Droid Life

Last Week to Lock in $7.99 per Month Price Tag for Google Play Music All Access

Tim — Mon, 24 Jun 2013 10:26:58 +0000

If procrastinating and waiting till the last minute is your MO, then be aware that time is running out to lock in the $8/month price tag for All Access, Google's music streaming service. Introduced at Google I/O back in May, many folks have already cancelled other streaming services such as Pandora and Spotify in favor of All Access, allowing them to bring all of their subscription services under one roof. Once July starts, the service will cost new subscribers $10 a month. Not that bad, but still $2 more than early adopters. And remember, you receive 30 days free to try it out and see what you're missing out on when you sign up. Sign-up here. [youtube]http://youtu.be/YNT1ywwAcmI[/youtube] Via: @GooglePlay

Droid Life Q&A Sessions: Volume 13

Kellen — Mon, 24 Jun 2013 10:00:11 +0000

It has been a couple of months since we last hosted a Q&A session here at Droid Life, so with the summer upon us and a handful of incredibly important devices arriving in the near future, let's get to answering some questions from readers. For those new to this ongoing feature, think of a Q&A session as your chance to ask the DL crew anything you'd like. Now, we're not talking just smartphone or Android-related stuff either. Sure, we would love to talk about the new "Nexus experience" devices that are arriving this week, new thoughts on Motorola and the Moto X, or if we are close to franchising our own Viva Movil, but you are also free to ask us about our summer vacations, what we plan to do without Game of Thrones for the next several months, or if Ron actually owns an Android device at this stage in life. We are open to it all. On Friday, we'll grab a handful of the best comments and let the team tackle them. To see all of our previous Q&A’s, check them out here.

ERMAHGERD: Official Holo-Style Imgur App for Android Leaves Beta

Eric — Mon, 24 Jun 2013 09:30:45 +0000

If you have seen a funny internet picture with a witty caption on it anytime recently, there is a good chance that it was uploaded to Imgur. The service has been providing hosting space for the Internet's funniest and stupidest memes for a while now, but today, is finally taking their Android application out of beta for everyone on Android to use. The app is styled in Android's Holo theme throughout, featuring the slide-out menu that we now expect from top-tier apps. Images are featured in tiles, which makes for easy selecting, enjoying and uploading to your own profile. If you are anxious to look at some Lil Bub photos or laugh at Bad Luck Brian memes, hit the link below. Play Link

ERMAHGERD: IMGUR OFFICIALLY GOES MOBILE

Endless entertainment on the go with new Imgur app

JUNE 24, 2013—SAN FRANCISCO—Imgur, the fastest growing image sharing platform on the web, today introduces its first official mobile app. Until now, Imgurians have used their mobile site or unofficial third-party apps built using the Imgur API. The new app delivers the complete Imgur experience, maintaining a clean user interface with access to the entire feature set. Available first for Android devices, the new Imgur app makes it easy to view, upload, share, comment, and engage with all of Imgur’s entertaining images on the go.
People continue to migrate from traditional entertainment media like TV, and shift attention from social networks like Facebook to outlets that let them consume and share content in new ways, without tying everything they do back to a profile that features and promotes it forever. This trend lines up nicely for the natural evolution of the Imgur experience, which has been moving toward image sharing as a form of entertainment, more like a YouTube for images. To that end, discovering and consuming cool content is a core focus for both the site and for the new app. The user experience is all about finding the newest, most interesting “viral” images, engaging with them, and sharing them with friends. The dynamic nature of the content inspires users to engage frequently, in many cases on a daily basis. Imgur also promises new features in the coming months to aid content creation, and enhance personalization and discovery. “We’re really excited to bring Imgurians a mobile tool that makes their Imgur experience better,” said Alan Schaaf, founder and CEO, Imgur. “We’ve seen mobile usage double annually, up from about 7% in January 2011 to 30% at the beginning of this year. The decision to build and release our own app was due to a substantial increase in mobile browser usage over time. We’re trying to develop a closer, more intimate relationship with our users and we think people’s phones are the best way to reach out and do that.” As expected from the Simple Image Sharer, users will see an intense focus on simplicity and usability in the new mobile experience. TL; DR Imgur finally released an Android app!

The Silent Age Launches for Android - It's Time to Save the World

Tim — Mon, 24 Jun 2013 08:51:54 +0000

This morning, The Silent Age hit Google Play for Android, a point-and-click game that shows some real potential. In this title, which we have highlighted before its release, you play as a janitor that stumbles on a time machine and must go back to save all of humanity. Through various puzzles, riddles and clues, you must figure out what killed us all and then attempt to fix it. As time morphs, things inside the game change. It's a pretty sweet concept. So far, I can tell you the controls are smooth and the music is beast. You can pick it up for free inside Google Play. Let us know what you think down below! Play Link [youtube]http://youtu.be/HqZLKshfIIo[/youtube]

AT&T Slashing 50% Off Smartphones Through End of June, Including the Galaxy S4 and HTC One

Kellen — Mon, 24 Jun 2013 07:44:15 +0000

Up until June 30, AT&T is willing to slash half the price off of a new phone should you be interested in signing a new contract with the wireless carrier. In a new promo that went live this past weekend, AT&T is offering up 50% discounts to any phone available in their online shop , including the Samsung Galaxy S4 and HTC One (iPhone 5 too if you care). All you have to do is shop from their site, add the device to your cart, and then proceed to checkout where you will see the discount being applied. As you can tell from the image above, this even worked on the brand new Galaxy S4 Active. Phones eligible range from $0.99 to $199 in price. Now, we're not big fans of wireless contracts, but we also understand that a large majority of smartphone owners aren't interested in forking out the $600+ it would cost to pay full retail and remain contract-free. Should contracts be something you are willing to accept, you have to admit that this is a hell of a deal. Again, you have until June 30. Via: AT&T

Reminder: "Nexus Experience" Editions of the Galaxy S4 and HTC One Arrive Wednesday

Kellen — Mon, 24 Jun 2013 07:12:39 +0000

For years, Android enthusiasts have expressed a desire to have top-of-the-line flagship devices outside of the Nexus line that are running stock Android and are far-removed from the experiences delivered by OEM skins. In fact, most ultra-enthusiasts still root their skinned devices and then flash stock-style ROMs to give them the closest thing to having a Nexus phone. Come this Wednesday (June 26), some of your prayers will have been answered, as Google has teamed up with Samsung and HTC to deliver both of their 2013 flagship smartphones as "Nexus experience" devices that run stock Android, get updates directly from Google like a Nexus, and will be sold through Google Play. Samsung was the first to join this new program, announcing through Google during Google I/O in May that the Galaxy S4 "Nexus experience" would be available on Google Play for $649 without contract. The device sports all of the same specs as the rest of the U.S. line of GS4 variants, but also connects to both AT&T and T-Mobile's LTE network, has an unlocked bootloader, and 16GB of storage. It's identical in shape and size to the GS4 that is currently available elsewhere, but again, the difference is in the software. This version will run stock Android 4.2.2 and see updates faster than almost any other device. HTC joined the party only a short couple of weeks after Samsung made their announcement, making the One a part of the "Nexus experience" program. Android boss Sundar Pichai sat on stage at the D11 conference with the "Nexus experience" One in hand, announcing that it would also be available on June 26, though it would drop in at a slightly lower $599 price. This version of the One carriers 32GB of internal storage, connects to both AT&T and T-Mobile LTE networks, runs stock Android 4.2.2, updates as fast as a Nexus, and still sports Beats audio.

Both launch this Wednesday - are you ready to make the commitment?

Magna Carta App Now Available on Android, Install to be the First to get Jay-Z's New Album

Kellen — Mon, 24 Jun 2013 06:39:08 +0000

If you want to be a part of the first million people in the world to get Jay-Z's new album "Magna Carta Holy Grail," step 1 asks that you install the new Magna Carta app that just went live on Google Play. As announced last Sunday during the NBA Finals, Jay-Z and Samsung have teamed up to give away his MCHG album to the first 1 million Galaxy S4, Galaxy S3, and Galaxy Note 2 owners who have this app installed and then access it on July 4 at 12:01 EST. Once you install the app, you'll be asked to agree to terms, sign-in with either Facebook or Twitter, confirm your age, and then decide if you want the clean or explicit version of the album. In order to be eligible to grab the album for free on the 4th, you will need to have completed these steps. For those without a Samsung GS4, GS3 and Note 2, the app will show as not being compatible with your device. It is a Samsung deal after all, so that's not surprising. Play Link Cheers murkfest!

This Week in the Life of DROID: 6/21/2013

Tim — Fri, 21 Jun 2013 16:45:05 +0000

We had another great week at DL, but as some noticed, we did take this week off from the Droid Life Show. Don't worry, we will return next week! Beyond the absence of a new podcast, HTC's CEO gave word that he won't be quitting his job, Samsung announced the Galaxy NX camera device, LG is planning something major, and NVIDIA lowered SHIELD's price to just $299 from $349. Big things happened. If you missed any of the action, we have listed the highlights below.

Have a great weekend, folks!

Friday Poll: If You Could be the CEO of an Android Manufacturer, Who Would It be?

Kellen — Fri, 21 Jun 2013 15:57:59 +0000

Fans of tech talk a lot about how they would change this or that when it comes to new phones or tablets, they question leadership of their favorite companies quite often, and almost always think they could have made the newest line of flagship products better. Well, what if you had a chance to do that? Not that you actually will, unless HTC's CEO job opens up, but think about the company that you would most like to lead. To be more specific though, think about the Android OEM that you would most like to command. Would it be Samsung and their dominant position globally? Would you like to see if you can give Motorola the restart it so desperately needs? Can you save HTC? Could you turn LG into the next Samsung? Or is there another company (Google doesn't count) that you would love to take over? As always, feel free to explain your choice in the comments. [poll id="259"]

AOL Launching Google Reader Alternative, in Beta Testing Now (Updated: Beta Live)

Kellen — Fri, 21 Jun 2013 14:24:45 +0000

Update: The beta for AOL Reader is now live. Go sign-up! With Google Reader scheduled to shut down in about a week on July 1, we're seeing more replacement services pop up by the day outside of Feedly. One of those happens to be mega-internet giant AOL, who appears to have semi-secretly launched their own Google Reader replacement into beta. They already have a landing page for the new service, which is simply calling it AOL Reader. According to the site, the service will be customizable, allow you to adjust the experience to your liking, and allow for importing/exporting to and from other RSS readers. Also, if you take a look at the image used for AOL Reader (included at the top of the post), we're seeing the presentation of experiences across multiple devices and device sizes, ranging from phones to tablets to computers. That could mean apps or it could mean a website that scales depending on your browser or device. As far as the beta goes, the AOL Reader website displays a sign-up or invite request box, however, I'm unable to get it to submit without error. Engadget is reporting that sign-ups will go live on June 24. Via: AOL [2] | Engadget

Amid HTC's Constant Struggles, CEO Peter Chou Won't Quit His Job

Tim — Fri, 21 Jun 2013 13:07:01 +0000

As HTC continues to remain in a downward spiral in terms of revenue and sales, their fearless leader Peter Chou, isn't done quite yet. Chou co-founded HTC back in 1997, turning absolutely nothing into a company that creates some of the world's most desirable smartphones, although lately, the company has not been doing so hot. With profits dropping a reported 98% in previous quarters, Chou has taken much of the blame for the company's recent woes. While dealing with this uphill battle, he is still optimistic and said in a recent interview that he won't be quitting his role as CEO at HTC anytime soon.

I know you guys want to ask, will I quit. There are a lot of rumors that say I would quit, but I never said that. I'm not going to find another job.

When companies take large dives such as this and can't seem to get back on the right track with a winning formula, it is not uncommon to see a changing of the guard. According to an interview with one of HTC's board members, David Yoffie, not a single time has a discussion been made about removing Chou from power. "The board has a lot of confidence in Peter, and share price is not going to drive decisions on the future of the chief executive." With the new year already half way behind us, HTC has given off a lot of positive signs. They have unified their hardware design language, brought their top-selling flagship device to the major four U.S. carriers (still waiting on Verizon's variant), and still have a decent amount of marketing presence across the globe. Sometimes that is hard to keep in perspective when a company like Samsung has a limitless amount of power in those important departments. Nevertheless, we can expect to continue seeing Mr. Chou as HTC's CEO for the time being. Via: WSJ

Gameloft's Gangstar Vegas Released for Android, Pick it up on Google Play

Tim — Fri, 21 Jun 2013 11:50:18 +0000

With the weekend just hours away, it's time to start thinking about what you will be doing while sitting at home on the couch. Want a suggestion? Check out the recently released Gangstar Vegas game from Gameloft. In the newest addition to the Gangstar series, you play a badass MMA fighter who takes on a gang of baddies in over 80 missions throughout an open world. The easiest way to explain these games is that they relate heavily to Grand Theft Auto. The world you play in is massive, measuring in at 9X larger than the previous world in Gangstar. There are rag-doll physics, a crazy assortment of weapons to wreak havoc with and a ton of other sweet features. The game weighs in at 2.5GB of size, so please be sure you have plenty of room on your device for a game of that size. It costs $7 through Google Play, so that's another thing to keep in mind. Quite the investment for an Android game. Play Link ($6.99) [youtube]http://youtu.be/S_cGFKy4i-s[/youtube]

Contest: Win 1 of 5 Google Play $10 Gift Cards Because We Love You (Updated: Winners Picked)

Kellen — Fri, 21 Jun 2013 11:25:13 +0000

It's Friday, it's slow, and it's cloudy again here in Portland. What does that mean for you? Free stuff! To help take us in to the weekend, we thought we'd hand out five $10 Google Play gift cards that we found laying around in our closet full of tech goodies. We know you want one. I would want one. But I'm not you, so I can't win one. Who is ready?

Contest

Update: Winners have been picked and emailed. Check your inboxes! Prizes: 5 (five) Google Play gift cards worth $10 each, to 5 winners. How to enter: a Rafflecopter giveaway Winners: We'll choose our 5 winners today at 3PM Pacific, email them, and then send out redeem codes.

Another Purported Image Surfaces of Upcoming Samsung Galaxy Note 3

Tim — Fri, 21 Jun 2013 10:55:59 +0000

Could this be the Galaxy Note 3? According to a Chinese source, it most certainly could be. While the overall design, from what we can see, matches up with the Galaxy S4 and the other Galaxy device we have seen from Samsung this year, we still must remain cautious. It features that same fuax-metal look on the side, a slimmed down Home button and a large size, which should go without saying. Some of the specs for the device were also reported along with the image and they sound pretty nice. The Note 3 could pack a 5.99" 1080p display, Snapdragon 800 chipset, Android 4.2.2, 13MP camera, and S-Pen functions. Those specs match up exactly with what we have previously seen here. The Galaxy Note 3 should be unveiled at this year's IFA, an event that takes place in Berlin starting September 6. If this is the Galaxy Note 3, what do you think? Like what you see so far? On a side note, let us hope that Home button is too skinny for "you-know-who" to put their logo on. Wink wink. Via: Ameblo

Map Gives Insight Into iOS, Android Twitter Geographic Usage Patterns

Tim — Fri, 21 Jun 2013 09:45:06 +0000

With more than 280 million tweets sent out using location services, you would hope all of that data could be used to at least make something interesting, right? A company was able to gather this information and place a lighted speck on the map for each tweet, creating a very pretty map for users to check out. What takes the map over the top is that you can toggle between views of tweets from iOS, Android, BlackBerry and "other" device individually. Plus, they can be layered. Very cool. Follow the link below to check the map out and make sure to zoom in all the way to see where folks are tweeting from around you. Via: Mapbox

AT&T Drops LG Optimus G Pro to $99, Optimus G to $49 for Limited Time

Kellen — Fri, 21 Jun 2013 09:12:29 +0000

In the mood for a smartphone deal? AT&T is currently hosting a "special" offer on LG's popular Optimus G line of smartphones. The Optimus G Pro is available now (on 2-year contract) for $99, while the Optimus G can be had for $49. We're told that the sale is limited, running from today through July 25. The Optimus G Pro, as you know, is LG's Galaxy Note 2 competitor, yet boasts better specs like a 5.5-inch 1080p display, 13MP camera, and quad-core Snapdragon 600 processor. The Optimus G on the other hand is last year's flagship from LG that turned out to be the template for Google's Nexus 4. Each phone is great in its own way, but more importantly shows that LG should be taken seriously in the smartphone game going forward. AT&T Links: Optimus G Pro | Optimus G

HTC Nabs Robert Downey Jr. for $12 Million Marketing Deal?

Kellen — Fri, 21 Jun 2013 08:26:12 +0000

Samsung inks LeBron James and Jay-Z to multi-million dollar marketing deals, HTC goes with Tony Stark? According to a report out of Bloomberg, HTC and Robert Downey Jr. have agreed to a $12 million global marketing deal to help promote the Taiwanese company's smartphone brand, likely starting with the One. And actually, according to this report, the campaign will feature Downey Jr. as himself, not any of the characters he has played over the years. Can RDJ help save HTC? That is quite the task, especially after the company just posted one of its worst quarters in history. I guess we'll find out if the man behind one of the most successful superhero franchises has any influence outside of the Iron Man suit. This report also claims that Downey Jr. will have final say over creative elements. Smart move? Ready to see Rob on billboards, in print ads, and TV spots to showcase HTC's newest products? Via: Bloomberg Cheers Aadi!

A Few Thoughts on the Galaxy NX and Galaxy S4 Mini

Dave — Fri, 21 Jun 2013 08:05:45 +0000

Yesterday morning, Samsung unveiled a bevy of products at a Premiere event in London, some of which were brand new, others that were previously announced just unseen publicly. We got to see new tablets, phones and even a new mirrorless-Android-powered camera. I wouldn't blame you if you were unable to list all of them. I was, however, able to play with a few of the new devices and see if Samsung has delivered any innovATIV products. Here are some quick thoughts on the Galaxy NX and the Galaxy S4 Mini. Galaxy NX The first product to grab my eye was the Galaxy NX, the world's first Android-powered camera with interchangeable lenses. Think of it like a mirror-less DLSR, but with a 4.8-inch screen and powered by Android with LTE support. My first question, and probably yours too, was does it have Touchwiz? It does, unfortunately. Those mammoth quick toggles are present in the pulldown and take up half a screen's worth of real estate. That's not my only gripe with Touchwiz, but I'll get to that in a minute. The camera takes some great pictures surprisingly. It doesn't compare to a top-of-the-line Nikon/Canon, but the pictures are hands-down better than anything you'll take on a smartphone. I used to think that the Galaxy Camera was the perfect combination of Android functionality and optical zoom action, but this device is the new champion. The screen is HUGE and takes up the entire backside of the device. On a typical camera, you have physical input buttons to change up the settings, such as shutter speed or ISO. All those settings are placed into Samsung's camera app, and you use the touchscreen to switch them via some on-screen dials (much like you do on the Galaxy Camera). While outside of the camera app, you can also twist a knob (on the lens) that will allow you to immediately jump to some of the camera features. It's at this point that Touchwiz rears its ugly head. There is significant lag while switching between the various UI elements. It's not hard to imagine that they want semi-serious photographers to use this device, but those same individuals don't have the time to waste on a photo shoot, waiting for the camera to respond to their gestures. The same lag appears when you swipe away from the camera and back to Android home. Outside of the camera app, the device functions as a normal Android device with full access to your normal apps, since the device has the Google Play store. Again, lots of hiccups when scrolling or swiping. We were told that the software is currently not finalized, so maybe we'll see that lag disappear. As an owner of an S4, I'm not holding my breath for that. As the NX approaches a retail launch, we'll hopefully have a chance to spend additional time with it, along with retail-ready software. Galaxy S4 Mini It's certainly something, when a 4.3-inch phone earns the moniker "Mini." The Galaxy S4 Mini comes packing with 1.7GHz dual-core processor and a qHD AMOLED display. Despite being smaller than the S4, the device actually felt heavier to me. The build quality looks to be the same as its bigger sibling, with the same metal band and plastic battery cover. The screen is not as gorgeous as the S4, but that should be expected. Surprisingly, in my limited usage, the phone was quite snappy and did not display the lag that you come to expect with Touchwiz. The phone is running 4.2.2, but I was unable to see anything else because the rep quickly told me I was not allowed to be looking at that section of the phone and pushed the home button on me. If you have smaller hands or a dislike for larger screens, you certainly won't go wrong with this phone. Overall I have to say that I was really impressed with the Galaxy NX, even with the present lag issues. In my opinion, it's a great marriage of an interchangeable-lens camera that can take great photos and then use Android to automatically upload them to Flickr or social networks. Don't forget, you can do all of this while utilizing a 4G network. I'm looking forward to seeing how this product moves forward. You've got a winner here, Samsung. Despite all the devices they had available, I had really been hoping to play with the ATIV Q, which is Samsung's Windows-powered tablet that also runs full-blown Android. The single button instant-switch OS feature just looks amazing. Unfortunately, that device was not available. I'm really excited about the idea of multi-tasking between Windows and Android, let alone having that awesome form-factor. Even though the ATIV Q is technically a Windows product, we'll do our best to try and get ahold of one for a review. Keep in mind that most of the products we saw today were either not announced for U.S. markets or were not available to be viewed at the event we attended. We'll most certainly have more as these devices inch closer to retail launchers. In the mean time, be sure to check out our massive gallery of all of the products we were able to get our hands on.

LG Hosting Mobile Event in NYC on August 7

Kellen — Thu, 20 Jun 2013 18:05:30 +0000

LG dropped a short note into our inbox this evening with a save of the date of sorts for a mobile event going down on August 7 in New York City. Actually, they called it an "international media event," which seems to have made it sound much larger than a standard U.S. press event. No other details were provided, but as one would imagine, we're already starting to come up with ideas or topics for the get-together. You may recall LG's confirmation from last night that their next Optimus G series of phones will be powered by Qualcomm's Snapdragon 800 chipset. Is that what we're talking about here? Is August 7 the date for LG to unveil the new Optimus G? Could be. The closeness in timing of last night's announcement with this press note seems interesting enough. I'm sure as the date approaches, we'll know more. No matter what, we'll be there.

Hands-on Gallery of the Samsung Galaxy NX, Galaxy S4 Zoom, and Galaxy S4 Mini

Kellen — Thu, 20 Jun 2013 15:53:35 +0000

Shortly after today's Samsung Galaxy Premiere event, our man Dave had a chance to spend a few minutes with some of the devices they featured on stage, most notably the Galaxy NX mirrorless-Android-powered camera. The Galaxy NX is Samsung's new top-tier camera with interchangeable lenses that also runs a full version of Android through a 4.8-inch HD LCD display. This is no low-end camera like the original Galaxy Camera of last year, that also happens to have Android along for the ride - this may be the real deal. The NX wasn't all that Samsung had on display, though. We've got pictures of the Galaxy S4 Zoom (the phone-camera) and Galaxy S4 Mini down below as well. We didn't have a chance to fondle the Galaxy S4 Active or ATIV Q, so coverage of those will have to continue another day. For now, enjoy the pics! We'll be back with more in a bit.

Samsung Galaxy NX

Samsung Galaxy S4 Zoom

Samsung Galaxy S4 Mini

More coming later, including Dave's initial impressions of everything he saw today.

Samsung Galaxy Mega 6.3 Stops by FCC Again, This Time Equipped With AT&T 4G LTE?

Tim — Thu, 20 Jun 2013 15:46:21 +0000

According to a recent FCC filing spotted by Engadget, Samsung's overly-sized Galaxy Mega 6.3 stopped by the Federal Communications Commission, but that has already happened once before. What makes this second trip important was the addition of what appears to be radios capable of working on AT&T's 4G LTE network. Could the Galaxy Mega be headed to America? Previously, it was stated by Samsung at the time of the device's introduction that it would be a European exclusive, but we all know how things change in this industry. The Mega 6.3 features a 6.3″ HD (720p) LCD display, 1.7GHz dual-core processor, 8MP rear camera, 1.9MP front camera, 8/16GB internal storage, expandable microSD storage slot, 3200mAh battery, LTE and HSPA+ radios, and Android 4.2. If this behemoth lands on AT&T, would anyone be interested? Clearly someone might want to start looking into bringing JNCO Jeans back from the dead. Via: Engadget | FCC

SEGA Celebrating Sonic's 23rd Anniversary, All Sonic Apps on Sale for $1 Through Google Play

Tim — Thu, 20 Jun 2013 14:55:31 +0000

Has it really been 23 years? Well, considering I was almost two years old at that time, Sonic the Hedgehog has been a part of my life for as long as I can literally remember. He was practically my babysitter, as I recall sitting at home with my older brother's SEGA Genesis, just trying to make it past the second world. That game was hard back in the day! Anyways, enough reminiscing. Today, to celebrate the occasion, SEGA has placed all of the Sonic games on Google Play on sale for the price of just $1. Awesome, right? Not much else to say. Go get your Sonic on right now. Play Links:

Sonic Jump
Sonic 4 Episode 1
Sonic 4 Episode 2
Sonic 4 Episode 2 THD
Sonic the Hedgehog
Sonic CD

Go grab 'em!

New Game "Fatty" Released for Android, Non-stop Food Action for $1

Tim — Thu, 20 Jun 2013 14:06:36 +0000

There is a new game for Android this morning called Fatty, released to Google Play by publisher Thumbstar Games. The game is quite straight forward. You take Fatty (the green blob that appears to be overweight for being a green blob) and stuff his face with more junk food. We're talking chicken legs, pizza slices, cupcakes, etc. The more food the better. With several different game types, I could see this one getting pretty addictive. One of the modes is a challenge to see how far you can get the character through a level without running out of food. Another weird one is to see how large you can make Fatty. It's sick, but seems like fun. It's $1 through Google Play. Play Link ($0.99) [youtube]http://youtu.be/k08C2SjodEg[/youtube]

Video: Hands-on With New Instagram Video on Android

Kellen — Thu, 20 Jun 2013 13:17:29 +0000

Not that it was much of a surprise after a couple of reports broke the news in the days leading up to today's Facebook event, but yes, they announced that Instagram now has video support. Similar to what Twitter did with Vine, you can record short video clips and then share them with the world. The new video sharing in Instagram differs a bit because you can record longer clips (up to 15 seconds), toss specially made filters on, and even choose cover art to be displayed in your timeline. I think the biggest deal for me, though, is the fact that I don't have to open a separate app anymore to see short video clips from friends or people I choose to follow. I now have access to all of my Instagram connections within a single app that does both video and photos. Win, win. So far, the new functionality looks great, aside from a crash or two. In the clip below, you'll find a quick overview of the new video features, along with some timeline tips so that you aren't surprised during a quiet dinner with grandma when your friend posts a video at a metal show (with sound). The new version 4.0 of Instagram can be downloaded here.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aamVc2EXMGg[/youtube]

Spotify Updated in Google Play, Notification Bar Controls as Well as Improved Radio Playback

Tim — Thu, 20 Jun 2013 13:03:44 +0000

For those who continue to use Spotify over Google's All Access, the Android app received an update today, bringing a nice list of features with it. Inside, users can now control their tunes from within the notification area (a huge deal for most people), as well as much improved radio playback. There are some bug fixes, plus, users can now use telepathy to control the app. Wow! Oh, wait, they were joking? Rude, Spotify. What's New:

Now you can control playback from the notification area. Skip and be happy. Android version 4.1 and above.
Fixed: Some troublesome Facebook login issues.
Fixed: A bug that could cause a white screen just when you least expected it.
Improved: Radio performance.
Fictitious: This app can be controlled using telepathy.

Play Link Cheers Chris!

Samsung Announces the Galaxy NX, the First Interchangeable Lens Camera With LTE and WiFi

Kellen — Thu, 20 Jun 2013 12:00:48 +0000

Samsung announced the Galaxy NX this morning as the world's first interchangeable-lens camera with LTE and WiFi connectivity. Sporting a 20.3MP APS-C sensor with Android 4.2 and a 4.8-inch HD LCD display, the Galaxy NX brings both professional-level photography and a mobile operating system with apps and connectivity together as one. This is most definitely a product on its own, breaking new ground. As a camera, the Galaxy NX offers a 20.3MP APS-C sensor along with a DRIMe IV Image Signal Processor to deliver the "speed and accuracy which today's photographers demand." It also has an Advanced Hybrid Auto Focus system, a 1/6000 sec shutter speed and 8.6fps shooting, and a selection of interchangeable lenses from compact pancake to ultra-wide fisheye to longer prime and zoom lenses. Full spec list for the camera gurus in the building is listed below. As an Android device, it runs Android 4.2 on a 4.8-inch HD touchscreen LCD display and has access to the Google Play store and all of your favorite apps. The device itself sports a 1.6GHz quad-core processor, 16GB of internal storage, microSD card slot that is expandable up to 64GB, 2GB RAM, and a 4360mAh battery. Samsung tossed in all of their special photo Smart Modes as well, including a Camera Studio, Photo Suggest, Story Album, and more. It really is like a Galaxy phone attached to the back of a legitimate camera. On a connectivity level, we're looking at HSPA+ and 4G LTE, so that sharing your brilliant photos from anywhere in the world can happen. Availability has not been announced for the U.S.

Introducing GALAXY NX, the First Interchangeable-Lens Camera with 3G/4G LTE & Wi-Fi Connectivity

Always connected, the Samsung GALAXY NX turns every picture into a story worth telling
LONDON, UK – June 20, 2013 – Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. today announced the launch of the GALAXY NX, the first 3G/4G LTE Connected Compact System Camera (CSC). Versatile and easy to use, the GALAXY NX combines cutting edge optical performance with connectivity capabilities and a galaxy of applications based on the Android eco-system, all in one stylish package. The result is a new type of connected device that allows users to turn their experiences into a story that can be instantly shared with anyone they choose, from wherever they might be, in amazing color and outstanding detail. "The GALAXY NX reflects the unique needs of a user who needs to take professional photos and share them immediately in any situation. For those who want to express themselves and the exciting moments that make up their lives quickly, easily and on the go, the GALAXY NX is an ideal choice" said Myoung Sup Han, Senior Vice President and Head of the Digital Imaging Business, Samsung Electronics. Share everything, from anywhere With 3G/4G LTE technology, the GALAXY NX allows photographers to stay constantly connected with their world. Promising speedy sharing whether on the move or right at home, the GALAXY NX's seamless connectivity transcends the current offering to photographers, providing a device which puts the sharing of professional level images at its heart. The GALAXY NX embraces the era of visual communication to provide an outlet for passionate photographers to express their exciting experiences immediately in spectacular quality. The GALAXY NX is equipped to help you capture the scene and mood of every hotspot you visit. Photo Suggest provides location based recommendations of popular photography spots, sourced from a huge library of images taken by fellow photographers across the world. Story Album lets users enjoy timeless memories by displaying special moments on one timeline, reframing and resizing them to create digital photo books that can be viewed and shared on other devices. Stunning picture quality Superior image quality is available whenever and wherever with the GALAXY NX and an array of interchangeable lenses. The 20.3MP APS-C Sensor produces images which are bright and detailed, even in low light conditions, while the DRIMe IV Image Signal Processer delivers the speed and accuracy which today's photographers demand. Life moves fast and the GALAXY NX makes sure that you don't miss a moment. Its Advanced Hybrid Auto Focus (AF) System ensures accurate phase and contrast detection for crisp, vibrant shots, while the 1/6000 sec shutter speed and 8.6fps shooting lets you capture the action as it’s happening. The flexibility offered by the GALAXY NX’s selection of Interchangeable Lenses places creative control firmly in the hands of the photographer, opening up a world of imaging possibilities, whatever the scenario. From compact pancake lenses and an ultra-wide fisheye, to exquisite longer prime and zoom lenses, the extensive range of lenses help change users perspective on their world to create images which are truly special and help them to tell their story in a new way. True 3D Creator also brings an added element of realism to the GALAXY NX results, allowing users to shoot images and movies in 3D with Samsung's 45mm 2D/3D lens. Simple and easy to use With Android 4.2 Jelly Bean, the functionality of a smartphone is utilized to improve the photographic experience. Users can choose from an entire universe of Android apps to help personalize their GALAXY NX and do more than just shoot amazing photographs and video, from editing images to adding special effects to staying in touch with friends and family. The GALAXY NX is packed with features which help photographers to take images that embody their passions and express their unique outlook on the scenes they are shooting. More than 30 Smart Modes lets users choose the optimum settings for the environment they are capturing, as well as create fresh, artistic images. ‘Multi Exposure’ merges two different shots together to produce one distinctive image, while ‘Animated Photo’ connects continuous shots of up to five seconds, creating a moving GIF file. For added realism, ‘Sound & Shot’ stores sound and voice together as the picture is taken, so moments are captured exactly as they happened. For added personalization, Camera Studio allows users to easily customize settings with their most frequently used applications or camera modes, making sure their photos are captured exactly as desired every time. For multimedia content and more detailed information, please visit www.samsungmobilepress.com or www.samsung.com/galaxycamera. * All functionality, features, specifications and other product information provided in this document including, but not limited to, the benefits, design, pricing, components, performance, availability, and capabilities of the product are subject to change without notice or obligation. ＊ Android, Google, Android Beam, Google Search, Google Maps, Gmail, Google Latitude, Google Play, Google Plus. YouTube, Google Talk, Google Places, Google Navigation, Google Downloads are trademarks of Google Inc. * Blurb, the global creative publishing platform, partners with Samsung to power worldwide book and magazine print production and fulfillment within the GALAXY NX’s new Story Album application. Users of Story Album will now be able to automatically create professional quality print photo books and magazines quickly and seamlessly from their camera phone images. About Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. is a global leader in technology, opening new possibilities for people everywhere. Through relentless innovation and discovery, we are transforming the worlds of televisions, smartphones, personal computers, printers, cameras, home appliances, LTE systems, medical devices, semiconductors and LED solutions. We employ 236,000 people across 79 countries with annual sales of US$187.8 billion. To discover more, please visit www.samsung.com.

Samsung Announces the ATIV Q, a 13.3-Inch Windows 8 Tablet That Runs Android

Kellen — Thu, 20 Jun 2013 12:00:03 +0000

At Samsung's London Premiere event that took place today, we not only got the new Galaxy NX camera, but Samsung also unveiled a new dual-OS tablet called the ATIV Q that runs both Windows 8 and Android. The tablet is a part of Samsung's ATIV line, which typically has nothing to do with Android, however, Samsung has tried to "marry" both Windows and Android together to create the ultimate computing experience. The ATIV Q is a "truly convertible device" that has the ability to jump from Windows to Android (4.2.2). So yes, that means you can run all of your favorite Android apps through Google Play, but you can even do advanced tasks like sharing files and folders between each OS. "Convertible" also means that it has a hidden keyboard and can transfer from a touchscreen-only tablet to a machine capable of getting serious work done.

From a spec standpoint, the ATIV Q sports a 13.3-inch QHD+ display with a crazy resolution of 3200x1800 (that's 275ppi). The tablet also has an Intel Core i5 processor with Intel HD Graphics 4400, 4GB RAM, 128GB sold state hard drive, a camera that can shoot 720p video, 9 hour battery life, and a variety of ports. Pricing and availability was not announced.

Samsung Strengthens Tablet Business and Demonstrates Commitment to Customer Choice with Innovative New ATIV Tablets

New Convertible ATIV Q and ATIV Tab 3, the World’s Thinnest Windows Tablet, Offer Ultimate Versatility and Productivity on the Go
LONDON, U.K. – June 20, 2013 – Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd., a global leader in digital media and convergence technologies, unveiled two new tablets today, giving consumers more ways than ever to create, consume and share content, and blurring the industry boundaries. The two new Windows 8 tablets, the ATIV Q and ATIV Tab 3, include several innovative new features that set them apart from other mobile tablets, including incredibly versatile form factors and extremely thin and light bodies. Both are powered by Windows 8 and bring several unique features to market – including the world’s thinnest tablet and a convertible tablet with the ability to run Android apps. “Busy lives demand convenience, and the convertible nature of these tablets delivers the versatility, mobility and adaptability consumers should expect from personal computing today,” said DJ Lee, President and Head of Sales and Marketing Office, IT & Mobile Communications Division, Samsung Electronics. “These tablets are the result of people-centric innovation, and they were designed to provide consumers the flexibility to manage their digital lives on their terms whether they are in the office, at home or on the go.” ATIV Q Samsung launches the ATIV Q – a truly convertible device with the ability to change modes and the power to enjoy both Windows and Android. Born of the tablet family, the ATIV Q allows users more flexibility than ever to adapt the device to fit any situation, posture or environment. Built with today’s evolving consumer lifestyles in mind and usable as a notebook or tablet, it delivers on the ATIV promise to make work more seamless and life more convenient.

Enjoy Android Apps on Windows: Addressing consumers’ desire to access Android apps on a Windows-based PC, the ATIV Q allows users to experience both Windows 8 and Android (Jellybean 4.2.2) on the same device. Users will not only get access to Android apps via Google Play but will also be able to transfer files to share folders and files from Windows 8 to Android, truly marrying the mobile and PC experiences.

Versatility to Suit Any Environment or Needs: The ATIV Q sports an innovative hinge design that allows the user to transform the tablet into four functional modes. Lay the display flat over the keyboard for tablet mode. Raise the display upright to type just like a laptop. Float and adjust the display to a comfortable viewing angle. Or flip the display to place in the stand mode to watch movies with ease. The four-in-one design of the ATIV Q easily adjusts to give users all the options they need in one device. ATIV Q is also extremely thin and lightweight for optimum portability. At 1.29kg and only 13.9mm, it’s easy to take everywhere you go.

The Ultimate Viewing Experience: The ATIV Q introduces the world’s highest resolution, QHD+ (3200x1800) display. The tablet’s 13.3-inch touch screen offers 2.8 times higher pixel density (275ppi) than full HD displays for viewing the finest of details. ATIV Q is also designed to provide an optimized viewing experience regardless of location and high brightness in outdoor environments.

ATIV Tab 3 A tablet with the power of a PC, the ATIV Tab 3 makes personal computing more mobile than ever. The tablet is the world’s thinnest Windows 8 tablet – as thin as popular smartphones – and shares the premium design of the GALAXY series. It is also ideal for both creativity and productivity with improved S Pen functionality, including high level pen display and S Pen compatibility with MS Office.

Ultimate Mobility: The ATIV Tab 3 is the perfect device for on-the-go users. The frame is incredibly thin and light at only 8.2 millimeters thick and 550g in weight, making it a perfect companion device for travel as well as transporting between work and home. The ATIV Tab 3 also features up to 10 hours of battery life, eliminating the need to carry a charger for most long-distance flights.

Full Windows Experience for Work and Play: The ATIV Tab 3 runs Windows 8 with the ability to run Windows apps and programs, as well as coming preloaded with Office™ Home & Student for the best experience whether at home, at work or on go. Both the ATIV Q and ATIV Tab 3 also enable superior productivity with S Pen functionality, enabling users to easily make written updates to creative and work. SideSync is available on the ATIV Q and ATIV Tab 3, enabling users to switch from working on their PC to an Android-based Samsung smartphone with simplicity and ease. With SideSync, the user’s PC and mobile device become one. Simply use the PC keyboard to respond to a text on a mobile phone; view maps on a larger screen, display photos and videos on both devices to make editing files even easier; or use an ATIV PC to back up and charge mobile devices. With SideSync, users enjoy more productivity with fewer interruptions to work and everyday life. Convenience is all about saving time and finding easier ways to get things accomplished, and Samsung ATIV tablets enable users to do just that. By making the personal computing experience more versatile, Samsung continues to make work more seamless and life more convenient. For more information on the full ATIV PC Family, please visit www.samsung.com or www.samsungmobileuspress.com. Samsung, ATIV, SideSync and ChatON are all trademarks of Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. Other company names, product names and marks mentioned herein are the property of their respective owners and may be trademarks or registered trademarks. *All functionality, features, specifications, and other product information provided in this document including, but not limited to, the benefits, design, pricing, components, performance, availability, and capabilities of the product are subject to change without notice or obligation. ¹Total amount of available memory may be less based on system configurations, graphics support, and other factors. ²Accessible capacity varies; MB = 1 million bytes, GB = 1 billion bytes, TB = 1 trillion bytes. Please note that a portion of the hard drive is reserved for system recovery, operating system and preloaded content software. ³Battery life will vary depending on the product model, configuration, power management settings, applications used, and wireless settings. The maximum capacity of the battery will decrease with time and use. Test results based on independent third party Mobile Mark (or Battery Mark) tests. Non-Metric weights and measurements are approximate. About Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. is a global leader in technology, opening new possibilities for people everywhere. Through relentless innovation and discovery, we are transforming the worlds of televisions, smartphones, personal computers, printers, cameras, home appliances, LTE systems, medical devices, semiconductors and LED solutions. We employ 236,000 people across 79 countries with annual sales of US$187.8 billion. To discover more, please visit www.samsung.com.

New Instagram With Video is Technically Live on Android

Kellen — Thu, 20 Jun 2013 11:59:46 +0000

The new Instagram with video is technically live on Google Play at this moment. What I mean by "technically," is that we're seeing another staged rollout, so not everyone can grab the update at once. Also, capturing videos is only supported on devices running Android 4.1 and up. Should you be one of the lucky few to get in early on the staged rollouts, feel free to share the love in the comments. Here is a note about the update from Instagram:

Video on Instagram! We’re excited to introduce Video on Instagram and bring you a new way to share your stories. When you go to take a photo on Instagram, you’ll now see a movie camera icon. We also added 13 new filters that we built specifically for video. Note: Capturing videos is currently supported on devices with Jellybean (4.1) and above. All Android versions can already play videos on Instagram and we’re working around the clock to enable capturing videos on many more Android devices.

Play Link Update: A couple of links for those who can't access the update yet: Mirror 1 | Mirror 2 Update 2: We've got video footage up here. Cheers Ryan!

Facebook Announces Instagram with Video, Will be Available Day One for Android

Tim — Thu, 20 Jun 2013 10:28:09 +0000

Today at Facebook's small press event, Mark Zuckerburg and Instagram co-founder Kevin Systrom announced Instagram with video. Yep, Instagram will now have video capabilities. Using the same app that everyone already has installed, users can record up to 15 seconds with the ability to add separate clips, just like Vine and Cinemagram. In addition, users can choose from 13 custom video filters for their clips. The feature will be available for Android starting on day one, so no waiting like we are used to. Thanks, Instagram. Anyone saying goodbye to Vine?

Double Live Chat: Join Us for Facebook and Samsung's Streamed Press Events

Kellen — Thu, 20 Jun 2013 09:47:44 +0000

Both Facebook and Samsung have live streamed press events going on today, so to make it easier on all of you to follow along, we decided to host a double live chat of sorts. Below, we'll have live video feeds from each event, plus a live blog with the DL crew dropping comments along the way. Facebook will kick things off at 10AM Pacific (1PM Eastern). Samsung will finish off the morning from London with their Premiere event that starts at 11AM Pacific (2PM Eastern). Rumors peg Facebook as having prepared a Vine-like feature for Instagram. Samsung, on the other hand, is going to show off a bunch of phones they have already announced like the Galaxy S4 Active, Galaxy S4 Zoom, and Galaxy S4 Mini. We should also see the new mirrorless Galaxy Camera called the Galaxy NX. I also wouldn't be surprised if Samsung announced the new LTE Advanced capable Galaxy S4 with a Snapdragon 800 processor inside. Join us!

SwiftKey Celebrating 150k 5-Star Reviews with 50% Off Sale

Eric — Thu, 20 Jun 2013 09:26:32 +0000

We here at Droid Life have been fans of SwiftKey for a long time now, but you already knew that as we have written about it dozens of times now. Still, if you have yet to try it and are looking for a keyboard to replace the stock one on your device, SwiftKey is one of the best out there. The predictions are so good, it probably knew that I was going to write this paragraph before I did. We aren't the only fans of the keyboard though, SwiftKey is celebrating 150,000 5-star reviews on Google Play. What better way to celebrate than to cut the price of an already awesome application in half?

The good people over at SwiftKey report that 93% of people who downloaded the app rated it 4-stars and above, and 77% gave it the full 5-stars. For a short time the app is only $1.99 in Google Play. Not only does it come with awesome word prediction, but also SwiftKey Flow which is swiping-based form of typing.

What did you rate SwiftKey after using it?

Buy

Via: SwiftKey

Two Days With Minuum Keyboard: A Hands-on and Some Thoughts

Kellen — Thu, 20 Jun 2013 09:14:13 +0000

Minuum keyboard, a darling of the up-and-coming Indiegogo community, finally launched as a beta to backers earlier this week. We were lucky enough to be one of the first few to gain access to it and have since spent two days on and off with this unique typing experience. It's still only available to backers, so the beta is closed. And since you can't all access it, we thought we'd at least share some thoughts, show the keyboard in action, and then let you decide what to make of it all. For those new to Minuum, think of it as a Fleksy-styled keyboard that has been squashed down into a single row on your phone. You get the same blind-typing-rapid experience and can use gestures to add punctuation or delete, but with only a single-row taken up, the majority of your beautiful display can still be enjoyed. The Minuum team has simply taken the QWERTY keyboard, and squashed it. So in theory, you can type as you always have yet it all happens on one row of a keyboard. Accessing the number pad can be done through swipes up on individual keys, or with a swipe down you'll swap out the QWERTY for an entire row of numbers. Punctuation is done in much of the same way. There are options to adjust the height, remove gestures, or even add on the traditional space bar and delete keys. There is actually a lot going on in a small amount of space. After spending some time with Minuum on Tuesday, then Wednesday, and now Thursday, I have to admit that I'm not really the biggest fan so far. The predictably of the keyboard seems top notch and is in my opinion better than most keyboads, however, typing out a simple paragraph takes far too long, especially if you need to spell anything out character-by-character. Or if you type slang or words that aren't yet in the dictionary of Minuum - good luck. I've also found that while typing on Minuum, that I spent far too much thinking about the next letter I'm going to type rather than having it all happen naturally. That could be because this is an entirely new way to type and the style of typing needs to be re-learned a bit, but I'm not sure that's such a good idea here. With keyboards like Fleksy or Swiftkey, you get the traditional keyboard experience yet they were able to add on ideas that make the experience more productive. I don't see that being the case with a keyboard that was smashed down to a single row. At least for now. Would love to hear your early thoughts.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9vZAMbC3QKw[/youtube]

Galaxy S4 Wireless Charging Backs Now Available From Verizon's Online Store in White and Black

Kellen — Thu, 20 Jun 2013 08:43:03 +0000

Over the weekend, the wireless charging covers for the Samsung Galaxy S4 went on sale in a number of Verizon stores for $39.99, but remained absent from their online shop. This morning, that changed. You can find both the white and black wireless charging covers through VZW.com for the same price, should the Qi lifestyle interest you. Keep in mind that you'll also need some sort of wireless charging pad, which typically start at around $40. So yes, to be a wireless machine, you need to be ready to fork out at least $80. Verizon Links: White | Black ($39.99)

Here are the New Support Docs for Verizon's VRBMF1 Galaxy S3 Update

Kellen — Thu, 20 Jun 2013 07:41:13 +0000

Last night, Verizon began pushing a new update to their version of the Samsung Galaxy S3 after the last update went horribly wrong, causing LTE connections to become incredibly unstable. We now have the updated support documents for this new build of VRBMF1, however, nothing in particular states that this is a bug fixer. In fact, it's an exact copy of the VRBMD3 document that lists out multi-window, but with two bullet points added on to the end for "Support for VMWare" and a "Google security patch." Even though there isn't a mention of a fix for connectivity, reports from readers in last night's post suggest that this does indeed address LTE data issues. The update is 129.1MB in size if you did not update to VRBMD3. If you did, the new update will be much smaller. To grab the update, head into Settings>About phone>Software update. It should be live for all.

More info.

NVIDIA SHIELD Price Lowered to $299, Release Date Scheduled for June 27

Tim — Thu, 20 Jun 2013 06:00:30 +0000

This morning, NVIDIA dropped a bomb, announcing that they have lowered the price of SHIELD from the original $349 mark, to just $299. Thanks to enough community feedback and response to the product from potential buyers, NVIDIA felt it best to lower the price, allowing them to get the device into the hands of even more dedicated gamers. For those that already pre-ordered SHIELD at the $349 price, NVIDIA says that once the device ships, only the new price of $299 will be charged to their cards. In addition to the lower price tag, NVIDIA placed an official ship date for the device, finally. The release date for SHIELD has been set for next Thursday, June 27. As far as we know, at that time, you will be able to purchase the device online through several online retailers, as well as in several brick and mortar partners like GameStop. So, does this lower price tag ignite a new desire for the device? Does this change anything? Let's hear your thoughts. Via: NVIDIA

Verizon Pushing Out VRBMF1 Update to Samsung Galaxy S3, Hopefully This Addresses Connectivity Issues

Kellen — Wed, 19 Jun 2013 21:47:14 +0000

This evening, Verizon began pushing out a new update for the Samsung Galaxy S3 as build VRBMF1. After pulling the previous update (build VRBMD3) because it caused severe connectivity issues, we would imagine that this new update will help return the device to normal. Verizon and Samsung were supposedly working on a fix - hopefully this is it. We have yet to find support documents that detail changes, however, the update was small enough that it likely is a bug fixer. To pull the update, head into Settings>About phone>Software update. It should be live for everyone. Afterwards, be sure to let us know if your LTE connection returns or stabilizes. Cheers Matt and Tareck!

LG Sort of Announces New Optimus G Series of Phones, Will Feature Snapdragon 800 Processors

Kellen — Wed, 19 Jun 2013 19:29:56 +0000

As has become typical of LG over the last year, the electronics company has made a mobile-related announcement on the eve of a major Samsung Galaxy event. LG has in-a-way unveiled their new line of Optimus G products, though no hardware or exact names have been revealed. What they did mention in a press release this evening, was that their new Optimus G series will be powered by Qualcomm Snapdragon 800 processors, that will "redefine the smartphone experience." Qualcomm showed off their new Snapdragon 800 processor clocked at 2.3GHz to a select group of journalists yesterday, producing benchmarks that put the rest of the current mobile processor industry to shame. But that's to be expected in almost any next-gen technology these days. The only competition for the 800 will likely come from NVIDIA's Tegra 4, assuming NVIDIA can find partners willing to adopt the chipset into their tablets and smartphones. We're talking 75% performance increase over last year's Snapdragon S4 Pro, with 4G LTE Advanced integration, a new Adreno 330 GPU, 1080p Miracast, output in Ultra HD, and more. So again, LG only announced tonight that they will have a new Optimus G series of phones and that they will be powered by the Snapdragon 800. Fun, right? Does this mean that Samsung is going to unveil the LTE Advanced Galaxy S4 with a Snapdragon 800 tomorrow? You know, so that LG can say, "We did it first!"

LG, QUALCOMM EXPAND SUCCESSFUL COLLABORATION WITH NEXT G SERIES SMARTPHONE

Successor to Original G Series to Feature Qualcomm Snapdragon 800 Processor for the Ultimate Mobile Experience
SAN DIEGO, June 19, 2013 — Expanding on a collaboration with a proven track record of success, LG Electronics, Inc. (LG), Qualcomm Incorporated, and its wholly-owned subsidiary, Qualcomm Technologies, Inc., today announced that the successor to the award-winning LG Optimus will utilize Qualcomm® Snapdragon™ 800 processor, the industry’s most advanced mobile chipset. Qualcomm Snapdragon is a product of Qualcomm Technologies, Inc. LG’s G series device powered by Qualcomm Snapdragon 800 processors will redefine the smartphone experience through stunning performance, rich graphics and outstanding battery efficiency. Capable of carrier aggregation, the Snapdragon 800 processor is designed to allow LTE to be even faster by maximizing spectrum bandwidth to increase data speeds and reduce latency. “With a powerful combination of LG’s core smartphone technologies and the Qualcomm Snapdragon 800 processor, we are taking a significant step forward in the mobile experience,” said Dr. Jong-seok Park, president and CEO of LG Electronics Mobile Communications Company. “The result of this collaboration will in many ways be the industry’s best smartphone by which all other devices will be measured.” “We are pleased with continued collaboration with LG,” said Murthy Renduchintala, executive vice president, Qualcomm Technologies, Inc. and co-president, Qualcomm mobile and computing. “Fully tailored and tightly integrated with the entire next G series platform, the new, best-in-class Qualcomm Snapdragon 800 processor will help deliver blazing fast web browsing, eye-popping graphics, seamless connectivity as well as an unmatched multimedia experience.” Delivering up to 75 percent better performance than the Qualcomm Snapdragon S4 Pro processor, the Snapdragon 800 processor will feature many of the industry’s leading technologies for the ultimate mobile experience, including:

Higher speeds with Krait 400 CPUs in quad configuration to deliver greater processing and communication performance;

Enhanced aSMP (asynchronous Symmetric Multiprocessing) architecture for dynamic power sensing and control for peak performance per core and improved battery life without the use of specialized cores;

Fully integrated connectivity with a wide variety of communication options including 4G LTE Advanced Carrier Aggregation;

New Adreno™ 330 GPU delivering more than two times better performance for compute applications over the current Adreno 320 GPU;\

Video capture, playback and display in Ultra HD format, four times higher density than 1080p HD;

HD multichannel audio with DTS-HD and Dolby Digital Plus, supporting higher display resolutions up to 2560 x 2048 pixels and Miracast 1080p HD; and

Qualcomm IZat Location technology, featuring GNSS for more accurate navigation and location services.

Reminder: Both Facebook and Samsung Have Live Streamed Press Events Tomorrow Morning

Kellen — Wed, 19 Jun 2013 17:52:50 +0000

Be sure to hang around the site tomorrow morning (early afternoon for you east coast folks), as both Samsung and Facebook have live streamed press events that will be worth a watch. Samsung has an entire lineup of devices to show off, many of which they have already announced. Facebook on the other hand, has kept their news mostly a mystery, sending out physically mailed invites in the process. One thing is for sure, they made sure we were aware of the live happenings, so one would imagine that it will be somewhat mobile related. Facebook will kick off the day with a 10AM Pacific (1PM Eastern) event that as I just mentioned, is a wild card. The only rumor surrounding the event thus far claims that Facebook and Instagram will be unveiling a new social video service (potentially as a new feature in Instagram), similar to what Twitter has with Vine. Samsung starts at 11AM Pacific (2PM Eastern) and is expected to have their new Galaxy devices like the Galaxy S4 Active, Galaxy S4 Mini, Galaxy S4 Zoom, and a new mirrorless Galaxy Camera variant called the Galaxy NX, on display for the press to fondle. We'll have a chance to play with all of them, so if our coverage of any of these devices has interested you thus far, be sure to tune in. There could be surprises from Samsung, like an LTE Advanced version of the Galaxy S4 with a Snapdragon 800, but that's just speculation on my part. Samsung will stream their event at youtube.com/samsungmobile. Facebook will have a live stream available closer to the event. Join us!

Two Icon Packs We're Loving: Flatro and Through Glass

Kellen — Wed, 19 Jun 2013 16:53:00 +0000

As long time readers know, we are always on the hunt for the next great wallpaper pack, set of icons, or clock widget to make our home screens the prettiest location of our phones. After all, the main home screen is the screen you probably visit more than any other, so why not spend some time tweaking it to your liking? To help give you some inspiration for your next setup, we wanted to share a couple of icon packs that we have been playing with over the last few days: Flatro and Through Glass. Flatro is a "blend of Retro, Minimal and Flat," featuring more than 320 icons. It has icon masking for support with icons that aren't currently themed, 7 minimal wallpapers to fit the icon pack theme (one pictured top left), 6 custom folder icons, and works with many of the top launchers (Apex, Nova, Action, etc.). Through Glass is based off of the "Project Glass: One Day" video, and features over 100 icons, with support for three of the top launchers (Apex, Nova, and ADW). The version pictured (top right) is free, but the developer has four other colored versions based off of the same design. Play Links: Flatro ($1.59) | Through Glass As a bonus, the clock widgets are both UCCW skins. On the left, you are seeing Flatron - on the right we have Minimal UCCW Clock. Play Links: UCCW | Flatron | Minimal Any other new icon packs we should check out?

Wednesday App Sales: Alien Breed, Rayman Jungle Run, Final Fantasy III, and More

Tim — Wed, 19 Jun 2013 14:05:47 +0000

Browsing through the App Sales app, there seems to be a great list of games on sale today, so we figured we should spread the word on what you should check out. Most of these games we have talked about, so there should be a small sense of familiarity, but if not, you can rest assured that a few of these games are top notch and will lead to hours of fun. We have written up Alien Breed, a birds-eye game where killing xenomorph-like creatures is your job, plus there is Rayman Jungle Run, which is a classic in its own right. If you have the time and a few dollars to spend, go check them out. Today's Sales:

Aralon: Sword and Shadow - ($0.99)
Alien Breed - ($0.99)
Rayman Jungle Run - ($0.99)
Superbothers Sword & Sworcery ($1.99)
Final Fantasy III - ($7.99)
Worms 2: Armageddon - ($2.49)
Chaos Rings Ω - ($4.49)
Chaos Rings II - ($7.99)
Chaos Rings - ($4.49)
Broken Sword II Smoking Mirror - ($0.99)
World War Z - ($0.99)

Go support those devs!

Scribblenauts Remix Hits Google Play, Currently Only Supported by Tablets

Tim — Wed, 19 Jun 2013 13:21:10 +0000

The very popular iOS application Scribblenauts Remix landed in Google Play today, being sold by Warner Bros for just $1. The game is a huge word puzzle, forcing players to use their noggins to come up with various nouns to solve the riddles/puzzles. For example, you need to make a love potion that needs "sweet, beautiful, and slimy" ingredients. You then use your keyboard to type in "cake, diamond, toad" to match the given descriptions. Make sense? Currently the app looks to be only compatible with Android tablets. Let's hope this is a mistake of some kind and phone support follows shortly. Please? Play Link ($0.99) [youtube]http://youtu.be/wq2eK0vixUI[/youtube] Cheers not to Eric!

The Silent Age Hitting Google Play on June 24, Check Out the Trailer While You Wait

Tim — Wed, 19 Jun 2013 12:15:38 +0000

Imagine you are a janitor back in 1972. While doing your job, you stumble upon a time machine and a cryptic message explaining that the world and all of humanity will come to an end in the future if you don't use the machine to stop it. Sounds pretty kick ass, right? I thought so, too. The game is called The Silent Age, readying itself for launch on Google Play here in the States on June 24. The title is a simple point-and-click, but with tricky puzzles and the future constantly evolving as you make your way through the storyline, it looks like a very interesting game. I'm pretty excited for this one. We'll remind you when it's live next Monday. Play Link (Not live until June 24) [youtube]http://youtu.be/HqZLKshfIIo[/youtube]

Verizon Posts Trailer for New Augmented Reality Game D:COM - DROID Combat, Disappointing is an Understatement

Kellen — Wed, 19 Jun 2013 11:48:05 +0000

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t1LxfSVhoWk[/youtube]

Yesterday, Verizon and @DroidLanding began teasing some sort of augmented reality game called D:COM - DROID Combat that involved warrior robots. In the past, we have seen nothing but contests for either current or upcoming devices from this Twitter account, some of which included augmented reality. So with little information available, other than a leaked .apk for the game that was posted into our comments almost immediately yesterday afternoon, we were hoping that Verizon would find a way to tie-in a new phone launch or contest with the release of this game. Why wouldn't they, right? They couldn't possibly tease for two days and then only announce a terrible augmented reality game that no one would play, would they? With the official trailer for the game now posted to Verizon's YouTube account, we're now leaning towards that being the case. Again, we knew Verizon was launching an augmented reality game called D:COM - DROID Combat, but if there is no contest or new phone to help push this game, we're 100% confused. This game looks awful. What's the point in even producing something like this if you aren't going to couple it with a reason (that being a contest or phone launch) for people to use it? Isn't the point of poorly made and themed apps to use them alongside campaigns for new products? Ugh. If there is one last line of hope, you'll see in the trailer at the 57-second mark a mention of "90 days to domination." Maybe something worth talking about will happen then? Oh, and the app will officially be made available tomorrow. For now, file D:COM in the same place as Viva Movil. We just got J-LO'd.

Feedly Cloud Available to All Users Two Weeks Before Google Reader Shuts Down, Press Updates With Support

Kellen — Wed, 19 Jun 2013 10:48:27 +0000

The end is near, folks. Google Reader will officially shut down on July 1 whether you are ready for it or not. Thankfully, services like Feedly have stepped up to the plate to make sure that RSS addicts still have options when that day arrives. In a blog post this morning, Feedly announced that their replacement service, Feedly Cloud, is now available to everyone. With Feedly Cloud, the RSS replacement service now has an entire platform to make them completely independent of Google Reader, which is a good thing since we are days away from Google's RSS service shutting down. Feedly Cloud can be used simply by visiting cloud.feedly.com from any browser, for free. Once there, you'll be prompted to sign-up for service with an option to import your Google Reader list. I highly recommend that you do not put this off - the last thing you want to do is hit July 2 and wonder why your RSS app is no longer populating with new articles. And speaking of apps, Feedly has already acknowledged that popular RSS readers like Press and gReader will work with the new cloud service in the future. Press went ahead and pushed an update to their Android app this morning, and sure enough it includes Feedly Cloud support. gReader has yet to see an update, though we would assume it'll be here before July 1. Also, don't forget that the Feedly app for Android is a hell of an app. It's UI and gesture-based browsing can take some getting used to, but once you do, I think you'll love it.

If Feedly doesn't sound like the service for you, at least make sure you download your data for Google Reader through Google Takeout. Last, Digg is also building an RSS service, however, they have yet to even launch the platform publicly. They are hoping to do so next week, but and Android app isn't going to be released for a month or two. Play Links: Feedly | Press Via: Feedly Blog

Dolphin Browser Reaches Version 10, Features New Interface and Web App Store

Tim — Wed, 19 Jun 2013 10:11:02 +0000

One of the OG Android web browser apps that we used to hype back in the day, Dolphin Browser, received a big update to version 10 today. Whether you continue to use Dolphin after the introduction of Chrome for Android or you are somehow stuck with the stock Android Browser application, it is nice to see big time continuation of development for this app. It still has a massive amount of users and it continues to be a good choice for browsing the web. Inside the update is a brand new user interface design, something that users are never upset about. In addition, there is a new "Web App Store," a page where users can add popular apps to their homescreen, allowing for a better web experience with various supported services. There is a new Dolphin key, allowing for single swipes across the browser menu to access various functions, plus the browser's themes function has been updated for version 10. What's New:

New UI design
Web App Store: Easily add popular web apps to your home screen
Home screen now supports drag & drop grouping of speed dials into folders, with 60+ speed dial slots
Dolphin key: single swipe access to browser menu, tab list or Gesture/Sonar
Search directly within Amazon, Twitter, Wikipedia, eBay, Youtube, Twitter or Facebook from URL bar
Flash support can be re-enabled in settings
Themes & Night Mode have been updated for v10. Install the updated versions from Google Play

Are you still rocking some Dolphin? Play Link

Rockmelt App Released for Android, an Internet Browser and BlinkFeed Had a Baby

Tim — Wed, 19 Jun 2013 09:45:47 +0000

There used to be a web browser I enjoyed before I became heavily involved with Chrome. It was constantly in the beta stage, but it brought Facebook and browsing together, making life easier for someone like myself that was constantly plugged into what my friends were doing. It's called Rockmelt and it most certainly still exists, the only difference is that now there is an Android app. Rockmelt brings the "best of the web" and throws random posts from across the Internet into certain feeds. For example, if you look under the Sports feed, you will be greeted with image and posts about how the Spurs let the championship slip through their fingers last night and other sports-related topics. The same goes for Business, Technology, etc. If you log into the browser, you can then begin to customize the Rockmelt experience, with following certain sites (such as DL), adding friend's social network feeds and things of that nature. For these reasons, I have dubbed this the offspring of BlinkFeed and a web browser. That's essentially what it is. Features:

Navigation that appears when it's needed and disappears when it's not
Elevator buttons to ensure that you get new content and go right back to where you left off
Landscape and portrait views
Plus all the normal stuff that makes Rockmelt great

If you are interested, give it a whirl and let us know what you think. Play Link Via: Rockmelt

AT&T Launches Five More 4G LTE Markets, Almost Catching Up to Big Red

Tim — Wed, 19 Jun 2013 09:20:34 +0000

This morning, AT&T announced five additional 4G LTE markets to go along with their already robust LTE network. Just last week, they announced another large group of cities that were being lit up, bringing their amount of coverage to roughly 300+ markets. It still may not cover as much ground as Verizon's network, but there is no doubt that AT&T's speeds are fast and for the most part reliable. New Markets:

Tri-Cities, Washington
Brownsville, Texas
Gallup, New Mexico
Tuscaloosa, Alabama
Florence, Alabama

Enjoy that data. Via: AT&T

Verizon is Closing Out Inventory of the DROID DNA in Anticipation of the HTC One

Kellen — Wed, 19 Jun 2013 08:42:59 +0000

With summer upon us, and Verizon having acknowledged that it will carry the HTC One "later" this season, we've been told that stores are now running promos for sales reps to move remaining inventory of the DROID DNA and Incredible 4G LTE. In fact, both phones have been flagged for "close out" within the last day or so (pictured above). Once the last device is sold, stores (at least of the 3rd party variety) will no longer stock either device to make room for something new, likely the One. A firm launch date for the HTC One on Verizon has yet to be revealed. I don't want to speculate too much because Verizon said that they are carrying the One, specifically, but this does remove two DROID branded devices from the lineup, leaving only the dated RAZR HD and RAZR M under the popular tag. With the @DroidLanding Twitter account reactivating in the last day, with some sort of game or contest on the horizon, we're sort of expecting a new DROID phone to arrive. The question is - what phone could that be? HTC appears to want to rid itself of specific carrier brands, while Motorola and their Moto X may do the same. So what is left? Either way, it was nice knowing you, DROID DNA. You were a beast in your own right, with that gorgeous 1080p display and sleek matte black exterior. Cheers ___ and ___!

Falcon Pro Thinks Twitter "Shut Me Down," Provides Backup APK File as Temporary Fix as Tokens are Already All Gone

Kellen — Wed, 19 Jun 2013 08:19:35 +0000

Yesterday, only a day after the most recent token reset from popular Twitter app Falcon Pro, long-time users who had not had a chance to update and login to re-claim their token, flooded our inbox and Twitter with complaints of error messages. The messages simply stated that the "application cannot authenticate more users at this time," which is the same message users were seeing before the reset earlier in the week. So what's going on? How could all of the 100K tokens be taken up again in a matter of hours? Falcon Pro's creator took to Twitter this morning, thinking that Twitter may have shut him down, and has since unpublished the app from the Play store. Tough to know exactly what's behind the token gobbling, but Twitter made it clear long ago that they were going to limit the number of users for 3rd party apps. Maybe they weren't fans of an app completely wiping its allotted tokens to gain more users? It does sort of seem like an attempt to work the system that they created, even as terrible of a system as it is. So in the mean time, as Falcon Pro through Google Play sits in limbo, the developer has published build V2.0.2 to Twitter for those who are locked out of the app. (Here is one link.) We'll be sure to keep you updated as this series of events unfolds.

Via: @falcon_android Cheers David!

Unlocked HTC One Receives Minor "System Enhancement" Update to Build 1.29.1540.17

Kellen — Wed, 19 Jun 2013 07:58:46 +0000

The U.S. unlocked HTC One in my possession received a minor update this morning to build 1.29.1540.17. As you can see from the picture, it's only labeled as a "system enhancements," so we're not looking at Android 4.2.2 or a new version of Sense 5. The update weighs in at 17.55MB, and will only take a minute or two to download and install. I was hoping that this update fixed the Accessibility-Lockscreen bug, but after testing it, there still appears to be a major issue there. So, we're in the dark as to what this fixed.

HTC Announces the Butterfly S - Like a Slightly Better One, Without the Terrible Button Setup

Kellen — Wed, 19 Jun 2013 07:44:40 +0000

Last night, HTC unveiled their newest flagship in Taiwan, dubbed the Butterfly S. The device is every bit as good on paper as the HTC One, but one could argue that it's an even better phone thanks to additions in some key areas. Keep in mind that the device will likely never reach our shores, at least as the Butterfly S. You never know if we'll see it re-branded as something else though, just like we saw last year with the J Butterfly blossoming into the DROID DNA on Verizon. The HTC Butterfly S sports a Qualcomm Snapdragon 600 clocked at 1.9GHz, 5-inch FHD LCD 3 display, 3200mAh battery, UltraPixel camera, BoomSound front facing speakers, 16GB internal storage, microSD slot for expansion, Sense 5.0, and Android 4.2.2 out of the box. So from that list, we can see that it has a much larger battery over the One (2300mAh), has expandable storage thanks to a microSD slot, and already runs Android 4.2.2. Oh, we forgot to mention that it doesn't carry the terrible Home-Back button combo for navigation like the One. The Butterfly uses last year's button setup of Home-Back-Multi-task, a much more traditional Android setup. So last year, we saw the J Butterfly arrive in the U.S. as the DROID DNA on Verizon. A few months ago, we were starting to think something similar would happen again this year, however, Verizon has already announced that they will carry the HTC One at some point this summer. There is certainly a chance that they sell the Butterfly S and brand it as the One, but that seems sort of unlikely and odd. No, we're probably stuck with the One that has been out for months already, and has lost some of its luster. No matter what, HTC's new Butterfly S, which comes in three colors, looks like an amazing device. Promo video:

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9nzTHKdZH8o[/youtube]

Press release:

HTC Butterfly s large capacity battery life Leap HTC Desire 600 ultra-popular choice for high-quality

Variety of options to meet market expectations to create comprehensive and innovative experience
Taipei, Taiwan (AD June 19, 2013) - China Telecom (China Telecom Co., Ltd., hereinafter referred to as "China Telecom") and the global leader in mobile phone innovation and design HTC (High Tech Computer Corporation, hereinafter referred to as "HTC" ) today (19) days to launch a large-capacity battery with the life of the HTC Butterfly s Great Leap Forward and the ultra-popular high-quality choice for HTC Desire 600 two products, the use of Android Jelly Bean operating system and equipped with HTC Sense ®, has a smooth and unique use of speed powerful features, providing consumers with diversified choices. Chunghwa Telecom mobile communications branch general manager Lin Guofeng said: "HTC Butterfly hit China Telecom alone this year, Android smartphone highest sales record, showing that China Telecom teamed up with HTC perfect tacit cooperation. Continuation HTC Butterfly Hot momentum, the together again the first to launch HTC Butterfly s cooperation with the HTC Desire 600, with the best quality of Chunghwa Telecom's mobile Internet and diversified value-added services in the hope that consumers can instantly with people around Keep In Touch, anywhere with family and friends to keep in touch with each other concerned. " HTC North Asia Jack Tong, general manager, said: "HTC Butterfly launch market response, the longer tailored to users in Taiwan HTC Butterfly s, providing more diverse portfolio of products, so that consumers choose products that meet their needs. HTC Butterfly s powerful smart with HTC Desire 600 high-quality, easy for consumers to find the best work-life balance. " HTC Butterfly s large capacity battery life Leap HTC Butterfly s equipped with Qualcomm ® Snapdragon ™ 600 1.9 GHz quad-core processor with multi-tasking high performance, and is equipped with Full HD 1080p 5-inch high-definition screen; built-in 3,200 mAh large capacity battery, show the most excellent endurance. And also introduced three color styles, including: sports car with colored Teshi gray, pure pearl white with elegant ruby red, the HTC Butterfly s build for the high-fashion Yiping. HTC BlinkFeed ™ Home News perfection do not miss our consumers HTC BlinkFeed home communities and media information can be integrated, global news immediately grasp, let you easily become information between peers guide. HTC Zoe ™ Reality Album stimulate creativity HTC Butterfly s combination of HTC Zoe Reality album with HTC UltraPixel camera, breaking the traditional picture thinking, retained vivid memories of the exclusive; taking pictures and also record a 3 seconds video, can be " Continuous synthesis "," best face "," object removal "and other wonderful features, more possibilities to create pictures. Video Highlights living micro film also provides 12 kinds of rich themes, diversity of choice for consumers. HTC BoomSound ™ Audio shake hearing more spot to make sound effects, equipped with dual front stereo speakers, allowing users to enjoy audio and video entertainment can feel when the left and right channels of the sound field effect culvert rich, built-in Beats Audio ™ sound reduction recordings room high quality, shake the user's auditory nerve. HTC Sense TV ™ allows you to become masters of the remote TV could not find the remote control is a common scenario for each family, HTC Sense TV phone combines the power button infrared remote control function, easy to set up a few steps to be able to remote control TVs, set-top boxes and home theater, mobile phones become the interactive TV channel list, intuitive to launch TV viewing. HTC Desire 600 Advanced features preferred smartphone is HTC Desire HTC Desire 600 new members of the classic series, powered by Qualcomm Snapdragon 200 1.2 GHz quad-core processor and 4.5 inch super LCD2 screen to bring consumers smooth operation and comfort visual experience. In order to better meet consumer demand for color, HTC Desire 600 will launch the film black and white two classic colors condenser, a symbol of understated black film character, the rich heritage of the film-coated black solid li; condenser white in dual stereo speaker and lens peripheral decorate red color, let the phone overall color is more shine, so that everyone can choose the most personalized colors. Video Highlights living micro film easily create exciting movie HTC Desire 600 In addition to having HTC BlinkFeed home , but also offer popular Video Highlights living micro-film, will shoot videos and photos into the essence of the permanent collection. Use 8 megapixel camera, you can automatically generate 30 seconds brilliant movie clips, built six kinds of special effects and rich in theme and moving soundtrack, with HTC BoomSound stereo viewing, allowing superb sound rich emotional memory. HTC and China Telecom jointly build a new vision to enjoy high-definition video and audio mobile value-added services to the perfect HTC Butterfly s meticulous fashion design and exquisite excellent excellent performance level of the smartphone market fully raised, showing a new style; HTC Desire 600 has a smooth processing speed as well as unique features for creative, completely tailored for mobile life science and technology, both fully humanized HTC Sense user experience, with China Telecom's mobile Internet quality and stable environment and a rich and diverse Canadian value-added services, combining mobile technology and life applications, allowing users to experience the unprecedented action of the top intellectual life. While Chunghwa Telecom Hami unique value-added services, including Hami Music, Hami Bookstore, Hami software shops, etc., but also combined with HTC BlinkFeed Homefeatures first-hand information and special offers will give users real-time, allowing consumers to keep abreast of China Telecom a full range of value-added services and upcoming events special offers, Hami value-added services combined with the powerful HTC hardware performance for consumers to create a wonderful life and facilitate rich mobile entertainment experience with the best. HTC Butterfly s and HTC Desire 600 7 Months Taiwan synchronization started selling HTC Butterfly s suggested retail price of NT $ 22,900 million alone, HTC Desire 600 suggested retail price of NT $ 12,900 million stand-alone, two new machines are expected in July in full Province, China Telecom outlets and distribution outlets HTC Sync on sale, so that mobile technology and intellectual life more quality services. About China Telecom China Telecom Co., Ltd. in the Republic 1 July 1996 by the then DGT operating divisions established restructuring, the main business covers wireline communications, mobile communications, as well as three major areas of data communications, providing voice service, leased circuit , Internet, broadband access, intelligent networks, virtual networks, e-commerce, enterprise integration services, and a variety of value-added services, the Department of the domestic operations of the most experienced and largest integrated telecommunication's also international carriers important partner in promoting globalization instant messaging communication, and comprehensively improve the quality of life of the community, as well as a general increase in economic and social operational efficiency, performance is outstanding. For more information, please refer to Chunghwa Telecom website www.cht.com.tw . About HTC HTC was founded in 1997, is the mobile communications industry in award-winning innovation leader for sure. By putting people at the center of the business philosophy, HTC constantly breaking both design and technology, the introduction of innovative products and personalized experience to meet the needs of consumers worldwide. HTC's product portfolio includes smartphones and tablet PCs, equipped with HTC Sense ™ user interface rich and vivid, greatly enhance the user experience. HTC Corporation is listed on the Taiwan Stock Exchange under ticker 2498.Additional information about HTC, please refer to HTC corporate website www.htc.com .

