." What this has to do with Android and the future of Samsung's cellphones, we have yet to see. But with Android's largest manufacturer spending this much on research into making better cloud systems and phones, this is only good news in our books. Until we start seeing some of the goodies coming out of these research centers, we will just speculate and dream of the phones that we will likely see in the next few years.

MENLO PARK, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd., a global leader in digital convergence technologies and advanced semiconductor solutions, today introduced its vision for a global engine to accelerate innovation and to drive new business creation for Samsung's Device Solutions businesses. The new Samsung Strategy and Innovation Center (SSIC), new $100 million Samsung Catalyst Fund, $1 billion Samsung Ventures America Fund, and Samsung's international R&D centers create a powerful platform for igniting global innovation. Samsung Electronics will leverage these organizations in global innovation hotspots to create new businesses and build open ecosystems through research and development, investments, strategic alliances, and M&A. "We see tremendous opportunities and transformations over the next five years driven by Big Data centered around mobility, cloud, and the Internet of Things, and Samsung will be a significant part of this revolution" The new Samsung Strategy and Innovation Center headquartered on Sand Hill Road in Menlo Park and with offices in Korea and Israel is led by Young Sohn, President and Chief Strategy Officer of Device Solutions, Samsung Electronics. "We see tremendous opportunities and transformations over the next five years driven by Big Data centered around mobility, cloud, and the Internet of Things, and Samsung will be a significant part of this revolution," said Sohn. "This is an exciting opportunity for us to engage with entrepreneurs and innovators and empower them to leverage Samsung's technology and global brand presence to bring our collective visions to market." This new model creates a mutually beneficial foundation for Samsung and innovators to explore new opportunities and drive future growth related to Samsung's components businesses. Initial focus areas include cloud infrastructure, mobile privacy, Internet of Things, human interface, and mobile health. Entrepreneurs and innovators will gain access to Samsung's unique ecosystem and resources including: Strategy and technology mentorship from SSIC Innovation and Technology Fellows, along with other industry experts within Samsung R&D centers, to advance their developments and businesses Samsung's global technology and product platforms, and opportunities to partner with Samsung's Device Solutions business units and Samsung's international R&D centers for product development, go-to-market strategies, and channel development. The early-stage $100 million Samsung Catalyst Fund focused on components and subsystems together with the $1 billion Samsung Ventures America Fund, to fuel innovative technologies and business models through all stages of business Strategic alliance and merger and acquisition opportunities throughout Samsung Electronics' Device Solutions businesses SamsungCreate Challenge To jumpstart the $100 million Samsung Catalyst Fund, SSIC is holding a competition, SamsungCreate Challenge, launching later in 2013. The program will encourage artists, engineers, entrepreneurs, and other innovators to leverage Samsung's Device Solutions Architecture Platform. Aimed at identifying and nurturing visionaries seeking to use technology to improve our lives, the contest will award $10 million in seed investments for winners and will also include incubation and support from SSIC's Innovation and Technology Fellows and partnerships with Samsung R&D technologists. Additional details on the SamsungCreate Challenge will be announced at a later date.

SanDisk Class 10 MicroSD Cards Up to 60% Off as Amazon's Gold Box Deal Today

Kellen — Mon, 04 Feb 2013 14:37:47 +0000

Class 10 microSD cards are something that should be on most of your lists of "must have" smartphone accessories. Well, assuming your phone can take them since many manufacturers have decided that the hot trend of the moment is to remove slots for them. But if your phone does have an SD slot for expandable storage, there is nothing like having a ultra-fast card for dropping media or ROMs on in seconds. Amazon, today, has dropped SanDisk Class 10 32GB and 64GB microSD cards by 66% (23.99) and 53% ($46.99), respectively. If you already own one and need something else, like a regular SD card for your point and shoot camera, those have been dropped as well. In fact, the 64GB Class 10 regular SD card is 72% off. Not a bad deal. Remember, that not all phones can support 64GB cards. The Galaxy S3 and Galaxy Note 2 are a couple that do. Amazon Link

Contest: Win One of Five Spigen Ultra Thin Air Cases for the Nexus 4 or One of Six for the Galaxy Note 2 (Update: Winners Picked)

Tim — Mon, 04 Feb 2013 14:19:01 +0000

We just got done posting up a quick look at the Spigen Ultra Thin Air case for the Nexus 4 and Galaxy Note 2, so now it's time for us to give some away. If you have been in need of a case for either your Nexus 4 or Galaxy Note 2, look no further. The Spigen Ultra Thin Air case is a lightweight, sexy, and durable option for anyone looking to protect the shell of their device. Ready to win one?

Giveaway:

Update: We have emailed our list of winners. Thanks to all of those that entered! Prizes: Five (5) Spigen Nexus 4 Ultra Thin Air cases in black. Six (6) Spigen Galaxy Note 2 Ultra Thin Air cases. Three in white and three in black. How to enter: 1. In the comments section, tell us a time when you wish you had a case on your phone. 2. Enter in which case you want. If you want a Note 2 case, please tell us which color you prefer (white or black). Winners: Winners will be randomly selected from the comments section tomorrow morning (Feb. 5) at 10AM PST. Good luck! A big thanks to Spigen for the prizes. Be sure to stop by their site to see their entire accessory line.

Quick Look: Spigen Ultra Thin Air Case for Galaxy Note 2

Kellen — Mon, 04 Feb 2013 14:02:02 +0000

On Friday, I took a look at the new Ultra Thin Air case for the Nexus 4 from Spigen. As I mentioned in that post, these Ultra Thin Air cases have long been some of my favorites because of their minimal approach to what a case should be. With a phone like the Galaxy Note 2, a lack of bulk in a case becomes even more important since the device is already so oversized. With its 5.5" display, the last thing you want to do to a Note 2 is add on weight and size - the Ultra Thin Air from Spigen does neither. Just like the N4 case, the Note 2 version of the Ultra Thin Air has a soft, matte finish to help prevent slips and falls. It has cut-outs for all of your switches and ports, including spots for the S Pen and camera. Unlike the Nexus 4 case, and in a good way, this case holds much tighter to the device and likely will never pop off unless you forcefully try to remove it. It's not so tight that you are going to break it when removing it or anything, but it's not semi-loose like the N4 case was. Overall, I really like this case, just as I have other minimal cases. It's understated, super clean, and offers a great fit and some protection for the oversized Note 2 at a decent price. The Note 2 Ultra Thin Air comes in both white and black at a price of $19.99. It also comes with a screen protector ($15.99 value). Since Samsung created one design for the Note 2, this should work on all models, from all carriers. Links: Spigen Store [Amazon]

Gallery

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March 27 or April 3 Set as Possible Release Days for T-Mobile's Galaxy S3 LTE

Tim — Mon, 04 Feb 2013 13:18:31 +0000

Dates have been set for the launch of T-Mobile's Galaxy S3 that comes with LTE support. Their 4G network might still be in the fledgling state, but as the months come and go, it will grow and become more accessible to their customers. March 27 and April 3 are the supposed dates of the device's launch, alongside the Galaxy Exhibit, the BlackBerry Z10, and even a 4G LTE hotspot called the Sonic 2.0. So, umm, do people who bought the Galaxy S3 on a new two year when it was first released for $300+ on T-Mobile get some type of deal on this one? Yikes. Via: TmoNews

EDGE is a Beautiful, Addictive, and Quite Challenging Game for Android

Tim — Mon, 04 Feb 2013 11:49:58 +0000

Over the weekend, I was introduced to a game called EDGE. I played it for about 10 minutes and knew I would be here on Monday sharing it with you all. In the game, you are a cube whose color continuously changes throughout the course of each level, which adds to the over all brilliant look the game gives off. Using either on-screen or tilt controls, you make your way through each level that is basically a puzzle of sorts. On your way towards the end of each level, you collect shiny cubes that help you score more points. Naturally, the levels become extremely difficult as you progress through the game. To get a feel for just how crazy this game gets, check out the video below. There is a demo version which offers you a sizable taste of what the game offers, then there are two paid options. The second paid option is called EDGE Extended. With this version, a new 3D graphics engine was introduced, new levels, and new gameplay mechanics. From what I can tell, if you're thinking of buying the game, just get the Extended version. Check out the demo and let me know what you think. I haven't been able to put it down yet. Play Link: Demo | Edge Pro ($3.17) | Edge Extended ($3.17) [youtube]http://youtu.be/eivcMa7Y9F0[/youtube] Cheers Ben!

The Tato Series Returns: An Interview With the Developer of Sliding Messaging

Tim — Mon, 04 Feb 2013 11:08:19 +0000

It has been way too long since I have gone out and interviewed a shining star in the Android community, so what better way to bring this series back then by reaching out to Jake Klinker, developer for Sliding Messaging. If you are unfamiliar with Jake's work, it has been my officially unofficial app of 2013 so far, and for darn good reason. It is a messaging app, based of Google's own that comes on stock Android devices, but with a new look and a ton of awesome features. I know plenty of our readers have taken a liking to it, so I reached out to Jake to see if he would like to do a quick ten question interview for DL. He is a very active guy, currently in school, but is somehow making the time to create apps, answer people's questions, and be there for the community. But enough of all this, welcome back to The Tato Series. Droid Life: What's your name and current occupation? (If in school, what's your major?) Jake: Jake Klinker. I am currently a freshman at the University of Iowa studying computer engineering. DL: What interested you about developing for Android? How did you get started in developing? Jake: I got started developing in high school by taking a couple programming classes and I realized that it was something I had a natural talent for. I was always an Android guy, not a fan of Apple at all, so naturally I picked it as my platform of choice. DL: Is Sliding Messaging your first app? Jake: Sliding Messaging isn't my first app, I've made a couple of others. One of them was for swimmers and converting times from yards to meters, and I also looked into making a game called Squarez. It wasn't much of a hit though, but it made me really want to keep trying to see if I could create something useful that others would enjoy. DL: What's the story behind Sliding Messaging? What did you not see in the stock app that you wanted in Sliding? Jake: Sliding Messaging really started when I saw the twitter client Falcon Pro. I loved the app and the navigation scheme, and I thought that was exactly how a messaging app should feel! It was a quick and easy way to switch between messages. A lot of people have told me that its a lot like the Google Talk app, but in reality, I've never used that app before and had never even seen it in action. The whole idea really all came right out of my head and into code. DL: Did you expect such positive feedback from the public for your app? Jake: To tell you guys the truth, I never planned on publishing the app at all. I really made it because I was bored over my Spring Break and put all of the base together over about a week. My brother convinced me to publish it and I sure am glad that I did. It seems that there are a lot of people out there who like the idea and that makes me happy! I never expected it to turn into much, just posted a quick thread on XDA and it took off from there. I was so surprised when I started getting all of the feedback and have been trying to fix most people's issues since. Makes me happy to know that others are using it and enjoying it. DL: What can we expect in terms of the future of you and your apps? Jake: As for the future, I am doing my best currently to fix bugs and at the same time, adding new features that people are asking me for. Currently I'm working on adding a per contact notification system for even more customization. That's a big feature that people have been looking for. After that, I will work on some speed optimizations as that is the main problem holding many back. For me, the app flies on my phone and its actually faster than the stock app. But for people with a ton of messages in their inbox, there have been some problems, so I would love to fix that for everyone. It actually may require an almost complete rewrite of the code, so that will take a lot of time, but it should be worth it. After that, I will begin working on MMS as long as I don't get too many new requests and ideas that I like. Right now, the problem with MMS is that Google hasn't done any support with it in the APIs, so I am having to look into the CyanogenMod messaging app and trying to figure out how it sends and receives MMS. That will be a very lengthy process, so I am saving it until I have more time. School has kept me very busy lately so I don't have time to add big features like that.

DL: If there was another app that you would want to tackle, what would it be? Jake: Right now, I'm not thinking about new apps, but when the time comes and I am happy with where Sliding Messaging is at, I may begin something else. What I really like to do is take Google apps (which in my opinion are really amazing looking apps), and emulate the look along with adding features to improve it. DL: Any words of advice for other young/new developers? Jake: For those of you starting out developing either in school or just for fun, just know that it can sometimes be very hard to get started, but there are so many people out there on the Internet willing to share knowledge. If you get stuck, Google it and chances are someone else has the answer. Google has done an amazing job of documenting APIs, so be sure sure to check those out when you have problems or get stuck. Use your resources and you will have a much easier time! I taught all of this stuff to myself and its paid off. Someday I hope to get a job doing this for a living because its what I love to do. DL: What's your current phone? Jake: Right now, I'm using a Samsung Galaxy Nexus, but I recently bought two Nexus 4's and I may be switching carriers away from Sprint so that I can use a GSM phone. Could never switch away from a developer phone now that I've used one for a while though. DL: Any last words for the Android community? Jake: I don't like last words, makes me feel like you'll never hear from me again and that's not the way I like to leave things. Instead, I'll close with this - expect lots of updates in the future! You guys that have paid for the pro version will always have priority on requested features and I will do everything I can to accommodate them! Thanks for downloading the app! If you still haven't checked out his app, you can grab it through Google Play for just $0.99.

Google and HP Team Up for New Chromebook, Dubbed the HP Pavilion 14

Tim — Mon, 04 Feb 2013 10:45:28 +0000

We have a new Chromebook to add to the family tree this morning. Teaming with HP, Google announced the HP Pavilion 14, starting at $329.99. The device features a 14" 1366 x 768 HD display, is powered by a 1.1GHz Intel Celeron 847 processor, offers of 2GB of DDR3 RAM, and gets up to four hours and fifteen minutes of battery life. If you are into or want to get started with the Chrome OS, you can pick up one of these starting today right from HP's site. Buy. Via: Google

DROID RAZR M in "Platinum" With Blue Accents Available at Best Buy

Kellen — Mon, 04 Feb 2013 10:15:25 +0000

Best Buy appears to be selling a special edition DROID RAZR M in a Platinum colorway that Verizon is not offering. This new look turns one of our favorite mid-range (our review) devices into a grey and blue-accented beauty. The blue comes via the lock switch and volume rocker, though nothing else appears to sport this new color. We don't have a picture of the back, so we'll assume it's the same as the kevlar backing on the white and black versions. If you want to pick up this special edition colorway, Best Buy is selling it for $50 on contract.

Via: Best Buy Cheers Daniel!

ASUS MeMo Pad is Official, Features Android 4.1 and 1024 x 600 Display

Tim — Mon, 04 Feb 2013 09:50:07 +0000

This morning, ASUS's budget-friendly MeMo Pad 7" is finally official. We have seen plenty of render leaks and spec leaks, but we are sort of surprised that they have gone ahead and launched the device right before MWC. Either way, it's out now, and the specs have not changed since we talked about them previously. The tablet features a 7" "HD" display with a resolution of 1024 x 600, runs Android 4.1 aka Jelly Bean, claims to have up to seven hours of battery life, and even has a microSD slot. Correct me if I'm wrong, but I think ASUS is misusing the term, "HD." That resolution might be HD for something such as a calculator or possibly even a toaster. And get this, the MeMo Pad is perfect for helping the youth vandalize our cities one wall at a time. Check out 0:43 in their promo video, as an apparent juvenile defiles a public wall with graffiti art. Thanks, ASUS! But in all seriousness, what are your thoughts on the MeMo Pad? We know it's a cheap tablet, said to be priced at $150 and due out in retailers sometime soon, but that doesn't mean it's cheaply made. We wish it had a better display, because at such a low resolution, I wouldn't even think to pick one up. What do you think? [youtube]http://youtu.be/UtpNOSWuUfk[/youtube] Via: ASUS

New Version of the DROID DNA on the Way as the DLXPLUS? Is It Verizon's M7?

Kellen — Mon, 04 Feb 2013 09:28:00 +0000

Developer and HTC insider @LlabTooFeR appears to have leaked the specs to a new version of HTC's DROID DNA on Verizon. Remember the codename of "dlx" that clung to that phone as it approached launch? That same codename has appeared in a new device but with an addition, making it the "DLXPLUS." Are we going to see a revamped DNA already or is this Verizon's version of the HTC M7? The last rumor we saw for the M7 pegged it for release on every major U.S. carrier in March with a delay at Verizon, leaving many of you disappointed. If we look at this set of specs, though, it sounds identical to the M7, only with Verizon bands. If this list is correct, we have the same quad-core Snapdragon S4 AQQ8064 processor clocked at 1.7Ghz, a 4.7" 1080p display, 13MP rear camera, 2GB RAM, 16GB internal storage, Sense 5.0, and Jelly Bean. There is even a mention of an SD card slot for expandable storage.

According to @LlabTooFeR this will support all of the same networks that the current DLX supports, which means Verizon's LTE. We saw HTC do something similar with the One X, last year, going with a plus version after the device had been out for a while to help give it new life. The odd thing here, is that the DNA has only been out for three or four months, so it seems early for a re-release. But hey, we won't complain. Verizon needs to release something or it's going to be a slow Q1. Via: @LlabTooFeR | Blog of Mobile

Samsung Posts Extended Four and a Half Minute 'Next Big Thing' Super Bowl Commercial

Tim — Mon, 04 Feb 2013 09:05:20 +0000

[youtube]http://youtu.be/iN7H4t1q0ik[/youtube]

I don't know if any of you decided to stream the game yesterday through CBS, but apparently when you stream, you only get to watch four different commercials throughout the entire game. It was the most annoying spectacle of all time having to watch that Coke ad about 150 times. Anyways, Samsung has gone ahead and posted up an extended version of their already lengthy Super Bowl commercial. This one weighs in at four and a half minutes and is basically the same thing we have seen already, but with more insults exchanged from Paul to Seth. Thoughts on this ad campaign? Is it worth the millions they spent?

Android 4.1.2 Leaks for Verizon's Galaxy S3 as Build VRBMA2

Kellen — Mon, 04 Feb 2013 08:36:26 +0000

A new leak for Verizon's Samsung Galaxy S3 as Android 4.1.2 and build VRBMA2 has appeared this morning over at XDA. It's not an official release from Verizon, so if you decide that you want to flash it, just understand that there may be bugs. So far, though, reports have been positive from what I've seen. We're hearing that this leak does not include the Premium Pack with multi-window and all that jazz. To grab the file and update to 4.1.2, hit up the XDA thread below for full instructions. Via: XDA Cheers ItsASamsung!

Woot! has the Samsung Galaxy Note 10.1 for as Low as $380 Today

Eric — Mon, 04 Feb 2013 08:15:39 +0000

If you are interested in what Samsung has been doing with their Galaxy Note tablet line, you might want to check out Woot! today. The daily sale site has the 10.1" Note tablet on sale (refurbished) starting at $379.99. That price gets you the 16GB White or Grey version. If you need a bit more storage, Woot! also has a 32GB version as well for a bit more money.

The refurbished tag might give some people pause, but as someone who has purchased a refurbished tablet through Woot! before I've had no problems with mine. If you're looking to get one of the best Android tablets out there right now, this price is going to be hard to beat.

Via: Woot!

HTC M7 Shows Up at Carphone Warehouse and Vodafone, Will Sport "Ultrapixel" Camera?

Kellen — Mon, 04 Feb 2013 08:10:59 +0000

As we inch closer to the unveiling of the HTC M7 on February 19 in NYC, it makes sense that leaks would continue to pour in. Three new reports from this morning are helping to paint the picture of a device that is becoming less and less a mystery by the minute. First, both Carphone Warehouse and Vodafone (Germany) are showing the device in inventory systems as, the "HTC M7." We still aren't sure if this is the official name or not, but it's certainly starting to look like it might be. If not, we fully understand that these systems can probably be updated closer to launch if need be. Both inventory screens also confirm that the device will come in both black and silver, a report that first surfaced last week. The last juicy rumor to come out this morning suggests that HTC will utilize "Ultrapixel" technology in the M7, a camera made up of three separate 4.3MP cameras. While you can add those up to reach 13MP, a number that has been rumored, sources are telling Pocket-Lint that the camera won't actually output at that size. From what we can tell, this "Ultrapixel" tech will help to generate crisper, cleaner images with better color accuracy. This will be one of the major selling points for the M7. So the scene now looks something like this - it's called the HTC M7, comes in both black and silver, and will sport new camera tech called Ultrapixel. Neat? Via: Pocket-Lint [2] | HTC Inside

Video: First Look at Carbon for Twitter on Android

Kellen — Sun, 03 Feb 2013 12:50:19 +0000

Carbon for Twitter is finally available on Android. Yes, on Super Bowl Sunday, the longest delayed Twitter app in history has been released to Google Play - and it's free. After a few minutes with it, I can easily say that this is one of the better designed apps we have seen. It's ultra fast, utilizes gestures for navigation, and includes almost all of the features I look for in a Twitter app. Is it better than Falcon Pro, you ask? I'll let you decide that. What I will say, is that it has a lot going for it. Here is the list of features:

Tilt Timeline to Refresh
Power Scroll: Scroll/Swipe up or down using Two fingers to jump to top or bottom of Timelines
Tap+Hold on Tweets to make everything clickable right on the Timeline
QuickTimeline, home screen quick Timeline for Lists, Searches, Trends, etc...
Rich Timelines with full inline images and videos
Rich and HD style for User Profiles
Rich and fun Conversation View
Threaded Direct Messages
Background updates with quick actions for Jelly Bean, per account
Username Autocomplete
Filters for Hashtags, Users, and Keywords

As with any app, it'll take some use before I can decide if it's going to be my new Twitter app of choice. Falcon Pro is a beast and will be tough to overcome, but you know what, choices are never a bad thing. Go grab it! Play Link

Gallery

[nggallery id=49]

Video

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yCy_hjW0gDs[/youtube]

Nexus 4 8GB Now Shipping in 3-4 Weeks

Kellen — Sun, 03 Feb 2013 06:12:06 +0000

After returning to the Google Play store this week following a lengthy absence, the Nexus 4 remains "in stock." We were wondering how inventory levels would hold up after being away for so long, especially after seeing Google sell through what little amounts they had each of the last two times the device became available. So far, they appear to have been able to meet demand this time around, with the 16GB version still showing as shipping in "1 - 2 weeks." The 8GB version, on the other hand, changed this morning to shipping in "3 -4 weeks." Clearly that $299 price is appealing to many of you, and I can't fault you for that. The Nexus 4 has been my device of choice since it came out - it still impresses me on the daily (our review). Plus, there is something to be said about freedom from a carrier, a status that unlocked phones like the N4 can bring you. Via: Google Play

Here is Samsung's Super Bowl XLVII Commercial With Paul Rudd, Seth Rogen, and LeBron James

Kellen — Sun, 03 Feb 2013 05:55:22 +0000

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5ae7E8J7h7Y[/youtube]

After teasing their Super Bowl XLVII commercial earlier in the week, Samsung has gone ahead and posted up the full 2-minute spot ahead of today's big game. As expected, it features Paul Rudd and Seth Rogen as the "next big thing," a slogan Samsung has used for some time to describe its Galaxy line. The spot is decent. It's two minutes long, features a cameo by LeBron James, includes a couple of chuckle-worthy moments, and is directed by Jon Favreau.

Take Yourself Into the Weekend with this Episode

Kellen — Fri, 01 Feb 2013 23:19:57 +0000

An epicly long Droid Life Show went down on Wednesday night. For those that missed it, you missed over an hour and a half of pure Android goodness. Our topics included the Motorola X Phone, unlocking phones becoming illegal, the Vine app and its #porn problem, Verizon's Galaxy Nexus suffering through a painful death, why I'm not a fan of carrier-tied Nexus Phones, our favorite apps, the optimal phone display size, and even some Super Bowl chatter. Again, it was a long episode, but as always, we had a blast doing it. Thanks to all that joined in live. For those that catch the show after hours, be sure to subscribe via all of the links below.

Galaxy Note 2 Smart Dock 50% Off With Coupon Codes, Normally $100 (Updated)

Kellen — Fri, 01 Feb 2013 17:22:30 +0000

The Samsung Galaxy Note 2 Smart Dock is showing as back in stock over at Samsung's official store for $99, but you can have it for much less with a coupon code. If you are interested in one, then feel free to try the few different codes below that will get you 50% off and help you walk away with a dock that features two full USB ports, HDMI out, audio out, and a microUSB port on the cheap. Update: And just like that, it's out of stock again. Codes: rE168020t or RE157750D or rE155509e *No telling how long these will last.

Via: Slickdeals Cheers Scott!

This Week in the Life of DROID: 2/1/2013

Tim — Fri, 01 Feb 2013 16:00:26 +0000

January has officially come and gone. It's February 1 and that means it is time for us to prepare for MWC and HTC's upcoming event on the 19th. Unfortunately, no one from the DL team will be in Europe this year, but we will be watching the events via Internet and reporting on all of the great things that come out. On the bright side, we have both Kellex and Dave attending HTC's New York event for the launch of the M7, so that should be great. If you missed any of this week's highlights, here is your chance to catch up.

The Droid Life Show: Episode 13 [Subscribe]
Hands-on with: Pebble Smartwatch.
Hands-on with: Metawatch STRATA smartwatch.
Spec Chart: Blackberry Z10 vs. Nexus 4 vs. DROID DNA vs. Note 2 vs. RAZR MAXX HD
HTC announces Feb. 19th event for possible M7 unveiling.
HTC M7 could see delayed launch on Verizon? Say it ain't so, Batman!
Is HTC's CEO showing off the M7?
Mysterious HTC M4 and G2 specs leaked.
Motorola posts job listing for the Motorola X phone.
White Nexus 4 poses for the camera.
Kellex finally lets us know how he really feels about Nexus devices on carriers.
A look at Android's options for wireless charging.
Verizon intros new prepaid unlimited plans, but no 4G LTE love in sight.
World explodes as Verizon approves updates for Thunderbolt and OG Incredible.
Google Glass passes through FCC.
Stolen Android phone leads to new list of Internet memes.

Cheers Tim Buchanan for the image!

Quick Look: Spigen Ultra Thin Air Case for the Nexus 4

Kellen — Fri, 01 Feb 2013 15:20:20 +0000

The Ultra Thin Air case that Spigen SGP creates for almost all of the newly released flagship phones has always been one of my favorites. As someone who favors minimal cases that don't add extra bulk, this is one of the two that I always turn to (Rearth's Ringke SLIM being the other) for testing. Now that their Nexus 4 Ultra Thin Air is available in black, I thought we'd take a quick look at it, since many of you seem to be fans of the minimal case as well.

Overview

As you would expect with a name like "Ultra Thin Air," this case adds almost zero thickness or bulk. It's incredibly thin, and also lays almost flush with the sides of the device so that you can come close to getting that same waterfalling feel on the edges when swiping your finger across it. The corners stick up ever-so-slightly so that when laid face down, there is a bit of a lift off the ground to prevent scratching. The material is plastic with a soft matte finish. It's not slippery, yet also not super sticky. Wireless charging still works through this case, though it can be a bit finicky, something that shouldn't surprise anyone with a Nexus 4.

vs. Ringke SLIM

So how does it compare to the Ringke SLIM we looked at? It's a tough battle. The Ringke case sticks up a bit more in the corners to offer more protection, but both should do the trick for those who choose to lay their phones face down. The Spigen case, which seems impossible, is actually slightly more minimal. It comes up slightly less on the sides, but I believe this also makes it not grip the device as well as the Ringke. I don't think the Spigen case will fall off of your Nexus 4 without some work, but it's definitely easier to slip on and off than the Ringke. Something to keep in mind. The Ringke case also comes in a variety of colors - the Ultra Thin Air is only available in black at this time. In a price battle, you'll find the Ringke at $9.99 and the Spigen at $19.99, but keep in mind that the Spigen case also comes with a cleaning cloth and a screen protector (valued at $14). Tough decision, but both are really nice minimal cases. Links: Spigen Store [Amazon] ($19.99)

Gallery

[nggallery id=48]

Metawatch STRATA Smartwatch First Impressions and Gallery

Tim — Fri, 01 Feb 2013 15:00:52 +0000

It's time for the Droid Life Smartwatch Showdown. Not really, but over the next few days, Kellex and myself will be playing with these new toys and seeing if we can get into this whole new phenomenon where even a person's watch needs to be connected to their phone. Kellex will be handling the Pebble and I have the Metawatch STRATA. So let's dive into it. The sleeve that goes over the box that holds the watch is your typical packaging. Simple picture of the watch with some logos and nothing special. After opening the all-black box that the watch is stored in, you find just the watch itself, USB charger, and a small brief instructional guide. Being the person I am, I quickly threw the guide out the window and dove right into the watch. The Android community has already built a few great apps and plugins for the Metawatch and more are sure to come. This software ranges from additional themes for each icon the device supports, stock apps, and even little screensavers that remind me of Nyan Cat. Sure, the screen saver is basically worthless, but it's cute. Hooking it up to my phone was easy enough. After turning on my Bluetooth, the phone easily found the device and I entered in the super secure "0000" password. Once connected, you are ready to customize the look of the watch. There is an official Metawatch app for Android from their team, but it doesn't support many third party apps and plugins, so if you get one, go for the Community Manager app. Right from the app's homescreen, you can set which widgets you want shown, what app pages you want, and can change every other setting the watch offers.

In terms of what the watch can offer, the list is quite extensive. Much like the Pebble, it shows you notifications for emails, texts, and phone calls. Since I'm still learning how to work the device, I am still trying to figure out how to read individual texts and emails or if that's even a possibility. Starting to wish I read that starter's guide. Oh well. The watch has six buttons on its sides. Three on each. One lights the LED that illuminates the face, making viewing at night or other poorly lit areas (my cave) much easier. Others control which app you are using. For example, I have a page dedicated to my Music app. I can control my playlists, start/stop music, skip tracks, and all of that jazz right from the watch, which is a fantastic feature when my hands are full while walking the monsters. In terms of being a watch, it feels pretty nice on my wrist and usually, I am pretty picky about my watches. When switching through pages, there seems to be a little lag after a button is pressed, but it's nothing that I can't get over. All in all, after a single day's usage, I am very impressed. Over the next few days, I will be putting it through the paces and will see if it can keep up. They are already on sale through their site for $179. Kind of pricey if you aren't using it to its full potential. [nggallery id=47]

Verizon's Galaxy Note 2 in Grey Drops to $149 for New Customers, $189 for Upgrades at Amazon

Kellen — Fri, 01 Feb 2013 14:18:41 +0000

Amazon appears to have dropped the price of the grey version of the Samsung Galaxy Note 2 from Verizon to $149 for new lines and $189 for upgrades. Still priced at $299 on-contract from Big Red directly, this may be the best deal you will find on the internet. The white version can be had for $199 for both new lines and upgrades. If you haven't already, be sure to check out our review of the Galaxy Note 2. Amazon Link Cheers Jeremy!

Verizon Announces New Unlimited Prepaid Plans, No 4G LTE in Sight

Kellen — Fri, 01 Feb 2013 13:45:01 +0000

Verizon officially introduced new prepaid plans this morning, the same plans that were leaked earlier in the week. The plans are as follows - $60 for unlimited talk, text and 500MB of data or $70 for unlimited talk, text and 2GB of data. Oh, we should also point out that these plans can only use Verizon's insanely slow 3G CDMA network and not their ultra-fast 4G LTE network. So why would you switch to one of these, you ask? I have no idea. If you want to go the prepaid route, we already talked about options for T-Mobile and AT&T a couple of days ago that run $45-50 and include unlimited HSPA+ data, which at times is faster than LTE. But, if you love Verizon to no end and need something cheaper than their Share Everything plans, here are your new options.

ASUS MeMo Pad 10 Press Images Spotted, Still Looks Pretty Sleek

Tim — Fri, 01 Feb 2013 13:25:51 +0000

We scarcely speak of ASUS's budget-friendly MeMo Pad lineup because frankly, we simply read our comments section. No one seems all that interested. But with these new press renders of the MeMo Pad 10 hitting the web, it sort of has us second guessing our own initial reactions to the lineup. I mean come on, look at that smooth backside. On top of the overall elegant look the MeMo Pad 10 gives off in these images, the device looks extremely thin in comparison to last year's Transformer models. We previously posted up an unboxing of the device, but since posting, the video has gone private. Figures. We have little to go off of in terms of specs, but we do know it features a 10.1 IPS display at a resolution of 1280 x 800, is powered by a Tegra 3 chip, sports two cameras, and runs Android 4.1 out of the box.

ASUS is apparently ready to unveil both the MeMo Pad 7 and MeMo Pad 10 at MWC this year. That should be exciting for some. What would this slate need to be priced at for you to be interested? $250? Lower? Via: Tablets Magazine Cheers Sabrina!

Intel to Show Off Dual-Core Atom Z2420 Processors at This Year's MWC

Tim — Fri, 01 Feb 2013 12:23:41 +0000

Watch out, folks, Intel is bringing their A game to MWC in Barcelona later this month. According to a press release, we can look forward to the Intel showing off their new dual-core Atom Z2420 processors for smartphones running Android. As far as specs on the chips, there is not much to speculate on yet. Intel previously launched the RAZR i with Motorola, but we haven't heard much about that device since its initial launch. Can we expect Intel to be able to compete with Qualcomm, NVIDIA, and Samsung going into 2013? Via: Pocket Now | Intel

Stolen Android Phone Turns Into Internet Sensation Thanks to Cerberus and Play-by-Play Police Arrest

Kellen — Fri, 01 Feb 2013 11:23:14 +0000

Thanks to the internet, that seems to always win the day, I just spent far too long in one of the most hilarious and entertaining forum threads of all time over at Overclockers. The story goes something like this - man has Android phone stolen, thankfully has Cerberus Security installed, proceeds to snap photos/video/audio recordings of the thief, informs police multiple times, police eventually arrive at thief's house a day later, knock on door, thief hides, they enter, find phone, and return it to owner. But what's so brilliant about the entire situation, is the 60+ page forum thread that goes along with it. Thanks to Cerberus and forum members who provided ample tips, the victim in this situation was able to snap photos of the thief, whom was eventually dubbed "Moley" thanks to his stand-out mole situation. There are videos of him having conversations with friends, jokes about his pink wallpaper, records of his phone number and SIM swapping, and the eventual police door breakdown. Well, we're not sure it included a door kick-in, but the play-by-play of the events going down up until the arrest are so worth your time. At one point (towards page 37), the police arrived to the thief's house who then turned all of his lights off and seemed to hide. They eventually got in, had trouble locating the phone, but did find it. The victim here actually snapped more photos at this point, some of the police to prove this wasn't a massive internet troll job. At this point in the thread, the members of Overclockers have figured out all there is to know about "Moley" and are now meme-ing photos from his life. It's frickin' hilarious. In the end, the phone was returned (pictured above) and the thief was let off with a "caution" because he had some BS story to tell the cops. It may not seem like much, but trust me, you will laugh more times than you can count if you spend 15 minutes cruising through some of this saga. Oh, you should probably think about installing a security app at some point to. You never know when it might help you create internet gold. Via: Overclockers | reddit

Sony Looks to Bring the OG DROID Back From the Dead, Dubbed Xperia E

Tim — Fri, 01 Feb 2013 11:15:31 +0000

Making a quick stop off at the FCC is Sony's new entry-level Xperia E, and immediately we have visions of the OG DROID resurrecting and doing the "Thriller" dance. Crazy enough, the Xperia E almost has the same specs as the original DROID with 512MB of RAM, a smaller 3.5" display (OG had a 3.7"), 4GB of storage, and a single core Qualcomm processor.

We know no one will be upgrading to this device anytime soon, but it's nice to see that Sony has a knack for taking us back to the good ol' days. Via: Wireless Goodness

Is HTC's CEO Peter Chou Holding a White M7 In These Photos?

Eric — Fri, 01 Feb 2013 10:40:36 +0000

Talk about HTC releasing a phone under the codename M7 has been growing by the day around these parts, so it seems like a release is imminent. Peter Chou, the CEO for HTC, was in attendance at an end-of-the-year event for HTC and it ended up being televised by many stations. At one point, Chou pulled out a device and proceeded to take a few pictures of the crowd. Could this be the M7?

This is far from conclusive evidence, but the device in Chou's hands doesn't look exactly like your standard One X. In a recent rumor, we got the information that there would be two colors of M7 on launch, white and black. Obviously Chou is sporting the white option and unfortunately didn't let the cameras get a close up on what he was actually using.

Is the M7 appealing to you right now? Or do you think there are better options coming down the road worthy of your upgrade?

Via: Pocketnow

NVIDIA Struggling to Interest OEM's in the Tegra 4 Processor?

Tim — Fri, 01 Feb 2013 10:10:14 +0000

In a recent report from DigiTimes, it looks like NVIDIA is having a hard time convincing tablet and smartphone makers to use their new and still unreleased Tegra 4 processor in upcoming devices. Apparently, Toshiba is the first and only adopter of the new Tegra 4, who will feature the chip in tablets that could debut in July. With stiff competition coming from Qualcomm and Samsung, NVIDIA is looking at other ways of selling and getting these new Tegra 4's out of the door, even if they don't have big name support from the likes of HTC and ASUS. For starters, we have talked about how NVIDIA could have plans on white-labeling devices, which would certainly kickstart the process of shipping out the new chips and getting them to market. Another means that was discussed from the source was that the company could lower the price of the Tegra 3 and possibly secure entry-level orders that would lead to further business down the road. Needless to say, whether the report is true and NVIDIA is struggling to interest OEM's, they will need support and consistent orders to keep the Tegra 4 in the game as a competitor against the likes of Qualcomm's Snapdragon and Samsung's fancy new Octa chip. If we could point to a reason that would make OEM's shy away from the Tegra 4, are there any ideas on what that would be? Via: DigiTimes

HD Widgets 3.8 Released - Supports New Colourform Theme, Which is Actually Beautiful

Kellen — Fri, 01 Feb 2013 09:45:39 +0000

HD Widgets, one of the most popular clock/weather/settings widgets on Android, received an update today to version 3.8. In this update, support was introduced for their new theme called Colourform. As you can see in the screenshots above and below, Colourform matches up to the styling of Android 4.2, something we're big fans of. As with most of their widgets, you are able to tweak the background, opacity, tiles and textures, and theme of the actual clock. In the screenshots below, you'll get the best view of this new Colourform theme. For whatever reason, they are only calling this a "test" theme, but going forward this should make HD Widgets more open to additional themes. Play Links: HD Widgets ($1.99) | Colourform Theme

Beyond the support for themes, HD Widgets 3.8 does include a new feature that looks worthy of an install, and that's Notification Widgets. As you'll see below, you can turn on both battery and weather widgets in the notification pulldown. The weather widget is also expandable, so that you can see additional info. Not bad.

Via: Cloud.tv

Specs Leak For HTC M4 and G2 Devices, Probably Not Debuting Alongside the M7

Tim — Fri, 01 Feb 2013 09:10:08 +0000

This morning, new information is coming to light on devices from HTC that isn't associated with the M7. I know, it's hard to believe. With the eve of announcement upon us, it's hard not to focus on their next flagship device. To fill out the rest of the Q1-Q2 2013 lineup, specs for two rumored devices, codenamed the M4 and G2 (not the same HTC G2 that was released to T-Mo), have hit the web. Out of the two, we can expect the M4 to be the One S to the M7's One X of last year. Slightly lower specs, but still a pretty impressive sounding device. The M4 is to apparently feature a 1.2GHz Snapdragon processor, a 4.3" 720p display, 2GB of RAM, a 13MP back-facing camera, come running Android 4.2+ out of the box, and feature a 1,700mAh battery. While all of that sounds nice, the 1,700mAh is really throwing us off. How they intend on keeping the device alive for more than 4 hours will be nothing short of a technological miracle in our book. As for the G2, it is said to run a 1GHz processor, boast a 3.5" HVGA display, rock 512MB of RAM, and grace a 1,400mAh battery. Not much to say here except that this phone will be their neglected stepchild. Below we have the specs listed out. M4 Specs:

1.2GHz dual-core Snapdragon
4.3" 720p display
2GB of RAM
16GB of storage
13MP camera f2.0
1.6MP front camera
1700mAh battery
Android 4.2 Jelly Bean

G2 Specs:

1.0GHz ARM Cortex
3.5" HVGA display
512MB RAM
4GB of storage + microSD
5MP camera
1400mAh battery
Android 4.0+ Ice Cream Sandwich

By looking at these specs, you can expect us to probably never bring up the "G2" ever again. It's 2013, and HTC thinks 512MB of RAM is suitable for even their low end phones still? Not in our book. According to Unwired View, it doesn't seem that HTC will be announcing these devices alongside the M7 in a couple weeks at their events or even showing them off at MWC in Barcelona. Instead, they will be ready for launch "sometime in the Spring" and that's all we know. Interesting move by HTC if that turns out true. Thoughts on the M4? Via: Unwired View Cheers Roderick!

HTC M7 Headed to AT&T, Sprint and T-Mobile - Possibly Delayed on Verizon?

Kellen — Fri, 01 Feb 2013 08:46:26 +0000

When HTC takes the stage on February 19 to unveil the M7 (still just a codename), a new report out of HTC Source suggest that the company will announce its availability on AT&T, T-Mobile and Sprint. If you see a name missing from the last, you are not alone. According to their sources, Verizon will not be one of the launch partners. Their source was not able to elaborate on why, but one would assume it has to do with the DROID DNA still being somewhat fresh. No better way to kill one smartphone than by launching a similar device 4 months later, right? Other rumors peg the HTC M7 for a March 8 release overseas. We'll hopefully know on the 19th of next month when it'll find its way to the States. Disappointed by this news? Care one way or the other? Via: HTC Source

Pebble E-paper Smartwatch First Look and Hands-on

Kellen — Fri, 01 Feb 2013 08:34:07 +0000

As an early backer of the Pebble E-paper Smartwatch on Kickstarter, it looks like I was lucky enough to receive one from the first batches that were created. Yep, mine arrived late last night, though I am just now having a chance to play with it. As you can see from the pictures, I went with the standard black to keep it a bit more classy and timeless. So let's talk about my first impressions. In the box, you get the Pebble and a USB cable with magnetic tip for charging the watch. That's it. The only instructions ask that you head over to go.getpebble.com where you'll find instructions on syncing through the Pebble app on your phone via Bluetooth. It took all of 1 minute to set up, sync, and start testing. The watch itself, is a great size. The first few times I saw the device during the Kickstarter campaign, I thought it might be too small, but now that I have one in hand and on my wrist, I can say that I think they picked a great size. Gone are the days of the ridiculously oversized watch, folks. Pebble clearly understood that.

The black version is a polished plastic with matching matte black rubber wrist band. The device itself has four buttons: back, home, up and down. And then there is the charging port, which again, only works with the cable in your box since it magnetically attaches to the watch. In other words, do not lose this thing. On a software front, the watch does as advertised for the most part. While I have yet to fully sync with my device to start testing emails, texts, calls, the Pebble app allows you to send test messages so you can at least see what notifications would look like. When receiving each, your watch will do a little vibrate in order to notify you. From there, you can view messages, scroll and read them, or decline incoming calls. I can see how this could be handy. At this time, Pebble can accept notifications from Gmail, Email, Google Talk, Google Voice, Calendar, WhatsApp, Incoming Calls, SMS, and Facebook. Unfortunately, the Pebble team still has a ways to go when it comes to other apps. In the campaign on Kickstarter, they showed it tracking workouts such as runs or biking, but those have yet to be built in. It does allow you to control your music, though. On a first impression basis, I'd say that Pebble is off to a good start, but it'll take some time for me to fully review and decide if you should drop $150 on one, which is the retail price now that it's out of Kickstarter and on its own. For now check out the gallery and video below.

Gallery

[nggallery id=46]

Video

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Igbiz81f3Pk[/youtube]

How Random: Original DROID Incredible to Receive Update to Build 4.08.605.19

Kellen — Fri, 01 Feb 2013 07:13:26 +0000

The original DROID Incredible by HTC, a device released almost three years ago, is set to receive its next OTA update. The update is minor to build 4.08.605.19, and simply includes a fix to reduce reboots, but man, how random is that? We didn't think anything could top the randomness of the Thunderbolt Ice Cream Sandwich update that popped up yesterday through Big Red's support site, however, it's safe to say that this just topped it. The update is 4.2MB in size. More info.

Nexus 10 Back in Stock at Google Play After Short Absence

Kellen — Thu, 31 Jan 2013 16:35:49 +0000

After a brief vacation from the Google Play store, the Samsung Nexus 10 is back in stock in both sizes. For whatever reason, it changed to "temporarily out of stock" on the night before the Nexus 4 returned and then failed to return until now. If you were waiting for this moment, go do work. Play Links: 16GB | 32GB Cheers @rglong87!

CyanogenMod Gets Cease & Desist Over Chronus Clock Name, Wants Your Help to Pick a New One

Kellen — Thu, 31 Jan 2013 16:29:38 +0000

Cyanogenmod's new Chronus clock widget is no more. Shortly after publicly announcing this new CM feature, the team received a Cease & Desist from a company who had previously trademarked the name "Cronus." The CM team wanted to make it clear that their clock is in no way similar to this other entity's software, nor is it infringing on the trademark, however, they are not about to spend the money it would cost to fight this. So now it's time to rename the widget! They aren't necessarily holding a contest, as the team gets to decide on the final name, but they are asking for your help over at their Facebook page. Via: Facebook Cheers tjhrulz!

VZW Stores Selling Galaxy Nexus Accessories for Cheap Now That the Phone is Gone

Kellen — Thu, 31 Jan 2013 16:00:32 +0000

Last week, a reader pointed out that the Galaxy Nexus was no longer being sold through Verizon, a sign that most of us would consider to be the end of the phone's life. While that may be sad news to some, this move typically brings good news along with it. With EOL phones, carriers tend to slash prices on accessories for them in order to get leftover stock out the door. That appears to be the case with Verizon stores who still have some in stock. One reader tipped us to the discounted prices earlier this week (pictured above), which we then shared with listeners of The Droid Life Show last night. One of those listeners then stopped by his local VZW store today and was able to get a car dock for as little as $9.98. So if you were in need of a new charger, car dock, or extra battery, you may want to cruise into your neighborhood store and see if they have any accessories lying around in the back or on a discounted rack. Cheers Alan and Evan!

Android Wireless Charging Options: Nokia Fatboy Pillow and Others (Updated)

Kellen — Thu, 31 Jan 2013 14:06:35 +0000

Wireless charging, while slow to have been adopted by the industry, is a technology that once you have, you really never want to live without. Thanks to devices like the ~~Nexus 4~~ (neither of these work with the N4 after testing), DROID DNA, and Nokia's new Lumia 920 it's becoming more of a standard. But now that it's a little more mainstream, we figured it was time to talk about some of the charging options out there. Thanks to Nokia doing their part to push the technology forward, we have two new options worth taking a look at - the Fatboy Pillow and the charging plate, both from Nokia (both built to the Qi standard, so yes they work with Android phones). Update: A few readers pointed out in the comments that the charging plate and pillow may not work all that well with the Nexus 4. I have not had a chance to fully test their charging abilities, so stay tuned for that. Will report back in a couple of days with my findings. Update 2: I ran my battery down to 75% and then tossed my phone back on the charging pad and came up empty. The device attempted to charge and then just kept the phone awake and actually ran battery. The pillow seems to be doing the same thing. For whatever reason, these are either built to some other Qi standard or the Nexus 4 has issues - I'm going with the latter. Feel free to watch the video and gaze at the fancy chargers, however, if you have a Nexus 4, you may want to stay away. Will test the DNA and report back. Update 3: Both chargers seem to wirelessly charge the DROID DNA with no issues. Clearly the Nexus 4 just isn't a fan of them.

Nokia Fatboy Charging Pillow

The Fatboy charging pillow is probably going to be the most popular of the wireless chargers released this year, simply because it's a pillow and carriers a fun-to-say name. It's exactly as you would picture it - a big fat pillow that your phone lays on. Inside the pillow you have a soft, squishy outer rim that holds your phone ever-so-softly, while the plate in the middle takes care of the charging business. It has an extra long cord so you can drape it all over a room and still have it reach your destination. It comes in a few colors: yellow, blue, white, red, and black. You can find it at Verizon and AT&T stores for around $60. As expected, you simply drop your wireless-ready phone in the middle and it begins to charge. There are no beeps or notifications, so you may want to double check to make sure it's charging before walking away from it.

Nokia Wireless Charging Plate

The charging plate from Nokia is the least sexy of the two, however, it may be my choice if I had to make one. It's small, does the trick, and also comes equipped with the extra long power cable. It also comes in blue, yellow, red, white and black, while retailing for around $50. I favor this over the pillow mostly because of the size. This plate isn't much bigger than a hockey puck, and it's also not a giant fluffy pillow, for those who care about the appearance of their desk. To charge, you simply lay your phone on it, centered over the Nokia logo. It's that simple. It also has a rear light that notifies you that your phone is charging.

Video

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L8UWD2qaQfg[/youtube]

Google Glass Passes By the FCC, Sporting Bluetooth and WiFi Bands Inside

Eric — Thu, 31 Jan 2013 13:45:24 +0000

Google may be slapping nondisclosure agreements on everyone going to their Foundry events, but there's only so much information that they can keep from us. Today it seems Google Glass took a trip by the FCC for inspection and dropped a few bits of info.

There is a 802.11 b/g WiFi module as well as support for Bluetooth 4.0 packed inside that tiny, wearable piece of technology. Unfortunately for us, not much else is disclosed, but devices passing through the FCC usually mean that a public release is imminent. However, that doesn't mean these will be hitting Google Play anytime soon. Developers who signed up to be one of Google's Explorers should be getting excited though.

Via: Engadget

Verizon Finally Approves Ice Cream Sandwich for the HTC Thunderbolt as Build 7.02.605.06

Kellen — Thu, 31 Jan 2013 13:10:50 +0000

You probably don't believe this, but Verizon has approved Ice Cream Sandwich for the HTC Thunderbolt. After missing their self-imposed August deadline, the update is finally ready now that we are in January of 2013. The official build number is 7.02.605.06. Once updated, your phone will be running Android 4.0.4 with Sense 3.6. Welcome to the club Thunderbolt owners, you poor abused souls. In this update you'll find lock screen notifications, a custom launch bar, easily create folders, multitask with ease, and more. It's a major update from Gingerbread. The update is 395MB in size.

More info.

Samsung Invests Big in Stylus-Maker Wacom, S-Pen's Future Looking Pretty Bright

Eric — Thu, 31 Jan 2013 12:40:15 +0000

Samsung's Galaxy Note line has become known for having the S-Pen everywhere it goes. Samsung and developers alike have made apps specifically for the S-Pen, but Samsung wants to make the writing experience a little bit better. Today, the popular pen tablet maker, Wacom, has announced that Samsung has laid out $58.9 million for a 5% share in the company.

Wacom owns an enormous 85% of the pen tablet market worldwide, so if anyone knows styli, it's Wacom. This money will go towards a better relationship between Wacom and Samsung and "product development to be supplied to Samsung Electronics." Samsung's S-Pen is already pretty useful, so it looks like they're going to make it even better with this new deal.

Via: Engadget

Last Call For OUYA April Delivery - If You Want One, Then You Better Hurry

Tim — Thu, 31 Jan 2013 12:12:49 +0000

According to the official OUYA Facebook page, they are nearly sold out of systems that will be sent out to buyers in April. Naturally, they coupled that announcement with the fact that more will soon become available, but for a later shipping date. So, if you want that Tegra 3-powered system in your living room in a couple of months, you best act quickly.

Have you or will you intend on buying one of these systems? Via: Phandroid | OUYA

App Sales Roundup: runtastic Pro, NBA JAM, and ShadowGun THD

Tim — Thu, 31 Jan 2013 11:40:47 +0000

Looking for some new apps in Google Play to waste your time with? If you are, why not save some money while you are at it! There are a few good apps/games on sale today, such as runtastic PRO, ShadowGun THD, and Reddit News. If you are into running, than the runtastic app seems like a good choice, but if you are more of a couch potato, then NBA JAM is where it's at. As for apps like Pocket Informant and CLZ Barry, this is a good way of discovering new and helpful apps that you otherwise wouldn't hear about.

FaceLock Pro ($1.99)
ShadowGun THD ($1.99)
Reddit News ($0.99)
runtastic PRO ($0.99)
NBA JAM ($2.99)
CLZ Barry ($3.99)
Pocket Informant ($6.99)

As always, if you want to stay up to snuff on the latest app sales taking place in Google Play, check out the AppSales app.

Show Off Your Speedtest Screenshots!

Kellen — Thu, 31 Jan 2013 11:18:04 +0000

Ready for a speedtest shootout? Normally, when we ask you to post up screenshots from your phone, it's to show off your beautifully crafted home screen setups. Today, we're going with something a little different that has more to do with your carrier and location than anything. We want to see speedtests from around the country on your carrier of choice. Since almost all of us have either a 4G LTE or HSPA+ device, we should be able to put together quite the list. As you can see from the screenshots I posted, I was able to compare AT&T and Verizon's LTE with T-Mobile's HSPA+42 from my house. AT&T was the clear winner for me here in Portland, followed by T-Mobile, with Verizon struggling to keep up. That could have more to do with my location than anything, or maybe Big Red's network just has too many damn connections on it these days. What about you? Feel to run a speedtest with the Speedtest.net app and then post the screenshot in the comments. Be sure to list your carrier and city/state.

NVIDIA Gives Behind-the-Scenes Look at Creation of Project SHIELD

Tim — Thu, 31 Jan 2013 10:30:42 +0000

If you watched our coverage of CES from this year, you undoubtedly saw and heard our thoughts on NVIDIA's upcoming gaming device, Project SHIELD. The device, which basically looks like an Xbox 360 controller with an HD display attached, is NVIDIA's vision of the future of gaming. Imagine being able to take your PC quality games with you wherever you go, while having full access to Android's ecosystem, including Google Play and other Google services. For Android fans and gamers alike, it might be a dream come true.

For the first time since its announcement, NVIDIA has posted a somewhat lengthy, but in-depth look into the creation of Project SHIELD. The story covers a few months of what engineers and gamers went through to create a device that their company and CEO could be proud of. Everything from late night KFC runs to the final prototype build that took the stage just 10 days later with Mr. Jen-Hsun.

If you want to check out the full story, follow the via down below. As a note, don't expect to find any hints as to how much or when we can expect to get this thing on the market. I already checked. Via: NVIDIA

Google Now-Like Notifications Spotted in Chromium, Could Be Headed to Chrome in the Future?

Tim — Thu, 31 Jan 2013 10:10:49 +0000

Just recently, Chromium, which is an open source developer-friendly web browser from Google, was updated for Windows. Inside the update is a brand new notification center that brings Google Now-like cards and results right to your desktop. Above is a snapshot of what the notifications look like and behind that is apparently code for users to even create their own cards. Features that are built into Chromium are usually tested out for periods of time and then sometimes find their way into an official Chrome release. This could be the beginnings of Google tying in their Android and Chrome ecosystems, which might explain that giant chrome Android statue we saw yesterday. This is of course, is purely speculation for now. I for one, would love to see some Google Now action on my desktop. What say you? Via: The Next Web

Nexus 4 Wireless Charging Orb Shows Up at Retailer for $60, (Update: Pre-order Now)

Kellen — Thu, 31 Jan 2013 09:45:29 +0000

The wireless charging Orb for the Nexus 4 that was unveiled alongside the device back on launch day, has apparently never made it outside of Google's own campus. We have yet to see one in the wild, nor have we been able to purchase one. This shouldn't surprise anyone, as Google and its partners tend to struggle to release accessories for these devices each year. Just look at the official Nexus 7 dock situation. We have may have signs of life, though! A retailer by the name Pure Mobile has a listing for the Orb, however, it's flagged as "out of stock," much like the dock for the Nexus 7 was for months. We're seeing a price of $59.99, which seems a tad high for something that only charges a phone, but it'll likely be well built. This site doesn't mention an "in stock" date, so we'll have to try and remain patient. Thoughts on the price? Most wireless chargers typically run anywhere from $40-60. The Nokia Fatboy charging pillow for example, is $59.99. Update: Pure Mobile is now taking pre-orders for the Orb. They are expecting stock to arrive in 2-4 weeks.

ALL ORDERS PLACED FOR THIS ITEM WILL BE PRE-ORDERS- WE ARE EXPECTING THE STOCK TO ARRIVE IN 2-4 WEEKS - (updated Jan 31st 2013)

Via: Pure Mobile | Android Central

Angry Birds Star Wars "Escape From Hoth" Update is Live in Google Play

Tim — Thu, 31 Jan 2013 09:00:28 +0000

Twenty new levels are now available for Angry Birds Star Wars. The pack is called Escape from Hoth and it looks like you'll be seeing quite a bit of Leia and Chewy in this one. As you make your way into the asteroid field, you better watch out for those mynock pigs! Anyone still playing this game? Play Link [youtube]http://youtu.be/1hQ5fFRG25k[/youtube]

Samsung Uses Paul Rudd and Seth Rogen to Tease Super Bowl Ad

Kellen — Thu, 31 Jan 2013 08:12:49 +0000

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pzfAdmAtYIY[/youtube]

Samsung released the teaser for their Super Bowl commercial this morning, a spot that stars Paul Rudd and Seth Rogen attempting to dance around using the words "Super Bowl" together. When the final 2-minute spot appears later this week and on Sunday, it will feature the "next big thing," which means the entire current suite of Galaxy products (Note 2, S3 and Note 10.1). There will also be an extended cut at some point with "never-before-seen" footage. You know a company is doing well when it can put out a teaser for a 2-minute Super Bowl ad that features two of comedy's stars.

Motorola Looking to Hire Director Product Management for the X Phone (Updated)

Kellen — Thu, 31 Jan 2013 07:36:34 +0000

Weren't buying into the hypebeasting of the Motorola X Phone, the company's ultra-secret, next big smartphone? Does an official job posting for a position as the Senior Director Product Management for the phone make you a believer? The posting went up last night and includes the name and everything, just peek at a piece of the job description above. Nothing specific is mentioned about the phone, but that shouldn't surprise anyone. The job listing itself looks like it could meet the needs of any product manager. The key here, is the fact that it actually mentions the "X-Phone," something many believed to be nothing but a myth. The last wild rumor we reported on talked of a multi-carrier launch, also on Google Play, with unlockable bootloaders and a price that you won't be able to pass on. I think it's safe to say that the phone is real, we just don't know if any of the other parts of the story are. Update: Motorola has pulled the X-Phone job listing from LinkedIN. It's still available in the jobs section of the Moto careers site (here), though. Not sure what to think. Were they trolling us? Did someone screw up? Via: LinkedIN | Phandroid

The Droid Life Show: Episode 13

Kellen — Thu, 31 Jan 2013 01:36:42 +0000

We're back! Apologies again for the cancellation of the show last week, but some times there are circumstances that you just can't control. Tonight, we're hoping to have better luck with Google+ live Hangouts, so we can get back on track. And since we missed last week's episode, we have a big show in store for you. We still plan to talk a bit about the X Phone from Motorola, HTC's new flagship that should be announced on February 19, Nexus phones on carriers, if you care about Blackberry 10, our favorite apps, how Google can improve Google Now, and so much more. Join us live at 6:00PM Pacific (9:00PM Eastern). A live chat and video are embedded below.

Subscribe | iTunes | Show Page

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nUNLVChZJWU[/youtube]

The Droid Life Show Returns Tonight at 6:00PM Pacific!

Kellen — Wed, 30 Jan 2013 20:02:24 +0000

No, really. The Droid Life Show is back tonight at its normal 6:00PM Pacific time slot, barring any issues with Google+ Hangouts. As many of you know, we gave the show a shot last week, but thanks to live broadcasts of Hangouts being completely dead for the hour we tried to broadcast, the show was a no-go. So this week, it should be an epic-ly long episode 13! We have soooooo much to talk about, since many of last week's topics still need to be discussed. Topics will include X Phone rumors from last week, HTC's event in NYC on February 19, if we think Nexus phones should ever be on carriers, how Google can improve Google Now, and more. So tonight, at 6:00PM Pacific (9:00PM Eastern), the show returns. We'll have live video and a chat for you to join in on the fun. We typically try to keep the show to an hour, but I get the feeling that we'll go extra long tonight. After all, we've missed you. If you can't catch us live, then be sure to subscribe to the show feed (podcast).

Subscribe | iTunes | Show Page

Chrome Android Statue Arrives at Google Campus, Not Sure It Means Anything

Kellen — Wed, 30 Jan 2013 19:56:45 +0000

Typically when a new Android statue arrives on Google's campus, it's coupled with an official announcement of the new version of Android. We've seen the Jelly Bean statue as it arrives, the Ice Cream Sandwich, Honeycomb, Gingerbread, and Froyo statues too, all around the time that the Android team drops new code on us. Today's statue included no such party, though the Android community manager that posted it sure teased the hell out of us. The above pictured was posted to G+ this afternoon with the quote "A new version of Android has been released!" So not fair. As you can see, the statue is of Bugdroid as a fully chromed out beast. Does that mean that Chrome and Android are finally joining forces! Uhhh, probably not, at least for now. It's more than likely just a really cool metal Android statue that we all wish was on our front lawn. Google is a sneaky bunch, though, so who knows what the future may bring. It's attached to building 45 if you are in the neighborhood and want to check it out. Via: +Paul Wilcox Cheers cmt!

Google Now Starts Displaying College Sports Scores on Tablets (Phones too?)

Kellen — Wed, 30 Jan 2013 16:00:28 +0000

Oooh, this is news we like to see, especially as sports fans. According to a reader of ours on G+ and our own Nexus 7, Google Now is apparently showing college sports scores for some users, a feature we have been begging for since the beginning. What's odd, is that it appears to only be working on the Nexus 7 (or tablets) at this time and not phones. You also can't go into the settings for the Sports card and add college teams at this time. I just spent a few minutes doing college basketball score searches in Google on my Nexus 4, but was unable to see the new college sports scores card. Once I picked up my Nexus 7, though, the new cards were already waiting for me (Michigan game above). Also, once I went back into the Sports card settings, I now had Michigan and Oregon added to my list of teams even though I was denied that option on my Nexus 4. Update: Sir @MettaWorldTroll is able to see the scores on his phone as well - as are others. Now I feel left out.

Weird, but awesome. Anyone else? Via: +Matt Tithof

NVIDIA Teases Release of Hawken to Android With New Live Wallpaper

Tim — Wed, 30 Jan 2013 15:30:06 +0000

While we await word on an official release date on this game and Project SHIELD, maybe this live wallpaper can hold us over until we can get our hands on with Hawken. If you are still in the dark, Hawken is a game that is currently available for PC players, but with the help of the Tegra team over at NVIDIA, it's coming to Android too. In the game, you control a 20 ton mechanized warrior in a fantastically developed multiplayer setting. The live wallpaper has some sweet animations going on, with stuff exploding and some nice lighting. If you plan on using it, I would recommend having a decently speedy device. Play Link

Rumor: HTC M7 Hitting Stores on March 8, in White and Black

Kellen — Wed, 30 Jan 2013 14:50:13 +0000

According to sources who spoke with HTC Source, a typically reliable HTC insider outlet, the oft-rumored M7 will launch on March 8. The phone will almost undoubtedly be unveiled at HTC's press event on February 19 in NYC, which both Dave and I will be on-hand for. If this rumor holds true, it matches up to previous rumors that pegged the device for a Q1 2013 release. We should also point out that the M7 could show up in the UK and elsewhere in Europe before it arrives in the States. On a phone front, the M7 will reportedly arrive in two colors: black and white/silver. We have already seen what we believe to be the black version, something we'd call somewhat uninspiring from a design standpoint, so a white version with silver accents sounds enticing. As a recap, the HTC M7 is rumored to sport a 4.7" FHD display (1080p), 1.7GHz quad-core Snapdragon S4 Pro processor, 2GB RAM, 13MP camera, and HTC's new Sense 5.0 UI. As HTC Source points out, the last bit of info we have yet to see revealed really is the final name. Any suggestions or guesses? Via: HTC Source

Download Those Awesome Google Now City Headers in High Resolution

Eric — Wed, 30 Jan 2013 14:15:45 +0000

One of my favorite parts of Google Now are the headers that not only change depending on where you are in the world, but also according to what time of the day it is. If you're like me and wanted to see more of these headers that are confined to the small phone or tablet screen space, today is your lucky day. XDA user jathak has pulled them for your viewing pleasure.

Multiple cities are included in the downloads; London, New York, Berlin, Austin and San Francisco. In addition to having a few other ones as well, each header has a different download for the time of day (dawn, day, dusk and night). Hit the source link below for the download links, and be sure to show some love for this awesome find.

Via: XDA

Google+ Updated, Support for Adding Links to Posts and New Notification Tray

Tim — Wed, 30 Jan 2013 13:40:46 +0000

Seeing as how Google+ is now the world's second largest social network, topping Twitter and YouTube this week, it's about time we see some fancy improvements to the app, right? This update doesn't bring anything too fancy, but you can now add links to new posts, there is a new notification tray, and additional Community moderation controls.

What's in this version:

Support for adding a link when creating a post

New notifications tray

Additional Community moderation features

Go grab it. Play Link

Thought the Galaxy S3 Would Look Better With Flowers On It? This is the La Fleur Collection

Tim — Wed, 30 Jan 2013 13:10:22 +0000

Well, Samsung is clearly going all out on their colors and different renditions of the Galaxy S3. We have seen the new ruby wine red for the Note 2, custom painted ones with a Godzilla-like creature, and now we have this, the La Fleur collection. Slated for release sometime around Valentine's Day, this would be the perfect gift for that certain Android-loving female in your life, but unfortunately, it doesn't look like it will be hitting the U.S. anytime soon. According to Phandroid, the device will be making the rounds in Russia and possibly Europe, but probably won't have time for a trip to the States. Boo. Would your wife/girlfriend/significant other/girl next door you can't stop staring at mind receiving this as a gift? Via: Phandroid

Google Play Music Updated, Brings New Default Album Art and More

Tim — Wed, 30 Jan 2013 12:40:58 +0000

If you are a Google Play Music user, which we think you should be, go grab the newest update that was just released to Google Play. It brings a few new features such as instant mixes (which we love) going beyond 25 songs when you reach the end, new default album art (yes!), and fixes for the freezing issues on the Galaxy S3. Funny story time. I was literally going to write a quick rant post today about how the widget didn't have a previous track button. Instead, it had a thumbs up button. Seriously, who needs to thumb up a song on a widget? Give me some actual usage out of that space. Thanks for reading my mind, Google! I knew this day would come.

v4.5.910I

Instant mixes continue playing beyond 25 songs.

Added ability to shuffle an album, artist or playlist.

New default album art.

Previous button added to widget.

Pinning progress now shown on album and playlist pages.

Fix for the Galaxy S3 freezing issue.

Play Link Cheers everyone who sent this in!

HTC Responds to Criticism Over Takedown of HTCRUU.com

Kellen — Wed, 30 Jan 2013 12:18:24 +0000

Last week, the dev community threw a bit of a fit over the takedown request that lawyers of HTC enforced on HTCRUU.com, a site that posted up leaked or unreleased RUU firmware for HTC's devices. Some questioned the need to do this move now after having supported the ROM and RUU scene for so long, while others were nothing short of angry. The request pointed out the fact that HTCRUU.com was using HTC's name, logo, and trademarks without a license from HTC, which makes sense. But also, the request asked that HTCRUU.com remove all ROMs and firmware, as HTC does not allow third party distribution of its ROMs. The uproar over this situation was enough to get HTC to respond. Here is the statement they just released on the subject:

Last week, there was some buzz about a website that contained RUUs for HTC devices being taken down at the request of HTC. We’d like to take a minute to provide some background. The issue with the site in question was NOT that it provided custom ROMs or RUUs. The site used HTC trademarks without a license from HTC. The domain name contained ‘HTC’ and it used HTC logos, making it appear to be an official HTC website. Like any other company, we must protect our trademarks and brand. We cannot risk being associated with, and held liable for, software that we don’t have any control over that’s put onto an HTC device through a third party. HTC openly embraces the community that chooses to flash custom ROMs onto their devices. The HTC Unlock Bootloader tool on htcdev.com evidences this support. We think the custom ROM community is valuable to the overall health of the Android ecosystem, and we have no intention of abandoning them. We love the passion of this community, and we hope you continue to build with us, use HTC products, and give us honest and direct feedback.

I don't mean to sound like I'm taking the side of HTC on this, but come on, folks. If someone was distributing your company's property without your consent, while using your name, wouldn't you be a little concerned? Their points make sense, and I know that many people have been asking, "Well, why now?" That we aren't sure of. It could be an order handed down from the top because a VP was having a bad day for all we know. Bottom line, this shouldn't surprise anyone that a company wasn't impressed by a 3rd party distributing their work. It sucks, yes, but it's not surprising. To read the entire backstory, hit up this reddit thread. Via: HTC

Sprint Galaxy Nexus Gets Android 4.2.1 Update, Verizon Version Remains on 4.1.1

Tim — Wed, 30 Jan 2013 11:19:13 +0000

While we remain impatient and write about our true feelings on Verizon and their Nexus situation, Sprint is now pushing Android 4.2.1 to their Galaxy Nexus. Let's take that in for a second. Okay, are we calm? Sprint reports that the update should be on all Nexus devices within 21 days, bringing with it the list of goodies like Photo Sphere, lockscreen widgets, and more. Remember when you were a kid and screamed out, "this isn't fair!" Well, that's about how we feel right now. Via: Phandroid

Hootsuite, Minecraft, and Sliding Messaging All Receive Updates in Google Play

Tim — Wed, 30 Jan 2013 10:32:07 +0000

We love app updates. They're refreshing, and when it's a substantial update, it's like you have a brand new app to play with. It's a win win situation for everyone involved. This morning, three of our favorites have received some pretty noteworthy updates. One of our go-to Twitter clients, Hootsuite, now has a widget and bug fixes. Sliding Messaging supports the sending of a text to multiple contacts and more colorful emojis. And Minecraft got its major 0.6.0 update which brings a whole ton of features and fixes. We have full changelogs down below! Hootsuite:

Stream Widget can now be added for devices on Honeycomb or higher.

