Droid Life

Niantic Labs Launches Two New Gameplay Features for Ingress, Ancient Artifacts and Shaper Glyph Puzzles

Tim — Thu, 20 Feb 2014 14:45:34 +0000

This afternoon, Google's Niantic Labs announced two new gameplay features for players of Ingress, Ancient Artifacts and a Shaper Glyph Puzzle Mechanic. Apparently the game has become a big deal since its exit of being a beta, but please forgive me as I currently know hardly anything about the game. As for the new features, let's start off with the artifacts. 17 artifacts will appear across "key" cities around the world between today and March 29. Players from both sides, Resistance and Enlightened, must work together to transfer the artifacts across the world and deliver them to a final location in LA, California on March 29. The new Glyph mini-game allows players to discover secret messages by decoding puzzles based on the Shaper technology in the game during hacks. When you complete a puzzle successfully, you will gain improved portal hacking abilities. These Glyphs are activated by long-pressing the Hack button by Agents. Here is complete rundown of the new features from Niantic Labs.

New gameplay features

Ancient Artifacts – 17 artifacts will emerge across key cities around the world between now and March 29 at anomaly cities spanning Bangalore, India, Berlin, Germany and Zagreb, Croatia to Nashville, Boulder and Los Angeles. Players on the Resistance and Enlightened factions must work together to capture, transfer the artifacts across the world and deliver the artifacts to the final location in Los Angeles on March 29. Shaper Glyph Puzzle Mechanic – The new Glyph mini-game will allow players to discover secret messages by decoding a series of puzzles based on the ancient Shaper technology in the game during hacks. Successful attempts to decode the glyphs will give players improved portal hacking abilities. Glyphs can be activated by Agents by long-pressing the HACK button. Ready to play? Grab the update from Google Play down below. Play Link

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"All New HTC One" Stops by FCC, Looking Ready for AT&T

Kellen — Thu, 20 Feb 2014 14:21:19 +0000

The FCC briefly posted documents for the "All New HTC One" this afternoon before pulling them for whatever reason. That's unfortunate, as we can almost always find dirty little secrets hidden in these documents about that device that have yet to surface. For now, we'll have to go with what Engadget found, as they were the ones to uncover them. According to their findings, this particular model of the HTC One (2014) or "M8," is headed to AT&T with LTE bands of 2, 4, 5, 7 and 17. If HTC plans to live to see another day, they will undoubtedly bring the phone to all other carriers at the same time, so don't take this as a sign that AT&T will have some sort of exclusive first dibs. The FCC listing also showed that there is NFC, Bluetooth 4.0, dual-band 802.11ac WiFi on board. Again, there is probably more info in there, but with the docs now gone, we can't dig for more. If you take a look at the device backside image pulled from the docs that is sitting up top, we can see that the headphone jack has been moved to the bottom, something the leaked renders showed yesterday. We also can tell that the phone looks much like the original One, but is more rounded this time around. The power button has switched sides on the top, but the Volume rocker and SIM tray seem to be in their original spots. If we can find more, we'll be sure to add it to this post. Otherwise, we'll be in attendance on March 25 to bring you the world as its unveiled by HTC.

Via: FCC | Engadget

Soak Test Coming for Verizon's Moto X, Should be Android 4.4.2

Kellen — Thu, 20 Feb 2014 13:54:28 +0000

Invites to a soak test for Verizon's version of the Moto X went out moments ago, asking that participants check out an "early preview of a new software release." With Verizon's variant one of the last remaining without Android 4.4.2, I think it's safe to assume what is in store. The update is considered pretty minor, but does bring the phone up to the most current version of Android. We have already seen the update arrive on the T-Mobile, Sprint, and US Cellular models. Before you get too negative about the timing of this one, keep in mind that Verizon's was first to get 4.4, which was the bigger update of the two. The changelog for the T-Mobile version looks like this:

Depending on when the soak test starts, users outside of Motorola's Feedback Network could see the update with a week or two, assuming no problems arise while testing. We'll keep you up-to-date on all Verizon Moto X happenings.

Cheers J, E, S, A, N, A, A, C, Z, G, J, B and A!

Google Announces Project Tango, Mobile Platform That Allows Devices to Sense the World Around Us

Eric — Thu, 20 Feb 2014 12:39:38 +0000

Google is one of those companies that is continuously looking into the future and trying to predict what users will want next. It's the bright minds in Mountain View that continuously surprise us with projects like Google Glass, self-driving cars, and Project Loon. Project Tango is the latest experiment announced by Google, showing just how ambitious Google can be when they get behind a new project. Project Tango might look like a bulky Android device, but as you see in the video below, it looks to do so much more than just be big. To put it simply, Project Tango is seeking to put together a set of device components and algorithms that give mobile devices more awareness of their surroundings. Johnny Lee, lead of Project Tango, said "our devices today assume that our world ends at the edges of the screen," and he wants to change that. In their video released today, Project Tango is shown as a mobile device (running Android, of course) hooked up with a 4MP camera that works alongside a host of other sensors - such as a motion-tracking camera and depth sensors. It's a lot of technology packed into that small white phone. A few of the experiments Google shows off in its intro video is the ability to 3D map a phone's environment, and then to place a virtual game level in that environment. It's kind of like the games they created for Glass, but on super-sized steroids. They also showcase its ability to help people with visual impairments, as the phone makes over a quarter of a million 3D measurements every single second, then displays those measurements in real time for people to view. As with most of their projects, Google has put the pieces of this project together, but is opening it up to software developers to figure out what to do with it. Project Tango is lining up developer units for people to put their minds together about what it would mean for a device to be able to track where it is in this world. What kind of creation would you make with Project Tango in your hands?

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Via: TechCrunch

Woot! Features Refurbished 16GB Nexus 7 (2013) for Only $169.99 Today

Eric — Thu, 20 Feb 2014 11:54:48 +0000

There is nothing like a good online deal, and good deals become great deals when they feature awesome devices. Daily deal website Woot! has the 2013 Nexus 7 16GB on sale today while their supplies last. For $169.99, you can grab yourself one of the best Android tablets on the market right now. If you need a little bit more local storage in your tablets, you can upgrade to 32GB for $199.99. Unfortunately, these are not new devices, and they are factory reconditioned. However, they do come with a 90 day warranty through their maker, ASUS. So at least you have a bit of security if the product doesn't work well. If you are in the market for a new Android device to get your hands on, give this deal a look. Buy

Cheers Scott!

Google Reportedly Building Application to Log into WiFi Hotspots For You

Eric — Thu, 20 Feb 2014 11:22:42 +0000

The rise of WiFi hotspots around public places that your daily travels takes you to is definitely a good thing. What is annoying about the trend, is that each hotspot requires you to sign into their hub once you step in range. This process can be accomplished quickly, but sometimes drags out into minutes of loading screens that takes up all of the time you had to quickly check your phone. Google feels our first world problems and is reportedly working on an automated solution for us. According to sources close to Engadget, Google is already refining the app for Android and iOS. Tests around Google headquarters at Mountain View have already started for the Android version and suggest that we could see this sooner rather than later. This type of application could not only make the whole process more streamlined, but also more secure as well. If Google's app is in charge of the log-in, that gives hotspots the chance to not be completely open and offers some encryption options if they want. Google has all of our information already, why not let them take care of logging into WiFi hotspots with it?

Via: Engadget

ARCHOS Unveils Three New Phones and One Tablet Ahead of MWC

Tim — Thu, 20 Feb 2014 10:20:40 +0000

Ahead of MWC next week, ARCHOS announced four new devices that they will have on display, three phones and one tablet. There is the 80 Helium 4G (the tablet), the 50c Oxygen, 64 Xenon, and the 40b Titanium. Without being too prejudice, this is ARCHOS we are talking about, so you can expect the price to be low and specs to fit inside a budget. All three of the phones come running Android 4.2 Jelly Bean, but where they differ is in the displays and processors. The flagship of the three is the 50c Oxygen - it features a 5" 1280 x 720 display, a Mediatek Octa-Core processor clocked at 1.7GHz (based on Cortex A7 architecture), 1GB of RAM, 8GB of storage, an 8MP rear-facing camera, and HSPA+ connectivity. The bottom rung of the three new phones is the 40b Titanium. It features a 4" 800 x 400 IPS display, a dual-core processor clocked at 1.3GHz, 512MB of RAM, 4GB of storage, a microSD slot, 5MP rear-facing camera, and comes running Android 4.2 Jelly Bean. As for the tablet, the 80 Helium 4G, it comes with a Qualcomm quad-core processor, 1GB of RAM, 8" 1024 x 768 IPS display, 5MP rear-facing camera, 4G LTE connectivity, Bluetooth 4.0, runs a 3,500mAh battery, comes running Android 4.3 Jelly Bean, and costs just $249. With that said, the prices are suitable for these handsets. The top tier 50c Oxygen will run you just $199, while the 40b Titanium is only $119. That's not bad, right? If you will be attending MWC in Barcelona, be sure to stop by their booth.

Spec sheet

ARCHOS Reinforces Commitment to the 3G/4G Market with New Devices at Mobile World Congress 2014

ARCHOS to show off its complete selection of tablets, smartphones and connected objects at Hall 1, booth 1F20
Denver – February 20, 2014 – ARCHOS, a pioneer in Android™ devices, unveils its lineup of cutting-edge tablets and smartphones for the first half of 2014 during Mobile World Congress, including the ARCHOS 80 Helium 4G, the industry’s first 8-inch 4G tablet under $250 and the ARCHOS 50c Oxygen smartphone with its Octa Core CPU. “ARCHOS’ new lineup of products highlights the company’s commitment to innovation and confirms its position in the 3G/4G market,” says Loic Poirier, CEO of ARCHOS. “Our new product offerings continue to push the boundaries of technology, blending superior design, cutting-edge technology and impressive affordability,” Adding to the Helium 4G range, unveiled in January at CES, comes the ARCHOS 80 Helium 4G,the world’s first 8-inch 4G tablet under $250 delivers blazing fast speeds through a Quad Core A7 processor, Android 4.3 “Jelly Bean” platform and 4G/LTE Cat 4 connectivity for faster surfing, streaming and downloading. The state-of-the-art device comes equipped with outstanding features such as high resolution screen, Bluetooth Smart technology and full access to the Google Play store. The ARCHOS 50c Oxygen wraps an HD IPS Screen (1280 x 720), Bluetooth Smart technology and a MediaTek Octa-Core processor into a super sleek (6.7mm) deep black smartphone. At less than $200, the ARCHOS 50c Oxygen, flagship of the ARCHOS smartphone range, is a Dual SIM device running Android 4.3 “Jelly Bean”. “MediaTek is very pleased to see its portfolio of dual-, quad-, and octa-core “Systems-on-a- Chip” well represented across ARCHOS’ breaking new smartphone line-up. This is another proof-point of MediaTek’s commitment in making rich multimedia features, leading edge multi-processing and multi-mode connectivity available to everyone at affordable price levels”, said Siegmund Redl, MediaTek's VP and GM of Corporate Marketing in Europe. With its 6.4-inch HD IPS screen (1280 x 720), the ARCHOS 64 Xenon gives users the screen real estate they need for their applications, videos and games in comfort while on the go. Combined with the ARCHOS multimedia applications the ARCHOS 64 Xenon is a multimedia lover’s dream, this unlocked phablet utilizes a Quad-Core CPU for superb processing speed and is available for under $200. ARCHOS transforms the smartphone into a mobile music lover’s dream with the ARCHOS 40b Titanium. The smartphone makes listening to great music possible with its enhanced audio system and dual front facing speakers that deliver crystal clear and pure stereo sound. The $119 ARCHOS 40b is powered by a Dual-Core CPU, has a 4.0-inch IPS Panel, dual cameras and has full access to Google Play store with more than 1 million apps. At Mobile World Congress 2014 ARCHOS will also showcase its entire selection of 3G and 4G smartphones, 3G and HD tablets, and ARCHOS’ Connected Objects range (originally unveiled at CES in January 2014), the industry’s most comprehensive ecosystem of connected objects for the home and self. From February 24th to the 27th at ARCHOS’ booth - Hall 1 booth 1F20, attendees can experience the benefits of interconnectivity as well as the latest in mobile technology.

LG G2 Mini is Official and Officially Low-end

Kellen — Thu, 20 Feb 2014 10:08:01 +0000

Last night, during episode 50 of the DL Show, LG officially announced the G2 Mini. The press release confirms yesterday's report that the phone isn't anything to write home about, thanks to a collection of low-to-mid-range specs. It's clear that this is aimed at emerging markets, rather than as a top-tier phone packed into a compact body, like the Moto X or Xperia Z1 Compact. In the G2 Mini, you are looking at a quad-core processor, 2.4-inch qHD (960x540) display, 1GB RAM, 8GB storage, 8MP camera, and a 2,440mAh battery. In terms of software, LG carried over "most" of the UX features from the G2, so you are getting Guest Mode, Plug & Pop, Clip Tray and Capture Plus. The G2 Mini will be available in March in a variety of international markets. No U.S. plans have been announced. Here are the official specs:

Chipset: 1.2 GHz Qualcomm Quad-Core MSM8926 (LTE) / MSM8226 (3G)
- 1.7GHz Nvidia Quad Core Tegra 4i (LATAM LTE version)
Display: 4.7-inch qHD IPS (960 x 540)
Memory: 8GB eMMC / 1GB RAM / SD Card Slot
Camera: Rear 8.0MP / 13.0MP (LATAM LTE version) / Front 1.3MP
Battery: 2,440mAh (removable)
Operating System: Android 4.4 KitKat
Size: 129.6 x 66.0 x 9.8mm
Weight: 121g
Network: Cat. 4 & VoLTE / Cat. 3(LATAM), HSPA+ 21Mbps (3G)
Connectivity: Bluetooth 4.0, WiFi (802.11 b/g/n), A-GPS, NFC (4G LTE version only)
Colors: Titan Black, Lunar White, Red, Gold (depending on region)
Other: Plug & Pop, Guest Mode, Clip Tray, Quick Window, etc.

HTC Plans Closed Door Preview of Upcoming Smartwatch for Carriers at MWC

Tim — Thu, 20 Feb 2014 09:12:47 +0000

According to sources of Bloomberg, HTC plans to preview its smartwatch(es) at MWC to carriers next week. It was reported earlier in the month that HTC hopes to have wearable devices hit the market by Christmas, which was stated by the company's CFO in an interview. Details are popping up from the same source of Bloomberg, stating that the first smartwatch HTC plans to preview next week will feature a Qualcomm Mirasol display, which is built into the company's Toq smartwatch. If you ask anyone that uses the Toq, they will immediately say that the display is one of the best features, so HTC might be making a good move on this one. Another smartwatch, which may or may not be previewed next week, will be powered by Google Now according to the source. This watch will feature a AMOLED display, which is the same display technology Samsung used on the first Galaxy Gear. To round out the lineup, the source states that HTC is also working on a smart wristband, which will feature a smaller touchscreen display, capable of controlling music and tracking fitness. Depending on the success of the One (2014), HTC may be need a few devices to help keep the company afloat. For now, let's just hope these smartwatches would be compatible with all Android devices and not exclusive to just HTC hardware.

Via: Bloomberg

Sprint's Galaxy Note 3 Receiving Kit Kat Today as Build VPUCNAB

Kellen — Thu, 20 Feb 2014 07:45:41 +0000

Sprint appears to be a step ahead of the other carriers in the game when comes to updating their Samsung devices to Android 4.4.2 "Kit Kat." Last week, before Samsung had even announced their list of devices to receive the latest version of Android, Sprint went ahead and began updating its version of the Galaxy S4. This morning (or really late last night), they took the next step and started the push of 4.4.2 to the Galaxy Note 3. Included in the update are things like better media controls on the lock screen, restyled navigation and notification areas, more Emoji, consolidated location settings, wireless printing, and more. The update will rollout as build VPUCNAB. Here is the changelog from Samsung:

OS upgrade to Android 4.4.2 (KitKat)
- New Lock Screen Access
  - Media Controls - full-screen album art and media controls when listening to music
  - Camera Shortcut - access the Camera application right from the lock screen
- SMS App Chooser - select a default application for sending and receiving SMS text messages
- Restyled Status and Navigation Bars - status and navigation bars are translucent and can sit on top of apps, along with simplified status bar icons
- Consolidated Location Settings - location services are integrated and more detailed by new Location menu
- Expanded Emoji Icons
- Wireless Printing – supports printing over Wi-Fi and Bluetooth
- Prevention Information pop-up message is suppressed.

Via: Samsung | Sprint

HTC One (2014) Pictured in Grey and Silver as Well

Kellen — Thu, 20 Feb 2014 07:33:11 +0000

Weren't exactly digging the all-gold HTC One (2014) that first appeared yesterday courtesy of @evleaks? That's OK, neither were we. Would you consider a dark grey or silver, though? Thanks once again to Evan, we have press renders of both additional colors looking quite pretty in their unofficially official skins. The silver is above, while the grey can be found below. Why we need two incredibly similar silverish, greyish colors is beyond me, but hey, choices are choices. I'm especially fond of the dark grey color found below, let's just hope that it doesn't have paint chipping or scratching issues. And that's all there is to report. We still do not have a firm grip on specs or how HTC plans to use that second camera on the back, but in terms of hardware design and color palette, you now know.

Via: @evleaks [2]

The Droid Life Show: Episode 50

Tim — Wed, 19 Feb 2014 23:22:23 +0000

We did it - we reached Episode 50. The Droid Life Show returns tonight at it's usual time of 6pm PST, and at it's usual place of your living room, office, bedroom, or wherever else you may watch/listen from. No matter which way you take it in, we appreciate each and every one of you that hang out and talk Android with us. Tonight, the DL staff will be covering hot topics, including all of the stories that surround next week's MWC in Barcelona. Headlining those topics is of course the Samsung Galaxy S5, as well as a few devices from LG. HTC also gave us its official announcement date for the All New One, plus an official press render of the device has been leaked, so we can have a roundtable discussion as to what the crew thinks of the design. If you happen to have your very own questions for the team, the Q&A will be open. As always, we will be talking about our favorite apps and games from the past week, so don't miss it. The show kicks off at 6pm PST, 9pm EST. There is a livestream embedded below, which will automatically begin playing once the event starts. Until then, hang out in the Droid Life IRC channel and chat with us until showtime.

Subscribe | iTunes | Show Page

UPDATE: Hangouts crashed on us mid-way through the show and appears to have also swallowed everything we had recorded. Since we pull both audio and video from the recorded Hangouts sessions, it looks like we have lost episode 50. Maybe we'll just re-do episode 50 next week. Hopefully, we can grab some of the first part of the show, but at this time, that's looking unlikely. If you really need your fix, part 2 (the restart) is embedded below. UPDATE 2: I was able to save the audio and video, finally after hours and hours of waiting. Enjoy.

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Samsung Exynos Infinity Processor Debuting at MWC, Could It be 64-bit?

Kellen — Wed, 19 Feb 2014 15:44:56 +0000

Samsung's Exynos Twitter account posted an image this morning with the tag "Exynos Infinity, in Barcelona," a pretty clear hint at there being a new mobile processor ready for arrival at Mobile World Congress next week. The rest of the image includes a bull, but that is likely a reference to Spain and the location of MWC, rather than another hint. So what is the Exynos Infinity? No one knows at this point. Are we talking Samsung's next-gen 64-bit processor that will compete with Apple's A7? Maybe. A recent Linux kernel patch outed a Samsung processor under the codename GH7 that appears to be 64-bit. Are we talking a next-gen 64-bit processor made for the Galaxy S5 that will also be unveiled next week? Maybe. Then again even it were put in the GS5, we have seen Samsung launch a variety of phones over the years running different chipsets depending on the market. We tend to see Qualcomm-powered phones here, while the rest of the world's Galaxy line runs on Exynos SoCs. Who knows if U.S. consumers would even be a part of the fun. We'll know next week, that's for sure. Actually, we'll know on Monday, if not sooner. We often see chipset announcements the day before big mobile devices are unveiled, so keep an eye for something on Sunday.

Via: @SamsungExynos | GforGames

Facebook to Acquire WhatsApp for $16 Billion

Kellen — Wed, 19 Feb 2014 14:16:37 +0000

Facebook announced this afternoon that it has reached agreement to acquire WhatsApp, the incredibly popular multi-platform mobile messaging service. Oh, you want to know how much the deal is for? How does $16 billion sound? The breakdown makes that $4 billion in cash plus approximately $12 billion worth of Facebook shares. According to the press release, WhatsApp will continue to operate independently and "retain its brand," while the move will help to accelerate "Facebook's ability to bring connectivity and utility to the world." For those new to WhatsApp, understand that the messaging platform has over 450 million users each month with 70% active on any given day, which also means they are "approaching the entire global telecom SMS volume." The numbers are impressive for sure, but are they $16 billion impressive? Facebook certainly thinks so. And that's that. We'll jump on the conference all at 3PM Pacific and update should there be other news.

Facebook to Acquire WhatsApp
February 19, 2014

Acquisition accelerates Facebook’s ability to bring connectivity and utility to the world

Leading mobile messaging company will continue to operate independently and retain its brand

WhatsApp co-founder and CEO Jan Koum to join Facebook Board of Directors

MENLO PARK, CALIF. – February 19, 2014 – Facebook today announced that it has reached a definitive agreement to acquire WhatsApp, a rapidly growing cross-platform mobile messaging company, for a total of approximately $16 billion, including $4 billion in cash and approximately $12 billion worth of Facebook shares. The agreement also provides for an additional $3 billion in restricted stock units to be granted to WhatsApp’s founders and employees that will vest over four years subsequent to closing. WhatsApp has built a leading and rapidly growing real-time mobile messaging service, with:

Over 450 million people using the service each month;

70% of those people active on a given day;

Messaging volume approaching the entire global telecom SMS volume; and

Continued strong growth, currently adding more than 1 million new registered users per day.

The acquisition supports Facebook and WhatsApp's shared mission to bring more connectivity and utility to the world by delivering core internet services efficiently and affordably. The combination will help accelerate growth and user engagement across both companies. "WhatsApp is on a path to connect 1 billion people. The services that reach that milestone are all incredibly valuable," said Mark Zuckerberg, Facebook founder and CEO. "I've known Jan for a long time and I'm excited to partner with him and his team to make the world more open and connected." Jan Koum, WhatsApp co-founder and CEO, said, “WhatsApp's extremely high user engagement and rapid growth are driven by the simple, powerful and instantaneous messaging capabilities we provide. We're excited and honored to partner with Mark and Facebook as we continue to bring our product to more people around the world.” Facebook fosters an environment where independent-minded entrepreneurs can build companies, set their own direction and focus on growth while also benefiting from Facebook’s expertise, resources and scale. This approach is working well with Instagram, and WhatsApp will operate in this manner. WhatsApp’s brand will be maintained; its headquarters will remain in Mountain View, CA; Jan Koum will join Facebook’s Board of Directors; and WhatsApp’s core messaging product and Facebook’s existing Messenger app will continue to operate as standalone applications. Upon closing of the deal, all outstanding shares of WhatsApp capital stock and options to purchase WhatsApp capital stock will be cancelled in exchange for $4 billion in cash and 183,865,778 shares of Facebook Class A common stock (worth $12 billion based on the average closing price of the six trading days preceding February 18, 2014 of $65.2650 per share). In addition, upon closing, Facebook will grant 45,966,444 restricted stock units to WhatsApp employees (worth $3 billion based on the average closing price of the six trading days preceding February 18, 2014 of $65.2650 per share). As of February 17, 2014, Facebook had 2,551,654,996 Class A and B shares outstanding plus approximately 139 million dilutive securities primarily consisting of unvested RSUs. The Class A common stock and RSUs issued to WhatsApp shareholders and employees upon closing will represent 7.9% of Facebook shares based on current shares and RSUs outstanding. In the event of termination of the Merger Agreement under certain circumstances principally related to a failure to obtain required regulatory approvals, the Merger Agreement provides for Facebook to pay WhatsApp a fee of $1 billion in cash and to issue to WhatsApp a number of shares of Facebook’s Class A common stock equal to $1 billion based on the average closing price of the ten trading days preceding such termination date. Facebook was advised by Allen & Company LLC and Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP; and WhatsApp was advised by Morgan Stanley and Fenwick & West, LLP. Webcast and Conference Call Information Facebook will host a 30-minute conference call to discuss the acquisition at 3:00 pm PT / 6:00pm ET today. The dial-in number for the call is (866) 751-3284 (toll free) and (973) 935-8772 (international), conference ID: 2907041. The live webcast of the call can be accessed at the Facebook Investor Relations website at investor.fb.com. Facebook uses the website http://investor.fb.com as a means of disclosing material non-public information and for complying with its disclosure obligations under Regulation FD. Following the call, a replay will be available at the same website. A telephonic replay will be available for one week following the conference call at (855) 859-2056 or (404) 537-3406, conference ID 2907041. About Facebook Facebook's mission is to give people the power to share and make the world more open and connected. People use Facebook to stay connected with friends and family, to discover what's going on in the world, and to share and express what matters to them. About WhatsApp WhatsApp is a personal real-time messaging network allowing millions of people around the world to stay connected with their friends and family.

Via: Facebook

Google I/O 2014 Happening June 25 and 26

Kellen — Wed, 19 Feb 2014 13:25:01 +0000

This afternoon, Sundar Pichai announced that Google I/O 2014 will take place at San Francisco's Moscone Center on June 25 and 26. That's exactly 126 days from now. Registration info was not given just yet, but Pichai promised that the process will be different this time around. Rather than having to flock to Google's registration page the second it opens, Google will instead allow you to submit your interest in attending. After you have submitted interest, applicants will be randomly selected and then notified. That seems, well, kind of unfortunate in a way. In other words, you have no control over whether or not you will be able to attend Google I/O this year. While that process may eliminate the complaints after crashing servers and tickets selling out in minutes, I can imagine people not liking the lottery format and instead complaining over having no control. Hopefully, they at least offer previous attendees a chance to attend again. Here is the exact quote:

Also, quick note for those who want to join in person: this year we’re making some changes to registration, so you won’t need to scramble the second registration opens. We'll be implementing a new system, where you can submit your interest to attend Google I/O 2014. Successful applicants will then be randomly selected and notified shortly thereafter. We’ll be following up with more details from +GoogleDevelopers, so stay tuned.

Let's also not forget that last year Google changed the focus of this event back to developers. Over the couple of years prior, it had become almost a consumer event with new product announcements stealing headlines. Last year, Google decided to make it more of a developer event by skipping the flashy Google Glass skydiving shows and getting back to code. The events will all be live-streamed as well, just like they were in years past. Will you try to attend?

Via: +Sundar Pichai

Cheers Matt!

Download Glove and Find Out Which Carrier is Best Fit for You in Three Days

Tim — Wed, 19 Feb 2014 12:40:27 +0000

Many people struggle with getting a proper network connection at their office and even at their own homes. In this day in age, that should be unacceptable. No one should stress about not having a proper signal, and with so many carriers to choose from, it's time you find the carrier that fits you best. With Glove, a newly-released app in beta on Google Play, certain US residents can now find which carrier is best for their lives. Glove is limited to a small amount of the US population so far, but once the beta is complete many more people will have access. For now, only people living in the San Francisco Bay Area and New York City will be able to use the service. Glove runs in the background on your phone for three days, pulling in certain network information which will help users see which carrier is best for what areas they live/work in. Once a carrier is chosen, Glove helps you land a deal with the chosen carrier, so you can get to enjoying your phone no matter where you are. As mentioned, it's extremely limited to who can run it, but if you live in one of the supported areas, go give it a try. You might be surprised by what you find. Play Link

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Via: Glove

R.I.P. Google Currents.

Kellen — Wed, 19 Feb 2014 12:36:20 +0000

Go use Newsstand, says Google. This move - that being the death of Google Currents - should come as no surprise to anyone after seeing the introduction of Newsstand a couple of months back. But Google did let Currents hangout until today, when they updated the Google Play listing of the app to suggest that users head over to Newsstand where all of their subscriptions will automatically transfer to. Yes, your news feeds from Currents are still alive and well, just in another app. Also, if you update the Currents app - like we have above - you will no longer be able to use the app at all. So really, go use Newsstand. Subscribe to Droid Life on Newsstand here.

Visa and MasterCard Go All in on Host Card Emulation and Mobile Payments

Kellen — Wed, 19 Feb 2014 12:23:04 +0000

When Google introduced Host Card Emulation (HCE) with Kit Kat back in November, some of us looked at the move as them flipping the bird to Verizon, AT&T, and T-Mobile, along with their Isis Mobile Wallet application. For over a year, companies like Verizon refused to allow Google Wallet to work on their phones, denying that it had anything to do with their investment in Isis and everything to do with the app trying to access a phone's Secure Element (SE). With HCE and Kit Kat, that need to access a Secure Element was removed, meaning there was no longer a way for mobile payment services to be blocked. HCE quickly became the future of mobile payments, something MasterCard and Visa are now fully behind. In separate press releases pushed out this morning, both credit card companies said that they are in full support of Host Card Emulation. Each has either worked closely with other credit card companies (like Capitol One) to pilot programs for HCE or released platforms that companies can get behind to deliver HCE services. Partners of Visa such as U.S. Bank, RBC, and National Australia Bank, are already behind this new technology and excited for their customers to be able to make easy payments without ever having to look for their wallet or credit card. I'd count this as a major win for Google and HCE. Expect more mobile payment options than ever over the next year.

Via: Yahoo

Google Exploring Nine New Potential Markets for Google Fiber

Tim — Wed, 19 Feb 2014 11:04:03 +0000

Got your freakout caps on? Good. Google announced today that they are exploring plans to bring its Internet and TV service, Google Fiber, to nine new cities in the US. Within each metropolitan area, there are different markets, which brings the possible number of future Fiber markets to 34. Google is currently in talks with all of the cities to see what it will take to bring the service to them.

We aim to provide updates by the end of the year about which cities will be getting Google Fiber. Between now and then, we’ll work closely with each city’s leaders on a joint planning process that will not only map out a Google Fiber network in detail, but also assess what unique local challenges we might face. These are such big jobs that advance planning goes a long way toward helping us stick to schedules and minimize disruption for residents.

Here is the full list of cities that Google is exploring.

Arizona- Phoenix, Scottsdale, Tempe
California- San Jose, Santa Clara, Sunnyvale, Mountain View, Palo Alto
Georgia- Atlanta, Avondale Estates, Brookhaven, College Park, Decatur, East Point, Hapeville, Sandy Springs, Smyrna
North Carolina- Charlotte, Carrboro, Cary, Chapel Hill, Durham, Garner, Morrisville, Raleigh
Oregon- Portland, Beaverton, Hillsboro, Gresham, Lake Oswego, Tigard
Tennessee- Nashville-Davidson
Texas- San Antonio
Utah- Salt Lake City

I don't want to get to toot my own city's horn, but the Portland/Beaverton/Hillsboro area would be a very good choice for Google Fiber. I mean, we have Intel, Nike, NVIDIA offices, and a ton of other great companies who might benefit from the service. Just sayin'. Rollouts like this are never speedy, so it's still a little early to pop bottles of champagne, but we're getting there. Are you excited for this exploration? Who here might be affected by the new markets?

Via: Google [2]

Amazon Coins Now Supported on Android in the US, UK, and Germany

Kyle — Wed, 19 Feb 2014 10:35:16 +0000

You've heard of Bitcoins and Dogecoins, but have you ever heard of Amazon Coins? It's hard to blame anyone for forgetting about their release last year, especially considering the digital currency's use was initially restricted to Kindle Fire devices. Starting today, the shopping giant is expanding Coins to Android devices in the US, UK, and Germany through the Amazon Appstore. Amazon Coins can be used to purchase apps and games, and basically act as a rewards program for Amazon Appstore users. Coins can be earned through completing objectives in certain games, or purchased directly at a 10% discount. Will the news persuade you to use the Amazon Appstore more often, or is it just too much of a hassle?

Via: Amazon

LG G2 Mini to Reportedly Launch Overseas in March, Won't Feature Any Specs to Write Home About

Tim — Wed, 19 Feb 2014 10:12:41 +0000

LG began to tease the G2 Mini earlier this month, but that's as far as they got - just teasing. There were no confirmed specs or release dates, so the industry only had speculation to work with. Today, reported specs are being confirmed by overseas sources, with LG apparently revealing that the device will launch overseas in March. The device will reportedly feature a 4.7" IPS LCD display with qHD resolution of 540 x 960, 1.2GHz quad-core processor, 1GB of RAM, an 8MP rear-facing camera, 8GB of onboard storage with a microSD slot, Bluetooth connectivity, and will come running Android 4.4. If these are the finalized specs, we already know people will be griping over the 1GB of RAM and qHD display. Next week is MWC, and it is no secret that LG will take that time to show off more of the phone, alongside the G Pro 2. The G Pro 2 is more of an exciting device, with top tier specs along with newly announced software called Knockcode. LG isn't quite trying to lead the pack of Android OEMs, but they are certainly staying relevant this year. We as US consumers will be more interested in what LG plans on doing for its successor to the G2.

Via: BGR | GSM Info

Galaxy S5 Camera Details Leak - 16 MP, Capacitive Button, and 3D Tour Shot

Kyle — Wed, 19 Feb 2014 09:31:20 +0000

As we approach Samsung’s Unpacked event, it seems the veritable floodgate of rumors has opened. The newest area of interest is the Galaxy S5’s camera, which reportedly represents a big improvement over the smartphone’s predecessor. According to SamMobile, the Galaxy S5’s rear shooter packs a 16 MP sensor capable of capturing 4K footage at 30 FPS and 1080p at 60 FPS. That jibes with a number of early reports, and matches the resolution of the photo allegedly taken with a Galaxy S5 @evleaks tweeted yesterday. SamMobile also revealed that the Galaxy S5 will make taking pictures easier with a new button. Apparently, the lower-right side of the device will house a “Side Touch” camera button that’s “invisible,” but can activated by a tap. That basically describes a capacitive key, and while I question the wisdom of placing such a part on the portion of the device you'll often brush, it sounds like Samsung was smart enough to disable the function when the camera app is in Portrait Mode, Easy Mode, and recording video. Hopefully, that'll be enough to prevent accidental pocket snapshots. Speaking of different modes, Samsung may have gone overboard with the presets and settings in its camera app. Perhaps the most interesting addition is 3D Tour Shot, which seems like an extension of Google's Photo Sphere; with it, you can create “interactive virtual tours of your surroundings.” Other highlights include Focus Select, which allows you to adjust a picture's depth of field, and a number of presets which may or may not be included in the final software: Mosaic Shot, Smile Shot, Frame Shot, Vintage, Cartoon, Add Me, Action Shot, Stop Motion, Cartoon and Pet. Can’t wait to see the capacitive camera button and 3D Tour Shot in action? You won’t have to wait long.

Via: SamMobile

HTC One (2014) vs. HTC One (2013) [GIF]

Kellen — Wed, 19 Feb 2014 08:43:56 +0000

After seeing the press render of a gold HTC One (2014) that was leaked this morning - we have no reason to believe this isn't the real deal - we thought, why not see how similar this device really is to its predecessor from 2013. Our initial reaction, after taking a quick look at the device was, "Wow, not much different here in terms of appearance." Seriously, it really is tough to tell what's different outside of some rounder corners, that secondary camera on the back, a slightly slimmer profile, and the move from capacitive navigation buttons to on-screen. I'm not saying that simple minor changes in appearance are a bad thing, because Samsung and Apple have been doing this for years. And remember, the design of the original One was universally praised by almost every single person whoever touched it. It was about as premium as it gets in terms of build quality. We're just wondering if a device this similar to last year's is enough to make HTC start the slow crawl back towards tech relevance. To give a better representation of the transformation from 2013 HTC One to the new 2014 model, take a look at the GIF we quickly put together below.

New Samsung Commercials Take Direct Shots at iPad Air and iPhone, LeBron James Included

Kellen — Wed, 19 Feb 2014 07:45:01 +0000

Samsung kicked off a new marketing campaign this morning using ads that show off both the Galaxy Note 3 and Galaxy TabPRO 10.1 up against Apple's latest and greatest. They are to the point in their praise of the features filling up their Galaxy products while making sure we all know the same can't be said for the iPhone 5s and iPad Air. They are casual in tone, at times silly, and will certainly help reinvigorate a battle we have been watching for years now. The first is of the Galaxy Note 3, and compares watching highlights of LeBron James in "full HD" on a 5.7-inch display vs. the iPhone 5s which only carries a "non-HD" 4.0-inch display. The second mocks Apple's use of a pencil to show how thin the iPad Air is, while letting us know that their new TabPRO 10.1 is as thin with more screen real estate to do things like multi-tasking. Thoughts on the tone of Samsung's new marketing campaign? Note 3 vs. iPhone

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TabPRO 10.1 vs. iPad

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HTC One (2014) in Gold Makes First Press Render Appearance

Kellen — Wed, 19 Feb 2014 07:28:46 +0000

Last night, @evleaks told the world to expect HTC's 2014 flagship to be called a familiar name - One. Well, for marketing purposes, the "All New One," because you know, it is the new version after all. So that we don't have to type out "All New One" each time we refer to it, we will simply be calling it the HTC One (2014). But why call the phone the same thing two years in a row? Because it looks identical to its predecessor, that's why. Thanks to another leak from Evan, we now have a press image of the front, back, and side of the device that still isn't set to be officially unveiled until March 25. While Samsung has kept the Galaxy S5 under wraps with less than a week to go, HTC's phone started leaking weeks and weeks ago. So what are we looking at? An HTC One, that's for sure. The top and bottom corners look more rounded to me, but there still seems to be all sorts of bezel around the display. HTC may have trimmed the side bezel up a bit, but you still have a massive and unnecessary black bar at the bottom of the device to show off an "HTC" logo. Then you'll be stuck with mega chin and top portions because of BoomSound speakers, though you could argue that those additions are well worth the extra real estate. The phone looks slightly slimmer, has dual LEDs and dual cameras on the back, on-screen buttons, and that's it. Maybe HTC has tricks in store? Thoughts?

Via: @evleaks

HTC One Successor to be Called "The All New One" According to Evleaks

Tim — Tue, 18 Feb 2014 15:42:03 +0000

According to leak maestro @evleaks, the successor to the HTC One is to be referred to as The All New One. Going by its codename M8 for the past few months, we can't help but be a little disappointed in this new "name." There were probably a ton of ideas being thrown around at HTC corporate, like One+ or One Up (shoutout to our own Ron Offringa), but The All New One apparently stuck. Evan also tweets that the device will come three colors - Silver, Grey, and Gold. Let's hear your initial reaction to The All New One down below. Note: The picture above is an unofficial photo of the M8, although most signs point to it being fake.

Via: @evleaks

Samsung's Next Galaxy Gear Smartwatch to Run Tizen OS?

Tim — Tue, 18 Feb 2014 14:51:47 +0000

According to sources of USA Today, Samsung will look to "shun Android," while integrating its own Tizen operating system instead of Google's mobile OS into the next rendition of the Galaxy Gear smartwatch. Over the past couple of weeks, rumors and reports have ran wild with speculation as to what the next Galaxy Gear will feature, but this is the first time we are hearing that it could possibly run Tizen instead of Android. With just a week left until a reported unveiling at MWC in Barcelona, we don't have long to wait until we see just what Samsung has planned. Tizen, much like Android, is a flexible, open source operating system that is designed to run on mobile devices (phones, tablets, netbooks) and other hardware. Samsung has long been reported to be a heavy contributor to the Tizen movement, with reports going as far as to claim that the OEM would drop Android altogether in favor of Tizen. It has been reported that Samsung will introduce a flexible OLED display for the device, but as far as specs are concerned, that's all we have rounded up from credible sources. The original Galaxy Gear was announced last year in early September, being met with negative and poor reviews from tech sites all over the world. While the watch was "cool," it just couldn't live up to the hype or expected usefulness that Samsung had intended. With the launch of the second rendition already coming just five and a half months later, we will see if Samsung was able to learn any lessons from its first launch into the wearables market.

Via: USA Today | The Verge

Verizon Moto X on Two Year Contract Just $0.01 Through MotoMaker Until February 22

Tim — Tue, 18 Feb 2014 13:17:39 +0000

For those of you who still need to pick up a Moto X, you can do so right through MotoMaker for just a penny on contract with Verizon. The deal will be available for only Verizon buyers until February 22, so if you had plans on picking one up, you best do so soon. For those who might ask, the wood back options on MotoMaker are still an extra $25, so on a new two year the total price would be $25.01. Still not bad a bad deal at all. To clarify the deals, this deal is for devices on contract, while customers can still pick up a Moto X for $70 off the total price off contract until February 22. Motorola's generosity spoils us, doesn't it?

Via: Motorola

VH1 Debuts Application for Android, Features Full Shows, Music Videos and Watching Companion

Eric — Tue, 18 Feb 2014 12:40:03 +0000

VH1 may have gone the way of MTV with less focus on music and music videos, but there are ~~surely~~ many fans of the network and its shows out there. If you are one of those diehard fans, you will be excited to hear that VH1 has launched its Android application that allows you to keep up on shows when you are away, and go deeper into the shows while you are watching them. Android users are just now getting this application after it launched for iOS in October of last year. After signing in with your cable provider's credentials, you can watch back logs of many of the network's shows. In addition to live shows, VH1 plans on special content for app users, like the re-release of their movie "CrazySexyCool: The TLC Story." All of this content comes on top of the fact that the app doubles as a viewing companion, which makes your phone or tablet a second screen for information while the show is running on your TV. You can chat with friends, cast members and other people around the world from inside the app while you all enjoy the show together. If you just could not have enough information on Basketball Wives, hit the Google Play link below for your download. Play Link

Meet Me Halfway, a Helpful App in Beta to Find Points of Interest Between Two Addresses

Tim — Tue, 18 Feb 2014 12:06:23 +0000

Folks who frequently use Craigslist or other online services to sell goods to nearby residents, should check out Meet Me Halfway. The app allows users to punch in two different addresses, then shows the halfway point and local points of interest in that area. For example, if I was trying to meet someone from Salem and I was in Portland, it displays a few major rest stops/gas stations halfway between the two of us, perfect for a safe exchange of goods and cash. As of right now, the app only indicates the halfway mark based on distance, and not time it takes to travel. On Reddit, the developer states he will look to add that function in a later update to the app, though. As you can see in the screenshots, the app takes full advantage of the Android design guidelines, featuring a translucent notification bar and see-thru nav buttons. It's quite the sexy little app. It's completely free for now, so go check it out. Play Link

Via: Reddit

Samsung Intros New LED Flash Components for Advanced Mobile Devices, Will be Used in the Galaxy S5

Tim — Tue, 18 Feb 2014 11:15:52 +0000

Samsung made yet another announcement this morning, introducing new LED flash components to help smartphone photographers produce higher quality images while on the go. As a few may know, LED flashes found on smartphones have never been anything too special and usually have a tendency to render a photo either useless or somewhat painful to look at. They have one sole purpose, to brighten a dark space, but usually end up washing out whatever subject you are trying to capture. Regardless of the past, Samsung is pushing forward with new LED components, ones which should rival those of the pros. Samsung will be on hand at MWC to show off these new LEDs, and hopes to see the flashes hit the widespread market within Q2 of this year. In the announcement, Samsung confirms that the new LED technology will be used in the upcoming Galaxy flagship device, so future Galaxy S5 buyers should be excited already. Since I don't know too much about LED technology, I will let Samsung handle the technical explanation of what it is they are doing.

Because high-quality smartphone cameras require a wider FOV (Field of View) angle for better picture quality, Samsung’s new reflector-integrated flash LEDs are designed to enable a great deal of flexibility by providing a wide FOV within a small space through the integration of a light source, a lead frame, and a reflector with its own optics and diffusion features. Of the latest LED mobile offerings, Samsung’s new reflector-integrated flash LED ─ the 3432 1.8t (FH341A) delivers over 165 lux at 1A and a minimum CRI (Color Rendering Index) of 80, assuring quality photos in daylight and at night. In recognition of such superb performance levels, the 3432 1.8t will be used in the next Galaxy smartphone, which is expected to be introduced later this month.

I would be the first person to say that I hate flash photography, but if Samsung can make it a little less terrible on smartphones, I'd be impressed. The Galaxy S5 is to be announced in less than a week, so let's see what Samsung can do.

Via: Samsung Tomorrow

Bloomberg: Galaxy S5 Will Feature "Larger" and "Sharper" Display

Kyle — Tue, 18 Feb 2014 10:45:54 +0000

Another day, another incredibly unspecific article about the supposed specs of the Galaxy S5. In a report released this morning, Bloomberg claims the Galaxy S5 will have a 5.2-inch screen and a "sharper display" than the current Galaxy S4. That's according to an anonymous source of theirs, who didn't elaborate beyond generalization. Bloomberg also said the Galaxy S5 will feature "an improved battery and camera," will be released around the same time as the follow-up to the Galaxy Gear, and may retail for less than previous Galaxy S devices. What does it all mean? Not a whole lot, but at least we know it'll have a fingerprint sensor. I'm not sure about you all, but I can't wait for the speculation madness to end. Luckily, Samsung's Unpacked 5 event is only a few days away.

Via: Bloomberg

Deal: Amazon Selling Google Chromecast for $30 With Free Shipping

Kellen — Tue, 18 Feb 2014 10:28:50 +0000

Ever since Google introduced Chromecast app compatibility to all sorts of new developers starting in December, I have found it to be one of my favorite tech products all over again. But now that it is truly open to everyone, with the SDK released to the wild, I think the sky is the limit in terms of new apps, new functionality, and new ways to experience this amazing HDMI dongle. So in case you haven't yet purchased a Chromecast, we thought Amazon's new price might grab your attention. For $30 and free standard shipping, you can have Google's dongle (lulz). Amazon Link

Cheers Cory!

Dead Zebra Android Collectible Gets Mega Sized, Going On Sale This Week

Eric — Tue, 18 Feb 2014 10:20:21 +0000

The Android Collectible line from Dead Zebra and Andrew Bell has been around for a while, offering up our favorite little Bugdroid character in a lot of different costumes. Have you ever wondered if you could have a bigger Bugdroid? Well, today is your lucky day with Mega-sized Android Collectibles rolling out this week. These new Megadroids stand nearly 10" tall, so no one will be able to question your Android love when they see this guy on your desk. For those who need a secret stash while at the office, the body of the figure opens up to reveal a nice-sized compartment, as well. The new larger size costs $69.99 in Android green, but you can also get your hands on a blank Android and decorate it yourself for $5 less. Below are a few of the many websites that are selling these oversized Androids. Too much Android for you? Or not enough? My Plastic Heart | Menace Inc. | Cardboard Spaceship | Vinyl Riot

Via: +Andrew Bell

Galaxy S5 Fingerprint Sensor Exists, Reportedly Embedded in Home Button

Kyle — Tue, 18 Feb 2014 09:50:10 +0000

Samsung's commitment to secrecy in all matters Galaxy S5 has been impressive; conflicting reports over the past few weeks have obfuscated the final device's form and features. But as with any high-profile smartphone or tablet, details almost always leak closer to launch, and Samsung's next flagship is no exception. Yesterday, SamMobile confirmed the presence of a fingerprint sensor on the Galaxy S5. Contrary to speculation, the publication said the sensor will not be embedded behind the device's screen, but in a physical home key. (Sorry, software button fans.) The report went on to say that the sensor will, like the laptop fingerprint readers of yesteryear, require you to quickly swipe your entire, moisture-free (it won't recognize wet digits) finger across the home button. That sounds a little less convenient than Apple's Touch ID, but considering that technology's unreliability, Samsung's implementation could be an improvement. SamMobile also revealed juicy details concerning how Samsung intends to incorporate the fingerprint sensor into software. Apparently, you'll be able to assign 8 different fingerprints to different tasks or apps, so you can, say, open S Voice with your middle finger. You'll also have the ability to hide certain apps and media with Personal Folder and Private Mode, features that require a fingerprint scan or PIN to unlock content. Finally, you'll have the option of entering your Samsung account and website credentials with a fingerprint. Though fingerprint scanners have come a long way since the Motorola Atrix, I'm still not convinced they'll replace passwords or shortcuts just yet. Still, Samsung's tech sounds intriguing, and it won't be long before we'll have a chance to see it for ourselves.

Via: SamMobile

Hey Look, the HTC M8 in a Case!

Kellen — Tue, 18 Feb 2014 09:27:23 +0000

With a March 25 press event now looming, the leaks for HTC's upcoming flagship phone will likely only pick up. Codenamed the M8 and successor to the One, the latest image of the device with a case on comes to us courtesy of industry leaker @evleaks. The image doesn't necessarily reveal anything new, but the date of March 25 and location of New York City is listed on the device, both of which relate to the event. Other than that, we're seeing BlinkFeed once again, along with transparent on-screen navigation buttons. We also have dual BoomSound speakers, a front facing camera that looks bigger than usual, and an overall design that mimics the HTC One. Ready?

Via: @evleaks

LG Holds Korean Launch Event for LG G Pro 2, Unveils "Knockcode"

Tim — Tue, 18 Feb 2014 09:04:18 +0000

Last week, LG announced the G Pro 2, the followup device to last year's G Pro. On paper, the G Pro 2 is marked high enough to be a flagship device from LG, with a Snapdragon 800 processor, 5.9" 1080p display, 4K video recording, and much more, but there was one feature that LG decided to save until a press event to really dive into. In Korea, press were invited to come get their hands on the G Pro 2 and to take a look at the newest software addition, Knockcode. If you are unfamiliar with LG's devices that feature back-facing keys, users can double tap on the device's screen to turn the display on and off. While that is cool already, LG has programmed in a way for users to set up a knock code, which will allow you to assign a specific knock pattern to turn on the display and unlock the device. The code isn't just a series of taps, but is also dependent on where the taps take place. For example, you could tap in the shape of a square or any other shape/pattern. To get an idea of how it works, check out the video below. There is still no word that the G Pro 2 will arrive as we see it in the US, as it is still a Korean exclusive.

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Via: LG

Koush Demos Chromecast Mirroring By Showing Off Flappy Bird Score

Eric — Tue, 18 Feb 2014 08:26:01 +0000

When the Chromecast SDK was finally released to the public earlier this month, we knew right away that we were going to see some cool things. One of the first things to be released with this new SDK was Koush's updated AllCast app that allowed local media streaming. It seems he isn't done just yet though, and released a short video teasing screen mirroring from your Android device to the big screen. Koush took to his Google+ page to post the short video that features him firing up Flappy Bird (rest in peace), and then throwing it to his TV and being able to play in near real time. In theory, this could turn your TV and Android device combo into a home gaming center. Details are scarce at the moment, but we expect to hear something more official within the coming days. Would you want the ability cast games from your phone or tablet onto your big screen TV?

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Via: +Koush

Samsung Confirms List of Phones and Tablets to Receive Kit Kat, Updates Begin Today

Kellen — Tue, 18 Feb 2014 06:37:27 +0000

Been waiting impatiently for a list of Samsung devices that are guaranteed to see the update to Android 4.4.2 "Kit Kat"? We now have one, thanks to Samsung. The list features devices you would expect like the Galaxy S4 and S3, Galaxy Note 3 and 2, and Galaxy Note tablets. According to the Android behemoth, updates should begin as early as today, though "availability varis by carrier and product." Since we already saw Kit Kat show up for the Sprint Galaxy S4 last week, there could be more at any time. As soon as we learn of specific carrier models receiving updates, we'll be sure to pass that info along. In the mean time, here is the full list of devices:

Galaxy S4
Galaxy S4 mini
Galaxy S4 Active
Galaxy S4 Zoom
Galaxy Note 3
Galaxy Note 2
Galaxy S3
Galaxy S3 mini
Galaxy Mega
Galaxy Light
Galaxy Note 8.0
Galaxy Tab 3
Galaxy Note 10.1
Galaxy Note 10.1 2014 Edition

Samsung Confirms KitKat for U.S. Smartphones and Tablets
February 18, 2014 DALLAS, TX – Samsung Telecommunications America (Samsung Mobile) announced today that a number of Samsung Galaxy® devices will receive the Android 4.4.2 (KitKat) software update, enriching the Galaxy experience. The upgrade provides a number of innovative, easy-to-use features that enhance the user experience, including a more intuitive user interface, enhanced messaging capabilities and updated applications: Location Menu: An integrated location menu enables users to easily activate GPS, Wi-Fi and mobile networks, while simultaneously checking the battery usage of apps running location service capabilities.Enhanced Messaging: Enables users to choose between Messages or Hangouts as their preferred default messaging application, and select from a larger assortment of updated Emoji icons.Upgraded Google Mobile Service™ (GMS) apps: Users can automatically back up photos and video and can open, view, rename and share Google Docs and files. Samsung Galaxy U.S. devices currently scheduled to receive the KitKat update include select carrier variants of the Galaxy Note® 3, Galaxy Note® II, Galaxy S® 4, Galaxy S® 4 mini™, Galaxy S® 4 Active™, Galaxy S® 4 zoom™, Galaxy S® III, Galaxy S® III mini™, Galaxy Mega®, Galaxy Light, Galaxy Note® 8.0, Galaxy Tab® 3, Galaxy Note® 10.1, Galaxy Note® 10.1 2014 Edition. Availability varies by carrier and product, with updates beginning today and continuing throughout the coming months.

HTC Announces "Advantage" Program, Will Replace Your Cracked Screen for Free

Kellen — Tue, 18 Feb 2014 06:29:03 +0000

This morning, along with its event announcement for the One follow-up on March 25, HTC announced a new program called "Advantage" that is free to all owners of the HTC One, One Mini, and One Max. Think of sort of like handset protection in a way, only this is free and certainly has time limitations. The program includes things like a "commitment to Android updates" for two years, free cloud storage, HTC's backup service, and "hands-on" help. But where you may really find some use, is through the program's free cracked screen replacement. HTC will replace the screen on your One, One Mini, or One Max within the first six months of ownership for free. All you have to do if your screen is cracked and you are within the first six months of ownership, is call their support to see if you are eligible and ship the device into them. You can ship it for free using ground shipping, but you'll be without your phone for 8-10 days. If you want it faster, you can pay for overnight shipping that will run you $29. Sound good? Well, I'd imagine it only sounds good to those of you who just bought a 1-year old phone like the One within the last few months.

Via: HTC

HTC Sets Date for One Follow-up, Mark March 25 on Your Calendars

Kellen — Tue, 18 Feb 2014 05:52:05 +0000

HTC is sending out press invites this morning for an event that will take place on March 25 in both London and New York City. Just like you, we are expecting this to be the unveiling of their follow-up to the HTC One, which has been leaked left and right for weeks as the HTC "M8." While details are certainly not official or confirmed, the device appears to mimic the HTC One, but with an odd dual-camera setup and on-screen navigation buttons. Samsung is going to give us their next flagship, the Galaxy S5, next Monday, so we can't help but be a little worried for HTC that they will be late to the 2014 party. We're not sure HTC can afford to be late to the party anymore after struggling for years to regain ground in the smartphone market. Let's hope they have something...I actually don't know what they need anymore. As a tech fan, and for the sake of all other tech fans, I just hope the phone is awesome.

Flyfit Brings Fitness Bands to Your Ankle Through Kickstarter, Lojack Jokes Welcomed

Kellen — Mon, 17 Feb 2014 10:41:18 +0000

What do you do as an entrepreneur when you find something like the smartband market growing in popularity yet are hesitant to enter it because it is completely flooded by competitors? Apparently, you build the same exact product for an athletes ankle. And that brings us to the latest Kickstarter (did you change your password yet?) project that appears to be on its way to guaranteed funding. It's called Flyfit, and yes, it's a smartband for your ankle. It's an anklet! Like other smartbands, the Flyfit will work on both iOS and Android (Kit Kat and above), uses Bluetooth LE to save on battery life, and tracks all sorts of things (running, stairs, biking, and swimming) to help you reach fitness goals. The Flyfit comes in five colors, starts at $99, and may be better for biking or swimming since it actually tracks leg movement, unlike wristbands. The Flyfit has an initial goal of $90,000, but after a short couple of days of being live, is closing in on the half-way mark with close to 400 backers. People seem to care about all things fitness tracking (fitness track all the things!) these days, so I'd be surprised if this didn't at least reach its original goal. I should point out that Flyfit appears to have added on Android compatibility after receiving a bunch of feedback. It seems as if Android compatibility was going to be a part of a stretch goal, but its creators are now going to try to get it ready for launch. Hate to say it, but after being a part of a dozen Kickstarter projects like this, I'm super skeptical at that happening or being anywhere near the experience they'll have for iOS. Anyone else remember the Misfit Shine?

Via: Kickstarter

Sony Xperia Z2 Tablet and Phone Reportedly Leak Ahead of MWC (Updated)

Kyle — Mon, 17 Feb 2014 10:25:32 +0000

Curious about the successors to Sony's beautifully designed Xperia Z tablet and Z1 phone? @evleaks and a couple of YouTubers are happy to indulge. Yesterday, @evleaks tweeted the alleged specs of the Xperia Z2 tablet, and it's turning out to be quite the powerhouse. The Xperia Z2 tablet will be powered by a Snapdragon 800 SoC and 3GB of RAM, and will feature a 10.1-inch, WUXGA (1920x1200) Triluminos display, an 8MP rear camera and 2MP front-facing shooter, a 6000 mAh battery, and 16GB of storage plus a microSD expansion slot. Oh, and it'll be waterproof, ship with Android 4.4 KitKat, and maintain a thinness of 6.4mm. How's that for overachieving? Separately, two YouTube videos released over the past week report to demo prototype the Xperia Z2 phone, codenamed Sirius. It's tempting to question their veracity, but both are quite extensive and show many elements of Sony's UI skin. No word on the smartphone's specifications, but it's not unlikely the internals and display won't wildly differ from its tablet counterpart. We'll have to wait until Mobile World Congress to get an official look at the Xperia Z2 tablet and phone, but at least the leaks should help tide us all over... right? Update: @evleaks tweeted an alleged render of the device. Looks slick:

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Via: @evleaks | YouTube [2]

Deal: Motorola Extends Moto X Sale a Week, $70 Off All Models Until February 22

Kyle — Mon, 17 Feb 2014 08:58:15 +0000

Although Motorola may have a new owner, that doesn’t mean the company has ceased promoting its existing product line. In fact, Motorola on Friday extended the $70 sale on all Moto X variants until February 22. That’s another whole week to contemplate customizing a model with one of those gorgeous wood back finishes. The discount reduces the 16GB edition to $329 and the 32GB to $379. Will this latest deal persuade you to pick up a Moto X, or are you waiting for something potentially better around the corner?

Via: Motorola

Motorola Device With AT&T LTE Bands Stops by FCC, is It a 4G LTE Moto G?

Kellen — Mon, 17 Feb 2014 07:45:23 +0000

A mystery Motorola device stopped by the FCC recently under number IHDT56PG1. That number doesn't tell us much, but we do know that it has a 2000mAh battery inside and supports LTE on AT&T's network. Are we potentially looking at a Moto G for AT&T with LTE on board? Tough to tell, but maybe. According to a reddit user who spotted the listing, the battery number listed in the FCC filing matches that of the Moto G, SNN5932A. While I can't confirm the number without ripping apart my Moto G, I will say that the FCC filing says 2000mAh battery, whereas the Moto G actually has a 2070mAh battery inside. One thing is for sure - AT&T does not yet carry the ultra-affordable device from Motorola. Since its number 1 competitor (Verizon) does through prepaid, it wouldn't surprise me in the least to see AT&T adopt it. The device has been universally praised by reviewers and they would also be one-upping Big Red should they get Motorola to toss LTE inside. If there is one thing missing that would keep us from ever recommending the version on Verizon, it would be the fact that it can only access their ultra-slow 3G network. If you want to see us unbox and fondle the unlocked Moto G, hit up this post. As we learn more, we'll be sure to keep you up-to-date. We can imagine that an LTE-equipped Moto G would be quite popular.

Via: FCC | reddit

Kickstarter was Hacked - No Credit Card Data Stolen, but You Should Change Your Password

Kellen — Mon, 17 Feb 2014 07:07:43 +0000

Last week, Kickstarter was hacked. The crowd-funding site was informed by the breach as early as last Wednesday, though they didn't make the information public until a couple of days later. According to emails being sent to account holders, no credit information was accessed, but some of your personal information may have been. In other words, it's time to change your password, even though it may not have been included in the breach. Kickstarter said that they were quick to close the security breach and have already begun strengthening security measures throughout their system. And that's that. Since we feature Kickstarter projects quite often, we thought you should be informed in case you didn't receive an email from Kickstarter. Go change your password, then enjoy President's Day.

On Wednesday night, law enforcement officials contacted Kickstarter and alerted us that hackers had sought and gained unauthorized access to some of our customers' data. Upon learning this, we immediately closed the security breach and began strengthening security measures throughout the Kickstarter system. No credit card data of any kind was accessed by hackers. There is no evidence of unauthorized activity of any kind on your account. While no credit card data was accessed, some information about our customers was. Accessed information included usernames, email addresses, mailing addresses, phone numbers, and encrypted passwords. Actual passwords were not revealed, however it is possible for a malicious person with enough computing power to guess and crack an encrypted password, particularly a weak or obvious one. As a precaution, we strongly recommend that you change the password of your Kickstarter account, and other accounts where you use this password. To change your password, log in to your account at Kickstarter.com and look for the banner at the top of the page to create a new, secure password. We recommend you do the same on other sites where you use this password. For additional help with password security, we recommend tools like 1Password and LastPass. We’re incredibly sorry that this happened. We set a very high bar for how we serve our community, and this incident is frustrating and upsetting. We have since improved our security procedures and systems in numerous ways, and we will continue to do so in the weeks and months to come. We are working closely with law enforcement, and we are doing everything in our power to prevent this from happening again. Kickstarter is a vibrant community like no other, and we can’t thank you enough for being a part of it. Please let us know if you have any questions, comments, or concerns. You can reach us at accountsecurity@kickstarter.com. Thank you, Yancey Strickler Kickstarter CEO

This Episode was Voted MVP of NBA All-Star Weekend

Tim — Sat, 15 Feb 2014 00:15:16 +0000

Another Wednesday night, another Droid Life Show in the books. This week was Episode 49, an almost-historical entry into our growing list of shows. Even though is wasn't the big 5-0, we still had a great time talking about our high hopes for 2014 flagship devices, and even let Ron take the spotlight for a bit to talk about his time with the Moto X. While he did speak highly of Kit Kat, he apparently can't stand the absolute mess that Android icons tend to be.

This Week in the Life of DROID: 2/14/14

Kellen — Fri, 14 Feb 2014 17:00:59 +0000

Since you are in the doghouse for forgetting that today is all about your significant other, it's time you catch up on all that happened during the week at Droid Life. We actually had a pretty busy week, which is a sign that things are about to really pick up for 2014. In other words, Samsung is about to take over with the Galaxy S5 on February 24, HTC will be right behind them with the One sequel, and LG is going to continue to try to whittle away at everyone else's market share. In terms of news this week, we busted out another quality DL Show that you won't want to miss, especially since we are only one away from number 50. We also spent a bunch of time with Sony's Xperia Z1 Compact, broke news on Verizon's new data plans and the Nexus 7, learned that Lenovo's CEO is quite optimistic with his purchase of Motorola, and are now enamored with a new live wallpaper from Roman Nurik. Be sure to catch up, cupid.

Watch: The Droid Life Show - Episode 49 [Subscribe]
Hands-on: Sony's Xperia Z1 Compact is pretty sweet.
Home screens: Did you post yours this week?
Verizon announced new MORE Everything plans | Full details.
9 things we could see at the Galaxy S5 event.
Lenovo's CEO thinks they can make Motorola profitable within a few quarters.
Dennis Woodside will no longer be the CEO of Motorola; heads to Dropbox.
T-Mobile's JUMP! upgrade plan is giving you more upgrades, tablets included.
HTC is committed to updating phones for 2 years going forward.
They are also doing something with phone repairs next week.
Poll: Galaxy S5 or the follow-up to the HTC One?
LG already announced the G Pro 2 as its new flagship tablet-phone-mega-beast.
Here are a bunch of app sales to take you into the weekend.
AcDisplay will give non-Moto X devices Active Display. It's awesome.
Verizon is now selling the Nexus 7 (2013) with LTE.
BBM 2.0 arrived on Android and actually includes some pretty cool features.
Sprint's Galaxy S4 is the first to get Kit Kat.
Roman Nurik gave us the coolest live wallpaper ever. Seriously.
What percentage of your phone is actual display?
Goodbye, Flappy Bird.

Enjoy the roses.

LG G Pad 8.3 for Verizon Press Render Leaked

Tim — Fri, 14 Feb 2014 15:35:07 +0000

Want a G Pad 8.3 from LG that can connect to Verizon's 4G LTE network? According to the latest tweet from @evleaks, it's definitely coming soon. In the tweet, Evan posted up a press render of the G Pad 8.3, complete with two Verizon logos and a healthy-sized 4G LTE logo on its backside. As we posted last month, the tablet stopped by the FCC with Verizon radios inside, so these renders lend more credence to that report. There is no official word from Verizon as to when we can see it on its network, but it will more than likely be sooner rather than later. Thinking about picking one up?

Via: @evleaks

Top 5 Zooper Widget Skins: February 2014

Rithvik — Fri, 14 Feb 2014 15:05:52 +0000

Customization is a huge part of Android, and part of that starts right on your home screen. A lot of us use many tools to achieve home screen perfection, including UCCW and Zooper Widget. We've gone over the best UCCW widgets in our Icons and UCCW series, so we thought we may as well start to show you our picks for the best of Zooper. Here are five good options for February.

1. KitKat Notifications

This one has a simple purpose — to show notifications in an aesthetically pleasing manner. And this one definitely does look great, reminding me of the great Today app’s Agenda widget. 10 widgets come with the skin, with the promise of more to be added in future updates, and the developer promises sharp graphics in a very Holo looking UI. Running just $0.99 on the Play Store without in-app purchases, this looks to definitely be worth a shot. It’s worth noting, though, that Zooper Widget Pro and MyColorScreen‘s Media Utilities are required to use the skin to its fullest potential, and those’ll run you an extra $2.49 assuming you haven’t already purchased them. Play Link

2. Simple Glass

When it comes down to design, you can't go wrong with this one. With two gorgeous widgets -- a 4x2 Agenda Clock and a 4x1 Notification Bar -- you'll be able to deck out your home screen with a minimalistic yet useful setup. This one will set you back $0.00, which makes it easy to recommend, but just like every other skin listed in this post, you'll have to have the paid Zooper Widget Pro installed to use it. Play Link

3. Circlons

Coming with an impressive 14 widgets, this companion to the Circlons icon pack is packed with useful things to use on your homescreen. A digital clock is available in seven colors, joining two types each of weather and battery widgets and topped off by three colors of a Google search tool. The look is strong with this one as well -- it can definitely be categorized as one of the better looking Zooper add-ons. The best part about Circlons is the price. It's available for free provided you have Zooper Widget Pro installed, an impressive feat for an app with such a large amount of functionality. Play Link

4. 0Weather

0Weather comes from one of my favorite theme developers, Ryan Kelly, and is another excellent weather skin with modern and pleasing aesthetics to boot. One of the highlights of this one is the fact that it comes editable -- you can move things around to fine tune the experience you get with the widget, and even add a hotspot to your favorite weather app. Like some of the other skins here, it's free on the Play Store. The thing that makes this one unique is that it allows you to get the .zw file instead of downloading from Google Play, in case you want to get around having to buy Zooper Widget Pro. Play Link | ZW File

5. Minarch

This one's a bit old but still one of the Zooper gems out there. The widget features a battery gauge, weather forecast, clock, and upcoming events calendar tool, all of which scream "minimalistic" and "gorgeous". We fully recommend this one for anyone looking for something simple and clean. What makes this one a no-brainer is the price tag; it can be had entirely for free on Google Play. Play Link

That does it for this one. If you stumble upon any Zooper skins you'd like to see featured in our next roundup, be sure to hit us up!