Augmented Reality DROID Contest "D:COM" Starting Soon, and Droid Life is Involved as One of the Warrior Robots?

Kellen — Tue, 18 Jun 2013 15:33:44 +0000

Well, one thing is for certain - Verizon and the @DroidLanding Twitter account are launching a new augmented reality contest that includes the DROID brand and a bunch of robots. A promo video for it all has been posted to Verizon's YouTube channel, which we have included for you below. We still aren't exactly sure how it will all go down, but there is a scene at the 16-second mark (captured in the image above) that mentions my online alias ("Kellex") specifically, and that I'm standing "sentry at the pier." Am I now a wARrior robot that will be a part of the contest? Is it just a coincidence and they are referring to someone else? I have no idea, but it's at least exciting to think about. I'm not the only one mentioned, though. There are a bunch of other robots featured along with specific locations. It sounds like the augmented reality will incorporate some sort of robot battles, likely using an AR app that can be installed on your phone. Mentions of D:COM Alpha and DROID Combat appear at the end of the short teaser clip. The contest is supposed to begin in June, so that means any day now. Yeah, this is about to get awesome. Update: This may be the app, though it can't be installed on anything yet.

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

GameStick Retail Launch Delayed Until August, Waiting on User Feedback

Tim — Tue, 18 Jun 2013 13:45:35 +0000

The popular Kickstarter project, GameStick has been growing by leaps and bounds, but we still have yet to hear an official retail launch date for the general public. While units are going out to developers and certain backers, the company is pushing back its projected launch until August, waiting for users to provide some user interface feedback before they begin full on production and shipping. While delays are never fun, it's great to know that the company is insuring a successful launch with well-made software. Is anyone here a Kickstarter backer of GameStick? We are. Via: Engadget

New DROID Coming Soon to Verizon? @DroidLanding Twitter Reactivates Self (Updated)

Kellen — Tue, 18 Jun 2013 13:03:39 +0000

Oh boy, let the hypebeasting begin. The @DroidLanding official promotional Twitter account behind a handful of DROID-related scavenger hunts and phone teases over the years has reactivated, sending its first Tweet since November 2011. What does this mean? Well, we don't know for sure other than we are supposed to stand by for "further instructions." I smell a contest or a phone launch of some sort. We haven't had a DROID phone from Verizon since the DROID DNA launched last year - what could this be? Something from Motorola? Something from HTC? You tell us. Update: Another Tweet has gone out, mentioning augmented reality in the process. We have seen scavenger hunts in the past through this account, also that used augmented reality as a way to discover hidden devices that are a part of their contests. Something is coming, it's definitely going to be DROID branded, and will likely involve a scavenger hunt in order to win one. Stay tuned!

Via: @DroidLanding

World War Z for Android on Sale Through Google Play for $1

Tim — Tue, 18 Jun 2013 12:50:29 +0000

[youtube]http://youtu.be/8h_txXqk3UQ[/youtube]

If you have yet to pick up the official World War Z game on Android, the timing doesn't get much better than this. Usually priced at $4.99, you can pick up this next-gen mobile zombie killer game for only a dollar. You heard right, Brad Pitt goodness for just a $1! In the game, you battle your way through hordes of the undead, traveling the world trying to protect what is left of humanity. The graphics are intense, leading to the file size to be well over 1GB. So if you're running low on device storage, you might want to go do some late Sprint cleaning to make some room. Play Link ($0.99) Cheers Chris and Tabitha!

AT&T's Exclusive Samsung Galaxy S4 in Aurora Red Now Available For $199

Tim — Tue, 18 Jun 2013 12:15:38 +0000

Today, Samsung and AT&T launched the exclusive Galaxy S4 in Aurora Red with 16GB of storage. The device is priced at $199.99 on a new two year agreement or you can pick up the device off contract at $639.99. Besides that gorgeous red exterior, there are no differences between this device and the regular white/black variants. You still have your 5" 1080p display, 13MP back-facing camera, 2GB of RAM, Snapdragon 600 quad-core processor and all of that awesome Samsung proprietary software. Buy. Via: Samsung

Humble Bundle 6 for Android Available Today - Features Seven Games, Pay What You Want

Kellen — Tue, 18 Jun 2013 11:59:14 +0000

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T9uYrY2DqzE[/youtube]

The Humble Bundle 6 for Android is now available for you to pick up at whatever price you choose. As was the case with previous Humble Bundles, you get to pay any amount for a highlighted set of games, but should you pay more than the average price, you'll receive some bonuses. You also get to select where you funds end up, whether that be with developers, a charity or a combination of both. By simply paying any amount, you'll receive four (4) games: Aquaria, Fractal: Make Blooms Not War, Organ Trail, and Stealth. As an initial bonus, you'll also receive Pulse: Volume One just for purchasing the main set of four. Should you exceed the current average set by buyers (displayed on the site), two addition games will be included: Frozen Synapse (making its Android debut) and Broken Sword. Here is the full game list:

Aquaria
Fractal: Make Blooms Not War
Organ Trail: Director’s Cut
Stealth Bastard Deluxe
Pulse: Volume One
Frozen Synapse
Broken Sword: Shadow of the Templars - Director’s Cut

Hit up the link below to lock-in your five or seven games. Via: Humble Bundle

Tuesday Poll: Are You Protecting Your Smartphone?

Kellen — Tue, 18 Jun 2013 10:00:16 +0000

It's 2013, smartphones have grown to outrageous sizes, prices certainly haven't decreased, and we're using them even more. So we're curious, are you still protecting your phone? Or should we say, are you protecting your technological investment? With 2-year contracts still in existence, we know that many of you have jumped on subsidized phone deals because the thought of buying a phone at full retail can give anyone a migraine. So that also means that you likely aren't interested in forking out $650 dollars should an accident take your phone's life. It's been a while since we asked, but we'd love to know how you are preserving your phone. Are you using some form of protection? Case? Screen protector? If so, be sure to tell us what you've chosen in the comments. [poll id="258"]

DashClock Updated - Brings Daydream Support, Option to Apply Manual Weather Location

Tim — Tue, 18 Jun 2013 09:30:13 +0000

Last evening, the developer of DashClock, Roman Nurik, pushed out an official update to his application, complete with a few features that beta users have been testing for a week or so. Inside the update, support for Android 4.2's DayDream feature is included, as well as more options for the weather extension. Users can now apply a manual location setting to have appear on their lock/homescreen, as well as more information to be shown. A number of fixes are also inside, such as a Gmail bug fix and a few SMS bug fixes. What's New:

Use DashClock with Android 4.2's Daydream feature; great for use with desktop docks!
Option to specify a manual location for weather
Weather extension now shows high/low information
Calendar extension now shows the current appointment if it started in the past 5 minutes
Fixed a number of bugs with the Gmail and SMS extensions
For developers: New API features

Go grab it. Play Link

AT&T Setting Up Solar Powered Charging Stations Throughout NYC

Tim — Tue, 18 Jun 2013 09:00:18 +0000

New Yorkers, it's time to pay attention. Today, AT&T announced a new pilot program that is set to begin in New York City called, Street Charge. Throughout the city, primarily in parks and other friendly places, solar-powered charging stations can be found for mobile phone users who are in need of some juice. The idea is to help those in need with a renewable and innovative solution, as well as to allow people to connect through a common frustration. More info on the program can be found in the video below. On a personal note, this just seems like a dangerous idea. Be aware of your surroundings, folks. [youtube]http://youtu.be/Qdz2cYOX4KQ[/youtube]

Moto X "XFON" XT1055 for U.S. Cellular Stops by FCC

Kellen — Tue, 18 Jun 2013 08:17:21 +0000

When Motorola CEO Dennis Woodside sat on stage at D11 a few weeks back, he confirmed that his company would "broadly" distribute their next wave of smartphones. With today's FCC filing of the Motorola XT1055 headed to U.S. Cellular (LTE band 12), an XFON variant, we now have at least four variants of this phone confirmed for U.S. carriers. The listing helps us add another model number to an ongoing list that represents the XFON, which could very well be a part of the new Moto X line of phones. We know that the XT1060 is Verizon's variant, XT1056 is headed to Sprint, and the XT1058 is on its way to AT&T. The only major U.S. carrier we have yet to see a filing for is T-Mobile. As for specs, the device is expected to run on a Snapdragon S4 Pro dual-core processor clocked at 1.7GHz, carry 2GB RAM, 16GB of storage, 10MP rear camera, 2MP front camera, 720p display, and run Android 4.2.2. Since that sounds mid-range, we are expecting Motorola to introduce new sensors or software that can predict your every desire as it happens. Well, it'll at least do things like turn your camera on when you pull your phone out of a pocket, but only at the precise moment you need it to happen. We have no confirmation on a release or price, though we are expecting it to happen soon.

Via: FCC | Blog of Mobile

Sony Xperia Z Finally Coming to The States Exclusive to T-Mobile, Sign-Ups Live Now

Eric — Tue, 18 Jun 2013 07:54:07 +0000

We have been waiting to hear news about the U.S. arrival of the Sony Xperia Z since CES, where we spent some hands-on time with and generally came ahead with positive thoughts. Unfortunately, today's news is that Sony's newest flagship is going to be a T-Mobile exclusive when it finally launches. We weren't given an exact time, but sign-ups for the launch in "the coming weeks" are live right now.

The Xperia Z is no slouch when it comes to specs, including a 5" 1080p Reality Display and 2GB of RAM. It has the Snapdragon S4 Pro processor powering it and features a huge 13MP camera on the back as well. It's a phone that could certainly catch people's eye and change the perception of the Xperia line of phones, but unfortunately exclusives are all the rage these days so only T-Mobile customers will get a chance to purchase this device. If you are one of those customers however, sign-ups are at the link below.

Via: T-Mobile

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mP6f4HbBHOk[/youtube]

[Deal] Register Your Galaxy S4 at Samsung's Site and Receive a 50% Off Accessory Coupon Code

Kellen — Tue, 18 Jun 2013 06:54:05 +0000

If you made the Samsung Galaxy S4 your device for the time being, feel free to take advantage of this 50% off coupon promo through Samsung's site. All you have to do is create an account (if you haven't already) and register your new device (need the IMEI) - within a few minutes, an email will arrive with your code. The code is good for 50% off of any accessory in their store that is $50 and under. That may limit your options, but things like the new spare battery and charger kit, multimedia desktop dock, and Flip Covers are all under $50. Via: Samsung Cheers Brendan!

Samsung Galaxy Tab 2 10.1 With Accessory Bundle for $279.99 Today Through Woot!

Eric — Mon, 17 Jun 2013 15:30:07 +0000

Android tablet deals are a dime-a-dozen on the web these days, but today's is pretty decent. The Samsung Galaxy Tab 2 10.1" is on sale through the good people over at Woot! for only $279.99. Unlike usual deals where the tablets have been refurbished by the OEMs and are now on sale, this is a brand new device that comes with an accessory bundle as well.

Internal storage is limited to 16GB, but this bundle comes with headphones, a headphone splitter, an 8GB SDcard and a cleaning cloth. That along with the Tab 2's 1280 x 800 screen and 1.0GHz dual-core processor round out the specs worth mentioning on this tablet. It's a bit old, but it was recently upgraded to Jelly Bean thanks to Samsung. What's even better is that since it's new it comes with a year-long warranty through Sammy.

If the price is too good to pass up, hit the link below.

Buy

From the Weekend: Project Loon is Google's Attempt to Bring Internet to the World Using Balloons

Kellen — Mon, 17 Jun 2013 14:55:43 +0000

Over the weekend, Google introduced their new moonshot from the Google[x] team called Project Loon, and boy is it a big one. The focus is on the reality that there are massive holes in internet coverage throughout the world. In fact, in many areas there isn't an internet connection to be had at all or if there is one, it's seen as nothing more than an incredibly expensive luxury. So how can they attempt to change this? With balloons. Lots of balloons floating 20km above the Earth (in the stratosphere) and traveling easily through layers of wind. Seems crazy, right? It's already in testing.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m96tYpEk1Ao[/youtube]

Outside of being able to sell ads if the internet is in more locations, Google is selling Project Loon with the idea that education, support for small businesses, and medical care can all happen in disconnected parts of the world thanks to solar-powered balloons. They already have specially made internet antennas that attach to buildings on the the ground, which can then transmit signals to networks of balloons in the air. Those balloons then attach to an internet service provider which can produce 3G-type data speeds. So no, we're not talking LTE or next-gen speeds as of right now, but that's not the point at this time. Just having 3G in an area of the world that has never tasted the internet before, is quite the idea.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mcw6j-QWGMo[/youtube]

The Project Loon team has already begun testing a balloon network down in New Zealand. Last week alone they launched 30 balloons and have some 50 people trying to connect to them. From here, they are hoping to find other locations to test that are in the same latitude as New Zealand. This first major test, though, will help them greatly improve balloon designs and prepare for next steps. It's a massive project that could be life changing to many - the exact point of a moonshot. To learn more, be sure to watch both videos that we have included, and also feel free to hit up the source link. Via: Google Blog

Rumor: Verizon Planning Customization Service for Galaxy S4 LTD Edition

Eric — Mon, 17 Jun 2013 14:32:40 +0000

Android is already known as the go-to OS if you want to customize your phone - custom backgrounds, keyboards and third-party lockscreens can all be added after you purchase the device from an OEM. However, if this newest leak is to be believed, Verizon is looking to give customization options during the ordering process to wildly change the outside look of your new Galaxy S4.

A Galaxy S4 LTD edition is reportedly soon to come to Verizon with its own SKU, allowing the carrier to partner with different brand names to make your phone look extremely unique. Kid Robot (a popular urban toy line), KAWS, Undefeated (an urban clothing designer) and KRINK all have different designs on board that you can choose to have grace the back of your device.

The back of the device isn't the only canvas however, as software customizations are also on the list of changes that can be made. A website is said to be in the works to allow you to customize and order your S4, making the whole process easy. The leak comes from @evleaks who is usually pretty spot on with his digging, so this is all the more intriguing. Motorola has been hinting towards hardware customization for a while now, but with Samsung's weight behind the project it could take off.

Would you pay a bit extra to have a limited edition S4 with a brand design on the back?

Via: @evleaks | TheUnlockr

Google Expands Retail Partnerships for Chromebooks, Coming to Walmart and Staples Locations

Tim — Mon, 17 Jun 2013 13:46:03 +0000

Google announced today that they will be expanding the current shopping options for potential Chromebook buyers. Currently, the web-based laptops are sold in a few retail stores such as Best Buy and online retailers like Amazon, but in the coming months, you can start finding Chromebooks in certain Walmart, Staples, Frys Electronics and OfficeMax locations.

And beginning this weekend, Staples will bring a mix of Chromebooks from Acer, HP and Samsung to every store in the U.S.—more than 1,500 in total. You can also purchase via Staples online, while businesses can purchase through the Staples Advantage B2B program. In the coming months select Office Depot, OfficeMax, and regional chains Fry’s and TigerDirect locations will begin selling Chromebooks.

Do you currently own a Chromebook? If not, have you put in any thought into getting one? Via: Google

Minuum Keyboard Finally Arrives in Beta Tomorrow for Backers

Kellen — Mon, 17 Jun 2013 12:41:02 +0000

Remember Minuum, the keyboard for "delightfully fast sloppy typing" that took off as an Indiegogo campaign back in March? It will finally be available tomorrow as a beta for backers of the project. The Minuum team sent out an email confirmation moments ago, detailing the beta test taking place through Google Play, which we would also assumes means through a Google+ group or community. For those not familiar, Minuum takes the traditional smartphone keyboard and squashes it into a single row. It still carries the traditional QWERTY layout, it just does so without taking up screen real estate. And that's potentially the beauty here - you get to type as you normally would thanks to a "specialized auto-correction algorithm that allows highly imprecise typing," without hopefully having to re-learn how to type or without sacrificing precious screen space. It allows you to type fast, with what we are hoping to be an impressive autocorrection engine inside. It should also work on tablets (eventually), and be resizable depending on the use case. But taking use cases a step further, the Minuum team expects to make their technology available to typing experiences outside of phones and tablets. We're talking about using your arm, finger, or piece of paper as a potential keyboard. The video below dives deeper into that. For now, make sure your Minuum confirmation email hasn't found its way into your spam folder. Also, make sure the email they used is the same as the email you use for Google Play, so that you can download the beta when it goes live. Here is the email going out to backers:

Dear Minuum supporter, The wait is over—exactly two months after the closing of our campaign, we’re releasing the Minuum beta to you TOMORROW, June 18, 2013. IMPORTANT INFORMATION BELOW—PLEASE READ CAREFULLY Tomorrow, you will be invited to a Google Group for Minuum beta users. Once you join the group, you’ll be able to download the Minuum beta for Android through the Google Play Store. Only members of our Google Group for Minuum beta users will be able to download the beta trough the Play Store. You must join the Google Group with the same account you use in the Google Play Store with your Android device. If you have an Android device, you should have a Google Play Store account. If this email address is the same one that’s associated with your Google Play Store account, then you don’t have to email us back—you’ll simply receive an invitationtomorrow to join the Google Group for beta users. However, if the email address that’s associated with your Google Play Store account is different from this one, please reply to this email ASAP with your Google Play Store email address. To check your Play Store email, go to the Play Store app on your device, select the menu in the top right and click on “Accounts.” This should tell you what email address is associated with your Play Store account. If you’re giving your beta access away to a family member or a friend instead, please email us their Google Play Store account email address. Best, The Minuum Team

Minuum promo video:

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=niV2KCkKmRw[/youtube]

Modern Combat 4: Zero Hour "Meltdown" Update Coming for Android, Brings New Multiplayer Game Types and More

Tim — Mon, 17 Jun 2013 12:20:02 +0000

[youtube]http://youtu.be/Pl21ufd1RQE[/youtube]

Coming "very soon" to Android is the "Meltdown" update for Modern Combat 4: Zero Hour from publisher Gameloft. Inside the update, there are two new mulitplayer game types to keep you interested in pwning no0bz (looks like Capture the Flag and Demolition), three all-new maps to run around on, as well as two new weapons; a sniper rifle and a grenade launcher. No confirmed date is available from Gameloft yet on when it will arrive for Android, but it does say "very soon." We will keep you posted. Play Link ($6.99)

Hootie for Twitter, Another Good Choice for 3rd Party App Lovers

Tim — Mon, 17 Jun 2013 11:40:26 +0000

The amount of third party Twitter apps available is somewhat crazy, but as long as they are quality apps, no one should really be complaining. Some of the more well-known options are insanely popular such as Falcon Pro, Tweet Lanes and even Plume. Today, we are taking a quick peak at another third party option called, Hootie. Yep, kind of rings a few bells. This app, from the time I have spent with it, is designed to look better than most on tablets. It uses a single stream, allowing for images to take center stage, while also adding in a few design tricks that make retweeting and replying to tweets a nice and streamlined experience. It doesn't offer many of the more in-depth features that others do, but it is a relatively new app, with tons of room for growth and improvements. If you might be looking for a new Twitter experience on your Android tablet, definitely check it out. Play Link [youtube]http://youtu.be/AYToBTc_nIM[/youtube]

Into the Dead Updated With Canine Companion Perk, Exploding Barrel Weapon

Kellen — Mon, 17 Jun 2013 11:09:29 +0000

Into the Dead, one of the most addicting zombie games to hit Android in the last couple of years, received an update this morning that includes the Canine Companion perk, along with a new exploding barrel during Massacre mode. The canine, as you would expect, will attack zombies during your run should you choose to include it. It's violent, graphic, and makes you want to have a dog handy in case the real zombie apocalypse ever arrives. The exploding barrel, on the other hand, is used during massacre mode as a means to take out "dozens" of zombies at a time. Both new additions have been in the works since the game launched, but with their arrival we have a new reason to start playing this game again. Oh, they also introduced a Friends leaderboard through Facebook. Play Link

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sXzXFI3k-D0[/youtube]

AT&T Offering Samsung Galaxy Note 8.0 for $199.99 When Bundled With a Smartphone

Eric — Mon, 17 Jun 2013 10:47:15 +0000

For anyone who was waiting anxiously for the launch of the Samsung Galaxy Note 8.0 with LTE, which I'm not sure is a lot of people, AT&T has a new deal to make getting your hands on the device a little easier. For a short time, if you buy a new phone and plan through AT&T, you can grab the Note 8.0 for $199.99 as part of the deal. The phone choices available to be bundled are limited to the Samsung Galaxy S4, Samsung Galaxy S4 Active, or Samsung Galaxy Note II.

Not mentioning the fact that you are paying for a 2 year contract, the Note 8.0 is an attractive device. A 1.6GHz quad-core processor, massive 4,600 mAh battery and Android 4.1 make a decent spec sheet for a tablet. If you still aren't sure, check out our hands-on with the device before you make your decision.

The Note 8.0 goes on sale June 21.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VczDyTXJS0Q[/youtube]

Via: AT&T

Report: Instagram to Announce Vine-like Video Support at Facebook Event

Tim — Mon, 17 Jun 2013 10:05:08 +0000

With Facebook hosting a small press event on June 20, sources close to both Instagram and Facebook are stating that the social network has something big planned for the photo-sharing filter-happy network. According to TechCrunch, Facebook intends to announce video capabilities for Instagram, almost identical to what Twitter's Vine application offers. Users can record up 5 or 10 second videos, then upload them for sharing. With Vine's success quite notable in terms of growth rate and popularity among users, this wouldn't come as much of a shocker. With a user base already in place with Instagram, allowing for the sharing of videos either through the same app or releasing a separate app could spell major success for Facebook and the Instagram team respectively. Besides, we are still curious on how Zuck plans on making money off of his billion dollar investment with Instagram. June 20 is right around the corner, so we shall just have to wait and see what Facebook intends to do. Would anyone switch off of Vine to use an Instagram-made video service? Via: TechCrunch

New Skype Video Messaging Feature Allows You to Send Video Postcards

Eric — Mon, 17 Jun 2013 09:43:38 +0000

The video chatting giant, Skype, announced today that they are taking their new video messaging feature out of "preview" and making it available to all of their mobile and Windows applications. Sometimes people aren't available for real-time video chatting, and that's where this new feature comes in. Skype Video Messaging is the latest add-on to the popular chatting application that allows you to capture a moment in time through video that can then be sent to someone for later viewing.

The new feature that is already available in the Google Play Store, now allows you to record up to 3 minutes of video to send through Skype to someone on your contact list. These videos can be viewed at a later time, so if the person isn't online right when you record, there is no problem. Video Messaging, unlike real-time video chat, doesn't require a WiFi connection to send, so don't worry about whether or not your carrier will let you video call. If you are ready to start sharing video clips of your life, update your Skype app and get to recording. The service is free of charge.

Play Link

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=88nDTJyEIz4[/youtube]

Via: Skype

Falcon Pro Reaches Twitter Token Limit Again, You'll Need to Update and Relogin to Claim Token (Updated)

Kellen — Mon, 17 Jun 2013 08:52:28 +0000

Falcon Pro, what is arguably still the most popular Android Twitter client of the moment, reached its Twitter token limit again last night. What does that mean for you? In order to free up unused tokens, the app's developer has uploaded a new version of the app that resets all tokens. So once you grab the new update (when it goes live), you'll have to login again with your Twitter credentials to claim a token and continue using the app. As I mentioned, this isn't the first time that this has happened. A few months back, the 100K token limit was reached shortly after launch thanks to heavy piracy of the app. With this approach to updating the Play store version and resetting all tokens, it frees up tokens from those who have pirated the app and also who are no longer using it yet still have a token attached to their Twitter accounts. Twitter is unlikely to change their stance on token limits, so this will likely continue to be a part of the game for the foreseeable future. So to be sure you re-gain access to Falcon Pro, update immediately. We'll be sure to let you know once the app is live. Update: It's live, go download it and login!

Play Link

Creator of PushBullet Releases Filmgrain, a Movie Recommendation App Driven by Twitter

Kellen — Mon, 17 Jun 2013 08:35:24 +0000

I wouldn't necessarily say that finding out which movies in theaters are popular with fans and critics is a difficult task, but the makers of one of our favorite apps (PushBullet) have decided they want to make it easier and based off of Tweets. In a new app released to the Play store over the weekend called Filmgain, users can see trending current and upcoming movies all based on their buzz throughout Twitter. The app's user interface is incredibly simple, but takes on an infinitely scrolling Google Play-ish card style to represent movies and their Filmgrain score. As you can imagine, the higher the score it pulls in from Twitter, the higher up the list of movies it moves. As you scroll down, you'll obviously find less talked about films, but it could be a way for you to discover something you had never heard of in the past. As you tap into a movie listing, you'll find a Details page that includes a Rotten Tomatoes score, along with a synopsis and trailer links. If you want to see what Twitter users have to say about the clip, you can swipe over to a Stream panel. I'd be a little worried about this being a stream of spoilers for current films, but in the Upcoming movie section it could be a great place to find out info. You can also find showtimes and ticket information with top-right situated icons that direct you to Google search pages. Not a bad app, especially if you needed another outlet to find movie info through. Play Link [More info]

Sprint Lights Up 22 More Cities With 4G LTE

Tim — Mon, 17 Jun 2013 08:20:27 +0000

This morning, Sprint announced the addition of 22 new cities to their still-growing 4G LTE network. On top of that, Sprint also gave some insight into the markets they are looking to light up in the following months. In comparison, Sprint certainly has quite the ways to go before it can compete with Verizon and AT&T, but for anyone that is on Sprint, this is all good news. New Markets:

Baton Rouge, La.
Centralia, Wash.
Clarksville, Tenn.
Corsicana, Texas
Dalton, Ga.
Dunn, N.C.
Fond du Lac, Wis.
Gainesville, Fla.
Henderson, N.C.
Kingsport, Tenn.
Lansing/East Lansing, Mich.
Longview, Wash.
Miami
Napa, Calif.
New Orleans
Palatka, Fla.
Raleigh, N.C.
Sebring, Fla.
St. Cloud, Minn.
St. Joseph/Benton Harbor, Mich.
Tampa, Fla.
Warsaw, Ind.

Markets to Come:

Grand Rapids, Mich.
Aberdeen, Wash.
Allegan, Mich.
Ann Arbor, Mich.
Battle Creek, Mich.
Corpus Christi, Texas
Eagle Pass, Texas
Flint, Mich.
Laredo, Texas
Marshfield/Wisconsin Rapids, Wis.
Mount Pleasant, Mich.
Oak Harbor, Wash.
Watertown/Fort Atkinson, Wis.

Via: Sprint

Report: Samsung Launching New Galaxy S4 With Support for LTE Advanced as Early as Next Month

Kellen — Mon, 17 Jun 2013 07:59:07 +0000

According to a report out of Reuters, Samsung CEO JK Shin confirmed in an interview that his company will sell a new version of the Galaxy S4 that supports LTE Advanced within the next month in Korea. He also mentioned that he was in talks with "several overseas" carriers to take on the phone, but would not specifically name any. So, the phone isn't coming to the U.S. at this time. For those not familiar, LTE Advanced can deliver up to twice the 4G data speeds of the current LTE that most of our phones already runs on. Reuters gives an example of downloading a movie in 3 minutes on current 4G technology, while with LTE Advanced that same download would take just over a minute. Shin mentioned during his interview that the phone will be powered by a Qualcomm chipset. Over the last couple of weeks, benchmarks and details of a Galaxy S4 variant running the new Snapdragon 800 processor have surfaced, with most assuming this is the LTE Advanced variant. We're talking quad-core chipsets clocked at 2.3GHz with the newest Adreno 330 GPUs, that can significantly outperform the Snapdragon 600 which is currently looked at as being the best mobile processor on the planet. Current Galaxy S4 models run either a Snapdragon 600 or Exynos Octa depending on the market. Are you ready for even faster LTE speeds? Via: Reuters Cheers Shawn!

Jay-Z and Samsung Team Up to Launch New Album "Magna Carta Holy Grail" - Free to Download for Galaxy Owners on July 4

Kellen — Sun, 16 Jun 2013 19:08:37 +0000

Samsung told us that they were announcing something with Jay-Z this Sunday, during the NBA Finals, and they have delivered. During a 3-minute ad, Jay-Z is captured in the studio with producer heavyweights Rick Rubin, Timbaland, Swizz Beatz, and Pharrell as they unveil the name of his new studio album called "Magna Carta Holy Grail" along with a release date for it of July 4. But where this involves Samsung is the key. If you own a Galaxy S3, Galaxy Note 2, or the newly released Galaxy S4, you have a chance to get the entire new album for free 72 hours before the rest of the world. Samsung will publish a Magna Carta app to the Google Play store on June 24 that you will need to download to your phone. Then, once the clock hits 12:01AM Eastern on July 4, the app will unlock a download of the album to the first 1 million people who installed the app. So yes, you get Jay-Z's new album first. That, is awesome. For more info, hit up the Magna Carta site.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B--ZARCwSIE[/youtube]

Verizon Stores Have Samsung Galaxy S4 Wireless Charging Covers in Stock

Kellen — Sun, 16 Jun 2013 10:16:31 +0000

Just over a week ago, Samsung announced that they had made their own wireless charging cover and charging pad for the Galaxy S4 available through their online accessory shop. It has since sold out a couple of times, even with the bundle running $90. If you have yet to pick one up and have been on the lookout, think about stopping into your local Verizon store. As you can see from the picture above, stores are starting to carry the black version equipped with Verizon and 4G LTE branding. The cover by itself runs $39.99, just as it does through Samsung's shop. We've also been told that if your store doesn't have them in stock, that they can be ordered over the phone. For whatever reason, they are not currently available through Verizon's site, though we would assume that they will be before long. Or you could swing into the the online DL store, which apparently still has the bundle.

Moto X Phone Specs Leak Points to Most of What We Already Know, 10MP Camera Though

Kellen — Sun, 16 Jun 2013 09:44:34 +0000

On Friday night, well-known mobile industry leaker @evleaks posted up what it believes to be the specs for Motorola's soon-to-be-released Moto X phone. As expected, thanks to an .ini file that we obtained along with countless other leaks, these specs match up to what we mostly already know of a phone which is currently codenamed XFON, that will be powered by a 1.7GHz dual-core Snapdragon S4 Pro processor (MSM8960). We're also looking at a 720p display, though the actual size has yet to be fully confirmed (likely a 4.3"). The phone will carry 2GB RAM, 16GB of internal storage, run Android 4.2.2, sport a 10MP rear camera, and 2MP front camera.

1.7GHz dual-core MSM8960 Pro processor
720p display
2GB RAM
16GB internal storage
10MP rear camera; 2MP front camera
Android 4.2.2

While those specs are not necessarily all that impressive on paper when compared to phones like the HTC One or Samsung Galaxy S4, remember that Motorola is going for something completely different with their new line of phones. CEO Dennis Woodside said in a recent interview that new Moto phones will anticipate your needs depending on the time or situation thanks to advanced sensors and other new tech. So Motorola isn't exactly going to try and blow our minds in the spec department - they plan to impress us with experience. Motorola has said that the Moto X phone will arrive this summer. I have to admit that the naming scheme is becoming quite confusing at this point. We know of a phone with the codenamed XFON that has variants in the wild for AT&T, Verizon, and Sprint, and believe it to be similar to the phone you are seeing at the top of this post. With that said, Woodside called the Moto X a "hero" device during his interview at D11, yet a dual-core phone isn't necessarily what we would consider to be "hero" material. Moto X could simply be the branding for their new line of phones, much like how Samsung has the "Galaxy" tag. No matter what, we are expecting this phone to arrive in the near future. Via: @evleaks Cheers LiterofCola, Andrew, and Justin!

We Can Keep You Company This Weekend

Tim — Fri, 14 Jun 2013 20:00:03 +0000

If you planned on sitting around this weekend and want to hear some great commentary on Apple's new iOS 7, the newest happenings in the Android world and check out Tim's tribute to the greatest mobile OS designer of them all (his silly shirt), check out this week's Droid Life Show, now on Episode 28. We even find some time to discuss the gaming industry with our thoughts on, "Xbox or PS4?" Make sure to catch us live as well when you can, every Wednesday night at 6PM PST.

Samsung Galaxy S4 Spare Battery and Charger Kit Now Available

Kellen — Fri, 14 Jun 2013 18:52:03 +0000

For whatever reason, Samsung is one of the last phone manufacturers on the planet to allow its customers to replace the batteries inside its phones. We aren't exactly sure why the industry went away from pull-able or replaceable batteries, but Samsung made it clear to us during a press briefing over the Galaxy S4 that they do not plan to follow that trend. As you know, the GS4 features a removable backside, which not only gives you access to the phone's battery, but you can also access a microSD card for expandable storage - another feature that the rest of the industry has moved away from. So to show all new Galaxy S4 owners that they didn't include a removable battery for nothing, Samsung has gone ahead and released the official spare battery and charger for the device. Available now from a variety of online stores, you can pick up the charging kit which includes a replacement 2600mAh battery, charger, and new cable. Amazon has it with Prime shipping for $42.01; the DL Store has it for $47.95 with decent shipping rates; Samsung has it for $49.99 with $4 shipping. Links: Amazon | DL Store | Samsung Shop Cheers Brent!

This Week in the Life of DROID: 6/14/2013

Tim — Fri, 14 Jun 2013 16:15:56 +0000

It was a full week, filled with the Apple's introduction of iOS 7 and the birth of a million Jony Ive memes. It was classic. As for "Android news," we can pretty much rest assured there is a new Nexus 7 on the horizon, Samsung continues to release Galaxy-branded device after device, rumors are already starting for the Galaxy S5 and the HTC One Mini should be expected sometime in the summer. If you missed any of the highlights, look below.

Have a great weekend, folks! And to all of you dads out there, have a great and relaxing day on Sunday!

So You Want to Switch to Pre-Paid? My Experience in Dropping the Big Carriers

Eric — Fri, 14 Jun 2013 15:40:54 +0000

We always talk about it, the final straw that would break our back. There's always something that the big wireless carriers could do to make us leave and take our business elsewhere. Threats however are only words until you actually decide to take the initiative and switch, but where do you go outside of Verizon, AT&T, T-Mobile and Sprint? Pre-paid carriers have always sounded exciting to the people locked into lengthy and expensive contracts, but they don't usually have the best reputation: sketchy service, throttling data speeds, the list goes on. Luckily for you, I've decided to brave the unknown and dove headfirst into the world of pre-paid carriers. Let's talk about how it went.

My Background

My family has been with Verizon ever since I can remember wireless service being a big deal. All-in-all, 14 years of service with Big Red in my family and I've known nothing else since I've had a phone. Like many of you readers, I am still clinging to the unlimited data plan and a Galaxy Nexus because Verizon hasn't released a phone that I want to upgrade to this year. The reason I am looking to switch is because fairly soon college will be over and I am anticipating having to pay for my own cell service in the near future. As much as I'd like to keep my unlimited data plan with Verizon, I don't think I'll have the money monthly to do so and it could potentially disappear soon enough anyway. I tell you this because the decision to switch from one carrier to another is completely subjective, only do go through with it if it works for you.

Step One: Choose Your Phone

One of the main benefits to pre-paid carriers, other than the price, is the ability to bring your own phone into the mix and just purchase a SIM card. The choice of phones from pre-paid carriers are usually filled with mid-range smartphones that most Android fans would scoff at, so it's good to have an idea going into it of what you want. You also have to know which wireless bands the phone supports. Some phones only support certain bands of HSPA and HSPA+ and that can directly correlate to whether or not it will work with certain SIM cards or prepaid carriers.

For the most part, when you are talking "prepaid" options, you need to focus on the "unlocked" phone market. We're also talking about use on T-Mobile and AT&T's networks since they are GSM/HSPA and accept a bring-your-own-phone approach, rather than Verizon and Sprint which operate CDMA networks and have the power to decide which phones can connect to them.

It's no secret that I have a love affair with the HTC One X. This was a phone that I absolutely love and allowed it to dictate which carrier I would go to. The One X features a radio that supports the 850/900/1900/2100 Mhz bands for HSPA. These bands only pick up on the HSPA that AT&T puts out, not T-Mobile (T-Mo is currently refarming their 1900). That distinction right there narrowed my choices of carriers drastically (which I will talk about later) and is why you want to pick the phone you wish to use first before you move forward with the rest of the steps.

Step Two: Choose Your Carrier

Now comes the part that we've all been waiting for, the actual pre-paid carrier. Once you have decided which radio bands you will be rolling with, be it T-Mobile or AT&T, you can make a choice on who you will be giving your money to. Traditionally Straight Talk Wireless has offered SIM cards for both carriers, but as of recently with the launch of AT&T's Aio, they can be hard to come by. Now, since I really wanted to use my One X I ended up buying a AT&T Straight Talk SIM card off of Amazon (risky I know, but I really like the One X). Luckily for me I had no problems with a faulty or stolen SIM card and everything worked out well for me when it showed up. Straight Talk however is not the only carrier to choose from, there are a few more to choose from:

Solavei is another carrier that has been both highly praised and skewered by many people in the unlocked, pre-paid phone game. They offer the typical "unlimited data, talk, text and web" like all the pre-paid carriers do, but their price is $49 per month as compared to the $45 from Straight Talk. Solavei uses T-Mobile's wireless signals. They don't have the best reputation because they offer an incentive program to their customers who refer friends and family members. Should you sign up enough people to Solavei, you can earn thousands of dollars on the side. As one would imagine, internet marketers and scam artists have flooded to the MVNO.
Aio might be new to the game, but with AT&T backing it there is room for it to grow. Aio's plans range from $35 to $70 per month and offer 100MB of data up to 7GB on top of their unlimited talk and text. If you use all of that, your data will be throttled afterwards until the new month starts. Unfortunately Aio has only launched in a few cities so far since their start.
Traditional carriers like AT&T, T-Mobile, and Verizon also all offer prepaid plans, but rarely will you find them giving out unlimited everything for the prices you see from those other folks.

These are the pre-paid carriers around the country that allow you to bring your own device. Companies such as Boost Mobile, AT&T's GoPhone program and Virgin Mobile all have fairly low monthly payment programs, but the selection of phones is dismal. What's the point in breaking off from a big carrier if you aren't on a phone that you love?

Step Three: Activate your SIM and Use Your Phone!

Once your SIM card and the phone you want to put it in arrive, pop that sucker in your phone and activate it. Straight Talk allows you to choose to pay manually each month, or have them charge your bill automatically when it is time. Once this is decided on your carrier of choice, activation usually only takes one phone call and a bit of waiting before your device is up and running. Occasionally the phone's radios need pointing in the specific direction of your pre-paid network, so some tweaking in the settings of your device might be necessary, but it's nothing too daunting.

The Good

Low Price, Duh!: The point of this whole experiment was to save some money. $45 each month for an unlimited amount of texts, minutes and data is just too good to pass up. Granted the data speeds aren't LTE (more on that later), HSPA+ and 3G do a fine job of providing my data when I am not on WiFi. Knowing that I could end the payments at anytime that I wanted is a good feeling for added measure. Talking with the owners of my family's plan (aka my parents) we sat down and looked at the numbers comparing a 14-year old, 4 device Verizon plan to if we all switched to a pre-paid network. We would be saving over $100 each month if we made the switch, and that's a decent amount of change. No Contract: It's pretty satisfying to know that you can end your contract whenever you want. If things get tight one month and you need to save a few bucks, it's as easy as a few clicks to end your service. You aren't locked into a contract for two years, if your service sucks you can move to another service with the same phone. It's overall just awesome to have that freedom. Phone Selection: As we've talked about before, these carriers that allow you to bring your own unlocked phone are awesome for Android lovers. See a phone over in the UK or Japan that you want to use? Just make sure that the GSM bands will work over here and you are all set to go. Nexus devices from the Play Store work here as well, and that keeps you as close to Google and Android as you can get. We're even seeing companies like HTC being to sell their newest unlocked phones directly to consumers in the U.S.

Battery Life: 4G LTE is great and all, but in the past it sure did a job on the battery life of any phone that it was featured on. HSPA and HSPA+ have decent mobile speeds and don't destroy your battery as quickly as LTE will. Granted, any power user who is watching YouTube videos all day and streaming music is going to have a low battery life, the difference between the two radios is definitely noticeable. HSPA+: Depending on the prepaid carrier you go with, you can see HPSA+ speeds that are on par with LTE networks. Kellen gave me the screenshots below that show off the T-Mobile HSPA+ prepaid speeds he sees on his Nexus 4. The upload numbers may be capped, but the downloads of around 15 Mbps are nothing to laugh at.

(Above: Kellex's SpeedTests from a Nexus 4 on Solavei using T-Mobile bands)

The Not-So-Good

Not LTE: I'm not going to say that we are spoiled with our fantastically fast 4G LTE speeds, but we kind of are. After being on Verizon's reliable and large network, transitioning back to HSPA was a shock to the system. Of course comparative SpeedTests aren't going to be close, but only getting 3 Mbps on HSPA prepaid when Verizon and AT&T can offer 15 to 20 Mbps on LTE is a big difference. As for an everyday test, I used Google Music streaming as a real world example. Unfortunately, since I was only on HSPA, buffering took substantially more time than on a LTE connection. Another slightly annoying thing about unlocked phones is that the radios tend to switch between HSPA and 3G frequently. I've talked to Kellen about this and it seems to be something that unlocked phones do when brought to the States. It doesn't render the phone useless, but the phone can sometimes get hung in switching between networks before loading your Twitter feed or sending a message. You can see it clearly in my SpeedTest images below.

(Above: my most recent SpeedTest, the fastest I could get and the overall list)

Data Throttling: Everything when you sign up for service with these carriers promises "unlimited" data, but deep in the fine print of each of them you'll read that data is only "unlimited through x amount of data." Meaning if you use too much data on their network your speeds are going to get cut slower than they already are. I personally never ran into the point where my speeds were slower during my time, but I kept WiFi on most the time around the house to get better downloads. Depending on the prepaid carrier, you could see throttling after anywhere from 2GB to 4GB of data.

The Verdict

Is pre-paid right for me? After giving it a test run for nearly two months I feel like the answer is no. As someone who depends on a mobile network for streaming music and video a lot, using Straight Talk just hasn't given me the same performance that Verizon has. Another combination of a prepaid network and phone could yield different results for you, though. The savings in money are nice, but I don't think that they are substantial enough to justify the trade offs. Sure Verizon isn't the place to be if you want all the best Android phones, AT&T seems to have taken that spot, but the two big carriers offer a lot that we seem to take for granted. Does switching to a pre-paid carrier sound right to you? Can you give up the things you have with Verizon, AT&T, Sprint or T-Mo to save a few extra bucks? If you have made the switch, feel free to share your experiences in the comments.

Samsung and Jay-Z Want You to "Turn Up the Volume" on Sunday During the NBA Finals

Kellen — Fri, 14 Jun 2013 15:14:23 +0000

Within the last week, a rumor popped up suggesting that Samsung and Jay-z were on the verge of a partnership that would include a number of future collaborations. Sure enough, the image above dropped into a our inbox this afternoon through the fine folks at Samsung Mobile, confirming that some sort of partnership is indeed about to become public knowledge. Samsung is asking us all to turn up the volume and tune into game 5 of the NBA Finals on Sunday to witness, something. What yet, we don't know. For those not familiar with the happenings of that picture, we're looking at a Samsung device next to a Jesus piece chain and the logo chain for Jay-Z's Roc-a-Fella records label. Is a music service in the works? Something else? This has to be something more than the LeBron partnership, which was nothing more than a bunch of appearances in commercials, right? Guesses? Does anyone care?

Android 5.0 "Key Lime Pie" UI Concepts Hitting the Web, Give Us Very High Hopes

Tim — Fri, 14 Jun 2013 14:32:39 +0000

As we approach the rumored date for Android 4.3's launch on June 20 (at least, that's what our sources say), many have already come to the realization that we should not expect Google to introduce a new interface for the OS. It will still be called Jelly Bean and nothing too crazy will happen. What most in the business have their money on is that we can expect to see Google change up Android's look in the iteration after next, being Android 5.0 "Key Lime Pie." That's when we will see some new colors, icons, wallpapers, etc. take place. Graphic designers appear to be already creating their very own concepts for what they would like to see in Android 5.0, playing more with lockscreen widgets and revising the Android homescreen look. Artist Jinesh Shah took to his Google+ page recently to post up a few pictures of his own ideas, some of which we have become big fans of. While it comes off as minimal and clean, there is enough information on any given homescreen and the lockscreen to give off the sense that this concept would be highly functional and practical for users. The lockscreen widget shows a comprehensive look at this user's upcoming meeting, even showing a map preview of its location. Below that, we can see upcoming flight details, all of which would be able to be customized under new settings that would come with KLP. As for the homescreen changes, what sets this concept apart from others is the idea of "hidden" widgets. With swipes and other gestures, you could reveal other widgets that don't necessarily have to be on your homescreen when not being used. It's a fantastic concept, one that we probably wouldn't mind seeing implemented.

Share your thoughts on the Android 5.0 concept below! Via: +Jinesh Shah | Reddit

New Nexus 7 Appears to Support LTE Networks for Verizon, AT&T, and T-Mobile

Kellen — Fri, 14 Jun 2013 13:24:49 +0000

After the FCC filing for the new Nexus 7 became public this morning, the device as model number K009 has been the talk of tech world (well, outside of Kanye's album leaking early). A Bluetooth SIG filing for it was discovered, plus most of the specs for the new 7-inch Google slate have all but been confirmed now, including LTE support. And speaking of LTE support, while doing some extra digging in the FCC report, Brian Klug of Anandtech discovered something that we haven't seen often if ever in a new tablet or smartphone. We're talking multi-band LTE support for Verizon, AT&T, and T-Mobile. The test reports show that the FCC tested the new Nexus 7 on LTE bands 2, 4, 5, 13, and 17. For those who don't have U.S. LTE bands memorized, know that all three carriers have at least some band 4 (AWS) LTE spectrum, however that's where T-Mobile plans to make most of their magic happen. The majority of Verizon's LTE network runs through band 13, while AT&T has setup shop on band 17. Sprint's LTE network uses band 25, which did not make the list in this filing. So what does this mean? Well, we really don't know at this point. With the original Nexus 7, we saw three models: WiFi only, AT&T HSPA+, and T-Mobile HSPA+. This new Nexus 7 appears to run on GSM850 and 1900 when not using LTE, which are typically referred to as AT&T's GSM bands, though T-Mobile is refarming their 1900 for HSPA+.

Here are the frequencies numbers that each band was tested at. The 779-784MHz for band 13 is spot on for Verizon, while the low 700s is where AT&T tends to operate their LTE network on band 17.

While I'm no FCC expert, this looks like a model made for a connection with AT&T, but the parts or building blocks are certainly there for Google to sell models that work on multiple LTE networks. I don't want to go as far as suggesting that we're looking at a true multi-band LTE ready tablet, but maybe. Via: FCC (H/T @nerdtalker)

NVIDIA Shows Off More GRID Cloud Gaming at This Year's E3

Tim — Fri, 14 Jun 2013 11:35:41 +0000

Thanks to NVIDIA's all-new GRID cloud gaming system, playing top notch PC games no matter where you are is now not something we have to think of as fantasy. Using servers created specifically for hosting and streaming high quality games, players can access their PC titles from Android-powered gaming consoles such as OUYA, their Android tablets or even the new SHIELD portable gaming console. If you are an intense gamer, which NVIDIA caters to, then this should highly interest you. Check below to see NVIDIA's Will Park go through details of GRID and some of the devices it caters to. Pay special attention to the MacBook Pro section, a computer that receives special gaming love thanks to GRID. [youtube]http://youtu.be/AYyaYeih1LY[/youtube] Via: NVIDIA

Is the Samsung Galaxy S4 Mini Coming to Verizon as the SCH-I435?

Kellen — Fri, 14 Jun 2013 11:08:38 +0000

A Samsung device with the model number SCH-435 stopped by Bluetooth SIG this week, likely on its way to Verizon. In the past, all of Big Red's Samsung device model numbers start with SCH, and since this phone is headed to North America, we would be shocked if it went elsewhere. So what is it? It could be the Galaxy S4 Mini. The Galaxy S4 falls under model number SCH-I545 and the Galaxy S3 through Verizon is SCH-I535. One could assume that the 500-level is saved for top tier devices, while the 400-level would then be saved for mid-to-low range devices. The Samsung Stratosphere (which was low-to-mid range when it launched) carries the model number SCH-I405, while its follow-up (Stratosphere 2) goes by model number SCH-i425. The Galaxy Note 2 through Verizon is SCH-I605. With this new phone showing as the SCH-I435, it would make sense for it to be the Galaxy S4 Mini. It's an affordable, smaller version of this year's flagship from Samsung. Unless of course, Samsung has a Stratosphere 3 in the works, to keep the keyboard alive. Either way, a low-to-mid range device from Sammy is headed to Verizon. I'm not sure it deserved 184 words, though.

Via: Bluetooth | Blog of Mobile

Contest: Another Chance to Win a Nexus 7 Prize Pack from NVIDIA and Droid Life (Update: Winner Chosen)

Tim — Fri, 14 Jun 2013 10:00:21 +0000

It's Friday, which means it is time yet again to enter for your chance to win a Nexus 7 prize pack from the good people at NVIDIA and Droid Life. Aren't holidays just the best? This contest will go until Monday morning, so you have plenty of time to enter. Once we all get back from our Father's Day slash weekend festivities, we will have a new Nexus 7 owner among us. The Nexus 7 is Google’s very popular 7″ tablet, sporting an HD display, NVIDIA’s Tegra 3 quad-core processor, 1GB of RAM, a front-facing camera, and the sweet taste of vanilla Android. With the device comes the matching official ASUS dock that you would find on Google Play, plus a case to keep your shiny new toy safe. Let's do this!

Contest

Update: We have our winner. Congrats to Adam S! Prize: 1 (one) Nexus 7 32GB WiFi tablet, 1 (one) case, 1 (one) official dock. How to enter: a Rafflecopter giveaway Winner: We will randomly choose a winner next Monday (6/17) morning at 9AM Pacific.

Thanks to NVIDIA for fronting the Father’s Day celebration prizes!

After Raising Price $25, HTC Now Offers $25 Google Play Gift Card With Purchase of Unlocked One

Kellen — Fri, 14 Jun 2013 09:35:42 +0000

Shortly after announcing that the "Nexus experience" edition of the HTC One would retail through Google Play for $599, HTC went ahead and raised the price of the unlocked Sense-filled version that's available through their own shop from $575 to $599 to match. They didn't give reason for the price hike, but one would assume they weren't interested in selling the exact same phone at different prices, especially since the one with the lower price is the version running their own in-house team's software. Slap in the face, a bit? To potentially make up for the sudden jump, they are currently offering a $25 Google Play gift card with all purchases of the unlocked HTC One. So in a backhanded way, it's like you are still getting the phone for $575. Keep in mind that Amazon is running a 1-day sale (today) for the AT&T and Sprint variants of the One in both black and silver/white. You can grab the One from either carrier for $79.99 as a new customer or $99.99 with an upgrade. Sure, they aren't unlocked, don't have an officially supported unlockable bootloader, and you'll have to sign a two-year contract, but at least the price is enticing. Via: HTC Cheers Justin W!

Tip: Using Vine for Android? You Might Want to Clear the App's Cache

Tim — Fri, 14 Jun 2013 09:01:06 +0000

As happy as we were to see Vine finally arrive for Android, we somehow get the feeling that the developers could have easily worked on this app for another month or so before releasing it to Android. From crowded servers to app hackers taking advantage of the allowed video length settings, this app has been pretty stressed. Nevertheless, it is Vine and people will continue to use it, so we wanted to make sure you knew of another issue that seems to be plaguing frequent Viners. If you find yourself on Vine a few times a day, then you should head over to the Settings menu on your device and look at the app's info. Apparently, the developers forgot to add a limit to the amount of cache the app is allowed, so I found myself with almost a half gig of cached Will Sasso Vines. Because yes, that's what everyone needs on their phone. Some users who go through more Vines than myself have reported well over a gig's worth of cache being stored, easily adding up and taking up your device's precious memory. There is no fix yet, but to slap a Band Aid on the problem, you can simply clear the app's cache through the same Settings page, resetting the app to zero. It won't log you out or mess with your account, it will only wipe the stored Vines on your device. Hopefully the developers will fix this issue as soon as humanly possible. Via: Android Guys | Reddit

AT&T's GoPhone Prepaid Service Gets New Plans, 4G LTE Access on June 21

Kellen — Fri, 14 Jun 2013 08:23:08 +0000

Towards the end of May, AT&T updated their GoPhone support pages to include a mention of 4G LTE access for their prepaid wireless plans. Up until that point, no prepaid plan in the U.S. could access any LTE network from AT&T's to Verizon's, so the news was exciting. Today, AT&T made it all official. GoPhone with LTE access goes live June 21 along with some new plans. The plan with the biggest bag of data starts at $60 and includes 2GB, along with unlimited calling and texting. You can purchase additional data at $10 per 1GB. After that, you are looking at a $40 plan with 200MB of data, 500 minutes of calling, and unlimited texting. There is also a $25 plan, though I'm not sure you should even consider it. Here are the new plans:

$60 a month for 2 GB of data, unlimited nationwide calling, and unlimited messaging — now double the data at a lower monthly price. Additional data is available for $10 per 1 GB.
$40 a month for 200 MB of data, 500 minutes of nationwide calling, and unlimited messaging. Additional data is available for $5 per 100 MB.
$25 a month for 250 minutes of nationwide calling and unlimited messaging, with an optional data package of 50 MB for an additional $5 a month.
All GoPhone monthly plans include international texts from the U.S. to Mexico, Canada and 100 other countries

Again, having access to AT&T's growing LTE network is a major boost to GoPhone. As I mentioned earlier, no other prepaid plan currently offers LTE access, not even Verizon. I would assume at some point they will have to give in, but for now, AT&T appears to be the clear choice if you want to go prepaid directly through a carrier instead of through something like Solavei or StraighTalk. Via: AT&T

New Nexus 7 Made by Asus Stops by FCC With LTE on Board (Updated)

Kellen — Fri, 14 Jun 2013 07:59:00 +0000

Here it comes, the Nexus 7 refresh. After months of speculation that it would arrive anywhere from Google I/O to July, the device finally stopped by the FCC, making it somewhat official. And thanks to the filing from the FCC, we know a lot about the device, including the processor, the fact that it has a rear camera, and that there will be LTE on board. We're looking at an Asus made tablet, labeled as "nexus" for "marketing purposes," a Qualcomm Snapdragon S4 Pro quad-core processor (APQ8064), rear camera (likely 5 MP), LTE, and a 3,950mAh battery. That's a solid package that should be able to remain reasonably priced thanks to the processor being last year's high-end chipset. We're also happy to see a camera, since the original Nexus 7 didn't carry one. And for those connectivity junkies, the LTE mention should make you quite happy. Sources of ours have indicated that July 30 would be a good day to pencil in on your calendars as a potential launch date. We should see both WiFi and LTE models at that time. No pricing information is officially know, though we'd assume that Google will keep it close to the current $199 and $249 price points. Who wants one?

Update: Reader Tyler points out that a similar Asus tablet under the model number K009 stopped off at Bluetooth SIG recently, and even presented itself via blurry-cam photo. The device definitely looks like a Nexus 7. The description even mentions that the tablet features a 7" LED-backlist capacitive multitouch screen. Where it gets confusing, is the mention of a Snapdragon 600 processor instead of the Snapdragon S4 Pro listed at the FCC. I think I'm going with the FCC filing on this one.

Via: FCC | Engadget

Amazon Hosting 1-Day HTC One Sale: $79.99 for New Customers, $99.99 for Upgrades (Updated: It's Live)

Kellen — Thu, 13 Jun 2013 16:00:12 +0000

Tomorrow, Amazon is hosting a 1-day sale that features the HTC One at some of the lowest price points we have seen to date. Both Sprint and AT&T models, in both black or white, will drop to $79.99 for new customers and $99.99 for upgrades to celebrate Father's Day. If you were looking to make the One your partner in crime for the next two years, you may want to have credit card in hand when this deal goes live. Update: These deals are now live. Go get 'em! AT&T Links:

HTC One in white/silver [Amazon]
HTC One in black [Amazon]

Sprint Links:

HTC One in white/silver [Amazon]
HTC One in black [Amazon]

If you don't feel like waiting until tomorrow, know that the Sprint versions can already be had for $79.99 if you are a new customer. Upgrades will run you close to $150. Again, the sale starts on June 14.

Video: PopCap Posts Up Some Plants Vs. Zombies 2 Sneak Peeks

Tim — Thu, 13 Jun 2013 14:19:56 +0000

If you have the patience to stand when companies post ten second teaser videos for upcoming games, then this should put a big smile on your face. PopCap, the makers of the original Plants vs. Zombies game, began their teasing process for the upcoming mobile title, Plants vs. Zombies 2. From the entire twenty seconds we have seen so far, we know there will be pirate zombies, as well as some other characters that we aren't as certain about. Check below for the two trailers they have already released, plus they promise to release others in the short future. Hooray. [youtube]http://youtu.be/3V-ICNkRP8A[/youtube] [youtube]http://youtu.be/nrFlfj-ReGw[/youtube]

Jurassic Park Builder Lets You Live Your Inner Dr. Hammond

Eric — Thu, 13 Jun 2013 13:00:12 +0000

There is something ultra addictive about amusement park games where you get to make the attractions to draw in the crowd. Throw in pre-historic dinosaurs and it makes the whole thing even more fun. A fully licensed game, Jurrasic Park Builder gives you all the options to build your own dinosaur park alongside all your favorite characters from the movies, Dr. Grant included.

Leveling up in the game lets you purchase more dinosaurs and features for your park and paying customers. You start off with the awesome, but boring triceratops and work your way up to the eventual T-Rex. Managing food for each dinosaur, income of the park and researching new dinosaurs will keep you busy as you level up. You can even unlock an underwater park that you can fill with giant dinosaurs of the sea. For a free game, it's pretty easy to use and fun. There are in-game transactions for certain items, but most can be acquired by just playing which is a nice change. If you think you can build a better Jurassic Park than the ones in the movies, hit the link below. Play Link [youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wxXBIzZ4lu8[/youtube]

WhatsApp Sets New Company Record, 27 Billion Messages Sent and Received in Just 24 Hours

Eric — Thu, 13 Jun 2013 12:41:11 +0000

If you needed a reason to believe that people enjoy sending messages through systems other than SMS, take note of the milestone that WhatsApp hit today. The popular chatting and messaging system has been around on Android for a long time and has a huge user base. They took to their Twitter account to run through some numbers for us and they were a bit staggering. In one 24 hour cycle, WhatsApp handled 27 billion messages. That's with a "B."

WhatsApp said that in one 24 hour period, they had 10 billion messages sent from their users come through their servers on their way to their destination and they have 17 billion messages come from other people to WhatsApp customers. WhatsApps' user base is over 100 million, but hearing these numbers puts it in perspective just how popular it is. Between this and Google Hangouts, can we get rid of SMS yet?

Via: Twitter

Google Music Update Introduces New Bandwidth Usage Setting, Reduced Data Usage Overall

Kellen — Thu, 13 Jun 2013 11:37:19 +0000

In the weeks following the announcement of Google Music All Access, we wrote up a piece detailing a semi-serious issue that could arise should someone use the service alongside their tiered data plan. Since the new music service lacked any sort of data usage or bandwidth controls, one could gobble up massive amounts of data in no time at all without even realizing it. By bringing the issue to light, we hoped for a change to the app from Google that would give users better control over bandwidth usage. An update to solve this problem has arrived today. In the newest build of Google Music, a setting to control bandwidth usage over mobile networks has been introduced, along with a reduction in data usage overall. They also made on-device music downloads faster, and improved search quality. Of course, the update is under a staged rollout, so it's not available to just everyone at this time. I guess we all need to learn patience.

Changelog:

Keeping music on device now much faster
New setting for mobile network bandwidth usage
Search quality improvements
Reduced data usage overall

Play Link Cheers Junior and brkshr!

Here are the First Pictures of Samsung's Galaxy NX

Tim — Thu, 13 Jun 2013 11:26:15 +0000

Shortly after we wrote up the Samsung CEO JK Shin's comments on their intention to introduce a "mirrorless" camera, we now have our official answer as to what they are going for. The Samsung Galaxy NX looks to be a beast of a device, sporting a 4.3" high-res display along its backside, complete support for interchangeable lenses, the full TouchWiz-themed Android OS onboard, 20.3MP sensor and probably a very long list of other photography hotness that I am unfamiliar with. The device is much bigger than we had initially expected, looking more like a Canon Rebel than that of a smaller Samsung NX300 model. Whether this is a turn on or turn off is yet to be decided. We are expecting to this device fully unveiled at Samsung's London Premier event on June 20. Thoughts?

Via: Tinhte

Video: Samsung Shows Off the Stress Tests the Galaxy S4 Must Endure

Tim — Thu, 13 Jun 2013 10:40:48 +0000

There might be some of you that still don't care for Samsung's "cheap" plastic feel, but the manufacturer is set on proving that their plastic can take just as much if not more damage than any other phone on the market. In this new video, Samsung takes us on a tour of their stress test facility, although I don't know why specially designed machines are needed to do a drop test. I see folks do drop tests all the time without the need for machines. Either way, the Galaxy S4 gets dropped, dunked, wet, shaken, tumbled and everything else you could imagine before being approved for consumer usage. Take a peek at all of the craziness the device must endure by watching the video below. And yes, it's in Korean. Sorry. [youtube]http://youtu.be/K4f9gQ7b6Gg[/youtube] Via: Samsung Tomorrow

Google+ Update Coming Today to Android - New Navigation Drawer, Syncing Notifications, and More

Kellen — Thu, 13 Jun 2013 09:39:24 +0000

A solid Google+ update was announced this morning, with availability happening via the web and Android first before moving onto iOS. The update introduces a new navigation drawer that is "more consistent with other Google apps." We're hoping that means you can access it with a swipe from the left side of the screen like almost all of the recently updated Google apps. The new Android app will also show number of +1's, comments and reshares in posts, plus you'll be able to delete photos from the Photos view. In terms of notifications, the Google+ team is introducing syncing across devices, so you no longer have to see the same notifications from device to device if you have already checked them. They also tossed in a new notifications tray with a bell icon that lets you know if anything is waiting for you, and separated unread and read trays. The update for Android should be out today, however, it'll likely have a staged rollout so who knows when you'll get it. Here is the changelog:

Notifications sync:

When you read a notification on one device, we'll mark it as read on your other devices

Likewise: dismissing a notification (with a swipe or a click) does so everywhere, so you can say goodbye to annoying repeats

Notifications tray:

A new bell icon (in the Google Bar, and in the mobile apps) that lets you know if anything's waiting for you

An updated notifications tray that separates unread from previously-read items

Android app:

You can now delete your photos from the Photos view

Tapping into a post shows the number of +1's, comments and reshares

The left-hand menu design is now more consistent with other Google apps

Via: +Vic Gundotra

Contest: Win an ASUS Nexus 7 Prize Pack from NVIDIA and Droid Life for Father's Day (Update: Winner Picked)

Tim — Thu, 13 Jun 2013 09:29:27 +0000

If you listened in on the Droid Life Show last night, you might have heard that we are keeping our Father's Day celebration going, this time teaming up with NVIDIA to bring a sweet Nexus 7 prize pack to one lucky winner. If you win, you will be the owner of a brand new Nexus 7 32GB WiFi tablet, matching dock, as well as an official case for your sexy new Android tablet. The Nexus 7 is Google's very popular 7" tablet, sporting an HD display, NVIDIA's Tegra 3 quad-core processor, 1GB of RAM, a front-facing camera, and the sweet taste of vanilla Android. With the tablet comes the matching official ASUS dock for the tablet that you would find on Google Play, plus a case to keep your shiny new toy safe. Ready to win it?

Contest

Update: Congrats goes out to Kaleb Y! Prize: 1 (one) Nexus 7 32GB WiFi tablet, 1 (one) case, 1 (one) official dock. How to enter: a Rafflecopter giveaway Winner: We will randomly choose a winner tomorrow at 9AM Pacific.

Thanks to NVIDIA for fronting the Father's Day celebration prizes!

Samsung to Unveil New "Mirrorless" Galaxy Camera 2 on June 20? (Updated)

Kellen — Thu, 13 Jun 2013 08:59:33 +0000

Update: The first pictures of the device have leaked. It's called the Galaxy NX, and looks be to everything we imagined. According to a report out of the Korea Times, Samsung boss JK Shin told reporters that they are going to release a "sequel to the Galaxy Camera" on June 20 at their London Premiere event. This sequel will be the company's "latest mirrorless camera that runs on Google's Android software." That's a pretty interesting idea, right there. The previous Galaxy Camera was nothing more than an average point-and-shoot that happened to run a full-blown version of Android. The idea was something we were highly interested in, the camera just couldn't deliver like we had hoped. But if we're talking mirrorless for the next iteration, are we also talking interchangeable lenses? Are we talking a legitimate camera on the same level as Samsung's current NX line? A lot of questions that this quote doesn't necessarily answer. We're also dealing with a translation here, so until we see the product, we aren't sure that we should all get hopes too high here. But, should Samsung launch a new NX camera, powered by Android, are you game? Via: Korea Times | Android Beat

Rovio Begins Teasing New Angry Birds Title, Could be an Avian Mario Kart of Sorts?

Tim — Thu, 13 Jun 2013 08:31:30 +0000

When Rovio isn't busy updating Angry Birds Star Wars with new bird characters or spending time making Bad Piggies fun to play, they are completely swept up in hypebeasting a new game. The newest of such is being labeled (by Rovio, mind you) "the evolution of Angry Birds." It's called Angry Birds Go! and from what little we have seen so far, we have our money on some type of Mario Kart-like racing game. Over on their site, you are invited to check out a "sneak peek," which leads to you being at the starting line of a track, then you see the countdown go from 3, 2, 1, Go! Assuming that Rovio knows where our minds will go after seeing a countdown and then a bird wooshing off onto the track, it must be a racing game, right? No release date or platforms have been announced yet, but it's Rovio, so I'd expect a whole bunch of that coming up shortly. Any thoughts on what Angry Birds Go! could be exactly? Via: Rovio

Hey Another Exclusive, AT&T Confirms It'll Carry Samsung Galaxy S4 Active for $199

Kellen — Thu, 13 Jun 2013 08:06:41 +0000

As expected after seeing the phone in a teaser yesterday, AT&T will "exclusively" add the Samsung Galaxy S4 Active to its growing line of smartphones. The phone will arrive on June 21 for $199 with new 2-year contract and in two colors, Urban Gray and Dive Blue (no orange!). The Galaxy S4 Active brings together high-performance and "real-life," according to Samsung and AT&T. What they mean is that the phone can withstand the elements, yet is just as powerful as the regular Galaxy S4. But you already know that, since we've written about this phone a dozen times now without having ever touched it. The Galaxy S4 Active will be on display at Samsung's June 20 Premiere event in London. We'll have coverage of the device for you around that time. Interested? Frustrated at the "exclusive" AT&T grab?

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d04Mn-5SQKU[/youtube]

High-Performance Meets Real-Life with the Samsung Galaxy S 4 Active, Exclusively from AT&T

New Water and Dust Resistant Galaxy Smartphone is Built to Withstand Whatever Life Throws Your Way
Dallas, Texas, June 13, 2013 With summer in full swing, you need a phone that can go just about anywhere and endure the demands of an active lifestyle. To help you keep up with whatever comes your way, AT&T* and Samsung Telecommunications America (Samsung Mobile) announce the Samsung Galaxy S® 4 Active™, an evolution of the popular Galaxy S® 4 designed to withstand the hazards of everyday life. Beginning June 21, you can pick up the Galaxy S 4 Active from any AT&T store or online for $199.99 with a two-year agreement. For consumers who prefer to place their orders now, AT&T will begin taking pre-orders on June 14 at www.att.com/galaxys4active. The Galaxy S 4 Active will be available in two colors: Urban Gray and Dive Blue. The Galaxy S 4 Active runs on AT&T 4G LTE, which currently covers more than 200 million people; with plans to expand to cover 300 million people by the end of 2014. AT&T's 4G LTE network was called “blazing fast” in a report** by independent testing organization RootMetrics. The report found AT&T’s 4G LTE network delivered the fastest pure LTE speeds in markets where AT&T provided 4G LTE. “Continuing AT&T’s legacy as the first carrier to launch the Samsung Galaxy series, we’re excited to offer the next evolution of the popular Galaxy S 4. The Galaxy S 4 Active is a high-performancesmartphone with a stylish, protective design to keep up with the demands of everyday life. It’s truly summer-proof,” said Jeff Bradley, senior vice president – Devices and Developer Services, AT&T. “With its quad-core processor and access to the nation’s largest 4G network and fastest 4G LTE network you can stay connected nearly anywhere life takes you.” Built For Life The Galaxy S 4 Active was designed around life. It is IP67 certified to be water-resistant and dust-resistant, making it perfect to take on any summer vacation whether it’s camping or the beach. It also has an Aqua Mode feature that lets you capture photos and videos underwater. Its 5-inch FHD TFT display is made from Gorilla® Glass, which is specially built to be tougher and more scratch-resistant. It runs Android 4.2 (Jelly Bean) and comes packed with a quad-core processor for faster, smoother gaming and apps. But there’s more to the Galaxy S 4 Active than its sturdy, more resilient exterior. It also includes high-performance features that let you get more done on-the-go. The 8-megapixel camera includes multiple custom shooting modes, including Aqua Mode and Eraser Shot. It also features enhanced low light performance to help you get the shot you want even when lighting isn’t ideal. Entertainment The Galaxy S 4 Active has an Integrated Infrared (IR) controller which acts as a TV remote control, so you can use your smartphone to control your home theater system. When you’re on-the-go, Samsung Hub gives you access to more music, movies, books and games from multiple content sources all in one place– perfect for passing the time on summer road trips, or even while waiting in line while running errands. Galaxy S 4 Active includes all the features that made the Samsung Galaxy S® 4 popular including:

Air View™: Hover your finger over photos, files, links and text for an instant preview.

Air Gesture™: Skip to the next song or photo, check your notifications or, if you’re driving, automatically answer a call on speakerphone just by waving your hand over your phone.

Eraser Shot: Remove unwanted background distractions in your photos and videos with just one touch.

Drama Shot: Capture a time-lapse event all in one frame.

Samsung Smart Pause: While watching a video, if you look away from the screen, the video will automatically pause and wait for you to return.

Story Album™: Create a printed book of your photos and have it delivered right to your door.

Productivity The Galaxy S 4 Active is a master multi-tasker. Features like Multi Window let you use two apps side-by-side like a PC so you can reference your notes while writing an email or follow the game live while checking out your friends’ reactions on social media simultaneously. This smartphone is SAFE™ (Samsung For Enterprise) to help keep your work data secure and separate from your personal content. Whether you are in the office or on vacation, the Galaxy S 4 Active balances stylish, professional design with enhanced durability. Additionally, the Galaxy S 4 Active features an optional Easy Mode that simplifies the home screen with larger icons and your favorite apps. *AT&T products and services are provided or offered by subsidiaries and affiliates of AT&T Inc. under the AT&T brand and not by AT&T Inc. About AT&T AT&T Inc. (NYSE:T) is a premier communications holding company and one of the most honored companies in the world. Its subsidiaries and affiliates – AT&T operating companies – are the providers of AT&T services in the United States and internationally. With a powerful array of network resources that includes the nation’s largest 4G network, AT&T is a leading provider of wireless, Wi-Fi, high speed Internet, voice and cloud-based services. A leader in mobile Internet, AT&T also offers the best wireless coverage worldwide of any U.S. carrier, offering the most wireless phones that work in the most countries. It also offers advanced TV services under the AT&T U-verse® and AT&T |DIRECTV brands. The company’s suite of IP-based business communications services is one of the most advanced in the world.

The Droid Life Show: Episode 28

Kellen — Thu, 13 Jun 2013 00:33:16 +0000

It's time, for the Droid Life Show episode 28! On tap for tonight, we've got a lot of iOS 7 topics to hammer through. And yes, we are an Android site, but even with Android's place firmly set in the mobile world, whatever Apple does still makes a difference. We want to talk about similarities between iOS 7 and Android, webOS, and Windows Phone. We also want to talk about the borrowing or "copying" of features from other mobile operating systems and if that's a good or bad thing, because all of the major mobile operating systems do it. Beyond iOS talk, we'll be sure to toss out our favorite apps and games of the week, and include any other topics that might come up during the conversation. Like, how about a Google rumor or two? Join us live! The show kicks off around 6:00PM Pacific (9:00PM Eastern). A live video broadcast and chat are embedded below.

Subscribe | iTunes | Show Page

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U60ShgpkKO0[/youtube]

Droid Life Show Episode 28 is Live Tonight at 6PM Pacific!

Kellen — Wed, 12 Jun 2013 21:45:53 +0000

The Droid Life Show returns tonight at 6:00PM Pacific with episode 28. With Apple's WWDC keynote and announcement of iOS 7 the topic of the moment, you can imagine that we'll have plenty of thoughts to share. Should we be flattered as Android enthusiasts at the similarities? Is it not similar at all? Does Apple get a pass for copying, because everyone in the industry does it? Did Easter come in June this year? Do you like or dislike the design? How many hilarious Tumblrs can one company's keynote spawn? All of this and more will be discussed. Outside of iOS chatter, we've got Google rumors, our favorite apps of the moment, and other topics that will surely arrive before we go live. The show begins at 6:00PM Pacific (9:00PM Eastern). We’ll have live video and chat embeds at that time.