Fixed skipping tweets in timeline due to retweets.

Fixed cursor jumping in the Search box when using certain keyboards

Fixed Scheduling AM/PM setting on ICS

Fixed crashes and improved performance

Sliding Messaging:

Much more colorful emojis

Send Message to multiple contacts

Screen wake option for notifications

Separate limit conversations option

Personal signatures

Bug fixes & Minor UI changes

Minecraft:

Awaiting changelog for 0.6.0. Cheers @Daniel for catching that!

Play Link: Minecraft | Hootsuite | Sliding Messaging Cheers Justin!

Nexus 4 Orders Already Shipping From Yesterday, Get Your Confirmation Email Yet?

Tim — Wed, 30 Jan 2013 10:00:37 +0000

Yesterday morning, after what seemed like months (oh wait, it almost was) the Nexus 4 finally returned to Google Play. Who knows how many people flocked to their online storefront to get their hands on the device, but what we do know is that folks are already receiving their shipping confirmations just one day after. Could it be that Google has finally figured this whole "selling things online" situation out? Did you happen to order one yesterday? If so, have you received your shipping email from Google yet? And can you believe it, the Nexus 4 is still in stock. Go grab it while you can. Play Links: 16GB | 8GB | Bumper Case Cheers Gabriel!

Spec Chart: Blackberry Z10 vs. Nexus 4 vs. DROID DNA vs. Note 2 vs. RAZR MAXX HD

Kellen — Wed, 30 Jan 2013 09:29:08 +0000

In case you weren't paying attention, we thought we should point out that Blackberry tried to reinvent itself this morning in more ways than one. First, they are actually called Blackberry now, rather than RIM. That's right, it's a global name change that goes into effect immediately. Second, they announced Blackberry 10 (their newest OS) and two devices - the Blackberry Z10 and some random QWERTY thing that no one will want (it may be called the Q10). The Z10, however, is their flagship and one that is aiming directly at Android and iOS. And since this device has a full touchscreen, is nothing like the failure that was the Storm, and might make some of you peek out the corner of your eye to see what it can do, we thought a spec battle was in store. If that seems weird, it's not - we do this with all the big competitors. Ready?

Chart

(Click image to enlarge)

Video Overview

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BDtxZr5TS7E[/youtube]

Carbon Out of Beta and Now Available Through Google Play

Tim — Wed, 30 Jan 2013 09:15:15 +0000

This morning, Koush's Carbon app is now out of beta and available in Google Play. It seems that testing went very well and everything was ready for the prime time. With Carbon, users root and non-root can backup their apps and app data to several different places for safe keeping, including the cloud. It's perfect for people like me who are looking for a third party means of transferring data between devices. The app is free, but if you want the cloud features and no ads running on your phone, then it will cost your $5 premium license. Not too bad for an app that would get some heavy usage if you intend on using it to its full potential. Play Link: Free | Premium ($4.99) [youtube]http://youtu.be/GVjC7lhaeLs[/youtube]

Samsung's Patent Infringement Found Un-Willful, Apple Won't Get Triple Bonus Points

Tim — Wed, 30 Jan 2013 08:49:20 +0000

Yesterday, there was new development in the Samsung vs. Apple case, with Judge Lucy Koh finding the Korean manufactures infringements of Cupertino's patents un-willful. Previously when the jurors gave their verdict, it was possible that Samsung would have to pay triple the damages if the infringement was intended. Luckily for them and after a long appeals process, it looks like their bank accounts can sleep just a bit better at night not having to shell out in upwards of $3 billion dollars. Naturally, this ruling will also have an appeals process and we can expect this case to go on into the 2020's it seems. Via: Engadget

How to: Enable GPS and Other Location Services [Beginners' Guide]

Kellen — Wed, 30 Jan 2013 08:00:53 +0000

When you first turn on your smartphone and you are taken through the setup process, you will undoubtedly be asked if you want to turn on location services. As you read the screen that talks about these location services, one that mentions GPS tracking, locations, and the accessing of information you may not want the world to know on a minute-by-minute basis, you may skip right over it, hoping to reconsider activating them later. And you know what, there is nothing wrong with that. But in case you do that, we figured you should probably know how to turn them back on, as many of the applications you use will be crippled if location services are not turned on. While it's always scary to see an application ask to use your current location, you have to remember that in most cases, they are doing it to improve your smartphone or app experience. With your location information, apps like Google Maps can correctly pin-point your location to then help you find traffic information, see nearby places, and most importantly, navigate you from one location to another. Beyond Maps, think about apps like Foursquare, Instagram, and Facebook, all of which use your location to tag photos or check you in at your favorite restaurant. Without location services enabled, it would be difficult if not impossible for them to do this.

Instructions:

1. From your home screen, enter your Settings menu.

*If running Jelly Bean, swipe your notification bar down, and tap the Settings icon. On a Samsung device, from your home screen you can tap Menu>Settings.

2. Scroll down to the "Personal" section. 3. Tap on "Location services" or "Location access" - whichever your phone shows. 4. From this screen, you can toggle on or off any of the location services your phone offers. 5. On most phones, that includes your carrier's and Google's location services, plus standalone GPS services.

Basics of Each Service:

Carrier location services: When checked, it uses your carrier's cell towers to help to pin-point your location. A number of people leave this option unchecked, though just as many if not more leave it checked.
Google location services: This mostly uses WiFi signals to help determine your location. No need to turn these off.
Standalone GPS services: This uses the GPS unit in your phone in order to determine your location.

Battery Drain

There has long been talk of location services draining the battery of phones. As they are, at times, constantly looking for your location, that is somewhat true. However, as times have changed and technology has evolved, leaving location services on does less and less to decrease the life of your battery. Toggling on or off your location services now has more to do with privacy than anything.

Presented by Norton 360™ Multi-Device. Protect your new computers, smartphones, and tablets with Norton 360™ Multi-Device.

Another White Nexus 4 Poses for Lengthy Photo Shoot

Kellen — Wed, 30 Jan 2013 07:39:39 +0000

Yesterday, we saw what we believe to be the first ever picture of the white Nexus 4. It featured the Nexus logo, camera, flash, and Crystal Reflection back as one would expect, giving us little reason to assume that it's anything but real. But why have no others surfaced? Well, thankfully another has, via Vietnamese site Tinhte. In a full hands-on gallery at what appears to be a dinner table, we get the best look yet of this pale beauty. It's definitely a Nexus 4, there is no doubt about that. Even with a white back, it still sports the Crystal Reflection design that can only be seen at certain angles. The LG and Nexus logos, camera, and flash are all in the right spots. For some reason, though, the volume rocker and lock switch are both black, which sort of takes away from its whiteness. Other than the back and sides, the front looks identical to the currently available black version. And you know what, that's a thing of beauty, as there is a good chance we'll see replacement part resellers put up these new white backs that can be swapped out with black backs in no time. Don't worry, I've already looked into tearing our current versions apart for white backs and it looks incredibly simple. We're just waiting now for them to be released. So, what do you think?

Oh, and here is one last shot from a user on Facebook:

Via: Tinhte | Slashgear Cheers Mike!

Nexus 4 Headed to Google Play Store in France, UK, Spain and Australia Tomorrow

Kellen — Tue, 29 Jan 2013 22:57:12 +0000

Our "birdie" from last night that helped us break the news that the Nexus 4 would return to the Google Play store this morning at around 9:00AM (which happened) has informed us that it should be available in a handful of other countries tomorrow morning as well. The UK, France, Spain and Australia are up next.

GB 1/30/2013 @ 7AM PST
FR 1/30/2013 @ 7AM PST
ES 1/30/2013 @ 7AM PST
AU 1/30/2013 @ 2PM PST

If you live in any of those countries, get your credit cards ready.

The Hell With Nexus Phones on Carriers, It's Time to Leave Subsidies and Contracts Behind [Opinion]

Kellen — Tue, 29 Jan 2013 15:45:32 +0000

If you asked me back in late 2011, how I felt about a Nexus coming to Verizon, I'd probably have thrown out phrases like "greatest day in smartphone history" or "Verizon finally woke up!" Boy, how things have changed in just over a year. After over a month of delays before the launch of that phone, a lack of support on a software front from the get-go, and what seems to be a constant neglect of what one would assume to be one of the easiest phones on the planet to update, I no longer feel the same way. It's been a painful ride since, one that has led me into hoping that Verizon never sees another one. Actually, I could probably take that a step further and say definitively that Nexus phones should no longer be tied to any carrier and that you should all think about your future beyond subsidies and 2-year contracts.

Carrier Death

Google and Verizon gave this Nexus-to-carrier thing a shot with the LTE Galaxy Nexus, and we all know now that it was a complete failure on most accounts. Carriers are middle men, a cut-off throw that Google doesn't want to make when they are looking home. Sure you can allow companies like T-Mobile to sell them, but that's all you allow them to do. You don't make separate Nexus phones for them, allow them to install bloatware, use different chipsets than your unlocked version, or even test any of the software that you plan to push over time. To remain in proper Nexus form, there can't be someone outside of Google that needs to approve the latest software update or dictate when the phone launches. With the Nexus 4, Google has done this. I hate to bring this up again, but the Galaxy Nexus on Verizon is still three full updates behind every unlocked Nexus device, and is about to be behind skinned devices if Big Red doesn't kick their update approval process into gear. We all know that Verizon has the strictest update approval policy in the business, but for them to take as long as they have with a 100% purely stock Android device, is beyond being unacceptable. It shows a complete lack of care towards a product that should have been their easiest to manage. Give them another Nexus under the same set of rules that you played with in game one and you will likely be left with a similar outcome.

End of Subsidies

Another reason I'd love for Nexus phones to remain independent of carriers going forward has to do with a desire to see a change in the mindset of U.S. consumers when it comes to smartphones. I've talked about this in the past, but we need to get off the crutch that is carrier subsidies. You shouldn't expect to buy a phone at a subsidized price of $199 every two years, because you know what that does? It locks you into two years of your life with that carrier and that phone, something no one should have to suffer through. If you consider a phone to be the most important piece of technology in your life, which it typically is, then why not place a higher value on it? Sure, some phones cost $650 off contract, but if you look at how often you really need to buy a phone - every 1-2 years - then that price isn't actually all that unreasonable. If you were to put $25-30 away each month for a couple of years, you'll have enough to buy your next phone - the most important piece of technology in your life - without signing a new contract. Let's also not forget that Google and their Nexus line is attempting to set a new standard for unlocked phones by introducing them at insanely low prices. The Nexus 4 is currently selling on Google Play for $299 and $349. This is a long shot, but if this country realizes the power of buying unlocked phones coupled with the prepaid smartphone plan universe, what's to keep those $650 unsubsidized prices from dropping?

Prepaid Plans = Freedom

But why is contract-less smartphone life important? Because it gives you freedom. Over the last couple of years, I've maintained a month-to-month AT&T plan for work purposes, but within the last month, decided I'd try out T-Mobile for a bit to see if my experience was any better. While both have their downfalls (lack of LTE at the moment), with the unlocked phones I use, like the Nexus 4 currently, I didn't even need to buy a new phone to jump between them. All I had to do was swap out a SIM card. But beyond the carrier aspect, you can't forget that you have multiple choices on month-to-month prepaid plans that will give you better value than you are probably getting now. Companies like Solavei and Straight Talk offer up plans for $50 and $45 with unlimited talk, text, and data (with T-Mo's HSPA+42 service to boot). It may not be LTE, but some of the download speeds you will see are just as impressive. Most importantly, though, you can leave these month-to-month plans as you please until you find something that's optimal.

Phone Unlocking Illegal

As has well been documented over the last week, unlocking of phones for use on other networks is now illegal in the U.S. If you buy a phone on contract with a subsidy (discount), you need the permission of that carrier in order to unlock your phone and take it elsewhere. If you buy a phone off-contract (hopefully it's already unlocked) or an unlocked device that's not tied to a carrier, this new unlocking rule does not affect you.

Final Thoughts

So while I'm running off on a bit of a tangent here (and could probably keep going), I'm really trying to make a couple of points: 1) You should do everything in your power to rid yourself of a 2-year contract. 2) Once you have done that, you are free to find the best possible smartphone and plan that fits your needs, which in many cases, is a Nexus, though the options are pretty endless these days. Every day in our comments, when bringing up the Nexus 4, we see the complaints about the device having a lack of LTE or the fact that it's not on Verizon. While the LTE argument may be a tough one to battle, unlocked and carrier independent Nexus phones are likely where the future stands. I've personally been using the Nexus 4 since the day it came out, and haven't necessarily missed 4G LTE one bit. HSPA+ is plenty fast in most cases, plus the network coverage of AT&T and T-Mobile has really grown over the years. I know the prepaid and unlocked smartphone worlds will never fit everyone's needs, but as carriers push towards raising prices and locking you out of your own smartphones, it's time to start looking at your options. Plus, life without a carrier deciding what your phone can and can't do is quite refreshing.

Zombie Road Trip, a Good Mix of Killing the Undead and Flying Skills Needed

Tim — Tue, 29 Jan 2013 15:26:31 +0000

Here is another interesting game that just arrived for Android. It's called, Zombie Road Trip. You take the wheel of a vehicle that is sent on its way, going up and down the platform-style levels, running over and blowing up as many zombies as you can. While doing that, you must also pay attention to the road, as your car is in the middle of doing some crazy acrobatic flips in the air. It's not the easiest game, but it certainly is fun. It is free on Google Play, so go pick it up and tell us what you think so far. Play Link [youtube]http://youtu.be/Q5eVlnEJKUw[/youtube]

Want Some Jeans Made Specifically For Your Smartphone? Check Out WTFJeans

Tim — Tue, 29 Jan 2013 14:28:38 +0000

Here is one to throw into the WTF category. Ever wanted some jeans that were tailor made to fit your smartphone? In this day and age, something like this shouldn't come as a surprise to anyone. These are called WTFJeans. The pockets, made to fit the iPhone 5 and Galaxy S3 with precision, are lined with microfiber to keep your device clean and even bacteria free as you pull your phone in and out with each use. Along the backside, they have a trademarked "Sexyass" pocket positioning so that we as nerds/geeks can "go out among the people and be 'socially acceptable'." These are their words and not my own. I don't know whether to be offended or throw my money at the monitor. I am not a denim expert and really, I only wear clothes when necessary (besides my trolling pajamas), but these look pretty hot. The only question I have is, will they fit my Galaxy Note 2? Buy. ($159) Via: WTFJeans

First Signs of T-Mobile's 4G LTE Appear in Kansas City

Eric — Tue, 29 Jan 2013 14:25:41 +0000

T-Mobile said they would eventually be moving towards a 4G LTE future and away from their HSPA+ network. Today, we have seen the first signs of this promise. XDA user, RunsWithWood noticed this morning that his unlocked Galaxy Note magically had LTE service in the Kansas City area.

The speeds were nothing to get excited over, the screenshots only boast 10Mbps down and 5Mbps up at the highest, but T-Mobile seems to be testing things ahead of their launch. It's going to be a long while before T-Mo gets their LTE network up to the size of AT&T, let alone Verizon, but this is a good sign nonetheless.

Are you planning your escape from Verizon once T-Mobile builds out their network further?

Via: TmoNews

Acer Exec Hints At Low-Priced, Quad-Core 8 and 10" Tablets Coming Soon

Eric — Tue, 29 Jan 2013 14:00:10 +0000

Acer made a bit of a splash at CES this year by announcing the Iconia B1, a $150 7" tablet that comes equipped with Jelly Bean. Acer has their sights set squarely on the Nexus 7's low price point and is looking to do them one better, but there might be more tablets coming down the pipe sometime soon. Linxian Lang, from Acer's China division, said that a 8 and 10" tablets with "aggressive pricing" should be expected from them.

More low-cost, high-spec Android tablets are always welcomed to give the OS a better name. However, Engadget doesn't think these tablets will be making their ways to our shores. Hopefully that tone will change once their whole lineup is announced officially.

A race to see who can produce the cheapest Android tablet isn't necessarily a good thing, but if these devices have decent specs at a low price point what's not to enjoy? How cheap do you think Acer can go for a 10" quad-core Jelly Bean tablet?

Via: Engadget

First Alien Vs. Predator Evolution Trailer Released, Marked as "Coming Soon"

Tim — Tue, 29 Jan 2013 13:30:57 +0000

Today, we are getting our first look at an upcoming Aliens Vs. Predator game called, Evolution. You may or may not know this, but I am a diehard Aliens franchise fan. And yes, I will argue till the cows come home that Prometheus was in fact, an Aliens prequel. Anyways, from what we know so far, you play as either a xenomorph or hunter, while pretty much destroying humans and any other enemies that decide to get in your way. Typical AVP storyline. The graphics looks pretty smooth, given the textures aren't very heavy. That may change once the game gets closer to release though. And speaking of release, we have no time frame for that. Sad face. Watch the trailer below and let me know what you think. So, what are you? Alien or Predator? [youtube]http://youtu.be/XCw9ElPYqmY[/youtube]

Android Crushes Competition, Captures 70% of World's Smartphone Marketshare in Q4

Tim — Tue, 29 Jan 2013 13:09:47 +0000

According to a report out of Strategy Analytics, Android Q4 marketshare showed a 38% growth over last year's, totaling at a 70.1% worldwide domination. Last year, during this same time, Android held a respectable 51.3%, followed by Apple's iOS at just 23.6%. Now, Apple has dropped just a hair to 22% evenly, while Android grows by leaps and bounds, shipped on roughly 152.1 million devices in three months.

As for any company that decides to go up against two corporations that hold 92% of the worldwide smartphone market, things are not looking bright. Via: Engadget | Strategy Anayltics Image: Fat Face & Me

14px for Android, Combines Awesome Soundtrack and Fast-Paced Platformer Action

Tim — Tue, 29 Jan 2013 12:39:05 +0000

If you have the time to get addicted to another game, then check out 14px. It is a slick platformer with as I mentioned, a kick ass soundtrack. The game's objective is rather straightforward - you are a black blob and your job is to save the other blobs while collecting orbs, then make it to the end of the level without dying. At the end of each level, there is a black hole that will transport you to the next level. Easy, right? From what I have encountered, as the game goes on, the levels become much harder, especially when the ground starts to dissolve below you and you basically have only one shot at the perfect landing. What gives the game a completely unique spin is that there is an online level editor where you can personally make a level and then share them with friends and other players. I don't even want to try those, since people find a way of creating the most impossible circumstances. My blob can only do so much! The music alone is worth your time. Play Link [youtube]http://youtu.be/4Qq0qiZxRo4[/youtube]

Is This the White Nexus 4?

Kellen — Tue, 29 Jan 2013 12:00:16 +0000

Well, is it? We have seen mentions of a white Nexus 4 on retailer sites like Carphone Warehouse, but to date, we have yet to see a real picture of one. According to PhoneArena, who anonymously obtained the photo above, the picture was taken with an LG Optimus G - not that that confirms anything. If real, it looks amazing. What we can see is a semi-sparkly Crystal Reflection back along with the camera, flash, and Nexus logo in the correct spots. You can also see the plastic rim around the device, just like we have on the black version, though this one is obviously white. Nothing in particular stands out that would lead us to believe that this is fake, so for now, we'll go with it. We'll also ask, "Where the hell was this at launch?" I'd love to get a hold of the white Nexus 4 if it looks this pretty. Thoughts? Via: PhoneArena Cheers tyguy829!

Unreal Engine 3 Powered Epic Citadel Released for Android

Tim — Tue, 29 Jan 2013 11:40:22 +0000

Enter the world of Epic Citadel. This title, powered by the Unreal Engine 3, is probably the greatest example of what mobile gaming is capable of in terms of looks and performance. You are placed in a world and given free roam throughout the entire kingdom. You can explore freely and there are also a few secrets and hidden gems. They have also added in the ability to test your device's processing power with a benchmarking mode, which will show CPU performance while you explore the world. With the Unreal Engine, there are realtime reflections, the global illumination system, and a ton of other unique aspects that make this application/game a really fun experience. Give it a look and let us know what you think. Play Link [youtube]http://youtu.be/0phPgXeRm78[/youtube]

GameStick Unveils New Design With Help of Backers

Kellen — Tue, 29 Jan 2013 11:18:11 +0000

GameStick, the newest overnight Kickstarter-inspired portable Android gaming system sensation, announced today that they have signed off on a new design with the help of feedback from backers. After the initial and much squarer design was received with mixed feelings, this new version of the GameStick looks much more appealing to average and advanced gamers - well, according to its creators. Here is what they had to say:

As you will see we have rounded the edges quite a bit so that our controller feels better in the hand. We then lost the groove between the middle section of the controller and the top deck so that it feels smooth all round...we extended the palm grips so that they feel more substantial and also changed the magic ratio between the top and bottom edges, adding 3mm to the leading edge so that the controller sits more naturally in your hand... We made the D pad rubber so it feels nice to touch and provides good levels of grip. We changed the PLAY buttons to XBYA to make it as easy as possible for developers to port their games. We improved the analog sticks to use full multi-way + switch systems and rubberized the mushroom caps. We support a full a 45 degree tilt angle so that you can very accurately control the games you love to play...

Beyond buttons and rounded edges, the GameStick team is trying to futureproof the device for both Miracast and wireless charging:

We hated the idea of having to keep plugging your controller in to charge it up (although it supports around 40 hours of game play on a single charge) and so we wanted to add a contact based charging system and also to support a full wireless charging solution that could be built in to the GameStick Dock... At the outset of this project we wanted to be able to power the GameStick from its controller so that you could stream games directly from the controller to any screen that was Miracast enabled...We have been pioneering this work and to lay the foundation we wanted to ensure that our controller was future proof...

So you have a fully revamped controller, one that should be futureproof with next-gen Miracast and wireless technologies. I know we don't seem to be seeing much of a middle ground when it comes to loving or hating these affordable Android gaming systems, but the portability of this one, along with the early dedication from the team to listen to its customers is always a good sign.

New Design

Via: Kickstarter

Google Granted Multiple LED Flashes Patent, Could be Seen in Future Nexus Device?

Tim — Tue, 29 Jan 2013 10:51:19 +0000

Back in September of 2011, it looks like Google filed for a patent that would allow for the placement of multiple LED flashes along either the backside or even the sides of a device. This morning, the USPTO has granted Google this patent and according to speculation, we could be seeing this in an upcoming Nexus device. Google states that one of the downsides of having either a single flash or two closely placed together flashes are shadows and of course, any photographer could agree with that. The above image, which is reportedly the best implementation of this, would allow the device to create a Xenon-like flash with LEDs, while not consuming as much power as the more bulky flashes you would see on a DSLR or even the Galaxy Camera with its pop-up flash.

But after all, this is Google we are talking about. You think their only concern are shadows in a picture? As seen in the application, more fantastic implementations are hinted at, such as HDR-like circumstances. For example, say there are multiple photos taken in rapid succession, firing off each individual flash at different times. Then, software stitches the photos together creating an extremely high quality image that is shadow free and full of depth. In the long run, there are probably a ton of interesting ways you could use something like this. This would certainly be nice to see, but who knows when and if it will come. As long as it doesn't ugly up the backside too much and the device can still remain slim, we're all for it. Via: Unwired View | USPTO

Nexus 4 Available Again in the Google Play Store (Update: Bumper Also in Stock)

Kellen — Tue, 29 Jan 2013 09:20:33 +0000

You better hurry - the Nexus 4 is back in stock at the Google Play store! Play Links: 16GB | 8GB | Bumper Case

Google and ASUS to Introduce Second Generation Nexus 7 at Google I/O

Tim — Tue, 29 Jan 2013 08:47:45 +0000

There are technically no numbers to support this claim, but we think it's safe to say that the Nexus 7 is easily the most popular Android tablet ever created. It matches the best of both worlds in hardware and software, plus it has that ridiculously awesome price tag that anyone could get happy about. When we start hearing news about the next iteration of this device from "upstream supply chains," it's time to get excited. According to an un-sourced DigiTimes report (my favorite kind), Google is teaming up with ASUS yet again to introduce the second generation of the Nexus 7 at this year's Google I/O in May. From their sources, we can expect the same pricing scheme at $199-249, but the tablet will feature a few new things. For starters, ASUS is going to slim down the bezel, throw in a Full HD display, and apparently, "feature Google's upgraded Jelly Bean-based Android operating system to enhance integration between the software and the hardware." While there is nothing wrong with Jelly Bean, I am hoping it comes running Key Lime Pie instead, since it's already running Android 4.2.1, the latest version of the OS. If you could have Google put in one additional feature to the Nexus 7, what would you want? Better display? Back-facing camera? Faster processor? Via: DigiTimes Cheers Justin!

HTC to Hold Event on February 19 to Show "What's Next"

Kellen — Tue, 29 Jan 2013 07:41:55 +0000

We always love waking up to press event invites, especially when they are from companies like HTC ahead of a major conference (Mobile World Congress in this case). That usually means something big, because they have decided to do their own thing rather than share the spotlight with dozens of competitors. So mark your calendars, February 19th in NYC is the day that HTC's shows us "what's next." I think it's safe to say that we are all expecting this to be the M7. The device has leaked in a variety of ways over the last couple of months

Score Mobile Rebrands to "theScore" - Receives UI Overhaul in Latest Update

Kellen — Mon, 28 Jan 2013 19:42:11 +0000

One of the most popular sports apps on mobile, Score Mobile, received a major update this evening which included an entirely new UI and a new name. The new app is called theScore, however, the same great features you have always enjoyed, along with the logo, remain the same. On an app front, this new version has definitely been built with some of the newest Android theme guidelines, making the user experience a joy as long as you understand that it takes swiping from page to page or panel to panel in order to get to different sections. You'll also find a new "MyScore" area that gives you all of your teams' scores and players in one spot. There are player card profiles with in-depth research, photos, stats, and fantasy news. But again, the big thing here is the new UI, which I suggest you take a few minutes to navigate around until you are used to it. Here is the full changelog:

A completely re-designed and updated experience is here
MyScore Area: to follow all of your scores, teams and players.
Player Card Profiles: In-depth research with player photos, stats and fantasy news
New name: theScore was formerly ScoreMobile, even the logo is the same. Same scores, news, and stats.
Social sharing screenshots

Update: TheScore reached out to us because they are hearing concerns over the new widget. They wanted to point out that they are working on a widget that is similar to the previous version:

One of the biggest concerns for our users has been the change to the widget. We wanted to let you know that we are currently working on an update to add an additional widget with similar functionality to the previous version with more scores from your favorite leagues in addition to the current widget which has scores only for your favorited teams' scores in the widget.

I should probably point out that the app is having issues on some phones. For example, it simply force closes on my Nexus 4. Play Link

Cheers Shane!

Nexus 4 Changes to "Temporarily Out of Stock" in Google Play Store, Return Imminent?

Kellen — Mon, 28 Jan 2013 18:14:23 +0000

Google's Nexus 4 has essentially been flagged as "Sold Out" in the Google Play store since back in December. Shortly after its initial launch, it returned for a brief period, but since the device is one heck of a steal for an unlocked phone, and Google and LG are reportedly horrible at predicting demand for their products, we have been counting the days until it became available again. That time could be soon, well maybe. The Google Play pages for the Nexus 4 in both 16GB and 8GB variants, changed from "Sold Out" to "Temporarily Out of Stock" this evening. One could jump to the conclusion that this means we will see stock shortly, or one could just look at this as Google planning for the future. Either way, it's some sort of a sign, and that's something we haven't seen from either page in over a month. With the device arriving in all T-Mobile stores, on T-Mo's website for a brief period last week, and now on Best Buy's site, it could be a teaser for what's to come. And that would be, a return of stock all over the place. You may want to keep an eye on the Play store over the next couple of days. Update: A little birdie just told us that the Nexus 4 could return tomorrow morning at 9AM PST. Via: Google Play Cheers harsh and Gabriel!

Quick Look: Galaxy Note 2 Tempered Glass Screen Protector by XGEAR

Kellen — Mon, 28 Jan 2013 15:47:17 +0000

We've covered a lot of tempered glass screen protectors over the last year. With displays growing in size by the month, protection has become more important than ever. Since tempered glass is the most popular solution at the moment because it offers the greatest level of strength, it only makes sense that we continue our coverage with the newest protector for one of the biggest displays in the business. Here is a quick look at the Voyager 2 screen protector from XGEAR for the Samsung Galaxy Note 2.

Fit and Look

Smartphone manufacturers have gone the opposite direction of recessed displays as of late. Instead of hiding displays below the phone rim, they are popping them up, to give users a much softer and less rigid experience when swiping a finger from edge to edge. The Galaxy Note 2 is no different, so when you apply the Voyager 2, you are going to have a slight lip. XGEAR has done their best to make the edge semi-smooth, however, you will most certainly notice a difference. By no means is this a deal breaker if you are looking for this kind of protection. Aside from the lip, the screen protector itself fits nicely over the top of the 5.5" display of the Note 2. All sensors, cameras, and buttons are left exposed, so no functionality is lost (and yes, I tested sleep-wake during a call). XGEAR also supplies you with a home button sticker since the home button becomes slightly recessed once the screen protector is applied. The only flaw, which was necessary, is the inclusion of the dotted grid that I complained about with these protectors a while back. The XGEAR team told me that these dots were needed in order to avoid those oily, watery-looking spots that can at times appear underneath screen protectors. I'd assume it has to do with the size of the display we're dealing with here. As you'll see in the photos below, the dots are not as noticeable as they once were.

Sensitivity

In the short amount of time that I've played with a Note 2 protected by a Voyager 2, I haven't had any issues with sensitivity. Screen swipes happen as fast as they would without the protector. The S Pen also works well. I was able to use gestures, take screenshots, edit photos, draw all over the place, and navigate as usual while using the S Pen. Even with the Voyager 2 in place, all functionality seems to still be there.

Specs

Surface hardness of 8H (with the hardest being 10H) keeps scratches non-existent
Thickness of .4mm allows you to maintain a slim and sleek profile
Special coating that resists oily residue from staying on the screen
Beveled edge keeps you safe from cracked & chipped edges
Keeps the smooth feel of a glass screen unlike PET films

Price

The Voyager runs $34.95 and comes in both black or white. In the box you also get a cleaning cloth and two aluminum home buttons. Buy.

Gallery

[nggallery id=45]

Best Buy Now Offers Subsidized Nexus 4 Through T-Mobile

Tim — Mon, 28 Jan 2013 14:45:16 +0000

Been looking to get one of the ever elusive Nexus 4 devices for T-Mobile? Out of the blue, Best Buy now sells it at the $200 subsidized price through their online store, which is good for anyone who has been having troubles acquiring them through Google Play (everybody in the free world). While we still wait on Google to replenish their unlocked Google Play stock, some folks will undoubtedly settle for signing a new two year agreement just to have this device. We can't blame them, but then again, the choice is all yours. Buy. Cheers Greg!

Does This Code String Hint Towards AT&T's Galaxy S4?

Eric — Mon, 28 Jan 2013 13:57:16 +0000

We don't have a lot of big name devices to focus on in this early part of 2013, so Samsung can just sit back and build up excitement over their upcoming Galaxy S4 flagship device. If we take the Galaxy S3's launch across multiple carriers last year as any indication as to Samsung's plan for this new device, we can expect the Galaxy S4 to have the same scale of launch here in the United States. As for hints as to which carrier could be the first to see it, a file from Samsung has been dug up referring to a device under the model number SGH-I337. Could this be the new S4? The smoking gun in this case is that the display is listed as having a very high resolution of 1080 x 1920. That means a Full HD display, which the S4 has been rumored to be shipping with for a while. A curious note however is that the S3 was model number SGH-I747, so it would seem weird for Samsung to go to a lower number for their next flagship. It could be that Samsung is planning other devices to use their new HD screens, but we have to wait patiently until they decide when to let us in on the secrets. Via: Pocketnow | Blog of Mobile

Sprint Brings 4G LTE to Boston, Austin, Fort Wayne, and Western Puerto Rico

Tim — Mon, 28 Jan 2013 12:45:26 +0000

Sprint announced this morning that we can add four new cities to their list of 4G LTE supported areas, bringing the total to a full 58 markets. In terms of the competition, that's only 400+ less than Verizon, about 80 less than AT&T, and 57 more than T-Mobile once they finally light up Las Vegas. We got big things going on over here. For folks living in areas of Boston, MA; Austin, TX; Fort Wayne, IN; and western Puerto Rico, you should be able to bask in 4G LTE goodness as of today and going forward. Enjoy it. Sprint also released the below video, which offers their overall vision for 4G LTE. [youtube]http://youtu.be/prEPa7bLDdY[/youtube] Via: Sprint

Official CyanogenMod 10.1 Nightlies Arrive for the Verizon Galaxy Note 2

Tim — Mon, 28 Jan 2013 12:10:29 +0000

With all of the happy news floating around that developers unlocked the re-locked bootloader on Verizon's Galaxy Note 2, we thought we should point out that nightlies for CyanogenMod 10.1 are now up! According to the forum that is posting info on the ROM's, it seems there are a few bugs (non-working GPS, "flaky" NFC), but that's what you get when you flash new nightlies. I don't have to explain what all CM brings to your device, right? To sum it up, it's vanilla Android with many enhancements on top. To flash, all you need is ClockworkMod Recovery installed, but of course, please don't forget to make a backup. Via: XDA | CyanogenMod Cheers DaRkL3AD3R!

Samsung Galaxy Tab 3 Supposedly Pictured, Looks Quite Peculiar At First Glance

Tim — Mon, 28 Jan 2013 11:35:58 +0000

According to Phone Arena, they have themselves a couple pictures that are of the upcoming Galaxy Tab 3 from Samsung. The above image shows a smaller tablet with overly sized icons and a strange looking button "thing" on the left side of the device. Naturally, the picture is blurry and we can't make out the model name on the box, but it clearly says "Galaxy tab 3" above it. I do have a few discrepancies with this image, but I'll get into that down below. The next image is of the actual device. It is still wrapped in its plastic and is turned off, which gives us basically nothing in terms of if this is legit or not. The only characteristic we can make out is that in the top right hand corner is a front-facing camera. Other than that, it's a blank slate.

As for my issues with this being a finalized packaged product, the outside of that box is not very "Samsung." Usually, on their tablet boxes, they have some specs shown off as well as highlights on their software that comes baked in. Also, take note that there doesn't appear to be a single Samsung application installed on that device. Where's the TouchWiz themed Settings icon? Is Samsung getting in the business of releasing vanilla Android tablets? I doubt it. Now, this could be it, but it also may not be. It's not a bad thing to question these images since as we all know, nothing is confirmed. In other news, I am almost now certain that no one that leaks images knows how to properly focus a camera. Via: Phone Arena

New Swiftkey Flow Beta 4.0.0.76 Released - Closer Than Ever to Official Release

Kellen — Mon, 28 Jan 2013 11:08:16 +0000

Swiftkey released a new version of Swiftkey Flow beta this morning as build 4.0.0.76. Be sure to grab this, as it includes a number of changes and even more bug fixes. In this latest version, predictions and Flow happen in most places outside of email fields, password boxes, or other semi-secure spots. Corrects are made easier with a tap on incorrect words, there are new languages, and the typing style is no inferred. Jump below to download the new versions. Download Links: Phone Version | Tablet Version [Build 4.0.0.76] Changes in this version:

Predictions (and Flow) now on in most places (exceptions: email fields, passwords, anywhere where the app doesn’t behave itself with SK, fields offering their own corrections on Android versions <= 2.2)
Easier corrections – just tap on the word and SwiftKey will offer you 3 possibilities
New languages: Thai, Vietnamese, Bosnian, Albanian, Javan, Sundanese (plus those added in 3.1)
Features from SwiftKey 3.1: Berry theme, split layout in landscape on phones, Armenian, Azerbaijani, Georgian, Hindi, Hinglish, Irish, Macedonian, Spanish (Latin America) and Tagalog
New layouts for Hindi and Russian
Ukrainian landscape layout fixed
Backspacing on to the final word of a multi word prediction (Flow through space) will now give better alternatives
Typing style now inferred rather than a setting
Long press delete accelerates after the first word

Bugs fixed:

Flowing off shift no longer triggers a change in shift state
Flow no longer gets stuck when you flow off the bottom of a page
Quick period working after single letter words
Arrow key repeats
Learning when sending messages or tabbing between fields with the enter key fixed
Azeri capital i behaviour corrected
Estonian will now predict words containing ö
Fixed force close on Beta predictions
Flow trace no longer left behind after flowing
Mounting an SD card will turn predictions off only if SwiftKey language packs are stored on that SD card
Keyclick sounds no longer doubled
Haptic duration made consistent with flow on and off

Known issues:

Places you still cannot Flow: email fields, passwords, anywhere where the app doesn’t behave itself with SK, fields offering their own corrections on Android versions <= 2.2
Selecting and deleting a chunk of text in Samsung email client on SIII and Note 2 deletes text before the cursor as well as after
Slight jitteriness when toggling between Hindi and Thai primary and secondary layouts
Turkish i still does not capitalise correctly
Long pressing SK mic in Google Now causes the keyboard to disappear
Occasional surprising capitalisations of flowed words
Flowing through space often fails after relatively unusual words
If you experience high memory usage after installing, this may be fixed by rebooting your phone

Via: Swiftkey

Google+ Overtakes Twitter And YouTube As Second Largest Social Network

Eric — Mon, 28 Jan 2013 10:45:36 +0000

We've been following Google+ since Google launched it as an invite-only experiment and it always felt like the little brother to the juggernaut Facebook. Google has been doing their best to increase interactivity on the site while pushing it to everyone who has a Google account which might have lead to today's news. Global Web Index released a report that monitored all the big social sites and reported that G+ has grown itself into the second most used social network in the world.

Facebook is still firmly in the lead with 51% of the share of users, but G+ has moved into the second spot with 25% with Twitter and Youtube falling in behind at third place. The report pins G+ as having almost 343 million users which is quite a number for the much criticized website.

We're fans of the G+ and their hangouts for helping us with the Droid Life Show every week, do you think they will continue to gain on Facebook?

Via: Forbes

PushBullet Is the App That Chrome to Phone Should Have Been

Tim — Mon, 28 Jan 2013 10:20:39 +0000

Google has been increasing the way our different devices interact through the web. With Chrome, all of our different tabs and history sync through our accounts with ease, but what about other types of information? As for me, I have sometimes emailed myself files, addresses, pictures, and other things that Google doesn't sync through services. One way they did help people was with the old Chrome to Phone application, which allowed users to push links via an extension to their mobile device for easy access. But let's face it, Chrome to Phone was weak sauce. This morning, a reader submitted PushBullet, an app that allows for the direct push of different info/files all through either a web interface or Chrome extension. It only takes a few steps to set up, but once you have, it's a very valuable tool that merges both your computer and mobile device into a well-connected machine.

Once the app is installed on your device and you are signed into your Google account, you can choose to either send information to it from either their direct website or from their Google Chrome extension. From either of those, you can choose if you want to push a note, list, files, links, and all of that other stuff. After testing it out, it seems to work quite lovely and I will most definitely keep this one installed. If you are all about pushing info from the desktop to your device, this is your new favorite app. Check it out and let us know what you think down below. This is the type of stuff that should come standard with Android. Play Link Chrome Extension Link Cheers Adam!

Google Wallet Receives Update With Improvements to UI and Battery Life

Kellen — Mon, 28 Jan 2013 09:57:41 +0000

Google Wallet received its first update in some time, today on Android. The changelog mentions that it includes "improvements to the user interface, application stability, and battery life," which I can confirm. Gone is the opening page with shortcuts to sections for payment cards, reward cards, offers, and transactions. In is a new properly themed Holo and panel UI. After entering your PIN, you are dropped onto the "My Wallet" page which lists your current funding source, along with bottom shortcuts to your offers, rewards cards and gift cards. With a swipe from the right, you can view all of your recent transactions. Another swipe from the right gets you to featured or nearby offers that can be accessed or saved. If you want to switch funding sources, simply tap on the card showing and you will move to a separate section for adding or switching cards. And that's that, on a UI front. It sees much more simplified if you ask me. They also mention battery life improvements, but there isn't really a way for me to test that. If you aren't running a Verizon phone, go grab the new build! Play Link

Improving Google Now [Opinion]

Ron — Mon, 28 Jan 2013 09:45:41 +0000

Google Now is great at putting certain pieces of information in front of you before you realize you need it. A traffic report for your drive home is there just before you leave work. You're notified about a package's location after you're emailed about it. Recent searches appear to remind you about your bad decision to try and understand what happened in the Clone Saga. Google wants to continue to empower our cell phones and turn them into truly useful person assistants. I believe Google Now is the best way to do that, but I also believe Google Now needs to get a lot better. In particular, Now needs improve its use of contextual information, have more of a personality, and display information better. Context Google is pretty good at guessing what I want to see, but it doesn't know things I haven't told Google about and it certainly doesn't always know all of my contextual information. Google Now knows to show me appointment information before I need to leave to meet someone or to show me local attractions, but I'm not always trying to explore something and sometimes I want to be reminded of my schedule more in advance. Location context can be tremendously powerful. For example, imagine when you walk in to your local coffee shop a card appears to pay with Google Wallet. After you pay, a card appears with a book recommendation from Google Play or your favorite playlist to throw on while you work on some homework. Maybe when you arrive at your parents place Google Now presents you with a card that initiates a photo slide show of the vacation you took last week. Maybe when you arrive at work or school it provides a card for your schedule for the rest of your day so you know what to expect as you walk in. One context that Google can't anticipate is my conversation (unless you opt in to let Google Now listen to everything you say). I might have just finished a meeting and want to add another appointment to my calendar. With Apple's Siri I can tell her to add an appointment to my calendar on the drive home, but Google Now is severely limited in the voice input it can receive. For example with Google Now I can initiate a phone call or a text message, but there is no audible feedback and with a text message I'm then prompted to use a keyboard. Siri, on the other hand, requires voice input and can do nothing with text. Google Now has fantastic voice recognition (unlike Siri's "voice recognition," which I believe Apple borrowed from Google Voice), but it's really only good for initiating tasks, not completing them. Google would be wise to allow users to ask Now questions regarding their personal information (like calendar information) and complete tasks with their voice. Personality Google has a lot of personality. From Google Doodles to April Fools' Day, Google regularly shows off its sense of humor. Google Now makes no effort to feel human. Siri, on the other hand, tells jokes, sings songs, delights in tales of robots dominating humanity, and breaks the fourth wall like your favorite merc with a mouth. As a result, Siri really does feel like a personal assistant with personality and quirks. Adding little bits of personality throughout Now that aren't user initiated would also make Now feel even more responsive and human. Granted, Siri was presented from the ground up as a personal assistant, but it wouldn't take much to build a persona around Now. Siri tells you a joke when you ask her, but imagine Now pulling up a grumpy cat meme when you do a search for something cat related. Adding personality to Google Now wouldn't add a lot of functionality, but it would encourage users to play with the app more and feel more connected with the service. I love the idea of Now messing with people on April Fools' Day with a light-hearted prank, giving a sarcastic response before following a command, or responding conversationally. I also love the idea of the Now app having sliders to choose how sarcastic or biting Now can be in response to you (just in case you're a bit more sensitive or don't like the idea of robots talking back to you). Layout Google Now is easy to launch from the lock screen of a stock device, but from your home screen it is less obvious. Tapping on the search bar at the top of the screen is fine, but it implies searching, now Now. I think leaving Google Now as a replacement for the Google Search app makes it feel foreign to Android even though Google Now only appears on the mobile operating system. I think Google should borrow a design cue from Motorola and integrate Google Now into the home screen. A swipe to the right from your main screen should throw you into Google Now. In addition to home screen integration, I think Google could do a better job at showing more information in Now. As I mentioned in my Windows Phone 8 review, in a lot of ways Live Tiles feel like Google Now. I don't think Google should adopt the Live Tiles UI, but I do think they could present cards better. Scrolling through cards is nice, but at first you can only see one and a quarter cards. I'm assuming Google did that to encourage users to scroll through Google Now, but from a UX perspective it makes Google Now far less powerful. Cards could be folded and then unfolded with a tap to show more or less information without dismissing it, flipped to show more information, or even stacked together (to borrow an idea from webOS). The Beginning of Now Google Now is really powerful and super useful, but Google definitely hasn't tapped into its full potential. Once you get past the initial creepy feeling when Google predicts the information you want without asking for it, Now feels amazing. It has the potential to blow assistants like Siri out of the water because it does what any good assistant should: do things without you having to say so. I can't wait to see what Google does to build out Now as a platform that can be integrated into smart watches, Google Glass, smart cars, refrigerators, mirrors, and so much more. This is just the beginning of Now.

NVIDIA Looks to Enter the Smartphone and Tablet Manufacturing Game By Way of "White-Labeling"

Tim — Mon, 28 Jan 2013 09:15:35 +0000

Juicy rumor time, folks. According to Russian tech site, Mobile Review, NVIDIA has major plans for 2013 that go way beyond that of Project SHIELD and Tegra 4. Apparently, NVIDIA is currently looking to work with local and regional hardware manufacturers to get themselves directly into designing and making devices. The process is called white-labeling and it's nothing new in the industry. As a quick reference, one company makes the product, then another slaps their logo/name on it and calls it their own, saving the expenses of investing in the necessary infrastructure. From what is in the report, NVIDIA has their eyes set on both tablets and smartphones, with plans to start designing and creating their devices around May or June of this very year. If all goes according to plan, we will begin to see a ton of cheap (but not any less in quality terms) 7-10" tablets hitting the market, all running NVIDIA chipsets. Now, for a Tegra fanboy such as myself this is great news, but I am also a little worried when a company would literally dive headfirst into hardware. No, they aren't new kids on the block by any means, but I am somewhat curious as to how these tablets/phones will turn out since they are being manufactured by "smaller" companies. If anything, this is another great way for them to peddle Tegra-exclusive games and apps. NVIDIA branded hardware - do you want it? Via: Unwired View | Mobile Review

Verizon to Introduce New Unlimited Prepaid Plans February 1

Kellen — Mon, 28 Jan 2013 08:45:18 +0000

For those of you on a Verizon prepaid plan, be on the lookout for changes coming through around February 1. Big Red plans to adjust the current $80 smartphone option, by offering two new options at $70 and $60. The $70 plan provides users with unlimited talk and text (same as the old plan), along with 2GB of 3G data. The $60 plan offers up the same unlimited talk and text, but only provides 500MB of 3G data. The current plan runs $80, and includes unlimited talk and text with 1GB of data. However, Verizon is offering up 2GB of data as a promo to those that sign-up for the $80 plan before January 31. Obviously, you would want to switch down to the $70 plan once it goes into effect. We should point out again that Verizon's prepaid plans only support 3G data. There are no 4G prepaid options at this point. In fact, the only phone options you have are the HTC Rhyme, Samung Illusion, and some Blackberry device that's probably from the 80s. Via: PhoneArena

Verizon Galaxy Note 2 Bootloader Unlocked Again, After Latest Update

Kellen — Mon, 28 Jan 2013 08:09:43 +0000

When Verizon released a surprise update to the Samsung Galaxy Note 2 that was listed as nothing more than a "security patch," we knew it meant only one thing - they had locked the bootloader again. Since then, users who updated early have been waiting patiently for some of the Samsung devs to work a little magic. That time has now come. Adam Outler and his crew over at XDA released a new "jailbreak" for the VZW Note 2 this weekend, one that works over the new VRALL4 update. At this time, it's only available to Linux and Windows users, though there is talk of a Mac version on the way. As you had to with the last bootloader unlock, you need to download CASUAL (Cross-platform ADB Scripting, Univeral Android Loader), Odin, BAV Baseline (prepares device for root), and the Back Atcha Verizon Bootloader file, which is the "jailbroken" bootloader plus recovery. You can find it all at the link below. On a related note, we should point out that this is bootloader unlocking, which has absolutely nothing to do with the "unlocking" ban that the Librarian of Congress issued on Saturday. Via: XDA Cheers Peter!

Groupon Selling a Refurbished Nexus 7 16GB for $189 - I Guess That's a Deal

Kellen — Mon, 28 Jan 2013 07:52:35 +0000

Care to save $10 on your Nexus 7 purchase? Groupon is currently running a deal for a "manufacturer refurbished" 16GB version of the popular Android tablet, though we're still trying to figure out if the $10 you would save over a brand new one is worth it. Remember that you can pick this tablet up from Google for $199, and no, it hasn't been refurbished. That $199 is for a brand spankin' new N7. There are times that refurbished models of products aren't a bad thing, though. In fact, some believe that they tend to be better, as the manufacturer has had time to fine-tune any issues in refurbished models that were once plaguing new builds. Via: Groupon Cheers NCSUgolfer01 and Tim!

Video: HTC M7 Chassis Leaks, Gets Compared to Other HTC Phones

Eric — Mon, 28 Jan 2013 07:43:03 +0000

You can consider the HTC M7 in full hypebeast mode in these last few weeks heading up to MWC this year. HTC's supposed new flagship phone is leaking left and right and today we get to take a look at the chassis for the device as compared to other recent HTC handsets like the One X and DROID DNA.

This video isn't hiding any juicy details about the upcoming device other than the interesting fact that it looks like the M7 will feature a dedicated camera button. That's something we had assumed went extinct as far as phones go lately, but other than that, the design for the M7 looks simple. It looks less like the One series and more like the DNA which we aren't sure is a good thing or not. Either way, we will give the phone the benefit of the doubt until they put all of the pieces together.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ulbfXVjNf9E[/youtube]

Via: ETrade Supply

This Week in the Life of DROID: 1/25/2013

Tim — Fri, 25 Jan 2013 16:00:37 +0000

It has certainly been a long one, but we finally made it to Friday. This week, we got to talk about the mysterious Moto "X" phone, saw HTC's M7 in the wild, and chatted up about how we almost got screwed by a potential Siri purchase by Verizon instead of Apple. Crisis averted. If you missed any of the week's top stories, we have gathered them below for your convenience.

Have a great weekend, everybody! Cheers to Danny Sullivan for the sweet DL wallpaper!

App Sales Roundup: Tiger Woods PGA Tour 12, Puddle THD, and Plenty More

Tim — Fri, 25 Jan 2013 14:15:12 +0000

To lead us into the weekend, let's go get some cheap apps. For a limited time, you can pick up EA's Tiger Woods PGA Tour 12 for two bucks, Puddle THD for a single dollar, AccuWeather Platinum for another dollar, and a ton more. Is it bad that I'm still upset with Google for not hosting an official 25 days of Christmas app sale of some kind? Apps on Sale:

Tiger Woods PGA Tour 12 ($1.99)
Puddle THD ($0.99)
Battery Indicator Pro ($0.99)
Fast Burst Camera ($1.78)
ZPlayer ($2.00)
The Curse ($0.99)
SlingPlayer for Tablets ($14.99)
AccuWeather Platinum ($0.99)

As always, big shout out to the AppSales app for helping me get all of these together. I love you.

Chrome Beta for Android Adds Support for Experimental Features

Kellen — Fri, 25 Jan 2013 13:45:26 +0000

If tinkering in Chrome is something that warms your pants, then be sure to install the latest version of Chrome Beta for Android, as it added support for "chrome://flags" and its experimental features. In this section, you'll see a number of items listed, some of which work in Android, others that are desktop specific. Things like disabling deferred 2D canvas, adding an FPS counter, and WebGL are some of your choices. To access this new section, simply type in "chrome://flags" in the address bar of Chrome Beta. Play Link Via: Chrome Releases

Just As We Feared, Google Holding Glass Foundry Attendees to Strict NDA

Tim — Fri, 25 Jan 2013 13:20:33 +0000

Well, this is a bummer, but we sort of planned for it. Recently, Google announced they would be holding a Google Glass Foundry event, where developers could get early access to Google Glass and the development platform that surrounds it. To the public's disappointment, Google has informed attendees that they will be held under a strict NDA (non-disclosure agreement), and asked not to share any information they learn during the two day event. According to one translation of the NDA, it sounds like developers will be able to take their Google Glass prototypes home with them though after the event, so maybe we can expect to see some leaks anyways. But remember, companies like Google do not mess around with this type of stuff. If they don't want information going out, they will stop at nothing to keep it that way. It's a bad thing for us, but they have to protect their hard work. Do we have any developers here that will be attending the Foundry? Via: Phandroid

R.I.P Galaxy Nexus LTE - Device No Longer Available From Verizon

Kellen — Fri, 25 Jan 2013 12:47:02 +0000

Just over a year after being released as one of the most anticipated devices in Android history (in communities like ours), the Verizon version of the Galaxy Nexus is no longer available. The last we saw of the G-Nex was when Big Red killed off the 32GB variant in favor of a 16GB at $50 with a new 2-year contract. Since then, it has gone in and out of the certified pre-owned section when it's not making appearances on daily deal sites. It had a great run. Even if Verizon made a mockery of it as a Nexus device by refusing to give it the update attention it deserved, the Galaxy Nexus LTE is still one of the top devices among DL readers. It has a ROM community that won't quit and seems to give the phone new life every time a new version of Android is released, again, no thanks to carrier it is connected to. So since the device is no longer available directly from Verizon, let's have a quick moment of silence for one of the icons in the industry. And I don't care that it had abysmal battery life - it was still one of the most important Android phones to ever hit store shelves. But also, we need to have a moment of silence because we may never see a device like it on Verizon ever again. Cheers Andrey!

Droid Life Q&A Sessions: Volume 9 Answers

Tim — Fri, 25 Jan 2013 11:50:51 +0000

It's finally Friday and we have the answers to the Droid Life Q&A Sessions: Volume 9. Earlier this week, we got some great submissions from our readers and its nice to just sit back and go through them, whether they be Android or non-Android related. Of course, we got some Super Bowl questions, along with some questions about how we all first met (online dating), and what we hope to see from Key Lime Pie. If you are ready to take a journey, read on. Reminder: K is Kellex, T is Tim, R is Ron, and E is Eric.

How did you all meet?

K: We met at BloggerSingles.net, a fantastic place for lonely at-home internet trolls to meet other at-home internet trolls. After seeing the commercial during re-runs of Battlestar Galactica and joining shortly after for $14.95 per month, we quickly arranged team LAN parties in my Mom's basement to see if we would be a good fit as a team. A dozen or so 64oz Mountain Dew Code Reds later, some sticky mice, and the rest is history. R: I didn't really talk with Tim or Eric until we started doing the show. I had emailed with Kellen a few times and even written a guest post for DL. Eventually I decided that I wanted to write more opinion pieces because that was something that I didn't see a lot of in the Android space. Apple has its MG Sieglers and John Grubers, but I didn't see a lot of opinion and editorial in the Android space. I don't think I'm anywhere near Sigler or Gruber's levels, but I hope I've helped spur on the conversation. T: Well, I have never met either Eric or Ron in person, but we are Internet BFF's and we talk almost daily. As for me, I came here as a reader/comment thug and then eventually started "writing" about Android and other random stuff like custom ROM's. Once I became full time, I took a trip up to Portland to meet Kellen and learn the true ways of blogging. It was a really cool experience and it grew from there. You know, Mountain Dew Code Red can do a lot to a man and his inability to say, "No." E: Back in the day when I was a wee little lad with a wee little Droid, I was curious as how to root and unlock it. Thus brought me to Droid-Life, and I became an avid reader. I watched the rise and eventual fall of Android Life and sent Kellex a message that said, "Hey, I'm Eric... and I like to party" and voila, here we are.

This might have already been asked, but what do you guys do for a living outside of Droid Life?

K: This is it! DL 4 life. R: I work for a local computer consulting company as my main job for now. I also lead worship at an Anglican church in Yucaipa, CA. T: As for work, DL is my full-time gig. Beyond that, I spend my time bowling, driving, running around with the pups, and getting in all sorts of trouble with local business owners. E: I'm a senior in college so when I'm not writing and not studying for classes I'm doing totally healthy, non-alcoholic activities that my family and community would be proud of.

If you had to guess, when will the Motorola X phone be released?

K: More than likely this summer, but it could be late spring. I'm actually buying into some of the rumors that Motorola will try to unveil something close to Google I/O, which takes place in May. Keep in mind that they haven't released a phone in a couple of months, and so far, don't have anything else in the works that we know of. They can't wait much longer. R: October 17. T: Definitely October 17. But nothing is confirmed. E: Either this holiday season or next Spring, not what I'd like, but realistic dates.

Do you think Blackberry 10 will steal any market share away from Android and iOS, or do you think that they are really just gambling all-in on something that isn't within their grasps anymore?

K: If Microsoft and all their muscle can't make Windows Phone 8 a player, I have serious doubts about RIM making a comeback with an OS that is 3 or 4 years in the making. I think you'll see the Blackberry die-hards get excited, along with some tech media that has nothing better to talk about, but the regular consumer won't care. They are already invested in either Android or iOS. R: I think it has been a two horse race for a long time. webOS had a shot and they missed. I hope RIM does well, but I don't expect it. T: It's not even in my spectrum of thought. As for taking away any market share from Google and Apple, yeah, good luck with that. I enjoy competition for the sake of innovation, but it won't be coming from BlackBerry 10. E: BB has got some serious 'splanin to do to all of their business market share that they've already lost. A lot of companies are now "bring your own device" with the downfall of BB so they will have to show that they have something special to lure people back from Android and iOS. As of right now I don't know that something special is.

What is the first thing you look at in a phone?

K: Used to be the display, but now I really do focus on the entire package. OK, that's a lie - if it says "Nexus" in the name, I'm buying. I need a phone to have every single new technology that's available. The Nexus 4 was a no-brainer because it had it all, plus will always be up-to-date with the latest version of Android. R: Screen. You stare at it all day, so it better be good. T: Size and then the display. If it feels good in my hand and then is nice to look at, it's onto the performance. Have I mentioned I enjoy the Galaxy Note 2? I probably have by now. E: It used to be display, but anymore these days with myself being such a power user, battery life is on top of my list. Never again shall I have a phone with a bad battery life.

What is the one thing you are hoping to see in Key Lime Pie?

K: Because we have seen a dozen or so emails in the last week - Bluetooth Low Energy support. Actually, we better see that sooner than KLP. I'd have to same cloud gaming support or syncing, like was written by a guest blogger on the site this week. R: Google Now on my home screen. T: I would love to see a unified messaging service across the platform. On top of that, I need cloud gaming saves and app data saves across multiple devices. I don't want to have to keep leveling up in Need for Speed. It's a real pain in the butt! E: More Google Now design throughout Android. I think the design team still has a lot up their sleeve and a lot of integration with Google Now left to go, I'm excited where the next version of Android is going to take us.

What do you prefer about manufacturer skins over stock Android, if anything?

K: I don't mean to sound Android elitist, but there isn't anything that sticks out. I've given up LTE just so that I can use the Nexus 4 and so far, have no regrets. There isn't anything from TouchWiz or Sense or Blur that I'm missing. R: Motorola's Smart Actions are cool. T: Um, that's a tough one. Off the top of my head, there isn't too much I enjoy about skins. Maybe the ability to put custom shortcuts on the lockscreen with TouchWiz is a plus. Oh, the Sense camera software on the One X is great. Anything that adds function to the device I am all for. Tacky skins have got to go though.

49ers or Ravens? Why?

K: Can't stand either team. Sick of hearing about Ray Lewis. Sick of hearing about the Har-bowl. Just get the game here so I can eat fried, greasy foods for a day, drink red beer after red beer, and not feel guilty about any of it. R: That's the sport with the touchdowns, right? T: I would love to run out into the streets screaming that the 49ers won the Super Bowl. I really think the team has some fantastic dynamics. A superior running game with Gore, Kaepernick. Great hands with Crabtree and Moss, plus Davis is back in action now. And as long as our secondary decides to show up, we should have it in the bag. Oh, and DO NOT attempt any field goals or we are completely screwed. Why coach decided to keep Akers in is beyond me. I want to like him, but if he continues to miss 30+ yard attempts, I will find him and I will destroy him. E: Let me tell you why I hate Joe Flacco. He's one of the most overrated QBs in the league right now, in my opinion he's just as bad as Phillip Rivers. Yes I know Flaccos has 8 TDs and 0 INTs in the post season right now, but he's got 3 tall, fast, athletic WRs that bail him out every time he overthrows one of his patented "long balls." 49ers and Mizzou grad Aldon Smith are going to stomp the Ravens (unfortunately because I'd like to see Ray Lewis get another ring). Full disclosure: all this hate may or may not stem from the fact that I picked Ray Rice in my fantasy league this year and got screwed by Flacco almost every game.

Are the Nexus 7 and Nexus 10 the best tablets at their respective price points, and is now the time to buy one?

K: Yes and yes. R: Yes and no. The Nexus 7 is probably still a good buy, but I'm not convinced about the 10 yet. I might get a Transformer over the Nexus 10. T: The Nexus 7 is still a steal. As for me, the 10-inch tablet market is just not my thing. I don't use large tablets, but the Nexus 10 is pretty great. It's thin, performs well, and looks good. Although, there are rumors that a new rendition of the N10 is coming at Google I/O. You may want to hold off until then. E: Yes, with the exception of the Nexus 10. With the very plausible rumor that the N10 might be getting a spec increase here in the next few months, I would suggest holding off on that. But the N7 is still my favorite tablet of all time and I use it daily to the point where I need to charge it every night.

Super Charged Hatka ROM For DROID DNA, Brings Android 4.1.1 and Photo Sphere (Update)

Tim — Fri, 25 Jan 2013 11:20:18 +0000

Been craving to try a new ROM on that DROID DNA of yours? Well, we have one that might deserve a look from you. Super Charged Hatka from developer MustafaHadaKing over on XDA brings your DNA up to Android 4.1.1, while also delivering one of Android 4.2's most popular features, Photo Sphere. On top of that, there is also a working stock "vanilla" theme to make sure you aren't having to deal with HTC's Sense software. This, in and of itself, is a #win for some people. In addition, the developer has removed the permanent WiFi notification from the notification bar, removed the NFC icon that never goes away, removed all of the bloatware, added in the stock Jelly Bean dialer and contacts app, and whole lot of other great goodies. I sometimes stress that custom ROMs are not as useful as they once used to be, but for this device and some of the fixes this ROM brings, I am still thankful to the countless developers out there that make these devices better. If you want to give it a try, you can follow the via link down below. And as always, don't forget to make a backup. Update: As a friend over on Google+ pointed out, the developer only switched the build.prop to Android 4.2 to get Photo Sphere working. Other than that, it is running Android 4.1.1. Sorry for the confusion. Via: XDA Cheers Matt!

Blitz Brigade is Gameloft's New Cartoonish Team-based FPS Title, Here is the Teaser

Kellen — Fri, 25 Jan 2013 10:56:27 +0000

This morning, Gameloft published a teaser for their upcoming "team-based" first person shooter (FPS) called Blitz Brigade. The teaser shows no gameplay, offering little in the way of what to expect, other than cartoonish muscular jocks with giant guns who want to team up with other muscular jocks with giant guns to splatter blood all over this blessed Earth. Gameloft wants you to "pound your enemies into the dirt and call them mean names" while you play Blitz Brigade. OK, then. It's coming to Android, however, we aren't sure when. Until I see actual gameplay, I'll have to remain a bit skeptical on this one.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A01E0SKNfKM[/youtube]

30% of Mobile Devices Shipped in Q4 Were Made By Samsung

Eric — Fri, 25 Jan 2013 10:35:58 +0000

It's not an exaggeration to say that Samsung dominated the sales of the last quarter in 2012. According to the results, Samsung shipped 63 million devices, easily passing the likes of Nokia, Apple and RIM. That number accounts for 30% of the worldwide shipments of smartphones.

The report also notes that 2012 was overall a good year for the mobile market. The overall number of devices shipped was up some 42% from the year before. Samsung definitely has the lead though and are looking to capitalize with the Galaxy S4 coming some time this year, we just have to wait to see how big it will be.

Via: CNET

More Galaxy Note 8.0 Photos Leak, Show Off Home Button and Phone Capabilities?

Eric — Fri, 25 Jan 2013 10:05:06 +0000

More pictures of the rumored Samsung Galaxy Note 8.0 have leaked, but so far they are leaving us with more questions than we had before. Mainly, where does this device fit in with the Note 10.1, Note 2 and the Galaxy Tab series? Shouldn't the upcoming 7" Tab 3 be enough? Another question: Samsung, do you really expect anyone to use this as a phone? It does have a telephone app in the bottom left corner, so try holding this to your ear and not getting made fun of.

All sarcasm aside, it looks that this device will in fact be announced at MWC in a few weeks. The French site, Frandroid, got their hands on the device and reported the specs including a 1280 x 800 LCD display, Android 4.2 Jelly Bean, 2GB of RAM, a microSD card reader, cameras on the front and back, and a 4,600 mAh battery. Nowhere did they mention if it comes with a Bluetooth headset for those phone calls, but we sincerely hope it does.

Is anyone interested in another Note at this point? No one will really make any phone calls on this, will they?

Via: Frandroid

Verizon Sells Off 39 700MHz Spectrum Licenses For $1.9 Billion, Right Into the Hands of AT&T

Tim — Fri, 25 Jan 2013 09:25:22 +0000

This morning, following the week's earnings calls from both companies, Verizon has inked a deal with AT&T to sell off 39 lower 700MHz spectrum licenses for $1.9 billion in cash, as well as a handful of AT&T's AWS (10MHz) spectrum licenses. The deal must still be approved by the FCC and DOJ, but Verizon is expecting a prompt approval from both parties. As stated by Big Red, this particular agreement was reached as a result of their spectrum sale process that was announced last year. How AT&T plans to utilize these licenses is still unknown, but the obvious guess would be that they are going to beef up their 4G LTE network. As for Verizon's newly acquired AWS, they have listed out a few cities that will be affected by the deal such as, Los Angeles, Phoenix, Fresno, and Portland, Oregon. In addition, they have specifically listed out each city affected by the sell off of their 700MHz licenses. To name a few we have Chicago, Miami, Oklahoma City, Memphis, Cincinnati, and a bunch more. For the full list, see below in the press release.

Verizon Wireless Announces Spectrum License Transactions
Verizon Wireless announced today it has signed agreements to complete a number of spectrum license transactions, including license sale, purchase and lease agreements. The transactions are subject to approval by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and the Department of Justice (DOJ) and are expected to close promptly upon receiving necessary approvals. The agreements cover the following transactions:

Verizon Wireless will sell 39 lower 700 MHz B Block licenses (listed below) to AT&T in exchange for a payment of $1.9 billion, and the transfer by AT&T to Verizon Wireless of AWS (10 MHz) licenses in certain western markets, including Los Angeles, Phoenix, Fresno and Portland, Oregon.

Verizon Wireless will sell lower 700 MHz B Block licenses covering the Charlotte, Greensboro and Raleigh-Durham markets in North Carolina to Grain Management, a Sarasota, Florida-based private equity firm that invests in the telecommunications sector, in exchange for a payment of $189 million.

Verizon Wireless will lease from Grain Management an AWS license covering Dallas, Texas, which Grain is acquiring from AT&T.