HTC to Update Future Flagships for Two Years After Launch - No Ifs, Ands, or Buts (Updated)

Tim — Fri, 14 Feb 2014 14:41:21 +0000

HTC is currently hosting an AMA (Ask Me Anything) on Reddit, completely focused on nothing but Android updates. As Android users might be aware, HTC for the most part hasn't had the best track record when it comes to updating flagship devices in a timely manner, but they have given it their best since the launch of the One. When Google released Kit Kat last year, HTC announced that in 90 days, all US variants of the device would be running Android 4.4+. As it turned out, they didn't quite meet their own timeframe, but you have to give them credit due to the company's complete transparency on social media as to why devices weren't being updated. Now in February, all One devices should be running Kit Kat. So, with all of that said, HTC announced today during the AMA that moving forward, all flagship devices will be updated to the newest versions of Android for two years following their releases. With that, you can now rest assured that if you buy the HTC One successor, codenamed M8, that it will receive updates for two full years after it launches. As it is, that is a major commitment HTC is throwing out for buyers of their brand.

Given the immense resource requirements for updates we can’t solve all our past issues, but today we are making a commitment to support all new flagship devices going forward with all major Android updates for 2 years after their release date.

You may recall HTC announced last month that the One X and One X+ in America would not be receiving a Kit Kat update, thanks to lack of support from NVIDIA on the Tegra 3 chip which powers the One X+. While the One X does utilize a Snapdragon processor, HTC thought that it wouldn't be a good idea to only update one device and then leave One X+ buyers out in the cold.

Without the support of our chip manufacturer Nvidia, it made a global update of One X and X+ devices impossible. However, in US the One X uses the Qualcomm chip and an upgrade would be possible, but we didn’t think it would be a good experience for our customer base to update the X, but not the X+. This update caused a huge stir amongst owners and we’ve heard you loud and clear, so we’re now actively exploring how we can make the jump to 4.4.

As of today, HTC also announced that they are now actively exploring ways to update both devices to Android 4.4+. Although, please keep in mind, exploring possibilities is a long ways from confirming that an update is in fact coming. HTC will more than likely need to talk to NVIDIA about how they plan on updating a device with the unsupported Tegra 3 chip with LTE modem inside. This is pretty big news from HTC today, and should have fans of the manufacturer smiling from ear to ear. Update: HTC reached out and wanted us to make sure to point out that the two year timeframe is only for the US flagships, and not International models.

Via: Reddit

Android 4.4.2 Build KVT49L Factory Image and Binaries Released for Nexus 7 (2013) LTE

Kellen — Fri, 14 Feb 2014 14:17:35 +0000

Remember that update for the LTE Nexus 7 (2013) that rolled out earlier this week to help the tablet better connect to Verizon's network? We now have a factory image and binaries for it as Android 4.4.2 build KVT49L. Or as Google is calling it "release 2." If you own the LTE Nexus, feel free to grab the factory image, you never know when it might come in handy. Links: Factory Image | Binaries

You Don't Need Another Android Twitter Client, but Fenix is a Nice New Option

Kellen — Fri, 14 Feb 2014 14:11:56 +0000

Building a Twitter app makes no sense these days. Twitter killed off third party development long ago when it decided to limit tokens (users) to 100,000 and not give developers an opportunity to receive more unless they did something that was truly unique or added to the platform and avoided mimicking the "core user experience." As you can imagine, that's nearly impossible to do. So when we see apps like Fenix, we want to ask the developer, "What are you thinking and why are you wasting your time?" But in the end, if the app is decent, we'll still give it some play, as there is a chance it could be the one for you. So yeah, here is Fenix, a new Twitter app that is currently in preview. It's super simple, has a dedicated tablet layout, includes a hamburger navigation drawer, pull-to-refresh, and is really smooth and fast to use. You can quickly access lists or other sections of Twitter with a quick swipe, choose between light or dark themes, and even enjoy fancy animations on profile pages (think the new Play Newsstand app). Feel free to check it out - it's free. Download Link

Via: XDA

HTC Takes to Twitter, Teases Device Repair Service or Something Like That

Tim — Fri, 14 Feb 2014 12:56:19 +0000

Today, HTC took to to Twitter and posted up a sad picture of two HTC One phones with cracked screens, placing them in the shape of a heart. HTC continued on and said "If only broken hearts were this easy to fix." Does HTC have a repair service for customers in the works? HTC tweeted that additional info would hit the web on February 18, which is next Tuesday. Does HTC have so many left over One phones from last year that they will allow buyers to replace any broken ones? You never know - it could happen. Any ideas as to what HTC is teasing?

Via: @HTC

De La Soul is Giving Away Every Single Album of Theirs for Free for 25 Hours [Not Android, Still Awesome]

Kellen — Fri, 14 Feb 2014 11:49:16 +0000

This has absolutely nothing to do with Android, but we're sharing anyway because it's awesome. As the hip hop fans that we are, it would feel wrong to not let other fans know that the iconic group De La Soul is giving away every single one of their albums for free for the next 25 hours to celebrate the 25th anniversary of their first album, 3 Feet High and Rising. Well, it's less time than that now, but you do have until noon Eastern tomorrow to grab them all from De La Soul's website. All you are required to do is sign-up on their mailing list. They will then send you an email with links to download each album individually. Afterwards, you can unsubscribe if you'd like. De La Soul Site

NVIDIA's Tegra to Focus on Superphones and Automotive Markets, Not Mainstream Budget Phones

Tim — Fri, 14 Feb 2014 11:20:52 +0000

Thanks in part to a somewhat unsuccessful year for the Tegra 4 in 2013, NVIDIA is re-gearing its focus for their line of smartphone processors. As stated by the company's CEO Jen-Hsun Huang during NVIDIA's quarterly earnings call, "Our non-focus is mainstream (budget) phones." With lower returns in the budget phone market, NVIDIA will not look to compete against other silicon manufacturers such as Rockchip and MediaTek; two companies which have established a dominance in that area. Not only do those two companies already have established marketshare, but Qualcomm has also announced new emphasis on the budget phone market. According to NVIDIA's CFO Colette Kress, "The year-over-year decrease in our Tegra processor business was largely due to higher sales volume of Tegra 3 for smartphone and tablet devices in the prior year, compared with current volumes of Tegra 4." With the new Tegra K1 and its GPU with 192 graphics cores, NVIDIA will primarily target "superphones" and high-end devices with large displays. In addition to phones, you can look for Tegra to be placed inside automobiles, powering infotainment systems for drivers as well as passengers in the backseat. NVIDIA has already stated back when they announced the Tegra K1 that consumers should expect to hear announcements for devices featuring the new chip in the second half of this year. There is no denying that the Tegra K1 is a feat of processor engineering, but what the company actually needs are OEM partner devices to put the chip inside. If you can't buy the chip, then it won't matter how fast or powerful it is. Here's hoping NVIDIA has better luck this year with the K1 than they did with the Tegra 4.

Via: PC World

Google Wants to Wish You a Happy Valentine's Day With Special Google Play Deals

Rithvik — Fri, 14 Feb 2014 10:20:21 +0000

In case you are feeling a little lonely on this Valentine's Day, there are a couple ways to make yourself feel better. One of them is to take in all the V-Day deals, which even Google seems to have jumped on, with discounts on apps, music, movies, books, and even in-app purchases among other things. We have Disney's Blank: A Love Story flick for free, the Sincerely Ink app to send your special someone a free card, and an in-app purchase sale in Bejeweled Blitz for the Kanga Ruby gem among a few other deals. For you audiophiles, Drake's "Best I Ever Had," and Ariana Grande's debut album are discounted along with other ear candy from the '90s. And don't forget the love-themed books and movies, which includes bargains on Casablanca and The Vow. Be sure to check out the rest of the sales by following the source link.

Via: Google Play

Friday App Sales: Assassin's Creed Pirates, Plex for Android, Crazy Taxi, and More

Tim — Fri, 14 Feb 2014 09:37:39 +0000

Not everyone has a special someone in their life to keep them busy this weekend, and if you are like me, you will probably be sitting home alone playing video games and watching movies. On the bright side, lots of developers have given their applications sale prices for Valentine's Day weekend, so everyone can take advantage of the deals. This week, many classic titles are up for grabs, including a couple of my own favorites. You can score Assassin's Creed Pirates, Modern Combat 4: Zero Hour, and Crazy Taxi for only $0.99. Check out the full list of apps on sale down below.

Friday app sales

Rummikub ($1.99)
ROM Toolbox Pro ($2.99)
Ultimate Backup Pro ($1.50)
PS3 Trophies Pro ($0.99)
n7player Full Version ($2.19)
Battery Widget Reborn ($0.99)
Bag It! ($0.99)
Paris Winter ($0.99)
My Date HD ($0.99)
Couple Tracker - Phone Monitor ($3.49)
Assassin's Creed Pirates ($2.99)
Rayman Fiesta Run ($1.49)
Plex for Android ($2.49)
Virtua Tennis Challenge ($0.99)
Crazy Taxi ($0.99)
House of the Dead Overkill ($0.99)
Sonic Racing Transformed ($0.99)
9mm ($0.99)
Modern Combat 4: Zero Hour ($0.99)

You know what to do.

Grab an LG G Pad 8.3 for Just $249.99 Through Newegg

Tim — Fri, 14 Feb 2014 09:00:25 +0000

For a limited time through Newegg, you can grab a brand new LG G Pad 8.3 for just $249.99. Regularly priced at $349.99, this is one deal you probably shouldn't pass up if an Android tablet was on your shopping list. Thanks to an instant savings of $70 when added to your cart, and then with the help of another coupon code that takes another $30 off, you are saving $100 off of the full retail. Boom, baby. The G Pad 8.3 is a good tablet, featuring a Full HD IPS display, Snapdragon 600 quad-core processor, 2GB of RAM, 16GB of storage, and a 5MP rear-facing camera. We currently have a Google Play Edition of this device in the house, and it's one of the better tablets we use on a frequent basis. You can check out our hands-on with the device below. For this price, it easily competes with any other slate on the market, so go check it out. Promo Code: FWPD213B Buy ($249.99)

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Via: SlickDeals

HTC Finally Hosting Their Reddit AMA Today at 1:30PM

Kellen — Fri, 14 Feb 2014 08:47:36 +0000

Back in December, HTC decided that it was time to be more upfront about updates to their Android phones. They released a massive infographic that detailed the process from their end on through carriers, certifications, and even a sign-off from Google. Since the Android community in general seems to complain often about the slowness of updates, this was useful and welcomed information that had previously not been available. After releasing that infographic, HTC has kept us up-to-date on the happenings of their updates through a tracking page for their last two years worth of phones. The page has been updated regularly as phones go from one stage of the update process to another. Today, HTC plans to provide an even greater depth of detail surrounding updates to their phones. Through a reddit AMA (ask me anything) that will kick off this afternoon at 1:30PM Pacific, you'll have an opportunity to find out all there is to know about updating the HTC One or DNA or Google Play Edition phone. This even was originally supposed to happen in mid-January.

Via: reddit

Let the Flash Sales Begin: Best Buy Drops Galaxy Gear to $149 Today

Kellen — Fri, 14 Feb 2014 07:01:15 +0000

With rumors suggesting that a follow-up to Samsung's Galaxy Gear smartwatch will arrive in a couple of weeks alongside the Galaxy S5, deals like today's at Best Buy could come often. The electronics retailer has slashed $150 off the original full retail price of the Galaxy Gear, dropping it to $149.99 for today only in select (most) colors. We still aren't sure how many of these were sold, but with reviews across the board claiming this product to be a rushed and bloated, overpriced failure, I'd imagine that there is plenty of stock to be sold off before the sequel is introduced. Again, don't be surprised if other retailers outside of Best Buy show similar deals over the coming weeks. Through today's BBY deal, you can grab the Galaxy Gear in rose gold, lime green (yellow), oatmeal beige, and wild orange at the $149.99 price. The jet black and mocha gray colors have been left at the recently reduced price of $249.99. Best Buy Link

Cheers Scott, Shane, and Dan!

Changes Reportedly Coming to T-Mobile's JUMP! - Upgrade at Any Time, No Limits, and Tablets Added (Updated)

Kellen — Thu, 13 Feb 2014 16:25:27 +0000

According to an internal memo received by Tmonews, changes are coming to T-Mobile's JUMP! early upgrade program on February 23. The monthly payment plan, which seemed to ignite a new trend in the wireless space, will no longer have any time constraints or upgrade limits, and will soon include tablets as well. As of right now, JUMP! requires that you wait 6 months with your new phone before upgrading again, whereas the new version of JUMP! will let you upgrade whenever. You also won't find limits on how often you can upgrade, so if you'd like, upgrading four or five times per year could become a reality. All you would have to do is trade in your current phone and receive credit on all of the remaining payments or "up to half of the phone's original cost." Tmonews didn't have ultra-clear specifics on that portion. Adding in tablets seems like the next logical step for these monthly payment plans, so by no means does this move sound surprising. No specific details were mentioned in terms of differences between tablet and phone upgrades with JUMP!, so they could be identical. So there you have it. Update: T-Mobile has confirmed the changes to Fierce Wireless, saying that "whenever you're ready to upgrade, trade in your device and T-Mobile will pay your remaining device payments up to 50% of the device cost. There is no more waiting period or limit to the number of times you can upgrade per year." Tablets are also a part of the new plan.

Via: Tmonews

AcDisplay Brings Moto X Active Display-like Functionality to All Kit Kat Devices

Kellen — Thu, 13 Feb 2014 14:48:39 +0000

It's OK if you have secretly been jealous of the Active Display feature that we constantly talk about from the Moto X - it's that great of a feature, especially for those of us who run through thousands of notifications per day. Be jealous no more, though, an app that runs on all Kit Kat devices and introduces part of Active Display's functionality is now available on Google Play for free. The app is called AcDisplay, and it really will bring a piece of Active Display to your non-Moto X. Using this app, you will see notifications light up your screen as they arrive and show as a circular icon with a timer ring, which is your chance to act on that notification before your screen times back out. If you'd like to act on the most recent notification, you can swipe up and into it. If you'd like to simply unlock your phone, you can do that by swiping down. As new notifications arrive, they will stack on the screen, though you can only act on the most recent. For now, AcDisplay is pretty bare bones. It requires that you give it notification access and let it act as a Device Admin so that it can manage the screen off timeout policy. Once you have done those two things, it just sort of runs on its own. I'd imagine there will be settings for selecting which types of notifications can show, how long the timer will run for, etc. in the future. I should point out that this is certainly not the full Active Display that Moto X users can experience. AcDisplay won't appear every time you pick your phone up or pull it out of your pocket. It only shows as new notifications arrive. Still, not a bad early attempt. We'll be watching this one closely. Play Link

Via: XDA

Google Reportedly Moving Towards Delivering 10Gbps Download Speeds With Google Fiber

Tim — Thu, 13 Feb 2014 14:10:55 +0000

According to Google's CFO Patrick Pichette, who we have the pleasure of listening to every time there is a Google earnings call, there is no need to wait another decade for 10Gbps Internet speeds in American homes. In a talk about Google Fiber during the Goldman Sachs Technology and Internet conference, Pichette was quoted as saying, "That's where the world is going. It's going to happen. It may happen over a decade, but why wouldn't we make it available in three years? That's what we're working on. There's no need to wait." Google Fiber currently offers 1Gbps download and upload speeds for customers who pay the premium price, but with Comcast set to gobble up Time Warner, it doesn't appear Google is afraid of that acquisition. From Pichette's quote, we now look forward to Google increasing FIber's speeds up to 10x within the next few years, but it's not certain if that dream will become a reality so quickly. As most Americans (and Android fans) will tell you, it doesn't matter how fast the speeds are as long as Fiber is exclusive to only a few markets in the country. When asked about Fiber coming to more markets, Pichette replied, "Stay tuned."

Via: BGR | USA Today

AT&T's LG G2 Receiving Minor 15MB Update, Still No Kit Kat

Kellen — Thu, 13 Feb 2014 13:46:50 +0000

The LG G2 from AT&T is receiving an update today that appears to do nothing more than prepare the phone for future updates. In other words, this is not the Kit Kat (Android 4.4) you have all been waiting for. The changelog simply states that the 15.4MB file is an enhancement "to support future updates," while also bringing "Google enhancements." Maybe Android 4.4 is around the corner and LG needs to prepare the phone for arrival? Who knows at this point, but we have seen Kit Kat show up on Korean variants of LG's 2013 flagship. We'll keep you updated as we learn more.

Update summary On February 13, 2014, AT&T and LG released a software update for the LG G2 (D800). This software package updates the baseband version to M8974A-AAAANAZM-1.0. 190034 This software update includes The size of the update file is 15.4 MB and is available over the air.

FOTA enhancement to support future updates

Google enhancements

What to expect after the update Although there should be no impacts to settings or data, we recommend that you back up your media files to a PC, or using a favorite application (from the Play Store), prior to upgrading the software.

Via: ATT

NVIDIA SHIELD Spotted on NCIS: Los Angeles, Used to Pilot a Drone

Tim — Thu, 13 Feb 2014 12:25:39 +0000

It's always a bit of fun to spot well-known Android devices on TV shows or movies, and the latest device to hit the spotlight is the NVIDIA SHIELD. The Android-powered game console was used in NCIS: Los Angeles to spy on someone by a female character who was piloting a drone in Afghanistan. Once the drone is airborne, we even get a nice closeup of SHIELD's 5" HD display and see the drone's point of view. Is it possible that this is paid product placement? Possibly. Is it possible the producers just thought it would look cool? Possibly. Either way, we love seeing Android devices get love on national television.

Via: NeoGAF

Cheers Kyle!

Lenovo CEO Looks to Turn Motorola Around in Mere Quarters After Deal Closes With Google

Tim — Thu, 13 Feb 2014 12:03:37 +0000

With Motorola CEO Dennis Woodside already speaking on his departure from the company, Lenovo's CEO had words of his own, stating a few rather bold claims for Motorola and its future success in the mobile market. Yang Yuanqing, the CEO of Lenovo, states that the company can turn Motorola around financially after just a few quarters once the $2.91 billion deal with Google is finalized and in the books. As indicated by Yuanqing, Lenovo's goal is to ultimately introduce the well-known US manufacturer to Chinese and emerging markets. Not only will Motorola continue to produce premium devices, but the OEM will be a major competitor in the entry-level sector. As we have seen with the Moto G, Motorola claims this to be one its biggest successes, and will keep working to produce high-quality entry-level devices. As reported by Bloomberg, about 3,500 Motorola employees will transfer to Lenovo, which will help Motorola's financial bottom line - at least on paper. Lenovo is hoping to close all deals with regulatory approval within six to nine months. We still have high expectations for Motorola, and we truly hope the company won't plan on exiting the US market anytime soon, even with its entrance into Chinese and emerging markets.

Via: Bloomberg

Mystery Puzzler The Room Two Launches for Android, Priced at $2.99

Tim — Thu, 13 Feb 2014 11:10:18 +0000

Mystery fans can go grab The Room Two this morning from Google Play, a sequel to the very popular The Room title. These games are your typical point and touch mystery solvers, but thanks to a ton of time going into the stories and new 3D graphics, these titles live up to their price tags. The Room Two features a new cloud save feature, which the previous did not. The game also features multi-language support, as well as a hauntingly-good soundtrack as you explore the different levels. The game will run you $2.99, but as many players of the original The Room will tell you, it's worth every penny. Play Link ($2.99)

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College Students Rejoice! Taco Bell Currently Testing Smartphone App to Order Food Ahead of Time

Eric — Thu, 13 Feb 2014 10:50:11 +0000

If you didn't think that fast food could get any faster than the ritual that they run at Taco Bell, you are in for a surprise. With the rise of smartphones and mobile devices over the past few years, fast food is getting even more convenient. Reports say that Taco Bell has embraced this and is currently testing a smartphone app for all their hungry customers. The top secret Taco Bell scientists that crafted Dorito tacos are now testing an app that will allow people to customize their order and pay for it before they even leave their house. Jeff Jenkins, mobile lead for Taco Bell, said "this will be the biggest shake up for the mobile industry since drive-thru." There are other options such as adding your local store to the "My Bell" section for greater ease of ordering. This new service is being tested in a few stores on the west coast, but hopes to expand further than that by the end of this year. Would you order Taco Bell through your phone?

Via: LA Times

Dennis Woodside Pens Departure Letter, Says Motorola "Is In Great Hands" (Updated)

Tim — Thu, 13 Feb 2014 10:17:23 +0000

News broke last night that Dennis Woodside, the current CEO of Motorola, would be departing the company for a COO position at Dropbox. With the growth of Motorola's brand since Woodside's presence, the industry was somewhat shocked by the announcement. Dennis has taken to Motorola's blog to write a departure letter for fans of Motorola in which he talks of Moto's future and his own. Dennis states that Motorola is in great hands moving forward, and he has high hopes for the mobile company. Jonathan Rosenberg, a long-time Google employee, will take over Motorola as COO on April 1st, overseeing the transition of ownership from Google to Lenovo. Without mucking up what Dennis has to say, read his full letter below.

My Departure From Motorola

At the end of March I will step down from my post as CEO at Motorola Mobility to join Dropbox as COO. This was not an easy decision to make, but I leave knowing that Motorola is in great hands - now and in the future.In the last 18 months, Motorolans have built two of the company’s best loved phones ever, introduced customization to the industry, brought unprecedented quality and performance to a value-priced smartphone, and created experiences that changed how people use and interact with their smartphones. It was a reinvention the likes of which many 85-year-old brands could not have achieved. And it was astonishing to be a part of. I'm excited about what the next chapter in Motorola's storied history will bring under the new ownership of Lenovo. While Google imbued simplicity and software sensibility into the company, Lenovo will bring it the scale it deserves. I have no doubt the two companies together will be a force for good in the mobile industry To ensure that Motorola maintains its current momentum and successfully transitions to Lenovo ownership, Jonathan Rosenberg, a longtime Googler and SVP of Products from 2002 to 2011, will step in as COO at Motorola Mobility as of April 1. Jonathan worked very closely with me to build the leadership team at Motorola and has been intimately involved in steering business and product decisions alongside with the current leadership team. Google Chief Business Officer Nikesh Arora will remain Executive Chairman of the Motorola Operating Board, and continue to oversee the strategy. With their support, the entire Motorola management team remains focused on our current strategy and on creating great mobile devices that deliver the mobile Internet to millions more people around the world. That's something we can all rally behind. Sincerely, Dennis Woodside

We hate to see you go, Dennis. Update: Dropbox reached out to us with a comment on the move -

“We’ve long admired Dennis's leadership at Google and Motorola where he ran multi-billion dollar businesses and built amazing organizations around the world. We're so happy to welcome Dennis to our team -- I can't imagine a better person to help us bring Dropbox to global scale.”

Via: Motorola

R-Type II Released to Google Play, an Old-school Space Shooter Optimized for NVIDIA SHIELD

Tim — Thu, 13 Feb 2014 09:50:53 +0000

A fun new game hit Google Play this week, titled R-Type II. Many of you might have played R-Type, which has been on Google Play for some time, but apparently the galaxy is in trouble yet again. As always, the fate of its existence lies solely with you. We won't lie - it's hard being a full-time hero. The game is a classic space side-shooter with retro '80s graphics. You take command of a ship that must go through waves upon waves of baddies, collecting power-ups and special weapons along the way. Each level you shoot your way through has its own boss character, and from the looks of the trailer, they are not to be messed with. The game has been designed to be played on many different Android devices, but it has been optimized for only a few; namely NVIDIA's hand-held gaming console SHIELD. Thanks to the built-in controllers and buttons, SHIELD is pretty much the ultimate Android gaming machine. The game runs $1.99 on Google Play, and from the looks of it, there doesn't appear to be any IAPs. Hallelujah. Play Link ($1.99)

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PSA: LTE Nexus 7 2013 Available for Purchase Through Verizon

Kyle — Thu, 13 Feb 2014 09:25:06 +0000

Today marks the end of a ridiculous saga: the LTE-enabled Nexus 7 2013 is available for purchase through Verizon. It only took six months, but the Google-branded tablet has finally been "approved" to work on Big Red's network. Talk about a thorough certification process! It's no secret that LTE Nexus 7 owners have long been able to use the device on Verizon's network through unofficial methods, but the carrier's approval and a a software update released yesterday will make the process a lot simpler. Verizon's offering the LTE Nexus 7 for the on-contract price of $250. An unlocked tablet will cost you an additional $100 for a total of $350, but that's the price of freedom, I guess. Anyone planning on picking one up, or did that ship sale last year?

Via: Verizon

Report Claims Samsung to Unveil Galaxy Gear 2 and Galaxy Tab 4 at MWC

Tim — Thu, 13 Feb 2014 09:00:19 +0000

According to the newest report out of Korea, Samsung will look to unveil a new Galaxy Gear 2 smartwatch and Galaxy Tab 4 alongside the Galaxy S5 at MWC this year. This report aligns quite well with previous posts we have published from other sources, stating that it wouldn't be only a phone that Samsung would focus on in Barcelona. From sources close to Samsung, the new Galaxy Gear 2 should feature a "flexible" OLED display, but that was the only bit of info that was reported. The Galaxy Tab 4 is reported to come in three sizes; a 7", 8", and 10.1" display size. Each tablet will come running Android 4.4 Kit Kat, equipped with a 6,800mAh battery, and be powered by a 1.2GHz quad-core processor. MWC is only 11 short days away from today, so soon, we may have a nice little lineup of devices to talk about from Samsung.

Via: ZDNet Korea

BBM 2.0 Update for Android and iOS Brings Free Voice Calls, Dropbox Integration, and Location Sharing

Kyle — Thu, 13 Feb 2014 08:32:41 +0000

Are you one of the millions of former BlackBerry users that couldn’t, for whatever reason, let BlackBerry Messenger go? You probably have the BBM app for iOS and Android installed on your devices, then, and will be delighted to hear that an update with new features in tow will be made available for download today. It's that BBM 2.0 update we mentioned not too long ago, and it seems like the wait might have been worth it. Here are the highlights:

BBM Channels are kind of like messages boards. You can join channels about a certain topic or brand, and then chat about it with other BBM users.
BBM Voice is a VoIP service that allows you to call any one of your BBM contacts for free over Wi-Fi or cellular.
One-click sharing adds a convenient button for the quick sending of documents, photos, and voice notes to BBM contacts.
Dropbox has been integrated; you can send files from your account to BBM contacts, which they can then download or add to their own Dropbox.
Location sharing, powered by Glympse, is exactly what it sounds like: sharing where you are in the world with friends. A timer function allows you to specify the length of time you wish to make your location public.
Emoticons have been added – more than 100.

The update is for both iPhone and Android, so check your respective app store.

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Via: BlackBerry

Sprint Galaxy S4 Kit Kat Update Approved for Rollout Today as Build VPUFNAE (Updated)

Kellen — Thu, 13 Feb 2014 07:53:50 +0000

The Kit Kat (Android 4.4.2) update for the Galaxy S4 on Sprint has been approved and is ready to rollout beginning today. The update will run as build VPUFNAE, and that's about all we know. Here are the details from Sprint so far:

Release date: 02/13/2013
Version: JDQ39.L720VPUFNAE
Android 4.4 (Kit Kat): The Samsung Galaxy S 4 device will be updated to support the Android 4.4 (Kit Kat) software.
Prevention Information alert: Customers should no longer receive "Prevention Information - An application has been forced to stop for an unauthorized attempt to access system in your device. It may be safe to delete an application obtained from an unauthorized route. Check now?" alert messages on the device.
Zact Mobile: Device now includes the Zact Mobile compatibility.

We'll have more shortly and will update this post. UPDATE: Here is the changelog from Samsung -

OS upgrade to Android 4.4.2 (KitKat)
- New Lock Screen Access
  - Media Controls - full-screen album art and media controls when listening to music
  - Camera Shortcut - access the Camera application right from the lock screen
- SMS App Chooser - select a default application for sending and receiving SMS text messages
- Restyled Status and Navigation Bars - status and navigation bars are translucent and can sit on top of apps, along with simplified status bar icons
- Consolidated Location Settings - location services are integrated and more detailed by new Location menu
- Expanded Emoji Icons
- Wireless Printing – supports printing over Wi-Fi and Bluetooth

Via: Sprint

Verizon Announces MORE Everything Plans

Kellen — Thu, 13 Feb 2014 07:43:22 +0000

Just as we reported would happen, Verizon announced a new initiative called MORE Everything. The idea here is simple - Verizon is upping the data buckets on select plans, while keeping the price the same, hence the "more." They are also upping bandwidth in major cities, handing out 25GB of cloud storage to select data plans, letting you upgrade faster with EDGE, and even giving discounts on lines if you participate in EDGE. The new plans:

1GB (was 500MB) of data for $40
2GB (was 1GB) of data for $50
3GB (was 2GB) of data for $60
All still included unlimited talk and text

Discounts with EDGE:

If you participate in EDGE and have a data plan of 8GB or less, Verizon will cut $10 off per line.
If you participate in EDGE and have a data plan of 10GB or more, Verizon will cut $20 off per line.

And that is the meat of it. We'll work on a comparison of the current state of the four major carriers, if it's even possible. Some are doing some wildly different things these days. Any questions? Shop Verizon MORE Everything Plans

Via: Verizon

The Droid Life Show: Episode 49

Tim — Wed, 12 Feb 2014 23:25:08 +0000

It's our favorite time of the week again, well, maybe our second favorite right after Friday, but either way, tonight is Episode 49 of The Droid Life Show. Tonight's show will be all about 2014 flagships. We will be going over all of the rumors and leaks we have seen concerning the Galaxy S5 and HTC M8, so you won't want to miss out. In other news, our very own Ron has had a Moto X in his possession for the past week, so we will be getting his true take on Android and the phone that he recommended to everyone without even having owned one. As usual, we have a nice list of apps/games to go over, and it's going to be a fabulous time. The show kicks off at 6pm PST, 9pm EST. There is a livestream embedded below, which will automatically begin playing once the event starts. Until then, hang out in the Droid Life IRC channel and chat with us until showtime.

Subscribe | iTunes | Show Page

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LG G Pro 2 is Now Official: Snapdragon 800, 5.9-inch 1080p Display, 4K Video Recording, and More

Kellen — Wed, 12 Feb 2014 19:39:32 +0000

This evening, LG went ahead and unveiled its new tablet-phone hybrid, the G Pro 2. The phone is the follow-up to last year's G Pro, which was largely thought of as a solid competitor to Samsung's Galaxy Note line. With the 2, we're looking at upgraded specs in all the right places, along with an insane 77.2 percent screen-to-frame ratio. From a specs perspective, the G Pro 2 has a 5.9-inch 1080p display, Snapdragon 800 processor, 3GB RAM, 13MP camera with OIS+, 3200mAh removable battery, micro SD slot for expandable storage, works on LTE networks, and is all wrapped in a package that is just 8.3mm thick. As you can tell, LG tried to put the world into this phone in terms of hardware. And again, the display is as edge-to-edge and top-to-bottom as you can get. There are on-screen navigation buttons to help make this an all-display type of device with bezels that are just 3.3mm thick. On the software side, LG included something called Knock Code that allows you to perform all sorts of actions with customized knocking patterns. Outside of that, LG claims that it is going back to the basics with this phone, something we saw Motorola do last year. They have included "just the most useful UX features," rather try to stuff as many features into the phone as they did with all of their phones from last year. LG is also bragging up the 13MP camera on the G Pro 2 since it features OIS+. The sensor has increased in both size and sensitivity, shoots 4K video, and takes advantage of special camera software like Natural Flash, Magic Focus, and Burst Shot. The G Pro 2 has been announced for Korea only at this time. It will undoubtedly arrive in other markets, but LG has nothing to announce at this time.

Successor to “Best Smartphone of MWC 2013” to Make Global Debut at MWC 2014
SEOUL, Feb. 13, 2014 ― Today LG Electronics (LG) introduced the LG G Pro 2, its follow-up to the award-winning G Pro, to the Korean public. Much like last year’s G Pro, which was recognized as the Best Smartphone of MWC 2013, the G Pro 2 comes equipped with a state-of-the-art display and new UX features to take user convenience to the next level. With a stunning 5.9-inch Full HD IPS display and extra slim bezel of 3.3mm, the G Pro 2 offers an industry-leading screen-to-frame ratio of 77.2 percent. A thicker, high-power 1W Hi-Fi sound that’s 30 percent louder than in the G Pro delivers clearer sound with more powerful bass. And to simplify the powering on and unlocking process, LG engineers developed a completely unique feature called Knock Code™ which makes unlocking and using the G Pro 2 easier and more convenient than ever before. “Knock Code is an example of LG bringing simpler, more convenient solutions to consumers’ mobile lives,” said Dr. Jong-seok Park, president and CEO of LG Electronics Mobile Communications Company. “Whereas in the early years of smartphones it was a contest to see how many features could be stuffed into the phones, our researchers took a long, hard look at how consumers were really using their devices in their daily lives and included just the most useful UX features. We think customers will agree.” An evolution of the popular KnockON feature that was first unveiled last year in the LG G2, Knock Code allows owners to power on and unlock their G Pro 2 smartphones in one easy step by tapping their screens using one of 86,367 “knock” combinations. Thanks to LG’s intelligent algorithm and advanced hardware, the knock pattern can be entered on any area of the screen ― whether the display is turned on or off ― using anywhere from two to eight taps. The G Pro 2 is the first LG smartphone to benefit from an enhanced 13MP camera with OIS+ (Optical Image Stabilizer Plus) and advanced functions ideal for creating sharing content. LG’s proprietary OIS+ technology adds software anti-shake functionality to the acclaimed hardware-based feature already built into the slim camera module for the best photos and videos possible when in motion or in low light situations. What’s more, the sensors and lens of the rear and front camera on the G Pro 2 have increased in both size and sensitivity, for images that rival many standalone point-and-shoot cameras. Some of the other advanced image capturing features built into the G Pro 2 are:

120FPS HD Video Recording and Slow-Motion Editing: Records in 120fps HD and allows editing of video in three different speeds ― one-half slow motion, one-fourth slow motion and original

4K ULTRA HD Recording: Records video footage in ultra-high definition mode for playback on 4K TV sets

Magic Focus: After the shot is taken, user have the option to select the preferred depth of focus before saving. Users can also press the all-in-focus icon to make every object in the frame look their sharpest

Natural Flash: Offers more balanced color temperature and exposure for the most natural-looking photos compared to images taken with a normal flash

Flash for Selfie: Reduces the size of the preview screen and adds a bright white background for more “soft” lighting in self-portrait mode

Burst Shot: Takes up to 20 continuous shots and automatically edits them to create a video of the captured images

Gallery Collage: Allows users to select photos from their gallery to create a collage for easy uploading to favorite social network sites

In addition to the latest components, the G Pro 2 also boasts a collection of upgraded features that complements today’s mobile lifestyle where much of the information we need is in the palm of our hands or in our back pockets. Some of these new UX features include:

Content Lock: Provides users more security with the ability to lock files, photos, videos and memos with a unique password

Mini View: Enables users to comfortably use the G Pro 2 with one hand by shrinking the display to a size ranging from 3.4 inches to 4.7 inches, depending on the user’s preference

Dual Browser: Divides the expansive screen into two separate browser windows for more convenient surfing

Availability of G Pro 2 in markets outside of Korea has not yet been determined but attendees to the 2014 Mobile World Congress can experience the G Pro 2 and its features first-hand at LG’s Booth in Hall 3 of Fira Gran Via. Key Specifications:

Chipset: Qualcomm Snapdragon™ 800 (2.26 GHz Quad-Core)

GPU: Qualcomm Technologies Adreno™ 330

Display: 5.9-inch Full HD IPS (1920 x 1080), Slim Bezel

Memory: 3GB DDR3 RAM / 16GB/32GB eMMC ROM / microSD slot

Camera: Rear 13.0MP OIS+ / Front 2.1MP

Battery: 3,200mAh (removable)

Operating System: Android 4.4 KitKat

Size: 157.9 x 81.9 x 8.3mm

Weight: 172g

Network: LTE / HSPA+

Connectivity: Bluetooth Smart Ready (BT 4.0) / USB / WiFi (802.11 a/b/g/n/ac) / NFC / SlimPort

Colors: Titan, White, Red

Other: Knock Code™, 1W Hi-Fi Sound, Content Lock

# # #

Dennis Woodside Departs Motorola to Take Over as COO of Dropbox

Kellen — Wed, 12 Feb 2014 19:13:26 +0000

According to the Wall Street Journal, Motorola CEO Dennis Woodside is departing the company to become the COO of Dropbox. I wouldn't exactly say that you should be surprised that Woodside is departing the smartphone manufacturer after Google sent it packing to Lenovo, but the move to Dropbox is sort of. Then again, going from a mega-company like Google to somewhat of a start-up might be the hot new trend for executives. While Woodside was unable to turn around the losses at Motorola during his short stint, I think it's safe to say that his staff put out one heck of a product (the Moto X) that the tech world really got behind. The positive reviews and low prices may not have helped them sell millions of phones, but it certainly seemed like they were on to something. Dropbox recently took in $350 million in funding and have a value at somewhere near $10 billion. Feel free to share your thoughts on the departure of one of DL's biggest fans.

Via: WSJ

HTC One Owners Jelly Over MotoMaker? Check Out HTC's Official Custom Double Dip Cases

Tim — Wed, 12 Feb 2014 14:46:21 +0000

Thanks to the launch of new custom-color cases, HTC is providing a flare of customization for One owners. The cases are Double Dip cases (which have been around since the phone first launched), and buyers can choose up to three different colors to add to the cases, out of six different color options. It is by no means as awesome as Motorola's MotoMaker for Moto X buyers, but some color is better than no color, right? On the site, you first choose a top color, then a middle color, then a bottom color. From there, it's to the Checkout you go. The color choices are Glacier Grey, Neon Lemon, Atlantis, Bright Peach, Navy Blazer, and Pastel Blue. We don't know exactly when naming colors became so pretentious, but apparently it's a craze that is sweeping the world of mobile devices and customization. The cases will run you $29.99.

Via: HTC

Google Drive and Google Play Music Updated, Offline Radio Caching and Mobile Device Management Added

Tim — Wed, 12 Feb 2014 14:15:38 +0000

A couple of updates rolled out today, one for Google Drive and another for Google Play Music. The Google Play Music update is quite substantial, bringing offline radio caching, mobile device management, and lots of bug fixes. Before the update, devices connected to your account were managed through the desktop interface, which was sometimes a pain if you are constantly switching between devices. As for the offline radio caching, users can now store their favorite stations on their devices, without the need for a data connection. It's perfect for anyone who is a member to a gym that is underground or just doesn't want to rack up data usage on your bill. Whatever the case may be, it's a welcomed feature. As for Drive, the update doesn't appear to have a changelog posted yet, but once it is, we shall update the post. Happy updating!

v5.4.1409N
* Added the ability to pin radio stations. You'll now be able to listen to your offline radio stations even when you don't have any connection

* Added 'Play next' in the context menu

* Lots of shuffle and unshuffle fixes

* The queue understands and shows what you are playing from (playlist, album, etc)

Play Links: Google Drive | Google Play Music

Cheers everyone who sent this in!

Nexus 7 LTE Receiving Update to Enable "Full Compatibility With Verizon's 4G LTE Network"

Kellen — Wed, 12 Feb 2014 13:52:49 +0000

The Nexus 7 (2013) with LTE is receiving a 37MB update this afternoon that "enables full compatibility with Verizon's 4G LTE network." That's literally all it says. The screenshot we have mentions that it's Android 4.4.2, but as you all know, that update came long ago for Google's 7-inch slate. You are looking at a new build number of KVT49L, though. The timing for an update that deals with Big Red's network couldn't be better, as the tablet is set to launch with official compatibility tomorrow in stores and online. We first reported the news that the Nexus 7 would be sold by Verizon this Thursday, even showed pictures of the unit in stores with a line-up of accessories. In the About screen below, we are seeing a newer kernel and baseband.

Cheers Adam and Tom!

Cruzerlite's TRUGLASS Nexus 5 Screen Protector [Review]

Kellen — Wed, 12 Feb 2014 12:35:31 +0000

2013 seemed to be the year of the tempered glass screen protector. Rather than having to apply a terrible feeling plasticy, standard PET screen protector, people were choosing glass since it is both harder and feels better to the touch. But those protectors weren't exactly the slimmest or easiest to apply, so the screen protector industry has moved towards a middle ground. Cruzerlite now carries a product called the TRUGLASS for the Nexus 5 that is certainly somewhere in the middle. The TRUGLASS is made of "lab tested nano-glass" that is just 0.25mm thick. There is an oleophobic coating to help keep fingerprints off, an anti-shatter film surrounding it, is flexible enough for easy application, and carries a 9H hardness rating. As you may recall, some of the glass protectors from last year were thicker, yet only carried an 8H hardness. After receiving a sample of the TRUGLASS, I easily applied it to my N5 thanks to its flexibility. Having applied countless tempered glass protectors over the last year, I can honestly say that a flexible screen protector is much appreciated. The process was also made simple with the included cleaning wipe, polish cloth, dust removers, and squeegee.

With the TRUGLASS attached to my device, I have yet to notice it for the most part, which is exactly what you want. The TRUGLASS, in terms of size, fits very well on top of the Nexus 5. You can tell that some care went into cutting these to a proper size. There is a lone cutout for the speaker. It doesn't feel terrible to the touch, and for the most part, feels quite natural. There is a slight slippery-ness to it that wasn't there prior to the protector, but I'm not sure how big of a negative that is. Viewing angles on my Nexus 5 do not seem to have been lessened and the colors you'd expect to see from your display still shine through. If you brush your fingers over the edges of your phone often, you will most certainly notice a sharpness or roughness where the edge of the protector sits on your screen. The Nexus 5 without a protector feels buttery smooth all the way off and around the sides of the phone, but with a screen protector attached, you lose some of that. That's just part of the trade-off you get when adding extra protection to your phone. Overall, it seems like a decent product that is priced in line with most other screen protectors of its caliber. I like how thin it is and how easy it is to apply. The rough edges would probably annoy me after a while, though, and I'm already slightly worried about getting used to the subtle slippery-ness. In the end, if you feel like you need a screen protector, dealing with an edge and a potentially different feeling display is part of the story. You can buy the TRUGLASS Nexus 5 screen protector from Cruzerlite for $28.99.

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Rovio Teases Upcoming Angry Birds Release on Twitter, Will Feature "Big Adventure" and New Birds

Tim — Wed, 12 Feb 2014 12:08:56 +0000

Let the teasing for an upcoming Angry Birds title commence. Rovio took to the official Angry Birds Twitter account this afternoon to tease a new game, one which is said to contain a "big adventure" as well as "new birds" inside. No other info was given up, so it's hard to speculate as to what we can expect. We can assume it won't be a Star Wars title, given that Rovio is pretty good about hinting as to what kind of theme the game will have. In the picture that Rovio tweeted out, there does appear to be a few silhouettes of birds we have never seen before, so it should be a rockin' good time when this game drops. Anything to help heal the Flappy Bird wounds, am I right?

Via: @AngryBirds

12 Cities Added to Verizon's Same-day Delivery Program for New Phone Buyers

Tim — Wed, 12 Feb 2014 11:50:48 +0000

Last year, Verizon introduced a same-day delivery service for customers who ordered a new phone on contract in certain markets. The service will cost customers an extra $20, but if waiting for UPS or FedEx to swing by your house later in the week doesn't interest you, it was a sweet way to get your new phone the day you ordered it. Verizon has now launched the service in twelve new markets, all of which are major metropolitan areas. The full list of new cities is listed below, which includes Atlanta, GA, Denver, CO, Los Angeles, CA, and Seattle, WA. Has anyone used the same-day service from Verizon? Worth the extra $20?

New cities

Atlanta
Baltimore
Boston
Chicago
Denver
Houston
Los Angeles
Miami
Minneapolis
San Diego
Seattle
Washington, D.C.

Via: Verizon

Verizon to Introduce "MORE Everything" Plans Tomorrow - Double Data at Same Prices, Discounts on Lines, and Doubled Bandwidth

Kellen — Wed, 12 Feb 2014 11:14:59 +0000

According to multiple sources of ours, tomorrow morning, Verizon will unleash its response to the recent changes made by both T-Mobile and AT&T. Big Red is going to announce new "MORE Everything" plans that aim to give customers more data at no extra cost, doubled bandwidth, free 25GB of cloud storage, and unlimited international messaging. If you are a part of Verizon's EDGE upgrade program, you will see extra discounts on your line access as well, which could vary depending on the amount of data you are signed up for. Let's talk about it all.

Doubled data, same price

The document below details the new plans, but we'll try to summarize. In terms of data packages, you'll soon find the 500MB $40 now offers 1GB of data for the same price. The same thing goes for the 1GB $50 plan, which jumps to 2GB, and the 2GB $60 plan, which jumps to 3GB. The rest of the tiers appear to be staying the same.

EDGE line discounts

If you are a part of Verizon EDGE, they are now offering you line discounts depending on the amount of data you are paying for. So if you are on a plan with 8GB of data or less, you'll receive a $10 discount on your line. If you are on a 10GB or higher plan with EDGE, you'll see a $20 line discount. Current participants in EDGE will automatically receive this discount. So what exactly is this discount? Verizon normally charges $40 per smartphone plus the price of your data package. With these new discounts, you'll see that $40 drop to either $30 or $20 depending on your data package. In other words, this is Verizon finally removing the phone subsidy from their plans if you are paying for a phone on EDGE.

"MORE" all the things

Verizon is also claiming that it will offer doubled bandwidth in "cities coast to coast," that they will hand everyone 25GB of Verizon cloud storage, and are opening enrollment in EDGE. Also, Verizon has confirmed that "#MORE is coming" on Twitter. Thoughts?

Cheers everyone who sent this in!

Micro Center Offering Nexus 7 16GB for $180 and 32GB for $200, In-store Only

Tim — Wed, 12 Feb 2014 10:51:12 +0000

Still don't have an Android tablet? It's time to put the past behind you and finally get yourself a shiny new Nexus 7. Micro Center currently has a deal posted through its online store for a 16GB Nexus 7 priced at just $180 or the 32GB variant for $200. For the 32GB model, that's $70 off the MSRP. Cha-ching. As stated in the title, the sales are in-store only. A few folks on SlickDeals have been able to price match at other stores such as Officemax and Staples, so you should call up your local retailer to see if they offer price matching just in case you don't have a Micro Center in your area you can head to. Good luck. Buy

Via: SlickDeals

Cheers Whoa!

Influx Icons Arrive on Google Play

Kellen — Wed, 12 Feb 2014 10:38:33 +0000

Another week, another great icon pack released to Android users. The newest entry in a growing list that we can't seem to stop switching between is Influx, from Alex Miller. I have actually been testing this pack for a number of weeks and would suggest you all take a look to see if its 630+ hand-crafted icons will meet your needs. Yes, it has long shadows, but it also features rounded edges, a bright-but-not-too-bright color palette, and a set of wallpapers that may justify the price even if you don't need another icon set. If you were looking for even more value, Miller tossed in a Widgetlocker theme, plus a set of Zooper skins, all of which will fit perfectly with his icons. You could compare it to Lumos, though these icons are even more rounded and not quite as soft in terms of colors. It's definitely not pastel, like Cryten, one of our other favorites of the moment. It fits somewhere in between both of those. Play Link ($1.99) | Demo

HTC's Rumored Mid-range Desire 8 Press Render Leaked

Tim — Wed, 12 Feb 2014 10:10:32 +0000

With all of the focus on the 2014 flagships from HTC and Samsung, it's about time we start thinking about the mid-range. In a recent interview, HTC officials said that they would be focusing on the low and mid-range markets, as this share is growing quite rapidly across the world. Thanks to a leak, we could have our first real look at the mid-range road HTC looks to go down in 2014, and from what we can see, it's a very sexy road. Pictured above is the Desire 8, the first non-flagship device from HTC that reportedly features a 5.5" display. The phone is also said to feature a 13MP rear-facing shooter, a 5MP front-facing camera, dual-SIM slots, and come in a variety of colors. As you can see, it appears that there are no capacitive buttons, which means HTC could be moving to on-screen buttons across its entire device lineup this year. With that said, we can clearly see the big black "HTC" bar on the bottom, which could solidify the design language we saw on the leaked photo of the M8 yesterday. On the other hand, the device could have capacitive buttons and they just aren't lit up. Given the dual-SIM feature and other rumors posted around the web, it doesn't appear that this device will hit the US as we see it in this leak. For Americans, we will probably have to wait for different variant of this device if we hope to see it on our carriers. For a "mid-range" device, we think it looks pretty hot. You thoughts?

Via: Engadget

Honest Android Games, a Directory of Apps Without Obnoxious In-App Purchases

Kyle — Wed, 12 Feb 2014 09:35:22 +0000

In-app purchases are too often abused by greedy developers. Some like to hide essential functionality and content behind paywalls with the intention of extracting cash, a practice that tends to suck the fun right out of otherwise enjoyable games. It isn’t always easy to tell which developers are “bad actors,” though; historically, finding out whether an app had egregious in-app purchases required downloading and playing said app. Now, a new website has emerged to save us all the trouble: Honest Android Games. Honest Android Games tediously curates Play Store games that don’t incorporate incremental payment structures. Sortable by genre, availability (e.g., games that have an Amazon Appstore listing), features like immersive mode and multiplayer, and price (free, freemium, or paid), all listed games have been reviewed for best practices when it comes to payment. Developers, Honest Android Games is accepting submissions. The website warns, however, that only apps of the highest quality will be accepted:

For your game to be considered please make sure the game is aesthetically pleasing and controls well on a touchscreen (no ports that were originally designed to be played with controllers). Games must also support proper full screen scaling (no letterboxing) and HD graphics for tablets.

Via: Honest Android Games

Roman Nurik, Creator of DashClock, Releases Muzei Live Wallpaper to Google Play

Tim — Wed, 12 Feb 2014 09:00:51 +0000

It's been exactly one year since Roman Nurik introduced the DashClock widget to the Android community. Since then, that app has seen crazy popularity, with many developers building onto its platform with their very own extensions making it even more useful. Apps like DashClock are a prime example of why Android is so sweet. With that said, Roman released a new app to Google Play last night, titled Muzei. Muzei - Russian for museum - is a live wallpaper app that features famous works of art that rotate out each day to refresh your homescreen. Once applied, you can double tap on your homescreen to focus on the picture - then after a few seconds, the art is blurred out so as to bring the spotlight onto your icons and widgets. If famous works like Starry Night and the Mona Lisa don't interest you, users can add in their own pretty pictures to the app, which can be refreshed every hour up to every three days. Much like DashClock, Muzei is completely open source with an API that looks very similar to Roman's previous work. For developers hoping to get into the live wallpaper game, go check out the code on his site here. The app is completely free, so go grab it off of Google Play right now and let us know what you think. Play Link

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Via: +Roman Nurik

Android 4.4.2 Soak Test Beginning for Sprint Moto X Users

Kyle — Wed, 12 Feb 2014 08:42:26 +0000

The T-Mobile Moto X variant may have been the first to receive the Android 4.4.2 update, but Sprint’s edition isn’t far behind. That’s according to two tipsters, who both received an e-mail from the Motorola Feedback Network regarding a new “preview software release.” If the update carries the same fixes present in the T-Mobile firmware, Sprint Moto X users can expect to see support for cloud printing through Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, Google Cloud Print, and HP ePrinters. In addition, the update should improve battery life and fix issues with Microsoft Exchange syncing. Though Motorola hasn’t yet provided a release target, considering the speed with which the company ported Android 4.4, it’s only a matter of time before all Moto X variants have 4.4.2. Sprint users especially, stay on the lookout for new of an OTA.

Cheers Fahad!

LG Teases the G2 Mini Ahead of Its MWC Unveiling

Kellen — Wed, 12 Feb 2014 08:13:57 +0000

The LG G2 MINI is now official, thanks to a teasing of the device through LG's Facebook page. The note says to "experience the MINI" on February 24 at Mobile World Congress (MWC). So yeah, that's happening and will no longer be any sort of surprise. Well, we had an idea that the phone was coming after seeing a Bluetooth SIG filing, but this takes any guessing out of the name. What about specs? The flagship G2 launched as a phone with some of the highest and most impressive specs any mobile phone had ever seen. But with phones labeled "Mini," we tend to see low or mid-range devices that can be purchased on the cheap or in emerging markets. Rumors surrounding this G2 MINI suggest that it may have a qHD display. Let's hope not. We would much rather LG go Sony's route with the Z1 Compact, a smaller device that still rocks out with high-end specs (our hands-on). Here is the full image from the Facebook post so that you can see all of the cute little minis.

Via: Facebook

PSA: Handful of Android Device Owners Being Met With 403 Error in Google Play

Tim — Tue, 11 Feb 2014 15:34:56 +0000

According to many tweets by various frustrated Android owners, upon attempting to download new apps from Google Play, they are being met with a 403 error. This error is stopping users from downloading or updating any applications from Google Play, but don't worry, Google is probably on a fix. Issues like this sometimes pop up for many users, and the best thing to do is usually let it work itself out. Other users have reported that by removing and re-adding their Google account that they have fixed the problem, but for some users, that would just cause more trouble. Probably best to hang in there for a few hours or so with your outdated apps until Google can resolve the issue.

Via: Google

Cheers Marc BRICe!

Tuesday Poll: From What We've Seen So Far, Would You Choose the HTC M8 or Samsung Galaxy S5?

Tim — Tue, 11 Feb 2014 15:03:03 +0000

Rumors for both the HTC M8 and Samsung Galaxy S5 are at an all time high, so it's time we ask where you all stand as of this very moment. From what we think we know, the Galaxy S5 will launch with either a 5.25" QHD display or a 1080p display, but that's if there aren't actually two different variants of the device; one premium model and one less-premium model. The device is still rumored to feature a 16MP rear-facing camera, a quad-core processor, 3GB of RAM, and launch with Android 4.4.2 Kit Kat. The HTC M8 is currently rumored to launch with a 5" 1080p display, dual rear-facing cameras, a quad-core processor, 2GB of RAM, and come out of the box running Android 4.4.2 Kit Kat. Luckily for HTC fans, reported pictures of the M8 have been popping up here and there of the device, while Samsung fans haven't been as lucky. So, if both phones were released tomorrow, which one would get your vote? [poll id="287"]

Radiohead's PolyFauna App Will Take You to Mystical Woods, Other Worlds, and Everywhere In-between

Tim — Tue, 11 Feb 2014 14:15:48 +0000

Looking to take a trip? The well-known band Radiohead released PolyFauna to Google Play this week, allowing listens to explore their own inner beings. Using music taken from Bloom, you float and glide through a very unique world, one that has a little red ball following you wherever you go. To add a bit of mystery, it is entirely up to you whether you want chase it, though. You navigate by tilting your device and can also drag your finger across the screen to create your own poly creatures. The worlds themselves are quite mystical and gorgeous. Once you are done looking around in a certain world, you can follow the red ball and warp into a new dimension. Without trying to offend anyone, the game is much like Radiohead's music to me. It is sometimes confusing, and on the surface, it appears to have no exact meaning at times. Music is, however, quite subjective, just as how I gave the game meaning when saying that it takes you to other worlds. The way you play or interact with the app is up to the user and your experiences can be interpreted by your own mind. In one level I felt as if I was on the ocean floor, witnessing sea serpents flying across my screen. Other levels appear to be alien-like worlds, with creatures I have never seen before. It's a very open to interpretation type of game. It's completely free, so go check it out on Google Play. Play Link

Gallery

Via: Radiohead

Yet Another Purported HTC M8 Image Surfaces, Massive Black Unnecessary Logo Bar Included

Kellen — Tue, 11 Feb 2014 13:51:44 +0000

I don't feel like the the purported HTC M8 (One follow-up) leaks are going to slow down any time soon. With Samsung preparing to announce the Galaxy S5 in weeks, HTC can't be far behind with their next flagship. And with that, we get pictures like the one you are seeing below from @HTCFamily_RU. According to a Tweet sent along with this image, you are looking at an almost-crystal-clear image of the One's successor. The device resembles a phone that has been leaked a couple of times, and as was hinted at by @evleaks, looks a heck of a lot like the One. It appears to be slightly more rounded, but the overall design theme is identical. You have dual BoomSound speakers, a potentially wide-angle front camera, big beautiful display, and a massive black bar which houses an "HTC" logo. Wait, we're looking at on-screen navigation buttons, but HTC thought we still needed a massive black area for their logo to shine through? Since nothing is confirmed, we'll withhold our remaining judgement on that area until something is made official. Other than all of that, it looks like Sense. It looks like an HTC phone. And it's also sitting pretty in some sort of a flip case. You liking?

Via: @HTCFamily_RU

Google Search Update Lets Google Know Which One of Your Contacts is Your Mother

Eric — Tue, 11 Feb 2014 12:07:51 +0000

Think that Google doesn't know enough about your life already? With the latest update to Google Search, family ties will be added in to the growing list of info that Google has stashed on you. Thanks to the update, specific contacts can now be saved as Mom, Dad, Sister, Wife and so on and so forth. Following the update, you can simply state, "Ok Google, call Mom" and it will do it for you (after you have set it up). But this begs the question, why wouldn't you have your mother's phone number on speed dial already? Bad child. As it is now, this is an opt-in service. In order to opt-in, all you need to do is open Google Search, say "OK Google, call Mom." You will then be prompted to say "Yes, I'm in," followed by a question of, "Who is your mom?" You can set your mom, sister, brother, wife, dad, etc. from there. This is another step forward for Google Now, showing that Google isn't slowing down with the innovations to this new information platform. Go update the app and add your momma in there.

Via: +Google

Cheers Mike!

Qualcomm Glance Looks to Make Your Homescreen Better By Learning Your Habits

Eric — Tue, 11 Feb 2014 12:00:50 +0000

Since the introduction of Android's notification bar, the focus has been getting the information you want, when you need it. Up until the release of Android 4.2, the Android lockscreen was unexplored territory as far as getting your notifications and information, but that is quickly changing. Qualcomm Glance, its lockscreen replacement now in open beta, wants to learn from your habits and surroundings to give you information at a glance. What makes Glance different from other lockscreen replacements is the amount of your phone's info that it has access to. To install Glance, you also need to install Qualcomm's battery monitor, BatteryGuru. I'd like to say that setting up Glance is a quick install, but BatteryGuru and Glance both have menus that you need to tweak before they really kick in. BatteryGuru and Glance monitor your phone's apps, data intake, and when you use your device to best deliver the information when you need it. Current weather, upcoming appointments, and relevant apps are all featured on your screen whenever you wake it from sleep mode. Hitting home or back takes you to your regular lockscreen or straight to the homescreen if you have it disabled. The app is still in beta and Qualcomm is asking you to help work out the kinks, but as far as lockscreen replacements go, Qualcomm has a good start here. Play Link

Depop Released to Google Play, a Hip Marketplace to Sell and Buy Clothing and Accessories

Tim — Tue, 11 Feb 2014 11:35:06 +0000

A new marketplace has popped up on Google Play called Depop, perfect for those of you who love dropping duckets on hip/boutique clothing. The app's idea is very easy to grasp, as it is much like Etsy or any other young person clothing/accessory marketplace. If you have something to sell, snap a few pictures, add a description, and let the app do all of the work. People from all over are selling vintage shoes, skirts, tops, handbags, and everything in between. Buying is just as easy as selling, as users can hook up their PayPal accounts to the app, with one-click purchasing enabled throughout. If you have a question about an item, you can send a message directly to the seller through the app, so you can rest assured that you are buying exactly what you want. So far, it appears that Depop has a nice little community of users, mostly based in the UK. Hopefully once time goes by, the app will become more popular among American users as it was just released on Android. Got something sweet to sell? Follow these easy steps.

Just take a photo to sell things from your phone
Share straight to Facebook and Twitter
Chat to potential buyers and be featured on profiles
Get paid instantly in Depop through PayPal

If you happen to be into vintage sneakers or enjoy poppy boutique clothing, go grab it off of Google Play by following the link below. Play Link

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Flappy Bird Developer Speaks Out, Says Game Became "Too Addictive"

Kyle — Tue, 11 Feb 2014 11:15:43 +0000

I'm sure many of you were in shambles when Vietnamese developer Dong Nguyen decided to pull Flappy Bird from app stores earlier this week. Many speculated overwhelming publicity led the game maker to pull the plug, but in an interview with Forbes, Nguyen says differently. Nguyen told the publication that he felt the app was too "addictive." He said Flappy Bird was a game designed to play "when you are relaxed," and that the global obsession with the app "became a problem." Whatever Nguyen's intentions, the Flappy Bird phenomenon isn't going away anytime soon. The app, which was estimated to have generated nearly $50,000 per day through in-app advertising, has spawned countless numbers of clones with names like Flappy Plane, Flappy Penguin, and Flappy Angry Bird. Demand for the original remains high, though, as eBay sellers of iPhones with Flappy Bird pre-installed are asking thousands of dollars. At the end of the day, Flappy Bird is just a craze, the digital equivalent of Pet Rocks or Beanie Babies. But for those of you that had a chance to play, I only have one question: what was your high score?

Via: Forbes

How Much of Your Phone is Actually the Screen?

Eric — Tue, 11 Feb 2014 10:40:07 +0000

"Bigger screens and smaller bezels" have been the touted design mantra for most Android devices over the past few years, but how much screen are we actually getting? @somospostpc did a little bit of the number crunching for us and gives us the the percentage of space that the actual display takes up on the front of most of the top Android smartphones. It is not a surprise that we see some of the latest and most highly regarded Android phones out right now have the largest percentages of display to bezel. While the LG G2 takes the top spot, the Moto X, Galaxy S4, and Nexus 5 are all near the top in terms of display percentage. How far do you think Android and Google can push this percentage?

Via: @somospostpc

ARM Unveils New Suite of Cortex A17 Silicon for Mid-range Devices

Tim — Tue, 11 Feb 2014 10:25:43 +0000

With more device manufacturers eyeing the mid-range smartphone and tablet market, chip designer ARM announced a new suite of silicon built specifically for this growing market. ARM's new Cortex A17 chip is 60% faster than the current Cortex A9 design with improved power efficiency, while emphasizing the ability to deliver today's top performance in next year's mid-range devices. The Cortex A17 processor is coupled with ARM's Mali-T720 GPU, designed for entry-level mobile devices, smart TVs, as well as automotive infotainment. The Mali-T720 GPU offers support for the latest graphics and computing APIs, which includes Open GL ES 3.0, OpenCL, and RenderScript.

The Mali-T720 GPU is a cost-optimized graphics solution targeted at entry-level Android devices developed to reduce an OEM's manufacturing complexities and time-to-market. It supports the latest graphics and GPU computing APIs, including Open GL ES 3.0, OpenCL and RenderScript, extending the rich visual experience previously found only on today's high-end smartphones and tablets.

Highlights

Latest suite of ARM® IP delivers today's premium user experience in the mid-range mobile and consumer devices for 2015
ARM Cortex®-A17 processor delivers better efficiency and 60 percent more performance than the ARM Cortex-A9 processor, which is the current market leader by volume shipped
The ARM Mali-T720 GPU and ARM Mali-V500 video processor bring scalable, energy-efficient compact multimedia solutions to mid-range devices and are complemented by the ARM Mali™-DP500 display processor.

As we mentioned, the mid-range device market is growing rapidly, so rest assured you will be hearing the Cortex A17 name thrown around quite often in the world of processors.

Via: ARM

Quick Look: SanDisk Ultra Dual USB Drive, Transferring Files From Android Devices Made Easy

Kellen — Tue, 11 Feb 2014 10:06:21 +0000

SanDisk introduced a new product this morning called the Ultra Dual USB Drive (long name, eh?) to help you easily transfer photos or files from tablet or phone to PC and back again. The product sports both micro-USB and USB 2.0 connectors, with the idea being that you could attach the UDUD to your phone or tablet, put a bunch of recently taken pictures on it (or files), and then unplug the drive on your way to a computer for enjoyment on a bigger screen or sharing. The unit comes in 16GB, 32GB, and 64GB variants with a price range of $19.99 to $49.99. You can pick up the Ultra Dual USB Drive at a variety of retailers, including SanDisk's site. As you can see from the images of the device in my hand, it's quite small and compact. If you were looking for an all-in-one solution that doesn't involve a USB OTG cable, attached to a flash drive, this might just be the ticket. There are sliding doors to protect each end, a loop in case you want to connect it to a string or keychain, and is completely pocketable.

It should most definitely be noted that compatibility is something you will want to research before purchasing this product. Your phone or tablet must support USB OTG (on-the-go) in order for this to work. That means that Nexus devices and the Moto X are out unless you are rooted. Once rooted, you may find support, though nothing is guaranteed at that point. SanDisk lists out the Galaxy S3, Galaxy S4, Galaxy Note 2, Galaxy Note 3, HTC One, and Sony Xperia Z as being some of the supported devices. The full official list can be found here. After spending some time with the UDUD, I can safely say that the product makes a lot of sense. If you don't have any sort of cloud backup solution setup or don't feel like emailing files or photos to yourself on the regular, this could come in handy. I easily attached the UDUD to my Z1 Compact, added some photos, unplugged, and then transferred them to my iMac pretty quickly. To learn more, hit up SanDisk's site or watch the video below.

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Could This be Our First Look at the Galaxy S5 Design?

Kyle — Tue, 11 Feb 2014 09:59:10 +0000

Sonny Dickson, an Aussie with a solid reputation of leaking iPhone and iPad info before release, has published what appears to be an early design render of the Galaxy S5 from Samsung. It's difficult to gleam much from the pic, but the measurements do suggest rumors of a larger, 5.25-inch screen were well founded. Though conflicting reports have thrown the Galaxy S5's specifications into question, a number of publications have reported that the handset will come in two editions, both of which may have appeared on AnTuTu's benchmarking suite. One boasts either a QHD (2560 x 1440) or 1080p AMOLED display, a Snapdragon 800 SoC, 3GB of RAM, and a 16 MP camera. The other, which is probably bound for international markets, reportedly packs an Exynos 5422 processor, 2GB of RAM, and an identical camera sensor. We'll soon know for certain whether any of this speculation was even close to the truth - Samsung's holding a press conference on February 24 - but isn't it fun to let the hypebeast run wild while we still can? Roam free, hypebeast. Roam free.

Via: Sonny Dickson

Sprint Rolls Out Spark to Customers in Philadelphia and Baltimore

Kyle — Tue, 11 Feb 2014 09:00:20 +0000

Sprint's legacy network may not be the fastest, but the carrier is taking steps to improve it. Today, the Now Network announced it has begun rolling out Spark, the carrier's tri-band 4G LTE designed to improve speeds in congested markets, to customers in Philadelphia and Baltimore. Sprint also said that the network upgrade will include HD Voice, a much-improved voice codec that increases the call quality. The rollout brings the total number of Spark locations to 14. That's only a fraction of Sprint's LTE network, though. We can only hope that the carrier's recent losses and Softbank backing will help to motivate deployment in the near future. In order to use Spark, you'll need a compatible handset. Only the Galaxy Mega, Galaxy S4 mini, LG G2, and HTC One Max can take advantage at the moment, but Sprint promises future smartphones will incorporate tri-band radios.