Subscribe | iTunes | Show Page

Zynga Released What's the Phrase Onto Google Play Last Month, Seems Pretty Fun

Tim — Wed, 12 Jun 2013 15:02:10 +0000

The above game has been out on Google Play for about a month and since it comes from one of the larger game publishers, Zynga, we figured we should at least make sure you all knew of its existence. Zynga is the same company responsible for other addictive games that you play with friends, such as Words with Friends, Scramble with Friends, etc., etc. With What's the Phrase, you and a friend struggle to solve the puzzle and discover which widely-used phrase is hidden. It's like Wheel of Fortune, but between you and a buddy. You can choose to play the already installed 40,000 phrases or even create your own phrases for a friend to solve. It's free and can be found on Google Play by following the link below. Go have some fun. Play Link [youtube]http://youtu.be/YSB6cjeEj-w[/youtube]

Google Cloud Print App Released on Android

Kellen — Wed, 12 Jun 2013 14:11:22 +0000

Google released a stand-alone app this afternoon for their Cloud Print service, and it's available on Google Play for free. With Google Cloud Print, you can print from any Android device as long as you have a Cloud Print connected printer. Should you load up a document or image from your Android phone or tablet, the Cloud Print app will allow you to quickly print it out. You can also track the status of all print jobs. To setup a printer for Cloud Print, hit up the "learn more" link below. The setup takes place through Chrome, and literally lasts 10 seconds once you find the "Google Cloud Print" section in Settings and have a printer connected to a computer. Play Link [Learn more]

Android App Updates: eBay, WordPress, Blogger, Yelp, and More All Get New Builds

Kellen — Wed, 12 Jun 2013 13:45:13 +0000

Wednesday appears to be app update day for Android, as a glance through my Nexus 4 revealed all sorts of new popular apps with new builds available. The biggest lies with eBay, which now has tablet support, an updated selling experience, and a redesigned home screen to name a few off the list of new features. But we're also seeing updates to WordPress, Blogger, Yelp, Falcon Pro, Adobe Air, and more. The WordPress update (which was actually introduced yesterday) introduces notifications for new comments, followers, likes, etc. The Blogger update finally brings tablet support to Google's blogging platform, along with a WYSIWYG editor for existing posts. Yelp's update brought with it fixes for all sorts of bugs, but some new minor actions as well. Adobe Air and Falcon Pro updates are nothing more than bug and security fixes. All changelogs can be found below. eBay

We've updated the eBay selling experience with a more intuitive interface and tons of new features, including:
Tablet support
Preview your item before listing it
Access your draft listings in My eBay
Selling now available in Ireland, Singapore, Malaysia, and Philippines!
Redesigned home screen with quick access to your recently viewed items (you can turn this off in settings)

WordPress

View new comments, followers, likes, and stats highlights.
Get push notifications to keep up with your site from wherever you are.
New menu icon added.
Settings and Sign out options have been added to the overflow menu for easier access.

Blogger

Tablet support
Improved compose screen - WYSIWYG editor for existing posts
Performance improvements
Minor bug fixes

Yelp

Better horizontal swiping through individual reviews
Photo rotation fix for certain devices when adding photos
Long-press copy actions on business pages
Log in to your account from the overflow menu on the home screen
Formatting updates for Duke / Regular awards & friend requests
Monocle fix when location services are off
And lots more…check it out!

Play Links: eBay | WordPress | Blogger | Yelp | Falcon Pro

Play Cube Slam, Another Fun Chrome Experiment to Play With Friends

Tim — Wed, 12 Jun 2013 13:29:52 +0000

[youtube]http://youtu.be/8AdDbRz0SrU[/youtube]

If you and your friends are using the Chrome web browser from Google, then you can both be enjoying some Cube Slam, a Chrome Experiement that brings face-to-face action right to your desktop. The game itself is pretty much like pong, except there are occasional obstacles, as well as power ups through the back and forth gameplay. You control the left and right arrows on your keyboard to control the platform, making sure you don't allow the ball to go behind you. While you play the game, you can see your friend and also chat at the same time via microphone. Kellen and myself gave it a whirl, exchanging a few laughs as he completely annihilated me. Oh well, better luck next time! Here is the developer's way of explaining the game, much better than I probably can.

Cube Slam is a video game that you can play face-to-face against your friends. It’s a Chrome Experiment built usingWebRTC, an open web technology that lets you video chat right in the browser without installing any plug-ins. That means you can quickly and easily play Cube Slam with your friends, no matter where they are in the world, just by sharing a link.

And there you have it. Go have some fun with friends by going to www.cubeslam.com. Via: Google Blog

Google Glass Not Exempt, Gets the Teardown Treatment

Tim — Wed, 12 Jun 2013 12:45:48 +0000

While I wouldn't be caught dead tearing down a $1500 piece of hardware, there are others in this industry that live for the opportunity. Just like all of the other top tier flagship devices that have launched over the years, Google's Project Glass recently met up with the teardown treatment. Using some special screwdrivers and tools, the device was broken down, revealing all of its insides and hidden gems. No unicorns or buckets of gold were found, but I guess that is to be expected. Instead, components such as the SanDisk memory was spotted, along with the Texas Instrument processor that powers the unit itself. All in all, the folks responsible for the teardown said it was surprisingly minimal in terms of design. It is Google, after all. Check out some of the pictures they took down below of the teardown process.

Via: Catwig

Contest: Win an LG Optimus G Pro From AT&T and Droid Life for Father's Day! (Updated: Winner Picked!)

Kellen — Wed, 12 Jun 2013 12:15:24 +0000

As a follow-up to our Mother's Day contest, we have partnered once again with AT&T for another giveaway, only this time we're rewarding the fathers in the building. With Father's Day approaching this weekend, we wanted to once again hand an LG Optimus G Pro to lucky DL reader. The Optimus G Pro is LG's newest flagship, and is in the oversized phone business of competing with Samsung's Galaxy Note 2. It runs a 1.7GHz quad-core processor, has a 5.5" FHD (1080p, 400ppi) display, and an "advanced" 13MP camera on the backside. It also runs Android 4.1, can last all day on its 3140mAh battery, contains 32GB of internal storage (plus a microSD slot for expansion), and connects to AT&T's extra speedy LTE network. It may not have an S Pen, but it has an advanced set of software features built specifically with a big screen in mind. You can buy the LG Optimus G pro from AT&T today for $199 on new contract. Who wants to win one?

Contest

Update: Our winner has been picked! Prize: 1 (one) LG Optimus G Pro from AT&T. How to enter: a Rafflecopter giveaway Winner: We will randomly choose a winner tomorrow at 9AM Pacific.

HTC One Mini Pictured Next to Big Brother, Will be Released This Summer

Tim — Wed, 12 Jun 2013 11:50:27 +0000

The HTC One Mini has been seen here and there, showing itself around the web, teasing us with its small yet elegant looking body. Above, the One Mini is pictured (albeit extra grainy) next its bigger brother, the One. Along with this picture, many details of the device, which is set for launch sometime around Q3, have been confirmed. It does sport a HD 4.3" display, Sense 5 (BlinkFeed), Android 4.2.2, UltraPixel camera, along with a 1.4GHz dual-core chipset. Reports out of Bloomberg this morning are pointing to an August release for the One Mini, a timeframe that should work out just fine given there are no delays. On top of that, we haven't heard any news about which carriers would be carrying it, so don't bother asking if it's coming to Verizon. You know how they are about announcing devices. Has anyone been following this device and are actually interested in picking it up? Via: Bloomberg | Engadget

AT&T Teases Samsung Galaxy S4 Active in New Video, Phone Arrives Tomorrow

Kellen — Wed, 12 Jun 2013 11:20:47 +0000

Moments ago, AT&T posted up a teaser video for a device to be unveiled tomorrow, June 13. We've included the video below, which within the first 10 seconds appears to show off the Samsung Galaxy S4 Active. As the video continues to play, you can see the obvious physical home buttons, the squared off back camera lens, and Samsung's TouchWiz. If those clues weren't enough, the fact that the phone is dropped into a bucket of water and still takes calls is the supreme giveaway. Samsung made the device official last week, and we have see it stop off at the FCC with AT&T bands, so this announcement won't be much of a surprise even if AT&T wants it to be. For those not familiar, the Galaxy S4 Active is a heck of a lot like the original Galaxy S4 only it can withstand nature like no Samsung before it. The device can be submerged in 1 meter of water for up to 30 minutes, is dust proof, and has a water resistant headphone jack. But beyond the rugged stuff, it also sports a 1.9GHz quad-core processor, 2GB RAM, 5-inch FHD LCD display, 8MP camera, 16GB of internal storage, and more. If you were looking for a tough-mother of a phone that can stand next to the major players in the game when it comes to specs and power, this would be it. Oh, it also comes in a variety of colors. So, is it safe to assume this will be another AT&T "exclusive"? [youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SR1tCDxqS2Y[/youtube]

King of Exclusives: AT&T to Carry the Samsung Galaxy Note 8.0 With LTE

Kellen — Wed, 12 Jun 2013 10:35:06 +0000

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wd_CA5dP-OM[/youtube]

AT&T announced this morning that they will exclusively carry the Samsung Galaxy Note 8.0 with LTE here in the U.S. at some point in the coming weeks. Yes, another "exclusive" for AT&T. Oh how we love limiting consumer choices! (/s.) As you may recall, the Galaxy Note 8.0 with WiFi arrived in the U.S. back in April for $399, however, this is the first with wireless network connectivity. The device sports a 1.6GHz quad-core processor, 4,600 mAh battery, 8" HD display (189ppi), 5MP rear camera, 1.3MP front camera, 16GB internal storage, microSD slot for expansion, and Android 4.1 (with TouchWiz). You'll find S Pen features, and all of the other multi-tasking and productivity goodies you have come to love on devices like the Galaxy Note 2 and Galaxy Note 10.1. It is a "Note" after all. It's a solid little tablet that Tim has already spent plenty of time with. Once we know a price and date for this little guy, we'll be sure to pass it along. And you probably figured this out already, but since they nabbed the "exclusive," it won't be coming to any other carriers for the time being. Via: AT&T

Samsung to Incorporate Aluminum Body for Next Year's Galaxy S5?

Tim — Wed, 12 Jun 2013 10:12:43 +0000

It's never too early to start discussing next year's devices, right? According to a source of Android Geeks, Samsung is looking to change up their build materials in a big way, moving away from the plastics we have come to expect, going for a more metallic feel and look. Aluminum will reportedly be the material of choice for the Galaxy S5, a move directly related to the manufacturer's recent Design 3.0 meetings attended by the company's executives. Samsung can clearly see consumer interest that HTC and Apple are able to bring in with premium materials that are used in the One and the iPhone 5. With that, it may be time for Samsung to attempt and steal that marketshare with a metal device of their own. Beyond this little bitty tidbit, no other mentions were made on the device, given that we are a full year away from when it would be released. Any thoughts on what Samsung would need to incorporate to get you interested in next year's flagship? Something that maybe the Galaxy S4 is missing? Via: Android Geeks

Good Artists Copy; Great Artists Steal [Opinion]

Ron — Wed, 12 Jun 2013 09:15:29 +0000

On Monday, Apple revealed the latest version of iOS to the press and developers at its annual World Wide Developers Conference. Apple showed off a lot of new features on iOS, many of which are iterations on ideas from other companies. Unsurprisingly, I saw a lot of people complaining on Twitter that Apple was claiming to reinvent everything and that they stole everything from Android. The truth is that they took ideas from Android, webOS, Windows Phone, and a handful of jailbreak tweaks and, most importantly, iterated on them. Apple didn't claim to be reinventing anything (they've avoided that claim for years now); instead, Apple claimed to be iterating. iOS 7 really is the biggest change to iOS since the iPhone was released in 2007.

Influences and Theivery I think iOS 7 looks like a balance between webOS and Microsoft's design language (which I'll call Metro, like everyone else outside of Microsoft). It is not completely flat and squared off like Metro, the UI is not multitasking-based like webOS, and it doesn't fit content into cards like Google Now (and Google+, the Play Store, Google Play Music, etc.). While Android fans have often complained about Apple stealing ideas from Android, this version of iOS seems to be devoid of influence from Google in terms of design. In fact, if there is any clear influence in terms of design, it is clearly coming from Redmond, not Mountain View. Google's emphasis on using cards to show content, a dark and bright color palette, and the free-form organization of content through cards give Android a very different design language. Android's home screens and apps feel more like a messy desktop (that can be cleaned up) compared to iOS' restrictions on how information and apps are displayed. Apple absolutely stole some ideas from Android (calling live wallpapers "dynamic" isn't exactly innovating), but the majority of the changes made by Cupertino are clearly influenced by webOS and Windows Phone, not Android. To see this clearly, look at the lock screens on webOS, Windows Phone, Android, and iOS. On the lock screen, largest similarities are from webOS, especially with the way that notifications appear on the lock screen. Apple's new version of multitasking in iOS 7 is even more blatant. Instead of doing half the work like Microsoft did with Windows Phone and instead of shrinking down the cards and swiping from the x-axis like Google did with Android, Apple straight up copied Palm's implementation of multitasking and added app icons.

iOS 7 isn't just influenced by webOS and Windows Phone, though; Android's donations are clear in a number of areas. Notification Center is still, for all intents and purposes, a crummy version of the Notification Drawer in Android with a few cues from the Me tile in Windows Phone. AirDrop is essentially the same thing as Wifi Direct, DLNA or NFC sharing (sans the bumping). Quick Controls is similar to Quick Settings except it has a heavier emphasis on media and looks more like a messy jailbreak tweak that Ive's team mocked up in Photoshop for 10 minutes and then coded the night before WWDC. Tabs in Safari is a complete rip off of tabs in Chrome (although I will say that Apple's version of it makes differentiating between tabs much, much cleaner).

Layers Beneath the Glass iOS 7 uses transparency, shadows, and parallax to communicate depth and layers. When you unlock the phone, the whole lock screen slides to the right and then the icons fall on top of the wallpaper. Regular wallpapers will shift on a z axis behind the rows of apps to show that the apps are floating above a layer above the wallpaper (parallax). Quick Controls and Notification Center slide over the icons in a translucent shade to show that the home screen is behind those features. The result is that the iconography and typography may appear more simplified and refined, but the OS itself does not. The use of translucency throughout the system gives iOS 7 a depth that Android, Windows Phone, and webOS lack with their purely digital implementation of the GUI. While each OS has pull down menus and notifications that hover over content, they use solid, flat colors and little to no depth, which makes each layer feel more like stacked sheets of paper than panes of content that are hovering over one another. This use of layers, translucency, shadows, and parallax leads to an operating system that looks and feels more real that the skeumorphic aspirations of iOS 6 could ever accomplish. The shift is subtle, but important. Instead of trying to make content and features look and feel real by making them ape physical object, iOS 7 adds layers of depth perception to make them feel like they exist on separate levels beneath the glass.

Balancing Borrowing with Innovation Apple, like Google and Microsoft, is good at taking ideas and iterating on them. I cannot emphasize this enough: companies do not come up with every idea on their own. Google, Microsoft, Apple, Palm, Blackberry, Nokia, HTC, Samsung, LG, and Motorola all design software and hardware that is based on designs and ideas that come from elsewhere. Objectivity doesn't exist; we are all influenced by the things we see, read, hear, smell, and touch. Xerox essentially invented the mouse and the GUI, but Microsoft and Apple have been refining both ideas for decades through mouse hardware and Windows and OS X respectively. Apple didn't invent the smartphone, but they dramatically changed the way we thought about smartphones and what they can do. Android was designed to take on RIM and Microsoft; when the iPhone came out, Rubin and his team adjusted course to compete with iOS. Everyone looks at their competition, examines their iterations on ideas and concepts, and either steals them or improves upon them. Some people call that preparations for patent lawsuits, others see it as how innovation works. As iOS 7 gets closer to release and discussions about its design and features continue, I hope Android, iOS, and Windows Phone users (and the 12 webOS users left) recognize that every OS builds off of the ideas of its predecessor. Whenever someone mentions something that Android borrowed from iOS, Android fans get upset about it and insist that Google did not just take the idea; they iterated on it and made it their own. For the most part, I think that's what we've seen Apple do as well. Every company does its fair share of stealing and innovating. We can sit around and be upset that companies steal ideas from each other, or we can continue to be inspired and buy products from companies who are working extremely hard to compete with each other to make some of the best products we have ever seen. I'm excited for this new direction with iOS. I think Apple did a great job overall in changing the look and feel of the OS without abandoning its familiarity. Between Holo, Metro, and iOS 7 I think we have three really great design languages that borrow from each other while continually iterating and competing to make the best mobile operating system. I can't wait to see how iOS 7 influences Microsoft and Google to continue to innovate and improve their respective products.

AT&T Lights Up Large Group of New 4G LTE Markets

Tim — Wed, 12 Jun 2013 08:42:14 +0000

This week, AT&T continues their quickly-paced roll out of more 4G LTE markets in America. The company has been lighting up markets left and right, showing no signs of stopping until they blanket their current 3G network with glorious 4G LTE. Verizon is pretty much wrapped up with their roll out of LTE, while Sprint and T-Mobile have basically just begun. Either way, in a few years, we can say that all four of America's largest carriers support LTE across the country. That's a good thing for smartphone lovers. New Markets:

Ocean City , New Jersey
Kinston, North Carolina
Duluth , Minnesota
Dayton, Ohio
Brookings, South Dakota
Rock Island , Illinois
Watertown, South Dakota
Camden, Arkansas
Astoria, Oregon
Flagstaff, Arizona
Prescott, Arizona
El Dorado, Arkansas
Cortland, New York
Berwick, Pennsylvania

Via: AT&T

Viva Movil Opens First Store in Brooklyn!

Kellen — Wed, 12 Jun 2013 08:21:27 +0000

It's true, the moment Latinos who use Facebook and social networks have been waiting for has finally arrived. The first Viva Movil store has opened in Brooklyn! Jennifer "From the Block" Lopez and her colllooooors, and fonnnnnts, and casssses, are there to be had. According to the press release, she even personally selected a "unique" scent to fill the air to enhance the shopping experience as the kids play on the in-store playground. No, I didn't just make that up. Oh, and should you actually insult humanity by supporting these stores, you can get Verizon's service and line of phones at them. [soundcloud url="http://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/93401104" params="" width=" 100%" height="166" iframe="true" /] [youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Iv6lmi4g0ls[/youtube]

VIVA MÓVIL BY JENNIFER LOPEZ OPENS FIRST FLAGSHIP STORE ON FLATBUSH AVENUE IN BROOKLYN, NEW YORK

Offering Customers a First-Class Wireless Shopping Experience
Los Angeles, June 12, 2013 – Viva Móvil by Jennifer Lopez, the exciting new Verizon Wireless premium retailer founded by Jennifer Lopez, opened its first store in Brooklyn, New York, on June 11^th, offering customers a first-class wireless shopping experience. In the coming months, Viva Móvil will open more stores around the county. The brand’s inaugural flagship is located at 162 Flatbush Avenue, right at the vibrant intersection of Flatbush and Atlantic Avenues and in front of Barclay's Center. It occupies a space of over 2,000 square feet and sits beneath a 1,700 square foot billboard announcing Viva Móvil’s arrival. The store itself will be characterized by a sleekly modern atmosphere befitting its state-of-the-art inventory, which includes the latest smartphones and tablets from Samsung, BlackBerry, Apple, Motorola, LG, Nokia, Droid and more, all of which are available on the Verizon Wireless network. All smartphones will be on display, powered on and ready to be experienced. The store will also include fashion smartphone cases from Jennifer Lopez for Viva Móvil and accessories from Samsung, BlackBerry, Otterbox, Harman Kardon and more. Viva Móvil’s expert staff will be fully bilingual and able to assist customers in Spanish or English, all while dressed in fashionable attire selected by Co-Founder and Chief Creative Officer Jennifer Lopez. Ms. Lopez has also selected a unique scent to fill the air of this entertaining shopping environment, which will feature music and a large video wall designed to amuse and educate consumers about the latest in wireless technology. In addition, the family-friendly store will feature ample seating and a Kids’ Zone with several Samsung Galaxy Note® 10.1 tablets loaded with cool applications for kids to explore. To reflect Viva Móvil’s passionate dedication to delivering great value in many different ways, the 162 Flatbush Avenue location launches with a number of special deals for consumers, including an exclusive offer on attractive prepaid smartphones from Samsung and LG. All customers who activate a $60 or $70 prepaid Smartphone plan before September 30^th will receive a one-time, 1GB data allowance above and beyond the selected plan, which is a cost savings of up to $50. Viva Móvil will also launch with FREE shipping for online purchases, special savings on BlackBerry smartphones and a large selection of smartphones for 1 cent.* (*New 2-year activation required.) In addition to the new Brooklyn location, shoppers can experience Viva Móvil online and on the Facebook pages of Jennifer Lopez and Viva Móvil. On the Viva Móvil Facebook page, consumers can get personalized recommendations, shop with their friends, comment on devices and share what devices or accessories they purchased. Consumers can also interact with Viva Móvil on getviva.com. With this inaugural store opening, Viva Móvil gives New York City an exciting new kind of wireless shopping experience and marks the beginning of a retail channel that will bring Viva Móvil’s distinctly modern style of wireless shopping to consumers around the country. About Viva Móvil Viva Móvil by Jennifer Lopez is a Premium Retailer of Verizon Wireless. Viva Móvil’s mission is to deliver the best shopping experience for mobile across the United States, starting with stores in New York, Miami, Los Angeles and, of course, online. For more information, visit getviva.com and the Viva Móvil Facebook page today. About Jennifer Lopez Actress, entertainer, music artist, film & TV producer, fashion designer, entrepreneur and humanitarian, Jennifer Lopez is one of the most powerful and celebrated celebrities in entertainment. For more information, visit www.jenniferlopez.com.

Samsung Announces the Galaxy S4 Zoom: 16MP Sensor With 10x Optical Zoom, and Mid-range Phone Specs

Kellen — Wed, 12 Jun 2013 07:55:48 +0000

Nothing coming at Samsung's June 20 event in London will be any sort of surprise at this point, as Samsung announced another device expected to be on display called the Galaxy S4 Zoom. As was rumored over the last couple of weeks, the Galaxy S4 Zoom is indeed a camera phone. And when we say "camera," we don't mean the little mobile censor on the back of your Galaxy S3 - no, we're talking about a 16MP point-and-shoot type censor with 10x optical zoom strapped to the back of a phone. Couple that with a touch screen, TouchWiz, Android 4.2, and calling abilities, and you have what Samsung has deemed a "revolutionary" product. On the camera side of things, Samsung is introducing something called the Zoom Ring, which is a quick way to access the camera functionality of the device. Should you need to snap a photo in a pinch, a simple twist on this Zoom Ring provides you camera modes, shortcuts to other actions, and ultimately lets you share whatever it is you just took a picture of. The camera also includes an Optical Image Stabilizer (OIS), and all sorts of smart modes that can suggest pictures or nearby photo locations. On a spec front, this phone isn't all that impressive. It features a 4.3" qHD display, dual-core processor, 1.5GB RAM, 8GB internal storage, 2330mAh battery, and runs Android 4.2. So in terms of phone prowess, the GS4 Zoom can't even match up to last year's Galaxy Camera. Maybe that means it'll be far cheaper. On a software front, you get much of which is included in the Galaxy S4, such as TouchWiz, Samsung Hub, ChatON, S Voice, S Translator, Story Album, and more. No pricing or release info was announced.

Gallery

Press Release

Samsung Introduces the GALAXY S4 zoom - the first smartphone to offer 10x optical zoom, for perfect picture taking
June 12, 2013
A revolutionary new device that converges the best of a high performance smartphone and camera, the GALAXY S4 zoom delivers the best of both worlds
LONDON, UK - June 12, 2013 - Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. today announced the launch of the Samsung GALAXY S4 zoom, a powerful new device which combines the stylish heritage of the latest GALAXY S4 smartphone with advanced photographic capabilities. Part of the GALAXY S4 family, the GALAXY S4 zoom is the realization of Samsung’s mission to create a single device that can fulfill the role of both an industry leading smartphone and a high-end compact camera. Combining 10x Optical Zoom, 16 Mega Pixel CMOS Sensor, OIS and Xenon Flash with the very latest Samsung GALAXY S4 technology, the GALAXY S4 zoom sets new standards for perfect mobile photography. It is the ultimate smartphone and camera experience in one, and the only device you’ll ever need. “The Samsung GALAXY S4 zoom represents yet another step forward in the way Samsung is working to enhance the lives of our customers around the world,” said JK Shin, President and CEO, Head of IT & Mobile Communications Division, Samsung Electronics. “As communication continues to become increasingly visual in nature, people wish to capture and share their moments in the highest quality possible, but often do not have the space or inclination to carry a dedicated camera for this purpose. The GALAXY S4 zoom changes this forever, combining the industry leading functionality and connectivity of the GALAXY S4 with the high quality photographic experience you’d expect from a compact camera. The result is truly the best of both worlds, without compromise.” Revolutionary new interface Do it all and miss nothing thanks to the revolutionary new Zoom Ring, a simple and intuitive way to access the GALAXY S4 zoom’s key features. When you’re in the middle of a phone call and you see something you absolutely have to share, a quick twist of the Zoom Ring will activate the In-Call Photo Share feature, letting you capture and send an image directly via MMS to whoever you are talking to simply. For easy camera navigation, the Zoom Ring can be used to activate the Quick Launch and Shortcut features, giving you instant access to multiple camera modes including Auto, Gallery and Smart Mode with a simple twist. The Zoom Ring also revolutionizes conventional camera zoom controls. Optical zoom control replaces traditional dials and buttons with smooth, easy-to-operate digital controls. Professional-quality accuracy and unprecedented ease of use are just a twist away, making it easy to compose a scene and capture wide-angle shots or tight close-ups. Capture the best images When it comes to high quality photography, bigger isn’t always better. The compact GALAXY S4 zoom’s best-in-class 10x Optical Zoom and 16MP BSI CMOS Sensor lets you capture beautiful images from far away or up close and personal, in all light conditions, without having to carry heavy camera gear around with you. Furthermore, the built-in Optical Image Stabilizer (OIS) helps keep the camera perfectly still even when you’re not, reducing blur and stabilizing the image while zoomed in for high-quality photos and video. Photo Suggest instantly connects you to huge libraries of images taken by fellow photographers, to help you find and compose your best shots anywhere in the world. Photo Suggest can even direct you to the ideal nearby location which will give you the vantage point you need for that perfect photo. The GALAXY S4 zoom also features Samsung’s popular Smart Mode, so you can stop worrying about settings and start taking professional-quality artistic shots. Simply choose from a series of pre-set modes and the camera will automatically adjust to ensure you capture the best photo possible. Use Drama Shot to merge continuous shots of moving objects into a single composed image, or Action Freeze to instantly capture high-speed action. If you aren’t sure which Smart Mode to select, the Smart Mode Suggest feature can assess the scene for you and provide a short list of the best options for your consideration based on surrounding factors such as light levels, focal length, or face detection, ensuring you always get the best shot you want. Unlimited entertainment in the palm of your hand The GALAXY S4 zoom's heritage is evident throughout, from its sleek and stylish design to the powerful, yet intuitive user interface. Running on Android Jelly Bean 4.2, the GALAXY S4 zoom boasts many of the same features as the recently launched GALAXY S4, includingTouchwiz, which lets you fully customize various aspects of your device including the lock screen and notification bar, for a truly personal mobile experience. When you return from your travel adventures, Story Album lets you arrange all of your treasured images and videos into one timeline to share with friends and loved ones. You can also edit images and even order prints directly from the device through a partnership withblurb＊. If you’d rather transfer your images to your laptop or tablet for safe keeping, Samsung Link lets you do so quickly and easily with just the touch of a button. Alternatively, you can sync all of your data in your own personal cloud through HomeSync, providing the ultimate peace of mind and ensuring your images and videos are waiting for you whenever you need them. The GALAXY S4 zoom features the new Samsung Hub, a one-stop destination for all of the latest music, videos, books and games. Search, download and enjoy all of your favorite entertainment at the touch of a button, all directly from your device. When you find that amazing new track or game that you can’t wait to share with your friends, Group Play lets you connect directly with their Samsung devices so you can all listen and play together, without the need for a Wi-Fi AP or cellular signal.

＊ All functionality, features, specifications and other product information provided in this document including, but not limited to, the benefits, design, pricing, components, performance, availability, and capabilities of the product are subject to change without notice or obligation. ＊ Android, Chrome, Downloads, Google Maps, Gmail, Google Search, Google Settings, Google Plus, Google Local, Google Play Store, Google Messenger, Google Navigation, Youtube, Google Talk, Voice Search, Google Play Movie & TV, Google Play books, Google Play Music and Google Play Magazine are trademarks of Google Inc. ＊ Samsung GALAXY S4 zoom uses Corning’s new Gorilla® Glass 3 with Native Damage Resistance™. This cover glass, Corning’s newest formulation, enables improved damage and scratch resistance and reduced scratch visibility. ＊ Blurb, the global creative publishing platform, partners with Samsung to power worldwide book and magazine print production and fulfillment within the GALAXY S4 zoom’s new Story Album application. Users of Story Album will now be able to automatically create professional quality print photo books and magazines quickly and seamlessly from their camera phone images.
About Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.

Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. is a global leader in technology, opening new possibilities for people everywhere. Through relentless innovation and discovery, we are transforming the worlds of televisions, smartphones, personal computers, printers, cameras, home appliances, LTE systems, medical devices, semiconductors and LED solutions. We employ 236,000 people across 79 countries with annual sales of US$187.8 billion. To discover more, please visit www.samsung.com.

Verizon Pulls Latest Galaxy S3 Update After Reports of Connectivity Issues, is Working With Samsung on a Solution

Kellen — Tue, 11 Jun 2013 18:57:42 +0000

The latest update of VRBMD3 for Verizon's Galaxy S3 variant was supposed to be one of its biggest to date. With new features like Multi Window, the device was finally joining its brothers and sisters on other carriers, even if it was a few months late. But as the update went out, reports of problems began almost immediately. In fact, we wrote up a report after a handful of readers all expressed concern over poor connectivity issues post updating. We were seeing 4G LTE connectivity disappear with no way to make it return. As you can imagine, the experience with a device that is struggling with connectivity is not the most pleasant. We're talking incredibly slow data speeds and massive battery drain. Users have continued to hang out in this thread, updating the community on their situations. Some have gone through multiple replacements devices, all of which start out fine until the new VRBLMD3 baseband update has been installed. Then it's back to connectivity problems and battery drain. Thankfully, Verizon's support teams are now fully acknowledging that the update has been pulled because it can "cause poor to no signal." At this point, there isn't a solution, however, they are working with Samsung on one.

In the mean time, it may be worth looking into a replacement since there isn't a simple solution for rolling back your device to a previous build. Assuming Verizon will comply and give you one, the update won't be pushed to your device, so you can enjoy it until they can come up with a fix.

Press Render of Verizon's Revamped Casio Commando 4G LTE Leaked

Tim — Tue, 11 Jun 2013 15:00:11 +0000

Oh boy, if you had plans on picking up one of this year's top flagship devices from either Samsung or HTC, this might change everything. /s A new press render has leaked from the ever-so-reliable @evleaks Twitter account, showing Verizon's upcoming Casio Commando 4G LTE. As a recap, we have seen this device pictured a few times when it made a stop at the FCC. As far as we know, the device does in fact support 4G LTE, but past that not much is known in terms of specs. We know it will definitely be water and dust resistant, but probably won't beat out any notable devices in a benchmark. But hey, that's not the point. The selling point of this device will be its uncanny knack for not dying after you drop it countless times while camping or out on the work site. After all, not all of us get to sit behind a desk in a cushy chair all day. No release date is known, but remember when we would hypebeast the dates companies posted on their upcoming phones? This one is showing July 3, so go ahead and pencil that in on your calendar, just in case. Pretty sweet, amirite? Via: @evleaks

Plasma Sky on Sale for $1, Brings the Fast-Paced Space Fighter Action to Your Mobile

Tim — Tue, 11 Jun 2013 14:30:06 +0000

[youtube]http://youtu.be/LYOzFhdj6sU[/youtube]

If crazy high speed space fighter jet games are to your liking, then you will have to go check out Plasma Sky. This game combines some great gameplay with even better looking graphics, pitting your measly fighter against the galaxy's toughest enemy ships. It's pretty much like every other vertical shooter in existence, but it just looks so darn good. It's usually sold on Google Play for $2, but it's on sale currently for 50% off. Go grab it! Play Link ($0.99) Via: Reddit

Daily Steals Sale: Galaxy Nexus LTE for $199, Galaxy S4 for $599, DROID X for $69 (Wait, What?), and More

Kellen — Tue, 11 Jun 2013 14:04:55 +0000

Daily Steals is currently running one of their "Last Calls" collections promos that includes a variety of Android products that may be worth a look should you be in the market for something new or "recertified" but don't want to sign a contract. The Galaxy Nexus LTE on Verizon is one in particular that is carrying the low price of $199. And again, that's the full retail price for the device, meaning you don't have to sign a contract to pick it up. The phone is "recertified," so you may only want to consider this one if you are desperate. Replacement G-Nex models are known to have issues. But the deal also includes the unlocked Samsung Galaxy S4 for $599 (unlocked model doesn't work on LTE in the U.S.), the incredibly old DROID X for $69, original DROID RAZR for $169, and more. There are listings for a couple of Samsung tablets, the Blackberry Playbook, GSM Galaxy Nexus, Galaxy Note 2, Motorola Atrix 2, and the Microsoft Kin One. Lots of options. Feel free to give them a look before they sell out. Via: Daily Steals Cheers Nick!

New Ground and Saver Shipping Options We Reported Two Weeks Ago Have Arrived on Google Play

Kellen — Tue, 11 Jun 2013 13:22:24 +0000

A couple of weeks ago, we received a tip that Google was on the verge of adding new shipping options for devices and accessories through Google Play. The new options were Ground and Saver, which would provide customers with discounted shipping choices should they decide that the semi-expensive 2-day option wasn't necessary. Those new options are now live on Google Play. Depending on what you buy, Google will provide you with a couple of shipping methods. You'll always have the 2-day option, but with some devices you'll see a Ground (3-5 business days) choice as well. With accessories, we're also seeing that Saver (5-10 business days) choice pop up. For example with a Nexus 7 cover, we're seeing prices of $4.99, $7.99, and $11.99 for Saver, Ground, and 2-day, respectively. But with the actual Nexus 7, we're only seeing Ground ($9.99) and 2-day ($13.99). Choices are good though, right? While we always love receiving items faster, some times the price to pay for quick delivery isn't justifiable. Via: Google Play

These BLU "Life" Phones are Almost Perfectly Affordable Unlocked Android Companions

Tim — Tue, 11 Jun 2013 12:45:20 +0000

The search for the perfect unlocked device still goes on, but we did happen across these newly launched BLU devices, the Life Play, Life View and the Life One. Each device comes running Android 4.2, as well as being powered by a quad-core MediaTek processor clocked at 1.2GHz. They are unlocked, ready for usage on AT&T and the 1900MHz band of T-Mobile, offering folks a reasonably priced alternative to some of the more high-end devices out there. They feature IPS displays and come in a variety of sizes/colors, each of which is matched by a very enticing price tag. The largest of the three sports a massive 5.7", the Life View, priced at an amazing $299. It features a 12MP camera, 1GB of RAM, 16GB of storage, and a nicely sized 2,600mAh battery. The medium-sized device, measuring in at 5.0" is the Life One, priced the same as the View at $299. It features a larger camera sensor at 13MP, but just 2,000mAh of battery. Other than those two differences, its specs match that of the larger View. The smallest, priced at $229, is the Life Play. It has a 4.7" display, 8MP back-facing camera, 1GB of RAM, and 4GB of expandable memory. Not too special, but if you need a quick and sexy little burner phone, it's not a bad option. Currently, the Life Play is the only available device, but the other two are set to be released in the short future. Via: Amazon

I Think Google Just Killed Off the Official Nexus 7 Dock

Kellen — Tue, 11 Jun 2013 12:13:32 +0000

Google is currently removing the Nexus 7 Dock from its Google Play store pages, leaving the landing page for the accessory to say only that it "is not available in your country." Seems like they are killing it off for good. We see them make Play store page changes all of the time, but this is a blatant removal from Nexus 7 pages, not a change in shipping status. Does this mean that a new Nexus 7 is imminent? Not really. Rumors have pegged a new N7 for a July release, but an accessory disappearing is not necessarily a sign of that happening. If you still want one, Amazon appears to have them in stock.

Tip: Turning on Accessibility Options in Sense 5 on the HTC One Breaks the Lock Screen

Kellen — Tue, 11 Jun 2013 12:00:16 +0000

Since day 1 with my unlocked HTC One, I have experienced issues with the lock screen of the device, and for the life of me could not figure out the problem. Well, until today, thanks to the Play store release of Floating Notifications. During the initial launch tutorial for the app, the developer made reference to an HTC Sense 5 bug that was breaking the lock screen if a user enabled any of the services under the Accessibility setting. As someone who uses a Pebble, and it's pairing app that requires an Accessibility service to be turned on, this was the exact root to my problems. The video below demonstrates the issue, but I'll explain it anyway. You see, the traditional Sense 5 lock screen requires a swipe up anywhere on the screen or the dragging and dropping of your dock app shortcuts in order to unlock. With an Accessibility service turned on, the entire thing breaks. With a service turned on, all you need to do is touch your screen with a single finger and the device becomes unlocked. No swiping needed. Where my blood boiled, was when the device would automatically answer incoming calls should I receive one and pull the phone out of my pocket. On almost every occasion, the phone would answer calls before I could even flip it over to see who was trying to reach me. Also, even if the phone was lying on my desk, the broken lock screen would make it almost impossible to decline a call. This issue affects anyone who wants to pair their Pebble to their One, or who use apps like Floating Notifications that requires an Accessibility service to be turned on. It's a pretty significant bug, to say the least, and one that I'm surprised HTC has ignored for this long. Then again, maybe they were unaware of the fix for all this time, just like I was. I should point out that WidgetLocker can be installed to fix the device from unlocking with a single tap, though the dialer will bypass third party lock screens when receiving calls, so it won't fix that problem. You can try using Pattern or PIN options through Sense 5, but that adds another step to accessing shortcuts and such (sort of defeats the purpose). It also doesn't fix the incoming call bug. We were able to replicate the issue on a Sprint HTC One as well, so it's not just the unlocked version. We weren't able to test it on an AT&T version, though I wouldn't be surprised if the issue was there.

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

reClock Text Widget, Bringing the Minimal Back to Our Homescreens

Tim — Tue, 11 Jun 2013 10:35:08 +0000

Here is a simple text widget called reClock that can give any device a sense of minimalism, while also making sure you remain punctual. Once applied, users can choose between which configuration of text they would like to see, color of the font and then naturally, which font they want to see on their homescreen. You can even download additional custom fonts if the pre-installed ones aren't much to your liking. It's simple, looks good and it's free. To enable all of the editing features, you can claim the donate version for just $1.29 through the application. Also, for those that might ask, the icon pack is flatro from Google Play. Play Link Cheers Graham!

Gameloft Begins Teasing for Asphalt 8: Airborne, Launch Scheduled for Summer

Tim — Tue, 11 Jun 2013 10:10:09 +0000

Racing games are one of the all-time most popular types of titles that are offered for mobile devices. With advances in graphics and studios putting much more time into their games, players are starting to see a next-gen level of racing on their phones. Gameloft, the publisher of the Asphalt series, are now beginning their long and sometimes silly teasing process for their upcoming title, Asphalt 8: Airborne. A8:A will feature eight brand new maps, complete with fabulous looking vehicles from makers such as Lamborghini, Bugatti, Zonda, Ferrari, Mercedes and many more. From what we can see in the trailer, we should expect ridiculous speeds, head-to-head action and a few mid-air barrel rolls from time to time. The game is scheduled for release this Summer. [youtube]http://youtu.be/BE2EYLx2iiQ[/youtube] Via: Gameloft

NYKO Showcases NVIDIA SHIELD Accessories at E3

Tim — Tue, 11 Jun 2013 09:45:38 +0000

This morning at the E3 conference, NYKO, a well-known consumer electronics company unveiled the first third party accessories we have ever seen for NVIDIA's upcoming portable gaming console, SHIELD. They are currently showing off two cases and one docking station, each of which look pretty neat in their own right. The dock, which is pictured below, will be released later this year for an undisclosed price. With SHIELD already costing folks $350, let's hope it stays around the $50 range. As for the two cases, each are full shell cases and will launch in the summer time.

Hoping to grab some cases or a dock for that SHIELD you pre-ordered? Via: Game Press

Reminder to Early Adopters: Free 30-Day Trial for Google Music All Access is About to Expire, Monthly Fee to Kick in

Kellen — Tue, 11 Jun 2013 09:19:17 +0000

If you signed up for the free trial of Google Music All Access shortly after it was announced at Google I/O, then prepare to either pay a monthly fee going forward or cancel, as your free trial is close to ending. The 30-day free trial for many of us who signed up immediately, expires in a few days, which Google has kindly reminded us of in an email. Keep in mind that if you become a paid customer before June 30, and since you started the trial before that date, you can lock-in for $7.99 per month. If you don't start a trial or paid service before June 30, the service will run you $9.99 per month. I personally am a huge fan of the service and use it constantly throughout the day both at home and whenever I'm in my car. At $8 per month, I can listen to my own music whenever and wherever, but also grab the newest albums that have been released to Google Play without having to buy them. There are no streaming limits (unless you have a tiny tiered data plan through your carrier), you can pick and choose tracks from Google's entire catalog of music for playlists, and there is even a radio feature like Pandora or iTunes Radio, but it's so much more powerful. I'll definitely become a subscriber. Anyone else taking the plunge and sticking with All Access after the trial?

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YNT1ywwAcmI[/youtube]

Google Buys Waze Social Traffic Service, Hopes to Outsmart Traffic Together

Kellen — Tue, 11 Jun 2013 09:02:21 +0000

Google announced this morning that it has acquired Waze, a GPS and social traffic application that updates routes and drive information in real-time thanks to a community of users. Through Google Play alone, it has anywhere from 10-50 million downloads, but is on iOS as well. The app has voice navigation, shows community-contributed road alerts, learns from your frequently traveled routes, and can even find the cheapest gas station on your way. But it also takes on a social function, in that your friends can join Waze, and be seen as you all attend a concert or arrive for a dinner reservation. Google will use Waze to continue to beef up their Maps applications, which are already the best in the business. They point out specifically in today's announcement that they are "excited" about the prospect of "enhancing Google Maps with some of the traffic update features" already used by Waze. In the press release for the acquisition, they are hoping to "outsmart traffic together." The Waze team will remain in Israel and operate separately for now. Reports suggest that the acquisition of Waze cost Google over $1 billion. If you wanted to tryout Waze, you can find it on Google Play for free. Here is the promo video for Waze: [youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y_7yoEUrVhw[/youtube] Via: Google Blog

Mad Catz' Android Gaming Console is the First to Actually Look Cool

Tim — Tue, 11 Jun 2013 08:42:25 +0000

It seems as though Android-powered gaming consoles are pretty much a dime a dozen these days, whether they be the HDMI dongle variant or a full standalone console that you place next to your TV. Either way, most of them are all the same, some offering better hardware than others, while others offer better developer support, etc. Either way, at least to me, none have really been all that intriguing to look at. Sorry, OUYA, but I'm hard to impress. The newest console to soon hit the market is the Mad Catz Project M.O.J.O. console. Like all the others, it allows players to access their already existing titles through Google Play and play them directly through an HDMI port to their big screen TV. At least for me, there are two major differences between the M.O.J.O. and the competition. Number one being that this device is compatible with the Mad Catz lineup of full-sized controllers, which look and feel very much like the Xbox 360 controllers. I don't know about you, but gaming takes on a whole other level once you get a real controller in your hand. Other controllers that are thin and don't take up the full size of my hands just feel flimsy and cheap. The second and maybe not-so-important reason that this console looks intriguing is its looks. A plain black box with that single blue LED line down the front. The console itself looks to be angled, another huge turn on for a design perspective, much more appealing that just a tiny box or some dongle you will never see. Either way, that could be personal preference, but it's good to know that one of these Android consoles can actually excite me. The device will be available starting sometime in Q4 and there is no word on exact specs yet. Let's hope they're decent. Any thoughts on Android-powered gaming consoles? Love 'em? Hate 'em? Share your thoughts down below.

Android Collectible "Rainbow Set" From Dead Zebra Available Now

Kellen — Tue, 11 Jun 2013 08:02:11 +0000

The double rainbow, whoa, is now available from the Dead Zebra shop. The latest in a long line of Android mini collectibles, the Rainbow Set, is a collection of 10 translucent mini Bugdroids with removable heads that can be removed to store trinkets inside or to get creative and potentially swap colors should that be your thing. The box also acts as a showcase and includes a magnetic clasp. The entire set can be had for $69, this very minute. Tough to gauge the demand for these, but we have seen collectible sets sellout in minutes in the past.

Via: Dead Zebra

Verizon Reminds Us That Google Voice Search Can Solve All Your Problems

Kellen — Mon, 10 Jun 2013 16:25:26 +0000

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

Verizon's new Father's Day commercial that popped up over the weekend is a fine reminder that Google Voice Search is there to help you in times of need. When your child adopts a dangerous pet, baseballs are thrown through windows, a kid puts the wrong dish soap in the dishwasher, superglue is used to help someone palm a basketball, or when your daughter gets her little heart crushed by a boy, you can search for help. I can't tell you how many times recently that I've pulled out Google Voice Search to find things. If my friends and I can't remember anything from an actor's name to movies they were in to how many different NBA teams Dr. J played for, Google Search can get you there quicker than any other method. I forget to use it every so often, but lately it has become a part of my everyday life. Oh, the ad was also to show off the current "Free" deal that VZW is running for the RAZR M in blue, should you be interested. Are you using Voice Search regularly or do you forget about it?

3D Image Live Wallpaper for Android Takes the Mystery Out of iOS's New Parallax Effect

Tim — Mon, 10 Jun 2013 15:55:04 +0000

[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rtgPfTAIuXw[/youtube]

One of the snazzy new features that iOS 7 users will be able to take advantage of once Apple has released it, is a sweet 3D-like homescreen/wallpaper. When titling your iOS device, the homescreen icons will appear to move around, allowing you a different viewing angle of whatever wallpaper is set behind them. It's definitely neat, but definitely not new, either. As pointed out on Android Guys, there's already an app for that for Android! 3D Image Live Wallpaper allows for this same affect, enabling users to place any custom image as their wallpaper and get that same 3D effect that is shown off on iOS 7. The app costs just $1.60 and after trying it out myself, will admit that it gives off a pretty cool effect to say the least. Make sure to pick it up so that when your iOS friends start trying to show off this Fall, you can say you've had it the whole time. Wink, wink. And if you want a look similar to that of iOS 7, here is a wallpaper to plug into 3D Image. Play Link ($1.60)

[youtube]http://youtu.be/dAa21UV3MfA[/youtube]

Via: Android Guys

NOOK HD and HD+ On Sale For Father's Day This Time, Prices Cut Almost in Half

Eric — Mon, 10 Jun 2013 15:11:19 +0000

The NOOK tablet line has always been overshadowed by the success of the Kindle, but for the right person, these heavily skinned tablets can be pretty attractive. What makes them even more enticing are deals like this one, the NOOK HD and it's larger brother, the HD+ are almost half off of their normal price.

The 7" NOOK HD is down to $129 for the 8GB tablet and the larger 9" HD+ is only $149 for the 16GB. Each tablet has different storage sizes if you need more space and prices only go up from there, but free shipping on all of these orders sweetens the deal even more. There is developer support for these tablets and they just recently got access to the Google Play Store.

Would you pick one up for this low of a price?

Buy: NOOK HD | NOOK HD+

Cheers Bryan!

Samsung Working on a 12.2" Galaxy Note Tablet of Sorts?

Tim — Mon, 10 Jun 2013 14:43:50 +0000

According to a Korean publication, Samsung is looking to bulk up their Galaxy line with the ~~possible~~ questionable addition of a Galaxy Note 12.2. The device would be a large tablet, featuring a massive 12.2" display, running a resolution of 2560 × 1600. The device is said to be a direct competitor to Apple's future iPad tablets, devices that are bound to see an upgrade in specs and maybe even size according to etnews. Samsung would like launch to take place sometime in the first half of 2014, apparently allowing them to get the edge on Apple's release of the newest iPad models. Naturally, none of this is confirmed and it's still an amazing thought to think making a tablet that big would be a successful idea. If you owned a 12.2" tablet, what is something you would do on it? Via: etnews

iOS 7 vs. Android - A Quick Feature Comparison After the WWDC Keynote

Kellen — Mon, 10 Jun 2013 14:10:49 +0000

Tim Cook and crew are now off stage at WWDC, so as is typical around these parts when Apple announces something "revolutionary" (yes, they used the term again), we like to react. And even though Google has moved away from the series of cheap jabs during their own keynotes, Apple still does them in the bitterest and childish of fashions. If we didn't toss out some thoughts in support, we wouldn't be proper Android fans. Because after all, we are still Android fans. So here we go, these are some initial thoughts to Apple's big announcement of iOS 7 as compared to the current version of Android (4.2, Jelly Bean). In general, iOS 7 is a newly skinned version of iOS that finally matches up to current mobile design trends. Gone are the leather notebooks and green felt gaming tables - in is a minimal flat aesthetic. And to be perfectly honest, it does look beautiful. Jony Ive and his team did a fantastic job at skinning iOS and turning it into a modern looking mobile UI.

But every time Apple does this song and dance, we seem to sit throughout the keynote going, "Whoa, that's been on Android forever." Or even, "Umm, that looks just like how Android works." Today was no different. While iOS 7 looks nice from the outside, many of the new goodies remind us a lot of our favorite mobile OS. And not that we should need to remind you, but don't take this too seriously. We're just having some fun and pointing out things that gave us a chuckle. We are happy to see iOS evolve, just like we will be happy to see every other mobile OS evolve. Companies pushing boundaries and taking features to new levels is what we love about this industry.

(iOS 7 on the left, Android screenshot attached on the right.)

Quick Toggles (Command Center)

Apple is adding in a gesture for accessing Command Center from anywhere on an iOS device. A quick swipe up from the bottom of the screen and you are graced with a panel filled with toggles for Airplane mode, WiFi, Bluetooth, brightness settings, music controls, camera shortcut, and even a flashlight. As you all know, Android devices have had access to similar information for a while thanks to 3rd party skins from manufacturers. But in Android 4.2, Google introduced a panel as well that can be accessed with a two-finger swipe down from the notification bar. Music controls have been in the notification bar for some time, so that's not necessarily new.

Lock Screen Notifications

I found this out today, but apparently iOS did not let you access their notification center from the lock screen. Android has been on this trend for at least two versions, but Apple is just now introducing it with iOS 7. Once released, iOS users will be able to swipe down their notification bar without unlocking their device. The new notification center has done away with that terrible looking felt background and is more transparent. There are tabs for "Today," "All," and "Missed." I like the idea of panels, though Android seems to have been able to handle all of this information without needing extra panels. Thanks to actionable and collapsable notifications on Android, you only need one area for all of this.

Safari vs. Chrome

Safari is Safari - most people can't stand it and prefer browsers like Chrome for their browsing needs. But one thing we thought was interesting in the new UI of Safari, was the tab view that shows all open tabs. They bragged about the 3D appearance, scrolling, and quick access to other tabs yet we have had this in Chrome for Android since it was first released over a year ago.

Multi-tasking

Multi-tasking! iOS 7 has a new style of multi-tasking that only runs in the background when it thinks you want access to frequently used apps. It essentially learns from your patterns to help extend your battery life. That's kind of cool, assuming it can learn properly, which we won't know anything about until people can spend some time with it. But in general, we like the idea of phones learning our patterns to better optimize our lives with them. But in terms of a UI, Apple created something semi-unique. It's not an exact copy of Android, since it scrolls horizontally and features full-screen previews of currently running apps. It does look a lot like what HTC did back with Sense 4, though HTC abandoned the look after hearing pretty terrible reviews of the change.

iTunes Radio vs. Google Music

Apple did in fact announce a Pandora competitor this morning called iTunes Radio. It's really not all that game-changing or innovative. You can create your own radio playlists based off of songs, or you can use recommended stations that Apple has ready to go. There are massive "BUY" buttons all over the place, along with ads, unless you are an iTunes Match customer. But you can't save full albums or tracks to your library like you can with Google's new All Access service, nor can you pick and choose specific songs to create playlists. It's just like Pandora in that it brings up songs that it thinks match what you are looking for and then allows you to downvote them or favorite them, so that they'll play more often. It's a nice add-on to iTunes, but nothing new. In terms of looks, the new Google Music and new Music apps look a lot a like. We're seeing white menus and similar UI with big, bold album art. Also, we should point out that Google Music All Access gives you unlimited access to albums and songs because it comes with a monthly fee.

Mail

While I don't know how many people actually use the stock Mail app in iOS, it's easy to see that they have stolen features from the popular iOS app called Mailbox. Apple added in swiping gestures, for deleting, archiving, and "More" options. It's a complete copy of what Mailbox already made popular, and I can't believe people aren't throwing massive fits over this. But then again, this is what Apple does time and time again to its developer community. Oh, and Gmail has had swipe-to-delete/archive for longer than I can recall.

Calendars

The new iOS Calendar app doesn't look all that much like that of Android, but the similarities are still there. We're looking at an ultra-minimal design, with flat rectangles, pastel-ish colors, and a white background rather than the round appearance of the current iOS Calendar app. And in fact, the newest Calendar app from Google has similar design in the circular color picker and date chooser to what we are seeing in iOS, only it came out a couple of weeks ago.

Navigation Drawers

Apple added a bunch of slideout navigation drawers to apps like Mail and iMessage. We have seen these in Google apps for over a year now (even the ones on iOS), but they made a point of the addition today as if it were something "new" to app development. No, Apple, it's not new.

Lock Screens

We already covered this here.

Al Gore

Actually, Al Gore has nothing to do with Android that I know of, but he was there. So, here is a picture of him looking flat.

Other Notes

Semi-live Wallpapers: Apple showed off a new wallpaper that moved the background as you tilted your device from side to side. It's almost like a live wallpaper on Android, but even more so like 3D Image Live Wallpaper that has been on Google Play for a while. Yes, you can get down with Apple's fancy new wallpaper feature today, on Android.
Auto-app Updates: I didn't realize that Apple hadn't introduced auto-app updates yet on iOS, but in iOS 7, users will finally have the option to update automatically. They joked about seeing the "Update" count climbing throughout the day and that iOS users would no longer have to worry about that. Add that to the list of things we take for granted on Android, already.
Bing (hah!): The new iOS in the Car feature introduced today uses Bing for search. Yes, Bing. Edit: Apparently it's Siri that has Bing, making Siri even less of an important piece of the Apple pie, which I didn't think was possible.
Notification Sync: They touched on this ever-so-briefly, but I believe Apple mentioned that with iOS 7, devices will be able to sync notifications across devices. Google just started doing this with Hangouts on Android, but made a point of it coming to other apps in the future during their I/O keynote.
Send-to-Phone: Apple showed off a send-to-phone feature from Calendar and Maps Mac apps today. Say you have a calendar item set up with a location or are looking at something in Apple's newly announced Mac Maps app, you can send it quickly to your phone and have it readily available. Nice idea, but Google knows your searches thanks to Google Now and makes them automatically available to you on your other devices - you don't need to send a thing.
Maps for Mac: Speaking of Maps for Mac, hah. Google.com/maps is all I have to say.
AirDrop: One of the more interesting features that Apple showed off today was called AirDrop. It allows you to quickly send information (photos as an example) to your friends' iOS devices without the need to bump them together. Yes, they poked fun at NFC and the ridiculous tapping we have to do as Android users, in order to share things. Thing is, Samsung devices do this already with a little thing called WiFi Direct. Nice idea that is baked into iOS devices, though. Keep in mind that this feature won't be available on all iOS devices - it's limited to the new guys.

I'm sure there were other things we could list, since the keynote was lengthy, but these were the new features or ideas that stood out the most. As you can see, iOS 7 is actually a pretty major change from iOS6, bringing it steps closer to the power of Android. It's not going to kill Android or give Apple some immediate leg up on the world's most popular mobile operating system, but it does make at least the design of their UI a hell of a lot more appealing. In the end, Android users saw a lot of what they are already accustomed to, which they have already grown accustomed to. Other thoughts?

Paranoid Android's HALO Project Goes Open Source, Coming Soon to a ROM Near You

Eric — Mon, 10 Jun 2013 12:48:14 +0000

Some of the coolest custom Android development to happen lately has come from the folks that make Paranoid Android. Since the launch of Facebook and their cool Chat Heads feature, PA has launched their own HALO code that allows for similar floating notifications in their ROM. Up until today it has been a PA exclusive, but they have decided to go open source with the project.

Luckily for all us ROM users this means that if our developer wants to poke through the code for HALO they can implement it in their own builds. This means that the awesome floating notifications can be used by more users and in different ways. Give it some time, but you will be seeing this as a main feature in many ROMs going forward. Be sure to check out our hands-on with HALO to see how awesome it really is.

Via: +Paranoid Android

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nhpthTd5pCY[/youtube]

Cheers Mitchell!

Video: Twenty Everyday Searches That Google Glass Can Handle

Tim — Mon, 10 Jun 2013 12:35:12 +0000

How many times a day do you perform a Google search? Couple of times a day? Over ten a day? Well, with Google Glass on your head, you can access any Google search you could come up with and get answers right in front of yours eyes without lifting up your phone. Above is a video that Project Glass just posted to their YouTube account, showcasing some of the everyday questions that someone might ask themselves. Google Glass - do we have any new thoughts on it? Still on the fence? [youtube]http://youtu.be/r7MRdBHz-cg[/youtube]

That Moment When iOS 7 Became Android.

Kellen — Mon, 10 Jun 2013 12:14:52 +0000

We'll have so many more thoughts on the way related to iOS 7, but we thought we'd start with the eerily similar lock screens. Floating bubble live wallpaper, minimal clock, fading on the actionable icons, semi-Roboto font, etc. Interesting. Apple, showing love or at least giving props to Android for beautiful design. And before the sensitive types think this is us bashing Apple, we'll just say right now that the new iOS 7 looks really nice. But again, we'll have more on that later. Update: Our iOS 7 vs. Android comparison is now up and worth a look.

Woot! Offering Refurbished Samsung Galaxy Note 10.1 for $300

Tim — Mon, 10 Jun 2013 09:45:35 +0000

In need of a 10" tablet, but don't feel like spending too much dough? Woot! is offering up a Galaxy Note 10.1 from Samsung for just $299.99, although keep in mind it is refurbished. The Note 10.1 can be purchased in either grey or white (sexy), features Android 4.1, 16GB of internal storage, a 5MP back-facing camera, quad-core processor clocked at 1.4GHz and a 7,000 mAh battery. If you're interested, go check it out. Buy. Cheers Mike!

Live Chat: Microsoft and Apple Keynotes at E3 and WWDC

Kellen — Mon, 10 Jun 2013 09:25:30 +0000

As we mentioned earlier, fans of technology should be excited for today, with major players from across the industry taking stages to show off their new software and hardware. None of it is directly Android-related, but that doesn't mean we aren't interested and/or don't want to hear your/share our opinions on it. So since the likelihood of Android news coming to a screeching halt over the next couple of hours is almost certain, we thought we'd open up a live blog and share thoughts in real-time as both Microsoft and Apple's keynotes are simultaneously going on. Also, we were going to watch along anyway, so why not do so with all of you? Care to join us?

Could This be the First Look at a Galaxy Note 3 Prototype From Samsung?

Tim — Mon, 10 Jun 2013 08:39:20 +0000

According to TechTastic, the device pictured above could be the first glimpse we are seeing of Samsung's upcoming device, the Galaxy Note 3. While the design is being labeled as a prototype, it is mentioned that the final design will not deviate much from what we see here, so I suppose it is time to analyze. Along the bottom we have the standard Samsung home button, along with the "back" and "menu" buttons. The bezel looks pretty thin, but it is sort of difficult to get a great feel for the device's look with these poor photos. Blurry cam strikes again. The Galaxy Note 3 is listed to come with a 5.99" 1080p display, be powered by a Snapdragon 800 or Exynos Octa (probably both for different markets), feature a 13MP back-facing camera and come running the next version of Android. We are currently waiting on official details, but fingers are pointing to Samsung on unveiling the next Note at this year's IFA. Thoughts on this "prototype" design?

Via: TechTastic Cheers Eloise!

DROID DNA and HTC One S-OFF Tools Available

Kellen — Mon, 10 Jun 2013 08:03:09 +0000

On Friday, both the HTC One and DROID DNA received tools that provided each device with S-OFF. Yes, finally after all these months, the DROID DNA has been conquered. There are a couple of tools available, one called Moonshine that requires Linux, and another called Revone that can be used on any operating system. Revone is still being pushed as a "developer early access preview," so there are likely going to be bugs or issues along the way. If you don't want to deal with potential issues, feel free to try Moonshine. If you don't have Linux, know that we had a reader toss Ubuntu on a USB drive to use the tool and was able to finish the entire process in under 30 minutes. You can do it, young one. Plenty of links below for each, so get to unlocking. Moonshine Links: Moonshine | XDA [2] Revone Links: XDA (DNA) | XDA (One) Cheers Ben, Owen, Max, Freddie, Nick and Greggles!

A Big Day in Tech: Apple's WWDC 2013 Keynote, Microsoft and Sony at E3

Kellen — Mon, 10 Jun 2013 07:39:43 +0000

If you are a fan of tech as a general subject, then today is a day to pay attention. There may not be many Android-related bits, but as most of you know, there will be plenty from its number one competitor. Today kicks off WWDC, Apple's developer conference, where they have already essentially confirmed that they will unveil their next version of iOS. But outside of Apple, E3 (Electronic Entertainment Expo) starts this morning with Microsoft on stage to discuss all things XBOX One. And actually, the event runs simultaneously with Apple's WWDC keynote, so juggling news out of both should be entertaining to say the least. Finally, later this evening, Sony will finish up day 1 at E3 to talk PlayStation 4. In terms of Apple news, we'd be lying if we said that we weren't going to be paying attention to their every move this morning. The WWDC keynote will be streamed here, so all of you can watch as they reinvent all sorts of things. But truthfully, as a member of the tech media I'm at least interested to see what they can do. The new iOS7 is supposed to be a drastic change in terms of design, meaning they'll be leaving behind those atrocious icons and textures that mimic leather bound notebooks and casino gaming tables. We're fans of good design and competitors pushing the industry forward - something Apple has done a time or two. Also, we love seeing how many new features they introduce that have been on Android from 2010. There will be reactions, more than likely. Stay tuned for those. Things with Apple kick off at 10AM Pacific. You'll need Safari, a Mac, or an iOS device to watch it.

At E3, the two heavyweights in the console game will both shed more light on everything they had not previously mentioned during their console unveilings of the XBOX One and PlayStation 4. We have already seen the XBOX One, so this may be more of a gaming showcase rather than hardware speak for Microsoft. Sony, on the other hand, failed to produce hardware at their PS4 announcement, so we at least have that to look forward to from them. Microsoft's live show at E3 runs from 9AM Pacific to 11:40AM, EA and Ubisoft will dominate the middle portion of the day, and Sony gets the last word starting at 5:20PM Pacific. All E3 keynotes can be watched here. Anything happening today that you are least a little excited or interested to see?

AT&T Follows Verizon's Lead, Changes Upgrade Cycle to 24 Months

Kellen — Sun, 09 Jun 2013 14:54:49 +0000

This beautiful Sunday afternoon, AT&T announced that they are joining Verizon by tweaking their upgrade policy to match the length of contract periods. Back in early April, we broke news on Verizon's change from 20-month upgrade cycles to 24-month cycles - AT&T will now follow the same time frame. This new policy "applies to any customer whose agreement expires in March 2014 or later." So if your contract ends prior to next March, you'll actually still be able to upgrade at the 20th month mark. Should your contract end next March or thereafter, you'll have to wait an additional four months. Of course, AT&T is making sure customers know all of their upgrade options. Things like sharing upgrades between lines, finding discounts with trade-ins of old phones, and bringing your own device is still allowed. They are also telling customers that after being on-contract for six months, that they may qualify for a partial discount off the full retail price of a phone. Here are the upgrade options going forward:

Purchase a subsidized device with a new two-year wireless agreement. You will be eligible to upgrade your device at the subsidized price after 24 months.
Share an upgrade. Share an upgrade with another person on your account provided it is within the same device category (e.g. phone to phone, tablet to tablet, etc.)
Early upgrades. Once you’ve completed six months or more of your Service Commitment, you qualify for partial discount off the full retail price when you sign a new two-year wireless agreement.
Trade-in. Take advantage of our trade in program. And, for a limited time, when you trade in your current smartphone (three years or newer and in good working condition), you could receive at least $100 off the purchase of a new smartphone.1
Purchase a device at full retail price. You can pay full retail price for a phone anytime without a two-year Service Commitment.
Bring your own device. You’re welcome to bring a compatible GSM-capable phone to AT&T and sign up for service without a Service Commitment.

So there you have it, the two biggest carriers in the country following similar patterns. First with shared data plans, now this. Thoughts? Via: AT&T

We Want to Keep You Company Over the Weekend

Tim — Fri, 07 Jun 2013 19:16:49 +0000

The weekend is finally here, which means it's time for you to catch up on The Droid Life Show. This week, we tackled episode 27, going through topics like Verizon's recently announced HTC One, Google's Nexus Experience program, our likes and dislikes of Android's new Gmail app, our thoughts on the rugged looks of the Galaxy S4 Active, topped off with this week's games and apps picks by our staff. It was another busy, yet laugh-filled show.

This Week in the Life of DROID: 6/7/2013

Tim — Fri, 07 Jun 2013 16:00:15 +0000

It was a busy week at the office, highlighted by Verizon's announcement of their very own HTC One, Samsung's unveiling of the Galaxy S4 Active, the arrival of Vine for Android and details on a mysterious Google Chromekey device. And if that isn't enough Android goodness for you, make sure to catch up with our staff on the Droid Life Show. Here are this week's highlights just in case you missed them.

Have a great weekend, everybody!

This May be the First Picture of the Samsung Galaxy S4 Zoom

Kellen — Fri, 07 Jun 2013 15:10:08 +0000

When Samsung released the Galaxy Camera last year, most of us wondered why they stopped short of making it a full-fledged smartphone. It had a massive HD display, quad-core processor, full-blown Android operating system, and a variety of other specs that made it better than most phones on the market, outside of the fact that it sported a 16MP rear camera (with 21x zoom). But whatever the reason was, it remained the first real Android smart-camera on the planet with no phone capabilities. So what did Samsung do as a follow-up, and to meet both camera and phone requirements? Created the device you are seeing picture above know as the Galaxy S4 Zoom. The Galaxy S4 Zoom will likely be on display at Samsung's Premiere event in London on June 20, alongside the Galaxy S4 Active and Mini. Rumored specs peg it as having a 1.6GHz dual-core processor, 4.3" qHD display, 16MP camera (the massive bulge on its backside), 8GB internal storage, microSD slot for expandable storage, a dedicated shutter button, and Android 4.2.2 with Samsung's TouchWiz. So unfortunately for those who were hoping to see a beast similar to the Galaxy Camera, it doesn't look like your prayers will be answered. If the rumored specs are true, this is a mid-range Android phone with a point-and-shoot lens attached to its backside. It's a nice concept, but those numbers don't exactly scream "top of the line." Via: SamMobile

Rumor: HTC T6 aka "One Max" to Launch Q3, Boasts 5.9" 1080p Display and Snapdragon 800 CPU

Tim — Fri, 07 Jun 2013 14:47:27 +0000

If you were hoping to see HTC send out a competitor to Samsung's upcoming Galaxy Note 3, then you might want to get a load of this. Above is a blueprint made by a non-HTC source, showing off an alleged device supposedly known internally as the T6 and soon to hit the market in Q3 as the One Max. The device will attempt to steal the Note 3's thunder, bringing with it a massive 5.9" 1080p display, powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon 800 processor clocked at 2.3GHz, currently labeled as the "dream CPU" for any mobile device. Beyond those two tantalizing specifications, it is rumored the device will come shipped with either Android 4.3 or Key Lime Pie, along with HTC's UltraPixel camera, a 3,300mAh battery, BoomSound speakers and a very thin bezel. According to the source, global release for the One Max is set for some time in Q3, right around when we can expect Samsung's new Note device, pitting the two head to head in a battle for all out phablet (sorry, boss) dominance. Please, let us know your thoughts down below. Via: Mobileaks

Is Google Creating a $35 HDMI Dongle Called Chromekey?

Kellen — Fri, 07 Jun 2013 13:51:27 +0000

The week leading up to Google I/O, we received a tip that mentioned the possibility of Google announcing a product called Chromekey. At the time, we thought this was going to be an HDMI-style dongle that could plug in to any monitor or TV in order to make Chrome OS accessible on any screen at a low price point. While we still believe there is an HDMI-style dongle in the works called Chromekey, new information points towards it being more of a receiver, that can interact with your smartphone, tablet, or computer to extend not only a Chrome experience, but also streaming video and other content to your TV. Let's talk about what we think we know.

What exactly is Chromekey?

Chromekey is an HDMI dongle that can plugin to a TV or monitor and then display mirrored content from a smartphone, tablet, or computer. It allows you to put a Chrome browser onto a big screen, or stream videos and access other apps from smaller screens to your TV.

How does it work?

In order to use Chromekey, you'll need to have an open HDMI port on your TV. Once connected to your TV, it's powered by a USB cable (plugs into TV or AC adapter), attaches to your local WiFi network, updates automatically to new software, and is an extension of the content you consume on your other devices. You will be able to "CAST" the Chrome browser from your phone, tablet, or computer to your TV so that you can enjoy the full internet on any display. But beyond just Chrome, the Chromekey will allow you to mirror content from YouTube, Google Play, and Netflix directly to your TV. You could even pull up sites like Hulu, ABC, Google Maps, or other video sites. It is our understanding that Google Chrome will receive an update in the near future that will allow it to mirror itself to other screens (so be on the lookout for that). We would also assume that an update to the mobile versions will include a "CAST" icon that when pressed, turns blue to let you know that you are connected to a TV. This is likely similar to what you see with the YouTube app currently. So that also means that future apps could have "CAST" support built in, that would allow you to mirror them to your TV with the press of a button.

What are the specs?

The specs won't blow you away by any means, but since it's more of a receiver than a powerhouse computer, you shouldn't expect them to. We're looking at an HDMI plug, a single core processor, 2GB of storage, 512MB of RAM, 802.11 b/g/n WiFi, VP8 (Chrome mirroring), CEC compatibility, video resolution at 1080p, and is powered by USB (or an adapter).

Availability and price?

According to sources, the Chromkey will launch for $35 on Google Play, at Best Buy (both online and in stores), and through Amazon. For a limited time, Google may even offer free shipping should you pre-order the device. Still no word on a launch date, but it sounds as if it could be ready in the "coming months." That's not much of an exact time frame, and we were sort of expecting to see this at I/O and didn't, so it's anyone's guess at this point. Interested in a product like this? At that price point, it seems like a product you would want a couple of, to attach to every TV in your house.

Google's Larry Page Responds With "What the...?" to Reports of Government PRISM Program

Kellen — Fri, 07 Jun 2013 13:22:04 +0000

After word snuck out yesterday morning of a government program called PRISM, which allegedly allows the NSA and FBI to have back-door access to information from some of the world's leading internet companies, we have seen leaders from both Facebook and Apple come out to deny that they have any knowledge of such a program. But what about Google? Any chance they have joined this super secret PRISM program and are handing over your life to the government? According to CEO Larry Page and CLO David Drummond, that is not the case at all. In fact, in a post through the official Google blog that went up moments ago, Larry Page started off the conversation with, "What the...?" The two make it clear that they "have not joined any program that would give the U.S. government direct access" to their servers. Like most of the world, they had not heard of PRISM until yesterday. Again, there is no direct access or back-door into their data centers. Second, they only provide user data to governments in accordance with the law. But even when information is requested, they still review each and every request, and "frequently" push back when requests are "overly broad." Last, reports of PRISM and the secret data gathering techniques of the government are another confirmation to Google that "there needs to be a more transparent approach." Google does as much as they can to be open about data requests that they receive. Ugh. Via: Google

Fruit Ninja Receives Massive Update - Brings New Blades, Multiplayer and Gutsu's Cart

Tim — Fri, 07 Jun 2013 13:01:32 +0000

Well, if you are still playing Fruit Ninja (hello, 2010!), go grab the newest update for Android. It brings a massive list of new goodies, including new blades to slice up your fruit salad, the pomegranate (which is supposed to mean something, but I don't know what), as well as local multiplayer for select devices. To check out the full list of additions, look right below. What's New:

Gutsu’s Cart
Starfruit
Bomb Deflects
Berry Blasts
Peachy Time
The pomegranate
Tablet support
Local multiplayer
8 new blades
7 backgrounds

You better go grab it before it rots. Play Link Cheers Mike!

Verizon Galaxy S4 Receives ROM Manager Support Thanks to Loki Patch

Tim — Fri, 07 Jun 2013 11:15:37 +0000

Thanks to all of the hard work that developers have been pumping into the CDMA version of the Galaxy S4 from Samsung, root lovers and hackers alike can now flash the biggest name in custom recoveries, ClockworkMod Recovery right through ROM Manager. Koush's RM application, which was recently updated to support the Loki patch for the Galaxy S4 on Verizon, allows users to flash a custom recovery right through the app's interface, clear data/cache, flash ROMs and a ton of other fun stuff that only true Android aficionados would even think about. Previously, CWM would need to be flashed via alternative modes, given Verizon locked down the S4's bootloader pretty tight, disallowing app's such as Rom Manager to work. If you have already rooted your VZW Galaxy S4, go ahead and download ROM Manager from Google Play and then flash the recovery right from there. Play Link Cheers Jack!

Grab the $16 Next Launcher 3D App for Free Today With This Trick

Tim — Fri, 07 Jun 2013 10:00:40 +0000

Next Launcher 3D is one of the more highly priced 3rd party launchers for Android, but with today's little trick, you can get the $16 powerhouse for free. The launcher features crazy 3D effects, turning any device you own into a futuristic Tron-centric trip. With additional themes and custom widgets downloadable from Google Play, it's an extensive and extremely comprehensive option for someone looking to spice up their device. To grab the full edition of the launcher, follow these instructions pulled from Slick Deals.

First install the "lite" version from Google Play, then once you have it installed and running as your current launcher, go into the Menu (the furthest right icon in the dock, 3 vertical dots) and go into Preferences. Go into "About the Full Version", then choose "Activate" button (it may appear grayed out but just press it) and enter: "nextlauncher3d" as the account and "appoftheday" as the code. Enjoy.

It's that simple! Play Link [youtube]http://youtu.be/RNWMMEBgSu4[/youtube] Via: Slick Deals Cheers Jeff!

GameStick E3 Trailer Hits the Web, Features Nerdy Ninja Romance

Tim — Fri, 07 Jun 2013 09:25:51 +0000

The Kickstarter project GameStick has come a long way since its day of raising money on the crowdsourcing site. The device is set to hit retailers this year and with E3 right around the corner, what better time to drop a trailer for it. The device is an HDMI stick, which you then stick into a port, basically turning whatever display you use into a gaming system. The stick fits perfectly into the back of the specially designed controller, allowing anyone to be a top-notch mobile gamer. Think of it as OUYA, but way more portable. The trailer is pretty cute - a young girl sneaks her way into a movie theater before it closes, then plugs in her GameStick after the lights go out. She then has an Android-powered gaming system on a huge screen, but watch out for the usher! Luckily the two are gaming nerds and quickly fall in love. Yep, that's a real life scenario. Waiting to get your hands on that GameStick? [youtube]http://youtu.be/6bkuD3uXdlE[/youtube]

Confirmed: Cats Hate Balancing on Alleged Sony Phablets

Tim — Fri, 07 Jun 2013 09:00:39 +0000

Check your calendars, is it April Fools? It's not? Well, what else could explain this mystery. Pictured above is a kitten, balancing on supposedly the upcoming Sony mega device titled, the Togari. The Togari, which we have seen pictured once before, is reported to feature a whopping 6.44-inch Triluminous 1080p display, a 2.3GHz Snapdragon 800 processor and other high-end specifications. According to the site that released the above photo, the device measures in at 6.5mm thin, which looks about right if we compare it to the size of that small kitten. As much as this photo offers up, it really only leaves us with more questions. No details are currently out on the cat's specs. Via: VR-Zone | Phone Arena

Sony Xperia Z Will Offer the Closest Thing to a True "Nexus Experience" Should It Launch

Kellen — Fri, 07 Jun 2013 08:32:46 +0000

Is Sony preparing to launch their flagship Xperia Z as a "Nexus experience" device through Google Play along with HTC and Samsung? According to two reports this week, that is indeed the case. Both reports claim that it will arrive this summer, though one mentioned July as a possibility. Like the "Nexus experience" devices from Samsung and HTC, the Xperia Z will also be sold through Google Play, run stock Android, receive updates in a timely manner just like both of those devices, and will run on AT&T and T-Mobile networks here in the U.S. For those who had forgotten about the Xperia Z, the device still sports high-end specs even though it has fallen off of U.S. radar thanks to a lack of a presence on any major carrier here. With its Snapdragon S4 Pro quad-core processor, Adreno 320 GPU, 2GB RAM, 5-inch 1080p display, 13MP camera, microSD slot for expandable storage, water-resistant body, and LTE capabilities, it's no slouch. Also, keep in mind that the Xperia Z is the only device of the three "Nexus experience" phones that has on-screen navigation buttons, so it'll give you the closest thing to a Nexus experience than any of them. We're talking quick Google Now access with a swipe up from home, and the traditional Back, Home and Task Switcher navigation setup. This video demonstrates what the experience will potentially be like.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=74_1nB_Z1Hw[/youtube]

No word yet on pricing, but since the phone is slightly older than the others, I would love to see it drop in under $500. I doubt that'll happen though. Anyone interested in the Xperia Z as a "Nexus experience" device? Via: Android Geeks | Android Central Cheers LiterofCola!