The agreements were reached as a result of Verizon Wireless’ spectrum sale process announced last spring for its lower 700 MHz spectrum licenses. To date, seven companies, including those in this announcement, have signed license purchase agreements as a result of the sale process; five are small or regional telecom carriers and one is a minority-owned firm. Prior to the transactions announced today, Verizon Wireless has sold or agreed to sell 35 of its 77 lower B block licenses to 10 different entities, including transactions that were initiated prior to the sale process. The agreements signed today will complete the lower 700 MHz sale process. In addition, through its LTE in Rural America program, Verizon Wireless is leasing upper 700 MHz C block spectrum to 20 rural operators to jumpstart the delivery of 4G LTE in rural areas. Stephens Inc., an independent full service investment bank, and Loop Capital Markets LLC, a minority-owned full service investment bank, advised Verizon on the sale process to encourage broad-based participation from the rural telecom community and minority- and female-owned businesses. Following is a list of markets covered by the 39 licenses that Verizon Wireless will sell to AT&T:

Chicago, IL
Los Angeles, CA
Miami, FL
Oklahoma City, OK
Cincinnati, OH
Memphis, TN
West Palm Beach, FL
Rochester, NY
Youngstown, OH
Lake Charles, LA
Fort Collins, CO
Bradenton, FL
Alexandria, LA
Billings, MT
Rapid City, SD
Tyler, TX
Longview, TX
Waco, TX
Texarkana, TX
Great Falls, MT
Pueblo, CO
Casper, WY
Utah 1, 4, 5 and 6
Louisiana 1, 2 and 3
Wyoming 2
Washington 2
Idaho 5
Texas 18
Colorado 4
New Mexico 5
Virginia 10
Montana 8 and 9
South Dakota 1

Via: Verizon

Unlocking of Carrier-tied Smartphones to Be Illegal Starting Tomorrow, has Nothing to do With Bootloaders

Kellen — Fri, 25 Jan 2013 09:06:39 +0000

Back in October of last year, news broke over a change in the legality of unlocking smartphones that were attached to carriers or purchased on-contract. The Librarian of Congress decided that as of January 26, you are no longer allowed to unlock your phone unless given permission by the carrier you purchased it from. Well, there are some ways around that, but for the most part, you are locked onto the carrier you bought your phone from until your contract is up. We should point out that this has nothing to do with "unlocking" the bootloader of your phone. So let's be clear about a couple of things here. First, unlocking a phone in this instance, has nothing to do with rooting or bootloaders - we're talking about SIM unlocking your phone so that it can work on another carrier. If you want to hack the hell out of your smartphone and unlock its bootloader, feel free to continue to do that for the foreseeable future. Second, you can buy plenty of phones that are already unlocked - like the Nexus 4, which can be used at will on whatever carrier you choose. Third, if you are under contract with say AT&T, but you want to unlock your phone to take it over to T-Mobile, you can ask for permission to do so. I would assume then that AT&T has some sort of policy to decide if they will allow that, and will then provide an unlock key or something to get you on your way. Fourth, this doesn't affect most Verizon phones (other than the iPhone 5 which comes unlocked on Big Red), as they haven't ever really been in the business of unlocking, like AT&T and T-Mobile with their GSM networks and phones. There are some exceptions in there, though, as many of their newest phones are global-ready and will work on other carriers if unlocked (DROID DNA for example). Fifth, if you buy phones at full retail, not on-contract, they may come unlocked already. Why is it that the Librarian of Congress has made this move? Their logic runs off of the idea that they don't think you should take advantage of a carrier subsidy (cheap phone on contract) and then turn right around and ditch that carrier for another. They also feel that you have plenty of options out there for unlocked phones that don't involve carriers. Last, if you are super upset by this news, feel free to join this petition. This news isn't all exciting for those who like to purchase phones cheaply from this carrier and plan to unlock it to take it over to that carrier. With that said, I'd say this probably won't affect most of you, especially on Verizon. Via: TechNewsDaily Cheers Beaver, Robert, and Tom!

Samsung Reports Q4 Earnings - Over $8 Billion in Profit, Thanks in Part to Galaxy S3 and Note 2

Kellen — Fri, 25 Jan 2013 08:34:26 +0000

Samsung released its Q4 2012 financials last night and as expected, was another massive quarter. They took in revenues of roughly $52.45 billion and a profit of approximately $8.27 billion. Yep, that's a lot of money. This numbers mark a 7-percent and 10-percent quarter-by-quarter increase, respectively. Also as expected, Samsung pointed out that this stellar quarter happened because of their mobile communications side and the Galaxy S3 and Galaxy Note 2 that were released this year and pushed mightily during the holiday quarter. Samsung's LED TV and semi-conductor businesses were also up, while their panel business saw a slight decline. Full press release is below. Here is the presentation.

Samsung Electronics Announces Earnings for Fourth Quarter in 2012

4Q consolidated operating profit reaches 8.84 trillion won on revenues of 56.06 trillion won
SEOUL, Korea – January 25, 2013 – Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. today announced revenues of 56.06 trillion Korean won on a consolidated basis for the fourth quarter ended December 31, 2012, a 7-percent increase quarter-on-quarter. Consolidated operating profit for the quarter hit 8.84 trillion won, representing a 10-percent increase on-quarter, while consolidated net profit for the same quarter was 7.04 trillion won. The full-year 2012 operating profit was 29.05 trillion won on revenue of 201.10 trillion won. In its earnings guidance disclosed on January 8, Samsung estimated fourth quarter consolidated revenues would reach approximately 56 trillion won with consolidated operating profit of approximately 8.8 trillion won. Highlighting the quarterly performance, Mobile Communications generated quarterly revenues of 27.23 trillion won, a 4-percent increase compared with the previous quarter. The growth was mainly driven by solid sales of Samsung’s GALAXY S IIl and GALAXY Note ll. All told, operating profit for IT & Mobile Communications, which encompasses four business units including Mobile Communications, was 5.44 trillion won on revenues of 31.32 trillion won. “Despite uncertainties in Europe and concerns over the U.S. fiscal cliff creating a difficult business environment, we did our best this quarter to achieve strong earnings based on a strategic focus on differentiated and high value-added products as well as our technological competitiveness,” said Robert Yi, Senior Vice President and Head of Investor Relations. “Heading into this year, we are expecting a slow recovery in the component business due to reduced capital expenditures, while competition in the set business will intensify further as demand slows and the mid- to low-end market expands,” he added. Mr. Yi also expressed caution over the continued strength of the Korean won in 2013. Samsung’s standout lineup of LED TVs, including premium models targeting advanced markets and TVs tailored to emerging markets, has also improved quarter-on-quarter earnings. Although demand for home appliances retreated in the December quarter due to a tepid global economy, Samsung saw increased sales of high-end refrigerators and washers in the U.S. and in European markets. On the components business side, demand for PC DRAM remained weak but growth of high value-added products such as server and mobile DRAM was constant due to increased sales of mobile devices. While the Semiconductor Business landed profits in the quarter, the Display Panel segment struggled, as demand for IT panels for notebooks and monitors remained slow. On the other hand, profitability in LCD panels for TVs and OLED panels for smartphones prevented wider losses. As for this year’s capital expenditure, the size of investment is expected to be similar to that of 2012’s.The weakening global economic recovery and looming market uncertainties are anticipated to weigh on plans for investment and performance this year, but despite global economic jitters, Samsung will respond to the market’s ebb and flow with a capex plan that is flexible in manner. Differentiated Product Mix to Alleviate Chip Supply Squeeze Samsung’s Semiconductor Businesses – including Memory and System LSI – posted consolidated 9.59 trillion won in revenue, a 10-percent hike from a quarter earlier. The Memory chip unit accounted for 5.33 trillion won in earnings and with the logic chip unit yielded 1.42 trillion won in operating profits, up 39 percent on-quarter The Semiconductor Business sustained profitability in the quarter, amid weak market demand, thanks to a mix of high-margin products such as servers and Solid State Drives (SSDs) coupled with differentiated 20-nanometer class NAND flash chips. A competitive edge in mobile application processors for smartphones and tablet PCs also contributed to the bottom line. Looking ahead, demand for memory chips is expected to be stifled in the first quarter, due to the seasonably weak demand for PCs and mobile devices. However, for the remainder of 2013, high value-added DRAM for mobile devices and servers will sustain profitability. Demand for logic products and NAND solutions including SSDs will remain strong throughout the year, as the industry puts greater emphasis on devices with higher capacity, greater processing power and mobility. High-End Panels Secure Stability The Display Panel Business recorded an operating profit of 1.11 trillion won on revenue of 7.75 trillion won in the fourth quarter. This represented a 5-percent decline in profits compared with the previous quarter but was up from the corresponding quarter of 2011. Despite slower-than-expected economic recovery in developed markets, panel demand in China and emerging economies remained favorable in the quarter. This was led by solid sales of TV and tablet panels which offset the slowdown in notebook and monitor panel demand. Samsung was able to secure stable growth for the quarter with an improved product mix and strengthened sales of high-end panels. Sales of LED and narrow bezel panels for premium TVs continued to grow, although the company’s TV panel sales dropped in the mid single-digit percentage range from the same period last year. However, increased sales of tablet panels as well as OLED panels for premium smartphones contributed to steady growth. Looking ahead to 2013, the company expects the market for large-size TV panels, those over 60 inches in size, to grow. Strong sales of tablet panels are also forecast to continue throughout the year. For the first quarter, however, panel demand is expected to be adversely affected by off-peak seasonality before recovering in March with new TV and tablet product launches by manufactures. Emerging Markets, a Silver Lining The IT & Mobile Communications – comprised of Mobile Communications, Telecommunication Systems, Digital Imaging and Media Solution Center businesses – posted operating profits of 5.44 trillion won on 31.32 trillion won in revenue for the period. Out of the total IM earnings, the handset-making unit claimed 27.23 trillion won in revenue in the October-December quarter. Samsung led gains with its full lineup of entry- to mid-level smartphones, expanded sales of tablet PCs and an increase in average selling price (ASP) from the previous quarter. The success was mainly brought on by strong sales of GALAXY S III and GALAXY Note II, which beat the popularity of their predecessors with record sales in record time. In contrast, growth in network and IT-related IM businesses was stunted by heated pricing in the fourth quarter. On a brighter note, sales of Long Term Evolution (LTE) wireless broadband technology equipment continued gains while revenue from overseas sales of notebook PCs improved. The furious growth spurt seen in the global smartphone market last year is expected to be pacified by intensifying price competition compounded by a slew of new products. In the first quarter, demand for smartphones in developed countries is expected to decelerate, while their emerging counterparts will see their markets escalate with the introduction of more affordable smartphones and a bigger appetite for tablet PCs throughout the year. LED TVs Drive Growth The Consumer Electronics Division – encompassing the Visual Display and Digital Appliances businesses – posted revenue of 13.95 trillion won for the quarter, up 20 percent quarter-on-quarter. The operating profit of 740 billion won amounted to an increase of 87 percent on the previous quarter and an increase on-year. Lifted by peak season sales, the market experienced stronger demand for TV products in both developed and emerging markets as LED TV sales drove overall market growth of over 40 percent on-quarter. Backed by favorable market conditions, Samsung outperformed the market for LED TVs with on-quarter growth of more than 50 percent. This was achieved by the company’s differentiated strategy of focusing on premium models for developed economies and region-specific models in emerging markets. Heading into 2013, sales will be led by emerging economies and the LED TV segment, which will expand its proportion of total TV sales into the mid-80 percent range. In the first quarter, the company expects off-peak seasonality to dampen on-quarter growth, although demand will be up in comparison with the previous year. For the Digital Appliances market, although global economic conditions pushed demand down on the previous quarter, Samsung was able to expand sales of premium refrigerators and washing machines as the company experienced growth in developed markets such as Europe and the U.S. Looking ahead, the company expects moderate growth in emerging markets while low growth is likely to continue in developed economies. About Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. is a global leader in consumer electronics and the core components that go into them. Through relentless innovation and discovery, we are transforming the worlds of televisions, smartphones, personal computers, printers, cameras, home appliances, medical devices, semiconductors and LED solutions. We employ 227,000 people across 75 countries with annual sales exceeding US$143 billion. Our goal is opening new possibilities for people everywhere. To discover more, please visit www.samsung.com.

Official Nexus 7 Dock Hands-on

Kellen — Thu, 24 Jan 2013 16:21:47 +0000

Hey, would you look at that - the official Nexus 7 dock is real! I say that for a couple of reasons actually, mostly over the fact that Nexus accessories are always on display during unveilings, yet almost never make it to customers hands or become any sort of a reality outside of Google's campus. The second reason being that we have seen this thing push through delay after delay before finally appearing on random electronics outlets (which I purchased this one from). Enough complaining, though, let's talk about the dock and its $40 price tag. In the box of the Nexus 7 dock you get nothing but a dock. They didn't even toss in audio or microUSB cables, even though it utilizes both. No sir, this is a BYOC kind of party. The dock itself feels well made. In fact, it's got some heft to it at 280g. It's made of fine plastic (is that such a thing?), has "Nexus" and "Asus" logos on the front and back respectively, audio and microUSB ports, and a rubber grip on the bottom to prevent desktop slippage. Beyond all of that, the key selling point here has got to be the dock's use of the Nexus 7 POGO pins to charge the device. Once you have the dock situated on your desk with a charger attached, all you have to do is turn your N7 sideways and firmly press it into place. From there, the experience is what you want to make of it. Use it to watch movies with its optimal viewing angle, connect it to a speaker or headphones to bring a world of tunes to life, or take advantage of Android 4.2's DayDream desktop docking feature. Your biggest worry is probably the price, right? At roughly $40 (cheaper at some spots) with shipping, all you want to know is, "is it worth it?" Tough question! It's a well-made docking station, but with the lack of HDMI, some may consider it to be too expensive. I'll say this - if you are looking for an official dock that still offers plenty of features and still remains under $50, this isn't a bad choice.

Gallery

[nggallery id=44]

Video

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CzWd_tQjwsg[/youtube]

The Tato Show: After Hours - Episode 2 Starts Tonight at 7PM PST

Tim — Thu, 24 Jan 2013 15:57:59 +0000

Tonight, I'll be going live for the second time on the Tato Show: After Hours with my buddy Dave Kover and Miranda aka "Mimsy" McCuller. We will also have a very special guest, Mr. Marques Brownlee who runs the YouTube channel MKBHD. He is a master device reviewer and director extraordinaire. I'm really excited to have him on so it should be a good show. We will touch on a few subjects that are Android related like the Motorola "X" phone, Apple's stock free fall, and why some app/game developers still don't seem to care about Android. We will also have some talk on the upcoming Super Bowl goodness, which is of course a subject very close to my heart. To top it off, if you have any questions you would want me to ask Marques, shoot them down below and we will be sure to get to them.

Reminder: This is an after hours show, meaning you can expect some language to be NSFW, but we'll make a point to try and keep it clean. Sometimes, the Internet brings out the worst in you though.

The show goes live at 7PM PST (10PM EST) and we will have a chat and video embedded below for your viewing and listening pleasure. [youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lU0bpSBp8M0[/youtube]

Skype for Android Updated, Brings Portrait Calling For Tablets

Tim — Thu, 24 Jan 2013 14:49:26 +0000

Remember when Skype came to Android? If not, I'll refresh your memory. It was a rainy Thursday morning on March 25, 2010 and to everyone's dismay, the app didn't even support WiFi. It was indeed, a failure. But now, it's almost two years later and Skype is a much better application, supporting 3G, 4G LTE, and of course, WiFi connections. Today, it has been updated bringing a groundbreaking feature, portrait calling for Android tablets. Hooray. If you need to go make your dreams of making a call while in portrait come true, go grab the update in Google Play. Enjoy. Play Link

AT&T Posts 2012 Q4 Earnings, Sells 10.2 Million Smartphones In Just Three Months

Tim — Thu, 24 Jan 2013 14:16:13 +0000

This afternoon, AT&T's Q4 of 2012 earnings have gone up, although it's really hard to take our eyes off the of the Apple stock ticker. AT&T posted a profit of $0.44 per share on sales totaling $32.6 billion in revenue. In comparison to 2011's Q4, the carrier posted a profit of $0.42 per share on $32.5 billion in revenue. Last quarter, AT&T activated a record 10.2 million smartphones, which includes 8.6 million iPhones, the most ever sold by any U.S. carrier. And don't forget about 4G LTE. By the end of 2013, AT&T looks to cover more than 250 million Americans in their high speeds. To see the full report, check below.

Strong Growth in Wireless and U-verse Drives Revenue and Adjusted Earnings Per Share Growth in AT&T’s Fourth-Quarter Results Full-Year 2012: Strong Earnings, Record Cash Flows, $23 Billion Returned to Shareowners 2013 Outlook: Solid Revenue Gains, EPS Growth in Upper-Single Digits with Continuing Free Cash Flow Strength

$(0.68) diluted EPS in the fourth quarter compared to $(1.12) diluted EPS in the year- ago period. Excluding significant items and adjusting for the sale of Advertising Solutions, EPS was $0.44 versus $0.40, up 10 percent year over year

For full-year 2012, excluding significant items and adjusting for the sale of Advertising Solutions, EPS was up 8.5 percent year over year

Consolidated revenues of $32.6 billion, up 0.2 percent versus reported results for the year-earlier period, and up 2.8 percent excluding Advertising Solutions and Superstorm Sandy impact

Record cash from operations of $39.2 billion and record free cash flow for full-year 2012

$4.4 billion in stock buybacks in the fourth quarter with 126.6 million shares repurchased; for the full year, the company repurchased 371 million shares, or about 6 percent of shares outstanding, for $12.8 billion

$23 billion returned to shareowners in 2012 through dividends and share repurchases Record Smartphone Sales and Strong Wireless Postpaid Net Adds

Wireless revenues up 5.7 percent versus the year-ago quarter; wireless service revenues up 4.2 percent

780,000 wireless postpaid net adds, largest increase in three years; 1.1 million increase in total net wireless subscribers

Record smartphone sales of 10.2 million, the most ever sold by any U.S. carrier; postpaid smartphone customer base now 47.1 million, up 2.5 million from third-quarter 2012

Smartphones 89 percent of postpaid phone sales

DALLAS, January 24, 2013 — AT&T Inc. (NYSE:T) today reported fourth-quarter results highlighted by strong wireless revenue growth, record smartphone sales, the highest postpaid net adds in three years and accelerating consumer wireline revenue growth thanks to U-verse services. Postpaid wireless subscriber ARPU (average monthly revenues per subscriber) up 1.9 percent to $64.98

Wireline Consumer Revenue Growth Accelerates

Wireline consumer revenue growth continues to accelerate, with revenues up 3.0 percent versus the year-earlier period, their strongest growth in more than four years

36.3 percent growth in U-verse® revenues

8.0 million total U-verse subscribers (TV and high speed Internet) in service; a net gainof 192,000 U-verse TV subscribers and 609,000 high speed Internet subscribers

Total wireline broadband data ARPU up more than 10 percent year over yearNote: AT&T’s fourth-quarter earnings conference call will be broadcast live via the Internet at 4:30 p.m. ET on Thursday, January 24, 2013, athttp://www.att.com/investor.relations.―We had an excellent 2012,‖ said Randall Stephenson, AT&T chairman and chief executive officer. ―We grew revenues, increased adjusted earnings per share by 8.5 percent and generated cash from operations at record levels. We used this cash to invest aggressively in the future of our business and returned $23 billion to shareowners through dividends and share repurchases.―Looking ahead, our key growth platforms — mobile data, U-verse and strategic business services — all have good momentum with a lot of headroom,‖ Stephenson said. ―We’re off to a strong start executing Project VIP, our plan to expand our high-growth platforms to millions more customers, and our 4G LTE network deployment is ahead of schedule, delivering outstanding performance.‖Fourth-Quarter Financial ResultsFor the quarter ended December 31, 2012, AT&T’s consolidated revenues totaled $32.6 billion, up 0.2 percent versus the year-earlier quarter and up an even stronger 2.8 percent when excluding revenues primarily from the divested Advertising Solutions business unit as well as the impact of Superstorm Sandy.Compared with results for the fourth quarter of 2011, operating expenses were $38.5 billion versus $41.5 billion; operating loss was $6.0 billion, compared to a loss of $9.0 billion; and AT&T’s operating income margin was (18.3) percent, compared to (27.7) percent. Excluding previously noted adjustments, operating expenses were $28.4 billion, compared to an adjusted $27.5 billion in the year- ago quarter, up 3.3 percent; operating income was $4.2 billion, flat versus a year ago; and operating income margin was 12.9 percent.

Fourth-quarter 2012 net income attributable to AT&T totaled $(3.9) billion, or $(0.68) per diluted share, compared to $(6.7) billion, or $(1.12) per diluted share, in the year-earlier quarter. Excluding adjustments of $(1.10) from the non-cash actuarial loss on benefit plans, $(0.02) from storm impacts and adjusted for Advertising Solutions, earnings per share was up 10 percent, $0.44 compared to an adjusted $0.40 in the year-ago quarter. (The actuarial loss on benefit plans was driven by a reduction in the discount rate from 5.3 percent to 4.3 percent. While our investment returns were better than assumptions, they were not enough to offset the lower discount rate.) Fourth-quarter 2012 cash from operating activities totaled $10.5 billion, and capital expenditures totaled $5.9 billion. Free cash flow — cash from operating activities minus capital expenditures — totaled $4.6 billion. Full-Year Results For full year 2012, compared with 2011 results, AT&T’s consolidated revenues totaled $127.4 billion versus $126.7 billion; when excluding the divested Advertising Solutions business unit, revenues were up 2.4 percent for the year. Operating expenses were $114.4 billion, compared with $117.5 billion, down 2.6 percent; net income attributable to AT&T was $7.3 billion versus $3.9 billion; and earnings per diluted share was $1.25 compared with $0.66. Excluding adjustments for both years, earnings per share totaled $2.31, compared with $2.13, an increase of 8.5 percent. AT&T’s full-year cash from operating activities was a record $39.2 billion, up from $34.7 billion in 2011. Capital expenditures, including capitalized interest, totaled $19.7 billion versus $20.3 billion, including a 10.6 percent increase in wireless-related capital investment versus 2011, as AT&T aggressively deployed next-generation mobile broadband networks. Full-year free cash flow also was a record at $19.4 billion. Share Repurchases During the quarter, the company repurchased 126.6 million of its shares for $4.4 billion. AT&T has completed its initial 300 million share repurchase authorization and began buying back shares on its second 300 million share repurchase authorization. At the end of the quarter, about 229 million shares remained on the second authorization. In 2012, the company repurchased 371 million shares, or about 6 percent of outstanding shares, for $12.8 billion. Outlook AT&T is well positioned to deliver solid revenue and earnings per share growth with stable margins while returning substantial value to shareowners in 2013. At the same time, AT&T is investing in future growth with Project Velocity IP (Project VIP). In 2013, AT&T expects:

Consolidated revenue growth exceeding 2 percent with continuing strength in wireless service and wireline consumer revenues;

Earnings per share growth to be upper-single digits or higher;

Consolidated margins to be stable, with expanding wireless margins offsetting Project VIP investments;

Led by investments in Project VIP growth initiatives, capital spending to be in the $21 billion range with increased spending in wireless and stable wireline investments;

LTE build to cover 250 million or more of the U.S. population by yearend;

Free cash flow exceeding $14 billion: and

Completion of the company’s 300 million share repurchase authorization as early as mid-year,depending upon market conditions.2013 outlook assumes little improvement in the economy and is adjusted for impacts from the 2012 sale of Advertising Solutions and other adjustments including non-cash mark-to-market benefit-plan adjustments.WIRELESS OPERATIONAL HIGHLIGHTSAT&T delivered strong revenue growth, solid postpaid gains and record smartphone sales in the fourth quarter. Highlights included:Wireless Revenues Continue Solid Growth. Total wireless revenues, which include equipment sales, were up 5.7 percent year over year to $17.6 billion. Wireless service revenues increased 4.2 percent in the fourth quarter, to $14.9 billion. Wireless data revenues — driven by mobile Internet access, access to applications, messaging and related services — increased by 14.7 percent from the year-earlier quarter to $6.8 billion. Data revenue growth was slowed somewhat by the growth of Mobile Share plans. Fourth-quarter wireless operating expenses totaled $15.1 billion, up 6.9 percent versus the year- earlier quarter, driven by record smartphone volumes, and wireless operating income was $2.6 billion, down 1.2 percent year over year.Strongest Postpaid Net Adds in Three Years. AT&T posted a net increase in total wireless subscribers of 1.1 million in the fourth quarter to reach 107.0 million in service. Subscriber additions for the quarter included postpaid net adds of 780,000, the best gain in 12 quarters. Connected device net adds were 246,000, and reseller net adds were 234,000. Prepaid had a net loss of 166,000 subscribers primarily due to declines in GoPhone and session-based tablets. Fourth-quarter postpaid net adds reflect accelerated adoption of smartphones, sales of tablets and growth in Mobile Premise services.Branded computing subscribers, which are included in the previous categories, reached a total of 6.4 million, up 26 percent from a year ago. Branded computing devices includes tablets, tethering plans and other data-only devices. Branded computing sales also have been slowed by the introduction of Mobile Share plans, which include tethering. AT&T added almost 400,000 postpaid tablets in the quarter, with new subscribers and prepaid tablet subscribers migrating to postpaid plans.Postpaid ARPU Increases. Postpaid subscriber ARPU increased 1.9 percent versus the year-earlier quarter to $64.98. When adjusted for the Superstorm Sandy impact, postpaid ARPU grew 2.1 percent. This marked the 16th consecutive quarter AT&T has posted a year-over-year increase in postpaid ARPU.

Smartphones Represent 89 Percent of Postpaid Phone Sales. AT&T sold a record 10.2 million smartphones in the fourth quarter. Smartphones represented 86 percent of postpaid device sales and 89 percent of postpaid phone sales in the quarter. At the end of the quarter, 69.6 percent, or 47.1 million, of AT&T’s postpaid phone subscribers had smartphones, up from 58.5 percent, or 39.4 million, a year earlier. AT&T’s ARPU for smartphones is twice that of non-smartphone subscribers, and about 90 percent of smartphone subscribers are on FamilyTalk®, Mobile Share or business plans. Churn levels for these subscribers are significantly lower than for other postpaid subscribers. About 55 percent of AT&T’s postpaid smartphone customers now use a 4G-capable device. In the quarter, the company activated a record 8.6 million iPhones, with 16 percent new to AT&T. The company also had its best-ever sales quarter for Android smartphones. More than 6.6 Million Postpaid Subscribers on Mobile Share Plans. The number of subscribers on usage-based data plans (tiered data and Mobile Share plans) continues to increase. More than two- thirds, or 31.7 million, of all smartphone subscribers, are on usage-based data plans. This compares to 56 percent, or 22.1 million, a year ago and 31 percent two years ago. More than three-quarters of customers on tiered data plans have chosen the higher-priced plans. Mobile Share plans continue to be popular. More than 6.6 million customers, or 9 percent of postpaid subscribers, have already signed up for Mobile Share plans. The number of Mobile Share accounts reached 2.2 million in the fourth quarter for an average of about three devices per account. Take rates on the higher-data plans continue to be much stronger than expected with more than a quarter of Mobile Share accounts 10 gigabytes or higher. Postpaid Churn Down. For the fourth quarter, postpaid churn was 1.19 percent, down when compared to 1.21 percent in the year-ago fourth quarter. Total churn was 1.42 percent versus 1.39 percent in the fourth quarter of 2011. Record Smartphone Sales Impact Margins. In the fourth quarter, wireless margins reflected record- setting smartphone sales (800,000 more than fourth-quarter 2011), strong customer upgrade levels and the impact of Superstorm Sandy. This was offset in part by further revenue gains from the company’s high-value smartphone subscribers and improved operating efficiencies. AT&T’s fourth-quarter wireless operating income margin was 14.5 percent versus 15.5 percent in the year-earlier quarter, primarily driven by depreciation and amortization. AT&T’s wireless EBITDA service margin was 29.1 percent, or about the same as 29.2 percent in the fourth quarter of 2011. Without the Superstorm Sandy impact, EBITDA service margin would have been nearly 30 percent. (EBITDA service margin is operating income before depreciation and amortization, divided by total service revenues.) WIRELINE OPERATIONAL HIGHLIGHTS AT&T’s fourth-quarter wireline results were led by strong U-verse TV and high speed Internet gains and accelerating wireline consumer revenue growth. Highlights included: Wireline Revenues Increase Sequentially. Total fourth-quarter wireline revenues were $14.9 billion, down 0.5 percent versus the year-earlier quarter but up 0.7 percent sequentially. Fourth-quarter wireline operating expenses were $13.1 billion, down 0.9 percent versus the fourth quarter of 2011.

AT&T’s wireline operating income totaled $1.8 billion, up 1.8 percent from the fourth quarter of 2011. Positive consumer revenue trends helped to partially offset declines in revenues from business customers. Fourth-quarter wireline operating income margin was 12.0 percent, compared to 11.7 percent in the year-earlier quarter. Consumer Revenue Growth Accelerating. Revenues from residential customers totaled $5.5 billion, an increase of 3.0 percent versus the fourth quarter a year ago and the strongest growth in more than four years. Continued strong growth in consumer IP data services in the fourth quarter more than offset lower revenues from voice and legacy products. The fourth quarter marked the tenth consecutive quarter of year-over-year growth in wireline consumer revenues. For full-year 2012, consumer revenues were up 1.9 percent versus 2011. U-verse continues to transform wireline consumer. IP revenues now represent 61 percent of wireline consumer revenues, up from 53 percent in the year-earlier quarter and 45 percent two years ago. Increased AT&T U-verse penetration and a significant number of subscribers purchasing multiple services drove 17.7 percent year-over-year growth in IP revenues from residential customers (broadband, U-verse TV and U-verse Voice) and 4.0 percent sequential growth. Total U-verse revenues grew 36.3 percent compared with the year-ago fourth quarter and were up 7.2 percent versus the third quarter of 2012. Total U-verse Subscribers Reach 8 Million. Total U-verse subscribers (TV and high speed Internet) reached 8.0 million in the fourth quarter. U-verse TV added 192,000 subscribers to reach 4.5 million in service. U-verse High Speed Internet delivered a fourth-quarter net gain of 609,000 subscribers to reach a total of 7.7 million, helping offset losses from DSL, and for the first time, the company has more consumer U-verse High Speed Internet subscribers than DSL subscribers. Overall, AT&T wireline broadband subscribers were flat; however, total broadband ARPU was up more than 10 percent year over year. Fifty-five percent of U-verse broadband subscribers have a plan delivering speeds up to 12 Mbps or higher — up from 46 percent in the year-ago quarter. About 90 percent of new U-verse TV customers also signed up for U-verse High Speed Internet in the fourth quarter. About 70 percent of AT&T U-verse TV subscribers take three or four services from AT&T. ARPU for U-verse triple-play customers was more than $170, up year over year. U-verse TV penetration of customer locations continues to grow and was at 18.7 percent at the end of the fourth quarter. Strategic Business Services Lead Wireline Business. Total business revenues were $9.1 billion, down 2.1 percent versus the year-earlier quarter and up 0.6 percent from the third quarter of 2012. Business service revenues declined 2.3 percent year over year and were up slightly sequentially. Business revenues were impacted by a slow economy and weak government and business spending. Overall, declines in legacy products were partially offset by continued growth in strategic business services. Revenues from strategic business services, the next-generation capabilities that lead AT&T’s most advanced business solutions — including Ethernet, VPN, hosting, IP conferencing and application services — grew 10.6 percent versus the year-earlier quarter, continuing trends in this area. Total business IP data revenues grew 2.4 percent year over year, continuing the transition from legacy data products to next-generation data services.

OUYA Listens to Feedback on Controller Design, Makes a Few Tweaks

Eric — Thu, 24 Jan 2013 13:15:26 +0000

We know that many of the readers here decided to back the OUYA Android-powered game console through Kickstarter a while back, so today's news will be welcome. OUYA let some people get their hands around the controller that will be accompanying the console and they got some feedback. That feedback lead to some changes into making the controller into something really well built.

First up for change was the D-Pad, people weren't too excited that it was more of a disc shape rather than the traditional crosspad that allows for accurate clicks. The crosspad has been worked into the controller with the promise that "accuracy and precision are back." The two thumbsticks were reported as being too slippery so OUYA added a more rubberized grip on top of each of them, and the touchpad in the middle of the controller has been worked to be more sensitive.

A couple of tweaks to the battery door and triggers round out a solid update on the most physical part of the OUYA system. After generating so much hype during its Kickstarter program, it's good to hear from the OUYA team about making their console better. Are you waiting impatiently for these to start shipping?

Via: OUYA

Verizon Shows Off New Pink RAZR M in Latest Commercial

Kellen — Thu, 24 Jan 2013 12:34:44 +0000

Remember the pink DROID RAZR M that we told you about yesterday? It's now available! If you can withstand the 4-block long lines that are likely forming for this limited edition Valentine's Day-inspired device, then you'll be pleased to learn that it'll only cost $50 on contract once you get to the front. Remember that it's limited, which usually means collector's item. Must have! Can't live without! OK, I'll stop now. You can see the pink wonder in action below in Big Red's newest commercial. Of course a woman is holding the phone. Sexist.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tLcHWjyKFag[/youtube]

Nokia CEO: Google Closing the Doors on Android's Open Ecosystem

Eric — Thu, 24 Jan 2013 12:27:16 +0000

With all the smack talk that Nokia's CEO Stephen Elop does about Android, you wonder if there is any time left in the day to worry about his own ecosystem. During the conference to discuss Nokia's Q4 earnings, Elop couldn't help but name drop Android and speak his mind about the situation lately.

Elop said that Android's case of fragmentation is being counteracted by Google's "efforts to turn an open ecosystem into something that's quite a bit more closed as you've seen quite recently." Elop is still parading the "fragmentation" buzzword around while also insinuating that Google is actively trying to close their Android ecosystem.

Pretty harsh words coming from a CEO towards the competition during their own conference to talk about profit numbers. Google and Android seem to be doing fairly well for themselves at the moment, maybe Elop can find some time to bring Nokia back into the competitive market instead of slinging insults.

Via: The Verge

Close Look: Samsung Posts Close Up of Exynos 5 Octa Processor

Tim — Thu, 24 Jan 2013 11:40:22 +0000

Here is a close up on the exterior of the new Exynos 5 Octa processor from Samsung. Not much to say, but it sure is pretty. From the rumors floating around, we can hope to see this chip in the upcoming Galaxy S4 and Galaxy Note 3 devices. But of course, nothing is confirmed until Sammy gives the word. Until then, I will wait patiently to meet her in person. Via: SamsungExynos

Koush Releases Updated Carbon Beta, Non-Rooted Users Can Now Have Fun

Tim — Thu, 24 Jan 2013 11:10:47 +0000

This morning, Koush released an updated version of Carbon, his backup app that has been making the rounds and receiving a lot of great attention. In this update, he has allowed non-rooted users to get into the game, with the help of a desktop application that is easily installed on your computer. With this app, every Android user (rooted and non-rooted) can backup apps and app data easily and safely. Koush mentions that this beta will expire January 30, but he intends to have a version on Google Play before then. There will be a paid version and a free version, so we await that release. Download [youtube]http://youtu.be/nBq1VFboUaY[/youtube] Via: +Koush

Sony Xperia Tablet Z Makes First Hands-on Appearance in Video

Kellen — Thu, 24 Jan 2013 10:51:08 +0000

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vv3O_gZpVoI[/youtube]

Earlier in the week, Sony announced their brand new take on a tablet, the Xperia Tablet Z. With similar design language to the Xperia Z smartphone, they look a lot alike only this is obviously, much bigger. Shortly after its unveiling, media in Japan was able to get its hands on the tablet and do a couple of walk-throughs and give it the hands-on treatment. I think it's safe to say that Sony has another beautifully designed product on its hands to match-up with their announcements from CES. On a spec front, the Xperia Tablet Z (what a name) measures in at just 6.9mm thick, supports a 10.1″ 1,920 x 1,200 display, and is powered by a 1.5GHz Qualcomm quad-core processor. Inside the device, you will also find NFC, 32GB of storage, micro-SD card slot, 2GB of RAM, and a super fancy 8.1 Exmor R camera on its backside. Other than the Nexus 7 and 10, this is the first time in a while that I've looked at a tablet and said, "Wow, that's a beautiful piece of technology that I wouldn't mind owning." I said something similar for the Xperia ZL phone from Sony, so who knows, maybe Sony is on the verge of turning it all around.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PtW9cPpHw4I[/youtube]

Via: Ameblo

Blurry Camera Spots Samsung Galaxy Note 8.0 in The Wild

Tim — Thu, 24 Jan 2013 10:36:01 +0000

There it is, folks - the Samsung Galaxy Note 8.0. Reported to be ready for unveiling at MWC, I would say it is safe to bet that this one is, in fact, confirmed. As we can see, the device uses the traditional Samsung home button and two softkey settings and back button layout. For specs, the Note 8.0 uses an 8" 1280 x 800 Super Clear TFT display, comes running Android 4.2+ out of the box, both front and back-facing cameras, a 4,600mAh battery, and is rumored to have a 1.6GHz quad-core processor with 2GB of RAM. Now that we have a full eyes-on with the tablet, what do you think? I sort of like it. The backside looks polished and that display looks very crisp, at least from what we can tell in these blurry images. Thoughts?

Via: SamMobile

An Open Letter to Google: It's Time to Take Gaming Seriously [Opinion]

Guest — Thu, 24 Jan 2013 10:21:06 +0000

This is a guest post written by DL reader Karl Ludwinski, a gaming enthusiast that wants to see Google and Android fully invest in the gaming movement, something they have so far, barely attempted to do.

First, let me say that I am not a developer or programmer of any kind, nor am I a writer. I am merely a tech and gaming enthusiast and a big fan of Android. I believe that by embracing gaming in a few key ways, both the Android platform and gaming as a whole can go further than they ever could by themselves. To be clear, I’m not looking for any kind of credit for any of this. Most of these ideas (possibly all) have been discussed before in one way or another. I merely want to consolidate them into one list and increase awareness. I'd also love to hear other ideas that people have, any thoughts about these ideas I list, and any explanations of why they would not work as I have explained them or ways to improve them.

1. Covering the Basics: Cloud Saves

I'd like to start with the biggest problem I currently face with gaming on Android. Mobile devices are in a period of rapid growth and advancement, and few people use the same device for more than a few years - some even upgrading multiple times a year. Android in particular, being an open platform, is incredibly popular with the dev community, resulting in deep customizations and custom roms that can require wiping devices regularly. For these reasons, the fact that app data is not backed up in the cloud is an incredible frustration and a severe hindrance to gaming on the platform. Every time I upgrade to a new device or install a custom rom, I lose the save data for every game I'm playing. I don't need to elaborate on that: anyone who has every played a videogame can see why that is a serious issue. Any existing workarounds involving backup apps or manual procedures are too complicated for most regular users (and likely require the device to already be rooted beforehand), are time- and storage-consuming when you are capable of performing them, and even then don't always work. Users of multiple devices encounter the same problem. I install a game on my tablet and my smartphone: After starting the game on my tablet and investing time into it, I find that when I leave home and later bring up the game on my phone, I have to start all over. All of my high scores are gone, nothing is unlocked. When I've invested time in a game with an engrossing story, the last thing I want to do is play that same part over again. I want to see what happens next! The point is, there should be no talk of workarounds. The gaming experience should be unhindered and hassle-free across time and devices. This should be automatically implemented for users and just work. Apple has had this feature since late 2011. Google is already synonymous with the cloud, and the infrastructure is already there with services like Google Drive and Google+ that every Google user has access to. Android should have this feature plain and simple, but more importantly at this point, needs this feature to match competing platforms, avoid frustration for users, and advance the state of gaming.

2. The Google+ Equation: Achievements, Leaderboards, Friends

The next step is building a true gaming profile for users and a network to tie them together, ala Xbox Live or PlayStation Network. This is one of the most important factors for engendering user loyalty and increasing their desire to invest in the platform. It's clear that gamers enjoy achievements and trophies: Not only do they increase replayability for individual games, a "gamerscore" or "trophy level" builds investment into the platform, increasing players' desire to play more games as they seek to level up. Global leaderboards can be built into this as well, and more importantly, a global friends list. I already have my Gmail contact list and Google+ circles (which perhaps should not be separate lists, but that's another discussion), why should I have to go through an entirely separate system for my gaming friends list? It's already all right there. Imagine loading up Fruit Ninja: The Google+ system in the background pushes the global scores of everyone in my circles who has played the game to my device. I simply get a notification: my friend Bob just beat my high score in classic mode. Cool, I didn't even know he played this game. Well, obviously I have to take the top spot back from him. Then I load up Modern Combat 4. In multiplayer matchmaking, my friends list is automatically populated with people in my circles who play, and I see Joe is playing. I just tap and join his game. I don’t need to sign into an entirely different network, and I don’t have to rebuild my friends list. No muss, no fuss. There are third-party systems that replicate some of this functionality such as OpenFeint for leaderboards and achievements. The problem is that, because they are third-party, most developers don't add them to their games. Support is spotty, and when it's there, it's unpolished and clunky. The importance of integrating this is the simplicity and lack of additional steps for users. Google already has a much bigger back-end cloud infrastructure than even XBL and PSN with all of their services such as Google+ and Drive, and leveraging all of these would create the most powerful and expansive gaming network there is. Everyone on Android already has a Google account, so everything is already right there; the gamey bits are all that need to be added. Once I set up my device and log in with my Google account, I should never have to sign into anything else for any game ever again.

3. The Nail in the Coffin for Dedicated Consoles: The Controller

In almost every article that has discussed a fancy new mobile game, and especially those forecasting doom for dedicated consoles due to the rise of mobile gaming, the majority of comments are guaranteed to be a variant of "Pfft, you can't really game on mobile, touchscreens suck. They'll never match a real controller." And while often written even less eloquently than that, it is still partly true. Touchscreens can't compare to the precision and fidelity of a real controller in most console game genres. Developers like Gameloft have proven you can fake it enough to make a game such as an FPS that is actually playable, but "It's actually playable!" should not be the biggest praise you can heap on a game. In this area also, third-parties are trying to make a difference. Products like OUYA, GameStick, and nVidia's Project SHIELD seek to create the perfect open gaming system, while others like PowerA with their MOGA controller simply seek to make gaming on existing tablet and smartphone hardware better. Unfortunately, all of these have fatal problems. For those products mentioned above that are essentially dedicated consoles, two main factors will prevent them from ever seeing mass adoption: a. As mentioned before, mobile hardware is advancing incredibly rapidly. As an example: The Tegra 3 SoC was announced in February 2011 and released in November of the same year. The OUYA console was announced in July 2012 utilizing the Tegra 3, and will be released to retail in April 2013. However, in January 2013 nVidia announced the Tegra 4, expected to be 6 times faster than the Tegra 3. This will be released in Project SHIELD in Q2 2013, meaning that when OUYA releases, one of it's competitors is going to have the next generation of it's very own processor. This is the problem any such device is going to face for the foreseeable future, as long as this pace of mobile hardware advancement keeps up. Home consoles have set hardware, which is fine when there are only a few consoles released around the same time with state-of-the-art technology, and nothing will be released to compete with them for another 5-10 years. When dealing with mobile hardware however, something faster will be out in a couple months, and again a few months later b. Hundreds of millions of people have smartphones or tablets or both, and this number is always increasing. If all these people already have an Android device, why would they want to spend hundreds of dollars to buy another Android device (most likely with inferior specs) just to play games? A smaller selection of games that have to be specifically coded to work with that device, no less. For controllers like MOGA and it's ilk, the problem is that there are a variety of these third-party controllers, and developers have to specifically code their games to support each and every one of them. Big surprise: They don't. Not many people have these controllers, so why waste time and money coding for them? Users then don't buy them because they don't have support, meaning devs don't support them... you get the idea. From my limited understanding of development, this is what I think should be done: implement a simple standard controller input API right into Android. Use the standard controller scheme:

Two analog sticks with depressible buttons.
8-way dpad.
Four face buttons (X, Y, A, B).
Two shoulder buttons and two triggers.
Start and Select buttons.
Perhaps a "Google Games" button similar to the Xbox 360 controller Guide button and the DualShock 3 PlayStation button (depending on how the Google+ integration works and if it makes sense), and maybe the Android Home and Back buttons.
If possible, optional rumble support.

Any third-party can make a controller that is a certified "Google GamePad" as long as it utilizes this API. They can be wired USB or Bluetooth. Now, all a dev has to do for games where a controller makes sense is to utilize this built-in API that every Android device will have and every controller uses. This will be far less work than coding for the multiple different methods third-party controllers currently use, and much more viable as the install base will be much bigger with a standard. The way the market is now with all these different Android consoles and controllers just isn’t working for the consumer, and the fragmentation is preventing the growth of gaming on Android from reaching it’s potential. With official “Google GamePad Compatible” controllers, all these problems are solved: I don’t need to purchase additional Android devices for different uses, and when I do upgrade to a new tablet or smartphone, I can choose whichever one suits my fancy and I can continue using my same GamePad.

4. The Future: Wireless Everything, Cross-Platform Ubiquity

All of this is going to be especially important going forward in conjunction with other new Android features and Google’s expressed goals for gaming on their various platforms and services. For one, Android now supports Miracast. Hopefully this will soon be in every TV as well, or at least the prices of adapters will come down to reasonable levels. Once all of the above is implemented, the ultimate portable wireless gaming machine emerges: I turn on my TV, switch my phone or tablet to Wireless Display, turn on my GamePad, and boom: the future of gaming. I no longer have any need of any other console. Anywhere I go, I have my own personal system with me, with all of my games and data. An incredibly exciting detail to this is that with Android, this is more than just display mirroring:

“Android now allows your app to display unique content on additional screens that are connected to the user’s device over either a wired connection or Wi-Fi.”

The Wii U’s killer feature is it’s secondary display. PlayStation 3 now does this also using the Vita, and Xbox 360 has Smart Glass. Apparently this is the next big thing in gaming. Guess what? Android already has this too. The Wii U’s killer feature is it’s secondary display. PlayStation 3 now does this also using the Vita, and Xbox 360 has Smart Glass. Apparently this is the next big thing in gaming. Guess what? Android already has this too. As mobile processing power increases it’s getting closer and closer to computers and consoles, and the point will come where developers will be able to do pretty much whatever they can dream on these devices. The increased processing power of other non-mobile devices won’t make enough of a difference to warrant their existence. Major publishers like EA are already putting out games on Android, and as mobile power and capabilities increase we’ll only see them bringing over more and more AAA releases. Eventually (and I think sooner rather than later, perhaps after this upcoming console generation) it’s not going to be economically feasible to release games on a new console with an install base of perhaps hundreds of thousands, when they can release comparable games on mobile devices with an install base of hundreds of millions, and the idea of a dedicated home console is going to be a memory. Secondly, everything here extends beyond Android to the PC as well. During GDC 2012, Punit Soni said:

“By next year, we will not be here talking about Google+ Games, Chrome Web Store games, Games for Native Client and Android games,” he said. “We will be talking about Google games.”

Google+ is not an Android-exclusive service: When it gets its injection of gaming goodness, that’s going to be on computers as well. We don’t need three versions of Angry Birds for Android, Google+, and Chrome. There can be one version that just works everywhere. Especially once publishers start porting more AAA games to Android due to the advancement of mobile power, this same store and gaming network will span across the Android and computer platforms meaning they only need to release it on Google and it will work for both mobile and computer gamers. With something like Native Client, it's even possible that at some point developers could code one version of the game that works across both platforms. That may not be possible for a while and not for every game, in which case they can optimize for each instance and when you install the game, it automatically determines what your platform and device is and what version to install. This is another reason we need an official “Google GamePad”. We can use the exact same controller for PC gaming too. With home consoles gone and cross-platform gaming with an incredibly powerful integrated gaming network all available through Google, it's possible and even probable that even the mighty Steam would become a secondary gaming platform on the computer. So this is my wish list. This is what I envision as the future of gaming, and Google just happens to be perfectly poised to make it a reality. Most of what is listed above is actually possible on Android right now; there are complicated ways to manually back up app data, there are gaming networks like OpenFeint and ScoreLoop, there are a plethora of controllers, and Android can connect to TVs using HDMI or Miracast. Unfortunately, as I've explained, these currently aren't good enough. All we need are these few additions to have the best gaming platform there has ever been. Anyway, that's what I think.

SF Launcher Alpha for Android, Takes Notes From Google Now Aesthetics

Tim — Thu, 24 Jan 2013 09:46:10 +0000

Custom launchers are a big part of Android and SF Launcher alpha looks to fit right in with Google Now-like looks. The middle image above is your "homescreen." By swiping left you enter the settings menu and by swiping right you gain entry to the app drawer. On top of the homescreen, there are different city options (much like Google Now), with San Francisco, London, or the generic mountain range look. Below the time, there is a "card" for widgets. By swiping either left or right on the widgets you can add or remove additional widgets, which is a neat way of doing things. Below the widgets you have your "favorite" apps. You select your favorites from your app drawer and they are permanently pinned to the homescreen for easy access. In terms of looks, there is a light and dark theme to choose from, plus this is still an alpha. The developer intends to do a lot more to the looks and overall feel to the app from what I read in the app's description. If you want to try out a new launcher, then SF Launcher is a good one to start with. If I could change something, it would be the ability to resize your cards, such as the widgets and favorite apps. There is a lot of unused space on that screen, but then again, I'm not much for having a ton of apps just sitting out. It looks messy. But, to each their own. Play Link Cheers Blaudy and Bryce!

Temple Run 2 For Android Released to Google Play

Tim — Thu, 24 Jan 2013 08:45:34 +0000

Exactly one week after its launch onto iOS, Temple Run 2 has finally made its way to Android. If you were a fan of the first Temple Run, then be prepared for a fantastic experience. Temple Run 2 brings smooth controls and a gorgeous environment to your mobile device, making it just as addictive as the first. Go grab it and let us know what you think. Play Link [youtube]http://youtu.be/qPMIQobB3ZM[/youtube]

Twitter Introduces New Video Sharing Service Called "Vine" - Only Available on iOS

Kellen — Thu, 24 Jan 2013 08:27:01 +0000

Twitter just announced a new video sharing service called Vine. Vine, a company they acquired a few months back, focuses on recording 6-second clips of life events that run on an infinite loop which can be shared easily. The videos record sound as well. At this point, the Vine app is only available on the iPhone and iPod Touch, with work on other platforms happening now. All they would say as far as release goes is "stay tuned for that." We would imagine that Android is second on the list behind iOS if these guys have any sort of intelligence. The service itself sounds highly entertaining to me. Can you imagine the brilliant 6-second videos that our beautiful internet is going to cook up? It's like a wonderful GIF, only it has sound. To see some of these Vine videos in action, hit up the Twitter link below. Via: Twitter | Vine

Google Actually is Creating Its Own Wireless Network, But Only on Its Mountain View Campus

Kellen — Thu, 24 Jan 2013 08:13:56 +0000

Last week, Google submitted paperwork to the FCC in order to gain approval on an "experimental radio service" with a two-mile radius that covers its Mountain View campus. Our initial thought - Google Wireless! Or is it? Or will it ever be? Here is what we know. First, a Google spokesperson has declined to comment on the purpose of this application, saying that they regularly experiment with new things. Second, the first deployment of this experimental network will happen inside the building that houses the Google Fiber team. Third, the frequency they are looking to use ranges from 2524 to 2625MHz, the same frequencies that are owned/used by Clearwire, which almost no Android or smartphone can currently utilize. Clearwire refused to comment on whether or not it's working with Google. So what's the point then? Wireless engineer Steven Crowley, who initially spotted the FCC application, is claiming that the only reason to use these frequencies, "is if you have business designs on mobile service." Countries like China, Brazil and Japan are building wireless networks that use the same frequencies that Google is asking to use, so maybe that's a sign of where they are looking. At some point, if networks there are using those frequencies, it only makes sense that there will be phones that can use them. Other than all of that, the rest is a confusing mess. At least we know one thing, Google is at least experimenting with some sort of wireless network. And we like it when Google experiments. Via: Wall Street Journal Cheers David, John, and everyone else!

Show Cancelled

Tim — Thu, 24 Jan 2013 00:49:10 +0000

Well, Google+ Hangout live broadcasts are apparently down during the exact time that we wanted to broadcast the show. Our schedule for the night was tight, hence the need to run the show early. So since we spent 30 minutes now trying to get it setup and live through multiple accounts with no luck, we had to cancel for the night. We may try to do the show tomorrow during the day, early, but it's up in the air at this point. Just check back in the morning. Since we had to cancel, be sure to subscribe to us on iTunes, Stitcher, or the feed. Also, we've embedded last week's episode for your viewing pleasure.

Droid Life Show is Live Tonight at 5:00PM Pacific!

Kellen — Wed, 23 Jan 2013 20:22:43 +0000

The Droid Life Show is live tonight at 5:00PM Pacific! On the agenda, we have the wild Motorola X phone rumor that dropped earlier in the week to talk about along with the idea that the HTC M7 could potentially coming to Verizon. After that we wrap up those two topics, we want to get your thoughts on switching to T-Mobile once they have LTE, will venture into the land of Siri almost being an Android exclusive, and then see what the team thinks about HTC's new Sense 5. We have a ton to cover, so join us live in a few hours!

LMT Launcher Brings "PIE" Goodness Without the Custom ROM

Kellen — Wed, 23 Jan 2013 15:35:29 +0000

If you have been following our coverage of Paranoid Android ROM's PIE and full desktop features, then we also wanted to direct you to an app with similar qualities that can be installed outside of a ROM. It's called LMT Launcher, and it has been around for quite some time - November 2011 to be exact. It received a pretty major update today, though, so we wanted to make sure you were all aware of it. Its set of features is quite close to the PIE from PA's ROM that we showed you, but only requires that you be rooted in order to use it. So for those of you looking for PIE goodness while remaining stock, this is an option. In the video below, I summarize the launcher in the briefest of manners. It's one of those apps that you could probably spend a couple of hours with, tweaking and testing, until you find a setup that you like. But the basics are this - it allows you to setup regions to swipe from to access the PIE menu (pictured above), use gestures for completing actions, and set invisible swipe areas so that you can perform tasks from anywhere. There are custom color options, buttons that can be turned to actions in the PIE menu, and so much more. If this sounds interesting enough, and it should since it received a sizable update this morning, then check out the video before jumping through to the XDA thread down below. [youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j4kVWi5_7fw[/youtube] Via: XDA [Download] Cheers to everyone that sent this in over the last week!

Giveaway: Win One of Ten Lustre "HD" Icon Packs From kovdev (Update: Winners Picked)

Tim — Wed, 23 Jan 2013 15:04:14 +0000

For anyone that uses custom icons on their Android devices, I am sure you have heard the name kovdev mentioned before. They are the creators of the popular Tersus and Lustre icon packs that you have probably spotted on this site a few times. Well, with display resolutions going up, kovdev are currently working on updating their icon packs to work well with the new displays. The first to receive this HD update is Lustre, and we have 10 copies of the icon pack to giveaway. Each individual icon has been upscaled, by hand, to XXHDPI for the ultimate clarity. Ready to win one? Update: We have emailed our 10 winners! Thanks for entering, folks!

How to enter:

Tell us below in the comments section the number one reason you love the Android OS.

Winners:

At around 6:15PM PST (after tonight's Droid Life Show), we will pick our 10 winners and email them. If you want to check out the current Lustre app, you can find it on Google Play for $1.50. Inside there is a great selection of wallpapers that compliment the icons nicely. In general, it's a great and easy way to change up the look of your device. Play Link ($1.49) Thanks to kovdev for hosting the prizes!

Apple Posts Q1 2013 Earnings, Hauls $13.1 Billion Profit on $54.5 Billion In Revenue

Tim — Wed, 23 Jan 2013 14:00:03 +0000

This afternoon, Apple released their Q1 2013 earnings report, breaking records and clearing their own projections for the quarter. Cupertino posted $13.1 billion in profit on $54.5 billion in revenue which is far higher than last quarter's $8.2b profit on $36 billion in revenue. For Apple, iPad sales and iPhone sales had a good helping hand in that, with the company moving 47.8 million iPhones last quarter, up from the 26.9 million they sold the previous quarter To top it off, they sold 22.9 million iPads (all models combined I'm guessing), which dwarfs the 14 million they pushed during Q4 2012. Later today, Tim Cook and CFO Peter Oppenheimer are scheduled to give remarks and answer investor questions at 5PM EST. Usually this is when we should have some witty commentary about Apple's stock or something like that, but whatever. I'll let you guys talk it out down below. Via: The Verge

Wednesday Poll: What's the Perfect Smartphone Display Size?

Kellen — Wed, 23 Jan 2013 13:23:41 +0000

Smartphone displays have grown at a ridiculous rate over the last couple of years. It seems like just yesterday that we were making the jump from the 3.7" original DROID to the hummer-esque 4.3" DROID X. At the time of the release of the first EVO and the DX, we thought we had reached a limit for super-sized phones. Boy, were we wrong. We're now swimming in 5.5" phone-tablet hybrids with 4" devices coming off as "small." Companies are even pushing towards 6+-inch phones - an absurd idea. But hey, if people keep buying 'em, why not make 'em? But for the sake of a good poll, why don't you tell us what your optimal display size would be? [poll id="233"]

Rumor: Samsung Galaxy Tab 3 7" to Cost Just $150?

Tim — Wed, 23 Jan 2013 12:45:43 +0000

According to an un-sourced DigiTimes article, Samsung plans to launch three tablets in 2013. Technically, this info is not new since we are expecting two Galaxy Tab 3 models (one 10.1" and one 7") and the Galaxy Note 8, which was even outed by a Samsung executive. The news is that Sammy plans on pricing the 7" tablet extremely low, anywhere from just $149 to a high of $199. So far, very little is known about either Galaxy Tab models. All that has been rumored is a 5MP camera, two models for each variation sporting WiFi/3G connectivity, and 32GB and 64GB size options. No word on processors, displays, or anything of that nature that would hint at a low price point. I would like to take this time to remind manufacturers that it shouldn't be a complete race to the bottom. This isn't limbo. Instead of sacrificing quality, let's meet in the middle. Give us a some good specs that will interest buyers and price it accordingly. $250 is a great price point for a well-powered tablet. To some buyers, specs have nothing to do with it. They will see a company like Samsung, a well recognized name even to uninformed consumers, and think that they are getting a great tablet for just $150. Who knows, maybe it will rock. /rant Thoughts on a $150 Sammy tablet? How low is too low? Via: Digitimes

Facebook Beats Out Google Maps as 2012's Most Used App Thanks to iPhone 5

Tim — Wed, 23 Jan 2013 11:40:34 +0000

During the early parts of 2012, Google Maps was doing great. It led the top ten pack of monthly unique visitors against some stiff competition, mostly themselves, but there was still Facebook, Pandora, and Yahoo! Messenger (somehow). Out of the top ten most used apps in 2012 on iOS and Android, Google owns five of them, which is pretty impressive to say the least.

Now what makes any of this interesting is that like I mentioned, things went South for Google Maps about the same time the iPhone 5 was released. With the launch of Apple's new flagship, they dropped Google Maps in favor of their proprietary Maps app, which dropped Google down to second in terms of usage. Since being reinstated on iTunes, they still have not been able to come back, but in time they should have no problem doing so with download of Google Maps on iTunes through the roof. What is even more funny is that with the Facebook app for Android being super buggy and us hearing usually nothing but complaints about it, that people continue to use the official app instead of alternatives. I don't seem to have nearly half of the issues that others report, but we can all agree that the Facebook has come quite a long ways since what it used to be. Via: comScore

Paranoid Android's "PIE" Feature is Now Incredibly Fast, Closer Than Ever to Prime Time

Kellen — Wed, 23 Jan 2013 11:19:24 +0000

Last week, we were the first to highlight a feature in Paranoid Android's ROM called "expanded desktop mode" - better known now as PIE. We called it the coolest ROM feature we had seen in quite some time, even if it was a bit slow and buggy. We could see the potential, something that is now close to a reality. Yesterday, the PA team posted a status update along with a new video to show the progress they had made. After having re-wrote almost all of the code from scratch, PIE is now "blazing fast" thanks to hardware acceleration and optimized drawing. There is no lag anymore - just watch the video at the bottom of the post to see how far it has come. They are still calling it a beta, yet are willing to admit that it's mostly good enough for daily use. Their post claimed that new builds with this latest PIE should be ready within hours. Are any of you running this?

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gT5XOWU8u-o[/youtube]

Via: +Paranoid Android

Samsung Developing New Pixel Technologies For Upcoming Devices

Eric — Wed, 23 Jan 2013 10:40:15 +0000

We've had a feeling since CES that the Galaxy S4, whenever it gets here, will most likely feature one of these Full HD Super AMOLED displays. 440 pixels per inch is already a staggering number to have in a device's display, but from the sound of things, Samsung is looking to push that number even further.

According to reports from supply chain makers, Samsung is working with changing the pixels from squares to different shapes such as diamonds and hexagons to add more density. The resulting more ppi means a better screen to look at and would allow Samsung to put more than 440 ppi in smaller devices.

For a little bit of reference, the HTC DROID DNA and the upcoming Sony Xperia Z both have 5" screens with 440 ppi while the iPhone 5 has a measly 326. Currently, these full HD displays are designed for larger screen sizes, but if Samsung could figure a way to get the dense amount of pixels in a smaller, and cheaper device, things could go over really well for them.

Does the ppi of your phone or tablet mean anything to you?

Via: TechCrunch

Nexus 4 Back in Stock at T-Mobile

Kellen — Wed, 23 Jan 2013 10:30:15 +0000

The Nexus 4 is finally back in stock at T-Mobile's website! We aren't sure for how long, but as of writing this post, it's still showing as available for $199 (on-contract). With the device hitting "Sold Out" status on Google Play back in December and failing to return, this may be your only option until supply levels are back under control. We couldn't help but chuckle at the price. T-Mobile is claiming that the suggested retail price is $549 and that they have discounted it all the way down to $199. We're pretty sure that $199 price is just a down payment, though, and that you'll be paying equal monthly payments for a while to pay for the rest of it. This is the 16GB version which runs $349 off-contract through Google. Via: T-Mobile

T-Mobile Teases 4G LTE Network, Says It Will Cover 200 Million Customers By End of 2013

Tim — Wed, 23 Jan 2013 09:40:04 +0000

Yesterday, T-Mobile USA took to their Facebook page to tease their 4G LTE, which is still in its infancy stage. It was reported last week that their first market was to go live in Las Vegas any day now, but it looks like they are still waiting to flip the switch. According to their post, their 4G LTE will cover 200 million T-Mo customers by the end of 2013, but no say how many markets there will be. Long story short, it is going to be an uphill battle in terms of playing catch up, but at this point, there is no rush. We saw a few of our readers saying they would make the switch from Verizon to T-Mobile as soon as 4G LTE came to them. If that's you, let us know why making the switch sounds right to you. Price? Coverage? Via: T-Mobile Facebook

Verizon to Sell Pink DROID RAZR M for Valentines Day

Tim — Wed, 23 Jan 2013 09:20:03 +0000

Starting Thursday, January 24th, anyone looking for a super bright pink DROID RAZR M from Verizon is in luck. To celebrate Valentine's Day, the pink RAZR M is the same phone that they have been pushing for the past few months, but with this Droid Life-inspired exterior. We know you love us, Verizon. It has a 4.3" qHD display, dual-core Snapdragon chip, 1GB of RAM, 8MP rear camera, and 2,000mAh battery (our full review here). Should we run a poll to see who will pick this device up? Maybe not? Okay then, moving on. Via: Verizon

HTC M7 Headed to Verizon, AT&T, and Sprint?

Kellen — Wed, 23 Jan 2013 08:55:54 +0000

According to Twitter account @evleaks, a reliable source of insider information for the mobile industry, the HTC M7 has been "confirmed" for all of the major U.S. carriers except T-Mobile. Yes, if you do the math or piece together the rest of the puzzle, that means Verizon, AT&T, and Sprint could all see this latest flagship device from HTC. While that's awesome news if true, we're a bit confused - why does Verizon need another top tier HTC phone when they recently released the DROID DNA? It's been well documented that this phone could sport a 4.7" 1080p display (if one exists), a 1.7GHz quad-core Snapdragon S4 processor, 2GB RAM, 13MP camera, and run HTC's newest version of Sense. There isn't a lot in what you just read that would differentiate the M7 from the previously mentioned DNA. In fact, it even looks a lot like it without the red strips on the side. I should point out (and something I've mentioned on the DL Show a few times) that I asked HTC in October why they hadn't launched their flagship One X on all carriers. They were quick to respond with something along the lines of, "in a perfect world we would have." After seeing the success of Samsung with their multi-carrier launching of the Galaxy line of devices, HTC knows that a multi-carrier launch would greatly help their chances of making a comeback in 2013. Maybe the M7 (still a codename) is the first attempt at that. We're still in the dark as far as a release date goes, but HTC will more than likely show this phone off at next month's Mobile World Congress in Barcelona. Via: @evleaks

Before Apple Took Interest, Verizon Was To Install Siri On Every Droid Device

Tim — Wed, 23 Jan 2013 08:38:12 +0000

Making the rounds today is an interesting story, given that it could have greatly affected the way we think about our smartphones and the competitors in the smartphone race. In 2009, before the Siri startup was purchased by Apple, Verizon made their own bid in an effort to have the software installed on every DROID-branded device they sold. Verizon was so far into the deal that even commercials were filmed to tout DROID's newest halo feature. Sometime soon after this, Steve Jobs had a meeting with the co-founder of Siri and shortly thereafter, Siri was Apple's. Siri now ships on every new iPhone, still being marketed as one of the main selling features. Plus, she can even tell you jokes after failing to do simple web searches. It's a win-win. Now, I wanted to go back to how I said it would have changed the way we think about the smartphone race. For example, if Siri was in fact bought by Verizon instead and installed on all of their Android devices, we as Android users would be the ones defending this software. Down the road, and say Apple created ~~Google Now~~ Apple Now, we would be the frustrated Siri users who would dream of something like that coming our way. If you ask me, we all dodged a bullet. Shout out to Steve Jobs for sparing all of us. Via: The Verge

How to: Setup Lockscreen Widgets in Android 4.2 [Beginners' Guide]

Kellen — Wed, 23 Jan 2013 08:00:15 +0000

When Google introduced Android 4.2, they announced an old feature, but in a new way. Once you were running this new version of Android, you had the ability to add select widgets to the lockscreen of your phone. In the past, you had always been able to utilize the widget power of Bugdroid on home screens, but expanding to your lockscreen gave you a new world of possibilities. Funny thing is, that third party lockscreen replacements have allowed this for years, so some of us were already used to the idea. For those not, this guide is for you. One thing to understand before we dive into this, is the fact that Google has only touched on the initial possibilities here. You are only allowed to add one widget per page on the lockscreen, plus arranging and managing is somewhat of a nuisance at times.

Instructions:

1. Upon unlocking your device, you should see white box outlines to the left and right (image top left). 2. If you touch the left edge of your device, you can swipe over and see a blank page with a "+" on it. 3. Tap the "+" to bring up the widget menu. 4. Find the widget you were looking for and tap on it. 5. That widget should now be added to one of your lockscreen pages. Those are the simplest of instructions, but I still want to highlight some of the other tricks when it comes to Android 4.2 lockscreen widgets.

Getting the Most Out of Widgets

First, if you have a full page widget, like the Beautiful Widgets clock I have below, your lockscreen will hide most of the info on it until you decide to access it. As you can see in the image below, you can actually swipe down on the clock, pulling the white box with you, to unveil a full clock with weather and forecast. This also works with widgets like the Calendar and Gmail. If you have multiple pages of widgets on your lockscreen, you can swipe to the left to access them, just as you would on a normal home screen. Again, remember that a swipe down to begin this process will help show all of your widget's info. Once you have swiped down, you will need to swipe the white box back up in order to get to your unlock mechanism. Also, a swipe to the right side from your main lock page is an easy way to jump directly into your camera app.

Removing/Rearranging Widgets

To remove a widget, you will first need to swipe down on the widget page to reveal the entire widget. After you have done that, you can simply long-press and hold on the page that you want to remove. Once held properly, your phone will zoom out to a card view, showing you with a grasp on the widget you want to delete, which then allows you to drag up to remove. This is also a great way to rearrange widgets.

Third Party Widgets

Stock Android only comes with a handful of widgets like Calendar, Sound Search, Gmail, Clock, etc. If you want even more options, you are likely to find them in some of your favorites apps. As I mentioned earlier, Beautiful Widgets has been built to take advantage of lockscreen widgets, as have other clock and weather applications. For example, I have a full page clock with weather on it along with another page that's a shortcut to a flashlight app. If you have an app that has a widget currently, there is a good chance that the developer has built in lockscreen support. If not, suggest that they do.

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Pebble E-paper Smartwatch Begins Shipping Today, Android App Arrives Thursday

Kellen — Wed, 23 Jan 2013 07:23:35 +0000

At CES, the folks behind Pebble told the world that their Kickstarter funded e-paper smartwatch would begin shipping by January 23. They stuck to that today, announcing to backers of the project that batches of the watch are on pallets and ready to go (see image above). Their email to backers also included a mention of "some kinks and issues" that still need to be worked out, but we're assuming they are minor if Pebbles are shipping. On Thursday, January 24, the Android app will hit the Google Play store. So if you backed and receive one of the first Pebbles, you will have access to all of its power. iOS users on the other hand, they'll have to wait until Apple gets around to approving the app, which was submitted two weeks ago. At this time, they are producing around 800-1,000 per day, but are working hard to get that up to max capacity - 2.4K per day. Today, they'll ship just 500 Pebbles.

eBay Deal: 32GB Nexus 7 Plus Screen Protector and Case for $249

Kellen — Tue, 22 Jan 2013 16:20:27 +0000

If you are still debating whether or not you should buy a Nexus 7, consider taking a look at today's eBay Daily Deal which includes the 32GB version of the tablet, plus a screen protector and case for $249. Oh, the shipping is also free. So think of it as if you are paying full price for the tablet, but the seller is tossing in a case, screen protector, and shipping for free. Not bad, right? Via: eBay Cheers David!