Via: Sprint

Qualcomm Toq Updated With Activity Tracking, Activity and World Clocks

Kellen — Tue, 11 Feb 2014 08:53:11 +0000

I know that none of you actually own a Qualcomm Toq - because it costs an insane $350 - but if you did, you'll want to grab today's update. My lovely white Toq received one today that introduced activity tracking (and matching clock), along with a world clock, and the option to switch over to Celsius. And yeah, that's pretty much it. But it really is worth noting for this new "beta" activity tracking, especially if you don't want to wear a smartwatch and a fitness band at the same time (like me). The activity tracking acts like any other activity tracker, in that it tries to count points for you based on your movement throughout a day. So far, while sitting at my desk and not moving an inch since updating, I've grabbed 43 points. Killin' it. Also, we'll have a Toq review up shortly. I had been holding out until the white version was released to dive into this product, and since we picked up the white version the minute it was available, we have spent enough time with it to report back. Spoiler alert, it's actually one of the better smartwatches around, if you can deal with its size.

What's New

Version 1.3.0

New “World Clock” clock style allows you to toggle through the local time and weather in your favorite cities

New Activity Applet (Beta) monitors your activity while wearing Toq and tracks your activity “points” over a 24 hour period. View a history of your daily activity point totals in the Toq Android app.

New ”Activity” clock style shows the time plus your current activity ‘points’ at a glance

Adds ability to select temperature scale in either Celsius or Fahrenheit

Play Link

Samsung Gives Us 9 New Topics to Think About for Galaxy S5 Event

Kellen — Tue, 11 Feb 2014 08:14:10 +0000

This morning, Samsung posted a revised invite for their February 24 "Unpacked 5" event with nine icons that represent nine potential topics of focus. The Galaxy S5 is almost guaranteed to be unveiled at the event, but the sales pitch is not something that Samsung has given any hint into until now. The nine icons represent Speed, Outdoor, Curiosity, Fun, Social, Style, Privacy, Fitness and Life. Over the years, we have seen Samsung dabble in nature themes, include social and fitness apps, push a security suite, include the fastest processors on the planet, and even try to make a phone your life companion. All of those topics are listed again, along with others like curiosity and fun. So in other words, none of these topics are exactly new to the Galaxy line of phones, but they are shown to the fifth power, which could just mean that this is the fifth version of these ideas. You could also look at these nine icons and assume that they have something to do with a revamped TouchWiz UI. A brand new TouchWiz already seemed like a given before we knew when the Galaxy S5 was coming after getting our hands on Samsung's new Pro tablets and their own Kit Kat-TouchWiz UI, but maybe this further solidifies the idea. Oh, Samsung also tossed in a random quote about predicting the future from Niels Bohr who said, "Prediction is very difficult, especially if it's about the future.” Any guesses?

Via: Samsung Tomorrow

Google Gives Themer the Green Light, Reinstates App Back to Google Play

Kellen — Mon, 10 Feb 2014 20:42:28 +0000

After first reporting that Themer had been pulled from Google Play due to a copyright complaint from Apple, MyColorScreen reached back out to us this evening to confirm that their customization app had been reinstated. Their team mentioned that it expected the app to return within hours, but it seems to already be live for me. Go get your theme on. Play Link

Sony Xperia Z1 Compact: Thoughts After a Full Weekend With Sony's Smaller High-End Phone

Kellen — Mon, 10 Feb 2014 16:45:39 +0000

At CES 2014, we struggled to find interesting mobile-related stories outside of wearables because, well, there just weren't any. Unless you consider Sony's Xperia Z1 Compact, which is the Japanese electronics manufacturer's take on a smaller phone, just not one that necessarily falls into the "mini" category. With the Z1 Compact, you are looking at high-end specs packed into a phone that is much smaller than other flagships of today. And I say "flagship," because it certainly stands up to other flagships, outside of its 720p display. I picked one up last week even though it currently is only available overseas because as I just mentioned, it was one of the only interesting products to come out of CES. The thought of a high-end smart phone in a small package is something I find incredibly appealing, probably because it reminds me a bit of the thought process behind the Moto X. We also wanted to get ahead of this device, as Sony is almost guaranteed to release it in the U.S. six months from now. So after spending an entire weekend with the phone, what are my current thoughts? I've captured them all in the clip below. Let's just say that I think you'll be surprised, especially since we haven't spent all that much time with Sony products over the years.

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Android 4.4.2 Update for T-Mobile's Moto X Approved and Ready to Rollout to the Masses

Kellen — Mon, 10 Feb 2014 16:36:35 +0000

The Android 4.4.2 update for the T-Mobile variant of the Moto X has passed its testing phase and is now ready to rollout to the masses. Motorola posted the update and its changelog this afternoon, a sign that things are official. The update, as you would expect from 4.4 to 4.4.2, is minor and only includes support for cloud printing, improved battery life, and an email sync fix. The build is the same as the soak test: 161.44.25. To check for the update, head into Settings>About phone>System updates. Still no word on other carrier variants, though we'd imagine the testing process takes longer for all of them outside of the T-Mobile variant. Remember that the T-Mo model is an unlocked phone with T-Mobile bands and isn't even sold directly from T-Mobile. In other words, Motorola can do as they please to it, including push updates when they are ready.

Here is the current list of updates for each model.

Via: Motorola Support

Report Suggests Huawei to Unveil Smartwatch During MWC

Tim — Mon, 10 Feb 2014 15:31:36 +0000

According to the Wall Street Journal, Huawei - pronounced "Wah-Way" - is confirmed to unveil a smartwatch at this year's Mobile World Congress (MWC) later this month. No details were given by officials at Huawei, but WSJ was able to report that the Chinese-based OEM also plans on unveiling a new smartphone and two new tablets alongside the smartwatch. We have to hope that Huawei won't lock the device to only work with Huawei phones, since its devices aren't necessarily popular among US buyers. It's not that people don't want them, it's just a simple fact that you can't go into your local Verizon store or AT&T store and pick up a Huawei Ascend-P1. MWC kicks off February 24 in Barcelona, so get your wrists ready.

Via: Wall Street Journal

Reported LG G2 Mini (LG-D620) Strolls Through Bluetooth SIG

Tim — Mon, 10 Feb 2014 13:36:40 +0000

With other OEMs pumping out mini versions of their flagship devices, such as Samsung, Motorola, and HTC, it is about time that LG got into the mix. A device with model number LG-D620 ran through the Bluetooth SIG, and as rumored previously by other sources, is apparently the G2 Mini. Last year, we were shocked out how awesome the LG G2 was, with an amazing camera and gorgeous Full HD display, it was a fantastic device. The G2 Mini on the other hand, may not be as awesome as its big brother. It is reported that the G2 Mini will only feature a qHD display (540 x 960), but the device's display size is still unknown. Although, one thing the G2 Mini does have going for it is that it's rumored to launched with Android 4.4+. With most LG devices not running the latest version of Android, besides the Nexus 5 of course, this would be a welcomed surprise. There is no official word from LG concerning such a device, but with Bluetooth certification now in the books, we could be getting close to an announcement. Is the "mini" trend something you are getting tired of yet?

Via: Blog of Mobile | Bluetooth

Traal Brings Back the Fun of Classic Games, No Lives and No Real Point Except Exploration

Tim — Mon, 10 Feb 2014 12:20:41 +0000

While stumbling around Google+, attempting to navigate its jumbled UI, I saw a link to a new game on Google Play called Traal. At first, it looks like a pretty boring old school game, but that's actually what drew me in. For me, it is when a game can emphasize its simplicity to bring forth a fun and entertaining waste of time. I was too young to play any Atari titles, but from the comments section on the game, it appears that this title is bringing back a few great memories from many players. There is actually no real "point" or "plot" to the game, but in the levels, you must navigate around a dark dungeon collecting scrolls and avoiding evil worm-like creatures that kill you. You have a flashlight which provides light, but be careful, because when you shine the light on a creature, your character turns away running in fear and will sometimes run right into deadly spikes. The game features great touchscreen controls and for all of those that will ask, it is completely free with no ads or IAPs. It's quite a lovely experience. You will need to have Adobe Air installed on your phone, which is also free, so follow the links below and go get your dungeon exploring on. Play Links: Trall | Adobe Air

Cheers Matias D!

Official: Verizon to Carry Nexus 7 on February 13 in Stores and Online for $350

Kellen — Mon, 10 Feb 2014 12:18:49 +0000

After we broke the news last week that Verizon would begin carrying the 2013 Nexus 7 with LTE on February 13, the wireless carrier has now made it official. Big Red will begin selling the 32GB version of the device this Thursday for $349.99 both in stores and online. If you'd like, you can also grab it on 2-year contract for $249.99, except that's not a very good deal. You may as well just pay full price for it. Better yet, those of you who already own the LTE version of this year's Nexus 7 will be able to activate it in stores, something you were blocked from doing previously due to a "certification process." Verizon will have a few accessories on hand to outfit your Nexus 7, including the Adopted Folio Frame ($49.99) and Speck StyleFolio ($34.99). We have seen pictures for other Nexus 7 accessories as well, including official cases from Google in stores.

Via: Verizon

Show Off Your Home Screens Day! [February 2014]

Kellen — Mon, 10 Feb 2014 11:54:36 +0000

In the eight months since we last put together a "Show off your home screens day!" post, I'd imagine you have changed things up a time or two on your phone or tablet. With new icon packs, clocks, and wallpapers being featured regularly through our Icons and UCCW series, you should have plenty of options to choose from to make your home screen something special. Today's post is like all of the others in that we want to see what kind of magic you have put together. With on-screen buttons becoming more standard and through Kit Kat's transparent notification and navigation areas, home screens are looking better than ever. At least we think so. For those new to this concept, this is how it works. Setup your home screen the way you like it, grab a screenshot of it (Power+Volume Down on most phones, Home+Volume Down on Samsung phones), and then upload it through Disqus (comments) along with a description of your apps, launcher, wallpaper, and clock. Here is a look at all of ours to get you started.

KELLEN

I'm running Nova Launcher with the Cryten icon pack. The wallpaper is from a soon-to-be-released pack called Influx (write-up coming this week). And the clock skin is a Zooper skin called Simple Glass Zooper. That launcher button can be downloaded here.

TIM

Tim is running Nova Launcher with the Cryten icon pack (wallpaper too) and Timely as his clock widget.

ERIC

Eric is running Nova Launcher with the Lumos icon pack (wallpaper too) amd the Vertigo UCCW clock skin.

RON

Ron (on his newly acquired Moto X) is running Nova Launcher with Lumos icons, a Cryten wallpaper, and a UCCW clock skin called Circle Weather.

KYLE

Kyle is running Apex Launcher with iNex icons, a wallpaper from here, and the Google Keep widget.

Let's see yours!

Federal Court Rules That AT&T's Aio Wireless was Infringing on T-Mobile's Trademarked Color Scheme

Tim — Mon, 10 Feb 2014 11:00:13 +0000

In a world where everything is patentable or trademark-able, including colors, a federal court in Texas recently ruled that Aio Wireless was infringing on T-Mobile's magenta color. Aio is a prepaid subsidiary of AT&T, so T-Mobile is claiming this as a big victory over America's second largest wireless carrier. The judge ruled that customers ultimately identify magenta/plum as T-Mobile's color, and Aio Wireless will need to change the color of all marketing material, store interiors, and anything else with the plum colorway. T-Mobile gave a brief statement concerning the ruling, and of course, they're stoked about the outcome.

The court agreed with us that Aio can't continue infringing T-Mobile's magenta mark by using large blocks of what it has called "plum," and told Aio to stop using magenta or similar colors in all of its marketing and advertising, including stores, web sites and social media.

While we do agree that the Aio Wireless plum color was sort of similar to T-Mobile's magenta, the similarities seem rather subjective. A few may even argue that the plum is more of a purple, while the magenta is a pink. What are your thoughts? Was Aio Wireless at fault for using plum as its color?

Via: T-Mobile

Themer Suspended From Google Play Due to Copyright Concern of Apple's, in Limbo on Return (Updated)

Kellen — Mon, 10 Feb 2014 10:34:00 +0000

This morning, we received word that Themer, the popular automated Android theming app from MyColorScreen, had been removed from Google Play. We reached out to MyColorScreen to see if we could get word on a potential reason for the removal, along with any sort of timeline for a return. Here is what their team had to say. On the night of February 2, the Themer app was pulled from Google Play due to a copyright concern regarding their "Seven" theme. Who had the concern? Apple Inc. Apple claimed that several icons in the "Seven" themed infringed upon their copyrights, so the theme was immediately removed from Themer after being pulled from Google Play. For those not familiar with Seven, it does indeed resemble the look of Apple's new iOS7. After pulling the theme from the app, there was hope that the app would return within a few days to Google Play. Unfortunately, that hasn't happened. I can't exactly say that I'm surprised, because it has been well-documented that Google is terrible when it comes to communicating with developers who have had their apps removed. In most cases, Google can't even be reached to find out the reason for the removal. At this point, MyColorScreen does not know exactly when the app will be returned to Google Play. They have attempted to get in contact with anyone who could potentially speed up the process, but have had no luck, just like most developers in this situation. They are hoping that there is a queue and that Themer will be restored shortly. It should be noted that all of this hasn't stopped them from continuing to developer the project and move towards Themer 1.0 (non-beta). Here is part of the DMCA complaint from Apple:

description_of_copyrighted_work: Apple Inc. is the sole and exclusive owner of the copyright in the original artwork for the app designs in its iOS 7 operating system. The foregoing application being distributed on Google Play intentionally includes unauthorized reproductions of Apple’s copyrighted apps, including its icon designs for Notes (Copyright Reg. No. VA1871602), Stocks (Copyright Reg. No. VA1871786), Newsstand (Copyright Reg. No. VA1871650), Maps (Copyright Reg. No. VA1871438), Camera (Copyright Reg. No. VA1871668), Photos (Copyright Reg. No. VA1871779), Settings (Copyright Reg. No. VA1871669) and other features. This application violates Apple's copyrights, in addition to other Apple IP rights. (This app developer’s unauthorized reproduction of Apple’s multiple copyrights may be viewed in-app by first downloading and installing the app, allowing Themer to create widgets on one’s device, and loading the “Seven” theme from the list of the “Most Popular” category under the Browse Themes.)

MyColorScreen told us to expect more within a couple of hours. We'll be sure to update this post as we can. Update: Here is the full statement from Themer. Update 2: The app has been reinstated to Google Play.

Deal: HTC 6,000mAh Portable Battery Pack for $25

Kellen — Mon, 10 Feb 2014 10:03:19 +0000

HTC's 6,000mAh Battery Bar is listed on Daily Steals today for a discounted price of $25. The unit retails in HTC's store for $60 at the moment, so you are looking at a pretty substantial discount. With a 6,000mAh burst of juice, you are look at a couple of full charging cycles for a phone depending on your phone's battery size. As a staff, when we travel for events, we can't live without external/portable chargers like these. You never know when you are going to be without an outlet for some time and these come in handy quite often. These are one of those accessories that I recommend to almost everyone. Keep one in your car, toss it in a bag when you travel, or have your female partner hold one in the bottom of her purse - you never know when you might need some juice. Daily Steal Link

Cheers Josh P!

HTC Looking to Achieve Profitability by Focusing on Low-End Devices and Better Marketing

Kyle — Mon, 10 Feb 2014 09:52:37 +0000

It’s no secret around the industry that HTC's profitability and market share have declined in recent years, thanks to a few unsuccessful launches and a public unwilling to completely adopt its hardware as much as Samsung's. While speaking to Reuters ahead of HTC’s earnings guidance presentation, executives outlined a new two-tier approach that will place greater emphasis on low-cost devices and effective marketing. Under the guidance of co-founder and Chairwoman Cher Wang, HTC aims to offer more products in the $150 to $300 price range. The higher-volume sales of these cheaper devices are expected to offset losses on premium, $600-and-up devices, which the company expects will only see “incremental” growth this year. Marketing, an area HTC has historically struggled with, will see a big push this year both stateside and abroad. In China, where the highest-growth price bracket are devices that cost less than $150, the company will aim to aggressively compete with offerings from LG and Huawei. The new strategy doesn’t mean high-end HTC smartphones are going away anytime soon. In fact, Wang said the company plans to send out invites to a press event for its HTC One successor in a few weeks. However, HTC’s new focus on the profitable low-end will probably result comparatively few high-end offerings. As anyone familiar with Samsung's confusing myriad of Galaxy variants will tell you, that's probably not a bad thing.

Via: Reuters

Reported HTC M8 Mini Specs Leaked - 4.5" 720p Display, 13MP Camera, and On-screen Buttons

Tim — Mon, 10 Feb 2014 09:07:46 +0000

Thanks to evleaks, we could be getting our first peak at what the M8 Mini from HTC could have in store for the masses. We have yet to officially see the M8, the successor to the One, as HTC still has not set a date for when it will unveil the new flagship. With Samsung's Galaxy S5 coming within the next two weeks, HTC better act quick if they want to jump aboard the hypetrain. According to evleaks, the M8 Mini will be a well-equipped device, even showing signs of a few pretty decent specs. For starters, the phone will reportedly be powered by a Snapdragon 400 processor and 1GB of RAM, feature a 4.5" 720p display, and come with Android 4.4.2 "Kit Kat" and Sense 6.0. For being the "Mini," this doesn't sound all that bad. The only source of confusion is the reported 13MP rear-facing camera sensor. But it's easy to be confused since it appears that HTC is throwing in two camera sensors on the M8. Haven't we seen that fail before? Below is the full listed of leaked specs.

Specs

1.4GHz Snapdragon 400 quad-core processor
4.5" 720p display
1GB of RAM
16GB of storage +microSD
13MP rear-facing camera
5MP front-facing camera
a/b/g/n/ac
Bluetooth 4.0
KitKat 4.4.2 OS
HTC's Sense 6.0
On-screen buttons

Thoughts on the M8 Mini specs?

Via: @evleaks

HTC M8 and Its Dual-Camera Setup Appears Again, Blurry Cam Front Shots Too

Kellen — Mon, 10 Feb 2014 08:54:28 +0000

I'd imagine you remember the picture last week of the HTC One follow-up that showed an ~~awkwardly questionable~~ interesting dual-camera setup? Well, we have new images of the HTC M8 with blurry-cam close-ups of those same cameras, the frontside of the phone, and the on-screen buttons. It looks a whole heck of a lot like the original One, so hopefully HTC has something magical in store to make this a bigger success. First, if you take a look at the image above, you can clearly see that the secondary hole at the top of the device is indeed a camera. Why on Earth HTC thought putting a second camera would be innovative, I have no idea. I really hope they aren't trying to bring 3D back. I also hope if they are doing some sort of dual-shot, HDR-like image processing, that the phone is powerful enough to handle it without there being a major delay between shots.

Next, we have another look at the on-screen navigation buttons that @evleaks showed us last week. You can see them turning as the phone is taken from landscape to portrait. Outside of that news, we can see a black bar that hosts an "HTC" logo. That worries me a bit if you are thinking about the massive bezel situation on the original One, something that seems to be in play if the images of the front of the device below are real. Side bezels seem somewhat slimmed, but the top and chin of the device still look massive thanks to black areas and the dual BoomSound speakers.

I'm curious to hear your thoughts on this one. It looks a heck of a lot like the One, but with a dual-camera, dual-LED setup on the back. Is that enough from HTC?

Via: No Where Else

Cheers Tony and Bryson!

Red Nexus 5 Appears to be Sold Out in Both 16GB and 32GB Variants

Kellen — Mon, 10 Feb 2014 07:59:15 +0000

Over the weekend, the status of both red Nexus 5 models through Google Playswitched to "We are out of inventory." Typically, we ignore these stock status changes as Google Play fluctuates regularly with inventory levels, but this time the "Please check back soon" message has stood up longer than usual. We aren't sure if the red variant was a limited time release, if it sold quicker than Google had expected (less than a week), or if we just need to wait for someone to refresh the listing on a back-end to populate it with more phones. No matter what, the new colorway of the phone only seems to have added value to a phone that Google has ultimately been very pleased with. I can't tell you how many times Google execs mentioned during their last earnings call that the Nexus program had done very well in the last quarter. LG even mentioned that the Nexus 5 helped carry their device sales in the final quarter of 2013. Does that sound like a program that Google would like to kill off? We unboxed the red Nexus 5 days after it was release because, well, that's what we do with new Nexus products. It's bright, it's pretty (to us), and would have made a lovely Valentine's present. To see the phone in action, hit up our video below. Did you miss out on the chance to pick one up?

[responsive_vid]

Via: Google Play

Goodbye, Flappy Bird.

Kellen — Sun, 09 Feb 2014 20:39:12 +0000

Flappy Bird has been removed from both Google Play and the iTunes App Store by the game's developer, Dong Nguyen. The game's success was apparently too much for its creator to handle, even with the $50,000 per day it was making him. In a series of Tweets sent out this weekend, Nguyen stated that the game would be removed and that he "cannot take this anymore." He also mentioned that he will not be selling the game, that the pulling was not related to any sort of legal issues, and that he still makes games. Flappy bird and its reign, though, has come to an end. Well, it will likely still live on through third party channels or through anyone who has it installed still. There just won't be any fresh installs from either major app store. I'll just say this about Flappy Bird. The game was a classic example of the beauty of a simple mobile game. We had a running joke around here about my love affair with Granny Smith at one time, but I still stand by my reason for loving it - it was simple, yet challenging, and I could play it at any time for any length of time. With Flappy Bird, you had simplicity, difficulty, and a competitive nature thanks to its tie-in to Google Play Games. You could pick it up, play it for 5 minutes or an hour, compete against friends' scores, and then put it away. You didn't need to pass levels, buy items through in-app purchases, or worry about the next big update that would fix bugs. It was simple. It was fun (for some). And everyone was capable of playing it at any time. As you may recall, Flappy Bird made it into our top 5 games for January, which was a week or two before the rest of the world picked up on its buzz. We left it at that - a top 5 game for the month. There was no need for 4 SEO posts about it in a 24-hour period or guides on how to conquer it. It was what it was, a cult classic game that thrived through word-of-mouth before running its course. It was fun, it was frustrating, but we are most definitely ready for something to take its place. Goodbye.

Via: @dongatory

Verizon's Nexus 7 Now Arriving in Stores, "4G LTE Certified" Right on the Box

Kellen — Sat, 08 Feb 2014 12:47:48 +0000

Yesterday, we received word from sources that the Nexus 7 had finally received certification from Verizon and would be sold through the carrier as early as February 13. We also saw some cases for the device, with Verizon branding, arrive in stores for the launch. Today, we are now seeing the actual device hit back storage rooms of stores, but reps are told that it can't be sold just yet. It looks like we have finally reached the end of the "certification process." As you can see from the image below, the device is indeed "Verizon 4G LTE CERTIFIED." While we were told that the certification process typically takes 4-6 weeks, we last heard that number back in September. I'll let you do the math for number of weeks between September and mid-February. Who knows why it took this long to get this device certified. In the end, the device worked on Verizon's LTE network from day one, you just had to be a little sneaky at getting it activated if you didn't already have a SIM to slap inside it. Once this device arrives in stores, I'd imagine you could take the LTE model you purchased months ago and get it activated. The model being sold with "Verizon" branding on the package has 32GB of storage. The Google Play price on the 32GB LTE model is $349.

We Aren't Drinking Sochi Water This Weekend or Pulling Out of Slopestyle

Kellen — Fri, 07 Feb 2014 23:55:00 +0000

One thing is for sure as we head into opening ceremonies of the Sochi Winter Olympics, the Droid Life Show episode 48 was not afraid of taking on this week's events in order to save ourselves for something in the future. We took to the rumor mill slopes of the Galaxy S5, cracked ribs and all, and landed at least a handful of triple-cork-1080p-HTC-M8s. We did avoid all yellow tap water, though, to keep our brains alive during the listener Q&A. It was another great show. If you missed us live this week, you can catch us each Wednesday night at 6PM Pacific (9PM Eastern). If Wednesday nights are never going to work, don't worry, you can subscribe to us in a number of ways.

This Week in the Life of Droid: 2/7/2014

Tim — Fri, 07 Feb 2014 16:41:25 +0000

Another week in the books here at DL. We had a bit of excitement this week, as Samsung gave us the date at which they intend to unveil the Galaxy S5, February 24. Kellen and I will be on hand in NYC to cover the event, but don't worry about your addiction, as we will make sure to give you a good GS5 fix. In other news, pictures surfaced showing off a reported HTC M8, we pushed out our full review of the LG G Flex, we got our hands on the Nexus 5 in Red, and Steve Wozniak claims that Apple should make an Android phone. Yup, it was a pretty crazy week. If you missed any of the action, we have the highlights down below for you.

Have a great weekend, folks!

Friday App Sales: Flatro Icon Pack, Modern Combat 4: Zero Hour, The Adventures of Tintin, and Much, Much More

Rithvik — Fri, 07 Feb 2014 16:19:10 +0000

Need some apps to chill with you this weekend? Look no further than yet another ~~impressive~~ insanely huge list that may just have an app you'll love. Taking the gold for me this week out of the list are Ryan Kelly's Flatro icon pack and Modern Combat 4: Zero Hour, although this was a very tough one to call. Head down below to check the deals out.

Friday app sales

Hack RUN - ($0.99)
10000000 - ($0.99)
ReNotify+ - ($0.99)
Flatro - ($0.99)
AaaaaAAaaaAAAaaAAAAaAAAAA!!! (did I miss an 'A'?) - ($0.99)
The Nautilus - ($0.99)
FLASHOUT 3D - ($0.99)
Imperium Galactica 2 - ($1.99)
Lost Island 3d - ($0.99)
Sparkle 2 - ($1.99)
Sparkle 2 Evo - ($0.99)
Iesabel - ($0.99)
The Walk: Fitness Tracker Game - ($1.99)
Zombies, Run! 5k Training - ($0.99)
Zombies, Run! - ($1.99)
The Amazing Spider-Man - ($0.99)
Order & Chaos Online - ($0.99)
Gangstar Vegas - ($0.99)
The Dark Knight Rises - ($0.99)
Modern Combat 4: Zero Hour - ($0.99)
Frederic Resurrection of Music - ($0.99)
Blood of the Zombies - ($0.99)
Aworded (Ad free) - ($0.99)
The Adventures of Tintin - ($0.99)
9mm - ($0.99)
ForzaTune 4 - ($0.99)
Bass Drop Drum and Bass - ($0.99)
[Full] Stickman Wallpaper - ($0.99)
Full Screen Caller ID PRO - ($1.35)
Equalizer FX - ($0.99)
Valet - ($0.99)
TuneIn Radio Pro - ($3.99)
Plasma Sky - rad space shooter - ($0.99)
TA: Little Red Riding Hood - ($0.99)
Carmageddon - ($0.99)
TowerMadness 2 - ($2.99)
Worms 2: Armageddon - ($0.99)
Pixel Defenders Puzzle - ($0.99)
Ski Safari: Adventure Time - ($0.99)
Archangel - ($1.99)

So, if any of you get too frustrated with Flappy Bird this weekend, you know exactly where to look for a relief app.

Nexus 7 Cases Showing Up in Verizon Packaging

Kellen — Fri, 07 Feb 2014 15:32:32 +0000

Earlier today, we reported that sources of ours had indicated that Verizon would begin selling a variant of the Nexus 7 (2013) as early as next week, likely by February 13. While you could pull out our saying of "nothing is confirmed" until we hear word from the carrier, the arrival of Nexus 7 cases in stores with Verizon branding on the packages is certainly something to be added to the story. While Verizon carries all sorts of accessories in-store, it wouldn't make much sense for them to carry a Nexus 7 case if they weren't also planning to sell the device at some point. We still don't know for sure if they are going to sell it in-store, online, or both, but with cases showing up in retail shops, it could be both. Keep in mind that industry leaker @evleaks mentioned back in mid-January that the device would arrive through Verizon before long. We also showed off the device running on Verizon's LTE network back when it first was released by Google last summer, but as you know, an alleged certification process held it back from being activated as a new tablet on customers' lines. No matter what, it appears as if the device is coming soon.

[responsive_vid]

Reported New Samsung Galaxy S5 Benchmarks Hit the Web - 1080p Display, Snapdragon 800, and 16MP Camera

Tim — Fri, 07 Feb 2014 15:11:05 +0000

Not to keep preaching the same message, but until OEMs hand out press releases or unveil devices on stage, nothing is ever confirmed. With that said, the newest development in the Galaxy S5 saga from Samsung are a new string of benchmarks to hit the web, further confirming previous reports that the device will not feature a QHD (2560x1440) display. Furthermore, from what these benchmarks point to, the Galaxy S5 will only feature a Snapdragon 800 and not the new Snapdragon 805 processor from Qualcomm. Another thing to point out are the reports of a 16MP rear-facing camera, as they appear to be in line with the benchmarks, and no other info out there has contradicted that. In the speed tests, the device used beats out the Galaxy Note 3 (Snapdragon 800 w/ 3GB of RAM), the LG G2 (Snapdragon 800 w/ 2GB of RAM), and the Sony Xperia Z Ultra (Snapdragon 800 w/ 2GB of RAM). So in terms of performance, we should see something quite impressive from Samsung, regardless of a crazy high resolution display. Personally, it would be great to see Samsung continue to push mobile technology with a QHD display, but is it really necessary? Wouldn't we only see a large fall in battery life and graphic performance? We still don't know what exactly Samsung has coming, but with the newest evidence pointing to a somewhat tamed-down device, try not to set your expectations too high as to where no phone could ever live up to them. Do you think QHD is necessary at this point for a top tier smartphone? How about 16MP sensors? Useful or over the top?

Via: SamMobile | HD Blog

Moto G Now Available Through US Cellular for $99 After Instant Rebate

Tim — Fri, 07 Feb 2014 13:09:31 +0000

Budget-minded customers can grab the Moto G on US Cellular online starting today and in retail stores starting February 10. The device will only cost $99 off contract thanks to an instant rebate of $90, so that's not a bad deal. The device is available through US Cellular's "No Contract" plans, which includes unlimited voice, messaging, and data for only $50 per month. The Moto G seems to be pleasing folks who pick one up, which is surprising to say for a phone that is only $99 off contract. The Moto G has a 4.5" HD display, quad-core processor, exceptional battery life, and it comes with Android 4.4 - that's something even the top tier phones can't say yet. US Cellular fans, go grab it.

Via: US Cellular

LG G Flex Review

Tim — Fri, 07 Feb 2014 12:16:51 +0000

The hype train is always fully fueled when it comes to new phones, and with a new year beginning, the hype is bigger than ever. LG announced the G Flex late last year right after Samsung announced the Galaxy Round, a device which we thought looked like a complete abomination. The G Flex however is curved the correct way, supposedly allowing for a perfect fit on your face (or butt), while still delivering a phablet experience for those who enjoy large phones. It was initially introduced for international markets, but has now come to the U.S. for 2014. We had hands-on with the G Flex at CES, but now that we have had one in our own possession for about a week, we can give a detailed opinion this monster of a device. Is the curved display just a fad? Are back buttons here to stay? Is 720p a viable option for a device with a 6" display in 2014? Let's find out together. This is Droid Life's review of the LG G Flex.

The Good

Specs

The G Flex ships with a very handsome list of specs. Powering the device is a quad-core Snapdragon 800 processor with 2GB of RAM, a processor that was the top tier silicon in 2013. Also inside the device is a 3,500mAh battery, a 13MP rear-facing camera, NFC, Bluetooth 4.0, 32GB of internal storage, a 2.1MP front-facing camera, self-healing backside, and 4G LTE radios. The biggest spec on the sheet is the device's 6" P-OLED curved display with a resolution of 720 x 1280. Yup, it's only HD and not Full HD, which is sort of a bummer. All of this adds up to a device that runs very well, lasts a full day and a half on its big battery, and can impress the neighbors with its curved display. All in all, it's a very nice package of a phone.

Design

In my opinion, the look of the device is right up there with any other sexy phone to come out recently. It's subtle, but when up close and in your hand, the device packs a serious aesthetic punch. Upon first turning it on, you almost feel completely immersed in the 6" curved display. And even though the display is massive, the curve really helps to handle the phone with one hand if need be. Just like the G2, the G Flex features control keys on the backside and none on the sides of the device. Since I have played with a G2 plenty of times, I am quite used to this setup and actually find it quite enjoyable. Because the phone is so large, and the way your hand must grip the phone, your index fingers lines up perfectly on the backside to control volume and power the screen on. To sum up the design, I love the curved aspect to it and in no way do I find the looks to be "gimmicky" or a fad.

Battery

Besides the gorgeous overall design of this phone, the battery on the G Flex is ridiculous. Out of habit, I always hook up my devices next to my bed to let them charge, but I was easily skipping nights of charging with the G Flex. It could be thanks to the 720p display or its massive size at 3,500mAh, but either way, we love long battery life.

Speaker

For only having a single speaker, we have to give LG props to what they threw into this phone. It's loud. Sure, it's not front-facing HTC BoomSound loud, but it still packs a decent punch for being on a smartphone. Compared to the Nexus 5 or the Moto X where the speakers are pretty weak, it's been a nice change. As someone who enjoys walking around the house and listening to tunes streaming from my phone, I give it a solid B+.

Performance

Thanks to LG's inclusion of a Snapdragon 800 processor and 2GB of RAM, the G Flex flies. While multitasking and editing photos with Snapseed, the G Flex doesn't let up. Unlike other devices that feature a Snapdragon 800 (hint hint Galaxy Note 3), LG's skin doesn't slow down the device's opening of the camera app, whipping through homescreen's, playing processor-intense games, or browsing the web. I mostly judge performance on whether a device can handle my top favorite games. Those games include Assassins Creed Pirates, Deus Ex: The Fall, and Sonic the Hedgehog. The phone had no issue playing these games, so I was a happy gamer. For those hoping to see benchmarks and a full technical breakdown of the quad-core CPU's performance, you will have to look elsewhere.

Availability and Connectivity

So far, three of the four major carriers in the US have announced availability of the G Flex, with those three being T-Mobile, Sprint, and AT&T. No word on if we could see the G Flex hit Verizon's 4G LTE network, but it would surprise us at this point. On each of the three carriers listed the device runs a whopping $299.99 on contract or buyers can choose to sign up for a monthly payment plan. Those plans usually have you paying around $25 to $35 a month. The variant we have is on AT&T, and so far, there has been no connectivity problems and calls have been crystal clear.

Self-healing Backside

LG introduced a self-healing back on the G Flex, a feature which gained quite a bit of attention after MKBHD posted a video on his channel testing it. I myself wasn't able to test it since this is a review unit and you shouldn't attempt to damage the phone, but if your backside ever gets lightly scratched or scuffed, the material should actually heal itself and hide any blemishes the phone picks up. Scratches from keys and other objects should be able to come right out, and for anyone who usually ends up scratching their phones often, then this should be labeled as a miracle. We hope they continue with this feature addition moving forward with newer phones.

Somewhere in the Middle

Size

While a certain group of folks will stand by he bigger the phone the better," there are still plenty of those who will write off the G Flex immediately due to its massive size. The G Flex, thanks to its curve, actually feels quite nice in hand and is pretty manageable with just one hand. Although, if you really need to get things done, two hands would be best. If the device's display wasn't curved, I'd be quite turned off by it, since reaching up the notification bar while holding the phone with one hand would be quite the challenge. It still has somewhat of an issue when coming in and out of the pockets, but that's something you just get used to after time.

Display

Over the course of my week with the phone, I have had a serious love/hate relationship with the display. At times I love the curved aspect of it, and at others, I can't stand viewing the lower resolution when compared to the Nexus 5 and Galaxy Note 3. Due to its lower resolution, wallpapers get blown up on homescreens, pictures look funky, and the 6" size makes it so pixels are quite viewable. What the display does have going for it are the viewing angles. You can hold this phone sideways across from your face and still see what's going on while it is completely tipped, which is a major plus. And since it's curved, multiple people sitting at different angles can all watch the same YouTube video at the same time with no issue, which I did a few times while at a local Red Robbin. Yum. People seem to really like the curved aspect of the display, but if only the device was a tad smaller, it'd be perfect.

Price

As mentioned in the availability section, the device is priced at $299.99 on a new two year agreement. For me, this is unjustifiable. As I touch on right below this, the camera doesn't live up to such a high price tag, and neither does a 720p display; I don't care much they curve it. It is much more of a $199.99 on contract device, given it doesn't even come with a ton of proprietary software like the Galaxy Note 3 does. And yes, we do talk down a lot on the TouchWiz bloat, but at least it adds a type of value, right? If you think paying $300 on contract for a device that features standard 2013 flagship specs, with its one major highlight being the curved HD display, then go for it. My recommendation would be to wait for the price to come down to the $249.99 or $199.99 range. And after a few months of it being on the market, it will happen.

Camera

When first opening the box of the G Flex, I was reminded how much I was looking forward to using the device's camera, since it uses a beefed up 13MP sensor. And if you know much about the LG G2, you will know that it has unarguably one of the best cameras to ever launch with an Android phone. To my disappointment, the G Flex is nothing like the G2 - yes, it is 13MP, but the camera does not feature OIS (optical image stabilization), and for some reason, it just takes really lackluster shots. There is no color. There is no vibrance. While in the right lighting conditions, you will have no issues taking a good shot to share with friends and family on your social networks, but if you were hoping for the same experience as you find on the G2, you will need to look elsewhere. The software on both devices is the exact same, but LG definitely doesn't seem to have put in as much work as they did on the G2. Here are some camera samples. All have been resized and that’s it.

The Not-so-Good

Screen Ghosting

Since the curved and large display is the G Flex's main selling point, and it's the part of the phone you look at all day every day, it's a shame that the G Flex has a rather alarming ghosting issue. With most ghosting issues in monitors and displays, the brightness setting will be your best friend. The symptoms of ghosting can be counteracted by setting the brightness on the display to a higher setting, but I actually like to keep my screens quite dark. With the G Flex, which I kept on a low brightness setting throughout most days, I was always shaking my head while still seeing my homescreen widget's outlines while in other apps. Another time it was very apparent when after typing out a text message and then going back to the home screen, the outline of the keyboard was still on my screen. I'm not very technical about refresh rates and the ghosting issues that monitors and displays can have, but I felt the need to address this since it's something I have never encountered at such a level on a smartphone. I recorded a video and placed it below to try and show what exactly I'm talking about.

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Launching with Android 4.2

Oh, I'm sorry, I thought this was 2014. That's my bad! When a new flagship device launches, you usually expect them to be running the latest version of the Android OS (Android 4.4, Kit Kat) or at least, be running the second to latest version (Android 4.3, Jelly Bean). Instead, the G Flex comes out of the box running Android 4.2.2, which in my book, is a surprise and a complete no-no. With a company like LG, who isn't exactly known for pumping out updates to devices (G2 still doesn't have Kit Kat), this is bad news. With no word from LG on when we can expect to see an update to either 4.3 or 4.4, it's hard for an Android lover to get excited about running this device.

LG's Custom Skin

While the inclusion of a semi-transparent notification bar and navigation button area are bonuses, those two sexy touches can't help bring LG's custom skin to a tolerable level. It is much like Samsung's TouchWiz, but to continue harping on the fact that it's only running Android 4.2, there are a lot of things that LG could do to simplify the layout. Menus and settings are at times confusing, plus a few features like QSlide are hidden with the average user not knowing how to access it. It will be interesting to see if OEMs start toning down the skins after Samsung and Google work out whatever deal it is they are working on.

Random Negatives

Music bug - Whenever listing to music on Google Play Music, you can bet money that at some point within the first 10 minutes, the app will all of a sudden stop working. I don't know exactly why the app cuts out, but it's quite annoying when you have to pull out your phone, reopen the app, and press play again.
No microSD slot - For anyone who cares about extra storage, you won't have any here.
Holy bloatware, Batman! - The G Flex comes preloaded with 20 (twenty) AT&T bloatware apps. Luckily, all can be disabled if you so choose.
LG's keyboard - Once you get a G Flex, head to Google Play and pick up a third party keyboard. The stock keyboard is one of the more frustrating experiences I have ever dealt with. After two days, I was done with it. The fact that once you select a word to be inputted through swiping then can't delete the whole word and have to individually delete the word letter by letter is painful. Google's stock keyboard or SwiftKey will be your best friend.
Fingerprint magnet - The backside of the G Flex will have fingerprints on it immediately and will continue to rack them up. Yes, you can wipe them off whenever you want, but they'll just come back. Another weird thing is that the G Flex seems to be a dust and lint magnet. Whenever you pull it out of your pocket there is always dust stuck on it. Anyone with OCD should prepare themselves.

Video

Unboxing and hands-on

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4K video recording test

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Gallery

The Verdict

The G Flex is a good phone, but not one I would want to have for two years on contract. The display can be a real eye sore, the price is too high, the camera leaves a lot to be desired, and the software is old and dated. As an Android lover who is constantly looking for the perfect experience, this just isn't it. With Samsung launching the Galaxy S5, HTC launching the successor to the One, and a possible successor to the G2 coming from LG, the G Flex is just too little, too late. The phone does have upsides though, with its self-healing back (I never got to test it since I don't drop my phones), good performance, and gorgeous looks, but with a full lineup of devices coming in 2014 that are supposed to be awesome, this phone just can't keep up with the hype.

Contest: Win a Red MINI JAMBOX From AT&T and Droid Life for Valentine's Day!

Kellen — Fri, 07 Feb 2014 10:30:06 +0000

The ultimate day of love arrives next week as either a reminder that you forgot to make dinner reservations in a timely manner or will be by yourself with a carton of chocolate ice cream and bottle of Chardonnay. Or maybe you played your cards right and will have a wonderful Valentine's Day evening with that special someone. No matter what, the situation can only get better if there is music involved. Thanks to our friends at AT&T, a red MINI JAMBOX could be yours to both jumpstart the evening and hopefully help you seal the deal (minds out of the gutter). For those not familiar, Jawbone's line of JAMBOX portable Bluetooth speakers have sort of become the industry standard, with the MINI being their latest model. With the MINI, you get standard, JAMBOX big sound in a smaller package that is almost pocketable. It also can last for up to 10 hours, can be used with anything from watching videos on your phone to gaming to music, and pairs seamlessly with your smartphone or tablet. AT&T currently sells the MINI JAMBOX for $180 in six different colors. Who wants to win one for Valentine's Day?

Contest

Prize: 1 (one) red Mini Jambox from AT&T. How to enter: a Rafflecopter giveaway Winner: We will choose our winner randomly on Monday morning (February 10) at 10AM Pacific.

Togethera Launches on Android, a Private Family Photo Sharing App

Tim — Fri, 07 Feb 2014 10:08:32 +0000

For families that want to keep their photos more secure and private, without worrying about Facebook creepers and random Instagram likers, a new private photo sharing application called Togethera has launched on Android. Previously an iOS exclusive, Togethera only allows you to be added to a group of people who already have your email address. Once a group is formed, you can share photos and videos of kids, family reunions, or anything else all privately through the group. What makes it special for families is that you don't have to worry about being added or getting friend requests from people you don't really know. It's not about seeing what your friends are up to, since you can do that on any other social network, but it's more about the going ons within your own clan. Inside the app you can also create separate groups of people to share other things with, such as a group for just your cousins who you like to make jokes about other family members with. The app is all about family and making sure you are sharing with only your family. The app is free and there are no monthly costs or upfront fees. As a bonus, there are no ads either. Check it out on Google Play and tell your family to hop on board.

Features

PRIVATE SHARING: only you and your family can see your photos, videos and updates. No friend requests, no followers, no subscribers.
SIMPLE: we work hard to make Togethera easy for all members of your family to use, from young children to elderly grandparents.
MULTIPLE GROUPS: Create separate private groups so you only share with the right people.
ON ANY DEVICE: you can access Togethera on a smartphone, tablet or computer.
NO ADS: only your family's content and nothing else. We won’t share your data with a third party.
FREE: no monthly fee or upfront payment.

Play Link

Via: TechCrunch

Samsung Unveils the Galaxy S4 and Galaxy S4 Mini "Black Edition"

Tim — Fri, 07 Feb 2014 09:13:32 +0000

This morning, Samsung unveiled a new colorway for the Galaxy S4 and Galaxy S4 Mini. The name they have chosen to represent this new duo is Black Edition. According to Samsung, these two devices are the "latest in an effort to build on its commitment to deliver innovative technologies with more premium design choices to consumers." With that being said, you would expect a few new features to come packed in, right? Let's see what's new. Samsung states that each device comes with 8 exclusive wallpapers, plus exclusive ringtones and blacked-out accessories. The accessories include a black power adapter, headphones, and black data cable. To keep it all blacked out and sexy, Samsung has created special black packaging for the devices to be sold in, which is apparently quite premium looking. Younghee Lee, Executive Vice President of Global Marketing, IT & Mobile Division at Samsung Electronics gave a quote about the Black Edition devices which you can read below.

As Samsung continues to expand on the modern Galaxy design approach, we’re excited to offer Black Edition versions of our popular Galaxy S4 and Galaxy S4 mini. These eye-catching and sophisticated models demonstrate Samsung’s commitment to bring consumers new ways to express their style through their mobile device.

To us, the most interesting thing about the Black Edition lineup is that each device, the S4 and S4 mini, feature a leather-like textured back just like the back that came on the Galaxy Note 3. It's a weird touch to add on to the device so late in its life, especially since we know they are launching the Galaxy S5 this month. But hey, this is Samsung after all. Before you start lining up outside of your local Best Buy to get yourself a murdered out S4 Mini, Samsung hasn't announced any official markets for the devices, but only said the phones "will be available in select markets from February." What do you think? Cop or drop?

Via: Samsung

Nexus 7 to be Sold Through Verizon Starting Next Week, Likely February 13

Tim — Fri, 07 Feb 2014 08:43:57 +0000

According to sources of our own, Verizon will begin to sell the Nexus 7 next week, most likely February 13. In case you haven't been following, Verizon has been changing its story as to why it has taken so long to certify, sell, and activate the ASUS-made tablet, which has been workable on its network since release last year. The first reason was because the tablet had not gone through the Verizon certification process, but even after we waited weeks for that, Verizon then stated they were waiting for Google to push an Android update to the device. Regardless of what really happened and why Verizon customers were getting the cold shoulder with the Nexus 7 tablets, it looks as though Big Red is finally ready to start selling through its own channels. We weren't able to catch word on if the tablets will be sold online or in-store, but we will update the post as more info becomes available. Verizon customers, is this what you have been waiting for?

Cheers ____!

Thursday Poll: Interested in a Smartwatch?

Tim — Thu, 06 Feb 2014 16:03:59 +0000

About 365 days ago, we asked our lovely community if they were interested in getting a smartwatch. Out of roughly 6,500 answers, 37% of folks were flat out against having a wearable device, 36% were still on the fence, and 27% were definitely interested in getting one. Since 12 months has passed, it's time we test the waters and see if anything has changed. Since that time, the Galaxy Gear has hit the market, there has been an explosion in popularity for the Pebble, and a few other competitors also hit the shelves. Companies like Apple, Samsung, and even HTC are reported to be releasing new wearables this year, so whether you want them or not, they are coming. Let us know your take on smartwatches down below. [poll id="286"]

@evleaks Gives Us the First Look at the HTC M8 Home Screen, On-screen Buttons Included

Kellen — Thu, 06 Feb 2014 14:50:44 +0000

Rumors about the HTC One follow-up (known internally as the M8) having on-screen navigation buttons first circulated at the end of January through a Tweet by industry leaker, @evleaks. This afternoon, he's backed up that report by Tweeting a purported home screen picture from the device, showing that it does indeed have on-screen navigation buttons. Other than the on-screen goodness, we're still looking at HTC's Sense skin atop Android. This screen shows BlinkFeed - which you either love or hate - and the typical bottom four Sense-themed icons surrounding an app launcher button. There are transparent notification and navigation areas, something that was supposed to become a standard with Kit Kat. Speaking of KK, I think we can assume that the device is indeed running Android 4.4.2, since it's brother from 2013 already is on a number of carriers. And that's all we are really seeing. The navigation buttons are (in order) back, home, and multi-task, the three that Google has taken up as the standard for stock Android. Below, we included the full-resolution screenshot, so you can see it all.

Via: @evleaks

Star Wars: Tiny Death Star Updated, Brings Imperial Assignments System and More

Tim — Thu, 06 Feb 2014 14:29:22 +0000

I really wish Ron was around to write this piece, since apparently he plays this game like a madman. Regardless, an update is now live on Google Play for Star Wars: Tiny Death Star, a game that reminds me a bit of SimTower, only because I was raised playing computer games on Windows 95. In the update, players now have access to over 100 new missions thanks to the addition of the Imperial Assignments System. With this, the Emperor wants more work to be completed on the galaxy's most superior weapon, so you best get to it! Players will also see new weekly special events, exclusive rewards such as VIPs and new levels, plus a Cargo Bay Floor. To see the full changelog, check it below.

What's New

New Imperial Assignments System: The Emperor is demanding for more work to be completed, so do the Emperor's bidding by visiting the new,Imperial Assignments center. Complete over 100 new missions and be handsomely rewarded.
Weekly Special Events: Participate in special, limited-time events to protect your battle station.
Exclusive Rewards: Earn completely brand-new rewards such as VIPs,Imperial Bux, Costumes, Levels, and Characters by completing assignments and special events.
Cargo Bay Floor: It's your one stop shop to collect special rewards and packages as appreciation for service to the Empire.

Play Link

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Here is the Changelog for the Verizon HTC One Kit Kat Update, Build 3.11.605.1 (Updated: It's Live)

Kellen — Thu, 06 Feb 2014 13:09:41 +0000

This morning, HTC announced that it had received approval from Verizon to start pushing the Android 4.4.2 "Kit Kat" update to the carrier's variant of the One. Here we are hours later and Big Red has published the support documents that detail all of the changes users will see once upgraded, meaning we are closer than ever to seeing it arrive. Typically when these documents go out, the update is imminent. The update - as mentioned earlier - is indeed Android 4.4.2, the newest version of Android currently available. Included along with 4.4.2 is the newest version of Sense (5.5), new BlinkFeed, a redesigned gallery application, better Highlights management, simplified lock screen widget setup, do not disturb mode, and camera low light enhancements. That's just a taste of what's new in the update. The full 3-page document is included below. Once you see the update, be sure to let us know! UPDATE: It's live now! Enjoy your Kit Kat, One owners.

Dayframe 2.0 Released with an Updated Interface and Chromecast Support (Updated)

Kyle — Thu, 06 Feb 2014 12:45:00 +0000

With the public release of Google’s Chromecast SDK, an onslaught of app updates to support casting was inevitable. Take photo slideshow app Dayframe, for example, which integrated cast functionality today. While slideshow apps may be a dime a dozen, a slew of nifty features puts Dayframe a cut above the rest. Dayframe's interface is sleek and modern, conforming to HOLO design guidelines. Navigation is made simple by the relegation of configuration options to two hamburger menus: one on the left for settings, and one on the right for saved "favorite" slideshows. As you'd expect, the app is capable of displaying images in a slideshow from your local library, but it can also pull pictures from Instagram, Dropbox, Facebook, Google+, Flickr, Twitter, and 500px albums. Don’t take many photos? Dayframe’s discovery feature culls slideshows from other users based on categories like "Animated Gifs", "Geek Culture", and "Foodie Food". An especially neat feature of Dayframe is timers. With timers, you can program the app to begin specified slideshows at a particular time and day. If you often set your phone or tablet on a dock, it's the perfect way to put your charging device to good use. The Chromecast functionality, which requires an in-app purchase, is apparently straightforward: you can Cast slideshows from your device to your television, and navigate through them using swipe gestures. I wasn't able to test the feature, though, because I couldn't get the in-app checkout menu to pop up. That may be a Play Store issue, but it was definitely irritating, and hopefully something the developer rectifies soon. Dayframe is available for download from the Play Store. The premium version, Dayframe Prime, is a $2.99 in-app purchase. Note: The developer would like us to mention that those who've purchased Dayframe Prime as a separate app in the past are eligible for an in-app upgrade. If you're one of those folks, just shoot an e-mail to hi@cloud.tv. UPDATE: The developer reached out to let us know that they already had to pull Chromecast support. Something about the official SDK not being released yet. They expect support to be back in the near future. Play Link

Report: HTC Wins Contract to Produce High-End Nexus Tablet Later This Year

Eric — Thu, 06 Feb 2014 12:15:17 +0000

Up until we have started to hear all of these rumors about HTC's upcoming M8 device, the news surrounding the company has been a little dark. Earlier today, we heard that HTC's plans for this upcoming year are big ones, which could include wearables alongside a new device. The plans could be even bigger than we thought, with a new report suggesting that HTC could make the next Nexus tablet. The report comes from Focus Taiwan and suggests that HTC is the company that has "won orders for a high-end model of the Google Nexus tablet that will begin shipping in the third quarter of 2014." This is not the first rumor we have heard regarding the maker of the next Nexus tablet. Samsung, Asus and other companies have all been names that have been floating around for a few months now, but nothing is solid with any of them. The last Nexus device that HTC molded was the Nexus One way back in January of 2010, so getting back into the game would be a long time coming for them. If HTC produces the M8, a Nexus tablet, and a wearable this year, would they be competitive in the market again?

Via: BGR | Focus Taiwan

SlideLock Brings Simplicity, Immersive Mode, and Actionable Notifications to Your Lock Screen

Kellen — Thu, 06 Feb 2014 11:42:34 +0000

On last night's episode of the DL Show, I talked about an app called SlideLock that I had been testing for a day or so as a potential new lock screen replacement. After spending the rest of the evening with it, I can tell you this - it will be the lock screen replacement on my Nexus 5 for now. I'm really enjoying its simplicity, feature set, and notification actions that no longer require a swipe-down of the notification bar. With SlideLock, you get a very minimal design for a lock-screen, that in a way, comes off a little iPhone-ish. But, the beauty lies in how it handles notifications. As each shows up, your device will light up for a set number of seconds, show you the notification, and then let you act on it in a couple of ways (great feature for those without a Moto X). With a swipe to the right, you can view the notification in its corresponding app; with a swipe to the left, you can dismiss it. SlideLock pulls in pictures depending on the app, runs in Immersive Mode, lets you jump straight into the camera as you would with a stock Android device, allows you to hand pick which apps can show notifications, and can even show you banner notifications throughout your phone when away from the lock screen.

The app is free to use, but if you want to unlock the full set of features, there is an in-app purchase of $2.73. Play Link

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Google's $3.2 Billion Purchase of Nest Cleared by FTC

Tim — Thu, 06 Feb 2014 11:23:26 +0000

Back in January, it was announced that Google would be acquiring Nest, the smart thermostat and smoke detector company whose popularity has been growing gradually since its humble beginnings as a Kickstarter project, for a whopping $3.2 billion. With high profile acquisitions, especially one that concerns the data privacy of users, the deal had to go through FTC approval. According to a new report from Computer World, the deal has been approved early by the FTC and Antitrust Division of the Department of Justice, with Google hoping the deal is completely closed within a couple of months. Now what happens? It has been speculated that after Motorola's departure from Google that Nest will take up the hardware manufacturing needs of Google, reportedly for consumer electronics and other special projects. No details are definitive, but you can bet that Google has bigger plans for their $3.2 billion investment than to just keep making smoke detectors and thermostats. Whatever Google does have in mind, we are sure it's going to be quite exciting.

Via: Computer World

Cheers Scott!

Android 4.4 Kit Kat Update for Verizon HTC One Incoming

Kyle — Thu, 06 Feb 2014 10:46:48 +0000

HTC One owners on Verizon, rejoice! HTC executive Mohammed Versi just confirmed through Twitter that the Android 4.4 Kit Kat and Sense 5.5 update has received technical approval from Verizon, which means the OTA is imminent. Unsurprisingly, Verizon isn't the first carrier to certify the Kit Kat firmware on its variant of the HTC One; the update for Sprint owners began rolling out last weekend. The carrier appears to have bested AT&T and T-Mobile, though, so I guess you could consider that an improvement. The OTA will probably roll out gradually, so no need to worry if you don't receive a notification right away. That said, when Verizon officially announces the OTA, manually checking for updates in the settings menu (About > Software updates > Check now) may expedite the process.

Via: Mohammed Versi (Twitter)

Steve Wozniak: Apple Should Release an Android Phone

Tim — Thu, 06 Feb 2014 09:56:46 +0000

“There’s nothing that would keep Apple out of the Android market as a secondary phone market," said ex-Apple employee Steve Wozniak in a recent interview with Wired. As we have always known, Steve is very supportive of Google's Android effort, and frequently switches between Android and iOS devices, usually keeping a few different phones in his backpack at any given time. The man has no "brand loyalty" - he simply loves all technology. Woz went on to say, "We could compete very well. People like the precious looks of stylings and manufacturing that we do in our product compared to the other Android offerings. We could play in two arenas at the same time." The Woz also took issue with a certain company's definition of the word innovative during the talk. "You pick up a Samsung phone and say smile and it takes a picture, but how much innovation is that? That’s just throwing in a lot of features." Wozniak praised Apple for its ability to say "no" when it comes to adding in different software and hardware features for the iPhone. "If you have something really good, don’t change it; don’t screw it up." With every rendition of a Galaxy phone changing throughout the years, it's plain to see that Samsung continues to build in new software and can't seem to ever be satisfied with its own devices. This is exemplified when you buy a Galaxy phone with 16GB of internal storage, but are left with only 9GB of usable space thanks to Samsung's packing in of proprietary software and custom skins. As it is, Apple could simply fork Android at anytime, much like Amazon has done and tweak the OS to its liking, but would that ever happen? Probably not. This is Apple we are talking about. The company is very prideful when it comes to their smartphones, and it wouldn't surprise anybody if Apple thought Android was a "cheap" or "lesser" mobile operating system. But that's what we love about Woz. He doesn't care about any of that stuff - he just wants an awesome experience with his phone.

Via: Wired

Contest: Win a Red Nexus 5 16GB Just for Being Awesome

Kellen — Thu, 06 Feb 2014 09:31:44 +0000

Yesterday, we unboxed the red Nexus 5 in typical fun fashion. It was a good time and all, but during the clip, we mentioned that we had a second unit floating around the DL offices that would more than likely end up in the hands of one of you. Because we stick to our word, it's time now to give this bright red Google flagship away. The red Nexus 5 was introduced earlier this week as a third colorway for Google's latest smartphone. Outside of the bright red exterior, it's no different than the black or white variants that have been around since late 2013, and even comes in both 16GB and 32GB models at $349 and $399, respectively. From the comments of our unboxing, we can tell that people either love or hate the color - there isn't much room for a mixed opinion on this one. Personally, I'm a fan, but I'm a fanboy of all things bright, shiny, and Google. Whoever wins this, let's hope you like beacons of bright red light. You ready?

Contest

Prize: 1 (one) red Nexus 5 16GB. How to enter: a Rafflecopter giveaway Winner: Tomorrow (February 7) at 10AM, we will randomly choose our winner.

HTC Has High Hopes for 2014, Wearables Slated for Christmas Time

Tim — Thu, 06 Feb 2014 08:53:36 +0000

In a recent sit down with Bloomberg, at least a couple of HTC executives spoke of having high hopes for the new year. Chang Chialin, chief financial officer and head of global sales for HTC stated quite simply, "We feel positive and optimistic about 2014 when compared to 2013." The company is apparently feeling so good about 2014 that they are to release a wearable device later this year around Christmas time, and as we all know, that could be a very risky move unless you have a serious winner. An HTC chairman, Cher Wang, spoke on the current wearable situation and essentially said that they have been focused on these devices for quite some time.

Many years ago we started looking at smartwatches and wearables, but we believe that we really have to solve the battery problems and the LCD light problems - these are customer-centric problems.

HTC had every right to have high hopes early last year, as they were about to launch one of the best looking Android smartphones of all time, the One. What HTC couldn't control was the public's response to the device, and unfortunately, Samsung out-marketed the company at every turn, leaving HTC hurting in the wallet. We can't say that the $12 million deal with Robert Downey Jr. helped at all either, so we hope HTC learned a tough lesson about celebrity spokespeople. HTC has an investor conference call scheduled for February 10. At that time, HTC will probably state that they lost a ton of cash, but that the successor to the One will be great and that they have serious plans for 2014. Thoughts on HTC making a smartwatch? With a knack for making sexy hardware, we would give them the benefit of the doubt on creating a good device.

Via: Bloomberg

Motorola is Hosting an Event at MWC on February 25, New Devices Not Likely

Kellen — Thu, 06 Feb 2014 08:07:50 +0000

According to invitations sent to select press from Motorola, an event has been scheduled for February 25 in Barcelona, during the week of Mobile World Congress (MWC). The event is not expected to be a showcase of new hardware, but more of an "update on the business." As you all know, Lenovo is planning to acquire Motorola from Google over the coming months, so current CEO Dennis Woodside is likely going to take a minute to talk about the road ahead, plans for the year, that type of thing. 2014 should be business as usual for Motorola, even with the acquisition looming. Google's Larry Page said so himself during their most recent earnings call, because after all, these things do take time to finalize. So while this event may not be to introduce new products, new products similar to last year's Moto X will most certainly be here this year. Now that you have had a week to marinate on this Lenovo-Motorola deal, have any new thoughts?

Via: CNET

The Droid Life Show: Episode 48

Tim — Thu, 06 Feb 2014 00:04:55 +0000

Tonight, being Wednesday after all, is the night that the DL crew will gather to discuss this week's news topics during episode 48 of The Droid Life Show. Topics will include Samsung's announcing of the date in which they intend to unveil the Galaxy S5 (Feb. 24), pictures are circulating that appear to show off an HTC One successor codenamed the M8, and we have a brand new Red Nexus 5 in the house which we will be going over on air. And for those who want to see something quite amusing, we might be able to talk Kellen into showing off his new frames for Google Glass. They're super classy. As always, we will also bring you our highlighted apps and games which we have been playing recently, plus we will open up the show to viewer-submitted questions which we will answer live on the air. Sound like fun? Then join us! The show kicks off at 6pm PST, 9pm EST. There is a livestream embedded below, which will automatically begin playing once the event starts. Until then, hang out in the Droid Life IRC channel and chat with us until showtime.

Subscribe | iTunes | Show Page

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Verizon's Moto G Now Receiving Update to Android 4.4.2 "Kit Kat"

Kellen — Wed, 05 Feb 2014 20:02:34 +0000

The Moto G from Verizon is receiving its update to Android 4.4.2 "Kit Kat" as you read this. The update actually started rolling out yesterday, but Verizon just now published the support documents to show all that is involved. There aren't any surprises, however, the update is pretty significant. Once updated, you'll find all sorts of goodies that were introduced by Google with Kit Kat. For example, full-screen "Immersive" mode is there, as is Hangouts as the default SMS app. You'll also find a new dialer application, better photo editor, and cloud printing built into the OS. To see all that Kit Kat has to offer, be sure to check out our recap of Android 4.4.

To check for the update, head into Settings>About phone>System updates. In case you missed it, we took it on a video tour when it was first released:

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Via: Verizon

Red Nexus 5 Unboxed, Fondled.

Kellen — Wed, 05 Feb 2014 17:27:37 +0000

The Nexus 5 in red is real, it exists, and it can now be purchased from Google Play. At $349 for the 16GB model, and $399 for the 32GB model, there is nothing different about this variant other than its bright exterior. Like, really bright exterior. If you have picked up any of the official Nexus accessories in bright red, then you'll know exactly what I mean by that. The specs are identical to the black and white versions. In other words, you are looking at a Snapdragon 800 processor, 4.95inch 1080p display, 8MP rear camera with OIS, 2300mAh battery, 2GB RAM, a Slimport, and connectivity on Sprint, AT&T, and T-Mobile. So yeah, this is it. It's red. BRIGHT red, and it's in house. We actually have two in house, so be on the lookout for a contest in the coming days. For now, enjoy the unboxing, fondling, and comparison to the rest of red's Nexus brothers. Any questions?

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Real or Fake, These Purported HTC M8 Images are Hot

Kellen — Wed, 05 Feb 2014 15:27:19 +0000

This afternoon, Russian site MobilTelefon posted the images included in this post of what are said to be of the follow-up to the HTC One, known internally as the HTC M8. Are they real or fake? I couldn't tell you off hand, as we have seen some brilliant fake jobs in our time. What I will say instead, is how much I would love to see this become a reality. We're talking a similar design to the heavily praised HTC One, but with tweaks that take it over-the-top. The images - again, who knows how real or fake they are - show a device that has a completely edge-to-edge display, something the original One lacked. In fact, the original One could battle Sony's Xperia line for "King of the Bezels." If HTC could find a way to replicate this edge-to-edge experience, I'd imagine that would also keep the size of the device the same but potentially allow for even more screen real estate. Think about what Samsung did from the Galaxy S3 to the S4 - they grew the display size, but shrunk the bezels and body slightly. You still have BoomSound speakers, the all-metal body that so many love, and a premium design that no other Android OEM has really been able to replicate. Seriously, HTC needs to do this. So what's wrong with the images? Well, that whole disappearing navigation button situation is a bit odd. In one image you can see the on-screen navigation button setup (these have been rumored as a new feature), but the other image shows them completely missing. Sure, they could enable some sort of swiping gesture to hide or show navigation buttons, but that would be, well, odd. Or maybe that's a new HTC BlinkZoeBoomButton feature? Again, these could be either real or fake, but I'm just hoping HTC actually does something like this with the real thing. I had two gripes over the original One - a middle-of-the-road 4MP camera, and massive bezels. This design would at least fix one of those. Thoughts?

Via: MobileTelefon | PocketNow

VSCO Cam Updated to Version 2.1 - UI Tweaks, Import Larger Images, and More

Tim — Wed, 05 Feb 2014 14:15:07 +0000

An update for VSCO Cam is out this week, one which brings various minor UI tweaks and other added features. Users after the update can add larger photos to the app for editing, plus VSCO's location and privacy settings received updates. The development team also states that the app received a few performance enhancements, which should boost the app's processing speeds. Down below you can view the full changelog, and if you ready to download the update, head to Google Play.

What's New

Importing of larger images enabled
Updated location and privacy settings
Performance enhancements
Various UI updates

Play Link

Via: VSCO

Cruzerlite Intelligent Wallet Case for Nexus 5 - Review

Tim — Wed, 05 Feb 2014 13:19:40 +0000

Protection for your device is very important - no one would deny that. With so many choices out there between glass screen protectors or even bumper cases, folks may even want to go the extra mile and cover up their Nexus 5 completely. The case we are looking at today is the Intelligent Wallet case from Cruzerlite, a case/cover that won't have any troubles protecting your precious device from drops and scratches. Overall, the case features "two layers of protection" - the first being the outside which is a synthetic leather which folds over the display of the device. Inside the case itself is a full-size TPU Bugdroid case which your phone fits snuggly into. With the protection covered, you won't need to worry about dropping this bad boy. The next feature we need to showcase is the wallet aspect. On the inside left fold there is a slot for credit cards, as well as a slot for cash or whatever else you can fit in there. The case can essentially allow you to leave your regular wallet sitting at home, as this case looks to take over its job. Finally, the folds on the case are magnetic, which means the flap won't go dangling around at unwanted times. The magnet is strong too, and since you would use it as a wallet, we don't need to concern ourselves about our cash falling out all over the place. As a delicious cherry on top, the front of the case features our adorable Android mascot for everyone to know which team you're reppin'. The case will run you $20, and when you consider the build quality and the protection it offers, isn't too bad at all. The only thing that would keep me from sticking my device in this case every day is that the volume keys are too unaccessible for my liking. While I'm on the go, I like to be able to control my device's volume without to much struggle. Other than that, it's a well-made product. To grab your very own Intelligent Wallet case from Cruzerlite, check out their online store right here.