[Deal] HTC One 32GB Plus Beats Pill Speaker for $99 From AT&T

Kellen — Fri, 07 Jun 2013 08:14:28 +0000

Talk about a deal, AT&T is currently hosting a package that includes the HTC One (in either black or silver) plus a Beats Pill Bluetooth speaker for a combined $99. The phone itself typically runs $199 on contract, while the speaker is also $199. So for $300 less than what you would buy them for individually, you can have them together. Not bad, right? Oh, you also get to choose between four different colors with the speaker (pink, black, red, or white). Now, keep in mind that you have to sign a new 2-year contract with AT&T. But at this point, you already understand that if you want to get cheap deals on phones. It's not like HTC and AT&T are going to sell you one of the hottest phones of the year without a contract for $99. If you were in the market for a new phone though, and an AT&T subscriber, this has got to grab your attention. You probably have read it already, but our HTC One review will certainly help you with your decision. Update: Annnnnd, out of stock. Via: AT&T

Evernote, Chrome Beta, Falcon Pro, and DashClock All Receive Updates

Kellen — Thu, 06 Jun 2013 15:53:44 +0000

The day was filled with app updates for some of our favorite apps, with the biggest probably coming from Evernote. The popular note-taking app received its "most requested feature of all time," Reminders. Users can finally add reminders to notes, set alarms, and pin notes to the top of note lists, so that their lives can either feel complete or on the verge of becoming complete at all times. The Evernote update also improved copy and paste, corrected photo orders, improved shortcuts, and improved Japanese support.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FoTVN9HbsLM[/youtube]

But like I said, Evernote wasn't the only app to receive an update. Falcon Pro pushed out multi-account support (was previously in beta), improved the look with a flatter UI, introduced a black theme, added column swiping, and transition animations. It's a solid update that beta testers have been enjoying for a few days. Chrome Beta received an update as well, along with DashClock. Neither are significant, but wanted to make you aware. The changelogs for each app are included below. Evernote:

Reminder: 3 features in 1

Alarms: Set due date and notifications for your notes

Note based to-dos: Mark notes as done

Pin notes: Order Reminder manually or by date

More Reminders features

Create Reminders in any note view and note composer

View Reminders by notebook

Subscribe to Reminders in Shared and Business Notebooks

Other improvements

Improved copy/paste in note view

Corrected photo order in multi-shot camera

Improved shortcuts functionality

Improved Japanese support

Chrome Beta (fixes):

247034: Dangerous download infobar is shown for almost every download

244052: PDF file isn't downloading with Flywheel enabled

178893: Multiple new tabs links displayed in tab history when tapping on NTP tabs

Falcon Pro:

NEW : Multi Account Support

NEW : Flat design UI

NEW : Black Theme

NEW : Option to Swipe between columns (Android 3+)

NEW : Transition animations (Android 3+)

Bugfixes and improvements

DashClock:

NEW! Translations for Greek, Dutch and Brazilian Portuguese

Calendar extension now shows the current appointment if it started in the past 5 minutes

Fixed a few issues related to all-day events

Fixed a couple crashes

Play Links: Evernote | Chrome Beta | Falcon Pro | DashClock

Man of Steel Game Launches for Android June 14, Here's the Trailer in the Mean Time

Tim — Thu, 06 Jun 2013 15:13:32 +0000

[youtube]http://youtu.be/_6DIaa-0YJk[/youtube]

While I remain optimistic about the feature film, you had to have known there would be a mobile game to come with Warner Bro's upcoming Man of Steel. In the game, you'll play as none other than Superman himself, fighting to protect the world and people he loves. Phosphor Studios looks to be in charge of creating the title, so you can expect some gesture-based hand to hand combat, as well as some pretty good graphics. No word on pricing, but when the game drops on June 14, we will be sure to let you know! Cheers Brian!

Recent Poll Shows Americans Really Like Google, 83% Give Favorable Opinions

Tim — Thu, 06 Jun 2013 14:05:09 +0000

According to a recent poll done by The Washington Post, a whopping 83% of one thousand Americans questioned have favorable opinions of Google, approximately 10% more than that of Apple and more than 20% over Facebook. Interestingly enough, Apple's number took a big dive from last year's figures in the crucial 30 and under age range, dropping from 81% for favorable opinions down to nearly 70%. How those numbers will change once they actually start releasing products again is yet to be determined. Polls like this are somewhat interesting, but we do wish more detail was thrown in, possibly to give more insight into why people are liking Google so much. What has Apple done to deserve such a drop in approval? We would like to think that Google's success among the average American is part in thanks to Android and its growth rate, but it's unknown. Given this is an Android blog, we assume most of you approve of Google and think highly of the company, but is there anything about Google you don't necessarily care for? Something you wish they would do different? Feel free to weigh in down below. Via: BGR | Washington Post

Samsung Galaxy S4 Wireless Charging Kit Now Available for $90

Kellen — Thu, 06 Jun 2013 13:40:32 +0000

The Samsung Galaxy S4 wireless charging kit is now available directly through Samsung's accessory store. Should you choose to make charging on your GS4 "hassle free," be prepared to shell out $90. In order to become a wireless charging machine, the Galaxy S4 needs both a charging cover (battery cover replacement) and the charging pad (pictured above). The back cover runs $39.99, while the pad will cost $49.99. If there is one added bonus to the charging pad, it's the fact that it should work with all Qi-certified wireless charging products, so you could get some additional use out of it. We've got links to Samsung's site below for those who are interested.

Samsung Links: Wireless Charging Cover | Wireless Charging Pad The combined kit is also available in the DL Accessory Store for $89.95. Yes, that will save you 3 cents.

Facebook Home Updated With Dock Feature, Assuming You Can Install It

Tim — Thu, 06 Jun 2013 12:22:02 +0000

Today, Facebook is pushing out an update to Facebook Home, bringing a brand new dock feature, which will allow people to easily select which apps they would like to access more quickly from the homescreen. That's all fine and dandy, but when we went to try out the lastest update, we found pretty much all previously supported devices, including the previously supported HTC One and Galaxy S4, are no longer compatible. What's up with that? This could be just a small bug that will go away and compatibility will be restored, but until then, pretty much anyone wanting try out the update will be out of luck unless you are running a Galaxy S3. Another scenario is that since this update takes place through the Facebook app and staged rollouts are seemingly all the rage with developers, compatibility is not there since the official update has not yet completed roll out on all devices. In addition to the added dock, which we can't test out, users can decide privacy settings for new posts, add multiple photos to a single message and there are added stability fixes. If you want to try and go check it out, hit up the Play links below. Play Links: Facebook | Facebook Home

Relive the Glory Days and Turn Your Galaxy S4 Into the Ultimate Slider With This Bluetooth Slideout Keyboard

Kellen — Thu, 06 Jun 2013 12:07:45 +0000

The death of the physical keyboard on smartphones happened a couple of years ago (someone tell Blackberry), but that doesn't mean there aren't those who would give a left...arm...to relive the days of click-clacking away on some chicklets. For those who match that description, I'm pleased to present to you a Bluetooth slideout keyboard for the newly released Samsung Galaxy S4. Look at that beauty. They keyboard connects to your phone via Bluetooth, holds its own 280mAh battery, can be switched off or on to preserve that battery, features an LED back light to allow you to type in the dark, and can even tilt to give you the ultimate viewing angle for watching videos or replying to emails. From the pictures, it looks like you have to drop your Galaxy S4 into a case that then attaches to the keyboard. Once attached, you can slide the keyboard in and out just like you did during the glory days of the OG DROID. Should you need to take a picture, the device (in its case) pops off to unblock the lens. Brilliant, right? Who wants one? Oh, it retails for $80 from a wholesaler called Hypercel. Maybe that's the reason this ended up in our spam folder.

Via: Hypercel

Flixster Updated on Android With New Navigation Drawer

Kellen — Thu, 06 Jun 2013 11:24:23 +0000

Flixster, probably my favorite movie listing app on Android, received an update this morning that gives it the new slideout navigation drawer that has become an Android design guideline standard over the last month or so. The app used to employ a paneled or tabbed UI, but with the navigation drawer, you no longer have a row of tabs taking up precious screen real estate. A simple swipe from the left side of the app gives you options for Box Office, Theaters, and DVD. You can also login to your account this way. The update is technically live, but Flixster appears to joined the staged rollout of updates party that Google has hosted since I/O, so there is no telling when everyone will have access to it. Play Link Cheers Damian!

First Public Beta Builds for Paranoid Android With Halo Baked in are Up

Tim — Thu, 06 Jun 2013 10:43:59 +0000

Running those alpha builds of Paranoid Android with Halo? You will be happy to hear that the first beta builds are now hitting servers, bringing enhanced stability, while also ridding the ROM of the "jank" found therein. Away with the jank, I say! If you are unfamiliar with PA and the Halo feature, think of it as Facebook's ChatHeads, but for any app you have installed. You can control apps from the little pop-up windows that appear as notifications come rolling in, essentially allowing one's self to operate their device from a single Halo. You can check our previous coverage and hands on with it to get a better sense of how it works. For downloads of the newest beta, currently only mako builds are up as others populate the servers, go here. Via: +Paranoid Android

[Deal] 1SaleADay Hosting Galaxy Flash Sale: Galaxy S4 Unlocked for $599, Galaxy Note 2 for $499, and Galaxy S3 for $409

Kellen — Thu, 06 Jun 2013 10:05:30 +0000

Daily deal site 1SaleADay is currently hosting a flash sale on a number of smartphones, three of which are Samsung's latest flagship devices including the Galaxy S4. But if the newest from Samsung isn't on your radar, they also have the Galaxy S3 and Galaxy Note 2 at decent prices. All of the phones being sold are unlocked and likely compatible with AT&T and T-Mobile, though the supported frequencies are surprisingly unlisted. The Galaxy S4 with 16GB of storage can be had for $599, which is at least $50 cheaper than you will find at most unlocked phone resellers. The Galaxy Note 2 is available for $499, while the Galaxy S3 drops in at $409. Again, all phones are unlocked, come in retail packaging, and are brand new. In order to access the flash sale, you will have to register an account with 1SaleAday - apologies. Via: 1SaleADay Cheers Joshua!

International Samsung Galaxy S4 Getting Update, Brings Apps-to-SD and HDR Video

Tim — Thu, 06 Jun 2013 09:45:15 +0000

With an update weighing in at 370MB, Samsung is doing some mildly big things with the Galaxy S4 software. The update is being listed primarily as a stability update, but there are a few bumps in the camera firmware, the addition of apps-to-SD functionality, ability to capture HDR video, as well as Samsung trying to cut back on how much storage the overall system uses up. Remember how that's kind of a big deal? It might only be about a tenth of a gig, but hey, that's certainly better than them taking even more. Another addition in the update is that Samsung has made the status bar fully transparent, as it should be, but there was a small bug that wasn't allowing for that to happen. Beyond that, not much is listed, meaning it really must have been a lot of behind the scenes work by Sammy. If the international variant is receiving this update, it's likely that American units could see a similar update sometime in the future. Via: All About Samsung | SamMobile

[Deal] Cerberus Lifetime License is Free Today From AppGratis

Kellen — Thu, 06 Jun 2013 09:15:44 +0000

If mobile protection on your smartphone has not been a point of focus thus far in your life, today might be a day to consider looking into it. Thanks to a deal on AppGratis, a daily app sale site, Cerberus with a lifetime license can be had for...free. The lifetime license typically runs around $4, so this is your chance to save some cash and get your device mobile theft protection. The deal is only for new user accounts though, so if you have already have a Cerberus account, you may be out of luck. For those not familiar, Cerberus provides protection for your phone should you lose it or if someone were to steal it. Once installed on your device, you can track your phone's location, tell it to sound an alarm, wipe the storage, lock the device, record audio through its mic, get a list of calls made or received, and more, all through a web interface. There are also options to remotely control it via text messages or receive notifications should someone try to swap out the SIM card. Cerberus is one of those apps that you may as well install and then forget about. You won't necessarily need to open the app after initial setup, unless your phone is stolen, of course. To get the deal, head to the AppGratis link below, click the "Download" button which directs you to Google Play, and then install it. Once installed, all you have to do is setup a new account and your lifetime license will be issued. Via: AppGratis | reddit Cheers Anthony!

Nexus Binaries Now Support JDQ39 to JDQ39E, Which is Still Android 4.2.2

Kellen — Thu, 06 Jun 2013 09:05:50 +0000

Thought we should point out that this morning, Google updated the Nexus binaries page to show that Android 4.2.2 binaries now support JDQ39 to JDQ39E. For those not familiar, JDQ39E is the newest build of Android 4.2.2 that was pushed to AOSP back in April. It's nothing major when compared to JDQ39, and who knows if we'll ever even see it as an update. Our sights are still set on Android 4.3 for the time being. Via: Google Developers

Gameloft Posts Upcoming Modern Combat 5 Trailer Ahead of E3

Tim — Thu, 06 Jun 2013 08:40:33 +0000

[youtube]http://youtu.be/zjz614QVyfQ[/youtube]

With E3 right around the corner, game makers are putting their best foot forward with awesome game trailers for their upcoming titles. Gameloft, being one of the largest mobile game publishers, is no different and is now teasing their next huge game, Modern Combat 5. Much like the rest of the MC series, you have two opposing forces, fighting to either end America's awesome freedoms or flighting to end terrorism. Without getting into the plot too much, the graphics do look quite rich, so this should be another balls to the wall FPS game. What was interesting is the currently top-rated comment on the video stating, "this is why I need NVIDIA SHIELD." With games like Modern Combat and other controller-intense titles, that guy has a good point.

Blackberry Messenger Coming to Android on June 27 (Updated)

Kellen — Thu, 06 Jun 2013 08:26:49 +0000

According to T-Mobile UK, Blackberry Messenger (BBM) will arrive on Android and iOS on June 27. Blackberry announced in mid-May that their popular messaging service would turn into a cross-platform messaging client, but would only offer up a release time frame of "this summer." We know that the app will have groups and voice chat, screen share and all that jazz at some point, plus it should work on anything Android 4.0 and above. So you now have only a couple of weeks to wait before the app you wanted 4 years ago, is finally available. And is that the first look at it, in the picture above? Eww? The question remains though, does anyone care? We now have Hangouts. We have WhatsApp. We have Chat Heads. We have [insert a dozen other cross platform chat apps]. Update: According to Crackberry, who spoke with a Blackberry rep, the June 27 date for BBM is not entirely accurate:

On May 14th, BlackBerry announced plans to make its ground-breaking mobile social network, BlackBerry Messenger (BBM), available to iOS and Android users this summer, subject to approval by the Apple App Store and Google Play. While there have been reports that BBM will be available to iOS and Android on June 27th, this is not accurate. We will communicate an update as soon as we have an availability date to share.

Via: T-Mobile UK

Verizon Forced to Hand Over Millions of Phone Records to NSA

Kellen — Thu, 06 Jun 2013 07:34:26 +0000

In a court order obtained and then published last night by the Guardian, we now know that Verizon has been asked to hand over millions of phone records on a daily and ongoing basis to the NSA (National Security Agency). As you can imagine after reading that first sentence, people are not exactly excited about their information being handed out in secret, without their knowledge. As that report gained steam, the Obama administration went ahead and issued a statement this morning to try and calm the public outcry, though I'm not sure it will help at this point. According to the order, Verizon has been asked to hand over numbers of both parties on phone calls, along with location data, call duration, unique identifiers, and the time and duration of all calls. The information being given to the NSA does not include the contents of these messages nor does it contain personal information of Verizon's subscribers or any other cell number. The information is being referred to as "metadata," and could include calls domestically and internationally. In the statement this morning, the Obama administration claims that this is "a critical tool in protecting the nation from terrorist threats to the United States," and that "it allows counter-terrorism personnel to discover whether known or suspected terrorists have been in contact with other persons who may be engaged in terrorist activities, particularly people located inside the United States." According to the Guardian, this order gives the government "unlimited authority to obtain the data for a specified three-month period ending on July 19." It also expressly bars Verizon from disclosing to the public either the existence of the FBI's request for its customers' records, or the court order itself. The Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court (Fisa) granted the order to the FBI on April 25. It's unclear at this point if there are similar orders for AT&T, Sprint, T-Mobile or any other U.S. carrier. There is obviously a fine line being walked here. If there are no identifiers in the information being gathered, and it is a "critical" tool in counter-terrorism, there are going to be supporters of this type of secret information gathering. But then again, we are talking about your information, my information, being gathered without our knowledge. Privacy concerns are the topic here. This one is going to be in the news for a while, so we'd love to hear your opinions on it. You can read the entire court order below. Via: Guardian [Court order document] | Reuters Cheers Mike, Michael and Randy!

The Droid Life Show: Episode 27

Kellen — Thu, 06 Jun 2013 00:38:24 +0000

It's that time again, time for the DL crew to join forces live on air and produce another episode of the Droid Life Show. It's episode 27 tonight! Topics will include the new Gmail, more thoughts on the "Nexus experience" program, confirmation from Verizon that they are indeed carrying the HTC One, Vine for Android, the lack of an Android 4.3 release, and more. Be sure to join live! If you can't, there are plenty of ways to subscribe to the fun. The show kicks off around 6:00PM Pacific (9:00PM Eastern). A live video broadcast and chat are embedded below.

Subscribe | iTunes | Show Page

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8GYBCOCQqG4[/youtube]

Droid Life Show Episode 27 is Live Tonight at 6PM Pacific!

Kellen — Wed, 05 Jun 2013 21:15:01 +0000

The Droid Life Show returns this week with episode 27. While big news has been few and far between, we still have some big topics to cover like Verizon finally confirming that they will carry the HTC One. We also want to talk about staged rollouts of apps, the all-new Gmail for Android, if you are using Vine, our instant fascination with the Galaxy S4 Active, Fleksy the keyboard, additional thoughts on the new "Nexus experience" program, and more. We're still waiting for Android 4.3 and new hardware from Motorola and Google, but that doesn't mean we won't have a packed show. Be sure to join us live! The show begins at 6:00PM Pacific (9:00PM Eastern). We’ll have live video and chat embeds at that time.

Subscribe | iTunes | Show Page

Thoughts on the New Gmail for Android

Kellen — Wed, 05 Jun 2013 15:55:10 +0000

Well, now that it's rolling out to everyone are you fans of the new Gmail for Android? The app itself is a mix of new and old, in terms of functionality and looks. Gone is the bottom action bar, in is a new top action bar. The pulldown menu for switching accounts or accessing different labels or inboxes is gone, in is a new slideout side navigation drawer. There are massive colored icons for contacts that default to big letters if you don't have the sender as a contact, account switching has changed slightly, and you may need to tell Gmail to show either Archive or Delete buttons depending on your preference. It's a pretty big change, while not being that big of a change - if that makes sense. After spending the past few days with the new layout, I can say this - it's a welcomed update, but there are tweaks that I'd love to see happen soon. First, the slideout navigation drawer is essentially the previous dropdown menu moved to the side. That's both a good and bad thing. On a good note, it's much easier to access with one hand since you can swipe from the edge of your device to reveal it and not have to stretch to reach the top corner. It also shows your recently used labels, which came in handy over the weekend as I traveled and use a "Travel" label quite often. On a negative note, the top half of the drawer is dominated by my five different email accounts. While I hate to continue to compare this to the iOS version, at least the iOS version hides your other accounts in separate drop down in the navigation drawer. So when you swipe over on iOS, you get to see your current account along with all of the labels and inboxes under that account. If you you want to switch accounts, you can tap a down arrow, which opens up a tab with your various accounts. I would love, love, love to be able to hide my other accounts unless needing to access them at the moment.

The Gmail inbox after the update now includes big, square contact cards next to each email received. On one hand, this adds some much needed color to a pretty boringly grey app, but on the other, one could argue that these massive icons take up useful space on small screens. Couple the space hogging with the fact that these icons revert to giant colored squares with the first letter of the sender's name centered should you not have them in your contacts, and you get a confusing and unnecessary experience. Sure, the contact icon idea works in principle, assuming you have every single person that emails you in your contacts, but the likelihood of that being the case is probably pretty low. For me, I'm left with an entire inbox full of colored letters. Thankfully, you can turn them off if you want. Actually, it would be nice to have it show icons for those in your contacts, and either default to an image of your choosing or hide completely if the sender isn't one of your contacts.

With the new update, the bottom action bar has now been moved up to the top. I'm sure this was done to create a more consistent experience across devices (like tablets) and to meet Android design guidelines, but you are now forced to reach up to the top of your phone to delete, archive, make an email unread, etc. This may be a personal preference, but I much prefer the action bar on the bottom of apps like Gmail, where you are constantly needing to access action bar buttons. Phones are only getting bigger, causing one-handed use to become a dinosaur. Last, we need more control over almost all of the stuff that Google tweaked in this app. For example, the "Labels" button is now gone when you are in an email or the main inbox. Google decided that you probably like using ~~Folders~~ the "Move To" button over labels, so they hid the "Labels" button in the action overflow and replaced it. That sucks for someone like me who has never used the ~~Folders~~ "Move To" button in his life. I should be able to customize the action bar buttons or at least choose Labels over ~~Folders~~ "Move To." Edit: So clearly I've never actually touched the icon that looks like a folder because there was always an icon next to or in its place that was for moving things to Labels. It's now obvious that you can just tap the folder icon and "move to" specific Labels, but someone explain the point in having both Move To and Labels buttons (like in the web Gmail)? That's just confusing in and of itself. Plus, if you hit the action overflow button, there is an option to "Change Labels." Either way, this is another change that was made that we should be allowed to control. And on that note, your Delete or Archive buttons need to be tweaked in the general settings. Depending on the setting you left off from in the old Gmail, there is a chance that you will see only a Delete or Archive button, not both. You can tell it to show both though, the option just has to be manually set. Oh, almost forgot to mention that you can pull-to-refresh now, which is awesome. Again, overall I like what was introduced with the new Gmail app as a general theme, but there are definitely some changes I would like to see. Your thoughts?

Stock Official Google Keyboard Arrives on Google Play

Kellen — Wed, 05 Jun 2013 14:35:25 +0000

The stock Google Keyboard is now an official Android app that can be installed for free through Google Play. This is the same keyboard that was introduced with Jelly Bean (Android 4.2), that includes Gesture typing, a way to swipe from letter-to-letter to spell out words. It should also actively predict words on-screen as you gesture between letters, making this one of the smartest keyboards you'll use. After spending tons of time with it on my Nexus 4 over the last few months, I can tell you that this new 4.2 keyboard has been one of my favorites to use. This is a great day for keyboard enthusiasts. So for those of you without a stock Android device (like the Galaxy S4 or HTC One), this is your chance to get in on the action. It also works great on tablets. Once you install and open for the first time, Google will walk you through a tutorial to enable it. Play Link Update: The Android Google+ page has now announced the release of the Google Keyboard. We should point out that this is for Android 4.0+ devices. Cheers Justin!

Minecraft Pocket Edition Updated to Version 7.0 - Brings Chat, Smooth Lighting, More

Tim — Wed, 05 Jun 2013 13:40:30 +0000

Crafters of mine can go through Google Play and pick up the newest version 7.0 update for Minecraft: Pocket Edition. Inside, players can now chat (hooray for being social!), play with fire, craft buckets (although you may not be able to pick up water, so that's pointless), spawn eggs and even make yourself a cake. Oh my, how this game has evolved from what it used to be. What's New:

Alpha of Realms servers
Buckets
Fire
Smooth lighting
Spawn eggs
Chat
Egg, milk and cake
Connecting players inventory is now saved on server
New menus

If you have yet to make yourself a new world, then get on it! Play Link ($6.99)

Google Hangouts Updates on Android With Improvements, New Gmail Finally Rolls Out to Everyone

Kellen — Wed, 05 Jun 2013 12:10:28 +0000

So Google does this ~~really annoying~~ thing now with app updates, where it slowly rolls them out rather than posting the newest build and letting everyone go grab it. We saw it with the new Gmail once it went live on Monday, and are seeing it today with Hangouts. Gmail's big overhaul went live two days ago, but is now just becoming available to everyone this morning. So if you didn't download and install it manually, be sure to check your device or head into the web Google Play store and install it. For Hangouts, it also received an update, at least according to the Play listing for it. The update fixes audio issues during video calls and improves performance - it's minor. But, you probably can't download it because Google is slowly rolling it out. If you are in the lucky group, be sure to let us know how amazing the new performance is. The rest of us will sit here, annoyed. Play Links: Hangouts | Gmail Cheers Dan!

New Dead Trigger 2 Trailer Shows Off the Tegra 4 Enhanced Environments

Tim — Wed, 05 Jun 2013 11:45:02 +0000

Madfinger released a new trailer this morning for their upcoming release, Dead Trigger 2, showcasing the work they have been doing with NVIDIA's fancy new Tegra 4 processor. Thanks to the Tegra 4, game developers have been able to greatly enhance the environments and graphics that players see as they make their way through various feature-rich levels killing hordes of zombies. Moving aside from the graphics, the game itself is looking pretty great. Your basic zombie shoot 'em up, but Madfinger has a way of really getting you into the nitty gritty action. The game is scheduled for a Summer release, so keep on the look out. [youtube]http://youtu.be/u_tQnK6-NAY[/youtube]

Nova Launcher and Sliding Messaging Open Up Official Beta Testing Through Google+

Kellen — Wed, 05 Jun 2013 11:29:43 +0000

During the Google I/O keynote last month, Google announced that official beta testing of Android apps was being introduced to developers who were interested in getting new versions of their apps out to early adopters who were willing to test them and provide feedback. We have already seen test groups start for apps like DashClock, Falcon Pro, and Fleksy. Today, two more incredibly popular apps join the trend, Nova Launcher and Sliding Messaging. Just like with the previous test groups, you have to join the Google+ Community for each app and then opt-in to testing before you can download new releases from Google Play before they roll out to the public. If you want to get the newest features of apps, beta test groups are the best ways to do it. Keep in mind that should you decide you no longer want to be a part of the beta test group and would like to receive stable releases only, you can opt-out at any time. Community Links: Nova Launcher | Sliding Messaging Cheers Brad!

Show Off Your Home Screens Day!

Kellen — Wed, 05 Jun 2013 10:43:41 +0000

I hope your home screens have been beautified, because it's time for another "Show Off Your Home Screens!" day. The last time we ran this regular feature was in November, so as the seasons have changed and new icon packs and clock themes have come to light, we're guessing there are some gems out there that are dying to be shown off. You ready to show off yours? For those new to this process, what we ask is that you take a screenshot of your home screen setup (as many screens as you'd like), then upload the image files to an image hosting site (imgur for example), and then paste the direct image URL (likely ends in .png or .jpg) into the comments. That way, the entire DL community can easily click to see your creations. But also, along with your images, be sure to list out your setup (icon pack, wallpapers, widgets, launcher, etc.). Assuming you have a work of art on your home screen, people are going to want to know how to replicate it. Let's do this!

As you can tell, we both still roll with the ultimate minimal setups. I actually only use two home screens - one for my main apps and clock (pictured), along with one to the right that features my calendar and Google Search. It's a setup I have used for two years now and seem to be able to get things done on with ease. My setup (left):

Nova Launcher (Play Link)
flatro icon pack (Play Link)
UCCW clock widget (Play Link)
Minimal UCCW Clock skin (Play Link)
Wallpaper from Stark Icon pack (Play Link)
HTC First nav buttons from Soft Keyz (Play Link)

Tim's setup (right):

Nova Launcher (Play Link)
Stark icon pack (Play Link) by kovdev.
Light Wallpaper - Link

AT&T Lighting Up Big List of New 4G LTE Markets

Tim — Wed, 05 Jun 2013 09:39:28 +0000

AT&T customers that have a 4G LTE capable device living in the below-listed cities are about to experience data speeds like never before. Ranging from Florida to Washington state, AT&T is clearly expediting the roll out of their 4G LTE coverage, staying way ahead of the curve in front of Sprint and T-Mobile's LTE coverage. Sure, it's not Verizon's footprint, but according to recent studies, AT&T's LTE speed dominates them all. New Markets:

Blytheville, Arkansas
Spokane , Washington
Olympia, Washington
Heber, Utah
Williamsport , Pennsylvania
Vineland , New Jersey
Wooster, Ohio
Farmington, NM
Miami, Oklahoma
Muskegon, Michigan
Fort Wayne , Indiana
Columbus, Indiana
Pocatello, Idaho
Idaho Falls , Idaho
Clewiston, Florida
Colorado Springs, Colorado
Forrest City , Arkansas
Batesville, Arkansas

Via: AT&T

Someone Got Their Hands on an HTC One Mini, Posts Up a Full Gallery

Tim — Wed, 05 Jun 2013 08:48:11 +0000

The One Mini from HTC has been popping up on the web here and there, but there is still nothing official from Taiwan in terms of release dates or anything of that nature. Until that starts happening, we will continue to have to settle for leaked galleries from Mr. Blurry Camera, but in all fairness these newest pictures aren't even close to some of the bad ones we have seen in the past of previous devices. This person even took the time to place the Mini next to a regular-sized One, allowing us to get a real perspective on just how big, err, smaller this thing really is. As a refresher, this device sports a 4.3" 720p display, is said to be powered by a dual-core Snapdragon processor, 2GB of RAM, Ultrapixel camera and supposedly comes from the factory with Android 4.2. Let's take a moment to silently thank all the Mr. and Ms. Blurry Cameras out there.

Via: Forte

Samsung Announces Galaxy S4 Active - Like A Really Bad Ass, Rugged, Outdoorsy GS4

Kellen — Wed, 05 Jun 2013 07:48:59 +0000

Samsung made the Galaxy S4 Active official this morning as their take on a rugged device built specifically for handling tough conditions and for those with active lifestyles. Unlike the Galaxy S4 Mini, this phone actually lives up to its flagship name with specs that are almost identical. Available this summer in the U.S. and Sweden at launch, you'll have three colors to choose from: Urban Grey, Dive Blue, and Orange Flare (pictured below). In terms of tech specs, the device sports a 1.9GHz quad-core processor (likely the Snapdragon 600), 5.0" Full HD LCD display (443ppi, but not a Super AMOLED), 8MP rear camera, 2MP front camera, 2GB RAM, 2600mAh battery, 16GB of internal storage, expandable microSD storage, with Android 4.2.2, all wrapped into a body that is 9.1mm thick. On a rugged front, the GS4 Active is fully sealed to protect against dust particles and water damage. The device can actually be submerged in 1 meter of water for up to 30 minutes. It also has a water-resistant earphone jack, so you can take your tunes to the trees or the beach. The 8MP camera includes an "Aqua Mode" that increases visual quality and clarity as you snap photos under water. Outside of all of that, it includes Glove Touch in the display, all of Samsung's TouchWiz suite like Air Gesture and Air View, and the entire camera suite from the regular Galaxy S4. The device will be on display at Samsung's June 20 Premiere event in London.

Gallery

Press Release and Specs

Samsung Introduces the GALAXY S4 Active : The Perfect Companion for Exploration, Activity and Adventure
June 5, 2013
GALAXY S4 Active lets users focus on living life to the fullest by providing a rich experience without the fear of damage from outdoor elements
SEOUL, Korea 17:00 KST - June 5, 2013 - Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd, a global leader in mobile technology and digital solutions, today announced the GALAXY S4 Active, designed to enhance life experiences of the active user who wants to stay connected while exploring environments from the most rugged mountain trails to the roughest rivers. “The GALAXY S4 Active is the newest addition to the GALAXY series and is purposefully designed for active users who love the outdoors,” said JK Shin, CEO and President of IT & Mobile Communications Division at Samsung Electronics. “Samsung has taken the innovative features of the GALAXY S4 and added breakthrough protective design elements to create a device that thrives in an active environment and is built for a lifestyle of travel and exploration.” Maximizing Durability Recognizing the demands of a dynamic lifestyle, the GALAXY S4 Active was engineered to keep active users connected as they explore and experience the world around them. The GALAXY S4 Active has qualified protection from dust and water (IP67＊), so you never have to leave the device at home during a long day at the beach or dusty hike. The fully sealed design keeps dust particles out and protects against water damage for up to 30 minutes of submergence at a depth of one meter. Equipped with a water-resistant earphone jack, the GALAXY S4 Active frees you to use earphones in more adventurous conditions, in the same way you’ve used them in normal ones. Whether capturing every moment of a wild rafting trip or taking a great underwater photo in the pool, the device’s unique construction lets users capture amazing moments previously impossible using a normal smartphone. (＊ IP stands for International Protection against ingress of solid foreign objects and harmful ingress of water. The highest level is IP68,) Explore Longer with Powerful Performance An active lifestyle requires plenty of energy, and the GALAXY S4 Active offers a long-lasting and powerful user experience. Featuring a 1.9 GHZ Quad-Core processor and 2,600mAh battery, the GALAXY S4 Active can handle the most intensive tasks with ease and precision. Striking color and stunning resolution on the device’s beautiful 5.0’’ Full HD TFT LCD screen (443 PPI) makes playing the newest games or watching hours of video easy on the eyes. And with ‘Glove Touch’, cold weather is no longer a problem since the touchscreen can be fully operated while wearing gloves. With an 8-megapixel rear camera, users can easily share their vivid experiences while on the go. Unique to the GALAXY S4 Active camera, ‘Aqua Mode’ can be used to increase visual quality and clarity for enhanced underwater images and video. The volume key located on the side of the device can be used as a camera key, allowing users to easily and quickly open the camera application to capture photo and video the moment it happens. Additionally, the camera transforms into a powerful LED flash light to assist in low-light and nighttime activities with a simple long press of the volume key. Richer & Fuller Life Experience The GALAXY S4 Active is designed with a seamless interface that incorporates popular features of the GALAXY S4. ‘S Travel (Trip Advisor)’ offers travel assistance, local information, and recommendations to provide a more seamless experience in an unfamiliar environment. ‘S Translator’ makes international travel easy by providing instant text or voice translation for emails and text messages. The camera interface is designed to make capturing and sharing meaningful moments intuitive and more engaging with multiple shooting modes including ‘Drama Shot’, which allows users to see all the action in one continuous time-lapse, and ‘Sound & Shot’, which uniquely stores sound and voice together with the image to capture the moment in an immersive visual/audio format. With ‘Story Album’, photos taken with the GALAXY S4 Active are collected and sorted according to a user’s timeline, geo-tagging information or a specific event to instantly create an organized photo album. To help facilitate sharing, users can also use the ‘Group Play’ function to enjoy music, photos, documents and games together and across various devices including GALAXY S4, GALAXY S4 mini, GALAXY Mega 6.3 and GALAXY Mega 5.8. ‘Samsung Smart Pause’ enables users to control of the screen using optical cues. While watching a video, the video pauses when you look away and starts right up again when returning to view, saving vital battery life and time spent rewinding. ‘Air View’ lets you preview the content of an email by simply hovering your fingers over the screen, which saves time and data. With ‘Air Gesture’, you can change the music track, scroll up and down on a web page, or accept a call with a simple wave of the hand. Additionally, ‘S Health’ helps you keep track of your personal health statistics. When paired with the S Health Accessory, you can monitor your heart rate, weight, sleep pattern and other personal measurements to assist in a healthy lifestyle. Enhanced Content and Services The GALAXY S4 Active also offers competitive content and services to provide a seamless mobile experience anytime and anywhere. Using the ‘Samsung Hub’, users can access music, videos, books, games and engaging educational content. With a beautiful magazine-style interface, users can browse a variety of content across services, as well as purchase and manage their content easily with a single Samsung Account. Users can also control their TV through Samsung WatchON’s IR remote, which transforms the GALAXY S4 Active into a remote control for TVs, set-top boxes, and DVD players. Through ‘Samsung WatchON’, the GALAXY S4 Active also offers a broad selection of entertainment content including live TV, cable TV and video on demand, facilitated by the rich digital context provided by Samsung’s EPG (Electronic Program Guide) system. ‘ChatON’, another unique feature, connects and facilitates group chats, media sharing and interacting in creative new ways using pictures, hand drawings or figures across mobile devices. Further enhancing the device’s sharing capabilities, users can use ‘Samsung Link’ to share and sync content across multiple Samsung digital devices. The GALAXY S4 Active will be available for purchase beginning this summer, with initial retail in the U.S. and Sweden. It will be offered in three different color options: Urban Grey, Dive Blue and Orange Flare. Specific availability will vary depending on the market. Media requests and invited partners will be offered hands-on demonstrations with the GALAXY S4 Active at the Samsung Premiere 2013 GALAXY & ATIV in London on Thursday, June 20th. Specs
＊ All functionality features, specifications and other product information provided in this document including, but not limited to, the benefits, design, pricing, components, performance, availability, and capabilities of the product are subject to change without notice or obligation ＊ Android, Google, Google Search, Google Maps, Gmail, Google Play, Google Plus, YouTube, Google Places, and Google Navigation are all trademarks of Google Inc. About Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. is a global leader in technology, opening new possibilities for people everywhere. Through relentless innovation and discovery, we are transforming the worlds of televisions, smartphones, personal computers, printers, cameras, home appliances, LTE systems, medical devices, semiconductors and LED solutions. We employ 236,000 people across 79 countries with annual sales of US$187.8 billion. To discover more, please visit www.samsung.com.

How to: Turn a Black Nexus 4 Into a White Nexus 4

Kellen — Tue, 04 Jun 2013 17:27:02 +0000

With white Nexus 4 in hand and a quick hands-on video and comparison published, there was only one last task for us to complete to round out our coverage - back replacement surgery. You may recall our guide on how to turn the black Galaxy Nexus into a white Galaxy Nexus, and well, we decided to do the same thing with the Nexus 4. Since the white Nexus 4 is nothing more than a black Nexus 4 with a white back piece, we knew long ago when the white version first leaked that swapping out back pieces would be simple. We were right. In the short guide below, we'll walk you through the six steps to turning your black Nexus 4 into a white Nexus 4. Since many of you jumped on the black Nexus 4 early on and didn't have a chance to even consider the white version, this should help you make the transition once (if) white replacement backs ever go up for sale.

Parts:

You obviously will need a black Nexus 4. You will also need either a white Nexus 4 or a back replacement white part (which haven't been released yet). The replacement white back would be the much cheaper route to go, but we have no idea if or when those may be released to the public.

Tools:

This entire process was done with a T5 Torx screwdriver, two guitar picks, and a plastic opening tool. But actually, you could do this without the plastic opening tool and remove the entire back cover with the guitar picks alone, after removing the screws of course. A good smartphone starter toolkit to think about picking up is the Home Tech Toolkit from iFixit. I would also recommend picking up some of their guitar picks if you don't have any laying around your house.

Instructions:

1. Remove any SIM cards and SIM card trays. 2. Remove both T5 Torx screws from the bottoms of the devices.

3. Starting from the bottom by the microUSB port, using a guitar pick, slide between the metal rim and the bottom cover. As you work your way from the bottom around each side, you'll hear slight popping noises, which are the plastic tabs that hold the back cover into place popping out. Be careful as to not break a tab. You'll need to repeat this process around each phone to remove each back cover. I shimmied my way from the bottom and up the right side, then the left side. Once I had the bottom and both sides loose, I used my fingers to slowly lift the cover and pop it off of the top section of each phone Note: When I removed the black cover, I either broke a plastic holder that kept the Volume rocker in place or it wasn't attached to the cover like it is on the white version. Either way, be careful and try not to lose either the Power switch or Volume rocket once you fully remove the back side in case they are loose. When you get to each button with the guitar pick, gently pop each tab away.

4. Once you have wiggled off the back casings from each phone, your next few steps are incredibly simple. But first, this is what your desk will look like. As you can see, the devices are identical underneath those back plates. I was unable to find any difference whatsoever - everything is in the exact same place. Make sure you know which device is which, so that you don't accidentally replace backs to the wrong devices. I'd hate for you to go through that process once again.

5. With the white back cover in hand, grab your previously-black Nexus 4 and slowly start to pop it into place. I started with the top section and then slowly worked my way around the phone by popping each tab back into place. It won't take long, but again, don't be in a rush. You want to slowly pop each into place as to not break any of the tabs.

6. Once you have finished popping the back cover on, replace the T5 Torx screws and the SIM tray. Fire your phone up and enjoy your new white Nexus 4. In total, this took me 25 minutes to do. This process really is as simple as it sounds. You may struggle a bit removing the bottom corners with the guitar pick, but with a little patience and gentle wiggling, it doesn't take long. For anyone who owns a black Nexus 4, but would rather have the white version, I'd recommend watching eBay shops that sell replacement parts. Before long, we are bound to see white back replacement covers popping up at prices well under the $299 it would cost should you purchase a white Nexus 4. H/T to the folks at iFixt for getting me started with their teardown guide.

Introducing SolePower, the Walking-Powered Phone Charger We All Need

Tim — Tue, 04 Jun 2013 16:26:13 +0000

Kickstarter is a breeding ground for amazing and revolutionary ideas from companies that are looking for a helping hand. If you think you like the idea, you can choose to be a backer and donate your money to their cause. In return, you usually get whatever it is they are trying to create, along with whatever incentives they are giving out. This new one, called SolePower, could either be the smartest or craziest (little bit of both) we have seen to hit the site yet. SolePower aims to charge up an external battery that can be connected to your mobile device. The battery gains charge from your steps, turning that energy into electricity, giving about a phone's battery-worth of energy in about 2 and 1/2 miles of walking, on average. Pretty neat idea, right? Here's a quick run down of how it works that we pulled from their Kickstarter page. How it works: 1. Slip SolePower into your shoe and snake the charging wire through your laces. 2. Plug the charging wire into the battery. The battery can either be fastened around your ankle or clipped to the top of your shoe. 3. Walk! 4. Unplug the battery from the insole and plug it into your device. 5. Stop to ponder how lucky you are to have a mobile, back up power source that can be used anywhere, anytime! The company is looking to score $50,000 from would-be backers, while shooting for full production and retail no later than the end of 2014. Do you think it could be a hit with consumers?

Quick Look: White Nexus 4 vs. Black Nexus 4

Kellen — Tue, 04 Jun 2013 15:27:45 +0000

Hey look, the white Nexus 4 for the 50th time! Yeah, we know, you have seen it more times than you probably cared to at this point, especially now that it can be purchased from Google Play, but what's one more? Ours arrived this afternoon, so we thought we would take it for a spin, compare it to the black version, share some thoughts on swapping out black backs for white backs, and give you a pretty view of that beautiful Crystal Reflection backside. Again, the white version of the current Nexus phone is available from Google Play with both 8GB and 16GB storage limits, though the 16GB version is sold out at the moment. There is nothing different from the black version to this new white variant other than the fact that it has a white backside. The internals are all the same - no LTE, no extra storage, no unicorn blood, and no Android 4.3. It's still an HSPA+ only device, 16GB of storage is as big as it goes, and Android 4.2.2 came pre-loaded. But damn is it pretty. Where was this at launch, Google?

Video

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tJK3_SCXQmU[/youtube]

Gallery

Finding Teddy is a Charming Point and Click Game With Great Animations

Tim — Tue, 04 Jun 2013 14:12:10 +0000

A semi-new game for Android called Finding Teddy has been making quite a name for itself on Google Play, receiving high ratings and happy players. The game is a point-and-click title, centering around a young girl who travels through an entirely interactive world, collecting items, using them to defeat monsters and solving puzzles/riddles. The game itself looks fantastic, with cute animations and other helpful characters throughout the levels. It's the perfect mix of adventure, looks and playability. It costs $2.32 through Google Play, so go check it out and let us know what you think. Play Link ($2.32) [youtube]http://youtu.be/5cpTcGh1Rmg[/youtube]

Toshiba Refreshes Their Excite Tablet Line, Features Tegra 4 and Android 4.2

Tim — Tue, 04 Jun 2013 12:52:26 +0000

Last night, Toshiba unveiled their new lineup of refreshed Excite tablets. In total, there are three new models, the Excite Pro, Excite Write and Excite Pure. Both the Pro and Write models feature a glorious 2560 x 1600 PixelPure display, as well as being powered by NVIDIA's Tegra 4 processor, a chip that we are happily starting to see be adopted by manufacturers. As for the Pure tablet, it runs last year's Tegra 3 chip in order to meet a low $299 price tag, while also offering exceptional performance. All three tablets will come out of the factory running Android 4.2+, but both of the higher-end models will be equipped with 8MP back-facing cameras, while the lower Pure device features a 3MP shooter. They feature microSD slots, micro HDMI out and stereo speaker setups. In terms of pricing and availability for each tablet, it goes like this - The Pure, priced at $299.99, goes on sale through select retailers on June 25, alongside the Pro ($499.99) and the Write ($599.99). National availability will begin sometime in early July. To learn more about the new line, follow the via below. Via: Toshiba

If Your White Nexus 4 Shipment Was Intercepted, Google Says It's a Tracking Issue and Your Order is Fine

Kellen — Tue, 04 Jun 2013 10:47:52 +0000

If you ordered a white Nexus 4 late last week, the minute it hit Google Play, there is a chance that your tracking information is claiming that your order was intercepted in transit and heading back to its origin. This may be a 16GB white Nexus 4 thing only, though that's not fully confirmed at this point. What we do know, and Tweeted earlier today, is that Google Play will be sending out emails to those with intercepted orders, informing them that there is nothing wrong with their shipments. According to the information we received, the return of the shipment has to do with incorrect tracking numbers being issued on 5/31 and 6/3. For those who were a part of this group, you should receive another shipping confirmation within 24 hours that has a correct tracking number. Here is the email that will go out:

A small number of customers were sent a ship confirmation with an incorrect tracking number on 5/31 and 6/3. In these cases the incorrect tracking number may indicate that the package is being returned to sender. Please disregard this tracking number. Another ship confirmation with the correct tracking number will be emailed to you within 24 hrs. Please reference the tracking number in the 'Thank You' section of the ship confirmation. Please rest assured that your package’s arrival date is unaffected by the incorrect tracking number.

The confusing part about this situation is the fact that most shipments, were they ordered on launch day, should be arriving today. So if there is a mix-up with tracking numbers and shipments are on schedule, in 24 hours, shouldn't they have already arrived? I can't explain that one either. I can tell you that the 8GB version I ordered is on the truck for delivery at this moment. I would assume that should be the case for 16GB orders as well, unless it's not really a tracking problem. If you ordered a white Nexus 4 16GB and received a notice that your shipment was intercepted, be sure to keep us up-to-date in the comments. Update: So from what we can tell, most customers who ordered the 16GB version are not getting them today as they were supposed to. Most received the info that we posted above, but some are now seeing an expected delivery date of this Thursday, which is two days later than was originally scheduled. We did have one reader claim to have received his, though he seems to be in the minority.

Unlocked HTC One Sees Price Increase From $575 to $600

Tim — Tue, 04 Jun 2013 10:34:43 +0000

Over on the HTC store, the unlocked variant of the One has seen an increase in price, from $574.99 to $599.99. There is no official word on why the device got a $25 bump in the tag, but we are looking towards this being related to matching the upcoming "Nexus Experience" edition, which is to launch on June 26 for $599.99 on Google Play. It certainly would have not made much sense for HTC and Google to offer the "Nexus experience" for an additional $25 over the original Sense version, especially if they plan to allow owners of the Sense version to remove Sense for the stock experience. Both the unlocked and Nexus Experience variants are 32GB models, so this seems to make the most sense. The NE edition will work on AT&T and T-Mobile's networks, so anyone deciding on which version to buy will basically only have to choose if they want vanilla Android or Sense 5.0 on their device. Options are good, even if those options are now more expensive than they were a couple of days ago. Via: HTC Cheers Miguel!

New Google Play Web Layout is Live in the Books Section (Updated)

Kellen — Tue, 04 Jun 2013 10:00:21 +0000

Update: At least a couple of readers mentioned that this layout has been live since I/O or at least for a few weeks, since they allowed us to upload books of our own. That shows you how much we use Google Play to read books...in fact, I don't think I have ever entered the My Books section through the web. Moving on. Yesterday, we showed you some additional views of the new web layout for Google Play that should arrive any day now. It was first on display at Google I/O, during the day 1 keynote, with an expected public rollout of "over the coming weeks." We are now technically a few weeks removed since we first got a peep of it, but the new layout has failed to show it self. Well, until today in the My Books section of the Play store. If you head directly to http://play.google.com/books or tap on the "My Books" button at the top of the main Play store page, you should be directed to the new layout for Books. You can jump between Purchases, Samples, and Uploads, all from within the new layout. Once you go shopping though, or head into a new section like Apps or Movies, you'll revert back to the old Play store. Books is currently the only section showing off the new layout. With one section live, are we looking at an imminent rollout of the rest of the new layout? That would be lovely. Cheers Andrew!

Beta Program Goes Live for Falcon Pro (Update)

Tim — Tue, 04 Jun 2013 09:35:47 +0000

Who doesn't love a good beta every now and then? If you have purchased Falcon Pro, the third party Twitter app that we have discussed time and time again, then you will now be able to join a recently launched beta program to help improve the application. In the beta program, which is hosted on Google+, there is a feature request list, a section for bugs and also a general discussion area. To join, you will need a Google+ account. Once you join the community, all you need to do is enter yourself as a tester, then download the "update" from Google Play. You can remove yourself as a tester at any time if you want to revert back to the public release version. Now, go join the Google+ community and download the beta app once it is made available. It isn't live yet from what we can tell, but we will update the post once it is. Update: The update is now live on Google Play. Go grab it! Join the beta on Google+. Cheers Joaquim and everyone that sent this in!

Our Prayers are Soon to be Answered, Falcon Receiving Multiple Account Support

Tim — Tue, 04 Jun 2013 08:41:26 +0000

Droid Life Show listeners will know of my frustrations for the 3rd party Twitter app called Falcon, thanks to its lack of multiple account support. Well, as if someone was listening and wanted to put a fat smile on my face today, Falcon is getting multiple account support in the upcoming version 2.0 update. Oh my goodness. Besides the words "coming soon," we don't have any info on an intended release time, but it could be any day. Keep your eyes peeled to Google Play and get that second account ready to go. Play Link ($1.96) Via: Falcon for Android Cheers @MKBHD!

[Deal] Official Samsung S View Flip Cover and Regular Flip Cover Available for Less Than $10 on Amazon

Kellen — Tue, 04 Jun 2013 08:25:21 +0000

Update: Readers have voice concerned over this too-good-to-be-true deal. May want to proceed with caution. Either that, or shell out the $2 and hope that some day your case arrives. Update 2: This is what one of our readers received - it's a Flip cover with the window piece completely missing. Talk about a scam.

The Samsung Galaxy S4 already has a massive accessory collection at its fingertips from a variety of accessory makers, thanks to Samsung pushing a single design across the globe. But if the products from 3rd party accessory companies aren't your cup of tea, and you prefer those made by Samsung, we have a couple of deals for you today. Through Amazon, two sellers by the names of TopEDepot are GlobalElec are selling both the S View Flip Cover and regular Flip Cover for under $10 a piece. The S View Flip cover in black can be had for $9.40, which is around 85% off the suggested retail price of $59.99. The regular Flip Cover is available for as little as $2.21 (in black), a 95% discount from the $39.99 retail price. The prices vary depending on the color you choose, but the if you want the lowest price, go with the black accessories. If you wanted something a little more wild like green, you can still grab one for under $10. Seriously, talk about good deals. The seller doesn't offer Amazon Prime, so shipping may take a while. In fact, during checkout I'm not seeing any shipping costs, only that it will take anywhere from 17-28 days. That's weird. We took a quick look at the S View Flip Cover during launch week of the Galaxy S4 and liked it for the most part. It doesn't offer a ton of protection like a typical TPU case would though, outside of helping protect that big beautiful 1080p Super AMOLED display. Amazon Links: S View Flip Cover | Regular Flip Cover Cheers Tom!

Wikipad Gets a New Launch Date, June 11 for $249

Tim — Tue, 04 Jun 2013 08:24:20 +0000

If anyone remembers the tablet/gaming controller hybrid device called the Wikipad, you might recall that the device has seen release day delays dating back to last year. Back in October of 2012, the Wikipad was set to go on sale at retailers such as GameStop for a whopping $500, that was until the company decided to halt everything and come up with a new strategy. Since then, they have dropped the price by 50% to $250 and are back to launch the device on June 11, the first day of this year's E3 gaming event. The tablet comes running Jelly Bean Android 4.1 (not a typo), powered by a Tegra 3 (three, yes, not a typo), 1GB of RAM, 16GB of internal storage, microSD storage and 7″ 1280 x 800 display. This should be fun.

WIKIPAD GAMING TABLET TO REDEFINE THE PORTABLE GAMING EXPERIENCE – AVAILABLE JUNE 11^th, 2013 IN US
(LOS ANGELES, CA – June 4, 2013) -- Wikipad, Inc. today announced its 7” Wikipad tablet will be available on June 11, 2013 at a retail price of $249 in the US, with an UK and global launch planned for this summer. Thanks to its award wining and patented interchangeable game controller, Wikipad redefines the mobile tablet experience bringing together the console quality experience with the functionality and portability of a premium tablet. “The launch of the Wikipad 7 tablet signals a transformative turning point in the direction of the mobile gaming industry. Wikipad’s tablet combines the latest range of features found in a premium Android tablet together with the unrivaled console video game experience only available with a gamepad,” said Matthew Joynes, Chairman of Wikipad Inc. “There is no other mobile device on the market that possesses Wikipad’s unique functionality and versatility and all available with full warranty and customer support at an entry level price point,” said Fraser Townley, President of Sales at Wikipad Inc. The Wikipad is the only tablet to possess both the unique combination of a console quality gaming experience with the functionality and portability of a tablet thanks to its award-winning and patented detachable dual-analog controller. Wikipad offers a multi capacitive 7 inch touch screen, 16 GB memory with an additional micro SD slot to support a further 32 GB of storage, together with micro USB, GPS, accelerometer and gyroscope. The tablets ultra-light and thin chassis is powered by the NVIDIA® Tegra® 3 quad-core mobile processor that's optimized for cloud gaming with a 12 core Nvidia GPU. With an aspect ratio of 16:10, a 2-mega-pixel front facing camera the Wikipad tablet offers true widescreen HD display and HDMI out. Consumers will have instant access to entertainment and videogame content of over 700,000 apps from Google Play from Google Mobile Services, PlayStation®Mobile games from Sony Computer Entertainment Inc., and TegraZone – NVIDIA's free app that showcases the best games optimized for the Tegra processor. When the gamepad controller is detached, Wikipad’s sleek design and full Android 4.1 Jelly Bean functionality make it a powerfully versatile tablet for surﬁng the web, emailing, enjoying all the latest ﬁlms, books, magazines and music, conversing via Skype or experiencing the latest apps at home or on the go. “PlayStation®Mobile is a global initiative to bring the PlayStation®-like game experiences to a wide-reaching community of tablet and smartphone gamers. We’re excited to bring PlayStation Mobile to the Wikipad tablet which provides a portable gaming experience that is fun and compelling,” said Ronald Schaffner, Director Business Development, and Sony Computer Entertainment America. “Wikipad's dual-analog gamepad controller transforms our mobile games such as the multiplayer Shadowgun: DeadZone and the action FPS Dead Trigger into entertaining AAA console-like experiences," Tomas Slapota, Vice President, MADFINGER Games We are excited to be a launch partner for the innovative Wikipad gaming tablet that provides a brand new platform for our cloud-based, interactive streaming product, Big Fish Instant Games,” said Jina Heverley, vice president and general manager of PC, Mac and Cloud for Big Fish. “Using the cloud-optimized Wikipad platform, casual game players will be delighted when they turn on their tablet to find more than 250 casual games from Big Fish available on their new device. The Wikipad is the perfect platform to introduce Big Fish games to a new, vibrant gaming audience.” For a full list of retailers, product specs, a comprehensive support page, technical forums, retailers and video games that take full advantage of the Wikipad’s dual-analog stick controller, please visit: http://www.wikipad.com/

Android 4.2.2 Update Headed to HTC One in Mid-June According to HTC Russia Head

Kellen — Tue, 04 Jun 2013 08:02:45 +0000

According to HTC Russia boss Kormiltsev Andrey, the HTC One update to Android 4.2.2 is currently scheduled for a mid-June rollout. In fact, Andrey hasn't been shy about making the announcement through Twitter. He has been replying to his followers for the last 10 hours or so, making sure they are clear that he is indeed talking about the One and its Android 4.2.2 update. While this is good news for One owners, you can probably already imagine the complaints that will come down once the Nexus experience launches, is then updated to Android 4.3, and the Sense version of the One is stuck an update behind. But no matter what, 4.2.2 is a much needed bump. This isn't an entire overhaul of Android by any means, but it does make notifications more powerful and introduce lock screen widgets. There are a number of other new features in 4.2, but HTC's skin will likely wipe them out. So, mid-June is a week or so away. We would assume the international variant will receive the update first, along with the unlocked and developer editions. Carrier versions could be a bit later, if history tells us anything.

If you'd like to see what Android 4.2.2 has to offer, be sure to check out this video. Via: @Kormiltsev | PocketNow

Galaxy Note 2 Drops to $199 on Contract at Verizon

Kellen — Mon, 03 Jun 2013 20:06:30 +0000

The Samsung Galaxy S4 may be all the rage these days, but last year's mega-phone, the Galaxy Note 2, is still quite the prize should you be in the market for an oversized device. Some time in the last couple of days, Verizon dropped their variant to $199.99 on 2-year contract, down from what has been a launch price of $299. And actually, this is as good of a deal as you'd get from Amazon while using an upgrade, something that rarely happens in the mobile industry. If you are a new customer, it'll only run you $79.99. Keep in mind though, that Samsung will likely release a Galaxy Note 3 at some point towards the end of this year. Most of the details on it at this point are still rumors, but you can imagine that it will be the holiday device to own outside of a new Nexus. However, the current Note 2 is still a beast and will easily get you through a contract. Via: Verizon Cheers @Mannyyyfresh!

Feedly Roadmap Detailed, Continues to Prepare for the Death of Google Reader

Tim — Mon, 03 Jun 2013 16:15:33 +0000

Google is just one month away from completely shutting down Google Reader. While folks scramble to find their favorite alternatives, the one we have been using for the past month continues to get better with each update. Feedly, a 3rd party RSS news feed application that launched not too long ago for Android, has been preparing for the Reader shut down for some time, making sure their product is feature rich and bug free when the date finally does come. Today, they released an announcement that showcases somewhat of a roadmap for what users can expect to see in the near future for the application. Here are a few things you can expect them to focus heavily on for the remainder of the year.

Speed
Search within Feedly
Pure web access
Windows phone app
Improved group sharing
Bug Fixes
Access Feedly through existing 3rd party apps

The big one for users would be the ability to access your feedly through existing apps such as G Reader, Reeder and Press. Feedly is launching a free API for developers, allowing them to work in your feedly to their service.

Today we are excited to announce that you will be able to access your feedly from all these apps before Google Reader retires and that the access to feedly API will be free. More details soon.

If you still haven't checked out Feedly and are still rocking the official Google Reader app, it might be time to start making that switch. Via: Feedly

A Few Pictures of the New Google Play Store Web Layout

Kellen — Mon, 03 Jun 2013 15:34:35 +0000

During the 3-hour long Google I/O keynote a few weeks back, Chris Yerga, the engineering director of Android, stood on stage and announced that a new Google Play layout was coming to the web store to match that of the new UI on the Android version. He would only say that it was to arrive "over the coming weeks," and from what we can see that's correct. The new Play store is being dogfooded to Google employees now, which you can see in the three screenshots we have included. So like in the Google I/O presentation, these shots show off a Play store that indeed does mimic that of the Android version. It follows the tablet design more than the phone version, but that makes sense since your computer screen typically sits landscape and is larger. We're seeing the navigation panel constantly sit to the left, making it incredibly easy to jump between sections of Music, Apps, Devices, etc. As you drill down on one section, you'll get options for "My Apps" or your wishlists, but then can easily get to another section through that same area.

The box or card-style design for apps, movies, TV shows, and other sections is also present. There are recommended areas, highlighted content and everything you are hopefully getting used to in the Android version of the Play store. Still no exact word on the public release, but internal testing is always a good sign that we may not be too far off. And again, we were told at I/O that we would see it in the coming weeks, which could mean any time now.

Here is a screenshot from Yerga's presentation:

If you jump to the 38:00-minute mark of the video below, you'll see him talk about it:

[youtube]http://youtu.be/9pmPa_KxsAM?t=38m26s[/youtube]

Android Distribution Numbers Update For June - Jelly Bean Up to 33% of Devices

Tim — Mon, 03 Jun 2013 15:11:02 +0000

This afternoon, the Android team updated the distribution numbers for the world's most popular mobile operating system, showing a steady growth in Jelly Bean users. While that Gingerbread number seems to never change too much (remains around 36% of devices), that's just something we have come to accept. Jelly Bean has moved up to 33% over last month's 28.4%, with Ice Cream Sandwich falling just a tad bit to 25.6% from last month's 27.5%. Honeycomb is still hanging on with 0.1%, Eclair and Froyo dropped every-so slightly, and Donut remains at 0.1% as well. You can see May's numbers here, if you’d like to compare. Keep in mind that this numbers are now built using data collected from each device when the user visits the Google Play Store Via: Android Developers

CyanogenMod Nightlies are up for the Verizon Galaxy S4

Tim — Mon, 03 Jun 2013 14:19:36 +0000

Galaxy S4 owners on Verizon who have already rooted and hacked their device can now get the latest and greatest builds of CyanogenMod onto their phones. The CM team are now pumping out nightly builds for the GS4 on Verizon, US Cellular, as well as Sprint, so getting that heavily modified version of vanilla Android is just a flash away. If you want to try your luck with the new builds of CM for the Galaxy S4, you can download the ROMs right from the servers by following this link. Via: +CyanogenMod Cheers Trevor and Kevin!

Video: Quick Look at the New Gmail for Android App

Tim — Mon, 03 Jun 2013 13:46:28 +0000

Today, users are finally able to get their hands on the all new Gmail for Android application. There are a few new things, so we figured it would be appropriate to go over those in a short hands-on video. Folks will notice the shiny new navigation bar on the left-hand side, allowing for quick access to your various labels and other accounts, among a few other little things. It's not the craziest re-design or anything, but it is better than what it was. If you have not been prompted to download the update through Google Play, you can find a link to download the new version right here. [youtube]http://youtu.be/4SdTGbKNDbI[/youtube]

Hulu Plus for Android Updated, Brings 1080p Playback for HTC One, Galaxy S4, and DROID DNA

Tim — Mon, 03 Jun 2013 13:00:01 +0000

For those of you that own either a Galaxy S4, DROID DNA or HTC One, the official Hulu Plus app was updated today for your device specifically. After the update, while watching your movies and shows, look for the new "hq" button, allowing for full 1080p streaming right to your device. While this will undoubtedly raise your data usage, if you are on a tiered plan, I would highly recommend being on WiFi during use. What's New:

Now offering even higher resolution playback for the following devices:

Samsung Galaxy S4

HTC One

HTC Droid DNA

During playback, look out for the "hq" option. You'll feel like you have bionic retina implants minus the deductible and waiting for its invention. Also includes fixes for some playback issues for certain LG phones and other devices.

Play Link Cheers David and WinDroidGuy!

Video: HTC One ROM Gives Us a Peek Into What Android 4.2.2 Might Look Like

Eric — Mon, 03 Jun 2013 12:30:49 +0000

If there was one thing you could harp on the HTC One when it launched, it would be that it only came with Android 4.1.2, which was a version behind AOSP and other competing phones. We've heard rumors that 4.2.2 is coming to the One here and there, but thanks to the Android Revolution crew, we can get a sneak peek as to what Sense and Android 4.2.2 will look like together.

One of the biggest additions to the overall experience is Android's quick settings being added to the notification center. Finding them is easy, they can be accessed from the top right corner just like in stock 4.2.2. A battery percentage meter can now be added to the notification bar at the top of the phone, a highly requested feature that HTC decided to give to us. This ROM isn't an official update by any means, but it gives us a good idea of what the newest version of Android could look like on the One.

If you want to see the other new features watch the full video.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bm_bh5u8tv4[/youtube]

Cheers Dr0me!

Gmail for Android Update Now Rolling Out to More Users

Tim — Mon, 03 Jun 2013 11:56:56 +0000

When Google announced the new version of Gmail for Android and desktop users, they mentioned folks would be seeing a pretty slow roll out process for the update. Today, it appears they are upping the the pace of roll out and folks are finally starting to see it live on Google Play. The new version features the brand new side navigation bar, as well as the new categories feature such as Promotions, Social, Updates, etc. For the full breakdown on what's new, check out Google's promo video down below. Follow the link below and see if you are one of the lucky ones. Play Link [youtube]http://youtu.be/CFf7dlewJus[/youtube] Cheers Chris and K!

Final Fantasy IV Hits Google Play, a Classic RPG With Some Modern Upgrades

Eric — Mon, 03 Jun 2013 11:37:26 +0000

You would be hard pressed to find a more dedicated fan base of a video game series than the fans of Final Fantasy. These same fans who also own Android devices are going to be excited to hear the news that Final Fantasy IV, one of the more classics in the series, has now hit Google Play and is ready for you to get your nostalgia on.

This isn't FFIV exactly how you remember it though. Square Enix has put in the world to add 3D graphics into the game and give the visuals a little bit of an upgrade from what they were when the game first debuted. Certain points in the game even have voice overs added so you don't have to read for the entire game. All of these additions to the original game come with a price however, the game costs $15.99. If you want to relive the game you played a while back or are getting into it for the firs time, check out the game in Google Play below.

Play Link ($15.99)

[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RYbvRMnUOkk[/youtube]

T-Mobile's HTC One Sees Small Update, Available for Download Today

Eric — Mon, 03 Jun 2013 11:00:33 +0000

The HTC One for Verizon may not be coming out for another couple of months, but other carriers already have it in customer's hands and are pushing out updates. If you have the One on T-Mobile, you can start checking for a small update to pull down to your device.

The update is only 18 MB and the single thing listed in T-Mobile's changelog is "Visual Voicemail performance." Even with the tiny update, T-Mo won't let you start the process unless your battery is above 50%, just in case. The roll out is scheduled for today, so if you really need your Visual Voicemail to be fixed, keep checking throughout the day.

Via: T-Mobile

Monday Poll: Will You Wait for the HTC One on Verizon?

Tim — Mon, 03 Jun 2013 10:25:53 +0000

With a release time frame of "this Summer" for Verizon's newly announced HTC One, there are probably many of you that just realized which device you are now waiting for. The question is, who is going to wait for its release or who has already bought something else thinking it would never come? The Galaxy S4 is arguably this year's top smartphone, but it too just launched on Verizon, almost a month behind the other top U.S. carriers. For those who think the One could be outdated by the time it comes out on Verizon, we would have to disagree. The One is an exceptional device with great looks and fantastic specs, ones that should easily last you a couple of years if you must purchase the device on a new two year agreement. Sound off down below on if you will be waiting for HTC's 2013 flagship device on Big Red. [poll id="257"]

Twin Blades Hits Google Play, Time to Help the Nun Battle Zombies

Tim — Mon, 03 Jun 2013 10:00:18 +0000

A few years ago, Twin Blades slashed its way on iOS, becoming a popular zombie-killing slasher title. Now in 2013, the time has finally come for Android users to get in on the action. In this game, you play as a nun who must destroy the evil monsters and zombies who jeopardize everything you know and love. Using different upgradable weapons, you battle your way through multiple environments, while also being given the chance to purchase new abilities. Even though this game has been around for three years, there is still no decent trailer showcasing the game. So, enjoy this one down below and have yourself a laugh at slow-paced graphics. Play Link ($2.99) [youtube]http://youtu.be/-9hOJizUc98[/youtube]

HTC One on Verizon is Official, Coming Later This Summer

Kellen — Mon, 03 Jun 2013 09:30:37 +0000

Verizon has confirmed it, the HTC One is official for their 4G LTE network and arriving "later this summer." No other details were made available this morning, but the speculation can be put to rest. The phone is coming, though we don't know an exact date or price. Also, this confirms that the name will be HTC One, not DROID DNA+ or something along those lines. Who's excited? Via: @VZWNews

Asus Announces New MeMo Pad HD 7 and MeMo Pad FHD 10 Tablets, Starting at $129

Kellen — Mon, 03 Jun 2013 09:05:12 +0000

At this year's Computex, ASUS unveiled a full lineup of new Android tablets, including two new MeMo Pads, the HD 7 and FHD 10. Both are entry-level devices, bringing decently capable specs, but also featuring some low price tags. While the previous MeMo Pad models were somewhat of a joke in terms of specs in order to keep the price as low as possible, these new devices don't seem that bad at all. The HD 7, starting at just $129 for 8GB, features a quad-core CPU, a 7" HD display and a 5MP camera. The FHD 10 comes with the new Intel Atom Z2560 chipset, a 10" 1920 x 1200 Full HD IPS panel, and ASUS' proprietary SonicMaster audio technology. The price for the FHD 10 has not been set yet, but much like the HD 7, you can expect ASUS to do their best at keeping it low and desirable. The HD 7 is scheduled for a July launch, but for those wanting the FHD 10, you will need to wait until September.

ASUS Announces MeMO Pad HD 7 and MeMO Pad FHD 10 Tablets

New 7-inch and 10-inch tablets with Android 4.2 Jelly Bean feature high-definition displays and incredible ASUS SonicMaster audio

Computex Taipei, Taiwan (3 June, 2013) — ASUS today announced the new MeMO Pad™ HD 7 and MeMO Pad™ FHD 10 Android tablets. With an MSRP of just US$129 for 8GB capacity and US$149 for 16GB, MeMO Pad™ HD 7 is a 7-inch tablet that offers incredible value, with a quad-core processor, 1280 x 800 IPS display, and 1.2-megapixel front and optional 5-megapixel rear cameras. MeMO Pad™ FHD 10 is a 10-inch tablet with the new Intel® Atom™ Z2560 processor, 1920 x 1200 Full HD IPS display and ASUS SonicMaster audio technology.
ASUS MeMO Pad™ HD 7 — the value tablet for mobile entertainment ASUS MeMO Pad™ HD 7 has a quad-core processor and 1GB RAM for smooth and responsive performance with apps of all kinds. The 7-inch display has a 1280 x 800 native resolution for crisp text and images, and IPS technology for accurate, vibrant colors with 170-degree wide viewing angles. MeMO Pad™ HD 7 also features high-quality stereo speakers with enhanced sound, courtesy of ASUS SonicMaster audio technology. MeMO Pad™ HD 7 has a 1.2-megapixel front-facing HD camera that can capture 720p HD videos and models are also available with a rear 5-megapixel camera. Just 10.8mm thick and 302g, the feature-packed MeMO Pad™ HD 7 has a lithium polymer battery that lasts for up to 10 hours with 720p video playback. Models are available in four colors — black, white, pink and green. MeMO Pad™ HD 7 has 16GB of storage and a MicroSD card slot, plus 16GB ASUS WebStorage free for one year. Together with the ASUS WebStorage Office, users can view, create, edit and share Microsoft Office documents online. ASUS MeMO Pad™ FHD 10 — the multimedia tablet of choice ASUS MeMO Pad™ FHD 10 features the latest Intel® Atom™ Z2560 1.6GHz processor and a 1920 x 1200 Full HD IPS display for deliver vivid visuals with 178-degree wide viewing angles. MeMO Pad™ FHD 10 has stereo speakers with SonicMaster audio technology and its 10-inch screen makes it ideal for entertainment, 1080p video playback and handheld gaming. MeMO Pad™FHD 10 features Intel® Hyper-Threading Technology for improved graphics performance and increased energy efficiency. The slim design has a 1.2-megapixel front-facing camera and a 5-megapixel rear-facing camera with autofocus for impressive photos and 1080p video recording. MeMO Pad™ FHD 10 is just 9.5mm thick and 580g light, and its lithium polymer battery lasts for up to 10 hours with 720p video playback. The ‘micro-weave finish’ is available in Royal Blue, Silk White, and Vivid Pink. MeMO Pad™ FHD 10 has full connectivity options, including 802.11a/b/g/n, GPS and GLONASS navigation. ASUS Miracast wirelessly connects the tablet to a Wi-Fi enabled TV or projector to share movies, photos and presentations. MeMO Pad™ FHD 10 is available with 16GB or 32GB storage and both capacities also feature a microSD card slot. 5GB of free lifetime ASUS WebStorage is also included. MeMO Pad™ Accessories Both ASUS MeMO Pad™ HD 7 and MeMO Pad™ FHD 10 come include a protective TransCover with microfiber interior. TransCover folds into a stand to prop up the tablet at the perfect angles for watching video and typing with the on-screen keyboard. TransCover is available in blue, pink, white and black for MeMO Pad™HD 7; and black, pink and green for MeMO Pad™ FHD 10. The Persona Cover for MeMO Pad™ HD 7 is also available. Available in black, pink and green, this is a snug-fit case that protects the tablet from everyday bumps and scrapes. AVAILABILITY & PRICING ASUS MeMO Pad™ HD 7 has an MSRP of US$129 for 8GB capacity and US$149 for 16GB, and will be available starting in July 2013. Please contact your local ASUS representative for further information. Product images are available for downloadhere. ASUS AT COMPUTEX 2013 Visit the ASUS Computex 2013 stand in Taipei from 4th to 8th June. The ASUS stand is at Booth M0810, Nangang Exhibition Hall 4F at the Taipei World Trade Center. Specs MeMo Pad HD 7

7-inch HD 1280 x 800 IPS display

5-megapixel rear and 1.2-megapixel front camera

Stereo speakers with SonicMaster technology

Up to 10 hours battery life 2

120.6 x 196.8 x 10.8mm

302g

MeMo Pad FHD 10

Intel® Atom™ Z2560 processor (1.6GHz)

10.1-inch, Full HD 1920 x 1200 display

Stereo speakers with SonicMaster technology

Up to 10 hours battery life 2

264.6 x 182.4 x 9.5mm

580g

ABOUT ASUS ASUS is a worldwide top-three consumer notebook vendor and maker of the world’s best-selling, most award-winning, motherboards. A leading enterprise in the new digital era, ASUS designs and manufactures products that perfectly meet the needs of today’s digital home and office, with a broad portfolio that includes motherboards, graphics cards, optical drives, displays, desktop and all-in-one PCs, notebooks, netbooks, servers, multimedia devices, wireless solutions, networking devices, tablets and smartphones. Driven by innovation and committed to quality, ASUS won 4,168 awards in 2012 and is widely credited with revolutionizing the PC industry with its Eee PC™. ASUS has more than 12,500 employees around the globe with a world-class R&D team of 3,800 engineers. Company revenue for 2012 was approximately US$14 billion.