Yet Another Phase Beam Live Wallpaper Is Very Sexy Indeed

Tim — Tue, 22 Jan 2013 15:51:54 +0000

Out of the stock Android live wallpapers that come installed on all devices, Phase Beam has always been my favorite. I love the purples, blues, and the overall feel of the wallpaper. A developer over on RootzWiki has released, Yet Another Phase Beam to Google Play, and brings a few new colors to the table, as well as FPS options. After installing you enable it as you would any other LWP and then you are done. So far, I have not experienced lag that I would with other live wallpapers, so that's a plus. If you love the beam like myself, go grab it for free on Google Play. Play Link

LG Optimus G Pro Announced For Japan - 5" 1080p Display, Snapdragon S4 Pro, 3,000mAh Battery

Tim — Tue, 22 Jan 2013 15:11:13 +0000

Last night, Japanese Android lovers were officially introduced to LG's new Optimus G Pro. We have seen leaks of the device here and there, but this time, it's real. Heading through carrier NTT Docomo, the G Pro features some very nice specs such as its 5" 1080p display, a 1.7GHz Snapdragon S4 Pro processor, 2GB of RAM, a monster 3,000mAh battery, and 13MP back-facing shooter. According to Docomo, the device will arrive on their shores sometime in April, but there is no word from LG as to when the rest of us can see it. It will be on hand at MWC next month, so there are bound to be plenty of nice hands-on videos showing up in the coming weeks. If the device found its way to an American carrier, would it be on your list of potentials? Via: NTTDocomo

Google CFO: We had 12-18 Months of Motorola Product Pipeline to Go Through

Kellen — Tue, 22 Jan 2013 14:47:58 +0000

During today's Q4 2012 earnings call with Google, the company's CFO Patrick Pichette touched on the low revenues and losses that continue to pile up at Motorola. With investors and media curious to know when Google thinks they will turn this sinking ship around, he offered up a couple of thoughts. Pichette first mentioned that even after they acquired Motorola, they had 12-18 months of product pipeline to work through before they could get to work on their own stuff. We talked about this when the RAZR HD was announced, pointing out that it and the RAZR M may be the last Sanjay Jha (former CEO) inspired products that Motorola would release. Now that the "new" Motorola has had some time to get all of that former stuff out of the way, they can finally focus on bringing something new and innovative to the market. Will that be the X Phone? Probably. And second, Pichette told investors to expect there to be fluctuations from quarter to quarter. They've made adjustments in the supply chain, restructuring of the company also appears to be an ongoing process, and new products have yet to find their way to market. I don't think it's a guarantee that Google will turn Motorola around, but most of us expect this now Google-powered company to do something groundbreaking in the mobile world that will help bring them back. Hopefully we see that soon, though, as these questions are going to continue to be posed until that happens. [soundcloud url="http://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/76054560" params="" width=" 100%" height="166" iframe="true" /]

Google Announces Q4 Numbers - Revenues of $14.42 Billion, Up 36% Year-on-Year

Kellen — Tue, 22 Jan 2013 13:19:01 +0000

Google just released its Q4 2012 financials, a move typically done before their live webcast of the same information. The report mentions that revenues hit $14.42 billion for the quarter (not counting Motorola), which puts them up 36% year-on-year and 8% quarter-on-quarter. They also hit $50 billion in revenue for the first time, which Larry Page called "not a bad achievement in just a decade and a half." There is a minor mention of Motorola in that mobile revenue was $1.51 billion. Google has about $48.1 billion in cash. The live webcast of the Q4 numbers starts at 1:30PM Pacific. Listen here.

Google Inc. Announces Fourth Quarter and Fiscal Year 2012 Results
Google Inc. reported consolidated revenues of $14.42 billion for the quarter ended December 31, 2012. Consolidated revenues would have been $15.24 billion had Motorola Home been included. MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif. – January 22, 2013 – Google Inc. (NASDAQ: GOOG) today announced financial results for the quarter and the fiscal year ended December 31, 2012. “We ended 2012 with a strong quarter,” said Larry Page, CEO of Google. “Revenues were up 36% year-on-year, and 8% quarter-on-quarter. And we hit $50 billion in revenues for the first time last year – not a bad achievement in just a decade and a half. In today’s multi-screen world we face tremendous opportunities as a technology company focused on user benefit. It’s an incredibly exciting time to be at Google.”
Q4 Financial Summary
In December 2012, we entered into an agreement with Arris Group, Inc. and certain other persons to dispose the Motorola Home business for a total consideration of approximately $2.35 billion in cash and stock, subject to certain adjustments. The transaction is expected to close in 2013. As a result, financial results related to the Home business are presented as net loss from discontinued operations on the consolidated statements of income, and are excluded from all other results unless otherwise noted. Assets and liabilities of the Home business are not presented separately because they are not material. Google Inc. reported consolidated revenues of $14.42 billion for the quarter ended December 31, 2012, an increase of 36% compared to the fourth quarter of 2011. Google Inc. reports advertising revenues, consistent with GAAP, on a gross basis without deducting traffic acquisition costs (TAC). In the fourth quarter of 2012, TAC totaled $3.08 billion, or 25% of advertising revenues. Operating income, operating margin, net income, and earnings per share (EPS) are reported on a GAAP and non-GAAP basis. The non-GAAP measures, as well as free cash flow, an alternative non-GAAP measure of liquidity, are described below and are reconciled to the corresponding GAAP measures at the end of this release.

GAAP operating income in the fourth quarter of 2012 was $3.39 billion, or 24% of revenues. This compares to GAAP operating income of $3.51 billion, or 33% of revenues, in the fourth quarter of 2011. Non-GAAP operating income in the fourth quarter of 2012 was $4.27 billion, or 30% of revenues. This compares to non-GAAP operating income of $4.04 billion, or 38% of revenues, in the fourth quarter of 2011. Had we included Home, non-GAAP operating income in the fourth quarter of 2012 would have been $4.31 billion.

GAAP net income including net loss from discontinued operations in the fourth quarter of 2012 was $2.89 billion, compared to $2.71 billion in the fourth quarter of 2011. Non-GAAP net income in the fourth quarter of 2012 was $3.57 billion, compared to $3.13 billion in the fourth quarter of 2011.

GAAP EPS including impact from net loss from discontinued operations in the fourth quarter of 2012 was $8.62 on 335 million diluted shares outstanding, compared to $8.22 in the fourth quarter of 2011 on 329 million diluted shares outstanding. Non-GAAP EPS in the fourth quarter of 2012 was $10.65, compared to $9.50 in the fourth quarter of 2011.

Non-GAAP operating income and non-GAAP operating margin exclude stock-based compensation (SBC) expense, as well as restructuring and related charges recorded in our Motorola Mobile business. Non-GAAP net income and non-GAAP EPS exclude the expenses noted above, net of the related tax benefits, as well as net loss from discontinued operations. In the fourth quarter of 2012, the expense related to SBC and the related tax benefits were $700 million and $152 million compared to $536 million and $114 million in the fourth quarter of 2011. In the fourth quarter of 2012, restructuring and related charges recorded in our Motorola Mobile business were $178 million, and the related tax benefits were $65 million. In addition, net loss from discontinued operations, in the fourth quarter of 2012, was $21 million. In the fourth quarter of 2012, non-GAAP operating income with Home included the impact from Home of $35 million and excludes the above SBC expense and restructuring and related charges.

Q4 Financial Highlights
Revenues and other information – On a consolidated basis, Google Inc. revenues for the quarter ended December 31, 2012 was $14.42 billion, an increase of 36% compared to the fourth quarter of 2011.

Google Revenues (advertising and other) – Google revenues were $12.91 billion, or 89% of consolidated revenues, in the fourth quarter of 2012, representing a 22% increase over fourth quarter 2011 revenues of $10.58 billion.

Google Sites Revenues – Google-owned sites generated revenues of $8.64 billion, or 67% of total Google revenues, in the fourth quarter of 2012. This represents a 18% increase over fourth quarter 2011 Google sites revenues of $7.29 billion.

Google Network Revenues – Google’s partner sites generated revenues of $3.44 billion, or 27% of total Google revenues, in the fourth quarter of 2012. This represents a 19% increase from fourth quarter 2011 Google network revenues of $2.88 billion.

Other Revenues – Other revenues from Google were $829 million, or 6% of total Google revenues, in the fourth quarter of 2012. This represents a 102% increase over fourth quarter 2011 other revenues of $410 million.

Google International Revenues – Google revenues from outside of the United States totaled $6.9 billion, representing 54% of total Google revenues in the fourth quarter of 2012, compared to 53% in the third quarter of 2012 and 53% in the fourth quarter of 2011. Foreign Exchange Impact on Google Revenues – Excluding gains related to our foreign exchange risk management program, had foreign exchange rates remained constant from the third quarter of 2012 through the fourth quarter of 2012, our Google revenues in the fourth quarter of 2012 would have been $130 million lower. Excluding gains related to our foreign exchange risk management program, had foreign exchange rates remained constant from the fourth quarter of 2011 through the fourth quarter of 2012, our Google revenues in the fourth quarter of 2012 would have been $193 million higher.

Google revenues from the United Kingdom totaled $1.30 billion, representing 10% of Google revenues in the fourth quarter of 2012, compared to 10% in the fourth quarter of 2011.

In the fourth quarter of 2012, we recognized a benefit of $37 million to Google revenues through our foreign exchange risk management program, compared to $25 million in the fourth quarter of 2011.

Reconciliations of our non-GAAP international revenues excluding the impact of foreign exchange and hedging to GAAP international revenues are included at the end of this release. Paid Clicks – Aggregate paid clicks, which include clicks related to ads served on Google sites and the sites of our Network members, increased approximately 24% over the fourth quarter of 2011 and increased approximately 9% over the third quarter of 2012. Cost-Per-Click – Average cost-per-click, which includes clicks related to ads served on Google sites and the sites of our Network members, decreased approximately 6% over the fourth quarter of 2011 and increased approximately 2% over the third quarter of 2012. TAC – Traffic acquisition costs, the portion of revenues shared with Google’s partners, increased to $3.08 billion in the fourth quarter of 2012, compared to $2.45 billion in the fourth quarter of 2011. TAC as a percentage of advertising revenues was 25% in the fourth quarter of 2012, compared to 24% in the fourth quarter of 2011. The majority of TAC is related to amounts ultimately paid to our Network members, which totaled $2.44 billion in the fourth quarter of 2012. TAC also includes amounts ultimately paid to certain distribution partners and others who direct traffic to our website, which totaled $634 million in the fourth quarter of 2012.

Motorola Mobile Revenues (hardware and other) – Motorola Mobile revenues were $1.51 billion, or 11% of consolidated revenues in the fourth quarter of 2012.

Other Cost of Revenues – Other cost of revenues, which is comprised primarily of data center operational expenses, amortization of intangible assets, content acquisition costs, credit card processing charges, and manufacturing and inventory-related costs, increased to $3.14 billion, or 22% of revenues, in the fourth quarter of 2012, compared to $1.25 billion, or 12% of revenues, in the fourth quarter of 2011. Operating Expenses – Operating expenses, other than cost of revenues, were $4.81 billion in the fourth quarter of 2012, or 33% of revenues, compared to $3.38 billion in the fourth quarter of 2011, or 32% of revenues. Amortization Expenses – Amortization expenses of acquisition-related intangible assets were $289 million for the fourth quarter of 2012. Of the $289 million, $153 million was as a result of the acquisition of Motorola, of which $116 million was allocated to Google and $37 million was allocated to Motorola Mobile. Stock-Based Compensation (SBC) – In the fourth quarter of 2012, the total charge related to SBC was $708 million, compared to $536 million in the fourth quarter of 2011. We currently estimate SBC charges for grants to employees prior to January 1, 2013 to be approximately $2.5 billion for 2013. This estimate does not include expenses to be recognized related to employee stock awards that are granted after December 31, 2012 or non-employee stock awards that have been or may be granted. Operating Income – On a consolidated basis, GAAP operating income in the fourth quarter of 2012 was $3.39 billion, or 24% of revenues. This compares to GAAP operating income of $3.51 billion, or 33% of revenues, in the fourth quarter of 2011. Non-GAAP operating income in the fourth quarter of 2012 was $4.27 billion, or 30% of revenues. This compares to non-GAAP operating income of $4.04 billion, or 38% of revenues, in the fourth quarter of 2011.

Google Operating Income – GAAP operating income for Google was $3.75 billion, or 29% of Google revenues, in the fourth quarter of 2012. This compares to GAAP operating income of $3.51 billion, or 33% of Google revenues, in the fourth quarter of 2011. Non-GAAP operating income in the fourth quarter of 2012 was $4.42 billion, or 34% of Google revenues. This compares to non-GAAP operating income of $4.04 billion in the fourth quarter of 2011, or 38% of Google revenues.

Motorola Mobile Operating Loss – GAAP operating loss for Motorola Mobile was $353 million, or -23% of Motorola Mobile revenues in the fourth quarter of 2012. Non-GAAP operating loss for Motorola Mobile in the fourth quarter of 2012 was $152 million, or -10% of Motorola Mobile revenues.

Interest and Other Income, Net – Interest and other income, net, was $152 million in the fourth quarter of 2012, compared to an expense of $18 million in the fourth quarter of 2011. Income Taxes – Our effective tax rate was 18% for the fourth quarter of 2012. Net Income – GAAP net income in the fourth quarter of 2012 was $2.89 billion, compared to $2.71 billion in the fourth quarter of 2011. Non-GAAP net income was $3.57 billion in the fourth quarter of 2012, compared to $3.13 billion in the fourth quarter of 2011. GAAP EPS in the fourth quarter of 2012 was $8.62 on 335 million diluted shares outstanding, compared to $8.22 in the fourth quarter of 2011 on 329 million diluted shares outstanding. Non-GAAP EPS in the fourth quarter of 2012 was $10.65, compared to $9.50 in the fourth quarter of 2011. Cash Flow and Capital Expenditures (including Home) – Net cash provided by operating activities in the fourth quarter of 2012 totaled $4.67 billion, compared to $3.92 billion in the fourth quarter of 2011. In the fourth quarter of 2012, capital expenditures were $1.02 billion, the majority of which was for production equipment, data center construction and facilities-related purchases. Free cash flow, an alternative non-GAAP measure of liquidity, is defined as net cash provided by operating activities less capital expenditures. In the fourth quarter of 2012, free cash flow was $3.65 billion. We expect to continue to make significant capital expenditures. A reconciliation of free cash flow to net cash provided by operating activities, the GAAP measure of liquidity, is included at the end of this release. Cash – As of December 31, 2012, cash, cash equivalents, and marketable securities were $48.1 billion. Headcount – On a worldwide basis, we employed 53,861 full-time employees (37,544 in Google and 11,113 in Motorola Mobile and 5,204 in Motorola Home) as of December 31, 2012, compared to 53,546 full-time employees as of September 30, 2012.

Via: Google

Draw A Stickman: Epic Is a Fun and Personalized Game for All Ages

Tim — Tue, 22 Jan 2013 12:38:40 +0000

I am no artist, but I can draw a mean stick figure. Given this talent, I found that I am a complete natural at Draw a Stickman: EPIC. The object is pretty neat - you draw yourself a little stickman and then draw him a little friend. Your friend is then snatched up and it is your task to go get your friend back. Along the way, you are challenged by puzzles and tasks that require you to hone your drawing skills and use that noggin' of yours. The fact that the game is personalized in where they use your actual figures and drawings is what would make this game fun for any age group. There is a free version and also a pro version which is the full game for $1.99. Play Link: Pro ($1.99) | Free [youtube]http://youtu.be/1TXNlGqY4v8[/youtube]

Tasker Beta Released, Completely Revamped UI Gives App New Life

Tim — Tue, 22 Jan 2013 11:40:40 +0000

It's the same old Tasker, but it sure is a whole lot prettier. The popular app for people who want to completely automate their smartphone is now in beta form, with a completely redone user interface. Taking notes from the Android UI guidelines, Tasker is still able to perform countless tasks with time/place precision such as turning WiFi on when you get home, timed reboots, and plenty more. The original app is still available in Google Play for $6.49, but the beta is free for a limited time. Go grab it and let us know what you think. Download Here Via: Tasker Cheers @D Saif!

Amazon Drops Verizon Galaxy Note 2 Price to $199 for Upgrades and New Lines

Kellen — Tue, 22 Jan 2013 11:29:52 +0000

Today, Amazon dropped the price of the Verizon version of the Samsung Galaxy Note 2 to $199 for upgrades and new lines. That's a solid $100 discount over what Verizon current $299 on-contract price. We're huge fans of the Note 2 (our review) as an overall smartphone package. While the actual size may be a bit much for me, Tim has been using the Verizon version daily for some time now and continues to rave about it. It's combination of power, beauty, and features make it a tough phone to deny. Amazon Links: Grey | White Via: Android Police

App Updates: Facebook, Notif, and Sliding Messaging Have New Features and Bug Fixes

Tim — Tue, 22 Jan 2013 10:55:42 +0000

It is always a good day for app updates. Today, we got some from Facebook, Notif, and Sliding Messaging. As with most Facebook updates, there is no changelog, but if and when they decide to post it, we will update the post. As for Notif, there are a few new settings/features such as keyboard popup settings, icon settings, and other little bug fixes. The one I am more concerned about is Sliding Messaging. No, there is still no MMS support, but the developer mentioned that these newest updates are preparing the application for that feature. Since installing this app, I have seen a constant stream of updates, which is fantastic. Today, there are some new options for contact photos, conversation limit options, link parsing, and date format options. It really is a great messaging alternative and once MMS is there, there is no doubt that this app will take off. Go grab those updates! Play Link: Facebook | Notif | Sliding Messaging

AOKP JB-MR1 Build 2 Released, Fancy Call Stats Feature Baked In

Tim — Tue, 22 Jan 2013 10:30:41 +0000

Yesterday, the AOKP team released JB-MR1 Build 2 for their many followers. Inside the newest build, which is built atop Android 4.2.1, are a ton of new features such as enhancements to the boot animation picker, custom NavBar background colors, and a brand new feature called Call Statistics. With Call Stats, you can get an in-depth look at phone usage such as filtering dates, pie charts showing incoming/outgoing usage, and more. The full list of new features is below. New features:

General UI
- Boot animation picker enhancements
- Colorable clock views/widgets
Lockscreen
- Option to hide initial page hints
- Start lockscreen with minimized challenge
- Longpress on minimized challenge to unlock
- Carousel animation
Navigation Bar
- Colorable NavBar background
- Recents menu opens with lightning speed
Statusbar
- Alternative signal layout (GB-style)
- New toggle: Sound state (ring/vib/silent)
- Mobile technology indicator reflects internet connection status
Camera
- Powerkey shutter
Phone
- Call statistics - Phone app / local menu

As always, remember to perform a backup before wiping and flashing your new ROM. Download the newest build, here. Via: AOKP Cheers Gergely, Kimir, and Nathan!

Samsung's First Half 2013 Roadmap Leaks, Note 8.0 is the Only Interesting Thing on It

Kellen — Tue, 22 Jan 2013 10:14:31 +0000

Samsung's entire first half 2013 roadmap may have just leaked thanks to the folks over at TechnoBuffalo. Unfortunately for Android enthusiasts, there isn't much to get excited about outside of the Galaxy Note 8.0. This roadmap is proof that Samsung is keeping all info on their next flagship phone, likely the Galaxy S4, locked up tight, since most rumors point to it also launching some time in the first half of the year. So how about that Note 8.0? According to these slides, it'll feature an 8" 1280x800 TFT LCD display, 1.6GHz quad-core processor, 5MP rear camera, 1.3MP front camera, internal storage of 16/32GB plus microSD support, 4600mAh battery, and HSPA+ and WiFi connectivity. It will also include an S Pen and the various software enhancements that you've seen attached to it in devices like the Note 2. This roadmap has it pegged for a March 2013 release. The rest of the roadmap features random devices like the Galaxy X Cover 2, Galaxy Young, Galaxy Pocket Plus, and Ch@t 226, none of which you'll care about or remember in 6 months time.

Via: TechnoBuffalo

Special Edition Android Mini to Celebrate Chinese New Year Incoming

Tim — Tue, 22 Jan 2013 09:40:30 +0000

To celebrate the upcoming Chinese New Year, Dyzplastic is set to release a very special edition Android Mini, with most of the units making their way to Asia. Luckily for us, there will be a very limited amount making their way into the Dead Zebra store on January 24 at 11AM. Each mini comes with one of seven different custom scrolls, each symbolizing or representing something different. Staying true to tradition, the Dancing Lion also holds a head of lettuce, which was used as currency in the old days. You can read up on the Dancing Lion over on Wiki.

Available in the Dead Zebra Shop starting Thursday, January 24th at 11AM Eastern Standard Time. They will start shipping the week after that.

Via: Dyzplastic

Verizon Posts Q4 Earnings, Loses $4.8 Billion But Gains 2.1 Million Postpaid Subscribers

Tim — Tue, 22 Jan 2013 09:12:55 +0000

America's largest network, Verizon, posted big numbers this morning as their fourth quarter results are in. During Q4, Verizon's investment in their FiOS and mobile networks resulted in a total loss of $4.8 billion, but the company has no cause for concern. During the winter period, Big Red was able to add 2.1 million postpaid subscribers to their network, 87% of which were smartphones. In other words, "cha-ching." Of the 9.8 million smartphones that were sold during Q4, 7.3 million of them were 4G LTE compatible, bringing the total of Verizon customers using their LTE network to roughly 23.3%. In terms of which phones were sold, Verizon's CFO claims that iPhones outsold Android handsets nearly two to one. To sum it up, Verizon posted 8.4% year-over-year increase in revenues, bringing in a total of just $875 million in the year of 2012. Thoughts on these numbers?

Verizon Reports Strong Revenue And Customer Growth For Verizon Wireless And FiOS Services In 4Q 2012

Earnings Impacted by Previously Announced Non-Operational Charges
NEW YORK, NY —
4Q 2012 HIGHLIGHTS
Wireless

8.5 percent year-over-year increase in service revenues in 4Q 2012; 8.4 percent year-over-year increase in retail service revenues.

2.2 million retail net additions, excluding acquisitions and adjustments, including a record-high 2.1 million retail postpaid net connections; low retail postpaid churn of 0.95 percent; 98.2 million total retail connections, 92.5 million total retail postpaid connections.

4G LTE service now available to more than 273 million people in 476 markets across the U.S.

Wireline

4.1 percent year-over-year increase in consumer revenues; consumer ARPU (average revenue per user) up 9.5 percent year over year, to $105.63.

144,000 FiOS Internet and 134,000 FiOS Video net additions, with continued increased sales penetration for both services; 5.4 million total FiOS Internet, 4.7 million total FiOS Video customers.

Consolidated Earnings

A loss of $1.48 in earnings per share (EPS), compared with a loss of 71 cents per share in 4Q 2011, impacted by non-cash pension items in both quarters and additional non-operational debt retirement and other restructuring items in 4Q 2012.

A 7-cent-per-share impact due to Superstorm Sandy yielded 38 cents per share in adjusted EPS (non-GAAP), compared with 52 cents in adjusted EPS in 4Q 2011.

Verizon Communications Inc. (NYSE, Nasdaq: VZ) today reported strong customer and revenue growth in Verizon Wireless and Verizon FiOS services in fourth-quarter 2012 -- positioning the company well for 2013. Verizon Wireless reported record-setting customer additions in the quarter, while Verizon FiOS customer additions were higher in fourth-quarter 2012 than in the prior two quarters, despite the impact of Superstorm Sandy. “Verizon seized growth opportunities in the fourth quarter to cap a year of solid progress across the entire business,” said Lowell McAdam, Verizon chairman and CEO. “We delivered a total return of 13.2 percent to shareholders in 2012, and we enter 2013 ready to accelerate the momentum we’ve achieved and create significant shareholder value in the years to come.”
4Q and Full-Year Earnings Results
Due to the impact of non-operational items announced earlier this month, Verizon reported a loss of $1.48 in EPS in fourth-quarter 2012, compared with a fourth-quarter 2011 loss of 71 cents per share. A reduction of 7 cents per share due to impacts from Superstorm Sandy yielded a total of 38 cents per share in adjusted fourth-quarter 2012 earnings (non-GAAP). Fourth-quarter 2012 charges totaled $1.86 per share: $1.55 per share related to severance, pension and benefit charges primarily for the annual actuarial valuation of Verizon’s benefit plans as well as the annuitization of various pension liabilities during the quarter, and 31 cents per share related to the early retirement of debt and other restructuring activities. Comparable adjusted fourth-quarter 2011 earnings of 52 cents per share excluded charges of $1.23 per share, primarily related to the valuation of pension plans. On an annual basis, Verizon reported 31 cents in 2012 EPS, compared with 85 cents per share in 2011. Adjusted annual EPS (non-GAAP) was $2.24 in 2012, compared with $2.15 in 2011.
Revenue Growth Across All Strategic Areas; Continued Strong Cash Flow
In fourth-quarter 2012, Verizon’s consolidated quarterly operating revenues exceeded $30.0 billion for the first time in company history. This represented a 5.7 percent increase compared with fourth-quarter 2011 and was the company’s highest year-over-year quarterly growth rate in 2012. For full-year 2012, Verizon’s revenues totaled $115.8 billion, an increase of 4.5 percent, or $5.0 billion, compared with 2011. In fourth-quarter 2012, Verizon saw year-over-year revenue increases across all strategic growth areas: 8.5 percent for Verizon Wireless service revenues, 15.7 percent for FiOS revenues and 5.3 percent for strategic enterprise services. Cash flow from operating activities totaled $31.5 billion in 2012, an increase of 5.7 percent compared with $29.8 billion in 2011. Capital expenditures were $16.2 billion in 2012, including $135 million in companywide capital related to Superstorm Sandy recovery efforts, and totaled about $70 million less than in 2011. Free cash flow (non-GAAP, cash flow from operations less capex) was $15.3 billion for the year, an increase of 13.1 percent compared with $13.5 billion in 2011. Verizon maintained a strong balance sheet, with year-end 2012 total debt of $52.0 billion, down from $55.2 billion at year-end 2011.
Verizon Wireless Delivers Record-High Customer Additions and Strong Revenue Growth
In fourth-quarter 2012, Verizon Wireless delivered the highest number of retail postpaid net additions of any quarter in its history, strong growth in revenues, an increase in smartphone penetration, and continued low retail postpaid churn. Wireless Financial Highlights

Total revenues were $20.0 billion in fourth-quarter 2012, up 9.5 percent year over year. Service revenues in the quarter totaled $16.4 billion, up 8.5 percent year over year. Retail service revenues grew 8.4 percent year over year, to $15.8 billion.

For full-year 2012, total revenues were $75.9 billion, up 8.1 percent over full-year 2011, and service revenues were $63.7 billion in 2012, up 7.7 percent year over year.

Retail postpaid ARPA (average revenue per account) grew 6.6 percent over fourth-quarter 2011, to $146.80 per month. As customers continue to add multiple devices to accounts following the introduction of the Share Everything Plan in June, Verizon Wireless now reports ARPA instead of ARPU since customers can share data among multiple devices.

In fourth-quarter 2012, wireless operating income margin was 24.0 percent and segment EBITDA margin on service revenues (non-GAAP) was 41.4 percent, down 80 basis points from fourth-quarter 2011. For full-year 2012, operating income margin was 28.7 percent, up 230 basis points from full-year 2011; segment EBITDA margin was 46.6 percent, up 180 basis points year over year.

Wireless Operational Highlights

Verizon Wireless added 2.2 million net retail connections in the fourth quarter, including a record-high 2.1 million retail postpaid net connections. The company added 5.0 million net retail postpaid connections in 2012, the most in four years. These additions exclude acquisitions and adjustments.

At the end of 2012, the company had 98.2 million retail connections, a 6.6 percent increase year over year -- including 92.5 million retail postpaid connections.

Verizon Wireless had 35.1 million retail postpaid accounts at the end of the fourth quarter, a 1.4 percent increase over the fourth quarter 2011, and an average of 2.6 connections per account, up 4.3 percent year over year.

At year-end 2012, smartphones accounted for more than 58 percent of the Verizon Wireless retail postpaid customer phone base, up from 53 percent at the end of third-quarter 2012.

Retail postpaid churn was 0.95 percent in the fourth quarter and retail churn was 1.24 percent, both up 1 basis point year over year.

Verizon Wireless continued to roll out its 4G LTE mobile broadband network, the largest 4G LTE network in the U.S. As of today (Jan. 22), Verizon Wireless 4G LTE service is available to more than 273 million people -- close to 89 percent of the population -- in 476 markets across the U.S.

The company continued to enhance its device lineup with new smartphones and tablets. In the fourth quarter, Verizon Wireless launched eight 4G LTE smartphones: the DROID RAZR HD and DROID RAZR MAXX HD by Motorola; Windows Phone 8X by HTC; Nokia Lumia 822; Samsung Galaxy Note II; Spectrum 2 by LG; Samsung Galaxy Stratosphere II; and the DROID DNA by HTC. In addition, Verizon Wireless launched three tablets in the quarter: the Samsung Galaxy Tab 2, Apple iPad with Retina display and Apple iPad mini.

Verizon Wireless announced it will begin offering shared data plans for business on Jan. 24, 2013, with the Share Everything Plan for Small Business and the Nationwide for Business Data Packages and Plans.

Wireline Reports Continued Strong FiOS Customer and Revenue Growth
In the Wireline segment, FiOS customer growth in fourth-quarter 2012 was greater than in the prior two quarters, despite the disruption caused by Superstorm Sandy. In global enterprise and wholesale, increased sales of strategic services continued to help mitigate lower revenues resulting from secular and global economic impacts. Wireline Financial Highlights

Fourth-quarter 2012 operating revenues were $10.0 billion, a decline of 1.5 percent compared with fourth-quarter 2011. Consumer revenues grew 4.1 percent compared with fourth-quarter 2011. On an annual basis, 2012 consumer revenues totaled $14.0 billion, an increase of 3.2 percent compared with 2011 and Verizon’s highest annual revenue growth rate in consumer wireline in 10 years.

Consumer ARPU for wireline services increased to $105.63 in fourth-quarter 2012, up 9.5 percent compared with fourth-quarter 2011.

ARPU for FiOS customers continues to be more than $150. FiOS services produced about 68 percent of consumer wireline revenues in fourth-quarter 2012. About two-thirds of FiOS consumer customers have purchased a “triple play” of phone, Internet and video services.

Global enterprise revenues totaled $3.8 billion in the quarter, down 2.1 percent compared with fourth-quarter 2011. Sales of strategic services increased 5.3 percent compared with fourth-quarter 2011 and represented 54 percent of global enterprise revenues. Strategic services include Verizon Terremark cloud and data center services, security and IT solutions, advanced communications, and strategic networking.

For 2012, wireline operating income margin was 0.2 percent and wireline EBITDA margin (non-GAAP) was 21.3 percent, including the negative impact of fourth-quarter storm recovery. Excluding identifiable storm impacts (non-GAAP), wireline operating income margin was 1.0 percent and wireline EBITDA margin was 22.1 percent.

Wireline Operational Highlights

Verizon added 144,000 net new FiOS Internet connections and 134,000 net new FiOS Video connections in fourth-quarter 2012. Verizon had a total of 5.4 million FiOS Internet and 4.7 million FiOS Video connections at the end of the quarter, representing year-over-year increases of 12.6 percent and 13.3 percent, respectively.

FiOS penetration (subscribers as a percentage of potential subscribers) continued to increase. FiOS Internet penetration was 37.3 percent at the end of fourth-quarter 2012, compared with 35.5 percent at the end of fourth-quarter 2011. In the same periods, FiOS Video penetration was 33.3 percent, compared with 31.5 percent. The FiOS network passed 17.6 million premises at year-end 2012.

Broadband connections totaled 8.8 million at year-end 2012, a 1.4 percent year-over-year increase. Revenues from broadband connections grew 3.1 percent -- to $3.5 billion for full-year 2012 -- over the same period, driven by customer purchases of higher-speed FiOS services.

Verizon has been replacing high-maintenance portions of its residential copper network with fiber optics to provide enhanced services and to reduce ongoing repair costs. In 2012, Verizon migrated 223,000 homes to fiber, which contributed to an 11 percent improvement in trouble reports across Verizon’s entire copper network for the year. The company has a target of 300,000 additional migrations within FiOS markets in 2013.

To meet rapidly growing customer-traffic demands, Verizon deployed additional 100G (gigabits per second) technology on network routes in the U.S. and Europe in fourth-quarter 2012. In the U.S., these high-capacity routes included Atlanta to Tampa, Kansas City to Dallas and Salt Lake City to Seattle. During 2012, the company added 13,000 miles to its 100G network in the U.S.

Verizon Enterprise Solutions completed agreements with multinational and U.S. corporations The Coca-Cola Company, Hongkong and Shanghai Hotels Ltd., Bridgestone Americas, CME Group,Redbox and Shred-It for advanced business technology solutions.

Verizon Enterprise Solutions launched a comprehensive cloud and data center infrastructure portfolio specifically designed to help the health care industry meet the federal Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) requirements for safeguarding electronic protected health information.

NOTE: See the accompanying schedules and www.verizon.com/investor for reconciliations to generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) for non-GAAP financial measures cited in this document. Verizon Communications Inc. (NYSE, Nasdaq: VZ), headquartered in New York, is a global leader in delivering broadband and other wireless and wireline communications services to consumer, business, government and wholesale customers. Verizon Wireless operates America’s most reliable wireless network, with more than 98 million retail connections nationwide. Verizon also provides converged communications, information and entertainment services over America’s most advanced fiber-optic network, and delivers integrated business solutions to customers in more than 150 countries, including all of the Fortune 500. A Dow 30 company with nearly $116 billion in 2012 revenues, Verizon employs a diverse workforce of 183,400. For more information, visit www.verizon.com. VERIZON’S ONLINE NEWS CENTER: Verizon news releases, executive speeches and biographies, media contacts, high-quality video and images, and other information are available at Verizon’s online News Center at www.verizon.com/news. To receive news releases by email, visit the News Center and register for customized automatic delivery of Verizon news releases. NOTE: This presentation contains statements about expected future events and financial results that are forward-looking and subject to risks and uncertainties. For those statements, we claim the protection of the safe harbor for forward-looking statements contained in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. The following important factors could affect future results and could cause those results to differ materially from those expressed in the forward-looking statements: adverse conditions in the U.S. and international economies; competition in our markets; material changes in available technology or technology substitution; disruption of our key suppliers’ provisioning of products or services; changes in the regulatory environments in which we operate, including any increase in restrictions on our ability to operate our networks; breaches of network or information technology security, natural disasters, terrorist attacks or significant litigation and any resulting financial impact not covered by insurance; an adverse change in the ratings afforded our debt securities by nationally accredited ratings organizations or adverse conditions in the credit markets impacting the cost, including interest rates, and/or availability of financing; changes in our accounting assumptions that regulatory agencies, including the SEC, may require or that result from changes in the accounting rules or their application, which could result in an impact on earnings; significant increases in benefit plan costs or lower investment returns on plan assets; and the inability to implement our business strategies. ####

Via: Verizon | The Verge

Samsung's Galaxy S4 Now Rumored for April Launch Under Codename "Altius"

Kellen — Tue, 22 Jan 2013 08:49:34 +0000

According to a couple of reports this morning, the next-gen Samsung flagship phone could be announced in March during an "Unpacked" event with a launch happening shortly after in April. We'll refer to the phone as the Galaxy S4, but as of now, that name is not necessarily official. One source claims that the Unpacked event will happen in the U.S. at Apple's doorstep, while the other source is expecting London, New York, or even Korea. Outside of launch, SamMobile is reporting that the phone has a new codename of "Altius" and a model number of GT-I9500. Samsung will likely deliver the phone in two color options: white and black. There will be a removable 2600mAh battery with a wireless charging kit sold separately. The rest of the rumored specs at this point include a 4.99" FHD Super AMOLED display, Exynos 5 Octa processor, Mali-T658 GPU, 2GB RAM, 13MP camera, and Android 4.2.1. Last, the image above is being tossed around as an "official" press image, but we're not buying into that. Via: SamMobile | Asia Economic Cheers ItsASamsung!

New Set of HTC Sense 5 Screenshots Emerge

Kellen — Tue, 22 Jan 2013 08:29:55 +0000

After seeing the picture of Sense 5.0 up and running on a DROID DNA, XDA member mdeejay brought up the fact that the phone is actually running a ported build from a Sprint M7 which has the new Sense on it. He claims to have it working nicely, but can't release it at this time. Thankfully, he was able to at least share some screenshots from it, so that we can see some of the changes in store in this latest version of HTC's Sense. First, you can see the new lock screen which appears to have finally ditched that obnoxious ring-unlock mechanism. We're also getting a much less cluttered and minimal clock and icon set, but we have seen those before. On one of his home screens, he has a number of apps laid out, along with the arrangement for folder icons. We are definitely seeing new icons across the board for mail, calendar, people, gallery, etc. There is a view of the in-call menu, which also appears to be simplified. Down below, you have a somewhat back-end look for settings. It looks re-themed, but that's about all there is to say. If you want to keep up with a potential ROM release of this new Sense from mdeejay, I suggest you stay close to the XDA thread below.

Via: XDA

New App LagFix Looks to Fix Your Lag Issues, What Else Would It Do?

Tim — Mon, 21 Jan 2013 15:44:17 +0000

Lag happens, it is an unfortunate truth in the world of rooting and running custom ROM's. Developers have long looked into the underlying problem and as to why lag occurs, but of course, we are still waiting on a permanent death to lag. According to the developer of LagFix, he believes he has created a solution to the issue and has released this tool to counteract it.

The source of the problem is that internal storage is not properly TRIMmed when needed. You can find lots of information on XDA. It is also well-known fact that running fstrim Linux tool from time to time fixes the issue until internal memory runs out of free blocks. Other solutions like mounting with -discard or disabling fsync may be slow or dangerous. LagFix is a user-friendly implementation of fstrim utility. It allows you to select which partitions to trim (you should leave defaults unless you know what you are doing) and run the process easily.

The app is recommended for advanced users only, since performing some of these tasks that directly impact your system could potentially harm your device. And you know what, I don't want that on my conscience, so if you use the app, please be careful. Again, it is for rooted users only. So far on Google Play, the app has been met with high praise. If you are brave and your phone is rooted, try it out and let us know your results. Play Link

Early Details Emerge For Samsung's Galaxy Tab 3 Lineup

Tim — Mon, 21 Jan 2013 14:30:11 +0000

At this point, it is quite clear that 2013 is shaping up to be Samsung's biggest year yet in the mobile industry. With very highly anticipated flagship devices yet to be announced and the blog-o-sphere lighting up over next month's MWC device unveiling rumors, Samsung barely has to try at this point to make headlines. The newest info across the wire are rumors of their upcoming Galaxy Tab 3 tablet devices, said to be ready for launch by sometime mid-2013. Much like the Galaxy Tab 2, there will be two separate versions; one 7" and one 10.1". With both models will come two variations; one WiFi-only and the other would support 3G/4G connectivity. Both tablets are reported to sport 5MP cameras (surprised it's not 8MP by this point), and will feature 32GB or 64GB storage options. For the sake of making sure we put all of the info out there, it is also said both tablets will launch in the color white to begin with. Since it's still January, feel free to shoot down below what you hope to see from the Galaxy Tab 3. If it was me designing the thing, I would need a much better display than what we have seen previously, 2GB of RAM, that new Exynos 5 or higher, and a hardware design that Apple couldn't sue me over. Is that so much to ask? Via: SamMobile

Monday Poll: How Many Android Phones Have You Owned?

Kellen — Mon, 21 Jan 2013 14:12:47 +0000

Since Android has taken over our lives, dating back to the original DROID push of late 2009, we know that many of you have owned a number of different handsets. For a while, we were all OG owners, but over the years as more devices have been launched, we can tell that readers have jumped between the latest and greatest devices with much greater regularity. We're now in 2013, which means some of you have gone through 1.5 upgrade cycles and at least another phone or two. So we're curious, how many Android phones have you owned in your life? Feel free to list them out, as well. (Let's not count tablets for now.) [poll id="232"]

Samsung's Head of Mobile Confirms Galaxy Note 8 Unveiling For MWC

Tim — Mon, 21 Jan 2013 13:08:25 +0000

Earlier today, reports flew in from overseas that Samsung's head of mobile, JK Shin, has confirmed that his company plans to unveil the Galaxy Note 8.0 at this year's MWC. Other than that information, specs are still rather speculation, but it is reported the tablet will feature a screen with a resolution of just 1280 x 800, be powered by a quad-core Exynos processor (definitely not the Octa), and will naturally come packed with Samsung's proprietary software. If you are hoping for some powerful little tablet in the 8" form factor, I wouldn't hold your breath. This is more than likely a way for Samsung to directly compete against the iPad Mini, which only exists because of the Nexus 7. Ah, the world of competing companies in electronics. Via: Engadget

Designer Puts Together What a Redesigned Google Music Could Look Like

Eric — Mon, 21 Jan 2013 12:30:25 +0000

Since the launch of Google Now, Google has been moving towards a certain design language with Android and it's been well received by many people. The core Google apps have been slowly moving away from the Honeycomb look and more towards the Jelly Bean "Holo" feel. One app that still feels lacking, however, is Google Music, the dark backgrounds and highlights just don't mesh with Jelly Bean well.

One designer put together a great looking mock-up for what the new app could be. Rajesh Handa uploaded an album of screenshots to his Google+ page showing what Google could do with the app as far as swiping and color schemes go, and it looks great. Everything about this app screams Android 4.2 and Google might do well to take some cues from this.

What do you think about this suggested redesign? Head over to Handa's Google+ page to see the rest of his design mock-up.

Via: Google+

Wild Rumor: Motorola X Phone to Multiple Carriers, Sold Cheaply in Google Play, and Unlockable on Verizon

Kellen — Mon, 21 Jan 2013 12:11:50 +0000

Brace yourself, the hypebeasting is about to commence. A bit of info was handed to us a by a long time reader and we're not really sure what to make of it. What we do know, is that one of [redacted] forum members who has long been a source of Motorola information, posted up the details about the "X" phone that is said to be Moto's next big release. We thought we'd share, even if it does sound way too good to be true. Feel free to attack it, poke holes in it, drool over it, or daydream about a life with this phone in this sort of scenario. Again, it's been flagged as a "wild rumor" on purpose. Here is the word on the streets:

Motorola X Phone will be announced at Google I/O in May.
Current target for release is July 8 (definitely subject to change).
All carriers will sell the X Phone.
Verizon will sell it for $299 on contract.
All versions will also be sold through the Google Play store at similar off-contract price to Nexus line.
If you want to unlock the bootloader through Verizon, they will charge a $15/month fee.
If you buy it through Google Play, it comes unlocked with no fee.
Not a "Nexus" but will come running stock Android and with some bloatware.
Bloatware can apparently be removed once unlocked.

I don't even know where to begin with this. An X Phone on all carriers, running stock, that will be sold directly through Google Play at an insanely low price, and with an unlockable bootloader? Doesn't it sound way too good? That's a dream scenario right there, but then again, with the new Google leadership, maybe Motorola is going big. They certainly have a lot of ground to make up on the rest of the Android players. So what do you think? Sound crazy? Feel free to hit up the [redacted] thread as well, since it's 600+ pages of all sorts of info. Via: [Redacted] *Forum thread with source info was closed. Forum also asked to no longer be credited. Cheers S!

Official PBA Bowling Challenge For Android, Much Easier Than Real Life 10 Pin

Tim — Mon, 21 Jan 2013 11:24:14 +0000

On Sunday nights, I find myself at the local bowling alley, part of an amateur happy hour bowling league. I am by no means exceptional at the game, but I do enjoy it and beer never hurts the sport either. If you also have a fondness for the sport, you should check out PBA Bowling Challenge. It's an official title, which means you play against real pros in the game such as Chris Barnes, Walter Ray Williams Jr., and Pete Weber. The app in terms of gameplay is quite good. There are many different balls to choose from and as you progress through the game winning tournaments, you unlock more equipment. To make the game a bit more exciting, they also added in three special balls - a lightning ball, a bomb ball, and a split ball (definitely helps with the 7-10 splits). As you can imagine, once you get to the top tier players, the game becomes exceptionally hard, especially when you can't seem to master the in-house oil pattern. Either way, it's a good game and is completely free on Google Play. There are in-app purchases, but are 100 percent not needed to beat the game. Play Link [youtube]http://youtu.be/WX0n-Jk3Se4[/youtube]

HTC Sense 5.0 Pops Up on the DROID DNA

Kellen — Mon, 21 Jan 2013 10:52:59 +0000

Over the weekend, we caught our first glimpse of HTC's new custom skin for Android, Sense 5.0. The two appearances lead us to believe that HTC is going with a more minimal approach to Sense, but also one with an interesting take on home screen sections that look similar to what Microsoft has done with Windows Phone. It has pretty moments, like with the icons, but the rest seems like a step in the wrong direction - but that's coming from a minimalist like myself. That's not what we're here to talk about, though. The above image is, since it shows a Verizon-branded DROID DNA running this latest version of Sense. Not that we ever thought for a second that HTC's current flagship device wouldn't see an update to a new version of Sense or anything, but this seems to have come earlier than expected. We have no idea when the DNA could see an update to Sense 5.0 (assuming that's what it's called), because we first need HTC to announce it (and they have yet to do that). Don't forget that they'll likely launch a phone along with the new version of Sense - the HTC M7. The image above was posted at a leaked ROMs site, so keep an eye on your favorite forum over the next few days. You might find yourself a gift. Via: HTCSource

ASUS MeMo Pad 10 Flaunts Jelly Bean In First Unboxing Video

Eric — Mon, 21 Jan 2013 10:40:21 +0000

It was the original ASUS MeMo 7 that ended up becoming Google's best selling Android tablet to-date, the Nexus 7. After that disappeared we weren't sure that we would see another tablet from the MeMo line until recently when the 7" low-end tablet was re-announced. If you were looking to be blown away by specs though, that tablet was not for you. However, a new 10" MeMo Pad has surfaced and is looking to be better equipped.

The video doesn't show much save for ASUS' light skin on top of an unspecified version of Jelly Bean, but everything done on the tablet looks snappy and silky smooth. No specs are mentioned anywhere about processor, screen or memory that is packed inside, but it's looking highly likely that this device will be officially announced at Mobile World Congress coming up in a few weeks. Then we should have all the information we need on this MeMo Pad 10 to see if it's actually worth buying.

[youtube]![/youtube]

Via: TechHive

Droid Life Q&A Sessions: Volume 9

Tim — Mon, 21 Jan 2013 10:15:11 +0000

With CES behind us and MWC coming up, it is time for a DL Q&A Session. With these posts, it is your chance to ask the DL staffers anything and everything that is on your mind. Then on Friday, we will go through and answer our favorites in a separate post. It can be personal, Android-related, or even SF 49er's related. And yes, we will also take a handful of questions and answer them on air during this week's Droid Life Show. If we get some really juicy ones, I will also field a couple during the Tato Show (Thurs. 7PM Pacific) as well. Ready? Drop in the comments and let us know what’s on your mind. To see all of our previous Q&A’s, check them out here.

In Honor of Inauguration Day: Google Brings Martin Van Buren To Life

Eric — Mon, 21 Jan 2013 10:00:14 +0000

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FyJZqHyKKIw[/youtube] Today is a day for pomp and circumstance, so let's take the time to remember past Presidents of these great United States. For example, Martin Van Buren. Don't remember him? No one really does, except for his awesome sideburns. Google Search does though and shows off Google's Knowledge Graph in this short, but cute commercial.

Super Hexagon Released for Android, Looks Like the Hardest Game Ever Created By Man

Tim — Mon, 21 Jan 2013 09:40:14 +0000

When I have EvanTheGamer emailing me about games, that means it must be pretty awesome and I should check it out immediately. Well Evan, I checked it out, and now I hate you. Super Hexagon, a game that is popular on iOS, is now available for Android. After a couple of minutes, I hate this game, but in a good way. You play as a little speck near the middle of the screen, then try to navigate your way through hexagons that come collapsing around you. The game is fast-paced and also has a pretty fantastic soundtrack to go along with it. To get a sense of my frustration, check out the video below. The game runs $0.99 in Google Play, which is very much worth it. Play Link ($0.99) [youtube]http://youtu.be/2sz0mI_6tLQ[/youtube] Cheers EvanTheGamer and Daniel!

Sony Xperia Tablet Z Announced For Japan - 1.5GHz Quad-Core, 2GB RAM, HD Display

Tim — Mon, 21 Jan 2013 09:20:07 +0000

This morning, Sony made the Xperia Tablet Z official in Japan. The tablet, whose design mimics that of the Xperia smartphone lineup, packs a serious punch in about every category. For starters, the Tablet Z measures in at just 6.9mm thick, supports a gorgeous 10.1" 1,920 x 1,200 display, and is powered by a 1.5GHz Qualcomm quad-core processor. Other specs include NFC, 32GB of storage, micro-SD card slot, 2GB of RAM, and a super fancy 8.1 Exmor R camera on its backside. As for availability, all that we know now is that it should hit Japanese shores (enter Godzilla reference) sometime in the Spring of this year. For now, there is no word on a U.S. launch date. Thoughts on this tablet? Via: Sony Mobile

Supposed Sony Component Hints Towards Huge 6.44" Device on the Horizon

Eric — Mon, 21 Jan 2013 09:00:48 +0000

These days you can't escape the big phone. After the Galaxy Note and Galaxy Note 2 have sold millions and millions of units, why wouldn't every other OEM get in on the game? If the above picture is to be believed, a component for an upcoming Sony phone gives away the massive screen size of a new device. 6.44" of 1080p goodness will be included in this phone, is that big enough for you?

But this has to be taken with a little bit of salt, as usual. We may never see whatever device this gets attached to, if it is even what we think it is. It does however show the trend of manufacturers moving towards larger phones.

Is 6.44" too big for you to hold with your dignity intact?

Via: Engadget

Rumor: Google Preparing New Nexus 10 for MWC With Quad-core Processor, 8-core GPU

Kellen — Mon, 21 Jan 2013 08:42:03 +0000

According to Bright Side of News, a site which focuses on the semi-conductor industry, Google has prepared a new version of its Nexus 10 that will be shown off at MWC next month. After releasing the original tablet with a dual-core Exynos 5 processor and Mali-T604 GPU, the "general feeling" in the industry was that the tablet was a bit underpowered and that a new version could replace it with a beefed up chipset. This rumor suggests that Google's new Nexus 10 will sport a quad-core processor and new 8-core Mali-T678 GPU. BSN also mentioned that they believe they saw the next-gen tablet in the body of an original Nexus 10 at CES and that the benchmark performance on it was "night and day" compared to the original. If these sources are correct, the device could be on display at MWC, but may not ship for months - possibly during the back-to-school period. If that's the case, then I'd guess Google I/O will once again be the target for Google to announce the product, with MWC being nothing more than another back-alley show-off session for the tablet. Last, and this may or may not be related, but the Nexus 10 is sold out through Google play in both 16GB and 32GB variants. Via: Bright Side of News Cheers Michael!

Samsung's Latest Ad Talks Up a Unicorn Apocalypse, Pokes Fun at Blackberry Business Phones

Kellen — Mon, 21 Jan 2013 08:12:28 +0000

To show off the business-readiness (SAFE) of the Galaxy S3 and Galaxy Note 2, Samsung has released a new TV spot that features a fictional mobile gaming company whose employees are stuck in a world of Blackberries as business phones. Well, Blackberries as business phones and iPhones as their "home" phones. As one would expect, Samsung highlights the powerful business sharing tools, levels of encryption, and multi-tasking abilities of their current lineup, while also taking jabs at the guy in the sportcoat who thinks a Blackberry means "business." Oh, the game they are creating is called "Unicorn Apocalypse." Who doesn't love unicorns?

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5fcUf4d-Y3s[/youtube]

Hey Look, Another Supposed Picture of the HTC M7

Kellen — Sun, 20 Jan 2013 22:35:27 +0000

OK, so is this the real HTC M7? It could be. It certainly looks a heck of a lot like the purported render we saw earlier on Sunday. Funny thing is, that render was supposedly a mock-up or not real, yet this picture of a phone that mimics it entirely is now, real. Just making sure I have that straight before we dive into it. If that even straightened any of it out. Sooooo, what do we have? Well, aside from the picture of the back looking mostly questionable (in my opinion) (or it's just a terrible photo), the front has the same look as the render from earlier - icons all match-up, as does the weird arrangement of hardware navigation keys. As far as new things go, we have two clocks that look like they were pulled straight out of the ugly section of Beautiful Widgets. And are those Windows 8-inspired tiles in Sense 5.0 (pictured below)? We also have blocked out versions of Android, weird resolutions on the screenshots, and all sorts of "Confidential" watermarking, something that HTC does do with their prototypes or test devices.

You guys tell me what you think about these last couple of HTC M7 rumors. I sort of doubt that this M7 device is some elaborate hoax. If it is, then bravo again to some internet troll in a basement with too much time on his hands. This could very well be the phone, the only issue I have is - what's the killer selling feature here? I'm seeing a big screen, new Sense, and a similar look to the DROID DNA. What else am I missing? Via: Android Police

Will the Real HTC M7 Please Stand Up - Another Render Surfaces

Kellen — Sun, 20 Jan 2013 11:48:10 +0000

So, is this a real render of the HTC M7? Your guess is as good as ours, however, this looks much more like a phone that HTC would produce than the random iPhone-ish, dual-speaker render we saw earlier in the week. Expected to be announced at Mobile World Congress next month, we are seeing a lot to like if this turns out to be the real deal. The phone almost mimics the HTC 8X, a Windows Phone 8 device that we tested for a couple of weeks and grew quite fond of. HTC was praised for the design of that phone, so if we were to see them continue on with a similar style in their next big Android device, you wouldn't see us complain. We're also seeing the new version of HTC Sense, which many are referring to as Sense 5.0. It doesn't look a lot different at first glance, but you can see new icons that appear to match up to the new minimal screenshots of Sense we saw a couple of weeks back. Beyond that, it's tough to get anything else from the images. Well, it does mention "Barcelona" on the clock, which just so happens to be the location of MWC. We can see a centered camera with flash on the back along with Beats Audio branding. One concern we do have is the setup of the navigation buttons on the bottom of the device. They appear to be hardware, not on-screen, yet also are rearranged from past devices. For whatever reason, the home button has been moved to the far right, swapping places with the multi-tasking button which has now been centered. And this would be the moment that we all complain under our breath that there needs to be a standard set for navigation buttons. Thoughts on this render? Via: HTCSource

DROID RAZR MAXX HD Drops to $99 at Amazon for New Lines

Kellen — Sat, 19 Jan 2013 17:09:36 +0000

This morning, Amazon dropped the price of the DROID RAZR MAXX HD to $99 on-contract for new lines and new accounts. If you want to upgrade to it, it'll run you $149. Either way, it's still a hell of a lot cheaper than the $299 on-contract price that Verizon is still listing it at. We reviewed the RAZR MAXX HD back in October and are clearly fans of it. While its specs and performance may not match up to the Note 2 or DROID DNA, it crushes them all in battery life. In fact, we took MAXX HDs to Vegas with us to cover CES because at most conferences, you are almost always needing to plug in your phone or find the nearest charger multiple times a day. With the MAXX HD, I never once ran into a battery issue even after a half-dozen live blogs, a bunch of photos taken, and regular usage. It's a beast, that's for sure. Amazon Link

Prepare for the Weekend!

Kellen — Fri, 18 Jan 2013 23:30:14 +0000

I can't think of a better way for you to start your weekend than by catching up on the latest episode of The Droid Life Show. In episode 12, we shared the final, final thoughts on CES 2013, looked forward and made some predictions for the rest of the year, wondered if anything will ever stop Samsung, poked holes in that random HTC M7 render, wondered why Google has better apps on iOS than Android, and more. It was another amusing show, so be sure to check it out. Also, don't forget to subscribe!

This Week in the Life of DROID: 1/18/2013

Tim — Fri, 18 Jan 2013 16:00:41 +0000

This week has been non-stop Android rumors about upcoming devices from Samsung, HTC, and LG. It's been so crazy that we have coined the motto, "nothing is confirmed" just so we remind our readers and ourselves that until we have official word, that things are always subject to change. The 2013 MWC is approaching and will be here before we know it, so let's prepare for what should be a pretty eventful year. If you missed any of this week's highlights, here they are.

Have a fantastic weekend and stay safe!

Review: Treegloo Case for the Nexus 7

Eric — Fri, 18 Jan 2013 15:20:56 +0000

The review of Portenzo's awesome Nexus 7 covers way back in the day got me thinking that I'd like a case of my own for my tablet. I wanted to see what other good quality cases were out there though, and many people suggested that I check out Treegloo if I was looking for a good bookcase. After a ~~long~~ small delay it has finally arrived and it's about time to give this case a once over. Treegloo is a design shop that started off making cases for the iPad and has since grown to the Nexus 7 and does a pretty decent job at it. The cases are wrapped in soft faux leather with solid wood frames inside to keep your tablet in one place no matter which way you are holding it. Each one of these wood frames is hand-made as opposed to machine cut, a fact that Treegloo is, rightfully, proud of. The overall product is a solid, slightly hefty case that give you the security to take your tablet outside the walls of your house. Treegloo also offers a bevy of customization options, leaving almost no two of their cases looking exactly the same. The a la carte ordering line starts with choosing your frame finish (9 colors) and then you move onto the leather color (10 colors). From there you choose what type of liner you want, choose the color of the liner (19 colors) or you can choose from a set of liner prints that feature maps from around the world. And that's just cosmetic options, you can choose the standard elastic strap to keep it closed or go with the kinetic latch that allows the case to stand for easy typing and media viewing. Oh, and all cases come standard with the magnetic sleep/wake function that the Nexus 7 works with.

And Treegloo provides all these options for consumers while still keeping their ecological footprint small. All the paper stock they use are FSC complaint and their other materials are Green Seal certified. Prices for these cases start as low as $30 bucks and go up from there depending on upgrades to the latch, liner and certain colors. The prices are fairly affordable considering how much customization and sustainability goes into each case, but since they are hand made expect a bit of a wait before your case arrives. The site says they expect cases to ship within 7-21 business days, but my wait was about 3 times that. However, the end product feels great in your hand. The faux leather they use feels better to the touch than my Moleskin notebook that I carry around. It offers protection and style for an affordable price. If you're ready to get started head over to Treegloo's website. Update: After posting this review, we have heard enough stories of delays in shipping of Treegloo products that we wanted to add this note as a word of caution. While Treegloo may make nice cases, readers' orders are taking months to be fulfilled, the company has even stopped communicating after a few support emails have been exchanged, and customers are often times left wondering if they are ever going to see their cases. If you want a case from a reputable company that will deliver on time, check out Portenzo. [nggallery id=43]

Friday Poll: Custom ROM or Stock?

Kellen — Fri, 18 Jan 2013 14:49:18 +0000

After the original DROID had finished its run as the top Android phone on Earth and we started to see new phones touch down on what seemed like a weekly basis, we also starting seeing a dip in the development scene. With so many phones, it was tough to pinpoint the best ROMs, best developers, and in our case, cover it on a regular basis. Also, phones these days are so incredibly powerful, that we rarely have to worry about overclocking to get better performance, tweak kernels to extend battery life (outside of the Galaxy Nexus), and remove custom OEM skins to fix a device. We understand that there is still an amazing ROM scene that is producing incredible features, but it's just not as tight as it once was. So as we do often, we will ask the status of your phone. Are you running a custom ROM or is your phone stock? And if you'd like, feel free to list out your device and specific ROM in the comments. If you are stock, be sure to tell us why. [poll id="231"]

"Expanded Desktop Mode" in Paranoid Android ROM is the Coolest ROM Feature I've Seen in a Long Time

Kellen — Fri, 18 Jan 2013 13:55:38 +0000

The guys behind Paranoid Android ROM are in the process of finishing up their latest build, version 3.0. In a quick teaser to help get their base excited about the release, they published a video that highlights a their "Expanded Desktop Mode" and some of its new features. What is "Expanded Desktop Mode," you ask? Only the coolest ROM feature I have seen in quite some time. The idea behind this feature is to do exactly as the name suggests - give you more desktop space to play with. With a phone like the Nexus 4 or Galaxy Nexus, you have on-screen navigation keys that take up screen real estate, so this idea makes perfect sense. The Paranoid team decided to hide the navigation keys from sight, but still make them accessible with a swipe up from the bottom edge of the screen. They also chose to hide the notification bar in this mode to give you even more display space. What you get is a full-screen experience, but with quick access to all of your important functions with a single swipe and hold. As you'll see in the video, Google Now is still easily accessible, as is multi-tasking, a battery meter, the clock, date, and even notifications. Oh, you can also control the color of the nav menu depending on the app you are in. Go watch the video, then pick your jaw up, and think about flashing this ROM. From what I can tell, the first builds are rolling out today.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eFjm3CoKj7g[/youtube]

Via: +Paranoid Android [2] Cheers FrankN!

Facebook for Android Updated, Adds Ability to Send Voice Messages

Tim — Fri, 18 Jan 2013 12:58:05 +0000

Looks like that Facebook Android development team is on a roll. Now that the app has finally gone native, we are seeing updates left and right. Inside, we have faster opening of photos, ability to share friends' stories on our own pages/timelines, and we can also send Mr. Zuckerburg voice messages through the app. And can you believe it, there's an actual changelog!

What's in this version: • Open and view photos faster • Share your friends' stories to timelines, pages and groups • Send voice messages when you have more to say

Play Link Cheers @bman12479!

Verizon Posts Galaxy Note 2 Update Changelog, Just a Security Patch

Tim — Fri, 18 Jan 2013 12:22:06 +0000

Mystery solved, folks. This morning, owners of the Verizon Galaxy Note 2 received a minor update, but at the time there were no details as to what was inside. Thanks to Verizon's timely update of the device's support page, we now know that it was nothing more than a security patch, most likely related to the Exynos exploit. Go grab that update. Via: Verizon

Nexus Q Back From the Dead Already, CyanogenMod Releases First Nightly Build

Tim — Fri, 18 Jan 2013 11:40:38 +0000

After what seemed like an apparent last call for the Nexus Q from Google, the CyanogenMod team pulled a Pet Sematary and have brought new life to the orb. But is it true that sometimes, dead is better? The nightly build for the device, codenamed steelhead, brings the Nexus Q to Android 4.2.1 and adds actual use for the device such as access to apps and things of that nature. Why Google didn't do this in the first place is still beyond us. If you own one of these devices, hit the link below and get to hacking. As for my Nexus Q, I am about to hit the forums and figure out how to get it up and running so we can possibly do a hands-on video. That would be fun, right? Via: CyanogenMod

Nexus 7 Dock Now In Stock at B&H for $40

Kellen — Fri, 18 Jan 2013 11:23:18 +0000

If the semi-shady site from yesterday, which had the Nexus 7 dock for $30 and a handful of negative reseller reviews wasn't giving you the confidence to pull the trigger, then maybe B&H Photo's "in stock" status will. It's $39.99, as expected, and offers decent shipping options that won't break your bank. Via: B&H Photo Cheers Dan!

Google Apps on iOS and Android [Opinion]

Ron — Fri, 18 Jan 2013 10:55:51 +0000

In the past few months it has become abundantly clear that Google intends to support three platforms: the web, Android, and iOS. Google's support for the web and Android should not come as a surprise; Google has always been a web company and Google bought Android to fight Microsoft in the mobile space. Even Google's support of iOS is not all that surprising since the iPhone was essentially the Google phone before the G1. What is surprising, however, is that Google isn't just making apps for iOS; they're making really good apps for iOS. Google has more than enough apps in the App Store to fill a whole page on an iOS device (23 total). While some of these apps are garbage and others are merely remnants of failed Google projects, Google has come out swinging lately with seven apps in particular: Google Search, Google Maps, Gmail, YouTube, Google Drive, Chrome, and Google+. All of these apps are available on both iOS and Android in near identical implementations (the only real difference between the Android and iOS versions of these apps is that pull to refresh is available on the iOS iterations while the Android apps still rely on a refresh button) save Gmail and Maps.

Google's Gmail and Maps Android apps tend to focus on utility over appearance while the iOS apps tend to hide functionality, thereby presenting a cleaner user interface. While Google Maps for iOS looks and feels inspired by the Android app, the cleaner interface is far more inviting to use. While the iOS app emphasizes search and location, the Android app emphasizes utility in general. Doing things like a search or finding your location are easy to do on both apps, but something like adjusting layers is far less obvious on the iOS app. In fact, settings are essentially hidden on the iOS app. In the iOS app Google chose to hide traffic, public transit, and a link to Google Earth (which is a rather strange inclusion) behind an Android style menu button. The implication here is that iOS users expect a clean interface while Android users expect a heavy amount of mapping tools available as soon as the app launches. Gmail is probably the most surprising iOS app from Google. The iOS app again brandishes a cleaner UI while the Android app emphasizes utility at the expense of beauty. In fact, with its white expanses and red highlights, the iOS app is actually more faithful to the design of Gmail in a browser than the Android app.

Both apps have multi-user support, swipe to archive, label support, mute, and neither app can create a label (still!). In every screen the iOS app hides settings and options behind buttons while the Android app shoves them in front of users. Because of these UI decisions, the Android app places a very, very heavy learning curve on users in terms of learning the Gmail app's unique iconography while the iOS app labels everything except for archive and trash. As a result, the iOS app has a much cleaner, if less immediately useful user interface. In my testing, I actually found Gmail, Maps, Google+ and Chrome for iOS to be more of a pleasure to use than their Android counterparts, which is a strange thing to say. Usually companies put their best work on their own apps for their own platform (see Hotmail for Android), but Google's apps are actually in parity with the Android versions or better on iOS. Between pull to refresh, the use of playful, colorful loading animations, and the simpler UI, Google apps on iOS tended to be more responsive and easier to use. If you want to live in Google's ecosystem Android is no longer a requirement. While I understand why Google would want to make good apps for iOS, I don't understand why they would make better designed apps for iOS. Maybe Google believes that Android users want UI controls exposed and iOS users want them hidden or that Android users don't mind cluttered UIs as much as iOS users. Those are just guesses; if I were Google I would want to make sure that the Android apps performed just as well and included little touches like pull to refresh and loading animations. That kind of attention to detail can make a tremendous difference in how an app works and feels. No matter what the reason is for the discrepency, it is nice to see some really nice design coming from Mountain View. Hopefully we see Google bring some of that finess and focus to their Android apps.

Carbon Beta 2 Released, Now Supports Dropbox and App Groups

Kellen — Fri, 18 Jan 2013 10:18:01 +0000

Koush released a new version of his cloud app syncing app called Carbon, this morning. In the new build, which is still root-only, you can now backup to Dropbox, group apps into batches (and save those same groups for later), "select all" apps, and tell Carbon to backup app data only, rather than the entire .apk. He says there will be one more beta release that will be the non-root or "rootless" version before going to market. Download Link

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0J37G4MIULA[/youtube]

Via: +Koush

Verizon's Galaxy Note 2 Receiving Surprise Update to Build VRALL4 (Updated)

Kellen — Fri, 18 Jan 2013 09:27:48 +0000

The Verizon version of the Samsung Galaxy Note 2 is receiving an update as I type this. The new build number is VRALL4, though we have no idea what it includes. It appears to be very minor, with the notification screen saying that it will only take 2 minutes to update and is 7.8MB in size.

Update: We had the update fail for a reader who was rooted. He then unrooted, updated, and now can't root with the current method. So it looks like it fixes the Exynos exploit. Some are saying that you can keep root using Voodoo Rootkeeper.

Update 2: Adrynalyne just sent over the .zip of the update, but wanted to make sure we pointed out that it includes a new bootloader. If you like having an unlocked bootloader and easily rooted device, you may want to hold off for a minute. [Download] Update 3: The update is now official from Verizon. The only change is a security patch, so yeah, it fixes the Exynos exploit. Developing... Cheers Michael, @toddlue and Dustin!

First "User-Friendly" Build of XBMC Released For Android

Tim — Fri, 18 Jan 2013 09:25:53 +0000

For fans of XBMC, this should make you happy. Last night, the team introduced the first "user-friendly" version of the application, which actually runs alongside an additional media player, but makes for a much better user experience on the device. I personally have not tested it out yet, but people on XDA are reporting pleasant results so far. Down below, we have added in a link to the forum where you can download the necessary files and get to streaming. XBMC released a promo video as well which is embedded below, but I would probably stay away from that. Don't say I didn't warn you. Download XBMC here. [youtube]http://youtu.be/Pr_PyCjYp6o[/youtube]

Samsung Galaxy S4 Benchmarks Spotted, Sporting 1.8Ghz Exynos 5 Octa Processor

Tim — Fri, 18 Jan 2013 09:00:23 +0000

What is being called the Galaxy S4 from Samsung appeared in two separate AnTuTu benchmarks from last night. If the benchmarks are legit, then the S4 is shaping up to be a fantastic device. For starters, the benchmarks reveal two things for certain - that the S4 will come with the all new 1.8GHz Exynos 5 Octa processor, and that the phone is being tested while running Android 4.2.1. Just two days ago, it was also reported that the upcoming Galaxy Note 3 would feature the Octa chip as well. If both devices come sporting the new processor, then Samsung is clearly investing quite a bit to make sure this new processor is built to last, despite what Qualcomm might think of it. As I like to point out, these are only benchmarks and "nothing is confirmed." We are still awaiting definite information as to when Samsung plans to reveal the S4, but for now, this at least gives us another reason to be excited. MWC is next month and if we don't get a full look at the device, I'm sure we will at least get some tidbits of info. Via: SamMobile | Pocket-Lint

LG Optimus G Pro Outed - Sports 5-inch 1080p Display, 3000mAh Battery, and Upgraded Processor

Kellen — Fri, 18 Jan 2013 08:18:41 +0000

So, we didn't get the new Optimus G2 at CES as had been rumored a number of times. But that may be because the device will actually be called the Optimus G Pro and may arrive a bit later at MWC for all to drool over. According to a leaked slide, the device above is that device, one that will sport a 5" 1080p display (the standard these days), a beefed up 1.7GHz Snapdragon S4 Pro, 32GB of internal storage, LTE, and a massive 3000mAh battery. The phone will be just 10mm thick, have a 13MP rear camera, and a 2.4MP front shooter. Sound enticing? It's like LG's version of the One X and One X+. We won't complain, we just wish it would have arrived at CES so we could have put our slippery little grubbers all over it. We were big fans of the original Optimus G (our review), so we can't imagine this won't get us hot and tingly as well. Assuming this comes anywhere near the U.S., would you be interested? (Also assuming it came to Verizon, which it may not.) Via: Engadget Cheers Scott and Justin!