Gallery

The Google Now Launcher is Coming, It Will Even Import From Your Old Launcher

Kellen — Wed, 05 Feb 2014 12:56:07 +0000

Through an update to Google Search that arrived today, we are now seeing a new name for the launcher that came installed as an exclusive on the Nexus 5. Previously dubbed the "Google Experience" launcher, the name has now been changed to "Google Now" launcher. The name makes a lot of sense, especially since it has Google Now built-in, is actually powered by Google Search, and can access Now with a simple swipe from the left. But while installing it on my Moto X, I noticed that it wanted to do more than just act as a sideloaded, stepchild launcher that didn't belong. It asked if I wanted to import settings (well, icons and folders) from my older stock launcher. While we have no official word on this, seeing options like this in the launcher certainly hints at this new Google Now launcher finally arriving for all on Google Play. Many of your probably have this launcher already installed on your devices (GoogleHome.apk), since it has been sideload-able for some time. But I took a clean Moto X without it, then updated Google Search and installed the GoogleHome.apk and was taken through a setup process. At this time, you still need both GoogleHome.apk and Google Search to get the Google Now launcher to work, so if Google does make this available to all, an update somewhere is either going to have to combine them or perform another trick. To get the Google Now Launcher up and going, do the following: 1. Install the latest GoogleHome.apk from the Nexus 5. [Download Link] 2. Install the latest update for Google Search. [Download Link] 3. Set the Google Now Launcher as your new launcher. 4. Walk through the setup. If you want to see the setup process and already have GoogleHome installed, feel free to uninstall it and then "clear data" and "force stop" Google Search. Then re-install GoogleHome.apk and set it as your launcher.

Google App Updates Galore: Hangouts, Cloud Print, Maps, Search, and More

Kellen — Wed, 05 Feb 2014 12:00:58 +0000

If Google decides to push out a bunch of updates to their suite of apps on any given day, Wednesdays are usually a good bet. Sure enough, we are seeing all sorts of apps receive updates today (Hangouts, Cloud Print, Google Search, Maps, Newsstand, and more), most of which don't have changelogs or haven't arrived on anyone's device due to our favorite thing in the industry, staged rollouts for updates. Thankfully, this is the internet, which means that some people are bound to be a part of that initial wave. Some of those delightful people also like to share their treasures. Below, we've started a list of the apps that are being updated, along with download links and changelogs (as we have them). We will try to update this throughout the day.

Updates

Google Drive

New 1x1 widget for faster document scanning
Support for animated GIFs
Bug fixes

Google Search

No official changelog, but we're now seeing a Google Now Launcher if you have a Nexus 5 or the Google Experience Launcher (GoogleHome.apk) installed on your device.
Pretty sure that the "TV & video" section in the magic wand in Google Now is new as well.

Google Play Newsstand

After updating, we're seeing new "Mini cards" and a widget.

Hangouts, Google Maps, Cloud Print

Nothing major listed yet

Downloads

Google Drive (1.2.563.27) - Play Link | Download
Hangouts (2.0.303) - Play Link | Download
Google Search (3.2.16.1006154) - Play Link | Download
Google Maps (7.6.0) - Play Link | Download
Google Play Newsstand (?)- Play Link | Download
Cloud Print (0.9.2) - Play Link | Download

theScore App Updated to Support 2014 Winter Olympics

Tim — Wed, 05 Feb 2014 11:30:13 +0000

Winter Olympics fans should check out the update that was sent out to theScore this morning, as you can now track all of the action right from you Android smartphone. You may not be able to watch any of the events through the app, but users can keep score on the medal counts and also keep tabs on their favorite athletes. In addition to the Olympics section, player alerts for major league sports in the US is now live, so diehard NFL, NBA, NHL, and MLB fans can stay up to date on the game's players. The feature is perfect for those who are concerned about players getting injured, traded, or any number of other things that could happen. To check out the update, head on over to Google Play and pick it up. Play Link

Path Updated to Version 4.3, Brings Video Sharing and Filters

Kyle — Wed, 05 Feb 2014 10:53:20 +0000

Path, the social network that favors intimate interactions between close friends over the attention-seeking antics that proliferate on, say, Facebook, received a multimedia-centric update on Android today. Version 4.3 of the app brings video capture to mobile, allowing users to take up to 30 seconds of video to share with friends. The new feature is pretty barebones and only works with Android 4.0 and up, but does include free filters to enhance your masterwork (or mask that darn shakiness). Taking pictures is as simple as opening the app and holding down the camera button. The update is now available through Google Play, so get it while it’s hot. Play Link

Via: Path

Galaxy S5 Roundup: Theatrics to be Pulled Back, Will Not Feature QHD Display or Retina Scanner

Tim — Wed, 05 Feb 2014 10:09:20 +0000

We always say throughout the course of any given calendar year that nothing is ever confirmed until made official by either the OEM or the carrier. The reason we say this is because in this industry, pundits love having the inside scoop, and with that, we usually see unconfirmed device specs and other info well before it is ever 100% official. As we have seen with the Galaxy S5, one of the more anticipated devices of 2014, the rumors and speculation have been off the charts. We have heard about retina scanners, Quad-HD displays with insane resolutions, fingerprint scanners, and a whole ton of other info. Since Samsung has finally announced an unveiling date for the device, we should start to be able to cut back on a lot of the hypebeastin' and get down to what exactly the Galaxy S5 will be. According to the latest reports, Samsung is looking to take a different angle with the GS5, as the company will attempt to cut back on all of the theatrics that they have now become known for. From sources of the New York Times, Samsung will take a focus on business men and women, with an updated KNOX security app, while also toning back on bloatware. Samsung's cutbacks on bloatware could be in direct connection with its recent agreement with Google to start focusing more on pushing Google Play services and not its own third party ecosystem. In what could be considered somewhat depressing news, the NYT source states that the device won't come equipped with two features that were its most attention grabbing - according to the report, the phone will not come equipped with either a QHD display or a retina scanner. With that being said, SamMobile has posted pictures of an reported hardshell case for the GS5 that also lacks any slot for a fingerprint scanner; a feature that most industry insiders were almost certain of. We have previously posted reported benchmarks of the Galaxy S5, which pointed to a QHD display, and multiple sources have stated for months that the device would feature a display with a higher resolution than 1080p. Could Samsung have pulled a last minute change for an unknown reason? Anything is possible at this point. On a brighter note, the source that was briefed on the specs of the device confirms that it will come with a upgraded camera, presumably 16MP in sensor size. On top of that, the phone will also see a bump in processors, most likely from the Exynos 5 Octa to an updated Octa version for overseas markets, and a Qualcomm Snapdragon 805 up from the current Snapdragon 800 which we see today. To top it all off, the source states that we will most definitely see an updated Galaxy Gear smartwatch, which could be the reason Samsung has begun dropping the price of its original smartwatch in India. It only seems fitting that we end this post with a simple "nothing is confirmed," because essentially, none of this is still confirmed.

Via: New York Times | SamMobile | BGR

Cryten is a Beautiful Round, Flat, Neat, and Pastel Set of Icons

Kellen — Wed, 05 Feb 2014 09:52:18 +0000

Icon packs for Android have come a long way over the last year or so. I can still remember years back when every new set was embossed, glowing, based on some gimmicky theme, or pulled out of an 80s rock video. It was rough, especially if you wanted to customize your device with some class. Thankfully, developers like Ryan Kelly, Dave Kover, Jsin Jaques, Alex Miller or Viktor Vucinic have our backs and are producing really beautiful stuff on a regular basis. Vucinic released a new pack called Cryten within the last couple of weeks that you should definitely take a look at. The pack is filled with flattened round icons (Hooray for round!) and is based on a set of pastel colors. There are some 1100+ icons in the pack along with 27 HD wallpapers that match up to the icons perfectly. He has been updating the pack quite regularly, meaning there are new icons flooding in at least a couple of times per week. And probably my favorite feature is his extra list of alternative icons. I can't tell you how often I open a new icon pack and there is only one color for the phone or camera or messaging icons. Give us choices, icon pros! Play Link ($1.49) And remember, if you see new icon packs that are worth a look, be sure to ping us.

BlackBerry Reminds Everyone That BBM Still Exists, Issues Minor Update to Help Find Friends

Kyle — Wed, 05 Feb 2014 09:06:31 +0000

Did you know BlackBerry was still around? Their stranglehold on the smartphone industry may be a distant memory, but the beleaguered company is still committed to supporting its existing products. Need proof? One of them, BlackBerry Messenger for Android, is the target of a minor update today. The headline feature of the update is Find Friends, which allows you to identify those of your friends and family that use BBM (and are probably too embarrassed to admit it). The app will scan your contact list for BBM users, and then allow you to send a PIN invite. You can invite non-users, but they’ll only receive an e-mail message or SMS to download BBM. BlackBerry continues to devote resources to improving BBM, which makes sense considering the service's relative popularity overseas. The company teased version 2.0 of the app, which it says will include “lots of great new features.” And BlackBerry will soon release a version of BBM compatible with Gingerbread devices. Any BBM users excited about today's update? Any BBM users period?

Play Link

New 32GB Nexus 7 (2012) Available on Woot Today for $149

Kellen — Wed, 05 Feb 2014 09:01:30 +0000

We wouldn't normally point out a year-and-a-half old tablet as a potentially good buy, but when it shows up on Woot! in "new" condition for $149, it may actually be worth a look. Such is the case with the Nexus 7 (2012), that is today's daily deal on the bargain bin site. The tablet launched in the summer of 2012, seemed to take the Android tablet game by storm with its insanely low price and decent set of specs, and was the first in a line of tablets that most Android enthusiasts consider a "must have" each year. For those who forgot already, the original Nexus 7 sported a Tegra 3 (quad-core) processor, 1GB RAM, 7-inch (1280 x 800) display, 4325mAh battery, and a front-facing camera. The model in today's deal includes 32GB of storage as well. It's also running Android 4.4.2, meaning it has yet to lose support from Google. Here is our review of the 2012 Nexus 7. Woot Link

Cheers Ivo!

Potential HTC One Successor Pictured in the Wild With Dual-rear Cameras

Kellen — Wed, 05 Feb 2014 08:14:42 +0000

This may be one of the first looks at the follow-up to the HTC One, currently codenamed M8. As you can tell from the image, it looks quite similar to the One, except for those two tiny differences. We're seeing a dual-LED flash along with a dual-rear camera setup. The rest, well, looks like a One. The leak comes courtesy of @HTCFamily_ru, who has been tweeting and retweeting everything it can about HTC's next flagship. They even included a render of what the front could potentially look like, which we have included below. But if you talk about the dual-rear camera setup and the similar look as the One, those are two things we have heard before. Industry leaker @evleaks said just the other day that the follow-up would look "strikingly" similar to the original, while Bloomberg reported back in mid-January that the device would sport a "twin-sensor" setup on the back. A setup with dual-sensors could "provide better focus, depth of field and image quality," though we'll have to experience that for ourselves before we buy in. A previous report said that we shouldn't expect to see the phone until late March. Thoughts?

Via: @HTCFamily_ru

Android Distribution Numbers Updated for February - Jelly Bean Jumps Over 60%, Kit Kat Barely Moves

Kellen — Tue, 04 Feb 2014 17:46:31 +0000

The favorite time of the month for industry pundits who write stories with the word "fragmentation" in the title has arrived! That's right, it's Android distribution number update day! According to the latest numbers pulled from the Android developer site for February, we're looking at Jelly Bean jumping to 60.7% (from 59.1%) and Kit Kat to 1.8% (from 1.4%), while the rest of the versions all fell slightly. Ice Cream Sandwich is now at 16.1% (from 16.9%), Gingerbread dropped to 20.0% (from 21.2%), and Froyo finishes the chart off at 1.3%. To see January's numbers, check out this post.

Via: Android Developers

Press Render of Verizon's Samsung Galaxy NotePro 12.2 Leaked, 4G LTE Logo Visible From Space

Tim — Tue, 04 Feb 2014 15:43:11 +0000

Thanks to evleaks, we have our first look at what the Galaxy NotePro 12.2 tablet from Samsung will look like on Verizon. As we can see, there doesn't appear to be anything too different about the device from the WiFi-only model, oh, except the massive 4G LTE logo on the backside. Evleaks wasn't able to provide any dates or exact pricing for the 4G LTE model quite yet, but with renders now in town, we can expect to see that info coming up. WiFi-only models will be available starting February 13 for those interested. Verizon customers, you picking this beast up?

Via: @evleaks

Toast Wood Cover for Nexus 5 Hands-on and Overview

Tim — Tue, 04 Feb 2014 14:55:52 +0000

After posting that the Toast wood cover for the Nexus 5 had gone live, we saw a lot of requests for a hands-on tour, so here it is. The cover is made of Walnut which is harvested in the good ol' US of A, which is then cut, packaged, and shipped right from Portland, OR. We were able to spend some time inside the Toast facility a bit ago, so be sure to check out our tour right here. Applying the wood skin is simple enough - all you do is peel off the wood skins from the adhesive paper and then slap the skin on the phone. Once applied, you have a short amount of time to make adjustments to the placement, just in case you didn't get it 100% right. Once you are sure it's properly placed, you can start pressing nice and hard on the skin and it will be stuck on there for good. But don't worry, the skins are quite easy to remove if you so choose and the nice thing is that it won't leave messy residue once removed. The skin is cut up into different sections, plus each button has its own wood sticker. If you don't wish to put on the sides or want to leave a few buttons naked, you can do so. It also comes with a skin for the camera's glass protector, but I left it off on mine because I like the contrast of the black on the wood. The case costs $30 no matter which wood you choose (Walnut, White-washed Ash, Ebony, or Bamboo), but for an extra $5, you can have custom text burned onto the wood. It's a great way to personalize your cover, and plus, it smells really good when burned. Have questions? Shoot them down below. Want to buy one? Go here.

Hands-on

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Could Samsung's Galaxy Gear See Major Price Cut Soon?

Tim — Tue, 04 Feb 2014 13:40:59 +0000

Since Samsung might have plans to announce the next rendition of the Galaxy Gear smartwatch sometime around the launch of the Galaxy S5, it only makes sense for the company to start cutting the price of last year's model. When it first hit the market, the device that came up short in the functionality department was priced at $349.99, but with price drops recently taking place in India, insiders point to worldwide price slashes coming up. After exchange rates, the Galaxy Gear has seen about a $120 price cut over in Indian markets, so this move leads others to believe that the same cuts could make their way to the US and other global markets. There has been no word from Samsung on whether that is what they plan to do, but it really wouldn't surprise anybody in this industry. Since the device is only compatible with Galaxy smartphones, Gear's potential number of buyers was very limited. Sure, there are millions of Galaxy S4 and Galaxy Note 3 phones in the wild, but how many of those people are willing to drop $349.99 on a watch? Probably not too many. If the Gear sees a major price drop, who here would be interested in picking one up? Is it worth spending money on last year's model when we are pretty sure a new one (Galaxy Gear 2) is right around the corner?

Via: SamMobile

New Version Pebble Android App Includes Appstore, But It's Only for Developers

Kyle — Tue, 04 Feb 2014 13:06:35 +0000

The eagerly anticipated Pebble Appstore may have launched exclusively for iOS yesterday, but an Android version may not be far behind. Pebble announced the release of a beta for the Pebble Android app that includes the Appstore, but with a big catch: only Pebble app developers can use it for now. That restriction may be for good reason, as the app has a number of bugs and issues the Pebble team is working to straighten out. If you’re one of the lucky few with beta access, here’s what to look out for:

The pairing process has some issues. We recommend first pairing in the bluetooth settings of your phone and then starting the pebble app.

You will not be able to configure an app if it is running on your Pebble. Exit the app (or watchface) before clicking the settings button.

When installing an application with the pebble tool, you will need to press the “Load” button on your phone to proceed with the install. Make sure the app is launched and in the foreground before you run pebble install.

getAccountToken() currently returns an hardcoded token.

If your are an Android developer, you might have the Android dev options of “Limit Background Processes” and “Don’t Keep Activities” checked. You need to uncheck/disable these to use the Pebble app.

The mobile app shows a “Settings” icon for all JavaScript apps, even if they are not configurable.

It's a bit perplexing that the Pebble team is choosing not to use the Play Store's beta-testing system, but perhaps the company wants to polish the app with a small number of testers before releasing it for wider consumption. Whatever the reason, we can only hope that the process goes smoothly so Android users have access to the Pebble Appstore soon. Update: Though the wording of Pebble's blog post suggested the beta was restricted to developers, anyone can download and try out the app by signing up for an account here, and then downloading the APK from this page.

Via: Pebble

AT&T Kills $450 T-Mobile Switch Program After Only One Month, John Legere Loves it

Eric — Tue, 04 Feb 2014 11:40:46 +0000

The mobile carrier industry (AT&T in particular) is still reeling/adjusting from the UnCarrier approach that T-Mobile has brought over the last few months. AT&T attempted to scoop T-Mo just before CES by announcing a promotion that encouraged customers to leave their lines at T-Mobile and switch to their network, something that T-Mobile had been rumored to do for weeks and eventually did. However, after not even a month, AT&T is killing this program. AT&T was offering people up to $200 for every line that they brought over from T-Mo when they signed up for a Next plan and would also give you money for trading in your device as well (up to $250). We aren't sure if the deal ran its course or if AT&T is instead going to rely on their new $100 line add-on promo, but after being announced at CES on January 3, the $450 deal is now over. You can imagine how excited T-Mobile CEO John Legere is:

Certainly #shotsfired. While T-Mobile is expanding their break-up plan, AT&T is getting rid of theirs. Did any readers take AT&T up on their offer to switch before it ended?

Via: John Legere

Holofication Nation Looks to Remodel Popular Android Apps Under the Android Design Guidelines

Eric — Tue, 04 Feb 2014 11:10:14 +0000

Android has come a long way over the years, but unfortunately for users, just because an application is released on Android at the same time as iOS, doesn't mean that it will use all that the open platform has to offer. Google has published an Android Design Guideline as a start for developers who want to make their apps look good and handle well, but a few major developers choose to not follow the guides. The XDA group Holofication Nation is looking to change that. Big name apps like Instagram, Snapchat, GrooveShark and Steam are all in the sights of Holo Nation. Their mission is a simple one: "Our goal is simple, to do what those big companies can't do, make a decent UI." The team currently consists of two developers that are re-tooling these applications to look more like they belong on Android. The list of features they would like to bring to the apps contains adding action bars across the top and bottom, hamburger menus when necessary, and cleaning up color schemes. To install these modded apps, you have to uninstall the official ones, but early reports of the developer's work are promising. Facebook is not on the list of apps to be worked on due to server-side control over the user interface. In the future, Holo Nation hopes to have an central hub-like application that keeps all of their other modded apps updated. For now, head over to their XDA thread and check out these re-styled apps.

Via: XDA

Nexus 5 in Red Now Available on Google Play (Updated)

Kellen — Tue, 04 Feb 2014 10:35:48 +0000

The Nexus 5 sporting a timely red exterior is now available on Google Play. First leaked all of two weeks ago, the device has been spotted/unboxed in warehouses and through internal Sprint documents, leaving little to our imagination. The Sprint leak gave us an availability date of February 4, which just so happens to be today. Way to be timely, Google. The red variant is identical in terms of specs to the black and white "panda" models. The only difference here, is that bright red coloring that Google has been using on Nexus accessories for some time. Still on the fence about Google's latest flagship phone? Feel free to read our Nexus 5 review to help push you over the edge. Play Link (16GB, $349) | Play Link (32GB, $399)

Update: Here is the official word on global availability from LG.

The red Nexus 5 will be available on Google Play™ starting this month in the United States,Canada, U.K., France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Australia, Hong Kong, India, Japan and Korea with wider availability across Europe by the end of the month. Customers will also be able to purchase a red Nexus 5 in retail stores in select markets.

Sony Ends Support for A Few Older Smartphones, Includes Xperia S, Xperia ion, and Xperia go

Kyle — Tue, 04 Feb 2014 10:25:56 +0000

Smartphone manufacturers can’t support phones forever, a fact that Sony made clear today when it announced a number of its older devices would no longer receive software updates. These are mostly older devices; every handset falls outside the 18-month update window Google and other Android phone makers generally follow. However, that doesn’t make the news any less sad. Here’s Sony’s complete list of EoL devices:

Xperia arc S
Xperia S
Xperia SL
Xperia ion
Xperia acro S
Xperia go
Xperia P
Xperia J
Xperia micro
Xperia sola
Xperia tipo
Xperia U

If you’re the owner of any of these smartphones, you may want to consider an upgrade.

Via: Xperia Blog

Koush's AllCast App Updated, Re-Adds Local Chromecast Streaming

Kyle — Tue, 04 Feb 2014 10:15:26 +0000

Good things come to those who wait. Remember accomplished developer Koush Dutta’s AirCast, the app that made unauthorized use of Google’s Cast protocol to stream local media from your devices to Chromecast? Later renamed AllCast, Dutta was forced to remove the functionality during the Chromecast SDK’s testing period. Now that Google has publicly released the development tools, though, Dutta has issued an update that re-enables local streaming. Fair warning: the feature isn’t perfect. Depending on your wireless setup, you may experience lag while streaming video. Other users have reported weird quirks like upside-down playback. Knowing Dutta, a fix is probably forthcoming, but if you’re looking for the perfect local streaming solution, this isn't it at the moment. The app is available from Google Play, and requires the latest version of Google Play Services to work. The paid version is $4.99, if you want to stream videos longer than 1 minute in length. Play Link

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Samsung's NotePro 12.2 and TabPro 8.4, 10.1, and 12.2 Tablets Launch February 13 in the U.S.

Kyle — Tue, 04 Feb 2014 10:00:33 +0000

Samsung showed a lot of new appliances and televisions at its CES press conference back in January, but it also unveiled a reworked line of Note and Tab-branded tablets the company said would retail this year. True to its word, Samsung announced today that the Galaxy NotePro 12.2 (our hands-on) and TabPro 8.4 (our hands-on), 10.1, and 12.2 will be available in the U.S. beginning February 13. Both tablet lines are clearly aimed at power users. Both the NotePro and TabPro 12.2 sport an impressively high-resolution WQXGA (2560x1600) LCD display, and will be powered by either an Exynos 5 Octa (1.9Ghz quad-core + 1.3GHz quad-core) or Snapdragon 800 SoC with 3GB of RAM. An 8MP shooter and an S Pen included with the NotePro round things off. On the software side, the devices are the first (and probably last) to ship with Samsung’s Magazine UX, a highly customized Android launcher designed to make shortcuts for most-used apps more easily accessible. Features and programs such as Remote PC, Hancom Office suite, gesture commands, and Multi Window on the larger tablets also come pre-installed. The tablets ship with quite a few extras. By registering through Samsung's Galaxy Perks, purchasers can receive a $25 Google Play credit, three-month trial Hulu Plus membership, a one-year Bloomberg Businessweek+ subscription, six months of Cisco WebEx Premium 8, and 50 GB of Dropbox space for 2 years. Pricing starts at $399.99 for the 16 GB Tab Pro 8.4, and goes all the way up to $849.99 for the 64 GB model Note Pro 12.2. The tablets come in two colors, black and white.

Samsung Launches World’s First 12.2-inch Widescreen Tablets in U.S.: Galaxy Note Pro and Tab Pro Series Available Feb. 13
RIDGEFIELD PARK, N.J. – Feb. 4, 2014 – Samsung Electronics America, Inc. today announced that the Wi-Fi enabled Galaxy Note® Pro 12.2 and Tab® Pro 10.1 and 8.4 will be available in the U.S. beginning Feb. 13. Pre-orders will start at midnight ET, Feb. 4 from Samsung.com, Best Buy, Walmart, Amazon, Tiger Direct, PC Richard and Sons, Fry’s, and Newegg. The Samsung Galaxy Tab Pro 12.2 will be available in March 2014. Verizon Wireless will be the first to offer the Galaxy Note Pro 12.2 with 4G LTE connectivity later this quarter. For more information, visit www.samsung.com/us/protablets. Samsung’s new Galaxy Note Pro and Tab Pro series includes four models – Note Pro 12.2 and Tab Pro 12.2, 10.1 and 8.4. The new tablet lineup features premium materials, a suite of applications and services, unparalleled displays, a unique interface designed to simplify access and discovery of content, and many new productivity tools. “The Note Pro and Tab Pro create a more meaningful user experience at the intersection of work and play,” said Nanda Ramachandran, vice president of emerging business at Samsung Telecommunications America. “With four completely revamped models featuring unique software innovations and impressive displays, these tablets offer users a premium Galaxy experience.” The Galaxy Note Pro and Tab Pro series tablets will be available in two color options, black and white. “The Galaxy Note Pro and Tab Pro series deliver an unparalleled tablet experience,” said Travis Merrill, vice president of tablet marketing at Samsung Electronics America. “As mobile usage habits have evolved, so have our tablet offerings. This Pro series is designed to meet the distinctive needs of today’s mobile consumer, whether at home, on-the-go or at work.” Vibrant, Large Displays Samsung’s Galaxy Note Pro and Tab Pro 12.2 are the world’s first 12.2-inch tablets with high-resolution WQXGA (2560 x 1600) Super Clear LCDs and widescreen aspect ratios of 16:10, with more than 4 million pixels. Engineered with 3GB of RAM and a larger screen for optimal viewing, the Galaxy Note Pro and Tab Pro 12.2 give consumers the power and screen real estate to view full HD videos and perform various tasks on a dazzling and vibrant display. Developed and designed specifically for the 12.2-inch Note Pro and Tab Pro, Multi Window lets users view up to four applications simultaneously, offering improved multitasking. The Multi Window feature enhances productivity with impressive quick controls, like drag and drop for easy cut and paste and one-touch presets, to quickly launch commonly used Multi Window app configurations. The Galaxy Tab Pro 8.4 display is the most pixel dense tablet on the market. HD video, images and games take full advantage of the high pixel count, giving users a display quality not found on any other tablets in its class. With a Snapdragon 800 2.3 GHz quad core processor, the Tab Pro 8.4 is built to handle high-powered games and video. Pro Series Amps Up Productivity All tablets in the Note Pro and Tab Pro series are outfitted with Magazine UX, Samsung’s innovative new user interface that’s built right into the home screen layout. This customizable layout brings users’ favorite and most-frequented content—games, notes, apps, e-mail and more—to the forefront, offering direct access to content with a single touch. To enhance productivity and give users a more effective typing medium, Note Pro, Tab Pro 12.2 and Tab Pro 10.1 feature a virtual keyboard that mimics the size and appearance of a physical keyboard, leveraging haptic feedback and hotkeys to offer users a more accurate and familiar typing experience. It includes directional keys and copy/paste functionality built right into the keyboard which allows you to create and edit documents more efficiently. The Note Pro also includes Samsung’s S Pen, offering the precision and responsiveness that customers love, as well as features such as handwriting-to-text, Air Command, and Pen Window. Both the Note Pro and Tab Pro come equipped with applications designed for optimal professional performance and mobile productivity. Remote PC allows easy access and control of a home or office computer directly through a Pro tablet, while a downloadable and touch optimized version of Hancom Office gives users the ability to create, edit and save documents, spreadsheets and presentations with the same functionality you would find on a PC. Samsung e-Meeting provides collaboration capabilities by giving users the ability to share content during a meeting without having to access a central server or network. These devices come with a powerful and productive Samsung accessory ecosystem that includes keyboard covers, the S Action Mouse and USB LAN Hub adapters along with a variety of third party accessories including Bluetooth keyboards from ZAGG, Belkin and Logitech. Extensive and Immersive Content and Services Samsung continues to partner with leading entertainment, productivity and news sources to provide over $800 in premium bundled content for the Galaxy Note Pro and Tab Pro tablets through Galaxy Perks. With Galaxy Perks, consumers have access to popular and best-selling news, social media, and cloud storage applications including: $25 Google Play credit, three-month trial Hulu Plus membership, one-year Bloomberg Businessweek+ subscription, six months of Cisco WebEx Premium 8 package, and 50 GB of Dropbox space for two years. In the future, customers will have access to one year of Gogo inflight internet access (up to 36 flights). For more information on Galaxy Perks, please visit www.samsung.com/us/galaxyperks. Pricing for the tablets are as follows: Note Pro 12.2: $749.99 (32 GB), $849.99 (64 GB) Tab Pro 12.2: $649.99 (32 GB) Tab Pro 10.1: $499.99 (16 GB) Tab Pro 8.4: $399.99 (16 GB)

Toast Wood Cover Now Available for the Nexus 5

Tim — Tue, 04 Feb 2014 09:28:09 +0000

Back when we wrote up our tour of the Toast cover factory, the only thing people wanted to know was when the Nexus 5 cover was going to be available. We can gladly say that the day has come, and anyone looking to grab a wood skin for their device can now do so through Toast's website. I was sent a prototype of the case, and I have actually been surprised that I have not wanted to take it off of the device, since usually I like to keep my phones naked. The case feels nice on the device, and since the wood is burned during cutting and branding, the cover actually smells quite good. Even better than a taxi cab air freshener, depending on your feelings toward the smell of burnt wood. Regardless of that, the skin is available in four different colors - there is a bamboo, walnut, white-washed ash, and ebony. You can also choose to add custom burnt text to the cover, which can add a bit of customization and personalization if you so desire. The price of the skins start at $30 and then goes to $35 for custom text. Again, we are talking "Made in the USA" quality here. Definitely worth a look if you wanted to add a flare of wood to your Nexus 5. And if you don't have a Nexus 5, they have plenty of other Android device options as well. You can check out Toast's Nexus 5 skins here.

Gallery

Aio Wireless Drops Plan Pricing, Tweaks Data Packages, and Hands Out $5 Discount for Autopay

Kellen — Tue, 04 Feb 2014 09:19:32 +0000

Aio Wireless announced this morning that it has dropped the rates of its plans while also upping the high-speed data caps of two. The new rates are as follows: Basic ($40), Smart ($50), and Pro ($60). The Basic plan ~~remains a feature phone only plan~~ (now for smartphones too), with the Smart and Pro as your options for smartphones. The Basic plan now offers 500MB of high-speed data (up from 250MB), Smart has been bumped up to 2.5GB (from 2GB), and the Pro has been completely adjusted from 7GB to 5GB, but the price also dropped from $70 to $60. If you want to drop your monthly bill lower than the $40, $50, and $60 price points, you can sign-up for Autopay and Aio will hack another $5 off. You could be paying as little as $45 per month for a smartphone and 2.5GB of data. Even though Aio is owned by AT&T and has access to its 4G LTE network, the high-speed data maximum speed remains at 8 Mbps for your initial data allotment. After that, Aio will throttle the hell out of you until your month or billing cycle ends. Their plans are still considered "unlimited."

Back in November, we did a write-up for the best prepaid wireless options for unlocked phones, and Aio Wireless made our list. In fact, I'm still using it to this day with my Nexus 5. Outside of the slower data speeds, I have had no issues or reason to switch off of it. Now with these new prices, I may be here for a while. On a related note, if you want to switch to any of these new plans, you can do so easily through your account. Once logged in, you should see a "View/change" plans button in the lower left. Tap that, then "Change plans" on the next page, and then find the new plan you want to switch to.

LG’s G Pro 2 Has Optical Image Stabilization “Plus”… and Stuff

Kyle — Tue, 04 Feb 2014 08:12:37 +0000

One-upsmanship is one word for a wonderfully vague press release highlighting two features of the upcoming G Pro 2. Another is desperation, but I’ll leave it to you to decide which. In a press release not-so-subtly timed to draw attention away from Samsung’s announcement of a February press conference, LG focused on the unique camera features of the company's upcoming phablet, the G Pro 2. One, dubbed “OIS plus,” is an enhanced version of the optical image stabilization found in the G2. LG said this new solution improves upon the original by pairing better hardware with software that eliminates tremors, resulting in a smoother image. The new setup also enhances low-light performance, the company said. Spec-wise, the LG said the camera will be capable of shooting 1.4 speed slow motion video in HD, and continuous shooting (burst mode) at ultra-HD (3840x2160) resolution. For selfies, a 2.1-megapixel front-facing camera with “improved performance” is also present. I’ll withhold judgment, but from what I’ve seen of the LG G 2 Pro, it just looks like a bigger G2. I suppose that’s the point, but I wonder if the new device’s features will sufficiently differentiate it from its smartphone sibling. (Its looks certainly won’t.) The G Pro 2 will launch sometime later this month.

Via: LG Korea

Microsoft Names Satya Nadella New CEO

Kellen — Tue, 04 Feb 2014 08:02:09 +0000

Satya Nadella is Microsoft's new CEO. In other words, they got the man that had been rumored for some time. They got a Microsoft guy. Also as expected, Sundar Pichai is staying with Google.

Via: Microsoft

Samsung Sets Date for "Unpacked 5" on February 24, Ready for the Galaxy S5?

Kellen — Mon, 03 Feb 2014 17:50:39 +0000

This afternoon, Samsung sent us an invitation to their next big event, titled "Unpacked 5." The event takes place on February 24 in Barcelona, Spain, the week of Mobile World Congress. While nothing is confirmed on the invitation, the unveiling of the Galaxy S5 seems likely. Why else would there be a "5" next to "Unpacked" if this is only episode 1 of the Unpacked series? There will be a live stream of the event at Samsung's YouTube channel, plus we'll be on hand to get our hands all over whatever is announced. The show starts at 2PM Eastern, 11AM Pacific on February 24.

Android Foundry Releases Printable Valentine's Day Cards, Plus an Adorable Wallpaper

Tim — Mon, 03 Feb 2014 16:24:38 +0000

Want to give a card this Valentine's Day to a special loved one that also shows off your love for Android? Then the Android Foundry has you covered. They have released four different cards featuring the little green man, ready for printing and giving to your valentine. And don't worry, the cards are completely free to print. To go along with the cards, they also released a special Valentine's Day themed wallpaper, which is incredibly adorable. If you just can't get enough Android in your life, its perfect.

To check out the cards and then print them out or to grab the full sized wallpaper, head on over to Android Foundry.

Via: Android Foundry

T-Mobile Moto X Soak Test of 4.4.2 Rolls Out as Build 161.44.25

Kellen — Mon, 03 Feb 2014 15:37:44 +0000

The soak test of Android 4.4.2 for the T-Mobile Moto X is live and hitting participating devices today. The update likely includes the same goodies from the US Cellular update that also started earlier, which means an improved camera and other "general enhancements." As you probably figured, this is not a major update like you saw from the jump to 4.4 from 4.2.2. Assuming all goes well with this soak test, the update should push quickly to those outside of the Motorola Feedback Network. Still no word on when the Verizon, Sprint, or AT&T variants will see the update.

Cheers b!

Verizon Introduces "Smart Rewards" Program, Like a Credit Card Point System

Kellen — Mon, 03 Feb 2014 14:43:13 +0000

While AT&T and T-Mobile are creating ways to get you out of contracts and into somewhat cheaper data plans, Verizon is adding on new services that I can't imagine anyone would ever use. Over the weekend, Verizon kicked off a new program called Smart Rewards that works sort of like a reward system that you would find from a credit card. By performing tasks or signing up for services or spending more money through your Verizon account, you can tack on points that can then be used for sweepstakes, auctions, travel deals, daily deals, gift cards, and merchandise. Most of the ways to spend your points are pretty straight forward, however, the auctions run like those super scammy auctions you see advertised on TV that ask you to constantly bid on items like an iPad, though the bidding process never seems to end and you run through cash or points in seconds without ever winning anything. The sweepstakes, daily deals, and travel are pretty typical rewards programs, but with things like the gift cards, you are really only using points to get discounts off of the full price of a gift card. Earning points to use arrive through recurring areas that involve how many GB of data you have on your family plan, if you are signed up for Auto pay, how many dollars you spend on your monthly bill. You can also get upfront bonuses for things like adding a new line or signing up for the program. So you are aware, the program requires that you sign-up for Verizon Selects, which after reading the fine print, sounds like one of the most invasive data gathering schemes on Earth. By acknowledging that you want Smart Rewards and Verizon Selects, you are giving Verizon access to the way you use apps, equipment, the websites you visit, your shopping interests, demographics, and more.

To provide you ads and content from Verizon and others that may be more relevant to you, we would like to use information about your use of Verizon products and services (like your devices and equipment, the features and apps you use, the websites you visit, and your location), interests (like shopping preferences), demographics (like age range), and information about the quantity, type, destination, location, and amount of use of your Verizon voice services (known as CPNI).

Verizon Selects then uses all of that information to send you advertisements via text, email, regular mail, etc. Sound like something you want to be a part of? The program is currently only running in the following states, but Verizon plans to expand it throughout the rest of 2014.

Arkansas
Ohio
Oklahoma
Oregon
Washington
Northern Idaho
Northern Mississippi
Western Tennessee

Here are some screenshots of the Smart Rewards area.

Here are some of the ways you can earn points.

Links: Smart Rewards FAQ | Sign-up | Verizon Selects FAQ

Cheers Enigmaco, Brian, and Cody!

Video Tour: Facebook Paper Actually Looks Great, Will It Come to Android?

Kellen — Mon, 03 Feb 2014 14:15:23 +0000

Does anyone remember Rockmelt's Android application? It was easily one of my favorite apps of 2013. You see, Rockmelt was great at bringing you random-yet-precise topics of your choosing without asking you to do much work. For me, I used it to unplug from the world of tech and find current off-the-wall stories on sports, celeb gossip, food, travel, and lifestyle when I was lounging on my couch in the evenings.Unfortunately for me, the app only lasted all of two short months thanks to an acquisition by Yahoo. Since Yahoo shut it down, I have been hunting for an app that can bring me a similar reading experience without much fuss. I think I may have found it in Facebook's Paper, except they forgot to release it on my platform of choice. Paper was released this morning to iOS, so like the good little tech blogger that I am, figured I'd install it on an iOS device, give it a whirl, and report back since it could some day arrive on Android. I have to admit that I was pleasantly surprised with the experience. And so you know, that's coming from someone who spends maybe three minutes a month on Facebook. In other words, I don't use Facebook.

But with Paper, it's not about Facebook, though it could be if you want it to be. It's more about consuming stories, media, and enjoying a beautifully designed app. Paper comes off like a mash-up between Home (another FB app), Flipboard, Google Currents, and one of those insanely overpriced $16 third party Android launchers. The whole experience is touch and motion based, so you can grab stories to see them up close and personal, rotate your hand back and forth to view big images in a 3D-like atmosphere, and then share it all like you might want to through Facebook. There are all sorts of categories to bring you news or current topics from a variety of subjects that include sports, photography, food, traveling, and home design. Each section is accessed via swipe, stories can be blown up with a flick of your thumb, and interesting finds can be shared immediately or saved for later. In terms of consuming content, Paper seems like it is off to a great start. Maybe some day it will see a similar start on Android. To see it in action, check out the video below.

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Samsung Galaxy NotePro 12.2 Up for Pre-order, Will Cost You a Whopping $849.99

Tim — Mon, 03 Feb 2014 13:49:08 +0000

For those of you who can't wait to get your hands on the Galaxy NotePro 12.2 from Samsung, pre-orders are now up at Office Depot, listing the tablet at an insane price of $849.99. The tablet apparently ships February 13, so you will only have to wait another 10 days to receive your large-screened beast of a device. The NotePro 12.2 features a 12.2" Super Clear LCD display, with a full resolution of 2560 x 1600. Internals feature a 1.9GHz quad-core processor, 3GB of RAM, a 9,500mAh battery, 8MP rear-facing shooter, 64GB of internal storage, Bluetooth 4.0, and Android 4.4. Want to learn more about the Galaxy NotePro before you drop nearly a thousand dollars on one? Check out our hands-on from CES down below or full write up right here. Pre-order here.

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Via: Engadget

Pebble Appstore Launches on iOS, Android Coming Soon

Tim — Mon, 03 Feb 2014 12:24:56 +0000

Last month at CES, Pebble announced the Pebble Appstore, a place where Pebble owners would be able to find third party apps and different watch faces for their wearable device. Today, the Appstore is now live via the official Pebble application for iOS devices, but Android users should hang tight, as Pebble says the Appstore is making its way to Google Play soon. The Appstore launches with 1000+ different apps and watch faces to choose from, so the service should easily breathe new life into your watch. Below is a quote from Pebble's press release concerning the release for Android.

We’re still fine tuning the Pebble app for Android, so stay tuned — it’s coming very, very soon.

Very, very soon seems close enough, right?

Via: Pebble

Google Play Services 4.2 Released for Developers, Brings Google Cast SDK

Tim — Mon, 03 Feb 2014 11:30:32 +0000

Developers rejoice, as Google launched Google Play Services version 4.2 this morning, which brings the full Google Cast SDK inside. With the new SDK, developers can start throwing a cast button right into their apps and then publish them to Google Play for users to download. Google has worked hard to make the process fast and simple, so we should start seeing apps getting updated with Cast support pretty soon. For developers, this is great news. For users, now we play the waiting game.

The Google Cast SDK makes it easy to bring your content to the TV. There’s no need to create a new app — just incorporate the SDK into your existing mobile and web apps. You are in control of how and when you publish your Cast-ready app to users through the Google Cast developer console.

Developers can head to their Google Services area in the Developers site to start working.

Via: Android Developers

Sprint Adds More Handsets to Direct Connect Now Compatibility List

Tim — Mon, 03 Feb 2014 11:00:21 +0000

Sprint announced availability of Direct Connect Now for six new devices this morning, adding compatibility for the push-to-talk app that brings Sprint users closer together with the push of a button. Starting today, owners of a few LG, Samsung, and Kyocera devices can grab the app right off of Google Play for free, as long as their plans allow for it. The service is free for most plans, but if your plan does not have it, you can add the service to your phone for just $5 extra a month. Below we have listed out the newly-compatible devices.

Newly compatibile devices

Samsung Galaxy S 4
Samsung Galaxy Note 3
LG G2
LG G Flex
LG Optimus F3
Kyocera Hydro Edge

Upcoming devices

Samsung Galaxy S 4 Mini
Samsung Galaxy Mega
Samsung Galaxy S 4 with Sprint Spark

If you are on Sprint and own one of the listed devices above, head on over to Google Play to download the app for your phone. Play Link

Via: Sprint

Moto X on US Cellular Should Start Seeing Android 4.4.2 Update as Early as Today

Kellen — Mon, 03 Feb 2014 10:42:00 +0000

At the end of last week, we saw soak test invites of a new software update go out for the T-Mobile variant of the Moto X. It would make sense that the T-Mo version would see updates quickly, since it's not exactly attached to the carrier and essentially sold as an unlocked device. But that news made us wonder which carrier variant would then be next in line? Would it be Verizon? Maybe AT&T this time around? Actually, it looks like it will be US Cellular. According to sources, the US Cellular variant (XT1055) is scheduled to receive the update as early as today, with the full rollout happening by February 12. Once updated to Android 4.4.2, users should see an improved camera experience, support for Google Print services, and other enhancements. The full details can be found below.

Chromecast is Now Open to Developers, SDK Released

Kellen — Mon, 03 Feb 2014 10:09:57 +0000

If you haven't already, it's time to pony up the $35 for a Chromecast. Today, Google released the Chromecast SDK to developers, giving them the power to build a cast button into their apps. Up until now, only select partners have been able to build in Chromecast support, but this now means almost any app (Android, iOS, and web) on your devices could enable a cast button and bring mirroring or casting abilities from phone/tablet/computer to big screen. The last big Chromecast update we saw came during the holidays, when Google introduced a set of 10 new apps that had support. With the SDK now ready for developers, we could see a wave of them within days or the coming weeks. As those roll out, we'll be sure to let you know the good ones. If you are a developer, be sure to head over to the Google Developers Blog to learn all there is to learn about building Chromecast support into your apps. Any apps in particular you'd like to see receive Chromecast support?

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Via: Chrome Blog | Google Developers

Google Now Hits Chrome Beta for Desktop Computers

Tim — Mon, 03 Feb 2014 09:39:45 +0000

Google's Chrome team announced the availability of Google Now for Chrome Beta users on desktops this morning. Google Now is a helpful app that brings important information you care about right to your attention without you having to ask for it. For example, you can keep an eye on upcoming flight plans, daily commute traffic, and even track shipments making its way to your house. Google Now has been an Android user's best friend since launch, and now, it's available for Chrome desktop users. How do you get it? Simple! Make sure you are using the Chrome Beta app for Windows, Mac, or a Chromebook machine. The feature is auto enabled, so all you need to do is click on the bell icon on your desktop or numbered box on a Chromebook. From there, you will see all of your Google Now cards. If you aren't already running it, you can download the Chrome Beta app for desktops right here, and if you don't feel like running the beta, we are sure that Google Now will makes its way to the general Chrome app shortly.

Via: Chrome Blog

Newest Leak Suggests HTC M8 Looks "Strikingly" Like the One, Will Launch Late March

Tim — Mon, 03 Feb 2014 08:54:39 +0000

Over the weekend, plenty of new rumors dropped on the interwebs for the HTC M8, the successor of the HTC One. Leading the charge is evleaks, who posted two separate tweets surrounding the M8; one regarding its looks and another concerning the launch of the device. According to the tweets, the "M8 looks strikingly like the M7 (One)," and we should see a launch of the device in New York City around late March. In a more tangible rumor, the on-screen buttons for the M8, which were apparently confirmed by evleaks last week, have been detailed thanks to a separate leak reposted by HTC Source. This is our first look (below) at what HTC might use for the on-screen buttons on the M8, and so far, it's typical HTC graphics. While the look of the buttons won't constitute a letter home to your mom, the addition of on-screen buttons in general on an HTC device should have fans of the OEM quite happy. Below is a graphic of the buttons lined up next to the capacitive buttons for the HTC One and One X.

The M8 is cooking up to be a fancy 2014 flagship, so are you really looking forward to its official unveiling?

Via: @evleaks [2] | HTC Source

Sprint's HTC One Gets Official Kit Kat Update First Over the Weekend

Kellen — Mon, 03 Feb 2014 08:20:21 +0000

Even though the Kit Kat (Android 4.4) update for the HTC One reached the "certification" stage a couple of weeks back, followed by a confirmation last week from HTC USA president Jason Mackenzie that the update was still about a week out, HTC went ahead and surprised us on Saturday morning with an announcement that the Sprint variant was receiving a build already. The other carrier variants are more than likely still a week or two away, but Sprint was able to give approval somewhat early. If you own the Sprint One, you can pull the update by heading into Settings-> About -> Software updates. If you miss this message, your phone will receive the update by over-the-air push on February 11. Any bets on which variant is next?

AT&T Launches New "Best Ever Prices" Family Plans - Family of Four With 10GB Data for $160

Kellen — Sat, 01 Feb 2014 13:09:51 +0000

AT&T announced a new set of 10GB family plans with unlimited talk and text on this pre-Super Bowl Saturday afternoon that they are calling their "best-ever prices." The family plans show solid discounts over previous rates and those that you would find from Verizon with similar amounts of data. There is a catch, of course, and that's the requirement to sign-up for AT&T's Next program or bring your own phone. Let's talk about it all. The pricing for the new plans can be found in the chart below. You are essentially looking at the number of lines with monthly service costs for 10GB of data and unlimited talk and text. AT&T is pushing the 4-line plan, which would get a family of four into 10GB of data for $160 per month. That's actually not a bad price. If you were to do the same 10GB plan with four lines at Verizon, you would be looking at $260 per month. Even the $130 plan with two lines isn't a bad deal. To calculate the price, all you really need to do is take $100 for the 10GB of data, then add on $15 per line. If you sign a new contract with AT&T and pick-up a discounted phone, they typically charge $40 per line. If you are an individual and go without a contract, they are now charging you $25 per line. Again, you can see the discount there as long as you jump into 10GB of data.

So how is AT&T doing this? Well, like T-Mobile, they are starting to pull the subsidy phone cost out of their plans to make them look lower. Verizon has yet to make this move, so their prices look substantially higher. In other words, when you sign-up for Verizon, you are also likely getting a phone at a discounted rate, for say $199. Since that phone actually costs $600, Verizon makes up for the difference by tacking on an extra charge into your service bill each month for two years, the length of your contract. AT&T and T-Mobile are now doing plans that don't have that extra charge built in, because they are also mostly stopping with 2-year contracts and discounted phone pricing. Instead, they want you to sign-up for AT&T Next, which is their $0 down monthly payment plan for phones. And that's what we're looking at here. These new family plans ask you to either bring your own phone, sign-up for AT&T Next and buy a new phone, or purchase one at full retail up front. If you have a phone that you love already, then by all means think about these plans, they look decent. If you need a new phone, then you'll probably sign-up for AT&T Next and pay a monthly fee on a phone that will essentially bring your monthly bill back up to where it would have been. Make sense? Keep in mind that if you are not an AT&T customer, they are paying people $100 per new line activated. If your family is on another carrier, you could come on over and get a decent sized credit depending on how many lines you sign up. Current AT&T customers can apparently take advantage of these new plans as well, as long as they choose a 10GB or bigger bucket of data. These new plans go live tomorrow.

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Via: ATT

Motorola and Lenovo Special Edition

Tim — Fri, 31 Jan 2014 21:02:44 +0000

If you follow us on Twitter, which you totally should, you might have seen us announce that we will host a special Friday afternoon Droid Life Show today, which kicks off at 1:30pm PST. We weren't able to host a show on our usual Wednesday night, and with all of the craziness that took place that afternoon as it was made official that Lenovo plans to purchase Motorola from Google, it's time the team gathered to discuss the action. We will gather at 1:30pm PST, 4:30pm EST. The embedded video below will automatically start once we are live. Until then, join our IRC channel and chat with us and fellow community members.

Subscribe | iTunes | Show Page

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This Week in the Life of Droid: 1/31/2014

Tim — Fri, 31 Jan 2014 16:30:42 +0000

It was a major week in the world of Android, as Google announced its plans to sell off Motorola to the Chinese-based Lenovo company. No real idea as to what Lenovo intends to do with Motorola, but until the deal goes through with approvals, it's business as usual. We have an AT&T LG G Flex in the house, which we did a hands-on with, so you can expect to see a full review for that phone next week. In other big news, Samsung and Google struck a deal, one which might involve Samsung axing its own proprietary software suite, but full details are scarce. More news popped up regarding HTC's next flagship, as it is being reported that the device will feature on-screen buttons; a true first for the company which has always been keen on capacitive touch buttons. To top off a great week, we also took a tour of a local wood cover company's factory called Toast, here in Portland. They are doing great work, so definitely give that a read. Here are the highlights if you missed them.

Have a great weekend, folks!

Friday Poll: Super Bowl XLVIII - Who You Got?

Kellen — Fri, 31 Jan 2014 15:08:59 +0000

For football and non-football fans, this is kind of a big weekend. On Sunday, during Super Bowl XLVIII, most of us will gather around a TV with friends and family, fill ourselves with Thanksgiving-size portions of junk food, and polish off an adult beverage or two as we watch the two best teams in football get after each other. We'll each take sides, pray for the game to be competitive, hope for Janet Jackson to show up at half-time, and ultimately end up asking each other which commercial we thought was funniest no matter how the game ends. It's a glorious occasion. But in the end, we really do have to pick a team to pull for. If you don't, well, that's un-American or something. As we do every year, we'll simply ask - who you got? Are you taking the Seahawks and the L.O.B., or is it Peyton's time for another ring? [poll id="285"]

Microsoft Reportedly Considering Google's Sundar Pichai for CEO Position

Kyle — Fri, 31 Jan 2014 13:30:41 +0000

Microsoft’s search for a CEO just got a lot more interesting. Though it was widely reported yesterday that longtime executive Satya Nadella was a likely shoe-in for the position, a report from Silicon Angle claims that Google’s own Sundar Pichai is now the preferred candidate. Though Sundar Pichai currently holds a high-ranking job within Google as Senior Vice President of Chrome and Apps, this isn’t the first time he’s considering switching companies. In 2011, Google reportedly paid Pichai tens of millions of dollars to keep him from moving to Twitter. The move would put Google in a tight spot; Pichai became head of Android less than a year ago, and has been "a force driving Android integration across the company.” Still, the deal is far from done, and for that we can only be thankful.

Via: Silicon Angle

Nexus 5 in Red Press Render Leaked

Tim — Fri, 31 Jan 2014 12:02:10 +0000

We have seen Mr. Blurry Cam shots of the Nexus 5 in Red plenty of times, but we finally appear to have an official leaked press render of the device from none other than evleaks. The timing seems right, as the device is to reportedly launch on Google Play next week, February 4. Is it sexy or is it really sexy?

Via: @evleaks

OUYA Launches New Console, All Black Exterior With a Jump in Storage

Tim — Fri, 31 Jan 2014 11:53:55 +0000

A new OUYA Android-powered game console is on the market, blacked out, featuring few changes over the OUYA from last year. In the new model, which is priced at $129, it features 16GB of storage instead of 8GB, but still comes with the same NVIDIA Tegra 3 quad-core processor and 1GB of RAM. OUYA states that the controller received a lot of work, which hopefully addresses a few of the problems people had with the previous version, but we still had higher hopes for a "new version" of the console. No telling if OUYA is going to go ham on a revamped console later this year, maybe featuring a Tegra K1 or something with more than 1GB of RAM. Want a new murdered out OUYA? Check out their site by following the link below.

Via: OUYA | Kotaku

Soak Test for T-Mobile Moto X on the Way, Thinking Android 4.4.2

Kellen — Fri, 31 Jan 2014 10:59:07 +0000

A soak test of new software for the T-Mobile variant of the Moto X is set to begin within the next few days. With Android 4.4.2 already rolling out to Canadian variants, plus sightings of the build on Sprint and Verizon models, we can only imagine it being one thing - the 4.4.2 update. The update will likely be very small, since the big jump was from 4.2.2 to 4.4 back in November. Motorola could still toss in new versions of its suite of apps, like the Camera, Gallery, or Migrate, but I don't think any of them will see overhauls this time around. Overall, we haven't heard much from the few early recipients in terms of groundbreaking new features. Still, be on the lookout for invites to your variant's soak test.

Cheers J and B!

Top 5 Android Apps: January 2014

Kellen — Fri, 31 Jan 2014 10:20:34 +0000

During a typical month here at DL, we run through more Android apps than a normal human being can probably keep track of. Some are apps that received big, noteworthy updates, while others are newcomers deserving of a second mention in case you missed them the first time around. In order to hammer some of those home to the community, we have compiled five of our favorites from the month of January and put them in an easy-to-follow format to help get them installed on your devices. As I mentioned above, some are new, some are oldies-but-goodies, all are certainly worth a look even for a few minutes. 1. PushBullet: (Play Link, free) By no means is PushBullet new, but thanks to an update this month, the app is now one of the most powerful and useful apps you will ever install on both your phone and computer. For those new, PushBullet began as an incredibly useful app that would allow you to "push" links, files, or other goodies from your computer to phone and then back again. We have watched as the functionality for it has grown immensely over the last six or so months, but this month its creators added notification mirroring. With notification mirroring, PushBullet will show a pop-up in your Chrome PC browser every time you get a notification from any app on your phone (assuming you enabled it). You can choose to dismiss it on phone, turn off mirroring from that app, or go on about your business. I don't know about you, but the fact that I don't have to pick-up my phone each time it buzzes, and can keep my eyes glued to my computer, plus wipe the notification from my phone, is freaking ground-breaking. Go install this. Here is the Chrome extension.

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2. Lumos: (Play Link, $1.99) You know we love a good icon pack and wallpapers, right? Lumos - from friend of the site KovDev - launched this month after running through a community-driven feedback beta period and is easily one of the best we have seen in a while. Using soft colors, matte finishes, long shadows for dimension, and subtle corner rounding make this look good with any home screen setup. Standing at almost 1,500 icons (with a handful of beautifully designed wallpapers too), you won't have a problem finding the right icon. To keep up with all of the hottest icons and wallpapers, be sure to check out our Icons and UCCW series.

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3. Stack Exchange: (Play Link, free) Stack Exchange, one of the best Q&A spots on the entire internet, released a beautiful Android app to Google Play this week. It brings all of the goodness of Stack Exchange right to your phone. You can pick from the 100+ communities that include everything from beer making to travel to Android, ask questions, receive answers from experts, and more than likely learn something along the way. Stack Exchange started out as a place for development and mostly geek type topics, but has grown into a Q&A community that covers almost any topic you can think of that you might need help with. The app is designed beautifully with its slideout navigation menus, swipeable columns, and full Stack Exchange experience. If you have yet to check out SE, it's a place I'd recommend now that it has grown to include so many different community categories. I can't even tell you how many times it has helped me solve a problem in life.

4. Level: (Play Link, free) Unless you won the lottery recently, I think it's safe to assume that we all worry on some level about how much money we have to spend on a daily, weekly, or monthly basis. Level is an app that tries to keep track of your expenses so that you know exactly how much leftover cash you'll have at all times for splurging on that new pair of Gucci loafers. Once your checking, savings, and credit cards are attached, everything should happen automatically. Go to the store and buy groceries; Level will update your remaining balance. The app automatically detects income and fixed expenses, has a dedicated tablet layout, and will "always" be free.

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5. Beats Music: (Play Link, free) Ok, Ok, so Beats Music may not even come close to making this list next month, but since there are free trials to be had for now, we figured it was worth including. We all love free stuff, especially new music services that aim to steal our attention, so why not give it a quick shot? Beats Music launched last week on Android, iOS, and Windows Phone as a project by the Beats Audio crew with help from all sorts of industry players. The app makes music social by allowing you to follow friends, artists, or curators, but also tries to put music you'll need now at the tip of your fingers. Want a list of music while you steam up the backseat of your ride? There is a playlist of that. Want to know what Pitchfork is recommending at the moment? Playlist for that too. You can also build up a music library, subscribe to artist pages, share your music with friends, create playlists, and more. It's a mostly full-blown music experience that will eventually run $9.99 per month if you aren't on AT&T. Again, for now it's free.

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Be sure to check out the top 5 Android games of January!

Marvel's Run Jump Smash! Hits Google Play, a Cartoony Way to Play as Your Favorite Characters

Tim — Fri, 31 Jan 2014 09:41:22 +0000

Marvel released a new game onto Google Play this week, Run Jump Smash!, an endless runner that reminds our experienced gaming palate of shades of autumn and Jetpack Joyride. You can play as a number of characters, all quite popular among the legions of Marvel fans. There is The Incredible Hulk, Iron Man, Spiderman, and the most patriotic hero of all time, Captain 'Murica. As we mentioned, the gameplay is much like Jetpack Joyride. You begin running through levels, collecting coins, jumping around, and using special abilities to take out obstacles. It's very straightforward, so the controls are done well and the cartoon graphics keep it very lighthearted. The game runs just $0.99 on Google Play, so go give it a whirl. Play Link ($0.99)

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Samsung Unwraps the Galaxy Note 3 Neo in Two Models - a Cheaper, S-Pen Toting Experience

Tim — Fri, 31 Jan 2014 09:10:44 +0000

Samsung has finally unveiled the Galaxy Note 3 Neo, after what seemed like months of leaks and speculation. From the beginning, the Note 3 Neo was going to be just like the original Note 3, except by cutting a few high-spec corners, Samsung could meet a price point that was more suitable for developing markets and other buyers who want the S-Pen experience for a cheaper price. So, how many corners did Samsung cut exactly to meet a lower price? Let us find out. The Note 3 Neo comes in two different models, one that is limited to "3G" (HSPA+ 21 Mbps) and another that has LTE connectivity, capable of hooking up to a Category 4 network. The 3G-only model comes with an unnamed quad-core processor clocked at 1.6GHz, while the LTE model rocks a hexa-core processor consisting of two 1.7GHz Cortex-A15 cores and four 1.3GHz Cortex-A7 cores. That sounds pretty impressive for a device that is supposed to be pretty cheap. The display and camera are the main areas that Samsung pulled back on, as both Neo models feature just a 5.5" 720p display, with an 8MP rear-facing camera. As reference, the OG Note 3 from last year sports a 1080p display and a 13MP sensor that takes great snapshots. The Neo devices also feature just 2GB of RAM, a 3,100mAh battery, IR blasters, NFC, Bluetooth, 16GB of internal memory, and a microSD slot. Samsung's main goal was to get a cheaper device onto the market that has an S-Pen and all of the proprietary software that comes with it; Multi-window, Air Command, S Note, and the list goes on and on. Unfortunately for any Americans looking to pick one up, Samsung doesn't appear to have any plans on launching this device on American carriers. They would much rather you pick up the usual Galaxy Note 3 that is already available on all carriers.

Via: Engadget | Samsung Poland

Contest: $250 in Google Play Gift Cards Up for Grabs!

Kellen — Fri, 31 Jan 2014 08:47:57 +0000

This weekend, outside of your Super Bowl festivities, you will have a chance to walk away from DL with a $50 Google Play gift card for doing almost nothing. We are giving away five to be exact, meaning there are $250 in prizes up for grabs to the community. This isn't our first contest of the year by any means - already gave away a Nexus 5 and some Nexus 7 sleeves - but I do believe this is the largest amount of Google Play gift cards we have ever given away at one time, if that means anything to you. We figured, why not start the year off right? You ready to be $50 richer? Once again, we are using Rafflecopter to take care of the contest logistics. For those new to the system, understand that there are a number of ways to enter the contest, many of which require very little other than following us on social media accounts. Also, keep in mind that you don't have to do everything to enter - you can pick and choose, do one, do two, or do all. It is completely up to you. Obviously, the more you do the more entries you receive.

Contest

Prizes: Five (5) $50 Google Play gift cards for five winners. How to enter: a Rafflecopter giveaway Winners: On Monday morning (February 3), we will randomly choose 5 winners.

Tim Tebow Doesn't Like Contracts Either, Selfies With Bigfoot in New T-Mobile Ad

Kellen — Fri, 31 Jan 2014 08:09:13 +0000

And the oddest match-up of the century goes to, T-Mobile and Tim Tebow. In the UnCarrier's latest commercial, the out-of-work quarterback pokes fun at himself, as he continues life without an NFL contract. Get it...T-Mobile and no contracts? During his time without one, Tebow has been able to deliver babies, save puppies from burning buildings, do his own stunts in B-movies, call out Iceland during a world peace meeting, throw actual moonshots, and take selfies with Bigfoot. Who knew that being out of work could be so awesome for Mr. Shirtless-in-the-rain. Classic.

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Best Buy's $50 Gift Card Upgrade Offer Returns Feb. 2 to Feb. 15

Tim — Thu, 30 Jan 2014 15:42:40 +0000

If you have needed a good excuse to upgrade your handset, Best Buy is looking to help you out. For a limited time, February 2 to February 15, you can sign up to receive a $50 Best Buy gift card to put towards the purchase of a new phone on either AT&T, Verizon, or Sprint. You can sign up to four different lines for the credit, so if you were looking to surprise the whole family, then there you go. Once you have your gift card, you have until the end of 2014 to purchase and activate a new phone with the registered account on a new two year agreement from your selected carrier at any Best Buy store. The plan is very simple and Best Buy lays it out perfectly.

1. Between Feb. 2-15, 2014, just register your mobile phone number, email address and up to four more phone numbers on a family plan in-store or on BestBuy.com. 2. Then, any time before Dec. 31, 2014, purchase and activate a new mobile phone with the registered phone number and a two-year agreement on AT&T, Sprint or Verizon Wireless at any Best Buy or Best Buy Mobile store. 3. Enjoy your $50 Best Buy gift card, which can be applied to the phone purchase.

Don't you think it's time for an upgrade?

Via: Best Buy [2]

Cheers Jigga_Z!

NFL Announces NFL Now App for Android, Will Launch Before 2014 Season

Tim — Thu, 30 Jan 2014 14:56:11 +0000

The National Football League (NFL) announced this morning the NFL Now application for iOS, Android, and Windows devices. The app will bring football fans closer to the gridiron action, thanks to dynamically personalized information on your favorite team, customizable news feeds, and highlights from across the league. Think of it like the NFL Mobile app on steroids. Users will also have access to the "deepest vault of on-demand video content" that's ever been offered by the NFL. Here is a brief breakdown of NFL Now taken from the press release that was sent to the media.

Available across Internet-connected devices, NFL Now will be personalized for each fan's interests, allowing them to follow the NFL how they want, where they want, when they want. Users will indicate their favorite team, fantasy players and which videos they like and dislike. The content stream will dynamically personalize each user's viewing experience to deliver a customizable news, analysis and highlights offering for NFL fans around the world. Additionally, NFL Now will provide users with access to the deepest vault of on-demand NFL video content available anywhere.

As you could have guessed, Verizon will be a major launch and distribution partner for NFL Now, meaning Verizon customers can gain access to the digital stream via its 4G LTE network. No word on if the streaming aspect will be exclusive to Verizon customers, though. We really hope not. Other partners include Yahoo!, Microsoft's Xbox One team, Gillette, and there are more to come. The app will launch right ahead of the 2014 football season in the Summer. Football fans, you stoked?

Via: NFL

Nexus 5 in Red to Hit Google Play on February 4 According to Sprint Internal Doc

Tim — Thu, 30 Jan 2014 14:25:53 +0000

According to a recently leaked internal document from Sprint, the Nexus 5 in Bright Red is set to hit Google Play on February 4, 2014. Since the Nexus 5 works on three out of the four major carriers in the US, it makes sense for carriers to start seeding out information to their employees before the release. It doesn't appear that the red Nexus 5 is going to be a Sprint exclusive, given that Google wouldn't place the device on sale through Google Play for a carrier exclusive color. Plus, it's a Nexus - there has never been a carrier exclusive colored Nexus device, so we assume they aren't going to start now. As always, this is just an internal document and the release date is not confirmed or official whatsoever. All of this info is subject top change at a moment's notice. If it does drop on Feb. 4, who here is picking up the new colorway?

Via: Android Central

Google Posts Q4 2013 Earnings - Revenues at $16.86 Billion, Losses at Motorola Continue to Pile up

Kellen — Thu, 30 Jan 2014 13:27:33 +0000

Google posted their Q4 earnings info this afternoon, showing consolidated revenues at $16.86 billion, which is up 17% compared to Q4 of 2012. Motorola, on the other hand, took in $1.24 billion in revenue for the company, which turned into a loss of $384 million. Overall, Google has missed analyst expectations with earnings of $12.06 a share. As of the end of 2013, Google had $58.72 billion in cash. At 1:30PM Pacific, Google will host its typical earnings call webcast, which we have included below. If the financial stuff isn't your cup of tea, you may want to at least tune in for the Motorola-Lenovo chatter.

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Via: Google

Top 5 Android Games: January 2014

Tim — Thu, 30 Jan 2014 12:20:03 +0000

Here at DL, we go through a lot of games and apps, but usually, there are only a few that shine brighter than others. This could be because the graphics are great, the controls are perfect, or the music is totally righteous. Whatever the case may be, we wanted to compile a short list each month that covers our top five favorite games for that month. The games are playable on pretty much any Android device, so if you feel like trying any of them out, you can follow the Google Play links to pick them up yourselves. Here are the top five games we haven't been able to put down this month. 1. Deus Ex: The Fall ($6.99) One of the more stunning FPS games to ever hit Android, Deus Ex: The Fall is an absolute winner for hardcore mobile gamers. With graphics worthy of consoles, the same publisher behind the Final Fantasy saga takes players on an intensely dark ride through a world set in the future that is overcome with conspiracies and plots to destroy innocent people's lives. Since the game is priced at $7, you would expect nothing but great gameplay and excellent controls. We are happy to report that during our time with the title, we found that all of the controls and gameplay exceeded our expectation. Although, we do have one word of advice - if you can, make sure to play the game on a somewhat powerful device with a large screen. A Nexus 7 tablet would be perfect, but a phablet would also work well. The game is quite process intensive, so having extra juice on your device will help the game run smoothly.