Android Mini Collectibles "Rainbox Set" Arriving This Month

Kellen — Mon, 03 Jun 2013 08:50:08 +0000

"Double rainbow. Oh my god, it's a double rainbow all the way...whoa." Yes, your Android mini collectible collection is about to include a double rainbow. Coming this June (this month), you'll be able to pick up this new Rainbow Set of our favorite Bugdroid. The box is a "magnetic clasp box that also serves as a flip-open display." The collectibles themselves have removable heads, so you can store whatever you'd like inside. Pricing has yet to be announced, but as usual, they'll be available in the Dead Zebra store.

Via: Dead Zebra Cheers Mike!

Tegra 4-Powered ASUS Transformer Pad Infinity Announced at Computex

Tim — Mon, 03 Jun 2013 08:22:26 +0000

Just as we expected back in early May, ASUS announced a brand new Transformer Pad Infinity tablet at this year's Computex event, but it's not as if they were trying to be very secretive. The all-new Infinity features two major updates over last year's model, being the addition of NVIDIA's Tegra 4 CPU and 72-core GeForce GPU, as well as the ability to output 4K content via HDMI. Much like last year's as well, this Infinity still features an insanely high resolution of 2560 x 1600, a full keyboard docking station and other high-end specs for an Android tablet. Specs:

10.1" WQXGA 2560 x 1600 IPS display
Tegra 4 Cortex-A15 processor
2GB of RAM
GeForce GPU
Docking station
32GB internal storage
5MP back-facing camera
2.1MP front-facing camera
USB 3.0 port and SD card slot
Miracast

So no official word on pricing or dates, but you can bet it will be sometime this year. Hopefully before the holidays at the latest. Via: NVIDIA

Samsung Unveils New Galaxy Tab 3 Budget-Friendly Family Members With 10.1 and 8-inch Displays

Kellen — Mon, 03 Jun 2013 07:40:15 +0000

Samsung announced two new members of its Galaxy Tab 3 family this morning, the Tab 3 10.1 and Tab 3 8. As one would assume from the naming scheme, one has a 10.1" display, while the other sports an 8" display. Keep in mind that the Tab family is Samsung's budget-friendly line of tablets, while the Note line is their higher-end range. So yes, we're looking at budget tablets that will likely drop at low prices across the globe. With the Tab 3 10.1, you are looking at a 1280x800 display, dual-core processor, only 1GB of RAM, low-res cameras, and Android 4.2.2. With the Tab 3 8, you have an 8"1280x800 display, dual-core processor, 1.5GB of RAM, 5MP rear camera, and Android 4.2.2 all wrapped into the body of a tablet that matches the form factor of the iPad Mini. I know that may sound ridiculous, but just look at it. Both tablets, along with the previously announced Tab 3 7, will be available globally in June.

Gallery

Press Release

Samsung Introduces New GALAXY Tab 3 Series
June 3, 2013
Next-generation GALAXY tablets integrate intuitive new features and enhanced performance for all
SEOUL, Korea, June 03, 2013 - Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd, a global leader in digital media and digital convergence technologies, today announced the introduction of the GALAXY Tab 3 8-inch and 10.1-inch which will be available globally beginning of June. Offering an expanded range of options along with previously announced 7-inch version, the GALAXY Tab 3 Series provides customers various ways to view, listen, create, and share meaningful events and special content with those who matter most. Whether surfing the web at home or reading during the commute, each device is packed with enhanced content and intuitive design perfect for viewing or sharing content with friends and family, and capturing all of life’s spontaneous moments. Samsung GALAXY Tab 3 8-inch

Exceptional Reading and Entertainment Experience: Designed to be held in one hand, the new GALAXY Tab 3 8-inch is the optimal device for viewing videos, playing enhanced games, and reading e-Books anytime, anywhere. Outstanding slim bezel for effective and maximum screen use makes Samsung’s “reading mode” technology which optimizes the display to deliver perfect illumination and tone for comfortable paperlike readability in a variety of lighting conditions work better on its 8-inch screen. Samsung’s Sound Alive for Audio and Dolby Surround for Video Play maximize every sound allow users to enjoy clearer dialogue, consistent volume levels, and superior audio to further enhance the overall multimedia experience with the new device. Also, the physical keys on the bezel at bottom give users a comfortable smartphone-like experience in navigating.

Enhanced Smart Usability: Making travel and discovery more effortless, the GALAXY Tab 3 8-inch features S Translator, which provides instant translation through voice recognition and via text on applications including email, text message, and ChatON. This instant translation is possible both from speech-to-text and text-to-speech, ensuring that you can communicate with ease while traveling internationally. Also, S Travel, the Smart Travel Companion, provides real-time local information in need for travel along with user's travel paths. Users can get information and make reservation of the places classified in various categories such as Place, Hotel, Tickets, Food and Forum, and more. In addition, intuitive features such as Story Album and Group Play also allow users more ways to instantly share and enjoy music, photos, documents, and games with those around them.

Samsung GALAXY Tab 3 10.1-inch

Amplified Multimedia Experience: Built to be the leading 10-inch tablet in the market, the GALAXY Tab 3 10.1-inch seamlessly combines sleek design and enhanced multimedia capabilities for home and family use. Stacked with a 1.6 GHz Dual Core processor, the GALAXY Tab 3 10.1-inch is the ideal device for everyday family use and multimedia consumption. Featuring a comprehensive suite of video, music, and photo software, and coupled with the clarity of its display, the GALAXY Tab 3 10.1 takes center stage for portable home entertainment.

A Perfect Tablet for the Entire Family: Equipped with Smart Remote and MHL (TV Out) capabilities, the GALAXY Tab 3 10.1 seamlessly transitions from the perfect gaming device for kids to the ideal home media control device for the parents. Whether streaming movies to the family television or playing games at the highest resolution, the GALAXY Tab 3 10.1-inch smoothly integrates into the household media environment for an experience that can be enjoyed by the whole family.

Specs Galaxy Tab 10.1

10.1-inch WXGA TFT (1280 x 800, 149PPI)

Android 4.2 (Jelly Bean)

243.1 x 176.1 x 7.95mm

510g (Wi-Fi)

1.6GHz dual-core processor

3MP rear camera; 1.3MP front camera

WiFi, HSPA+, LTE

1GB RAM

16/32GB internal storage; microSD card slot expansion

Galaxy Tab 8

8-inch WXGA TFT(1280 x 800, 189PPI)

Android 4.2 (Jelly Bean)

209.8 x 123.8 x 7.4mm

314g(Wi-Fi)

1.5GHz dual-core processor

5MP rear camera; 1.3MP front camera

WiFi, HSPA+, LTE

1.5GB RAM

16/32GB internal storage; microSD card slot expansion

About Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. is a global leader in technology, opening new possibilities for people everywhere. Through relentless innovation and discovery, we are transforming the worlds of televisions, smartphones, personal computers, printers, cameras, home appliances, LTE systems, medical devices, semiconductors and LED solutions. We employ 236,000 people across 79 countries with annual sales of US$187.8 billion. To discover more, please visit www.samsung.com.

Via: Samsung

Vine Finally Arrives Today on Android (Updated: It's Live!)

Kellen — Mon, 03 Jun 2013 07:07:20 +0000

Vine, Twitter's popular short-clip video sharing service that was previously only on iOS, will be available on Android today. For those not familiar, Vine allows you to record 6 seconds of video (with sound) and then share it with the world, much like you do a Tweet. It becomes interesting in the idea that you can pause and continue recording simply by touching and releasing your finger to and from the screen. Current Vine users have created all sorts of 6-second stop motion clips that are highly entertaining, many of which continuously loop. When it launches later today on Android, we'll see a version that's actually a step or two behind the iOS version. Thankfully Twitter claims that this won't be the case for long, and updates "including front-facing camera, search, mentions and hashtags, and the ability to share to Facebook" are on the way. So yeah, it's sort of half-baked for the moment, but at least you'll be able to give it a spin and get the hang of things. They did also mention that they have features on the way which may only be possible on Android, so at least you have that. Again, the Play store link isn't live yet, but should be at some point. We'll be sure to let you know as that happens. Update: It's now live in the Google Play store! Play Link Via: Twitter

The Weekend is the Perfect Time to Catch Up on the Droid Life Show Episode 26

Tim — Fri, 31 May 2013 20:42:25 +0000

We all know how lonely it can get over the weekends. Not to worry, the Droid Life Show episode 26 can keep you company. In this week's episode, we covered all of the hot topics including the recently Woodside-confirmed Motorola X phone, the new rendition of Gmail, what we spotted of Android 4.3 during a recent leak and a whole lot more. Please, won't you join us?

This Week in the Life of DROID: 5/31/2013

Tim — Fri, 31 May 2013 15:21:48 +0000

We had a pretty busy week, highlighted with a brand new HTC One "Nexus Experience" device, as well as the possibility that HTC might allow current One owners to remove Sense UI from their device. Was that a pig I just saw fly by? Motorola's CEO confirmed that the X phone does exist and it will be built right here in the United States, along with leaked press renders of the upcoming Galaxy S4 Active on AT&T. Yes, it was busy indeed! If you missed any of the action, we have the highlights listed out below.

Have a great weekend, everyone!

NVIDIA SHIELD Hits the FCC, Still Penciled in to Ship Before End of June

Tim — Fri, 31 May 2013 14:32:25 +0000

NVIDIA's upcoming Tegra 4-powered SHIELD device still needed to make one pit stop before being shipped out to customers and that's the required stop by the good ol' FCC. Now that the device has been approved for all of its WiFi operation, we can still plan on the device being shipped out before the end of June, at least according to NVIDIA's pre-order page. The price still sits at $350, an amount that many potential customers are still trying to wrap their minds around. While many people argue that they would not meet the SHIELD's use case on a daily basis, the device does bring an entirely new dimension to PC/mobile gaming. For those that want to play their popular PC games from the comfort of the couch and with a full gaming controller, it is pretty revolutionary stuff. Plus, being able to say goodbye to on-screen controls will be a huge plus for SHIELD adopters. According to our poll there probably isn't many of you, but let's see a show of hands of who pre-ordered SHIELD and maybe a brief summary of why you did. Via: PocketNow | FCC

Samsung Galaxy S4 Active for AT&T Press Render Leaked

Tim — Fri, 31 May 2013 12:54:28 +0000

Samsung's upcoming Galaxy S4 Active that should be revealed at their London event on June 20, is now confirmed for AT&T thanks to a leaked press render. This variant of the GS4 Active looks incredibly different from past looks we have seen of the device, as this one sports a mono grey tone around the entirety of its body, with no other color accents except for a darker shade of matte grey along the bottom and top. The Active we have seen in photos and video was red and black with a more glossy tone. While some folks may not need a ruggedized version of this year's most popular phone, it definitely isn't the ugliest phone we have ever seen. According to @evleaks, this variant of the device will feature an 8MP back-facing camera, Snapdragon 600 chipset, a Super AMOLED Full HD display, as well as full AT&T 4G LTE connectivity. Thoughts on the look? Via: The Unlockr

TYLT VU Wireless Charger Up on Kickstarter, Allows for Free Positioning While You Juice

Tim — Fri, 31 May 2013 12:40:42 +0000

With wireless charging dubbed one of the next big things for mobile devices, you can bet on seeing more and more companies attempting to create the perfect wireless charger. What makes wireless charging somewhat of a pain is that you are required to have your device placed perfectly in place at times to allow for the flowing of electricity. In addition, most wireless chargers are made for the phone to lay flat on a surface, not at an angle, making the ability to actually use the device while it's charging somewhat of a pain in the rear. With the TYLT VU wireless charger that is now up on Kickstarter, you can place your device anywhere on this stand and get to juicing up, while also having it at a usable angle. The company is looking for $60,000 and has already reached about $16K in funding. Units cost around $50 and up depending on if there are any early bird options left. The stands are quite good looking, coming in a variety of colors, so I could see these becoming somewhat popular amongst the wireless charging fans. Consider yourself a fan of wireless charging?

Verizon Galaxy S3 Struggling With LTE After Latest Update, Other Issues Too?

Kellen — Fri, 31 May 2013 12:09:09 +0000

Verizon's variant of the Samsung Galaxy S3 received a pretty major update earlier in the week, but according to multiple comments from readers who have taken the new build, the phone may be experiencing some major issues. We're seeing everything from complaints of poor 4G LTE connectivity to phones auto-subscribing to the newest bloatware add-on from the update called Caller Name ID. After updating, users are having issues even connecting to LTE, and are finding their phones either stuck on 3G or without a signal altogether. For some, the device can connect to 4G LTE, but should it drop back to 3G, it will get stuck their indefinitely until the phone is either rebooted or Airplane mode is toggled on and off. Some have had some success by changing the network settings to LTE/CDMA instead of Global (Settings>More settings>Mobile networks>Network mode), but this seems to only help with getting a 3G connection back, not necessarily stabilizing 4G LTE. It's a mess for many. Factory resets do not appear to fixing the problems either.

Others are also reporting incredibly slow data speeds and poor battery life, all after updating. One reader even mentioned that he has two Galaxy S3s, one with the update and another without, and the one without the update is running as good as ever while the updated phone is struggling with everything we just mentioned. Last, the update included a new bloatware app called Caller Name ID. It's an app that can be used for free as a trial, but should you opt-in, will then automatically charge you $2.99 per month through Verizon after the trial ends. We've had at least two readers claim that the update automatically subscribed them to this new service. To make sure you aren't subscribed, login to your Verizon Wireless account online, and cruise into the "Change features" section. If you scroll to the very bottom, you'll see the option for "Caller Name ID for Mobile Devices." Make sure it hasn't been added to your account. If it has, click the "Remove" button. Also, feel free to head into Settings>Application manager>All and find the app in the list. Tap on it and then disable it, so you don't have to deal with it going forward.

This update was supposed to be feature packed, with new toys like Multi Window, but the stability of the update is clearly questionable. How is your device holding up after the update? Cheers Michael!

HTC M4 Spotted Alongside Massive Sony Togari Device

Tim — Fri, 31 May 2013 11:21:40 +0000

The above picture surfaced earlier today on Twitter, showing off some very interesting devices. Up first is the HTC M4 aka One Mini, a device that was leaked around the beginning of this month. This is the first time we are seeing it in person and the subtle differences between this phone and the larger One make it look like a very classy device. It has a white border around its edge, as well as having the smaller BoomSound grills. From the info that was leaked previously, it supposedly rocks a 4.3″ 720p display, 2GB of RAM, a dual-core Snapdragon processor and runs Android 4.2+. Next up is that huge Sony device. Being labeled as the rumored Togari device, this thing (pictured below the Galaxy Note 2) looks insanely large. It is rumored to feature a 6.44" 1080p display and that is all that is currently known. Any thoughts on this Togari device or the One Mini? Via: @Dahny El Perro | Engadget

Google Wallet Working for Verizon's Galaxy S4, as Long as You're Rooted

Eric — Fri, 31 May 2013 10:25:14 +0000

The two entities Google Wallet and Verizon have had a rocky relationship ever since the service launched. Verizon jumped on ship with ISIS as the mobile payment system they wanted on their devices, so anytime you wanted to use Wallet, it has to be through the rooted channel. Thanks to the hard working guys at XDA, you can now install Wallet on your new Galaxy S4, but once again, you must be rooted.

After making sure that your device is rooted with a custom recovery, there are still a few steps that you need to walk through to make sure everything is working smoothly. To make the deal even sweeter, this modded Wallet package will work on AOSP and TouchWiz-based ROMs so everyone should be in luck. To get the download and for full instructions on installation, hit the source link below.

Via: XDA

Cheers Open1Your1Eyes0, James, Jon and Phil!

Jane Wilde Arrives for Android, a Western Zombie Shoot 'em Up

Tim — Fri, 31 May 2013 09:59:44 +0000

We were just thinking to ourselves how there wasn't enough Western-themed zombie games on Google Play. Jane Wilde is fixin' to change that. From publisher Level Bit, you play as Jane, blowing brain-hungry zombies into oblivion with a whole ton of different weapons, all upgradeable for massive death tolls. The controls are simple - you move from to right and can kick zombies in the head and shoot your guns. If you have ever played Zombieville, then you will be right at home. There are boss characters to challenge your shooting skills, as well as big power ups to get you out of sticky situations. The game is free on Google Play, so if you need something fun to keep you busy this weekend, check it out. Play Link [youtube]http://youtu.be/wxVYSWzUQIE[/youtube]

Contest: Win a White Nexus 4 8GB to Celebrate Its Arrival! (Update: Winner Picked!)

Kellen — Fri, 31 May 2013 09:18:39 +0000

Since the white Nexus 4 finally went live moments ago, we thought the only good way to celebrate the occasion would be by giving one away to an amazing member of the Droid Life community. So, let's do this. This is a single day contest that ends the same day, meaning we'll have a winner by this afternoon. Who wants an 8GB white Nexus 4?

Contest

Update: We have our winner! Congrats to Josh E! Prize: 1 (one) white Nexus 4 8GB. How to enter: a Rafflecopter giveaway Winner: A winner will be chosen this afternoon at 3PM Pacific.

White Nexus 4 Now Available on Google Play (Updated: It's Live)

Kellen — Fri, 31 May 2013 09:02:43 +0000

The white Nexus 4 in both 8GB and 16GB variants just appeared on the Google Play store, ~~though you can't buy it at this moment~~. Actually, ~~all of the N4 pages appear to be broken~~, but this certainly is a sign that we are moments away from having white backed, Oreo phone glory. The 16GB runs $349, while the 8GB version is $299 - the same prices as the black version of the phone. Update: The pages are now live! And you get a free white Bumper with purchase. Play Links: 16GB White | 8GB White Update 2: T-Mobile is also selling the white version, though they are charging $428 for the 16GB version.

World War Z Game Infects Google Play, Looks Visually Impressive

Tim — Fri, 31 May 2013 08:40:35 +0000

2013 has a long list of movies that I am personally really excited for. For some odd reason, World War Z is one of these movies and today, the official World War Z game landed on Google Play. Published by Paramount Digital Entertainment, I would have to say that this is one of the more graphically-intense titles I have seen in a while, but with a $5 price tag accompanying it, I'm hoping for some great action and wonderful gameplay. In the game, you travel the world attempting to save your loved ones from the infection. During the trailer, you are basically swarmed by oceans of zombies, but no worries, you have a huge machine gun to take care of that problem. If you pick it up, let us know what you think down below. Play Link ($4.99) [youtube]http://youtu.be/LswiwBAHmtU[/youtube]

New DashClock Extension Shows Hangouts Info on Your Lock Screen

Kellen — Fri, 31 May 2013 08:16:27 +0000

A new DashClock extension was released this morning to allow Google Hangouts information to be displayed through the popular lock screen widget. The extension is about as simple as it gets in terms of info that it displays, but if you were looking to add Hangouts info to your ever-growing-list of DashClock add-ons, this is currently the way. We should note that it does require root access, so this extension will not be for everyone. We'll be adding this to our rolling DashClock extension list, which you should check out if you haven't already. And don't forget to join the DashClock beta program to keep up-to-date on the latest releases. Play Link Via: reddit

HTC to Possibly Allow Existing One Owners to Remove Sense UI From Their Device?

Tim — Thu, 30 May 2013 16:24:21 +0000

New details have emerged out of the HTC camp regarding today's announcement of a "Nexus Experience" HTC One. Two main points were brought up when speaking to The Verge, the first concerning the device's hardware buttons. They will remain on the device, with the Android OS being built around them. Exactly like how they are currently, Google Now will be accessed by long pressing the home button and then double tapping the home button will bring up Android's multitask windows. The second and most important piece of new information concerns current HTC One owners that might feel a bit left out by this announcement. HTC is currently "examining the best way to support early adopters of the One," who would potentially prefer an AOSP experience to Sense UI. That's right, current owners of the One may be given stock Android if they so choose. How and when HTC intends to roll out such a change is still to be determined, but this is a great sign that HTC is open to their customer's opinions and desires. As of right now, the only way we could think of that they could accomplish such a task is to basically release a vanilla Android ROM for people to download and flash. Either way, we like what we're hearing. Any HTC One owners in here that can't wait to flash some stock Android? Via: The Verge

Fleksy's Full-screen Hidden Keyboard is Cooler Than Your Keyboard

Kellen — Thu, 30 May 2013 15:45:10 +0000

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

Sorry for the second Fleksy keyboard post in as many hours, but we were sort of blown away by some of the advanced controls that are included with this keyboard, most notably the option to go full-screen hidden keyboard. Yes, that sounds as awesome and confusing as one might think. Watch the video and see. You'll also find a bunch of other advanced controls here. To get in on the beta, find instructions here. Mind blown? Cheers DroidzFX!

All-in-One Root Tool Released for Verizon Galaxy S4

Tim — Thu, 30 May 2013 14:51:28 +0000

For those of you who finally have your shiny new Galaxy S4 in hand on Verizon, I think you know what time it is. If you are looking into rooting and flashing some custom ROMs, you will definitely want to check out this newly released all-in-one rootkit. After installing the program on your Windows desktop computer, simply hook up your device, make sure the drivers are installed and press "Go!" It's as simple as that. From that point, you can root your device and also flash a custom recovery, allowing for system backups and the flashing of custom ROMs which are popping up left and right on the forums. If you want to give it the once over or are ready to get to hacking, follow the via link down below. Happy flashing. Via: XDA Cheers Ben!

Download: Samsung Apps Store With Access to Photo Editor, Wallet, and Others for the Verizon Galaxy S3

Kellen — Thu, 30 May 2013 14:23:12 +0000

When Verizon updated the Samsung Galaxy S3 yesterday to include Multi Window and other new features, they left out the Samsung Apps store that most Samsung devices ship with these days. In the Samsung Apps store, you'll find things like Samsung's Photo Editor, Video Editor, Game Hub, Samsung Wallet, etc. Many of these apps aren't in the Google Play store (or they may not work if they are), so Samsung Apps is your way of experiencing many of Samsung's own apps. Thanks to a direct link to a download of Samsung Apps from a reader, you can experience all that Samsung has to offer with a couple of clicks and a download. Visit this Samsung link to download Samsung Apps. From there, click on the "Download Samsung Apps" button, then "Galaxy S4" (yes, the .apk for the GS4 works on the GS3). Your device will download the Samsung Apps .apk, which you can then install and enjoy. In order to install apps, you'll have to create a Samsung account, so keep that in mind. Cheers Christopher!

Fleksy Keyboard Beta Released to Google Play, Join the Group and Try it Yourself

Tim — Thu, 30 May 2013 13:23:57 +0000

Third party keyboards are very popular on Android and with the number of choices available through Google Play and even the ones that come pre-installed on devices, that fact is easy to see. The newest board to catch our eye is Fleksy, a keyboard that relies heavily on predictions and autocorrections. The developers, the same team that created BlindType, state that looking at your keyboard to type is no longer a requirement, as their app delivers a more natural typing experience. Watch our very own Kellex go hands-on with the newest keyboard. To try out the beta, head to their Google+ community page here and enter yourself. Once entered, you can download the app from Google Play via the Play store link below. Play Link [youtube]http://youtu.be/FcqGcS9f7Vc[/youtube] Update: We've got video of the secret full-screen hidden keyboard over here. Be sure to try it!

Pebble Update Brings Multiple Notification Management, Other UI Changes

Kellen — Thu, 30 May 2013 12:15:05 +0000

Pebble, the darling smartwatch of Kickstarter, received an update today that makes receiving multiple notifications manageable, finally. In the past, one of our biggest criticisms had to do with new notifications wiping out previously received notifications before you could even finish reading them. In today's update, as long as multiple notifications are received "within a short timeframe," Pebble will allow you to use the up and down buttons to switch between them. This makes the Pebble immediately more functional and useful. Outside of the new notification management, they tweaked the UI here and there, swapped music track changing buttons, improved clipped text and graphic presentations, and squashed a ton of bugs. Here is the full list of changes:

Multiple notifications can now be viewed if they arrive within a short timeframe.
Fix for vibration getting stuck ‘on’.
UI changes for Date & Time menu.
Option to show current speed (different than current pace) added in the Sports API.
Next and previous track buttons swapped in the music control application.
Power consumption fix for some Bluetooth connections.
Improvements to presentation of clipped text and graphics.
Fuzzy Time watchface is no longer installed by default and now available in the Pebble watchface list via the Pebble phone app.
Fixed crash while changing windows, generally when setting alarm or setting time.

To grab the update, connect your phone to your Pebble, open the Pebble app on your phone, hit the action overflow menu and chose "Check For FW Update." Pebble also announced that orange and grey Pebbles are now shipping. Via: Pebble

Root Explorer Updated, Brings Multiple Tab Navigation and Cloud Storage Support

Tim — Thu, 30 May 2013 11:35:36 +0000

An update has been pushed out to the aging Root Explorer app, an application that has been a rooter's best friend since the original DROID days. With root access, the application can open any of your device's system files, while also allowing for the editing and sharing of files within your device as well. It is a good app that worked exactly the way you needed it to. The update brings some major enhancements such as multiple tabs for easy navigation, Google Drive and other cloud storage service support and an overhauled notification system for operations. What's New:

Multiple tabs.
Network (SMB), Google Drive, Box and Dropbox support.
Concurrent, background processing of multiple operations with notifications.
New action status with progress display and ability to cancel all long-running operations.
Action bar and multi-select action mode support.
Fully customizable list icons.
For details of new permissions requested see the full app description.

Play Link ($3.99) Cheers Dave and Greggles!

A Few Thoughts on This "Nexus Experience" Program

Kellen — Thu, 30 May 2013 10:59:23 +0000

The "Nexus experience" device appears to be all the rage these days, grabbing headlines left and right. After Google announced the first in this new category at Google I/O as the Samsung Galaxy S4 "Nexus experience," HTC decided they would like to be a part of this elite crowd as well. This morning, Android leader Sundar Pichai announced the HTC One "Nexus experience" to an applause from tech enthusiasts across the globe. It's a move I think many of us have hoped for all along - you know, the latest flagship devices running stock Android, receiving timely updates, and having no part of a manufacturer skin. It's a dream, right? Mostly, but that doesn't mean we don't have questions, concerns, and other thoughts in general. Here are a few that immediately come to mind.

The point of this new program

This new "Nexus experience" program is an interesting one, to say the least. Is the point to show that a strength in partnerships between Google and OEMs still exists now that they own Motorola? Is it simply to offer the best hardware with a "Nexus" or stock experience? Is it all about having choices? It certainly isn't about affordable choices, that's for sure. I certainly don't think it's about selling millions of stock Android devices, though the success of the program will remain to be seen for now. No matter what, we've never been one to be negative about choices, so to that I say, "Thanks...Google."

Timing of releases

I understand that this new "Nexus experience" program is brand new, but to Google and whoever your partners are going forward, let's not release these phones a month or two after the regular editions have dropped. There are such things in the tech industry as "early adopters," and we don't like it when a better version of what we just bought is released weeks later without us having any knowledge of it. So either announce "Nexus experience" editions during your device's initial unveiling, or at least release them at the same time. I personally, now have an unlocked HTC One that will become a paperweight thanks to today's announcement of the "Nexus experience" One.

Prices

The prices of these new "Nexus experience" phones are arguably higher than they should be (HTC One at $599, Galaxy S4 at $649). While these are not "Nexus" devices made specifically for Google, meaning the manufacturers still want to make a buck or two off of sales of them, selling them at the same price as one would find from a carrier is a bit much. I get that they are giving us "options," but when you aren't tying them to a carrier, you should be able to sell them for much cheaper. Also, since part of the cost of the skinned versions of your phones likely includes all of the time spent fine-tuning your custom skin and software enhancements, I sort of feel like charging the same price for a phone without all of that is sort of a rip off. Shouldn't there be a discount for the bare bones model? Even shady car dealers have done it this way for years with cars and options.

Updates, where are they coming from

We understand that these "Nexus experience" devices are in essence, Google's take on how these devices should perform, meaning they should also receive timelier updates than skinned versions of the same phones. But where are these updates coming from? Are they coming directly from Google, or do we have to wait for manufacturers to approve new updates once Google has released them? According to a blog post from HTC, it sounds like updates will indeed come directly from Google. Here's to hoping those updates carry the same importance as they do on Nexus devices.

Please CDMA, just die already

Our comments were flooded immediately after today's announcement that HTC and Google have teamed up for a "Nexus experience" One with, "No Verizon? That sucks." And yes, it does suck. But thanks to the CDMA networks behind carriers like Verizon and Sprint, we may not ever see "Nexus experience" devices. Carriers get to decide what phones are whitelisted for their CDMA networks, unlike GSM networks who have to allow anything capable of running on them. That's why these new devices from Samsung and HTC work great on both T-Mobile and AT&T. Our only chance for a "Nexus experience" on Verizon, is one that is VoLTE and doesn't have to touch their CDMA network at any time. But who knows how many years away we are from that happening.

Nexus program lives on

Sundar Pichai confirmed during his interview today that the Nexus program is not dying even though we are seeing a couple of "Nexus experience" devices. Their goal with the Nexus program is to push the platform forward, and that will continue on. So with that it mind, be aware that we are likely to see a new Nexus phone this winter, if history tells us anything. So if you were thinking of picking up one of these new "Nexus experience" phones, it may not have everything that the next Nexus will offer.

Please Google, fix your camera software

Both the Galaxy S4 and HTC One have been praised since launch for having two of the best smartphone cameras ever made. They both have their issues, but for the most part, there are few phones that carry as many tricks as these two. With that said, they won't have any of these tricks once they ship with stock Android. Both HTC and Samsung use their own camera software on their skinned phones, but with a stock "Nexus experience," we're going to be stuck with Google's stock Android camera software. As we have mentioned time and time again over the years, Nexus cameras always produce some of the poorest quality shots of any smartphone. At this point, I think we're done blaming the sensors being used and are instead fully on the stock-android-camera-software-sucks bandwagon. It's time, Google, to fine-tune your camera software, especially if you are going to sell phones known for their cameras.

In the end, these are the phones to have

When it's all said and done, if you are an Android enthusiast or one that constantly begs for a stock Android experience with timely updates, these are the phones you should be considering. Sure, the Nexus program itself has always been the way for Android elitists to go, but with the Nexus 4 lacking LTE, we know that many of you passed this time around. But with the "Nexus experience" program launching, you no longer have an excuse, assuming you are willing to spend $600 on a new phone. On June 26, you'll have the choice of the top two smartphones on the planet, with stock Android, updated by Google, at your fingertips. I'm sure I'll have more thoughts as we close in on the June 26 launch date for both devices. Until then, I'd love to hear your thoughts on this new "Nexus experience" program. Love it? Hate it? Don't understand it? Changes you'd like to see?

Even With Vanilla Flagships Launching, Google's Nexus Platform Not Going Anywhere

Tim — Thu, 30 May 2013 10:37:57 +0000

It is exciting to see Google partner with the top Android manufacturers to bring completely vanilla versions of their flagship devices to Google Play, but during today's D11 sit down with Google's Sundar Pichai, he stressed that this does not mean the end of the Nexus program. While Google will release these "Nexus Experience" Galaxy S4 and HTC One devices, next-gen hardware made specifically for Google's next-gen software is not going anywhere. Here is what Sundar said during the interview when the question of eliminating the program was brought up.

Walt: So you won’t make more Nexus devices? Pichai: The goal with Nexus was to push forward hardware with partners. That will continue as well.

So in the case of the Nexus program and vanilla-flavored flagship devices, we can have our cake and eat it too. Via: AllThingsD

How to: Enable New Gmail Inbox With Categories

Tim — Thu, 30 May 2013 10:12:13 +0000

If you have been waiting ever-so patiently for the past 24 hours to try out the new Gmail for desktop, you can do so starting now. While in your inbox on the desktop, hit the Settings (little gear on the right) and under the drop down menu, select "Configure inbox." From here, you will select which tabs you want to have shown, including the new Social and Promotion options. What's great is that you do not have to have any of them selected, so if you want a more unified appearance, then you won't have to change anything. Although, the new look does disable the Priority inbox, so that's also something to keep in mind. If you don't like the new look, you can easily revert back by going to Settings>Inbox and then under the drop down menu, select "Priority Inbox." Please note, this new look is currently not available for Google Apps users.

Feel free to give it a spin! Cheers Jovan!

HTC "T6" Device Specs Detailed - 5.9" 1080p Display, Snapdragon 800 and Key Lime Pie

Tim — Thu, 30 May 2013 09:43:26 +0000

Details on an upcoming HTC superdevice, codenamed T6, reportedly leaked giving us a glimpse into what the manufacturer has cooking for later this year. I know we don't like using the word "phablet," but the device is listed as featuring a massive 5.9" display, complete with 1080p resolution. If that wasn't enough to get someone excited, it is reported that HTC looks to power this monster using Qualcomm's latest Snapdragon 800 quad-core processor, capable of maintaining a clock speed of up to 2.3GHz. While crazy high-end specs are being tossed around, the one extremely unique feature of this device that we should point out is that according to the leak, this device could launch running Key Lime Pie. Release is penciled in for sometime near the end of this year, so given Google's slower roll out method with Android 4.3, this could all pan out if it's real. Another detail that could get the Galaxy Note 2 fans excited is the addition of a premium stylus accessory, said to come with the device. HTC is reportedly sparing no expense on the design and feel of this pen, with the company also including special software to make good use of it. Specs:

Snapdragon 800 2.3GHz quad-core
5.9" 1080p display
2GB of RAM
16GB of internal storage
UltraPixel back-facing camera
2.1MP front-facing camera w/ wide angle lens
3,300mAh battery
Key Lime Pie (Android version unknown)

The specs listed are basically a dream device for some people, possibly minus the UltraPixel, depending on who you talk to. Besides that, the device shows a very nice display, enough power to do anything you might need and a stylus to boot. The question is, would it be a big version of the One or could we see a new design entirely? Let us know your thoughts down below. Via: The Unlockr

HTC One "Nexus Experience" Confirmed by Sundar Pichai, Available June 26 for $599

Kellen — Thu, 30 May 2013 08:49:44 +0000

Sundar Pichai is on stage at D11 this morning, and right out of the gate announced that they will sell an HTC One "Nexus Experience" through Google Play on June 26 for $599. This device was rumored and denied and rumored again shortly after Samsung and Google announced their "Nexus Experience" edition of the Galaxy S4 at I/O, but over the last week, rumors picked up that HTC would indeed be offering a similar experience on their newest flagship. Today, that rumor is confirmed. Update: Hugo Barra just confirmed it on G+ as well, along with the beautiful image of it at the top of this post. Update 2: HTC has also announced the device now. We're looking at the 32GB version of the HTC One, running stock Android, capable of running on T-Mobile and AT&T LTE, for $599 through Google Play. The device is running Android 4.2.2, has an unlockable bootloader, and somehow keeps Beats Audio (even though it's stock). Via: AllThingsD

Gameloft Launches UNO & Friends for Android, Showcases Realtime Multiplayer Card Action

Tim — Thu, 30 May 2013 08:30:53 +0000

Large game publisher Gameloft released a new title this morning, UNO & Friends. It brings the same UNO action as the first version did that everyone knows and loves, but with the added "friends," you can expect a much better time playing. If you and a couple amigos want to play the classic card game, getting into the same mulitplayer lobby and competing to get on global leaderboards is now possible. The game is free to pick up in Google Play, so go challenge some friends and see what's up. Play Link [youtube]http://youtu.be/IszDOA1lt6Q[/youtube]

Google Introduces Nutrition Information to Search

Kellen — Thu, 30 May 2013 08:08:43 +0000

This morning, Google announced that they will now display nutritional information from the Knowledge Graph in Google Search. Once live, you should find "extensive nutrition information for over 1,000 fruits, vegetables, meats and meals in search," from both the web and your mobile device. As you can see in the images included in this post, you should be able to ask your device specific nutrition questions and have it respond back to you. When you ask Google "how many carbs are in corn?" it should respond while also providing a card with quick information, much like you see with other Google voice searches. The service will launch in English first and will rollout out in the U.S. only over the next 10 days.

Via: Inside Search

Samsung Announces the Galaxy S4 Mini - Dual-core Processor, 4.3-inch qHD Display, and GS4 Software Features

Kellen — Thu, 30 May 2013 07:41:51 +0000

The Samsung Galaxy S4 Mini was introduced this morning as the "practical" version of Samsung's flagship Galaxy S4. The Mini provides most of the experience one would get with the GS4, only it delivers it in a much smaller package and at what we are assuming to be a more budget-friendly price. On a spec front, you'll find a 1.7GHz dual-core processor, 4.3" qHD display (not even 720p), 1.5GB RAM, 8MP rear camera, 1.9MP front camera, 8GB internal storage, microSD card slot for expandable storage, and a 1,900mAh battery all wrapped into a package that is 8.94mm thick. It also supports global HSPA+ and LTE. On a software front, you are looking at a similar setup to the Galaxy S4. Most of the camera suite of enhancements is there, along with S Translator, S Voice, and S Health. The press release doesn't mention it, but I would assume this does not have any of the Air View technology since it's a different screen tech. But overall, it's an affordable and smaller Galaxy S4. When the phone launches, it will be available in White Frost and Black Mist. Images:

Press release:

Samsung Introduces the GALAXY S4 mini : A Powerful, Compact Smartphone

May 30, 2013

Strong performance and exceptional user experience in a sleek, highly portable device is designed to meet a variety of customers’ taste

SEOUL, Korea 17:00KST - May 30, 2013 - Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd, a global leader in mobile technology and digital solutions, today announced Samsung GALAXY S4 mini, a powerful yet compact version of Samsung’s bestselling smartphone, GALAXY S4. The GALAXY S4 mini delivers the superior performance, intuitive ease-of-use and sleek design of the GALAXY S4 in a highly portable, chic and compact design, making it an ideal companion for everyday life. “We appreciate such unprecedented demands for the GALAXY S4 that we aimed to provide users with life companion for a fuller, richer and simpler life. And now, we want to give people more choices with GALAXY S4 mini, similar look & feel of GALAXY S4 for more compact and practical usages ,” said JK Shin, CEO and President of IT & Mobile Communication Division at Samsung Electronics. “The new GALAXY S4 mini provides consumers with a new way to enjoy the flagship GALAXY S4 experience.” With a 4.3” qHD Super AMOLED display, 107g light weight and compact design, the GALAXY S4 mini is easy to carry and operate with one hand. Though compact, the GALAXY S4 mini also boasts powerful performance, equipped with a 1.7GHz dual core processor that allows users to quickly and easily perform data intensive tasks. The GALAXY S4 mini supports many intuitive features and services provided by the GALAXY S4, designed enhance every facet of life.

Capture Important Moments: The GALAXY S4 mini allows users to capture important moments with an 8-megapixel rear-facing camera and 1.9-megapixel HD front-facing camera. Special features such as Sound&Shot, which uniquely stores sound and voice together as pictures are taken, and Panorama Shot, which allows users to photograph the full view of their surroundings, ensure no memory is lost. Receive travel assistance and information service through the preloaded S Travel application, which can also recommend future trips and provide a guide along the way. Users can also automatically arrange photos in a smart format with the Story Album function. Photos taken by GALAXY S4 mini are automatically gathered and saved according to the user’s timeline, geo-tagging information, or a specific event to create a photo album.
Share and Connect: Samsung GALAXY S4 mini allows users to share and build true connections. Users can simultaneously listen to the same music and play the games together with friends using Group Play feature, and chat with multiple friends and add animations, voice and video recordings to messages using ChatON.
Make Life Simple and Easy: The GALAXYS4 mini makes international travel easy with S Translator, which provides instant text or voice translation at email, text message or ChatON. Samsung Hub provides a single entry for Samsung contents and services, making it incredibly easy and convenient to use. Users can browse through a variety of content across services including music, video, books, games and learning content as well as purchase and manage contents easily, from a single Samsung Account. Samsung Hub features an intergraded search when users browse a keyword, the results will show related content from all of the services at once.Users can also control their TVs through WatchON’s IR remote which transforms the GALAXY S4 mini into a remote to control the user’s TVs, set-top box, and DVD player. Through WatchON, The GALAXY S4 mini also offers a broad selection of entertainment content including live TV, cable TV and video on demand based on the rich information provided EPG (Electronic Program Guide). Samsung Link＊ also enables users to share content across multiple Samsung digital devices.＊available in select countries
Take Care of Health and Well-being: The GALAXY S4 mini empowers users by keeping them up-to-date with personal health and well-being details. Downloadable from Samsung Apps, S Health enables users to monitor caloric balance and health condition. S Health accessories can also help users calculate daily steps, monitor sleeping patterns, calculate weight and get real-time heart monitoring. To further protect users’ wellbeing, Adapt Display provides an optimal viewing experience customized for each type of application, and Adapt Sound offers an optimal level and type of sound, personalized for each user.

The GALAXY S4 mini will be available in two colors, White Frost and Black Mist. Commercial availability of the GALAXY S4 mini supporting either 4G LTE, or 3G HSPA＋ or 3G Dual SIM, will be determined by market. Media quests and invited partners will be provided hands-on product experiences of GALAXY S4 mini at Samsung Premiere 2013 GALAXY & ATIV, London, Thursday, June 20th. Specs:

The Droid Life Show: Episode 26

Kellen — Thu, 30 May 2013 00:39:47 +0000

It's time for the Droid Life Show episode 26! On tonight's broadcast, we have a number of noteworthy topics to cover, most notably the news out of D11 surrounding Motorola and the X Phone. CEO Dennis Woodside admitted to the world that they are indeed working on the Moto X and that it, along with a handful of other phones will be out between now and October. Outside of Moto X talk, we want to talk about the new Gmail, Google Edition smartphones, Android 4.3, Samsung's June 20 event in London, and more. The show kicks off around 6:00PM Pacific (9:00PM Eastern). A live video broadcast and chat are embedded below.

Subscribe | iTunes | Show Page

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uErX97Ux8UE[/youtube]

The Droid Life Show is Happening Tonight at 6PM Pacific!

Tim — Wed, 29 May 2013 21:07:35 +0000

It's Wednesday, our favorite day of the week. Tonight, the Droid Life Show returns with episode 26, sure to be full of good times and great topics. We will be going over Samsung's upcoming lineup of devices (which seems to be growing by the day), Google's All Access service chewing through data, reports that HTC's personnel is not feeling so hot and a whole lot more. And yes, I (Tato) will totally be there. Sorry for last week's absence, I was busy with Jennifer Lopez. The show begins at 6:00PM Pacific (9:00PM Eastern). We’ll have live video and chat embeds at that time.

Subscribe | iTunes | Show Page

Moto X Phone Will Arrive Late Summer

Kellen — Wed, 29 May 2013 19:58:32 +0000

Motorola CEO Dennis Woodside surprised the world today, when he confirmed at D11 that his company is indeed working on a phone called Moto X that is their "hero" device for 2013. He also mentioned that from now through October, we would see a handful of devices from them that they would consider to be their new portfolio. But there was some early confusion on when this device would launch - would it be their pre-holiday device and show up closer to October? According to a press release sent out shortly after Woodside's chat, the Moto X will be "available this summer." To confirm that this was correct, we reached out to Motorola who replied back with "late summer." So what could potentially be your dream Motorola device, will be available within the next few months. But continuing on, now that the video of Woodside's chat is live, we're getting extra bits of goodies. For example, during his talk he mentions that phones priced at $650 (full retail) are not going to persist. He mentions that his company doesn't have to make a 50% mark-up on devices, so that they will be able to create high-quality phones at lower prices. They also see a major opportunity to dive into the lower-end phone market (could be the XFON). Here is his quote confirming that the Moto X is real. The rest of his interview is live here. [soundcloud url="http://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/94580177" params="" width=" 100%" height="166" iframe="true" /] Press release from this afternoon:

Moto X: The First Smartphone Assembled in the USA

There are more than 130 million smartphones in use in the USA today and not one of them was assembled here...until now.
May 28, 2013 Today at the AllThingsD conference Dennis Woodside revealed how we are reinventing Motorola through a portfolio of products starting with Moto X, a new flagship smartphone that will be designed, engineered and assembled in the USA. We’re not talking about just a handful of units either -- available this summer, every Moto X sold in the USA will be assembled in Fort Worth, Texas, making it the first smartphone ever assembled domestically. There were a few reasons why we decided to do this. There are several business advantages to having our Illinois and California-based designers and engineers much closer to our factory. For instance, we’ll be able to iterate on design much faster, create a leaner supply chain, respond much more quickly to purchasing trends and demands, and deliver devices to people here much more quickly. And as a part of Google we’re being encouraged to take big bets on things that make a difference. We still have a network of global operations, and that won’t change. Our global manufacturing partner remains Flextronics and we’ll continue to assemble devices locally in China and Brazil. But Flextronics is busy looking for people for the new Fort Worth facility now. If you’re interested, we encourage you to check the available positions and apply. This is an incredibly exciting time to be in the mobile device industry. Our role in inventing the mobile phone is well known. We’re happy to be shaping its future as well.

Motorola CEO Confirms the Moto X Phone, Will Build It in Texas (Updated)

Kellen — Wed, 29 May 2013 16:29:14 +0000

Dennis Woodside, Motorola's new CEO, just confirmed in an interview at D11 that they are indeed making a phone called Moto X. He said that the phone will be the first smartphone built in the U.S. "We're building it in Texas," Woodside mentioned during his sitdown. They are going to employee about 2,000 people outside of Forth Worth at a 500,000 square foot facility to make the magic happen. This is their "hero device," and it's going to be "broadly distributed." Between now and October, Motorola is going to launch a handful of devices though, but way down from the massive portfolio of years past. Woodside even claimed to have one of the phones with him on stage, though he said he wasn't able to show it. But should he have decided to pull it out, he mentioned that with new sensors, that the phone anticipates your needs. For example, it would recognize that he took it out from his pants and potentially wake itself or activate a service. When asked if he was confident in whether or not Motorola could actually move the needle with new products, Woodside said that the "products we are going to ship throughout the fall. They are unlike other things out there." While this is mostly an assumption on my part, the first of the handful of devices he mentioned will be the XFON (XT1056, XT1058, and XT1060) that has popped up in pictures, in benchmarks and at the FCC. It will be a mid-to-low range device that will be distributed everywhere at an incredibly low price. Then during the holidays, we'll see the hero device. Update: According to Motorola, the Moto X will arrive in late summer. Thoughts? What's up Bionic? Via: AllThingsD

Amazon Launches "Login with Amazon," Lets Users Login with Amazon, Duh.

Tim — Wed, 29 May 2013 15:40:16 +0000

This afternoon, Amazon launched a service that looks to help customers and developers make the logging in and buying process extremely simple on their mobile devices. By allowing customers to login to their Amazon accounts using the new Login with Amazon service directly through apps, games and other websites, people can get to buying much quicker and in turn, should boost sales thanks to the ease of use. According to Amazon's research, there was a much higher purchase conversion thanks to this new feature, so developers would be crazy not to integrate the service if it could somehow benefit the bottom line. Some apps are already featuring the Login with Amazon feature, popular names such as Zappos and Woot, while there are many others on the way. To read more about Login with Amazon, check out the full press release below.

Amazon Announces Login with Amazon to Reduce Sign-In Friction and Drive Higher Customer Engagement

Developers and website owners can securely connect with Amazon’s over 200 million active customers
SEATTLE – May 29, 2013 – (NASDAQ: AMZN) -- Today, Amazon launched Login with Amazon, a new service that will enable the over 200 million active Amazon customers to securely and simply login to apps, games, and websites. Login with Amazon allows developers to easily reduce sign-in friction for their customers, leading to higher engagement and order conversion. According to a 2012 Harris Interactive study, over half of all American Internet users have five or more unique passwords to remember. Login with Amazon reduces sign-in friction by eliminating the need for users to create an account and password, and instead allows them to sign-in using their existing Amazon account information. Amazon customers can choose to share certain attributes of their account profile with apps, games, and websites by using Login with Amazon. “Login with Amazon enables app developers and website owners to leverage Amazon’s trusted sign-in solution, allowing them to focus on providing a great experience for their customers,” said Michael Carr, Amazon Vice President, eCommerce Services. “Amazon customers now have a hassle-free way to quickly and securely sign-in to apps, games and websites, without having to remember yet another password.” As early adopters of Login with Amazon, Zappos and Woot, both Amazon subsidiaries, saw significant customer adoption. Zappos saw 40 percent of its new customers choose to sign-in to Zappos.com with an Amazon account. Woot found that new customers picked Login with Amazon two times more often than any other social login on their site, and those customers had the highest rate of order conversion. Login with Amazon is available at no charge to developers of apps, games, and websites. The service is easy to integrate, as developers can typically go from registration to launch in a matter of hours. It is based on the OAuth 2.0 authorization framework, allowing developers to leverage a widely-adopted open protocol. For additional details about Login with Amazon, including code samples and the SDKs for Android and iOS, please visit login.amazon.com. Login with Amazon is the latest offering in an array of services that make Amazon the most complete end-to-end ecosystem for developers building, monetizing and marketing their apps and games. These capabilities include:

The ability for app developers to use Amazon Web Services’ (AWS) technology platform for their infrastructure needs. Building blocks such as Amazon Elastic Compute Cloud (EC2), Amazon Simple Storage Service (Amazon S3), and Amazon DynamoDB allow developers to focus on what differentiates their app rather than the undifferentiated heavy lifting of infrastructure.

GameCircle, which includes capabilities like Achievements, Leaderboards, Friends and Whispersync for syncing games across devices, and leads to better engagement with games.

In-App Purchasing on Kindle Fire, Mac, PC and web-based games. This enables developers to offer items in their apps and games while allowing their end users to simply use their Amazon accounts to make the purchase.

A/B Testing, which helps developers improve app functionality with the ability to simultaneously test two different in-app experiences to determine which is more successful prior to launching to a broad audience.

Game Connect, which lets developers list their virtual goods for sale on Amazon, increasing discoverability of their games and making the purchase of virtual goods as easy and convenient as possible for customers, leading to increased monetization for developers.

Amazon AppStore submission for distribution to nearly 200 countries globally enables developers to reach millions of Amazon customers worldwide.

To learn more about Login with Amazon, please visit: login.amazon.com.

Google Music Update Gives You the Power to Delete Tracks, Remove Items From My Library

Kellen — Wed, 29 May 2013 15:00:23 +0000

Google Music received an update this afternoon that includes the ability to delete tracks, along with sharing of songs and adding to playlists from the Now Playing screen. Oh, they also gave the app the option to remove albums or songs from My Library. That's pretty much it. The update is available now, sort of. Google appears to be fully invested in the new rollouts for app updates that was introduced at I/O. So while the Play store may say that the app update is live and available, you'll have to be patient as you wait for it to become available to you specifically. Changes:

Added option to delete tracks
Can share song and add to playlist from Now Playing screen
Remove from My Library now supported

Play Link Everyone still enjoying the new Google Music?

Google Calendar Update Includes Custom Colors, New Appointments UI

Kellen — Wed, 29 May 2013 14:40:39 +0000

Google is on a roll today. After having announced the new Gmail and a Google Apps Admin app, they are pushing out updates to Google Music and now Google Calendar. The Calendar update finally brings custom color choices to your appointments via mobile, includes fancy new redesigned date and time pickers, and even an updated timezone picker. Last, they made scheduling repeating events easier. The update may only be available to those running Android 4.2.1 or higher. The update is technically live, but Google's new app rollout feature is being put to use so not everyone can grab it at this time. It should be available to all over the course of the day.

Play Link Via: Android Blog

Wednesday Poll: What is Your Current Phone?

Kellen — Wed, 29 May 2013 13:47:40 +0000

The last time that we asked the Droid Life community about their current phone, the Galaxy Nexus was still dominating, followed closely by the Galaxy S3. But since that poll ran back in August of last year, we've seen the Galaxy Note 2 surface, along with the RAZR HD, Nexus 4, DROID DNA, Nexus 4, HTC One, and of course, the Galaxy S4. Since we are now in late May of 2013, it's time to ask again, "Which phone do you currently own?" As in previous polls, we can't list every single phone on the market, so we picked the top dogs and also some from the past that many of you still seem to be suffering with. For those with a Samsung phone like the GS4 or Note 2, be sure to mention your specific carrier model in the comments. When voting "Other," be sure to tell us which phone it is that you have. So, tell us, which phone is your current phone? [poll id="256"]

Using Multi-Window on the Samsung Galaxy S3 From Verizon, Compared to the Galaxy S4

Kellen — Wed, 29 May 2013 13:00:44 +0000

Included with today's update for the Samsung Galaxy S3 on Verizon is arguably one of Samsung's most innovative smartphone features of the last few years - Multi Window. For extreme multi-taskers or power users, Multi Window shines as it allows you to work with two apps at the same time. Both apps' windows can be adjusted, swapped, or closed with a couple of simple taps. While Samsung doesn't allow all of your apps to be used in Multi Window, they still offer a handful of heavily used apps like Chrome, Twitter, YouTube, Gmail, and your Gallery. So since Verizon's version is finally get this new feature, we wanted to make sure that everyone knows how to use it. And since we had a Galaxy S4 handy, which also has Multi Window, we thought a comparison between the two was needed. In the video below, you'll find all there is to know about using one of Samsung's best TouchWiz features.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IClwR8C6dqA[/youtube]

Google Releases Admin App for Managing Google Apps Accounts

Kellen — Wed, 29 May 2013 12:43:37 +0000

Google released a new app this afternoon for the Google Apps users in the building, called Google Admin. Google Admin allows administrators of Google Apps accounts to easily accomplish "most common tasks" such as quickly adding or suspending users, resetting passwords, managing group memberships, and directly calling or emailing specific users. The app is free on Google play. It requires API access to be enabled. Play Link Via: Google Enterprise

AT&T Launches 4G LTE in 11 New Cities, Expands in Others

Tim — Wed, 29 May 2013 11:56:50 +0000

Today, AT&T announced a slew of cities that are to receive their 4G LTE network this week. As evident in the list, AT&T is starting to work their way out into the more rural areas, including parts of Oregon, Virginia and Washington state. Check below to see the full list of additions. New cities:

Salem, OR
Dover, DE
Shelton, WA
Longview, WA
Leonardtown, MD
Asheville, NC
Culpepper, VA
Goldsboro, NC
Ocean City, MD
Roanoke, VA
Port Townsend, WA

If you live in one of the above areas and happen to sport an AT&T device capable of 4G LTE connectivity, enjoy it. Via: AT&T

Full Specs Reportedly Leak for Samsung's Galaxy S4 Active and Galaxy S4 Zoom

Tim — Wed, 29 May 2013 11:30:23 +0000

Samsung is apparently going balls to the wall with different variants of their latest flagship device, the Galaxy S4. We have known for about a month that we would be seeing a Galaxy S4 Mini, as well as a Galaxy S4 Active, a dust and water-resistant version of the regular Galaxy S4. One variant that we have not yet covered is the Galaxy S4 Zoom, a device that is said to look like a Galaxy S4 Mini, but comes packed with a massive 16MP camera sensor, capable of a 10x optical zoom. Basically, it's a Galaxy Camera in the shape of a cellphone. Full specifications have reportedly leaked for the S4 Zoom and S4 Active, but we have seen most of the Active's specs and even its looks thanks to a previous leak. The S4 Zoom is reported to feature a 4.3" Super AMOLED display, a 1.6GHz dual-core CPU with no 4G LTE connectivity, Jelly Bean (no word on which version), a 1,900mAh battery and that massive 16MP back-facing camera. Galaxy S4 Zoom Specs:

4.3” 540x960px Super AMOLED display
1.6 GHz dual-core CPU, no LTE support
Android Jelly Bean OS
8 GB of built-in memory, micro-SD support
1.9mpx fron facing camera
16 megapixel main camera, with 10x Optical Zoom
Bluetooth 4.0LE, Wi-Fi 802.11a/b/g/n, A-GPS
1900 mAh battery

Galaxy S4 Active Specs:

5” Super AMOLED Full HD display
Quad-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 600 CPU
Adreno 320 GPU
2GB of RAM
Android 4.2 Jelly Bean OS
LTE support
16GB of built-in memory, microSD support
Bluetooth 4.0, Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n, NFC, IR blaster
2600 mAh battery

Below, I would like folks to throw out some ideas as to why we need that many megapixels inside of a cellphone. If the specs are true and there is no LTE on the device, uploading files of that size on 3G/HSPA+ is going to test one's patience. No doubt. Via: Unwired View

Twitter for Android Updated - New Tweetbox, Richer Notifications, and Wider Timelines

Kellen — Wed, 29 May 2013 11:09:39 +0000

The official Twitter app for Android received a hefty update this morning, one that includes a revamped Tweet composer that should make it easier to share photos thanks to quick access to your camera roll. When pressing the gallery button, your images will appear just under the Tweet composer, so that you can quickly choose the images you need or have likely recently taken. It's a pretty nifty trick. Users will also find richer notifications, a wider and taller timeline, and notifications when friends join the social network. Full changelog:

The new Tweet composer makes it easier to share with quick access to your camera roll and clear previews of how your Tweets will appear.
Richer notifications now include details like avatars and indicate how people are interacting with you (reply, retweet, etc.) for devices running Android 4.0 and higher.
Enjoy wider and taller timelines in all parts of the app including profiles, search, and Discover.
Receive a notification when a friend has joined Twitter.

Play Link Cheers Anthony!

Duolingo Launches on Android, Learn a New Language for Free While Also Having Fun

Tim — Wed, 29 May 2013 10:12:47 +0000

Learning a new language, especially at an older age, is said to be quite a difficult task. There are probably thousands of different services that will teach you a language, all for a pretty hefty price. Well, if you are attempting to learn a new language, but don't feel like shelling out cold cash, you should check out Duolingo. This app, which launched for free on Google Play this week, will teach you either German, Spanish, French, Portugese or Italian for free and it's actually fun. I downloaded it to make sure I could speak honestly about it and I must say, it's actually quite good. The app is made very well, as everything is laid out perfectly with large buttons and swipe controls. I started out with German basics, learning nouns and simple sentence structure. If you get a question wrong, the app corrects you, but also takes away one of your hearts. Another advantage to using Duolingo is that you create an account or can log in using Google+ (which I did), so saving progress is a total breeze. The app is receiving a ton of praise from the Android community already, so that's a great sign. Again, it is completely free to download through Google Play, so check it out and start impressing your loved ones and co-workers. Auf Wiedersehen! Play Link [youtube]http://youtu.be/WyzJ2Qq9Abs[/youtube]

Download: New Google Play Store 4.1.10

Kellen — Wed, 29 May 2013 09:46:36 +0000

A new version of Google Play has begun to rollout in stages to devices as build 4.1.10. The previous build that was released publicly was 4.1.6, so with such a small jump you can imagine this to be pretty minor. We just received it, so we're still digging around looking for changes. Should you notice any, be sure to drop them in the comments. Download Link [mirror] Cheers FAL_Fan!

Google Announces New Gmail Inbox Experience for Web and Mobile, Including Android and iOS

Kellen — Wed, 29 May 2013 09:06:10 +0000

The rumors from last week were true, a new Gmail has arrived this morning for both Android and iOS, along with a new inbox experience for the web. The new inbox could feature categories for Primary, Social, Promotions, Updates, and Forums, but it appears as if you can choose which categories you want to utilize. As Google explains it, "Your inbox is organized in a way that lets you see what’s new at a glance and decide which emails you want to read when." In the mobile apps for Android and iOS, you'll see your primary email upon opening the app, but can easy swipe from the left (new navigation bar) to access addition categories. The new inbox is rolling out gradually to the web, Android, and iOS over the next few weeks. We wouldn't be surprised to see the apps come out much sooner though. Here is what the Android version will look like:

Play Link

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CFf7dlewJus[/youtube]

Via: Gmail Blog

Granny Smith Updated, Brings Achievements and Global Leaderboards

Tim — Wed, 29 May 2013 08:54:07 +0000

Oh, how we love our Granny Smith. Probably labeled as the game we talk about more than any other, this game just has a special place in our hearts. Today, it received an update through Google Play that could be bringing me back for some roller skating action. Starting now, users can access global leaderboards and game achievements, bringing new adventure to the title by way of Google Play game services, the new feature that was launched by Google at this year's I/O. Once signed into your Google+ account, you can choose to share challenges and medals you have earned, making your online friends super jealous. I'll be darned if Kellen thinks he'll be at #1 forever, at least in my circle of friends. If you want to check out the new list of achievements, go grab the game through Google Play. I this is the first time you have heard of Granny Smith, stop what you are doing and get on that. Play Link ($1.99)

Verizon's Galaxy S3 Receiving Major Update to Build VRBMD3 - Includes Multi-Window, Plus Other Enhancements (Updated)

Kellen — Wed, 29 May 2013 07:28:28 +0000

The Samsung Galaxy S3 received approval from Verizon this morning on a major update to build VRBMD3. The update includes a hefty list of enhancements like multi-screen and multi-window multitasking, Best Shot camera mode, better people tagging in photos, S Beam Auto Share Shot, and a image gallery. The bug fix lists mentions a more stable Hotspot experience, improved lock screen function, easier to turn on NFC, and a change to "Close All" instead of "Remove All" in the task manager menu. No word yet on when the update is scheduled to rollout, but typically when support documents are posted, we see the update go live within a matter of days. Update: The update appears to be live already. Head into Settings>About phone>Software update to grab it.

The update is approximately 129MB in size.

More info.

[Deal] Woot Selling Refurbished 32GB Nexus 10 for $380

Kellen — Wed, 29 May 2013 07:20:48 +0000

For the next two days (or until they run out), Woot is selling the 32GB version of the Google Nexus 10 for $380. That's a heck of a deal. The retail 32GB version of Google's big-screened tablet runs $499 through Google Play, so even though this is refurbished, you are saving yourselves at least $100. When you compare it to the 16GB version, you are still saving yourself around $20, plus some shipping costs. Shipping on Woot is $5, while Google currently only has a $13 2-day shipping option. Again, this is refurbished and not brand spankin' new, though some would argue that refurbished models perform better than new since manufacturers have had a chance to fix issues. Via: Woot Cheers S McCartney!

Nexus 7 Visits Bluetooth SIG Again With Android 4.3, the Question is Why?

Eric — Tue, 28 May 2013 16:28:53 +0000

Rumors were swirling before Google I/O this year that we would see a refreshed Nexus 7, complete with new specs and features to "wow" us. Unfortunately, that didn't happen, but the rumors of the Nexus 7 refresh have not gone away. The rumors keep alive and this weekend's news that the Nexus 7 got re-certified for Bluetooth is interesting to say the least. Why would it need to pass through Bluetooth SIG again? The new build of Android that was running on the device was JWR11. Could this be Android 4.3? It certainly seems like it is Android 4.3 knowing that a white Nexus 4 spotted last week at a trade show was running 4.3 as build JWR45B. The "J" in JWR11 means Jelly Bean and is older than the build running on the N4, so we know it's not Key Lime Pie or something never-before-seen. But is this reason enough to pass through Bluetooth SIG for a second time? Hardly. If you are thinking that Bluetooth LE support, which is supposed to be included in 4.3, required that, you are fooling yourself. Think about it for a second - if Bluetooth LE support requires re-certifying, that would mean that every Android device who upgrades to 4.3 would need to be re-certified. That's not happening. But where things really get confusing, is over the idea that the model number listed here is ME370T, which is the same as the current Nexus 7. We're seeing sites suggest that the device is hitting Bluetooth SIG again because it's the mysterious new Nexus 7, however, explain to me how that makes any sense. That would mean that Asus is releasing a new Nexus 7 with the same exact model number as the old model. Who does that? Motorola doesn't. Samsung doesn't. HTC doesn't. LG doesn't. All follow-up devices typically follow in a sequence of numbers, but never have I seen them ship with the same exact model number. If anything, it's a minor hardware revision, right? Unless Asus does model numbering completely different than the rest of the industry, this one baffles me. So why stop off at Bluetooth SIG again? We don't know the answer to that. But I think that we would all be jumping to wild conclusions by suggesting that this is some sign of a new Nexus. Update: As reader Christian points out in the comments, Asus also pushed the Nexus 7 through Bluetooth SIG in May 2012 (initial launch) and again in November of 2012 (Android 4.2 launch). This filing is likely nothing more than a sign that either a minor hardware revision is coming or that they are showing Bluetooth SIG that there are changes in Android 4.3 coming because there may be new functionality to Bluetooth components.

Via: Bluetooth

HTC Rumored to be Planning a Phone Made With Liquidmetal

Eric — Tue, 28 May 2013 15:21:29 +0000

One of the biggest selling points for the latest flagship from HTC's One, is that it is made of solid aluminum, giving the phone a feel that plastic can't reproduce. As if the solid aluminum wasn't enough, a new rumor says that HTC is looking into taking it a step further. If it is right, HTC could be producing a phone using Liquidmetal chassis'.

While this might sound like a company cooking up another buzzword to sell some devices, using liquid metal alloys to make the chassis for a phone sounds pretty awesome. At this point, this remains a rumor because the demand for plain old aluminum smartphones, like the One, are still pretty high. However, with the good sales that the One have produced on the fact that it was made from aluminum, it makes sense that they might look into a new material.

As cool as the idea of having some type of liquid metal phone is, it somehow brings my mind to the horrors of Terminator 2's T-1000.

Via: BGR

Men's Room Mayhem Puts You in the Air Traffic Controller Seat of a Bathroom

Tim — Tue, 28 May 2013 14:40:18 +0000

If you have played some of those airport terminal games where you play as the air traffic controller, guiding planes in and out of the runways without crashing them into each other, the concept behind Men's Room Mayhem won't go far over your head. You are in charge of this men's room and your goal is to make sure everyone gets in and out without getting into a fight and in a timely manner. The game starts out easy - patrons only need to get in, go number one and wash their hands, then get out. But as the levels progress and more men keep piling into the bathroom, it becomes increasingly difficult to guide all of them in and out without the room getting pretty cramped and some of them getting into fist fights. When they fight, that creates more work for you, since after each wave you have to scrub the bathroom clean. It's an interesting game to say the least. Check it out for $0.99 on Google Play. Play Link ($0.99) [youtube]http://youtu.be/oKUwMtYAP40[/youtube]

Builds of Paranoid Android and AOKP are up for Verizon's Samsung Galaxy S4

Tim — Tue, 28 May 2013 14:01:54 +0000

As recent buyers of the Galaxy S4 on Verizon are receiving their devices, it's about that time to start rooting and ROM'ing! If you are currently looking for the newest builds of the community's most popular custom ROMs, you will be happy to learn that both Paranoid Android and AOKP have unofficial nightly and beta builds up for flashing. Both custom ROMs allow users to greatly customize the look of their device, as well the fact that they both get rid of Samsung's TouchWiz interface. That might be reason enough to flash them. For a full list of features (the list would go on and on forever), check out the forum pages. If your device is already unlocked and rooted, then follow the via links below to their respective forums to see links for download and flashing instructions. Via: XDA (Paranoid Android) | RootzWiki (AOKP) Cheers Brendon!

doubleTwist Begins Holo Transformation Process Through Google Play Updates

Tim — Tue, 28 May 2013 13:08:28 +0000

The design team at doubleTwist has been creating Android apps for some time and thanks to Google's consistency in design (finally) with Holo, the team is introducing the newly redesigned, doubleTwist Player. For some time, doubleTwist stands out from the pack of other 3rd party music players for its ability to sync iTunes playlists, legally download album art at high resolutions, plus allowing music lovers access to radio that features a library of over 13 million tracks. According to their blog, this is only "Stage One" in the process, which will bring new life to the aging player.

We haven’t simply adopted Holo, but worked to incorporate everything great about Google’s latest and best designs to bring doubleTwist fully in line with their conventions and design patterns. We took a lot of care to balance the clean and crisp look of Holo with our own aesthetic and I think it turned out fantastic.

Each page throughout the application has been redone, including the necessary artists, songs, albums, genres pages. In essence, it should feel and look like a completely brand new application. The update isn't completely 100% live yet, but should be showing itself starting sometime today and over the course of this week for users. Play Link Via: doubleTwist

Quick Look: Rearth Fusion Case for the Samsung Galaxy S4

Kellen — Tue, 28 May 2013 12:33:03 +0000

Thanks to the success of the original Fusion case for the Nexus 4, Rearth has brought its see-through case back once again, though this time for the Samsung Galaxy S4. For those not familiar, the Fusion case is a hybrid design that attaches a TPU bumper to a clear plastic back plate, so that if your device has something interesting to show off on its backside, it can. With the Galaxy S4, it's not quite the same as with the Crystal Reflection back of the Nexus 4, but say you have a 3rd party battery cover with some color that you'd like to show off, this is a great option for doing so. The case itself runs $13.99, and again, is a black TPU bumper with white volume rocker and power switch, along with an anti-scratch clear PC backside. It should offer just the right amount of protection without adding much weight or thickness. It's definitely thicker than the Ultra Thin Air cases from the folks at Spigen and the Ringke Slim from Rearth, but not by much. It also slides up far enough onto the front that you should find comfort in placing your phone face down. Not a bad case at all if clear plastic backsides are your thing. Amazon Link ($13.99)

Overview

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y7lNCMHkR2o[/youtube]

Gallery

Verizon's Galaxy S4 Features Components to Support Future AWS Network, Potential to Double Speeds Following OTA Update

Tim — Tue, 28 May 2013 11:32:41 +0000

The Galaxy S4 being sold through Verizon appears to be future proof, folks. Whenever buying a new piece of tech, the running joke is that whatever you buy will most likely be outdated within a couple of months after buying it, but it looks like Verizon took a few extra steps to make sure that was not the case. According to a report out of Bloomberg, inside the Galaxy S4 on Verizon lay special components, ones that allow the device to run on the carrier's future Advanced Wireless Spectrum (AWS) network. From studies Verizon has done, AWS will allow for browsing speeds twice that of what we are currently seeing here in America. With the strain already being noticed on their 4G LTE network, Verizon says they are looking to begin turning on the AWS within the next few months, as construction has already taken place in certain heavily populated areas in the U.S., such as New York City. According to their projections, within three years, subscribers running on their 4G LTE network will reach six to seven times that of which are currently using it. Ability to run on Verizon's next network will come through an OTA update to the Galaxy S4, which should take place in the near future as Big Red readies to flip the AWS switch. Could the addition of these AWS components be the cause of Verizon's "delayed" GS4 launch? Via: Bloomberg

New Chrome-to-Phone Game "Roll It" Brings Endless Multiplayer Skee Ball Fun

Kellen — Tue, 28 May 2013 11:17:23 +0000

After a long weekend, we figured your brains were mush like ours and could use something to occupy them while at work. The new Chrome Experiment called "Roll It" should do just that, especially if you are sitting in front of a computer with your smartphone handy. It's like Skee Ball, with multiplayer action, power-ups (Atom, Fireball, and Hover ball), and a number of different levels with increased difficulty. The game itself takes some getting used to, as you have to tilt your phone, choose angles to shoot, and get just the right amount of oomph behind each shot. If you remember the Chrome Experiment for Marble Maze, you'll understand how this game works. In order to play, point both your smartphone and PC browsers to: http://chrome.com/campaigns/rollit. From there, you'll get a code which can be punched in on your smartphone that will sync the two. Once synced, choose how many players are competing, and then have some fun. Oh, and be sure to post your high scores in the comments.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_4RFIcuuHBE[/youtube]

Sliding Messaging Receives Update, Brings Fancy Settings Menu and More

Tim — Tue, 28 May 2013 11:05:21 +0000

One of my favorite applications, Sliding Messaging, received an update this morning, bringing a re-worked settings menu which it was in desperate need of. Users will now swipe (naturally) through the various pages of settings, as well as swiping through the different themes the app offers. In a previous update, a new UI was created for the app, allowing users to see a Google Hangouts-like interface for texting. Sliding Messaging is still one of those apps that I think everyone should have installed on their device. Yes, it supports MMS and features a ton of other goodies that others crave from a texting app. You can grab the update or check out the app if you haven't yet through Google Play. Play Link ($0.99)

Pebble Ringer Allows You to Adjust Your Phones Ringer From Your Pebble

Kellen — Tue, 28 May 2013 10:54:59 +0000

Two weeks ago, the Pebble team released their new SDK that allows for developers to build 2-way communication into apps so that interacting with your smartwatch is no longer a one-sided affair. One of the first to utilize this new power is an app called Pebble Ringer. Once installed on both your phone and then your Pebble watch, the app can change your smartphone's ringer from silent to vibrate to ring. That's really all it does, but you can see through a simple app such as this, how important 2-way communication between your smartphone and Pebble can be. You no longer have to pull your phone out of your pocket to silence or set it to vibrate - you can do it all from the watch. Play Link Cheers Shane!

America's Carrier Speeds Benchmarked, AT&T Beats Out Verizon While Sprint Struggles to Perform

Tim — Tue, 28 May 2013 10:11:59 +0000

A report out of TechHive has put America's top four carriers against each other in a 3G/4G data speed shootout. With all four carriers now offering 4G LTE in select markets, it will be interesting to see where consumers will want to place their money. While Verizon has had the build out advantage, now reaching nearly 300 million subscribers since its launch, AT&T promptly rolled out service to 200 million Americans, while also maintaining very fast data speeds. In their tests, they use a Galaxy Note 2 from Samsung to test out 4G LTE, while they use an iPhone 4S to test 3G speeds. Each of those devices are sold on the four networks, so making sure there was a fair playing field is key.