Samsung Preps Launch of 5.8" Smartphone, Probably Not Hitting US Shores Though

Tim — Fri, 18 Jan 2013 08:14:00 +0000

This morning, sources have reported to SamMobile that Samsung is preparing to launch a 5.8" Android smartphone, but was initially going to market it only as a media player. Hitting Europe sometime this year, the device features a rather large 5.8" QHD display, should come shipped with either Android 4.1.2/4.2.1, and a 3MP camera. As mentioned already, it doesn't look like Samsung has plans of bringing this device to America, so I probably wouldn't head into Best Buy anytime soon looking for one. Via: SamMobile

Sony: Xperia Z to Receive Android 4.2 Update Shortly After Launch

Tim — Thu, 17 Jan 2013 17:00:53 +0000

Kellex and myself have had no problems sharing our love for the new lineup of Sony Xperia devices. Today, Sony has announced that the new Xperia Z will receive an update to Android 4.2+ sometime shortly after the device's launch, which is still a mystery except for sometime during Q1.

Xperia Z launches on JB 4.1, but will receive 4.2 shortly after launch. As always, we’ll share more info on this over the coming weeks on the blog.

And of course, we are still awaiting details on what carrier(s) we can expect to see the device launch on. This lack of information has sort of left us somewhat frustrated, given the Xperia Z and ZL are the first devices to come from Sony that have us legitimately excited. Now would be a fantastic time for Sony to prove they have what it takes to compete in terms of hardware and recognition of people's desire to be on the latest version of the Android OS. Via: Phandroid | Sony Mobile

Chrome Beta Updated to Build 25.0.1364.37 - Here is the Changelog

Kellen — Thu, 17 Jan 2013 16:25:39 +0000

Chrome Beta on Android received its third update in under a week, today. As usual, it contains a list of fixes and another list of bugs. We aren't seeing any new features, so be sure to update to at least get on a more stable build. Here are the fixes:

165783: Enable compositing scrollable frames on Android
168368: Chrome progress bar should be displayed as soon as the user clicks a link
165244 - Text handler jumps or disappears when moving
162486 - iframe scrolling broken

Here are the known issues:

170436 - When upgrading, Chrome icon is not getting updated
170653 - Scroll position is reset momentarily when double-tapping in footer/gutter on some pages
Sometimes flickering and graphical glitches are observed while opening new tab
Frequent freeze on devices with specific versions of Qualcomm GPU driver
Text autosizing may break formatting on some sites
Video continues playing after exiting fullscreen on android phones
[HTC Droid DNA] Getting crash on tabswitcher mode
163439 - yahoo.com page links are not working
166233 - Cannot submit comments on facebook posts or pictures
158633: Tap disambiguation overaggressive

Via: Chrome Releases

[Deal] Nexus 7 Dock for $31 Plus Free Shipping

Kellen — Thu, 17 Jan 2013 15:58:36 +0000

If you have been eyeing the official Nexus 7 dock, but aren't all that excited about forking out $40 plus another $10+ in shipping, then consider this deal from Cost Captain. It's the official dock, only it's listed at $30.99 with free shipping. The free shipping may only work if you use their CostCaptainPremier service, but SlickDeals seems to think that you can sign-up for that as a 14-day trial service. If you don't want to join that program, shipping is still only $5, which is better than anywhere else. I have no idea how good of a retailer Cost Captain is, nor have I ever ordered anything from them. Their reseller rankings are a bit mixed, so proceed at your own risk. Buy: Cost Captain Via: SlickDeals Cheers Scott!

This Android Napkin Dispenser is Cute

Tim — Thu, 17 Jan 2013 15:30:17 +0000

This is just what every Android fan needs, right? This little Android ceramic piece is a napkin dispenser whose arms double as toothpick or Q-tip holders as well. Now that's what I call multitasking! For today only, it can be yours for $15, which when compared to a $70 Android mini collectible, seems rather reasonable. And if anyone knows of Hobo Ninja, when you order $25 or more worth of their stuff today, then add the coupon code "DROID25" you get a free Android plush doll with your order. Righteous! Buy. ($15) Hobo Ninja. Cheers Rob!

How to: Setup Isis Mobile Wallet on Verizon

Kellen — Thu, 17 Jan 2013 15:10:45 +0000

Having realized that your phones can be used for things other than making calls, like paying for goods on the go, Verizon, AT&T, and T-Mobile teamed up to create a joint venture called Isis Mobile Wallet. It's goal is to become your one and only NFC-based mobile payment system. While the service hasn't rolled out nationally, it is being tested in two markets: Salt Lake City and Austin. For those who live in these two cities, you can test the service to your heart's desire this very minute as long as you have a phone with an NFC chip inside. The rest of us, we have to wait until it gets the thumbs up for a bigger rollout. In the mean time, we thought we'd put together a little tutorial on the app since we were able to get a hold of one of Isis' requirements, an NFC SIM card. We typically like to do our best at preparing the DL community for what's to come. So let's talk about it.

NFC SIM Card

With Isis Mobile Wallet, you are required to use a brand new NFC-equipped secure SIM card. We aren't fully sure the reasoning behind this, since there is an NFC chip in most phones, but it likely adds a level of security that Verizon and its partners feel more comfortable with. In fact, if you try to load up Isis on your NFC phone, it'll fail as it looks to the Secure Element of an NFC SIM for approval. Once you drop an NFC SIM in, the app fires right up, and starts the setup process. If you live in Salt Lake City or Austin, you can pop into your local Verizon store and they'll give you an NFC SIM at no charge. If you live outside of those areas, you can call into customer care and request one, which usually takes a couple of days to arrive.

Setup Instructions:

1. Once you have inserted your NFC SIM and it has activated, you are ready to setup Isis. 2. Install the app from the Google Play store. 3. Upon first launching the app, it'll check your phone to see that you have a correct SIM inserted. 4. Once verified, you will walk through a brief setup that asks for account, password, and PIN.

5. Isis will work on preparing the secure element of your phone which takes a few minutes. 6. Once finished, they will notify you via text that you can use Isis.

7. Now, open the app, input your PIN, and get to the real goods - setting up cards and offers.

Isis App Tour

Once you are inside the app, it's time to navigate around, setup cards, find offers, and figure out how to use the damn thing. For most, you should initially see the Isis Cash prepaid card. This is a VISA that can be loaded with as much cash as you wish, but to get you into using the service, Isis will give you $10. Well, unless you are me, who they apparently decided wasn't worthy of this perk. All I could do was add credit cards - there was no prepaid card for me.

On a credit card front, we should point out that you can't add any card of choice. At this time, Isis only supports Capitol One, Chase, and American Express cards. We hope they open it up to all cards at some point, but for now, this is what you get. I should also point out that the setup process isn't all that simple. Both Capitol One and American Express redirect you to outside websites for setup. Once you walk through the process, you have to wait for the credit card company to process your request to add the card to Isis, which could take several minutes. Once approved, you will receive notice and your app will then show your card connected. Definitely not as seamless as Google Wallet.

Beyond cards, depending on your locale, Isis will also show you local offers and a feed of nearby deals from companies or businesses they have partnered with. For me, Macy's was it, however, once I changed my zip code, I was able to see a number of deals for places in Salt Lake City. When viewing an offer, you are able to use a barcode that can be scanned in store (I'd assume because the store doesn't have Pay Pass or pay-to-tap capabilities) or you can hit the button to give you the power to tap. The app itself is setup with panels that can be accessed by selecting the appropriate button at the bottom for Home, Isis Feed, Directory, or More. On the main page of the app, you have a top portion that allows you to flip between cards and a bottom portion that allows you to flip between offers. Other than that, it's a pretty self explanatory service.

I'll hopefully have some time to test the actual functionality of the app in the coming days, but so far, it seems a bit more difficult than I had imagined. There are toggles to activate things, no way to add your normal bank card, and some bugs that will more than likely be addressed. I can help but compare this to Google Wallet, which in my early opinion, is a far superior mobile payment system to Isis. Google Wallet allows you to add any card in your wallet, and also makes it incredibly simple to pay for things with it. There are no on/off toggles - just tap, pay, and go. Too bad Google Wallet has been banned from our lives by the companies behind Isis. Cheers Jason!

Sliding Messaging is My Vote For The Future UI of Android Text Messaging

Tim — Thu, 17 Jan 2013 14:43:17 +0000

Sometimes you come across an app that has that "wow factor." I am pleased to say that Sliding Messaging has it. Based on the design guidelines of Android, this is the slickest text messaging app I have seen in some time. It is clean, minimal (naturally), and fluid. There are three columns - your inbox, each individual message, and then a compose column. Navigation is based purely through swiping to each one, which is what makes the application so gorgeous and easy to use. Now, there are some things still missing, such as MMS support which is a deal breaker for some. It also doesn't pair well with Google Voice. But, it does have a light and dark theme setting, Emoji support, quick reply popup which I have always been a fan of, plus it's completely free on Google Play. Try it out and let us know what you think down below. Play Link Cheers Tim!

Samsung Shows Off Amber Brown and Sexy Ruby Wine Red Galaxy Note 2 Colors

Tim — Thu, 17 Jan 2013 14:20:54 +0000

This morning, Samsung introduced two new colors for their popular Galaxy Note 2 device, amber brown and ruby wine. We have seen amber brown on the Galaxy S3, but this new ruby wine red color looks pretty fantastic, in my opinion. As far as availability, it looks like those only in Korea will have access to the new colors, at least for now. So, tell me what you really think of these colors. If I pony up for a ruby wine Note 2, I don't want everyone mocking me. Would you sport either of these two new hues? Via: Engadget

Nexus 7 Tops iPad in Japan Sales Report, Google Finally Catching Up to Apple?

Eric — Thu, 17 Jan 2013 13:55:06 +0000

The story line of Android tablets since they were announced was that they would never top the iPad juggernaut, which has a firm hold on the marketshare pretty much everywhere in the world. When Google announced the Nexus 7, many expected that might change and in the past month in Japan, Google won the battle. According to Nikkei, Japan's largest business daily, the Nexus 7 ended with 44.1% of the market as compared to the iPad's 40.1%. Not a huge victory, but a victory nonetheless.

What remains to be seen is if we will see this kind of outcome happen in other places around the world. The low price and decent specs of the Nexus 7 are hard to resist as compared to the more expensive iPad, so it's not too much of a stretch.

What does Google need to do to keep the Nexus 7 on top?

Via: CNET

Classic Lode Runner Hits Android, Remains True to Apple II Version

Tim — Thu, 17 Jan 2013 13:25:21 +0000

So, I am not going to lie - I have never played Lode Runner. I have also never touched an Apple II. For God's sake, the first console experience I remember is my brother's Super Nintendo. I'm a 90s baby. Anyways, if you want a serious blast from the past, the official Lode Runner classic, complete with 150 levels, is now on Google Play for $2.99. With two game modes, worldwide leaderboards, brand new magnification effect, and even a full instructional on how to play for no0bs like me, this should certainly make you feel right at home in the early 80s again. Play Link ($2.99) [youtube]http://youtu.be/ALmkn2yXstE[/youtube]

Press Receives Major Update: Sync on App Launch, Background Syncing, New Article Navigation Included

Kellen — Thu, 17 Jan 2013 13:03:07 +0000

Press, the feed reader Android application that has quickly become a favorite of the DL staff, received a sizable update this afternoon. While the original release of the app grabbed our attention, it was still missing some pretty basic features that other feed reader applications have had for some time. Simple things like background syncing and auto-sync on app launch are just a couple. Those are now included, along with a new way to quickly navigate between articles, more detailed sharing to social networks, and new text-alignment options. Here is the full changelog:

Quick article navigation to go to next/previous articles
Background/automatic syncing
Sync on app launch
Background syncing notifications
New text-alignment options
Show image title and URL in the image viewer. (xkcd fans rejoice!)
Date and time formats now match device settings
Article title is now included when sharing to social networks
Lots of performance enhancements and bug fixes

Play Link ($1.99)

Can't Wait for Ubuntu and Android To Merge? Try This Slick Live Wallpaper

Eric — Thu, 17 Jan 2013 12:45:02 +0000

One of my favorite parts of the Ubuntu Phone OS was the homescreen you are brought to when you power the phone on. Luckily for me, I'm not alone and some developers got together to make that design into a nifty live wallpaper. Once installed the wallpaper gives you a clock smack in the middle of the screen with subtle pulsing circles behind it. Very subdued and minimal for those who like it that way.

The wallpaper doesn't drag on the phone's performance too much either, which is a common problem from live wallpapers. While the app is fairly barebones now, the developers have promised customization like moving the circle, ability to change the clock format and different colors. For free it's a live wallpaper with a lot of upside, you can get the download link below.

Play Link

Larry Page Talks Motorola's Future Disruptive Products, Scoffs at Apple's Thermonuclear War

Kellen — Thu, 17 Jan 2013 12:25:04 +0000

Google CEO Larry Page sat down for a lengthy interview with Wired recently that covered a number of big, broad topics. As one would expect, Android, Motorola, Google+, and competitors like Apple and Facebook highlight the conversation. Page, who typically holds back a bit, unlike former CEO Eric Schmidt,, seemed to open up a bit and even take a few subtle shots at some of his company's foes. Most importantly to us, he talked about Motorola, a company we still aren't sure what to expect from almost a year after being acquired by Google. The original question touched on the purchase as being patent-driven, but Page quickly turned it towards the products that we may soon see. Their goal is to make disruptive products in a similar way to what Google has done for years. He sees plenty of room for innovation when it comes to phone hardware. Here is Page's quote on Motorola:

As we said when we acquired Motorola, we’re running it independently, and Dennis Woodside is in charge. But that’s very much what we want to do with Motorola and what Dennis wants to do. There’s a lot of room for innovation in hardware. The phones we use now have glass that everyone worries will break if they drop the device. Five or 10 years from now, that will be different. There’s going to be a lot of change.

When asked about Steve Jobs' threat to wage a thermonuclear war against Android, Page responded simply with:

How well is that working?

To be fair to Apple, we can't completely dismiss their tactics for war. They were able to force HTC into a licensing deal and have also completed the first few steps in a process to get Samsung into paying them around $1 billion. Google may not have felt the wrath of Apple, but the companies using their software certainly have. Last, the interview moved towards Google's biggest online competitor, Facebook. Page mentioned that they are a strong competitor, but that Google feels it is doing something different with Google+. He also pointed out that he doesn't believe Facebook is releasing quality products. In fact, he called them "bad" and then mentioned their competitors copying some of the things they have introduced with Google+.

It’s not the way I think about it. We had real issues with how our users shared information, how they expressed their identity, and so on. And, yeah, they’re a company that’s strong in that space. But they’re also doing a really bad job on their products. For us to succeed, is it necessary for some other company to fail? No. We’re actually doing something different. I think it’s outrageous to say that there’s only space for one company in these areas... ...I’m very happy with how it has gone. We’re working on a lot of really cool stuff. A lot of it has been copied by our competitors, so I think we’re doing a good job.

You can read the full interview over at Wired if you'd like. Via: Wired

Google Glass Ain't Dead! Google Files For Virtual Keyboard Patent in Relation To Glass

Eric — Thu, 17 Jan 2013 12:10:49 +0000

Provided we actually get Google Glass at some point, one of the main problems would be interacting with it. You can't smudge your glasses with your dirty fingers, so how does one type and select options for the device? Today, Google filed for a patent that would allow Glass to project a virtual keyboard onto hands, arms and pieces of furniture and allow you to type and let the computer do the heavy lifting.

From the looks of it, this is a pretty inventive answer to one of the biggest problems with Google Glass. The unfortunate part, as with most of Glass, is that we still don't know if or when we will see any of this. Maybe we'll see a little bit at the Glass Foundry events in a few weeks, but don't hold your breath.

Via: Engadget

Qualcomm CEO: Samsung's Exynos 5 Octa Nothing More Than a Publicity Stunt

Tim — Thu, 17 Jan 2013 11:40:33 +0000

In a recent conference, Qualcomm's CEO Paul Jacobs was not afraid to let the people know his true feelings for Samsung's new Exynos 5 Octa processor. In short, it's a meaningless number. A publicity stunt by Samsung to draw favorable attention their way. Jacobs states that when the number of cores goes up, the harder they become to manage in terms of temperature and power consumption. Although, the Octa utilizes the big.LITTLE ARM architecture, which is the selling point that power conservation is their main focus. Long story short, Samsung is utilizing this technology to battle the issues Jacobs is referring to. Going forward, Jacobs stated that the focus should rather be on the end user experience, with better downloads, greater rendering power, and overall better performance from their phones. That is something we as consumers should all be able to get behind. Via: Sina | Phone Arena Image credit - Bloomberg

Samsung Galaxy Note 8.0 Specs Reportedly Confirmed Ahead of MWC Unveiling

Tim — Thu, 17 Jan 2013 11:10:30 +0000

Looks like we can "confirm" at least one device launch scheduled for this year's MWC. This morning, SamMobile has confirmed specifications for an upcoming Galaxy Note 8.0 from Samsung, which is said to be ready for unveiling at next month's event in Barcelona. According to the source, the device will come in two versions - one WiFi/3G model and one WiFi-only version. The Note 8.0 will feature an 8" 1280×800 TFT Super Clear LCD display, a 5MP back-facing camera, 1.3MP front-facing camera, S-Pen, 2 GB RAM, 16GB and 32GB storage options, plus a Micro SD slot. The battery will be a beefy 4600 mAh pack, large enough to get you through a full day. To top it off, it will reportedly launch with Android 4.2. And for those curious, no exact processor was mentioned in the specs, so we are guessing it will be the standard Exynos 4 or 5 and not the new Exynos 5 Octa. Basically, we can think of the Note 8.0 as Samsung's answer to Apple's iPad Mini. It will probably be priced in the $400 range and come packed with all of their Android software enhancements. Interested? Via: SamMobile

Nexus Q Status Changes to "No Longer Available For Sale" From "Not for Sale at This Time"

Kellen — Thu, 17 Jan 2013 10:51:40 +0000

This morning, Google updated the Nexus Q page in Google Play to read "no longer available for sale." This may not seem like news at first glance, but up until today, the page read "This device is not for sale at this time," giving us some hope that it would eventually return. We aren't sure if this new status change means it's never coming back or not, but it certainly doesn't sound positive. In fact, the Galaxy Nexus and 8GB Nexus 7 both say "no longer available for sale" and definitely not ever coming back. As you may recall, the Nexus Q went into limbo back in July as Google took it back to drawing board to re-work its features. They also rewarded early pre-orderees with free devices. Since then, we haven't heard one word about the device, though we were crossing fingers that it would return as an all new home entertainment beast at this year's Google I/O. We'll see. Via: Google Play

Sprint Galaxy Nexus 4.2.1 Update Available for Download, Verizon Owners Left Behind Again

Kellen — Thu, 17 Jan 2013 10:15:01 +0000

Hey, look, more bad news for owners of the Verizon Galaxy Nexus, the forever stepchild of the "Nexus" franchise. The Sprint version of the same exact phone, has an official Android 4.2.1 update that can be downloaded and installed this very moment. It's not being pushed to devices, as far as we know, but the file has been found on Google's servers and is about as official as it gets. At this point, we're just waiting for Sprint to mention it and then for it to appear as an OTA update on phones. So that leaves the Verizon G-Nex behind, as usual. Back in November, I wrote up the fact that the device was a full three updates behind the GSM Galaxy Nexus and the rest of the Nexus family. Since the last official update of 4.1.1 came to it in September, Google has released updates of 4.1.2, 4.2, and now 4.2.1 with 4.2.2 potentially on the way. So before long, it could be a full four updates behind. So much for it being a Nexus? Well, that depends on your definitely of a "Nexus." I don't think I need to mention it for the 100th time, but will anyway - Verizon's system for updating phones is the worst in the business. This is a Nexus, which means the version of Android is as stock as it gets and should take no time to approve. Yet here we are, bitching again about the lack of updates to a phone that should be the easiest of all to update. Look Verizon, if you aren't going to give this phone attention, then at least cut the cord between you and Google so that they can give us timely updates, something you have failed to do from day 1. For Sprint owners, feel free to grab the 98MB file below and get to flashing. Download Link Via: XDA

LG's French Director of Communication Speaks on Nexus 4 Supply Issues, Takes Blame Off of LG Again

Tim — Thu, 17 Jan 2013 09:41:06 +0000

It has been an interesting ride for the Nexus 4, with spotty availability and then two companies basically pointing the finger at each other with who to blame for said spottiness. Finally, LG's French Director of Communication, Cathy Robin has spoken out on the issue, giving folks a somewhat clear answer in terms of why the Nexus 4 only seems to be hard to purchase. When asked what the deal is, Robin immediately shares that the problems are not completely related to LG. Due to a lack in demand in certain countries that Google had planned to be much larger, and demand being larger in countries where Google did non expect such success, devices are simply not there. Then, once the problem is realized, it takes time for supplies to get there. She gives an example that in certain countries like the U.K. and Germany, demand for the device was 10x less than which was initially expected. As far as LG stopping production for their new flagship, she laughed it off. Quite the contrary she says, as production rate will actually increase over time going into mid-February. All we know is that Google needs to fix their retail issues before they launch any more hardware. Please, no more of this. Via: Challenges Cheers Steve!

Nexus 7 "Aquarium" Commercial Returns!

Kellen — Thu, 17 Jan 2013 09:15:10 +0000

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OlSPDnAbjUQ[/youtube]

When this Nexus 7 "Aquarium" commercial was first posted by Google, it was pulled or set to private before most of us had a chance to watch it. Most assumed the pulling had to do with timing since Hurricane Sandy had hit the east coast and the image of an aquarium and people under water on the top of a New York City building was probably in poor taste. But now that it's 2013, the commercial is back! It's also reminding you that there is a T-Mobile version of the tablet as well.

Nexus 4 Wireless Charging Orb Could Arrive in February

Kellen — Thu, 17 Jan 2013 08:48:15 +0000

According to Norwegian retailer Dustin Home, the wireless charging Orb for the Nexus 4 could arrive in February. Having been shown off on Nexus 4 unveiling day as the coolest accessory in town, we still have yet to see it find its way into the hands of anyone outside of Google. That's not surprising, though, Nexus accessories almost always show up months after debuting during launch. The Norwegian retailer is listing the orb for a price that converts to about $114, but we doubt it'll be that expensive if/when it arrives in the States. Not that we have any knowledge of a potential price, but this thing shouldn't cost anymore than $60. Keep in mind that while this orb looks like something that would turn your office into fashionable icon, there are plenty of other wireless charging stations that can be had that work with the Qi wireless standard and may be much cheaper. Via: reddit | Android Central

Temple Run 2 Comes to Android Next Week

Kellen — Thu, 17 Jan 2013 08:30:48 +0000

That's right, a sequel to Temple Run is finished and should be released on Android next Thursday. Dubbed Temple Run 2 (so clever), the new game has been built from the ground up, contains the same simple controls that you enjoyed from the first, and will likely be just as addictive. The small 2-person Imangi Studios team has grown to five, to take the game to another level. Since they now serve 170 million players on the original TR, this new venture has a lot to live up to. The run takes place in a temple this time around, with ropes, clouds, beautiful scenery, and mine cart rides. There are HD graphics, multi-tiered abilities for characters, special skills, and goals for each level, rather than the long list of achievements. All in all, it's said to be mostly the same, just spiced up a lot. It should be a blast, especially since it'll be free again.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qPMIQobB3ZM[/youtube]

Via: Kotaku | Nvision Cheers EvanTheGamer!

The Droid Life Show: Episode 12

Kellen — Thu, 17 Jan 2013 01:14:34 +0000

After a long and at times slow holiday news period followed by a long and incredibly slow (on a news front) CES, we're finally back to regular programming. With regular programming, you get The Droid Life Show on its regular night and...30 minutes earlier than normal. OK, so that's not that "regular," but we're still back! We'll have the whole team tonight to talk about our final thoughts on CES, so that we can move on to 2013 and the exciting times ahread. Join us at 5:30PM Pacific (8:30PM Eastern). We'll have live video and a chat below. If you can't make the show tonight, be sure to subscribe to us on iTunes, Stitcher, or the feed.

Subscribe | iTunes | Show Page

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IrslgKjx8Ck[/youtube]

Droid Life Show Tonight at 5:30PM Pacific!

Kellen — Wed, 16 Jan 2013 22:30:36 +0000

The Droid Life Show returns tonight at 5:30PM Pacific (8:30PM Eastern)! With CES behind us and the entire year of 2013 ahead, we plan to talk a lot about what's next. What will we see at MWC? When will Samsung announce the Galaxy S4? What about Motorola - is the "X" phone coming any time soon? We'll also talk about our final thoughts on last week's Consumer Electronics Show, share our favorite apps of the week, and attempt to figure out the ~~iPhone 5~~ HTC M7 render from earlier. We'll have a live video and chat posted later. In the mean time, be sure to subscribe to the show!

Europeans Go Hands-on With $150 ASUS MeMo Pad, Still Not Very Impressive

Tim — Wed, 16 Jan 2013 16:40:59 +0000

Remember the story we posted about ASUS launching a $150 tablet called the MeMo Pad? Well, some guy over in Europe now has one and is giving everyone a quick look at the new tablet. Unsurprisingly, it looks very much like a Nexus 7, but sports a white back like the Google I/O editions that attendees received. That's a plus. The specs are still nothing to go crazy over. It is powered by a 1GHz VIA WM8950 processor, low-res 1024 x 600 7" display, Android 4.1.1, and 1GB of RAM. Priced at $150, it would be hard not to just tell people to spend the extra $50 and go for the Nexus device instead. There is a little gallery and full hands-on video below. Enjoy.

[youtube]http://youtu.be/AmTBvmtuQ_s[/youtube] Via: imidoresc

HTC DROID DNA Drops to $99 at Amazon for New Customers

Kellen — Wed, 16 Jan 2013 16:10:42 +0000

After we reviewed the DROID DNA by HTC, it was easy for us to call it one of the best Android phones on the market. With a class leading 1080p display, 2GB RAM, a quad-core Snapdragon S4 Pro processor, and reasonable $199 price tag, there were/are few phones that can match up to it. What if you could get it for under $199, though? Amazon has dropped their prices for the device to a low $99 on 2-year contract for new customers and $149 for upgrades. The upgrade price isn't a steep cut from Verizon's price, but it's still a cut. If the DROID DNA has been on your radar, now would be a good time to think about jumping on it. Amazon Link Via: Android Police

Google Invites Developers to an Event Centered Around Project Glass

Eric — Wed, 16 Jan 2013 15:40:08 +0000

The big hit of Google I/O last year was the announcement of Google Glass, the augmented reality headset that they are working on. Developers who were really interested could sign up for a $1,500 Glass Explorers package to get their hands on a device and work on making it awesome. Google has announced today, in late January, that there will be two "Glass Foundry" events over the next couple of weeks.

There will be an event in New York and San Francisco that developers can attend for the two days and be able to hack to their heart's content. Google will have Glass units on-site so developers can really get down to the nitty gritty. If you signed up for the Glass Explorers program, check your inbox for details on the Foundry event.

Still interested in Glass? Any hopes Google announces a release date at I/O this year?

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=047lMUJMo8Y[/youtube]

Via: AllThingsD

Verizon Announces a Few New 4G LTE Markets To Be Lit Up Tomorrow

Tim — Wed, 16 Jan 2013 15:10:50 +0000

Residents of a few towns here on the West coast have a reason to smile tomorrow. On January 17, Verizon is gifting their areas with the speeds of 4G LTE, still on their quest to completely blanket their existing 3G footprint by mid-2013. Below, we have the three towns that are to see the change.

Coos Bay, OR
Pendleton, OR
Yakima, WA

Via: Verizon

Extremely Limited Andy Krueger Android Mini Will Keep iOS Fans Awake at Night

Tim — Wed, 16 Jan 2013 14:43:35 +0000

Oh, those awesomely talented people on Etsy have done it again. Above is a special (hand made) Andy Krueger bugdroid mini. As of this post, there are only 11 available, priced at $70 each. It may seem steep, but that is some excellently crafted nightmarish stuff right there. So, who wants to get Tato a late Christmas gift? Buy. ($70) Via: Phandroid

T-Mobile Set to Launch 4G LTE Network in Las Vegas Any Day Now

Tim — Wed, 16 Jan 2013 14:00:49 +0000

Watch out, Verizon! Move over, AT&T! Hide yo kids, Sprint! T-Mobile is about ready to flip the switch on their first 4G LTE market here in America. Much like their 1900 MHz HSPA+ launches, T-Mobile will turn on the juice in Las Vegas, followed shortly by Kansas City. Then if all goes as planned, we could see it in Baltimore, Washington D.C., and Houston. According to the magenta monster (I like that), their LTE network will cover 100 million Americans by the middle of this year and 200 million by the end of 2013, which is actually quite the leap from zero. And to kick off the launch, the Samsung Galaxy S3 and Note 2 will be the first devices to support the frequency. Now, is anyone dumping Verizon and jumping on this? Via: Fierce Wireless

LG Lucid Receiving Minor Update - Preloaded With VZW Remote Diagnostics and Flash

Kellen — Wed, 16 Jan 2013 13:21:30 +0000

Along with the Galaxy Tab 7.7, the LG Lucid on Verizon is set to receive an update in the near future. The build number is VS840ZV8 and includes Big Red's Remote Diagnostics tool, a file manager, Flash Player, and more. This is the first update for the Lucid since receiving Ice Cream Sandwich back in October. Nice to know that LG and Verizon are continuing to support a mid-range device such as this. More info.

PlayStation Mobile Hosting Six Weeks of Free Games, Kicks It Off With Samurai Beatdown

Tim — Wed, 16 Jan 2013 13:15:48 +0000

Yes, this will only be relevant to the handful of people with Sony PlayStation certified devices, but hey, we figured we should spread the love. Starting today and for the following six weeks, PlayStation Mobile is handing out a free game every seven days for anyone rocking a certified device. This week's game is Samurai Beatdown, so I will continue to feel justified in not owning one of these devices. On the other hand, I really wouldn't mind getting my hands on the Xperia ZL. I want it now. If you want your free game, go here. Via: Sony Mobile

T-Mobile Specific Nexus 7 Arrives in Google Play Store for $299

Kellen — Wed, 16 Jan 2013 12:55:17 +0000

Up until today, Google was selling their HSPA+ Nexus 7 with an AT&T SIM card, so that users who bought the device could quickly get it connected to AT&T's network and use it on the go. The AT&T pairing was a bit surprising at first, since the device is actually "unlocked." After all, T-Mobile also has an HSPA+ network here in the U.S. and wasn't mentioned anywhere near the device. Well, until now. As of this afternoon (or some time recently), Google added a new page for the Nexus 7, pairing the HSPA+ version with T-Mobile as well. It's the same 32GB unlocked version only it comes with a T-Mobile SIM. So just as with the AT&T version, you can open your tablet the minute it arrives on your doorstep and connect to an HSPA+ network. Via: Google Play Cheers Chase!

Video: Why Data Caps Suck

Kellen — Wed, 16 Jan 2013 12:40:04 +0000

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uyuIiG4c4Go[/youtube]

We've made it painfully obvious that we hate data caps, tiered data, and any thoughts of sharing that data with someone else. In fact, most of you hate all of that as well. The day that we first jumped onto 4G LTE was something we may never forget, but we'll also never forget the day that Verizon and AT&T told us that we could no longer use that 4G LTE connection on an unlimited basis and that we were going to be limited and capped. We knew why they were pushing this new scheme, but that doesn't mean we have to ever agree with it. So the video we have included above talks all about caps and how horrible they are for the industry, for innovation, and for the world of technology as a whole. It's a worthwhile watch, even if it is 11+ minutes long. The presenter talks about misinformation when it comes to data speeds and congestion, why cable companies may be the root of it all, and why spectrum is the real issue. Via: Gizmodo

Samsung Galaxy Note III to Feature New Exynos 5 Octa Processor?

Tim — Wed, 16 Jan 2013 12:16:52 +0000

According to Unwired View, there is no doubt that the next rendition of Samsung's popular Galaxy Note device will sport the brand new Exynos 5 Octa processor. The Galaxy Note III is said to launch sometime this year in the second half, featuring something like 6.3" display, dwarfing the already monstrous 5.5" Galaxy Note II. The Octa chip features two quad-core processors, one for high performance and one for power conservation. So, as many have said already, it should not be labeled as a true octa-core chip as the two are never running simultaneously. As for the Galaxy S4, which hasn't been in the headlines too much yet, is still unspoken for in terms of what chipset we should expect. As we saw last year, Samsung held their own event in London to unveil the Galaxy S3, so our money would be on them doing the same thing this year and we should plan on not seeing their new lineup at MWC or CTIA. It is a bummer we have to wait, but these next two devices should certainly be worth it, given there are rumors of flexible displays, very high-res screens, and now the Exynos 5 Octa inside. Via: Unwired View

Seidio Enters the Tempered Glass Protector Arena, Releases VITREO for Galaxy S3

Kellen — Wed, 16 Jan 2013 11:50:05 +0000

We've talked a lot about tempered glass screen protectors over the last year. They are certainly a popular item in the accessory world because of the level of protection that they can provide those big beautiful displays of ours. So it only makes sense that companies would continue to invest in the technology, especially the big dogs. The next to enter the business is long time accessory company, Seidio. Their new VITREO tempered glass protector comes in both white and black (yes, black not blue) and carries the same 9H hardness that we have some from others like XGEAR. It also has tapered (rounded) edges, a strong silicon adhesive that won't bubble or lift, and adds only .55mm of thickness to the device. Here are the highlights of the VITREO:

Specially process tempered glass stamped with 9H hardness rating to safeguard devices from heavy duty scratches and abrasions
Tapered (rounded) edges provide a sleek, enhanced profile on the device while reinforcing critical points of impact that bolsters durability
Strong silicon adhesive for easy installation without bubbling or lifting
Adds only .55mm to the device making it lightweight and portable
Oleophobic coating prevents fingerprints and smudges

We're a little confused as to why they went with black over blue to match the color of the phone, but it is what it is. The VITREO runs $39.95. Via: Seidio [Amazon]

Samsung Reportedly Pushing Fix For Exynos Exploit to T-Mobile Galaxy Note 2

Tim — Wed, 16 Jan 2013 11:25:59 +0000

According to reports from multiple sources this morning, it appears that Samsung may be pushing a minor update through Kies out to owners of the Galaxy Note 2 on T-Mobile. The update is supposedly a patch for the Exynos exploit that was discovered early last month, which Samsung began working on a fix for immediately following discovery. T-Mobile and Samsung have not announced the update so it isn't quite official yet, but if you happen to see the update come through to your device, be sure to let us know. Via: Tmo News

Sprint Begins Work in 28 New 4G LTE Markets, Should Go Live in Coming Months

Tim — Wed, 16 Jan 2013 11:00:42 +0000

This afternoon, Sprint announced that work has officially begun in 28 additional 4G LTE markets that are currently a part of their 3G footprint. The sites are scheduled to be finalized in the "coming months" so if you see your city listed, don't go running out in the streets quite yet. As we have seen plenty of times before, some markets get turned on well before an official announcement is even made, so stay on the lookout. Upcoming 4G LTE markets:

Albany, GA
Anderson, SC
Bay City, MI
Branson, MO
Bremerton/Silverdale, WA
Columbus, GA
Columbus, MS
Decatur, AL
Florence/Muscle Shoals, AL
Gadsden, AL
Gaffney, SC
Gettysburg, PA
Glasgow, KY
Homosassa Springs, FL
Hot Springs, AR
Lake City, FL
Lake Havasu City/Kingman, AZ
Midland, MI
Nacogdoches, TX
Opelousas/Eunice, LA
Oxford, MS
Paris, TX
Pittsfield, MA
Saginaw, MI
Spartanburg, SC
The Villages, FL
Waycross, GA
Winona, MN

Via: Sprint

Trid - A Game That Tests Your Brain's Processing Speed and Memory

Tim — Wed, 16 Jan 2013 10:35:10 +0000

This morning, I was introduced to Trid on Google Play. The app is incredibly smooth and highly addictive. There are five different game modes, but I found myself gravitated more towards the classic Time Attack mode. In the upper hand corner, you are given a pattern that you must duplicate. It seems easy at first, but once Trid begins to rotate and twist, your sense of direction is thrown off making the patterns more difficult to copy in the short amount of time you are given. The app is free and as I mentioned, it is very well developed. For anyone looking to test their speed and memory skills, give it a shot and let me know what you think down below. Play Link [youtube]http://youtu.be/7WSxkXapEKE[/youtube]

How to: Scan Your Device for Malware or Potential Threats [Beginners' Guide]

Kellen — Wed, 16 Jan 2013 10:00:09 +0000

Depending on who you talk to, Android as an operating system may or may not have an issue with malware, spyware and viruses. We typically operate under the idea that it in no way has a problem, but that there are plenty of security companies out there willing to tell you otherwise. To be fair, though, there have been cases of malware or viruses in Android apps, most simply aren't found anywhere near the Google Play store. If they are found, it's usually through alternative 3rd party markets or pirated apps. To keep you safe and to help ease your mind, just in case you are worried about potential threats, there is no harm in installing apps that are built to protect you. And trust me, there are plenty out there. In fact, all of your favorite security companies have Android apps that will scan the heck out of your phone, while trying to find something malicious.

Instructions:

1. Once installed and you have walked through setup, scanning for viruses is incredibly simple. 2. Tap the "Virus Scanner" button. 3. Then decide if you want to scan apps only or your SD card too. 4. At this point, you can also set up a schedule to have your phone scanned regularly. 5. Press "Scan now" and off you go. 6. If your phone finds anything wrong, it will notify you and also give you instructions to fix. Scanning is a pretty easy task to complete that I'm sure most of you will have no problem with. What you'll need to decide, is which app you like the most depending on its feature set. Almost all of the security apps listed below will help if your phone is lost or stolen, they'll scan your phone for viruses, they will monitor app permissions, scan apps before they install or open, and will even see which apps are using the most data. If you are like us, and think that the anti-virus side of Android isn't all that frightening, think about using these apps for the other reasons I just listed above. Feel free to check each out, read reviews about them all, run through their list of features, and then decide if one fits your needs.

Presented by Norton 360™ Multi-Device. Protect your new computers, smartphones, and tablets with Norton 360™ Multi-Device.

Render Leaked For The iPhone 5S, I Mean HTC M7

Tim — Wed, 16 Jan 2013 09:36:12 +0000

This morning, we are getting another look at the HTC M7. Thanks to a "trusted source" with access, Unwired View has released the above image which lacks any type of branding and has an edge to edge display, but was pulled from an animation which instructs first time owners on how to insert the SIM in the M7. According to the source, the device will measure in with a 4.7" 1080p display, run a 1.7GHz quad-core processor, and even come with an IR port atop the device. Interesting move, HTC. Now, let's say what everyone has said. That's an iPhone 5, right? Since it was from an early animation, this is probably no more than a rough sketch of what the M7 will look like, so don't go freaking out quite yet. We are currently expecting HTC to unveil the device at MWC next month. Thoughts? Via: Unwired View

Verizon's Galaxy Tab 7.7 Receiving Minor Update to Reduce Electrical Consumption

Kellen — Wed, 16 Jan 2013 09:11:46 +0000

A new update is headed to owners of the Samsung Galaxy Tab 7.7 on Verizon. It's incredibly minor in size and also in features. In fact, the only thing it brings is an enhancement to reduce the electrical consumption during power off charging. When these support docs go live, we typically see the update arrive within a week or so. The update is 12.2MB in size. More info.

Verizon and Asurion Open Enrollment Is Open, Good Time to Insure That Device

Tim — Wed, 16 Jan 2013 08:54:53 +0000

Between now and March 8, customers who purchased a new phone but declined any type of insurance on said phone have a chance to opt-in thanks to open enrollment. You qualify if you upgraded to a new device or activated a new phone within the last two years but did not enroll in an equipment protection program in the first 30 days. You have 3 options should you choose to add on coverage during this open enrollment period:

Total Equipment Coverage: At $6.99 per moth for phones and $10.99 per month for tablets, TEC is the most comprehensive plan that protects against loss, theft, damage (including water damage), and mechanical and electrical defects after the warranty as expired. You also get access to their Mobile Recovery app that allows you to remotely lock, track and wipe your device should you lose it or have it stolen.
Wireless Phone Protection: At $5.18 per month for phones and $9 per month for tablets, this covers damage to your phone, but from what I can tell, does not give you access to their Mobile Recovery app.
Extended Warranty: At $1.99 per month, this extends the factory warranty on your device for as long as you continue to pay the $1.99 fee.

If you wish to sign up for coverage, you can visit the VZW Protection Plan site. Cheers Brian!

Samsung Godiva "Stratosphere 3" Outed in Pics, R.I.P. Keyboarded Phones

Kellen — Wed, 16 Jan 2013 07:51:32 +0000

The Samsung SCH-i425, or better known as the Godiva, appeared in its first set of pictures this morning. The device, which some were expecting to be the next in the Stratosphere line since the model number matched up to previous Strato models, may not be all that similar after all. Notice anything missing from the phone? Yep, that would be a physical slideout keyboard. Other than the missing keyboard, we should be looking at a HD (720p) display, NFC sensor inside the back cover, and an Android version of 4.1.2. It'll likely be an ultra-affordable 4G LTE device for those not willing to pony up $200+ for the latest and greatest Android device. No official word from Verizon on name or release date, but if it's in the wild like this, it may not be far off. Plus, Big Red has yet to announce anything for Q1, so we should be hearing and seeing something very soon.

Via: Engadget Cheers Scott!

Nexus 7 Dock Now Available Through Select Retailers

Kellen — Wed, 16 Jan 2013 06:42:44 +0000

Well, it's time to decide how much you really need the official Nexus 7 dock, made by Asus. ExcaliburPC has them in stock for $40 plus shipping, which for me ended up around the 48-dollar mark. Is it worth that much? After all, doesn't it only have microUSB and audio out? Oh, and a fancy rubber grip stand and POGO pins. If you can live another couple of days or even week without one, I'd suggest holding out. Since this is the official dock, it seems likely that this may show up on Google Play at some point. If it does, hopefully it sheds another $10 or so to make us feel less slimy about ordering one. Via: ExcaliburPC Cheers Bill!

Dying to Get a Hold of the Sold Out Nexus 4? Amazon has the 8GB Version for $494

Kellen — Wed, 16 Jan 2013 06:36:18 +0000

The Nexus 4 in both 8GB and 16GB variants has been sold out in the U.S. (potentially the globe too) for what seems like an eternity. LG doesn't think there are supply issues, Google clearly does. All I know is that there are more than a handful of Android enthusiasts who want this phone and have had no chance to pick it up. Well, unless they want to pay out top dollar. Take this listing on Amazon for example. The 8GB version, which normally runs $299 from Google, can be had for $494.99. I don't think I need to do the math here, do I? If you are desperate though, you better hurry as they only have 20 or so in stock. Or as some have pointed out, you may want to check your local T-Mobile store. Via: Amazon Cheers Matthew!

Original DROID RAZR and RAZR MAXX Jelly Bean Update has Been Rooted

Kellen — Tue, 15 Jan 2013 17:45:08 +0000

Can we just start referring to Dan Rosenberg (@djrbliss) as Mr. Root? The man that seems to have rooted every single Motorola device over the last couple of years has done it again, only this time with the original DROID RAZR and RAZR MAXX running the latest OTA update of Jelly Bean (Android 4.1.2). That would be the update that was mistakenly pushed to your device on X-mas Eve. For those of you who lost root during the update and have been waiting patiently for a new exploit to be found, your time has come. At this point, the method only works from a Windows PC, but it's as simple as can be. At the source link, you'll find a .zip file with a .bat file inside that needs to be run with your phone attached to your Windows machine with USB Debugging on. Go have some fun. Be sure to donate to the cause if you can, and thank Mr. Root. Via: DroidRzr Cheers @P3Droid!

Mediafire Finally Releases Android App

Kellen — Tue, 15 Jan 2013 17:12:39 +0000

Oh yeah, Mediafire has finally come to Android. One of the web's best storage lockers, and one that we use quite often to host files, has arrived with what should be considered a decent offering for a first release. To manage your free 50GB of storage, Mediafire has given us an app that allows you to upload, download, move, share and manipulate your files with. The only thing I'm seeing that's missing at this point, is the ability to batch move or delete, otherwise it's not half bad. Play Link Via: Android Police

Daily Steals Hosting Verizon Phone Blowout - Galaxy S3, Galaxy Nexus, and More

Tim — Tue, 15 Jan 2013 16:43:25 +0000

Well, if you are looking for a phone off contract on Verizon, Daily Steals is hosting a pretty sweet deal on everything from the Galaxy S3 all the way to the LG Lucid 4G. Some devices have very steep price cuts (they are all refurbished), so go take a look and see if anything strikes your fancy.

Galaxy Nexus ($219)
Galaxy S3 ($369)
Rezound ($299)
Incredible 2 ($139)
Lucid 4G ($119)
LG Revolution ($199)
DROID X ($99)

Buy. Cheers Kevin!

Instapaper Receives Update With New Features, But You Probably Can't Afford It

Kellen — Tue, 15 Jan 2013 15:25:59 +0000

Instapaper, the uber popular iOS "reader it later" app, received a major update on Android today. I'm still not sure why people wouldn't go with the free and equally as impressive Pocket for their "read it later" app of choice. But choices are never a bad thing, even if the developer thinks Android is the slums of the mobile Earth, will never match the polish of iOS, and that you probably can't afford his app. He would like to thank you all for your support, though, because you've helped make updates like this possible. Here is the list of new goodies and tweaks:

Scroll by full pages (Pagination)
The Feature (editor recommended articles)
Scroll by tilting
Sepia Mode
In-line Footnotes
Bug fixes
Performance improvements

Play Link ($2.99)

Chinese Ainol Novo 7 Venus Looks Eerily Familiar to the Nexus 7, But For Only $140

Tim — Tue, 15 Jan 2013 14:45:23 +0000

In the world of electronics, there is always bound to be some copy cats. Not that this company intentionally set out to copy the Nexus 7, but Ainol Novo's 7 Venus tablet and the Nexus do share a few characteristics. For example, both tablets sport 1280x800 hi-res displays, along with quad-core processors - albeit the 7 Venus is not powered by a Tegra 3. They share a few physical attributions as well, but either way, that is not really the point. The tablet is now on sale through Ainol's website for the low price of $140 for 16GB. It may not be running Android 4.2.1 or even 4.2, but it is a good sign that other companies are taking notes from ASUS and Google in terms of hardware design. Specs:

Android 4.1
1.5GHz Quad Core Atm7029
Quad Core GPU GC1000+
1GB RAM
16GB storage
7" display (1280 x 800) IPS
2MP back-facing camera
0.3MP front-facing camera

The tablet does not currently support Bluetooth or GPS, but there is a dongle that comes separately for anyone interested in those features. Just remember the old saying, you get what you pay for. Via: Ainol Novo Cheers Nicola!

Android and Ubuntu Powered Kite Tablet Shows What Future Tablets May Be Like

Eric — Tue, 15 Jan 2013 14:05:17 +0000

To start off this story, let me give you the list of specs and you can decide if it sounds good or not to you. 10.1" 1,920 x 1,200 IPS display that is powered by a Samsung Exynos 4412 quad-core processor underneath. It boots Android 4.0 and Ubuntu 12.04 and runs 2GB of RAM alongside 32GB of storage. Quite an impressive spec sheet, and the price is only around $415.

The unfortunate part is that the Kite Full-HD tablet, made by DaVinci Mobile Technology, isn't confirmed to come to the States anytime soon. What is interesting to see is how well Android and Ubuntu play together in the same device. If this trend takes off the future of Android tablets will be very fun to watch.

Are you excited for the Ubuntu integration into Android? Or do you think it needs to stand on it's own as an OS?

Via: Engadget

LG Optimus G2 to Arrive This Fall, Awaiting Google's Launch of Key Lime Pie?

Tim — Tue, 15 Jan 2013 13:25:07 +0000

Before this year's CES kicked off, there were a few in the industry that had their money on LG announcing the successor to the device that brought them back into the spotlight, the Optimus G. With CES now well over, it's time for the new reports to start flying in as to when we can expect to see LG's next flagship device. According to new reports, LG has now penciled in launch of the Optimus G2 for the Fall of 2013. As mentioned by CNET, LG could be waiting to launch the device until Google releases the next version of Android, Key Lime Pie. From what we know so far, the device will feature a 1080p display, run Qualcomm's latest mobile processor, and now we could be looking at the newest version of Android. This is definitely a reason to start getting excited for this year's MWC. Via: CNET

Jelly Bean 4.1.2 Update for Samsung Galaxy Note 10.1 Update is Here

Tim — Tue, 15 Jan 2013 12:45:39 +0000

This morning, owners of the Galaxy Note 10.1 from Samsung have started to see the Android 4.1.2 update hit their tablets. It's been a bit of a wait, but it brings a lot of bug fixes and also fixes the Exynos exploit that we briefly touched on earlier last month. To update your device to Android 4.1.2, head to Settings > About device > Software update. Via: XDA Cheers Mike!

This Google "Time" Smartwatch UI Concept is Neat

Kellen — Tue, 15 Jan 2013 12:10:15 +0000

Smartwatches are all the rage these days. Everyone seems to want to feel more connected to their smartphone, a product we already can't peel our eyes away from for two minutes. We have seen Pebble, one of the more highly regarded products, along with I'm Watch, what may be one of the worst smartwatch attempts in history. There are choices to be had, but what if one was completely Google-inspired? Take this Google Time concept for example. UI designer Adrian Maciburko took the idea of a smartwatch, along with Google's current UI scheme for a variety of products, and transformed it all into this concept. He walks through notifications, responding to messages (Google Talk and Google+) via voice, weather forecasts, accessing homescreens, clock themes, and more. It's a product that again, is only a concept and will likely never become a reality, but it's still pretty cool to follow along with his vision. This is definitely the type of smartwatch I'd be interested in.

Managing Notifications

Pinch-to-Zoom to Enter Homescreen

Swipe From Top to Enter Homescreen

Thoughts on the current infatuation with smartwatches? If there were to be a Google-inspired watch like this, would you be interested? Via: Dribble | Maciburko

Android 4.2.1 Build Leaks for Sprint Galaxy Nexus, Flashable Through ODIN

Eric — Tue, 15 Jan 2013 11:54:32 +0000

The Galaxy Nexus for Sprint may have felt like an afterthought to many, but it seems that the Nexus device is finally getting the update love that it deserves. While this is far from being official from Sprint or Google, a build of Jelly Bean, Android 4.2.1 has been leaked over at SXTP Developers and can be flashed through ODIN right now.

Part of the beauty of having a Nexus is unlocking and flashing your own ROMs on top of it, but for those who are looking to keep things stock this is a good sign. No word on when anything will be coming down from Sprint themselves, but this build looks solid overall. Installation and download can be found at the source link below.

Via: SXTP Developers

FlashME Turns Your Android Phone's Flash Into a Notification Light

Kellen — Tue, 15 Jan 2013 11:43:04 +0000

[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2-egWVeAzLk[/youtube]

Just in case the front notification light on your device wasn't getting the job done, we wanted to point out this app called FlashME that turns your phone's rear camera flash into the ultimate notifier. In the free version, you can set it up to flash during calls and text messages, but if you want more control, you'll have to pony up $0.99 for the full version which then allows you to pick and choose which apps are attached to FlashME. I will say that the app is a bit intense and probably wouldn't work for me on a daily basis. With that said, I can see how there could be times when you need some extra notification juice and this may come in handy. Play Link

Samsung Reflects on Disaster That Could Have Been, All Thanks to a Battery Cover

Tim — Tue, 15 Jan 2013 10:52:10 +0000

Remember when word spread that the pebble blue variant of the Galaxy S3 was to be delayed all due to the back plate? Well, Samsung is going on record and has released their ~~official~~ wordy account of what took place, what steps they took to correct the issue, and the immense amount of pressure on their design and engineering teams to meet the global launch deadline. Samsung had a tough decision. Do they proceed as planned and ship the sub par battery covers or start from scratch and find a new process for creating a product that will impress their customers. With the company investing so much already into people's awareness of the device (even before launch), they had no choice but to start over, as to not face some sort of backlash down the road. Samsung's VP of Product Marketing Group assured that they were committed to keeping their promise to consumers, that the sample phone shown earlier would be exactly what they would receive in the box. Re-creating the battery cover, with its riverbed pebble-inspired looks was no easy task though. Within a single hour of the recall, the engineering team was in the factory working on solutions to get the device back on track.

After a few ideas that didn't pan out so well, like the "Nano-Ceramic Coating Technique" which would take too much investment and time to be worth it, it was found that the perfect mix of "passion and patience" was needed produce the perfect "Microsilver Blue coating process."

As we all know now, the issue was met with diligence and Samsung released the pebble blue version with no real hiccups in supply to customers. What makes it nice is that Samsung can look back, have a fun story such as this and share it with fellow industry people for a chuckle. I recall mentioning that Samsung was the company I look most forward to in 2013. If the Galaxy S4 can meet the hype, it should be a pretty fun year for Android fans. Via: Samsung Tomorrow

10 Android Apps to Check Out: Fitocracy, Battery Boom, Snap Camera, and More

Kellen — Tue, 15 Jan 2013 09:55:04 +0000

It has been a while since we last put together a "favorite" apps list, so today, we thought we'd do just that. Over the last few months, we have seen a number of incredibly well-designed apps pop up on Google Play, many of which that we haven't had a chance to feature because of a wild holiday phone release schedule. So here are 10 of them that have stuck out or have become a mainstay in our list of daily-used apps.

Snap Camera

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mGsgFhNEEpY[/youtube]

Jealous of the stock camera that came with Jelly Bean (Android 4.2)? If your device isn't a Nexus or you haven't hacked it to be 100% stock, then you likely have a skinned phone with a non-stock camera experience. Snap Camera is a replacement camera app that acts and looks quite similar to the stock 4.2 camera. It's ultra-minimal, with camera and video buttons. You can access all of the menu options by pressing, holding, and dragging, just as you would in 4.2. It also has filters, editing tools, quick viewing of recently snapped photos, and enough shooting modes to fulfill most needs. Play Link ($2.00)

Press

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7rxks0xKues[/youtube]

I switched over to press a few weeks ago as my feed reader application of choice and have not regretted it for a minute. It's a beautifully designed Android app that fits many of the Android design guidelines. It works incredibly well with Google Reader accounts, even pulling in your categories to display them in a way that puts all of Google's reader options to shame. It has an in-app browser for those pesky feeds that have "Continue reading!" links, allows you to share easily with your favorite services, and looks even better on a tablet. Play Link ($1.99)

DataSync

Yesterday, we highlighted a new app from Koush, that aimed to sync your apps and app data through the cloud between devices. It's still in early stages, but an app called DataSync has been out for a couple of months now and already does cloud syncing and more. With DataSync, you can setup scheduled syncs of your apps, link to your Dropbox or Box account for cloud storage, has "true two-way syncing" between devices, is Holo-themed with a tablet-optimized UI, and even allows syncing over NFC or Bluetooth. Play Link *Rooted users only.

Fitocracy

The new year is upon us, a time that usually triggers many of us to kick up our workout regimens. With apps like Fitocracy, working out is at least somewhat more enjoyable as you are rewarded for the hard work you put in. The longer and more often you workout, the more points you earn which in turn become rewards or badges (similar to Foursquare). You can battle with friends, reach new milestones, sync workouts between the web and app, and "become more awesome." Play Link

Notification Weather Pro

We're always a sucker for a good weather application, but one that takes advantage of Jelly Bean's expandable notifications might take the cake. Notification Weather Pro puts your current weather and an extended forecast at your fingertips in the notification bar. With a swipe up, you can shrink the constant notification to show current weather, but a double-fingered swipe down gives you more. It's ultra-minimal while still providing you just enough weather info. Play Link ($1.02)

Agenda Calendar

If you are satisfied with the stock Google Calendar app, then feel free to jump past this one. If not, then think about switching to Agenda Calendar, an app that was originally made popular on iOS. It's beautifully designed, very minimal, yet still manages to present info in a detailed manner. You have views for year, month, week, day and event. You can use swipes and gestures to quickly change views, use it without pause as it syncs with your current calendar, and create events very quickly. It doesn't have a widget at this time, but they developers claim to be working on one. Play Link ($1.99)

Battery Boom

Even though smartphones have become more efficient over the last year, we still talk a lot about battery life. Some of us even obsess over these things, often times wondering why are phone lasted less today than it did yesterday. Is there an specific app or service to blame? With the phone dying and no time for a charge, how much longer can I use it? Battery Boom attempts to answer these questions and more. Battery Boom displays precise level of battery charges, tracks statistics for battery use, includes a widget, and should help you decide if you have enough time to get in another 20 minutes of YouTube. Play Link

Zime

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MztHv-ra9Z8[/youtube]

The developers of Zime want you to "forget your mobile calendar and to-do list" and use their app to easily see and navigate your time. While Zime initially comes off as a calendar replacement, it's actually more of a time management tool for your life. Since many of us use our calendars to remind us of our entire life schedules, Zime helps by syncing with your current calendars and then trying to prioritize future tasks. It even lets you grade yourself so that you keep track of your progress for time management. If that all sounds like more time spent that saved, you can at least use it as a beautiful calendar replacement. Play Link

SleepyTime Plus

Quality sleep is something that seems to happen less and less as I get older. Do I need 8 hours or will the 5-6 that I seem to get be enough? With SleepyTime Plus, you have an app that will tell you exactly what your sleep schedule should be. It calculates the times that you should wake up or go to sleep so that you feel great in the morning. If you don't go to bed at your normal time, it can tell you possible times that you should go to bed and or it can recommend wake-up times. You can also easily set alarms for these new times that are being recommended. Play Link ($0.99)

Circ

Most of you probably use Dropbox to automatically backup your photos, but if you want a more pleasant viewing experience via the web along with an easier way to organize, think about signing up for Circ, a beta application from the makers of Eye-Fi wireless SD cards. They offer unlimited photo cloud backups, automatic uploading immediately after photos are snapped (via WiFi or data), and a way to easily share, tag, and organize your photos. [Sign-up]

QM Launcher Adds a New Dimension to Your Homescreen

Tim — Tue, 15 Jan 2013 09:01:53 +0000

If you are in the market for a more unconventional launcher to put on your Android device, then look no further. This is QM Launcher, short for Quantum Matrix Launcher. Instead of using an app drawer that so many are familiar with, you put your apps into the matrix, which completely rotates based on your finger touches. While looking cool, it also does appear to be somewhat convenient. Beyond the actual cube where your apps are stored, above the matrix are three panels where users can place widgets, all of which are re-sizable. Going inside the matrix, users can create a sub-matrix, which we can just call folders. From the sub-matrix, you can have apps/files that belong with each other and are easily accessible. I do wish they had some sort of preview build, but if you think the Matrix is something that interests you, it's $5 through Google Play. My suggestion, if you are thinking about dropping a Lincoln on it, is watch the video below and get a good feel for it. Unorthodox launchers - Yea or nay? Play Link ($4.99) [youtube]http://youtu.be/lgZAZs1xHT0[/youtube]

LG Reportedly Sees No Issues in Nexus 4 Supply Shortages

Kellen — Tue, 15 Jan 2013 08:09:42 +0000

After Google's UK director called supply of its Nexus 4 "scarce and erratic" from LG, rumors have begun to suggest that LG may have cut orders to focus on future devices of their own. While those rumors are unconfirmed, what we do have now is an LG exec mentioning to a Korean publication that production is proceeding as planned and a denial that there are any supply issues. Clearly, this exec hasn't taken a spin through the Google Play store or any other retail outlet that sells the device across the globe. The Nexus 4 has been unavailable from Google for a month now, with no sign of a return. We aren't sure what the status is at T-Mobile stores, but can't imagine it being much better. The last estimates we saw for shipping numbers, thanks to sleuthing by the folks at XDA, it's estimated that Google and LG sold around 400,000 Nexus 4 devices. If that's the number that was initially planned for, as this LG exec claims, then that's fine and we can accept the thought that someone failed to correctly predict demand for the phone. But come on now, anyone with half a brain can see that there are supply issues. Via: The Verge | Chosun Ilbo

Buy the HSPA+ Nexus 7 and Receive $100 AT&T Bill Credit When Signing Up 2-year Service

Kellen — Tue, 15 Jan 2013 07:54:16 +0000

Yesterday afternoon, we were pinged to a change in the Nexus 7 HSPA+ listing on the Google Play store. That change was the inclusion of a new special offer from AT&T that Google was attempting to highlight. For those interested in adding on HSPA+ service to their newly purchased Nexus 7, AT&T is now willing to toss in $100 bill credit when you sign a 2-year service agreement. That's certainly kind of them, but probably isn't a big enough credit for you to run out today and buy the HPSA+ N7 just to get credit back. Remember, that once you sign up for two years, you are stuck for two years. Play Link

Chrome Beta Receives First Update - Fixes and Introduces a Number of Bugs

Kellen — Mon, 14 Jan 2013 18:46:43 +0000

After hitting the Google Play store last week with a laundry list of bugs, we were eagerly anticipating the first update to Chrome Beta on Android. That update is now live and certainly fixes a bunch of bugs. As with any beta, though, it introduces another list of issues. Jump through to see the entire list of fixes and new issues. Hit up the direct play link to install the beta.

This update contains a number of fixes, including:

164632 - Edit Bookmark is broken

167351 - Youtube video controls are lost after returning from fullscreen

167016 - Some Samsung Galaxy S2 freezes

168062 - Double tapping on non-zoomable sites scrolls the page to the top briefly before returning to original position

167379 - Sometimes tabswitcher is frozen

166998 - Tab content stretched out while returning to it through side swipe gesture

168632 - Crash - Stack Signature: TabAndroidImpl::FromWebContents

168388 - Sync signed in info text's font size is too small

168430 - Bookmark star icon doesn't turn grey/white immediately after bookmarking URL /deleting URL from bookmarks

Known Issues:

Performance is sluggish, noticeably on Galaxy Nexus and Nexus S

Frequent freeze on devices with specific versions of Qualcomm GPU driver

Text autosizing may break formatting on some sites

Video continues playing after exiting fullscreen on android phones

[HTC Droid DNA] Getting crash on tabswitcher mode

163439 - yahoo.com page links are not working

166233 - Cannot submit comments on facebook posts or pictures

165244 - Text handler jumps or disappears when moving

162486 - iframe scrolling broken

158633: Tap disambiguation overaggressive

169910 - Flickering while opening new tab

Play Link Via: Chrome Releases

Minecraft Pocket Edition 0.5.1 Coming Soon - Signs, Clouds, and Gravity-affected Blocks

Tim — Mon, 14 Jan 2013 17:20:55 +0000

Today, an upcoming update has been confirmed for Minecraft: Pocket Edition. Numbered 0.5.1, the update will bring a few things that miners can enjoy, such as signs (get off my lawn!), clouds for devices running certain chipsets, and blocks such as sand and gravel that will be affected by the game's gravity. In terms of overall awesomeness, 0.5.1 is said to be rather minor when compared to the future 0.6.0 update that is still in the works. Either way, the Mojang crew has certainly turned this pocket edition into a full fledged Minecraft machine of greatness. As soon as the update goes live, we'll keep you posted! Play Link Via: Phandroid | Droid Gamers

Clean Widgets Updated to Version 3.0, Brings Complete UI Overhaul and More

Tim — Mon, 14 Jan 2013 16:40:00 +0000

Today, the developer of Clean Widgets has released the largest update to the app in its entire history. The update to version 3.0 brings a complete overhaul in terms of looks and is very much based off of the Jelly Bean guidelines. Users can now re-size the widgets on the homescreen, configure widget settings in a pop up window before they are applied, and take advantage of the ability to choose between different transparency settings for each widget. The app is $1.99 on Google Play, which is not bad for those who love a well-designed set of widgets. Play Link ($1.99) [youtube]http://youtu.be/CYfntBUtwhk[/youtube]

New Samsung SCH-i425 Device Spotted in Benchmark, Headed to Verizon as the Next Stratosphere?

Kellen — Mon, 14 Jan 2013 16:16:22 +0000

Is the Samsung Stratosphere 3 already in testing? A new benchmark that appeared over at GLBenchmark hints at a device that certainly fits into the model number scheme that Verizon and Samsung have used for their Stratosphere series. A phone under the codename "Godiva" and with model number SCH-i425 showed up with a 720p (1280x720) display and dual-core Snapdragon S4 processor. It also has Verizon branding all over the software build, so we're jumping to a bit of a conclusion by giving it the "Stratosphere" name, but not much of one. The original Strato was i405 and the Strato 2 is i415. It seems a bit odd that Verizon and Samsung would be ready to push out a new Stratosphere device after having just released the Stratosphere 2 in November. Without announcing much at CES, they are going to need Q1 devices, though, so maybe this makes sense after all. If you were considering the Stratosphere 2 as one of the last phones on the planet with a keyboard, you were probably disappointed in the low end specs. Maybe this new version will be just what you were hoping for, assuming it has a keyboard. Does a phone with a keyboard still have a place in your heart? Via: Ameblo | GLBenchmark

Monday Poll: Most Looking Forward to in 2013?

Kellen — Mon, 14 Jan 2013 15:43:29 +0000

With 2012 behind us, it only makes sense that we start looking ahead in an attempt to prepare ourselves for what's to come. CES ended with little bang, so that means we have Mobile World Congress, CTIA, Google I/O, IFA, and stand-alone press events left to bring us the real goods. Will we see Motorola's "X" phone and be blown away? Can HTC make a comeback with the next line of One Series phones (assuming they continue that line)? Will LG really introduce new Nexus devices? Or does it all really just come down to whatever Samsung and Google tell us to buy in late Spring or early Summer? You tell us what you are most looking forward to and why. For me personally, it's all about that Motorola "X" phone and then whatever it is that Google decides to surprise us with at I/O, which of course could be the "X" phone. Samsung and the Galaxy S4 will undoubtedly be all over our radar, but Motorola remains the big question mark here. This is the "new" Moto after all, so hopefully "new" means awesome. [poll id="230"]

Google Now Boarding Pass Card Goes Live, Is There Anything It Can't Do?

Tim — Mon, 14 Jan 2013 15:30:52 +0000

Starting today, Google has flipped the switch on boarding passes through Google Now. When arriving at the airport and given your flight info is in your linked Gmail account, Google Now will prepare your digital boarding pass for easy access once you check-in online, making airports all the less stressful as long as your battery isn't about to bite the dust. For now, the service is only available for select airlines, but you can expect that to change as time goes by. Fingers crossed Virgin America is supported. For the full list of Google Now cards, check out our post here. [youtube]http://youtu.be/ePWEJ2cNMog[/youtube]

Developers - Qualcomm is Giving Away Three Snapdragon S4 Pro Developer Tablets

Kellen — Mon, 14 Jan 2013 15:12:20 +0000

The folks at Qualcomm reached out to us this afternoon to pass along their latest contest. It's developer-focused, meaning they want to give away three (3) Snapdragon S4 Mobile Development Platform Tablets. As you all know, the Snapdragon S4 Pro is the quad-core beast processor that's in many of the top phones these days like the Nexus 4 (review) and DROID DNA (review). In this tablet, you'll find the processor clocked at 1.5GHz, an Adreno 320 GPU, and a world of development at your fingertips. Here are the instructions for entry:

Enter to win now, by following us on Twitter at @Qualcomm_Dev and tweet using the hashtag #QualcommDevs or Like QDevNet on Facebook and submit an entry form. Good luck!