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2. Sonic the Hedgehog 2 ($2.99) A true classic, Sonic the Hedgehog hit Google Play for Android devices back in mid-December, so we have to add it to our list of January apps since it's that good. For anyone who played this SEGA title back on a Genesis, the game will take you on a serious stroll down memory lane. The controls are perfectly tuned for touchscreen devices, and if you have a Bluetooth controller (or NVIDIA SHIELD), then you are in for a real gaming treat. SEGA prices Sonic 2 for just $2.99, which is completely reasonable. All of your favorite characters are there, including Tails, Knuckles, and of course, Sonic. Get on it.

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3. Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas ($6.99) Just like Sonic, this game launched in mid December, so we are throwing it in with our January list. Rockstar has been great about pushing its older titles to mobile platforms, and besides a few launch hiccups, these releases are astonishing. San Andreas was redesigned for mobile devices, with controls and environments being completely revamped to work on the mass variety of Android phones and tablets. If you played San Andreas on the PS2, then don't worry, the game hasn't changed at all. It's still the same CJ, roaming the streets of Los Santos to make a name for himself and his Grove St. crew. The game comes with a premium price of $6.99, but if you are a fan of running, gunning, and getting in high speeds pursuits with 5-0, then you can't go wrong with GTA: San Andreas.

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4. Little Red Riding Hood ($0.99) A new game from an independent developer hit Google Play this month called Little Red Riding Hood. The game covers a Red Riding Hood's adventure through a spooky and shadow critter infested world, as she must collect apples and free bunnies from cages while reaching the end of levels. The game is kind of creepy, with eery music in the background and the shadow critters making weird and aggressive noises. For the price of $0.99, with a ton of different levels, it's a challenging yet fun game to waste your time on.

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5. Flappy Bird (Free) This game is probably one of the most frustrating games I have ever played, yet I can't stop playing it. To play, you simply tap on the screen which flaps a little bird's wings. You have to navigate through a series of tubes (like Mario tubes) and the level just keeps going and going. There is no end. Even if there was, you would never reach it. The game, in my mind, is impossible and completely aggravating. My high score is 6 tubes, so if you think you can beat that, download it for free right from Google Play. Try not to throw your phone at the wall. Good luck.

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Be sure to check out our top 5 Android apps of January!

GRAIN OF SALT: Rumors Suggest Nexus Program is Dying in 2015, Lenovo Gets to Make One of the Last

Kellen — Thu, 30 Jan 2014 11:42:56 +0000

If you read tech sites outside of this one, there is a chance you read the rumor from earlier in the week from industry player Eldar Murtazin, which suggested that Google is going to kill off its Nexus program some time in 2015 and replace it with its Google Play Edition line, though that name may change by the time this all unfolds. Clearly, we ignored the hell out of this rumor. Because well, it's just a giant one-line rumor on Twitter with nothing to back it. To add to the plot, though, Murtazin returned shortly after the Lenovo-Motorola deal was announced to suggest that Lenovo will make one of the last Nexus devices ever. So what do we think? Seeing as 2014 just started, Google just released the Nexus 5 (a device that helped carry LG's last quarter), and all sorts of new Google Play Edition devices are available, I couldn't tell you. My initial reaction is to not worry about it at this point. I'll say this - Murtazin has been right in the past, but he's also been wrong countless times. For example, a week ago he said that the Galaxy S5 would be announced at a press event on February 23 and then backtracked hours later, with a "Samsung now doesn't know what to do because of my leak" quote. Really? Anyways, back to this Nexus thing. Is Google going to kill off the Nexus program? It certainly doesn't make a lot of sense to me. The Nexus 7 continues to be a device that Google is keen on investing in. We often talk about Google's lack of advertising, yet that device could be seen in TV ads regularly for months after it was released. But beyond that device, Google seems to be proud of its Nexus line as a way for it to show exactly how it thinks Android should be represented at an insanely affordable price. Name another device that gives you the truest sense of Google's latest version of Android. There isn't one that doesn't have "Nexus" in the name. They used the Nexus 5 to show off a new launcher, new dialer, and a handful of other features that were exclusives. Which leads me into the next point - don't you think Google needs hardware to introduce new versions of Android on? Unless they decide to pick an OEM to release a GPE device with the newest version of Android, they won't have any should the Nexus line be killed off. So maybe that could be the play that Murtazin is talking about? GPE devices as they stand now are overpriced models of previously released Android hardware that can't possibly be selling well. If you partner with an OEM to introduce new builds of Android on, then maybe you have a reason to kill off the Nexus line and to give customers a reason to look at a Google Play Edition. Again, we're talking speculation and rumor right now. Google just sold Motorola, they may want Nest to build hardware for them, and a renewed friendship with Samsung could mean drastic changes that could affect all of Android. For now, though, just enjoy your Nexus or Moto X or G2 or Galaxy. 2014 has barely begun. Oh, and about Lenovo getting a crack at a Nexus device - does anyone care? I don't.

Via: @eldarmurtazin [2]

Google Will Utilize Nest as Its Hardware Group After Motorola's Departure

Tim — Thu, 30 Jan 2014 10:53:49 +0000

According to a report from TechCrunch, Google has serious plans for the Nest team which was recently acquired by the Mountain View-based company for $3.2 billion. Now that the deal to sell Motorola to Lenovo for about $2.9 billion is official, Google will provide the Nest team with all of the resources (cash) they need to create new gadgets. These future gadgets could possibly include smartphones and tablets, but according to the source, it is certainly more than just smart thermostats and smoke detectors. With a design and engineer team compiled of ex-employees of Apple, and Nest's CEO being one of the founding members of the iPhone development team, Google now has a hardware/software team with years of experience at creating exciting products in their own house. With that said, it appears that Google is about to get serious with the hardware game. Google can treat Nest as a clean slate to start pumping out products, without having to worry about the operating losses and product roadmap that Motorola came with. In this case, investing in Nest to make Google hardware is a safer bet than it was with Motorola. Nest-made phones, anyone?

Via: TechCrunch

Deal: $0.99 Classic Albums from Google Play for Select Users

Kyle — Thu, 30 Jan 2014 10:08:19 +0000

Haven’t purchased much music from Google Play? Considering how great Google Music’s free cloud music storage is, that’s understandable. However, Google wants to encourage folks to buy music from its digital storefront, and so the company’s offering select users classic albums at the deeply discounted price of $0.99. The deal, which features a diverse range of work including Nirvana’s “Nevermind”, Guns N’ Roses’ “Appetite for Destruction”, Kanye West’s “The College Dropout” and U2’s “The Joshua Tree”, is only available to customers that receive an e-mail notification from Google Play. Those that get the message can then purchase albums individually (up to 5 per account) at the sale price until 11:59 p.m. PST Thursday, January 30. Did you get the email?

Via: Google Play Music

Upcoming Samsung "Life Times" App Reportedly Leaks, Looks to Make Virtual Scrapbooking Easy

Eric — Thu, 30 Jan 2014 09:40:08 +0000

It is no secret that Samsung is gearing up for the launch of their Galaxy S5 this year. The Galaxy flagship hardware has headlined Android for years now, but Samsung is still making tweaks on the software front. The latest peek into what we might see from Samsung in the near future is the newly leaked Life Times app that looks to keep your life documented easily. The good people over at SamMobile came across this app included in a firmware build for a Samsung device with the model number SM-G900H. While they cannot confirm that model relates to the S5, Samsung does have a tradition of announcing new software apps for their new flagships. Life Times is similar to the Story Album application that Samsung already runs, but with a few more capabilities. Life Times gathers your photos and videos and adds them to this virtual diary, but doesn't stop there. This new application will take note of text messages, phone calls and taps into your social networks as well to tell the whole story, not just images from one source. This will more than likely be an opt-in service, so Samsung doesn't have access to all your photos and videos right off the bat. Do you use Samsung's Story Album app now? Does Life Times look like something you would use?

Via: SamMobile

Google Wallet Update Incoming, Loyalty Card Scanning and Notifications in Tow

Kyle — Thu, 30 Jan 2014 09:15:48 +0000

I wish I could say I used Google Wallet to pay for stuff regularly, but because my encounters with NFC payment terminals are infrequent at best, I have to rely on plastic cards way more than I'd prefer. I have, however, relied on the app's loyalty card storage a couple of times, but entering the information by hand was such a chore. Thankfully, Google is about to make things a little easier by incorporating a new scanning feature into the Google Wallet application. With the updated app due out later this week, you'll finally be able to scan cards with your smartphone and have the info auto-populate - like it should've from the beginning. To encourage you to use that newly-scanned plastic, Wallet will also notify you when you're near a store whose loyalty program you have saved. Hopefully, this can really help people finally get good usage out of the service. The update will roll out over the next few days, and is compatible with Android 4.0+. If you haven't already, grab the app from the Play Store. Update: It's been pointed out by several readers that loyalty card scanning has been a feature of Wallet for a while. When the update drops, we'll let you know what has changed. Update 2: A reworked sliding menu is part of the update (see the screenshot).

Via: +Google Wallet

Facebook Announces "Paper" as a New Way to Consume Its Content, Forgets Android Exists

Kellen — Thu, 30 Jan 2014 08:40:08 +0000

Facebook is about to release a barrage of stand-alone apps for its services to get you to pick and choose which you'd like to use. Facebook as an ecosystem is potentially too large to bring all of it into one app, so Zuckerberg and the crew will lean (not the Bieber kind) it out and create individual app experiences. The first is called Paper. Yes, you heard about this one a couple of weeks ago. With Paper, Facebook is trying to get you to use Facebook as a news source or aggregator. Paper introduces a full-screen, immersive experience that is distraction free, leaving you with only the content in front of your eyes. Your Timeline is one section, with beautiful new image, video, and long-form post layouts. But you will also see sections for specific types of news that you'd like to follow from sports to politics to photography. There are stories from mainstream media along with content from "emerging voices." In terms of design, Paper looks quite beautiful. It seems almost like a mix of Flipboard, Google Currents, and Facebook Home, which is not necessarily a bad thing. There are pretty transitions, an uncluttered UI, and image-forward thinking all over the place. Below, you'll find Facebook's thoughts on how the design works and feels:

Everything responds to your touch so you can pick up or thumb through stories with simple, natural movements
You can tilt your phone to explore high-resolution panoramic photos from corner to corner, and see faces and other important details up close
Fullscreen autoplay videos come to life and bring you deep into the action
Beautifully detailed covers make it easy to spot articles from trusted publishers and decide what to read or watch.· Articles unfold in the app and appear fullscreen for a focused reading experience
When you're ready to tell your own story, you know exactly what your post or photo will look like because you see a live preview before you share it

Since the app isn't live until February 3, you'll have to experience it through a web tour here. Oh, and did we mention that it's on iPhone only? No word on an Android release. Good job Facebook, forgetting the most popular operating system on the planet, again.

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Via: Facebook

Android Device Manager Receives Update Through Google Play, Adds More Security

Eric — Thu, 30 Jan 2014 08:22:46 +0000

When Google first announced Android Device Manager for almost all Android gadgets, we could all breathe a little bit easier knowing our phones were a bit safer. With today's update to their theft/loss protection app, your device is getting even more secure. Once logged into the Device Manager, you have a lot of control over that phone or tablet from half the world away. You can lock the device or even wipe it clean provided you have the credentials to log in. Today's update adds a password challenge whenever you start the app and also when you are switching accounts to make sure that it is really you on the other end of the keyboard. This is arguably something that the app should have had from the beginning, but we aren't complaining that it is here now. To grab this extra security and squash a few bugs along the way, head over to Google Play to get the download. Play Link

Samsung Galaxy S5 Leaks Substantiate Rumors of Fingerprint Sensor and 2K Display

Kyle — Thu, 30 Jan 2014 08:08:59 +0000

Samsung’s done little to stem the flow of leaks regarding its next flagship handset, but that’s good news for us. The latest updates from @evleaks lend credence to several rumored features of the Galaxy S4’s successor, and essentially confirm (if there was any doubt) that Samsung will stick to convention and market the new smartphone as the Galaxy S5. Yesterday, @evleaks posted a screenshot of an image displaying "Galaxy S5." That should dispense any doubt of the follow-up handset's name, though in reality there wasn't much to begin with. In addition, the leaker shared images of two APKs allegedly extracted from the Galaxy S5, one called “FingerprintService” and the other “3DTourViewer_WQHD_K.” The presence of an application for scanning fingerprints all but confirms rumblings that Samsung would include a biometric reader in its next flagship smartphone, and an app with WQHD graphics indicates the smartphone will sport the rumored 2K screen (WQHD is a display resolution of 2560x1440 pixels). While it’s always wise to take leaks with a grain of salt, @evleaks has an incredibly solid track record. Of course, with Mobile World Congress right around the corner, we shouldn’t have to wait too long to find out the truth for ourselves.

Via: @evleaks [2] [3]

BLU Life One X: Unboxing and Hands-on

Tim — Wed, 29 Jan 2014 16:00:34 +0000

With the demand continually going up for budget devices that aren't cheap pieces of plastic and silicon, BLU is an American company that appears to be leading the charge. Designed in Miami, one of BLU's newest devices called the Life One X, has landed on our doorstep. The device is placed at the top of BLU's lineup, a device that can surely compete against any other budget-priced smartphone from last year or the upcoming 2014 lineups. The device features a 5" 1080 display, a quad-core processor clocked at 1.5GHz, 2GB of RAM, a 13MP rear-facing camera, 5MP front-facing camera, a 2,000mAh battery, and comes running Android 4.2.1 out of the box. For the price of just $264.99 off contract, this is a steal for someone who doesn't need access to 4G LTE, and can instead rely on HSDPA speeds to get them through a full day. So far, we can tell the device is well made and easily lives up, if not succeeds, any of our initial expectations. The only thing we really wish is that these devices launched with newer versions of Android. How hard could it be to put Kit Kat on a nearly stock device? As for the 13MP camera, it is quite good - the responsiveness so far beats out even the G Flex, and the photos look quite promising. We will definitely put it through the paces though. Check out the device gallery and full unboxing and hands-on video below. Got questions? Shoot them down below in the comments section.

Device Gallery

Hands-on and Unboxing

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Motorola's Project Ara and Advanced Technology Group Moving to Google's Android Team

Kellen — Wed, 29 Jan 2014 15:35:53 +0000

As noted thanks to a brief conference call held by Lenovo following the announcement that it would acquire Motorola from Google, the acquisition will not include Moto's Advanced Technology and Projects group. The team, lead by former DARPA director Regina Dugan, will reportedly move over to Google's Android team, led by Sir Sundar Pichai. For those not familiar with the Advanced Technology and Projects group, we're talking about moonshot-like projects that Google has made headlines with time and time again over the last few years. The fit seems perfect, since this Moto group is no different with ideas like tattoo security sensors, vitamin authentication pills, and of course, Project Ara, the modular phone concept. Thanks to Google's resources, the project could be accelerated. See, this new parting of Motorola from Google isn't all bad.

Via: The Verge

What We Know About the Motorola-Lenovo Deal (Updated)

Kellen — Wed, 29 Jan 2014 14:57:36 +0000

With the Lenovo-Motorola deal now official from all parties, we thought a quick recap of everything was in store. Since this move has clearly brought out plenty of your emotions, especially when it comes to thinking about your next smartphone purchase, we are sure you want answers. While we won't have them all, and should know more tomorrow after Google's earnings call, we do have plenty to share. Quick bullets:

Lenovo will pay "about" $2.91 billion for Motorola, including $1.41 billion will be paid at close, comprised of $660 million in cash and $750 million in Lenovo ordinary shares. The remaining $1.5 billion will be paid in the form of a 3-year promissory note.
Google is keeping a "vast majority" of Motorola's patents to help "defend the entire Android ecosystem."
Lenovo will receive a license to the patent portfolio that Google is keeping.
Lenovo will still receive over 2,000 patent assets, along with the Motorola Mobility brand and trademark portfolio.
Lenovo intends to keep Motorola's "distinct brand identity."
So what happens to the name "Motorola"? We don't know just yet. With that said, after Lenovo bought IBM's PC business, they certainly don't call them "IBM Thinkpads" anymore. If you want a Thinkpad today, it's a Lenovo Thinkpad.
Can a Lenovo "Moto X" or Lenovo "DROID ULTRA" carry weight with smartphone consumers in the U.S.? That's what we are about to find out. They certainly know what they are doing on the PC side, having led the PC sales category for some time.
Lenovo is going to try to scale Motorola into a global player with their "experience in hardware" and "global reach." As of right now, Motorola has its Moto X in North America, Brazil, and parts of Europe. It has the Moto G in a number of other countries, but the major global presence is not there.
As Page mentioned in his blog post, the deal has yet to be approved in the U.S. or China, and even if it does get approval, will take all sorts of time before that happens. Remember that Google announced plans to acquire Motorola in August of 2011, but that the deal wasn't approved until the following May. For now, it is business as usual for Motorola and Google.
2014 should still be exactly what you were hoping it would be with Motorola doing the next line-up of phones to follow the Moto X. Larry Page even said he is "very excited" about the smartphone lineup for this year.
MotoMaker - staying or going? After sitting down for an interview with Motorola execs at CES, I got the feeling that MotoMaker and customization is here to stay. Well, at least for now. Motorola more than likely already has their 2014 roadmap ironed out, which would include MotoMaker. Once this deal is finalized and they start thinking about 2015, anything goes.
Page said that this move will help Google to "drive innovation across the Android ecosystem, for the benefit of smartphone users everywhere." Is it just me, or does that come across as, "We got rid of Motorola so other OEMs could stop worrying about us owning them and focus on making great Android handsets."?

Updates: A conference call with Lenovo is apparently going on, Re/code has the play-by-play, some of which we have included below.

Dennis Woodside (maybe other members of the executive team) will be a part of management, at least for the transition.
Chicago HQ of Motorola will stick around for now.
There are no current plans to lay anyone off - Lenovo likes the talent that Motorola possesses.
Lenovo wouldn't commit to the Texas Moto X plant, saying that it will evaluate to see what the most cost effective way to win the market is.
Lenovo thinks it is in prime position to soon sell 100 million smartphones.
Regina Dugan's advanced research unit (electronic tattoo stuff) was not a part of the acquisition.
The Advanced Technology Group (including Project Ara) are staying with Google, as a part of the Android team.

At this point, I think I'm trying to remain calm and positive over the situation. Lenovo is a well recognized PC brand who is looking to acquire a well-recognized U.S. smartphone brand. Can those two mesh and create a smartphone arm that can compete with Samsung and Apple? I hope so. Is it better to have Lenovo behind you than Google? I'd argue that it's probably not, though Lenovo is the real deal in terms of a tech company. It could have been worse. It could have been Huawei or ZTE or something. I'd imagine that we'll know a lot more tomorrow after Google's Q4 earnings call. After reading comments from all parties, are you feeling any better?

Official: Motorola is Joining Lenovo to "Create a Truly Global Smartphone Company"

Kellen — Wed, 29 Jan 2014 14:08:45 +0000

Well, folks, it is now official. Lenovo is acquiring Motorola from Google for $2.91 billion. We are still thumbing through all of the statements now and will update this post shortly. In the mean time, feel free to read along with us. Update: We did a breakdown with bullet points and some thoughts here. Here is Larry Page's statement:

We’ve just signed an agreement to sell Motorola to Lenovo for $2.91 billion. As this is an important move for Android users everywhere, I wanted to explain why in detail. We acquired Motorola in 2012 to help supercharge the Android ecosystem by creating a stronger patent portfolio for Google and great smartphones for users. Over the past 19 months, Dennis Woodside and the Motorola team have done a tremendous job reinventing the company. They’ve focused on building a smaller number of great (and great value) smartphones that consumers love. Both the Moto G and the Moto X are doing really well, and I’m very excited about the smartphone lineup for 2014. And on the intellectual property side, Motorola’s patents have helped create a level playing field, which is good news for all Android’s users and partners. But the smartphone market is super competitive, and to thrive it helps to be all-in when it comes to making mobile devices. It’s why we believe that Motorola will be better served by Lenovo—which has a rapidly growing smartphone business and is the largest (and fastest-growing) PC manufacturer in the world. This move will enable Google to devote our energy to driving innovation across the Android ecosystem, for the benefit of smartphone users everywhere. As a side note, this does not signal a larger shift for our other hardware efforts. The dynamics and maturity of the wearable and home markets, for example, are very different from that of the mobile industry. We’re excited by the opportunities to build amazing new products for users within these emerging ecosystems. Lenovo has the expertise and track record to scale Motorola into a major player within the Android ecosystem. They have a lot of experience in hardware, and they have global reach. In addition, Lenovo intends to keep Motorola’s distinct brand identity—just as they did when they acquired ThinkPad from IBM in 2005. Google will retain the vast majority of Motorola’s patents, which we will continue to use to defend the entire Android ecosystem. The deal has yet to be approved in the U.S. or China, and this usually takes time. So until then, it’s business as usual. I’m phenomenally impressed with everything the Motorola team has achieved and confident that with Lenovo as a partner, Motorola will build more and more great products for people everywhere. Posted by Larry Page, CEO

Here is Dennis Woodside's statement through Motorola:

Today Google CEO Larry Page announced that Lenovo will acquire the Motorola Mobility smartphone business for about $2.91BN. Since being acquired by Google in 2012, Motorola has transformed itself, focusing on solving real consumer problems and providing amazing experiences built on a foundation of pure Android. The result has been Moto X, Moto G, and a reinvigorated Droid line. Together, these devices have won over consumers and critics alike and helped re-establish the Motorola brand around the world. Now, as we set our sights bringing the mobile Internet to the next 100 million people, Lenovo is the perfect partner to help us achieve that goal. As Larry wrote in his post, “Lenovo has the expertise and track record to scale Motorola into a major player within the Android ecosystem. They have a lot of experience in hardware and they have global reach. In addition, Lenovo intends to keep Motorola’s distinct brand identity--just as they did when they acquired ThinkPad from IBM in 2005.” Combined, our two challenger brands will become a true force in mobility. Per Yang Yuanqing, chairman and CEO of Lenovo, “We are confident that we can bring together the best of both companies to deliver products customers will love and a strong, growing business. Lenovo has a proven track record of successfully embracing and strengthening great brands – as we did with IBM’s Think brand – and smoothly and efficiently integrating companies around-the-world. I am confident we will be successful with this process, and that our companies will not only maintain our current momentum in the market, but also build a strong foundation for the future.” Google will maintain ownership of the vast majority of the Motorola Mobility patent portfolio, including current patent applications and invention disclosures. As part of its ongoing relationship with Google, Lenovo will receive a license to this rich portfolio of patents and other intellectual property. Additionally Lenovo will receive over 2,000 patent assets, as well as the Motorola Mobility brand and trademark portfolio. The transaction is subject to customary closing conditions, including regulatory approvals in the U.S. and China. You can find more information in the press release. We look forward to a new chapter and bright future with a new brand steward.

The official press release:

Lenovo to Acquire Motorola Mobility from Google
Research Triangle Park, North Carolina, and Mountain View, California – January 29, 2014: Lenovo (HKSE: 992) (ADR: LNVGY) and Google (NASDAQ: GOOG) today have entered into a definitive agreement under which Lenovo plans to acquire the Motorola Mobility smartphone business. With a strong PC business and a fast-growing smartphone business, this agreement will significantly strengthen Lenovo’s position in the smartphone market. In addition, Lenovo will gain a strong market presence in North America and Latin America, as well as a foothold in Western Europe, to complement its strong, fast-growing smartphone business in emerging markets around the world. The purchase price is approximately US$2.91 billion (subject to certain adjustments), including US$1.41 billion paid at close, comprised of US$660 million in cash and US$750 million in Lenovo ordinary shares (subject to a share cap/floor). The remaining US$1.5 billion will be paid in the form of a three-year promissory note. Lenovo, which in 2005 acquired IBM’s PC business and its legendary PC brand, will now acquire world-renowned Motorola Mobility, including the MOTOROLA brand and Motorola Mobility's portfolio of innovative smartphones like the Moto X and Moto G and the DROID™ Ultra series. In addition to current products, Lenovo will take ownership of the future Motorola Mobility product roadmap. Google will maintain ownership of the vast majority of the Motorola Mobility patent portfolio, including current patent applications and invention disclosures. As part of its ongoing relationship with Google, Lenovo will receive a license to this rich portfolio of patents and other intellectual property. Additionally Lenovo will receive over 2,000 patent assets, as well as the Motorola Mobility brand and trademark portfolio. Motorola Mobility enjoys outstanding brand awareness around the world, and is currently the #3 Android smartphone manufacturer in the U.S. and #3 manufacturer overall in Latin America. “The acquisition of such an iconic brand, innovative product portfolio and incredibly talented global team will immediately make Lenovo a strong global competitor in smartphones. We will immediately have the opportunity to become a strong global player in the fast-growing mobile space,” said Yang Yuanqing, chairman and CEO of Lenovo. “We are confident that we can bring together the best of both companies to deliver products customers will love and a strong, growing business. Lenovo has a proven track record of successfully embracing and strengthening great brands – as we did with IBM’s Think brand – and smoothly and efficiently integrating companies around-the-world. I am confident we will be successful with this process, and that our companies will not only maintain our current momentum in the market, but also build a strong foundation for the future.” “Lenovo has the expertise and track record to scale Motorola Mobility into a major player within the Android ecosystem. This move will enable Google to devote our energy to driving innovation across the Android ecosystem, for the benefit of smartphone users everywhere,” said Larry Page, CEO, Google. “As part of Lenovo, Motorola Mobility will have a rapid path to achieving our goal of reaching the next 100 million people with the mobile Internet. With the recent launches of Moto X and Moto G, we have tremendous momentum right now and Lenovo’s hardware expertise and global reach will only help to accelerate this,” said Dennis Woodside, CEO, Motorola Mobility. The transaction is subject to the satisfaction of regulatory requirements, customary closing conditions and any other needed approvals.

Report: Lenovo is Buying Motorola From Google for $3 Billion (Updated)

Kellen — Wed, 29 Jan 2014 13:24:26 +0000

According to a report out of Reuters, Lenovo is about to buy Motorola from Google for $3 billion. Yes, that Motorola, the one that just made a phone we considered to be our phone of the year. The report claims that an announcement could come as early as today, as the companies are in the final stages of talks. Reuters also mentioned that this is a sell-off of the handset business, along with certain patents. It hasn't even been three years since Google bought them for $12.5 billion. We have no idea what this means for the Motorola as we know it today. I think we can all agree that they have done some pretty incredibly things over the last year, especially with the Moto X. We'll be watching this closely as it unfolds. Update: China Daily is reporting the news as well. Their sources claim that the price is "at least $2 billion" and that it includes 10,000 patents. Lenovo apparently has a press conference to announce a "major acquisition" Thursday morning. Update 2: TechCrunch is also reporting that sources of theirs have confirmed the plans. They tossed out the idea that Google has been holding off on selling Motorola "for tax reasons." Update 3: It's now official. All details here. More as we have it!

Via: Reuters | China Daily | TechCrunch

HTC One Kit Kat Updates for U.S. Variants: Still "One to Two Weeks" Away

Kellen — Wed, 29 Jan 2014 12:56:01 +0000

According to a statement posted by Jason Mackenzie, president of HTC Americas, the carrier-tied U.S. HTC One variants will not see their Android 4.4 "Kit Kat" updates within the 90 day deadline HTC was hoping to meet. The update is in the hands of carriers at the moment, which we first reported landed in the "certification" stage last week. As you can imagine when multiple players are involved, things don't always go as planned. Mackenzie talked about being transparent with updates, pushing them out even faster in the future after having learned through this process, and hoping the Seahawks take down the Broncos. Oh, that's not related? In the end, we're looking at the update being delivered in "one to two weeks" assuming nothing else happens to slow the process.

Team HTC One, We’ve always been inspired by our customers, and because of our legacy as a pioneer of smartphones, we are fortunate to have the most technology-savvy, discerning, and passionate customers in the industry. While we continue to be a leader in Android innovation and having done 'ok' with software updates, we recognize that 'ok' is not good enough. Starting with Android 4.3 (Jelly Bean) last year, we set out to be a leader in delivering the latest software and were successful in quickly rolling out Jelly Bean for the HTC One. With the release of Android 4.4 (KitKat), we embarked on a mission to push KitKat to our HTC One customers across the US and Canada within 90 days of Google's official release of the software. Additionally, we felt it was important to be as transparent with you as possible, which is why we launched the Software Update page to let you know how the process works, and to keep you up-to-date with our progress. We’re excited by the conversation this has generated in the HTC community. As we approach the 90-day mark, we are getting closer to delivering KitKat and the finish line is becoming more clear. We are currently in the certification phase across all of our carrier partners in North America, and they share our enthusiasm for getting this software in your hands. That said, the software development process does not always follow a linear path and we know today that we will miss our self-imposed target. The good news is that we won’t miss by much as, it shouldn’t be more than one to two weeks to complete each of the carrier versions of the HTC One. The challenge we gave our teams, in cooperation with our carrier partners, has taught us a lot that will allow us to improve on our upgrade delivery in the future. We remain resolved to provide timely updates and to be transparent about the process and status of our efforts. Supporting our customers is a major priority for us and we thank you for your support of HTC! Jason Mackenzie President, HTC Americas Go Seahawks!

Via: HTC

Dead Trigger 2 Update Opens Up European Territory for Zombie Slayers, Brings More Weapons (Updated)

Tim — Wed, 29 Jan 2014 12:38:15 +0000

Madfinger Games pushed another major update to Dead Trigger 2 this afternoon on Google Play, which opens up a third territory in the world inhabited by zombies. The now open ~~Chinese~~ European region includes new gameplays, plus players will also find new weapons to add to their arsenal. How does a brand new Minigun sound? As always, you can download the update from Google Play by following the link below. Update: We wrote up the wrong changelog from Google Play. Here are the changes for the new update. Sorry!

WHAT'S NEW in Update 0.4.0?

Video Sharing - A brand new way to show and share your adventures! Record your daring missions and wow other zombie hunters from all around the world! This feature is available on iOS for devices with more than 512 MB RAM only (iPad Air, iPad mini 2, iPhone 5, iPhone 5C, iPhone 5S)

New Weapons - Get your hands on 3 new weapons - FN2000, Spagin and the mighty Minigun!

Friends - Make a list of friends in Dead Trigger 2! Compare your stats, hype your friends up, or have a chat in between zombie destruction!

New Warfare - Infection is an equal opportunity employer... So let's get to work! Death knows no boundaries. It's high time to fight for humanity in Europe!

Environments - Resistance intel has revealed 9 new environments! Fight your way through the city streets, countryside, warehouses, factories and many more!

Auto-heal - Bored of classic Bandages? The new Auto-heal gadget will keep you in shape all the time.

Permanent Money Booster - Get this booster and double your mission income. For how long? FOREVER!

New Production - Resistance now allows you to upgrade your Hideout up to level 9.

Warfare Tweaks - From now on, rewards are awarded in relation to score, not kills. So go set your sights for some new and difficult tasks!

Play Link

Via: @Madfinger

Report: Google Convinces Samsung to Dial Back Tweaks to Android, Axe Own App Suite

Kellen — Wed, 29 Jan 2014 12:04:04 +0000

According to a report out of Re/code, you and I weren't the only ones in the industry who had a problem with what Samsung tried to do during CES with its Magazine UX on the new PRO line of Galaxy tablets. Google was apparently "dismayed" by it as well, as it stood as the ultimate departure from the vision of Android that Google has worked so hard on over the years. This report claims that the two companies began working out a "series of broad agreements" during that same week to hopefully reel in Samsung and their take on Android to better align it with Google's. As you can imagine, the exact details of these agreements have not been made public, but sources suggest that they could involve the killing-off of Magazine UX for future products, while also eliminating the suite of Samsung Apps that have flooded devices in recent years. Google would have Samsung push Google Play apps instead of their own music, app, and movie services, all of which most Android enthusiasts wouldn't touch with a 30-foot stick. The group of apps disappearing could also include ChatON and WatchON. The report claims that there is a growing threat to Google from manufacturers who are putting out Android devices that lack their services, so by partnering with Samsung to continue to push them, that threat could be diminished with Samsung as the leader in Android by a long shot. Keep in mind that Google and Samsung also announced a patent cross-licensing deal this week. We won't know the effects of these supposed meetings for some time, I'd imagine. But in a perfect world, it could mean that Samsung will dial back TouchWiz, let Android stand on its own, and kill off water droplet sounds and whistles for good.

Via: Recode

A Tour Through the Toast Cover Factory in Portland, OR

Tim — Wed, 29 Jan 2014 11:27:38 +0000

These days, the "Made in the USA" label seems harder and harder to come by, especially in the consumer electronic accessories industry. The fact is, it is much cheaper to outsource production of phone cases to countries outside of America, given that the cost of materials is lower and so are employee wages. One local company that has taken this issue to heart is Toast, a cover manufacturer that builds and ships out their wood skins from wet and gloomy Portland, Oregon. The company got its first start on Kickstarter, hoping people would have an interest in wood covers for their iPhones. Receiving more than $16,000 in funding from about 300 backers, Toast's founder, Matias Brecher was able to buy the company's first laser cutter, and they haven't slowed since. Now in their second year, Toast makes cases for an assortment of different devices - MacBooks, iPhones, many different Android devices, tablets, and specialty products for major corporations.

Last week, I was invited by Matias and the Toast crew to come check out their factory in Portland. Upon first entering the building, I was surprised at how much smaller the space was than I had initially intended. When you first think about a company pumping out cases for phones, you think of big machinery and stations for packaging and shipping, but this was much different. It was much more natural. In the front of the building is a break area, with a table and chairs. In the second room is Toast's main control area - this is where the employees handle packaging, shipping, and all of the paperwork that comes with running a business. In the two back rooms is where all of the magic happens. It is where they store their supply of different woods and wood-working materials. If you ever took wood shop in high school, then you will know exactly what this space looks and smells like. To try to describe it, I would say that it smells just like fresh cut wood. It's very refreshing and reminds me of Northern California.

Once Toast receives wood from its suppliers, they measure out whatever it is they need for an order and then get to cutting. All the cutting and branding is done by the laser cutter, and the process doesn't actually take that long. On an average day, Toast is churning out about 150 covers a day, but it all depends on how many orders they have to fulfill. On top of that, some skins are much more intricate than others, so how many or how fast they create covers all depends on the design. At this time, Toast currently makes covers and skins for plenty of Android devices, including the HTC One, Galaxy S3, Galaxy S4, Galaxy Note 2, Xperia Z, Nexus 4, Moto X, Nexus 5, and the DROID Bionic. The company is also currently working on making covers for the Moto G and Galaxy Note 3.

As of right now, about 90% of all materials used by Toast come from the USA, with the other small portion coming from overseas. The product coming from outside of America are the bamboo and ebony veneers, but the other backing materials (walnut and ash), adhesive, and all of the packaging is made in the USA. And by taking a quick peek inside their trash can, I saw that Toast takes waste very seriously. Almost all of the wood they order is used for product, and if the laser cuts something wrong or there are other imperfections, they will reuse the material for another project. It's a very efficient and non-wasteful process, which I admired. Below I have a gallery of the Toast factory. It's small, but they are pumping out great work, and it's nice to see a small American business doing well for itself. I would like to thank Matias and Toast once again for the invite. Cheers!

Gallery

To check out the work Toast is doing or to buy a wood cover of your own, visit their website.

HTC M8, Successor to the One, Will Launch in Four Colors According to Newest Rumor

Tim — Wed, 29 Jan 2014 10:36:14 +0000

According to the newest rumor, which originated on Twitter from XDA's TV producer Shen Ye, the HTC M8 (the One successor) will come in four different colors on launch day. The tweet features four different color codes, representing the colors red, blue, dark grey (black), and light grey (silver). These same colors were used on the original One from HTC, but the blue appears to be a bit lighter than the darker blue which was used on the One a few months after the device launched. One thing that which always grinds people's gears is that companies will release a phone in a single color or maybe two, and then a few months later will announce the same phone in a new color. While it's cool to add new colors to the lineup and stay relevant in the field, it's frustrating as a buyer who only had a couple of options at the beginning, but then come away feeling burned by not having the different color option at launch. It's one of the many reasons why being an early adopter kind of sucks. Besides the four different color codes, the tweet gave no indication as to when launch was or anything like that. What has us more excited for the M8 was another rumor that claimed the M8 would be HTC's first device to use onscreen buttons. Can you say "game changer"? If you had to choose one, without even seeing them yet, would you go for the red, blue, black, or silver?

Via: Android in Canada

First Pictures of the LG G Pro 2 Leaked, Rear Facing Keys Onboard

Tim — Wed, 29 Jan 2014 09:19:48 +0000

LG made the G Pro 2 official on Monday of this week, but like typical LG, all they did was confirm the name. The OEM gave us no pictures, specs, or anything to feed our addicition for new phones. Thankfully, two photos have been leaked, showcasing one of the newest flagship devices from the maker. As we can clearly see in the pictures, LG has opted to stick with the rear-facing keys on the G Pro 2, which will allow the device to remain as thin as possible. Specs leaked alongside the pictures include a 6" Full HD display and a Snapdragon 800 quad-core processor. Unfortunately, that's all we have at this time. What are your thoughts on LG sticking with the rear-facing keys? I know we have a few LG G2 owners in the house, so would you ever buy another device that had this feature?

Via: Ringer's Blue Men

Open a New Line with AT&T, Get a $100 Credit

Kyle — Wed, 29 Jan 2014 08:55:53 +0000

Competition is a great thing, my friends. Perhaps in response to T-Mobile’s jabs and break-up plan or just because they darn well feel like it, AT&T is offering current customers $100 when they activate a new line of service. A retention plan befitting of the Dark Side? Perhaps, but money is money. The offer may not be as great as it seems, considering a AT&T's $36 dollar activation fee still applies. Still, for anyone looking to save a few bucks, the promotion runs through March 31 and applies to all post-paid smartphones, tablets, features phones and wireless home phones. For customers who take advantage, you’ll see the credit “within three billing cycles.”

Via: AT&T

Is This a Photo Taken With a Verizon Samsung Galaxy S5 (SM-G900V)?

Kellen — Wed, 29 Jan 2014 08:19:04 +0000

Pretty amazing, right? Amazon has you covered if you'd like to frame it. No? Oh, you want to know what exactly it is that you are looking at? According to @evleaks - and EXIF data found attached to the image - this could be the first photo taken with the Samsung Galaxy S5 that is on its way to Verizon. If anything, the color scheme is on point. The original photo was uploaded to Flipboard some 20 days ago, with @evleaks believing that it was taken with a 16MP sensor. As I mentioned already, the EXIF data does point to a Samsung device under model number SM-G900V, a model number that has been attached to a number of GS5 leaks. The "V" at the end could very well mean "Verizon," with others like G900A and G900S meaning AT&T and Sprint, respectively. And that's really all we know from this beautiful photo. When it comes to Galaxy rumors, some times we'll take anything, as Samsung has become quite good at keeping their new flagships secret for the most part up until just before launch. Other rumors point to the Galaxy S5 sporting a 2K display, Snapdragon processed clocked at 2.5GHz, and potentially utilizing anything from a fingerprint to iris scanner. According to a Samsung executive, the device should launch by April.

Via: @evleaks [original image]

T-Mobile Praises AT&T For Dismantling the Death Star and Leaving the Dark Side in Newest Press Release

Tim — Tue, 28 Jan 2014 16:50:57 +0000

T-Mobile is at it again this afternoon, releasing a press release just hours after an earnings call from AT&T, celebrating the carrier for leaving "the Dark Side." What makes the release even funnier is that T-Mo had the cojones to use fake quotes for AT&T's own Ralph de la Vega, implying that he has somehow seen the light and decided to put the customer first for a change. Here is an excerpt from the release with the fake quote from de la Vega that T-Mobile used so humorously.

“Call it an awakening,” said Ralph de la Vega, president and CEO of AT&T Mobility, “but I felt it was time to really stir things up and put the customer first for a change. And by “customer” I’m referring to our former customers who switch to T-Mobile, because our current customers don’t really qualify.” De la Vega said that the new T-Mobile switching offer was custom designed to entice its millions of contract customers to go ahead and give T-Mobile a try. “If for any reason you don’t love T-Mobile’s 4G LTE network, which is now faster than ours, we’ll actually pay you up to $450 to come back to AT&T, I kid you not.”

After the quote, the press release continues on with, "Ok, De La Vega didn’t actually say that, but he might as well have." and thankfully, at the very end of the release it clearly states, "The preceding mock press release was written with tongue firmly planted in cheek." T-Mobile's CEO, John Legere loves these types of campaigns, because it gets the public talking. He is a firm believer in the any press is good press attitude. Following the fake quote, the press release uses a real quote from T-Mo's CEO, acting as if he can't believe that AT&T is doing the right thing, actually helping its customers.

It’s kind of like that scene where Darth Vader’s lying there and Luke helps take off his helmet and you see that, okay, sure, Darth Vader’s pretty ugly, but he’s human after all.

You have to give props to Legere for referencing so much Star Wars in a single press release. And for those that say this may be too far, T-Mobile has every right to go to such lengths. With AT&T paying up $450 to T-Mo customers for making a switch, they are essentially allowing current AT&T customers a chance to try out the UnCarrier network risk free.

Thanks to AT&T’s apparent change-of-heart and incredibly generous $450 T-Mobile customer buy-back campaign, insane numbers of its very own customers and even families of AT&T employees are enjoying a risk-free, zero-cost opportunity to switch to the Un-carrier. If customers making the switch are not satisfied with T-Mobile and its state-of-the-art nationwide 4G LTE network (now fastest in the U.S.), AT&T will cover the costs for customers switching back to their own slower network, up to $450 with trade-in.

You can rest assured that T-Mobile and AT&T are nowhere near done with these types of jabs, so 2014 is looking like a good year for the consumers.

Via: T-Mobile

Overwhelmed by the Choices in MotoMaker? Moto X Randomizer Can Help

Tim — Tue, 28 Jan 2014 15:34:23 +0000

With MotoMaker, users can customize a Moto X specifically to their liking, and there are countless ways to customize. While the bigs ones are the front and back colors, there are also accents and wallpapers to choose from, so it can get crazy for first timers. There are also people that just want to be inspired by other devices that they see. If you need help thinking of a few good Moto X combinations, check out Moto X Randomizer and it can give you many great ideas. Randomizer is very simple - it displays different variations of the Moto X, and you click love it or nah. Once you find a design you like, Randomizer will take you right to MotoMaker with all of the correct slots filled in for the colors you liked. As we said, it's very easy to use and it's a cool way to see just how many variations of the Moto X you can create. And don't forget, now is the perfect time to start customizing, as the Moto X is $70 off through MotoMaker when buying off contract until Valentine's Day. Check out the Moto X Randomizer.

Cheers Dylan!

Boost Mobile Unveils the Boost MAX, a No-Contract Phablet Priced Under $300

Tim — Tue, 28 Jan 2014 14:45:07 +0000

Really want a phablet? Don't have the funds to buy a Samsung, HTC, or LG device off contract? Boost Mobile may be your savior, as they announced the Boost Max today, a phablet device sporting a 5.7" display for just $299.99 off contract. While you may be a little bummed by the device's specs, there is just no denying a massive display to enjoy all of your gorgeous content. As for specs besides the 5.7" HD IPS display, the phone comes with an 8MP rear-facing camera, a 1MP front-facing shooter, Android 4.1 "Jelly Bean", connectivity to Boost Mobile's 4G LTE network, a 1.2GHz dual-core processor, 1GB of RAM, and a 3,200mAh battery. This is pretty much what you would expect from a device that features a big screen on a small budget, but it's not that bad. The only things that might come back to bite you are the processor, amount of RAM, and the fact that it's running only Android 4.1. Will Android 4.4 ever come? Our guess is "no." At least it looks like a pretty pure version of Android with no crazy Boost skin on it. Anyone here rocking a Boost Mobile plan?

Via: Boost Mobile

Reminder: Moto X is $70 Off Until Valentine's Day, $329.99 for 16GB and $379.99 for 32GB

Tim — Tue, 28 Jan 2014 14:24:34 +0000

Did you miss Motorola's fire sale on the Moto X at $100 off yesterday? And did you miss our community giving away their unused codes? Well, don't you worry, Motorola still has you covered. Starting yesterday and ending on Valentine's Day, you can pick up a Moto X for $70 off through MotoMaker off contract, bringing the price to $329.99 for the 16GB model and $379.99 for the 32GB model. This includes all of the different kinds of backs (including wood), as well as all of the other options Moto offers. You might even see an email today from Motorola that is offering a discount of buy one get one free on Soul headphones. Not a bad deal if you plan on picking one up for you and your lover. To take advantage of the sweet savings, head on over to MotoMaker.

Cheers everyone who sent this in!

Google Bringing Chrome Apps to the Mobile World Through Google Play and iOS App Store

Eric — Tue, 28 Jan 2014 13:35:29 +0000

For as long as Chrome has been around, Google treats its browser like its own ecosystem. Chrome Apps are a big part of that, but Google does not want those awesome apps to be tied only to your desktop or browser. Today, Google announced that they are opening up a program to developers that will allow them to bring their Chrome Apps to Google Play and iOS. Right now the program is just a developer preview, but it allows for people to take their existing Chrome Apps and easily port them to Google Play. The toolkit provided builds a native application shell around the existing app so that it will play well with the mobile platforms it will find itself on. Google is testing with letting developers run their app in an emulator of sorts or using a new Chrome Apps Developer Tool to get the job done. If enough developers get behind this idea, Google could put some serious work into it. Think of a day where you can use the same app across your desktop, Chrome browser, phone and tablet. Just the kind of connectivity that Google loves. If you are a developer looking to get into this program check out the source link below.

Via: The Next Web

Disney Interactive Announces Star Wars: Assault Team, A Card-Based Game for Android

Kyle — Tue, 28 Jan 2014 13:05:28 +0000

Ever since Disney acquired Lucasfilm two years ago for $4.05 billion, the company has bombarded consumers with Star Wars games, apps, and television tie-ins. And they’re just getting started. Disney Interactive, in partnership with LucasArts, announced the launch in unnamed markets of Star Wars: Assault Team, a new turn-based strategy game for Android, iOS, and Windows 8 devices. The fighting is card-based, similar to Scrolls or Hearthstone. You collect classic characters as you progress through “graphically enhanced” planets and locations from the original film trilogy, and presumably shell out an obscene amount of money for additional cards. Very few details about Star Wars: Assault Team are available at the moment, but the title will almost assuredly be free-to-play when it launches globally this spring.

Via: Disney Interactive

NVIDIA's TegraZone Updated Through Google Play, Now Supports All Android Devices

Tim — Tue, 28 Jan 2014 13:00:27 +0000

This morning, NVIDIA pushed out an update, version 2.9, to the official TegraZone app on Google Play. The update will now work with all Android devices, regardless of whether it is powered by a Tegra processor or not. Since all devices are now supported, you can track all of your Android gaming through Google Play Game Services on the app, and also use the Google+ login to help personalize your TegraZone experience. NVIDIA has added in TegraZone Collections, which will highlight certain interest groups of games by features, genre, and publisher, making games easier to find for gamers. And for all of you SHIELD owners, the app has added support for those beautiful controller buttons. It looks as though with this update, NVIDIA is trying to break down the walls of exclusivity that Tegra introduced, and for that, we thank you. You can grab the update through Google Play by clicking the link below.

What's New

Supports Google Play Game Services
Uses your Google+ login to personalize your TegraZone experience
TegraZone Collections will allow highlighting of special interest groups of games by feature, genre, or publisher
Sharing shortcut icon makes it easier to share via your favorite social network
Dynamic loading of additional content when you scroll to the bottom of games lists and news
Archived news items are now viewable
Enhanced support for NVIDIA SHIELD controls

Play Link

Blackberry 10.2.1 Goes Live Today, Brings a Full Android Runtime for Sideloading APKs

Kellen — Tue, 28 Jan 2014 12:25:14 +0000

We typically try to avoid Blackberry talk as much as we can on DL, but this latest update to Blackberry 10 brings in all sorts of Android fun. We grabbed the update's changelog for Verizon's Blackberry Z10 since the changelog is a solid 5 pages long. On the bottom of page two, there is a reference to it including a full Android Runtime that includes support for running native versions of Android apps that are APKs. In the past, there was some half-baked trickery involved that needed to be performed in order for Android apps to run on a Blackberry device, but now with Blackberry 10.2.1, there is full support for Android apps. APK files can even be directly installed through a browser, with a wizard walking you through the setup.

ANDROID RUNTIME

New Android Native Support adds support for running native versions of Android JellyBean applications in APK format without the need to convert

Applications using Android Bluetooth® SPI’s are now supported

Android application can integrate with BlackBerry Share Targets

APK INSTALLATION

Install APK files directly from the browser, email or File Manager

Tap APK file to install, and the wizard will walk you through installation

I'm not sure this should make you want a Blackberry 10 device any more than you did yesterday, but hey, Android! The update should be available to all Blackberry 10 devices - at least that is my understanding of a platform that has died at least five times already. The rest of the changelog is below.

Via: Verizon

LG G Flex on AT&T: Unboxing and Hands-on

Tim — Tue, 28 Jan 2014 12:02:28 +0000

This morning, we received a package from LG, which contained a G Flex on AT&T's network. In the near future, we will pump out a full review for the device, but until then, it's time for everyone's favorite - an unboxing video! This is my first time with my hands on the device, since Kellen took those privileges at CES this year. If you would like to see his brief hands-on with the device, you can do so here. Now the device is in our territory, so we will be sure to put it through the paces. The G Flex features a massive 6.0" P-OLED HD (720p) display, a Snapdragon 800 quad-core processor, 2GB of RAM, a 13MP back-facing camera, 3,500mAh battery, NFC, Bluetooth 4.0, 4G LTE connectivity, rear key placement, a ton of LG proprietary software, and comes running Android 4.2.2 out of the box. From my short time with it, I can already say that I wish the screen was a bit smaller. Since it's 720p at 6", you can definitely see a little bit of pixels, but it's not a deal breaker. Other than getting used to the size, it should be a good time getting to know this device. If you have any questions, drop them down below in the comments section.

Device Gallery

Unboxing and Hands-on

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Android 4.4.2 "Kit Kat" Update Rolling Out to Moto X in Canada First

Kellen — Tue, 28 Jan 2014 11:19:35 +0000

According to Motorola's Punit Soni, the Moto X in Canada will be the first to officially receive Android 4.4.2. In a blog post published this morning and after talking about Motorola's new Gallery app, Soni mentioned that the update should start rolling out this week to the Moto X on both Rogers and Fido. Yesterday, we showed you a couple of U.S. Moto Xs that have received the 4.4.2 update already, though nothing has been officially announced for any of our local carriers. We are pretty sure that those were rare cases where a couple of lucky individuals received updates long before they should have. In fact, no soak tests have been announced by Motorola, so these two Sprint and Verizon devices probably got looped into an internal test or something similar. Tough to tell if the update will bring anything exciting, since it is just a point release. As soon as we know more, we'll be sure to pass it along. To our Canadian friends, enjoy.

Via: Motorola

Pebble Steel Begins Shipping Today

Kellen — Tue, 28 Jan 2014 10:48:10 +0000

Pebble's new Steel smartwatch is beginning to ship as of today, according to their site. Announced during CES as the follow-up to their immensely popular original Pebble - a darling of Kickstarter - the Steel is the classier, more stylish version that includes a metal band, Gorilla Glass, and a price tag of $249. With Steel, you are looking at two color options: Black Matte or Brushed Stainless. Each unit comes with both a metal and leather strap, so you can class it up depending on your taste. Other than the look, though, the Steel runs exactly like the original Pebble in terms of software and functionality. It's still an extension of your smartphone, in that it can handle notifications and simple functionality through its e-paper display. We will soon see new apps from Foursquare and ESPN to help bring even greater features to the smartwatch, thanks to partnerships that Pebble has made and a new official appstore. The Pebble is still the best smartwatch available in our minds. We reviewed it last February during its early days. After having watched it mature over the last year, I think it's safe to say that Pebble gets it, unlike Samsung or any of the other three dozen Kickstarter campaigns that have launched since seeing Pebble's success. Did anyone order a Steel?

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Via: Pebble

Google Glass Titanium Collection Now Available for Explorers Starting at $225

Kellen — Tue, 28 Jan 2014 10:27:58 +0000

Last night, the Google Glass team unveiled their Titanium Collection set of frames as an option for those needing prescription lenses to work with their Explorer unit. That collection is now available through the Glass store, with four frames made of titanium starting at $225 a piece. Each frame comes in five different colors (charcoal, tangerine, cotton, shale, and sky) so that you can match your Glass unit to the frame. You could also choose to mix and match colors if you'd like. Orders also include a custom hard case to help protect your frames. We should point out that the frames come with non-prescription lenses out of the box. Should you require prescription lenses, you'll have to take your new frames into an eyecare provider, some of which may be "preferred" partners. Your eyecare provider can then send off your frames so that lenses can be cut to match them. Unfortunately for me, Oregon doesn't have a single preferred provider. (The full list of providers can be found here.) Explorers, thinking of purchases frames? (We picked up the "Bold" set and will have thoughts once they arrive.) Glass Store

Q&A Website Stack Exchange Debuts App for Android

Kyle — Tue, 28 Jan 2014 09:47:51 +0000

Crowdsourced Q&A sites like Quora have certainly gained popularity over the years, but arguably non have been propitious as Stack Exchange. What debuted in 2009 as a computer programming question-and-answer website has grown into a network of more than 120 communities covering a diverse range of topics, from writing to cooking to job searching. And starting today, it’s all browsable via the official Stack Exchange app for Android. To unify the disparate Stack Exchange communities, the team created an entirely new feature exclusively for mobile. Dubbed The Feed, which kind of looks like a Facebook timeline, you can customize the questions that appear based on the communities and tags you follow, see questions tailored to your interest that will intelligently improve over time, and receive updates when you get upvoted or your answers get accept. In addition, all message replies are viewable, and you can see events, blog posts, and recommended jobs from the Careers board. Notifications made the jump from desktop, and they’re quite thoughtfully implemented. Like every other social media app on your phone, you’ll be notified of activity like answers, comments, and chat replies, but the notifications are also toggleable and include a quiet hours function. (Other apps, take note.) The app also includes the standard array of Stack Exchange features, like question searching, answering, commenting, voting, and flagging. It’s available from the Play Store for smartphones running Android 4.0 and up, and the team says to expect a version optimized for tablets in the future. Play Link

Samsung Reportedly Working on QHD Display for Smartphones, UHD in the Works As Well

Eric — Tue, 28 Jan 2014 09:06:00 +0000

Never let it be said that the Android spec war is over. Samsung is still working on stockpiling new weapons in its quest to continue to dominate the world's Android market. The latest news from Korean sources report that not only is Samsung working on a QHD AMOLED display, but a UHD display that would feature a 3480 x 2160 resolution. Samsung has always loved using AMOLED displays in its Galaxy devices and it seems that it wants to stick with them for the foreseeable future. This new rumored QHD screen is nothing to scoff at with a 2560 x 1440 resolution, but the interesting part is the UHD. A 3480 x 2160 resolution inside of a smartphone chassis would be incredible. That is somewhere over 800 pixels per inch, in a smartphone. For reference, the Nexus 10 is 2560×1600, but spread across 10 inches of display space. We could see some of this technology either being used in the Galaxy S5 that is coming sometime this year or maybe even the next Galaxy Note further down the line. Either way, this is looking like the year of the QHD (quad HD) display. We will be keeping just as close of an eye on this as you will as Samsung's new devices get closer.

Via: G4Games

Android 4.4.2 Firmware Leaked for Samsung Galaxy S4 and Galaxy Note 3 on AT&T

Tim — Tue, 28 Jan 2014 08:42:23 +0000

For those among us who just can't want any longer for an official rollout of Kit Kat to the Galaxy S4 or Galaxy Note 3 on AT&T, firmware has been leaked through XDA that will allow you to run Android 4.4.2 on your device before it is shipped out to the general public. And while flashing unreleased firmware can sometimes be dangerous for your device, the feedback so far on the forum is all good except for one random reboot bug for the GS4 which appears when watching videos. Besides that, both firmware packages seem quite stable. On top of the one bug specifically for the GS4, both firmware comes with new bootloaders, so attempting to flash back to Android 4.3 firmware might prove difficult, unless you know exactly (and I mean exactly) what you are doing. In addition, the firmware for both is unrooted, so you may be better off waiting until the developers have more time to work on it and add that in. Again, if you can't bear to wait for AT&T to push Android 4.4.2 to your device, this is a valid option. Kit Kat, thanks to TouchWiz, doesn't bring as many changes as one would hope for Samsung devices. While the UI gets a little tweaked and Samsung added in a bit more of their own software, you won't see any major differences besides the icon color in the notification bar. We are still waiting for a major UI overhaul like we have seen in leaked pictures recently. If you are ready to get your flashing on, head on over to XDA by following the link below.

Via: XDA Developers [2] | SamMobile [2]

"Year of the Horse" Android Mini Collectible Now Available From Dead Zebra

Kellen — Tue, 28 Jan 2014 08:02:29 +0000

The "Year of the Horse" Android mini collectible is now available from our friends at Dead Zebra. The collectible could sell out in minutes, since it's a special edition, so if you want one, you better go now. The collectible runs $10 plus shipping. Dead Zebra Link

Verizon Launches Limited Time $45 Plan With Unlimited Talk, Text, and 250MB of Data (Updated)

Kellen — Tue, 28 Jan 2014 07:58:52 +0000

Last night, we received word from sources who said that Verizon would launch two new smartphone plans this morning at prices somewhat lower than they currently offer. The first, would give you access to unlimited talk and text, along with 250MB of data for as little as $45 per month (plan now live). The second, would give you that same unlimited talk and text, along with 1GB of data for $60 per month. At first glance, those may not sound like deals, but if you consider that those prices are for the entire package, they technically are. Let me explain. Verizon normally charges you a per phone set price per month for unlimited talk and text that runs $40 per device. They then tack on a data package as a separate charge, with the lowest being 250MB for $20. If you do the math right there, you are looking at $60 per month, yet Verizon is now running a new "limited time offer" that will get you that same package for $45. If you consider the second package I mentioned for $60 with unlimited talk, text and 1GB data, you would normally be looking at $90 per month ($40 per phone plus $50 for 1GB data) on a Share Everything plan. Again, that's a $30 savings per month.

Are these new plans Verizon's reaction to what T-Mobile and AT&T have been doing? Maybe. They still involve contracts, but they are certainly cheaper than the typical Share Everything plans that Verizon has been running with for the last year or so. At this time, Verizon's site is requesting that you find a store nearby or call them to sign-up for these plans. There are no other references to them on their site that I can find outside of the home page. *Note - Verizon's home page currently only shows the $45 plan, but again, sources of ours say they also have a $60 plan. We're trying to get official confirmation on that other plan. Will update this post shortly.

Update: Here is a second confirmation from yet another source. Also, note the data overage charges on these plans. Talk about steep.

Via: Verizon

Cheers E and M!

Google Glass Finally Gets Frames for Prescription Lenses, "Titanium Collection" Available Tomorrow

Kellen — Mon, 27 Jan 2014 21:50:02 +0000

This evening, Google unwrapped a set of four new frames for Google Glass, a group that includes options for prescription lenses. Yes, people who wear real glasses on a daily basis will now be able to wear Glass and actually see the world as they use it. These new frames may also help the product look less super-cyborgy-awkward-nerdgastic-wtfisonyourheadweirdo. Well, one can hope. All four are made of titanium, so they are ultra-light and "designed just for you." In other words, they are trendy, work with prescription lenses, and are also there in case you "just want a new look." Oh, and your vision insurance may even help cover the frames. The frame collection is being called the "Titanium Collection." Google Glass Explorers will have access to the new frames tomorrow afternoon, with frames starting at $225.

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Here are the four frames:

Twitter for Android Receives Update With Photo Improvements, Real-time Stories in Timeline

Kellen — Mon, 27 Jan 2014 16:20:50 +0000

Twitter for Android received a noteworthy update this afternoon that includes new photo sharing improvements, along with real-time stories at the top of your timeline after pull-to-refreshes. For photo uploads and shares, you will see a cropping tool to get your aspect just right, an option to rotate your photo, and a reminder (if there are people in your photo) to @ mention them. Outside of the photo news, Twitter is also introducing real-time recommendations should you refresh and not have any new Tweets to check out. In other words, if you pull-to-refresh and see no new Tweets, Twitter will show you trending topics or suggestions for accounts to follow, plus TV, sports, and news event updates. The update lands exclusively on Android today, with iOS availability in the works. What's New

Connect with people and your interests to get unfiltered access and unique behind-the-scenes perspectives.
Express yourself with photos, videos and comments.
Discover what's happening. Get real-time stories, pictures, videos, conversations, ideas, and inspiration all in your timeline.

Play Link

Via: Twitter

Moto X $100 Off Codes: Post 'em if You Got 'em

Kellen — Mon, 27 Jan 2014 15:45:57 +0000

From 3PM - 4PM ET this afternoon, Motorola held another sale for their 2013 flagship, Moto X. During that time, you could cruise over to Motorola's site and fill out a form that would land you a promo code for $100 off a device. For those who managed to sign-up during that short 1-hour window, you should have already received your code that is good until February 3 at midnight. With $100 off of a full retail Moto X, you are looking at a starting price of just $299 (MotoMaker included). If you upgrade features, like say the storage to 32GB, you could still get into a brand new custom designed Moto X for as little as $349. Or better yet, the Developer Editions were also down to $349 with this deal. Talk about a steal. Since the sale happened during the middle of the day, we can imagine that many of you didn't have a chance to reserve your promo code before the hour was up. For those who missed out, we thought we'd put together another spot for DL community members to share codes that they don't plan on using. We have done this in the past and always seem to see plenty of love being tossed around. So if you need a code or have an extra lying around, feel free to share in the comments.

Google Hacks Together Five Simple Games for Google Glass to Inspire Developers

Tim — Mon, 27 Jan 2014 14:46:24 +0000

The idea of the Explorer program for Google Glass was always to get developers inspired to create awesome apps for the platform. It looks like Google wants to see a lot more from the gamers out there, so they have made five games for Glass and have released them for owners to try out. The games are very simplistic - one of them involves balancing, another is a type of Fruit Ninja slicing game, and there is also a Duck Hunt-like shooting game. They are very straight forward and just plain ol' fashion gaming fun. If you want to get in on the Glass gaming fun, you can download them via the Glassware section on the Glass site right here.

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Via: Glass Developers

Samsung to Issue Galaxy Note 3 OTA Update to Fix Non-working Third Party Accessory Issue

Tim — Mon, 27 Jan 2014 13:54:47 +0000

After Samsung commented last week that there was zero correlation between an Android 4.4 update that was sent out to the Galaxy Note 3 and a stoppage in operation of third party accessories for the device, the company has now announced that an OTA update is being worked on which should resolve the issue. Samsung mentioned earlier that it can not guarantee the working of third party products and users would be better off buying official Samsung accessories. Samsung is clear now that the update was in fact at fault and an OTA update is being worked on that should resolve the issue. Here is the statement from Samsung.

We have currently identified a software compatibility issue with the Galaxy Note 3 update to Android 4.4 (KitKat) and select 3rd party accessories. A software update will be available shortly. We are committed to offering a diverse and reliable mobile experience for all customers, providing continued support and solutions for any issues that arise with product updates for both Samsung manufactured and third-party accessories.

Good on you, Samsung. Glad to know you didn't purposefully break any third party compatibility.

Via: ArsTechnica

Samsung to Introduce Galaxy Glass at IFA, a Google Glass Clone

Tim — Mon, 27 Jan 2014 13:10:56 +0000

A new report from Korea Times is shedding more light on Samsung's competitor to Google Glass, which has been dubbed Galaxy Glass by those who are familiar with the company's plans. According to the recent report, Samsung will look to debut Galaxy Glass at this year's IFA which takes place annually in Berlin, Germany in September. From what sources report, Galaxy Glass will be much like Galaxy Gear, as it will display notifications for the user, shoot pictures, control music, place and receive phones calls, plus a lot of other things that Samsung is currently developing. A recent patent application for the device gave the public a look at what Galaxy Glass could look like, pictured above. It should be taken into account that Samsung and Google both reached a patent cross-licensing agreement, which means Samsung won't have to fear Google taking legal action against any similarities that Galaxy Glass might have to Google Glass - including the name. With the agreement now in place, both companies state that they would rather focus on innovation, instead of litigation. An unnamed Samsung official was quoted saying the following.

The new smart glass to be introduced by Samsung is a new concept of wearable device that can lead to an exciting culture of communication. The smart glass will present our aim to lead the new market with proven capability. Wearable devices can’t generate profits immediately. Steady releases of devices are showing our firm commitment as a leader in new markets.

Samsung definitely likes to play the "we were here first" game, but the company will soon realize that beating other companies to certain tech fields isn't like landing on the moon first. Sure, the Galaxy Gear was a leader in the field, but it came with a string of issues which then had to be fixed with updates over the course of months. We hope that Samsung hasn't half baked yet another product and rushed it to market. IFA kicks off in September of 2014.

Via: SamMobile | Korea Time

Rose Gold Galaxy Note 3 Now Available From Verizon for $249

Kellen — Mon, 27 Jan 2014 12:46:19 +0000

The Samsung Galaxy Note 3 in Rose Gold is now exclusively available from Verizon for $249 on new 2-year contract. Well, it's up on Big Red's site, but currently showing as on "backorder" with a ship date of January 30. We aren't exactly sure how that's possible since the listing for it just went live this morning. Either they had four of them in stock or Rose Gold is hotter than a Moto X slashed for Cyber Monday. Or maybe they are calling it "backorder" since it won't ship for a few extra days. Whatever. If $249 and a new contract doesn't sound like the time of your life, you could buy the phone through Verizon's monthly payment plan called Edge (please don't), and pay $27.15 per month for a couple of years. You could also buy the phone out right for $649 off-contract. In case you were wondering, there is nothing new about this Rose Gold version other than its color scheme. It still sports the same 1080p display, 3GB RAM, and S Pen as the previously released colorways of the Note 3. To see a full gallery of the Rose Gold variant of the Note 3, hit up this post.

Via: Verizon

Moto X $100-off One Hour Sale is Live!

Kellen — Mon, 27 Jan 2014 12:01:35 +0000

Ready to grab a Moto X at $100 off the full retail price? Starting as low as $299 (with the discount), you can grab the device that we dubbed the top Android phone of 2013. That $299 price is for the 16GB model, but the 32GB model and Developer Editions are also $100 off, dropping them to $349. Again, these are off-contract prices here, folks. Motorola has essentially topped their previous "best deal in tech" that took place over Cyber Monday. The sale is live for one hour, so get in while you can! All you have to do is hit up the link below, fill out the form, and wait for your unique promo code to arrive. Once you have your promo code, you can use it during checkout to buy the phone and save the additional $100. Deal Links: Deal Sign-up | FAQ

LG G2 Update on Sprint Activates Spark Connectivity, Fixes Hangouts Issue

Tim — Mon, 27 Jan 2014 11:40:30 +0000

A new update for the LG G2 on Sprint brings Spark connectivity, which should increase the speed of data that is being sent to and from the device. Software version ZVA also brings fixes for Google Hangout issues which pertain to voicemail and MMS messages, but that's about it. For Sprint users who live in a 4G LTE area that can connect to Spark, this should be great news. The update is rolling out in stages, so if you haven't seen the prompt yet, remain patient.