During the 3G tests, it was found that T-Mobile shows pretty strong downloads and uploads, averaging a 3.13 mbps download and 1.04 mbps upload time. Compare that to Sprint's 3G, which does quite little at 0.4mbps down and just 0.31 mbps up. Verizon also didn't score too well on the 3G, averaging a lowly 0.8 mbps down and 0.52 mbps up. AT&T came in second place for 3G testing at 2.97 mbps on the download and 0.96 mbps on the upload. As for 4G, T-Mobile and Verizon showed similar numbers on download, averaging around 9 mbps, while Verizon beat out T-Mobile on the upload with 5.47 mbps compared to 2.65 mbps. AT&T crushed the competition with an average download speed of 13.15 mbps and an upload speed of 6.45 mbps, basically three times that of Sprint's capabilities in both download and upload. While anyone can benchmark carriers and see who might be the fastest in a variety of areas, each user's need will differ greatly, so make sure you live in a good coverage area before jumping from carrier to carrier. Any of these results surprising? Via: TechHive

With Kickstarter Backer Orders Delivered, Pebble Set Sights on Shipping Pre-orders

Kellen — Tue, 28 May 2013 09:07:22 +0000

Now that Pebble has shipped almost all of their original batch of smartwatches out to backers of their Kickstarter project, they are ready to ship devices out to the first set of pre-orders. Those who ordered black or cherry red Pebbles will receive an email asking for confirmation of shipping addresses this week. If you went with orange, grey, or white Pebbles, you'll have to wait for Kickstarter backers to receive theirs first, a process which is still ongoing. Here is the email going out to those who pre-ordered:

We are happy to report that the first Pebble pre-orders placed after our Kickstarter project will be shipping soon! Jet Black and Cherry Red Pebbles will be available first. If you have pre-ordered a Jet Black or Cherry Red Pebble, you will receive an email asking to confirm your shipping address yet this week. Orange, Grey and White Pebbles will be ready in the coming weeks, once all Kickstarter Pebbles have been shipped. You will receive the shipping address confirmation email as soon as your Pebble is available. If your order has multiple Pebbles with different colors, we will send out your Black and Red Pebbles at first with each other color Pebble shipping as soon as they are in stock. Thanks for your patience as we work through our shipping commitments. We're looking forward to hearing what you think of Pebble on your wrist! Cheers, The Pebble Team

If you are considering a Pebble, be sure to check out our review. Via: Pebble

13MP Camera and Snapdragon 800 Chip Reportedly Coming Equipped in Samsung Galaxy Note 3

Tim — Tue, 28 May 2013 08:45:42 +0000

The newest report out of ZDNet has placed the same 13MP sensor found in the Galaxy S4 inside Samsung's upcoming Galaxy Note 3, as well as Qualcomm's top tier Snapdragon 800 processor. While 13MP is nothing to dust off of your shoulder, since the Galaxy S4 features a fantastic camera, the Snapdragon 800 rumor runs a bit opposite from Samsung's goal to integrate more of their Exynos lineup of chips into flagship devices. Much like we are already seeing, this could be because getting their Exynos 5 Octa to run on American bands is either somewhat of a challenge or they will leave it to Qualcomm who has already mastered the process. If U.S. customers have to go for the Snapdragon 800, they should know that they are in for a treat either way. The 800 is capable of maintaining a 2.3GHz clock rate, while also being reasonable on power consumption. It features Krait 400 architecture, plus the Adreno 330 GPU inside. While some people have been hoping to see more "octa-core" devices introduced here in the States, if you planned on giving the Galaxy Note 3 a look and it does in fact run the 800, you will probably walk away pretty happy as a buyer. Via: ZDNet | SamMobile

Verizon Releases the RAZR HD and RAZR M in Blue for Father's Day

Kellen — Tue, 28 May 2013 08:28:31 +0000

Father's Day is quickly approaching, so to celebrate the occasion, Verizon has released blue versions of the Motorola DROID RAZR M and RAZR HD. They are calling this a "limited" run, so if owning a blue version of last year's mid-range spec'd Motorola phones has been a dream of yours, now is your chance to fulfill it. The RAZR M, which has a decent amount of blue, can be had for free on 2-year contract. The RAZR HD on the other hand, isn't really blue at all other than a slight blue rim around the top portion, can be had for $99 on new 2-year contract. The RAZR MAXX HD does not come in blue.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cwZop7N548s[/youtube]

Verizon Links: RAZR HD | RAZR M

LG Exec Claims Company is Not Working on the Nexus 5, No "Google Edition" Phones Either

Kellen — Tue, 28 May 2013 07:00:14 +0000

Even though Larry Page reportedly stopped off at LG HQ in early May to discuss the next Nexus smartphone, LG Mobile's European VP Kim Won has stated in an interview that his company is not working on what the media has dubbed the "Nexus 5." While Won and LG consider the Nexus 4 as "a great success despite the production problems," they do not need another Nexus to remain successful. Over the last year, LG has made a strong climb up the Android ranks, selling personal record numbers of smartphones that include the Optimus G and recently released Optimus G Pro. To be clear, this doesn't mean that LG is not willing to work with Google again on another Nexus device, this simply means that they aren't making this oft-rumored Nexus 5. Won mentioned in his sitdown that they are not fans of Samsung's "Nexus experience" edition of the Galaxy S4 that was announced at Google I/O. At this point in time, LG has no plans to release similar "Google Edition" phones, because their skins are what differentiate them from the crowd and this "has no added value for us [LG]." Last, Won also spoke of a new Android tablet in the works, along with the idea that LG may look to a new smartphone operating system in the future to help sell phones. He isn't a fan of the "duopoloy" created by Google and Apple in the space, however, that doesn't necessarily mean they will develop their own OS. This could simply mean that they will look towards Firefox Mobile OS as another outlet. So, how disappointed are you that LG more than likely isn't making the next Nexus? Via: The Verge | All About Phones [2] [3]

LG Announces the White Nexus 4, Starts Arriving in Markets May 29

Kellen — Tue, 28 May 2013 06:24:17 +0000

Last night, LG finally made the white version of the Nexus 4 official. The device, as expected, is the exact same as the black version of the Nexus 4 that has been out for months only it comes in a different color. In fact, the press release states that this is the "Same popular smartphone, different color." So for the 1,000th time, this does not have 32GB of storage or 4G LTE. We're looking at a 4.7" 720p display, Qualcomm Snapdragon S4 Pro processor, and 2GB of RAM, along with Android 4.2, Google Now, and Photosphere. The device goes on sale in Hong Kong tomorrow, May 29, and will hit other markets including North America over the next several weeks. No pricing was mentioned, though we'd expect it to arrive on Google Play for the same prices the black one currently sells for - $299 (8GB) and $349 (16GB).

LG INTRODUCES NEW NEXUS 4 WHITE

Same Popular Smartphone, Different Color
SEOUL, May 28, 2013 ㅡ LG Electronics (LG) today announced the launch of Nexus 4 White, the newest edition of the popular smartphone developed in collaboration with Google. Nexus 4 White features the same stellar Android™ experience as the original Nexus 4, combining LG’s sophisticated hardware design and popular Google Services such as Google Now and Photosphere for an outstanding overall user experience. “Nexus 4 set the standard for Android 4.2 Jelly Bean smartphones,” said Dr. Jong-seok Park, president and CEO of LG Mobile Communications Company. “Nexus 4 White delivers the same Google experience to consumers in a stylish and attractive color option.” Nexus 4 White comes with the superb 4.7-inch 1280-by-768 True HD IPS Plus display (320ppi) supported by Zerogap Touch technology. At its heart is the high performing Qualcomm Snapdragon™ S4 Pro processor and 2GB of RAM. Starting in Hong Kong on May 29, Nexus 4 White will roll out globally in select markets in Asia, North America, Europe and the Middle East over the next several weeks. # # # About LG Electronics, Inc. LG Electronics Inc. (KSE: 066570.KS) is a global leader and technology innovator in consumer electronics, mobile communications and home appliances, employing 87,000 people working in 113 offices around the world. With 2012 global sales of USD 45.22 billion (KRW 50.96 trillion), LG comprises four business units – Home Entertainment, Mobile Communications, Home Appliance, and Air Conditioning & Energy Solution – and is one of the world’s leading producers of flat panel TVs, mobile devices, air conditioners, washing machines and refrigerators. LG Electronics is a 2013 ENERGY STAR Partner of the Year. For more news and information on LG Electronics, please visit www.LGnewsroom.com.

New Google Play Shipping Options Coming May 28

Kellen — Mon, 27 May 2013 10:20:50 +0000

If you have ever ordered anything from Google Play, you have likely had the same reaction to the shipping cost that we seem to have every time of "Oh come on now, one flat fee to rule them all?" There are no shipping choices other than "Ships in 1-2 business days," which ranges from $5.99 for a $19.99 Bumper to $13.99 for devices like the Nexus 4 and Nexus 10. While faster shipping options are always welcomed, there are times when we wouldn't mind going with something a little more budget-friendly. According to sources of ours, new shipping options are scheduled to arrive this week, possibly tomorrow. The new shipping options will include the current 2-day processing, plus 2 business days for delivery via UPS, but customers will also have the choice of Ground (2-day processing plus 3-5 days for delivery), and Saver (2-day processing plus 5-10 days for delivery). These new shipping options are U.S. only. Here is what we have been told:

What: We [Google Play] will offer new shipping options for the Nexus 4 family of products:

UPS two-day shipping (2 business days processing + 2 business days for delivery)

Ground (2 business days processing + 3-5 business days for delivery)

Saver (2 business days processing + 5 -10 business days for delivery)

Note: Saver shipping is not available for some orders. Availability of Saver shipping is based on the weight of the order.

Note: Total shipping cost is calculated based on the shipping level selected at checkout and the weight of the item or items in their cart, as determined by our shipping provider.

The information we received mentions that these new shipping options will be available for the "Nexus 4 family" of products, so that may mean Nexus 7 and Nexus 10 orders will still be stuck with only the 2-day shipping option for now. And when they are referring to "Nexus 4 family," we're assuming they mean accessories too, not the mysterious white Nexus 4 that is sure to arrive any day.

DashClock Opens Up Play Store Beta Program

Kellen — Mon, 27 May 2013 08:23:13 +0000

During the 3-hour Google I/O day 1 keynote, one of the few Android-focused announcements that jumped out to us had to do with official beta testing through the Google Play store. Google announced that devs would no longer have to beta test their apps through 3rd party means, and that they would now be able to setup testing groups through Google Play, so that updates could be pushed just like they do with their stable apps. The first (at least that we have seen) to implement this new beta program, is of course a Googler. Anyone ever heard of a little lockscreen widget app called DashClock? We thought so. Roman Nurik, the app's founder, has opened up a DashClock community G+ that by joining, will grant you access to new beta builds for the app. At least one beta (1.5 beta 2) is already live and can be had as long as you follow a few instructions and join the program. In this new build, Roman mentioned that there are new DayDream settings, but nothing incredibly major. You may remember that he previously released DayDream functionality to a beta build that was not a part of this new Google Play program. The big deal here is the beta program itself.

Joining the beta program (further instructions):

1. Join the DashClock Google+ community.

(If the "Join" button isn't working, go to the Apps section of the community, then click Join.)

2. Visit this link and click the "Become a tester" button.

(To leave the beta at any time, visit that same link and opt-out.)

3. Download the newest beta through the DashClock Google Play page. Via: +Roman Nurik

Samsung to Unveil New Galaxy Devices at June 20 Press Event in London?

Kellen — Mon, 27 May 2013 07:59:40 +0000

According to a press invite posted to Samsung's public PR site this morning, a planned press event for June 20 could be the spot for the company to unveil at least a couple of new products. On the invite, we're seeing both "Galaxy" and "ATIV" brands mentioned, with Galaxy being the one we care about. "ATIV" are Samsung's Windows-focused products, while "Galaxy" tends to lean towards the Android side of the world. So what's in store? The invite shows three teaser images that resemble either a tablet, thin display, and potentially even a camera. Will we see Samsung's next-gen tablet to partner up with the already-launched Galaxy S4? Will there be a new Galaxy camera on hand, potentially dubbed the "Galaxy S4 Zoom"? Thankfully, it will be streamed at youtube.com/samsungmobile for the world to discover together. Via: Samsung

Video: Can You Stare at the Samsung Galaxy S4 for 60 Minutes Straight?

Kellen — Sat, 25 May 2013 10:36:41 +0000

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CsGlzu2NzX0[/youtube]

Could you stare at the Samsung Galaxy S4 for 60 minutes straight with motorcycles whizzing by your head, couples arguing in your ear, hot dog vendors tossing sausages in you face, remote control cars ramming into your feet, and a crowd reacting to your every move? Swisscom and Samsung ran a promotion in Zurich Main Station on May 16 that included all of the above. They asked contestants to stand on a platform and stare into a Galaxy S4, since it can track your eyes and all. Should you last for 60 minutes, you would have walked away with a brand new GS4. I want in. Bring your game to Portland, Samsung.

New Gmail to Feature Categories for Social, Promotions, and Updates?

Kellen — Sat, 25 May 2013 10:24:12 +0000

Along with a redesigned app for Android, is Google planning to introduce a new type of organization for Gmail across all platforms? In a series of leaked screenshots sent to TheNextWeb, we may see a set of five category types embedded within our inboxes to help keep things organized. The categories are listed as Primary, Social, Promotions, Updates, and Forums (pictured below). Primary would would be the category for important emails from friends, family members or any other major communication that also may not fit into the other categories. In Social, you'll find emails related to social networks like Twitter, Facebook or Google+. In Promotions, emails from coupon sites or retailers will be grouped, while the Notifications tab will let you know about bills that need to be paid, flight status updates, or other reservation types that are upcoming. Last, the Forums section could be emails from messageboards or forums. As you'll see in the screenshots below, these changes could rollout to updates for the web, Android, and iOS. TheNextWeb suggests we could see these all over the next couple of weeks, but at this point, it seems like anyone's guess. Haven't we been expecting a revamped Android Gmail app for months now? I'm not exactly sure what I think of these new categories. On one hand, I wouldn't mind if Google took all of the garbage emails I receive and tossed them into a separate category, but you can do this already with a filter or two. I guess the automation here is the point, especially for those who don't even know what a Gmail filter is. Of course, there will likely be a way to opt-out of this new feature should you prefer the current Gmail.

Thoughts on this new way of organizing your inbox? Via: TheNextWeb

Misfit Shine Activity Tracker From IndieGogo Drops Android Support After Months of Delays and Reaching $846,000 Funding Goal

Kellen — Sat, 25 May 2013 09:51:39 +0000

Crowdfunding of new tech products through sites like Kickstarter and indiegogo has become the go-to method for anyone with a brilliant idea, but little cash to get things up and running. We have probably covered dozens of projects over the last couple of years (some good, some not-so-good), as many of these ideas are amazing concepts that have the chance at becoming a reality thanks to enthusiasts like you and I. One of those ideas from the last year was the Misfit Shine, an activity tracker similar to the Nike Fuelband or Fitbit, only it carries a much simpler, minimal-yet-beautiful, and less intrusive design. It won awards at CES, bragged about its awesome mode of syncing, and attracted almost 8,000 backers before closing as one of indiegogo's most successful campaigns ever with a closing goal of $846,675. But where it stood out to Android users, was the fact that its creators were willing to support Android from the beginning, something that even Nike wasn't able to do after leading us on for months. Just before the campaign closed, they went as far as to show off their Android app, or at least the first render of it. This looked to be one of coolest, most attractive, and well-thought-out fitness trackers to date. Well, that was the case until today.

After months of delays on the product due to waterproofing issues (was supposed to ship in March) and Misfit Shine's creators worrying about signing contracts to distribute their product to retail channels before even getting it out to backers, bad news has arrived. In an update to the campaign last night, Misfit Shine has announced that Android support is no longer happening as of now, and that they will "only support iOS at launch," a launch which is now scheduled for mid-July. Their note doesn't say if they will support Android at a later date, only that it won't be a part of the launch. So yes, backers are left wondering if it will ever come. Will this be another Nike Fuelband situation all over again? To add insult to injury, the post claims that "Shine will work on its own out of the box," though we aren't sure how a fitness tracker that pairs with a smartphone can do anything without the ability to sync to a smartphone. There has been no word yet on if there is a web interface to sync for those without an iOS device. Update: The Misfit Shine team posted another update, addressing the lack of Android support. They claim that it is coming "early next year."

To answer the burning question of when we’re going to support Android, I can only say “early next year.” There are a lot of different devices and screen sizes to support on Android and we want to get the user experience right. Although Shine can work on its own out of the box, the experience is obviously not the same without connectivity.

If you backed this project, they are willing to give you a refund, which can be done by emailing kate@misfitwearables.com. Talk about frustrating news for what could be thousands of backers who own an Android device, you know, a device powered by the most popular mobile operating system in the world. I would have thought that in 2013, with Android having fully taken over the world for a couple of years now, that we wouldn't see this iOS exclusivity continue to happen. But once again, here we are as Android users getting left behind.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1RL8PjiOoGI[/youtube]

Via: Misfit Shine

It's Friday, Time For The Droid Life Show to Keep You Company

Tim — Fri, 24 May 2013 20:38:07 +0000

[youtube]http://youtu.be/iU76XWPJUvg[/youtube]

It is about that time where we start wrapping up for the weekend, but that doesn't mean you have to be alone. Episode 25 of The Droid Life Show (wow, that's historical) is live and can keep you company anytime throughout the holiday weekend. In this episode, the DL crew goes over all of the excitement that took place at Google I/O, this week's CTIA and everything in between, including NVIDIA's SHIELD gaming unit and much more.

Subscribe | iTunes | Show Page

This Week in the Life of DROID: 5/24/2013

Tim — Fri, 24 May 2013 17:30:17 +0000

Memorial Day weekend! This week was a busy one, so it will be nice to have that extra day to relax and catch up on rest from all of the traveling we have been doing lately. This week was highlighted by Android 4.3 tidbits, Verizon's comical press event at CTIA, and talks of a "Google Edition" HTC One. Samsung's upcoming Galaxy S4 Active was spotted on video and we even caught a glimpse of the camera UI for Android 4.3. If you missed any of the highlights, be sure to catch up with everything down below.

Don't forget to win 1 of 5 Google Play gift cards over the holiday weekend!

Verizon's Motorola XFON Hits the FCC as Model XT1060

Kellen — Fri, 24 May 2013 17:06:56 +0000

Remember the Motorola device by the codename XT1060 that we reported as likely being Verizon's variant of the XFON? It cruised through the FCC today, sporting Verizon's LTE band 13 and CDMA frequencies. It also supports GSM bands as well, so the device can probably be taken overseas on a global roaming journey, like many of Big Red's current lineup. No other information immediately stuck out to us from the filing other than WiFi of 802.11/a/b/g/n/AC, but this does indeed confirm the phone's existence and the model number.

So now we have the XT1060 headed to Verizon, XT1056 on its way to Sprint, and the XT1058 headed to AT&T. Now we just need T-Mobile's to stop off at the FCC and we'll be primed for a multi-carrier simultaneous launch. How does mid-June sound? Rumors, just rumors. Mid-range phone or not, we should all be interested in whatever it is that Motorola has cooked up for a mid-year launch. Even if the specs disappoint, this may be our first look at the software approach that the new Google-powered Motorola has in store for the future. Via: FCC | Blog of Mobile

Battle Cats, the Ultimate App for all out Kitteh Warfare

Tim — Fri, 24 May 2013 16:00:19 +0000

[youtube]http://youtu.be/6sHEoZENLxA[/youtube]

Fight off the endless wave of dog attacks in Battle Cats! This game, which seems to be growing in popularity at an insane rate, is fun to play and very colorful. It is sort of a tower defense meets Plants vs. Zombies game, as you must protect your kitty castle from oncoming enemies. There are different cats you can choose to help in the fight, then each cat can also be upgraded once you reach a certain level. Once you have enough of a power up, you can call on God Cat to get you out of any close calls, but only use that power when absolutely necessary. You only get so many miracles. The game is free through Google Play, so go grab it and get your Battle Kitteh on. And please tell me, is that not thee coolest game trailer you have ever seen? So epic. Play Link

Contest: Win 1 of 5 Google Play $10 Gift Cards! (Updated: Winners Picked)

Kellen — Fri, 24 May 2013 15:15:09 +0000

We're almost into Memorial Day weekend, so why not kick the holiday off with a giveaway? Since most of you will have the next three days off, we're sure you could easily find a way to spend $10 in the Google Play store using a gift card, right? We have five of them to giveaway! Winners will be chosen tomorrow morning.

Contest

Update: Our five winners have been picked and emailed! Check your inboxes. Prizes: 5 (five) Google Play $10 gift cards. How to enter: a Rafflecopter giveaway Winners: Winners will be chosen at random tomorrow morning (May 25) at 9AM Pacific.

Video: HTC Shows Us Their History Through the Smartphone Evolution

Tim — Fri, 24 May 2013 15:00:35 +0000

HTC has been in the smartphone game since its inception, so sometimes you just have to give credit where it's due. They created the first Android phone that was built for consumers and even made some of the first devices to even feature keyboards and touchscreens. Let's face it, they're OGs in the game. We should also point out they were one of the first to create a skin to lay on top of stock Android. Whether you like where Sense has come since 2009 or not, it's still one of the things that HTC is proud of for creating. In the video below, HTC takes us a on brief tour through time of when the company got their starts in smartphones. Check it out and then down below, let's hear some sincere thoughts on HTC. Time to get a little sentimental. [youtube]http://youtu.be/0s-_JwPH0xs[/youtube]

AT&T's GoPhone Prepaid Service Gets Access to 4G LTE and HSPA+

Kellen — Fri, 24 May 2013 14:25:28 +0000

One of the downsides to joining a prepaid network has always been their lack of connectivity when it comes to 4G LTE networks. Some can take advantage of HSPA+ speeds, but none at this time connect to LTE networks from AT&T, Verizon, T-Mobile, and Sprint. Well, until today. AT&T will allow customers on their GoPhone prepaid plans to connect to LTE and HSPA+ going forward, as long as they have an LTE phone or iPhone. Currently, the smartphone GoPhone plan runs $65 and only includes 1GB of data, along with unlimited talk and text. But hey, LTE on prepaid? We have to start somewhere. Via: Engadget | AT&T Cheers thebeeobee!

Android Accessory Roundup: zBoost 4G LTE Signal Booster, samDock Cable, Y-Cam HomeMonitor System and More

Tim — Fri, 24 May 2013 12:43:08 +0000

The accessories industry is very large and continues to grow daily. Couple that with the fact that smartphones are starting to take over the world's population, leaving you with entire conferences such as CTIA and CES, based solely on consumer items, such as smartphone accessories. We wanted to try and highlight some of the accessories we have stumbled across in a roundup post, so allow us to introduce the Android Accessory Roundup. We will go over the basic function of the accessory, the pros and cons, the price of said accessory and that's it. Hopefully this will help some folks find a neat new toy that goes will with their favorite gadget.

CableJive's samDock: ($24.95) This little thing is pretty great. It's an adapter, one side fitted with a female end of a 30 pin dock, just like you would find on older models of the iPhone. On the other side is a microUSB male piece, perfect for fitting into the Android devices we know and love, such as the Galaxy S3, S4, Galaxy Note 2, etc. You stick the microUSB into your Android phone, then with the 30 pin side, can place the device onto any dock made for iPhones, allowing you to charge your phone in times of need or even listen to music through the dock. It is a great little tool, especially if you have an old dock that sounds good, but don't use an iPhone anymore. And if you are still using an iPhone, I don't know why you'd be reading this. Check out the samDock on CableJive's website.

SuperTooth Disco Twin Bluetooth Stereo Speakers: ($199.99) Given that pretty much all smartphones are coming equipped with Bluetooth these days, it is only natural that you'd want a set of nice Bluetooth speakers for either your home or work space. What makes these speakers from SuperTooth intriguing is the fact that they deliver a true stereo sound, being that there are two of them. One right and one left. Once paired, the speakers sound pretty great and definitely deliver enough decibels to annoy anyone around you. I am no audiophile, but they do deliver clear highs and bassy lows. I listen to mostly hip hop and heavy rock/metal, each of which sounded just fine. No unwanted distortion or cracking. The major downside to having two speakers is that they take up two power outlets. If you are low on space, especially in terms of power, then there is that to consider. More info on the Disco Twin from SuperTooth.

zBoost Verizon 4G LTE Signal Booster: ($399.99) The idea of a signal booster, allowing someone who lives in an area with 4G LTE, but with weak signal is intriguing. This model is specifically made for Verizon's 4G LTE and allows multiple users to connect to it, improving signal strength and it even advertises improved download/upload speeds. If you have the initial investment of $400, this accessory has the ability to turn your cellular blackhole of a home into a data oasis. As for setbacks, the price is certainly one of them, along with the fact that you must install the antenna of the unit onto your roof or somewhere that it can catch a signal. If drilling holes into your apartment or home isn't possible, you will need to find alternate methods to your data problems. Learn more about zBoost signal boosters at the Wi-Ex website.

Y-Cam HomeMonitor System: ($199+) For anyone with pets (mine can be particularity destructive at times when I am away) or if you just want to keep an eye on your home while gone, the HomeMonitor system is a great accessory, made with Android users in mind. After installation in your home or wherever you want to place them, the cameras connect to your WiFi network, allowing users to keep an eye on their homes through a specially-designed Android app. There is also an iOS app available if you must know. Data from the cameras are stored on a cloud storage account for easy access, plus the cameras also record sound as well. The cameras produce a clear and crisp color image, as well as allow for recording in the dark. It's a great system, but one that will set you back $200 for the indoor model and $350 for the outdoor camera. To learn more about the HomeMonitor systems and their lineup of cameras, check out their website. Android Accessory Roundup will be a monthly post where we find some neat products that will pair up nicely with your Android device. If there is something you would like us to check out, feel free to let us know.

Video: Here is the Android 4.3 Camera UI With Improved On-screen Controls

Kellen — Fri, 24 May 2013 11:54:11 +0000

After we got our first sighting of Android 4.3 this morning, information continues to flood in. We were able to spot a tweaked UI to the camera in the original set of pictures, but this video gives you almost every little detail that has been changed. The biggest is obviously the change to a settings UI that isn't covered by your finger. In the old UI, once you long-pressed in the center of the camera, a ring would appear around the focus with options, many of which couldn't be seen because your finger was in the way. With this, Google has moved the settings menu to above the circle and builds on top of itself as you enter new menus. If you don't want to interact with the menu in the middle of the camera UI, you can tap the settings circle in the bottom right, which then pops up settings over top of the shutter button. We're also noticing a new timer option that I'm not able to find on my Nexus 4 running Android 4.2. We wish that the man behind the camera would have tapped on the camera menu to see if anything has changed in terms of video, Photosphere, and panorama, but that didn't happen. [youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l7T3sp8Y-ho[/youtube] Notice anything else? Via: +Theogusper George Philip Piccadilly

Google Music All Access Can Eat Data Like No Other, Be Careful Tiered Data Folks

Kellen — Fri, 24 May 2013 11:34:35 +0000

One of the biggest announcements to come out of Google I/O last week was Google's new streaming music service called Google Play Music All Access. It's like Spotify meets Pandora, in that you can check out any album at any time, play them as many times as you'd like, or use them to create special radio stations. It works on both mobile and desktop and is currently available as a free trial, but will jump up to a monthly subscription service once the trial ends. You can sign-up before the end of June and lock in for $7.99 per month, however, the price will go up to $9.99 on July 1. It's pretty awesome, though, that's for sure. But for many of you who are considering a move to All Access from something like Spotify, there is something you should consider should you have had the unfortunate pleasure of moving to a tiered data plan with your wireless carrier (shared data plans included). All Access lacks any sort of control over the quality of the music that is streaming through your device, meaning it can eat up data in minutes. Take the screenshot above as a great example. The left shot shows a test that a reader of ours conducted over WiFi using the default settings for both All Access and Spotify. He played the exact same album all the way through, which resulted in Google Play Music using up four times the amount of data as the same album played via Spotify. That's pretty significant, especially with data caps as low as they are today. The screenshot on the right shows All Access after the same album with default settings, while Spotify has been turned up to its highest quality setting. In this case, you can see that both consumed about the same amount of data.

So here is the problem - Google Music only has one setting for quality adjustment. If you go into the app's settings, you'll see an option to force it to "Stream at highest quality only." But that's it, there is no way to turn it down a notch to help save you data. Google Music streams music based on your connection speed, so assuming you have a decent phone and live in an area covered by a solid 4G LTE network, (in theory) you will always stream the highest quality (320 kbps). You can't tell it to not stream at high-quality, or to use a low quality stream instead. It all depends on how your network connection is. In Spotify, you have options to turn music quality to "Low bandwidth" (96 kbps), "High quality" (160 kbps), and "Extreme quality" (320 kbps). We would love to see Google change Google Music to include additional quality settings, especially when they want you to buy into their new streaming service and in a time when carriers are forcing you into tiered data, but the settings have been this way since it was first introduced. While we're huge fans of All Access, be aware that it can gobble up data without you even realizing it. Cheers Bret and Chris!

Cut the Rope Experiments is the Amazon Appstore's Free App of the Day

Eric — Fri, 24 May 2013 10:30:24 +0000

One of the cutest and best-selling mobile games, Cut the Rope Experiments, is free today. This can finally be your chance to help the adorable little Om Nom get his candy if you haven't had the chance to yet.

The game starts off easy, as you cut the ropes attached to a piece of candy so that it falls into Om Nom's mouth, but the puzzles are deceptive as you get further into it. The game is easily worth the $0.99 on a normal day, but if you can't spare the change to play this game, go hit the link below.

App Store Link

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b2azcp6yg94[/youtube]

Next Browser From GO Launcher Development Team, Features Custom Speed Dial and Extensions

Tim — Fri, 24 May 2013 09:59:40 +0000

The GO Launcher development team is at it again, bringing yet another application to Google Play. This time, it's Next Browser, a browser that could compete with Google's Chrome and the stock browser application found on most Android devices. The GO Launcher team are the ones responsible for the very popular GO Launcher, as well as GO Locker, a popular 3rd party option for lockscreen lovers, so you have to have some faith that they know what folks would want in a browser. Some of the features that make Next Browser stand out in a crowd are Speed Dial (a pretty bookmarks page that appears upon launching the app), Easy Search (the fancy Google Search bar), extensions for apps such as Evernote and Pocket, plus other custom GO Dev features like Next Voice and Next View. While the browser does appear quite nice, the lack of a few features would probably turn some of you away. There is no full integration with your Google account, so saved passwords and things of that nature will not appear. Although, it does allow for the syncing of bookmarks. If you aren't completely attached to your Google account, it could be worth the look. To check out Next Browser in action, watch the video below. Play Link [youtube]http://youtu.be/ihHCIz8L2XU[/youtube]

New Gmail App for Android Possibly Spotted in Google I/O Session, Assuming It's Not Just an Ugly Mock-up

Kellen — Fri, 24 May 2013 09:02:33 +0000

Are you looking at the new UI of a redesigned Gmail app for Android? Possibly. The slide above appeared at the "Structure in Android App Design" session at Google I/O, which was focused on teaching developers how to choose which navigation techniques to use in their complex apps. This was the only look at what could potentially be the new Gmail, but if this is indeed it, there are some things worth talking about. But before we do that, understand that this was a single slide in a 40-minute presentation that included all sorts of mock-ups for a variety of apps. In fact, shortly after this slide appeared, the presenter showed three different examples of what navigation could look like in the native Android gallery app, only one of which is actually the real deal. So this could be the new Gmail that we were supposed to have seen at I/O, or it could be a mock-up that was used as an example.

Mock-up from Google I/O

With that said, this new Gmail includes a navigation drawer, or what you may know as a slideout menu. It forfeits the top drop down menu for account or label switching, something the iOS version has had for a long time, and appears to allow you to do all of that with a swipe from the left. We have seen the navigation drawer implemented into a number of Google apps recently, like Drive and the new Google Music. The bottom navigation/action bar also appears to be gone in favor of a set of top buttons for new message, search, and the action overflow. It looks, OK. One thing I'm confused about, is that there is no way in the screenshot above to either add a new account or switch to another. See, in the iOS version of the app (pictured below), you have a navigation drawer that lists your account along with an arrow button that can be tapped to take you to a screen that allows you to add a new account or switch to another. That is clearly missing in this Gmail for Android mock-up. It also lacks any sort of new polish that we have seen from apps like Google Music and Drive and really looks like nothing more than a boring step up from the old. I hope that is not the new Gmail. It would almost surprise me if it is the new Gmail. Seems like there should be more to it.

Gmail app on iOS

Here is the clip (jump to the 23:00 mark):

[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XpqyiBR0lJ4[/youtube]

Via: YouTube | Android Police

Android 4.3 Possibly Spotted Running on Nexus 4, Build Number JWR45B

Tim — Fri, 24 May 2013 08:51:06 +0000

Over on XDA, a user posted some pictures this morning of a Nexus 4 that was seen at a mobile expo taking place in Thailand. What makes this N4 special is that the device appears to be running a completely new build number, JWR45B. Coupled with the new build is a kernel that was built in May, signs that we could definitely be setting our eyes on Android 4.3. Only a few pictures were snapped, one of the About section, another of the camera's semi-new interface (controls to the side rather than in the focus area), concluded by the Jelly Bean Easter Egg found through the About section. Not too much new here in terms of design, so it could be a pretty safe bet that Android 4.3 won't feature a radical look or UI change.

After some searches on the new build number, it becomes apparent that JWR45B is just one of few numbers that could potentially be Android 4.3. Others include JWR46 and JWR39D. It should only be a matter time when Google feels it appropriate to drop Android 4.3 on us. The question of course, is when? Will it be June 10? Via: XDA [2] Cheers kevlar!

HTC One "Google Edition" Said to be Imminent, After the Company Denied Its Existence

Kellen — Fri, 24 May 2013 08:06:39 +0000

Within an hour of Google's announcement at I/O that they would soon sell a special "Nexus experience" edition of the Samsung Galaxy S4, rumors popped up suggesting that HTC would do something similar with the One. And as soon as those rumors surfaced, HTC quickly shot them down, claiming that a "Nexus edition" was not in their plans. Well, here we are a week later, and rumors have once again surfaced surrounding a "Google Edition" of HTC's popular One device. According to sources who spoke to both Geek.com and Modaco, an announcement is imminent, potentially happening next week. According to at least one source, HTC CEO Peter Chou is behind the decision, even with many parts of the company against such a move. You can understand how tied (and proud of) their employees probably are to HTC's Sense, which offers quite a different experience over stock Android, which this "Google Edition" would certainly run. The device will likely come with 64GB of internal storage, and I would assume at the same price of $650 that the current "Developer Edition" of the One is sold for. Personally, this move makes zero sense to me. Forget the fact that a report two days ago suggested that HTC as a company is in disarray because of snap decisions that Peter Chou continues to make - like this one - but offering up a stock Android device provides no benefit to HTC. The HTC One is a great device because HTC actually added features and functionality with Sense overlay. Should you wipe that out for a stock experience, you lose everything that made this phone great (like the entire suite of camera software). So without any of that, you have a big, heavy metal phone, with a shitty navigation button arrangement, and stock Android's terrible camera software. Yikes, and no thanks. But beyond the experience, does HTC think it will sell enough of these to make it worth their time? According to these reports, it may not even be available in the Google Play store, so that would mean they would be selling it directly through their own online shop which has no presence whatsoever. Would anyone be interested in this? I'm just wondering why you wouldn't have already purchased the Developer Edition and then flashed stock Android on it. Via: Geek | Modaco

Bootloader Bypass Tool Released for Verizon and AT&T Galaxy S4, DROID DNA Sees S-OFF Too

Kellen — Thu, 23 May 2013 16:13:36 +0000

Bootloaders in general had a tough day today - or should I say the security departments behind them. Dan Rosenberg went ahead and published "Loki," his tool for helping developers flash custom kernels and recoveries on the Galaxy S4 variants of Verizon and AT&T. It's not a full bootloader unlock tool ("bootloader itself is untouched") like we saw with a handful of Motorola devices, but it is a positive sign for the dev crowd. There isn't a tool that can be used to do anything at this time - you'll instead have to wait for your favorite ROM dev to use Loki in their next release. On a related note, the long-standing S-OFF battle for the DROID DNA has apparently come to an end. Devs beaups and Fuses posted the image below, which is a DNA with S-OFF that was not acquired by using JTAG or any of the other unattainable methods previously mentioned over the last few months. They haven't released their method yet, so we are all waiting in limbo for the magic to be presented. Congrats, though, DNA owners.

Via: XDA [2] Cheers Maximus and David!

Chrome Beta for Android Updated, Brings Google Translate and Bandwidth Management Settings

Tim — Thu, 23 May 2013 15:21:00 +0000

Today, Google's Chrome Beta for Android received a most impressive update through the Play store. Included is the addition of Google Translate, allowing users to instantly translate full webpages to their native tongue, as well as options for controlling and limiting bandwidth consumption through the browser's settings. Those two might be the features that have Kellen and myself excited the most, but they have also added an awesome "+" symbol in the top left to bring up new tabs (where has this been the whole time?!), fullscreen support for Android tablets, in addition to "mobile friendly" error pages. What's New:

Google Translate: When you come across a page written in a language that isn't in the same language as your phone or tablet, look for the translation bar
Fullscreen on tablets: Simply scroll the page to dismiss the toolbar
Support for fullscreen API
New graph showing your estimated bandwidth savings when you use the experimental data compression feature
Mobile friendly error pages

By enabling the bandwidth saving feature, each page you visit is optimized by Chrome, allowing for faster page loads (since less data is going back and forth) and you will probably see a huge difference in data consumption if you fancy yourself a hardcore web surfer. You can go grab the update through Google Play and try it out for yourself. Play Link Via: Chrome Blog

Galaxy S4 Software Differences: Verizon vs. AT&T

Kellen — Thu, 23 May 2013 14:47:46 +0000

With the Verizon version of the Samsung Galaxy S4 (quick overview) now in hand, along with its step-brother on AT&T, we decided to take a look at the software each is running to see if there are any major differences. Since Samsung is now releasing one phone in one size on all carriers, with identical specs (at least in the U.S.), we don't have to worry about comparing hardware. These devices are identical in physical form outside of a logo here or there. But software can certainly differ from one carrier to the next - we have seen that with the Note 2 and even Galaxy S3. So what's different? Let's look.

About screens

The About screens won't show any differences other than the model numbers and the slightly newer (by 2 days) kernel in the Verizon version of the device. Each is still running Android 4.2.2 (JDQ39), however, Verizon has chosen to show the hardware version, while AT&T leaves that out.

Notifications

The notification panels on each will differ ever-so-slightly, and I'd argue for the worse on Verizon's model. Just as they did with the Note 2 and Galaxy S3, Verizon has removed the WiFi toggle from the quick toggles section of the notification pulldown. Instead, they have placed an ongoing (non-removable) notification reminding you to turn WiFi on whenever you can. I still don't know how this ongoing notification makes things any easier than a toggle at the top of the device would, but this is what Verizon has chosen to do. Also, if you flip over to the full list of toggles, you'll notice that Big Red has removed a couple that are present on AT&T's Galaxy S4. Toggles for Blocking Mode (we'll get to this in a second), WiFi, and Air Gesture have all been removed. The first two make sense, but why on Earth they removed the toggle for Air Gesture is beyond me.

Blocking Mode

Speaking of Blocking Mode, Verizon removed (or at least hid) it again from the GS4, just like they did with the Galaxy Note 2. This is another head scratcher, as Blocking Mode is a great feature that allows you to set your phone to disable calls, notifications, alarms, and the notification light during specific hours.

Bloatware, App Drawers and Home Screens

When it comes to the bloatware battle, Verizon wins because they are now preloading their phones with the entire suite of Amazon apps. So thanks to those five coming pre-installed, they lay the smackdown on AT&T in terms of un-removable garbage that no one in this world wants to see installed on their phone. Some other things that you'll notice being different have to do with the way the phone handles transitions. On the AT&T version (and all other versions to my knowledge), Samsung uses an infinite scroll, meaning whether or not you are on your home screen or in the app drawer, you can continue to swipe even as you approach the last page - you'll simply return to the start or next home screen. With the Verizon version, they have taken away the infinite scroll and instead stop you at the end of each app drawer or home screen. It's a subtle difference, but something that stood out from the moment I fired up the phone.

Subtle Text Changes

Throughout the device, you'll see subtle text changes on buttons or in areas that the AT&T or international variants may not have. For example, if you long press on the Home button to get into the task switcher, you'll see that the Verizon version displays text for "Task manager," "Google," and "Close all," where as the AT&T version shows logos for each button.

"Starter" Mode

The other difference I was able to find was the name of the basic home screen mode on the phone. Samsung and every other carrier on the planet are calling it "Easy" mode, but Verizon went ahead and had it changed to "Starter" mode. There really seems to be no point to this change other than some marketing guy with a big title at Verizon HQ thinking "Starter" makes more sense to a new user than "Easy" does.

Missing Apps

The Verizon version does not have the Samsung Optical Reader app, Samsung Apps (store), or ChatON. The rest of the Samsung apps appear to be there. So outside of those minor changes, you won't find many other differences between these two devices. All of the gestures, Air View stuff, camera enhancements, and power are the same on both.

Thursday App Sales: Fieldrunners 2, AVP: Evolution, Touch Racing Nitro and More

Tim — Thu, 23 May 2013 14:01:37 +0000

In need of some new apps and games? There is a pretty impressive list of titles up for grabs on Google Play, including some major names like World of Goo, Fieldrunners 2, Fangz HD and even the new Alien vs. Predators game. Most are on sale for just $1, so you can't really beat that. We have them listed below, so go grab them and have some fun. Today's Sales:

Fieldrunners 2 - $0.99
AVP: Evolution - $0.99
Touch Racing Nitro - $0.99
2Do: To Do List - $3.94
AccuWeather Platinum - $0.99
Fast Pro for Facebook - $1.14
Fangz HD - $0.99
FireJumpers - Wildfire RTS - $0.99
mSecure Password Manager - $4.99
World of Goo - $0.99

Go support the developers!

Samsung Galaxy S4 on Verizon: Unboxing, Overview and Quick Comparison

Kellen — Thu, 23 May 2013 13:04:36 +0000

Yeah we know, we already unboxed the AT&T version of the Samsung Galaxy S4, but we couldn't help ourselves. This is the Verizon version! Finally in hand! Available today! We also wanted to show it up against the AT&T and Sprint versions, though they are identical other than color and branding (or lack thereof). Really, this was just an excuse to show off a new toy and join in on the fun that early adopters have been experiencing for two days thanks to early arriving pre-order shipments. Who jumped on this phone?

Unboxing and Overview

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wkj2Q_sdyFg[/youtube]

Gallery

Samsung Galaxy S4 Developer Edition for Verizon Coming Soon (AT&T Too)

Kellen — Thu, 23 May 2013 12:48:38 +0000

If you were at all disappointed to find out that the "Nexus experience" Samsung Galaxy S4 that was introduced at I/O with an unlockable bootloader, would only work on AT&T and T-Mobile networks, then maybe this news will brighten your mood. Posted to Samsung's official online shop is a listing for the "Developer Edition" of Verizon's version of the Galaxy S4 (AT&T version listed too). The current listing is of the Black Mist model, with 16GB of storage, and all of the other specs featured in this year's Galaxy flagship. No price is given, but with Verizon asking $650 at full retail for their non-developer edition, I'd guess this will drop in at that same price. That also means that it likely won't be available with a subsidy (discounted price). A date isn't included in the listing, only that it is "Coming soon!" We should probably point out that this is not the same as the "Nexus experience" edition. This will not run stock Android out of the box and still should have all of Samsung's TouchWiz skin atop Android 4.2.2. It will also be on the same update schedule as the regular Verizon version, meaning you won't see updates any quicker, like you will with the "Nexus experience" version. For the hackers in the building, this once again is Samsung and Verizon's attempt at giving you an option. If you want an unlockable bootloader, and a device that can be hacked to your heart's desire, this would be the one to get. Well, it would have been had Dan Rosenberg not already cracked the bootloader on the regular retail version. Interested? Via: Samsung (AT&T version) Cheers Open1Your1Eyes0!

Mailbox Founder Suggests That an Android Version is Next in Their Plans

Kellen — Thu, 23 May 2013 12:12:50 +0000

Heard of Mailbox? It's an iOS app that was such a massive success as an email replacement at launch, that Dropbox bought it within a couple of months of its existence. Today, the company launched an iPad version of its popular app, but that's not what Android users care about. In a sitdown with Read Write, Mailbox's founder Gentry Underwood said that a presence on Android is next on their list of things to do. He wouldn't specify a time frame, only that it's on their radar now that the iPad app is out. For those not familiar, Mailbox is an email replacement app that wants to make you more productive while also keeping your inbox down to a minimum ("Inbox zero"), so that you don't feel so damn overwhelmed every time you open it. Mailbox helps you get there by incorporating swiping gestures that advance beyond what you use them for on Android currently. For example, as you swipe away an email, you'll get a different result depending on how long your swipe is and in which direction you take it. So if you want to archive a message, you can perform a quick swipe to the left and you'll see a green color with a check mark. If you want to delete the message, drag your swipe longer to the right and it'll turn red with an "X." Should you swipe to the left, you can tell Mailbox to remind you to check the message at a later date, or even add it to a list should you continue the swipe like you did to delete. Again, the point is to make you more productive and less stressed. I'll say that after spending a little bit of time with it on iOS, I can't wait for it to come to Android. Can you imagine the power that developers would have with this app and its gestures with Android's notification system? Your productivity could enter a new level should you not have to enter your inbox. Keep this one on your lists, folks, it'll be a good one. Via: Read Write

Google Rolls Out Rich Notifications For Chrome, Has That Google Now Feel

Tim — Thu, 23 May 2013 11:03:12 +0000

Since the majority of us are probably using Chrome, at least according to this poll, we feel it quite justified to talk about the world's most popular web browser. Today, Google enabled "rich notifications" for Chrome. Think of these as little info cards that pop up in the bottom right hand corner of your screen. They are clean and elegant, heavily resembling that of Google Now's UI. Notification settings can be placed for things like Gmail, Hangouts, Calendar events, Drive, Spotify and other apps. You can even set reminders through it and a notification will go off when it hits the right time. Pretty sweet, right? The feature is currently available through Chrome Beta, so if you want to give it a try, you can download it here. Via: Chrome Blog

Fast & Furious 6: The Game Hits Google Play, Go Punch the NOS

Tim — Thu, 23 May 2013 10:35:39 +0000

It is quite possible that this series has existed for far too long now, but there's nothing wrong with a good action flick that centers around sexy cars. Fast & Furious 6: The Game hit Google Play very recently, allowing players to drive recklessly and run others off the road without going to jail. In the game, you get right into the furious action as you attempt to take down the bad mercenary drivers. Set in London, you race and drift through different jobs to earn cash and "respect." There are global tournaments to enter as well, so the game always has a little something different to offer. It's free, but I'm supposing there are some IAPs for vehicle upgrades and things of that nature. Anyone else excited for the new movie, besides me? Play Link [youtube]http://youtu.be/mtBccJPj4Jc[/youtube]

HTC has "Sold Around 5 Million One Smartphones" Since Launch

Kellen — Thu, 23 May 2013 10:00:31 +0000

While Samsung got done bragging about eclipsing the 10 million sales mark for the Galaxy S4 within a month, this morning, a report out of the Wall Street Journal pegs HTC as having sold "around" 5 million One devices. While that's short of Samsung's insane numbers, that's still a fairly impressive number for a company that we all pegged as being all-but-done and who also suffered supply issues at launch. Keep in mind that their CEO Peter Chou did say that if this phone was not a success and help turn the company around, that he would step down. I'd say that at 5 million in about a month's time, he could be safe. Then again, the company is reportedly in disarray, with executives and upper management leaving left and right. An anonymous exec who supplied these numbers said that "orders are pretty good so far and are still more than what we can supply." They stated that once component shortages are resolved next month, they'll really be able to tell if the One is doing well or not. Keep in mind that both Samsung and HTC have been able to produce these sales numbers without their devices being available on Verizon. The Galaxy S4 became available today, almost a month after the rest of the world started selling it, while the One is currently not in the plans of America's largest network. We're big fans of the One here at Droid Life. In fact, after our lengthy review, I purchased the unlocked version and have made it my daily device. Via: WSJ

AT&T Announces Exclusive Aurora Red Galaxy S4, Pre-orders Start May 24

Tim — Thu, 23 May 2013 09:30:11 +0000

If you happen to be an AT&T customer and plain ol' black and white phones aren't your style, the carrier has announced that they will carry an exclusive color of the Galaxy S4, Aurora Red. Pre-orders for the new color will begin online starting tomorrow, May 24. In-store orders may be placed starting June 14. Besides the color, it is the same S4 that everyone else has, so as I mentioned, if you need some color in your life, go check it out.

In addition, Samsung announced two colors (including Aurora Red), the second being Blue Arctic. No word on which carrier we could see this land on or when it will launch exactly, but they mention it will drop sometime this Summer. Following that, they have two additional colors coming, Purple Mirage and Brown Autumn. Ahh, what sweet names. Via: AT&T | Samsung

Samsung Reaches 10 Million Galaxy S4 Sales Within First Month of Launch

Tim — Thu, 23 May 2013 08:59:38 +0000

Last week, Samsung's CEO J.K. Shin announced that the Galaxy S4, the company's 2013 flagship device, would surpass ten million unit sales within their first month of launch. Just six days later, shy of just one full month on the global market, they have reached that goal. In retrospect, the Galaxy S3, another one of the top selling Android devices of all time, reached the same ten million mark in fifty days. This goes to show just how hard Samsung is pushing this device. The Galaxy S4 launched globally in sixty countries on April 27 and to this day, Samsung claims there to be about four new Galaxy S4 phones purchased every second. Sort of comical that the device has reached this milestone and it is just launched on Verizon today. Go get your new phone and stand proud with ten million other humans. Via: Samsung

Keyprop is a Smartphone Stand Disguised as Key, Actually Looks Useful for $15 on Kickstarter

Kellen — Thu, 23 May 2013 08:10:52 +0000

When I took my first glance at the Keyprop on Kickstarter, I've got to admit that I initially laughed it off as another silly Kickstarter smartphone-related campaign that I'd probably never think about again. But for some reason, I found myself watching the promo video for it, then looking at the pictures in the posting, saw the use cases, and then couldn't help but hope it was reasonably priced. Thankfully, it was because this is actually something I could see being pretty useful in a pinch or even on a regular basis. Keyprop is a smartphone stand that comes in a variety of colors and fits easily onto your keychange, disguising itself as nothing but another key. It runs $15, and should work on almost any smartphone including the Galaxy S3 and Nexus 4 (iPhones too). The tip of the key has a couple of notches that can either fit inside the charging port of your device or the headphone jack, which helps it stabilize your device in an upright position. You can even adjust your keyring to provide other angles for better viewing. Seriously, it's kind of brilliant. It has 8 days to go still and is about 60% funded, so there is no guarantee that this will happen. But for those looking for an always-with-them smartphone stand, give it a view.

How to: Root the Verizon Galaxy S4

Kellen — Thu, 23 May 2013 07:43:15 +0000

A root method for the Samsung Galaxy S4 on Verizon is already available, which isn't all that surprising since launch day is today. This is a solid method as it doesn't require you to fully wipe your device by flashing a pre-rooted factory image nor does it require any skills with adb, so in other words, it's pretty simple. It does require ODIN, a few files, the flashing of a prerelease kernel, and Dan Rosenberg's Motochopper. Ready to do this? *Note - This entire guide was pulled from this XDA thread. I highly recommend you head there for full support and to give thanks. *Note 2 - This has nothing to do with the bootloader. We're assuming that unlock will come at some point, however, this will simply root your device.

Step 1:

Download and Install Samsung Official USB Drivers - Link
Download and extract ODIN v3.07 - Link
Download the VRUAMD2 Prerelease Kernel - Link
Download the VRUAMDK Stock Kernel - Link
Download and extract the Motochopper Root Exploit Tool - Link

Step 2:

Boot phone into ODIN mode (See here for how-to)
Flash the VRUAMD2 Prerelease Kernel using ODIN v3.07 ***in PDA section only*** (See here for guide on flashing)
Boot back to Android and verifying everything is still working and kernel has flashed successfully

Step 3:

Verify in Security setting on your device that you have "Unknown sources" checked
Verify in Developer options setting on your device that you have "USB debugging" checked
Verify in Developer options setting on your device that you have "Verify apps via USB" unchecked
Connect your phone to your computer and open "Run.bat" file from the location you have extracted motochopper to
If successful, after your phone reboots, check if SuperSU has any update in the Play Store
Open SuperSU app and let the binary update itself to the latest ***VERY IMPORTANT OR YOU WILL LOSE ROOT ON STEP 4***
Once complete, just open a root application and verify that is able to access root properly

Step 4:

Boot phone into ODIN mode (See here for how-to)
Flash the VRUAMDK Stock Kernel using ODIN v3.07 ***in PDA section only*** (See here for guide on flashing)
Boot back to Android and verifying everything is still working and kernel has flashed successfully
After your phone boots back to Android, you should now be fully rooted and on the fully original stock firmware as the device came

Via: XDA Cheers Open1Your1Eyes0!

Samsung Galaxy S4 Now Available From Verizon

Kellen — Thu, 23 May 2013 07:25:20 +0000

The Samsung Galaxy S4 is officially available from Verizon as of today both online and in stores. Almost a month after every other major carrier in the U.S. first placed this year's flagship from Samsung on their store shelves, Big Red has joined in on the fun. For $199 and a new 2-year contract, the 16GB version can be yours in either white or black. Actually, the 16GB version is the only version Verizon is even selling, but keep in mind that the phone has a microSD card slot that supports 64GB cards, so you should have no issues with storage. In our Galaxy S4 review, we had very few negative things to say about it. The device is a solid jump from the Galaxy S3 with its 5" FHD Super AMOLED display, quad-core Snapdragon 600 processor, and 13MP camera. It also runs the latest version of Android (4.2.2), something no other phone can currently say outside of a Nexus device from Google. The phone feels phenomenal in hand, at least in terms of size and bang for the buck. It may not be an all-aluminum "zero-gap" housing like on the HTC One, but that's not necessarily a bad thing. If you ordered one or are stopping by a Verizon shop to pick one up, be sure to tell us your initial reactions in the comments. Via: Verizon

Debating the Word GIF

Kellen — Thu, 23 May 2013 00:36:11 +0000

The Droid Life Show returns tonight for episode 25! As far as topics go, Google I/O was last week, Verizon's hilariously awkward CTIA event was this week, the Galaxy S4 is finally here on all carriers, and we need to have a heated debate over the word GIF. Clearly we have plenty to talk about as usual, so be sure to join us live. The show kicks off around 6:00PM Pacific (9:00PM Eastern). A live video broadcast and chat are embedded below.

The Droid Life Show Episode 25 is Going Down Tonight at 6PM Pacific

Tim — Wed, 22 May 2013 20:48:59 +0000

We have had a couple of crazy weeks in the Android world, and with all of the traveling we have been doing, we haven't been able to do a show. Fortunately for you all, that changes tonight at 6PM Pacific, 9PM Eastern! Last week we had Google I/O, with the announcement of Google Hangouts and All Access - this week we have been on hand at CTIA, shaking my head at Verizon and J-Lo's announcement of Viva Movil. Big things going down in the wireless industry, for sure. The show begins at 6:00PM Pacific (9:00PM Eastern). We’ll have live video and chat embeds at that time.

Subscribe | iTunes | Show Page

Amazon Selling Samsung Galaxy S4 on Verizon for $179 for New Customers and Upgrades

Kellen — Wed, 22 May 2013 16:18:09 +0000

The Samsung Galaxy S4 on Verizon will finally arrive in stores tomorrow, but if you were looking to beat Big Red's $199 on-contract price, Amazon is almost always a great place to look. And sure enough, Amazon is already offering the device for $179.99 with 2-year contract for both new customers and upgrades. In the past, we have seen Amazon only offer early discounts to new customers while leaving out upgrades, but that doesn't appear to be the case this time around. So if you had your sights set on the GS4 (our review), think about this deal. Amazon Link (Black) | Amazon Link (White) Cheers Jason!

Apple Sets Eyes on Galaxy S4 and Google Now in Newest Patent Infringements Claim

Tim — Wed, 22 May 2013 15:00:28 +0000

In what could be labeled as this year's biggest non shocker, Apple is claiming that Samsung is violating Siri patents with Mountain View's Google Now software. U.S. patents 8,086,604 and 6,846,959 cover technology related to Siri, a "universal interface for retrieval of information in a computer system.” Apple is grouping these violations together with the case that is already taking place apparently, but what has us scratching our heads is how this is Samsung's problem. It is Google that controls Google Now, not Samsung. In addition, the Galaxy S4 is also being thrown into the mix, as Apple claims Samsung's newest device infringes on five patents. For the time being, Google Now users won't have to worry about a thing, as the slowly-moving court system goes through its process. This is justice. Via: FOSS Patents

Video: Testing Out Google's Conversational Search in Chrome

Kellen — Wed, 22 May 2013 14:10:04 +0000

If you are a Chrome user on your desktop computer, be sure to update to the newest version that was released this morning as it includes Google's new conversational search. We first saw conversational search at Google I/O last week in one of the more impressive demos from the keynote, and have been waiting for its release. For those not familiar, conversational search allows you to search for items as if you are having a conversation with your computer and Google Search. You aren't supposed to worry about using specific keywords or commands - instead you should be able to casually ask for search results. All of the magic happens as you speak to Google Search, but it becomes incredibly impressive once you follow-up initial questions with secondary questions, just as if you were having a conversation with someone. For example (also in the clip below), you can ask for the age of a professional basketball player and then follow that question up by asking which team they play for. If Google's new search works properly, it should answer both, but the second shouldn't require you to say their name again. It also works if you want to track packages, check on upcoming flight times, search nearby restaurants, and even find the distance from your location to a place you have recently searched for. It's impressive. At this time, it's missing the "OK, Google" activation command, but will likely arrive before long.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I_YbkuFF1PQ[/youtube]

Verizon 4G LTE Now in Over 497 Markets, 95% of the 3G Network Covered

Kellen — Wed, 22 May 2013 13:06:30 +0000

During the beginning of Verizon's comical J-Lo themed press event this morning at CTIA in Las Vegas, COO Marni Walden did announce at least one important bit of information. Their 4G LTE network now covers 497 markets, which is 95% of their 3G network. Remember that their initial goal was to cover 100% of their 3G network by the end of 2013, but have since moved the date up to mid-year as LTE build-out has increased dramatically. With 95% complete, I'd say they'll hit their goal and then some. Back in January they were at 473 markets, so already this year they have added another 20+ along with countless expansions in existing markets. Is anyone not yet covered by Verizon's LTE network?

Jennifer Lopez Partners With Verizon to Launch Latino-focused Viva Movil Network

Kellen — Wed, 22 May 2013 12:20:07 +0000

Sooooo, about that Verizon Wireless press event at CTIA. It was for a Latino-focused mobile network that Verizon has partnered with Jennifer Lopez to launch - it's called Viva Movil. It was easily one of the more embarrassing and hilarious (for the wrong reasons) press events I have seen in my 3 or 4 years in this business. J-Lo stood on stage after a quick intro, not even hiding the fact that she was ill-prepared and had to turn her head from teleprompter to teleprompter during her drawn out speech over a company that she apparently cares so much for. There was even a moment where she lost track of a question she was attempting to answer, and instead took to explaining how fun it was to pick out colors and fonts for stores. Marni Walden, Verizon's COO, probably made matters worse though, by starting off the event telling the press in attendance that they wouldn't have invited them there unless it was for a "big announcement" and that they would have news to Tweet about afterwards. She wasn't lying, there is plenty to Tweet about. Viva Movil will have stores in New York, Miami, Los Angeles and a presence online. Verizon doesn't actually own any part of the business, they are simply helping promote it and are a launch partner. Viva Movil will be branded as "premium" Verizon store, which is no different than any other third party wireless store you may have visited. After cruising through their site for a moment, I noticed that they have a decent collection of phones that includes the Galaxy S3, iPhone 5 and RAZR MAXX HD. The minute and data plans are the same as Verizon's, since everything runs on their network. I don't think I need to go into how awkward and confusing the idea of a Latino-focused wireless network is, do I? If you want to find out more, hit up the source link below. Here are the two highlights from the event:

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HbrZJDYzL2M[/youtube]

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Iv6lmi4g0ls[/youtube]

More: Get Viva

Live: Verizon's CTIA 2013 Press Event

Kellen — Wed, 22 May 2013 10:18:21 +0000

CTIA 2013 is happening this week in Las Vegas and Tim is there in attendance for one reason, because Verizon scheduled a press event to take place, their first in quite some time. We have no idea what to expect once they take the stage, but you can probably think of a few good reasons. Will it be network related? Is their initial 4G LTE rollout complete? Will VoLTE make its first appearance? Or will we finally see the Verizon-branded HTC One? It could be a combination of all of those things for all we know. Verizon has been tight-lipped on this one, so stick with us during our live blog to see what happens. The event kicks off at 11:00AM Pacific (2:00PM Eastern).

Chrome Stable for Android Updates With Full-screen Mode and Simpler Searches

Kellen — Wed, 22 May 2013 09:47:20 +0000

Back in April, Google updated Chrome beta for Android to include a full-screen browsing mode along with simpler searches that stay in the search box after you press enter. Today, they are releasing that same update to the stable build of Chrome for Android. Once updated, you'll see the toolbar disappear as you scroll down pages, giving you a full-screen experience. With a quick swipe back towards the top, it will return. You'll also get searches that stay in the omnibox (search box), making follow-up searches easier. Here is the full changelog:

Fullscreen on phones - Scroll down the page and the toolbar will disappear.
Simpler searching - Searching from the omnibox will keep your search query visible in the omnibox, making it easier to edit, and show more on your search result page.
Client-side certificate support - You can now access sites that require you to use a certificate and Chrome will allow you to select an installed certificate
Tab history on tablets - Long press the browser back button to view your tab history
And a ton of stability and performance fixes

I can't get the update to push through either the mobile or web Play stores, but it appears to be live. Via: Chrome Releases

Google Drive Updated on Android With New Card-style UI, Document Scanner, and More

Kellen — Wed, 22 May 2013 09:32:07 +0000

Google Drive for Android is receiving a major update today that includes a new UI, document scanner, and editing improvements. In terms of the UI, Google is introduce a card-style layout, similar to what we are seeing across a number of their apps like Google Play and Google Keep. In this new UI, you get to see larger previews of documents to help you discover information quicker. Along with the new UI, Google is introducing a document scanner, which allows you take photos of of documents, business cards, etc. and save them for later. Google will turn them into PDF files, but remember that Drive recognizes text in documents so you can search for items embedded later on. They improved the editing experience as well. After the update, you'll be able to adjust font types and sizes for a spreadsheet and tweak cell colors and alignment from within the app. You can also choose to download copies of documents to your device from the action menu inside settings. Here is the rest of the changelog:

New grid view makes it easier to find your files

New quick preview lets you view photos and other files from within the app

Scan documents, receipts and letters for safe keeping in Drive; then search by contents once uploaded

Download a copy of files to your local device (Honeycomb+)

Spreadsheet editor now supports changing fonts, colors and cell alignment

View properties of files from within the editors

Bug fixes and visual improvements

Via: Android Blog

10000000 is Amazon Appstore's Free App of the Day

Tim — Wed, 22 May 2013 08:55:19 +0000

We usually have no need to talk about the Amazon Appstore's free app of the day, given that it's usually a pretty uninteresting app, but today's is just too good to pass up. It's a game called 10000000 and it's not your typical dungeon crawler. I look at this game as the Bejeweled of the genre, pitting users against dungeon monsters, then making you play the puzzle to match up tiles and progress through a level. You collect items to help you defeat enemies, plus there is an even some big green dinosaur sightings inside. To get a good grasp on the game, check out the trailer below. The game is usually priced at $1.99 on both the Appstore and Google Play, but it can all be yours today for free. App Store Link [youtube]http://youtu.be/gI3KE5tee-U[/youtube] Cheers Nick S!

HTC Reportedly in "Disarray," Key Staff Members Take Pot Shots on Way Out the Door

Kellen — Wed, 22 May 2013 08:18:46 +0000

Life at HTC is apparently worse than any of us initially suspected. After over a year of disappointing quarters, followed by manufacturing woes of their latest flagship, the One, the company is reportedly in "disarray." A report out of The Verge last night paints a picture of a company who has lost key members of their leadership team, is starting to point fingers at the snap decisions of CEO Peter Chou for all mistakes, and whose Seattle U.S. headquarters are looked at as being in "utter freefall." In the last few months, HTC has lost their Chief Product Officer, VP of global communications, retail marketing manager, director of digital marketing, and product strategy manager. Eric Lin, the product strategy manager, even took to Twitter this week to tell all of his "friends" who are still at HTC to "just quit" because they will "be so much happier." After the disastrous launch of the HTC First - the Facebook phone - followed by Chou's forcing of the launch of the One, morale may be drained. Chou was reportedly warned of manufacturing issues of the One, but pushed the company to release it anyway. As you all know now, the One was plagued by delays at launch and with inventory issues because of those same manufacturing issues. Sources have said that sales of the device started off slow, but have since picked up as HTC has been able to produce it. As far as their Seattle headquarters are concerned, sources told The Verge that people are avoiding the company just like they did of T-Mobile when the carrier was hemorrhaging customers a few years back. Sources have also said that new CMO Ben Ho could look to move some of the Seattle operations back to their Taipei headquarters. Peter Chou has said that he will step down should the One fail, though this report tells a story of a company that may need a fresh start no matter how the One succeeds. Via: The Verge

Motorola XT1056 for Sprint Stops by FCC, Could be Another XFON Variant

Kellen — Tue, 21 May 2013 22:32:22 +0000

The Motorola XT1056 stopped by the FCC this week sporting Sprint's LTE band. If we were betting men, we'd be willing to bet that this is likely the Sprint version of the "XFON" that has been spotted a number of times on its way to AT&T in both benchmarks and in pictures. The model number for AT&Ts version is XT1058, so XT1056 certainly matches up to the model number scheme, especially if the XT1060 that we reported yesterday is indeed Verizon's variant. The XFON has been pretty heavily scrutinized over the last couple of weeks by readers as details for it emerge. The device looks to be sporting a 720p display and low-end dual-core Snapdragon S4 processor, while the rest of the smartphone game is running quad-core Snapdragon 600 chipsets and 1080p displays. Maybe this is the last of the devices in Motorola's pipeline that aren't "wow" by Google's CFO's standards? Or maybe Motorola has some extra tricks up their sleeves that will try and prove that top-of-the-line displays and processors don't make a smartphone great? We will certainly be curious to see what this new smartphone of Moto's turns out to be, as we are all wanting Motorola to make another comeback. With HTC apparently in turmoil and Samsung continuing to grow, we need another contender. Via: FCC | Engadget Cheers Franklin and Scott!

Contest: Win 1 of 17 Galaxy S4 Cases From Spigen and Droid Life! (Updated: Winners Picked)

Kellen — Tue, 21 May 2013 15:23:54 +0000

Come Thursday, the Samsung Galaxy S4 will be available on all four major U.S. wireless carriers. To celebrate, we thought we would hand out a whole bunch of cases and accessories for the device from our friends at Spigen. We reviewed a couple of their cases already - the Ultra Thin Air and GLAS.tR - so that means we have a bunch laying around that need to go out to you, the wonderful Droid Life reader. In fact, we have 17 of their cases to give away, some of which are the Ultra Thin Air while others are the wallet/flip cover style. Who wants one? To check out Spigen's entire Galaxy S4 collection, hit up their store.

Contest

Update: Winners have been picked and emailed! Prizes:

6 (six) Ultra Thin Air cases for the Galaxy S4
6 (six) Slim Wallet cases for the Galaxy S4
2 (two) Neo Hybrid cases for the Galaxy S4
2 (two) Crumena leather pouches for the Galaxy S4
1 (one) GLAS.t Slim tempered glass screen protector

How to enter: a Rafflecopter giveaway Winners: We'll select our 17 winners tomorrow at 3PM Pacific.

Ingress Receives Update to 1.26, Brings Added Notifications and Portal Info

Tim — Tue, 21 May 2013 13:58:41 +0000

This afternoon, Google and the team at Niantic Labs pushed out a major update for their hit game, Ingress. Inside the update, version number 1.26, information on portal health and faction controls are placed in the inventory carousel, as well the much-needed addition of notifications for portal attacks, neutralization and @codename messages. If you still have yet to try out Ingress, make sure to head to their forums and request as it is still a closed beta application. What's New:

Portal health and faction control info on Portal Keys in the Inventory carousel.
Android Notifications for "Portal under attack," "Portal neutralized," and "@" messages.
Support for Jarvis Virus and ADA Refactor objects.
New Recharge visual animation.
Bug fixes

Play Link

Random Rumor: HTC Rep Stops by a Sprint Store, Pulls Out Verizon HTC One Running 4.2.2

Kellen — Tue, 21 May 2013 13:36:31 +0000

Hypebeast tank tops on? The HTC One on Verizon rumors won't seem to die, and we've got another random one to toss out this afternoon, the day before Verizon takes the stage at a press event at CTIA. According to an XDA member who works for Sprint, their HTC rep stopped by this afternoon to check on things and happened to have a special device tucked away in his pocket. When asked about the 4.2.2 update for the Sprint version of the One, the rep reached for a second device, which he claims to be the Verizon version already running 4.2.2. This tipster mentioned that the device had the 4.2 notification toggles, likely similar to what we saw in the leaked 4.2.2 ROM for the HTC Butterfly. So what does this mean? It could be a troll or it could be the first sign of something we have all been waiting for - the HTC One on Big Red. Keep in mind that Verizon really does have a press event scheduled for CTIA tomorrow that we'll be at, but there have been no hints suggesting that HTC has anything to do with it, thus far. HTC is doing a little press get-together at CTIA this week, however, lots of companies do PR parties without announcing anything significant. Then again, didn't HTC say only a week or so ago that when they announce a new product for Verizon, they'll "make a big deal about it"? Why yes they did. They also can't seem to find a way to fully put to bed rumors of the One coming to Verizon, so don't rule anything out. We know that a device under the codename DLXPLUS with Verizon branding and similar specs to the One is alive and making its way through the certification process. We also have multiple reports out of AllThingsD which suggest the One is indeed coming to Big Red. One thing is for sure, we'll know tomorrow at 11:00AM Pacific if Verizon's event has anything to do with HTC. Via: XDA Cheers Mike!

CellMaps Mobile Shows You Carrier Network Coverage Areas, Lets You Compare

Kellen — Tue, 21 May 2013 13:09:40 +0000

Over the last year or so, we've talked a lot about switching carriers. With policy changes frustrating consumers, tiered data hampering usage, and phones not being offered across the board on all carriers, there may not be a better time than now to consider a move. One downside to moving, though, is the worry of coverage with a new carrier not being equal to what you were previous receiving. The last thing you want to do is commit to a new carrier, only to find that your phone can barely hold a signal at home or that LTE won't be in your neighborhood for years. Thanks to apps like CellMaps Mobile, you can check out carrier coverage in your area before deciding to make a move. There are a handful of apps that do similar things to CellMaps Mobile, but this app was released this morning and offers up an incredibly simple map feature and carrier selector. It does have an in-app upgrade that unlocks more features, though. From the main screen you have options of Coverage, Insights, About, and Settings. Coverage takes you directly into a map with boxes for 2G, 3G, 4G, and 4G LTE, along with the four major U.S. carriers to be displayed. Tap the appropriate boxes, and bam, enjoy the visualization of coverage. The information displayed is not community-generated, but instead uses the marketed maps of carriers for comparison's sake. If this isn't your cup of tea, feel free top check out OpenSignal, which is a community-generated app with quite a few additional features. Play Link

Samsung Galaxy S4 Active Caught on Video, Not Really on the Same Level as the Galaxy S4 Though

Kellen — Tue, 21 May 2013 12:25:34 +0000

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CxkQavIz9wA[/youtube]

Yesterday, the first real photos of the Samsung Galaxy S4 Active presented themselves on the web, thanks to what appeared to be a display model at a trade show. Today, we're getting a second look at the device - likely from the same location - on video. The source of this info claims that this is the GT-I9505 (retail international GS4 is GT-I9500) and that it only sports a dual-core Snapdragon S4 Plus processor and an 8MP camera, however the video shows it as the GT-I9295 which doesn't necessarily seem like a GS4 variant. Plus with those specs, you'd be doing a disservice to the Galaxy S4 by slapping it's name on there. So while this phone is said to be a rugged, waterproof alternative to the Galaxy S4, it seems lacking in comparison. The retail Galaxy S4 runs on either a quad-core or octa-core processor, contains a 13MP sensor, and is a beast in terms of smartphone prowess. Via: MobileTechReview

Samsung Galaxy S4 is Consumer Reports' Top Rated Smartphone

Kellen — Tue, 21 May 2013 11:21:21 +0000

After months of remaining on the top of Consumer Reports' list of best rated smartphones, the LG Optimus G has been dethroned. Taking its place is the Samsung Galaxy S4 (our review), not the HTC One or white Nexus 4 LTE with 32GB of storage (couldn't help myself, since it doesn't exist but the media wants it to). Thanks to the "oodles" gesture and sensor-based tools, along with the "excellent" 5-inch HD Super AMOLED display, and its multi-tasking abilities, the GS4 garnered a score of 81, which tops the Optimus G and One with scores of 79. The Galaxy S3 remains in third place with a score of 78, while the iPhone 5 rounds out the top 5 with a score of 77. This ranking for the Galaxy S4 certainly doesn't surprise us at all. In our review, we had very few things to knock it for. I'll also add that after spending the last few weeks with the HTC One as my daily device, but then switching over to the GS4 for most of I/O last week, it was a refreshing change. The Galaxy S4, even though it's made of plastic, feels amazing in hand. It has a tiny body when compared to something like the One and is incredibly light in hand, yet manages to house a bigger (and in my opinion) more beautiful display. I can't wait for our Verizon readers to finally get a hold of this phone - you'll be more than pleased with it. Via: Consumer Reports

Samsung Galaxy S4 "Nexus Experience" Edition Will be a U.S. Exclusive

Kellen — Tue, 21 May 2013 10:51:33 +0000

When the Samsung Galaxy S4 "Nexus experience" device launches on June 26 for the questionably high price of $649 through Google Play, it will be available to U.S. customers only. According to CNET who spoke with Google on the subject of availability, for now, the device will be a U.S. exclusive. Google first unveiled their own version of the Galaxy S4 at Google I/O last Wednesday after being rumored the night prior. The device will run stock Android, receive timely updates like a Nexus, include LTE support on T-Mobile and AT&T, and has an unlocked bootloader. Keep in mind that running stock Android also means that it won't have any of Samsung's suite of software add-ons like Air Gesture, Air View, or the Samsung Camera. This is 100% pure stock Android running on the GS4. We know that most of you are U.S. residents, but our international crowd seems to be growing. So U.S. readers, congrats - international readers, we're sorry, for now.

Via: CNET UK

Full Version of Opera Released for Android, Features Speed Dial and Off-Road Mode

Tim — Tue, 21 May 2013 09:45:39 +0000

If you checked out the beta of the complete Opera browser app back in March and want to see the progress that was made, you can now try the complete real deal. Released this morning to Google Play, Opera brings a full-web experience, complete with custom features that make browsing the web painless and quick. The browser features two very unique features, among many others. The first one is Speed Dial, basically a bookmarks page, but it gives the pages the look of apps. You can place pages in folders for easy access to multiple categories. The second feature is Off-Road mode. With this enabled, users are able to browse the web at high speeds even without a good mobile data connection. For people who can't stand page loads, this is something to check out. You can grab it for free right through Google Play. Play Link [youtube]http://youtu.be/9wtrZ-Ovtq0[/youtube]

NVIDIA Shows Off More Tegra 4i at CTIA, LTE Advanced Speeds Are a Go

Tim — Tue, 21 May 2013 09:00:07 +0000

Taking place in Las Vegas this week is CTIA, another annual mobile/tech industry conference much like CES that takes place in January. Some well-known names are attending this year's meetup, companies such as HTC, NVIDIA, LG and Verizon are all in attendance. Demoing their Tegra 4i processor with built in i500 LTE modem is Santa Clara's NVIDIA, showing the industry that thanks to an update, their chip is capable of flying through large amounts of data in no time at all. Using Phoenix, their reference device for manufacturers, the Tegra 4i was able to pull through 150Mbps, an extra 50% boost in speed over their previous speed tests that took place at MWC in February. The gain in speed is thanks to a simple modem software update, no new hardware and not a new chip. Using the above pictured emulator, since no LTE Cat 4 networks currently exist locally, the Tegra 4i was able to demonstrate what would happen in the perfect world test - LTE Advanced speeds. To close, NVIDIA also showed the chipset demonstrating video and audio playback on AT&T's 4G LTE network. Sort of makes it exciting for when this chip will be placed inside of an actual retail device. Via: NVIDIA

Verizon Galaxy S4 Pre-orders Now Arriving at Homes of Lucky Customers

Kellen — Tue, 21 May 2013 08:44:35 +0000

If Verizon ever opens up a pre-order for a new flagship device that you are strongly considering or have already made your mind up on, jump on the pre-order. Over the last couple of years, I've seen pre-orders arrive early time and time again from Big Red. The Samsung Galaxy S4 is no exception, as pre-orders shipped at the end of last week and are now arriving as early as today to many. Readers of ours (as you can see by the image above) are now the "envy of everyone" they work with. The device doesn't officially launch until May 23. Have you received yours? If so, we'd love to hear your initial thoughts on it! Cheers Chris!