You can enter to win once per week, through February 1st. Via: Qualcomm [Rules]

Verizon Includes Free Month With Redbox Instant, Once You Have Beta Access

Kellen — Mon, 14 Jan 2013 14:41:37 +0000

If you downloaded the new Redbox Instant app for Android from Verizon, and also signed up to received a code (like "aurv3da4") to test the beta service, you should go ahead and jump on it. With the beta code, Big Red is including a month of unlimited streaming service along with four DVD rentals. Just keep in mind that it asks for your credit card info and will cost you $8 per month after the trial is finished. For those not familiar, Redbox Instant is similar in a lot of ways to Netflix in that you can subscribe for a monthly fee to stream content (movies) directly from an app on your phone. Where it differs is in the physical DVD realm. With Redbox, you can actually search for nearby Redbox outlets and cheaply rent movies that can be taken home for household enjoyment. Most (if not all) McDonald's have Redbox kiosks outside. Play Link [Sign-up for the beta] Cheers @WinDroidGuy!

Daily Sales Roundup: Cut the Rope Experiments, Sims 3, Police Scanner Pro

Tim — Mon, 14 Jan 2013 14:19:29 +0000

Time to list out some of those sweet Google Play sales in one convenient post. Today, we have a few titles that are notable, with EA Games hosting the majority of the steals. Thanks to the app AppSales, you too can stay on top of all the deals taking place in Google Play. Do it.

Sales:

Police Scanner Radio Pro ($0.99)
Cut the Rope Experiments ($0.99)
Tapatalk HD ($0.99)
Paper Camera ($0.99)
The Sims 3 ($4.99)
Monopoly ($2.99)

Get 'em while they're hot!

Android 4.2.2 Makes Another Video Appearance, Doesn't Show Off Much

Eric — Mon, 14 Jan 2013 13:31:25 +0000

The next version of Android, no matter how small, is always big news to fans so it's a bit odd that the only sightings we have seen of Android 4.2.2 is a slight mention last week. Today we get another glimpse of the newest build, but the video that it is in doesn't show off any new features. In fact, the build number is kept to a slight showing of it near the end of the Nexus 4 walkthrough.

At this point we know next to nothing about 4.2.2 other than that it might be coming sometime in the future. With such a small upgrade in the build number it's questionable how much is going to change as far as code goes, but Google usually doesn't make a new build number unless they absolutely have to. If you are just dying to see the .2 in the system settings, it is shown at around 6 minutes in.

What do you think Google is doing with this next update?

[youtube]![/youtube]

Via: Engadget

Flipboard Updated to Support Android Day Dream, Dropbox Gets Better Photo Management

Tim — Mon, 14 Jan 2013 13:00:37 +0000

Recently, Dropbox and Flipboard received updates for Android users. Inside, Flipboard now supports Android 4.2's Day Dream feature, allowing for stories to be posted right on your screen saver. For Dropbox, there are better photo sharing settings, as well as improvements to the user interface, which is always welcomed. Flipboard changelog:

Now with Flipboard Daydream for Android 4.2 users.
Allows you to create a screensaver made out of Flipboard covers.
Fixed accidental flip when trying to scroll.
More bug fixes.

Dropbox changelog:

Easily share several photos at once
Organize your favorite photos into albums
Delete multiple photos at once
UI improvements and updates throughout
Lots of other little tweaks and bug fixes

Play Link: Flipboard | Dropbox

Final Thoughts on CES 2013 From "Them Geek Guys"

Kellen — Mon, 14 Jan 2013 12:32:51 +0000

CES 2013 is over - has been for two full days now. Editorials on how big of a bust this year's show was have been written ad nauseam, so this is not one those. Instead of taking 1,000 words to express my disappointment in the lack of blockbuster smartphone announcements, I'll share the trip that two Droid Life editors had. We always have a blast in Vegas, especially during CES because nothing matches up better than one of the most over-the-top cities on Earth hosting companies trying to out-do each other for a week. Let's talk about it.

Flights

Flying to Las Vegas from Portland should be simple, right? A 2.5 hour direct flight on most of the major airlines exists, but since they know well in advance that CES week is in early January, we went the affordable route and flew JetBlue. This was my first time on JB and likely won't be my last because of their reasonable prices in and out of Portland, which for some reason is a city that doesn't actually know the meaning of the word "reasonable" when it comes to flights. Overall, they get in and out of locations quickly, have ample legroom for someone my height (6'2"), free DirecTV, and actually offer you free snack choices rather than one, which on other airlines usually means a mini-bag of blah. Unfortunately for Tim and I, JetBlue flies through Long Beach when Portland is involved, so on the way back, we were greeted with a flight half-full of children fresh out of DisneyLand. I'll just say this - after spending 5 nights in Las Vegas with the last ending in 2 hours of sleep, you can imagine how amped we were to see little Billy racing his car up and down the metal windowsill for an extra two hours as we watched the JetBlue crew open up our plane's left engine and attempt to make us feel safe about getting onboard for a two hour flight. Hey, we made it, though!

Press Day

Following NVIDIA's pre-press day press conference on Sunday night that set the bar rather high, and also ended with Dennis Rodman dubbing us "them geek guys," we entered Monday morning - official press day at CES, at the Mandalay Bay (at the Venetian in years past). While I hope that you enjoyed our coverage of the all day event, which features one headline grabbing press conference after another by the biggest companies in the world, I thought we'd talk a bit about what goes into the day on our end. The first event over the last few years has been held by LG at 8:00AM. Since space is limited and on a first-come-first-serve basis to almost all press events, we get there at least an hour before to start waiting in line, something we'll do for a solid 12 hours on the day. So our day usually starts at 5AM or so, involves a cab ride, a cup of coffee, protein bar or fancy superfood drink, and our bums planted firmly on convention center carpet. Once the first event is over (each lasts 45 minutes), we hope to have time to swing into the press room to fight over the limited Cat 5s in the building, browse the three dozen press emails we received since the conference has started, and then figure out where and when the next presser starts. This cycle happens all day long. Sit and wait. Watch press event. Hope something awesome happens. This year that rarely happened. Write up news. Browse for more. Fight over Cat 5. Find new line to wait in for an hour. Well, that's how it goes until Samsung's event rolls around. In order to get your foot in the door, you better be in line 2.5 hours early. It's the biggest event at every CES, and that usually means two lines - one for VIP and early entry plus another for the general press. Thankfully, we had a VIP pass. The day usually ends with Sony throwing their own press event all the way up at the Las Vegas Convention Center, which is a nightmare since every single tech press person in the world is at official press day in another hotel. We tend to skip this out-of-the-way event, so that we can go recharge, hit up other evening press parties and get prepared for Tuesday, the day the show floor opens. Our work "day" finished at 9:30PM on Monday. Nike FuelBand points without actually having worked out: 4635.

Floor Opens

Once the CES show floor opens on Tuesday morning at 10:00AM, it's go time for a couple of days. We bop around from booth to booth, meet with companies, look at their products, film hands-on videos, hope to find a gem, and then venture to the overpacked press room to attempt to write it all up, before heading back out again. If you haven't experienced the show floor at CES, I'm not sure I can even do it justice by trying to explain it. It's massive. It's so many square feet of cable, massive televisions, projectors, headphone booths, and scantily clad women hawking iPad Potty accessories or dancing on makeshift stages like the Faux Pussy Cat Dolls, that an individual's mind probably burns through more brain cells attempting to take it in than Dennis Rodman did during our "geek guys" conversation. The show floor remains open through Friday, but this year, we took just two days to gather everything we could from it - Tuesday and Wednesday. That proved to be a brilliant plan, as most of the PR folks we talked to were leaving Thursday morning as well. It's a good time, a lot of walking, even more laughing, and way too much snickering for one week. Nike FuelBand points without actually having worked out: 5341 and 4953.

The CES Dinner

Outside of the "work" part of CES, there is one tradition that Tim and I always try to keep up - the CES dinner. Once during the week, assuming we can fit it in among the dozen press parties, we try to go all out on one dinner. It's our lone chance to break away from PR people, convention center carpet, fear of catching an incurable bird-influenced virus, and hotel room with the airport and Hooters Hotel view, to indulge in one of Vegas' finest restaurants. It's our night to unplug. This year, we chose Gordon Ramsay's Steak, which is located in the Paris hotel. Tim has a yet-to-be-unveiled thing for Sir Gordon which helped influence the decision, something I can't fault him for after the 24oz of aged rib-eye entered my body without hesitation. I think at one point I heard him say, "You just took that 24oz down like it was nothing." Indeed, I did. Along with the bacon and bleu cheese stuffed olives in my martinis as they washed down oysters on the half, some sort of lobster and chorizo magic, and a couple of sides. Nike FuelBand count: Probably -8000 after the number of calories consumed.

Other Goodies

The rest of our trip included a last minute race to Paris (again) with the crew from Phandroid from a PR party to watch Alicia Keys finish up her set (Kevin with the VIP pass hook-up), a front car seat in New York, New York's rollercoaster, Trinidad James "All Gold Everyting" on repeat, a random photo of Barry Sanders, a beat down at the Comsopolitan's blackjack tables (with us receiving the pain), and an introduction to a robotic horse racing game that only takes quarters and is simply put, amazing 2:00AM entertainment.

The End

So was CES a bust and irrelevant, as so many in the industry have so outwardly described it? Eh, not really. Sure, it lacked the game-changing announcements we saw two years ago when Verizon dropped the first four LTE phones on us and Motorola unveiled the Lapdock (how's that doing, by the way?). But these days, companies are announcing products much closer to their actual arrival dates rather than teasing you 6-8 months in advance. This isn't the TV industry. Does anyone really want another DROID Bionic scenario? So over the next few months, we'll see staggered press events where companies show off products that we can actually touch in a matter of weeks. What we saw was the evolution of LTE, and how it will enter our lives in new ways beyond smartphones and tablets. We got to see the new industry standard for displays - 1080p. Sony finally released a phone worth talking about, for the first time in...ever. We saw companies realize that their fool-proof $600 Android tablet strategy from 2012 was a disaster, so they avoided them altogether at this year's show. And we saw Dennis Rodman, in Vegas on a random Sunday night, only not for anything CES related, telling Tim "Don't go there" when swooping in for the fan photo. We also had a lot of fun. Final Nike FuelBand count for 4 days: 19,222.

Saving That Grocery List Can Look Good With Notif

Tim — Mon, 14 Jan 2013 11:38:48 +0000

"When will Android have a dedicated notes app?" I hear that a lot. Maybe I/O 2013? Until that day happens though, check out Notif. It is a notes app made specifically for devices running Jelly Bean, which allows for the expanding of notifications in the top bar. You can make three different types of notification reminder/lists which all look great and work flawlessly. First, you have text notes which can have a title and then the body of the message. Then you have picture notifications and lists, which I have previewed above with my grocery list. Tell me again what aisle street cred is on? Again, it's for Jelly Bean devices only, so quick apology to everyone else. Play Link

Adaptxt Keyboard Offers Accurate Predictive Text and Great Customization Settings

Tim — Mon, 14 Jan 2013 11:12:29 +0000

Clearly, we are always on the lookout for a great keyboard to sport on our Android devices. And with so many to choose from, it's easy for some to fall through the cracks. During CES, we were introduced to Adaptxt, a keyboard that isn't new by any means, but offers some great features that are lacking in many of the bigger names in the game. For example, themes are something that need to be implemented and focused on. Sure, you can swipe and all of that fancy stuff, but if the keyboard is ugly, I'll pass. Adaptxt features a real-time customization tool, allowing users to make their keyboard look however you choose, as well as pre-defined themes. On top of that, the quick word prediction is spot on for speed texters like myself. And for our international crowd, it supports a total of 103 languages, which is quite the impressive number compared to competitors. I do enjoy swiping, but if I have to correct the keyboard every other word, it begins to be more of a hassle than a convenience. What's the one thing that keeps you with your keyboard of choice? Accuracy? Looks? Play Link [youtube]http://youtu.be/gHj2ePxxMo0[/youtube]

Tapatalk HD Out of Beta on Google Play, Launch Sale Initiated at $0.99

Tim — Mon, 14 Jan 2013 10:11:45 +0000

Back in December, the Tapatalk HD beta was released to Google Play. After a few weeks, tablet owners that double as forum junkies can now purchase the finalized app, but you may want to hurry. For a limited time, the developers are offering the HD app for just $0.99, instead of the full price of $4.99. The sale will last 24 hours, so you may want to get on that ASAP. Tapatalk HD is one of the most comprehensive forum apps on Google Play. Featuring push notifications, a larger gallery for viewing photos easily, and even moderator options which allows the folks in charge to slam the ban hammer every now and then. If you tried out the beta, let us know if you think this app is everything it should be. Play Link (~~$4.99~~) $0.99! Cheers WinDroidGuy!

A 4.99-inch FHD 1080p Super AMOLED to be Featured on the Samsung Galaxy S4?

Kellen — Mon, 14 Jan 2013 09:39:00 +0000

In a back room at CES, Samsung Displays was giving a select group of media members a look at their upcoming display lineup. At the front of it all was their curved Youm display, which drew "Oohs" and "Awws" during the Samsung keynote, but that may not actually be the biggest story to come out of this back alley hangout. On one of the walls was a roadmap that may have given us a hint as to what the Galaxy S4 display will be like. If you look first at the third slot from the left in the image above, the one showing a 4.8" and 5.55" HD display, one would assume this is for the Galaxy S3 and Galaxy Note 2. Since those are the exact displays that each of those devices contained, it's not a stretch by any means. But what comes next in the roadmap is what we care about. See that slot that mentions an "FHD" 4.99" display? That would be a 4.99" 1080p display with 440ppi and an availability of Q1 2013. Now this may be somewhat of a stretch, but how can we not assume that this is the display that will be in the Galaxy S4? According to this roadmap, there isn't anything else on the way other than this display. We also would imagine that Samsung would go 1080p on the next phone, since everyone else in the game is going that route. Little else is known about the Galaxy S4, however, we have already seen some suggest that we could get the new Exynos Octa 8-core processor in it. That's a bit of stretch. Via: AnandTech

Love Video Game Achievements? Get Them for Your Phone with Phonechievements

Eric — Mon, 14 Jan 2013 09:10:02 +0000

Achievements and trophies are half the fun of video games these days. If you do something special in-game you get a little notification telling you of your accomplishment which then allows you to show them off to your buddies to tell them that you're better than they are. Phonechievements looks to bring those bragging rights to your Android device.

The app is simple - install it and then let it scan your phone for achievements that you might already have unlocked. The achievements range from simple ones like "Initiation" which requires you place 10 calls that were answered. And then there are achievements like the "Felix Baumgartner" which wants you to get above 9,000 meters elevation and allow the app to get a GPS fix. If you're curious to see how many achievements you already have unlocked, hit the Play Link below.

Play Link

Koush Releases Cloud App Syncing and Backup App, Test the Beta Now

Kellen — Mon, 14 Jan 2013 08:30:30 +0000

Just the other day we were talking about backup solutions and how you should always choose one that allows for cloud storage. Today, long-time developer Koush, released a beta of his new app that does exactly as we were describing, only it takes it a step further. He is tentatively calling this app "Carbon," which we got a chuckle out of, after the name quickly brought back memories of the overhyped Twitter app by a similar title which never made an official debut. Koush's Carbon is a backup solution that allows you to backup your apps and app data to the cloud or to your SD card. It currently supports Google Drive, but he is working to build in Dropbox support as well. But beyond just the backing up portion of the app, the biggest highlight here is the fact that it can sync apps between devices. As you'll see in his overview video at the source link, the app is running on two devices and acts almost in real-time when he looks from device-to-device to pull apps and data from one to the other. It's pretty neat, to be honest. And you can see how the sky can be the limit here. I don't know if he has plans to, but user settings could potentially be included at some point, more backup services (like Box.net), and potentially even a media syncing feature of some sort. He has only mentioned the Box.net support coming, so the rest is just my mind running in all directions. The current beta version has been posted at his Google+ page, which we have posted for you below. We should point out that this version requires root, but he's expecting to remove that requirement once it goes final and official. Get to testing! [Download Link] [youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FGqMAY7d-i0[/youtube] Via: +Koushik Dutta

Samsung Passes 100 Million Mark for Galaxy S Phones

Eric — Mon, 14 Jan 2013 07:59:14 +0000

Every time a Galaxy device gets released from Samsung, they are quick to tell us the sales numbers after the launch, as each new device is on a level not matched by many in the industry. All of those sales numbers have added up to the point where today, Samsung has announced that all of their Galaxy S devices have totalled over 100 million devices in the hands of consumers.

Samsung took to their Flickr page to post the short announcement and also give us more numbers on the Galaxy S3. The S3 has sold 30 million units over the past 5 months, 40 million in 7 months, and they estimate that there are 190,000 S3 units sold each day.

Just think, in a few months time the Galaxy S4 may be contributing to these ridiculous sales numbers. Too soon?

Via: Samsung Tomorrow

ASUS Unveils $150 7" MeMo Pad, US Launch Set For April

Tim — Sun, 13 Jan 2013 18:00:11 +0000

This evening, ASUS is introducing the MeMo Pad, a lower-end device that is sure to get anyone looking to save some cash on a tablet extremely happy. Priced at just $150 for 8GB, the MeMo Pad doesn't rank high on the list in terms of specs, but will certainly be able to get through any type of multi-tasking you can throw at it. The 7" tablet features a 1GHz VIA WM8950 processor with Mali-400 GPU, Android 4.1, 1024 x 600 screen resolution, 1GB of RAM, 8GB and 16GB storage options, as well as an SD card slot for even further storage capabilities. It will come available in three different colors - white, grey, and pink. ASUS has announced that the device will go on sale here in the US sometime in April, but with other markets seeing launch this month. Now again, this device is no Nexus 7, but is more aimed at the novice Android tablet owner who is looking for a basic experience. Nothing too fancy, but at $150, that's still pretty great. Anyone interested in a $150 beginners' tablet?

This Week in the Life of DROID: 1/11/2013

Tim — Fri, 11 Jan 2013 15:34:16 +0000

This wasn't your typical week here at DL - it was CES! Kellen and myself had a blast in Las Vegas, covering all sorts of great things from NVIDIA's upcoming Tegra 4 and Project SHIELD, to Sony's new Xperia Z and ZL smartphones. We even somehow made it possible to fit in a special CES podcast where we went over this week's festivities, including our awkward run in with Dennis Rodman. If you missed any of the action, we have the major highlights down below.

The Droid Life Show: CES Edition [Subscribe]
Hands-on: NVIDIA Project SHIELD.
Hands-on: ZTE Grand S.
Hands-on: Sony Xperia Z.
Hands-on: Sony Xperia ZL.
Hands-on: ARCHOS Gamepad.
Hands-on: Huawei Ascend Mate.
NVIDIA announces Tegra 4 processor and Project SHIELD.
Samsung unveils Exynos 5 Octa, along with flexible Youm display technology.
First shot of HTC M7 leaked, plus shots of Sense 5.0.
Qualcomm announces Next-gen 800 and 600 mobile processors.
Google intros new Chrome for Android Beta.
Nexus 7 docking station to ship within two weeks for $40.

We hope you all had fun tagging along with us and we will see you next week. Time for us to go catch up on sleep!

Android 4.2.2 Shipping on Nexus 4s in Brazil and Malaysia?

Kellen — Fri, 11 Jan 2013 12:27:56 +0000

According to a pair of sites in Brazil and Malaysia, some new Nexus 4 orders are arriving with an unreleased and unannounced version of Android on them. As you can see from the picture, Android 4.2.2 is showing up in the About screen, an area that we all know can be easily faked. It does seem a bit odd that sites from two different countries would report a similar story to try to deceive the world at almost the exact same time, though, so who knows, maybe it's true. If Android 4.2.2 is next for the Nexus line, we can't imagine that it would offer anything significant by way of new features. So far, no reports of 4.2.2 are including mentions of new goodies. Again, if it's real, it could be nothing more than a bug fixer. And not to downplay the importance of bug fixers, since we know 4.2+ has had its fair share of them. Google hasn't said a word, and often times doesn't on things like this. All we can hope is that an update starts to arrive on a Nexus near you in the near future. Via: Adrenaline | Engadget

Android 4.1.1 Now Available for U.S. Samsung Galaxy Tab 2 10.1 and 7.0 Owners

Tim — Fri, 11 Jan 2013 12:05:44 +0000

Owners of the WiFi Galaxy Tab 2 10.1 and 7.0 from Samsung can pick up the Android 4.1.1 update starting today through Kies. The update is pretty massive, weighing in at 300MB of Jelly Bean hotness such as Google Now, Project Butter, and the fancy notifications. If you are the owner of the Tab 2 and are ready to update, head into Settings > About device > and then hit Software update to begin the process. Cheers everyone who sent this in!

NVIDIA Posts CES Booth Tour Video - Shows Off Cars, Tegra 4, Project SHIELD

Tim — Fri, 11 Jan 2013 11:28:51 +0000

It seems a little poorly timed, given CES is wrapping up, but NVIDIA has released a short booth tour video which gives folks an in-depth look at the NVIDIA CES experience. With a quick look at the Grid Cloud Gaming system, a behind the scenes peek at Project SHIELD, and the Tegra-powered cars, the NVIDIA booth was definitely one of the best ones there. [youtube]http://youtu.be/h2gS-jaFhIw[/youtube]

AT&T Adds Lenovo IdeaTab A2107 to Tablet Lineup for $200 Off Contract

Tim — Fri, 11 Jan 2013 11:17:04 +0000

This morning, AT&T has announced the addition of Lenovo's new IdeaTab A2107 to their tablet lineup. Off contract, AT&T will be offering the device for just $200, but even that price still can't match up to the Nexus 7 in terms of specs. With a lower resolution, weaker processor, and only Android 4.0, you will be picking this tablet up only if you're in serious need of a data connection. If you feel like knocking another $100 off that price though, you can put it on a new two year agreement and get it for just $99. Here is the full list of specs. Specs:

Android 4.0
7" 1024 x 600 display
1GHz A9 processor
1GB of RAM
10 hours of battery life
Expandable memory

You can go ahead and pick up the device now on a new connection or add it to an already existing plan for just $10 a month. Via: AT&T

White Galaxy Nexus Shows Up on Verizon's Site, Doubt It Means a Thing

Kellen — Fri, 11 Jan 2013 10:56:03 +0000

Last February, a source of ours told us that Verizon had a 16GB white Galaxy Nexus ready to ship, along with a 16GB regular version. For whatever reason, the white G-Nex never did arrive in stores, even if we saw official white backs for the device and frame housings show up in online retailers. The device was definitely real, but at some point before it could be purchased, it was killed. When we were tipped to the device showing up on Verizon's site, in a My Verizon tutorial video, we couldn't help but chuckle a little. The device above, looks to me like the GSM variant and not the Verizon version that was. The wallpaper used on the device is the one used in GSM press images, not the Phase Beam live wallpaper that Verizon chose to use in their images. I'd say this is simply another Photoshop failure from Verizon's graphics team, something we are all too familiar with. So no, I don't believe this is a sign that a white variant will appear a year after being axed. It's pretty obvious that Verizon has moved on from the Galaxy Nexus experiment. Via: Verizon Cheers Bweb2185!

ZTE Grand S Will Launch on an American Carrier, But Which One?

Tim — Fri, 11 Jan 2013 10:03:24 +0000

According to ZTE's North American business head, the mobile manufacturer is becoming more friendly with American carriers and we may even see their newest flagship device, the Grand S, come to the U.S. After a few meetings this week at CES with carrier executives, who were reportedly impressed with what they saw, ZTE may have to start working on making sure Americans actually know who they are. There were no indications of which U.S. carrier would get the device, but it is said, "there was a certain wow factor" when carriers looked over the 2014 concept devices from ZTE. Naturally, none of the press got a look at the concepts, but if someone from Big Red or AT&T were possibly impressed, that has to say something. We did a hands-on with the Grand S and it is certainly different. There were major UI changes to Android and that constant on-screen back button was a bit interesting. If the Grand S came to one of America's top four networks, would you want it? Via: CNET

First Shots of HTC M7 Emerge, Plus Our First Look at 'Sense 5'

Tim — Fri, 11 Jan 2013 09:30:33 +0000

Since CES was a complete bust in terms of seeing HTC's next superphone, the M7, it feels natural that we would see some leaked goodies shortly after. Although, I have to admit, this is some of the worst leaked shots I've ever seen, of anything. So, let us take a second and go over what we have. Thanks to Pocket Now and HTC Source, we have our first glimpse of the actual device, albeit really doesn't give us much of anything beside the fact it will have a front facing camera, and a few shots of Sense 5. Pictured above is the first leaked shot of the device, with everything blurred out except the camera and HTC logo. Seems legit, yeah? Below is where it actually gets a bit exciting. There a few shots that are being labeled as Sense 5, which was said to be a huge improvement in terms of looks and feel over previous versions. From what we do see, it certainly gives off a little more of a minimalist look, with clean textures and less of a glossy feel.

So, I have one initial problem with this picture. HTC still can't seem to move away from the legacy menu, which is a real eye sore, given we are waiting for them to ditch hardware buttons, and for developers to start getting rid of it as well. Either way, I'll be happy when those days are behind us and there is a fluid UI experience between my multiple Android devices. In terms of looks, the new Sense is looking pretty hot. I enjoy the matte feel, so I'm easily more excited today than I was yesterday for the M7 and Sense 5. Your thoughts? Via: PocketNow | HTCSource

Almost 50% of Verizon's Data Traffic Happens Over 4G LTE

Kellen — Fri, 11 Jan 2013 09:17:01 +0000

According to Mike Haberman, VP of netwok engineering for Verizon Wireless, in an interview with Fierce Wireless, almost 50% of the company's data load happens over 4G LTE. In October, the company announced the number at around 35%, which has more than likely seen a significant jump thanks to another successful holiday season for Verizon. It makes sense that we would continue to see this increase, especially since Verizon refuses to sell a phone that is without a 4G LTE radio. Plus, with the iPhone 5 and current Samsung lineup available at all VZW locations, this number will only rise. In fact, the carrier expects overall data traffic to grow by a factor of seven during the next three years, something that is largely related to the growing LTE share. Haberman also mentioned that in the "distant future," they would re-farm their 850MHz spectrum for LTE. They currently run their 3G/CDMA network over that spectrum. Since they have committed to running their CDMA network through the decade, you can sort of get an idea as to what "distant future" means. Via: Fierce Wireless

LG Reportedly Halts Nexus 4 Production, Perhaps to Make Way for New Product or Nexus Device

Kellen — Fri, 11 Jan 2013 08:37:25 +0000

After LG's James Fisher took the stage during their CES press event and mentioned that the Nexus 4 was the "first of many" products that they are working on with Google, the tech world immediately started trying to figure out exactly what he meant. Are there really going to be multiple LG Nexus device in the near future? If so, when? At Mobile World Congress in February? Later in the year? Also, what about the Nexus 4? It has now been completely sold out for almost a month with no signs of a return. The phone is new enough that we can't actually see Google deciding to push the phone aside for something newer. However, the IBTimes is reporting that LG has alleged halted production on the device to make way for upcoming handsets. MWC is always a popular spot for phone manufacturers to show off their latest goodies, but LG's Fisher also mentioned they have other "tier-one premium" handsets in various screen sizes to release throughout the year. Tough to tell what's going on. Clearly something, as the Nexus 4 has been unavailable for purchase for what seems like an eternity. Does LG really have something new up its sleeve? We would certainly hope that they do, but slowing down Nexus 4 production doesn't seem like the right move, either. We'll keep an eye on this one. Via: IBTimes

Catch the Replay of The Droid Life Show "CES Special"

Kellen — Thu, 10 Jan 2013 18:24:32 +0000

If you missed the live edition of last night's Droid Life Show, be sure to catch the replay, which we have included above in video. It's also available in audio-only formats, for those that don't have time to watch. During our special CES-themed show, we talked about our favorite announcements from the show, the biggest busts, and tossed in some random stories from Vegas. It was a blast, even if it was a shorter show.

Google Introduces New Chrome Beta Program to Help With Issues and to Test New Features

Kellen — Thu, 10 Jan 2013 15:49:27 +0000

Google Chrome came out of "beta" back in June, as it had become a stable enough product. But since Google is continuing to create new features for it, they still need a platform to be able to test, similarly to what they do with Chrome for desktops. So today, they introduced Chrome Beta, again, as a way to get new features in your hands and to fix issues much faster. In the release notes, they mention that this build brings a "slew of updates and improvements" over the stable channel build that you are already running, however, they didn't provide any specifics. They did go ahead and tell you what's broken, though, more than likely to keep down the complaints. Here is the full list of known bugs:

Performance is sluggish, noticeably on Galaxy Nexus and Nexus S
Frequent freeze on devices with specific versions of Qualcomm GPU driver
Text autosizing may break formatting on some sites
164632 - Editing bookmark feature is broken
165244 - Text position handler jumps or disappears when moving
163439 - Clicking on links in yahoo.com not navigating on Nexus 7
166233 - Unable to submit comments on Facebook posts in desktop version of Facebook
165244 - Text handler jumps or disappears when moving
167351 - Youtube video controls are lost after returning from fullscreen video mode
162486 - iframe scrolling broken

To grab Chrome Beta, hit up the direct Play Link below. And keep in mind that a direct link is the only way you'll find it, as they have removed it from search results in the Play Store. Play Link Via: Google Chrome | Chrome Releases

ARCHOS Introduces Affordable Titanium Line of "Top Tier" Tablets

Tim — Thu, 10 Jan 2013 11:10:10 +0000

When we crashed the ARCHOS booth at CES to check out their new GamePad, they also showed us their new lineup of Titanium tablets, which actually offered some decent specs on top of good looking hardware. Although, at CES, when you are surrounded by a million other Android tablets, it's hard for some to stand out and actually impress a skeptic. There are four tablets in the line, each featuring an HD IPS display, a dual-core 1.6GHz processor coupled with quad-core GPU, Android 4.1, and of course, it's Google certified. They have a 7", 8", 10.1", and a 9.7" variant, each set at an amazingly competitive price. For pricing and further details, check the presser down below.

ARCHOS Introduces the New TITANIUM Line at CES
CES, Las Vegas – January 10, 2013 - ARCHOS, an award-winning innovator in consumer electronics introduces the Titanium line in its Elements range of tablets. This range offers high-end specifications at an aggressive price and all tablets will feature:

High Definition IPS display capacitive multi-touch screen

Dual core CPU at 1.6 GHz with Quad core GPU, with 1080p video decoding

Sleek aluminum design

Android 4.1 ‘Jelly Bean’ with the 700,000 applications on Google Play and the Archos Media Center applications

The ARCHOS 70 titanium (7 inches), priced at 119€, $119, £99 offers similar features to competitors such as Amazon, at a better price point. The ARCHOS 80 titanium (8 inches), priced at 169€, $169, £149 has been designed to offer similar user experience as the iPad mini, for a fraction of the price. The ARCHOS 101 titanium (10.1 inches), priced at 199€, $199, £169, is around 30 per cent cheaper than competition with comparable features. The ARCHOS 97 titanium HD (9.7 inches), with a resolution up to 2048 x 1536 pixels is priced at 249€, $249 and £199, and aims to be an alternative to the new iPad for half the price.

GameStick Pulled From Kickstarter Due to Intellectual Property Dispute (Updated)

Tim — Thu, 10 Jan 2013 10:20:06 +0000

Uh-oh. Looks like the GameStick could be in some trouble. According to emails that backers are beginning to receive this morning, the GameStick is the center of an intellectual property dispute, which has forced Kickstarter to remove the project from their site. The GameStick was fully funded just 30 hours into the campaign, so if they are unable to take care of this business within 30 days, they're screwed. The message from Kickstarter below:

Hi there, This is a message from Kickstarter Support. We're writing to inform you that a project you backed, GameStick: The Most Portable TV Games Console Ever Created, is the subject of an intellectual property dispute. The law requires that we remove the project from public view until the process is complete or the dispute is resolved. If we are not able to re-post it within 30 days, we will cancel the project, all pledge authorizations will expire, and the project will be permanently unavailable. If you’d like to manage your pledge, you can do so through the project page: http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/872297630/gamestick-the-most-portable-tv-games-console-ever?ref=email If you have any questions, we encourage you to message the creator directly. You can also do this from the project page. Thanks so much for your patience and cooperation, Kickstarter

There seems to already be a few products out there that are similar to GameStick, but there is no telling which other company is calling foul. We shall await more details and update you all as more info comes to light. Update: GameStick has released a statement which pretty much clears up the situation and it looks like everything will be fine once they simply edit a video containing a game that wasn't supposed to be there. Good job, GameStick!

Dear backers, I'm sure you've all noticed that we have been temporarily suspended due to a copyright infringement notice. This does NOT RELATE TO OUR DESIGN OR PRODUCT - this relates to one of the games that was exposed in our UI demonstration on our videi that we did not have permission to use. We are working to quickly edit this video to comply with Kickstarter and we hope to be back up and running as soon as possible. We're sorry for any confusion or worry this may have caused you but we want you to know that we are on it! Thanks for understanding. Love, GameStick

Update 2: Everything appears to be fixed and back up for backing. Were you a backer? Cheers Shane and Eric!

Watch Samsung's CES Keynote That Features Exynos 5 Octa and Flexible Display Prototypes

Tim — Thu, 10 Jan 2013 09:30:18 +0000

Many in the world were unable to directly attend Samsung's keynote in CES, but thanks to the Internet, we can relive the event anytime we like. On Wednesday morning, Samsung took the stage and introduced us to the future of mobile devices - the Exynos 5 Octa processor and flexible display technology. In terms of innovation and forward thinking in the mobile industry, you have to give the award to Sammy. And when it comes to the company that might have us most excited in 2013, I think it's safe to say that this is the easy choice. For Exynos 5 Octa talk, skip to 12:34. For flexible display goodness, skip to 39:48. [youtube]http://youtu.be/GDJ67df0p6A[/youtube]

Question of the Day: What Impressed You From CES 2013?

Kellen — Thu, 10 Jan 2013 08:47:27 +0000

Our time at the 2013 Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas has come to an end. That's both a happy and sad statement, mostly happy though, as the show failed to impress as it has in the past. There simply weren't the number of innovative product announcements that we had seen at previous shows, something that may be the trend going forward for the world's biggest electronics show. But even with only a few headline grabbing products, I think it's safe to say that we all had our favorites. The gamers in the building were blown away by NVIDIA's Project Shield (our hands-on) and their Grid Gaming System. I found myself drooling over Sony's new phones (Xperia Z and ZL), something I wasn't expecting to admit after spending a week in the desert. To see more of our thoughts on the week, be sure to tune into the replay of last night's Droid Life Show. What about you? Was there a certain product that stood out the most? And we're not necessarily looking for Android-related stuff, but new and exciting tech products in general. Drop into the comments and let us know.

Nexus 7 Docking Station Said to Ship Within Two Weeks at $39.99

Kellen — Thu, 10 Jan 2013 08:34:50 +0000

According to The Verge, who spoke with a "reliable" source with knowledge of the Asus-made Nexus 7 dock, the company plans to ship the slow-to-market accessory to the U.S. within the next two weeks. It will drop in at the price of $39.99, something we have seen on retailer websites for a month or so now. The price isn't outlandish by any means, but the dock itself doesn't do much. It has a mini USB port, an audio jack, and pins to charge the device when docked on its side. Via: The Verge

CES Special

Kellen — Thu, 10 Jan 2013 01:06:11 +0000

At 5:00PM Pacific, we are going to attempt to launch our first ever live CES special episode of The Droid Life Show. It should be interesting, if anything. With this year's CES turning out to be one of the slowest in recent memory, we can at least laugh at the lack of news, take you through our lives on the show floor, and fill you in on our random encounters with people like Dennis Rodman. The show may be slow, but Tim and I are still having a great time. Join in a few minutes after 5:00PM Pacific (8:00PM Eastern) to experience CES through our minds.

Special Droid Life Show Live Tonight at 5PM From CES!

Kellen — Wed, 09 Jan 2013 21:03:23 +0000

With our CES trip wrapping up, we figured it was time to try and squeeze in a live Droid Life Show to talk about the week that was. While the big announcements were lacking, there were still a couple of products that generated substantial buzz on the show floor and in press rooms. So, join us at 5:00PM Pacific or a few minutes after to hear our thoughts on this year's Consumer Electronics Show. We'd also love to have some reader questions, which you can drop in the comments or live during the show.

Hands-on Video and Gallery: NVIDIA Project SHIELD [CES 2013]

Tim — Wed, 09 Jan 2013 16:37:59 +0000

We were fortunate enough to grab some special hands-on time with NVIDIA here at CES and get an up-close look at the new Project Shield. So far, we are very impressed. NVIDIA has clearly put a ton of time into the design of the system and when you get your hands on it, it feels fantastic. We could tell that there are still a few manufactuering bugs that will undoubtedly be worked out (hinges on the clamshell seemed rather loose), but in terms of performance and overall feel, it was top notch. Below we have a full hands-on gallery as well as a video of our experience, which as soon as it is fully rendered and uploaded will be down below. Let us know your thoughts on SHIELD. We'll come back with more thoughts later, probably after the DL Show. [youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mdeuZ1P8DIg[/youtube] [nggallery id=42]

Google Adds Ability For All Developers to Reply to Comments in Play Store

Tim — Wed, 09 Jan 2013 14:45:44 +0000

Some months ago, Google began to allow top application developers in Google Play to respond directly to user comments through the web interface. As of today, it isn't just for top developers. Just recently, our buddy Dave Kover (aka Kovdev) found that he has the ability to do the same, as well as other app developers that aren't considered "huge."

This new features gives a direct line between consumers and developers, which is great for both parties. Now go forth and comment. Cheers Kovdev!

Pantech Perception Render Spotted With Verizon LTE and HD Screen

Eric — Wed, 09 Jan 2013 14:25:05 +0000

Pantech is looking to make a bigger dent in the US market this year with the recently announced Discover headed for AT&T and the Perception that we believe is headed for Verizon. Start off with a HD 720p screen that's powered by a Snapdragon S4 processor clocked at 1.5 GHz and this device is looking fairly decent already.

Unfortunately there isn't much more information other than that. The Discover is set to launch on AT&T for only $50 however, so if that price is close to the same when it lands on Verizon this could be a very powerful mid-range device.

Via: Unwired View

Samsung Shows Off "Youm" Flexible Display on Prototype Phone at CES

Kellen — Wed, 09 Jan 2013 13:53:40 +0000

With no price or release date in sight, Samsung was still willing to show off their new "Youm" flexible smartphone and tablet displays at the end of their keynote, today at CES. They were able to show the press a handful of devices, most of which were curved or bent to highlight the technology while still displaying images or video. The most interesting part, though, had to be the prototype device with slanted edges. The device was white and black with a display around 5-inches in size and close to a 720p resolution, but it had slanted edge where Samsung attempted to show that manufacturers can use the flexible space to highlight features. As you can see in the picture above, the flexed part of the display has S-note and Messaging icons, along with a text message or box for scrolling text, like a ticker. You can easily see how useful this technology could be for all sorts display shapes and sizes. I think we still care that it might make displays unbreakable more than anything. Your thoughts - cool or weird?

Via: The Verge | CNET

US Patent Office and Department of Justice Release Statement Concerning Injunctions Against Products

Eric — Wed, 09 Jan 2013 13:35:35 +0000

Although the patent wars seem to have quieted as of late, a few months back you couldn't escape the news of one company suing the other for infringement. Cries that the American patent system was a broken one came from all sides, but now the people that run the system have released their own comment on the subject. The Department of Justice and US Patent Office released a joint statement today on product bans due to patent claims and it was surprisingly light.

Only 10 pages long, the statement doesn't go too harshly on anyone or name any names. It does however deliver the message that having an injunction against a product and taking it off the shelves isn't always the best idea. "The DOJ and USPTO are concerned about the potential impact of exclusion orders on the 'competitive conditions in the United States.'" The statement makes it clear that exclusion orders (bans) on products are necessary in some cases, but also that "depending on the facts of individual cases, the public interest may preclude the issuance of an exclusion order."

The statement lays out a few clear situations in which an exclusion order would be the best choice of action, but they also leave enough wiggle room in the term "public interest" for courts to have the power to make some decisions. To keep them reigned in though, near the end of the statement they say "these public interest factors are not meant to be given mere lip service,” but rather “public health and welfare and the assurance of competitive conditions in the United States economy must be the overriding considerations." Basically, judges can't use the "public interest" bit to deny a ban if there aren't serious reasons why they shouldn't.

This seems to be a step in the right direction, and a step from some people pretty high up in the government. Do you think this will help with the patent wars that are still raging around the country?

Via: The Verge

Video: Quick Hands-on With the ZTE's 1080p Grand S LTE [CES 2013]

Kellen — Wed, 09 Jan 2013 13:00:26 +0000

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A-R557DKY_Y[/youtube]

We're still at CES, attempting to find any news that might be worth your time. The best we could do was the ZTE Grand S LTE, a 5" 1080p phone that's headed to China. Yep, it's another phone that you will never see in the States. But if you did, it's not bad. It comes in a variety of colors, including Pink. It's super thin, has an above-average looking display, is powerful with 2GB of RAM and a Qualcomm processor, and runs one of the most atrocious looking Android skins we have seen in a while. So again, the phone isn't bad, but it's also not good. So, check out the video and plan your next trip to China.

Chameleon Launcher on Sale for $4, Also Shown Off on Phones

Tim — Wed, 09 Jan 2013 11:20:38 +0000

Taking just a moments break from the CES news, I saw that Chameleon Launcher for Android was on sale through Google Play and wanted to give everyone a quick heads up. Chameleon is an alternative home launcher that was funded through Kickstarter and usually sells for about $10. It's a neat launcher, offering up a completely new way of utilizing screen real estate, and revolves around good looking widgets and sexy wallpapers. To top it off, the developers recently made a video showing off the launcher on a Galaxy S3, which is a nice change of pace given it has been exclusively for tablets for some time. For $4, it's worth a shot if you're looking for something new. Play Link ($3.99) [youtube]http://youtu.be/C-fC8ZI-Cc4[/youtube] Via: Chameleon

Backing Up Your Android Apps and Other Phone Info [Beginners' Guide]

Kellen — Wed, 09 Jan 2013 11:00:33 +0000

When you first buy a new smartphone or tablet, thinking about installing an app that backs up things like apps, photos, texts, and other information is recommended. Since many new users aren't 100% familiar with the inner workings of a smartphone operating system and how it handles your phone's data, 3rd party apps that automate processes like backing up are a great idea. In this mini-tutorial, we'll tackle the benefits of backing up and some of the apps worth a look.

App Backups

As a new user to Android, there may be times when you need to backup your apps, however, with the most recent versions of Android getting more advanced and a Google Play store that continues to evolve, it has become less and less important. For novice users, backing up can be good when you need to keep older versions of apps that are no longer available or because you think Google's automated backup system from Google Play doesn't work all that well. Thankfully, with apps being attached to your account for life, it's not necessary to worry about always backing up apps unless you become an advanced user and root (gain system access) your phone. At that point, you can make full backups of apps that contain your user data and settings, something that can't be done by normal non-root access. Basically, what I'm saying is that for new users, app backups aren't all that important. If you have to factory reset your phone or uninstall an app, you can simply load the Google Play store back up and re-install the app, if Google doesn't do it automatically for you. The only problem here, is that you lose all of the data from the previously installed version. That's when having root access can be beneficial, as you can backup user data and restore it. But you will rarely have to worry about not being able to install an app again. I know this tutorial is about backing up apps, but again, it's not something you really need to worry about unless you become a power user that is constantly factory resetting your phone.

Photos, Texts, and Other Info

On the flip side of backups, I would say that it is important to backup your photos, text messages, call logs, and other info. This information, if deleted during a factory reset or lost because you changed phones, might be missed. There are a number of apps that will store this info in the cloud so that it can be accessed from anywhere in the world, or on your phone's microSD card for safe keeping. Two of the most popular are apps called My Backup Pro and Ultimate Backup, both of which allow you to back up all of your personal data (photos, texts, etc.), store it on device or in the cloud (recommended), in a file that can be restored from any device. They are simple to use, can be automated to do it regularly, and only cost a couple of dollars. Free options like Dropbox are what I personally use for things like photos, however, they aren't as automated and are more of a storage locker than anything. The best part, though, is the fact that Dropbox is easily accessed from PC browser to tablet to phone. There are also options for advanced users that are more of a file manager than anything, or if you decide to root your phone, you can have even more control. Most of the apps I've laid out are super simple to use, and that's on purpose. No one wants to have to worry about backups, so feel free to check out the couple of options we have included below and decide which you like the best. Most of them have free or trial options, giving you the time to find your favorite.

Cloud Backups

One thing that I definitely recommend, is using an option that can store your personal info in the cloud, so that if you lose your device, it's stolen, or you change to something new, you can pull back your data with ease. Storing information on local drives has become a thing of the past, especially since many of us tend to carry around multiple devices that all need access to the same data.

Contacts

There is no need to backup your contacts with an app or 3rd party service (like Verizon's Backup Assistant). Google automatically backs up, updates, and restores your contacts, calendar, and Gmail once you login to your phone with your Google account. Using 3rd party apps only makes the situation a mess, often times creating doubles of contacts. Options: Ultimate Backup| Astro File Manager | Titanium Backup (root) | My Backup Pro | Dropbox

Presented by Norton 360™ Multi-Device. Protect your new computers, smartphones, and tablets with Norton 360™ Multi-Device.

Pebble: First Batch of Smartwatches to Ship to Backers on January 23

Tim — Wed, 09 Jan 2013 10:55:52 +0000

We just got out of Pebble's press event and came away with a bit of info that will certainly be good for anyone who backed the company through Kickstarter many moons ago. The company announced that production, while meeting some hiccups, has gone well and the first batch of smartwatches will be shipped on the 23rd of January. Going further, Pebble hopes to have the watches fully shipped to all backers within 6 to 8 weeks. Other than that, they announced a couple new colors (orange and grey), and that's about it. Like I mentioned, this event was pretty much directed towards backers on Kickstater. If you are new to Pebble and want to learn more and maybe buy one for about $150, you can check them out here on their site.

Samsung Announces Eight-Core Exynos 5 Octa Chip

Tim — Wed, 09 Jan 2013 10:13:38 +0000

This morning at Samsung's keynote, the tech giant dropped news on their newest rendition of the popular Exynos 5 processor. The new chip pairs a set of quad-core chips, giving users superior performance and better battery life. The Exynos 5 Octa chip is being based on the ARM big.LITTLE / Cortex A15 architecture, with Samsung claiming two times the performance in tests with 3D gaming compared to anything else on the market. So, what phone will sport the new Octa chip? Could we hope to see it in the Galaxy S4 sometime later this year? No word yet on availability from Samsung, but it's definitely an exciting time for mobile processors given we have new chips from NVIDIA, Qualcomm, and now Samsung. Via: Engadget

Watch Pebble's E-paper Watch CES Press Event Live [CES 2013]

Kellen — Wed, 09 Jan 2013 08:29:08 +0000

While Samsung is on the main stage this morning doing its keynote thing, another company is doing a press event that might actually be worth a look. Remember Pebble, the e-paper smartwatch company that took Kickstarter by storm earlier this year, amassing a whopping $10 million in funding? Their CEO plans to show off the watch and all of its features before finishing things off with a Q&A session. You can watch the event live at 9:00AM Pacific through the embed we have included below. Since the watch is still months from shipping, this should tide you over until that happens.

Verizon Starts 2013 With 473 4G LTE Markets, Will Match 3G Network by End of Year

Kellen — Wed, 09 Jan 2013 08:05:30 +0000

Verizon's 4G LTE is big - and it's still growing. As has been reported ad nauseam, their plan is to match the size of their 3G network with 4G LTE. The original scheduled targeted the end of 2013 for this milestone, but thanks to a fast rollout, they should accomplish that task 6 months early. In a press release that was sent out this morning, Verizon bragged up their current status and roadmap for the next 12 months. To start 2013, Big Red has 473 4G LTE markets which cover 273.5 million potential customers. At its current state, the new LTE network covers 89% of their 3G areas, and will reach almost all of it by mid-2013. At the end of the year, they will indeed have LTE everywhere that currently has Verizon's 3G service. That's impressive, to say the least. It seemed like just yesterday that most of us were reading each new list of fresh markets with excitement, hoping that we were next. Now, it's smaller markets or areas that are being extended to. It's awesome. 4G LTE everywhere you go. Via: Verizon

Live From Verizon Keynote [CES 2013]

Tim — Tue, 08 Jan 2013 16:10:37 +0000

It's time for Verizon's keynote here at the 2013 CES. Big Red's CEO, Lowell McAdam is in the house and we are looking very forward to him talking up his company's growth over the past year and everything they are looking forward to in 2013. We are live blogging the keynote and will be adding in our color commentary along the way. Let's have some fun!

Dish Network Outbids Sprint to Buy Out Majority Share of Clearwire

Eric — Tue, 08 Jan 2013 15:23:46 +0000

Sprint and Clearwire have been working together for a while and had their share of drama in the past. Clearwire has been helping Sprint with their build out of Sprint's LTE network. Today however, a new player has stepped in between the two. Dish Network, who we've all heard is in cahoots with Google to make their own wireless network, has outbid Sprint for a majority share in Clearwire.

Dish Network's bid would give Clearwire 11% more cash than Sprint's would. Sprint is obviously not pleased and says that Dish's bid is "inferior" to theirs. Both companies would greatly benefit from the purchase of the company, Sprint needing Clearwire for their LTE rollout and Dish would might be one step closer to Google and their own spectrum. We'll be sure to keep you updated on how this deal shakes out over the next few days.

Via: NYT

Tuesday Poll: Will You Buy NVIDIA's Project SHIELD?

Tim — Tue, 08 Jan 2013 14:53:55 +0000

On Sunday evening, NVIDIA made the largest splash of CES with the unveiling of Project SHIELD, a cloud based mobile gaming system that allows users to play PC titles right on the device. NVIDIA has worked years on creating the infrastructure and hardware of SHIELD, but some are still unconvinced that the device could become largely successful. The reason for this apparent doubt is that NVIDIA has yet to announce any type of pricing for the device, which people have guessed could cost anywhere from $199 all the way to even $499 and beyond. From the few hands-on reviews we have seen so far of the device, the hardware seems to be of utmost quality, making some other Android-powered gaming systems look rather cheap and plasticy. The speakers are loud, the display is clear and bright, and all of the buttons and triggers seem to be what you would expect on any top console gaming system (Xbox 360, PS3) on the market today. So, without knowing how much it is, would you buy one? Feel free to let us know the price point you are hoping NVIDIA can meet in order for you to be interested in the device. [poll id="229"]

Video: Hands-on With NVIDIA's Grid Gaming System on a Nexus 7 [CES 2013]

Kellen — Tue, 08 Jan 2013 14:50:45 +0000

Outside of NVIDIA's Project Shield gaming system and the Tegra 4, their other CES announcement of Grid Cloud Gaming might be equally as impressive. With their new Grid servers, NVIDIA is taking PC-quality gaming and pushing it to any screen in the world, including mobile devices like smartphones and tablets. These Grid servers have specialized hardware and sophisticated streaming and virtualization software, that simultaneously delivers up to 36-times more HD-quality game streams than first-gen cloud-gaming systems. It's also supposed to reduce lag, something that everyone should be worried about when considering a cloud gaming system. To learn all of the dirty details inside Grid, hit up NVIDIA's site.

We had a chance to take Grid for a spin today at NVIDIA's CES booth. Our video footage is below, but overall, Tim (our resident gamer) came away mostly impressed. He experienced a bit of lag with Need for Speed, but on games like Battlefield 3, it was pretty on point. If this is the true future of gaming, count us in as part of the "excited" group.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=esj4c2REhuM[/youtube]

NVIDIA is Making Project SHIELD a "Truly Great Piece of Hardware"

Eric — Tue, 08 Jan 2013 13:20:00 +0000

Free-to-play may be all the rage right now, but NVIDIA doesn't want that to mean that their new Project SHIELD will be anything cheap or cheaply made. SHIELD will carry all sorts of games on its platform, from free-to-play all the way up to triple A blockbusters from big name development companies.

NVIDIA wants to do something special with their new project, but doesn't want people to think that open operating system and open game selection will mean this will be a lower quality device. They don't want to be razor or printer companies who only profit on the sales of razor blades and printer ink to make their money. NVIDIA is planning on making an awesome handheld, "one that fits comfortably in your hand, delights your eyes and blows out your ears." Don't expect this piece of hardware to be on the cheap end of anyone's budget when it launches.

Via: NVIDIA

Verizon Could Follow T-Mobile's Lead by Ending Carrier Phone Subsidies

Eric — Tue, 08 Jan 2013 13:00:33 +0000

T-Mobile for the past month has been kicking around the long-held idea that the carriers should discount the price of mobile devices on their network. Subsidies like this make our phones cost less and the carriers bank on making their profit in the monthly contracts afterwards. T-Mo is planning on getting rid of these plans in 2013 and move towards other plans that they say will save customers money in the long run. Verizon and AT&T are understandably very curious how this experiment will go down.

Verizon CEO Lowell McAdam was quoted at CES this week saying that these subsidy-free plans would be a "great thing," and that Big Red could move to those types of plans "very quickly" if the customers wanted it. AT&T's Mobility Chief Executive Ralph de la Vega said more of the same, but doesn't think that people are ready to pay for phones full price at the moment.

It's no secret that the big carriers would love to make more money off the fancy new devices and phones that they sell, but it sounds like they won't move towards them if the customers aren't ready for it. And the switch to this new type of plan would most likely change us from the "new every two" contracts, but don't believe that the carriers won't get their cut.

Do you want to do away with carrier subsidies? What would you like to see them do instead?

Via: WSJ

Video: Hands-on With the Sony Xperia Z [CES 2013]

Tim — Tue, 08 Jan 2013 12:45:42 +0000

Last night, Sony announced the Xperia Z, a device that at first didn't seem like it would be all that intriguing considering the history of Xperia devices. Previously, the phones did feature some high-end specs and hardware, but since the phones never fared well with consumers and weren't available on a range of carriers, they are sometimes forgotten. Well, it could be safe to say that might change with the new Xperia lineup. The Xperia Z features a 5" 1080p Reality Display, complete with 443ppi. It is powered by the Snapdragon S4 Pro processor, features 2GB of RAM and an amazing 13MP back-facing camera. What struck a chord with me was the overall build of the device - slim, sleek, gorgeous display, and that interesting physical power key on the side of the device. Overall, Kellen and myself are hoping it somehow magically finds its way to Verizon, but pricing and availability are still unknown. Check out our full hands-on with the device and the waterproof test down below. [youtube]http://youtu.be/mP6f4HbBHOk[/youtube] [youtube]http://youtu.be/t7X5qAgirGo[/youtube]

Video: Quick Look at the Verizon Samsung Galaxy Note 10.1 With LTE [CES 2013]

Kellen — Tue, 08 Jan 2013 12:30:21 +0000

Holy logo! Soooo, we spent a couple of minutes with the Samsung Galaxy Note 10.1 that was announced yesterday for Verizon. You can tell in the video that I'm struggling to come up highlights (or mystified by the 4G LTE logo on the back), and that's because this device has been out for quite some time already as a WiFi-only tablet. This version simply has a 4G LTE - the only difference. Inside, though, you'll find a 1.4GHz quad-core processor, rear and front cameras (5MP and 1.9MP), an HD 10.1" display, and Samsung's TouchWiz tablet UI. As with the Note 2, the Note 10.1 utilizes the S Pen and its powerful processor to allow you to multi-task and be more productive. At launch, it'll have Jelly Bean, we just don't know exactly when that launch will be. [youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QBwcqFwZSFQ[/youtube]

Video: Hands-on With the ARCHOS GamePad [CES 2013]

Tim — Tue, 08 Jan 2013 12:20:16 +0000

We just got done hanging with the ARCHOS crew here at CES, and while we were there, we were able to go hands-on with the brand spanking new GamePad. The device sports built-in buttons, triggers, and toggles, all dedicated for gaming centered around a semi-okay display with a resolution of 1024 x 600. The hybrid device is powered by a dual-core processor, quad-core GPU, 1GB of RAM, and 8GB of on-board memory which is expandable. It is now available here in the U.S. for the price of $169, which is actually quite reasonable, given ARCHOS even built their own key mapping software that works like a charm. All in all, it is a neat little device that kids would probably go crazy for. The toggles were a bit cheap feeling and the display isn't close to HD, but it meets a very low price point that Project SHIELD from NVIDIA will likely come no where near. Check out our hands-on with the GamePad down below. [youtube]http://youtu.be/JjwphhKXv1Y[/youtube]

Video: Hands-on With the Sony Xperia ZL [CES 2013]

Kellen — Tue, 08 Jan 2013 12:00:46 +0000

Last night during their CES press event, Sony announced two new phones, the Xperia Z and Xperia ZL. Both are extremely high-end phones, sporting 5" 1080p displays and quad-core processors, however, they differ slightly in form factor. I spent a couple of minutes with the Xperia ZL, the slightly smaller of the two, but came away more impressed because of that lesser bulk. The frame and body are small enough that the entire front of the phone is almost all display - gorgeous 443ppi display. It flies thanks to the Snapdragon S4 Pro and 2GB RAM. The custom UI that Sony has been tweaking over the years is actually pretty fluid and fine-tuned. And the camera at 13MP with an Exmor RS sensor is insanely good. Both the Z and ZL will launch in Q1 of this year. The Z will launch globally and the ZL will only hit select markets. For the first time in years, I will admit that I'm impressed by a Sony phone. Check out video of the device below.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AWHza37LDwA[/youtube]

The Show Floor is Open...It's CES 2013 Time

Kellen — Tue, 08 Jan 2013 10:10:07 +0000

And here go! CES 2013 has officially begun. Well, the show floor portion that is. Tim and I are on the ground ready to see what kind of tech mischief we can get into. Stick with us!

Qualcomm Announces Next-gen 800 and 600 Mobile Processors, Up to 75% Better Performance

Kellen — Tue, 08 Jan 2013 08:42:39 +0000

Only a day after NVIDIA announced its new Tegra 4 processor and impressed the mobile industry, Qualcomm took the stage at the opening keynote of CES to announce their own new line of mobile chipsets. Mobile fans, please welcome in the Snapdragon 800, 600, 400, and 200. The Snapdragon 800 and 600 are the focus for us, as both are considered high-end for the mobile space. The 800 runs new Krait 400 architecture that can deliver up to 75% better performance over the Snapdragon S4 at 2.3GHz per core. Think about that for a second - it's 75% better than the processor that is still currently blowing our minds. It also sports a new Adreno 330 GPU which can produce 2x the performance of the S4's Adreno 320 GPU. Last, the 800 is ultra-efficient when it comes to battery life and supports 4K video recording. The Snapdragon 600 is also targeted at high-end mobile phones, but sports slightly different specs. It rocks out with new Krait 300 cores at speeds up to 1.9GHz per core, a new speed enhanced Adreno 320 GPU, and delivers up to 40% better performance than current Snapdragon S4 processors at lower power. The 800 will arrive by mid-2013 after they finish sampling. The 600 should be in commercial devices by Q2 of this year.

Qualcomm Announces Next Generation Snapdragon Premium Mobile Processors

New Snapdragon 800 and 600 Processors Represent a Significant Performance Leap For High-End Mobile Computing Devices

LAS VEGAS – January 07, 2013 – Qualcomm Incorporated (NASDAQ: QCOM) today announced that its wholly owned subsidiary, Qualcomm Technologies, Inc., is sampling the first products in its latest generation of processors. With the introduction of its newest Qualcomm Snapdragon^™ 800 and 600 processors, Qualcomm continues to lead the industry by once again raising the bar on performance per watt and delivering unparalleled user experiences. The new Qualcomm Snapdragon 800 processors target premium mobile and computing devices. They are designed to deliver outstanding overall user experience, expand the possibilities of seamless connected computing and enable brand new mobile experiences while maintaining industry-leading battery performance:

The Qualcomm Snapdragon 800 processors will deliver up to 75 percent better performance than the Qualcomm Snapdragon S4 Pro processor and the move to 28nm High Performance for mobile (HPm) technology node ensures exceptionally low power

New Krait 400 CPU in quad configuration, with speeds of up to 2.3 GHz per core offers best-in-class performance per watt, so processor performance can hold up to the more demanding processing and communication requirements of premium mobile devices

Additionally, asynchronous SMP architecture provides dynamic power sensing and control for peak performance per core, while extending battery life without the use of specialized cores

New Adreno 330 GPU delivers more than 2x performance for compute applications over the current Adreno 320 GPU

2x32bit LP-DDR3 at 800MHz with industry-leading memory bandwidth of 12.8GBps

New Hexagon DSP V5 delivers floating point support, dynamic multithreading and expanded multimedia instructions for enhanced low power performance

New IZat™ location technology combines multiple tracking systems into a single high performance, highly accurate navigation platform for auto and pedestrian applications

Seamless communications anytime, anywhere: Qualcomm Snapdragon 800 processors offer fully integrated connectivity and a wide variety of communication options.

Third generation 4G LTE modem with data rates up to 150 Mbps (Category 4), fully integrated in the new Qualcomm Snapdragon 800 processors

4G LTE Advanced Carrier Aggregation feature to maximize radio frequency bandwidth

World multimode and multi-band support using wafer level package (WTR1605)

Integrated newest generation mobile Wi-Fi connectivity, 802.11ac

Broad connectivity support with integrated USB 3.0, Bluetooth and FM

Breakthrough multimedia experiences: The Qualcomm Snapdragon 800 processors also introduce the very latest mobile experiences.

Capture, playback and display in UltraHD video (with four times 1080p pixel density)

Dual Image Signal Processors (ISP) for Qualcomm Snapdragon Camera with support for computational camera

HD multichannel audio with DTS-HD and Dolby Digital Plus for enhanced audio

Higher display resolutions (up to 2560x2048) and Miracast 1080p HD support

The Qualcomm Snapdragon 800 processors are currently sampling and expected to be available in commercial devices by mid-year 2013. The Qualcomm Snapdragon 600 processor targets high-end mobile devices. The Qualcomm Snapdragon 600 processor is designed to deliver great performance, rich graphics and enhanced user experience and will deliver up to 40 percent better performance than the Qualcomm Snapdragon S4 Pro processor at lower power. The new processor offers system-wide architectural improvements, key component upgrades and expanded connectivity options. The Qualcomm Snapdragon 600 processor features a new Krait 300 quad-core CPU with speeds up to 1.9GHz, a new speed enhanced Adreno 320 GPU and support for LPDDR3 memory. The Qualcomm Snapdragon 600 processor is sampling now and is expected to be available in commercial devices by second quarter 2013. “With the overwhelming success of our previous Qualcomm Snapdragon platforms, our mobile processors have emerged as the platform of choice for high-end mobile devices,” said Steve Mollenkopf, president and chief operating officer of Qualcomm. “With more than 50 design wins already secured with the first products of the Qualcomm Snapdragon 600 and 800 processors, we are advancing our vision and setting the standard for excellence in mobile computing.” For more information and to see a demonstration of the Qualcomm Snapdragon 800 processors, as well as the newest devices powered by Qualcomm Snapdragon processors, please visit Qualcomm during CES 2013(South Hall 3, Upper Level, Booth #30313), Jan. 8-11 in Las Vegas or visit www.qualcomm.com/snapdragon. About Qualcomm Incorporated Qualcomm Incorporated (NASDAQ: QCOM) is the world leader in 3G, 4G and next-generation wireless technologies. Qualcomm Incorporated includes Qualcomm’s licensing business, QTL, and the vast majority of its patent portfolio. Qualcomm Technologies, Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of Qualcomm Incorporated, operates, along with its subsidiaries, substantially all of Qualcomm’s engineering, research and development functions, and substantially all of its products and services businesses, including its semiconductor business, QCT. For more than 25 years, Qualcomm ideas and inventions have driven the evolution of digital communications, linking people everywhere more closely to information, entertainment and each other. For more information, visitQualcomm’s website, OnQ blog, Twitter and Facebook pages. Except for the historical information contained herein, this news release contains forward-looking statements that are subject to risks and uncertainties, including the Company’s ability to successfully design and have manufactured significant quantities of Qualcomm Snapdragon 600 and Snapdragon 800 processors on a timely and profitable basis, the extent and speed to which the Snapdragon platform is adopted, change in economic conditions of the various markets the Company serves, as well as the other risks detailed from time to time in the Company’s SEC reports, including the report on Form 10-K for the year ended September 30, 2012, and most recent Form 10-Q.

Video: Hands-on With the 6.1-inch Huawei Ascend Mate and Ascend D2 [CES 2013]

Kellen — Tue, 08 Jan 2013 08:08:10 +0000

One of our press stops last night included PepCom, a convention staple that always features many of the latest tech gadgetry from your favorite tech companies. It's usually outside of whatever convention is going on, but it always pulls in great talent. While a couple of companies weren't showing off their freshly announced phones and were saving them for the show floor, Huawei was one that had everything on hand. So since we didn't have time to go full hands-on with their Ascend Mate and Ascend D2, we took a minute to do just that at Pepcom.

Ascend Mate

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=950S_TTOyv4[/youtube]

Ascend D2

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bnHXjeSk9hY[/youtube]

Samsung Galaxy Note 10.1 With 4G LTE to Hit Verizon "This Month"

Tim — Mon, 07 Jan 2013 16:40:08 +0000

At today's Samsung press event, the company announced that this month Verizon will receive the Galaxy Note 10.1 complete with 4G LTE connectivity and Jelly Bean. The Note 10.1 isn't anything new, but for anyone who does pick this new variant up, you will be able to utilize Samsung's full premium suite of applications, plus the benefits of 4G LTE. The tablet features a 1280 x 800 10.1" display, 1.4GHz quad-core processor, Jelly Bean, S-Pen, a 5MP back-facing camera, along with a 1.9MP front-facing shooter. As far as release dates, we only have "this month," so if you plan on picking one up, we will keep you posted once we have an official date. If you have seen reviews of the device, you might already know it's not the most highly praised Android tablet at all, but if you're bought into Sammy's app eco-system, it isn't a bad choice. Does this tablet interest you?

SAMSUNG MOBILE UNVEILS 4G LTE-ENABLED SAMSUNG GALAXY NOTE™ 10.1 wITH VERIZON WIRELESS

Portable, lightweight tablet offers true multitasking, interactive entertainment and creative capabilities with LTE connectivity
LAS VEGAS, NV – January 7, 2013 – From the 2013 International Consumer Electronics Show (CES), Samsung Telecommunications America (Samsung Mobile), the No. 1 mobile phone provider in the United States and the No. 1 smartphone provider worldwide¹, today announced the Samsung Galaxy Note™ 10.1 will be available on the Verizon Wireless 4G LTE Mobile Broadband network in the coming weeks. The Galaxy Note 10.1 optimizes productivity with multiscreen viewing and advanced S Pen functionality, offers entertainment features at home and on-the-go, and allows for creativity through S Pen-specific applications. MULTITASKING & PRODUCTIVITY The Galaxy Note 10.1 is the ideal tool to be more efficient. The multiscreen feature on the Galaxy Note 10.1 gives users the ability to effortlessly utilize two different applications side-by-side simultaneously for true and easy multitasking. Users can view Web pages or videos, or launch other applications while writing or sketching ideas with the S Pen on the other half of the screen without having to toggle back and forth between apps. Polaris® Office provides robust word processing, spreadsheet and presentation capabilities on the Galaxy Note 10.1, and the S Pen support makes it a snap to mark up and annotate documents. Additionally, the Galaxy Note 10.1 is available with Kno education software available for K-12 and high education students. The e-textbook software allows Galaxy Note 10.1 users to download thousands of interactive textbooks. ENTERTAINMENT The Galaxy Note 10.1 is also the perfect living room companion. The Galaxy Note 10.1 features Samsung Smart Remote, which transforms the device into a universal remote control that can control an entire home entertainment system and even recommend programs. With Smart Remote, users can easily discover new TV shows and movies, and change the channel directly from the tablet. The Galaxy Note 10.1 carries over several features first introduced on the Samsung Galaxy S III smartphone, including:

AllShare® Play enables users to seamlessly pass content from the Galaxy Note 10.1 to other Samsung devices. AllShare Play automatically notifies the Galaxy Note 10.1 of other devices on the same network that are ready to receive video files (Samsung HDTVs, mobile tablets, laptops and other consumer electronic devices).Users can also remotely access files from devices on other networks.

Pop up Play – Galaxy Note 10.1 users can watch side-loaded video content while operating any application in full-screen, background view at the same time, providing a “picture in picture” experience.

Group Cast allows users to share and collaborate on documents, presentations or images in real-time with multiple friends or co-workers without loading the file separately.