Via: Sprint

Verizon Ellipsis 7 Tablet Receives Update - Improves LTE Connectivity, Camera, Battery Life, and More

Kellen — Mon, 27 Jan 2014 11:25:37 +0000

Verizon has this self-branded tablet called the Ellipsis 7 that you probably don't know much about. It's a low-end tablet that they try to sell for more than you can pick up a 2013 Nexus 7 for. They also try to sell it with a 2-year contract for $150, which is quite possibly the worst deal in tech at the moment. It features a 1.2GHz unknown quad-core processor, 1GB RAM, 3.2MP camera, low-resolution 7-inch display by today's standards, Android 4.2.2, and 8GB of storage. Again, it's not great and probably shouldn't be in your top 100 list of potential tablets to buy. With that said, should you know someone who owns one, let them know that a big update is on the way. The update jumps the tablet up to build MV7A_31D26_422 and features all sorts of improvements. Once updated, users should see improved 4G LTE connectivity, battery life, image quality when using the camera, and wireless connectivity. The tablet also now supports prepaid plans and an option to store photos taken on an SD card, since it has a slot for one.

Via: Verizon

Google Buys Artificial Intelligence Company DeepMind for a Reported $400 million

Kyle — Mon, 27 Jan 2014 11:00:07 +0000

All of Google’s products are about to get smarter. The company is in the final stages of acquiring artificial intelligence company DeepMind, a London-based business founded by child chess prodigy and neuroscientist Demis Hassabis, for $400 million. The buy is described by Recode sources as a “talent acquisition,” and the company’s workforce is apparently impressive enough that Google CEO Larry Page led the deal himself. Prior to its purchase, DeepMind was aggressively recruiting top-tier AI researchers, and had secured more than $50 million in funding. As part of the deal, Google has agreed to establish an ethics board to ensure DeepMind's technologies aren't abused. That's a consolation the company may have had to make in order to beat Facebook, which began considering an acquisition of DeepMind last year. Though Google confirmed the deal, the company failed to specify what it hoped to accomplish with DeepMind’s staff and technology. A cursory glance at DeepMind’s website, though, reveals that it was developing AI applications for e-commerce and games. Those areas, along with current and future moonshots, are bound to see improvements.

Via: Recode | The Information

T-Mobile Announces Availability for LG G Flex and LG Optimus F3Q, Both Devices Available Starting Feb. 5

Tim — Mon, 27 Jan 2014 10:35:54 +0000

T-Mobile customers, if you have been awaiting the announcement of the LG G Flex or Optimus F3Q, then today's announcement should excite you. This morning, T-Mobile announced that both devices will be available on its network starting February 5, with pre-orders for the G Flex starting today. The G Flex will run T-Mo customers $0 out the door, but 24 equal monthly payments of $28 will follow. As for the F3Q, which is a lower spec'd device, the price is also $0 down, but with 24 equal monthly payments of just $13. To pre-order the G Flex on T-mobile, follow this link.

Via: T-Mobile

HTC One Successor Device Will Sport On-screen Buttons, Couple of Wallpapers Reportedly Leaked

Tim — Mon, 27 Jan 2014 10:10:54 +0000

The HTC One's successor, codenamed M8, is shaping up to be a pretty desirable phone. According to @evleaks, who continues to share unreleased information regarding the M8, the device will in fact feature on-screen buttons and not capacitive buttons which we have seen on all HTC devices since the beginning of time. As we have seen from HTC in the past, the company somehow has a knack for placing odd button arrangements on devices; sometimes there is a recent tasks button, sometimes there is an HTC logo right where you would think the home button would be, and then each button behaves differently depending on if you tap, double tap, or long press. We know that it has annoyed quite a few users, so we think HTC's move towards on-screen buttons will be a welcomed one by the community. With that piece of fantastic news, he also tweeted out a couple of wallpapers that reportedly have come from the device. While they could be random wallpapers, they do sort of give off an HTC vibe - especially the left one. If you want these on your device, click on the pictures below to see them in full resolution. From there, you can easily download to your device or email them to yourself. If the M8 comes with on-screen keys, who here still has hope for HTC's future? We do.

Via: @evleaks

Sprint Lights Up 40 New 4G LTE Markets, Total Rises to 340

Kellen — Mon, 27 Jan 2014 09:40:54 +0000

Sprint may still be playing catch-up in the 4G LTE market game, but with today's announcement of 40 new markets, they are starting to hit some sort of a stride. If you count today's new additions, their total tops out at around 340. While that is still far below Verizon's total, it feels like we are getting there. Keep in mind that Verizon lit up their 500th market back in June of 2013. The list of markets isn't necessarily focused on one part of the country either. You'll see Eugene, Oregon on the list, right next to Georgetown, South Carolina. Idaho Falls is on there as well, next to Jackson, Mississippi. Here is the full list of today's additions:

Anderson, S.C.
Camden, N.J.
Cape Girardeau-Jackson, Mo.-Ill.
Carson City, Nev.
Colorado Springs, Colo.
Concord, N.H.
Eugene-Springfield, Ore.
Evansville, Ind.-Ky.
Fayetteville-Springdale-Rogers, Ark.
Georgetown, S.C.
Glasgow, Ky.
Greenville, Ohio
Hilton Head Island-Beaufort, S.C.
Hudson, N.Y.
Idaho Falls, Idaho
Jackson, Miss.
Laconia, N.H.
Marion, Ohio
McAllen-Edinburg-Mission, Texas
Midland, Mich.
Milwaukee-Waukesha-West Allis, Wis. Mobile, Ala.
Monroe, La.
New Castle, Pa.
New Philadelphia-Dover, Ohio
Olean, N.Y.
Olympia, Wash.
Owensboro, Ky.
Owosso, Mich.
Paducah, Ky.-Ill.
Parkersburg-Marietta-Vienna, W.V.-Ohio
Point Pleasant, W.V.-Ohio
Providence, R.I.
Reno-Sparks, Nev.
Rockingham County-Strafford County, N.H.
Salt Lake City
Spartanburg, S.C.
Springfield, Ohio
Tacoma, Wash.
Yuma, Ariz.

Via: Sprint

Google and Samsung Reach Patent Cross-Licensing Agreement

Kyle — Mon, 27 Jan 2014 09:20:49 +0000

Don’t say Google doesn’t protect its Android OEMs. Yesterday, Samsung announced a broad patent cross-license agreement with the search giant, giving the companies access to each other’s current patents and all those filed over the next 10 years. The patents, which Samsung said covers “a broad range of technologies and business areas,” are intended to defend both companies against the aggressive litigation of competitors. Samsung has been locked in a bitter courtroom conflict with Apple since 2011, while Google’s own Motorola is the subject of patent disputes from Apple, Microsoft, and IP firm Intellectual Ventures. Allen Lo, Deputy General Counsel for Patents at Google, intimated the deal could be a harbinger of future agreements in the technology sector. “By working together on agreements like this, companies can reduce the potential for litigation and focus instead on innovation,” he said. Given the climate of patent misuse and billion-dollar judgments, that’s probably optimistic. At the very least, though, the agreement should help both Samsung and Google protect their respective products far into the future.

Via: Samsung

Android 4.4.2 Update for Moto X on Sprint Shows Up

Kellen — Mon, 27 Jan 2014 09:00:32 +0000

The Moto X received Android 4.4 "Kit Kat" in what can only be referred to as record time back in November. That record was short lived, however, as its little brother (Moto G) topped it by seeing Android 4.4.2 from Motorola only weeks later. That new Moto G record has had Moto X owners wondering for weeks when they would see similar love. Last week, a single, lucky user received Android 4.4.2 on his Verizon Moto X, but no other reports outside of that showed that the update was anywhere near rolling out to the masses or even in a smaller soak test-like capacity. And then this weekend, another lucky Moto X owner - this time on Sprint - received a similar update to 4.4.2. The update bumped his phone to build 161.44.22, which is certainly newer than the 4.4 update build of 143.44.8. The Verizon build from last week was 161.55.25. The update shows new versions of the Camera (3.2.14), Migrate, and Assist, all of which have been made available for download. And that's all we know. Motorola hasn't said when 4.4.2 will roll out, no soak tests have been started, and these updates seem to be showing up on individual devices, not in any sort of wave to multiples.

Via: XDA | Motorola

Cheers Fahad!

LG Announces G Pro 2, Shares No Device Specs or Pictures

Tim — Mon, 27 Jan 2014 08:41:32 +0000

LG announced the G Pro 2 this morning, but decided to troll a little bit and not talk about any of the device's specs or even post a picture. Reports of the device first showed up back on the 23rd of January, and instead of letting the industry continue to speculate, it appears LG wanted to make the device official. But again, LG gave us no specs or pictures. LG also neglected to mention when the device would be launched, but according to the report we posted up last week, it should launch around the time of MWC. As for specs, we could be looking at a 6" 1080p display, Snapdragon 800 quad-core processor, 3GB of RAM, and will come out of the box running Android 4.4. Although, none of this is confirmed yet besides the device's name. The G Pro 2, at least from the specs that are rumored, is sounding like a pretty beast device. We are hoping is that LG can put that rumored 3GB of RAM and the 6" display to good use and deliver a good Android experience for anyone who picks it up. How is the G Pro 2 sounding to you?

Via: LG Electronics

Boxes and Boxes of a Red Nexus 5 Variant. (Updated)

Kellen — Mon, 27 Jan 2014 08:07:25 +0000

Weren't buying into last week's purported image of a red Nexus 5 variant? Would a couple of pictures from a warehouse showing boxes and boxes of the same model in retail packaging help? If so, here you go. Thanks to pictures tweeted by @artyomstar, we are certainly leaning towards a bright red version of Google's latest flagship phone to be on the way. The images - included above and below - appear to show red Nexus 5s packaged up and ready for shipping, likely to retailers. There are labels for LG (the manufacturer), specifics on the storage size (these are 16GB units), a couple of IMEIs, and a potential country (GBR) that these specific boxes will be shipped off to. We still know nothing on price or availability, but with Valentine's Day quickly arriving, the bright red version would be a timely addition to the lineup that includes black and white models. Both current models are priced at $349 for the 16GB variant, so I'd imagine this will drop in at the same. Who wants red?

Update: Is this another picture of the device? Holy brightness. Someone tell my man to turn his flash off. (via)

Via: @artyomstar | Android Central

Moto X Drops to $299 Today for One Hour at 3PM ET, Developer Edition Already at $379 (Updated)

Kellen — Mon, 27 Jan 2014 07:45:12 +0000

At 3PM ET (12PM Pacific), Motorola is hosting yet another mega Moto X sale. As you are all well aware, the price of the Moto X has already been permanently dropped to $399 on an on-going basis, so if we're talking new sale, that means an even bigger drop from that price point. For one hour only (3PM-4PM ET), the Moto X will be available starting at $299 for the 16GB model. The 32GB and Developer Edition variants will drop to $349. The deal runs very similar to the Cyber Monday deals from last year in that you aren't purchasing the phone today at 3PM ET, you are signing up to receive a unique promo code that will let you buy the phone at the discounted price within a few hours. Once you have received your code via email, it is usually good for a couple of days, that way Motorola eliminates the rush on their MotoMaker store and also gives you time to decide on your perfect phone setup. On a related note, while the Developer Editions are going to drop to $349, you can actually buy them now for $379. Both the GSM and Verizon variants are showing as having received a price drop recently, so if you don't feel like waiting for a promo code that will really only save you another $20, feel free to jump on it now. Update: Motorola has now removed the $379 price for the Developer Editions, bringing them back up to $449. We'll be sure to let you know when today's deal goes live. Deal Links: Motorola Link | Deal Sign-up (not live yet) | Try this one too | FAQ Developer Edition Links: Verizon Model | GSM Model

Cheers Steve!

Serving Up Aces Down Under This Weekend

Tim — Fri, 24 Jan 2014 23:05:08 +0000

We had episode 47 of The Droid Life Show this week, and as always, it was magical. Besides Ron continually trolling me just for fun, we had a few good discussions over a wide range of topics. We covered which OEM's 2014 flagship we are looking forward to the most, the rise and almost immediate fall of Beats Music, our excitement (or just mine) over new natural backs for the Moto X (Walnut in house and unboxed!), and talked all of the latest and greatest apps from this week. As a special treat, we asked the listeners to feed us a few questions and then answered them live as the show progressed. And since that was so much fun, you can expect us to do plenty of that in future broadcasts. Join us live on Wednesday nights at 6pm PST. If you can't join in on the live festivities, you can subscribe to us in a variety of ways.

This Week in the Life of Droid: 1/24/2014

Tim — Fri, 24 Jan 2014 17:00:39 +0000

Another week down here at DL. This week was another good one, highlighted by the launch of Beats Music for iOS and Android, as well as the launch of three new natural backs for the Moto X through MotoMaker. Motorola's CEO also made headlines yet again by mentioning that they could be working on a $50 cellphone, as well as more customizable options for high-end devices. If you were anywhere near the Internet today, you may have noticed Google's crash, which left Gmail and many other Google Apps useless for a bit. Luckily, the world kept turning and they eventually came back online after only an hour or so. Here are the highlights from this week if you missed them.

Have a great weekend, folks!

Pushbullet Receives Update, Mirrors All Android Notifications on Desktop

Kyle — Fri, 24 Jan 2014 16:30:00 +0000

PushBullet, the app for Android that allows you to quickly transfer links, pictures, and notes between your smart devices and desktop Chrome browser, is one of those insanely useful tools you just can't believe is free. And it keeps getting better. Today, the PushBullet team introduced full notification mirroring, a feature that syncs all of your phone and tablet notifications to Chrome on PC. Viewable in Chrome's notification tray (the bell-shaped icon in the system tray on Windows and the menu bar on Mac), they aren't actionable - you can't respond to a text from desktop, for example - but they can be dismissed. PushBullet is available for download from the Play Store. I highly recommend it. Edit: As a reader pointed out, PushBullet is also compatible with Firefox. Play Link | Chrome Extension | Firefox Extension

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Moto X With a Walnut Finish: First Look

Kellen — Fri, 24 Jan 2014 14:20:44 +0000

Our custom made Moto X with a Walnut finish has arrived, so as is typical around these parts, we took it for a spin on camera to let you see and hear our thoughts on it. As one may have expected after seeing our Bamboo unboxing, we are pleased with the results. A real wood back with custom accents, on the phone that our staff unanimously gave "phone of the year" in 2013 to. How can you beat that? As many of you know, the new options for "Natural" backs went live at the beginning of the week for a $25 up-charge over standard MotoMaker made devices. We placed our order immediately when they became available, so that's not a bad turn-around from order to arrival if you consider the wood backs being used. And again, these are real wood backs that have been finished to look like Ebony, Teak, and Walnut. Also, Motorola is hosting a 1-hour sale for the Moto X on Monday, January 27, where you can pick up the phone for $100 off its current price. In case you need help with the math, that brings the 16GB version down to $299 off-contract. Tack on another $25 to that and you can get one made with a wood finish. So what's special about this device? Well, it looks pretty - there is no doubt in our minds there. The dark and medium wood colors on the Walnut finish blend perfectly with the black color choices that Tim made for this unit. It feels as amazing as any normal Moto X, but you can that there is something different, something premium going on. While you aren't going to feel a big knot on your phone, the wood texture is still apparent. Check it out below.

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Motorola Hosting Hour-long $100 Off Sale on Moto X Devices, Starts January 27

Tim — Fri, 24 Jan 2014 14:01:01 +0000

Still looking to score a Moto X? Maybe at a discounted price? Motorola announced a new sale that is set to take place next Monday on January 27. The deal will only last a single hour online, beginning at 3pm EST and ending at 4pm EST. During that time frame, you can grab an off contract Moto X for $100 off of the full retail price - $299 for the 16GB model and $349 for the 32GB model. Motorola doesn't want anyone to worry though, because even if you miss this $100 off fire sale on Monday, Moto X phones will remain at $70 off of the full contract price until Valentine's Day in February. Supplies will be limited on Monday, and it's a first come first served basis, so have your credit cards ready to go at 3pm EST if you are hoping to grab one.

On Monday January 27th, we’re kicking off our Valentine’s Day sale with an extra sweet deal: $100 off any Moto X without a contract from 3pm-4pm ET. This deal is only available for one hour, while supplies last. If you miss out, don’t worry. You can get $70 off any Moto X without a contract through Valentine’s Day.

Via: Motorola

Cheers Jon!

Energy Bar for Android Shows Your Battery Status in a Neat Way, No Root Required

Tim — Fri, 24 Jan 2014 13:36:21 +0000

If you have ever ran a custom ROM on your Android device, then you may have seen a nifty little feature that would allow you to place a battery bar along the top of your device's display. The bar's color could change depending on how much charge you had left, and it was just a nice little aesthetic change you could perform to switch up the look of your device. Well, that same bar is now available for all users without root on Google Play, and it is called Energy Bar. Energy Bar features a quaint little menu to help you change up the bar's settings - it includes changes to the bar's size, color, origin (left, right, or center), and the bar's behavior. Our favorite feature is that you can have a multi-colored bar, which will allow the bar to change its color depending on how much battery you have left. For example, if your battery is full, you can have it set to green. Once it starts getting lower, it can change from green to orange, to yellow, and then to red when it gets really low. The app is completely free through Google Play, so go check it out. Play Link

Dead Zebra Details Limited Edition "Year of the Horse" Android Mini, Goes on Sale January 28

Tim — Fri, 24 Jan 2014 12:47:54 +0000

A new Android Mini from Dead Zebra received a release date and details today, titled Year of the Horse. On the Chinese zodiac, this is now the year of the horse, so as you might recall, Dead Zebra likes to pay tribute to these occasions, creating special limited edition minis. As we can see, this mini is wearing a painted-on horse mask and traditional Chinese celebratory clothing, looking quite nice. The mini is set to launch online Tuesday, January 28th at 11am EST and more at 11pm EST. Households are limited to just two of these minis, and as you might be aware, they will more than likely sell out quickly. You can purchase right here on Jan. 28 at 11am EST.

Via: Dead Zebra

Friday App Sales: TuneIn Radio Pro, VNC Viewer, Sine Mora, and More

Rithvik — Fri, 24 Jan 2014 12:18:50 +0000

In the words of the great Rebecca Black, "It's Friday, Friday, gotta get down on Friday," and what better way to get down than to get down with the prices of apps? It's been another good week in terms of deals, as we are seeing apps like TuneIn Radio Pro and Sine Mora get discounted. An app I've used personally, VNC Viewer, has been given a deep price cut as well. No complaints here. So, why wait any longer? Have at it!

Friday App Sales

Blend Collage PRO - ($0.99)
GA3: Slaves of Rema - ($0.99)
VNC Viewer - ($0.00)
Sine Mora - ($2.99)
GO Launcher Prime - (Free)
Remote for iTunes - ($2.99, cause we all love iTunes)
TuneIn Radio Pro - ($3.99)
TomTom U.S.A. - ($27.99)
TomTom U.S. & Canada - ($39.99)
BB - Bedtime Battle - ($1.99)
5 Monkeys Jumping on the Bed - ($0.99)
WiFi Mouse Pro - ($1.93)
Blend Collage Pro - ($0.99)
Mind Games Pro - ($0.99)
Star Wars Pinball 2 - ($0.99)
Syder Arcade HD - ($0.99)

Enjoy your new apps, all!

Everything Google is Struggling at the Moment... (Updated)

Kellen — Fri, 24 Jan 2014 11:13:59 +0000

It's not you, it's Google. The dashboard is showing all things "green," though. That is clearly wrong. Update 11:19AM: We have orange for Gmail! Update 11:22AM: Gmail is now sort of back. Can login to accounts, struggling with multiples, though. Contacts hating life. Hangouts won't sign-in at all. Update 1:00PM: Gmail seems to mostly be up now after an hour or so of frustration. Everyone good? We are seeing issues with Gmail, Google Apps, Hangouts, Google+, and more. Will update this post as things come back online.

LG G Flex up for Pre-order Through AT&T, $299.99 on Contract and $34.75 on AT&T Next

Tim — Fri, 24 Jan 2014 10:51:31 +0000

It's January 24, which means AT&T's pre-orders for the LG G Flex are now live online. The device is priced at $299.99 on a new two year agreement, $694.99 off contract, or just $34.75 per month for 20 months with AT&T Next. The internals for the G Flex would seemingly warrant such a high subsidiary, but don't forget, the device's 6.0" curved P-OLED display is not Full HD. We had a hands-on with the G Flex at CES, and while it is a gorgeous device, pixels are quite visible from certain viewing angles. While seeing pixels may not be a deal breaker for a few of you, we still wanted to give a friendly heads up. The G Flex rocks a Snapdragon 800 quad-core processor, 2GB of RAM, a 3,500mAh battery, 4G LTE connectivity, comes running Android 4.2, a 13MP rear-facing camera, 2.1MP front-facing camera, LG's proprietary self healing backside, LG's unique backside button layout, and plenty of special software to take advantage of the device's size and power. Ready to pre-order? Do so right here through AT&T.

LG G Pad 8.3 Equipped With 4G LTE Radios Stops by FCC en Route to Verizon

Tim — Fri, 24 Jan 2014 10:23:12 +0000

LG's newest tablet, the G Pad 8.3, has hit the FCC this week on a course to Verizon's 4G LTE network. The tablet made a quick stop, showing LTE radios that support bands 4 and 13 (Verizon's bands) inside and model number VK810, while all other specs and dimensions of the tablet appear to be unchanged. The G Pad 8.3 is also available as a Google Play Edition device as WiFi-only right from Google Play for the price of $349.99. As of right now, there is no word from Verizon on the device hitting its network, but after FCC approval, we may not have too much longer to wait. And for those that may ask, no pricing is known either. Are people still snatching tablets up on data plans? Anyone here thinking about picking one up?

Via: Engadget

AOKP's Roman Birg Joins Cyanogen Inc, Will Still Make Contributions to the Kang Project

Tim — Fri, 24 Jan 2014 09:30:10 +0000

Last night on Twitter, it was made official that AOKP's main face Roman Birg, was departing his current "roll" and taking up a new position within Cyanogen Inc. in Seattle. We have talked with Roman in the past during a Tato Series interview, and you can tell that he is a bright mind, which is a good fit for the CM crew. The exact nature of his new roll within CM is still unclear, but we can assume it has something to do with the development of features within the ROM itself. Whatever it may be, we wish him luck. As for fans of AOKP, don't worry, it's not going anywhere. The ROM and its community is still alive and well, with Roman making it clear that he will not stop contributing to AOKP. In the long run, that could be great, given that he could bring back newly-learned knowledge and apply it to the ROM. Big cheers to Roman from us here at DL and best of luck in Seattle.

Via: @romanbb

Fitbit Force Review

Eric — Fri, 24 Jan 2014 09:00:19 +0000

If CES 2014 was any indication, 2014 is going to be the year of wearable technology. The story of the Fitbit Force extends a little bit earlier than that, but now Fitbit finds itself in the middle of an overly saturated fitness band/wearable technology market. Fitbit might not have the sexy brand of Nike or the respected Android history of Motorola, but the Force is looking to distinguish itself. The question is, with so many other options out there, is the Fitbit Force worth your money? Let's find out.

The Good

Fitbit Tracking

One of the best parts about the Fitbit Force is the portion that doesn't even cost money to use. Once you sign up for a Fitbit account on their website, you have access to a wide array of fitness tracking equipment right from the start. You can track food taken, activities done and loads of other health stats right away, for no cost. And there are a lot of stats that can be tracked: weight, blood pressure, heart rate and even blood glucose level can be logged. Of course all of these stats are kept track of automatically and more easily with the Force added onto your account, but the fact that Fitbit offers all of these free services through their website just for signing up is absolutely great.

Design

While the top part of the band is a little thick for my tastes, the rest of the Fitbit is one good looking device. The soft and flexible plastic that the Force is made of will immediately remind you of any fitness gear that you have seen before. It is comfortable to wear for long periods of time, though. Some users have reported issues with rashes breaking out on the underside of the wrist where the metal piece that keeps the watchbands together touches the skin, but I haven't had this problem. I'm fairly sure that those cases are undiagnosed allergies to something in the Fitbit, nothing that will kill anyone.

Bluetooth Performance (Sort of)

One of the main selling points of the Force over something like the Nike Fuelband is the ability to work with Android devices. Once your phone has Bluetooth 4.0 activated, Fitbit's fitness band can communicate your daily goals to your phone in real time. Long time Android users remember how devastating for a battery it used to be to leave Bluetooth on in the background, but I decided to try it with the Fitbit and I was mostly very pleased. My Moto X and Force did very well with having Bluetooth on at all times during the day, for the most part. Battery drain on the Moto X was almost unchanged and the Force went for long periods without having to be recharged. There was however, a few times where it seemed that the Force and Moto X stopped communicating for some reason or the other. When that happened the Force's battery would be drained within a few hours, and the device would need to be soft-reset before it could be connected to my phone again. I have only had that problem a few times in the month or so that I have had my device, and it seems like something that could easily be patched in a software update.

Goal Tracking and Motivation

One of the best parts of having a fitness tracker like the Force is doing it with friends. Unfortunately for the Fitbit, Nike has scooped up a lot of the fitness people into their network. However, since I have owned the Force, I have found it fairly easy to make friends through the Fitbit website to put myself up against. Granted I don't know these people face to face, but having a list of people who are also working at those goals makes it better. If Fitbit gains a larger foothold in the wearables market, expect to see their network of users grow.

The Not-so-Good

Sleep Tracking

Fitbit tracks a lot of your health statistics, including how you are sleeping. Keeping the Force on your wrist while you sleep allows it to track the times that you were restless and awake during your sleep and uploads it to their site for you to study. It seemed a little tedious to me to have to try and remember when I fell asleep the night before and then to remember to upload it that morning. I really do like the sleep tracking feature, it was tough for me to put it in the "not-so-good" category, but it could use a little bit of work. Edit: Readers chimed in to let me know that a long press on the Force's button activates a sleep mode, but this same button is also used to track active minutes during workouts. I'll have to test this shortcut to sleep mode from here on out, but still confused as to why these two features are on the same long press. Either way, if this works, it certainly could make tracking sleep much easier. Will update the review shortly.

Food Tracking

This is probably the worst implemented feature that Fitbit offers through their services. Fitbit gives you the tools to log food that you eat each day to help keep your health up, but it is very cumbersome to do so. Fitbit's database of food and the calories associated with each food is way too expansive. Finding the right size of Coca Cola that you drank for lunch is a lot harder than you would expect. After a while of trying to keep up with this after every meal, I have come to stop using it all together.

Lack of Notifications

This is something that I really hope that Fitbit works on adding to their Android support down the road. The Force for iOS can give you small notifications from your phone on the LCD screen. This is an iOS exclusive at the moment and there haven't been any rumors as of yet that it will be heading to Android. The screen is too small to read any kind of words from an email or text message on, but if I could get a Gmail or text message icon notification when I receive one on my phone, I would be a happy man.

Gallery

The Verdict

I have really enjoyed the Fitbit Force since I picked one up. After finally seeing that Nike has no intention on working with Android I was a little disappointed that there was not something similar out there that worked for Android. The Force does a lot of what the Fuelband does. It has its upsides, like the overall health tracking, but also downsides, like the lack of people using it. If you are looking to get the best fitness tracker that works with Android right now, the Force is for you. With a few updates here and there, the Force could end up being the best fitness tracker, period. The Fitbit Force retails for $129.95.

Kovdev's Lumos Icon Pack Hits Google Play, Over 1450 Icons Included

Tim — Fri, 24 Jan 2014 08:23:11 +0000

If you caught Wednesday night's Droid Life Show, and last week's Droid Life Show, you might have heard us mention an upcoming icon pack from kovdev, titled Lumos. The pack is now live on Google Play and it's the best way to breathe new life into a device. As long as you are sporting a third party launcher such as Apex, Nova, or Action Launcher that allows the applying of icon packs from Google Play, then you will definitely want to check this one out. Lumos is based around understated subtleties, as there are no super bright or exotic colors. There is a light that shines down from within the icons, which casts a soft shadow on each one, revealing a somewhat 3D effect. We don't know the true elements of the icon pack, so who better to explain it than Dave Kover himself.

The idea behind Lumos is reduced light from a central, off-icon lighting source. The icons have a soft color palette and beautifully curved corners. We've brought back the long shadow, which now offers a bit of dimension, to contrast with the matte appearance of the other elements. These icons are designed to be easy on eyes. The soft tones allow them to blend in with appropriate wallpapers, waiting for you to notice them.

It is now on sale through Google Play for $1.99 and includes over 1450 icons, plus a ton of gorgeous wallpapers. Check it out. Play Link ($1.99)

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Red Nexus 5 Makes Appearance, Coincidentally Arrives at Same Time as Fake Color Leak

Kellen — Fri, 24 Jan 2014 08:11:50 +0000

Thanks to Vietnamese site Vietnamnet, we are getting a look at what could be the third color variant for Google's current flagship, Nexus 5. The site posted an image early this morning of a Nexus 5 with a bright red backing, similar to the color of red we have seen in the official N5 Bumper and Nexus 7 Sleeve. It's very Lumia-esque, and almost a neon red, if you will. According to the outlet, this is only a sample product, but retail availability is expected around February or March. In the report, though not pictured, a yellow variant is also brought up. The yellow is said to be a lot like the bright yellow you will get on a Nokia Lumia device, or I'd argue, with the Nexus 5 Bumper or Nexus 7 Sleeve. Google has given us a clue into its current taste for smartphone colors through its accessories, so look there for a potential preview of things to come. Their source did not have a launch time frame for the yellow variant.

Coincidentally, a purported leak showed up on the interwebs this week that claimed to reveal a version of the Nexus 5's Play store page with up to 8 different color options, 6 of them new. The new colors joining white and black looked to be a wine red, puke yellow, orange, dark green, blue, and purple. A video and set of screenshots accompanied the report, which were almost all certainly fake. You can see evidence of a poor 'shop job throughout along with missing action items on the page as it loads each time the "tipster" clicks around. But more importantly, Google would never choose such terrible looking colors for its devices. As we previously mentioned, Google likes bright neon colors of red, yellow, and blue, paired with whites, greys, and blacks. So, who wants a bright red Nexus 5? Or even a bright yellow?

Via: Vietnamnet | WebTrek

Judge Finds Google Guilty of Infringing SimpleAir Patent, Could Pay up to $125 Million in Damages

Kyle — Thu, 23 Jan 2014 16:49:55 +0000

The courts just can’t cut Google a break. Earlier this week, the federal judge overseeing legal negations between Samsung and Apple ruled that a core feature of Android infringed on an Apple patent, and now a court for the Eastern District of Texas has allowed company SimpleAir to seek up to $125 million in damages from Google for patent infringement. Judge Rodney Gilstrap, a noted supporter of “inventor-owned technology licensing company[ies]” like SimpleAir - firms that don’t produce technology but instead seek fees from infringing businesses and individuals - found that Google’s Cloud Messaging (GCM) and its deprecated predecessor infringe on patent 7,035,914. GCM is a messaging system app developers can use to synchronize messages across multiple devices. It's also commonly used to improve battery life by saving devices from having to check for new messages. It’s disheartening to see companies like SimpleAir relentlessly litigate without penalty, but help could be on the way in the form of Congressional legislation: a promising bill designed to limit abuse of the court system by so-called patent trolls passed the House last December. Hopefully, relief will come sooner rather than later.

Via: Business Wire

Grandpa and the Zombies Available for Android, Priced at Just $0.99

Tim — Thu, 23 Jan 2014 15:29:44 +0000

Oh no, Grandpa has woken up in a hospital that is filled with zombies. What are we to do? Kill 'em all, of course. A new game hit Google Play this week, titled Grandpa and the Zombies. In this title, you play as a grandpa that must escape a hospital by completing puzzles and challenges. Each level in the game is a different puzzle, plus there are a ton of different zombies to get through, all with various abilities. The style of the game is very cartoony, so the developers mention that it is suitable for children as well as adults. You can grab it off of Google Play for just $0.99. Do it.

Features

Satisfying gameplay thanks to three different worlds and a total of 90 levels
Horrible zombies – flee from Halitosis Jack, Bevil and Revil or the Forklift of Death!
A new challenge in every level
The apocalypse has never been this funny: ingenious comic-style for adults and children
The zombie apocalypse! Challenge your friends on Facebook or Twitter

Insert joke here about there being too many zombie games to keep track of. Play Link ($0.99)

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HTC One on AT&T, Sprint, Verizon, and T-Mobile Hits "Certification" Stage for Kit Kat Update

Kellen — Thu, 23 Jan 2014 14:34:22 +0000

According to HTC's roadmap for software updates, the Android 4.4 "Kit Kat" update for the One on Verizon, AT&T, Sprint, and T-Mobile has now reached what they have dubbed the "certification" stage. In other words, we are getting closer to a release now that HTC is giving this initial build a last look before carriers take a crack at it. If you recall, HTC detailed how software updates work through a fancy infographic back in December. The "certification" stage starts out with final internal testing by HTC before they submit each build to individual carriers. Carriers then take their time testing, looking for critical bugs. If bugs are encountered, a new build which incorporates the fixes is then created and re-submitted.

Once all critical bugs are ironed out, regulatory, industry, and Google testing/certification is given, which then leads to a "technical acceptance" for HTC from the carrier. Google then issues a technical acceptance of its own. Finally, the update is prepared for an over-the-air (OTA) release. On a related note, the DROID DNA is also now listed as being at the "certification" level. We're getting closer!

Via: HTC

Qualcomm Buys Palm and Other Mobile Related Patents From HP

Kellen — Thu, 23 Jan 2014 14:25:25 +0000

Qualcomm announced this afternoon that it has acquired a patent portfolio from HP that includes patents from Palm, IPAQ, and Bitfone. As you can imagine, they are indeed mobile-related, with Qualcomm saying that this acquisition "further enhances strength and diversity" of the companies patented mobile technologies. There are approximately 1,400 patents in the portfolio from the U.S. and approximately 1,000 from other countries. Details outside of that are unknown, including how much Qualcomm paid. They did note that this "will enable the company to offer even more value to current and future licensees." Patents, so much fun.

Qualcomm Acquires Palm, IPAQ and Bitfone Patent Portfolio from HP

Acquisition Further Enhances Strength and Diversity of Qualcomm Incorporated’s Patented Mobile Technologies
SAN DIEGO – January 23, 2014 – Qualcomm Incorporated (NASDAQ: QCOM) and HP today announced that Qualcomm Incorporated has acquired a patent portfolio from Hewlett-Packard Company, Hewlett-Packard Development Co LP and Palm Inc. The portfolio, comprising approximately 1,400 granted patents and pending patent applications from the US and approximately 1,000 granted patents and pending patent applications from other countries, covers technologies that include fundamental mobile operating system techniques. The acquisition further enhances the strength and diversity of Qualcomm Incorporated’s industry-leading mobile patent portfolio and will enable the company to offer even more value to current and future licensees. The purchase price was not publicly disclosed.

Via: Qualcomm

Google Issued New Patent for Google Glass Design, But These Ones Look Different

Tim — Thu, 23 Jan 2014 13:56:37 +0000

It appears that a new version of Google Glass just ran through the USPTO, sporting some type of earbud attachment on the arms. On top of that obvious difference over the current version of Glass, the overall look of the device appears to be quite thick, but that could just be the drawing. It drums up the question, could this be what the public release version of Google Glass will look like? Pretty much an unanswerable question at this point, but it is fun to speculate. Another possibility it that Google could release different versions of Glass suited to different use cases. As pointed out by A Quick Bit, this pictured version of Glass might be perfect for the active folks who like to run and listen to music, while also track their run in realtime. On the paperwork, it clearly states "broken lines are environmental only and form no part of the claimed design." So basically, we have the standard Glass headset going through the process, and the broken lines could represent accessories or attachments for the device. Either way, we are getting closer and closer to a public launch of Glass, but at this time, we are still too embarrassed to walk into our local Starbucks to show them off.

Via: A Quick Bit | USPTO

Deal: Grab Carmageddon for Free Off of Google Play

Rithvik — Thu, 23 Jan 2014 13:03:37 +0000

Are you looking for a game to entertain you on this fine Thursday? Carmageddon may be the game to fulfill your desires. The game is mainly based on slamming cars into pedestrians, but still, we enjoy it. Regularly retailing for $1.99 on the Play Store, this app is available for free thanks to an ongoing promotion. The developers are getting ready for the Steam Early Access release, so they thought to discount it for all of us mobile users.

Features

28 dangerously deranged Opponents
11 wildly exhilarating Environments
Career Mode featuring 36 satisfyingly violent Levels
Race and Wreck opponents to unlock 30 playable cars!
Multiple control methods: digital, analogue (mix ‘n’ match), tilt
Edit your control layout in game to your preferences
Comprehensive Action Replay System
Environment maps and other special effects
Enhanced pre-lit environments
Buckets of gibs
Tons of laughs

The deal is available through a special promo application because of Google Play's developer limitations, and it's linked below for those of you who are interested. Play Link

Adobe Express 2.0 Hits Google Play, Brings Streamlined UI and Photo Filter Slider Controls

Tim — Thu, 23 Jan 2014 12:25:20 +0000

An updated version of Photoshop Express hit Google Play this morning, version 2.0, bringing a redone user interface as well as additional features. The app has been rebuilt from ground up and is completely compatible with Android 4.4. It's good to see Adobe still loves Android. Adobe focused on making the app easier to use, placing popular tools and features at the top of menus when editing photos, such as preselected filters, as well as adjustment settings for brightness, cropping, red eye detection, and the popular auto correct feature. Adobe's latest image rendering engine is built into the Android version for the first time, which greatly improves performance of the app and will enable larger files to be handled while editing. All in all, it's a pretty spiffy update to the app. Here is the changelog.

What's New

This version was rebuilt completely from the ground up for Android and is KitKat compatible. We have made every effort to fine-tune the app for Android. As an example, Android users will appreciate accessing and processing images saved on the SD card faster than before.
We’ve focused on making the app easy-to-use by bringing the most popular features to the top. ‘Looks’ (our word for filters), cropping, red eye reduction, and auto-correct are now all easy-to-discover.
Our more savvy users will appreciate the Corrections menu with slider controls to fine-tune exposure, contrast, highlights, shadows, temperature, tint, etc.
Under the hood, this release is powered by Adobe’s latest image rendering engine, coming to Android for the first time. This engine greatly improves performance and enables handling of large file sizes.
It’s still free.

Play Link

Via: Adobe

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T-Mobile Paying Subscribers $25 a Line for Referring Friends to Their Network

Tim — Thu, 23 Jan 2014 11:59:48 +0000

T-Mobile is on a roll lately, paying subscriber's ETFs with UnCarrier 4.0, and with a new move to pay for referrals to their network. For folks who refer their friends to T-Mo through a carrier switch, they can snag $25 per referral - up to $250 a year - to spend at T-Mobile. If you are the type of person who usually recommends things to your friends and family (and they listen), plus you are on T-Mobile, then this is a no brainer. To start referring friends, you can easily sign up on T-Mo's website and start making your money right here.

We'll pay for your friends to enjoy it too. T-Mobile has done away with new two-year service contracts for our customers. And now you can help share that freedom — on the fastest nationwide 4G LTE network — with your friends and family who are with other carriers. We'll cover their early termination fees. When your friends and family switch to T-Mobile from AT&T, Verizon, or Sprint, we'll help cover their early termination fees for up to 5 lines and give them an instant credit for their device trade in. And we have something for you too. For each successful referral you make through our Refer-a-Friend program, we'll give you $25 to use at T-Mobile — up to $250 a year. Tell your friends now so that they can experience wireless the way it should be.

Cheers Mike!

HomeSlice Beta Out on Google Play, a Social Network for You and Your Roomies

Tim — Thu, 23 Jan 2014 11:30:20 +0000

I have never cared all too much for roommates, whether they be good people or not. Sometimes, a serious lack in communication could lead to chores never being done, the house running out of toilet paper, and worst of all, bills not getting paid. HomeSlice, a new app to hit Google Play in beta form, looks to solve these issues. By creating a "social network" that only you and your roomies can join, you can manage all of the tasks that come with renting an apartment or home. There are a few key features - a whiteboard where everyone can post notes and messages, a bills section that allows users to manage who is taking care of what, and a grocery list section where everyone can make sure the house is fully loaded on Pop Tarts and Lucky Charms. Each item in each category is managed by a single swipe of the finger. It's quite intuitive, and since it's easy to use and sign up for, there are no more excuses for why things aren't getting done at the house. It is available for iOS already and in beta for Android, so even if your house is divided onto different mobile OS platforms, you can all still use the app. Go grab it and start taking care of your crib. Play Link

Via: HomeSlice

Motorola Gallery App Updated for Moto X and New DROIDs With New UI, Features

Kellen — Thu, 23 Jan 2014 11:08:47 +0000

Motorola just pushed an update to the Gallery application on its Moto X and new DROID devices (Moto G too). The update includes an entirely new UI to an aging, stock-Android-esque Gallery app that these devices ran out of the box. This new UI includes a swipeable Hamburger (slideout) navigation menu, "larger thumbnails, displayed the way you took them," a Timeline of your pictures, quick access to your camera roll, and albums in a more familiar layout. Again, the update appears to only be for the Moto X, the new DROID family (ULTRA, MAXX, and Mini) and the Moto G. If you have any of those devices, head into Google Play and update right away. Play Link

Cheers Nate, Chris, Ronin, Miguel, Robert, and Asad!

Contest: Win 1 of 4 Nexus 7 (2013) Official Google Play Sleeves

Kellen — Thu, 23 Jan 2014 10:25:04 +0000

Yesterday, we took a belated look at the official Sleeve for the 2013 Nexus 7, since it has temporarily dropped from its steep $30 price tag. In case you missed that review, we actually love the damn thing. It's beautifully designed, uses premium materials, and fits the Nexus 7 like a glove. It also comes in four beautiful colors, all of which we have on-hand to giveaway today. That's right, since we told you not to buy this sleeve back in August when it first became available, it only seems fitting that we hand them out to a few of you for free. This Sleeve, along with a handful of other Nexus accessories, are on sale for a limited time through Google Play at 25% off. You can find the Nexus 7's Folio (which we wouldn't recommend) and Case, along with the Bumper (another we wouldn't recommend) and QuickCover for the Nexus 5. Who wants a Sleeve?

Contest

Prizes: Four (4) Nexus 7 (2013) Sleeves for four winners. How to enter: a Rafflecopter giveaway Winners: Tomorrow morning, 10AM Pacific, we will randomly choose 4 winners.

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Google Calendar Bug Could Lead to Awkward Situations (Updated)

Tim — Thu, 23 Jan 2014 09:57:21 +0000

A new bug is popping up in Google Calendar - one which you will likely never find yourself or it could potentially lead to a few embarrassing moments, depending on what type of calendar events you are creating. Recently, when a Calendar user created an event through the desktop app which was to remind themselves to ask their boss for a pay raise, they placed their boss' email address in the subject line. Without prompting the user, the Calendar app went ahead and placed the event on their boss' calendar as well, which more than likely led to an awkward moment for the employer and employee. Kellen and I have recreated the bug through our accounts, confirming that it does exist. Although, it doesn't appear that the bug affects Google Apps users; only standard Gmail and Google account users. In addition, it appears that when creating an event through your mobile device, it doesn't show up. Only though the desktop app. While this isn't a game stopping bug or anything like that, Google has been attempting to make their apps smarter with these auto-filling and auto-inviting options. For now, users should be made aware of this issue and should just go ahead and write in the person's name and not their email address in the subject line. You haven't experienced this yet, have you? Update: The events we created are now appearing in our Google Apps accounts, so it appears the "bug" is widespread and not just for regular Google accounts.

Via: The Verge | Terence Eden

OnePlus Teases CyanogenMod Superphone, LTE Compatible and Coming Q2 of This Year

Kyle — Thu, 23 Jan 2014 08:50:31 +0000

Spec enthusiasts with an affinity for CyanogenMod, prepare to be wowed: OnePlus teased on its Facebook page today that its first smartphone will be built “using only the best components and 2014 flagship specs, both inside and outside.” The startup, which was founded last year by a former Oppo executive, promises to deliver a device that is “more attractive than just about any phone on the market.” I wasn’t kidding when I said prepare to be wowed, because OnePlus volunteered precious little in terms of specifics. That being said, the company was willing to reveal that the upcoming smartphone will be compatible with a swath of LTE bands - 1/3/4/7/17/38/39/40/41, to be exact – and should debut around Q2 of this year. No word on domestic carrier compatibility, but considering T-Mobile runs LTE band 4 and AT&T band 4 and 17, those providers are the best bet. Still interested in a CyanogenMod phone after seeing the Oppo N1 (our hands-on)?

Via: OnePlus Facebook

Report: LG G Pro 2 With 3GB RAM and 6-inch Display Coming to MWC

Kellen — Thu, 23 Jan 2014 08:30:19 +0000

According to Korean media, LG will introduce the G Pro 2 next month at Mobile World Congress (MWC) in Barcelona. As you may recall, they introduced the original G Pro ("Optimus" G Pro) in February of last year, so if we're talking yearly cycles of phones, the time frame certainly matches up. Last year's G Pro sort of skated under the radar, even though it featured a 5.5-inch 1080p display and was mostly a beast in terms of specs. Then again, LG has almost always tried to pack in top-of-the-line specs, yet has struggled to grab much of the Android market share. So this new G Pro 2 is expected to carry a 6-inch 1080p display, be powered by a Snapdragon 800 processor, with 3GB RAM, and run Android 4.4 "Kit Kat." All of those specs seem like solid improvements over last year's model. Can LG do something specific with the phone to turn it into a star like the Galaxy Note series? That, my friends, is the question that all OEMs outside of Samsung would love to have an answer for. Phones keep getting bigger - are you still interested in oversized devices? Or, how about overly, ridiculously-sized, devices? Note - Image is of the original G Pro.

Via: ETnews

The Droid Life Show: Episode 47

Tim — Thu, 23 Jan 2014 00:15:19 +0000

It's Wednesday, which means it is time for another Droid Life Show! Tonight's show will feature the full crew, chatting about topics ranging from the launch of Beats Music, new natural backs for the Moto X (finally, Tato has wood), and which OEM's 2014 flagship we are looking forward to the most. Well, we think we already know what Ron's answer will be, but he may surprise us tonight. On top of that, we will bring you our latest recommendations for apps and games, plus we might have time for a listener Q&A session. That would be fun, right? The show kicks off at 6pm PST, 9pm EST. There is a livestream embedded below, which will automatically begin playing once the event starts. Until then, hang out in the Droid Life IRC channel and chat with us until showtime.

Subscribe | iTunes | Show Page

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Third-Party Accessories Stop Working with Galaxy Note 3 After KitKat Update, Fixable with Root Access (Updated with Comment from Samsung)

Kyle — Wed, 22 Jan 2014 18:05:19 +0000

Samsung’s blockbuster sales of Galaxy devices may invite comparisons to Apple, but the similarities between the two companies end there. That is, until the Korean electronics behemoth revised its policy on third-party accessories. Taking a page from Apple’s playbook, only accessories certified by Samsung – i.e., those made by companies willing to license Samsung’s identification chip – will be compatible with devices going forward, starting with the Galaxy Note 3. Some Note users who updated to Android 4.4 KitKat found that out the hard way when the S-View function their third-party cases stopped working. There is a way around the restriction, but it requires root access. A few handy developers have come up with a few Xposed Framwork mod tweaks that allow “unofficial” accessories to function as they did before the update. Methods like these always carry a certain amount of risk, though, so should you wish to try it, precede with caution. While Samsung’s new policy is certain to increase the company's revenue, I can’t help but feel it will alienate the large contingent of users who've invested in unapproved accessories. As the new policy is likely to stay, I can only hope the company does a better job informing customers of such big changes in the future. Update: To be clear, the Galaxy Note 3 update only affects S-View cases like those sold by Spigen. However, that's not to say Samsung won't block more accessories in the future. Update 2: Both Samsung and accessory maker Spigen have commented on the issue. Attached are their respective responses. Samsung:

To ensure a pleasant and smooth user experience with Samsung products for our customers, we recommend that only original accessories from Samsung be used. Of course, customers can continue to rely on third-party accessories. The full functionality of our devices and accessories, however, can only be ensured with genuine Samsung components, since only in this way it is ensured that equipment and accessories are perfectly matched. A correlation between the Android version 4.4 and the supposed incompatibility of third-party accessories does not exist.

Spigen:

In regards to Android KitKat, Spigen will continue to support Galaxy devices and their smart functions. We’re currently looking into the issue and will have a more detailed plan of action by next week.

Via: SamMobile

Video: Nexus 7 (2013) Official Sleeve Review, an Accessory Google Got Right

Kellen — Wed, 22 Jan 2014 15:50:39 +0000

As much as I like the look and feel of most Google Play accessories for Nexus devices, many have been disappointments, especially at their price points. The Nexus 5 Bumper was close to being perfect, but the sticky button situation killed any hope it once had. The Nexus 7 Folio was similarly good in theory, yet couldn't deliver on fit and finish. So with the current 25% off Nexus accessory sale through Google Play running for a limited time, we were trying to decide if any of the cases should really be considered by you. I think we found the one. Maybe. We went ahead and picked up the official Nexus 7 sleeve after being critical of its price back at launch, since it now runs $22.49 through this sale instead of the fully bloated $29.99. After holding it for all of 2 minutes and then sliding the Nexus 7 inside, I could tell right away that this was a case worth checking out, assuming you are interested in a sleeve. It feels incredible in terms of quality, fits as good around the Nexus 7 as any case I've ever used, sports "Nexus" logos in numerous places, and comes in four fabulous colors. As you can tell from the pictures, we went with Bright Red, though the grey, neon yellow, and black look spectacular as well. The case seems to be perfect for the traveler or someone that needs ultimate padding and style for their case. The single downfall lies in the fact that it's a sleeve and forces you to pull your Nexus 7 out all the way should you need to use it, but again, that's how sleeves roll. Check out the video below to hear more thoughts. (Plus a tease of a contest.)

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Beats Music Experiencing Issues, Closes Service to New Subscribers for Time Being

Tim — Wed, 22 Jan 2014 15:33:45 +0000

Emails are being sent out to users of Beats Music, as the service has apparently run into a few issues since launching yesterday. According to Beats, the demand and use of the service has become too much to handle, and for the time being, the service has suspended new subscriptions until the issues are resolved. While having hiccups due to the overwhelming number of folks shouldn't come as too much of a surprise, we are happy to report that they are giving out another 7 days of free service to those who are currently enrolled. Good on you, Beats Music. Here is the email being sent out to those who are registered with the service.

Huge thanks to everyone for making our launch day yesterday so successful. We've been blown away by the love that made us the #1 Music App in the iTunes Store. Due to the extremely high volume of interest in our service some users are experiencing issues. Most people are unaffected but our priority is to give everyone a great experience. We prepared for issues like these, have a plan, and are going to hold off on letting more people in while we put this plan in action. For those of you that claimed your name in the lead up to launch, we still have your username reserved and we'll be in touch with your invite. We appreciate your support. Everyone who registers this week will get an additional seven days added to their trial. We're staying focused on bringing you the best music experience from the people who know what song comes next. Stay tuned, and thanks for being excited about Beats Music. Ian Rogers CEO

Google Opens Fiber Registration to Provo Residents Living Along Previous iProvo Network

Tim — Wed, 22 Jan 2014 15:07:22 +0000

The Google Fiber team has been quiet since November of last year, when installations were first taking place in Provo, Utah for a select number of residents. Well, Google has now opened up registration for the new service to residents who live along the old iProvo network that Google bought early last year. To get hooked up, residents must pay a $30 construction fee, then there are three tiers of service to choose from. Tier one is completely free for at least seven years, providing standard Internet access with speeds up of 5Mbps down and 1Mbps up. The second tier is your popular Google Fiber 1Gbps down and 1Gbps up for $70 a month. The final tier, which also includes Google's TV service with hundreds of HD channels, ability to record up to 8 shows at once, and a 2TB storage box to store your shows will run you $120 a month. Google is rolling out installations across the first half of this year. Here are the timeframes for each Fiberhood in Provo.

North Park – Thursday, February 20.
Downtown Provo – Thursday, March 6.
Pioneer/West Provo – Thursday, March 27.
Grandview – Spring 2014.
North Provo – Summer 2014.
Southeast Provo – Summer 2014.
Foothills – Summer 2014.

Google is going all in with Provo, setting up demo stations in malls and upping marketing efforts across the area. It must be exciting to be a Provo resident. We are all very jealous.

Via: The Next Web

Judge Deals Samsung Legal Blows, Invalidates Patent and Rules Auto-Complete Infringes on Apple's Tech

Kyle — Wed, 22 Jan 2014 13:53:49 +0000

Samsung’s litigious battle with Apple over device patents hasn’t gone well for the Korea-based company. On Tuesday, Judge Lucy Koh invalidated Samsung’s multimedia sync patent, intellectual property that the company intended to use as leverage against Apple during an upcoming trial in March. Perhaps more damaging to Samsung's case, Judge Koh ruled that some of the company's Android devices infringe on Apple’s auto-complete technology, a mechanism that suggests words based on syntax. The decisions come hot on the heels of the Samsung's appellate court loss last December, which permitted Apple to argue a second time for a sales ban on over 20 different Samsung devices and tablets. Samsung needs to convince the court that Apple’s auto-complete patent is invalid if it has any hope of countering the judgement. That may be a long shot, but considering the general hostility towards Samsung's use of fair, resonable, and non-discriminatory (FRAND) patents, the company doesn’t have many other options.

Via: Re/Code

Deus Ex: The Fall Hits Google Play, an Award-winning Premium-priced Shooter

Tim — Wed, 22 Jan 2014 13:12:29 +0000

A big title landed on Google Play today, Deus Ex: The Fall, winner of seven awards during E3 2013. The game has been available on iOS for quite a bit, but don't worry, it has finally arrived for Android, priced at only $6.99. Deus Ex is a full story-driven shooter title, one of a new series which will be released periodically for mobile devices. In the game's description, it states that every choice the gamer makes has a consequence, and that there are various ways to play the game. The graphics look pretty good, making the game weigh in at 750+MB for downloading. Make sure you are on a WiFi connection before downloading.

Deus Ex: The Fall is the start of a new journey in the award winning Deus Ex game series. Set in 2027– the golden era for science, technology and human augmentation. Ben Saxon an augmented former British SAS Mercenary, is desperate for the truth behind a global conspiracy threatening his life.

The game does sound quite appealing, so go check it out and let us know what you think. Play Link ($6.99)

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Grab a Zagg Natural Wood Case for the Galaxy S4, Only $19.99

Tim — Wed, 22 Jan 2014 12:38:56 +0000

Who needs a fancy Moto X with a wood finish when you can easily grab a nice wood case for any number of devices, specifically the Galaxy S4. Zagg, a major player in the device accessory game, is selling natural backs for the Galaxy S4, priced at an incredible $19.99, down from their usual price of $49.99. There are five different options to choose from, ranging in colors and different woods from around world. Not only is the price dropped, but shipping is also free for most buyers in the U.S. Can't beat a deal like that, especially if you have been wanting a wood flair added to your Galaxy S4. No more being jealous of the Moto X club. Grab the deal right here.

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Cheers Gerald!

Boulder Dash 30th Anniversary Coming to Android, Launch Set for Early 2014

Tim — Wed, 22 Jan 2014 11:28:06 +0000

The original creators of Boulder Dash announced a newly-formed game company, and the future launch of Boulder Dash 30th Anniversary, making its way to Android and iOS in the near future. The game will have 50 new levels, never-before-seen worlds, unseen creatures, and plenty of new gem combos. It's basically a whole new game, which is something you would expect after 30 years. The game will feature IAPs, which include additional cave packs that contain new worlds, more creatures, and other features. And for the first time since 1986, there is a fully functional cave editor. Oh, fancy. The game is set for launch in early 2014, but we have no specific date. Once we know, we will forward along the info.

Features

50+ all-new levels (many designed by Liepa and Gray) and more advanced physics
Never-before-seen worlds and new creatures with 3D elements and animations
New multicolored gem combos, powerups, collectibles and Dash Mode
Cave packs featuring new worlds, additional creatures and features available as In-App-Purchases
Cave editor included for the first time since 1986
Both male and female characters: Rockford™ and Crystal™
First Boulder Dash game ever to include diagonal walls and movement

Screenshots

Via: TapStar Games

Todoist Task List App Re-envisioned, Brings Collaboration Mode and New UI

Tim — Wed, 22 Jan 2014 10:05:05 +0000

One of the most widely used to-do list / task list apps on Google Play, Todoist, got a major update this week, receiving a complete "re-envisioning" from its developers. Not only is the look different across the board, they have introduced a collaboration mode, which will allow you and friends to work on the same list of tasks or projects. While viewing your lists, you can send a simple invite to friends that also have the app installed, which is easy since the app is across 13 different platforms and devices. The collaboration mode is all real-time, much like users see on Google Drive. If you were looking for a replacement, this service would be a good choice. As with any re-envisioning, you can also expect a new user interface, one that now features "visual scheduling." Yup, this is a fancy update. Go grab it from the Google Play link below.

What's New

Todoist has been totally re-envisioned!
Invite anyone to collaborate with you on tasks and projects
Enjoy a sleek, streamlined design across 13 platforms and devices
Plan your days easily with visual scheduling

Play Link

Verizon Releases Transparency Report - Received 320,000 Law Enforcement Requests, Won't Talk NSA Specifics

Kellen — Wed, 22 Jan 2014 09:41:40 +0000

Not that this info greatly impacts most of us, but I found Verizon's 2013 Transparency Report to be somewhat fascinating. In the report, released this morning, Verizon claims that they received over 320,000 law enforcement requests from federal, state or local authorities during the course of last year. According to their numbers, that was an increase as compared to 2012. Also, Verizon made sure to point out that they "do not release customer information unless authorized by law." Of the 320,000+ requests, 1,496 were wiretap orders, approximately 50,000 were emergency requests from law enforcement, 36,000 warrants, over 6,300 were trap & trace orders, and the majority (at over 164,000) were subpoenas. The "vast majority" of these were consumer related, with only a few regarding their enterprise customers. Maybe it's just me, but those numbers seem incredibly large. Then again, they do have almost 100 million postpaid subscribers. Here is the breakdown:

On an NSA note, Verizon can only say that they received between 1,000 and 2,000 National Security Letters because the NSA will only allow them to "provide a broad range." If you'd like to read further into each type of request, hit up the source link below.

Via: Verizon

AT&T Launches Several New 4G LTE Markets, 11 States Affected

Tim — Wed, 22 Jan 2014 09:00:00 +0000

AT&T launched a big list of new 4G LTE markets this morning, opening up about 20 new markets across the US, including Puerto Rico. San Bernardino County in So-Cal has a few new markets to show off, while Michigan also got a hearty serving of improved mobile data speeds. AT&T is now right on Verizon's heels in terms of the number of LTE markets available, and with all of the talks now surrounding LTE-Advanced, 2014 and 2015 should be a couple of great years for data speed. The full list of new markets can be found below.

New Markets

El Centro and Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, Calif.
Jasper, Ind.
Cedar Rapids, Iowa
Danville, Richmond and Somerset, Ky.
Cadillac and Niles-Benton Harbor, Mich.
Tunica, Miss.
East Liverpool, Ohio
Erie and New Castle. Pa.
Aguadilla-Isabela-San Sebastian, Fajardo and Ponce, Puerto Rico
Barre and Burlington, Vt.
Wheeling, W.Va.
La Crosse, Wis.

Via: AT&T

Motorola CEO Hints at $50 Smartphone, Customizing Items Like Display Size in High-end Devices

Kellen — Wed, 22 Jan 2014 08:28:03 +0000

Outside of being a huge Droid Life fan, Motorola CEO Dennis Woodside is also good for a headline-grabbing quote or two when it comes to future products from his company. In an interview with Trusted Reviews, Woodside said that he thinks there is a price point well below the Moto G at $179 that can be reached. He also mentioned that when it comes to customization, options for screen size and additional functionality will arrive in the "next year or so." Let's tackle this new lower cost bit first, since the Moto G seems to be the hot topic of the moment these days. Woodside said that even at $179, the Moto G is still a "lot of money" in much of the world, so they are going to push for an even lower cost phone, potentially at around $50. Think about that for a second - a smartphone at $50 without a contract. And if this newly assembled Motorola is behind it, after seeing some of the magic they worked with the Moto G, I'd imagine it will be worth a look. We don't know what they would have to cut out from the phone to make it that affordable, but I'd imagine it won't end up on your list of must-haves. But then again, you (the U.S. consumer) probably aren't exactly their target. We're talking again about emerging markets where $179 or even $99 is a steep price. Still, this could be incredible if done. Here is the quote:

“In much of the world $179 is a lot of money so there’s a big market at a price point of less than $179." “We’re going to look at that and just delivering on that value promise is super important. I mean why can’t these devices be $50? There’s no reason that can’t happen so we’re going to push that.”

Maybe more importantly during his interview, at least in our opinion, was Woodside's mention of new customization options coming to high-end or "premium" devices. We know that with MotoMaker and the Moto X, you can customize everything from the color of the phone to it having a wood back to the internal storage. What if you could do more, though? What if you could upgrade the RAM or the camera or the display? According to Woodside, things like screen size will soon be customizable, maybe within the next year.

“On the more premium side we’re pushing more customisation. Today you have colours and beginning of materials but you don’t have screen size and you don’t have functionality and we’re going to bring all that in in the next year or so.”

We talked a lot before the arrival of the Moto X that you would be able to customize the device. Some speculated that screen size would be a part of the equation, but even though we didn't get that option out of the gate, it appears to have been a thought in Motorola's mind as well. Moto X (2014) with options for display size or resolution? Sign me up.

Via: Trusted Reviews

Moto X Griffin Car Dock Apparently Back in Stock After Months of Depleted Inventory

Kellen — Wed, 22 Jan 2014 07:48:37 +0000

Does anyone remember the Griffin Car Dock for the Moto X that we took a look at way back in September? According to a couple of our readers, that dock is finally back in stock after having been out of stock essentially since then. So if you have been waiting patiently for its glorious return, now is your time. Both Motorola and Griffin stores have it available for $39.95 as of this morning. When we opened one up, docked a Moto X, and gave you our thoughts, we said that it certainly felt like it could be a lovely little dock. The materials were high quality, the adjustable swivel head was a nice addition, and the grip on your device while docked felt as if it could hold up. It was a little awkward to get the device in and out of the dock at times, but that's something you could probably work around or get used to. For those of you who picked up the dock months ago, how has it held up? Links: Motorola Shop | Griffin Store

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Cheers Jeralmac, Greg, and BaldyPal!

T-Mobile Expands Into Banking With Mobile Money Checking Service

Kyle — Tue, 21 Jan 2014 22:19:43 +0000

T-Mobile wants to save your money. Yes, you read that right. Today, the wireless “un-carrier” unveiled a checking account service available to all T-Mobile customers called Mobile Money. The company is billing the program as a fee-free alternative to traditional banking. Mobile Money functions kind of like online-only banks Simple and Ally. It has an app for iOS and Android through which to to deposit checks and manage funds, and comes with a prepaid Visa card for brick-and-mortar transactions (a debit card is in the works). The checking account does come with conveniences few can match, however, like the ability to deposit money at T-Mobile stores, transfer money to a T-Mobile customer using their phone number, and withdraw cash from a network of 42,000 AllPoint ATMs nationwide. Considering many of T-Mobile’s Uncarrier initiatives have centered around saving money, it should come as little surprise that the carrier wants to remove a degree of separation and help manage your dollars directly. That's something other carriers have tried without much success, but perhaps Mobile Money's simplicity, low cost of entry, and user-friendliness will help the service appeal to a wide range of consumers.

T-Mobile Frees Consumers From Outrageous Check Cashing Fees With Innovative New Smartphone Solution

Un-carrier brings its revolution to personal finance with Mobile Money by T-Mobile
BELLEVUE, Wash. — Jan. 22, 2014 — Not content with upending just one industry, T-Mobile US, Inc. (NYSE: TMUS) today announced the company is extending its Un-carrier consumer movement to personal finance – transforming smartphones into personal money managers that can free people from excessive fees they often pay to use their own money. The company calls this next phase of its consumer revolution Mobile Money by T-Mobile®. “We’ve already transformed how Americans use and pay for phones, tablets and wireless service; why stop there?” said John Legere, president and chief executive officer of T-Mobile. “Millions of Americans pay outrageous fees to check cashers, payday lenders and other predatory businesses – just for the right to use their own money. Mobile Money shifts the balance of power for T-Mobile customers and keeps more money in their pockets.” ATM, overdraft and monthly maintenance fees all hit record highs last year, according to Bankrate’s 2013 Checking Survey. Mobile Money helps counter that trend with the combination of a simple, smartphone money management application designed for use with a re-loadable T-Mobile Visa® Prepaid Card that offers many reduced fee or $0 cost services for registered T-Mobile wireless customers. With Mobile Money, registered T-Mobile wireless customers pay $0 for things they do every day. No charge for activation, monthly maintenance, in-network ATM withdrawals, or for replacing lost or stolen cards. No minimum balances required. No more worrying about overdraft fees. And no unnecessary trips to the bank or a check casher[i]. At the same time, Mobile Money lets customers do most everything they would otherwise do with traditional checking accounts, including direct depositing paychecks, depositing checks from capable smartphone cameras, making retail purchases, paying bills and withdrawing cash from more than 42,000 in-network ATMs nationwide with no ATM fees[ii]. Mobile Money can also be a powerful tool for families seeking a better way to budget or to provide money to kids away at college. Consumers get all of this plus the ease of managing money any time and from virtually anywhere. T-Mobile isn't new to the personal finance arena. With its ground-breaking approach to separating the costs of wireless services and devices, T-Mobile gives customers the option of financing smartphone purchase. To date, T-Mobile has facilitated billions of dollars in loans for customer phones, all without charging a penny in interest. Mobile Money builds on T-Mobile’s financing experience to provide a sensible and affordable alternative to checking fees for the roughly 68 million U.S. adults who do not have traditional accounts and have to rely on alternative financial services[iii]. “It’s ridiculous that families, especially those who can least afford it, have to pay so much for basic check cashing services that many of us take for granted,” said Mike Sievert, chief marketing officer for T-Mobile. “Mobile Money levels the playing field to put money back in consumers’ pockets for important things – like bills, groceries or vacations. The typical household using a check casher to cash their paychecks could save about $1,500 per year, and customers tired of getting hit with overdraft fees can switch and save an average of $225 a year[iv].” Starting today, individuals can register for their personalized T-Mobile Visa Prepaid Card at https://t-mobilemoneyservices.com/. Cards will also be available in participating T-Mobile retail locations and beginning in February will be available in Safeway stores in the United States. For more information, please visit: http://www.t-mobile.com/landing/moneyservices.html. The card is issued by The Bancorp Bank, a wholly owned subsidiary of The Bancorp, Inc. (Nasdaq: TBBK), pursuant to a license from Visa U.S.A. Inc and may be used everywhere Visa debit cards are accepted. The Bancorp Bank; Member FDIC. Distributed and serviced by Blackhawk Network California, Inc. About T-Mobile US, Inc.: As America's Un-carrier, T-Mobile US, Inc. (NYSE: "TMUS") is redefining the way consumers and businesses buy wireless services through leading product and service innovation. The company's advanced nationwide 4G and expanding 4G LTE network delivers outstanding wireless experiences for customers who are unwilling to compromise on quality and value. Based in Bellevue, Wash., T-Mobile US provides services through its subsidiaries and operates its flagship brands, T-Mobile and MetroPCS. It currently serves approximately 46.7 million wireless subscribers and provides products and services through 70,000 points of distribution. For more information, please visithttp://www.t-mobile.com.