Agent Smartwatch Launches on Kickstarter, Like a Thicker Pebble That's a Year Late to the Party

Kellen — Tue, 21 May 2013 08:04:45 +0000

Kickstarter seems to be the number one choice for upstarts with a smartwatch in mind to seek funding these days. Agent "the world's smartest watch" is the latest in a long line that includes tech darlings like the Pebble. And actually, this new Agent watch seems like nothing more than a thicker (and potentially uglier depending on your taste in watch designs) version of the Pebble, but with one difference - it has Qi wireless charging built in. The promo video shows a watch with a "Memory" display that's a combination of an e-paper and LCD displays, that can be paired with your phone and used to tell the time, show weather, control music players, act as a pedometer, and show you incoming calls or messages. After watching the promo video we have included below, I'm sure you'll understand why we are drawing the Pebble comparisons. The creators of the Agent also teamed up with a watchmaker to come up with the design, which again is...interesting. Contrast stitching in 2013? OK. How thick is this bad boy? We heard comments from readers who thought the Pebble was oversized, so I can't imagine what they'll think of this one. If you'd like to back this project, the early bird special will run you $129, but will jump up to $149 afterwards. See any reason to pick this over the Pebble? I don't.

Monday Poll: Enjoying More - New Hangouts or New Google Music All Access?

Kellen — Mon, 20 May 2013 16:12:12 +0000

Now that you have had four or five days to fully dive into two of Google I/O's biggest announcements - Hangouts and Play Music All Access - we thought it was time to see who is garnering most of your attention. I've fully committed to the new Hangouts and am already figuring out how to convince friends and family to make the permanent switch over. All Access on the other hand is sitting in limbo on my devices, since it is not compatible with the Nexus Q for the time being. See, I use Google Music quite a bit in my office, but only through the Q, so I'm unable to take advantage of my free trial at this point. I'd certainly like to use the hell out of it - just can't for now. Tim on the other hand, is an All Access machine and couldn't stop using it the entire time we were at I/O. So what about you? Are you using both? If so, which is taking up most of your time? [poll id="255"]

Flickr App Updated, Brings High-Res Photo-centric Look

Tim — Mon, 20 May 2013 15:18:24 +0000

On top of all the other exciting news from Yahoo! today, the company just launched an update to their official Flickr Android app through Google Play, bringing a very polished look with it. The app's UI is centered solely on photos and Yahoo doesn't seem scared to recommend some great photographers that you should start following. Within seconds I was greeted by gorgeous landscapes and classy nudes. Thanks, Yahoo! As a cherry on top, Flickr is offering 1TB (yes, a whole terabyte) of storage when folks sign up for the service. That's enough to get anyone signed up just the sake of having it. Play Link Via: Flickr Cheers Nick S!

Dan Rosenberg Appears to Have Conquered Verizon's Galaxy S4 Bootloader, Boots Custom Recovery

Kellen — Mon, 20 May 2013 13:41:32 +0000

A couple of weeks ago, Dan Rosenberg announced that he had unlocked the bootloader of the AT&T Samsung Galaxy S4, but that he wouldn't release his method until Verizon's variant was also out in case they tried to patch it. With Big Red's version arriving on doorsteps of pre-orderees, Dan had a chance to test his method thanks to a "helpful tester" and came out successful. According to a Tweet sent by Dan this morning, he successfully booted a custom recovery onto the Verizon version of the device and that he is looking forward to a release. Should your Galaxy S4 arrive in the coming days, or you decide to pop into a Big Red store to pick one up, be on the lookout for this method. We'll be sure to pass it along the minute it becomes public, as there is no telling how long it'll take for Verizon to issue a patch. Take us away Diddy, "Can't nobody take my pride, can't nobody hold me down, ohhhh no, I got to keep on rootin'!" Via: @djrbliss Cheers Mark!

Tip: If an Android App Update is Not Showing as Available on Your Device, Install From the Web

Kellen — Mon, 20 May 2013 13:20:11 +0000

How many times has a new Android app update been issued for a major app, yet you find yourself without the ability to update on your phone or tablet? All of your friends are showing off the new features, and there you are stuck in times of old, refreshing and tapping frustratingly, hoping that you'll receive the satisfaction that accompanies the "Update" button. What if there was a way around the wait, at least in most cases? There is, actually. I'm surprised we haven't shared this trick in the past, but never the less, it's time that we do. Should you know of an app update in the wild, you can almost always install it directly from the web version of Google Play even if your device isn't showing that you have an update available. As soon as you see the Play store listing of the app change over to today's date, meaning it was recently updated, you can tap "Install" followed by a selection of the device you wish to install the update on, before sitting back as it updates over-the-air. Take today's Google+ update as an example. None of my devices are showing it as being available at this time on device (pictured above), however, I installed it just fine through the web Google Play on both my HTC One and Nexus 7. Also, if you got really desperate and weren't anywhere near a computer, I'd bet that you can do the same trick through the Chrome browser on your phone.

Floating Notifications Brings ChatHeads Functionality Without the Need of a ROM

Tim — Mon, 20 May 2013 13:00:48 +0000

[youtube]http://youtu.be/glIVx-7rxa8[/youtube]

If you have been looking for a Chat Heads-like notification center, but don't find yourself comfortable with the custom ROM flashing, then you will be happy to hear that a standalone application is currently being developed called, Floating Notifications. The application does not need root or any other special magic tricks. Once installed, simply select which apps you want to sport floating notifications and that's it. From there, you can adjust a number of settings like the size and transparency of the floating app, how multiple notifications are shown, how much info or actionable items accompany them, and even if you'd like your phone to wake with some notifications. Interactions between notifications vary depending on how many times you tap them. Single taps open, while double taps can close one or all of your notifications. It is still in extreme alpha stage, so understand that it will only get better over time, especially as the developers work to get a bit more substantial build out to the public. This is a great start, though, and we will definitely keep you updated on when substantial progress is made on the app. Via: XDA

HTC One U.S. Unlocked and Developer Editions Receive Update to Build 1.29.1540.16

Kellen — Mon, 20 May 2013 12:30:42 +0000

The U.S. unlocked variants (including the Developer Edition) of the HTC One are receiving a new update today to build 1.29.1540.16. The update is a smallish 17MB in size, so there likely aren't any major additions included. In fact, we haven't noticed any changes after updating other than the build number, especially not a jump to 4.2.2 or anything along those lines. Probably just a bug fixer, move along. Oh, I'm also still using the One unlocked U.S. version as my daily driver. I spent some extra time at I/O with a Galaxy S4, but have since gone back to the One. It is still my favorite device of the moment. Updates like this, by the way, are another reason to consider picking one up. Keep in mind that HTC can push these out as soon as they are done since there are no carrier barriers to break through.

Did Google Tease Us With Key Lime Pie During I/O Developer Sessions?

Eric — Mon, 20 May 2013 12:15:35 +0000

Before last week's Google I/O, rumors were almost certain that we would see a new version of Android announced. In case you haven't heard, we didn't get one. Nothing. Although, during the conference, Google wasn't prude about dropping some clues/hints about the next Android release during certain developer sessions. The image above was taken from a video during one of the developer presentations and looks to show our little Android eating some Key Lime Pie.

Of course, that was not the only reference that was found either. Below, you can see that one of powers listed is Key Lime Pie, along with Jelly Bean and Chrome. These two little easter eggs are not a confirmation that the next version of Android will be named Key Lime Pie whenever we see it, but Google has been known to do little jokes like this before.

According to reports last week, we will more than likely see Android 4.3, still known as Jelly Bean on June 10. That's right around the corner.

Via: Reddit

Verizon Ups Data Limits on New Prepaid Plans, Likely in Response to Competitors

Kellen — Mon, 20 May 2013 11:45:17 +0000

Back on February 1, Verizon introduced a new set of prepaid plans that were laughable, to say the least. These new plans started at $60, which would get you unlimited talk and text along with 500MB of data. The second tier landed you the same unlimited benefits, but only 2GB of data for $70. Keep in mind that neither is capable of connecting to Verizon's nationwide 4G LTE network and are instead stuck on their insanely slow 3G CDMA network. Also, prepaid offerings from companies like SmartTalk offer unlimited talk, text, and data for as little as $45 per month on HSPA+ networks. Outside of MVNOs, we have seen T-Mobile become the UNcarrier and AT&T launch their new AIO prepaid plans over the last couple of months, both offering services which crush the measly little data caps that Verizon set in initial prepaid plans. So, as any respectable business would do, Verizon has made some changes to those initial offerings. Their prepaid plans now offer more data along with the same unlimited talk and text bundles. For $60, prepaid customers will start at 2GB of data instead of 500MB. At $70, customers will be bumped up to 4GB of monthly data. Keep in mind that AT&T's new AIO plans start at $55 for unlimited talk and text with 2GB of data, but then jump to unlimited (high-speed HSPA+ for the first 7GB) data for $70. Via: Verizon

Trivia Game You Don't Know Jack Hits Google Play

Tim — Mon, 20 May 2013 11:30:13 +0000

One of my all-time favorite trivia games launched for Android recently, the one and only You Don't Know Jack. It's a crude game, full of fart sounds and ways to make players feel pretty foolish if they answer a question incorrectly. There are different topics the game covers, most being general knowledge, but it really goes into all areas of questioning. You go up against five other players in a race against the clock to answer correctly. Since this is not a real-time challenge against opponents, some features are not inside, such as the ability to "screw" other players, but this is still pretty exhilarating. The game is free-to-play on Google Play, but does look to have some sort of credit system inside. Go grab it and challenge your friends to a game. Play Link [youtube]http://youtu.be/CHQNphCgnjA[/youtube]

Woot! Selling New Motorola XYBOARDs Starting at $199 [Deal]

Eric — Mon, 20 May 2013 11:05:37 +0000

Another day, another Android tablet sale somewhere on the internet. This one is different however, because today Woot! not only has deals on the Motorola XYBOARD tablets, they are new devices. Usually you will see discounted prices on tablets that have been refurbished by one company or another, but these 8.2" and 10.1" tablets are new and cheap.

The 16GB 8.2" WiFi tablet is the cheapest of the bunch at $199, but if you are looking to upgrade to the LTE version it's only 20 dollars more. If a 10.1" tablet is more your size, $209 is what it will cost you. These are absolutely the lowest prices you will see on a new Android tablet. Granted the XYBOARD isn't the best tablet out there (you can read our review), but for this low of price what do you think?

Buy

Android 4.2.2 Firmware Leaked for Galaxy S3, Brings Lots of S4 Features

Eric — Mon, 20 May 2013 10:40:54 +0000

As if the brand new Galaxy S4 and last year's best selling phone the Galaxy S3 didn't already look enough alike, Samsung is looking to make the software as similar as possible as well. SamMobile has a leaked version of the Android 4.2.2 build that Samsung is working on bringing to the S3. Not only does it upgrade your device to the latest version of Android, but many of the new features from the S4 will be included as well.

The list of features that come from the new version of Android and the new TouchWiz is pretty long, but the big features include the new S4 lockscreen, which includes multiple widgets, clock resizing and other nifty features. New S-Voice, settings menu and smart switch widgets have all been added as well. If you are looking for the full list of changes or to install the leak for yourself, hit the source link below for instructions on how to do so.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8K02KtMA-ik[/youtube]

Via: SamMobile

First Photos of the Samsung Galaxy S4 Active Emerge?

Tim — Mon, 20 May 2013 10:18:10 +0000

Take a look at what could very well be the first shots of the Galaxy S4 Active from Samsung. This device has been an interesting one to follow, ever since the first reports of a water and dust-resistant Galaxy S4 hit the web back in April. It's been reported that the device could launch as early as July, and with no word from Samsung yet, it's interesting that they are allowing buyers to still gobble up the Galaxy S4 without presenting them with options first. According to the benchmarks in the shot, the device should come shipped with what we see listed. There is a 1.9GHz quad-core processor (most likely the Snapdragon 600), 2GB of RAM, a 5" 1080p display at a pixel density of 480 and a Adreno 320 GPU. The phone's exterior is quite different however from the regular Galaxy S4. It appears that all front-facing buttons are physical and slightly protrude from the bottom, a move that might have helped Samsung make it more resilient to the elements. As for that red backing, the four screws in the top and bottom corners add a nice rugged touch, but it does appear that the back is still removable if you look closely in the top left hand corner. All in all, I think it's a pretty handsome albeit tough looking device. Excellent for all of you weekend warriors out there. What do you think?

Via: GSMArena Cheers Open1Your1Eyes0!

New Galaxy S4 Ad Touts Smart Pause, Air Gestures, and Conversations With Complete Strangers

Kellen — Mon, 20 May 2013 09:50:34 +0000

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

The newest commercial for Samsung's Galaxy S4 dropped over the weekend, a clip that highlights Smart Pause for video watching and the phone's ability to answer calls while waving a hand. It's clever, that's for sure. You have features being tossed around, a setting that is familiar to all sorts of segments of the population, awkwardness, and comedy. Samsung has done a pretty brilliant job when it comes to promoting their products over the last couple of years, with 2013 and the GS4 campaign being no different. Samsung will reportedly eclipse the 10 million sales mark for the Galaxy S4 in less than a month's time, a number that is pretty remarkable even with what must be an almost unlimited marketing budget.

Google Hangouts Confirmed to be Future of Google Voice

Tim — Mon, 20 May 2013 09:19:15 +0000

Last week at the I/O developers conference, Google introduced Hangouts, a cross-platform unified messaging service. Although, the service didn't quite incorporate all of Google's messaging services at time of launch, it has been confirmed through Nikhyl Singhal's Google+ page that Hangouts is in fact, "the future of Google Voice."

Hangouts is designed to be the future of Google Voice, and making/receiving phone calls is just the beginning. Future versions of Hangouts will integrate Google Voice more seamlessly.

In addition, if you already changed your Google Talk service to Hangouts inside of Gmail, you might have noticed that it does not support outbound voice calls. According to Nikhyl, Google's real time communication product manager, this is also getting fixed soon. "We're working hard on supporting both, and outbound/inbound calls will soon be available," he said in a G+ post. This should come as excellent news for all of us that have been either a.) been dying for a Google Voice update or b.) ready for Hangouts to become their one and only messaging application. Via: +Nikhyl Singhal

NVIDIA to Target Mid-Range "Other Half" of Smartphones Moving Forward

Tim — Mon, 20 May 2013 08:55:04 +0000

Last week, the vice president of investor relations for NVIDIA, Rob Csongor, spoke of the company's mobile strategies moving forward through 2013 and beyond. Currently, Samsung and Apple make up exactly 50% of this year's first quarter mobile sales, so according to Csongor, NVIDIA will look to partner with the "other half" of the market such as HTC, ZTE, Huawei and other lower-placed companies to push its line of mobile processor. In doing so, NVIDIA's upcoming Tegra 4i processor would be seen in direct competition with Qualcomm's Snapdragon 400 chip, a chip that NVIDIA says can be outperformed three to one by the 4i. The Tegra 4 and 4i were announced earlier this year, but we are still awaiting a flagship device to carry either chip inside. Anyone else hoping to see a device running either one of these before NVIDIA arrives too late for the party? Via: Fool Cheers Ben!

Brand New Google+ App Introduced for Android With Location Sharing, "Great" Photos, and Better Stream Exploring

Kellen — Mon, 20 May 2013 08:25:54 +0000

At Google I/O last week, the Google+ team unveiled the new web UI for their social sharing service along with a number of new features. We wondered at the time when all of this new goodness would arrive on Android - that time is now. The update for Android is being described as a "a brand new Android app." So this is somewhat of a new beast altogether, with new ways to explore content, "great" photo experiences, and location sharing with Circles. There is a lot in here, so let's talk about it.

With the new photo features, users are getting auto backups, auto highlight (top shots from your sets of photos), auto enhancing (subtle improvements to photos), and "Auto Awesome" (way to create "fun" new versions of pictures). When you upload photos to your G+ account, you can head into the Photos section to view these new Highlights, review Google's enhancements, and check out the "awesome'd" pictures you have yet to see. The update also includes some of Snapseed's photography tools. On a location front, there is now a dedicated tab for "Locations." This new section allows you to see where you friends are on a map, so that you can places to meet up should a Hangout not be in the cards. You can turn off location sharing if you'd like. Last, we get the new card UI and exploring features we are seeing from the web version of G+. Tags are shown at the top right of posts, so that you can easily browse by topic. Notifications have been updated as well and are "nicer to look at and use," plus profile fields can be edited on the go. It's a big update, so head to the Play store and look for it. Update: The update is now live! If you aren't seeing the update on your device, try this trick. *Note - The update doesn't appear to be live yet. Via: Google+ Project | Play Link

Verizon's "XFON" Likely the XT1060, Also Runs a Snapdragon S4 Dual-core MSM8960

Kellen — Mon, 20 May 2013 07:49:09 +0000

The Motorola XT1058, or better known as the "XFON," is fully expected to launch on AT&T some time in the very near future. We've seen benchmarks with AT&T in the name, an FCC filing with model number that points towards AT&T bands, and pictures of the device in the wild with AT&T logos in the notification bar. But what about the other carriers? If the XT1058 is only headed to AT&T, does that mean the XFON is another AT&T exclusive or is there another model coming to carriers like Verizon? According to an .ini file pulled from leaked Motorola USB drivers, the XT1058 will be accompanied by a device XT1060, which appears to be the CDMA variant of the XFON. The .ini file lists out chipsets and models numbers for devices to be picked up when using Motorola's RSD lite application. For the XT1060 we're seeing a chipset labeled "MSM8960CDMA," a Snapdragon 4 Pro dual-core variant, similar to what we saw in the benchmark for the XT1058. We're assuming it's the Pro here clocked at 1.7GHz with the Adreno 320 GPU, and not the lower-regular version with the Adreno 225 GPU. Here is a clip from the .ini file:

//////////////////////////// This is for RSD app to create correct phone model class [MODEL] WIFI = f100,mz604,xoom,mz615,mz615-16,mz615-32,mz615-64,mz607,mz607-16,mz607-32,mz602 STEUMTS = mb865,me865 MSM6X55UMTS = mb632,xt605,xt626,xt621 MSM6X55CDMA = xt603 MSM8960CDMA = xt926,xt897,xt907,xt901,xt1060 MSM8960UMTS = mb886,xt923,xt925,xt905,201m,xt1058 IMC6260UMTS = xt890 ////////////////////////////

So this news shouldn't surprise anyone, since manufacturers almost always try to keep phones as similar as possible these days when launching them on multiple carriers. This just means that Verizon (or even Sprint) isn't going to see a wild change in processor when compared to the AT&T XFON. Cheers ___!

Incase You Needed Proof That Hangouts was Codenamed "Babel," Here You Go

Kellen — Sat, 18 May 2013 14:37:20 +0000

We were the first to report the codename of "Babel" as Google's new unified messaging service, which ended up as Hangouts at public launch, but if you needed actual proof that Babel was around for some time, we thought we'd share this screenshot. It's taken from my Google Dashboard listing of sites authorized to access my account. You can see that the Hangouts app for iOS is indeed referred to as "iOS Babel App." (It's on an iPod Touch that I use for work purposes, don't kill me.) You can also hear Google's director of product management, real-time communications mention it in this video at the 1:40 mark. Cheers Matt!

New Media Streaming Device Made by Google Hits FCC, Please be a New Nexus Q

Kellen — Sat, 18 May 2013 10:39:25 +0000

A new device made by Google recently made its way through the hands of the FCC with model number H2G2-42, product name of "H840 DEVICE," and a description that says it "functions as a media player." Yes, a media player. This new device is powered by an external source (AC adapter), so it's likely not a smartphone or tablet, can connect via WiFi over 802.11 b/g/n, and has the ability to be hooked up to a display. So what is it? The FCC filing only gives us what I just listed, so it's tough to tell. One thing we do know is that Google made a media streaming device last year with all of these characteristics, which you may be familiar with as the Nexus Q. As you know, the Nexus Q did not arrive again at Google I/O after failing to launch after last year's unveiling, nor did many things that most of us were expecting (new Gmail, new Nexus 7, etc.), but sources of ours told us a week ago that there is another Nexus Q-like device potentially in the works from Google. It's currently codenamed "Wolfie," has an RGB LED light, and when (or if) it is released, will have an "emphasis on gaming." We still aren't sure if this is it or if we're even going to see it reach customers hands. With that said, FCC filings are almost always a good sign of things to come. Plus, we would love to see Google make up for the current Nexus Q situation. The current model has suffered from streaming errors for months now. And with the newest release of Google Music, the current Q is no longer even supported (at least for the time being).

Via: FCC | Tablet Guide Cheers Frits!

Verizon Galaxy S4 Pre-orders Already Shipping!

Kellen — Sat, 18 May 2013 09:22:20 +0000

Yesterday, readers reached out to inform us that their pre-orders of the Samsung Galaxy S4 on Verizon were being processed and potentially getting primed for shipping. They weren't messing around, as orders for many of them have begun to ship with estimated arrival times of early next week. The device was supposed to arrive around May 23 - at least that's the new release date - but if they are shipping now, some lucky future GS4 owners could have their devices a day or so early. Get ready! And be sure to browse through our Galaxy S4 review and 20+ tips and tricks video, so that you know all there is to know about Samsung's new flagship.

Cheers Dan, Matt, Stephen, and Alan!

Light Flow Update Teases New Version of Android, May Require Persistent Notifications for Some Tasks

Kellen — Fri, 17 May 2013 20:23:07 +0000

Now that Google I/O is over with and a potential Android 4.3 release date is in the wild, the hypebeasting of features will undoubtedly start to pick up. The first to kick off the fun is one of our favorite apps, Light Flow. For those not familiar, Light Flow is the best notification manager in the business, as it provides you with more tools and options for notifications settings than any other app. It's also designed incredibly well and always seems to have a major update around the corner. So what does Light Flow have to do with the next version of Android? In their latest update that was released this afternoon, they are claiming to have made a change towards a mandatory persistent notification icon because Google has requested this become a standard in an "upcoming version of Android." Their description for this new requirement mentions that any app running in "foreground mode" must place a persistent notification icon in the notification bar. I'm assuming this is a lot like how Pebble works when it's paired to your phone - there is always a Pebble icon showing that you are connected. The update also includes support for Hangouts, including pushing text to DashClock, and fixed notifications with Chat Heads for more devices. But the big mention here has to be with the "upcoming version of Android," which we are all expecting to be Android 4.3. I know this doesn't give us much, nor is it a feature that anyone will run and show off to friends, but this potentially adds to the thought that we will see the next version of Android at any moment. Cheers MG and Evan!

Galaxy S4 Pre-Orders on Verizon Are Beginning to be Processed

Tim — Fri, 17 May 2013 13:54:51 +0000

According to some of our readers, their Galaxy S4 pre-orders on Verizon are starting to be processed, and some even say they're being shipped. Verizon previously listed that the Samsung Galaxy S4 would launch on May 30, but then bumped it up a full week to May 23. Naturally, it makes sense that orders would start being processed as inventory fills up, but to see that they might begin shipping too is a great sign for customers waiting by their door. Let us know if you receive your shipping info from Verizon. Update: They are now shipping! Cheers Jonathan!

Tip: Manually Turn on Hangouts in Gmail With This Trick

Kellen — Fri, 17 May 2013 13:41:14 +0000

Google mentioned during its unveiling of Hangouts that it would gradually rollout to Gmail over the coming weeks, but if you'd like to turn it on immediately, you can do that today. All you need to do is sign-in to your Gmail account, login to Google Talk in the left sidebar, click on the image associated with your Talk account, and then tap the "Try the new Hangouts" option that appears at the top of the list. Bam! Enjoy. *Note - This trick does not seem to be working in Google Apps accounts, online Gmail. Via: reddit Cheers Leo!

Video: Overview of New Google Play Music and All Access

Kellen — Fri, 17 May 2013 10:57:13 +0000

Now that Google I/O is wrapping up here in San Francisco and we finally have a chance to take a minute and breathe, we decided to sit down and do an overview of the new Google Play Music app along with its accompanying All Access service. Announced on Wednesday as a subscription-based Pandora and Spotify competitor, All Access is an important piece to the media puzzle for Google. The future of music appears to be in streaming services. So in the video below, we try to walk through it all, from starting radio stations to saving music to your library to navigating around this beautifully designed app. Keep in mind that All Access is currently available as a 30-day free trial, but will jump up to $8 per month after the trial ends. Also, that $8 price is only good as long as you continue your subscription or sign-up before June 30. Once June 30 hits, the service will run $10 per month. If you sign-up for the free trial, you will be automatically billed once the trial ends, so should you not want to get charged, be sure to cancel it.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YNT1ywwAcmI[/youtube]

Here are the Easter Eggs Built Into Hangouts [Ponies!]

Kellen — Fri, 17 May 2013 09:36:46 +0000

Shortly after Google announced their new unified chat service called Hangouts, users discovered a handful of Easter Eggs embedded deep within. Actually, they aren't deep at all and can be accessed with a simple command in a chat box on either Google+ or through the Chrome app (no mobile version support here). The whackiness of the Easter Eggs' ranges from colorful ponies to KONAMI cheat codes, all of which are listed above thanks to Googler Moritz Tolxdorff. To tell you the truth, I thought there might be even more, but this is the entire list. To flood your box with ponies, pitchforks, or a shy dino, type the commands listed into the text box of a Hangout. Which is your favorite? Via: +Moritz Tolxdorff

Samsung CEO: Sales of Galaxy S4 to Exceed 10 Million In Less Than a Month

Tim — Fri, 17 May 2013 09:28:47 +0000

According to Samsung's CEO, J.K. Shin, the Galaxy S4 is putting in some serious work. In numbers, the Galaxy S3 passed ten million in sales after 50 days on the market last year. The Galaxy S4, their newest flagship device which isn't even on America's largest carrier yet, is said to pass ten million in less than a month next week.

We are confident that we will pass more than 10 million sales of the S4 next week. It is selling much faster than the previous model S3. Samsung spent 50 days to pass the 10 million sales mark for the S3. The S4 will be Samsung’s first ’10 million seller’ device less than a month after its official debut.

It's clear they have found the winning formula for themselves. Have you pre-ordered your S4 on Verizon yet? Via: Android Beat

PSA: The Terrible Old Droid Life App is Dead, and That's a Good Thing

Kellen — Fri, 17 May 2013 08:45:17 +0000

Say your goodbyes - the terrible Droid Life app that we introduced years ago as a way to extend your DL addiction, is now dead. Actually, we pulled it from Google Play a few weeks ago, but as of this week, the app will no longer update with new posts. Trust me when I say that this is a good thing. No one should have to suffer through the pain associated with that mobile experience ever again. In the mean time - as we continue to discuss potential replacements - if you'd like an option to keep up with us outside of the website, think about Google Currents. You can catch all of our feeds through the DL subscription in Currents, including our podcast and YouTube feeds. Google+ (our page) also isn't a bad place to catch the latest posts in real time. But for those who want a dedicated DL app, don't worry, we are definitely considering some options. And actually, we'd love to get your ideas in the comments on what your dream DL app would look and feel like. What would you like to see in it? Subscribe to DL through Currents here. Update: We noticed in the comments that a number of you are fine without a dedicated DL app, but we also know that plenty of people were using the old app. So, let's do a poll to see where you all stand. [poll id="254"]

Samsung Launches TecTiles 2, the "Next Generation" of NFC Technology

Tim — Fri, 17 May 2013 08:24:18 +0000

This morning, Samsung officially launched TecTiles 2, compatible with their newest flagship device, the Galaxy S4 and all other NFC-enabled devices from Samsung. These NFC tags allow users to simply touch their phone up to the sticker to accomplish simple tasks, such as turn on WiFi, enable GPS, etc. You can grab a new sleeve of TecTiles from the Samsung website and also pick up the updated app through Google Play. Keep in mind, if you have a stash of the original TecTiles and then purchase the Galaxy S4, you'll need to upgrade as they are non compatible. Play Link Via: Samsung

NVIDIA SHIELD Pre-Order Date Moved Up to Today, Still $349

Tim — Thu, 16 May 2013 18:52:03 +0000

In response to a growing amount of "buzz" generated around NVIDIA's SHIELD Android gaming unit, pre-orders went live today. Initially, they were dated to go up on May 20, but if you planned on shelling out the $349.99 and possibly another $60 on accessories in the shape of a case and custom lids, you can do so now. You can pick up your SHIELD right from NVIDIA and they will ship out by the end of June according to their website. On a separate note, it would have been nice for NVIDIA to bundle your pre-order with a free case or something. Incentives are always good.

Pre-order

Via: NVIDIA

SEGA Launches Classic Sonic the Hedgehog to Google Play

Tim — Thu, 16 May 2013 16:09:13 +0000

Nostalgia fans, you are in for a treat today. SEGA released the OG Sonic the Hedgehog game to Google Play today for $2.99. If you were the owner of a SEGA Genesis, there is no way you didn't play this game. On the game page, SEGA states this is the full title, plus some exclusive features, such as the ability to play as Knuckles and Tails. Like I said, it's $3 on Google Play. Go get it now. Play Link ($2.99) [youtube]http://youtu.be/Stqo8KmTz2A[/youtube]

Hugo Barra Picks the Motorola DROID as His All Time Sentimental Device

Kellen — Thu, 16 May 2013 15:40:29 +0000

Hugo Barra and Hiroshi Lockheimer sat down this afternoon with Reto Meier to talk a bit about the Android-related happenings around Google I/O this week. They didn't reveal anything new, like the release date for Android 4.3, but when they were asked what their all-time sentimental pick for favorite device was, we couldn't help but smile at Hugo's answer. Hiroshi went with the G1, but Hugo picked a phone straight out of our past - the "OG" Motorola DROID. He even dropped a little "DROOOOOID" after mentioning it. His pick was the DROID because of that was the time we got turn-by-turn navigation, voice search, and "all those cool things," that helped push the platform in a big way. We couldn't agree more, Hugo. [soundcloud url="http://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/92552751" params="" width=" 100%" height="166" iframe="true" /]

White Nexus 4 Shows Up at Google I/O, Android 4.3 Rumored for June 10

Kellen — Thu, 16 May 2013 15:05:05 +0000

Hey, the white Nexus 4 for the third time in a week! Though this time it hits a little closer to home as it was obtained by our buddy Taylor from Android and Me while at Google I/O this week. According to his sources, this white model will be available from Google Play on June 10 and is exactly the same as the black version (same storage, and no LTE) only it comes in...white. Along with his new mobile addition, he is reporting that Android 4.3 will launch on June 10 as well. The update is expected to be minor, which may be the reason it wasn't front and center at I/O this week. As one would expect, the update will hit all Nexus devices shortly after it is released. Who is ready to pick up the white N4? Via: Android and Me

Video: Entire Google I/O 2013 Keynote Replay Available

Kellen — Thu, 16 May 2013 14:00:00 +0000

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9pmPa_KxsAM[/youtube]

Did you miss the entire 3-hour Google I/O keynote from yesterday? Since Google decided not to do a day 2 keynote, they packed everything into day 1, with topics ranging from Google+ to Chrome to Android (barely) and even Google Maps. The entire thing ended with a 30-40 minute crowd Q&A with Larry Page that is at least worth a watch in and of itself. Overall, though, it was long...really long. To see all of our coverage from Google I/O 2013, hit up this link.

Is Google Trolling Us or Did They Tease a New Nexus 7 in This Hangouts Promo Video?

Kellen — Thu, 16 May 2013 13:20:47 +0000

It's probably safe to say that we were all a little disappointed when yesterday's 3-hour keynote finished at Google I/O without an announcement for a new Nexus 7 tablet. Rumors have circulated for months, suggesting that I/O could be the time for Google to show us a retooled model with a higher-resolution display and new Qualcomm processor. But again, we left the show yesterday without one. Is there a chance that we saw the oft-rumored follow-up in a promo video for Hangouts, though? Google played a quick clip during their announcement of Hangouts that featured a handful of Google products, including a Nexus 4, Chromebook Pixel, and what appears to be some sort of Nexus 7 variant. We've captured the two sightings of the tablet in question in the image above, so that you can decide for yourself. Is this the new Nexus 7? As you can see from the image on the left, there is a notification light telling the girl that she has a new Hangout to join. And as you all know, the Nexus 7 doesn't have a notification light. Also, the silver-ish rim around the edge of the device certainly looks identical to that of the current Nexus 7. Interesting, right? So is this it? Eh, I wouldn't go that far. This entire promo clip is filled with minor issues like the male lead using his Nexus 4 upside down and having Advanced Task Killer installed on his device. His N4 is also running what appears to be Ice Cream Sandwich, since it has the old camera icon and stock Android browser instead of Chrome. For all we know, this blinking light on the Nexus 7 could be an effect that the marketing company was trying to achieve when putting together the clip. It could be a new Nexus 7, but I wouldn't bet the world on that idea.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XkpjZ7oA_Qg[/youtube]

Via: reddit Cheers Tyler!

Pebble Releases 2-way Communication SDK Giving WatchApps Real Power

Kellen — Thu, 16 May 2013 12:52:13 +0000

Pebble, the Kickstarter smartwatch darling, released a new version of their SDK today which allows for 2-way communication between apps and the watch itself. In other words, you can use the watch to control external devices, to play multi-player games, check-in through social apps, integrate with sports apps better, and more. This major addition to the Pebble SDK is called AppMessage, which is a service that "enables watchapps to send and receive data from a connected smartphone app." There are the types of apps they are hoping to see:

Watchfaces augmented with data from the internet
Remote controls for internet connected devices
Multi-player Pebble games
4sq/Facebook/Yelp Check-in Apps
Sports/Weather/News/Traffic tickers
Emergency beacon activator
Deeper sports integration (skiing, hiking, surfing, tennis, soccer score keeping)!
Bitcoin price trackers (most important watchapp?)

On a related note, orange Pebbles are in production this week and will begin shipping to backers next week. Go grab your update, then sit back and wait for developers to work some 2-way magic. Via: Kickstarter

Facebook App Now Available For Google Glass, Allows For Posting Pictures Straight to Timeline

Tim — Thu, 16 May 2013 12:03:46 +0000

Well, now I can see myself paying $1500 for the developer version of Google Glass. Following the announcement of a Twitter application, Facebook has arrived! Announced today, Facebook can now be found for Google Glass users, allowing them to post photos directly to their timelines. In addition, you can simply speak the photo's description to have it added to the post. Facebook says this is only "step one" for their development process for Glass. Hmm, I wonder what else we can expect to see from Zuckerburg's crew. You are now completely sold on Glass, right? Via: CNET

Twitter Announces Official Google Glass Support - Share Photos, Tweet, and More From Glass

Kellen — Thu, 16 May 2013 11:00:53 +0000

Twitter announced official support for Google Glass this morning. The social network will allow users to take and share photos directly through Glass with the text "Just shared a photo #throughglass" included. You can also keep up notifications for mentions, DMs, and Tweets from users you have given that power to. Last, you can reply, favorite, and retweet. In order to access Twitter on your Google Glass, head over to http://google.com/myglass and turn on Twitter.

Via: Twitter Cheers E!

Android 4.2.2 "Jelly Bean" Headed to Google TV, Play Books Gets an Update

Tim — Thu, 16 May 2013 10:49:10 +0000

There is a ton of good stuff coming out of this year's Google I/O, so while we take a break from the madness, let's try to get you caught up on the happenings. Last night, an update was pushed out to Google Play Books, allowing for users to upload their own files such as PDFs and EPUBs. There is also a refreshed design for your library and table of contents pages. Secondly, and probably much more importantly, the Google TV platform is getting a major bump to Android 4.2.2, Jelly Bean. This will allow Google TV developers to access the most recent APIs and even the newest NDK for development purposes. In the long run, this will make GTV a much smarter and greater platform for the true lovers of entertainment. Play Link Via: +Google TV | LG

Sad Day: HTC Not Planning on "Nexus Edition" One

Eric — Thu, 16 May 2013 10:25:32 +0000

The announcement during yesterday's I/O keynote that showed off the "Nexus Edition" Samsung Galaxy S4 surprised a lot of people. It was as if Google listened to what we have been saying forever - we want great hardware with stock Android and we want it now! Of course, minds started spinning over the possibilities, but HTC quickly put on the brakes by saying they have no plans for a Nexus Edition One. In a statement to TechnoBuffalo, HTC said they are, "not currently planning a 'Nexus Edition' of the HTC One." It is unfortunate, but makes sense considering that they already have a developer edition of the device that comes with an unlocked bootloader. That makes it fairly easy for you to throw on stock Android, but a Nexus Edition would have been exciting to see. Via: TechnoBuffalo

AT&T Blocking Video Calls Through Google Hangouts Over Mobile Data

Tim — Thu, 16 May 2013 09:50:45 +0000

Yesterday, Kellen and myself got back to the hotel and immediately started messing around with Google's new Hangouts app. While attempting to make a video call over mobile data on AT&T's network, we got the following message, "You must be connected to a Wi-Fi network to join a video call." Well, that's a downer. We saw this issue awhile back when AT&T still blocked Apple's FaceTime feature on iPhones, so there is always the possibility that this block could get lifted. We should note that we attempted this on Verizon's network as well and it worked with no issues. With WiFi hotspots almost everywhere you go, this shouldn't stop too many people from enjoying Hangouts.

HTC One X to Receive BlinkFeed and Zoes in Upcoming Sense 5.0 Update

Eric — Thu, 16 May 2013 09:40:24 +0000

Love it or hate it, HTC is fully behind their Android skin, Sense. With each upgrade it is promised to be slimmer and easier to use, but still people complain about it getting in the way of their phone. Sense 5 debuted with their newest flagship the HTC One this year, but according to an HTC ROM developer, Sense 5 is upcoming for last year's device, the One X.

If this is true, HTC also plans to bring two of the highest profile features from this year's device back to the One X as well. The curated social news-stream BlinkFeed and the awesome camera feature Zoes are planned to be included in this update as well. With an update of this size however, it could be a while before we see it on the international version of the One X and even longer before any US versions of the device see it. If we hear anything, we will be sure to keep you posted.

Via: Phone Arena

Google Wallet Now Available For Sprint's Galaxy S4, Galaxy Note 2 and HTC One

Tim — Thu, 16 May 2013 09:13:07 +0000

This morning, Google announced the availability of Google Wallet for new Android devices. The newly approved devices are Samsung's Galaxy S4 and Galaxy Note 2, along with the HTC One on Sprint. US Cellular also got some love, as their Galaxy S4 is also now compatible with the mobile wallet service. If you own one of those devices on Sprint, you can pick up the Google Wallet app through Google Play, starting today. Play Link Via: Google+

Samsung Considering Giving Galaxy S4 Users Their Storage Space Back

Eric — Thu, 16 May 2013 08:50:37 +0000

When news broke that the 16 GB Galaxy S4 only let you have access to 9 GB of the internal memory, users were rightfully a bit angry. It is understood that system partitions eat into some of our space, but gobbling up half of the storage promised is cause for concern. After Samsung suggested that people used SDcards to expand that space, it seems that they may be looking for another solution to the problem.

In speaking with CNET, a Samsung spokesperson said they are "committed to listening to our customers" and that they are "reviewing the possibility to secure more memory space through further software optimization." There was no timetable given for this reviewing process and that doesn't mean it will even come to fruition. If Samsung can find a way to cut down on the size of their partition, S4 users could see some storage coming back their way.

Via: CNET

Sprint's HTC One Receiving First Update With Improvements to BlinkFeed and Button Sensitivity

Kellen — Thu, 16 May 2013 08:27:21 +0000

The HTC One on Sprint (our review) is set to receive its first OTA update over the coming days. In the update, labeled as build 1.29.651.10, users should find improvements to BlinkFeed, a new Sprint Zone client, and fixes the sensitivity on the Home and Back buttons. If anyone has spent any amount of time with any version of the HTC One, you'll know that one of the most frustrating issues has to do with the Home and Back buttons not properly reacting. Let's hope this does the trick.

The update will be released in stages. To check for it, head into Settings>System updates>HTC software update>Check now. Via: Sprint

Nexus Q Officially "Incompatible" With Latest Version of Google Music (Updated)

Kellen — Thu, 16 May 2013 08:06:22 +0000

Not only did we not get a new version of the Nexus Q yesterday at Google I/O, but to make matters worse, anyone who has one of the original versions from last year has found that they can no longer use the media center with the newest version of Google Music. Once the new version of music has been installed on your phone, there isn't an option to switch over to the Q. That's right, the number one reason to own a Q is now not even an option. A Googler named Paul, who has been responding to feedback over the last month at their official product forums concerning playback issues on the Q confirmed that the Q is now essentially nothing more than a paperweight:

Hi everyone, Thanks for taking the time to report this issue. As you noticed, the latest version of Google Play Music isn't compatible with the Nexus Q. The Nexus Q devices given to last year’s I/O attendees and provided free of charge to those who ordered are not compatible with the current version of Google Music.

Read into that however you want, but he didn't exactly say that the Nexus Q is 100% dead, he just said that this version of Music isn't compatible. That could mean an update will add functionality or that the Nexus Q app simply needs an update. For now, though, this news shouldn't exactly excite anyone. For weeks now, the Q has suffered from playback issues that Google admittedly was "aware" of and "working on." In fact, two days ago, Paul told frustrated Q owners that the streaming issues were still something the Nexus Q team had on their radar. And now, this happens. I for one am not happy about this as I have a Q and even purchased a set of bookshelf speakers to be used along side it. But forget me, there are people out there who purchased (as in paid good money for) a Nexus Q through say eBay or other outlets and are now left with a product that no longer works. Frustrating, to say the least. Hopefully, we see something change for the better in the very near future. Update: Google Support pages have been updated to display the following message:

Please note that currently, All Access can be accessed through the Google Play Music mobile app or a desktop browser and is not compatible with Nexus Q.

So don't rule it out yet - there is still a chance that the Nexus Q will live on. Via: Google Product Forums Cheers Dr0me and John!

SMS is Indeed Coming to Google Hangouts, According to Google+ Community Manager

Kellen — Thu, 16 May 2013 07:35:12 +0000

To say that readers were disappointed at the lack of SMS support in Google's new Hangouts application is probably somewhat of an understatement. People are 100% ready to make Hangouts their number one way of communicating via phone, but if SMS (text message) support isn't there, it becomes difficult, because not everyone you know is going to be up for switching their life over to Hangouts. We had heard through sources of ours that Google Voice support was eventually coming, but that it wouldn't be a part of the service at launch - something that ended up being true. Now, according to Google's G+ community manager of Hangouts and Chat, Dori Storbeck, SMS is one of their most requested features and will be "coming soon."

On a related note, if you stop by your Google account settings page, you'll see an area labeled "SMS for Hangouts." Tough to tell if this is new or not, but it does appear to be a way "to receive messages from Google+ Hangouts as SMS, when you are idle." Unfortunately, the U.S. is not one of the countries listed.

So it is coming, we just don't know when. Hang in there, folks. Via: +Dori Storbeck Cheers Adam, Justin, and Miguel!

Latest Andy Vs. Apple Shirt Makes the Fight Personal

Eric — Thu, 16 May 2013 06:30:06 +0000

Today, the newest shirt from the Andy vs. Apple guys is available, and boy does it take this ongoing fanboy battle to the next level. The designs of their shirts usually feature our favorite little Android doing anything stomping out the Steve Jobs army Godzilla-style to smashing Apples with a mean swing. But if those shirts were all a little too soft for you, today's shirt might be more your style.

This newest release boldly expresses "Android kicks Apple's ass," so you can let all your friends that have iPhones know just how much you love them. If you are looking to start a fight like in those new Windows Phone commercials, this shirt will only set you back $17.

Buy. ($17)

Google to Discontinue Google+ Games, Will Shut Down June 30

Tim — Wed, 15 May 2013 16:30:43 +0000

It's the eve of the launch of the Google Play Games Services, which apparently means it is time for the exit of Google+ Games. It was short lived, one that will probably not be missed by too many people. Google+ introduced games for their service just a few months ago, allowing users to play games together much like on Facebook.

As announced on May 15, 2013, games inside plus.google.com will be retired on June 30, 2013. If you would like to continue playing a particular game, contact the game's developer to find out if there's a new destination site for the game. Some of the game pages on plus.google.com/games have a link to an alternative site where you can continue to play the game.

So, was anyone actually using this? Via: Google+ Cheers okungnyo!

Google Updates Developer Console - Beta Tests, Analytics and More

Dave — Wed, 15 May 2013 16:01:21 +0000

Today's keynote at Google I/O was an overwhelming amount of product and feature announcements. Amongst the barrage of information was some updates to the Android Developer Console. This is the interface that developers use to deliver apps to devices. Google has made some key improvements which should translate to aiding developers with providing better experiences for users. Google is adding optimization tips for developers, in a way to guide them towards better app experiences. The two tips they are offering right now are related to tablet support and translations. Translations is a professional service which will, for a fee, take all the text from an app and translate it to the desired language for the developer. This streamlined service should enable more apps to provide localized strings as they've made the process easy for developers to take advantage of. The tablet optimization tips are aimed to make the apps more compatible with Android big screen devices.

They've also added a new way for developers to visualize their revenue stream, including in-app purchases. This should allow developers to understand how users are using their apps and tailor the experience. Additionally, Google has added a new method for developers to test out new features. They've added the ability for developers to create a beta test utilizing G+ communities. Once they are ready to release an app to production, developers can now roll it out to a percentage of users and adjust that over time. This is some really cool stuff.

Another HUGE improvement is going to be the addition of Analytics. As it stands, developers have no idea about app usage unless they've included the Analytics API into their apps. And even if they have, it still requires them to leave the Developer Console and use Analytics Console. Google will now be including analytics for all developers, coming this summer, allowing them to see what devices are being used or even what countries are a large percentage of their users. This added knowledge should allow developers to improve upon their apps with new features and/or localization specific changes.

All of these features and enhancements are developer facing, but as consumers we're sure to see the benefits of developers having access to all of these new tools.

We Wish You Could Join Us, So Here's a Photo Tour of Google I/O 2013

Tim — Wed, 15 May 2013 14:53:13 +0000

There are around 6,000 people in attendance at this year's Google I/O in San Francisco, CA. We know that is a very small portion of Google's large fan base, so we went ahead and snapped a few pictures of the grounds. The Moscone Center here in downtown has several floors, full of Google's work. The third floor houses your dedicated Android and Chrome playground, full of bugdroids and other goodies. The second floor takes care of all the other Google services, such as YouTube, Google Wallet, Cloud services and others. There is always a very positive buzz floating around the Moscone Center, so go take a peek at what is taking place this year.

Wednesday Poll: Favorite Announcement From Google I/O Day 1?

Kellen — Wed, 15 May 2013 14:16:36 +0000

Google I/O day 1 has essentially come to a close now that the 3-hour long keynote has been completed. Developers are off in small sessions learning ways to make better apps, and the media is trying to wrap their brains around everything that went down. But we aren't the important ones - we want to know what you thought of this morning's festivities. Was there something in particular that stood out? Were you disappointed that no new hardware was announced (Nexus 7) and Android 4.3 was missing? Or were the new Music apps and services, Google Now update, and Galaxy S4 "Nexus experience" edition enough to please you? [poll id="253"]

You'll Soon be Able to Send Money to People Through Gmail

Kellen — Wed, 15 May 2013 13:44:31 +0000

Have you ever thought about sending money to someone through a Gmail message? Even if you haven't, you'll soon be able to. Shortly after the Google I/O keynote today, the Gmail team announced Google Wallet integration into Gmail messages. In the coming months, as they rollout the service, you'll be able to send cash to someone in an email thanks to Google Wallet.

Google Wallet is now integrated with Gmail, so you can quickly and securely send money to friends and family directly within Gmail -- even if they don’t have a Gmail address. It's free to send money if your bank account is linked to Google Wallet or using your Google Wallet Balance, and low fees apply to send money using your linked credit or debit card.

It's like sending an attachment of cash to your friends. Kind of a neat idea that I had no idea I would ever need. Can't wait to try it.

Via: Gmail Blog

Hangouts for Android and Chrome is Live!

Kellen — Wed, 15 May 2013 12:21:20 +0000

Google Hangouts, the new unified and cross-platform messaging service announced by Google at I/O, is now live on all platforms. For most of us, we care about Chrome and Android, but if you are an iOS user, you can find it in the App Store as well. Go grab it! To install to your phone, you'll need to install through the web Play store for the time being. This replaces Google Talk. Screenshots after the break!

Via: Hangouts [Play Link] [Chrome Link]

Google Maps for Mobile Gets Reworked, Coming to Android and iOS "This Summer"

Eric — Wed, 15 May 2013 11:40:43 +0000

Google tipped us off early this morning, aside from the leaks we saw previously, that Google Maps might be getting some love at this year's I/O. A preview build of the new Maps was shown on iOS and Android. It featured a new slimmed down look with a search bar that took you into a revamped reviews section that has a 5 star scale instead of the previous 4. Google Offers was also worked into this same space to make finding food and deals easy. A whole new tablet-based Maps application was shown off as well with the emphasis on "exploring" the world around you. Ratings of restaurants, places of interest and other things are tightly integrated into this new Maps for mobile. We didn't get a specific release date, but it was said to be coming to Android and iOS "this summer."

Google Music Update With All Access and New UI is Live!

Kellen — Wed, 15 May 2013 11:13:38 +0000

The update for Google Music which includes a new UI, their new All Access streaming service, and Listen Now feature is live! Once you update, don't forget to check out All Access with the 30-day free trial. Here is the full changelog:

Brand new user interface for phone, tablet, and TV
Support for All Access subscription service in the US
Key All Access features: Explore section to discover new music, Radio with unlimited skips, Add albums to My Library, Share and subscribe to playlists
New Listen Now page that makes it easy to find something to play
Swipe to remove from playlist or queue
Swipe to switch songs on the now playing screen or now playing bar
Go to album or artist from any song

Play Link

Google Search Update on Android Introduces Google Now Cards for Music, Movies, TV Shows, and Games

Kellen — Wed, 15 May 2013 10:52:33 +0000

Google Search received an update moments ago during the Google I/O keynote, and it includes a number of new cards for Google Now. You'll now be able to set reminders, see upcoming releases for your favorite media types (books, music albums, movies, tv shows, and video games), and view real time public transit updates.

- Reminders (e.g. say "remind me to buy milk this evening", "remind me to take out the trash when I get home") - Upcoming books, music albums, tv shows and video games you may like - Real time public transit updates (select cities) - Last train home (Japan only)

Play Link

Google Announces Hangouts, Their New Cross-platform Messaging Service

Kellen — Wed, 15 May 2013 10:41:02 +0000

During today's Google I/O keynote, Google and Vic Gundotra announced Hangouts, their new messaging service (previously codenamed Babel). It works across platforms, meaning it works on Chrome, Android, and iOS. It also utilizes cross-device notifications, which allows you to check one device and have the notifications on others clear away. This is the unified chat that has been rumored for weeks now. The service should go live some time today. Update: Hangouts in live in Google Play!

Google Announces Google Play Music "All Access" for $9.99 Per Month (Updated: It's Live)

Eric — Wed, 15 May 2013 10:00:03 +0000

We have heard rumors up until this point, but today during their keynote, Google made their new streaming music service official. Google Play Music "All Access" gives users the ability to search through Google's huge amount of songs and the ability to play them instantly. An all new UI allows you to swipe away songs if you don't want them and the ability to make radio stations instantly based on one song. The price of this new streaming service is $9.99 per month, but everyone gets a 30 free trial. If you are an early adopter and sign up before June 30 however, your price is only $7.99. The I/O keynote is still going on, come and join us! Update: The service is now live! Get to it here.

Google Announces Samsung Galaxy S4 With "Nexus User Experience"

Kellen — Wed, 15 May 2013 09:58:05 +0000

Google, on stage during the I/O keynote, just announced that they will sell a Samsung Galaxy S4 directly through Google Play with an unlocked bootloader, stock Android experience, LTE support, connectivity on AT&T and T-Mobile, with a "Nexus experience," and as a device that will receive updates promptly. The device will launch June 26 on Google Play for $649. If you wanted the Galaxy S4 as the clean phone you always envisioned, this is your chance to get it.

Be sure to watch along as they unveil more during today's keynote!

Google Announces Google Play Game Services With Cloud Save, Achievements, and Leaderboards Across Platforms

Eric — Wed, 15 May 2013 09:26:50 +0000

We're at the Google I/O keynote and Google just announced their new Google Play game services which include cloud save, achievements, and leaderboards. They also announced that it will be cross platform, so that iOS users can take advantage. As if those new, awesome features weren't enough, Google+ sign-in has been integrated into this service and once games are installed with this API you can invite friends from your circles on G+ and they will receive notifications to join directly into your game. We'll be sure to keep you updated as we learn more about this new awesome service. If you are not there already, join us in our liveblog to watch the event!

Google Announces Android Has Reached 900 Million Activations Worldwide

Eric — Wed, 15 May 2013 09:23:00 +0000

Google dove right into Android during their day one keynote at I/O 2013 today. Starting off with a bang, Google announced that Android has now reached the 900 million activation mark as of today. Last year's number that Google gave us was 400 million and we have seen it steadily increase since then.

This is an enormous number of Android devices to be activated out there in the world and lets Google say with confidence that Android is "the most popular mobile operating system out there."

[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1CVbQttKUIk[/youtube]

Multiple App Updates Confirm Google Play Games and G+ Integration for Apps, Leaderboards, and Achievements

Kellen — Wed, 15 May 2013 08:52:32 +0000

Well, Google Play Games has been confirmed by a number of app updates before the Google I/O keynote has even started. As you can see in the changelog for the update to TripleTown (and Modern Combat 4 below), we're getting "Google Play game services" that include leaderboards and achievements as long as you sign into the game with your Google+ account.

More to come! Be sure to tune into our liveblog of the keynote, with live video feed. Cheers @cjohnson481 and Manny!

Android 4.3 Confirmed Ahead of I/O Via Developer Site

Tim — Wed, 15 May 2013 07:48:36 +0000

This morning, we are expecting a ton of things to be announced at Google's annual developer's conference, Google I/O. One of goodies we were hoping to see is of of course, a new version of Android. Search results through the official Android developer site show that Android 4.3 is very much real and that we could definitely be seeing it today. No changelog or any features are listed, given that search results lead to a different landing. Android 4.3 is real. Via: Android | The Verge

Live: Google I/O 2013 Day 1 Keynote

Kellen — Wed, 15 May 2013 05:48:47 +0000

And we're live from Google I/O 2013! Today's 3-hour long keynote starts at 9AM Pacific (noon Eastern) and should feature more announcements involving Android and Chrome than you can possibly imagine. We've already seen the new Google Maps go live (briefly), so we know that's coming. But after that, we could see a unified messaging service, Android 4.3, new gaming center, and more. It's going to be a long keynote, but potentially the best one ever. We have a liveblog and video embed below for your viewing pleasure. We'll open the liveblog at 8AM Pacific, as we'll be inside the Moscone Center, waiting in line, snapping pics and sharing the experience. Join us!

New Google Maps Sign-up Page Goes Live Briefly, Reveals All Sorts of New Details

Kellen — Tue, 14 May 2013 23:13:07 +0000

A new version of Google Maps for the desktop was leaked last week showing a new look that provided a more full-screen experience while matching up to the Google Now-esque card style of other Google services. A release of this version seemed imminent, but most of us figured it would wait for a Google I/O unveiling. Tonight (the night before I/O), the sign-up for this new Google Maps was live briefly, giving us a glimpse at what we can expect when it officially goes live. The first highlight of the sign-up page mentioned a "tailored map for every search" that you perform, so that you'll always have a map which shows you things that matter the most. We're talking custom maps or at least maps that learn from you the more you use them.

The second thing that stood out to us was a "smarter search box," which was actually mentioned in the previous leak. This search box lives on top of the full-screen maps, and makes all sorts of information (including destinations, ratings, reviews, and indoor maps) available as you search.

The new Google Maps also includes imagery from Google Earth, incorporates Google's lesser known flight search, a comparison of various modes of transportation, and eventually adapts to your searches based on previous searches and ratings.

We didn't see a mention of mobile at all throughout the short-lived new Maps page, but would imagine that these features would make there way over at some point in the future. The page we visited has now been pulled. Cheers Haowen!

App Data and People Details Syncing Now in Google Play Services

Kellen — Tue, 14 May 2013 16:54:30 +0000

As we approach Google I/O's keynote tomorrow, all sorts of changes are beginning to happen in and around the world of Android. We just saw the new Google Play store version 4.1.6 go up and become available for download. It features a tweaked section button experience from the home page, new Wishlist appearance, and spaced out buttons on app pages. Following that news, we have the new Google Play Services app version 3.1.36 that includes new toggles for "App Data" and "People Details." You don't need to download this manually, as yours has likely already updated behind the scenes. While it's tough to tell exactly what we are looking at in terms of these two sections, it seems sort of obvious, doesn't it? App data syncing could range from having all of your apps synced across multiple devices to being the center of the new cloud gaming service that we are expecting to see tomorrow. Rather than having to worry about manually backing up your devices, this could be Google's way of handling it automatically. And as far as the People Details section goes, we're assuming this ties into Google+ and whether or not you have your contacts synced with your Google+ account. Should you be using Google+ with your contacts, I would imagine this syncing option will keep your contacts up-to-date with G+ profiles. It doesn't seem as if you can currently take advantage of any of this, but that could change by the early morning hours of tomorrow.

Google Play Updated to Version 4.1.6, Brings Sporty Looking Home Buttons

Tim — Tue, 14 May 2013 16:47:18 +0000

A day ahead of the Google I/O keynote, an update is rolling out to Google Play, version number 4.1.6. Inside the update is a new look for the home buttons (Apps, Games, Movies, etc.), giving them a more colorful appearance. On top of that, it appears that each application page is laid out better, with the "open" and "install" buttons being separated a bit more. In the previous version, they were a bit cramped and I know we voiced our minor frustrations about that during one of our DL Shows. Users who use the Wishlist feature will also see a new layout for that, as apps now appear as rows of three from left to right, instead of just top to bottom. If you would like to download the newest version, hit up the download links below and install it right over your current version. Download: Google_Play_4.1.6.apk [mirror] Via: Android Police

Report: Google to Launch Streaming Music Service Tomorrow at I/O

Kellen — Tue, 14 May 2013 16:08:25 +0000

According to industry sources who spoke with The Verge and the New York Times, Google will unveil a new streaming music service tomorrow at Google I/O. After inking deals with both Universal and Sony, the service finally has the go-ahead to compete with the likes of Spotify and get the jump on Apple who has been taking its sweet time launching a similar service. Sources told NYT that there wouldn't be a free tier for the service, so that could put us anywhere from a couple of dollars a month to $10 or $15. This new streaming service is said to be more like Spotify with on-demand music rather than the radio-esque approach that Pandora has taken. Should this service launch tomorrow, expect a Google I/O that may be the biggest one yet. We could see a new unified chat service, Gmail update, Android 4.3, gaming center, and this new music services amongst other things. Stick with us all day tomorrow - we'll be covering it all. Via: The Verge | NY Times Cheers Inquizitor!

Larry Page Talks About Health Concerns, Gives Word There is Nothing to Worry Over

Tim — Tue, 14 May 2013 14:37:08 +0000

Following some public outings and financial calls, questions arose concerning Larry Page's health. When listening to Page, he sounded terrible; his voice was raspy and coarse, pausing for breath between each sentence. To sum it up, the tech world was sincerely worried about Google's CEO. Larry took to his Google+ page earlier this morning, explaining his condition. Apparently, some time ago, Larry suffered from a terrible cold. It affected his voice, but once the cold went away, his voice never came back. After searching for answers, they discovered he suffers from left vocal cord paralysis, a "nerve problem that causes your left vocal cord to not move properly." Fast forward to last summer, Larry became ill with another bad cold. The same weakness he felt in his left vocal cord had began in his opposite vocal cord. Doctors are still unable to find a true cause, but Larry has been able to pull together and is able to continue his duties at Google and at home. It's great to hear that Larry is not actually ill, but we still send our positive vibes that Larry feels well and continues to do what he loves. Via: +Larry Page

We're at Google I/O 2013!

Kellen — Tue, 14 May 2013 13:56:02 +0000

Are you ready for it? It's our favorite week of the year - yes, it's time for Google I/O. This week, Google will take the stage at the Moscone Center in San Francisco and unveil all sorts of new projects. Some will be software-focused, others may include hardware, but no matter what, there will be plenty to talk about. If you are an Android fanatic or Google product lover, there is no better week than this. We've already made our predictions and added to the rumormill, so this post is really just to let you know that we are here and ready. Laptops are charged, multiple phones are in pockets, cameras are packed, and livers are primed. We'll have coverage from the early hours of tomorrow through the end of the week. If Google announces something, you'll definitely hear about it from Droid Life. The keynote that you should all tune into starts tomorrow morning at 9:00AM Pacific (12:00PM Eastern) and runs for approximately three hours. We'll have the video live, right here, along with a chat, so be sure to join us as it all goes down. After that, we'll get our hands on everything that Google has announced and bring it back to you as soon as we can. To make sure that you don't miss out on any of the action, be sure to follow us on Twitter (@droid_life) and Google+. It's going to be fun. Apologies ahead of time for the gaps in posts, but that's because both Tim and I are traveling to and from event centers, airports, hotels, parties and all that. Any final predictions?

Video: White Nexus 4 Gets a Quick Hands-on

Kellen — Tue, 14 May 2013 11:27:31 +0000

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4bTBFViui94[/youtube]

Thanks to a display unit hanging around the Qualcomm booth at a tech event in Dubai, the white version of the Nexus 4 is getting all sorts of play this week. While this new sighting gives us an up-close-and-personal view of the paler brother to the original N4, this still doesn't mean that we are guaranteed to see it at Google I/O this week. We would certainly love to, as the white Nexus 4 has been on our radar since first appearing back in January, but there is no indication that this version will ever see a broad retail release. So what do we have here? A white Nexus 4 - nothing more. There isn't LTE or 32GB of storage from what we can tell, two features that rumormongers continue to spread across tech publications. I'm personally a fan of the two-tone look, with the white Crystal Reflection case on the back, with a black front-side, but I know that many of you would rather it be completely white. Via: TechView

[Deal] Verizon Handing Out Free DROID DNA Coupon Codes

Kellen — Tue, 14 May 2013 10:53:10 +0000

The HTC DROID DNA, which could easily be considered Verizon's best available phone (our review), can be had for free thanks to a new coupon code and referral program that Big Red is running through May 21. All you have to do, is click through on the source link below, type in your email address, and wait for your coupon code to arrive (should take only a couple of minutes). Once you have it, you can print out the code and redeem it inside a Verizon or store, or use it during checkout through their online shop. Verizon is currently charging $199 on new 2-year contract for the DNA, so this promo will save you almost $200. In order to receive the phone for free you do need to sign a new contract. The promo also allows you to refer friends who are not currently Verizon customers. Should you refer them, Verizon will give you $25 per. Keep in mind that the Samsung Galaxy S4 will be available starting May 23 and that there is still a chance that Verizon carries a version of the HTC One down the road. Via: Verizon Cheers Albert!

Pinterest for Android Receives Update - Notifications, Search Suggestions, and More

Kellen — Tue, 14 May 2013 10:39:14 +0000

Pinterest lovers, there is an update for your official Android app that can be downloaded immediately. After updating, you'll have the ability to send a pin to someone, get push notifications for comments, likes or repins, see suggestions when searching, and mention friends in comments. Here are the new changes:

Send a pin to someone
Get push notifications to know when someone comments, likes or repins your stuff
Search…and you shall receive suggestions
Mention your friends in comments

Play Link Via: Pinterest

Blackberry Goes Cross Platform With BBM, Coming to Android This Summer

Kellen — Tue, 14 May 2013 08:09:36 +0000

After years of requests, Blackberry is finally bringing BBM - their one-time incredibly popular messaging app - to multiple platforms. Yes, BBM is coming to Android this summer. And...yeah. Isn't it too late, Blackberry? There are dozens of high-quality messaging apps on the planet that have already consumed people's lives. Plus, Google is about to release Hangouts (formerly Babel) as a unified messaging service to the masses that will gobble up all sorts of the messaging pie. Announced this morning at Blackberry Live, BBM for Android (and iOS) will have groups and voice chat and screen share and all that jazz at some point, plus it should work on anything Android 4.0 and above, but come on, it doesn't matter anymore. Just like with their hardware, it took Blackberry 3 years too long to capitalize on something good. Via: Blackberry

Gladstone, MO Added to the Official Google Fiber List

Kellen — Tue, 14 May 2013 07:53:16 +0000

Joining the likes of Provo (UT), Austin (TX), Shawnee (KS), and Raytown (MO) on the list of luckiest towns in the world is Gladstone (MO). Why is it lucky? Because it has been added to the list of official locales to receive Google Fiber in the future. Even with their city council voting in the service last night, Google notes that it will be some time before Gladstone sees the ultra-fast fiber internet, but that doesn't make us any less jealous. Anyone live in Gladstone? Via: Google Fiber

Tuesday Poll: Are You Buying NVIDIA's SHIELD?

Kellen — Tue, 14 May 2013 06:30:41 +0000

Well, pricing is official - NVIDIA's SHIELD gaming system will run $349 at launch. So the big question now is, are you going to buy one? This product was first unveiled some five and a half months ago at CES to a mix of emotions and reviews from both media and consumers. We all wondered if there was a need for a portable gaming system that can stream and play your PC games along with your current mobile collection? Is your phone already a good enough mobile gaming device or is this truly the future of mobile gaming? What would the price be? All tough questions that I'm not sure anyone has an answer for (well outside of the price which we now know), until we can spend more time with. So tell us, are you buying SHIELD? If so, sell the community on why you are buying it. If not, we tell what is holding you back. [poll id="252"]

NVIDIA SHIELD Release Details Announced, General Pre-Orders Start May 20 For $349

Tim — Tue, 14 May 2013 06:00:25 +0000

Details have finally been released for NVIDIA's highly-anticipated SHIELD. Previously known as Project SHIELD, they dropped "Project" and decided SHEILD was a better way to go. Either way, we first saw the Tegra 4-powered SHIELD at this year's CES in January, so after months (it felt like years) of awaiting news on pricing and a release date, we finally have it. Priced at $349, pre-orders can be placed for SHIELD starting today if you had previously signed up for the "Notify Me" service for the device. General public pre-orders will begin Monday, May 20. If you are interested in placing an order, you can do so through sites such as Newegg, GameStop, Micro Center, and Canada Computers. So, I think it's time for a refresher in SHIELD. The device is a portable gaming console that is expected to ship with Android 4.2.1. The device has a 5" 720p display, the Tegra 4 processor filled with 72 GPU cores and four CPU cores, topped with 2GB of RAM. It sports a mini-HDMI out slot, microSD slot, dual analog joysticks, a full-sized d-pad, triggers, bumpers, and everything else a gamer might need while on the go. And don't forget about SHIELD's ability to stream your PC games, a feature that will launch as a beta as they continue to optimize the service.

We have waited months for this information - $349 for a pure Android gaming device, complete with big speakers, an HD display, and awesome controls. Sound like something you might be ordering? For more info on SHIELD and details on ordering, hit up the via. Via: NVIDIA

Disney's Toy Story: Smash It! is Actually Pretty Great

Tim — Mon, 13 May 2013 15:57:53 +0000

Usually, I find myself staying distant from anything Disney related on Android, since I expect to find something suitable for my 8 year old nephew before I find something that intrigues myself. Well, I saw Toy Story: Smash It! and since that movie was huge when I was my little nephew's age, I decided to check it out. I was pretty surprised to find that this game is actually quite good. You play as Buzz Lightyear, going around smashing down puzzle building-type structures built by the aliens. I think of it as Angry Birds, but with more action thanks to the over-the-shoulder view we get with Buzz. You aim the balls towards weak points in their buildings, and then let go, then Buzz hurls the objects down towards the blocks. The game looks great and plays smooth, perfect for any grown-up (unfortunately I guess I am one now), and kids too. The is free on Google Play, but to access special features and additional levels, you may purchase the full version for just $0.99. Play Link [youtube]http://youtu.be/bjj4i4lUqNQ[/youtube]

CyanogenMod Passes 5 Million Download Mark, Shows No Signs of Stopping

Eric — Mon, 13 May 2013 14:57:41 +0000

You can't think of the Android development community without mentioning CyanogenMod at some point. The series of ROMs has been around almost as long as Android itself and today, the CM team passed a huge milestone. If you take a look at the CyanogenMod Statistics page, you will see that the number of overall installs has passed the 5 million mark.

We are at the Release Candidate stage for Android 4.2 which brings us up to CM 10.1. The community behind CyanogenMod is huge and developers continue to jump in to help maintain new and older devices. CyanogenMod has evolved a lot since it began and Android has evolved a lot since CM was created, so hopefully the two will keep going for the foreseeable future.

Are you still a CM fan or have you left for another AOSP ROM?

Via: CM Statistics

Samsung Readies 5G Technology, Could Hit Market By 2020

Tim — Mon, 13 May 2013 14:20:21 +0000

Samsung reports that over this past weekend, they successfully tested their 5G network. That's right - 5G! Using 64 different antenna elements, testers were able to pull data at speeds of up to 1Gbps, matching that of the fiber optic speeds we are now seeing in the U.S. from Google Fiber. Now that it has been tested, Samsung is ready to bring it to consumers, but their time frame doesn't seem very rushed. How does the year 2020 sound to you?

Under the new platform, users can download and upload data at speeds of up to tens of gigabits per second (Gbps), compared to 75 megabits per second (Mbps) posted by the fourth-generation long-term evolution (LTE) service. Samsung Electronics said it has successfully tested the platform using the 28 Gigahertz (GHz) waveband to transmit data at a speed of 1 Gbps.

We have heard talk of 5G and even 6G from Verizon, but that was nothing in terms of actual testing and implementation. While 2020 might seem forever away, it's just 7 years. Not too bad, right? Via: Engadget | Yonhap News

Samsung Galaxy S3 Updated to Android 4.1.2 on T-Mobile, Adds Multi-Window Functionality

Tim — Mon, 13 May 2013 13:45:17 +0000

T-Mobile customers in possession of a Samsung Galaxy S3 should see an update being pushed out to their phones, bringing them up to Android version 4.1.2. The build number is T999UVDMD5. Inside, users can now access Samsung's multi-window software feature, allowing for two apps to be used simultaneously, making that multi-tasking machine even sweeter. On top of that, Blocking Mode has been added, along with Samsung Gallery, Paper Artist and some enhanced camera options. New Features:

Multi-Window
Auto-pairing via NFC
enhanced Camera options
Sound Balance
Paper Artist
Samsung Gallery
Blocking Mode
Easy Mode

Via: T-Mobile Cheers Clay!

Specs for the Motorola "XFON" XT1058 Appear in Benchmark: 720p Display and Dual-core Snapdragon S4 Processor

Kellen — Mon, 13 May 2013 12:57:22 +0000

The "XFON" from Motorola is no longer much of a secret now that it has been both pictured and found cruising through the FCC. It's the phone you are seeing above that leaked months ago, at least all signs point to that being the case. While Motorola could easily have some tricks up its sleeves for this device that will "wow" us in the end, current info from a recent GFXBench benchmark pegs this device as a mid-range Android handset. According to the system info of a device benchmarked with the model number XT1058 (same as the "XFON), we're looking at a dual-core Snapdragon S4 Pro processor (MSM8960T) clocked at 1.7GHz and a 720p display. You can tell that it's the MSM8960T rather than the MSM8960 because of the Adreno 320 GPU inside, which is the same GPU that you'll find in devices like the Nexus 4. But yes, it's only a dual-core processor that was released in early 2012 and not even the Snapdragon 400 (only an Adreno 305 GPU though) or 600 that Qualcomm is producing for 2013. We're also finding that it lacks a 1080p display thanks to the benchmark showing a resolution of 1196x720, which also suggests it will have on-screen navigation keys. But we already knew that it would. We aren't exactly sure what size the display will drop in at, but we've heard both 4.0" and 4.3". You can see from the benchmark that this is the Motorola "Ghost" and is headed to AT&T. "Ghost" is a codename we first reported back in mid-March along with a handful that Motorola has in the pipeline. Last, the device tested was running Android 4.2.2.

Update: We are seeing stories floating about which suggest it could have some super secret processor and GPU combo that will dominate all phones and Google and Motorola are simply disguising it. I hate to say it, but with a screen resolution this low, coupled with a decent GPU and processor, these numbers aren't anything to get overly excited about. Look, the Sony Xperia SP and Xiaomi MI 2A both crush the HTC One and Galaxy S4 in an on-screen test if you take these tests to mean anything. Both are running the same processor/GPU combo as the XFON, yet likely have half the RAM. These tests clearly do not show that we have something secret going on or that the XFON is going to dominate the One or GS4 overall. Benchmarks do not tell the full story, ever.

Here is the image pulled from its FCC filing. As you can see, it's identical to the device pictured at the top of this post.

So, mid-range, right? I'd imagine that Motorola is going to make this device insanely cheap with a processor that old and a display straight out of 2012. Standards for high-end smartphones these days have risen to 1080p displays and the latest and greatest processor for Qualcomm, two things this phone lacks. Keep in mind while this phone may be disappointing from a spec standpoint, it'll likely run stock Android, see updates at an incredible rate, and utilize LTE networks. Via: GFXBench | Techtastic Cheers Zomer!

Eric Schmidt Thought Google's "Don't Be Evil" Rule Was the Stupidest Thing Ever

Eric — Mon, 13 May 2013 12:10:30 +0000

Way back when Google first launched, the new company came out with a moral stance that stated "don't be evil." A lofty, but noble goal that the company has tried to live by for sure, but in a recent interview Google's chairman Eric Schmidt said he thought that it was a pretty dumb idea. "When I showed up, I thought this idea was the stupidest rule ever, because there's no book about evil except, maybe, you know, the Bible or something."

Schmidt brings up a good point about the motto, but points out that it was mostly a good thing that allowed employees to speak up about things that they weren't sure about. Schmidt was brought onto the old company slogan through the discussion that Google holds a lot of info on it's users and he assured that if someone were to sell or look through the data, "someone would find out, trust me." Assuring words for those who fear of Google's amount of information.

Via: The Verge

Google Merges Storage Between Drive, Gmail and G+ Photos, 15GB For Everyone and 30GB for Apps Users

Eric — Mon, 13 May 2013 11:40:30 +0000

Last year with the launch of Google Drive, Google revamped their storage options for your data in the cloud. However, the data you had in your Drive account was separated from that storage you had in Gmail, which was also different from the photo storage you had in Google+. Today, Google announced that they are taking all that storage space and making them all into a tight little package for everyone. All Google users now have a free 15GB of storage space across the three applications and Google Apps users will receive 30GB of space.