CREATIVITY Creativity is taken to a new level with the intuitive S Pen that boasts 1,024 levels of pressure sensitivity. The S Pen is embedded directly into a slot in the Galaxy Note 10.1, which activates a taskbar with quick access to optimized S Pen apps such as S Note™, Adobe® Photoshop® Touch, Polaris Office and Kno. The S Note application on the Galaxy Note 10.1 gives users the ability to combine notes and sketches with other digital content in ready-to-use templates. S Note also features productivity tools such as Shape Match, which converts hand-drawn shapes into perfect versions instantly, and Formula Match, which translates hand-written formulas into type and solves them with the Wolfram Alpha search engine. Preloaded with Adobe Photoshop Touch, Galaxy Note 10.1 users can utilize popular Photoshop Touch features such as layers, selection tools, adjustments and filters to customize and edit images, remove people or objects from a photo, or blend two photos together. Photoshop Touch is integrated with Adobe Creative Cloud that gives users free access to file syncing and sharing features and 2 GB of storage space. User’s files can be synched to the Creative Cloud and opened in Photoshop Touch on the desktop or online for further refinement. HARDWARE PERFORMANCE & CONNECTIVITY The Galaxy Note 10.1 boasts a brilliant touchscreen display, allowing customers to watch movies, view pictures and play games that come to life in high-definition (1280x800). The Galaxy Note 10.1 runs on the Android™ 4.1 operating system and is equipped with a 1.4 GHz quad-core processor that allows users to surf the internet at blazing speeds using the Verizon Wireless 4G LTE network. Measuring just 8.9 millimeters thin (less than half an inch) the Galaxy Note 10.1 weighs only 597 grams (roughly 21 oz.), making this tablet one of the most portable, premium and stylish tablets available. The device also includes a 5-megapixel main camera and a 1.9-megapixel front-facing camera. ENTERPRISE READY The Galaxy Note 10.1 is enterprise-ready and SAFE™ (Samsung for Enterprise) out of the box, meaning that enterprises across multiple industries can fully utilize these phones for business, including emerging Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) programs. Samsung SAFE smartphones and tablets provide stronger security to corporate employees using IT policy management through Microsoft Exchange ActiveSync (EAS), top-tier, multi-vendor Mobile Device Management (MDM) and Virtual Private Network (VPN) support, as well as on device encryption (ODE). In addition, it provides the most extensive Software Development Kit (SDK) to Solution Partners, which allows them to develop differentiated solutions on Samsung devices. This security-oriented SDK support applies to horizontal and various vertical solutions.

Watch Sony's CES Booth Press Event Live [CES 2013]

Kellen — Mon, 07 Jan 2013 16:25:09 +0000

At 5:00PM Pacific, Sony will unveil all of their latest gadgets at their CES booth in the Las Vegas Convention Center. They were kinda enough to include a live video stream for those not at the show, and the rest of us not willing to take the extra long trip from Mandalay Bay's press day to the LVCC. Most of us are expecting them to announce the two new Xperia devices - the Z and the Z's brother. Both should have 1080p displays, quad-core Snapdragon S4 processors, 2GB RAM, advanced 13MP cameras, and Jelly Bean. Once announced, we should have a chance to get our hands on them, so if Sony has grabbed your attention during the last month of leaks, get ready for some action.

Huawei Announces the 6.1-inch Ascend Mate and the 5-inch 1080p Ascend D2

Kellen — Mon, 07 Jan 2013 16:06:57 +0000

Earlier this afternoon, Huawei took the stage for their CES 2013 press event and left after announcing the biggest phone-tablet hybrid device to date, the Ascend Mate, along with the Ascend D2, a device they are calling the "most powerful." Both devices mark somewhat of a new start for Huawei, or rather, a move towards the main stream. We aren't sure how consumers will accept this Chinese company, but with the work they have done with these two phones, people should at least give them a look.

Ascend Mate

This phone, is freakin' huge. I hand a chance to fondle it before the press event started and came away somewhat impressed. While I still can't do a phone this big, the build quality felt nice, it was incredibly light for having such a massive battery, and the screen was big, beautiful and responsive. On a spec front, you are looking at Huawei's own 1.5GHz quad-core processor (at least I think it's theirs), 8MP camera, 6.1" HD display (720p), 4050mAh battery, Android 4.1, and a body that measures 6.5mm at its slimmest point. [nggallery id=41] Huawei claims to have done a bunch of work on efficiency so that your battery will last forever. Without having tested the phones for an extended period of time, it's tough to tell what to expect. They also showed off their screen tech, which allows you to touch the display with a glove or other object and still interact with it.

Ascend D2

While I included the Ascend Mate and its big bad self first, the Ascend D2 is what Huawei considers their flagship. It sports a 5" 1080p display (443ppi), Huawei's own 1.5GHz quad-core processor, 13MP camera, 3000mAh battery, and is said to be the "most powerful," whatever that means. The D2 looks slick, but I did not have a chance to play with it as I had to leave the event to go kick it with Samsung. We'll have time later to jump on both devices, however, both appear to be headed to China and may never reach our shores. Well, unless Cricket allows them in (bad joke!).

Live: Samsung Keynote [CES 2013]

Kellen — Mon, 07 Jan 2013 14:05:52 +0000

We're live from Samsung's CES press event!

Watch Intel's Live Press Event at CES 2013

Kellen — Mon, 07 Jan 2013 13:05:41 +0000

While Kellex is busy at Huawei and I sit in this massive line for Samsung's press event, Intel is holding their event down the hall which we are unable to attend. From what we know, there will be quite a bit of talk on some mobile processors and other goodies that could be mobile related. If you are interested in what Intel has to offer in 2013, feel free to watch the below video from CNET, who will be live streaming the event.

Live: Huawei Press Event [CES 2013]

Kellen — Mon, 07 Jan 2013 12:30:58 +0000

Who is ready for the 6.1" Huawei beast? The Huawei press event for CES starts at 1:00PM Pacific, and has everyone abuzz, though I don't know how positive that noise may be. Is the 6.1" Ascend Mate too big? Does it cross the line of phone-tablet hybrid territory? We'll find out in a few moments. You'll find my solo live blog below, as Tim waits in line for this afternoon's big Samsung event. I'll do my best to keep up as I giggle at the insanity.

Asus Announces the Qube and 18.4-Inch AiO Dual OS Tablet With Tegra 3 [CES 2013]

Kellen — Mon, 07 Jan 2013 11:09:07 +0000

Asus rattled off a barrage of announcements this morning, here at CES, a couple of which are Android related. First we have the Qube, a unique Google TV box that attaches quickly and easily to your HD TV. The only other Android product was a massive 18.4" tablet that boots both Windows 8 and Android. Details on both below.

Asus Qube

The Qube was rumored leading up to CES and is exactly as was expected. It's a standalone Google TV box that connects to your TV. It has a unique "Qube" interface, but the rest is just as any other Google TV device with access to Google Play, Netflix, Chrome, and voice searching. It's expected to be available in "late Q1" of this year.

Asus Transformer AiO

The AiO tablet is an all-in-one Windows 8 PC with a 3rd generation Intel® Core™ processor and NVIDIA® GT 730M graphics, but when removed from its dock, can quickly turn into a massive 18.4" Android tablet, running a Tegra 3 processor. It seems a bit overkill for the everyday user, but it could come in handy for business folks or those who continue to think that no screen is too big. The AiO will be available in Q1 of this year (any day now).

ASUS Transformer AiO — the world’s first all-in-one PC with a detachable tablet
Transformer AiO is the world’s first All-in-One PC with a detachable display that doubles as a standalone tablet for three distinct modes of use. Transformer AiO is a fully featured desktop PC with Windows 8, and is powered by a 3rd generation Intel® Core™ processor with NVIDIA® GT 730M graphics for outstanding multi-tasking and entertainment performance. The 18.4-inch Full HD IPS display delivers brilliant images with 178-degree wide viewing angles for easy enjoyment with friends and family, while ASUS SonicMaster audio technology ensures an immersive listening experience with music, movies and everything in between. With its display detached from the desktop PC Station, Transformer AiO instantly becomes a king-size tablet with two different operating systems to suit different tablet needs. Wireless Remote Desktop technology maintains a high-speed wireless connection to the PC Station for complete remote control of Windows 8 using the multi-touch display. Alternatively, Transformer AiO seamlessly switches into a self-contained Android 4.1 tablet with an NVIDIA® Tegra® 3 quad-core processor at the touch of a button. The integral handle makes it easy to carry the tablet from room to room and a built-in stand keeps the display at the perfect angle for tabletop use.
Qube with Google TV - Bring the world of entertainment to your TV
Instantly add Google TV to your HDTV with the ASUS Qube. Qube with Google TV offers both motion control and voice search that integrates Google Play, Chrome™, YouTube™in one compact device. With access to over 100,000 movies and TV shows* from Netflix and Amazon Instant Video, plus numerous apps, videos and games from Google Play, ASUS Qubewith Google TV is the perfect media content device. ASUS has developed the unique Qube interface, which displays functions via a rotating on-screen cube shape. The advanced remote control supports motion sensing for gaming and other applications. Customers can also control Qube with Google TV from their Android smartphones and tablets using the Mobile Remote app, available through Google Play. ASUS includes 50GB of WebStorage cloud space with every Qube with Google TV. For customers who need a professional-grade monitor to enhance their work, the LED-backlit PA249Q ProArt delivers uncompromising color precision, pre-calibrated at the factory to ∆E <5, the highest accuracy of any screen in its segment. It includes a 16:10 1920 x 1200 IPS panel for superior image quality and viewing angles, with 100% Adobe RGB color reproduction and customizable color adjustment options. Users can modify red, green, blue, cyan, magenta, and yellow hue levels independently, a highly sought-after feature in graphics design. ASUS QuickFit Virtual Scale displays images and documents in their native size on-screen for “what you see is what you get” accuracy. A five-way navigation key provides easier control of display parameters, and customer comfort is enhanced by tilt, swivel, pivot, and height adjustments. The PA249Q includes four USB 3.0 ports to enable connectivity with multiple devices at up to ten times the speed of USB 2.0.

Verizon to Launch Share Everything Plans for Small Businesses on January 24

Kellen — Mon, 07 Jan 2013 10:36:26 +0000

Today, Verizon became the "first carrier to offer shared data plans for business" after announcing that Share Everything for businesses will launch on January 24. These new shared data plans are being sold as a way to manage multiple employee accounts on a much simpler level. Rather than managing individual plans, your company can have one big bucket of data to pull from. The plans are targeting businesses that need accounts with 25 or less employees. There are options for larger companies, but if you fit the 10 to 25 employee mold, you'll be able to choose from three specific plans: 30GB for $225, 40GB for $300, and 50GB for $375. These Share Everything plans also come with the same unlimited talk and text that the consumer plans include.

I don't know about you, but don't these prices seem semi-reasonable when compared to the non-business plans? Say you have 15 employees and go with the 50GB package for $375 - that's over 3GB per user. If each individual had their own separate line with unlimited data at $30 per, you'd hit $450, but without the unlimited talk and text. Also, with consumer Share Everything plans, you see prices starting at $50 for 1GB of data, while if you calculate 50GB from $375 you get a price of $7.50 per GB. Obviously, the price per GB goes down as you up your limit on both consumer and business accounts, but these big 40GB and 50GB plans seem like decent deals depending on the number of employees you plan on attaching. I guess it's good to be a business client of Big Red. Full pricing info can be found at Verizon's site.

Consumer Reports Marks Apple's iPhone 5 the Worst of the Best

Tim — Mon, 07 Jan 2013 10:29:20 +0000

In a recent report, it looks like Apple's iPhone 5 is losing its grip on the everyday consumer. According to Consumer Reports, the iPhone 5 is now listed as the lowest rated top 3 smartphone on each carrier, minus T-Mobile who haven't had the device on their network. Topping the lists are the Samsung Galaxy S3 for T-Mobile, the LG Optimus G for AT&T and Sprint, and the RAZR HD's for Verizon. Crazy enough, the iPhone didn't even make it onto Big Red's list, which is actually quite surprising. How Consumer Reports handle their rating of said devices is unknown to me, but it is great to see Android becoming the forerunner in smartphone operating systems. Android devices have certainly come a very long way in terms of consumer praise and advancements in both software and hardware since the days of iPhone supremacy. Guess it's time to start awaiting the iPhone 5S and the magical features it will wield. Via: Business Insider

Vizio Announces Tegra 4 Powered 10-inch Tablet, Smaller Tegra 3 Slate, and 1080p Phone [CES 2013]

Kellen — Mon, 07 Jan 2013 09:54:31 +0000

Early this morning, Vizio kicked their CES off with a bang by announcing a handful of new products - a 10" tablet powered by the newly announced Tegra 4, a 7" tablet powered by a Tegra 3, a phone with a 5" 1080p display, and another with a 4.7" 720p display. The phones will head to China and may never arrive here, but the tablets certainly have a chance at landing on your coffee table. The 10" tablet will sport a high-res display with a 2560 x 1600 resolution, the previously mentioned Tegra 4, 32GB internal storage, has a soft touch finish on the back, and will run Android 4.2 at launch. The Verge is reporting that the tablet is insanely light, something that can't be said for some of the previously released Android slates. We'll try to get our hands on it once the show floor opens and will report back. The 7" tablet will again, sport a Tegra 3, 1280 x 800 IPS display, 16GB of storage, a 1.2 megapixel front-facing camera, and stock Android Jelly Bean. Many are comparing it to the Nexus 7, and that's probably a fair comparison.

The phones sound fairly appealing, aside from the fact that they are headed to China. The 5" 1080p phone reportedly has one of the best displays you'll see (something we hope to find out later this week). The 4.7" phone won't blow your mind other than its 720p display, but both phones are rocking dual-core processors and plenty of RAM. There was no mention of a price or availability for the tablets other than "first half" of 2013 for the 7-incher. And again, the phones are headed to China. Via: The Verge [2] [3]

MOGA Pro Gaming Controller Announced - Launch Set for Spring, Price TBD [CES 2013]

Tim — Mon, 07 Jan 2013 09:41:39 +0000

Mobile gaming has certainly taken the center stage so far at this year's CES, as MOGA has announced their next line of portable gaming controller. The MOGA Pro Controller is much like the original, that went on that fire sale a couple of weeks back, but brings a few enhancements that should interest any of our mobile game diehards. The Pro features full-sized console-style grips, dual analog sticks, 4 action buttons, directional pad, shoulder bumpers, shoulder triggers, rechargeable batteries, USB charging cable, and a tablet stand. The controller is set to launch in the Spring of 2013 with a price that is to be determined. Anyone here able to get the free one? If so, how are you liking it?

MOGA™ Mobile Gaming System Expands to Include Console-Style MOGA Pro Controller

MOGA Pro Unveiled at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas This Week
Woodinville, WA. – January 7, 2013 – PowerA™ unveils a new addition to the MOGA™ Mobile Gaming System at this year's Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas, January 8-11 -- the console-style MOGA Pro Controller. MOGA Pro is a full-featured mobile game controller that transforms your Android into a mobile gaming system and brings a familiarity console gamers will appreciate. Features of the MOGA Pro include a full-sized console-style grips, precision dual analog sticks, 4 action buttons, a classic directional pad, two shoulder buttons, two shoulder triggers, rechargeable batteries, USB charging cord and a tablet stand. Additionally, MOGA Pro comes with the full support of the MOGA Mobile Gaming System, including wireless Bluetooth synching with Android phones and tablets, the MOGA arm that secures phones up to 3.2 inches wide and the MOGA Pivot App. "The response to our MOGA pocket-sized controller from Android gamers has been fantastic, and we're now excited to give mobile gamers true, console-style control with MOGA Pro," said Eric Bensussen, President of PowerA. "Now more than ever, mobile gamers will feel at home with a traditional controller while playing the huge variety of games available on the MOGA Mobile Gaming System." MOGA Pro will be available in Spring 2013 (price TBD). About MOGA The MOGA Mobile Gaming System combines three key innovations. MOGA controllers are the first state-of-the-art controllers designed specifically for mobile devices. The original MOGA is pocket-sized, streamlined and very portable. The MOGA Pro allows mobile gamers to play with the same familiarity and control schemes that they are used to playing on their console systems. Both controllers connect via Bluetooth® wireless technology, and feature the controls that mobile gamers and developers demand. In addition, the MOGA Software Development Kit (SDK) provides mobile game developers greater precision, robust control and enhanced display abilities while enabling fast, efficient development of rich new game titles and MOGA enhancement of existing titles. Finally, the MOGA™ Pivot App enables gamers to easily browse, find and play a list of MOGA Enhanced Games in one convenient location. MOGA Pivot App is available free via Google Play. The original pocket-sized version of MOGA was released on October 22, 2012 to critical acclaim, and has attracted support from top mobile developers and publishers who want to bring console-like precision and control to their Android phone and tablet-based games. Gameloft, Rockstar, SkyVu Entertainment, MADFINGER Games, Namco Bandai, SEGA, Arb Studios, Vector Unit and other acclaimed publishers have developed MOGA Enhanced blockbuster titles such as Modern Combat 4: Zero Hour, Grand Theft Auto: Vice City, Tiki Kart 3D, NFL Pro 2013, The Dark Knight Rises HD, N.O.V.A. 3, Sonic CD, and Jet Set Radio. New game titles, developers and publishers are coming on board each month. For a complete list of games that support MOGA, visit www.PowerA.com/MOGA. The MOGA system supports Android 2.3 (Gingerbread) and higher mobile devices. The pocket-sized MOGA is now available for an estimated retail price of $49.99 USD at Best Buy, Walmart, Toys"R"Us, Fred Meyer, Gamestop, T-Mobile, AT&T, Verizon and a nationwide network of additional retailers and carrier stores. It is also available through Amazon and PowerA.com. Follow MOGA Facebook: facebook.com/PowerAMobility Twitter: twitter.com/MOGAanywhere YouTube: youtube.com/MOGAanywhere Developers: Contact PowerA at DevInfo@PowerA.com

Watch AT&T's Developer Summit Keynote [CES 2013]

Kellen — Mon, 07 Jan 2013 09:13:59 +0000

We're not there, but you can watch AT&T's Developer Summit CES keynote through the embedded video below. AT&T tends to announce new phones during this summit, so it's worth a watch. They already announced the uber-affordable Pantech Discover, if a budget-friendly Android device is on your radar.

Samsung Q4 Profits to Push $8 Billion, Sell Roughly 500 Smartphones a Minute

Tim — Mon, 07 Jan 2013 08:45:41 +0000

This morning, alleged earnings reports for Samsung's fourth quarter of 2012 were announced, shedding light on the Korean manufacturer's fantastic Q4. According to analysts, Samsung's profits will total somewhere around $8.1 billion, with the company now valued at $230 billion. Compared to 2011's Q4, that is a 65% increase, which immediately reflected in their overseas stock price. More interesting to us is that it is said the company sold somewhere around 500 smartphones every minute, totaling around 63 million. Once Samsung releases their official numbers, they will most likely reflect that 2013 is the year of Samsung. Via: Reuters

HTC Posts Yearly Sales Numbers, Lowest Profit Since 2004

Eric — Mon, 07 Jan 2013 08:20:39 +0000

We all know that HTC has been in a slump for a few months, but analysts expected the launch of the DROID DNA and two Windows 8 phones to turn that slump around. Unfortunately, the sales numbers from the last quarter were not enough to impress anyone with the year-ending financial report. HTC ended up only pulling $1 billion net income out of $60 billion income overall in the last year. The difference between 2011's final numbers and 2012's are quite large, but HTC CEO Peter Chou thinks that the darkest days are over. He said the company would be raising their marketing budget to compete with the likes of Samsung to make sure that 2013's numbers go a little bit better. What would it take to make you choose an HTC device this year? Via: The Verge

Live: LG Press Event [CES 2013]

Kellen — Mon, 07 Jan 2013 07:40:30 +0000

CES press day has begun! We're here at LG's event where we expect a bunch of products to be announced. If we look at past CES press events for LG, we saw everything from TVs to appliances to smartphones. This year should be no different, however, we are hoping that the handful of smartphone-related rumors come true. We would love to see the Optimus G2, a device rumored to have a 5.5" 1080p display and new Snapdragon S4 Prime processor. Beyond that beast, we may also see a device with a 4.7" edge-to-edge display, along with a high-res 7" tablet. The event starts at 8:00AM Pacific. If we find a live stream, we'll be sure to share it, otherwise tune into our liveblog which will have fun-filled photos and commentary.

Samsung Korea Says Galaxy SII Will Receive Jelly Bean OTA Through Samsung Kies

Eric — Mon, 07 Jan 2013 07:18:48 +0000

Before the Galaxy S3 hit the world, the Galaxy S2 was in the business of setting sales records and being the leading Android device of its time. Good news then for those who have yet to make the jump from their S2, Samsung Korea posted a document that details the upgrade from Ice Cream Sandwich to Jelly Bean. Samsung is throwing in some Project Butter and other Jelly Bean Google Apps, but the document makes no mention of Google Now, which is a huge part of Android 4.1.

SamMobile also noted that this update repartitions the phone's system memory during the update and could take upwards of an hour to complete. The update will also need to be pulled from Samsung Kies when it is released, as there are no plans for an OTA at this point. However for those S2 owners out there this is great news, hopefully the update won't be too far away.

Via: SamMobile

Acer Announces $150 7" Jelly Bean Tablet, Wants to Take on the Nexus 7

Eric — Mon, 07 Jan 2013 06:57:41 +0000

Acer was one of the first companies out of the gate to announce a new device during CES. The Iconia B1-A71 is a new 7" tablet that ships with Jelly Bean that isn't meant to take a huge chunk out of your wallet. Packing a 1.2 GHz dual-core processor, 512 MB, WSVGA screen and 8 GB of memory are aimed at keeping the price low.

The device is only $150, but for that price you won't be blowing away anyone with your specs. The only real downside to the B1-A71 is that there isn't a firm date for when we can get our hands on it. We will be sure to keep an ear out however and let you know when it's coming so you can plan for this impulse buy.

Via: Engadget

Swype Beta Now Updates in Real-time With Living Language Crowd-sourcing Tech

Kellen — Mon, 07 Jan 2013 06:14:18 +0000

This morning, Nuance announced a new feature for its Swype Beta keyboard on Android called Living Language. If users choose to opt-in, this new technology, Swype's dictionary will learn in real-time, by enabling crowd-sourced up-to-date words and phrases to appear as options while typing. You'll begin to see trending words and phrases that other Swypers have been using regularly. Along with Living Language, Swype also includes a feature called Smart Editor, which analyzes entire sentences, flagging potential errors that you may not have noticed. To get this latest version of Swype, head over to http://beta.swype.com.

Nuance Unveils Swype Living Language

Nuance Innovates Crowd Sourcing for the Keyboard; Swype Living Language Learns from Users around the Globe

2013 International CES

BURLINGTON, Mass. & LAS VEGAS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nuance Communications Inc. (NASDAQ: NUAN) today announced a further evolution of intuitive and intelligent keyboards with the launch of Swype Living Language. An evolution of the Hotwords technology announced in September, Swype Living Language uses crowdsourcing to analyze new words and phrases in real-time, continuously updating our language dictionaries. “Swype continues to be the best keyboard in the industry, leading the way with innovations that really work and that people really use – and Swype Living Language is yet another example” The Swype keyboard has undergone a rapid transformation in the last year. In addition to integrating the power of Dragon voice recognition, Swype has also been augmented by integrating with personalized, intelligent dictionaries that learn and adapt to the words and phrases that people use most. Now, Swype Living Language allows people who opt-in to share and receive trending words and phrases in real-time, creating an up-to-date, crowd-sourced language model. The result is a predictive input experience that is incredibly simple and fast, with relevant, trending words and phrases supported as you swype, write, speak or tap. Swype now also features Smart Editor, which analyzes an entire sentence, flagging any potential errors for a quick fix and update, including suggesting the most likely alternatives based on contextual analysis. Swype has also expanded dictation capabilities and now supports Dragon Dictation in a dozen new languages including Catalan, Croatian, Czech, Greek, Hebrew, Malay, Romanian, Slovak, Turkish, Thai, Vietnamese, and Ukrainian. “Swype continues to be the best keyboard in the industry, leading the way with innovations that really work and that people really use – and Swype Living Language is yet another example,” said Aaron Sheedy, vice president, text input, Nuance Mobile. “By leveraging the cloud and crowd-sourcing input from around the world, Swype provides users with a device that further humanizes interactions through touch—and changes the way our increasingly dynamic language is learned and used.” Availability Download the Swype Beta for Android to any Android device including those with Swype preloaded, by simply visiting http://beta.swype.com. Nuance’s Swype Living Language keyboard is compatible with the Swype Platform which is available for OEMs supporting the Android Platform as well as via an SDK for other operating systems. Swype is a part of Nuance’s portfolio of voice, touch and natural language understanding innovations that are defining a new generation of intelligent systems and personal assistant technologies, which include Dragon NaturallySpeaking, Dragon Dictate for Mac, Dragon Assistant for Intel-inspired Ultrabooks, Dragon Dictation, Dragon Go!, Dragon Mobile Assistant, Dragon Drive, Dragon TV, Dragon ID, and Dragon Voicemail to Text. With Nuance technology, people experience more humanized interactions with the world’s best phones, tablets, computers, cars, TVs, apps and services from leading manufacturers and operators. To learn more visit www.nuancemobilelife.com. About Nuance Communications, Inc. Nuance Communications, Inc. (NASDAQ: NUAN) is a leading provider of voice and language solutions for businesses and consumers around the world. Its technologies, applications and services make the user experience more compelling by transforming the way people interact with devices and systems. Every day, millions of users and thousands of businesses experience Nuance’s proven applications. For more information, please visit www.nuance.com. Nuance and the Nuance logo are trademarks or registered trademarks of Nuance Communications, Inc. or its subsidiaries in the United States of America and/or other countries. All other company names or product names may be the trademarks of their respective owners.

Video: NVIDIA's Project Shield in the Making

Kellen — Mon, 07 Jan 2013 06:01:59 +0000

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=93L_lo-s5rU[/youtube]

NVIDIA's newly announced Project Shield will likely be the talk of the week here at CES, unless of course, someone else has a massive gaming surprise up their sleeve. With its Tegra 4 processor, 5" HD display, impressive cloud gaming technology, and stock Android operating system, this device is the ultimate mobile gamer's dream. And actually, it may be any gamer's dream device, as it works to create an all-encompassing gaming experience from Android to PC and from handheld device to TV. In this highlight video above, you get to see the barebones side of Project Shield. Depending on price, are you ready to buy one?

NVIDIA Teases Dead Trigger 2 and Real Boxing [CES2013]

Tim — Mon, 07 Jan 2013 00:36:05 +0000

At tonight's NVIDIA event, while showing off their new Project SHIELD, the company gave us a sneak peek at an upcoming release from Madfinger Games, Dead Trigger 2. From what we did see in a short gameplay demo, the game looked pretty intense, but other than that massive zombie you see above, we don't know much else. No release time frame or anything too juicy. They also showed off Real Boxing for Android, which is a realistic boxing simulation game. Naturally, not much else is known for that one either. It is good to know that we have some sweet titles coming down the road soon that we can look forward to. Even better is knowing that we will get play them on Tegra 4 devices sometime this year.

NVIDIA's Project SHIELD, Portable Gaming System for Android and PC Titles [CES 2013]

Tim — Mon, 07 Jan 2013 00:14:43 +0000

This evening, NVIDIA took the stage and announced the all new Tegra 4 processor. Although, it wasn't their new chipset that had everyone excited tonight. NVIDIA CEO, Jen-Hsun Huang announced Project SHIELD (although he did slip and accidentally called it Project Thor at first) which is a completely portable full gaming system that supports Android and PC games thanks to cloud-based services. The system is powered by the all new Tegra 4 processor, sports a 720p 5" display, rocks a superb sound system, and runs stock Android with complete access to Google Play content. To make it even more powerful, along the backside of the device there is full HDMI out, microSD slot, USB port, an audio jack, and on the front there are console quality controls. Huang said this about the newest addition to every Android lovers wishlist:

Project SHIELD was created by NVIDIA engineers who love to game and imagined a new way to play. We were inspired by a vision that the rise of mobile and cloud technologies will free us from our boxes, letting us game anywhere, on any screen. We imagined a device that would do for games what the iPod and Kindle have done for music and books, letting us play in a cool new way. We hope other gamers love SHIELD as much as we do.

What sets this apart from other Android-powered game players is its ability to utilize cloud-based services that NVIDIA has created, to stream real time PC games. During the presentation, we watched the developers stream a title right from Steam to the system, to a 4K LG HDTV, which SHIELD currently supports.

We are still waiting on any type of pricing or availability from NVIDIA, but we are guessing that we can expect launch to take place possibly sometime in Q2 of this year if everything goes well. So, what are your thoughts of Project SHIELD? From what we know so far, how much would you be willing to spend on a gaming device such as this?

NVIDIA Untethers Gaming With Project SHIELD

Gaming Portable for Open Platforms Designed for Gamers to Play When, Where, How They Want
LAS VEGAS, NV--(Marketwire - Jan 7, 2013) - CES -- NVIDIA today announced Project SHIELD, a gaming portable for open platforms, designed for gamers who yearn to play when, where and how they want.

Created with the philosophy that gaming should be open and flexible, Project SHIELD flawlessly plays both Android and PC titles. As a pure Android device, it gives access to any game on Google Play. And as a wireless receiver and controller, it can stream games from a PC powered by NVIDIA® GeForce® GTX GPUs, accessing titles on its STEAM game library from anywhere in the home. "Project SHIELD was created by NVIDIA engineers who love to game and imagined a new way to play," said Jen-Hsun Huang, co-founder and chief executive officer at NVIDIA. "We were inspired by a vision that the rise of mobile and cloud technologies will free us from our boxes, letting us game anywhere, on any screen. We imagined a device that would do for games what the iPod and Kindle have done for music and books, letting us play in a cool new way. We hope other gamers love SHIELD as much as we do." Project SHIELD combines the advanced processing power of NVIDIA Tegra® 4, breakthrough game-speed Wi-Fi technology and stunning HD video and audio built into a console-grade controller. It can be used to play on its own integrated screen or on a big screen, and on the couch or on the go. Tegra 4 at Its Heart At the core of Project SHIELD is the world's fastest mobile processor, the new NVIDIA Tegra 4, which delivers enormous power from its custom 72-core GeForce GPU and the first quad-core application of ARM's most advanced CPU core, the Cortex-A15. These, combined with its battery-saver core and energy-saving PRISM 2 technology, deliver hours of gameplay on a single charge. Windows and Android Games Windows and Android are the world's most successful computing platforms, with massive ecosystems of system and software developers. While not specifically designed for gaming, both open platforms have drawn gamers by the millions. Project SHIELD is designed to allow them to enjoy Android and Windows games in a new, exciting way. Project SHIELD can instantly download Android games, including Android-optimized titles available on NVIDIA's TegraZone™ game store, which has already delivered more than 6 million downloads to gamers. It can also be used as a wireless game receiver to a nearby PC equipped with an NVIDIA GeForce GTX 650 GPU or higher. Console-Grade Controller Project SHIELD's ergonomic controller was built for the gamer who wants ultimate control and precision. Retinal Gaming Display Brilliant gameplay and video are provided by Project SHIELD's integrated 5-inch, 1280x720 HD retinal multitouch display, with 294 dpi. Plus, Tegra 4 with Direct Touch technology gives it touch responsiveness that is a more consistent, accurate and smooth-flowing touch input experience than a standard touch device. Tuned Port, Bass Reflex Portable Speaker System Deep, rich audio is critical for a great gaming experience. And Project SHIELD provides fidelity and dynamic range never before available on a portable device, through its custom, bass reflex, tuned port audio system -- with twice the low-frequency output of high-end laptops. Project SHIELD can also access Android apps such as Hulu, Netflix and Slacker Radio, so users can enjoy their movies and music anywhere without expensive, clumsy wired or wireless speakers. Support by Leading Industry Analyst Patrick Moorhead, president and lead analyst at Moor Insights & Strategy, said: "The market has waited years for a breakthrough gaming device that offers the flexibility, quality and total enjoyment of Project SHIELD. Few companies other than NVIDIA have the vision, guts and deep gaming experience to have pulled this off." Support by Leading Game Developers Yves Guillemot, co-founder and chief executive officer of Ubisoft, said: "Ubisoft is always excited about new hardware developments, and Project SHIELD promises to bring both mobile and PC gamers a great new gaming experience. Seeing the PC version of Assassin's Creed III run on the device is a great example of this, and further strengthens Ubisoft's long-standing relationship with NVIDIA." Mark Rein, vice president and co-founder of Epic Games, said: "With Project SHIELD, NVIDIA brings an uncompromising, high-performance console experience to mobile devices. Amazing games including Real Boxing and Hawken, which utilize the latest Unreal Engine technology, look fantastic on Project SHIELD. This is just the beginning, and we're truly excited to see what more Unreal Engine developers will do with so much horsepower in such a compact gaming device." Bill Wagner, chief production officer at Meteor Entertainment, said: "Coming from the openness of a PC platform, we love how accessible Project SHIELD is, and the flexibility it gives gamers everywhere. Project SHIELD gives us the cutting-edge ability to bring a huge free-to-play PC game like Hawken to the handheld gaming audience." Support by Broader Industry "Shadowgun and Dead Trigger showed how Tegra can redefine mobile gaming on Android. Project SHIELD's performance has allowed us to bring an even better experience with Dead Trigger 2, debuting first on Tegra 4 devices. Our fans are going to love it." - Marek Rabas, chief executive officer of MADFINGER Games "Project SHIELD has changed how we approach mobile game development. Tegra 4 helped us create Bloodsword -- a new game debuting with the highest resolution textures, graphics and shading we've ever seen on a portable device." - Seunghee Do, co-founder at OneQ Soft "We are very excited to be part of Project SHIELD, and are quite amazed by the gaming potential of this device. Project SHIELD is by far the fastest mobile device we've worked on and it lets us put console quality graphics on a handheld device." - Stine Waern, chief executive officer at Ravn Studio AS "Thanks to Project SHIELD's performance, we're able to use the same quality textures and shaders in Rochard as on the PC version. We're super excited to bring Rochard to Project SHIELD, the first time it's ever been playable on a mobile device." - Jan Achrenius, chief executive officer at Recoil Games "Put simply, Project SHIELD is an amazing leap forward, enabling us to create console-quality visuals previously unthinkable on a mobile platform." - Arden Aspinall, chief executive officer and project lead at TickTock Games Ltd. More information is available at shield.nvidia.com.

NVIDIA Announces the Tegra 4 with 72-core GPU, the "World's Fastest Mobile Processor" [CES 2013]

Kellen — Sun, 06 Jan 2013 23:38:26 +0000

When Jen-Hsun Huang, NVIDIA's CEO, took the stage tonight at the Palms Casino for their CES press event (our live blog), he had to admit that the Tegra 4 was one of the worst kept secrets in the mobile industry. Even still, his series of demos with a prototype tablet and Project Shield gaming system, both of which were running the T4, blew the crowd's minds. It's official - the Tegra 4 is the "world's fastest mobile processor." Previously codenamed project "Wayne," the Tegra 4 is built on Cortex-A15 cores, along with a 72-core GPU that produces "record-setting performance and battery life." That performance was put on display tonight when Huang put a T4-powered tablet up against the Nexus 10 in a browser test. The Tegra 4 ran through 25 pages in around 27 seconds, while the N10 took 50 seconds. It's remarkably fast.

Beyond power and efficiency, NVIDIA talked up its camera capabilities, especially when it comes to HDR photos. Using a Tegra 4, users are able to snap HDR photos like never before. The processor actually allows the image sensor to snap two photos simultaneously to create incredible images. Last, the Tegra also supports 4K ultra-high-definition video output and 4G LTE. Huang mentioned that their LTE modems are sampling now, so it sounds like the chip is not quite ready for smartphones. He did, however, show off a preview for Will Smith's new movie "After Earth" in 4K, streaming from the Project Shield device to an LG 4K TV.

No availability was mentioned at all other than parts being sampled. The prototype tablet they showed was actually a Windows tablet running stock Android. It's pretty clear that the T4 is fresh out of development and could take some time before it's ready for prime time. You never know, we may see it in a device at MWC in February, but don't be surprised if it takes a bit longer.

NVIDIA Introduces World's Fastest Mobile Processor

Tegra 4 Features 72 Custom GPU Cores, Quad-Core Cortex-A15 CPU for Superb Performance and Efficiency; LTE Enabled With Optional Chipset
LAS VEGAS, NV--(Marketwire - Jan 7, 2013) - CES -- NVIDIA today introduced NVIDIA® Tegra® 4, the world's fastest mobile processor, with record-setting performance and battery life to flawlessly power smartphones and tablets, gaming devices, auto infotainment and navigation systems, and PCs.

Tegra 4 offers exceptional graphics processing, with lightning-fast web browsing, stunning visuals and new camera capabilities through computational photography. Previously codenamed "Wayne," Tegra 4 features 72 custom NVIDIA GeForce™ GPU cores -- or six times the GPU horsepower of Tegra 3 -- which deliver more realistic gaming experiences and higher resolution displays. It includes the first quad-core application of ARM's most advanced CPU core, the Cortex-A15, which delivers 2.6x faster web browsing and breakthrough performance for apps. Tegra 4 also enables worldwide 4G LTE voice and data support through an optional chipset, the fifth-generation NVIDIA Icera® i500 processor. More efficient and 40 percent the size of conventional modems, i500 delivers four times the processing capability of its predecessor. "Tegra 4 provides enormous processing power and efficiency to power smartphones and tablets, gaming devices, auto systems and PCs," said Phil Carmack, senior vice president of the Tegra business at NVIDIA. "Its new capabilities, particularly in the area of computational photography, will help improve a whole range of existing products and lead to the creation of exciting new ones." Computational Photography Capability Among the Tegra 4 processor's breakthroughs is its Computational Photography Architecture, which automatically delivers high dynamic range (HDR) photos and video by fusing together the processing power of the GPU, CPU and the camera's image-signal processor. Its HDR capability captures images, including those taken with a flash, the way they are seen by the human eye -- with detail in both bright and dark areas. Unprecedented Power Efficiency Designed for maximum energy efficiency, Tegra 4 includes a second-generation battery saver core for low power during standard use, and PRISM 2 Display technology to reduce backlight power while delivering superior visuals. Tegra 4 consumes up to 45 percent less power than its predecessor, Tegra 3, in common use cases. And it enables up to 14 hours of HD video playback on phones. Tegra 4 Key Features

GeForce GPU with 72 custom cores

Quad-core ARM Cortex-A15 CPU, plus a 2^nd Generation Battery Saver Core

Computational Photography Architecture

LTE capability with optional Icera i500 chipset

4K ultra-high-def video support

Useful Links www.nvidia.com/tegra www.tegrazone.com Tags/Keywords NVIDIA, Tegra, tablet, smartphone, mobile, quad core, gaming, GPU, CPU, GeForce, ARM, Cortex-A15, LTE, photo, HDR About NVIDIA NVIDIA (NASDAQ: NVDA) awakened the world to computer graphics when it invented the GPU in 1999. Today, its processors power a broad range of products from smartphones tosupercomputers. NVIDIA's mobile processors are used in cell phones, tablets and auto infotainment systems. PC gamers rely on GPUs to enjoy spectacularly immersive worlds. Professionals use them to create 3D graphics and visual effects in movies and to design everything from golf clubs to jumbo jets. And researchers utilize GPUs to advance the frontiers of science withhigh performance computing. The company has more than 5,000 patents issued, allowed or filed, including ones covering ideas essential to modern computing. For more information, seewww.nvidia.com.

Live: NVIDIA Press Event [CES 2013]

Kellen — Sun, 06 Jan 2013 19:00:38 +0000

Well, here we are at CES 2013. The first of our many press events starts tonight at 8:00PM Pacific and is hosted by NVIDIA, here at Rain Nightclub in The Palms. We really aren't sure what to expect tonight, but NVIDIA always puts on a good show at CES. Any chance we see the Tegra 4? Maybe another ultra cheap tablet? Some other kind of surprise? You'll find a live blog below, but we also have a live video embed of the event so you can watch along with us. Get ready!

Hey, CES 2013 Starts Tonight! And Yep, We're Here to Cover It

Kellen — Sun, 06 Jan 2013 17:37:53 +0000

Yes, folks, it's true - CES 2013 starts tonight. Tim and I are in Vegas, a prime burger and beer deep, ready to start talking about the world of consumer electronics for 12-16 hours per day for the next week. It's a wild time, if you haven't yet experienced a Consumer Electronics Show. There will be live blogs, live blogs, and more live blogs from tonight through the end of tomorrow as the biggest companies in tech take the stage at the show to announce goodies. For those new, Monday at CES is always press day, with the official show floor opening up on Tuesday and closing down some time Friday. Tomorrow (along with one tonight at 8PM Pacific from NVIDIA), we have live press events from LG, Samsung, Huawei, Sony, Netgear, and more. Some of them will be streamed for you to watch along with us - others will require you to smile along with our on-the-fly photo skills and off-the-cuff commentary. Then once Tuesday rolls around, we'll be on the floor for the rest of the week, meeting with companies and doing whatever we can to get our hands on all of the products that were announced on Monday. There will be video, photos, first impressions, bad jokes, and complaints of sore feet. To make sure that you catch it all, be sure to follow us on Twitter (@droid_life), Facebook, and Google+. Subscribing to our feed is never a bad idea either.

Catch the Replay

Kellen — Sat, 05 Jan 2013 00:00:40 +0000

If you missed the live stream of The Droid Life Show this week, then please, don't be too hard on yourself. We record every show, spam them off to podcast sites, make sure they are in two places on YouTube, and usually try to do something like this, as in posting up the most recent episode for easy retrieval. On this week's show, we talked about CES and how Tim and I plan on conquering it. We also cruised through some rumors, like Google and Motorola's "X" phone, the latest from HTC, and whether or not LG will have a lineup of devices for us to see Monday morning. We even dove into the hot topic of crowdfunded console gaming systems that seem to be all the rage these days. It was another solid show, so be sure to check it out!

This Week in the Life of DROID: 1/4/2013

Kellen — Fri, 04 Jan 2013 15:23:59 +0000

Ooohhweee, another week wrapped up here at Droid Life. We dropped episode 11 of the DL Show on you, talked about all sorts of CES rumors, laughed at Galaxy S4 chatter, and will now begin packing our bags for ~~the beginning of the yearly zombie apocalypse~~ Las Vegas. It's been slow on the news front over the last few weeks, so next week's Consumer Electronics Show will be a welcomed change, even if we do hit the airport on the way out of Sin City with the shakes. Did you miss anything, though? Let's give you the top stories of the week:

The Droid Life Show: Episode 11 [Subscribe]
CES rumors: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6
Samsung Lebanon seems to be open to talking about the Galaxy S4
This probably isn't the first render of the Galaxy S4, but take a look anyway
Download: New Swiftkey Flow beta
Another crowdfunded gaming console had a big week - say hello to GameStick
HTC says they suck at marketing, will do better in 2013
HTC's M7 may launch with new version of Sense, sleek black look
We asked you: What ROM are you currently running?
Boy, are we happy these didn't make the final Android mascot cut
Jelly Bean finally on 10% of Android devices
Nexus 4 sales hit the 400K mark
Seeder app claims to drastically reduce device lag

We land in Vegas on Sunday and will be there all week covering CES. Our coverage starts hours after we land, so be sure to hang around the site this weekend. Be safe!

Samsung Lebanon Says "Galaxy S4 won't be released before May 2013"

Kellen — Fri, 04 Jan 2013 15:05:32 +0000

When you want official word from a phone manufacturer on a oft-rumored and not-even-close-to-being-released phone, who do you turn to for insider info? Apparently, the Lebanese Facebook page for the company is a great place to start. According to Samsung Lebanon's FB page, we shouldn't expect the "Galaxy SIV" to be released "before May 2013." And there you have it. Everything confirmed! Name, date...or maybe not. Look, we know the Galaxy S4 is going to be hypebeasted on the daily for the next couple of months, but do we really believe that the social media manager for Samsung Lebanon has all of the details, including a potential release date for the next flagship phone? Not for a damn second. As far as we know, this person is simply operating under the assumption that any semi-intelligent mobile phone pundit would, in that we haven't seen a Galaxy S phone hit stores before May in...well...ever? No matter what, it'll be fun to talk about, but let's not go anywhere near calling this a "confirmation." May certainly sounds great, and logical, though. And hey, how about that fancy render from earlier!

Via: Facebook | SlashGear Cheers ItsASamsung!

GameStick Hits $100K Target in 30 Hours, Announces Support for XBMC and DLNA

Tim — Fri, 04 Jan 2013 14:45:32 +0000

Just a couple of days ago we wrote up that GameStick, an Android-powered portable gaming system, hit Kickstarter looking to help fund their project. In just 30 hours, they topped their $100,000 goal and are on their way to making the next big thing. To celebrate, the company has announced official support for XBMC and DLNA, which will turn your GameStick into an even more powerful tool while plugged into your HDTV. The two features will be pushed to the systems via firmware update sometime in September, but GameStick developers emphasized that the consoles will remain completely hackable. Did you happen to pledge any money for one?

GAMESTICK REACHES KICKSTARTER FUNDING GOAL IN ONLY 30 HOURS

The Most Portable TV Games Console Confirms Support of XBMC And DLNA

GameStick Change Pledge Tiers to offer Developers Even More
London & San Francisco; January 4th, 2013; The team behind the GameStick raised a glass yesterday evening in thanks to the 1000+ Kickstarter backers that pushed them over their $100,000 funding goal in just 30 hours. “The response from the Kickstarter community has been truly overwhelming. We are confident in our product and what we hope it will mean for gaming but we were taken aback at how quickly the message was adopted,” says Anthony Johnson, CMO, PlayJam.“There is no better feeling than having hundreds if not thousands of people endorse your idea.” The team has been busy keeping up with the hundreds of questions and requests that continue to come through the Kickstarter message boards and in response have today announced support for XBMC & DNLA, two of the most sought after features. “While we are shipping as a dedicated games console, we are keen to ensure that users have the ability to hack the device if they so wish and will be providing support for XBMC & DNLA via an optional firmware update in September. We encourage users to hack the device - the time for closed, proprietary systems is ending which bodes well for true innovation”, concluded Johnson. GameStick is described as 'The Most Portable TV games Console Ever Created'. The team behind the project are passionate about accelerating the race to change the face of big screen gaming with a product that will now, as promised, launch in April of this Year. Supporters flooded to the Kickstarter page just moments after the campaign launched and began pledging. The 'Early Bird' pledge tier, giving backers the chance to grab themselves a GameStick at a discounted rate, proved so popular that it sold out in a matter of hours resulting in people moving in droves to the next tier. At the time of writing, the average pledge towards GameStick was $98. Interest from the developer community has been extremely strong with over 300 registrations on the www.gamestick.tv website and a new tier offering early access to the SDK and 30 days premium positioning within the games store having been added for $500. GameStick will feature a purpose-built game store through which users will be able to browse and download content. The proposition will be powered by PlayJam’s existing Games Network for Smart TV which currently supports developers such as Relentless Software, First Star Software, and Disney. To visit the Kickstarter page and pledge your support, please visit: http://kck.st/12SSvMO

Friday Poll: Which Carrier's 4G LTE Do You Use?

Tim — Fri, 04 Jan 2013 14:12:44 +0000

About half a year ago we asked our readers if they currently lived in an area that supported Verizon's 4G LTE network. Out of 10,000+ votes, we found that a whopping 84% of voters did live in a 4G LTE area. For a company whose goal is to cover their entire 3G footprint with LTE by mid-2013, they are on the right track. Today, let us know if you are residing in an LTE market and for which carrier. AT&T has been steadily growing their network to become a strong number 2 here in the U.S., even though they still are no where near the amount of markets Verizon currently supports. And even with Sprint getting their toes wet with LTE now, it would be nice to see what everyone is running currently. [poll id="228"]

Skitch for Android Sees Big Update, Pen and Tool Enhancements

Kellen — Fri, 04 Jan 2013 13:43:27 +0000

The Evernote-owned photo editing tool know as Skitch received a decent update today on Android. First gaining fame as an OSX app, Skitch has easily become my quick-editing app of choice on desktop as well as mobile. It's not advanced whatsoever, but it does allow you to make simple notations, point shiny pink arrows at things, and most importantly, blur out sensitive information on the fly. In today's update, the Pen tool has become "faster, smoother, and more responsive." The Move/Pan tool also got a "clever" new behavior, there is a handy new Hold and Lock feature, a shortcut to the settings menu was added, and tips for newbies will pop-up from time to time. The app remains free. Play Link Via: Evernote Blog

HTC's Peter Chou Blames Poor Marketing for Company Struggles, Vows to Innovate

Kellen — Fri, 04 Jan 2013 12:41:32 +0000

It's no secret that HTC has struggled mightily as a company since 2010, the year they claimed the Android crown. With Apple and Samsung dominating the smartphone world since, HTC has attempted to create innovative products that will turn things back around, but thus far have failed to do so. Even with well-received phones like the One X and DNA in 2012, something has been missing. According to HTC CEO Peter Chou, his company failed to market their products correctly. In an interview with the Wall Street Journal, Chou vowed to win consumers back by developing more innovative products, but also to do more on the marketing front. He admitted that his competitors (Samsung and Apple) were too strong and resourceful, "pouring lots of money into marketing." While they may not have the kind of money that Samsung and Apple have to win the marketing battle, he also hopes that unique products will help make up the difference. Chou mentioned that one thing he learned from last year is to "act fast and be responsive to market changes." What worries me is the fact that HTC has been fairly innovative, and even tossed what seemed like a massive budget at their One Series ads. The One X blew every other phone out of the water when it was announced, with its best-in-class HD display, slim uni-body design, and powerful processor. The DNA also launched with a first for the industry - a 1080p display. Still, HTC has struggled, though their numbers did begin to climb again in Q3. For the sake of the industry, I hope HTC can figure out a way to carve out a decent niche in the smartphone world again. The last thing we want to see is a decade-long battle between Samsung and Apple, with competitors dropping like flies. We love choices. Via: WSJ

Google Play Adds "Free for Print Subscribers" Option for Play Magazines

Tim — Fri, 04 Jan 2013 12:31:31 +0000

For people who actually read magazines on their tablets, this news is huge. Recently, Google has enabled the ability for paper magazine subscribers to transfer their subscriptions to the cloud and read their content right on the slate, if the publisher okays it. Previously, if you subscribed to the physical magazine and wanted to read it on your tablet, Google basically forced you to buy it again, but not anymore. After a simple subscription verification process, you can access what you already pay for. If you ask us, it's about time. To learn more about the new process, check here. Via: Google | Android Police

Facebook Releases Pages Manager for Android, Currently Unavailable for Download Though

Tim — Fri, 04 Jan 2013 11:45:46 +0000

If you currently manage any Pages on Facebook, you have no doubt come to the realization that you are unable to properly care for them through the native Facebook app for Android. That has now changed, kind of. Facebook has released Pages Manager to Google Play, but it is currently unavailable for download. No word from FB when they will be giving it the green light, but we are sure it should be any time now.

Post new updates and photos and respond to comments as your Pages
View and reply to private messages sent to your Page
Get notifications about new activity on your Pages right away
View your latest Pages Insights

Play Link Via: Android Guys

Google TV Announcements Coming Next Week at CES from ASUS, LG, and Sony

Tim — Fri, 04 Jan 2013 11:00:59 +0000

Today, Google has announced through their official Google TV blog that we have lots to look forward to next week at CES. According to the post, we will be seeing the future of the platform, as it will be presented through new hardware from various partners such as ASUS, Sony, LG, Vizio, and more. As to what new hardware we will see, there is nothing set in stone. But of course, you can expect to see coverage of everything new right here starting Sunday. [youtube]http://youtu.be/TNOsB8tRmWU[/youtube] Via: Google TV Blog

HTC M7 to Feature "Simple and Clean" UI and All Black Design?

Tim — Fri, 04 Jan 2013 10:20:07 +0000

According to a source inside HTC that spoke with HTC Source, we now know quite a bit about the M7, although we still don't have any leaked images. Apparently, the M7 may feature Sense 5.0, but it is a very "simple and clean" redesigned interface. Could this be the change that HTC has needed so desperately? On top of that, the source states that there is no aluminum uni-body deign, but it will be more like the DROID DNA - all black with the smooth poly backside. The device will come running Android 4.1.2, but could see an update before release. The next piece of info, which is sort of a downer for some, is that the phone will not have on-screen navigation buttons. CES is in a couple of days. We will possibly know very soon what HTC has in store for us. Via: HTC Source

Archos TV Connect Turns Your HDTV Into an Android Multimedia Center of Sorts

Tim — Fri, 04 Jan 2013 10:00:35 +0000

This week, Archos announced the TV Connect that will be on display at this year's CES. According to Archos' CEO, the TV Connect is a, "bigger, better way to enjoy Android." But, what is it? The TV Connect turns the TV that sits in your living room into an Android tablet of sorts. Think of it as Google TV, but with a tablet interface instead. You control the OS through a large remote that supports multi-touch input and the device is completely licensed by Google, which allows for access to Google Play and all of your favorite applications. Beyond that, the device also comes with a sensor that sits atop the TV (with built-in webcam) for video calling. The device will be at CES next week, so you can expect us to possibly get some hands on with it if we have the time. According to the release, the whole package will sell for $129.99.

Via: The Verge

New Swiftkey Flow Beta Released as Build 4.0.0.61

Kellen — Fri, 04 Jan 2013 09:25:01 +0000

A new Swiftkey Flow beta was just released to the public as version 4.0.0.61. It includes a bunch of performance fixes, allows flowing on tablets in landscape, takes care of memory leaks, improves battery usage, and more. This is the first major update to Flow after its initial launch, so the Swiftkey team was quick to point out that they are still working through a pretty solid bug list. We've included the changelog, a "things to be aware of" section, and the known issues list from Swiftkey. Hit up the break and download it to your phone or tablet! Download version 4.0.0.61: Smartphones | Tablets Changelog:

Flow-through-space autocommit: if you flow-through space but mess up your last word, all the prior words will be inserted (instead of losing all the words)
Flow in landscape on tablets (only in full layout, not in split layout)
Battery usage improved (when flowing and when not in use)
Performance of flowing and tapping improved
Longpress of bottom-right (smiley/enter) button now works
Fixed some force close issues
Fixed some memory leaks
Predictions not lost when changing keyboard layout (e.g to symbols)
Fixed DOuble CApitalization issue

Things to be aware of:

Flowing currently only works in fields where you see the prediction bar: in fields that have their own prediction or completion there is no prediction bar and therefore no Flow (e.g. URL bars, search bars, the “to” field of an email)
Flow-through-space only works in languages where smart space works – in some languages this is turned off because words are often made by combining other words together,and so smart space would divide up words that you want to keep as one. Arabic, Armenian, Azerbaijani, Danish, Dutch, Estonian, Finnish, Georgian, German, Hungarian, Icelandic, Indonesian, Irish, Korean, Malay, Norwegian, Persian (Farsi), Romanian, Swedish, Tagalog, Turkish, Ukranian, Urdu may not work with Flow-through-space
SwiftKey Flow Beta does not currently contain any features that were new in SwiftKey 3.1 (Berry theme, new languages, split layout in landscape for normal-sized devices)
Slide-left-to-delete a whole word does not work when Flowing is enabled – instead try holding down the backspace key to delete word-by-word

Known issues:

Flow trail is sometimes left on the screen at the end of a word
Personalization service continues running when it has finished
Memory usage is still higher than we would like
Flow trail is very faint on some CyanogenMod ROMs
Force closes on Motorola Atrix and LG G2X with custom ROMs >= 4.0
If a language pack is downloaded while typing the keyboard is not refreshed
Predictions are too large on LDPI devices
Predictions occasionally lost when alternately backspacing/spacing at the end of a word
Ukrainian spit layout is broken
Estonian words containing ö are not predicted
Arrow keys do not repeat on longpress

Via: Swiftkey

Nexus 7 Dock Shipping Date Slips Yet Again, Now Set For January 16

Tim — Fri, 04 Jan 2013 09:20:32 +0000

On Wednesday, we updated you on the delayed launch of the official Nexus 7 dock from ASUS, but it looks like we may have more bad news this morning. According to B&H, the date has slipped back yet again, this time to January 16. Grr! Other than waiting another week, nothing else has changed. The price still sits at $39.99. Should we have just expected something like this to happen from the beginning? This could possibly be one of the most frustrating things we as Android users have to deal with in terms of choosing a device maker that actually creates accessories in a timely manner for their consumers. Shall you remain to wait patiently? You don't have much of a choice. Via: B&H Cheers Mike!

Samsung Galaxy S4 Allegedly Makes First Photo Appearance

Kellen — Fri, 04 Jan 2013 08:36:00 +0000

The folks over at SamMobile, a typically on point news outlet when it comes to Samsung news, thinks they have received the first ever photo of the Galaxy S4. Have they? Tough to tell. Though, it does look like one heck of a pretty render for a Samsung-inspired device. Their source, a purported insider, claims to have more pictures, but wouldn't provide any other details. Sure it looks like a Samsung phone, but how many times over the years have we seen a fake render appear months before a phone arrives? We still aren't expecting Samsung to release this phone until May, June or even July, just as they have done with the last two major Galaxy S phones. But who knows, maybe this is just a render and nothing more and is simply a beginning point for what this phone could look like? Who knows. I guess we should probably react to the thought of this potentially being real? Well, the zero bezel around the sides of the display is intriguing. With no physical home button showing, this could mean on-screen navigation buttons or it could mean that the creator of this render was being lazy and forgot that Samsung loves physical home buttons. We see a volume rocker and lock switch in the typical Samsung spots. That's definitely a front facing camera up there with sensors. And yeah, not much else to take away from it. Rumored specs give the device a quad-core Exynos 5450 processor clocked at 2.0GHz, Mali-T658 GPU, 2GB RAM, 5" full HD Super AMOLED display (1080p), 13MP rear camera, and the latest version of Android. Sounds good, if any of it is true. Via: SamMobile

16GB Nexus 7 Back in Stock Through Google Play, Ships in 1-2 Weeks

Tim — Fri, 04 Jan 2013 08:22:41 +0000

Over the holidays, the Nexus 7 in 16GB was quite difficult to come by. Not that it should surprise anybody these days, but it's the best $200 tablet around if you ask us. It has finally become available once again and Google mentions that it "ships soon" aka 1 - 2 weeks. Not bad. You better hurry! Play Link Cheers Cory, Steve, and Danny!

Say Hello to the "Dandroids," the Temporary Original Android Mascot

Kellen — Thu, 03 Jan 2013 15:10:49 +0000

Last night on Google+, Android engineer Dan Morrill shared the four colorful little robotic creatures that I have included in this post, along with their backstory. The short form of the story goes like this - these were the original, yet unofficial Android mascots which were at some point dubbed "Dandroids." While their internal history leaves them some fame, their lives were brief. Dan walked through the entire tale, talking about the days leading up to the public launch of Android, needing some sort of funny graphic to include with a presentation, and settling after a couple of hours of Inkscape work on these four characters. As you all know now, Bugdroid is the official mascot, but there was a brief moment in the life of Android where Mr. Yellow Muscles and his three pals were on the short list. Care to share your favorite?

Via: +Dan Morrill | Android Community

Facebook Updates Messenger App With Voice Message Feature, Tests VoIP in Canada

Kellen — Thu, 03 Jan 2013 14:47:33 +0000

If you are big fan of all things Facebook, including Messenger, you'll be pleased to learn that the latest update introduces a voice messaging system. Oh, boy. You know, for those times that an emoticon, photo, or tapping of your keyboard won't do the job. Your virtual friendship begging can now be taken to a whole new audio level. In the update, with a message open and contact selected, you'll see a new "Record Voice" option under the three-dotted settings button. Once tapped, you get to a screen with a voice equalizer, record toggle, and "Done" button. Press and hold that record toggle and you can tape up to a minute of your best Catfish-esque, faux-model inspired, 3-year-long lie. Just keep in mind that if you let go of the record toggle, that it'll automatically send. If you want to cancel the recording before the girl four states away realizes you are an internet sham, feel free to slide your thumb off to the side before picking it up. Neat, right? Play Link

VoIP Testing

On a somewhat related note - the audio part - Facebook is reportedly testing VoIP (Voice over IP) service in Canada. Should users adopt it on some feverish level, there is a chance that it comes to the U.S. or other parts of the world. Can you imagine, free calling through Facebook to its billions of users? Well, we don't necessarily know if it'll ever be that free, but in testing, it certainly is. Talk about a way to shake up the phone world. If you own an iOS device and are freezing your buns off in a neighborhood to our north, feel free to load up Messenger and look for a special "Free Call" icon. Via: TechCrunch

Android Distribution Numbers Update for January - Jelly Bean Tops 10%, Gingerbread Takes a Hit

Kellen — Thu, 03 Jan 2013 14:09:14 +0000

10%! Ten percent! Diez por ciento! (I think that's the Spanish version) Jelly Bean, in the newest Android distribution numbers has hit the double digit mark. I don't know why I'm acting like I'm excited about that fact, but it certainly seems like some sort of a milestone, doesn't it? Also of note, we have Gingerbread dropping below the 50% mark for the first time in well over a year and Ice Cream Sandwich creeping up towards the 30% mark. That puts almost 40% of Android users on at least the top two versions of Android. Not bad? Not that good either. An ongoing battle. Via: Android Developers

Corning Introduces Gorilla Glass 3, Stronger and More Scratch Resistant Than Ever

Kellen — Thu, 03 Jan 2013 14:02:04 +0000

At last year's CES, we watched as Corning unveiled Gorilla Glass 2, the thinner and supposedly stronger version of its older brother. It was a talking point for all new phones going forward. If your new smartphone didn't have GG2, you simply weren't as awesome as the guy sitting next to you who did. Whether or not this product actually helped any of us with phone drops or battles with stone countertops can probably be debated for days, but what we do know, is that Corning is back to give us the next version - already. Next week, Corning will show off Gorilla Glass 3, which as expected will be three times stronger and more scratch resistant than its predecessor thanks to "new glass composition with durability enhancements." That sounds lovely, but I'm already looking forward to Gorilla Glass 4, which will hopefully be flexible and able to outlast a pocket drop.

CORNING TO SHOWCASE LATEST GLASS TECHNOLOGIES FOR CONSUMER ELECTRONICS AT CES 2013

Introducing Corning® Gorilla® Glass 3 and Optical Cables by Corning
CORNING, N.Y. , January 3, 2013 – Corning Incorporated (NYSE: GLW) today announced its plans for the International Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas next week. The Corning booth, #14813 Central Hall, will highlight the company’s newest specialty glass solutions and their benefits for today’s consumer electronics device trends. Corning plans to introduce two new products at CES 2013: Corning® Gorilla® Glass 3, a new glass composition with durability enhancements; and Optical Cables by Corning, fiber-based, device-to-device connectivity solutions that significantly extend the data transmission range past the limits of copper-based cables. Full product details will be included in announcements planned for Monday, Jan. 7. “This year at CES, Corning will demonstrate its industry leadership in specialty glass and fiber optic technologies with the introduction of two products designed to enhance and extend the capabilities of consumers’ favorite devices,” said Wendell P. Weeks, chairman, chief executive officer, and president. “These new innovations build on the increasingly important and continually evolving role of highly engineered glass technologies in delivering improved product performance and functionality through touch capabilities, protective cover glass, and device connectivity.” In the Corning booth, experts will be on hand to discuss and present hourly demonstrations of the toughness of Gorilla Glass 3 as well as the connectivity and flexibility of Optical Cables by Corning. The booth will also showcase the benefits of Corning Gorilla Glass in larger format, multi-touch displays for education, entertainment and other applications. Additionally, James P. Clappin, president, Corning Glass Technologies will be a panelist in the “Disruptive Technologies Impacting the Future of Games and Video” session at 11a.m. PST on Tuesday, Jan. 8, at LVCC, North Hall N255-257. He will discuss the important role of highly specialized glass in some of the latest consumer electronic technologies such as hi-res, 3D, HD video, Internet-connected TVs, conformable displays, tablets and viral apps. Forward-Looking and Cautionary Statements This press release contains “forward-looking statements” (within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995), which are based on current expectations and assumptions about Corning’s financial results and business operations, that involve substantial risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially. These risks and uncertainties include: the effect of global political, economic and business conditions; conditions in the financial and credit markets; currency fluctuations; tax rates; product demand and industry capacity; competition; reliance on a concentrated customer base; manufacturing efficiencies; cost reductions; availability of critical components and materials; new product commercialization; pricing fluctuations and changes in the mix of sales between premium and non-premium products; new plant start-up or restructuring costs; possible disruption in commercial activities due to terrorist activity, armed conflict, political or financial instability, natural disasters, adverse weather conditions, or major health concerns; adequacy of insurance; equity company activities; acquisition and divestiture activities; the level of excess or obsolete inventory; the rate of technology change; the ability to enforce patents; product and components performance issues; retention of key personnel; stock price fluctuations; and adverse litigation or regulatory developments. These and other risk factors are detailed in Corning’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the day that they are made, and Corning undertakes no obligation to update them in light of new information or future events. About Corning Incorporated Corning Incorporated (www.corning.com) is the world leader in specialty glass and ceramics. Drawing on more than 160 years of materials science and process engineering knowledge, Corning creates and makes keystone components that enable high-technology systems for consumer electronics, mobile emissions control, telecommunications and life sciences. Our products include glass substrates for LCD televisions, computer monitors and laptops; ceramic substrates and filters for mobile emission control systems; optical fiber, cable, hardware & equipment for telecommunications networks; optical biosensors for drug discovery; and other advanced optics and specialty glass solutions for a number of industries including semiconductor, aerospace, defense, astronomy, and metrology.

Via: Engadget

Did LG Just Tease a New Phone in Their CES Press Event Trailer?

Kellen — Thu, 03 Jan 2013 13:35:59 +0000

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5vhiddoOdkE[/youtube]

With CES only days away, the rumormill is working overtime thanks to companies like LG. We just posted a story about the company possibly unveiling the 5.5" Optimus G2 at the event, but this new teaser video may help back that in some form. At the 18-second mark, if you can last that long with the 90s French discotheque track playing in the background, you'll see a device that resembles either a tablet or a smartphone. You can see the bottom screws peaking through, a design highlight that graced both the original Optimus G and the Nexus 4. Beyond this quick shot, though, you can't see much else. It could be the phone-tablet hybrid that has been talked about a variety of times over the last few days, or we could just be imagining things. You tell us.

Via: LGMobile Facebook

LG Optimus G2 Showing Up at CES With Snapdragon S4 Prime Processor and 1080p Display?

Kellen — Thu, 03 Jan 2013 12:58:35 +0000

LG introduced the Optimus G back in November, but before the paint could even dry, its successor was already being rumored as the Optimus G2. With a 5.5" 1080p display and new Snapdragon S4 "Prime" processor, the MSM8974 (quad-core with speeds of 2.0 - 2.5GHz), it's certainly a step up on the spec front. The original rumor for this phone pegged it for a May 2013 release, but famed rumor monger DigiTimes thinks that LG will show it off at CES, next week. This matches up to a report out of GSMArena last week. The move makes sense for LG, even if they just released the Optimus G and Nexus 4 within the last couple of months. 1080p is going to be the standard in 2013, something we are already seeing evidence from with companies like Huawei and ZTE. Both companies are expected to show off 1080p phones next week, so if LG wants to continue to try to come back in the smartphone industry, they better get a phone ready with the latest and greatest specs. And let's not forget that HTC already has a 1080p phone out and is planning to launch more, if rumors are true. The good news is that we'll know in a matter of days. LG has a CES press event on Monday at 8AM. Via: DigiTimes | GSMArena

ComScore: Android and iOS Continue to Climb, Rest of the Industry Falls

Kellen — Thu, 03 Jan 2013 11:57:58 +0000

We haven't mentioned many of these reports from marketing firms like comScore over the last few months because they have all painted the same picture for 2 years now. We're talking smartphone operating share in the U.S., something that Android has had a stranglehold over for quite some time. After surging to the front of the pack back in 2010 and 2011, Android has yet to give up any of its share to Apple's iOS or any of the other competing smartphone operating systems. As you can see from this most recent comScore report that was conducted over a 3-month period ending in November 2012, Android jumped up 1.1% to 53.7% of the market, while Apple jumped another 0.7% to 35.0%. RIM, Microsoft, and Symbian all continued to drop. To be fair, the next report of comScore's may paint a slightly different picture, as the iPhone 5 likely had a blast over the holiday season (not that Android didn't). But also, Windows Phone 8 finally went live on a number of handsets at reasonable prices that may have helped Microsoft take back a bit of OS share. A bit, I said, which may even be a stretch. Can anything happen over the next couple of years to change these numbers? Via: comScore

Question of the Day: What ROM are You Currently Running?

Kellen — Thu, 03 Jan 2013 11:18:40 +0000

Years ago, we were able to run this question as a poll, since there were only a few handsets to choose from along with a few ROM developers who had work worth sampling. These days, there are far too many phones and even more developers that this can only be asked in the form of a question that directs you to the comments. Yep, we're talking about our regularly scheduled "What ROM are you currently running?" post. We've had a number of readers ask for it a handful of times over the last couple of weeks, so we figured it was time to oblige. So as usual, we'll simply ask, "What ROM are you currently running?" But after you answer that question, make sure you give us device type, why you chose this specific ROM, and then include any other add-on that you have attached to your setup. People want to know what's hot on the streets these days - give as much detail as you can. Go!