Dropbox Updated Through Google Play, Fixes Camera Upload Issue on Android 4.4.2

Tim — Tue, 21 Jan 2014 15:48:21 +0000

A new update is available for Dropbox users on Android, mostly concerning users on Android 4.4.2. The newest version of Android introduced an issue with the camera upload feature through Dropbox, but it appears the development team has been able to squash the bug with this latest update. In addition, a new setting to allow only camera photos to be uploaded to your account is now present, so you won't have to worry about other items from your Gallery app being auto uploaded. You can grab the latest Dropbox update right through Google Play by following the link below. Play Link

Verizon to Exclusively Carry Rose Gold Galaxy Note 3

Kellen — Tue, 21 Jan 2014 14:58:47 +0000

This afternoon, Samsung announced that Verizon will exclusively carry a rose gold variant of the Galaxy Note 3 here in the U.S. Unfortunately for interested parties, Verizon hasn't mentioned the device, so we know nothing of price or availability. All we got from Samsung was a brief mention through their press site along with a set of images that even show rose gold accenting the S Pen for the device. The rose gold Note 3 isn't exactly new - Samsung announced this colorway for Korea at the beginning of the month. Late arriving color schemes can be pretty hit or miss when it comes to availability here stateside, though, so we initially weren't sure if it would show up on one of our carriers or not. I guess now we know. Again, we know nothing of pricing or availability, but the device will be identical to the current Note 3 sold through Verizon, only this variant has rose gold accents all over it. You are still looking at Android 4.3, a 5.7-inch full HD display, 3200mAh battery, and an 8.3mm thin body.

And here is that gallery of images:

Via: Samsung

Verizon Introduces International Messaging Rates to Add to Your Existing Lines

Eric — Tue, 21 Jan 2014 14:42:25 +0000

For some of us, calling and messaging rarely goes past state lines, let alone international lines. For others, close family and friends aren't really all that close. Verizon is looking to make keeping up with those friends and family a lot easier and cheaper with today's announcement of its new World Messaging Unlimited plan. These new international messaging benefits can be added to your existing Verizon line for only $5 extra each month. The extra $5 gets you access to unlimited messaging to "most" countries around the world, while giving you a calling discount to some of the United States' closer countries. For calls to Canada and Mexico, it will only run you $0.01 per minute and for many countries in Central, South America, and the Caribbean calls will only be $0.05 per minute. If international calling makes up a lot of your monthly bill, be sure to check this out.

Via: Verizon

TurboTax SnapTax for Android Easily Lets You File Your 1040EZ

Eric — Tue, 21 Jan 2014 13:10:47 +0000

Yes, I know it is only January, but it's time to start getting your taxes in order. Maybe if they weren't such a hassle, we wouldn't dread doing them every year? TurboTax is looking to change that this year with their new SnapTax app for Android devices. If you have a 1040EZ form to fill out this year, you can do it right from your tablet or phone. TurboTax is owned by Intuit, the same company that runs the very well-known finance app Mint. They are taking that knowledge of money and Android apps into their new SnapTax app that lets you file a 1040EZ in just minutes. All you have to do is fill out the form on paper and then snap a picture of it. SnapTax promises to do the rest. If you are filing the 1040 for federal there is no cost, but state filings will cost you $14.99. Intuit promises that all data coming and going through this application is encrypted so you don't need to worry about security. If you are looking for a way to make your taxes go a bit quicker this year, hit the link below for the download. Play Link

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Moto X New Wood "Finishes" Now Available in Walnut, Teak, and Ebony

Kellen — Tue, 21 Jan 2014 12:35:06 +0000

Ready for a Walnut, Ebony, or Teak finish on your Moto X? After months of waiting, all are finally available through Motorola's MotoMaker for an additional $25. The process to add them to your phone is identical to all other MotoMaker customizations, you just need to pay a bit of a premium to have Moto attach a back made with real wood and then finished to look like your wood of choice. Again, the finishes that are available are Walnut, Ebony, and Teak, with Rosewood not making the cut from the phone's original unveiling. And yes, these are real wood backs that are then finished to look like specific types of woods, according to Motorola. Who wants one? MotoMaker Link

Motorola Migrate Update Adds iCloud Support

Kellen — Tue, 21 Jan 2014 12:07:16 +0000

Prepare your iOS devices for migration to Android, dear iPhone users. Motorola added iCloud support to its Migrate app this afternoon to help you bring over contacts and calendar events as you join the Android army. For those new to Migrate, the app is only available to the Moto X, Moto G, DROID MAXX, ULTRA, and Mini. Once installed, it will walk you through the process of transferring your important info from old phone to new phone. With thew new update, you'll have to choose initially whether you transferring from an iPhone or an Android device. They also fixed bugs in the update. Play Link

Google Play Hosting 25% Off Deal on Select Nexus 5 and Nexus 7 Accessories

Tim — Tue, 21 Jan 2014 11:48:18 +0000

For a limited time only, Google Play is hosting a 25% off deal on select Nexus 5 and Nexus 7 accessories. It's not the longest list, but if you were looking to score a Nexus 5 bumper case or a Nexus 7 folio case, now is the time to do it. The deal looks to be limited to cases and sleeves, so don't get your hopes up for 25% off on a wireless charger or anything like that. Just follow the link below and start grabbing the deals. Grab your 25% off deals right here.

Galaxy S4 S-View Flip Cover With Wireless Charging Now Available for $55

Kellen — Tue, 21 Jan 2014 11:06:08 +0000

The Samsung Galaxy S4 is joining in the S-View Flip Cover with wireless charging party this week, only a month or so after the Galaxy Note 3 received the Qi-compatible accessory. This is your standard S-View Flip Cover, but Samsung went ahead and turned the attached backplate into a wireless charging plate that up until now, as eluded the S-View race. In other words, this product is no different than the S-View Flip Cover you might already own, other than the fact that when attached and set atop a wireless charger, it will wirelessly charge your device. We took a look at the Note 3's cover yesterday in a quick hands-on clip. Overall, I'd say that the Note 3's cover is quite polished and high-quality, but it also comes at a steep $70 price. With the Galaxy S4 cover, it doesn't exactly appear to be anything extraordinary in the style or quality department, and runs $55 right now through Amazon. The cover comes in both black and white. Amazon Link

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Via: Android Police

Video: AT&T Takes Us on a Walk-around of the LG G Flex

Tim — Tue, 21 Jan 2014 10:50:27 +0000

With preorders for the LG G Flex on AT&T starting up this Friday, January 24, the carrier is pumping up awareness on YouTube, posting a walk-around of the unique device for all to see. The G Flex, when compared to other smartphones, is quite the attention grabber, sporting a 6" HD Curved P-OLED display, while also housing top tier internal specs. While specs are great, LG has also been building up on its proprietary software additions, much like Samsung has been doing. With the G Flex, users will have access to Slide Aside, Dual Window, and a more customizable homescreen that can be altered in the Settings menu of the device. Beyond the software, LG also introduced the "self healing" back on the G Flex, which helps scratches and scuffs return to normal along the backside of the device. After seeing a few reviews of the self healing technology, it's actually not as gimmicky as one would first expect. Pre-orders begin at $299.99 this Friday. Is anyone leaning towards picking this up?

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100 According to Google is a Neat Way to Look Back on 2013 Through Trending Topics

Tim — Tue, 21 Jan 2014 09:52:07 +0000

One of our readers was browsing Google Play recently, hoping to find an updated version of the Google Zeitgeist application for 2013. Instead, he stumbled upon 100 According to Google, which is essentially the same thing as the Zeitgeist app, since it gathers the most trending topics from the year of 2013 and then puts it in an easily enjoyable/digestible form. The overall feel of the app is quite nice, as the landing page itself reminds us of the Android 4.4 easter egg look. It's essentially a massive collage of pictures of celebs, artists, and events that lead you to their respective topics. When you select a topic, the UI spiderwebs out to show related topics. When you select one topic, you simply scroll down the page and view each of the major subjects that took place in 2013. For example, in technology that year, Samsung launched the Galaxy S4, which was the fastest selling smartphone Samsung ever produced, selling 20 million units within just two months. It also covers sports, music, movies, and all of the other major trends from the year. If you like reminiscing, then this app is for you, at least until Google updates its own Zeitgeist app. Play Link

Cheers Joseph!

Verizon Acquires Intel's TV Division, Could Make FiOS Available Everywhere

Kyle — Tue, 21 Jan 2014 09:00:55 +0000

It looks like the cable TV market was harder to crack than Intel thought: Verizon finalized the acquisition today of Intel Media, the chipmaker’s research group dedicated to the development of internet-based “Cloud TV”. In a press release, Verizon CEO Lowell McAdam said the company intends to use the division’s intellectual property, products, and employees to improve its FiOS TV service. Under development for several years, Intel’s project, tentatively named OnCue, aimed to simplify the IPTV viewing experience. Features like easy search and the apps, along with the integration of live programming and on-demand content, were the highlight of the company’s set top box, which was announced in February of last year and rumored to have been tested in the homes of Intel employees. Intel’s inability to secure content ultimately killed the project. Despite offering to pay significantly more than cable competitors for programming, the company failed to land a single deal. Verizon hopes to fare better; by relying on content deals the company has in place, Verizon could conceivably expand its TV offerings to new markets via the internet. That vision may take time to fully realize, but the acquisition definitely signals a challenge to cable incumbents like Comcast and Time Warner.

Via: Intel

Video: Beats Music First Look and Overview

Kellen — Tue, 21 Jan 2014 08:21:42 +0000

With Beats Music now live and available with a 7-day free trial for Android users, we decided to take it for a spin to see how it stacks up to Google Play Music, our current favorite streaming music service. It would take something special to pry us away from Google's music service, but we are willing to give anything a fair shot. And since Beats Music has worked with special curators to bring you custom made playlists for any moment in life (the "Backseat Love" playlist is already a favorite), plus has the backing of music industry mega-powers, how can we not give it some serious thought? When first booted, the Beats Music app asks that you login and then choose favorite artists and genres. Once those three steps are complete, you are taken into the app where you'll find one of the most polished first app offerings I've seen in some time. The app may have somewhat of an iOS feel to it, but it's not difficult to use or navigate in my opinion. You'll find sections titled "Just for you," "The sentence," "Highlights," and "Find it," all of which offer a different music experience. Some sections present music that Beats thinks you'll like based on your musical tastes, while others bring you new music depending on your mood. You can create playlists, follow artist pages, follow curator pages (like Pitchfork), download music for offline listening, favorite tracks, create a library, and more. As mentioned in our post earlier, the 7-day free trial does not require a credit card, so anyone (in the U.S.) can try the service without worry. No auto-renew scam to be found here.

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Verizon Q4 Earnings Released - 46% of Postpaid Accounts Now on Share Everything, 1.6 Million New Connections

Kellen — Tue, 21 Jan 2014 07:59:45 +0000

Verizon released its Q4 2013 financials this morning, reporting $21.1 billion in revenue on the Wireless side of the business, bringing their total for the year up to $81 billion. Big Red saw 8 percent year-over-year growth in the quarter, which gives them five straight quarters of at least 8 percent growth. In other words, it was another solid quarter for the 4G LTE network leader in the U.S. wireless game. Outside of the financial stuff, I found a couple of other bullet points interesting, to say the least. Verizon reported that they brought in 1.6 million retail postpaid connections during the quarter, which brings their total for the year up to 4.1 million. You may recall T-Mobile at CES claiming that they hit 1.6 million in Q4 as well, bringing their total to 4.4 million on the year. Those were record numbers for T-Mobile with all of their major UnCarrier moves, while Verizon is putting out those numbers with things business as usual. At least that's how they made it sound. At the end of the year, Verizon stands at 98.7 million post paid connections. On another note, Verizon said during their earnings call that 46% of their accounts are now on Share Everything plans. I'm still struggling to pick my jaw up off the floor at that number. In other words, they are having no trouble moving customers off of unlimited data and onto plans that are arguably more expensive with less benefits. Oh, during the earnings call, Verizon CFO Fran "ShamWow" Shammo also dodged multiple questions about the recent changes by T-Mobile and AT&T. He continued to say "expect us to respond accordingly" as they need to. In other words, they aren't scared or worried at the moment by what their competitors are up to. Other notes:

8.8 million smartphones activated in Q4
69% of total data traffic now over Verizon's 4G LTE network
625,000 postpaid tablet connections made in Q4

Here are the highlights from the Wireless portion of the earnings report:

Wireless Financial Highlights

Total revenues were $21.1 billion in fourth-quarter 2013, up 5.7 percent year over year. Service revenues in the quarter totaled $17.7 billion, up 8.0 percent year over year - marking the fifth consecutive quarter of at least 8 percent growth. Retail service revenues grew 7.5 percent year over year, to $17.0 billion.

For full-year 2013, total revenues were $81.0 billion, up 6.8 percent over 2012, and service revenues were $69.0 billion in 2013, up 8.3 percent year over year.

Retail postpaid ARPA (average revenue per account) grew 7.1 percent over fourth-quarter 2012, to $157.21 per month.

In fourth-quarter 2013, wireless operating income margin was 29.5 percent, and segment EBITDA margin on service revenues (non-GAAP) was 47.0 percent, up 560 basis points from fourth-quarter 2012. For full-year 2013, operating income margin was 32.1 percent, up 340 basis points from 2012; segment EBITDA margin was 49.5 percent, up 290 basis points year over year.

Wireless Operational Highlights

Verizon Wireless added 1.7 million retail net connections in the fourth quarter, including 1.6 million retail postpaid net connections. The company added 4.1 million net retail postpaid connections in 2013. These additions exclude acquisitions and adjustments.

At the end of 2013, the company had 102.8 million retail connections, a 4.7 percent increase year over year - including 96.8 million retail postpaid connections.

Verizon Wireless had 35.1 million retail postpaid accounts at the end of the fourth quarter and an average of 2.8 connections per account, up 4.5 percent year over year.

At year-end 2013, smartphones accounted for 70 percent of the Verizon Wireless retail postpaid customer phone base, up from 67 percent at the end of third-quarter 2013.

Retail postpaid churn was 0.96 percent in fourth-quarter 2013, up 1 basis point year over year and down 1 basis point from third-quarter 2013. Total retail churn was 1.27 percent in fourth-quarter 2013, up 3 basis points year over year.

Verizon Wireless has substantially completed deployment of its 4G LTE network, covering more than 99 percent of its current 3G network footprint. The Verizon Wireless 4G LTE network is now available to 97 percent of the U.S. population in more than 500 markets covering nearly 305 million people, including those in areas served by the company’s LTE in Rural America partners.

The company continued to enhance its 4G LTE smartphone lineup. In the fourth quarter, Verizon Wireless launched the Nokia Lumia 2520, the Samsung S4 mini and Galaxy III mini, the HTC One Max and the BlackBerry Z30. The company also launched the Verizon Ellipsis Jetpack and Verizon Ellipsis 7 Tablet, and the Delphi Connect with 4G LTE, which offers vehicle diagnostics as well as a mobile hotspot for up to five connected devices.

In November, Verizon Wireless opened its first Destination Store at Mall of America in Minneapolis. The store, containing more than 9,000 square feet, features lifestyle zones that help customers discover the latest gadgets, devices and solutions.

Full earnings report.

Beats Music Goes Live With Subscriptions Starting at $9.99 Per Month, After 7-Day Free Trial

Kellen — Tue, 21 Jan 2014 05:55:23 +0000

Beats Music is now live. The new music service has started to rollout across platforms already this morning, with the Android app just now going live. To test the service for free, Beats is giving everyone a 7-day trial, which seems to only involve installing the app and creating an account. If you decide to hang with it, you can join for $9.99 per month. AT&T customers appear to get the best deal, which was announced a week ago. If your family is on AT&T, you can sign-up your family account for $14.99 (up to 5 lines and 10 devices) and receive music that doesn't count against your data plan (part of AT&T's new sponsored data, we assume). We are digging into it now and will have more shortly! Sign-up for Beats | Play Link

Monday Poll: Whose 2014 Flagship are You Most Looking Forward to?

Tim — Mon, 20 Jan 2014 16:30:19 +0000

Being January of a new year, we have a lot of great things to look forward to; the biggest of all being new device releases from all of the top manufacturers in the game. Each company will more than likely bring its A-game, as Samsung continues to move further ahead of the rest of the Android OEM pack, something that we hope HTC, Motorola, and LG can counter. For Samsung, we are more than likely going to see the Galaxy S5, a device that already has a ton of rumors and speculation surrounding it. Recent reports state that the phone should be announced in March with availability beginning in April. For specs, you can already guess that they are going to be the top tier of top tier on a smartphone. As for HTC, the successor of the One device is also rumored for an unveiling in March, and is said to sport a dual-sensor camera. Whatever it does sport, HTC better bring it big time if they intend to remain competitive with Samsung and LG. As you all know, we love Motorola's Moto X device, so that might be the phone we are most looking forward to. As of right now, there are no real rumors surrounding the device, but we can hope that Motorola will continue its steps toward optimizing software and hardware, while also allowing customers to customize their devices. We think that's what made the Moto X such a hit among the hardcore Android lovers. So, let's hear your thoughts down below. Which OEM's next flagship offering are you most looking forward to? [poll id="284"]

Samsung Galaxy Gear Updating to Build V700XXUAMK on Verizon - Rids App of USB Debug, Includes Improvements

Kellen — Mon, 20 Jan 2014 15:59:25 +0000

The Samsung Galaxy Gear is receiving a significant update according to Verizon. New support documents from Big Red detail an update that jumps the Gear up to software build V700XXUAMK and introduces all sorts of new performance improvements, while killing off a feature for tinkerers. The changelog is listed below, but it mentions improvements to battery life, S Voice search, pedometer accuracy, the NFC pairing animation, screen saver turn on time, and the messaging application. Verizon and Samsung also removed the USB Debug menu (wtf?), added support for VZW Messaging, now officially support the official Twitter app, and changed the motion menu. A couple of other bugs in the AlarmManager and Contacts app were squashed as well. If you are on Verizon and own a Galaxy Gear, be on the lookout for an update coming through your Gear Manager app.

Via: Verizon

25+ Tips and Tricks for the Nexus 5

Kellen — Mon, 20 Jan 2014 15:10:30 +0000

I know this seems like it is three months late, but here we are, bringing you our latest in the "25+ tips and tricks" video series, this time for the Nexus 5. These tips and tricks clips became a regular feature here on DL over the last year, thanks to a great reader response both here and on YouTube. Since we had enough requests of, "Where is the Nexus 5 tips and tricks video?" we finally brought one to life. As you can imagine with a tips and tricks video for the Nexus 5, a lot of what you will see is simple Android tips and tricks. With the Nexus 5 running (mostly) stock Android 4.4, many of the tips we show were already featured in our Kit Kat tips and tricks video that were released shortly after it launched. Still, we try to hammer through them quickly and efficiently, so that even novice users can learn a thing or two about their new device. We touch on everything from wireless charging and turning off Google Now, to switching between 3rd party launchers using the newly introduced built-in setting and snapping photos with volume keys.

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Samsung Begins Seeding Android 4.4.2 Update to Exynos-powered Galaxy Note 3 (SM-N900) Units

Tim — Mon, 20 Jan 2014 14:47:04 +0000

About a week ago, Samsung began to roll out an Android 4.4.2 update to Galaxy Note 3 devices over in Europe, and it appears the manufacturer is now on a roll. As reported by SamMobile, Samsung is now seeding the update to Exynos-powered variants of the device, model number SM-900N. Most units purchased on a US carrier will feature Snapdragon 800 processors, so we shouldn't get too excited just yet. While updates are fantastic, here in America we have four different major carriers who handle updates differently. No word has come yet from any carrier or Samsung as to when US consumers should expect the Kit Kat update, but we hope it's soon. Kit Kat brings a few visual changes to the Note 3, as well as more TouchWiz tweaks from Samsung. When playing music, you will notice the fullscreen album art lockscreen effect that Nexus 5 users have been enjoying since its release, but that's about it. Once Samsung and US carriers start breaking silence on when users can expect to see an update (if they do at all), we will let you know.

Via: SamMobile

AT&T Will Let You Out of Your Contract After 6 Months, as Long as You Switch to Next and a Mobile Share Value Plan

Kellen — Mon, 20 Jan 2014 14:20:54 +0000

Still aren't convinced that T-Mobile has shaken up the wireless industry here in the U.S.? AT&T announced a new early smartphone upgrade program today that will actually help you get out of your AT&T contract and onto a month-to-month wireless package. Seriously, AT&T apparently wants you to get out of your contract, sign up for Next and add-on a Mobile Share Value plan. And they want this, because they want their customers to experience the world "all at a great value." It sounds so unAT&T-like. So here is the deal. If you are currently under contract with AT&T - as in you signed a contract before January 18 - you can upgrade to a new device within 6 months and kill off your contract, as long as you upgrade using AT&T Next, plus sign-up for a new Mobile Share Value plan. If you signed a contract after January 19, you are essentially stuck, however, AT&T will let you upgrade within 20 months. To check to see if you are eligible, dial *NEW#. For those new, AT&T Next is an upgrade plan that allows you to buy phones with $0 down and then pay the phone off over 20 monthly payments. You can learn all there is to know about upgrade plans here. AT&T's new Mobile Share Value plans are discounted month-to-month plans that run $15 cheaper than their contract plans. Both are responses to T-Mobile's early upgrade and no-contract moves that were done last year.

Early Smartphone Upgrades Now Available For AT&T Customers

Upgrade to a New Smartphone for $0 Down with AT&T Next; Lower Monthly Bill with New Mobile Share Value Plans
Dallas, Texas, January 20, 2014 Loyalty pays with AT&T.* Available now, existing customers on 2-year service agreements** can upgrade to the hottest new smartphone for $0 down with AT&T Next. At the same time, they can move to our new Mobile Share Value plans and start realizing significant monthly rate plan savings, featuring unlimited voice and text, and the ability to add smartphone lines for $25 per line per month, all while enjoying the nation’s most reliable 4G LTE network. AT&T customers on a two-year agreement as of January 18, 2014 are eligible to upgrade to AT&T Next six months into their contract. To check their eligibility, customers can dial *NEW# and begin to take advantage of this early upgrade opportunity in AT&T retail stores, and online at www.att.com. “We want our customers to have the best smartphones, on a high quality, blazing fast and reliable network, all at a great value,” said David Christopher, chief marketing officer, AT&T Mobility. “It’s a win-win – customers get the latest devices with $0 down on the nation’s most reliable 4G LTE network with significant savings on their monthly bill when they sign-up for our Mobile Share Value plans.” *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. ** For our existing customers currently on a 2-year agreement. All customers on a 2-year agreement as of January 18, 2014 will be eligible to upgrade once they have completed their first 6 months of service. Customers who sign up for a 2-year agreement after January 19, 2014 will benefit from new, shorter upgrade timeframe of 20 months. Individual account details vary. Customers can check eligibility by dialing *NEW#.

Nest CEO Promises Transparency and Opt-in Choices for Possible Changes to Privacy Policies

Tim — Mon, 20 Jan 2014 12:55:45 +0000

With Google's acquisition of Nest, many around the web joked that Google would use the information collected by the smart smoke detector and thermostat to ultimately sell ads to users. While Google's exact plans for Nest are unknown at this time, Nest's CEO Tony Fadell addressed any possible privacy concerns with current users and future buyers, stating that the company will remain completely transparent on any privacy policy changes, and that all changes made will be completely opt-in based. Fadell states that all of the information currently collected is only being used to monitor products, and ultimately, it is used to make them better. As of right now, Fadell mentioned that there have been no changes to any policies, but during meetings with Google's Larry Page and other executives, the two companies came away with a lot of fantastic ideas that they hope to inject into Nest in the coming years. While users shouldn't be too afraid right now, there is no doubt that at the end of the day, Google is one of the largest data mining companies in the world. What is at least reassuring is that it seems Nest's CEO is completely open about any future changes the company plans to make, so that has to count for something.

Via: The Next Web

AT&T Announces Availability of LG G Flex, Pre-Orders Start on January 24 for $300

Eric — Mon, 20 Jan 2014 11:21:58 +0000

At CES this year, LG made its upcoming G Flex the focal point. It was announced that the curved smartphone would be coming to all of the major carriers in the US sometime soon, but there were no hard dates. AT&T announced today that it will start taking pre-orders for the phone this Friday, January 24. On-contract, this device is going to cost $300. A bit pricey, but that is similar to the price that we saw when Sprint announced the G Flex late last week. AT&T has not mentioned the exact shipping date to customers who take up the pre-orders, but a week or two after Friday would be likely. If you are on the fence about whether or not to pick up the G Flex, be sure to check our hands-on video from the CES floor.

AT&T Stays Ahead of the Curve With Pre-Orders for LG G Flex on the Nation's Most Reliable 4G LTE Network

AT&T Offers Its First Smartphone with Curved Screen to U.S. Customers

AT&T’s1 first smartphone with a curved screen, the LG G Flex, offers an immersive cinematic viewing experience and ergonomic comfort. The company today announced that the LG G Flex will be available in the U.S. for pre-order both online or at an AT&T store beginning Jan. 24. The LG G Flex is priced at $299.99 with a two-year agreement. Customers also have the option of paying $26.74 per month with AT&T Next 18 or $34.75 per month with AT&T Next 12.2 “We’re proud to offer the LG G Flex, our first smartphone with a curved screen, in the U.S. and add the device to the nation’s most reliable 4G LTE network,” said Jeff Bradley, senior vice president – Devices, AT&T. “We offer smartphones and devices to fit every lifestyle. There’s nothing quite like the LG G Flex to enhance viewing video and images. The unique design is great when using your thumbs to type a message and at the same time, delivers a great experience for video enthusiasts. Combined with AT&T’s premium network, the nation’s most reliable wireless service, you have an unbeatable combination of features and value.” “LG G Flex represents the shape of innovation and LG’s technical design leadership in the mobile market,” said Morris Lee, senior vice president and head of North American sales and marketing, LG Mobile Communications Company. “Its unique curved display and curved battery, plus LG’s innovative rear key and Knock feature, make the LG G Flex an exciting device for AT&T customers.” The LG G Flex is LTE Advanced enabled. The curved, flexible* design is comfortable in the palm of your hand and against the side of your face. Its design introduces ergonomic benefits, which makes it easy to hold and, because it follows the contour of your face, provides an outstanding voice and sound experience. The LG G Flex boasts an expansive 6-inch HD OLED curved display for an immersive viewing experience that also helps reduce glare. The LG G Flex also features QuickTheater™, which lets you quickly access photos, videos and YouTube from the lock screen with a simple dragging gesture. In addition, Dual Window splits the 6-inch screen into two separate applications. You can drag and drop information, such as articles and links between windows for easier multi-tasking. The LG G Flex also offers LG’s intuitive and award-winning rear-key design and exclusive Knock feature that lets you quickly wake or turn off the display with two simple taps on the screen. Additional key features include:

Processor: 2.26 GHz Qualcomm® Snapdragon™ 800 processor with quad-core Krait CPU

Display: 6-inch, (1280x720), HD OLED screen (Real RGB)

Memory: 2GB RAM and up to 32 GB onboard memory

Camera: 13MP rear-facing, 2.1 MP front-facing

Curved Battery: 3,500 mAh (Embedded)

Operating System: Android Jelly Bean 4.2.2

Size: 160.5 x 81.6 x 8.3mm

Weight: 177g

AT&T announced its intent to carry the device on Jan. 6, 2014. For more information, please visit:www.att.com/gflex. AT&T has the nation’s most reliable 4G LTE network, according to independent third party data.3 In addition, the company was named America’s fastest 4G LTE network, in PC Magazine’s 2013 Fastest Mobile Networks study of 30 markets – and also swept the top rankings in all six U.S. regions from coast to coast: Northeast, Southeast, North-Central, South-Central, Northwest and Southwest.4 The LG G Flex earned five out of five stars on AT&T’s Eco-Rating system. The system, which rates the environmental factors of AT&T branded handset devices, was created to empower consumer choice around sustainability. For more information about this device’s rating, AT&T’s Eco-Rating System, and how you can join AT&T in making a difference, please visit http://att.com/ecospace.

Verizon Announces New 250MB Data Plan for Only $20 per Month, For Those Who Never Use Any Data

Eric — Mon, 20 Jan 2014 10:45:46 +0000

In an effort to make it cheaper than ever to get onto Verizon's network, Big Red has announced a new tier in its data plan package. Aimed at users who will not be using the "smart" portion of their smartphone, this new tier offers 250MB of data for the low price of $20 per month. With this new measly amount of data, your monthly Verizon bill would only be $60; $40 for the smartphone line and $20 for the 250MB of data. If you have someone in your family who only uses their phone for calling and texting, this might be a good plan, but 250MB is barely anything as far as data goes. To help you realize how much data 250MB is, I compiled a list of popular apps that you could download:

Download the Grand Theft Auto 5 iFruit app once (241 MB)
Angry Birds, Angry Birds Rio, Angry Birds Space, Angry Birds Star Wars, Angry Birds Go! (~250 MB)
The Sims 3 (102 MB)
Plants vs. Zombies (92 MB)

As you can see, 250MB is not a lot of data. It looks even worse when you compare against T-Mobile, where $60 will get you unlimited data, throttled after a certain amount, on its network. Anyone taking Verizon up on this offer?

Via: The Verge

Quickr - Action Launcher Hits Google Play, Works Alongside Your Current Launcher for Faster Multitasking

Tim — Mon, 20 Jan 2014 10:19:54 +0000

When using our phones, we want to be able to perform certain tasks very fast, such as switching between apps or controlling system settings. For most users, you can press on the recent apps button and switch between whatever app you want or just pull down your notification bar and handle system settings with the preset toggles. There are users out there that don't have that luxury though or others just want to do it much faster, and for them, there is a new app called Quickr - Action Launcher. Quickr works right alongside your current launcher, as it adds invisible tabs to the side of your screen, which you can pull out and perform tasks. Once installed, it auto adds two tabs, one on the left and one on the right. For now, you can only have four tabs running at the same time, and they are much more than just recent apps and system settings toggles. For example, you can set up certain task shortcuts, such as the ability to post a new tweet on Twitter or update your status on Facebook. There are a lot of choices to choose from, so you might be surprised at all of the tasks you can perform right from your homescreen's tabs. From my time with it, I would say it's quite well made. The overall design is very nice, taking plenty of cues from Android 4.4, so it's perfect for up-to-date Android users. Hopefully in the future, the developer will allow for custom icon support, so users can stick to a certain theme they have on their device. If you have been looking for an app to boost productivity on your phone, check out Quickr on Google Play. It's free to download, with a premium IAP of just $2.02. Play Link

Quick Look: Galaxy Note 3 S-View Flip Cover With Wireless Charging

Kellen — Mon, 20 Jan 2014 09:56:55 +0000

At the end of December, Samsung finally released the S-View Flip Cover with wireless charging for the Galaxy Note 3. The cover is exactly what you'd expect from the S-View series (actionable items through a window without opening the cover), but with the inclusion of wireless charging to the backplate, you get the freedom to never have to plug-in your device to charge it. We seem to continue to see movement towards wireless charging becoming somewhat of a standard in the industry even though with Samsung you'll almost always have to pay extra for it. We picked up the S-View Flip Cover with wireless charging at its steep $69.99 price tag to give it a whirl for those interested. All of the details, features, and our thoughts for it can be found in the video below, but I'll say one thing - this case feels a heck of a lot more premium than that fake, wannabe pleather stitched backing that comes with phone. I'm not sure any case on the planet is worth $70, though, even if it does feel this nice.

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Sony Device (D6503) Apparently Leaked in Photos, Features 5.2" Display and Thin Bezels

Tim — Mon, 20 Jan 2014 09:15:41 +0000

Over the weekend, a mysterious Sony device was leaked via pictures over on XDA. The user doing the leaking states that the device is model number D6503, one that we haven't heard much about. According to the leaker, the device features very thin bezels, which allows the body to fit a 5.2" display inside. At this time, no real specs are known. Given its looks, we can assume that this is another Xperia variant, as the only difference seen right off is the three-hole speaker grill (instead of mesh), and a changing position of the device's lanyard hole. What we can also see from the pictures is that the device is running some type of unstable build, as it appears to have crashed. What seems interesting is that Sony recently unveiled two new devices at CES, but show no signs of slowing to fill up its 2014 lineup. We could see this device introduced during MWC this February, with global launch taking place in March. The real question would then be, will it hit the US?

Who here has their fingers crossed that a sweet flagship Sony device makes its way to the top US carriers? Speaking for myself, it's always nice as a consumer to have more options instead of just HTC, Samsung, LG, Moto over and over.

Via: XDA

New Samsung UI Images Show Contextual Cards, TouchWiz Take on Google Now?

Kellen — Mon, 20 Jan 2014 08:55:49 +0000

Industry leak-machine, @evleaks, dropped another Samsung home UI image over the weekend that could give us a look at Samsung's plan to take on Google Now in the near future. The image (found below) shows a card-style UI with contextual information that you may be familiar with if you use Google's service, though this is much more photo-forward. As you can see in the image, this appears to be on a phone with the length of the screenshots seemingly giving the impression that the UI will be vertically scrollable. We are seeing cards for controlling home temperature, workouts, favorite team sports scores, flight information, package tracking, dinner reservations, concerts you may be interested in, where your friends are located at the moment, socially shared items from friends, and recent purchases, potentially from using a mobile wallet product. The UI also shows your current location at the top, a G+-like profile image, voice search button, and current weather.

The information is presented cleanly, but not quite as minimal as what you find with Google Now. Each card displays a big beautiful image, while also telling you important information. Again, it appears to be a lot like Google Now, but we don't know how Samsung will implement it, if they have built a special app for it, or if this will take place of their new Magazine UX on phones. Will it be accessed with a swipe or gesture? Will it work with apps that aren't Samsung-branded? Is it simply pulling from Google Now somehow? One thing I will say, is that I like the simple styling of the top portion, with profile picture and search. If Samsung can take that UI and push it throughout to give TouchWiz a full makeover, I could be on board. Thoughts?

Via: @evleaks

Verizon Lets You Upgrade Every 30 Days Now With Edge

Kellen — Mon, 20 Jan 2014 08:10:24 +0000

Remember Verizon Edge, Big Red's device monthly payment plan that allows for early upgrades? It's OK if you forgot about it, since it's not exactly the best deal in tech. Either way, it's still around and asking people to essentially pay for a phone twice since Verizon hasn't removed the subsidy cost from any of their wireless plan prices (like AT&T has already done in response to T-Mobile). Without calling it a blatant "two-timing rip-off," I'll let you decide after reading the comparison we put together a few months back. But if you were looking for Edge-related news on this beautiful MLK Day morning, we wanted to point out that Verizon made one tiny change to the plan over the weekend that will allow participants to upgrade earlier than had previously been announced. When Edge originally launched, participants could upgrade every 6 months as long as the phone had been 50% paid off. As of today, Edge users can upgrade every 30 days if they'd like, though they still have to pay 50% of the phone off in order to do it that soon. Not much of a change, but in theory, it does allow participants to upgrade more often. I just can't imagine they will, knowing they would still have to fork out a bunch of cash early, just to get into another phone. Oh, you also have to trade in the phone that you just paid 50% of. If you want to see a clearer breakdown of some of the other device monthly payment plans, be sure to check out this chart we put together. Try to ignore the Sprint One Up section since they killed that off last week.

Via: Verizon | CNET

This Episode is the 12th Man This Weekend

Kellen — Sat, 18 Jan 2014 00:24:07 +0000

Plans to watch both the AFC and NFC Championship games this weekend? We have your pre-show right here. On the Droid Life Show episode 46 from Wednesday, we talked Google adding free agent Nest to its roster, an appeals court giving the FCC a stiff arm over net neutrality, asked if anyone would change their warm-up music to Beats Music, and gushed over Dennis Woodside's fandom of DL. We also talked apps and games, T-Mobile's ETF program, and why on Earth we need a Moto G Google Play Edition. It was another fantastic show with all of your favorite team members. And for those who missed last week's CES recap, this wasn't a bad start to our first official show of 2014. We regularly gather on Wednesday nights at 6PM Pacific (9PM Eastern) to record the DL Show live.

This Week in the Life of Droid: 1/17/2014

Tim — Fri, 17 Jan 2014 16:45:34 +0000

Another week has passed by, but it sure was eventful. This week, Google shocked the industry with their $3.2 billion in cash purchase of Nest, the smart thermostat and smoke detector company. Motorola pleased the masses and announced availability for new natural backs for the Moto X, and even better yet, the company's CEO apparently loves DL's readers. We knew you guys were awesome. With a new year, that means we can look forward to a ton of new devices, and the reports aren't slowing down. There are new rumors for the Galaxy S5, HTC One follow up, as well as LG's sequel to the popular G2 device. It should be a great year for smartphone lovers. If you missed any of the highlights, we have them listed below.

Oh, and just in case you need a new phone, we have teamed up with Cruzerlite to give away a Nexus 5. You can enter to win that right here, as the contest ends next Monday afternoon. Have a great weekend, folks!

Intel 64-bit Bay Trail Processors to Power New Line of Tablets Coming This Spring

Tim — Fri, 17 Jan 2014 15:40:36 +0000

During an earnings call with investors, Intel's CEO gave word that consumers should be on the lookout for new Android tablets hitting the market, powered by the new Bay Trail 64-bit processor. The CEO mentioned that the tablets should be around in the spring time, so we could be seeing a few goodies shown off during MWC this year. If you will recall at last year's MWC, Intel announced its dual-core Atom line of chips, which was used in one of ASUS' Fonepad devices. Up until now, the 32-bit counterparts of this chip have been pretty limited to just Windows tablets, but it appears that Intel changed up its focus to other operating systems sometime during development of the silicon. As for speculation on what tablets we could see the Bay Trail get thrown into, your guess is as good as ours. But with that said, there aren't many makers out there who are producing popular Android tablets. There is ASUS, Acer, LG, and maybe just a few others that don't have commitments to their own in-house chips like Samsung has. 64-bit is definitely making its way to Android this year.

Via: Ars Technica

Motorola May be Giving Away Moto Xs With Natural Backs Tonight at 10PM ET (Updated: With Contest Rules)

Kellen — Fri, 17 Jan 2014 15:11:40 +0000

Tonight at 10PM ET, Motorola has something "natural" planned that could involve a contest . To be exact, they sent out a Tweet moments ago that said, "Tonight we're giving away Natural makeovers of a different kind. *Wink* See you at 10 P.M. ET." That sounds to me like you will have a chance to win a free Moto X or two or three with a natural material attached to its back. As you know from our coverage earlier today, Motorola announced that three new "Natural" options are available while customizing a Moto X through MotoMaker. They also announced a price drop, making the option only $25, whereas they previously carried a $100 price tag. The new materials are Teak, Ebony, and Walnut. Details of this makeover giveaway have not been shared, so you'll have to follow them on Twitter. We'll also try to update you as we have more. Update: Here are the official rules according to a Motorola Facebook page. It looks like Motorola is giving away three Moto X 16GB devices. Once the contest goes live, you will have to enter by Tweeting "a selfie of the [yourself] reenacting a scene from a movie, tagging @Motorola, as well as the hashtags #plcfestival2014 and #MotoXNatural."

Via: @Motorola

Droid Life Q&A Sessions: Volume 18 Answers

Tim — Fri, 17 Jan 2014 12:50:01 +0000

Alright, we have rounded up a good set of questions from earlier in the week, and are ready to give you our answers to the DL Q&A Sessions - Volume 18. Folks appear to be quite interested in Google's plans for wearables, which we are also quite excited to see, so we discussed that. Questions about home automation were also asked frequently, so we wanted to touch on that as well. And naturally we have to talk a little football, given that we are so close to the big day. To find out what we geek out on besides mobile phones, and which ice cream flavors are our favorites, read on. As a reminder – K is Kellen, T is Tim, R is Ron, and E is Eric.

Do you think Google will take a swing at the smart watch category?

K: Yes, it's only a matter of time. And not that I think Google would do it just because it's the hot trend of the moment, but Google seems ready for wearables. Anything to put Google Search on you, whether that be through Glass or a smartwatch, they want. T: It wouldn't surprise me. With Google snatching up companies like Nest, it wouldn't surprise me if they decided to buy out Pebble while they are at it. Would give them a decent foot in the door, for sure. Then again, they have Motorola, and we could easily see something from them this year. With that said, I think I would be more interested in a smartband, more so than a watch. I'm digging the bands. R: I think Google is desperate to get into wearables. Google Glass is just the first step. I think Google recognizes that smartphones aren't going to last forever and they want to be in front of whatever the next "personal computer" is. I also think we need to adjust our expectations for these types of devices. Smart watches and Glass aren't the equivalent to smartphones yet; they can't be. They need to get a lot smarter first. E: Of course they will. It will not only give them something else to push through Google Play, but just think of the amount of information that they can get from that watch if you opt into it. I think with their Google Now platform a smartwatch could be very well implemented.

What are your favorite recent Android-related rumors?

K: I think even though HTC seemed destined for ultimate failure at this point, the new One should be on everyone's radar. I don't necessarily care about the rumor from this morning that suggested the phone would have a "twin-sensor" camera, I'm just interested in what they are going to do from a design perspective. The One blew everyone's mind in terms of build when it came out, something I don't think any other OEM has yet matched. If they can somehow refine the body and feel of the new One to make it less bulky and less metallic than the original, I'd be on board. T: I am super stoked for Samsung's Galaxy S5 offering. I just enjoy that the company's phones easily last until the next year's iteration, and you can always expect a great camera and performance experience. Besides that, whatever rumors are going around the for the next Moto X, I like those too. I just want some beast phones this year. R: I don't really get excited about rumors anymore. For the past few years we've seen too many things get "leaked" that turned out to be nothing. Everyone thought the Moto X wouldn't be a big deal based on what was leaked and once people actually saw it most realized it was the phone of the year. Rumors can be very deceiving. That said, I am excited to see what Motorola, HTC, and Samsung have for us this year. E: I've been scouring through Half Life 3 rumors for about 6 years now, so anything I hear on that front always piques my interest. That and L4D3. Valve please.

For Verizon customers, which phone would you say is the true successor, coming from the lineage of the OG Droid to the Galaxy Nexus?

K: The Moto X is probably the closest since it runs almost-stock Android. It also seems to have a solid cult following around Droid Life that both of those phones had. T: That would have to be the Moto X. It just makes sense. R: Moto X is the true successor in my opinion. It has close to stock Android, gets fast updates, and you can customize the hardware. It's better than any other Nexus device has been. E: Moto X has to be it. This all started with the OG Droid and then Motorola fell on hard times and then they come roaring back with this great phone that you can do a lot with. The story line doesn't get any better than that.

What is your favorite flavor of ice cream?

K: Uhhh, I can't remember the last time I ate ice cream. I did have some grapefruit sorbet the other night, it wasn't bad. T: Ben & Jerry's has a Wille Nelson's Country Peach Cobbler flavor. It's to die for. R: Americone Dream. E: Back when I was a kid, cinnamon ice cream was amazing. Just get some plain vanilla ice cream and throw in a few dashes of cinnamon, stir it up and BAM. You're welcome.

How would you want to see Google innovate the home space?

K: I want them to put all of their services on all my appliances and home electronics with automatic opt-in, make my home feel like it's one big data mining machine, and know when I shower, sh*t, and shave, so that they can integrate G+ contacts into my morning routine. I want Google to own my life, as if they didn't already. (Sarcasm?) T: When I can be sitting downstairs on my couch and turn on my shower upstairs to get the hot water going, I'll be happy. And while I'm upstairs in bed, I want to be able to turn on my gas fireplace in the living room to toast up the house. And I want it to be all one system I can work from my phone. Yeah, I know we have a few years to go, but that's what I want. Complete home automation. R: I'm interested in how Google will use and build out Nest. I think Nest has a great line of products, but Google could take things further. I'd love to be able to lock and unlock the doors of my house with my phone. I would love to have a fridge connected with Google Now and Keep to remind me when products are going to expire or are running low. Google has sort of tried to connect our entertainment systems to Android, but I think they could do better. It's all about removing barriers and helping people feel in control and safe with this sort of connectivity. The big issue will be making sure people don't have to worry about someone being able to hack into their home or having to worry about Google monitoring your life to sell advertisements. That might mean Google will need a different way to make money. E: Of course Android being able to give you tips on how to make your home energy efficient and all that would be awesome, but I want a wireless solution for media that has Android at the center. Chromecast is a good start, but I want speakers and more hardware please.

Besides mobile, what other technologies do you geek over?

K: This is going to sound boring, but since I talk mobile tech all day, every day, when I unplug from this DL World my life moves to sports, working out, and my non-tech life. I could talk sports, beer, whiskey, food, running, restaurants, or clothing for hours, none of which is really all that techie. T: Besides mobile phones and video games, there is nothing too techie that I geek about. I like Nike shoes, fancy food, movies, watches, and photography. R: Mobile is really the only thing I geek about. I keep daydreaming about getting into film photography, but it's an expensive hobby. E: Video games, cars and movies are my other big geek moments other than mobile technology. I'm literally always down to go see a movie.

Who do you see going to the Super Bowl out of the last four teams left?

K: Well, Seattle is going to throat punch the 49ers this weekend, just so they'll shut the &$%* up for a second, then go "Beast Mode" on them to watch Jim Harbaugh's pleated pants grumpy-face it out of CenturyLink Field. And this is me kissing my bicep, Kaepernick, tool. Sorry to Tim, but the 49ers are the biggest clown team in the NFL right now, which they solidified after actin' a fool against the Panthers on every other play last weekend. Oh, and do work, Peyton. No one likes the Patriots. T: In the Super Bowl, I would like to see the 49ers go up against the Broncos. Both games will be really exciting to watch this weekend, so I am looking forward to it. As for Kellen's comments above regarding the 49ers as "the biggest clown team in the NFL right now," I think that is an extremely poor remark, especially from someone "rooting" for the Seahawks. I think both teams are young, talented, and very passionate, so it will be a great matchup on Sunday. I actually like the Seahawks as a team; they are fast, strong, and can undoubtedly beat any team they go up against while at home. With that said, I'd like to point out that every Seahawks fan I have ever met is completely illogical when it comes to sitting down and debating on certain topics within the game. For example, as we have seen in past games, the Niners have an uncanny way of being able to stop Seattle's run game, while Seattle can't seem to contain Kap's legs or Frank Gore. In recent weeks, the 49ers have shown that they can go anywhere on the road and pull off a victory. Seattle will be the ultimate task for San Francisco and I think it's completely within their doing. Keys to the game - Avoid turnovers, convert third downs, and stop Russell Wilson and Marshawn Lynch. Do those things, and you can pull it off. Arizona was able to beat the Seahawks recently at home, so don't let all of the 12th-man hype get to your heads. This is Tato, reporting for DL Sports. R: The Owlcats versus the Human Beings. E: As long as it's not the Patriots, I'm a happy man.

What is your recommendation on headphones for your phone?

K: By no means am I a headphone guy. I may have a dozen sets laying around here, but I tend to just go with whatever is comfortable in my ear. For working out, I have been using Jaybird Bluebuds X and really like them. On the DL Show, I use a pair of Jabra REVO Wireless on-ear headphones because they sent them over for a review. That said, they are super comfortable and put out what I'd consider to be decent all-around sound. For traveling, I actually use a pair of Apple EarPods...again, because they fit my ear well. T: Sadly, my favorite ear buds are those that come with the HTC One. They sound really nice. If buying a phone just for the ear buds doesn't seem logical, I would recommend the House of Marley earbuds. R: I use Apple EarPods personally, but I'm still searching for something better. I prefer earphones over buds and I'd love to have something with a thin L shape connector. I'd also like them to be blue. The long and short of it is I'm sticking with EarPods until I find a product that I think doesn't exist.

Do any of you use NFC tags, and if so, for what?

K: My desk has a couple, but I couldn't even tell you what they are programmed for any more. I like the idea of them, but I'm a cave troll that rarely leaves home, so I don't have the need to set settings off and on all of the time. T: I have a sticker on my desk that turns on my WiFi, but I never use it. E: I actually use the Motorola NFC tags that they shipped with the Moto X. I decided to start being safe and putting a PIN-lock on my phone, so I have three tags around the house that let me unlock the phone without doing anything. Very nifty.

Ready for the LG G3? Report Says It's Coming in May

Kellen — Fri, 17 Jan 2014 12:22:32 +0000

After a decent year for LG, but one that still saw Samsung dominate headlines and sales charts with its line of Galaxy phones, the company may be moving towards a May release of its next flagship, potentially called the G3. According to a report from Korean media, the new May release time frame will be done specifically to put it close to Samsung's April launch of the Galaxy S5. As you may recall, the G2 was only released in late September as LG's newest flagship, a device we are actually quite fond of here at DL. With its solid camera, amazing display, incredible battery life, and unmatched performance, one could argue that it's as good as any other phone on the market. Be sure to read our G2 review if you haven't already. For whatever reason, all of those attributes didn't help the device fully put LG back on the smartphone map. Maybe a release of the G3 shortly after the Galaxy S5 will help, especially with a massive marketing push. Today's new report out of Korea also suggests that the phone will feature a QHD display (2560x1440), the new oft-listed spec of the moment for rumored devices of 2014. Samsung's new phone is rumored to carry a QHD display as well. Who wants LG to put out a G3 already? G2 owners, would you jump to the next version already?

Via: AsiaE | G for Games

Clarification on the Material Used in New Moto X Wood Back "Finishes" for Ebony, Teak, and Walnut

Kellen — Fri, 17 Jan 2014 11:20:15 +0000

This morning, Motorola announced that new Ebony, Teak, and Walnut wood backs would be available come January 21 for an additional $25 on MotoMaker-made Moto X devices. These three new wood "finishes" join Bamboo to round out the "Natural" category on Motorola's custom phone site. Speaking of "finishes," we noticed a number of you asking for clarification on what exactly Motorola meant by that term, especially since Bamboo is only listed as just being "Bamboo." Well, we heard back. Motorola returned word to us that the backs are indeed wood, but that they are then treated to give off the look of Ebony, Teak, or Walnut. In other words, you are looking at a wood back "but Walnut, Ebony and Teak are treated with their indicated finish to adjust the color and design." With Bamboo, it seems as if you are just getting Bamboo with no extra treatment or finish. No word on what kind of wood they are using initially before treatment on the other options. The good news is that if you go with Ebony, Teak, or Walnut, you still should have a unique phone unlike any other since it is indeed still made with wood. But if you were looking for a pure Ebony, Teak, or Walnut phone, you aren't going to find that for now. I don't necessarily want to speculate on this move, but I'd imagine it's much easier on the manufacturing side of things if you have a sustainable or easy-to-handle wood that can then be treated to look like others, rather than trying to source all of these materials individually.

Friday App Sales: Flight Control, Next Launcher 3D Shell, The Chicken Bandit, and More

Rithvik — Fri, 17 Jan 2014 10:40:33 +0000

It's been another long week for all of us, so why not end it on a good note with a few sweet deals on games and apps? This week we have another great selection, with apps like Flight Control and The Chicken Bandit (a personal pastime) taking the spotlight for us from the entire list. We also have the insanely overpriced (even on sale) Next Launcher 3D Shell, and TNA Wrestling iMPACT! for all of you stay-at-home wrestlers out there. So, without further ado, here's the full lineup of discounts.

Friday App Sales

Flight Control - ($0.99)
TNA Wrestling iMPACT! - ($0.99)
Satellite Safari - ($0.99)
Ski Safari: Adventure Time - ($0.99)
Next Launcher 3D Shell - ($8.99)
The Chicken Bandit - ($0.99)
Archangel - ($1.99)
Let's Create! Pottery - ($1.99)
Alien Shooter - ($1.98)
Swipe Dialer Pro - ($0.99)
Fast Burst Camera - ($1.99)
ExcelSMS - Group Text Tools - ($0.99)
Contacts<->Excel - ($0.99)
PinWar - ($0.99)

Enjoy your app-filled weekend, all!

Traffic Citation Against Woman Wearing Google Glass Thrown Out by Judge in California

Tim — Fri, 17 Jan 2014 10:03:40 +0000

In October of 2013, Cecilia Abadie made headlines all around the tech industry after being issued a traffic citation for wearing Google Glass while driving. Initially, the CHP (CA Highway Patrol) officer initiated a traffic stop after Abadie was speeding, but then noticed that she was wearing Google Glass. Since California drivers are not allowed to have a TV screen or any type monitor in use directly in front of them while driving, she was issued a second ticket. Yesterday in a California courtroom, a judge ruled that since the officer couldn't prove beyond reasonable doubt that Abadie was using the device, and Google Glass' screen was on while she was driving, she was not breaking the law and dismissed the citation. While this is a major win for Abadie, the ruling sets no real legal precedent as to whether Google Glass will be completely legal while behind the wheel of a car in California. For now, the law seems to only care if Google Glass is turned on and spitting out navigations while you are behind the wheel. If you happen to own a pair of Glass, we would continue to recommend that you not use Glass while driving, since you could still get a citation. Enjoy the sweet smell of a small victory, glassholes.

Via: Reuters | ABC News

New Moto X Wood Backs Coming January 21, Will Only Cost $25 Extra Instead of $100

Kellen — Fri, 17 Jan 2014 09:34:23 +0000

This morning, Motorola shot out emails to purchasers of the Moto X with Bamboo, informing them that they have been able to streamline their processes for natural backs, thus resulting in them offering additional materials at a lower cost. In other words, Ebony, Walnut, and Teak "finishes" are now on the way (no more Rosewood) and will only run an additional $25, rather than the original $100 premium asking price. According to a blog post on Motorola's official site, they are set to sell the new "natural" backs on January 21, which is next Tuesday. If you want Bamboo, the price change to $25-extra is live right now. Also, if you purchased a Bamboo Moto X, Motorola is emailing you out coupon codes for $75 worth of accessories to make up for the quick price change. Last, we are getting clarification on what Motorola means by "finish." Update: We heard back on what Motorola means by "finish." Still wood, but finished to look Ebony, Teak, or Walnut.

Hell, yes. Who's buying?

Via: Motorola

Report: HTC to Launch One Follow-up in March With "Twin-sensor" Camera and Larger Display

Kellen — Fri, 17 Jan 2014 08:36:16 +0000

According to a report out of Bloomberg this morning, HTC will release its follow-up to the One in March. Their sources - a person with direct knowledge of HTC's plans - claim that the phone will once again be called "One," sport a display greater than the 4.7-inch panel used in the original One yet smaller than the 5.9-inch display of the One Max, run Qualcomm's latest Snapdragon processor, and carry a "twin-sensor" camera. A display greater than 4.7-inches could mean 5-inch or 5.2-inch for all we know. The details given were not specific. The latest Snapdragon processor could be the 805, since the 800 isn't exactly new these days and no phone currently runs the 805. But what about this "twin-sensor" camera? According to this report, a "twin-sensor" camera will "provide better focus, depth of field and image quality. It will also be called UltraPixel, just like we saw on the original One. I just hope it takes pictures at a greater resolution than 4MP. This report claims that the phone will arrive in March. Timing-wise, that sounds about right for a follow-up. Mobile World Congress (MWC) will take place once again at the end of February, and HTC typically announces their new flagship for the year around that time. So a late February unveiling could happen, with availability happening shortly thereafter in March. Are you ready for the new HTC One? Have you forgotten about HTC already? You tell us.

Via: Bloomberg

Google Wants to Help Diabetics Monitor Glucose with Smart Contacts

Kyle — Thu, 16 Jan 2014 17:35:33 +0000

When the folks at Google X labs aren’t tuning self-driving Priuses or floating internet-disseminating balloons, they’re apparently working on helpful devices for people with chronic health conditions. Today, Google took the wraps off an alternative to needle-based glucose tests for people with diabetes: simple, painless, and unobtrusive smart contact lenses. How great is that? The lenses, which are made up of a miniaturized sensor and wireless chip wedged between contact material, work by measuring the glucose level in tears. Readings are generated once per second and sent to an external electronic like a smartphone, but the team is working on integrating LEDs that would more easily warn the wearer if levels became dangerously high or low. Google says the technology is still in the early stages, but that it has completed multiple clinical research studies to improve the contacts and is working with the FDA to bring a product to market. A purchasable product is obviously a few years away, but it's great to see Google X working to improve the lives of so many people.

Via: Google

Google Working on Fitness API for Android

Tim — Thu, 16 Jan 2014 16:20:53 +0000

With the focus setting in on wearable technology in the mobile industry, fitness lovers should be excited to hear that Google is working on a new fitness API for Android devices. The API will take data from sensors that are placed in bands, watches, clothing, or anywhere else, and then translate the information into usable data to track a person's activities. According to the source, this data will be stored onto the user's Google profile in the cloud, which can then be accessed through third party apps. As of right now, details are very light with regards to what exactly Google will track. It could range from sleep and steps taken, to calories burned and things of that nature.

What also is unknown is when it could arrive. We could have to wait for a new version of Android to come out, but since this would all to be tied into your existing Google profile, it could just be a simple update to the Google Play Services. Once more details come forward, we will be sure to post them.

Via: Google System

Level Comes to Android, a Pretty Way to Manage Spending Money

Kellen — Thu, 16 Jan 2014 15:36:28 +0000

Level, a popular iOS financial management app, is now available on Android for those of you looking for help with monthly spending money. Level connects to the top 100 banks in the U.S. (also does savings and credit cards), reads transactions and bills, figures out what you are spending money on, and calculates leftover cash for you to use for the things that bring you joy in life. It's an automated money management system that also looks quite pleasing. Once you setup Level with your bank account, it claims that you won't have to touch it again as it is constantly learning from your spending habits. The longer you've used it, you'll start to see how much money you have left to spend on yourself by the day, week, or month. It also has a tablet layout. Oh, Level should "always" be free too.

T-Mobile to Broaden Contract "Break Up" Program to US Cellular and Other Smaller US Carriers

Tim — Thu, 16 Jan 2014 14:21:06 +0000

T-Mobile is looking to beef up its Break Up program soon, hoping to offer the same $350 per-line contract break credit that it already does for Verizon, AT&T, and Sprint customers to US Cellular, and other smaller carriers throughout the US. If customers who switch to T-Mobile also trade in their old device, they could get up $300 in addition to the initial $350 - that's $650 per line that is switched to T-Mobile. According to T-Mobile's marketing chief Mike Sievert, 80,000 breakup letters have already been posted to social networking sites by customers who have made the switch.

This is not just a promotion - what we are trying to do is bring an end to unfair one-way onerous contracts in this country.

In addition to offering the Break Up program to customers of additional carriers besides the Big Three, T-Mobile is also looking to expand on the amount of devices new customers can trade in for credit, as well as to take in damaged devices, but customers should expect less credit. No exact time was given for when US Cellular customers can make the switch and get credit, but we are sure that T-Mobile will make a big deal about it and will be sure to spread the word. Do we have anyone here that has already taken T-Mobile up on its deal?

Via: Re/code

Contest: Win a Nexus 5 32GB From DL and Cruzerlite (Update: Winner Picked)

Tim — Thu, 16 Jan 2014 12:46:02 +0000

The Droid Life team is partnering up with Cruzerlite, a maker of fine cases for a variety of Android devices, to give away a brand spanking new Nexus 5 32GB smartphone. We have reviewed and given away plenty of Cruzerlite cases for different Android-powered devices before, so we are happy to be working with them yet again. The Nexus 5 is still a top contender for best phone for your money on the market, with its 5" 1080p display, timely updates to new versions of Android from Google, and that speedy Snapdragon 800 quad-core processor. As we typically do for contests, we’ve gone with Rafflecopter since it makes the entry and winner choosing incredibly simple for everyone. You can enter numerous ways (giving you more entries) or by picking and choosing. It’s completely up to you, but this way we give more people an opportunity to win. This contest is for U.S. entries only. Ready? Update: We have our winner! Congrats to Christian G. for taking home a Nexus 5. A big thank you to all of you that entered.

Contest

Prize: 1 (one) LG Nexus 5 32GB model. How to enter: a Rafflecopter giveaway Winner: We’ll choose our winner randomly next Monday afternoon (Monday, Jan 20) at 12PM Pacific.

Be sure to check out Cruzerlite's website for cool cases.

New Google Drive Android API Released, Allows for Fast and Seamless Experience

Tim — Thu, 16 Jan 2014 11:48:36 +0000

This morning, the Google Developers team launched a new Google Drive API for Android developers, which will allow said developers to introduce a new way for users to access files on Drive through an application. Previously, there were other APIs that allowed for such integration, but the team at Google says that the new API takes just minutes to set up, and will provide a "faster, seamless experience that enables apps to integrate with the Drive backend." If you are a developer that is looking to get started with the new API, go check out the Google Drive GitHub repository.

Benefits

There’s minimal impact on the weight of your apps. As the client library is a stub to Google Play Services, incorporating the API has minimal impact on the size of your .apk binaries, resulting in faster downloads, fewer updates, and smaller execution footprint.
User files are automatically synced between different devices (provided the app has the same namespace and is signed with the same key).
Any device running the Gingerbread or later releases of Android and Google Play Services will automatically have support for the Google Drive Android API.

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Via: Google Developers

For a Limited Time, Sprint Lets Customers Upgrade Phones at Any Time With Sprint Easy Pay

Kellen — Thu, 16 Jan 2014 11:09:21 +0000

This morning, Sprint announced that will allow all eligible customers to upgrade their phones today as long as they sign-up for a program called Easy Pay. Easy Pay sounds like your typical early upgrade plan that the industry has fallen in love with over the last year, in that it requires you to make a downpayment followed by 24 additional monthly payments until the phone is paid off. Should you decide you want to upgrade before 24 months is up, you can pay off the balance of your current phone in one payment, and then upgrade again (with a down payment, and additional monthlies). Should you decide you want some extra cash at the time of upgrade, you can trade in your phone through Sprint's "highly acclaimed" Buyback plan. After retiring the short-lived One Up early upgrade program following the announcement of new Framily plans (yes, FRamily), we were wondering how long it would take for Sprint to introduce a new upgrade option. I'd imagine it would be even tougher to compete with T-Mobile or AT&T if you don't give customers a way to upgrade their phones early and often. We certainly live in a time where we all want what's new and shiny.

Via: Sprint

SwiftKey Updated to Version 4.4.2, a Big Bug Fixer Release

Tim — Thu, 16 Jan 2014 10:21:59 +0000

Third party keyboard lovers can go pick up the latest update to hit Google Play for SwiftKey, one of more popular keyboard apps to ever launch for Android. In the newest update, version 4.4.2 (kinda neat), the developers were able to cut back on the amount of RAM the app was using, as well as fix several other memory and performance issues. From a look at the changelog, it's clear this release is more of a bug fixer, but we like that. Nothing beats refining a user's experience. Go take a peak at the changelog, then follow the link below to grab the update.

What's New

Several memory and performance issues resolved
Ice theme uses less RAM now
Some force closes when loading languages
Other force closes affecting different parts of the app
Keyboard no longer jumps after unlocking the device with a password
The bottom row is no longer hidden by the menu bar on some Motorola and Meizu devices
Fixed some issues with SwiftKey Cloud sync

Play Link

Via: SwiftKey

Samsung Unveils the 7-inch Galaxy Tab3 Lite, a Suitable Beginners' Android Tablet

Tim — Thu, 16 Jan 2014 09:30:08 +0000

Make that five different tablets that Samsung has announced this past month - there is the Galaxy NotePro 12.2, the Galaxy TabPro 12.2, the TabPro 10.1, the TabPro 8.4, and now the newest addition to the family, the Galaxy Tab3 Lite. The Tab3 Lite is most certainly an entry level device, running specs that would send most Android enthusiasts running for the hills. For starters, it sports a 7" display with a resolution of just 1024 x 600, while also running Android 4.2 with TouchWiz on top. Should you expect an update to Kit Kat? I wouldn't put money on it. Other specs include a 1.2GHz dual-core processor, 2MP rear-facing camera, 1GB of RAM, 8GB of internal storage, a microSD slot for up to 32GB of storage, 3G HSPA+ radios, and a 3,600mAh battery. From the overall package Samsung is showing off here, our hope is that this tablet comes in with a very low retail price. Once pricing and availability are announced, we will let you know. Are you interested in a cheapy tablet running TouchWiz and Android 4.2?

Via: Samsung

Sprint G Flex Available Online January 31 for $299 On-Contract

Kellen — Thu, 16 Jan 2014 09:14:15 +0000

Sprint announced this morning that the LG G Flex - the insanely large phone with a flexible display - will arrive in stores on February 7 for $299 on-contract, but can be pre-ordered today through January 31. It should also be available online on January 31 if waiting until the 7th of next month doesn't sound possible. If you pre-order the device from now to January 31, Sprint will toss in a free Quickwindow Folio Case ($59.99 value). We spent some time with the G Flex during CES and certainly came away impressed by the idea of a curved POLED (Plastic OLED) display. However, a 6-inch display with only a 720p resolution is not exactly what we're looking for. Give us a POLED curved display that runs 5-inches and you may have an incredible experience, especially if it flexes and acts as durable as the name suggests. But if you go with the G Flex, LG expects that you'll enjoy an IMAX-like experience when watching movies, should see incredible battery life with the phone's new curved battery, and won't have to worry about scratching the back of the phone thanks to its self-healing back. The G Flex will arrive at T-Mobile and AT&T at some point in Q1 as well. Verizon is not expected to carry this phone.

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Via: Sprint

Google Now Comes to the Desktop in Chrome Canary for Windows and Mac

Kyle — Thu, 16 Jan 2014 08:11:24 +0000

As the text on the infamous Ron Paul animation proclaims, it’s happening. (I just preempted you, commenters, so there’s really no need to post that GIF.) Since the debut of Google Now with Android 4.1 Jelly Bean, users have been clamoring for a desktop extension of the service. It took a year and a half, but Google Now has finally come to Windows and Mac users as an experimental feature in the Canary version of Chrome. Using the location of your Android device(s), information such as traffic and commute times, weather, upcoming events, and sports scores will periodically display in Chrome’s Notification Center on desktop (in the menu bar on OS X and the system tray in Windows). The current implementation is fairly basic, but will assuredly improve as it inches towards general release. Chrome Canary is generally unstable, but if you wish to install it and try out the desktop Google Now for yourself, remember to navigate to chrome://flags/#enable-google-now and enable the setting. You may also need to toggle the flags for rich notifications, sync notifications, and experimental UI for notifications, but I personally didn't need to.

Via: Google Support

The Droid Life Show: Episode 46

Tim — Wed, 15 Jan 2014 23:45:24 +0000

Finally, the Droid Life Show is back at its normal time and place. Technically, this is our first show of the new year, so let's start it off with a bang. We will have the full crew in attendance, and we will be covering all of the recent Android goodies that are making headlines. This week we will talk about HTC's lack of support for devices that aren't even two years old yet, Google's acquisition of Nest, Motorola CEO's love for Droid Life reader comments, and Kellen's recent interview with a couple Moto execs during CES. And don't worry, we will be talking all of our favorite new apps and games, as well. The show kicks off at 6pm PST, 9pm EST. There is a livestream embedded below, which will automatically begin playing once the event starts. Until then, hang out in the Droid Life IRC channel and chat with us until showtime.