Along with this new unified storage space, Google has launched a new page to help you keep track of it. A pie chart will show you just how much space you are using in each app and how much that eats into your overall space. The options to upgrade to more storage are the same as they have always been, so if you see that you need more you can purchase it right there. This change will be rolling out over the next couple of weeks so keep your eyes peeled.

Via: Google Drive

Cheers everyone who sent this in!

Verizon's Samsung Galaxy S4 Now Launching May 23 (Updated)

Kellen — Mon, 13 May 2013 11:27:02 +0000

According to a Verizon PR rep, their Samsung Galaxy S4 launch has been moved up to May 23. Previously scheduled for May 30, this is exciting news for Big Red customers who were beginning to feel left out of the GS4 party. Samsung's newest flagship is already available on every other major carrier in the U.S. Verizon doesn't typically provide details on why their devices tend to (almost always) launch later than similar phones from other carriers, but we often attribute it to their testing procedures, which have a reputation in the industry for being slow. We should point out that a quick browsing of Verizon's website still shows May 30 as the ship date for orders. That could change, though. Update: Verizon has updated their press note for the Galaxy S4 with a mention of May 23. The device will be available both in stores and online that day. Via: @VZWKen | Verizon Cheers Open1Your1Eyes0!

HTC First aka "Facebook Phone" Reportedly Already to be Discontinued

Tim — Mon, 13 May 2013 10:58:19 +0000

Just a little over a month ago, Facebook held a press event in Menlo Park at their headquarters to announce a partnership with HTC and AT&T. The child of that partnership was the HTC First, priced at just $99 and the first device to come pre-loaded with Facebook Home. While Home was met with mixed reviews from the media and consumers, the First itself didn't seem all that bad. Beneath Facebook's launcher lays a vanilla Android operating system, with mid-level specs inside of a well-designed body. According to sources of BGR, none of it was good enough to keep the device on shelves for even a few months. Sources state that fewer than 15,000 units were sold during the time that the device dropped in price to just $0.99 on contract, as AT&T representatives were not pushing the device onto buyers. Apparently, all unsold inventory will be shipped back to HTC and from there, who knows. For added insult to injury, it is said that the HTC ChaCha from 2011 saw better total sales than the HTC First. Oy vey. Are we even surprised by this? Via: BGR Cheers Nick and Justin!

Google Now Allowing All App Developers to Respond to Play Reviews

Eric — Mon, 13 May 2013 10:34:17 +0000

The value of comments anywhere on the internet can range from very bad to very useful. When it comes to Google Play, the best way to get feedback on an application is to read the reviews from the people who have actually used it. To cultivate more interaction in reviews, Google now allows all app developers on Google Play to respond to reviews on their applications.

Google has been testing this feature with certain developers for a while now and has received enough good press that they feel ready to roll it out to everyone. Google says that this allows developers to more easily "identify and prioritize bugs, reply constructively to both negative and positive reviews and to get ideas about new improvements or features."

If you are a developer, check your Google Play Developer Console to find the new reply feature.

Via: Android Developers

Could the Nexus Q See a Rebirth at This Year's I/O? New Report Says No

Eric — Mon, 13 May 2013 09:56:55 +0000

One of the bigger surprises to come out of last year's I/O keynote was the announcement of the Nexus Q. The spherical entertainment system was meant to bring Android and Google Play right into your living room, but for the price of $300 many weren't sure if it was worth it for what it did. After only a month of sale, Google put the Q on hold indefinitely and now with I/O coming up again, rumors are contradicting each other over whether or not the Q might be given a second life.

Today, AllThingsD published a story that has sources familiar with the matter saying that the device will not be seeing any press this year. However, everything that we have been hearing from sources says that the Q will be getting some sort of re-vamp at this year's I/O. Hints of a link to Google's new Gaming service and maybe even a shape change could give the Q a second life if Google does it right, but we will have to wait until I/O to see.

What would it take for you to be interested in the Nexus Q?

Via: AllThingsD

White Nexus 4 Makes a New Appearance, Doesn't at All Mean It's Coming at I/O

Kellen — Mon, 13 May 2013 09:22:04 +0000

The white Nexus 4 has returned! Thanks to a new set of photos of the device posted by a Google+ user this weekend, the tech media world now thinks we are guaranteed to see this variant at Google I/O next week...with LTE...and 32GB of storage. While that's certainly a possibility, the guy that purchased this is not some Google insider nor does he appear to have any knowledge of this device actually having anything to do with I/O. No, he bought it from a local "buy and sell website" while trading in his black Nexus. That's it. He didn't sneak one out of a back-alley I/O truck session or have lunch in a dark room with Larry Page. He bought it locally. But hey, it's the white Nexus 4 again! Boy, do I wish I had one. Since first popping up back in late January and then re-appearing through a lengthy hands-on session, we have been crossing fingers, hoping for some sort of white N4 announcement from Google. Here we are four months later, and nothing has happened on that front. We should point out in the past that Google has handed out special edition Nexus devices at Google I/O (like the white Nexus 7), which is happening this week. However, this is not a sign that attendees are getting one. This is just a lucky Android lover who found one at his local tech shop. Via: +Ervin Sue

Rooting Method Updated for Verizon Galaxy Note 2 After VRAMC3 Update

Tim — Mon, 13 May 2013 09:00:38 +0000

Did you happen to lose root or still have not yet rooted after updating the Galaxy Note 2 on Verizon to build VRAMC3? Developers released an updated rooting method for the device over the weekend, easily working its way around VZW's OTA patch. Running the program is extremely simple as it is completely automated and just takes a couple of clicks if you are running Windows 7. It is also available for Windows 8, Linux and Mac users, so it should be a fun and easy process. You will need Java installed on your computer and a completely stock device. If you are ready to get your root on, head on over to the thread to download the needed file. Via: XDA Cheers Lakers1moretime!

Sundar Pichai's First Interview Talks "Different" Google I/O, Android Updates, Samsung Relationship, and Time Travel

Kellen — Mon, 13 May 2013 07:59:28 +0000

As we head into the week which features the most anticipated Android and Google-related event of the year, new Android boss Sundar Pichai finally sat down for his first interview since taking over the reigns of our favorite mobile operating system. In a short Q&A with Wired, Pichai talks through Google's relationship with Samsung, shares thoughts on Facebook Home, and even mentions Motorola's status as one of their partners. But most importantly, he talked Android updates and Google I/O, which he claims will be different this year, because there may not be many products to announce. Below, you'll find answers to what appeared to be the most important and related to what we do here at DL, but I highly recommend you read his entire interview at the source link below. On I/O and how this year will be different:

It’s going to be different. It’s not a time when we have much in the way of launches of new products or a new operating system. Both on Android and Chrome, we’re going to focus this I/O on all of the kinds of things we’re doing for developers, so that they can write better things. We will show how Google services are doing amazing things on top of these two platforms.

On updating Android devices faster:

We are thinking about how to make Android handle updates better. We see ways we can do this. It’s early days. We’re talking with our partners and working our way through it. We need time to figure out the mechanics, but it’s definitely an area of focus for me and for the team.

On their relationship with Samsung:

I realize this gets played up in the press a lot. Samsung is a great partner to work with. We work with them on pretty much almost all our important products. Here’s my Samsung Galaxy S4. [Pichai holds up the phone.] ...Look, Samsung plays a critical role in helping Android be successful. To ship great experiences, you need hardware and software together. The relationship is very strong on a day-to-day basis and on a tactical basis. So I’m not that concerned. Historically the industry has had long stable structures. Look at Microsoft and Intel. They were very codependent on one another, but it served both of them well. When I look at where computing needs to go, we need innovation in displays, in batteries. Samsung is a world leader in those technologies.

On Motorola as a closer partner than others:

For the purposes of the Android ecosystem, Motorola is [just another] partner.

On Google's new secret time travel project (joke of course):

I have a secret project which adds four hours every day to the 24 hours we have. There’s a bit of time travel involved.

Pichai also noted that Google "saw payouts to developers on Play quadruple in 2012," suggesting that iOS developers aren't the only group cashing in on apps these days. So I/O, at least to me, isn't going to be all that much different than years past. They'll focus on developers, but don't think for a second that there won't be some kind of hardware to announce. It may not be a brand new Nexus 10 or Nexus 4, but Google always likes to show off new software and features running on new gadgets. It's how they've done it for years now. Also, who doesn't wish they were a part of those conversations with partners about speeding up Android updates? This week is going to be wild. Via: Wired

Sony Announces Fully-waterproof Xperia ZR, Shoots Cool Underwater Promo Clip to Go With It

Kellen — Mon, 13 May 2013 07:34:06 +0000

Sony announced the Xperia ZR this morning, a waterproof phone that can be submerged in water for up to 30 minutes, so that you can shoot 1080p video and capture amazing stills under water. You know, because you do such a thing so often. No? Well, it also has a 4.6" 720p display, 1.5GHz Snapdragon S4 Pro processor, 2GB RAM, and 13MP camera that should help you power through most smartphone tasks that do not involve water. The ZR will come in black, white, pink and mint, and be available in random markets that you probably do not live in, some time starting in Q2. I say that because that's how all of Sony's launches work. Even if the phone looks amazing, like the ZL, they can't get it anywhere near the states except in an unlocked capacity that will run you $700+. Oh, in terms of being waterproof, the ZR is IP55 and IP58 compliant. That's really all there is to say about this phone. Now, go watch the neat promo videos below.

Gallery

Video

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nDuYUlHc1r4[/youtube]

[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h1a7KjdUqmA[/youtube]

Video: Nova Launcher Updated, Customize Individual Drawer Icons and New Wallpaper Picker Interface

Tim — Sun, 12 May 2013 10:38:54 +0000

Over the weekend, Nova Launcher received an updated to version 2.1, bringing with it a few features that really are quite notable. For most, the important feature addition is the ability to change individual application icons in the app drawer. This is highly important when the icon pack you are using does not skin a particular icon, making the theme a bit off when viewed. In addition, there is an entirely new user interface for wallpaper and icon picking, controlled by swiping left and right through different packs. It is a very nice update, so if you haven't yet, go grab it. And if you have never tried Nova before, then you are missing out. Down below you can see a video I made detailing the newest changes to Nova Launcher. Play Link [youtube]http://youtu.be/oa60su1wvb8[/youtube]

Samsung Galaxy S4 Mini Pictured Again, Still Looks Kind of Nice

Tim — Sat, 11 May 2013 17:46:14 +0000

We have seen the Galaxy S4 Mini pictured once or twice already, but still nothing official has come out of Samsung on a potential release date or that it even exists. Today, a new gallery hit the web, giving us a really good look at the Galaxy S4's little brother. As we can see, it uses that same under-the-skin pattern that we like so much the on the Galaxy S4, but for those hoping it will be the same overly-powered device, just in a smaller package, prepare to be disappointed. The specs for the S4 Mini haven't changed from the last time we saw them; 4.3" Super AMOLED display at a resolution of just 960 x 540, a 1.6GHz dual-core processor, 1GB of RAM, and either a 5 or 8MP camera. While the dual-core chip and camera doesn't too bad, that display is a pure no go in our books. It's a nice little phone, but the lack of power and lack of an HD display is a downer.

Via: Phone Arena

Google "Play Games" Leaks Ahead of Google I/O - Cloud Saves, Multiplayer Matchmaking, and Leaderboards

Tim — Sat, 11 May 2013 17:22:31 +0000

Back in mid April, information taken from a MyGlass application teardown showed Google was working on something big for the Android gaming community. Today, that previous information is all but confirmed. An updated Google Play Services app (version v3.1.36), which escaped Mountain View, has been cracked open, spilling lots of great information. Inside, there are files and strings of code detailing cloud-based saves for games, multiplayer matchmaking, player invites, achievements, and global leaderboards. Yep, this is Google Play Games. So far, the only working part of the new "app" is the ability to change accounts through the Play Games settings menu. Options to turn on game notifications and manage those who can send you game invites (all handled through Google+ accounts) is also inside. Beyond being able to view just a settings menu, there isn't much to see. There are a couple icons for achievements and leaderboards inside, but without a game client, this serves little purpose to anyone yet. With Google I/O taking place next week, there is almost no doubt we will see this unveiled in just a couple of days.

Try and act surprised at I/O, okay? Via: Android Police Cheers Roy!

Mystery "XFON" Motorola Device Stops by FCC, Headed to AT&T

Tim — Fri, 10 May 2013 22:18:35 +0000

The plot is thickening, Android fans. Tonight, FCC documents show a mysterious Motorola device, matching up in design to previous images we have seen, here and here. As far as what is in the FCC report, the only thing we can take away is that the device, model number XT1058 comes equipped with AT&T bands, Bluetooth 4.0, 802.11ac, and NFC capability. Beyond that, nothing else. As mentioned, this device looks eerily familiar to the Motorola "XFON" we have seen pictured before, but of course, nothing can be certain until its made official by either AT&T or Motorola. The timing is an interesting factor, since Google I/O is just days away. Guess we will just have to remain patient. Excited? Via: PhoneScoop | FCC

We're Here to Escort You Into the Weekend

Tim — Fri, 10 May 2013 22:10:44 +0000

It's Friday! Woohoo! If you have not yet had the chance, make sure to catch up with the DL crew by watching this week's Droid Life Show. Episode 24 was a total blast, as we discussed more Google I/O topics, blasted off on rumors, and went in-depth on whether Google Glass is even really that "cool." We had our usual apps of the week, although when your app is Bang With Friends, you know the guys can sometimes get a little carried away with their conversations. Enjoy!

Soak Test Invites Arriving, Jelly Bean Coming to Verizon's Motorola XOOM 4G LTE

Tim — Fri, 10 May 2013 17:20:57 +0000

Well, we didn't see this coming today. Jelly Bean is coming to Verizon's Motorola XOOM 4G LTE. Soak test invites are currently rolling out to those enrolled in Motorola's feedback program, so this means we will soon see a larger roll out of the update to everyone who still owns the OG Android tablet. To clarify, this version of Jelly Bean is probably the 4.1 build and not the 4.2, which even Google has stated won't come for the device. Here is the invite being sent to owners.

Hi, Thanks for joining the Motorola Feedback Network. We are inviting owners of the Motorola Xoom on Verizon to participate in an early preview of a new Jelly Bean software release, and provide feedback. If you are not currently using a Verizon Xoom, please excuse and ignore this email. Click this link "link retracted" to take the enrollment survey if you wish to take part. Note that you must be a member in good standing of the Motorola Owners' Forums to be included. The registration window could close without notice so please respond as quickly as possible. This is a confidential test under the terms of the Motorola Feedback Network. Do not post any details or information about this on any public sites. Thanks -- please understand that start times are always fluid. We ask for your patience if you register but don't hear from us right away. Matt Motorola Owners’ Forums Motorola Feedback Network

Who here is still rocking the XOOM? Cheers M and J!

This Week in the Life of DROID: 5/10/2013

Tim — Fri, 10 May 2013 15:53:59 +0000

This is the last weekly recap we will do before this year's Google I/O. It's an exciting time here, so make sure you take it easy this weekend, that way you can be full of energy and enthusiasm for next week. This week, we had the twenty fourth episode of the Droid Life Show, did an awesome camera comparison between the HTC One and the Galaxy S4, gave our final Google I/O predictions, and whole bunch of other stuff. If you missed any of this week's madness, catch it all down below.

Watch: The Droid Life Show Episode 24 [Subscribe]
Camera comparison: HTC One vs. Samsung Galaxy S4
Here are our official 2013 I/O predictions.
We got another look at LG's mystery device, most likely the Optimus G2.
We went over Samsung's Animated Photo camera feature.
According to analyst, these are the specs for the refreshed Nexus 7.
Google Wallet card axed from Google I/O launch.
Video: 20 tips and tricks for the Samsung Galaxy S4
ASUS is teasing a new Transformer.
We had fun with the official Bang With Friends app.
More cities getting approved for Google Fiber.
AT&T's HTC First just $1 now on new contract.
This fully voice-automated house is sick.

Have a great weekend, everybody!

Video: Preview of Paranoid Android's HALO With Multiple Notification Support

Tim — Fri, 10 May 2013 14:30:48 +0000

The first alpha builds for Paranoid Android that have the new HALO feature baked in have been out for a week now, but one thing they seriously lacked was the ability to handle multiple notifications. Well, it appears the addition of this feature is just about ready for launch and have been previewed in a new video found on YouTube. HALO allows users to access any system app notification while inside another app. No more backing out of apps to view notifications and reply to friend's messages. Everything is handled through HALO. Once this is launched, multiple notifications will be handled with an easy swipe of your finger. Watch the video and then stand up and clap for the developers of PA. This feature looks slick. All I can say is, I want it right now. [youtube]http://youtu.be/ODo4nIm8Osw[/youtube] Cheers JetBlue!

Use the Google Now Backgrounds as Your Wallpaper With This App

Tim — Fri, 10 May 2013 13:55:14 +0000

Been looking for an easy way to bring those Google Now backgrounds to your homescreen? An app called Google Now Wallpaper lists them out as little cards and then you simply tap and apply which one you want. A feature that makes it exceptionally neat is that depending on the time of day, it will automatically switch to the evening and then night time versions as well. All of your cities and landscapes are there just like in the actual Google Now app. There is San Francisco, Austin, New York, Seattle, etc. And awesomely enough, both versions (an HD version and non-HD version) are both completely free on Google Play. Note: The apps are currently a little buggy when going back and forth through different wallpapers, but it does work. Just don't be alarmed if you experience a force close here and there while selecting which wallpaper you want. Play Link: Regular | HD Via: XDA

Friday App Sales: Wipeout, IM+ Pro, Robird Twitter Client, and More

Tim — Fri, 10 May 2013 13:20:43 +0000

It's finally Friday, but that means you will need something to keep you busy this weekend while we are out doing other things besides bringing you the latest and greatest Android news. Why not some games and apps to fill up your time? For a limited time, you can pick up a few apps that we have discussed before or try some new apps we have never heard of. You can grab Carmageddon for free which we have been hypebeasting or you can pick up Robird, a new Twtter client that looks pretty nice. Also, I highly recommend the Liquid Cloud live wallpaper which I wrote up earlier this week. It's great. Either way, you can't go wrong with app sales. Today's sales:

Carmageddon - (Promo edition)
Solar System HD Deluxe Edition - ($0.99)
CarHome Ultra Unlocker - ($1.99)
Photo Studio Pro - ($1.99)
Wipeout - ($0.99)
RadiON - ($0.99)
Strategy & Tactics: WWII - ($0.99)
IM+ Pro - ($1.99)
Giana Sisters - ($1.95)
NFL Kicker 13 - (Free)
A Liquid Cloud LWP - ($0.99)
Robird - ($0.99)

Go grab 'em!

Another Image of Mystery LG Device Appears Online, Shows Very Little Bezel

Tim — Fri, 10 May 2013 12:40:37 +0000

Twitter account @evleaks posted another image this afternoon of the mystery LG device that we have been looking at for the past week. As of right now, our money is still on the idea that this is the Optimus G2 and not Google's next Nexus, although you just can't rule anything out these days. As we can see in this image, the device has little to hardly any bezel around the large display. If we take last week's picture and place them side by side, you can see that it most certainly is the same device. The speaker matches up well and the camera is also in that same spot. While this is still not much to go on, it's exciting to see OEMs focusing on displays and bezels this year.

Thoughts? Via: @evleaks

CyanongenMod Nightlies Popping Up for HTC One GSM Variant, Oh Sweet Vanilla

Tim — Fri, 10 May 2013 12:10:08 +0000

Owners of the unlocked GSM variant of the HTC One (that means it's not locked to a carrier) can start flashing some CyanogenMod hotness. Official nightly builds are beginning to hit servers on the web, so start prepping that device. CyanogenMod will bring vanilla Android 4.2.2 with a hefty ton of customizations such as navigation bar tweaks, notification bar tweaks, and the list could go on forever. If you are sporting an unlocked HTC One, you can download the builds as soon as they hit servers here. Via: XDA Cheers Darshan Shah!

Eufloria for Android, a Relaxing Strategy Game Full of Beauty

Tim — Fri, 10 May 2013 11:35:33 +0000

While skimming Google Play, I happened upon Eufloria. I have seen it before, but the game is currently on sale for $4.99 which struck my eye. It is usually above $5, so I happened to give it a try this time. Needless to say, this game is gorgeous. It is a bit slow at first, reminding me a lot of Auralux, but once you get deeper into the game, it picks up quite nicely. You control little seedlings and the goal is to simply grow your colony. What puts it over the top in my book is the use of light colors and soft lines. The game is fun to play and you can easily get lost playing it for a while. You will be happy to know there is a demo available for those that are hesitant about dropping a Lincoln on a mobile game though. Try it out and let us know what you think. Play Link: Demo | Paid ($4.99) [youtube]http://youtu.be/SVMgbIC2D8w[/youtube]

HTC Posts New Commercials, Touts BlinkFeed Over Digging Like a Gopher

Tim — Fri, 10 May 2013 10:45:13 +0000

[youtube]http://youtu.be/3xiCUtrWfLY[/youtube]

This morning, HTC posted a couple new commercials for the One to their YouTube account. Both videos center around the helpfulness of BlinkFeed, making sure One owners don't have to go digging like gophers for status updates and tweets from friends. Yes, it's quite silly indeed. While BlinkFeed's usefulness is still in question by some, Kellen seemed to come around a bit ago to the service. It is quite helpful if browsing random news stories interests you or you need to be involved one hundred percent of time in what your friends are up to. BlinkFeed has its place and time, for sure. [youtube]http://youtu.be/dDs_yL2yj9g[/youtube] Cheers Davey Jones!

HTC One in Stealth Black and LG Optimus G Pro Now Available on AT&T

Tim — Fri, 10 May 2013 10:15:29 +0000

For those waiting patiently to snag the Stealth Black version of the HTC One on a carrier besides Sprint, you are now in luck. Starting last night, you can pick up the black model of the One right through AT&T's website, listed for the same price as the silver variant. The Stealth Black One will set you back $199.99 for the 32GB model and $299.99 for 64GB on a new two year agreement if you need that much space. Additionally, AT&T now also offers LG's newest flagship, the Optimus G Pro. This device features a 5.5" Full HD display, a 13MP camera, and a ton of software enhancements that rival the Galaxy's from Samsung. For 32GB, the G Pro will set you back $199.99 on a new two year contract. And don't worry about extra storage, since the device supports SD cards. Been waiting for either one of these? Via: AT&T

Friday Poll: What's One Feature Update You Would Like to See Most on the Nexus 7?

Tim — Fri, 10 May 2013 09:45:09 +0000

With Google I/O taking place in just a few days, it's time we talk shop about the Nexus 7. It was introduced last year during the developer conference and was met with high praise among the Android community and consumer market. It's a perfect little tablet, isn't it? Although, just like all other things, something can be made better. While it does sport an already impressive 720p display, perfect for gaming on the go, maybe a 1080p would be better in your opinion? Maybe that Tegra 3 chip should be replaced by a Snapdragon? You tell us! It is quite possible we see a Nexus 7 refresh next week at I/O, so let us know what you would like to see updated the most. [poll id="251"]

Analyst Purportedly Reveals New Nexus 7 Specs - Snapdragon S4 Pro, High-res Display, and More for $199

Kellen — Fri, 10 May 2013 09:15:39 +0000

Google has long been rumored to release an updated version of its popular Nexus 7 tablet at this year's I/O, however, specific spec details for this re-hashed tablet have mostly been scarce. Last night, details may have emerged thanks to KGI Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo. According to Kuo, the new Nexus 7 will indeed arrive at I/O next week along with a set of impressive specs, while retaining its ultra-affordable price tag. The new Nexus 7 will once again be made by Asus (no surprise there), run Android 4.3, a Snapdragon S4 Pro quad-core processor (APQ8064), sport a 7" LTPS high-res display (1920x1200), with a 5MP rear camera, HD front camera, NFC, WiFi, 4,000mAh battery, and wireless charging.

The differences from this rumored version to the current are the major bump in screen resolution (old version is 1280x800), move from NVIDIA's Tegra 3 to Qualcomm's Snapdragon S4 Pro, rear camera (since the original N7 didn't have a rear camera), slightly smaller battery, and wireless charging built in. We're also expecting the side bezel to shrink, so that the device can keep a similar shape and design while offering more screen real estate. This new Nexus 7 should stick close to the current $199 price for the base model. Does this sound like the new Nexus 7 you were all waiting for? The processor may seem somewhat ancient for mobile times, having been included in devices like the Nexus 4 last year, but the S4 Pro is no slouch and there should be plenty of power. Via: Apple Insider

Facebook Home Updated to Support HTC One and Galaxy S4, Kind of

Tim — Fri, 10 May 2013 08:52:35 +0000

In case you happen to own an HTC One or Samsung Galaxy S4 and have desperately been waiting to try out Facebook Home (woah, don't all start rushing Google Play at once), both of those devices received support for the social network's Android launcher last night through an update. The update actually took place through the official Facebook app and not the Home app, so be sure to update that one as well. After booting up Home on the One, I noticed HTC's infamous 3-dot settings bar along the bottom and immediately uninstalled. Performance seems quite nice on the Galaxy S4, but after five minutes I'm sure I'll remove it. Any takers? Play Link Cheers Chris and Kaitlin!

Google Wallet Card Reportedly on Hold, Won't Be Shown Off at I/O Next Week

Tim — Fri, 10 May 2013 08:18:43 +0000

Remember the physical Google Wallet card that was first spotted back in November? Well, according to sources of AllThingsD, that project has been pushed back after CEO Larry Page received a final demo of it last week, leaving the meeting unimpressed with the "glitchy" service. From what the source states, Page wants something that presses innovation more like Square and other startups are doing currently. Although a card is said to not be rolling out, they will be updating Wallet with new rewards, offers and loyalty points to help the service compete and stay relevant to Apple's PassBook. Even though this might be a step back for Google, we still wish the service was completely supported on Verizon and other carriers. Via: AllThingsD Cheers Open1Your1Eyes0!

Google and Instruments' Map Diving Looks Like an Awesome Skydiving Simulator

Tim — Thu, 09 May 2013 16:10:59 +0000

Next week, tech fans from all walks of life will converge in San Francisco's Moscone Center for Google I/O. On hand will be the world's latest and greatest in tech innovation, including this new one called, Map Diving. Developed by Instruments, a start up out of Portland, in partnership with Google, puts years of data gathered by the Maps and Earth teams to good use in a skydiving simulator game. It's like the 2012 I/O keynote minus Sergey Brin! Apparently it will be in SF next week while the DL team is there for I/O, so you can promise yourself that either Kellen or myself will give it a try for you! [youtube]http://youtu.be/LPW1ORZxHYw[/youtube] Via: The Verge

Tear Down Reveals American Samsung Galaxy S4 Greatly Differs International Models

Tim — Thu, 09 May 2013 15:31:54 +0000

According to a recent tear down by iSuppli, the Samsung Galaxy S4 powered by Qualcomm's Snapdragon 600 quad-core processor, which is found primarily here in the U.S., is very much different from the International models. Reported in their findings is an extra image processor, manufactured by Fujitsu, which allows the Galaxy S4 to perform some its more process-intensive tasks such as eye tracking. In the Octa core-powered variants of the device, that extra processor is not needed. Beyond using separate apps processors, the devices also use entirely different wireless, GPS, WiFi, interface, Bluetooth, and FM radio subsystems. To sum it up nicely, they say the "Korean and American versions of the Galaxy S4 are as different as kimchi and coleslaw." Very nice. While it is a downer we still don't have octa-core phones here in the States on our carriers, the Galaxy S4 with the Snapdragon 600 is still one of the fastest Android devices on the market. Nothing to cry over. Via: Computer World | iSuppli Cheers Scott!

Disney's JellyCar 3 Hits Android - It's Time to Drive to the Moon

Tim — Thu, 09 May 2013 14:40:49 +0000

Disney just launched a new game to Google Play for Android called JellyCar 3. Apparently, this game is pretty popular on iOS, but this is the first time I have ever heard of it. In the game, you create your very own adorable jelly car, then fly around through various tracks. What makes it intriguing is you can battle your friends with an online ghost mode that shows you your friend's progress along with your own. To be honest, before I knew it was made by Disney, I thought it was a joke given the looks of it. Am I the only one that has never heard of this game? Play Link ($0.99) [youtube]http://youtu.be/f8iTy12E5bs[/youtube] Cheers Bryce!

Say the Same Thing for Android, a Unique Word Game That Brings Friends Together

Tim — Thu, 09 May 2013 14:15:59 +0000

[youtube]http://youtu.be/2sP1DqyagXE[/youtube]

If you find yourself cold and alone in the universe, maybe it's time to check out Say the Same Thing. Interestingly enough, this game is from the members of the band OK Go, but that's not really what is important. In this word-based game, two players say a random word. From these two random words, you begin a journey to relate those two words to the same word. It's weird to explain, so if you get a chance to watch the promo vid, go for it. For now, users must log in using a Facebook account and then you can go ahead and challenge friends or random users. I have played a couple games and it is extremely satisfying when you and a friend finally come upon the same word. The feeling of extreme friendship. Check it out and let us know what you think. Also, try to find me! Play Link

Video: ASUS Teases Us With Possible New Transformer Tablet at Upcoming Computex Conference

Eric — Thu, 09 May 2013 13:40:38 +0000

It's been a full year since we saw the last launch of an ASUS Transformer tablet. The Infinity came out in February of last year and since then we haven't heard much from ASUS about their flagship line of Android tablets. Today though, ASUS has taken to YouTube to post a teaser for this year's Computex conference which has the tagline "We Transform." Excited?

Now, the video doesn't come out and say that a new Transformer is coming, but it is a full minute of philosophical thoughts on "innovation" and "moving forward" so it is not too much of a stretch to get to that point. Not too long ago, the Transformer series was seen as the best tablet line that Android had to offer, so it would be good to see another shot at it. The conference is only a month away, but you can bet we will hear more before that comes around.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nM41Mbo1ZdI[/youtube]

Carmageddon Arrives Early on Google Play, Go Get That Promo Version

Tim — Thu, 09 May 2013 13:00:28 +0000

Looks like someone got a little impatient and decided to push Carmageddon to Google Play a full day early. Packed with violent road rage and an amazing soundtrack (yes, Fear Factory is present), you can grab the game for free during the first 24 hours. After that, the game is $1.99 to new players. As a reminder, after the promo version reaches its time, it will be removed from Google Play and to receive updates and new content, you'll need to get the paid version. Do I need to say more? Go get it! Play Link: Promo | Paid ($1.99) [youtube]http://youtu.be/3IiSzxHfR5U[/youtube] Cheers Mike Then (Lucky Armpit)!

YouTube Unveils Paid Channel Subscription Service

Eric — Thu, 09 May 2013 12:34:34 +0000

YouTube took to their blog today to announce a subscription-based model of monetization on some of their biggest channels. Everyone take a deep breath, the world is not ending. Now that we have all calmed down, let's look at this rationally. YouTube's post mentions that they were approached by many of their already money-making partners and asked for different ways to monetize and distribute content. Starting today with a select few channels, paid monthly subscriptions have come to YouTube.

Each channel comes with a two week free trial of the channel so you can decide if you want to lay down real money for the content. Prices range from $0.99 per month up to $5.99 per month. These channels will obviously be pushing quality content fairly often. For example, the Sesame Street channel will start posting full episodes to their collection and the UFC channel will host classic fights along with their newer ones.

Once you pay for a channel, it is linked to your Google account so you can watch it from your computer, TV, tablet or phone. YouTube says they will be rolling out more paid channels over the next few weeks so this is just the beginning from what it looks like.

Thoughts?

Via: YouTube

AT&T Samsung Galaxy Camera Receiving Update to Android 4.1.2, Build Number GC100UCAMD4

Tim — Thu, 09 May 2013 12:05:20 +0000

It appears AT&T and Samsung are teaming up to push out Android 4.1.2 to the Galaxy Camera this week. The new build number is GC100UCAMD4 and brings a few stability fixes and other camera firmware enhancements. As far as I can see, there is no official changelog posted from either Samsung or AT&T (don't you just love that?) so until we find one, we don't know much.

If you have a Galaxy Camera through AT&T, go grab it! The update is 190MB in size.

OUYA Receives $15 Million in Additional Funding, Shifts Launch Date Back Anyway

Eric — Thu, 09 May 2013 11:30:15 +0000

The Kickstarter darling OUYA is slowly starting to trickle into the hands of people who backed them early on in their development. Today in a blog post, they announced that through an additional round of funding, that they have raked in another $15 million that they plan on dumping into, "increasing production to meet our demand" and other development. However, shortly after saying that, they also announced that the retail launch date of the OUYA will be pushed back. "The demand we're seeing from gamers and our retailers is beyond our expectations," they write, so the retail launch of the console is being pushed back to June 25th. It seems that this new $15 million in funding will go into ramping up production after the launch of the console instead of before. Only a bit more of a wait before we can get this Android-powered gaming console in our hands, but we will keep you updated as the launch gets closer. Via: OUYA

Falcon Pro Updated With New Font, Action Bar Placement Settings and More

Tim — Thu, 09 May 2013 10:55:51 +0000

Today, Falcon Pro got a nice update to version 1.9. Inside, you will find a brand new font (although it's still Roboto-based), position holding for lists, and the awesome option to set the action bar on the bottom of the display. Along with the new features, there were some bugs that needed squashing, including the one where the DashClock extension wasn't refreshing. Consider it now squashed. Falcon Pro has become a dominant 3rd party Twitter app and you still haven't picked it up, you should do so soon. What's New:

Sexy font (still Roboto based)
Position holding in Lists
Load up to 1000 tweets / refresh
Option to set the action bar on the bottom. Good for large screens.
Load older tweets
Inline Droplr previews
Option to set a different refresh rate for mentions/interactions
Options to control cache

Let us know if you are using Falcon Pro or still can't give up the stock Twitter app. Play Link ($1.96)

AT&T Launches Aio Wireless Subsidy, "a First-Class Wireless Experience at a Value Price"

Eric — Thu, 09 May 2013 10:22:03 +0000

It seems T-Mobile has kicked off the race to supply customers with new ways to finance their carriers with their UN-carrier brand that does away with phone subsidies. AT&T wants to get in on the fun by announcing a new subsidy named Aio (pronounced A-O). The new pay-as-you-go carrier offers a few mid-range smartphones, but encourages that you bring your own, and unlimited (albiet throttled) data all for pretty cheap. Plans start as low as $35 and go up to $70 for phones and $15 for tablets. Those prices will be getting you 4 Mbps download even if the area can offer more, can't pay these low of prices and hog the whole network. There are a few smartphones from Samsung and ZTE you can choose from, but Android junkies will be flocking to their carrier with their unlocked GSM phones that they already own. Unfortunately, the only markets going live today are in Houston, Orlando and Tampa with a larger roll out expected later this year. We know that a lot of readers have expressed interest in pre-paid options, so does this sound like a good alternative to you?

Aio Wireless™ Announces New Nationwide Voice and Data Service No-annual-contract wireless provider kicks off new service with launch in first three markets
Alpharetta, Georgia, May 09, 2013 - Today Aio Wireless announced the launch of a new nationwide wireless service for consumers interested in a first-class wireless experience at a value price, without an annual contract. Aio provides new choices, seamless customer experience, and simplified service and offerings to value-conscious customers interested in an unlimited talk/text/data plan with no annual contract. Aio expects the service to roll out in multiple markets across the U.S. over the next year, with an initial launch today in select stores in Houston, Orlando and Tampa, and with additional stores in these three markets opening in the coming weeks. Store locations and Aio information will be available starting later this morning atwww.aiowireless.com. Aio (pronounced “A-O”) is a brand name that encapsulates Aio’s brand promise: simply, delightfully, more. “We talked with no-annual-contract customers and created our service around what they want. They want simple, easy plan choices with unlimited offers; first-class service at affordable prices; great devices; nationwide voice and data coverage; and no annual contracts. Today’s wireless customers don't want to compromise,” said Jennifer Van Buskirk, president of Aio Wireless. “We are set up to win over value-conscious customers who are increasingly moving towards smartphones and mobile broadband.” Aio makes prepaid wireless easy for customers with a friendly in-store and on-line experience, three simple rate plans to choose from, and an attractive portfolio of devices that include smartphones, tablets, and feature phones from a variety of manufacturers, including Samsung, Nokia, ZTE and others. Aio’s unlimited talk, text, and data rate plans range from $35 to $70 per month, with pricing varying by market, and will offer 4G download speeds of up to 4Mbs per second. Customers will also have the opportunity to bring a compatible, unlocked device for activation on the Aio network. Aio will delight customers with an attitude of gratitude, easy pre-payment options, and an involvement in the local communities in which we serve. Aio Wireless is a subsidiary of AT&T Inc. AT&T does not expect this announcement to change AT&T’s January 2013 financial guidance. Aio’s plan pricing includes applicable state and local taxes, and fees. Each unlimited plan includes a pre-established amount of high speed data access, and service is subject to Aio’s Terms and Conditions of Service and Unreasonable Use Policy. Coverage and services are not available everywhere. Restrictions apply. © 2013 Aio Wireless LLC. All rights reserved. Aio, Aio Wireless and the Aio logo are trademarks of Aio Wireless LLC. About Aio Wireless Aio Wireless (pronounced A-O) was created for today's value-conscious connected consumers who want it all. We created a new class of service for individuals who expect a first class wireless service at a value price - one with no-annual contract, friendly service, uncomplicated plans and the mobile phones and tablets you love. All of Aio’s phone plans include unlimited talk, text and data, with taxes and fees included - the price you see is the price you pay. Aio Wireless is a subsidiary of AT&T Inc. Visit www.aiowireless.com to find out more.

Flipboard for Android Updated to Version 2.0, Time to Make Your Own Magazine

Tim — Thu, 09 May 2013 09:56:40 +0000

This morning, Flipboard received a major update to version 2.0 on Google Play. Inside the update is a gang of new features, including the ability to save content into your very own public magazine which others can subscribe to. If you choose, your magazine can also be made private, just in case you aren't in the sharing mood. You can also share magazines via email and social networks, that way your "work" can reach as many people as possible. Beyond the creation of your own shareable magazines, the search feature got a a face lift and is now "front and center" throughout the application. What's New:

Collect and save content into your own magazines, tap the “+” button to begin
Your magazines are public, but can be made private
Integrated Android share: add content from the Gallery & other apps to your magazines
Bookmarklet to add items to your magazines from a browser
Get notifications when people like, comment or subscribe to your magazines
Share magazines via email or social networks
Personalized recommendations for more to read
Search is now front & center, with improved results

Play Link Cheers Damian!

Samsung Intros SideSync App, Allows Phone and PC to Work as One

Tim — Thu, 09 May 2013 09:18:11 +0000

[youtube]http://youtu.be/HVvczhM5KxI[/youtube]

Today, Samsung is showing off SideSync, a new way for your Galaxy device and PC to work in tandem. Once you hook your Galaxy up to a PC with the software and app installed, your device then becomes an extension of the PC, allowing you to access certain device features from the PC and vice versa. For example, if you are working on a Word doc on the PC, then need to leave the Starbucks, you can simply drag and drop the file onto your phone and make your escape. The app is available through the Samsung Apps app found on your Samsung device, so go check it out. As a reminder, you will need to have a Samsung account to download it, so make sure to get one of those. Samsung Apps Link Via: SammyHub

BlueStacks Announces GamePop, an Android Gaming Console With a Subscription Service

Tim — Thu, 09 May 2013 08:41:10 +0000

The company known for bringing Android games to your Mac and PC, BlueStacks, announced today that they are now in the hardware business. Introducing GamePop, a new Android-powered game console, capable of bringing 500+ top Android titles to your big screen TV. What makes GamePop different from other Android game consoles is that GamePop comes coupled with a subscription service. For $6.99 a month, users can access any game they choose from the available selection inside the GamePop market place. The console is available for pre-order starting today through the BlueStacks website. Interestingly, when you pre-order the bundled system and subscription, they give you the console and controller for free, but you do have to pay the subscription service at time of checkout. This deal is only available through May, so if GamePop interests you, start doing your research. Currently, there is no word on what the console's price without the deal is. Is another Android-powered gaming console something we need? [youtube]http://youtu.be/Oa1slWmNHA0[/youtube]

BlueStacks Announces GamePop, Brings Famous Mobile Games to TV

Mobile gaming comes to the living room via new product, service; several top developers on board
Palo Alto, CA May 9, 2013 – Mobile company BlueStacks today announced a new gaming console and subscription service called GamePop. The system includes a custom console and gaming controller free as part of the $6.99 per month service for May pre-orders only. This marks the first time a gaming console has been offered free with a subscription. The company recently passed 10 million users of its App Player software, which allows mobile games to be played on Mac or PC. BlueStacks has also announced content deals today with several top game developers for the new platform, including Glu Mobile, Halfbrick, and OutFit7 - makers of the popular Talking Tom series. "BlueStacks has credibility in the microconsole space that others just don't have," said Shainiel Deo, CEO of Halfbrick. "We've been a featured partner in App Player since early on and they've delivered on every promise in terms of distribution. GamePop is a great incremental channel for us." Other Google app-makers with the coveted “Top Developer” badge coming on the platform include the #1 kids app-maker Intellijoy, as well as Deemedya, Chinese wunderkind Droidhen and many more yet to be announced. “Mobile gaming has been taking off the past few years. BlueStacks' vision is to bring that same experience to bigger screens,” said BlueStacks CEO, Rosen Sharma. The all-you-can-eat pricing model for GamePop lets users enjoy a much broader range of games, just as you can watch more movies with Netflix versus the pay-as-you-go model Blockbuster employed." “Mobile gamers continue to show higher levels of engagement and longer play sessions on larger form factors,” said Glu CEO, Niccolo de Masi. “BlueStacks and GamePop offer developers like Glu an opportunity to potentially reach a new audience of gamers with great 3D, high-production value content. We see significant potential in BlueStacks’ approach to the console gaming market.” Developers keep all of the in-app purchases that run through their apps with GamePop - BlueStacks does not take any share. Additionally, 50% of GamePop subscription revenue will be shared back with developers, apportioned by usage. BlueStacks plans to market GamePop subscriptions directly from GamePop.tv, which went live today. Their main site, BlueStacks.com the company announced for the first time today clocks 1.6 million unique visitors every month and growing. GamePop will also be featured on BlueStacks’ Facebook page, where they maintain a community of 1.2 million fans.

Google's Official I/O Companion App Updated For 2013

Tim — Thu, 09 May 2013 08:04:18 +0000

Last night, the official Google I/O application was updated for the 2013 year. Inside, there are a ton of great new goodies, including the ability to scan attendees apps via NFC, a lockscreen widget (Android 4.2+), dedicated HDMI out for livestreaming the keynote, and a whole lot more. The app is extremely polished, as one would hope for I/O, so if you happen to be going to the conference next week or will be watching the festivities from home, check it out on Google Play. What's New:

Scan attendee badges via NFC
Schedule changes are immediately synchronized between devices
Lock screen widget for viewing your agenda on the go
Vector-based maps with session info
Dedicated HDMI video output for livestreams
Automatic WiFi setup for attendees
Off-site attendee mode for livestream-only viewers
Use Google+ for login
Support for viewing Office Hours sessions
Improved support for devices with RTL locales

Play Link Via: +Roman Nurik

The Droid Life Show: Episode 24

Kellen — Thu, 09 May 2013 00:38:46 +0000

It's time once again for The Droid Life Show! On this week's show, which happens to be episode 24, we're talkin' all sorts of Google I/O. We've got rumors to toss out, other speculation, and even team predictions since one week from now, we'll be in San Francisco trying to absorb all that Google has thrown at us. After we get done with I/O, we want to talk Google Glass, and how the team and DL community are reacting to what seems to be non-stop, over-the-top coverage of it. (Are you still interested in Glass or not?) Then, we'll do our typical app chatter, likely mention the HTC One and Galaxy S4 a few times, and see what other kinds of trouble we can cause. The show kicks off around 6:00PM Pacific (9:00PM Eastern). A live video broadcast and chat are embedded below.

Subscribe | iTunes | Show Page

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RJUTj3OFncU[/youtube]

It's Going Down: The Droid Life Show Episode 24 Happens Tonight at 6PM PST

Tim — Wed, 08 May 2013 20:00:21 +0000

Tonight is the night - the Droid Life Show is back in action for episode 24 at 6PM Pacific time. Given that we have Google I/O next week (OMG!), you can expect us to catch up on which announcement we might be looking forward to the most or at least hoping for. Along with I/O talk, we will be discussing this year's flagship devices some more (Tato has a new cult), why folks are just not feeling Google Glass, along with this week's picks for apps and games. It's going to be a wild one! Again, the show begins at 6:00PM Pacific (9:00PM Eastern). We’ll have live video and chat embeds at that time. If you are unable to join us live, be sure to subscribe so that you can still catch every episode. And don't forget to check out last week's episode before tonight's shenanigans happen.

Subscribe | iTunes | Show Page

Camera Comparison: HTC One vs. Samsung Galaxy S4

Tim — Wed, 08 May 2013 16:15:41 +0000

Not that we have been avoiding it, but we felt the time was right to do a bare bones breakdown of the cameras found on the top two Android devices on the market right now, the HTC One and the Samsung Galaxy S4. What makes both of these cameras unique is that on paper, both are basically complete opposites. The Galaxy S4 features a whopping 13MP sensor while HTC employed a "Ultrapixel" camera inside the One, which is actually a 4MP sensor. At first, the idea of having a 4MP camera in a 2013 flagship device threw some people off, but HTC seems to know what they were doing. Down below, we cut the crap and just give you a side-by-side comparison of both cameras in everyday real-life scenarios. Seemed like the best way to do this type of thing, considering that this is not a photography blog. We hit the low light, the macro, the video tests, and more.

Samsung Galaxy S4 (left) vs. HTC One (right)

The macro: This wouldn't be a Droid Life comparison if we weren't taking close ups of something. You will see a reoccurring trend throughout this comparison that the HTC One (right) gives off a much warmer vibe than the Galaxy S4 (left). We have seen that on their previous Samsung devices, so it isn't much of a shocker, but what they do have going for them is that the S4 focuses on subjects that are extremely close with relative ease in comparison to the One. In fact, I found myself tapping the display to focus on the Galaxy S4 just once or twice to get the perfect close up, while I had to tap on the One more than five times to get it focus. While both take close ups rather well, the Galaxy S4 would probably win this one due to its high rate of consistency and attention to detail. The One definitely gives off much better color though, once it actually focuses.

Color: As I mention, the HTC One (right) does have a tendency to give off brighter and warmer colors in the right circumstances. Although, when deliberately trying to find some well-lit and colorful areas, the Galaxy S4 (left) excelled. The GS4 brought together a perfect union between sharp lines and details, with well-rounded color balance. The blues were blue and the reds were red. Both cameras score well in this section and when you are out on a brightly-lit day and you have a subject as adorable as Loki, I hope your phone can take a decent picture as well.

Low-light: According to HTC, the camera found in the One (right) lets in 300% more light than your average smartphone camera. If the pictures below are evidence, I would say they are about right on that one. The Galaxy S4 (left) struggles immensely with focusing in the low light settings, so this point goes to the HTC One everyday of the week. The One, in low light, gives an image that more resembles what your eyes see rather than a dark shadowy image that we see from the Galaxy S4. Big bonus points to HTC for their work on the low lighting scenarios.

Out and about: On your typical outings, it is really hard to say which phone I would rather have to snap pictures with. The HTC One (right) produces well-lit images with warmer colors than the Galaxy S4 (left), but on the other hand, the GS4 produces extremely crisp pictures, full of detail. Plus, given the added size of the pictures taken on the Galaxy S4 with the 13MP sensor, much more detail is added in and the ability to zoom in without seeing fuzz is an added bonus. If this comparison was based on a point system, both devices would get a point in this category. They are both dependable, versatile, and produce pictures that are worthy of sharing with friends and family.

1080p Videos samples: Both videos look fantastic. It is a bright and warm day and the grass is super green. I have a model named Loki and as you can see, he's loving the spotlight. Points to both phones for some fantastic HD videos. [youtube]http://youtu.be/FDaxDpsZw1E[/youtube] [youtube]http://youtu.be/bRLBtc74xH4[/youtube] Wrap-up: To sum it up, both devices, whether you care about how many megapixels your phone has or not, are great. From my experience, the Galaxy S4 is better for taking higher quality images that you would like to later edit and publish online. As for the HTC One, it is probably the perfect phone for someone that is addicted to Instagram. The pictures are clear, full of color, and perfect for someone that doesn't need extreme detail. Each device has their highs and lows. While the HTC One shows dominance in the lowly-lit category, it struggles to focus on closeups and the detail just isn't there like you would hope in some shots. The Galaxy S4 shows extreme command in a variety of circumstances, but with a lack of color and rich tones, some of those highly detailed shots end up looking lifeless. Your lifestyle will greatly determine which device you should choose if the camera is a main focal point. If you can, try them all out and see what fits your best.

Google Earth Update Introduces Street View and New User Interface

Kellen — Wed, 08 May 2013 15:33:31 +0000

Google Earth, Google's other mapping application, received a solid update this afternoon to version 7.1.1. After the update, you will be able to drop all of the way down into Street View, use improved directions (better visuals) and search (quicker), and navigate the app more easily thanks to a slideout navigation menu from the left side. I have to admit that it has been years since I played around with Google Earth. I don't know if it's from this update or what, but it has come a long way. It always used to be so clunky and irrelevant, however, I could see myself diving into some Earthy details from time to time now that it works this well. The changelog:

Google Maps Street View: With Street View, you can explore the world at street level.
Improved directions/search: Updated directions let you can visualize transit, walk, bike and drive directions in 3D while update search result list will let you browse search results quickly.
Improved interface: Easily browse and enable different layers through use of new left hand pane

Play Link

Video: HTC Sense 5.1 and Android 4.2.2 Leak for the Butterfly

Kellen — Wed, 08 May 2013 15:16:03 +0000

An Android 4.2.2 build that features Sense 5.1 has leaked for the HTC Butterfly. The entire dump is actually available for download if you'd like to start playing around with it. I know I'm curious to see if devs can do anything with it for the HTC One and DROID DNA (brother phone of the Butterfly), though there are no guarantees that that will happen. In this new build, the Android version is blocked, but you can tell from the secondary notification shade with quick toggles that it's at least 4.2. In HTC's version of the toggle panel, we're seeing a quick setting for brightness along with the standard shortcut for Settings. After that, you have WiFi, Bluetooth, Airplane mode, Power Saver, Auto Rotate, Data, Sound profiles, Hotspot,and Screenshot shortcuts. Other than this panel, it's tough to tell what other things differ from the current Sense 5.0 and Android 4.1.2. Will we get lock screen widgets? With notifications handle better with one-finger swipes? This is one of those situations where the video below isn't giving us all of the answers, so we'll have to see what devs can come up with. If anything, this should at least mean that a 4.2.2 update with new Sense is on the way to the DNA, though we'd be surprised if that landed before 4.2.2 for the One.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E99w8MHOavg[/youtube]

Via: RootzWiki | XDA Cheers Andrew!

Apex Launcher Sees Update to Version 2.0 - Badge Style Options and Folders in the App Drawer Included

Kellen — Wed, 08 May 2013 14:24:51 +0000

Apex Launcher, one of the most popular apps on Android, received a major update this afternoon to version 2.0. In the update for the free version, users will see options to tweak vibration durations, an improved wallpaper picker, a re-organized settings menu, updated translations, and various fixes and other improvements. If you own the Pro version ($3.99), you'll have access to folders in the app drawer, integration with Apex Notifier, and style options for notification badges. Again, it's a solid update for one of the top launchers in the game. Full changelog:

Folders in the app drawer (pro)
Integration with Apex Notifier※ (pro)
Notification badge style options (pro)
Default on for external notifiers (pro)
Added vibration duration option
Improved activity picker and wallpaper chooser
Re-organized and improved settings menu
Disabled auto update checks by default
Removed permissions for notifications
Various fixes and improvements
Updated translations
Apex Notifier is an extension app that also supports DashClock (Android 4.2+).

Play Links: Apex Launcher | Pro ($3.99)

Update for US Cellular's Samsung Galaxy S4 on the Way as Build R970VXUAMDL

Kellen — Wed, 08 May 2013 13:23:08 +0000

After updates for the AT&T, T-Mobile, and Sprint variants of the Samsung Galaxy S4 started pushing out over the last couple of days, US Cellular has decided to join the party. In the update that is scheduled for this month (around May 10), phones will jump to build number R970VXUAMDL. The update also includes a SIM lock, improved "ghost" touch, a camera fix, new version of the S Health app, and improved audio quality when recording video. The full changelog can be found below. One thing we are certainly confused about, is the fact that this document says the update will be Android 4.1.2. Unless I'm mistaken, all Galaxy S4 models (including this one) should have launched with 4.2.2, so that must be a type-o.

MS Exchange e-mail is opened and fonts are either too large or too small
SIM Lock Feature – Inserting a non-USCC SIM will be blocked and “Invalid SIM” message will be displayed
Camera – When you press home key in Sound & Shoot mode you will see message but no sound would play
Improved “Ghost Touch / Glove Touch” response
Multi-View – Changed default setting to OFF
Video content with Watch On/ Samsung app that was deleted was not becoming as FREE space to user unless device was rebooted.
S Health app upgraded to version 1.5.4.5
Camcorder & Voice Recording – Improve the audio quality by improving recording s/w parameters

The update can be downloaded by going into Settings >> About Phone >> Software Update.

iFixit Gives OUYA the Teardown Treatment, Finds the Small Console Fixes Up Easy

Eric — Wed, 08 May 2013 12:30:23 +0000

It is like a cycle - a new mobile device comes out and first comes the drop test and screen scratch videos. After that comes the inevitable teardown from the guys over at iFixit which, unlike the first two examples, are actually interesting and useful. Now that OUYA units are actually starting to ship out to more eager developers, we get to see how the OUYA is put together and how easy it is to fix. As usual, the iFixit technicians get their tools and take every part of the console apart to give us their opinion on how easy the overall process is. On a scale of 1-10, 10 being the easiest, the OUYA scored a 9 which is a pretty good score. The only problems that iFixit ran into was a soldered heat sink and joysticks, both for the sake of strength in such a small console. This is good news for gamers who have a tendency to rage. If you kick the tiny console across the room, it won't take too long to get it fixed, depending on how many pieces it is in.

Via: iFixit

Video: A Liquid Cloud Live Wallpaper is Gorgeous

Tim — Wed, 08 May 2013 12:04:49 +0000

Yep, it's true, we have an addiction to live wallpapers. The newest one we have found is called A Liquid Cloud and it is currently on sale for $0.99 through Google Play. With A Liquid Cloud, you can choose between preset themes or even create your own unique theme, each of which can be suited to whatever type of theme you would like on your device. There are plenty of custom enhancements you can do to make the wallpaper act differently when touched, plus you can change the look of the actual cloud themselves, too. For a buck, you can't go wrong with this one. Play Link: Free | Full ($0.99) [youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dKc765kpuIs[/youtube]

CM 10.1 Reaches Release Candidate Status, Builds Starting to Hit Servers Already

Eric — Wed, 08 May 2013 11:31:25 +0000

Since Android 4.1 Jelly Bean hit almost a year ago, we haven't heard the words "Release Candidate" used in terms of a CyanogenMod ROM. That doesn't mean they aren't polished and well developed, but the team hasn't gone so far to make any builds a Release Candidate, until today.

In their blog post, the CM team says that this is "one of (if not the last) milestone releases" before a final build of CM 10.1 is finished. Release Candidate builds are not Final ones, but you can generally expect most bugs to be squashed and to have a polished ROM that can easily serve as your daily driver. The list of devices to receive this build is long, so to check if your phone is on it hit the link below.

Via: CyanogenMod

Cheers Albert!

Grandview, Missouri Gets Approved For Google Fiber

Tim — Wed, 08 May 2013 11:10:12 +0000

An area called Grandview in South Kansas City, Missouri received approval yesterday for Google Fiber. The city's board voted to bring the service to their town, but much like every other city that is getting approval, we don't know when exactly roll out could take place. Google says they still have lots of planning and engineering to do first, so it could be quite a while. Let us congratulate the newest members of our American population to be graced with Google's Fiber service. Hey Google, I hear Portland would be totally awesome with Fiber. Via: Google Fiber Blog

Official Bang With Friends App Hits Google Play, Could Lead to Some Interesting Rendezvous

Tim — Wed, 08 May 2013 10:05:36 +0000

For the sake of science and journalism or whatever you want to call this, I downloaded the official Bang With Friends application that just launched on Google Play for Android. If you are not familiar, BWF is a website where you can anonymously list who of your Facebook friends you would like to hook up with. If that person happens to use BWF too, then mark that they would also like to hang out, then you will both be notified. Unless each of you list that you either want to "hang" or "bang," neither party will be notified that one another is creeping. Pretty interesting, right? So the official app is now on Google Play, although it is experiencing some server issues currently. When it does work though, the app is silky smooth, following Android design guidelines quite well, with a menu bar on the side and full swipe navigation throughout. It's actually pretty hot. If you are into this kind of thing, go grab it and have some fun. Play Link

Verizon Hosting "Red Hot Deal Days" - RAZR MAXX HD for $150, RAZR M for Free, Galaxy S3 for $99 and More

Kellen — Wed, 08 May 2013 09:57:00 +0000

Verizon is currently hosting a "Red Hot Deal Days" event from today through May 12 (this Sunday), so if you were in the market for a new Big Red smartphone, now wouldn't be a bad time to look. Well, assuming you aren't interested in the Galaxy S4, since that won't be out until May 30. But if the GS4 isn't on your radar, you'll find deals on the RAZR MAXX HD and regular RAZR HD, RAZR M, Incredible 4G LTE, Blackberry Z10 (hah!), and more. The DROID line is headlining this show, with the RAZR MAXX HD at $149 on contract, RAZR HD at $49, and RAZR M and Incredible 4G LTE for free. The Samsung Galaxy S3 (16GB model) is also there for $99 on new 2-year contract. Keep in mind that Amazon will beat almost all of these prices, starting with the RAZR MAXX HD at $99 on contract. Via: Verizon Cheers Adam!

HTC First Now Only $0.99 For New and Upgrading Customers, Are You Intrigued?

Eric — Wed, 08 May 2013 09:39:59 +0000

We know that many of the readers here are not huge fans of Facebook, but today, AT&T lowered the price of the HTC First, otherwise known as the Facebook phone. When it launched it was $99.99, but it is now down to only $0.99 if you are upgrading or a new customer. The phone features Facebook Home, a whole new take on what a smartphone can do, but underneath that it runs perfectly stock Android 4.1.2. For $0.99 can you really get a better stock Android device?

The First comes with AT&T's LTE network built in and features a Snapdragon 400 dual-core processor, not the biggest chip, but when running stock Android you don't need that much power. A 720p display and 1GB of RAM make this a serious contender for anyone looking for a good Android device on AT&T.

That being said, does this interest you for only a dollar?

Via: AT&T

AT&T Lights Up a Batch of New 4G LTE Markets

Tim — Wed, 08 May 2013 09:07:31 +0000

This morning, AT&T announced a gang of new cities that will sport their 4G LTE network. From what we have seen (just last week as an example), Big Blue is doubling down on getting LTE into as many cities as possible, as quickly as possible. Down below is the list of new cities. New Markets:

Beeville, Texas
Saginaw, Michigan
Bay City, Michigan
Monroeville, Alabama
Evergreen, Alabama
Vieques, Puerto Rico
Aberdeen, Washington
Hoquiam, Washington
Ocean City, Washington
Ocean Shores, Washington
Huntington, WV
Ashland, KY
Cookeville , Tennessee
McMinnville, Tennessee
Frankfort, Kentucky
Sedalia, Missouri
Manhattan, Kansas
Palestine, Texas
Jacksonville, Texas
Warrensburg, Missouri

Via: AT&T

Bad Piggies Gets "Rise and Swine" Update, Includes 15 New Levels and 2 New Items

Tim — Wed, 08 May 2013 08:31:36 +0000

[youtube]http://youtu.be/II6l8ftMai4[/youtube]

Have you been craving some new Bad Piggie levels? Well, apparently Rovio finally made some time for this title, adding in 15 brand new levels along with 2 new items, suction cup wheels (which sound funny) and boxing glove boosts. Both look and sound ridiculous, but look quite fun to use. What's New:

15 new sun-drenched levels!
Climb walls with the new suction cup gadget!
Punch your way to victory with the new spring-loaded Boxing Glove!
Go crazy in an all-new sandbox!

Full disclosure, I am garbage at this game. Now go have fun. Play Link

Google Maps Overhaul Coming to the Web, Bye Bye Sidebar

Kellen — Wed, 08 May 2013 08:05:43 +0000

According to the folks at Google Operating System, Google Maps (the browser version) is about to get a major overhaul. The two images we have included in this post are reportedly screenshots of what the new interface will look like. As you can see, it's a more full-screened experience, without the traditional sidebar for directions and search results. Results return on-screen and can even be tied to Google+ Circle recommendations (think friends' restaurant recommendations). The color scheme has also been updated to match the style of the iOS Gmail app. When first seeing this look, my mind - as it always does - ran to, "When is the mobile overhaul coming?!" But in reality, this is sort of how the mobile version of Maps works already, at least on bigger screens. You already get a full-screen experience because there is less screen real estate to work with in general on mobile devices. With that said, the look does come off as a bit more Google Now-ish, something we have seen from a number of Google apps over the last year. So in that sense, there is a chance that the mobile version is updated to at least match this look. This new version of Google Maps isn't live yet, but with Google I/O happening next week in San Francisco, don't be surprised if it's here before long. Even though I use mobile devices constantly throughout the day, I find myself using the web version of Google Maps quite often and am definitely excited to see a UI overhaul. Anyone else?

Via: Google Operating System

Galaxy S4's "Animated Photo" GIF Camera Feature is Actually Kind of Awesome

Kellen — Tue, 07 May 2013 17:10:15 +0000

The Samsung Galaxy S4 probably has too many features (not necessarily a bad thing). There are so many that our review couldn't possibly cover them all, nor have we had a chance to use each individual addition to TouchWiz after having the phone for almost a month. It's just not possible to use them all in every day life. With that said, some of these will come in handy from time to time, especially when it involves the camera. Who doesn't love an animated GIF? Should you enter the camera of the Galaxy S4, you'll find a new feature called "Animated Photo." This feature has one purpose, to create amazing animated GIFs without having to touch a computer. When in use, Animated Photo records 5-10 seconds of footage at a resolution of 800x450. Once completed, you have the ability to loop the GIF, change the direction it animates, freeze specific areas that you don't want to animate, highlight others that you do want active, and even trim it down to the best parts.

I'm sure you are coming up with all sorts of ways to take advantage of this, right? There is one major downside though, that I've already come across - the files can be upwards of 8.5MB when finished. That's massive, and incredibly tough to share with anything other than a computer or other superphone. Still, pretty fun. For those who already picked up the device, we'd love to see yours.

Example

(Click image or this link to see it in action.)

I posted another one over at our Google+ page too. Cheers Arjun!

Google+ Hangouts Receive Much Needed Update, Finally No More Refreshing

Tim — Tue, 07 May 2013 16:43:56 +0000

Today, Google pushed an update to the Hangouts feature of their social network, Google+. Included in the update are a few features that I'm sure plenty of you have been screaming for, so get ready to celebrate. The biggest addition to us is that you will no longer need to refresh a page after a broadcast starts. Once the Hangout goes live, it will start playing on your device. It's about time, Google! Beyond that, you can now rewind live broadcasts as they air, will no longer need to wait a bit after your Hangout to see it live on YouTube, and Hangouts On Air should look better on mobile devices thanks to improvements. Changelog:

Rewind live broadcasts. Regardless when you start watching, you can always go back to the beginning. Access recordings immediately after your broadcast. Once you're no longer On Air, your recording will be waiting for you on YouTube. Watch higher quality Hangouts On Air on the go. If you're tuning in from your mobile device, you'll notice better-looking video. Start live broadcasts without having to refresh. When you visit a page with a Hangout On Air (like Events or YouTube), the video will begin playing as soon as the show starts -- no refresh required.

What's great is that this changelog will greatly impact The Droid Life Show, so we are happy to test out these new features tomorrow night during episode 24! Via: Google+

Google I/O 2013 Predictions, Speculation, and Rumors: New Nexus Q, Android 4.3, Chrome Dongle, New Gmail, and More

Kellen — Tue, 07 May 2013 15:22:51 +0000

Google I/O 2013 is next week. Hard to believe, right? It seems like only a few weeks ago that we were freaking out as the Nexus 7, Nexus Q and Jelly bean (Android 4.1) were all being unveiled through Google Play as we were entering the day 1 keynote of 2012's I/O. But here we are, almost a year removed from that event and six months out from Google's cancelled winter event that was supposed to feature the Nexus 4, Nexus 10, new version of Jelly Bean (Android 4.2), and an updated HSPA+ version of the Nexus 7. So as we approach next week, we thought we should drop some of our own predictions, include a few rumors that are floating about, and even a few whispers that have entered our inbox over the last week or so. Ready? Here is our list of Google I/O predictions.

New Nexus Q: We've talked a lot about the return of the Nexus Q on various DL Shows, because we all love the idea that it could become something phenomenal. As you all know though, the Nexus Q was announced at I/O last year, then essentially killed off weeks later before it ever shipped to anyone. Google realized it had either half-assed the product or that it really was lacking any sort of real functionality that could justify its steep price. So is it going to return? Sources of ours have led us to believe that it is indeed returning, only this time with an emphasis on gaming. Details are scarce, so we aren't sure if it'll take the OUYA approach or be something different altogether. There is also a chance that the hardware changes to be more cube-like, however, I hope that it doesn't. I personally love the hardware of last year's Nexus Q.
Gaming Center: Proof of an Android-powered gaming center surfaced a couple of weeks ago through a teardown of the Google Glass .apk, so we're pretty sure this is happening. We're talking in-game chat, lobbies, leaderboards, and achievements across all of your Android devices. At this point, we'd be surprised if this new gaming center doesn't show up, especially after seeing the Google I/O sessions list which talk about "developments in mobile gaming." If the Nexus Q information we received is also on point, a gaming center would fit nicely into that type of hardware.
Android 4.3: There have been zero signs that Android 5.0 is on the verge of a release. Reports across the tech blog world (including our analytics) show only that an Android 4.3 exists. It'll likely still be Jelly Bean, just like Android 4.2 was. So what happened to Key Lime Pie? Your guess is as good as anyone's at this point. I'm sure it'll be here, but for now, life is with Jelly Bean.
Babel: Google Babel is the new unified chat service from the search giant that we have been leading the charge on in terms of coverage. We were the first to report the name "Babel," provide the feature list for it, give an idea as to which of Google's services it'll take the place of, and which platforms it'll launch on. From what we understand, it's definitely on the way. While we can't confirm that it will for sure launch at I/O, how could it not? Google's developer event is the perfect place to launch a new unified chat service. Keep in mind that another insider is reporting that it may actually launch publicly as Hangouts.
New Gmail: According to an insider who has taken a liking to The Verge's forums, Gmail will get an overhaul and launch at Google I/O. It'll be "Holofied" with a slideout navigation panel. I'd assume that means it'll look a lot like Gmail for iOS, which we have been waiting some time for. Actually, I wouldn't be surprised if it was improved even over the iOS version.
Wearable Tech (Google Watch, Glass, etc.): Do we even need to mention that Google Glass is going to be everywhere at I/O this year? It's a given, right? OK, moving on. We have seen rumors suggesting that a Google smartwatch is in development by the Android team. While I can't say for sure that we'll see this at I/O (thinking more holiday season), I'm pretty certain they are indeed working on Google Watch with NFC built in.
Chrome Dongle: Chrome OS will most certainly have another major presence at I/O once again this year, but the big question is, "In what form?" How does a Chrome dongle sound? I'm envisioning a product similar to those Android-on-a-stick drives, only this would contain Chrome OS and be plug-able to almost anything. I'd imagine that this would also be an insanely cheap way for Google to push Chrome OS, even more so than their ultra-affordable Chromebooks. Seems wild, I know, but think about it.
What about new Android devices? (Nexus 4 LTE and Nexus 7): Haven't heard a thing about either. The Nexus 4 LTE seems pretty unlikely at this point, but don't put it past Google to re-work their latest smartphone mid-year. They couldn't ignore the criticism over their choice to keep out LTE from the original Nexus 4, so anything is possibly.Should they release an LTE model that works on AT&T (like the HTC One), I'll be the first in line to pick one up. And what about a revamped Nexus 7 for 2013 with a higher resolution display? Rumors suggest that it'll be here in July and with a Qualcomm processor. That's about all we know. If I were a betting man, I'd think that we'll see it at I/O.

Seems like a lot of stuff on Google's plate for next week. Will we see any of it? All of it? None of it? I can't wait to find out. I/O is always our favorite event of the year. Any predictions of your own?

Caesars Palace Bans Google Glass From Casino Floor, No Real Surprise Here

Tim — Tue, 07 May 2013 15:09:53 +0000

Given the fact that it is against the law to have computers or devices capable of recording video out on a casino floor, it comes as no shock that Caesars Palace has banned Google Glass from appearing on their casino floors. In fact, if one gets caught trying to gamble while wearing the tech, it could land you in jail, so it's best to just leave them up in your room for the night. Before it undoubtedly gets announced sometime in the future, let's start using our brains and begin listing out places that should automatically ban Google Glass due to privacy and law breaking. I will start - casinos, movie theaters, possibly some banks, and strip clubs. I got you started, so now it's your turn. Go! Via: Computer World Cheers Scott!

Huawei P6-UO6 Possibly Pictured, Looks Extremely Thin at Just 6.18mm

Tim — Tue, 07 May 2013 14:20:24 +0000

Recently, snapshots were taken of a mystery device and according to their source, it is of an upcoming Huawei device titled the P6-UO6. No fancy specs were listed, but what has some folks abuzz is the phone's measurements, coming in at just 6.18mm thin. For reference, the iPhone 5 is listed at 7.6mm thick. So yeah, Huawei looks to be trying to snatch away Apple's "world's thinnest smartphone" title. As interesting as this phone may look, it is hard to get too interested since seeing it here in the States on one of our four major carriers is most likely not happening. But who knows, maybe we will at least see it at next year's CES and they can have another humorous press event.

Via: Engadget | NoWhereElse

Contest: Win an LG Optimus G Pro From AT&T and DL for Mother's Day! (Update: Winner Picked)

Kellen — Tue, 07 May 2013 13:41:36 +0000

It’s almost Mother’s Day! This means it's that time of year to thank mom for her hard work in managing the everyday life of a family with a bigger and clearer connection to everything important to her. See where we are going here? If she had a phone like the LG Optimus G Pro with its 5.5" 1080p display, quad-core processor, multi-tasking capabilities, and brilliant 13MP camera, she could maintain her amazing motherly self in a much more efficient manner. Or she could simply rock out with a sweet new smartphone that's probably better than yours. Either way, we have one to giveaway thanks to our friends at AT&T. Think of this as the best Mother's Day present you could possibly give to mom this weekend, whether she's in need of a new smartphone or not. If she's scared of such a big phone or its power and abundance of features, feel free to toss out a few of these device highlights when handing it off to her:

All in One for Mom: The LG Optimus G Pro is a phone and tablet in one with a size that easily fits into any purse. Mom can make calls, and the phone features a near-tablet size display, which is great for viewing videos, ebooks, web sites and documents. The large display also makes using on-screen touch keys easier to use.
Super Vivid Full HD Display: Mom can view her favorite Pinterest pages, read the latest New York Times Best Seller, catch up on the Real Housewives through Netflix, share movies with the kids, or chat it up with friends with larger, clearer and detailed viewing on the first 5.5” Full HD display in the U.S.
13MP Camera with cool features: Mom can capture family moments, vacations and dinner parties with super clear still images thanks to features like VR Panorama, Time Catch Shot, & Cheese Shutter. Plus, video recording has never been better with Full HD videos that include features like dual recording, audio zoom and live shot.
Does your mom have Small Hands? No Worries: The LG Optimus G Pro includes Near-Zero screen bezel for narrow grip, one-handed operation and “ grab-able size.

Ready to win one for mom? (Or yourself.)

Contest

Update: We have our winner. Mr. Rhodus, go check your email! Thanks everyone for entering. Prize: 1 (one) LG Optimus G Pro from AT&T. How to enter: a Rafflecopter giveaway Winner: 1 (one) winner will be chosen at random on Friday, May 10 at 11:00AM Pacific.

Tuesday Poll: Do You Care About Google Glass?

Kellen — Tue, 07 May 2013 13:16:59 +0000

I actually can't believe we haven't asked this yet, but I feel as if it's time. Google Glass has been everywhere as of late, now that it is in the hands of developers (and random media outlets who probably have no business with them). We're seeing personal video clips of hockey games, trips to the park, go-kart races, and more, all through Glass recordings. There are venture capitalists (with agendas) running around telling people that this is the future of tech, while others are quick to refer to it as the next Segway. But does anyone really care at this point? Like, if you are an average consumer or even semi-addicted tech enthusiast - and aren't a developer or someone who was foolish enough to drop $1500 on Glass to be an "early" adopter - has any of what you've seen turned you into an interested party? Or are you bored to death by it? Can you not wait to get your hands on a retail unit, whenever they drop? Or will you never be caught dead wearing the Segway-for-your-head? [poll id="250"]

AT&T Galaxy S4 Receiving Update to Build Number I337UCUAMDL

Tim — Tue, 07 May 2013 11:54:52 +0000

The Galaxy S4 on AT&T is receiving its first update to build number I337UCUAMDL this morning. According to users who have been using the update for longer than we have, it seems to just be a performance enhancer and nothing more. From the five minutes I have played with it, I will say that the camera's performance does seem a tad bit better, but when there is no official changelog posted from AT&T or Samsung, it's hard for the placebo effect not to kick in.

Once we get a changelog, we will update the post. The update is 21MB. Cheers Kevin!

NOOK HD Tablets On Sale For Mother's Day, Actually Useful Now with Google Play

Eric — Tue, 07 May 2013 11:30:26 +0000

Up until recently, the Nook HD tablet from Barnes & Noble was not very attractive to the Android crowd. Sure it ran Android underneath, but the heavily skinned version of it didn't offer much other than reading. However, now that the Nook supports Google Play, it becomes much more useful and these sales become much more enticing.

If you are looking for a last minute gift to grab for your dear old Mother, Barnes & Nobles has sales on these tablets going on now. If you are looking for a 7" tablet like the Nexus 7, prices start at $149 for the 8GB and go up from there. The 9" Nook HD+ starts at $179 for the 16GB and go up from there.

Anyone interested in these sales now that you can access Google Play?

Buy: Nook HD | Nook HD+

Carmageddon Crashing Onto Android This Friday, May 10

Tim — Tue, 07 May 2013 11:00:21 +0000

[youtube]http://youtu.be/YstkViZ696o[/youtube]

Remember Carmageddon? Well, it's coming to Android this Friday, May 10! In this title, which when first released on PC was either censored or banned for excessive violence, you basically crash sports cars into poor pedestrians and other oncoming traffic. It's tasteless, but boy is it awesome. For the first 24 hours that the game is available, there will be a special promo version of the full title, for free. After 24 hours, it will be removed from Play and you will not be able to update that version. If you want updates and support, you'll need to buy the game or settle for the lite version. The choice is yours. Should be a fun Friday. Via: Carmageddon Cheers EvanTheGamer!