Apple Files for Notification Center Patent, Android World Lulz

Kellen — Thu, 03 Jan 2013 11:09:42 +0000

Back in 2009, Google filed a patent for Android's "notification bar," a feature that Apple wouldn't figure out how to implement into iOS for another couple of years. Here we are almost four years after that patent was filed and Apple has decided that its "notification center" is worthy of its own. Android's "notification bar" allows users to manage incoming messages, Tweets, calendar appointments, alarms, and emails, to name a select few. It's evolved over time, but back in 2009, it was accessed just as it is today, with a simple swipe down from the top of the phone. Users are also notified of new notifications through this bar as they come in. Apple's "notification center" acts much the same. As notifications arrive, the top of the phone notifies the person, which can then tap on those notifications or swipe down from the top of the phone to access the entire "center." Apple has tried to beef up their "center" by including widgets in it, something Android has no need for as the operating system allows widgets in a variety of other places. There is no telling if Apple will attempt to use this patent in future lawsuits, but I can't imagine it doing much good, especially after having filed for it years after Google attempted to patent a similar technology. On a positive note, this is one of the few times we have seen Apple show up late to the party on the patent front. Via: Apple Insider Cheers Phillip!

Nexus 4 Sales Estimated to be in the 375,000 Range, Thanks to Serial Numbers

Kellen — Thu, 03 Jan 2013 10:02:37 +0000

According to a group of Nexus 4 sleuths over at XDA, they estimate that LG has produced around 375,000 N4 units since launch (through December). Since the device is pracitically sold out everywhere in the world, that also gives us an idea as to how many Google and LG managed to get in end users' hands. So how did they figure this out? I'll do my best to attempt to explain. After pulling the serial number from the device's box and using the IMEI included into an LG webservice, these users were able to decode the parts to discover when and where the unit was produced, along with the production number. After working over the subject for some 17 pages with a variety of users, they came to the conclusion that LG produced some 70,000 units in October, another 90,000 in November, and then 210,000 in December (these may just be the 16GB unit numbers, though). Tough to draw many conclusions from this, other than LG and Google needed to produce many more than they had on hand initially. You can see by these numbers that production ramped up in December, something that will likely continue as they try to keep up with demand. To keep an eye on the tracking of this situation, feel free to hit up the XDA thread below. Via: XDA | TechCrunch

AOKP Team Finally Releases Android 4.2.1 MR1 to the Galaxy Nexus and Others

Kellen — Thu, 03 Jan 2013 09:20:21 +0000

Late last night, the AOKP team finally dropped their first release as MR1 for Jelly Bean (Android 4.2.1). As you had probably hoped, it contains many of your favorite features from past builds. You'll find the custom boot animation, statusbar tweaks, power menu options, custom lockscreen options, a fully customizable navigation bar, more statusbar styles, LED control, sound settings, and more. And maybe more importantly, they fixed some of the bugs that came with stock Android 4.2.1. The Galaxy Nexus builds ship with LeanKernel 5.4.0. Builds for the Nexus 4 and 7 ship with the stock kernel from Google. And yes, as of now, AOKP MR1 is only available on the LTE and GSM G-Nex, Nexus 4 and Nexus 7. Galaxy S3 and Note 2 builds are expected to be included in the next release. Update: It looks like the Rezound has a new build today as well. To flash, you definitely need to fully wipe beforehand. You'll find download links at the source link below, including one for the Google Apps package. Via: AOKP Cheers Teng, Shaun and Eric!

Reduce Device Lag on Nexus 7 and Others With Seeder Application

Kellen — Thu, 03 Jan 2013 08:55:47 +0000

Ever wonder what's up with the lag seen from time to time on your Android device while using certain apps or playing a variety of games? Developer lambgx02 likely cared a bit more than you, as it was bothering him enough to try to find the root cause of the issue so that he could attempt to fix it. He discovered that with a "very limited entropy pool" your device lags, as it waits for the kernel to generate more random data. Confused? Yeah, most of us probably are. In short, he may have found a solution to the problem. Thanks to an an application and/or .zip file he created called Seeder, your device is able to produce that same high quality random data at much quicker intervals, which results in a reduction in lag. Here is the technical explanation:

So, I was experiencing significant lag as we all do from time to time, and decided I was going to get to the bottom of it. After tracing and debugging for hours, I discovered the source of 90% of Android's lag. In a word, entropy (or lack thereof). Google's JVM, like Sun's, reads from /dev/random. For all random data. Yes, the /dev/random that uses a very limited entropy pool. Random data is used for all kinds of stuff.. UUID generation, session keys, SSL.. when we run out of entropy, the process blocks. That manifests itself as lag. The process cannot continue until the kernel generates more high quality random data. So, I cross-compiled rngd, and used it to feed /dev/urandom into /dev/random at 1 second intervals. Result? I have never used an Android device this fast. It is literally five times faster in many cases. Chrome, maps, and other heavy applications load in about 1/2 a second, and map tiles populate as fast as I can scroll. Task switching is instantaneous. You know how sometimes when you hit the home button, it takes 5-10 seconds for the home screen to repopulate? Yeah. Blocking on read of /dev/random. Problem solved. But don't take my word for it .. give it a shot!

In order to give it a shot, you need to have a rooted device. After that, you can either install the .apk file, give it root permissions, and then run it after each reboot. If you want a more permanent solution, there is a .zip file that can be flashed in custom recovery. I have yet to test it myself, but if you cruise through the XDA threads below, you'll find nothing but glowing reviews of Seeder. This is definitely not limited to the Nexus 7, either. Be sure to post your results or thoughts in the comments. Downloads: .apk | .zip | Play Store Via: XDA [2] [3] Cheers Teng and Lucas!

Nexus 4 to be Sold in All T-Mobile Stores Later This Month

Kellen — Thu, 03 Jan 2013 08:11:12 +0000

According to an internal T-Mobile memo obtained by TMoNews, the magenta carrier is expecting to expand the availability of the Nexus 4 later this month. Originally launching in select stores with limited availability, the Nexus 4 must have been seen as enough of a success to push it to all T-Mobile stores. No exact date has been given other than "January." While this is a positive sign in terms of Nexus popularity, we hope this doesn't mean that Google Play will have less stock to sell. We've seen nothing but "Sold Out" signs through Google's own store for a month now, something we would have expected to have been rectified by the end of the holidays. We know the phone is either insanely popular, possibly beyond any predicted demand, or there was a failure in the supply chain.

Via: TMoNews

The Droid Life Show: Episode 11

Kellen — Thu, 03 Jan 2013 01:45:38 +0000

Welcome back to The Droid Life Show! Tonight, we hit episode 11, which will include a preview of next week's CES conference, our opinions on Google and Motorola's "X" phone, what our top phones of 2012 were, if we think Google Glass will ever happen, and what's up with the flood of crowdfunded gaming consoles. It should be a solid show, especially after taking a week off. We certainly have a lot to talk about. The show starts at 6:00PM Pacific (9:00PM Eastern). You'll find live video and a chat below.

Subscribe | iTunes | Show Page

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=goGb_Zs3VwA[/youtube]

The Droid Life Show Episode 11 Begins Tonight At 6PM Pacific, First Show of 2013!

Tim — Wed, 02 Jan 2013 20:41:26 +0000

Alright! Let's get 2013 kicked off the right way and have Episode 11 of The Droid Life Show. Tonight, you can catch the crew discussing next week's CES and what we may see unveiled at the world's largest gathering of tech goodies. Beyond that, we will make sure to go over what all we got for Christmas and maybe even give you some of our own New Year's resolutions! We’ll be live at 6:00PM Pacific (9:00PM Eastern). There will be a live video embed and chat.

If you can’t catch it live, then be sure to subscribe to our new show feed (podcast).

Samsung Reportedly Acknowledges Galaxy S3 "Sudden Death" Issue, Has Fix Ready

Kellen — Wed, 02 Jan 2013 14:50:32 +0000

According to Tweakers.net, Samsung is reportedly aware of a "sudden death" issue with its flagship Galaxy S3 phone. For those not familiar, the "sudden death" issue popped up on forums like XDA a month or so ago in forum threads that have now exceeded the 100-page mark. "Sudden death" refers to the device dying out of no where, with no one initially able to figure out what the cause was. Most assume it has something to do with the motherboard of the device shorting out, leading to a depressing initial conclusion that there may not be a possible fix. That conclusion may not be correct. A Samsung rep is said to have confirmed that the issue isn't just a unicorn, that it exists only on 16GB models of the phone, and can be fixed by a firmware update. No timeframe was given for this update, but that's certainly better news than what many had feared. From what I can tell, this isn't affecting many of the U.S. carrier-branded Galaxy S3 units. Or if it has, none of the affected have emailed us to complain about it. It may be specific to the international variant, which unfortunately, has probably been the most widely sold. Good news, though, if anyone was worried. Via: Tweakers | XDA

Nexus 7 Dock Shipping Date Continues to Slip, January 10 Now in Play

Kellen — Wed, 02 Jan 2013 14:02:02 +0000

No surprise here, but the official Nexus 7 dock's shipping date has slipped back to January 10. When we first started seeing potential launch dates for it, December 30 was the initial target. Shortly after seeing that date, January 6 came into play, but now it appears as if we may be waiting longer. The 10th is only a couple of days away, assuming it doesn't slip as well. Pricing at various retailers remains at $39.99, here in the States. Via: B&H

How to: Track Your Phone If It's Stolen or Lost [Beginners' Guide]

Kellen — Wed, 02 Jan 2013 12:10:53 +0000

When you first turn on your new phone, one of the last things you want to entertain is the idea that there may be a time when it becomes lost or stolen. As much as we cherish our smartphones and keep them by our sides at all times, there is always a chance that it gets left behind somewhere or that someone grabs it while you aren't paying attention. Thanks to a number of Android applications, you can help reunite yourself with your phone in a matter of minutes. If you head into the Google Play store and search for "find my phone," you will be flooded with more options than you can probably digest. The good news is that most of them are simple, free, and work incredibly well. Let's talk about the service and how it works.

So how does a "find my phone" app work?

Most use GPS, your phone number, and an external website that allows you to track your phone at all times. "Find my phone" apps allow you to ping the location of your device and then display it, along with an address for you to find it at. Once installed, you usually need to activate the app, attach it to your phone number, create a login with a partnering tracking website, and then sit back and wait for someone to steal your phone or for you to misplace it. It takes minutes to set these apps up, but can save you hundreds of dollars in the end.

What happens once it's lost or stolen?

Once stolen or lost, you can immediately head to that partnering website, login, and pin point your device's location. From this website, you usually can lock the phone down from being used, remotely wipe all information from it, and also tell it to "scream" or make a loud noise to draw attention to the situation. Some services are also allowing you to remotely take photos with the camera on your phone, so that you can help identify the location or get a crystal clear picture of the thief.

Here are a few "find my phone" apps that you may want to check out:

SeekDroid ($2.99): This is one of the old standard "find my phone" apps. Besides all of the standard features we mentioned above, it allows you to remotely enable GPS, remotely wipe both internal storage and SD cards, and even keep thieves from uninstalling the app.
Find My Phone: A free app that's great for families, especially parents that like to keep track of their kids. You can attach friends and family to it to track phone movement at all times. But maybe most importantly, you can track a lost or stolen phone from another phone if they are on your list of friends. So if you aren't near a computer or tracking website, you can always grab your Mom's phone and find yours.
Norton Anti-Theft: This is an add-on to Norton's Mobile Security, which from what I can tell means you need a Norton license in order to use. But one of the cool features I noticed, was its ability to take photos and then upload them to a Norton site to help you find the device. No better "Gotcha!" than a mug shot of the guy that just jacked your phone.
Lookout Plan B: Lookout's Plan B is one of the only apps that will let you find your phone after the fact, even if it hasn't been pre-installed on your phone. If you lose your phone, you can remotely install Plan B to it, which will then cause it to automatically start and then send a location to you. After that, if you want to continue to track your phone, you can text "locate" to it from another phone. Pretty brilliant, if you ask me.

Beyond those four options, there are countless others to choose from. In fact, almost every anti-virus or security app for Android (Ex: AVG, Zoner, and McAfee) has a device tracking feature built in. So as a final reminder, strongly consider installing a "find my phone" app on your new device - it may help you find your expensive toy and bust a criminal at the same time.

Presented by Norton 360™ Multi-Device. Protect your new computers, smartphones, and tablets with Norton 360™ Multi-Device.

Ubuntu's Brand New Gesture-Based Phone OS Shown Off on the Galaxy Nexus

Eric — Wed, 02 Jan 2013 11:45:10 +0000

Ubuntu and Android have been close friends for a while now, but developers have been working to make Ubuntu it's own mobile OS and that work was revealed today. Using the Galaxy Nexus, the new totally gesture-based operating system was shown off today and looks like a fledgling OS with a lot of promise. You thought Google was crazy for having on-screen home buttons? This operating system has no home button whatsoever.

The Verge got some facetime with developer devices today and put up a quick video showing off a few of the features. Unlocking the phone just takes a swipe to the right, and swiping to the left brings up a slick list of most-used apps. Once you're in the phone's home screen swiping right will take you to the most recently open app, left again brings up most-used. Swiping down from the top brings down an Android-style notification bar, but the information changes depending on which icon you swipe down from. You can check messages, battery life and settings all from different swipe points.

There is some noticeable lag throughout the phone, but that's to be expected with the early build that it's running. Once that gets cleared up it looks like it could be a pretty slick user interface. Images for the Galaxy Nexus are going to be available for download in "the next few weeks" so developers can tinker and start building apps and an ecosystem for the new OS.

Ubuntu for Android is even closer now after today's news, would you be interested in using this as a parallel OS in your phone?

Overview (6:20):

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cpWHJDLsqTU[/youtube]

Hands-on:

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kXWnMTm7We8[/youtube]

Via: Ubuntu | The Verge

2013 Nexus Availability Update: Nexus 4 Still Gone, Nexus 7 and 10s "Ship Soon"

Tim — Wed, 02 Jan 2013 11:25:35 +0000

Now with 2013 in full effect, it's time to step up your Android game. Unfortunately, Google is still completely sold out of the Nexus 4, but if a tablet is what you have your eyes set on, you are in luck. Since the last time we wrote up an availability post, the Nexus 10 is now "shipping soon" as well as the Nexus 7, although the $200 16GB variant is currently sold out. There is no telling when we can expect to see the Nexus 4 come back, but we will keep you posted. Via: Google Play

Google Teaming Up With Kia and Other Car Makers to Bring Google Maps to Vehicles

Eric — Wed, 02 Jan 2013 10:57:17 +0000

As an Android fan, I know I've looked at some car navigation systems before and thought "Google Maps does this so much better." Today's news sounds like a few car manufacturers felt the same way. Hyundai and Kia have partnered with Google so that their UVO voice system now works with Google Search, Maps and Places APIs to find you all sorts of cool stuff while you're driving from place to place.

Those two companies join the likes of Audi, Mercedes and Tesla as manufacturers who all include the suite of Google apps in their vehicles. Google Maps is one of the most detailed databases and putting that in dashboards of cars is infinitely useful. Let's hope that more companies catch onto this down the road.

Via: Google

HTC M7 Could Be Announced at CES Next Week and Sport On-Screen Buttons

Tim — Wed, 02 Jan 2013 09:56:10 +0000

According to a reliable source, whose info has panned out true in the past, we could have a brand new HTC flagship on our hands next week. The M7 device has been reported on before and if we receive what has been rumored, we are looking at one top of the line device. So far, we have an aluminum uni-body design, 5" 1080p HD display, Snapdragon S4 Pro quad-core processor, 13MP back-facing camera, 2,300mAh battery, and now, on-screen buttons instead of HTC's hardware touch options that we have been plagued with over the past year. For being able to keep any images of an apparent device from the public with a announcement taking place next week, HTC could possibly get an A+ if this turns out true. What say you? Does the M7 sound like HTC's new saving grace? Via: Twitter

GameStick Kickstarter Appears, Another Affordable Android Gaming System

Tim — Wed, 02 Jan 2013 09:25:07 +0000

The bigger consoles may soon be taking the backseat, as more affordable and pocketable gaming platforms are emerging with the help of Kickstarter. The newest Android-powered device is called GameStick, and it certainly is interesting. Being designed with portability and power in mind, it runs off of a thumb drive that plugs directly into your HDTV. To keep size down, the drive fits perfectly right into the controller itself. The team has a way to go in terms of being fully funded, but getting your hands on a GameStick is incredibly cheap, with early bird specials going for just $69. If you are feeling especially generous, you can pledge all the way up to $5,000 and even land a spot on the company's product development team and steer the direction this device takes. Any takers? Via: Kickstarter

True Nature of Google Glass Still Undetermined According to Project Lead

Tim — Wed, 02 Jan 2013 08:44:39 +0000

In a recent interview, the product manager for Google Glass Babak Parviz, let it be known that 2012's most interesting device is still a "work in progress." According to Parviz, Google is still toying with ways to make the wearable computing device usable in the day-to-day and has yet to determine its main features. For now, the team is experimenting with hand gestures, more voice controls, and anything else they can to make the device more interactive. Additionally, when asked on Google's intentions to push ads onto the platform, Parviz mentioned there are there zero plans on incorporating advertisements through Glass, for the time being. It is now 2013, which means that anyone who decided to drop the $1500 on Google Glasses at last year's Google I/O, should be receiving their developer package sometime over the next 12 months. Hearing that its still a work in progress, with a consumer launch date set for 2014, isn't all that surprising. Once developers get a chance to work with it, then we will really know what we can possibly expect from Google Glass out of the gates. Is Google Glass still on your radar? Via: The Verge

Sony Xperia "Yuga" and "Odin" Press Shots Appear, Likely Debuting at CES

Kellen — Wed, 02 Jan 2013 07:43:29 +0000

CES is less than a week away, so as is customary during the days leading up, we are starting to see products appear well before companies have a chance to announce them. The first two are from Sony, a couple of smartphones that may headline the show, unless LG steps up to answer to a massive New Year's Eve rumor. Pictured above, we have the Sony Xperia "Yuga" and "Odin." (Codenames of course.) Each device is said to sport a 5" 1080p display, quad-core Snapdragon S4 Pro processor, 2GB RAM, and 13MP rear camera. Both look very similar, however, one may come packed in a slightly smaller frame, even though it has the same 5" display. I've never been the biggest fan of Sony's phone designs, but these aren't bad. They don't look all that refreshing as rectangular black slabs, yet the specs and Sony's openness with Android could make them somewhat more appealing. We'll be at CES starting Sunday, so if these phones are there, we'll be on them. Via: Engadget

CTIA to Become Single "Super Mobile Show" in Fall of 2014

Kellen — Wed, 02 Jan 2013 07:18:28 +0000

In somewhat of an expected move, CTIA The Wireless Association, has announced that they will move away from their 2-event yearly mobile series of events in 2014 and instead create one "super" mobile show to kick off the Fall season. In the past, and in 2013 as well, CTIA has always thrown two mobile events - one in the spring and another enterprise-focused event in the Fall. With both shows steadily dying over the last two years, CTIA's focus will change somewhat for 2014 and onward. This new "Super" Mobile Show will act as the Fall preview mobile event (first show in September of 2014) for any company looking to kick off the holiday season. It's also going to attempt to be the king of wireless shows in the U.S., after CES of course. The move makes a lot of sense, as we are starting to see September turn into the ultimate holiday preview month. Just this past year we saw almost a dozen major mobile announcements within a two or three week period during the month. And with CTIA's oddly timed Spring (usually May) and late Fall (usually October) events continuing to become less and less meaningful each year, this may be a strong play. For example, I was at CTIA MobileCON in October, yet you probably didn't even know it as there was absolutely zero news out of the event. It was merely a way for press to schmooze with PR reps and eat plenty of San Diego's fine food. This doesn't affect most of you, but hopefully it will give us a new event with some meaning to cover as we head into Q4 of each year going forward.

Nova Launcher Updated to 2.0 - Custom Icon Sizes, Larger Grid Options, and More

Tim — Tue, 01 Jan 2013 11:33:28 +0000

Happy 2013 to all of you! To kick it off, Nova Launcher received a nice update in Google Play, which will greatly benefit Prime users. For starters, users can now select custom icon sizes, apply swipe actions to any desktop icon, infinite scroll in the app drawer, as well as lower memory usage which will help keep your device speedy. To see the full list of new features and fixes, check below. What's in this version:

Custom Icon Size (Prime)
Swipe actions on any desktop icon (Prime)
Custom wallpaper cropping
Increase maximum desktop grid size
Infinite Scroll Drawer Setting
Alphabetical list drawer style
Small Icons Dock Setting
Force wallpaper scrolling on USA SGS2
Aggressive Desktop Setting (Keep in memory)*
Lower memory usage
Improve scrolling performance
Fixes, optimizations and tuning

Here is to a happy new year! Play Link: Nova | Prime

CyanogeonMod Introduces New Chronus Clock Widget for CM10.1

Kellen — Mon, 31 Dec 2012 14:24:28 +0000

The CyanogenMod team introduced their next big feature for CM10.1 today, called Chronus. It's a clock widget that resembles the new clock included in Android 4.2, only the CM team turned it up a notch by including weather and calendar options. It works on both lock and home screens, has numerous features, and will come packed inside CM nightlies starting immediately. No word on if it will ever be pulled out to be used as a separate app on any device, but we'd certainly welcome it.

Gallery

Via: +CyanogenMod

Rumor: LG to Introduce 5.5-inch 1080p Phone, Edge-to-Edge Design, and 7-Inch High-res Tablet at CES

Kellen — Mon, 31 Dec 2012 14:11:09 +0000

According to a report out of GSMArena, LG has some major things planned for CES, next week. In the past year, CES took a back seat in the mobile world to other conferences like MWC or to companies deciding to hold their own solo press events. But if this rumor becomes a reality, LG may steal the show on a mobile front, as the rest of the big dogs like Motorola, Samsung, and HTC have yet to hint at much of a smartphone presence for this year's show. Beyond the new Google TV products that LG has been teasing, this report suggests that we may also see a 4.7" edge-to-edge phone with a bezel that measures in around 1mm. Up until this point, Motorola and its RAZR M have led the edge-to-edge phone battle, but it was only a matter of time before someone else stepped into the arena. Along with this new phone, this rumor suggests that LG will introduce a phone-tablet hybrid device, much like a Galaxy Note 2, but with a 5.5" 1080p display and 403ppi. At this point, the DROID DNA by HTC is the only phone that can come close to that high of a pixel density. Last, LG will reportedly show off a 7" tablet with a 1920x1200 resolution with 324ppi. If true, this wouldn't be a bad move for LG to make. The 7" tablet market blew up this year, so if they want to make a splash, this may be a smart move. Well, assuming they can price it at a rock bottom level. We aren't sure where this info originated from, so take it as nothing more than a rumor for now. Thoughts? Ready to give LG a shot? Via: GSMArena | BGR

Nexus 7 32GB Available as eBay Daily Deal for $229

Kellen — Mon, 31 Dec 2012 13:03:31 +0000

Today's daily deals are up over at eBay, one of which is a 32GB Nexus 7 for $229. At that price, it's $20 less than you'll find it from the Google Play store, but to make the deal even sweeter, shipping is also free. Pretty solid price - hope you have some holiday cash still hanging around to be spent. Via: eBay

Falcon Pro Updated - YouTube Integration, Double Taps, and Spam Reporting

Tim — Mon, 31 Dec 2012 09:30:37 +0000

The Falcon team released a major update to their app today, which brings a large list of new features and improvements. Included in the update is YouTube api integration, the option to enable a double tap on tweets, a logout button (that's handy), added slider for refresh rates, and a whole lot more. Get a look at the full changelog down below. What's in this version:

Added YouTube api integration
Added option to Enable double tap on tweets
Added logout button
Added hide keyboard on RT
Added report for SPAM
Added mute mangement from settings
Added hashtag auto fill when searching for tweets
Added slider for refresh rates
New "More Actions" dialog design
Enhanced conversation view with private accounts
Fixes

If you haven't already, go pick it up. Play Link ($0.99)

Fring for Android Updated - UI Improvements, Storyline, and More

Tim — Mon, 31 Dec 2012 09:00:40 +0000

This morning, the developers of Fring pushed out a decently sized update to their Android app. For those new to the name, Fring allows users to video chat with others, much like Google+ and Skype. Fring is popular for its ability to allow group video calls, as well as texting, chat, and more. Inside the update you will find a newly improved user interface, a "storyline with all of your previous call and chat history, and a new Address Book Scroller. If you're a loyal "fringster," this should float your boat. This version includes:

UI improvements, including a new clean, white look & feel (as requested by many loyal fringsters)
Storyline – showing all your integrated voice, group and video calls and text messages with each contact, in chronological order.
Address Book Scroller – to see or search all of your contacts, just fring contacts or just favorites
Improved, richer info card for contacts
Several bug fixes

Play Link Via: Fring [youtube]http://youtu.be/v8WbBaMo6GY[/youtube]

Video: Developer Delivers In-depth Overview of OUYA Gaming Console

Kellen — Mon, 31 Dec 2012 08:41:10 +0000

Now that developer units of the OUYA gaming console have started to arrive at the homes and offices of developers, it only makes sense that at least one would upload a full hands-on with the device. In this series of videos, by the developer of a game called Deadly Dungeons, we get a look at the UI of OUYA, how controllers perform, how settings can be setup, what Android looks like on the device, and get an idea as to how "beta" or "alpha" this early version is. The first video of the "interface" is easily the most interesting that we have included below. The UI is on display, which even I'll admit looks very nice. It desperately needs some polish, but the OUYA team has time to make that happen. As you'll see through the 17-minute video, there are bits and pieces of Android that will look familiar, such as the WiFi screen and browser. One thing we're confused about, is why they chose the phone UI of Android over the tablet UI. You'll notice during his browser and YouTube test, that the device clearly thinks the device is a smartphone and not a tablet, something I hope they change. As a reminder, these OUYA dev units do not come equipped with games, other than a test build of something and then whatever the developer wants to put on it. You do get to see gameplay of Deadly Dungeons, however, it's a portrait-style game, so it looks a bit odd on a big screen. This dev pointed out something that surprises us as well - the fact that the controller doesn't have a Start, Select, or Menu button whatsoever. Since it's running Android, this seems like a major oversight. As is noted during gameplay of his game, the dev shows that there is no way to exit or bring up a menu in his game, something he'll have to code in to make it fully compatible with OUYA. That's not necessarily a bad thing, but it something to think about. Last, there is a section for "Store" where we assume the OUYA team will look to feature and sell games that they have partnered with. I'm not exactly sure how or if OUYA will ever get Google Play on this device, so at this point, I'm a bit skeptical as to how robust this system can be. It's definitely a development worth keeping an eye on. Interface Overview: [youtube]http://youtu.be/3d36yvq1KoU[/youtube] Console Overview: [youtube]http://youtu.be/aKm0GWkHRZY[/youtube] Hooking the Beast Up: [youtube]http://youtu.be/d9JfDTRZ5VM[/youtube] Via: Slash Gear

Contest: Celebrate the New Year by Winning a $25 Google Play Gift Card (Updated: Winner Picked)

Kellen — Fri, 28 Dec 2012 15:34:28 +0000

The final full week of 2012 is coming to a close, the tech world has officially shut down, and I know that many of you are planning your last couple of nights of sinful bliss before you entertain life changes as we head into 2013. To celebrate this last weekend of the year, let's reward those of you looking ahead with a $25 Google Play gift card. It's time to talk about New Year's resolutions, as painful as they may be.

Contest

Update: We have our winner! David has decided that his New Yea's resolution is to get FoxFi working with his DROID RAZR running Jelly Bean. Prize: 1 (one) $25 Google Play Gift Card How to enter: 1. In the comments, give us your New Year's resolutions. Winner: On Monday morning, at 10:00AM Pacific, we'll choose the winner randomly from the comments.

Get a Free Flip Cover and TecTiles by Registering Your Device at Samsung's Facebook Page

Kellen — Fri, 28 Dec 2012 13:41:46 +0000

A couple of hours ago, Samsung's USA Facebook page posted up a deal that could land you a free flip cover and set of TecTiles. All you have to do is register your Galaxy S3 or Galaxy Note 2 through their Owners Hub Facebook app and they'll send you an email with instructions on how to claim the freebies. Along with the free goods, they'll also toss in a coupon code to land you 50% off of accessories. Might want to take them up on this one. Register Device Via: Samsung Mobile Facebook Cheers Jim!

Video: Hands-on With Nexus 4, Miracast and the Netgear PTV3000

Kellen — Fri, 28 Dec 2012 12:44:51 +0000

Miracast technology, one of the lesser talked about features of the Nexus 4, hasn't had much play over the last month or two as adapters and TVs with the capabilities have yet to really reach the mainstream. There are a couple though, one of which happens to be the Netgear Push2TV PTV3000, which can be found at a variety of tech retailers. I picked one up yesterday, updated the firmware on it, and decided to take Miracast for a spin so that the DL community can see what it's all about. What is Miracast? It's a technology created by the Wi-Fi Alliance to give users the ability to share content between screens over WiFi. Most of you know this as mirroring, something that can already be done over a hardwired connection in a variety of HDMI docks. The beauty of this, obviously, is that you don't need wires. You simply need Miracast built-in, a WiFi connection, and a TV, monitor or smartphone. Is the Netgear PTV3000 worth buying? It's about $60 at Best Buy, but you should be aware that the firmware out of the box does not actually allow you to use Miracast. The device is simply Miracast-ready, but needs a firmware update to allow that functionality. At this time, there are a couple of beta firmwares in the wild that give it Miracast, however, most are buggy and have their share of issues. If you like to be on the bleeding edge of technology, though, feel free to pick one up to tinker with. (There are instructions down below for updating your Netgear to some of the beta firmwares.) Ready to see it in action?

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DwvYrv2s9Kk[/youtube]

So as you can see from the video, it's a neat technology, but until we get official firmware on devices like the Netgear PTV3000, it has some issues. In a way, it reminds me of NFC, in that it's a fabulous idea that needs industry-wide adoption in order to be fabulous.

*Note - I'm told that this works with the Galaxy S3 and Note 2 and AllShare Cast, however, I had issues trying to connect my Note 2. There are apparently other firmwares out there that work better depending on the device.

To turn on Wireless Display (Miracast):

1. Open Settings>Display on your Nexus 4. 2. Scroll to the bottom to find "Wireless display" and tap on it. 3. Toggle to "On." 4. Search for Miracast-ready devices.

Netgear PTV3000 Firmware Instructions:

1. Download one of the newer firmwares to your computer:

2.2.2 | 2.1.5 | 2.1.4

2. Plug-in your PTV3000 to a power source. 3. Push the WPS button on the side of the unit for more than 5 seconds. 4. On your computer, open your WiFi network manager and connect to "Push2TV." 5. Open a browser and navigate to - 6. This is the firmware update page, so follow the instructions. 7. Browse for the new firmware that you downloaded above, and upload it.

Daily Steals Offering a Number of Android Devices at Discounts: Galaxy Nexus, Padfone 2, Xyboard, and More

Kellen — Fri, 28 Dec 2012 10:30:47 +0000

Still trying to decide what to spend all of that holiday cash on? Feel free to cruise over to Daily Steals' "Everything Must Go" sale for options. They have a number of Android products, from phones to tablets to docks to media players, all at what they are claiming to be steep discounts. While some of them may be, it's probably worth noting that these deal sites exaggerate most of their discounts (take the Padfone 2 discount for example), so shopping around is always a smart idea.

Here are some of their sales:

Galaxy Nexus 4G LTE (re-certified) - $220 off-contract
Motorola Xyboard 4G LTE 32GB - $299
Motorola Xyboard 4G LTE 64GB - $349
Asus Padfone 2 16GB w/ Dock - $749
Motorola Lapdock 100 - $49
Samsung Galaxy Player 16GB - $129 (might be sold out)

Via: Daily Steals Cheers Cory and everyone else!

Samsung Galaxy Note 2 in Black Surfaces

Kellen — Fri, 28 Dec 2012 10:21:45 +0000

If a Samsung Galaxy Note 2 in Marble White or Titanium Grey weren't satisfying your smartphone design needs, and maybe a traditional black was more your thing, get ready! According to a press image (above) that is reportedly real, it looks like an official black version may be on the horizon. This wouldn't surprise us, especially after Samsung only released the Galaxy S3 in white or blue at launch, but later followed it up with a variety of special edition colors, including brown, red, and black. While there is no carrier branding on this particular image, you can imagine that at least one carrier will attempt to take this color as their own. (Wait, is black a color?) As someone that was excited to see phone manufacturers start to include color options in phones over the last year, even I can admit that this big ol' beast in black looks mighty fine. Via: Android Slash | SamMobile

OUYA Developer Unit Gets Unboxed, People Freak Out Over Developer Unit

Kellen — Fri, 28 Dec 2012 09:27:31 +0000

Remember OUYA? The crowdfunded Android-based gaming console that took the Kickstarter world by storm back in July? It's inching closer towards reality, as developer units have begun to ship, prompting the OUYA team to do their own official unboxing for the world to see. As noted in the video, the developer unit doesn't ship with any games, is probably filled with bugs, and comes in a limited edition clear plastic that "really takes into consideration the openness of OUYA." Basically what they are saying, is that this is no where near what the final retail version will look like and was created for developers to prep games for. For those not familiar, OUYA is an open console gaming system that allows you to play all of your favorite smartphone or tablet games on your TV, with a controller, just like you would an XBOX or Playstation 3. It's an attempt to shake up the console market, which according to OUYA, has been pushing developers away over the years. With many of them turning to mobile, the hottest thing on the planet, OUYA thinks the time is right to take their work and put it on the big screen. OUYA already has partnerships announced with major mobile gaming companies, so this is definitely a movement to keep an eye on. If you'd like to pre-order an OUYA console, they run $99 and can be purchased here. Estimated shipping time for official retail units is still listed as April 2013, which is only a couple of months away.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=psCoR4zmIpE[/youtube]

Via: OUYA

Motorola Already Prepping a DROID RAZR M HD?

Kellen — Fri, 28 Dec 2012 08:29:40 +0000

Is Motorola already preparing to push out an updated RAZR M with a 4.5" HD display? According to a rumor out of PhoneArena, though they aren't even willing to back the info all that much, that is indeed the case. As expected with an updated device, the specs have been bumped slightly, introducing a dual-core Snapdragon 4 Plus processor, 16GB onboard storage, and a massive 3300mAh battery, all while maintaing a small candy bar edge-to-edge design. Is it real? While that's anyone's guess, it certainly makes sense for Motorola to continue the edge-to-edge styling of the RAZR M, but with upgraded specs. I loved the RAZR M (our review), other than its poor display. If this phone had an HD display slipped into that body and a bit more RAM, it might have come close to earning a spot as one of our top 5 phones of the year. Here is the full list of rumored specs:

Design Device type: Smart phone OS: Android (4.1) upgradeable to Android 4.2 Form Factor: Candy Bar Dimensions: 5.15x2.52x.035 Weight: 5.22 OZ Display Physical size: 4.5 inches Resoultion: 720x1280 pixels Pixel density: 326 ppi Technology: TFT Colors: 16 777 216 Touchscreen: Capacitive, Multi-touch Features: Light sensor, Proximity sensor, Scratch-resistant glass Battery Talk time: 21.25 hours Stand-by time: 15.65 Capacity: 3300 mAh Type: Li - Polymer Hardware System chip: Qualcomm Snapdragon S4 Plus MSM8960 Processor: Dual core, 1500 MHz, Krait Graphics processor: Adreno 225 System memory: 1024 MB RAM (Dual-channel, 500 MHz) / DDR2 / 8192 MB ROM Built-in storage: 16gb Storage expansion: microSD, microSDHC up to 32 GB

As a side note, I have seen Motorola data sheet lists that do look similar to what has been posted above. When Motorola lays out potential devices on paper, they normally take this shape. Still, tough to tell if it's real or not. In fact, if you want to read about a bunch of other rumored devices that were pulled from a data sheet like this, hit up this forum thread. Either way, a RAZR M HD makes sense, so are you interested? Via: PhoneArena

Fix: Nexus 7 Refusing to Charge, Try This Trick

Kellen — Thu, 27 Dec 2012 16:48:10 +0000

With the introduction of Android 4.2 came a number of little obnoxious bugs that we are slowly figuring out fixes for. One of those that has plagued many (according to a variety of forum posts), is a charging issue with the Nexus 7. As users leave their tablet idle for an extended period of time or use it for hours until the battery runs completely dry, the device is having a hell of a time charging back up again or even turning on. In fact, if you let your Nexus 7 die completely, you may run into a screen flashing or pixel party experience once plugged into a charger that won't bring you joy. The device, at least mine and in others' cases, won't turn on with any combination of button pressing. Well, there is one combo along with a charger that worked for me, getting my N7 back on the charging path of pleasure.

To charge a dead Nexus 7:

1. Plug-in your dead N7 to a wall charger. (Jump immediately to step 2.) 2. Immediately after plugging it in, press Volume Down and Power at the same time.

*This should get you into the bootloader menu. You may have to try this with different chargers or test out the timing in order to get it to work.

3. Once in the bootloader menu, use Volume Down until you see "Power Off Device." 4. Choose that option with the Power button. 5. Once your device is off, unplug the charger and then plug it back into the device. 6. You should now see the battery meter (pictured above) with your device returning to life. Hope that helps those of you with dead Nexus 7s. For the rest of you, I suggest not letting your N7 completely run out of juice. Should you see it drop to 10% or under, find yourself a charger. Via: Android Central Forums

Download: Android Winter Wonderland Snowball Fight Wallpaper

Kellen — Thu, 27 Dec 2012 16:05:15 +0000

The Android Foundry has posted up yet another new Android-inspired winter wallpaper to help your phone live out any snow-filled fantasies it may have. Thanks to the winter storm that blanketed much of the central U.S. before taking on the east coast, this is also very fitting, in a cold, dark, manner. Android snowball fight! Via: Android Foundry (full resolutions) Cheers Scott!

Thursday Poll: What Version of Android is Your Phone Running?

Tim — Thu, 27 Dec 2012 15:24:24 +0000

Lots of folks are starting to update to Ice Cream Sandwich and Jelly Bean, so we think it's a good time to find out what version of Android you are all currently running. If you want to know how to check your version of Android, open up your Settings menu. Go to "About Phone" and then check your "Android version." According to Google's latest distribution numbers, Gingerbread is on a whopping 50%+ of Android devices, so let's see how their numbers stack up against ours. [poll id="227"]

Toshiba to Bring Lytro-like Camera Technology to Smartphones and Tablets

Tim — Thu, 27 Dec 2012 14:31:25 +0000

According to recent reports, Toshiba is working on a camera for smartphones and tablets that will allow users to focus on certain points in images well after the photo has been taken. If this sounds familiar, it's because Lytro, a device that Kellex was fascinated with for about 48 hours, does this same effect. Once a picture is taken, you can then go back and re-focus on any point in said image. It's neat, but when can we expect to see it in our phones? Well, if the reports are right, then we are looking at sometime before the end of 2013. Our issue is that since this is Toshiba, we'll have to hope they make a smartphone with this sensor in place that makes its way to the U.S. that we will actually want to purchase. Fingers crossed. Show of hands who would buy a phone or tablet just for an amazing camera? Via: Engadget

Verizon May Replace Your DROID RAZR If You are Experiencing Issues After the Jelly Bean Update

Kellen — Thu, 27 Dec 2012 13:38:29 +0000

As many of you know, Motorola started pushing a Jelly Bean update out to original DROID RAZR owners earlier this week as build number 98.72.8. We still aren't sure if they meant to or not, as the update was killed before too many of you were able to pull it. What we do know is that most of you have had a great experience on Android 4.1.2 thus far, but that some of you are having connectivity issues, problems with features like mobile hotspot, or random Verizon apps crashing. According to a couple of our readers, if you are experiencing these issues, you may be able to swap the device out at Verizon corporate stores (not 3rd party retailers) for a new one. At least three readers are claiming to have done this, some even mentioning that they were given an early upgrade. For most of you, sticking with a working Jelly Bean will likely be preferred to swapping out your device. But if you are having issues, you may want to swing by your local Verizon store or give customer service a ring. Hopefully they have been briefed on the surprise update that went out. It certainly sounds like they have been, and that this update was most definitely not supposed to have gone out yet. Are you experiencing issues with Jelly Bean on your RAZR? Would love to hear what they are in the comments. Cheers Jeremy, Jordan, Aaron, Rob, Larry and everyone else!

Verizon Highlights Entire Device Lineup in New Video Series - RAZR HD, DNA, and More

Kellen — Thu, 27 Dec 2012 12:29:53 +0000

If for some reason our reviews weren't enough to help you make your next smartphone or tablet purchase, feel free to check out this new video series that Verizon uploaded this morning. Each video runs about 2-minutes long and covers all of the top features of their most popular smartphones. You'll see highlights for the Note 2, RAZR HD, DNA, Galaxy S3, etc.

DROID DNA (review)

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v-AvzaQOQcg[/youtube]

Galaxy Note 2 (review)

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k-EB06RTkQ8[/youtube]

DROID RAZR HD (review)

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0aDTlCfYfoM[/youtube]

DROID RAZR MAXX HD

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AUh97OUjZTE[/youtube]

Galaxy S3 (review)

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AufZrJE7CUM[/youtube]

Galaxy Tab 2 (10.1)

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sM7dgspT1aM[/youtube]

Galaxy Tab 2 (7.0)

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xK1XZQhPO8c[/youtube]

DROID Incredible 4G LTE (review)

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YXqwp4TNJQ0[/youtube]

Samsung to Bring Premium Suite Upgrade to Original Galaxy Note

Tim — Thu, 27 Dec 2012 12:15:52 +0000

Today, Samsung has confirmed that they will indeed be updating the original Galaxy Note to Jelly Bean, bringing their premium suite of applications and features to the 5.3" device. Included in the premium suite is the popular multi-window feature, as well as other apps like Paper Artist, Pop-up Browser, Easy Clip, and more. No official word on when owners can expect the update to roll out, but it shouldn't be too far out with Samsung creating landing pages for the update. Any OG Note owners in the building? Via: Engadget | Samsung

Samsung Galaxy S4 Concept Shows Edge-to-Edge Display, Ultra-thin Body, and Ridiculous Laser Keyboard

Kellen — Thu, 27 Dec 2012 11:34:26 +0000

Since the Samsung will likely attempt to make the Galaxy S4 the best kept secret and least leaked phone in the history of tech, we are left with concept ideas to fuel the hypebeast engine. In this spot, put together by Rozetked, we get to see a vision of what Samsung's next best device could turn out to be. In the video, the Galaxy S4 is presented as the GT-i9500, which makes logical sense, since the Galaxy S3 was the GT-i9300 (internationally). This depiction also shows off a device that is incredibly thin, looks a lot like the Galaxy S3, sports a 1080p AMOLED edge-to-edge display, 2.0GHz quad-core processor, 13MP camera, physical home button, and runs Android 5.0 (Key Lime Pie). It's not completely out of this world or outlandish. All of that - or at least bits and pieces of it - could show up in the next Galaxy. But there is one feature which we know will most definitely not be making the cut and that's the gesture-activated laser keyboard (1:00 mark). No, sir. In fact, we saw something similarly ridiculous in an iPhone concept commercial, one that a Fox News outlet thought was actually a feature of the iPhone 5. It's a nifty idea, but it's not happening. What do you think about the rest of this vision?

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p5YPaBkhKZI[/youtube]

Via: Business Insider

Quick Tip: Use Nova Launcher to Access Google Now [Beginners' Guide]

Tim — Thu, 27 Dec 2012 11:00:48 +0000

For owners of a device with hardware keys instead of onscreen buttons (Galaxy S3, Note 2, DNA, etc.), accessing Google Now with a simple swipe up from the "Home" button just isn't possible. Some people either have to long press their Home button or access it from the up-top Search widget. This quick tip will help anyone using Nova Launcher or other third party launchers to assign a simple swipe gesture to their app drawer button for easy access to Google Now.

This can be performed by other custom launchers such as Apex, Go, and others. For this example, we are using Nova.

Instructions:

1. From your homescreen, long press on the "App Drawer" button. 2. Select the option for "Edit." 3. Next to Swipe Action, select the "None" text. 4. A separate page will pop up. On the top, hit "Apps." 5. Scroll down until you find "Google." 6. Select it. 7. Under the Edit Shortcut menu, hit "OK." 8. Test it. Swipe up on the App Drawer button and you will be taken to Google Now. And that's it! No more fuss. *The rest of the Android Beginners’ Guide is a one-stop shop for all of those new to Android.

HeroCraft's Ant Raid "Colonises" Google Play, Features Cute Little Army Ants!

Tim — Thu, 27 Dec 2012 10:29:41 +0000

[youtube]http://youtu.be/SXvV7n0r-5A[/youtube]

I think I found my new favorite game. Recently launched onto Google Play, the game is called Ant Raid. It pits a colony of cute little ants (who have awesome little catchphrases), against mutated bugs and creatures in your garden. It gives off a Starcraft and older Warcraft type feel, because you use your fingers to select how many troops you will send to defeat each oncoming enemy. It's priced reasonably at $0.99, but only for a short time. If you're into endless waves of mutated slugs trying to get at your makeshift watermelon home, then you better hustle up and get it. Play Link ($0.99)

Kii Keyboard Beta Hits Google Play - Gesture Controls, Themes, and More

Tim — Thu, 27 Dec 2012 09:30:40 +0000

Third party keyboards - we can't get enough of them. As we have seen from past examples, some are much better than others in terms of usability and user adoption. Although, we have seen some that are just downright ridiculous. Kii Keyboard on the other hand, is looking pretty good so far. The keyboard brings together some of the more popular features from SwiftKey, Swype, and others. For example, the prediction is spot on like SwiftKey's and of course, there is swipe gesture typing like you see with Swype. It's really quite functional and it also supports a ton of different language packs, which is perfect for our multi-lingual readers. Hola! During the beta period, the following features will be enabled for all users. Main features:

Accurate and smart keyboard predictions
User defined text shortcuts
Extra number key row
Extra arrow key row
Swiftkey like next word prediction
Gesture keyboard control
Swype like gesture input
Thumb Keyboard like split keyboard layouts
Support iOS6 emoji input
8 build-in HD themes
Support a variety of themes: Go Keyboard, Better Keyboard, Themeshop Keyboard themes
Font and color customization
Use any pictures as keyboard background
True Multi-touch keyboard
Jelly Bean 4.2 keyboard

Play Link No word on when the keyboard will come out of beta, but get it while it's hot and let us know what you think so far. The gestures could use a tad bit of work, but I think the keyboard does well when bringing together the best features from multiple competitors.

Google Play Gives Us Their Best Apps and Games of 2012

Kellen — Thu, 27 Dec 2012 09:28:09 +0000

The Google Play team has released their picks for "Best of the Best" of 2012 this week, many of which are interesting to say the least. They put forth their favorite apps, games, music, books, and movies for the past year, but since we only care about the Android side of things, have listed them out for you below. You'll find titles like Zappos (what?), Evernote, Fancy, Granny Smith, Subway Surfers, and TED.

Apps

Games

Bard's Tale
Nun Attack
Granny Smith
Zookeeper Battle
Devil's Attorney
Strikefleet Omega
Funky Smugglers
Shadowgun: Deadzone
Need for Speed: Most Wanted
Hamlet
Subway Surfers
Naught

Play Links: Apps | Games Anything you would change about these lists?

Samsung Tackles Multi-tasking, Business Solutions, and Office Politics in New Note 2 Ad

Kellen — Thu, 27 Dec 2012 08:11:08 +0000

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Itb0s5jTJHY[/youtube]

According to this latest Samsung Galaxy Note 2 ad, the oversized phone is great for multi-tasking while you work on quarterly earnings reports. It's also an amazing way for co-workers to slack off and then take credit for hard work you just put in. Thankfully, those slackers never win, at least not in this fantasy world.

Tip: How to Fix Poorly Matched Songs in Google Music, Explicit Ones Included

Kellen — Wed, 26 Dec 2012 15:37:51 +0000

On Monday, we first reported on the fact that Google Music's new Scan and Match feature didn't appear to be all that big of a fan of music with explicit lyrics. In fact, almost every album that users attempted to match to Google that contained explicit content, was being matched with the much more Sunday-friendly, "clean" version. Users complained, as expected, because a fix for the problem was initially no where to be found. As of today, users have discovered that a temporary fix is available after Google tries to match your songs. Next to each song or album title, you'll find an arrow that when clicked, drops a menu down with options. At the very bottom, if Google has matched a song, you should see an option that reads "Fix incorrect match." If you choose it, it should attempt to upload the song from your library and replace the incorrect version. Tim and I have both been unable to find this option, but our collections all seem to be OK. For those that have had matching issues, is this option there for you? And is it working? Via: Engadget Cheers Nick!

No Droid Life Show Tonight, Last Week's Episode a Fine Replacement

Kellen — Wed, 26 Dec 2012 15:07:38 +0000

[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=27fJp9hxQWo[/youtube]

If you missed last week's episode of The Droid Life Show, then you may have missed out on our announcement that this week's show has been cancelled. With it being a short week and all, along with the holidays and lack of important news, we thought we'd take the week off and prepare for an amazing 2013. In just over a week, Tim and I will be in Las Vegas to cover CES, the biggest electronics show on the planet. It happens every year at this time and is a great way to get back in the swing of things. There is a chance that we do some sort of a CES preview, but don't hold us too tightly to that. Next week, again, is another holiday week. So in the mean time, feel free to check out episode 10 from last week, if you haven't already. Subscribe to the show feed, grab us from iTunes, or listen via this post.

Official Amazon Instant Video App Hits 2012 LG TVs Equipped With Google TV

Tim — Wed, 26 Dec 2012 15:00:31 +0000

If you're the owner of a brand new LG television equipped with Google TV, you're in luck! Amazon has released an official Amazon Instant Video app for 2012 LG models only, kind of leaving the rest of us out in the cold. The app brings a fantastic user interface to buy and watch movies/shows from, as well as look through your watchlist and closed captioning options. According to Google, we can expect more Google TV devices to be supported soon, but no time frame was given. My guess? Well, let's shoot for, "many moons" from now. Via: Google TV Blog

Google: Gmail Telephone Calls to Remain Free Through 2013

Tim — Wed, 26 Dec 2012 14:30:43 +0000

One of Google's product managers today posted up a note for Gmail users, announcing that domestic telephone calls will remain free through 2013. Neither Kellex or myself use this feature of Gmail, but it's good to know that it's still free. Maybe I'll start checking it out from time to time.

Many of you call phones from Gmail to easily connect with friends and family. If you're in the US and Canada, you'll continue to be able to make free domestic calls through 2013. Plus, in most countries, you can still call the rest of the world from Gmail at insanely low rates.

Thanks, Google. Via: Gmail Blog

Different Retailer Expecting Nexus 7 Docks on January 6

Kellen — Wed, 26 Dec 2012 14:08:23 +0000

The Nexus 7 dock continues to avoid us, months after the device became available to the public and another couple of months since its accessory lineup leaked. We think we're getting close, though. We have already seen one lucky soul grab one in Japan and happily show it off on video. Then last week, we saw B&H list it as becoming available on December 30. Today, we have yet another retailer listing it as coming soon, only this time it's slightly later than the last one. ExcaliberPC, an online retailer I'm not necessarily familiar with, is listing a January 6 availability date. As you probably figured, the 30th is this Sunday and probably much more preferable to most of us. The 6th of January is the day that we head to Vegas for CES, and not quite as tasteful. Via: ExcaliberPC Cheers @rsbousquet!

Tapatalk HD Beta Released to Google Play, Forum Fans With Tablets Rejoice

Tim — Wed, 26 Dec 2012 13:04:24 +0000

Folks who spend time on forums throughout the web already know about Tapatalk. It's the go-to app to get your fill of the message boards through your mobile device, but until now, the app wasn't very hot on Android tablets. Consider that officially changed thanks to the release of Tapatalk HD Beta through Google Play.

Features:

New - Gallery view on bigger forums, discover new discussions by photos

New - Push Notification - instant notification of subscribed topics, private messages, likes received, mentioned, and more!

Portrait and Landscape view optimized

Forum Moderation - stick, open, close, delete, ban and more

Dark and Light themes

...and all the features you would find from the already amazing Tapatalk Forum App for phone!

It's a beta, but the developer says we should expect to see the full version sometime in January of 2013. Let us know what you think down below. Play Link Cheers @WinDroidGuy!

Top 10 Apps For Your New Android Device

Tim — Wed, 26 Dec 2012 12:20:08 +0000

So, you got a fancy new Android phone for the holidays! Congratulations! Now that you're all set up, the only thing left to do is find the best apps and start having some fun. Google Play offers thousands of different applications and games to choose from, so without getting lost looking through countless pages of apps, allow us to drop some knowledge on you. These are our top 10 recommendations to get you started with Android.

1. Chrome (free): Earlier this year, Google released Chrome for Android and changed the way folks were using their Internet browsers. With Chrome, your mobile device and desktop computer's tabs/browsing history can be perfectly synced, allowing for a fantastic browsing experience while on the go. Were you looking up that perfect spot for lunch on your desktop and forgot the name while on your way? Chrome has you covered. It's free on Google Play and is always the first app we suggest to new Android users.

2. Falcon Pro ($0.99): Our love for the Falcon Pro app for Twitter is well known in these parts. We even did a full review on the app just to inform the masses of its existence. What makes the app so great is the user experience. The app is built amazingly well and offers up a very smooth, yet easy-to-navigate experience. It features swipe controls that help you go through your different feeds, which allows you to only see and read what you want. When it comes to Twitter apps, Falcon Pro rules the roost.

3. SwiftKey 3 Keyboard ($1.99): For Android users, having a third party keyboard can be a major plus. There are a lot of different options out there and we have found that SwiftKey 3 (especially the new beta, Flow) takes the cake. As for me, I type extremely fast, so I need a keyboard whose auto correct I can actually rely on. The app also offers up a ton of customization options such as themes, layout options, and more. To top that off, it offers usage statistics that show you your typing efficiency and things of that nature. Definitely worth the price.

4. Instagram (free): Instagram makes our list given that we feel it to be the "perfect social network." None of those silly status updates - just pictures that give you a peak into the lives of those you care about. And of course, you can follow some celebs if you are so inclined. You can always check out Facebook, Google+, and Tumblr as well.

5. Nova Launcher (free): Custom launchers are one of the many things that makes Android great. If you aren't happy with the stock home experience, you can change it! What makes Nova our go-to launcher is that we simply love the performance and customization options. Once applied, it gives you the ability to use custom icons, adjust grid sizes, change home screen transitions, manipulate the app drawer, and so much more. If there was something in your stock home experience that you weren’t enjoying, Nova likely has a fix. Also, if you're looking for a good custom icon pack, check our Lustre and Tersus from Google Play.

6. Snapseed (free): Snapseed is relatively new to Android, but it has already become one of our new favorites. Previously only available for iOS devices, it is award-winning photo editing software that puts many other "filter apps" to complete shame. With swipe controls that put you in command of some powerful editing tools, you can turn your silly smartphone pictures into works of art. Once you are done editing your pictures, you can easily share them to your favorite social network or save them to your device. What makes it even better is that it is completely free.

7. Games (Granny Smith, Need for Speed: Most Wanted): Okay, we couldn't narrow it down to just a single game, so we will give you two to get started. For starters, if you know anything about us, you will know we love Granny Smith. We named it our top game of 2012 and for good reason - it's addictive! To start, it's nice and easy and then evolves into a game that can become frustrating and extremely difficult, all while being completely enjoyable to play. It's priced at $1.99, but is a game that we can't get enough of. Secondly, we have Need For Speed: Most Wanted. To put it simply, it's the best driving game on Android. Period. For having tilt controls and some touchscreen controls, the game plays extremely well. The graphics are insanely sweet, but it does come paired with a high $5.99 price tag. Act quick and you can still get it on sale for $0.99.

8. AppSales (free): This app is fantastic. It's sole purpose is to save you money on the apps you want. Everyday, AppSales is updated to show which apps on Google Play are currently on sale. From using this app, I've easily saved $10 on apps/games, which is a win in my book. Definitely install this one if you're big into buying content for your device.

9. Beautiful Widgets ($2.50) Beautiful Widgets has been around since the beginning, and it's always on our list of recommendations for new Android users. With the newest updates the app has received, it has blossomed into an amazing widget application, with a literal ton of different options to choose from. Once one of the widgets is applied to your homescreen, you can see the time, current weather reports for your location or another location, dates, and access your alarms all from your homescreen. There isn't a single option you can't customize, which allows users to make a widget that fits their device and lifestyle with relative ease. The app runs a couple of dollars, but it could be some of the best money you spend in a long time.

10. Dropbox (free): Being able to have all of your important files/media on the go is important to everyone, not just Android users. With Dropbox, you have a safe place to store your important photos, videos, work files, and everything else that you don't want stored on your device. Dropbox is one of the must-have apps for any Android user.

Honorable Mentions:

The below listed apps didn't make our top 10, but they certainly deserve a mention. Some are apps for getting work done, and the others are games that will help you waste that extra time you have. Either way, these are just a few more apps that we can't live without as Android users. 1. Flipboard (free) 2. Pattrn (free) 3. Grand Theft Auto: Vice City ($4.99) 4. Adobe Reader (free) 5. Zombiewood (free) 6. Google Currents (free) 7. Sound Search (free) 8. Ingress (free) If you have any apps that you want to share with the community, feel free to list them below in the comments section. Have a good time with your new device!

DoorBot Pairs With Smartphones to Let You Answer Your Front Door From Anywhere With Video

Kellen — Wed, 26 Dec 2012 11:54:29 +0000

Remember Lockitron, the wireless-enabled door lock that you could control on your smartphone from anywhere in the world? Meet it's new pal, DoorBot. DoorBot is a wireless and battery powered front door camera/doorbell that pairs wonderfully with Lockitron to give you the ultimate combined smartphone and front door lock experience. As someone approaches your door and rings the doorbell with DoorBot, you are notified on your smartphone or tablet with a message and live video of the person. You can view this over data or WiFi, so just like Lockitron, it can be accessed from anywhere in the world. You can even talk to the person through the speaker and microphone system that comes equipped with DoorBot. How does it pair with Lockitron? The creators of each product worked together to add in lock/unlock support into the DoorBot app, so that if you are using Lockitron on your door, you can unlock the door for the person quite easily. Also like Lockitron, this is a crowdfunded project. As of this posting, DoorBot's creators sit at $131,000 funds raised, but they need $250,000 to get the project fully funded. There are 25 days left, so if this sounds like something you can't live without, or if you think it would pair nicely with the Lockitron that you already committed to, think about DoorBot. The Doorbot by itself is $169. If you combine it with a Lockitron it's $319. Via: DoorBot Cheers Lee!

Video: Quick Look at Jelly Bean on the Original DROID RAZR

Kellen — Wed, 26 Dec 2012 11:21:31 +0000

Over the long weekend, Motorola began to push a Jelly Bean update to the original DROID RAZR and RAZR MAXX as build 98.72.8. We're assuming this was a mistake, as the update was killed a couple of hours after it went live, even though a number of users were able to pull it. Verizon and Motorola also made no announcement about an update. Plus, the build was dated December 11, which means it's as fresh at it gets, something that may be too fresh for Verizon's slow update approval process. Thankfully, some crafty RAZR owners were able to grab the update file and make it available to the public. You can update to it now, if you'd like. We do recommend that you proceed with caution, though, as the update may not be the final version that Verizon approves. For those that have yet to update, or even those that have, we thought we'd put together a quick video to show off the new features that Jelly Bean (Android 4.1.2) brings to the original RAZRs. Google Now is there in all its glory, as is the new Voice Search, better notifications, Project Butter, and more.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dvufUYiWjfU[/youtube]

Samsung Makes Source Code Available for the Verizon Galaxy S3

Kellen — Wed, 26 Dec 2012 10:33:05 +0000

If you are the ROM developer type and you own a Galaxy S3 on Verizon, you'll be pleased to learn that Samsung has made the source code available for it. And that's about all there is to say about that. Developers, do work. ROM flashers, wait patiently. Via: Samsung | Android Police

Battle Alert: Red Uprising For Android, Tower Defense Gameplay to the Max

Tim — Wed, 26 Dec 2012 09:10:11 +0000

For fans of real-time strategy games and epic tower defense gameplay, check out Battle Alert - Red Uprising. Since hitting Google Play, the app has seen some crazy download numbers, which always reminds me that people are very passionate about these types of games. The objective is to build up your army and destroy the opposing forces that march on your land. Much like other games of this genre, there are in-app purchases after the free initial download. That comes with the territory. Check it out and see if it is to your liking. Play Link

Post X-mas Nexus Availability Update: Nexus 4 and Nexus 10 Still Gone, Some Nexus 7s Available

Kellen — Wed, 26 Dec 2012 08:49:02 +0000

Now that X-mas is over, and you probably have some cash or gift cards to spend on the tech goodies that Santa was unable to bring you, you are probably wondering what the Nexus stock situation is, right? Still not good, unfortunately. If you want a Nexus 4 or Nexus 10 in either size, you are out of luck. Both are listed as "Sold Out" in big, bold, red print. There is no telling when these two will return. The Nexus 7 is in stock though, at least in both 32GB variants. Both the WiFi-only and HSPA+ 32GB versions are shipping in "less than one week." Via: Google Play

Amazon Hosts "Free App of the Day" Greatest Hits From the Last Couple of Years, All Free of Course

Kellen — Wed, 26 Dec 2012 08:21:19 +0000

We're days away from 2013, so as we inch closer, the deals for our favorite apps, accessories, or phones are starting to creep in. The first notable sale we noticed, was one through Amazon and their Appstore. While I probably haven't used the service in over a year, I fully understand the importance of its "Free App of the Day" deal, which is highlighted in a "Greatest Hits" section for the time being. What you'll find in here, is list of important apps from the last couple of years that people downloaded like crazy. If you happened to miss one, you can grab any or all of them for free, some of which are normally priced at $15. On the list, we have apps like Splashtop Remote, OfficeSuite Pro, TuneIn Radio Pro, Gravilux, Radiant HD, and more. Via: Amazon Cheers Jason!

LG to Introduce Two New Google TV Models at CES

Kellen — Mon, 24 Dec 2012 12:00:49 +0000

That's right, Google TV still exists and companies are continuing to put money into the product. LG seems to be the leader at this point, already announcing that they have two new TV models (GA7900 and GA6400) with Google TV to show off at CES (pictured above). Sporting dual-core processors, the OnLive app for cloud gaming, a thinner bezel, fancy new stand, and what appears to be a custom version of Google TV, LG is hoping their intuitive user experience at various sizes can meet more consumers' demands. No pricing information was given.

LG TO SHOWCASE TWO NEW MODELS FEATURING GOOGLE TV AT CES 2013

ExpandedSmart Google TV Lineup from LG Provides the Most User-friendly Wayto Search and Discover Amazing Content
SEOUL, Dec. 24, 2012 – LG Electronics (LG) will introduce an extended Google TV lineup at the 2013 International Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas. LG’s new models GA7900 and GA6400 deliver an outstandingly intuitive user experience at various sizes and new design to meet more consumers’ expectations. Google’s latest platform and LG’s redesigned Magic Remote Qwerty work together to enhance the effectiveness of Voice Search and the PrimeTime quick guide. The updated Smart Home also adds to the user experience by offering convenient, streamlined access to VoD, YouTube and more apps. Discovering exciting new content from the rich pool of choices available on LG Google TV has never been easier. Additionally, the premium model will incorporate LG’s advanced CINEMA SCREEN design for an undeniably sleek and modern finish. “LG is committed to providing diverse home entertainment options that offer the most satisfying user experience and the latest LG Smart TVs with Google TV do just that,” said Havis Kwon, President and CEO of the LG Electronics Home Entertainment Company. “They deliver a stellar user experience by merging the latest Google TV platform with LG’s proven Smart TV technology. The result is a comprehensive system that is groundbreaking in its simplicity.” LG Google TV aims to redefine the user experience. The platform offers the ease of use that recalls the simplicity of earlier television sets. The new Smart Home offers varied types of “cards” that act as folders for apps and other content. The new My Interest Card can even display useful information including real-time weather and customizable news. The entire user interface can be navigated using the redesigned Magic Remote Qwerty, which combines a complete keyboard with the convenient benefits of the Magic Remote’s point-and-click control. The enhanced natural language recognition incorporated in the revamped remote is a perfect match with Google’s outstanding search functionality. The overall voice-based capabilities multiply the effectiveness of the PrimeTime quick guide to provide an unparalleled user experience and make browsing through the more than 100,000 available movies and TV episodes on LG Google TV a breeze. LG Smart TV’s dual core CPU enables easy menu navigation, fast internet browsing and video streaming. The additional processor power allows the TruPicture XD Engine to process images quickly and precisely, resulting in richer colors, deeper contrast and greater overall picture clarity. And LG has applied its advanced CINEMA SCREEN design to the premium model to offer a sleek, modern look. This design further minimizes width of the bezel, giving the TV a streamlined appearance while creating the impression of a borderless display. Along with the LG Google TV’s unique stand design, it integrates perfectly with interior design of a living room. The LG Smart TV with Google TV offers superb connectivity options and can connect to a variety of devices wirelessly. With the latest YouTube app update for Android, smartphones and tablets can be automatically paired with Google TV over the same home network via Wi-Fi, making it easy to send videos from your device to your TV. Gamers will be pleased to know that LG Google TV will offer the OnLive® app pre-installed, which transforms the TV into an incredible gaming platform without a console. The app makes hundreds of high quality video games available instantly from the cloud. Also offering CINEMA 3D TV functionality, the LG Google TV employs FPR technology to give movie buffs and gamers a great 3D effect without the distracting flicker.
# # #

Original DROID RAZR Receiving Android 4.1.2 Jelly Bean Build 98.72.8 (Updated)

Kellen — Mon, 24 Dec 2012 11:31:10 +0000

According to a number of readers with the original RAZR and RAZR MAXX, a massive update weighing in at 331MB and build number 98.72.8 is pushing out. There are no signs of an official update going out from any of the regular spots, so we aren't sure if this is Jelly Bean, and someone at Motorola accidentally flipped the "Go!" switch or what. The build number starting with a 9 certainly resembles previous Jelly Bean updates on other Motorola phones. The RAZR HD's update dropped in at 9.1.41. As we have more, we'll update this post. Update: Most are reporting that the update is taking forever to download and that there isn't much of a progress bar. Some claiming it's Jelly Bean, but we have no confirmation yet. I'm also downloading it on my RAZR. Still updating...

Update 2: Readers Alan, Julianne, and whozat451 posted up this screenshot, matching the build number of 98.72.8, which also shows that it's Jelly Bean (Android 4.1.2). Merry Xmas, DROID RAZR owners.

Update 3: We should point out that we have yet to hear anything official from Verizon or Motorola. Someone either screwed up badly and made this available early, or we'll hear all about it on Wednesday morning, when everyone returns to work. Update 4: The update may have been pulled. My download stopped midway through, as did many others', saying that the "Download of update failed." The phone is now showing as up-to-date. Assuming Moto and Verizon caught the early rollout and pulled from servers.

Update 5: Here is a download link (via Shamo316) to the file for those that want to venture into the land of Jelly Bean. I should warn you that we do not know if this is a final build or not. It could be, but today's update push also may have been a giant mistake. Proceed with caution. Drop on SD card (not internal storage), boot into recovery, select the file and update. Need to be on .211. Manually install update:

Download file from above and drop on SD card (not internal storage)
Power phone off
Hold Power and both Volume Up and Down until boot screen appears
From boot screen, scroll down to "Recovery" with Volume Down
Press Volume Up to select it once it has been highlighted
When Android and exclamation show up, press both Volumes at the same time.
Then "install update from external storage" and find the file.

Cheers Bryan, Alex, @semcc9, John and @Daleinboro!

ZTE's 5" Grand S Features 1080p Display, Will Be Unveiled at CES

Tim — Mon, 24 Dec 2012 11:30:46 +0000

It's confirmed! 2013 is actually spelled "1080." At this year's CES, we are sure to see a ton of devices sporting 1080p displays, but according to the newest leaks, add ZTE's Grand S to the list as confirmed. Other than its 5" display and uni-body design, not much else is known about the Grand S beyond its tagline, "the world's thinnest for 5 inch FHD smartphones." Will we ever see it on a US carrier? My money is on it being on a smaller carrier and not making its way to any of the big four. But if it did, would ZTE interest anybody? In terms of brand recognition, I can't say they have much going here in the U.S. Via: Engadget

Google Play Holiday Sales Round-up #3: Swiftkey, Beautiful Widgets, HD Widgets, and More

Kellen — Mon, 24 Dec 2012 11:00:41 +0000

Gameloft isn't the only Android app company holding a sale this week. In fact, a number of our favorite apps continue to drop in price. We've already done a couple of deal round-ups that you may want to check out, however, this is the most current list which features apps like Swiftkey 3, both Beautiful and HD Widgets, and more. As we see new ones pop up, we'll be sure to update this post.

Deals:

Swiftkey 3 ($0.99)
Beautiful Widgets ($1.29)
HD Widgets ($0.99)
SlideIT Keyboard ($1.99)
n7player Full Unlocker ($1.99)
Fieldrunners HD ($0.99)

If you’re looking for even more deals, check out the AppSales app that we wrote up last week for all of Google Play’s current deals.