Subscribe | iTunes | Show Page

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Square Enix's Final Fantasy VI Hits Google Play, Priced at $15.99

Tim — Wed, 15 Jan 2014 14:32:50 +0000

Square Enix pushed another addition of the Final Fantasy series to Google Play today, this time being Final Fantasy VI. FFVI first debuted back in 1994 and has been completely recreated for mobile devices. If you have purchased any of the other Square Enix's titles, then you will know what you are in store for. A true Final Fantasy experience worthy of your hard-earned cash. Players have the ability to control and develop characters any way they would like, thanks to the magicite system for controlling spells and summoning. And for the true fans among us, FFVI was the first title in the series to feature the Ultima weapon, the most powerful sword of all, which appeared in many FF titles that followed this one. Again, if you like Final Fantasy, you can't go wrong.

Features

All graphics have been painstakingly recreated, bringing the world of FINAL FANTASY VI to your mobile device for the very first time! Kazuko Shibuya, one of the graphics designers involved in the FINAL FANTASY series from the very start, personally worked on the main characters and supervised the recreation of the game's graphics.
Square Enix's vast experience in A-list smartphone RPG titles has been harnessed in implementing intuitive user-friendly controls that make the game easy to play on touch screens. The battle interface has received particular attention, with a complete overhaul for use on your smartphone.
This smartphone release includes the new magicites and events that were introduced in the 2006 remake.
Some events have been optimized to be played with user-friendly touch controls.

The game is now live, so go grab it. Play Link ($15.99)

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RoboCop Available on Google Play, Just in Time for the Theatrical Release

Rithvik — Wed, 15 Jan 2014 14:15:07 +0000

Dying in anticipation of the upcoming RoboCop movie? This new official game may be able to soothe your anxiety. RoboCop is a third-person shooter from Glu Mobile, the makers of Eternity Warriors 3 and many other freemium titles. The main goal in the game, which has been available on iOS for a couple days now, is to "build the ultimate crime-fighting machine," which, if you've watched some TV lately, is exactly what the advertisements for the movie focus on.

In terms of actual gameplay, players are tasked with saving human hostages, doing battle with robot cronies, and upgrading their robotic suit with oh-so beloved in-app purchases.

Features

SHOOT your way through console quality training simulations
USE drone strikes to take out large groups of enemies
SAVE human hostages and capture informants
BATTLE aggressive robot enemies from the film, like the EM-208 and the ED-209
UPGRADE your weapons and robotic suit to the latest technology that OmniCorp has to offer
SCAN your targets with body heat vision to find their location and weak points

RoboCop is now available on the Play Store for free, so go try it out and let us know what you think.

Play Link

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Keep the Commentary Coming, Motorola CEO Dennis Woodside Reads Droid Life to Get Feedback on Products

Kellen — Wed, 15 Jan 2014 13:06:28 +0000

When we tell you (wonderful member of the DL community) regularly that you are as important to this site as any writer will ever be, we aren't kidding. It's not grandstanding - we actually mean it. Call Droid Life a blog or news outlet or hypebeast machine, we will always think of ourselves as a community filled with the most passionate and brilliant Android minds on the planet. Together, we have done some amazing things over the years, especially when we all use our voices collectively. To prove to you that your voice is actually being heard, that we're not just blowing hot air, and your comment isn't just disappearing into an internet black hole whenever you click "post," look no further than an interview that Motorola CEO Dennis Woodside did over the weekend with Forbes. When asked what he does to get a good sense of the "consumer appetite," Woodside said he takes to a certain site you may be familiar with. More specifically, he called out the comment section for both its brutality, and yet often times complimentary nature. Yes, he was talking about your contributions to Droid Life.

“Droid Life is a good site,” he told Forbes, “The comments there… People can be brutal and they can be complimentary.”

Pretty cool, right? Because of your feisty, no-holding-back approach to Android and general love of technology, you have grabbed the attention of the CEO of a company who gave us the top Android phone of the year. Keep it coming, folks. Keep being you. Keep being entertaining, brutal, complimentary, hilarious, and honest. Woodside also mentioned that he reads through Amazon reviews to get a feel for what his company could do better and work on.

Via: Forbes

Google's Niantic Labs to Follow Up Ingress With Endgame, a Cross-Media Interactive Title

Tim — Wed, 15 Jan 2014 12:31:37 +0000

Not too long ago, Ingress, which is the brainchild of Niantic Labs, an independent game studio inside of Google, was taken out of beta after what seemed like forever. Now that players are running around opening and closing portals all over the place, it's time we start talking about Niantic Lab's next step. Detailed today by CNET, the studio is already well underway with Endgame, a cross-media completely-interactive game which will utilize YouTube videos, e-books novellas, social media, and image search results to get players involved. It actually sounds confusing right off of the bat, which is why I didn't get too involved with Ingress. Anyways, here is what we know so far. Endgame, which should launch around Q3 or Q4 of this year, will be paired with a trilogy of novels from author James Frey's Full Fathom Five production company and publisher HarperCollins. Nils Johnson-Shelton, author of Otherworld Chronicles, is helping to write the stories as well. The stories go beyond just books though, as players will use YouTube videos, social media, image search results, and other medias to help progress them through the experience. What is even more interesting is the actual ending. Apparently, an unknown amount of real gold is going to be placed in a locked container as a prize for the first of three novels.

To help attract attention, each game attached to its respective novel will come with a big prize. The first book, "Endgame: The Calling," will offer up in public a display case with a currently unknown quantity of gold in it. Solving the puzzle of the game will offer players a key to unlock the case, with plans to livestream the event on YouTube.

The game should launch around the same time that the books come out, which is scheduled for some time in October. Any Ingress fans really excited for this?

Via: CNET

CyanogenMod Installer Now Available for Mac Machines, Let the Flashing Commence

Tim — Wed, 15 Jan 2014 11:32:39 +0000

When it comes to rooting and flashing custom ROMs on your Android device, it sometimes helps if you have a Windows-powered computer. Thanks to the tireless efforts of the CyanogenMod team, their Installer application is now available for Macs. If you are unfamiliar, the CM Installer allows users to painlessly flash the CyanogenMod ROM onto their Android device, simply by pressing a couple of buttons. There is an incredibly healthy list of supported devices which can be viewed here. To get started, all you need to do is join the Installer beta on its Google+ page. After, download a few files, and you are good to go. The Installer pretty much handles everything. You can get started by following the via link down below.

Via: +CyanogenMod

Gmail Feature Request: Give Me a "Mark as Read," Forward, or Third Button in the Notification Preview

Kellen — Wed, 15 Jan 2014 10:53:09 +0000

Each morning, I wake up to the alarm on my phone, pick it up after snoozing it a couple of times, and then immediately swipe down the notification bar to see what kind of mess is going on in my three Gmail inboxes. Since there are typically dozens awaiting action, the notification preview forces me to enter the inbox to deal with them. But once I've done that, the notifications continue to pop up throughout the day (some times before I get out of bed), one at a time, with actionable buttons for "reply" or "delete." These button additions by the Android team to notifications have been game-changing, if you ask me. Being able to instantly react to an email that comes through your inbox is something I could not live without now that I have experienced it. I want more, though. With growing displays and resolutions, there is room for a third button. I want a third button! As you can tell from my ~~unprofessional~~ quick mock-ups at the top, I could use either a "mark as read" or a "forward" button. How often do you see an email pop through your notifications that you don't necessarily want to delete or archive, but you think you've seen enough in the preview to mark it as read? Caught up in a lengthy cc thread? Tap the "mark as read" button and move on with your day. But maybe more importantly, how many times have you received an email that doesn't exactly require a reply, but maybe a delegation? Enter the "forward" button. While hitting "reply" will then take you into the composer that will then let you switch over to "forward," a direct "forward" button would save even more time. Obviously, this idea is simply a dream of mine to help make my day easier (should help many of you too), but could never happen unless the Gmail team sees it and decides that it is helpful enough to include. Basically, this is me brainstorming, something I often do in the wee hours of the morning. Thoughts on the idea?

On a side note: Any other feature requests you'd like us to write up? I get the feeling that you all have ideas that need to be released to the world. We could easily turn this into a regular feature. If you've got something good, hit us up and maybe we'll feature it.

Verizon Moto G on Amazon for $79.99 in Lightning Deal (Updated: Gone)

Kellen — Wed, 15 Jan 2014 09:45:07 +0000

Been considering the Moto G on Verizon, a prepaid phone for $100 that can access their 3G network with no contract? What if you could grab it for $20 cheaper? Well, you can for a limited time today on Amazon. And when I say "limited," I mean limited. The deal is a lightning deal that only runs for a couple of hours or until stock runs out. (As of the time of this post, 66% has been claimed.) If you want the Moto G on Verizon, or are curious to try out a phone that has received an enormous amount of buzz because of its combination of low price and decent specs, this is your chance to grab one for $79.99. You better hurry. Update: The deal is sold out. Amazon Link

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Cheers Scott!

Pandora Adds Personalized Station Recommendations

Kyle — Wed, 15 Jan 2014 09:20:10 +0000

Is there a place for Pandora in a post-Spotify world? Apparently so, because 76.2 million people last month listed to 1.58 billion hours of music on the service. Still, Pandora isn’t resting on its laurels: the company announced that it's launching personalized station recommendations on both Android and iOS. The recommendations – up to 6 artist stations to add or listen to at a time– are determined based on current listening preference, song likes and dislikes, and your station list. As has always been the case with Pandora, the more you engage with the product, the more it will learn your musical preferences and be able to further optimize the station recommendations. They can be found both at the “create a station” screen and at the bottom of your station list. Also, your station recommendation list is refreshed when a new station is created or deleted. The feature has already begun rolling out, so you should see it on your smartphone and/or tablet shortly.

Via: Pandora

Circumvent NSA Surveillance with Blackphone, an Android Device Coming to MWC

Kyle — Wed, 15 Jan 2014 09:00:21 +0000

In an age of widespread government surveillance, a device that promises some semblance of the privacy we all once had sounds really appealing. Enter Blackphone, a security-oriented smartphone running a customized version of Android that its makers believe is secure enough to circumvent NSA monitoring. A joint venture between cryptographer Phil Zimmermann’s Silent Circle company and device manufacturer Geeksphone, Blackphone is powered by PrivatOS, a fork of Android with a wide range of security enhancements designed to mask your digital footprint. The companies claim the carrier- and vendor- independent smartphone will be capable of making phone calls, texting, transferring files, and video chatting without compromising user privacy. Exactly how is another matter, but the company plans to provide additional details at Mobile World Congress in February. No word on availability or network compatibility yet, but we’re certain to hear more as we approach MWC. Stay tuned!

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Via: Blackphone

Chrome for Android Gains Long-time Beta Features "Add to Homescreen" and Bandwidth Management

Kellen — Wed, 15 Jan 2014 08:42:49 +0000

Chrome for Android (the stable version) is receiving an update over the coming days that finally includes the "Add to homescreen" option that the beta build of Chrome has had for some time. For those not familiar, "Add to homescreen" allows you to create shortcuts to your favorite web pages that show up almost like apps on your home screens. If the developer behind the website has coded it properly, you may even see the shortcut appear in the app switcher and give you a full-screen experience when loaded. The Chrome also announced that Bandwidth Management will be included in the latest stable build, though we thought it had been there for some time. If not and we're somehow imagining things, you can access Bandwidth Management by entering Settings>Bandwidth Management>Reduce data usage and toggling it to "on." With this setting enabled, Google claims you could see reduced data consumption by up to 50%. The update should be available over the coming days as usual.

Via: Chrome Blog

Interview: Motorola Talks Big 2013 Moments, Choice, Value, a Love for Stock Android, and the Future

Kellen — Tue, 14 Jan 2014 16:30:12 +0000

During last week's CES, I had a chance to sit down with Motorola executives Steve Horowitz (SVP software engineering) and William Moss (director of corporate communications) to talk the year that was, what they took away from all that happened in 2013, their thoughts on wearables, and where we are headed in 2014. Our chat was a brief 30 minutes, but we managed to cruise through all sorts of topics including how they managed to update the Moto X to Kit Kat in under three weeks. I think you'll notice a theme quickly emerging throughout that most of you will all be fans of: Motorola wants to do more of the same, which means continuing to provide value and choice with a stock Android experience anchoring it all. While they wouldn't give up their roadmap for 2014 (don't worry I tried to get it), I think it's safe to assume that we'll see MotoMaker stick around, new choices of materials will be a part of the scheme, new features will be added onto their suite of Touchless Control and Active Display, and prices will remain as good as ever. Let's run through it. (Sorry for the delay, but man, do I have new love for professional transcribers.)

Question: As far as 2013 went, do you have a favorite moment whether it be Moto X or something else?

Horowitz: It’s been very interesting to see people start to understand the value in doing less and not focusing on the spec wars and escalations of bigger screens, how many cores, etc. We really are pleased to have seen a shift - by no means are we done - and a momentum that’s really picked up with the products we’ve launched. X and G, not only do they have their legs under them, but we’re really pleased with how things are doing, Moto G in particular. It’s hitting a price point for performance that is really resonating with consumers. Everybody learns, so we’ve learned a lot, but we’ve learned that our core tenants of choice, value, and a nice pure, simple experience, really are starting to win over consumers. We’re very happy with that.

Question: Goal going forward with core experience, to add on top of Touchless Control and Active Display?

Horowitz: That’s exactly right. We started off a year ago and started from scratch. We’ve got years of legacy built up in our codebase - we’re getting rid of all. We’re literally going to start with a fresh drop of Android, and we’re going to simply add in the minimal things we need to be carrier, legally, and geographically compliant, which is a small set of things if you really boil it down, and then we’re going to add experiences that are complementary of Android, not in competition with Android.

I know the [Android] team very well, I was an engineer there for 3 years when we first built it. I know the talent. I’ve always been a believer in a pure Android experience and the basics. I don’t think anyone’s ever sold more phones because their calendar had a better search box than the stock calendar or their launcher was just a little bit better. Instead of focusing on differentiating and competing with Android, we focused on things that are complementary to it and getting out of the way. That’s been one of these kind of virtuous circle things, that by taking that fresh approach with our code base we’ve been able to execute on upgrades at a pace I think nobody really expected. In addition to that, we’ve also done things with our experiences to make them market upgradable, Play store upgradable. And again, all these things are enablers for us to move really, really quickly.

Moss: You were asking for single moments for us from the past year, and I think being the first OEM to come out with a Kit Kat device was a huge moment for us. As you may recall, our reputation, say a year, year and a half, two years ago - was such a turn-around in how we were able to approach the software experience and the upgrade experience. Members of the public feel differently about that, but there is definitely a core for whom that is super important and we had heard from a lot.

Question: On that note, when you guys announced that Kit Kat was rolling out for the Moto X, it was under 3 weeks (19 days to be exact according to Horowitz), how did you guys do it?

Horowitz: There really are two fundamental things that enabled us to do that. When I say “two things,” I mean two categories. One is this core Android experience that is just fundamentally more pure and less modified than anything we have ever done. And I would argue anything that any other OEM has ever done. So we started with a true pure Android approach. That is a facilitator, and that coupled with challenging the team to think really hard about making as few modifications as we possibly can enabled us. We then had to go to our partners - because it’s not something we can do on our own - we had to work with Qualcomm and Verizon, AT&T and Sprint and say, “Guys, let’s take a different approach to this. Let’s not treat this as business as usual where cycles happens in the following way with the following deadlines. Let’s rethink this from scratch.” And so they were great partners for us in doing that. As you said, it did require these two fundamentally different things to happen. But we proved to our partners as well as to consumers that it can be done. And I think we set a new bar and can be even better.

Question: Moto X specifically - wood or natural backs - initially when you first announced them there were other materials. Still plans to do those?

Horowitz: Yeah, I think you’ll see a lot of additional things in the domain of consumer choice, and new materials, and things like that in Moto X. I think one of the things you’ll see that’s consistent in this area is we also want to be careful and not try to do things that will lower the quality bar. We want to make sure we do fewer things really well. We started off with Bamboo so we could make sure - even then, Bamboo is technically not even a wood, as I learned myself - but each material has its own set of challenges both in terms of how you ensure the quality level, the manufacturing, the drop testing, the rigidity, the antenna. There are a lot of different factors. And then there is also the sourcing. We also want to make sure we’re responsible on the sourcing and making sure it’s sustainable and things like that. As we’ve learned - because again these are all learning processes for us - we have wanted to just do this carefully. But you’ll definitely see some other materials come into play.

Question: MotoMaker - here to stay?

Moss: Rolling it out from - you know it started on AT&T - to all the other carriers was a very big step for us in the last couple of months. That really helped to drive adoption of broad customization to a much bigger audience and we were really glad to be able to roll it out more. It’s going to be a big priority.

Horowitz: The way I would characterize it is I would say it’s part our bigger story of consumer choice and options. We really expanded that beyond just carriers. Our direct to consumer channels and some of the sales we’ve had for some of the unlocked devices over the holidays were incredibly successful for us. Even if you look at Moto G - which isn’t a MotoMaker product - has choice. You can still have backs. It is arguably even more customizable than X because, my daughter can have 3 different backs - what’s her outfit look like today - “well I can use my blue back or my purple back or my yellow back.” Consumer choice is important, so I think you’ll really see us accelerate in areas like that.

Question: Touching on price - Moto X is now $399 - is that another focus going forward? Initially, phones launching at a reasonable price point that people can get off contract?

Horowitz: The way I would begin characterizing that is it’s about value to consumers. Really our goal here is very aligned with Google - we want to get phones and information access to billions of people out there that don’t have it. The first thing you have to do is get devices at a price point that can reach different kinds of consumers. Really what you’ll see us is us focusing on value. And that isn’t just value in terms of cheaper or lower cost phones, it’s value at every segment. Moto X we think is a great value at that price, and you’ll continue to see more of that with us.

Question: Project Ara - how are things coming there?

Horowitz: Things are going well - we don’t have anything really new to announce in that domain. As you might expect it has generated a lot of talk. Even internally we were surprised at the way that that’s resonated with - obviously not the broader consumer population - but it just goes back to choice. Consumers, ultimately there is not a one size fits all, and something like a Project Ara will allow people to specify not only at order time, but even dynamically. Like, I’m going out on vacation and maybe I want to rent a super high-end camera module or maybe I need to optimize for battery, so I put 4 batteries in the various slots so I can have extra long battery life. So consumer choice not just at product conception but depending on the individual use case is incredibly possible.

Moss: I bumped into the technical project lead for Ara yesterday in the office before I left and had a quick chat with him. They are definitely making progress - stay tuned - there will be more to come.

Then things got interesting for a moment when Moss asked me a question, basically giving me the power to tell them what they can do better. He wanted to know what it would take to get their product into my pocket as a daily driver, since I showed up to the interview with a G2 and Nexus 5 (Whoops!).

Question (from Moss): You have a couple of different devices out here (on the table). Where do you see where we are at now? When you look at our devices and how they fit into the competitive environment - as somebody who follows Android closely - where are we good and not good? What would it take so that you are carrying our devices around as a primary device?

Me: I basically told them to do more of the same, but that some people do still care about specs as much as the Moto X helped slow down the spec wars. I also told them that we focus a lot on cameras these days because the camera on your phone often times is all you have and it needs to be awesome. It's the little things that make a smartphone great, since almost all smartphones are good these days. And last, I told them that the Moto X (with Bamboo) is actually my daily phone, but that I was using the G2 in its place for the extra battery life while hotspotting during CES. They joked about me being one of the few that are buying Bamboo.

We then moved casually onto Moto G. Both shared some thoughts.

Moss: You also asked about things from the past year that had been big moments for us and I think the other thing (other than software upgrades), when we put G out and we saw the reception to it - we were optimistic about the product and we felt that there was a good strategic case for it - I think we were pleasantly surprised by how positive the reaction to it was from reviewers but also just from people who appreciated somebody putting out an affordable phone that wasn’t crappy. And you know, the response from consumers has been very good and we have been very, very happy with that. I think that was a big lesson for us - Steve talked about choice before, in terms of how we bring different kinds of choices to people and I think that formed very much our decision to do off-contract Moto Xs for $399 and give people more choices around value and around options that aren’t driven by contracts. So that was a very big deal for us.

Horowitz: I think Moto G really shows - you talk about specs, and there obviously is as you say, is going to be core group of folks [who cares], which is fine, great, because the world needs variety - but what Moto G, we’re hoping it shows, is that by doing less, by having a more pure experience - again this is part of my Android championing part that says the product can do great things if you don’t get in its way. And that’s what we think we have done with Moto G. We have created the kind of experience that is - there are still some great Motorola experience stuff in there - but it’s a pure Android experience on a phone and it shines, given the relatively [lower] specs. I would put even the Moto G up against some of the highest end smartphones today and I would challenge you to tell the difference in many cases.

Question: 2014 - plans?

Horowitz: Well, our product roadmap is… (jokingly)

I think thematically you’ll see just more of the same which is, we want to continue to do fewer things and do them very well. We want to offer things that are of value to consumers and increase the accessibility of the internet. We want to have more and more choice. We want to build things that we feel have resonated. We have done a lot of things over the last year, made a lot of changes, and we have been surprised in a lot of cases. Like anybody will learn with what resonates with consumers we’ll see more of - I know I’m being very generic here - nonetheless, themes of choice and value will be accelerated.

Question: Wearables - the hot topic right now - you guys at one time did the MotoActv, so any plans to think about going back in there?

Horowitz: As you can imagine, we’re not going to announce anything, but really it’s an area that we’re [thinking really hard about]. When we do something we want to make sure we are careful about and don’t want to just do it for the sake of doing it. Clearly it’s an area that we think is resonating with a certain subset of consumer. Even though the bands and the fitness part is a broad consumer thing, I think having a more interactive experience with wearables is still a much smaller market as people learn to integrate.

And that was our chat! As you can tell, they weren't about to give up dirty little secrets or specific plans for the future. However, if you were a fan of what Motorola did during 2013, I think you should be excited to know that they are going to continue to focus on using stock Android, giving us great pricing (hopefully out of the gate this time), bringing customization, looking into wearables, and updating phones faster than they did last year.

Facebook Readies "Paper," a Flipboard-like Competitor for Possible January Launch

Tim — Tue, 14 Jan 2014 15:30:06 +0000

According to sources of Recode inside Facebook, the social network is almost set to launch a reader application, known as Paper. Paper, much like Flipboard, will be an aggregator, combining the web's top stories, your friend's status updates and paid advertisements, into a streamlined experience that you will want to read every morning; like a newspaper. The source states that this reader has been in the works for quite some time, and was actually intended to be shown off around the same time that Facebook released their News Feed back in March. What's not exactly known for sure is whether Paper will be a standalone application or a web page that is optimized for mobile viewing. What is known is that the aesthetics of the app are said to be that of like a newspaper. Apparently, it's supposed to remind us of a time when everyone read the newspaper for their daily news. As a young person, this disinterests me quite dearly, but I know there are some of you who preferred a more simple time in life. As for release, the timeframe is set for January, although that could change at any time given Mark Zuckerberg's direct oversight of the project. All projects go right through Mark, so if it doesn't get his approval, we won't see it. Ready for your morning Paper?

Via: Recode

Net Neutrality Dealt Blow by Appeals Court, Verizon Vows Commitment to "Open Internet"

Kellen — Tue, 14 Jan 2014 14:55:10 +0000

The "open internet" as we know it - also know as Net Neutrality - was dealt a serious blow this morning when an appeals court ruled that the FCC does not have the power to bar internet service providers from favoring one type of traffic over another. In other words, if Verizon (we'll pick on them since they are leading this charge and won today's ruling) decides one day that it wants to limit or slow your access to Droid Life in favor of another Android site that paid premiums, it could. Or maybe Big Red struck another deal with Bing, so it decided to limit your access to Google Search. Or maybe they don't want you on YouTube as much as you currently are - maybe they have a new Verizon video service that streams at a faster rate and with higher quality that they will shove in your face. See where we are going here? The FCC has argued for some time that we shouldn't allow companies like Comcast, AT&T or Verizon to treat packets that flow across their network any differently from one to another. These big networks, since they paid billions to build them, think they should have all the power in the world when deciding how their traffic flows. According to today's judgement, things aren't looking so hot for the FCC. In a statement released shortly after the ruling, FCC chairman Tom Wheeler had this to say:

The D.C. Circuit has correctly held that ‘Section 706 . . . vests [the Commission] with affirmative authority to enact measures encouraging the deployment of broadband infrastructure’ and therefore may ‘promulgate rules governing broadband providers’ treatment of Internet traffic.’ I am committed to maintaining our networks as engines for economic growth, test beds for innovative services and products, and channels for all forms of speech protected by the First Amendment. We will consider all available options, including those for appeal, to ensure that these networks on which the Internet depends continue to provide a free and open platform for innovation and expression, and operate in the interest of all Americans.

Verizon followed up with their own statement, one which vowed to commit to an "open internet":

One thing is for sure: today’s decision will not change consumers’ ability to access and use the Internet as they do now. The court’s decision will allow more room for innovation, and consumers will have more choices to determine for themselves how they access and experience the Internet. Verizon has been and remains committed to the open Internet that provides consumers with competitive choices and unblocked access to lawful websites and content when, where, and how they want. This will not change in light of the court’s decision.

Should we believe them? I'll let you decide. All I know is that these companies operate off of dollar signs, and with an internet that can be bought or controlled by the companies that own the networks, anything is possible.

Via: Recode

Android 4.3 Update Now Available for the Samsung Galaxy S4 Active

Tim — Tue, 14 Jan 2014 14:40:45 +0000

Galaxy S4 Active owners can now celebrate, as their devices have received the head nod from AT&T to begin updating to Android 4.3. It's taken a while, but updates are always better late than never. Am I right, HTC One X and One X+ owners? Then again, don't feel too bad, since the Galaxy S4 and Galaxy Note 3 are still waiting to hear about Android 4.4. Ah, fragmentation, it's a beautiful thing. Anyways, back to the topic at hand. With the new update, S4 Active owners can now hook up their Galaxy Gear devices right to the phone, as well as have access to the new AT&T Digital Experience - also known as extreme amounts of bloatware including the Kindle app, Lookout, City ID, Password Keeper, Games, and AT&T Mobile Protection. Pretty nice of AT&T to throw all of that value into the update. (/sarcasm) To check to see if your device is ready to update, head to Settings > About device > Software update > Check for updates

Via: AT&T

EvolveSMS is the Third-Party SMS App You've Been Waiting For

Kyle — Tue, 14 Jan 2014 14:23:17 +0000

There’s no doubt about it, the Messaging app on Android isn't great. Though Google’s integrative vision of Hangouts may make the app’s lack of functionality a moot point, the company has a long way to go before SMS is as manipulable and beautiful as it is on some third-party applications. A great example? EvolveSMS, the successor to Sliding Messaging. From an interface perspective, EvolveSMS is exactly what you'd expect from the creators of Talon: nearly flawless. Using Android 4.4 KitKat’s transparent nav bar feature to great effect, the UI evokes Google apps in its tasteful use of sliding drawer, Gaussian blur, and animation. Functionality-wise, the app is pretty limited without the purchase of either a $0.99 customization pack or $1.49 feature pack, but I’d argue it’s still more pleasant to use than Messaging. The customization pack comes with themes, contact photo tools, and night mode, while the feature pack includes Dropbox backups and scheduled messaging among other features. Play Link

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Tuesday Poll: Are You Interested in a Smartband?

Tim — Tue, 14 Jan 2014 13:30:28 +0000

It seems that wearable technology is going to be riding shotgun this year, with just about every consumer electronics manufacturer under the sun taking up some type of project concerning a device that either tracks your health, shows your notifications, or something along those lines. At CES 2014, we were practically bombarded with a ton of smartbands and new Android-powered smartwatches, and while a few certainly look more intriguing than others, it's clear that a lot of money is being invested in the wearable field. We already know that many of our readers are rocking Pebble smartwatches or even Galaxy Gear devices, but for those who don't want to spend crazy amounts of cash on those things, the smartband is a new trend that seems to be catching on pretty quickly. We saw one in particular at CES that caught our eye, the Razer Nabu, which features notifications for your smartphone, as well as all of the health tracking software you would expect. Smartbands are essentially the same concept as smartwatches, but are less about the flashy looks with higher price tags, and more about the overall value. After writing up the Nabu, we saw a lot of interest from our community in smartbands, so it's time we did a poll to see just how interested you all are. Let's hear your thoughts down below. [poll id="283"]

XDA Users Puts Together Script for Rooting the Moto X on Android 4.4, Proceed with Caution

Eric — Tue, 14 Jan 2014 11:58:12 +0000

One of the few downsides to the Moto X's incredibly fast updates to Android 4.4 Kit Kat by Motorola was the root situation, since each update quickly wiped away exploits that allowed for easier root options that existed. There is a way to root the current build of Android 4.4 on the Moto X, but it is a fairly involved process. XDA member 640k has taken the work already done by Justin Case to root the Moto X and put it into an executable script, but tread lightly going forward. We don't want the title to mislead anyone, we love rooting our Android devices and the power that it brings, but people have to be aware of what they are getting into before they embark on this. If your Moto X is on Android 4.4 and you run this script, it involves re-imaging your device with 4.2.2 two different times before getting you updated again to 4.4 with root intact. The locked bootloader of the Moto X makes recovering a failed flash very difficult, so before you start on this, make sure you know what you are doing. The script needs a few downloads to get working correctly. The script itself only runs on Windows machines and needs Motorola drivers installed, a fresh download of Android 4.2.2 and the exploits themselves. After being corralled into a folder, the script will guide the user through how to bring root access to their device. If you have gone through the root process on 4.4 already, feel free to post in the comments any tips you can to help!

Via: XDA

Cheers Jared!

Moto G "Google Play Edition" Arrives on Google Play Starting at $179

Kellen — Tue, 14 Jan 2014 11:16:37 +0000

The Moto G just popped up on Google Play as a "Google Play Edition" with a starting price of $179 for the 8GB model. This is the unlocked GSM model (should work on both AT&T and T-Mobile), so no, you can't buy it and try to take it to Verizon or Sprint. From reading the description, it appears to be exactly the same as the regular unlocked GSM Moto G, except that it should be running even closer to a 100% stock build of Android than the phone already was. Again, we aren't exactly sure what differences you'll see from this over the regular version, but the listing does say it'll run the most recent version of Android. Then again, Motorola has been on top of its update game lately, so that's not even necessarily something different. But hey, if you want a phone that says "Google Play Edition" on the box, here you go. If anything, this is only helping Motorola spread the word about its ultra-affordable smartphone with a "premium" experience. We went hands-on with the Moto G some time ago, so if you are curious about this device and it's ridiculously low price, be sure to check out the video below. You can also pick-up the 16GB model for $199. Play Link

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Cheers Maxwell, @B3RTOD, and @kentoe!

Xbox Music Receives Update on Google Play, Allows for Storing Playlists Offline

Eric — Tue, 14 Jan 2014 11:02:41 +0000

These days, it seems that there are just as many streaming music services as there are social networks in our world. If you are one of the people who uses Microsoft's Xbox Music service, today is a good day. An update pushing to users now will allow for you to be able to listen to your music while on the go. Offline music playback is something that Microsoft has been promising to come to their mobile apps since Xbox Music started. Today's update finally allows people with an Xbox Music Pass to save their playlists to their phone so they can listen to them without an internet connection. This update also brings a "play all genre" function, allowing for a bit more music discovery, which is something the application has lacked up until this point. It is worth noting that offline playback only works for users who pay the $9.99 per month for the Xbox Music Pass. If you are one of the users of Xbox Music, hit the Google Play link below to grab your download. Play Link

Cheers Paul!

Uncover Your Anonymous Chat Partner With Backchat for Android

Kyle — Tue, 14 Jan 2014 10:07:06 +0000

Instant messaging has certainly come a long way since the 1990s. Once dominated by giants AOL, Microsoft and Yahoo, the IM landscape has shifted towards cross-platform, multimedia-focused applications like iMessage and Hangouts. Besides prettier graphics and desktop notifications, though, not much has changed: instant messaging is still the utilitarian form of communication it was two decades ago. At least, that was probably 14 year-old Daniel Singer’s thought when he designed Backchat, an app that uses IM as a vehicle to turn the concept of digital anonymity on its head. Backchat, which launched as Backdoor on iOS last summer, is a playful answer to the troubling questions posed by NSA whistleblower Edward Snowden's and others' revelations. Basically, you start a chat with either a Facebook or Google+ friend, and then try to deduce who you're talking to using free and in-app purchased "clues". It almost seems like a commentary on the state of privacy in the US, an invitation to step into the shoes of a government agent by connecting pieces of digital metadata to narrow down an identity. It’s both fun and terrifying. Backchat has skyrocketed in popularity recently; the app attracted investor attention, and in December of last year secured $200,000 in funding. It's definitely worth a download, but don't be frightened by how few secrets you've managed to keep from your internet buddies. Play Link

Floatifications Updated Through Google Play, Brings Ticker Notification Alert Feature

Tim — Tue, 14 Jan 2014 09:44:24 +0000

If you aren't currently running Kit Kat, you may know the struggles of being in a fullscreen app or game and receiving a notification, then not being able to view it without first exiting the app. It's a very frustrating situation, and before the release of Android 4.4, everyone experienced it. However, there were plenty of floating notification apps that came out following the release of Facebook's Chat Heads that tried to limit that frustration. If you still find yourself wondering what that notification was while playing Candy Crush or watching a YouTube video, you should go check out the recent update that Floatifications received this week on Google Play. With the update, a Ticker notification feature has been added, which allows a fully customizable bubble to appear on top of whatever app you are running that will show you the most recent notification to hit your device. It appears right on the top of the screen, so you won't have to worry about it getting in the way of whatever you are doing. You can tap the bubble, which will then take you to proper source of the notification. If you don't want to be bothered with it, simply swipe the bubble away or let it disappear on its own. It's a very straightforward and handy little notifications app. There is a free trial on Google Play, and after the trial period, users can pay a small amount to experience the full app. Below there is a brief video which shows off the new Ticker feature. Check it out. Play Link

[responsive_vid]

Two Renders of New Samsung-made Nexus 10 Arrive (Updated)

Kellen — Tue, 14 Jan 2014 09:07:54 +0000

Update: These renders were submitted to a handful of sites, including ours. We'd lean on this being fake rather than close to being real. Take it for what it's worth. Move along. Are these two pictures of the new Nexus 10 made by Samsung? Industry leaker @evleaks posted up the picture below moments ago with a warning that he couldn't confirm any of the details as they were sent to him as a tip. His tip suggested that the device will again be made by Samsung (not Asus as has been previously reported) and will feature an Exynos 5 chipset, WQXGA display, 3GB RAM, 16 or 32GB of storage, 5MP rear camera, 3MP front camera, and run Android 4.5. The images also show front-facing speakers and transparent Kit Kat notification and navigation areas. Sound odd? Well, we received similar information from what may be a separate source within the last 24 hours, but have been sitting on it. Sources of our sent us the image you are seeing at the top from an industry inventory system, which appears to be an identical device to the one posted by @evleaks. Our sources also said that the device is listed as running Android 4.5 and will come in both black and white variants. Clearly, none of this is confirmed at this time and is mostly a complete mystery. With that said, in the past, device renders have shown their version of Android in the clock (ex: 4:30 meant Android 4.3), though that theory went out the door a little bit with hiccups in the release of Android 4.4. This also could be a troll job. With availability of the current Nexus 10 dropping in and out of stock on Google Play, it seems like the right time to release a new 10-inch tablet. I'm just wondering why we need Android 4.5 already or if Google even has it ready. Thoughts?

Via: @evleaks

LG G2 "Gold Edition" Spotted Overseas - Not Super Baller Status, But Still Nice

Tim — Tue, 14 Jan 2014 09:01:49 +0000

While HTC can afford to pump out 18K Gold One smartphones (/s), other companies tend to opt for a more affordable approach - such as Apple and Samsung who merely paint their devices a gold tone. The next OEM to enter into the gold market appears to be LG, as a G2 in Gold coloring has been spotted overseas in Taiwan. Thanks to a user on ePrice, it appears the device is set to launch soon, for about the same retail price as the Black and White models, which means there isn't anything too special about the gold being used. Unfortunately for Americans, there is no word yet whether we could see this Trinidad James version hit our shores. As of right now, it appears to be an overseas thing only. While gold is nice, and we are sure plenty of people appreciate its hypnotic values, we wouldn't mind to see more work going into other materials and colors.

Via: Phone Arena | ePrice

Here are the Changelogs for the Newest DROID 4, RAZR, and RAZR MAXX Updates

Kellen — Tue, 14 Jan 2014 08:41:54 +0000

Just before 2013 ended, a couple of soak tests began for the DROID 4 and original RAZR/RAZR MAXX. We assumed, knowing the age of each device, that the updates would be incredibly minor and probably include connectivity fixes and bloatware. We were right on the connectivity part, however, Verizon has surprised us by not removing or adding any new services that few find useful. Hands to the sky, as updates for all devices are rolling out now. There are connectivity fixes in store, though, for all three devices. Each has been given a fix to improve connectivity "while roaming abroad." Data roaming in Canada on GSM/UMTS networks is also now supported. And last, security fixes were tossed in, meaning root users should proceed with caution as always. The full changelogs are below.

DROID 4

DROID RAZR and RAZR MAXX

Moto X Arrives in the UK, France, and Germany on February 1

Kellen — Tue, 14 Jan 2014 08:09:46 +0000

Motorola has officially announced its 2013 flagship, Moto X, for parts of Europe with a release date of February 1. An event to make the announcement was teased during CES, which we all assumed had to be for this device, even though Motorola execs would only leave us to speculate when asked during an interview. So yes, everything is official now. The phone - our 2013 phone of the year - will arrive in the UK, France, and Germany at the beginning of next month for £380 or 399 Euros. It's the exact same Moto X that we have been enjoying stateside since August, only this version will have support for European LTE networks. Potential buyers will be able to buy the phone in either black or white, with some sellers nabbing an exclusive on the white version. MotoMaker won't be available initially, but could arrive in the future. Since we have already seen a job posting for MotoMaker in Europe, I can't imagine it'll be too far out. If anything, Motorola could be targeting MotoMaker rollout for their next flagship device. As far as features go, the Euro Moto X still has Touchless Control, Active Display, and the wrist-twisting quick camera action. Euro friends, be sure to read our review if you have not done so.

Via: CNET

GalleryNext is the New CyanogenMod Gallery App, Beta Test It Now

Kellen — Mon, 13 Jan 2014 17:39:04 +0000

Raise your hand if you are a fan of the stock AOSP Gallery application? A couple of you? None of you? Many of you? This is one of those applications we rarely talk about for whatever reason, but if you ask me, I'd argue that it is one of the last remaining neglected apps that still seems to be hanging on to visions of years past. Thankfully for us and the app itself, it is on the verge of being phased out for the Google+ Photos app, so we'll likely never see it get a 2014 stamp of Google design approval. The CyanogenMod team seems to agree and has created their own new gallery app called GalleryNext. For now, it's in beta and available for testing, but we would imagine that in the future, it will ship with CM builds. The app looks somewhat like a blacked-out version of the G+ Photos app with its slideout navigation menu and mini-gallery compilations. What makes it unique and extra useful, is the cloud service integration that has been built in for your photos on Flickr, Picasa, Facebook, and Dropbox. You'll also find GIF support, video playback support, and "Moments" support (grouping of photos based on metadata). As you can imagine with the app in beta, there are things that need to be done to improve it. The CM team already has a list in the works, but should you become a part of the beta test, be sure to submit issues and requests as they come up. Here are the features:

View all your pictures in one centralized location
Cloud services integration with Flickr, Picasa (G+), Facebook, and Dropbox
Moments support (automatic grouping and classification of media based on metadata)
Video playback support
Gif support
Deduplication in 'All' view

And the upcoming to-do list:

Implement KitKat's immersive mode UI
Editor support
Fix all the things
You tell us

Join the GalleryNext G+ Community | Click here to become a tester

Via: +CyanogenMod

Feedly Reader App Updated - Brings Speed Reading Feature, Galaxy Gear Support, and New Nexus 7 Design

Tim — Mon, 13 Jan 2014 16:10:22 +0000

Feedly, a popular news reader application that also has a fantastic desktop client, received an update this week. Inside, the developers have added speed reading, a new tap gesture which allows power readers to quickly jump from one inlined article to the next. In addition, version 18 also brings a new Nexus 7 design, Google+ login and sharing dialog, and a "mark all as read" card with reading stats. Probably the biggest piece of the update (insert sarcasm) is that Feedly has been updated with compatibility for the Galaxy Gear. While the idea of having yet another use for Gear is fantastic, you won't see me sitting in the local coffee shop reading news stories on my Gear anytime soon. Maybe it has something to do with the screen being only 1.63". Curious enough to check out the full changelog? Here it is.

What's New

Speed reading
New nexus 7 design
Google+ login and sharing dialog
Mark all as read card with reading stats
Back button issue
Android 4.1 crashes and rendering issues
Login expiration bug
Improved the speed of image processing

Play Link

Via: Feedly

HTC One X and One X+ to Stay on Android 4.2.2, No Kit Kat For You

Tim — Mon, 13 Jan 2014 15:40:12 +0000

HTC announced via Twitter that the One X and One X+ will be staying on their current version of Android, and won't ever be seeing a Kit Kat update. Both devices currently sit on Android 4.2.2, not even 4.3 which would have been nice for consumers. Truth be told, the One X is nearly two years old, so without sounding like a hypocrite, we should say that HTC's apparent lack of support for this particular phone shouldn't come as a surprise. However, the One X+ was launched in October of 2012, so the phone isn't even close to two years old. Why HTC feels like cutting support for this device, which sports specs that could easily handle Kit Kat, makes very little sense and is sure to anger a few buyers. With that said, HTC's resources are probably being stretched quite thinly this year, and when you throw in the task of assigning teams to older devices, productivity is sure to suffer at some point. HTC might do best to focus on somewhat younger/more popular devices, while also making sure their next release (HTC M8) is phenomenal.

HTC comments that both devices still feature the company's fantastic camera and audio software, so customers should be happy about that. While that might salt the wound for some buyers, it is what it is.

We can confirm that the HTC One X and One X+ will not receive further Android OS updates beyond Android 4.2.2 with Sense 5. We realize this news will be met with disappointment by some, but our customers should feel confident that we have designed both devices to be optimized with our amazing camera and audio experiences.

If you really need Kit Kat, go check out a custom ROM.

Via: The Verge

Is the Nexus 7 About to Join Verizon's Official Tablet Lineup?

Tim — Mon, 13 Jan 2014 14:30:11 +0000

According to leak maestro evleaks, Verizon is soon to add the Nexus 7 to its official lineup of tablets, even without sporting any type of Big Red branding. Woah, really, Verizon? No massive 4G LTE logo or anything? No timeframe has been given as to when we could expect to see Verizon begin to offer the device on its network, plus we haven't heard anything from our Verizon sources, but evleaks is usually on the ball with these sorts of leaks. As it stands, we were still waiting on Verizon to "approve" the Nexus 7 to operate on its network, so maybe it will all be one major announcement - even though the device has been compatible with the network since its release mid last year. If we hear anything else, we will be sure to let you know.

Via: @evleaks

Themer Beta Updated With Stability Fixes, More Themes Added

Tim — Mon, 13 Jan 2014 14:03:43 +0000

If the Plain Jane Android homescreen isn't your taste, then we are sure you have already downloaded and tried out Themer from MyColorScreen. If you have not, it's a simple launcher replacement app that automatically gives your phone an entirely new look and feel. If you don't feel like spending countless hours constantly changing your homescreen's appearance, then it will be perfect for you. Anyways, the team behind the application has released an updated build, still nearing the official launch out of beta. The team states they have added in more stability fixes for multiple devices, and continue to ask for feedback and feature requests. Upon release, they want to make sure it has everything a user might need to make sure they don't go back to another launcher. The beta is completely open, so if you have yet to try it, now would be an excellent time. The team continues to add in very cool themes, so give it a shot. Anyone here rocking Themer? What are your thoughts? Do you still like it? Did you go back to Nova or the stock launcher? We want to hear your thoughts. Play Link

[responsive_vid]

Via: Themer

Google Acquires Nest for $3.2 Billion (Updated)

Kellen — Mon, 13 Jan 2014 13:13:34 +0000

Google announced moments ago that it has acquired Nest Labs for $3.2 billion in cash. For those not familiar, Nest "reinvents" home products that you either neglect, ignore, or don't realize could be awesome and then makes them something you can't live without. They are the creators of the Nest Thermostat and most recently, Nest Protect (smoke alarm). I reviewed the Nest Thermostat earlier in the year, calling it my favorite Android accessory, thanks to its ease of use, automation, and potential energy saving prowess. We have Nest Protects in house and will be doing some sort of review or overview in the near future. In case you missed our story back in mid-December, we received word from sources suggesting that Google was in the middle of testing a similar smart home, thermostat application called EnergySense. The UI of the product looked identical to that of Nest, which we noted at the time. To see Google decide to buy Nest is somewhat surprising, yet not all that surprising. Nest is doing amazing game-changing things with home products, an arena Google has been eyeing since its introduction of Android@Home some three years ago. According to the press release, Nest will continue to operate under current leadership and with its own "distinct brand identity." Google hopes to help bring Nest to homes in more countries. Nest said that they will now be even "better placed to build simple, thoughtful devices that make life easier at home, and have a positive impact on the world." Whoa. Update: Here is a Q&A posted to Nest's site concerning the acquisition -

Will Nest continue to support iOS so I can have the Nest app on my iPhone or iPad? Yes, absolutely. We’ll continue supporting iOS, Android and modern web browsers so you can check in on your home and control the temperature from wherever you are. Will Nest and Google products work with each other? Nest’s product line obviously caught the attention of Google and I’m betting that there’s a lot of cool stuff we could do together, but nothing to share today. What will happen to the Nest warranties on products? No change there – we stand behind our products like we always have. Will I still be able to find Nest products at my local retailer? You bet. We intend to continue selling through the same partners in the US, Canada and the UK. Will Nest customer data be shared with Google? Our privacy policy clearly limits the use of customer information to providing and improving Nest’s products and services. We’ve always taken privacy seriously and this will not change.

Update 2: Nest CEO Tony Fadell had this to say in a blog post -

So if things are going so well, why did we decide to partner with Google? Google will help us fully realize our vision of the conscious home and allow us to change the world faster than we ever could if we continued to go it alone. We’ve had great momentum, but this is a rocket ship. Google has the business resources, global scale and platform reach to accelerate Nest growth across hardware, software and services for the home globally. And our company visions are well aligned – we both believe in letting technology do the hard work behind the scenes so people can get on with the things that matter in life. Google is committed to helping Nest make a difference and together, we can help save more energy and keep people safe in their homes. ... Nest will continue to be Nest, with its own distinct brand identity. We will continue to reimagine and reinvent the unloved products that proliferate in our homes, just as we have since we started. We are simply going to get our products into the hands of people around the world – faster.

Press Release

Google to Acquire Nest
MOUNTAIN VIEW, CA – JANUARY 13, 2014 — Google Inc. (NASDAQ: GOOG) announced today that it has entered into an agreement to buy Nest Labs, Inc. for $3.2 billion in cash. Nest’s mission is to reinvent unloved but important devices in the home such as thermostats and smoke alarms. Since its launch in 2011, the Nest Learning Thermostat has been a consistent best seller--and the recently launched Protect (Smoke + CO Alarm) has had rave reviews. Larry Page, CEO of Google, said: “Nest’s founders, Tony Fadell and Matt Rogers, have built a tremendous team that we are excited to welcome into the Google family. They’re already delivering amazing products you can buy right now--thermostats that save energy and smoke/CO alarms that can help keep your family safe. We are excited to bring great experiences to more homes in more countries and fulfill their dreams!” Tony Fadell, CEO of Nest, said: “We’re thrilled to join Google. With their support, Nest will be even better placed to build simple, thoughtful devices that make life easier at home, and that have a positive impact on the world.” Nest will continue to operate under the leadership of Tony Fadell and with its own distinct brand identity. The transaction is subject to customary closing conditions, including the receipt of regulatory approvals in the US. It is expected to close in the next few months. About Google Inc. Google is a global technology leader focused on improving the ways people connect with information. Google’s innovations in web search and advertising have made its website a top internet property and its brand one of the most recognized in the world.

Droid Life Q&A Sessions: Volume 18

Tim — Mon, 13 Jan 2014 13:10:46 +0000

With CES 2014 now behind us, it's time for another DL Q&A Session. We know that you guys and gals probably have a ton of questions, whether they regard to what we expect to see from OEMs in 2014, possibly our favorite/least favorite thing from this year's CES, or any other off-topic question you may have. Whatever it be, we love answering them. This is our first Q&A Session of the new year, so let's have some fun. On Friday, we’ll grab a handful of the best comments and let our team tackle them. To see all of our previous Q&A’s, check them out here.

Motorola Assist Update Adds Voice Reply to Texts While Driving

Kellen — Mon, 13 Jan 2014 12:37:59 +0000

Motorola pushed out an update to its Assist app this afternoon with one major new feature - the ability to reply to SMS messages using just your voice. Even though Assist could already read your text messages aloud and offer a quick reply while you were behind the wheel, this new addition gives you much more control. The update also improved driving detection and will now automatically launch your favorite music app while driving (Why did I think it already did this?). What's new:

- You can now reply to incoming SMS messages using just your voice - Improved driving detection - While driving, Motorola Assist will automatically launch your favorite music app - Bug fixes!

As it has been, Motorola Assist is available to the new DROID family and the Moto X. Play Link

Cheers Christopher and Robert!

Sprint Kills One Up Program in Favor of Framily Plans After Just Four Months

Kyle — Mon, 13 Jan 2014 12:24:16 +0000

That didn’t last long. Sprint, the last major carrier to ~~imitate~~ respond to T-Mobile’s Jump! program with an upgrade plan of its own, One Up, decided to end it January 9. The company says One Up was scrapped in favor of the recently introduced Framily Plans. One Up allowed customers to pay off a smartphone over a 24 month period, which is an aspect that the Framily Plans incorporate. However, the program also included an early, 12-month upgrade option which has been eliminated from the network’s new offerings. Worse still, existing One Up enrollees don’t get to upgrade annually anymore without ponying up for a down payment. As a consolation for remaining One Up customers, the $15 discount on unlimited service barring a device upgrade or switch in plans.

Via: Sprint Support

Cheers William!

Motorola Appears to be Pushing Kit Kat to the DROID MAXX and ULTRA Again

Kellen — Mon, 13 Jan 2014 11:42:38 +0000

After prepping and beginning to push the Android 4.4 "Kit Kat" update to the DROID MAXX and ULTRA back in mid-December, word spread of a group of devices potentially being bricked and needing revival support from Motorola. All signs pointed towards the update being pulled while Motorola looked into the situation, though no official word ever confirmed that. As of this morning, we are starting to hear from readers who have received the same update (build 19.5.3), which could mean that Moto has worked out all of the kinks. To see many of the new features you'll receive with Kit Kat, be sure to check out this platform highlight post. We also went hands-on with Kit Kat for the Moto X, which should give you a great look at what Kit Kat will bring to the MAXX and ULTRA. After all, these three devices are almost identical outside of their appearance. Since we don't have an ULTRA or MAXX in house, this is where we ask you, dear reader. If you have not yet installed the Kit Kat update on your new DROID device, are you seeing an update when heading into Settings>About phone>Software update?

Cheers Alisha and @palmaoh!

Impressive Tegra K1 Benchmarks Hit the Web, Running Through Lenovo ThinkVision 28 4K Display

Tim — Mon, 13 Jan 2014 11:27:04 +0000

Early benchmarks for the Tegra K1 processor from NVIDIA are hitting the web this week, apparently running on a Lenovo ThinkVision 28 4K smart display which features the Android OS. The thing is, NVIDIA would state that these are just preliminary benchmarks, as the processor has unlikely been optimized for such testing, and these numbers shouldn't be taken to heart quite yet. The new SoC is still unavailable to the public, so NVIDIA still has time to make these already-impressive numbers go up from here. As one would expect, the benchmarks clearly beat out all of last year's top performing chips, such as Qualcomm's Snapdragon 800, Apple's A7, and NVIDIA's past Tegra 4. With the Tegra K1, NVIDIA is moving towards bringing console-like graphics to mobile processors, and if the new benchmarks are any indicator, they are moving towards the right direction. Tom's Hardware posted up a few benchmarks on their site, focusing primarily on the processor's 192-core Kepler GPU. As stated by the site, the tests either don't recognize the frequency at which the Tegra K1 operates at or Lenovo's device is placing a 15% lower operating ceiling on the application processor than which it is capable of running. Regardless of which it is, it is still good to see that it performs just fine with said limitations.

3DMark is a multi-platform graphics benchmark that contains both graphics and physics tests, which is shown above. This versions runs at an off-screen resolution of 720p, so focus is solely on the processors, and the results won't be affected by the device's display. This would be your basic chip-to-chip comparison sheet. GFXBench (shown below), is another multi-platform which renders a scene that features a lot of different effects, as well as additive lighting and physics. The off-screen results show performance for a display resolution of 1920 x 1080, while the on-screen results show for the device's native display resolution. Since the Lenovo device is running a UHD display, that is why you see such a dip in performance (the black bar). Again, since the chip has yet to be optimized for these benchmarks, we wouldn't rely on their results too heavily quite yet. This is just a nice way to see what we should possibly expect from the processor.

What we have yet to see are benchmarks of actually released devices, featuring new chips from all makers, such as Qualcomm's Snapdragon 805, as well as new silicon from Intel going up against the Tegra K1. From the end-user point of view, a lot of these numbers won't necessarily translate to real life scenarios, but your overall experience will be greatly affected. Will the extra power consume battery quicker? Will your device overheat? Will games and apps lag? All of those questions won't be answered until we see 2014 devices hit the market running this next generation of chips. And for that, we are excited for their release.

Via: Tom's Hardware

Samsung's Android 4.4.2 Update Starts Rolling Out to Galaxy Note 3 Owners in Europe

Tim — Mon, 13 Jan 2014 10:30:15 +0000

Just last week, Android 4.4.2 test builds were leaking for the Galaxy S4 and Galaxy Note 3, with the update appearing to now be live for Galaxy Note 3 (SM-N9005) owners throughout Poland. As we detailed in last week's post, you will see pretty much the same TouchWiz UI that Samsung has deployed for the past few years, although Kit Kat's white notification bar icons will finally be in place - no more Gingerbread Green battery icon. Unfortunately, Samsung has yet to detail any extras they have put into TouchWiz with its update to Kit Kat, but we are sure there are a few extra treats in there besides just icons. With these types of major updates, it's hard to be specific on when it could make its way to the State's Note 3 variants. More than likely, it won't be anytime too soon, so owners will have to remain patient for Samsung to give it the green light globally.

Via: SamMobile

Monday Poll: Are Your Going to Take T-Mobile's ETF Deal and Switch Carriers?

Kellen — Mon, 13 Jan 2014 10:06:55 +0000

If you watched any amount of TV this weekend or took a glance over at the sidebar of this site, you more than likely ran into a T-Mobile advertisement that talks about their new ETF-killing program. Seriously, these ads are everywhere, right now. Introduced during CES as their next UnCarrier movement, T-Mobile wants to pay the Early Termination Fees (ETF) from your current carrier to have you bring your business to them. It's a bold move, though bold moves are exactly what we expect from a company led by a man willing to crash an AT&T party during CES and then call their CEO of mobility "fat" during a press event. The plan works something like this:

Bring your business to T-Mobile, and they'll pay up to $350 in ETFs per line once you sign-up for service and send them the last bill from your previous carrier.
Then, trade in the phone from your previous carrier to earn up to another $300.
You have to sign-up for a postpaid Simple Choice plan and also buy a device.
They will only pay ETFs from AT&T, Sprint, and Verizon.

My question to you today is - are you going to take their offer and switch carriers? According to T-Mobile's numbers, they had 4.4 million new customers join their UnCarrier way of life, so you certainly wouldn't be alone. [poll id="282"]

Samsung Galaxy S5 Details Reportedly Confirmed, Plastic and Metal Versions Coming

Kyle — Mon, 13 Jan 2014 09:25:05 +0000

The mystery surrounding Samsung’s Galaxy S successor stems not from its projected release window, which is annual and relatively consistent, but from its internals and construction. Many speculated the Korea-based company intended to launch a flagship handset made with premium build materials, but little in the way of substantive evidence supported that idea. Today, proof has emerged in the form of a SamMobile source, who confirmed that the Galaxy S5 will come in both a metal and plastic model when it launches later this year. It seems the pricier exterior will come at a premium: the source suggested the metal S5 will retail at 800 Euros (about $1091), which is quite a bit more than the plastic version's anticipated price point 650 Euros ($886). Still, if the recent rumors of a metal back plate and band are to be believed, the new design will be a huge improvement over the polycarbonate body found on previous Galaxy S phones. Concerning internals and display, both fronts will see a massive upgrade: the S5 will feature an AMOLED at a resolution of 2,560x1,440 (the exact size remains unconfirmed), either a 64-bit Exynos 6 or Snadragon 805 SoC, and a 16 MP camera. It seems Samsung has crafted a handset from the dreams of hardware power enthusiasts everywhere. In addition to the Galaxy S5, the SamMobile source also revealed that the company intends to launch a Galaxy S5 Mini and Galaxy S5 Zoom later this year. Both devices will have a Super AMOLED display. If all goes according to plan, Samsung will announce the Galaxy S5 in March and launch it in April, which lines up with comments made by a company executive to Bloomberg during CES. The Galaxy S5 Mini and Galaxy S5 Zoom should see an official unveiling in June and May, respectively.

Via: SamMobile

Sony Xperia Z1S Now Available Through T-Mobile Online

Tim — Mon, 13 Jan 2014 08:56:10 +0000

As of this morning, Sony has a brand new device available in the United States. Online through T-Mobile, you can grab the Xperia Z1S, which was announced last week during CES in Las Vegas. If you are a T-Mobile customer or plan on making the switch soon, the Z1S won't be a terrible decision. For specs, the device is rocking a 5.0" 1920 x 1080 HD display, Snapdragon 800 quad-core processor clocked at 2.2GHz, 3,000mAh battery, Android 4.3, 20.7MP rear-facing camera, microSD slot, and access to T-Mobile's 4G LTE network wherever you can find it. The device retails for $528 off contract or $22 a month with $0 down on contract for "well-qualified" buyers. We had a few minutes to spend with Sony's newest device to hit the US while at CES last week - for the most part, we kind of liked it. It has the same body as all of the other Xperia phones from last year, but unfortunately, Sony's custom skin UI is still onboard and doesn't serve much purpose. Check out our hands-on here.

Via: T-Mobile

Beats Music Launches January 21, Partners With AT&T for $14.99 Per Month Family Plan

Kellen — Mon, 13 Jan 2014 08:26:49 +0000

Beats Music, the streaming music service created by the headphone giant of the same name, will launch January 21 in an exclusive partnership deal with AT&T. For $14.99, your entire family (up to 5 members and 10 devices) can be a part of Beats Music, and that's after you try the service for free for 90 days. With access to over 20 million songs and "a unique curated experience," AT&T is telling you to download at will as well. They claim to have made Beats Music available on an unlimited basis (both streaming an downloading for offline listening) for AT&T subscribers. We're not sure if this is their first sponsored data deal or something separate, but they are making this sound as if your tiered data plan is unaffected by the service. If you are an individual, you can access Beats Music on up to 3 devices for $9.99 per month. So what is Beats Music and why should you consider it? This is how CEO of Beats Music, Ian Rogers, explains it:

We wanted to build a music service that combined the freedom of an on-demand subscription service – unlimited, uninterrupted streaming and downloads of tens of millions of songs – but layer on top features that would give you that feeling only music that moves you can give. The right song at the right time will give you a chill. Make you pull someone close. Nod your head. Sing in the mirror. Roll down the car window and crank the volume to the right.

The Beats Music team put together curated playlists by industry big wigs, wants there to be music on-hand with the touch of a button for your mood or situation (open the app and hit "Play"), has lists of programmers' picks, and yet still lets you create your own playlists or download music for offline listening. I'd say that's pretty standard streaming music stuff, although, with the backing of major industry players and their "Highlights" section, which allows you to tell Beats Music to play something based on your mood or location, that it offers at least a couple of new wrinkles. The music service will be available on Android, iPhone, and Windows Phone on January 21. Be sure to claim your username if you haven't already.

Via: Beats | ATT

Talon is a New Twitter App for Android From the Makers of Sliding Messaging, Available Today For $1.99

Rithvik — Sun, 12 Jan 2014 07:59:09 +0000

After Carbon and Falcon Pro have both unfortunately reached (or are nearing) their token limit for new users, developers haven't yet given up on creating a Twitter client for the masses. The latest, called Talon, comes from developer Luke Klinker, of Klinker Apps. If you can recall, Luke and his brother, Jacob, were the creators of Sliding Messaging, an app we have featured a time or two. Talon is a beautiful, simple Twitter client I instantly became a fan of during its early beta days. It features all of the great features of any old Twitter client, yet combines them with a Google+-like, sleek interface along with useful add-ons such as "Talon Pull," an ongoing notifications showing the amount of unread Tweets in your timeline and more. Some useful features of the app include the previously mentioned Talon Pull, a theme engine allowing third-parties to make themes for the app, swiping between columns, a hamburger slideout menu, and an extensive list of settings to fine-tune your experience in the application. I previously mentioned the Falcon Pro debacle, so as you can imagine, the 100,000 user limit looms over this application as well. I was able to chat with the developer to get his thoughts on the matter, and he let me know that the goal for now is to just get to 100,000 users - he pointed out that, if it becomes necessary, he may release another version onto the Play Store or open source it, allowing for an additional 100,000. That's not exactly news we like to hear - Twitter app developers already trying to think of work-arounds that Twitter may or may not be fans of if (and when) it reaches its limit. If you're ready to rock Talon on your device, it's available now for $1.99 in the Play Store, with no in-app purchases on the horizon as of yet. There is also a beta community for testing out new features and early builds. Again, the 100,000 Twitter token limit is a part of the equation, which would make it tough for us to recommend buying into this app. With that said, if you want to get in early and reserve a token on what appears to be a promising Twitter app, feel free. Play Link ($1.99)

Verizon Moto X Through MotoMaker Drops to $49.99 On-Contract

Kellen — Sat, 11 Jan 2014 20:28:50 +0000

Not sure exactly when this happened, but the Moto X with MotoMaker customizations for Verizon is available for $49.99 at the moment on-contract. None of the other carriers are offering the discounted price and are still showing $99.99. If you don't want a custom device, you can also order the black or white woven models directly through Verizon's site at the same price. If you are any sort of DL reader, then you already know that we are big fans of the Moto X. You can read our review here, but we also made it our top phone of 2013, just barely ahead of Google's Nexus 5. The device combines stock Android with some of the most useful add-on features we have seen in some time, plus you can customize a phone to your liking at no extra cost. And if you aren't interested in buying the phone on-contract and attaching your life to Verizon for the next two years, keep in mind that the phone is always $399 off-contract going forward. That (along with the Nexus 5) might be the best deal in tech. Bamboo remains a premium add-on and still carries its $100-extra price tag.

Via: MotoMaker

Cheers HR!

T-Mobile has the Nexus 5 for $0 Down or $396 Full Retail

Kellen — Sat, 11 Jan 2014 20:15:34 +0000

The Nexus 5 - Google's 2013 flagship and our number 2 phone of last year - is available now at T-Mobile for $0 down or $396 full retail. For those keeping track, that's not exactly cheaper than what Google is selling the same 16GB device for ($349), but it's not a bad price. The beauty of the deal comes if you can't afford the up-front full payment and go with the monthly payment plan of just $16.50 per month for 24 months. While we aren't always excited about monthly payment plans, that's about as cheap as it gets for one of the best Android phones on Earth (our review). And with T-Mobile now paying your ETF fees for transferring from another carrier, now would be the time to switch if T-Mobile has been on your radar. Remember, T-Mo will pay up to $650 per line if you switch over to their network. That's up to $300 for trading in your old device, plus up to $350 in Early Termination Fees (ETF). I'd imagine they may even toss in free shipping, or at least cheaper shipping than Google. T-Mobile Link

Cheers J!

Android Distribution Numbers Update for January 2014 - Jelly Bean Closing in on 60%

Kellen — Sat, 11 Jan 2014 16:31:27 +0000

Google finally updated its Android distribution numbers today, showing that Jelly Bean has jumped up to almost 60% (59.1%) and Kit Kat to 1.4%. We are also seeing decreases in Ice Cream Sandwich (16.9%) and Gingerbread (21.2%) numbers, something the "fragmentation" champions will certainly be fans of. And that's pretty much that. We now sit back and watch as Android 4.4 slowly rises and the older versions decline. For the foreseeable future, expect Jelly Bean to remain king. Here are last month's numbers for reference.

Via: Android Developers

CES 2014 Recap Special

Tim — Fri, 10 Jan 2014 19:57:00 +0000

With CES pretty much all wrapped up, Kellen and I are now back in our offices, ready to reflect on this week's festivities. With highlights belonging to NVIDIA, Samsung, Razer, and a few other electronics manufacturers, we wanted to lay down a special Droid Life Show, sharing our thoughts while they are still fresh on our minds. Besides tech announcements, there are a ton of other things we wanted to talk and laugh about - Michael Bay got flustered and walked off stage, T-Mobile's CEO got kicked out of an AT&T party, and HTC was showing off the One in 18K Gold. It was a busy week, so we will try to cover everything we can. The show will begin at 12:30pm PST, 3:30pm EST. There will be a live video and chat embedded for you all to join us.

This Week in the Life of Droid: 1/10/2014

Tim — Fri, 10 Jan 2014 15:36:46 +0000

It was CES this week in Las Vegas, and there was plenty of news to be had. The market is getting a few new phones from Sony, a few new tablets from Samsung, and the market is about to become highly saturated with wearable technology. 2014 is shaping up to be the year of the smart-everything. If you missed any of this week's highlights, we have them below.

For more of the CES stories, check this post here. Have a great weekend, folks! We are off to go catch up on some much-needed rest.

Colossatron is a Megabeast From Outer Space, Sent to Destroy Our Planet

Tim — Fri, 10 Jan 2014 14:29:51 +0000

Collosatron is by no means a new game on Google Play, but for some reason, it has taken me a long time to download and play. Now that we are all done with CES, I sat down and have given it a fighting chance, but now I am disappointed I haven't been playing it sooner. The game is great, as you play as a mechanic serpent beast from outer space, whose sole purpose is destroy the planet. Once you crash land on Earth, you quickly assemble a monster made up of different parts. There are various colors to collect, and each one does something different. Some parts are for health, others for weapons, and others for defense. When you add parts of the same color, they create even more powerful parts, and you continue on and so forth until you have destroyed the entire city. Once you have annihilated one region, your monster is reset and you start from the beginning. The game is only $0.99, and it is made from the same game studio as Jetpack Joyride. The graphics are well done, the music is nice, and the overall gameplay receives very high marks. Definitely go check this title out if you haven't already. Play Link ($0.99)

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Android 4.4.2 Leaked for Samsung Galaxy S4 (GT-I9505), Sports Same ol' TouchWiz UI

Tim — Fri, 10 Jan 2014 10:03:21 +0000

A leaked test build of Android 4.4.2 has recently leaked for the Galaxy S4 from Samsung. With the company remaining quiet as to when users of the device can expect to officially see the update roll out to their devices, seeing this build leak is a really good sign. Since it's in testing, and now leaked, U.S. GS4 owners could see it within the next couple of months we would expect. As with all things in this industry, nothing is confirmed. While the Android build is Kit Kat, Samsung still has TouchWiz all over the place. On a good note, it appears that they have officially moved away from the green battery icon and multi-colored notification icons, though. As we can see in the screenshots, we have the standard white Kit Kat icons, which should make a few of the Android elitists among us quite pleased. For an even deeper look at the "new" TouchWiz running on the Galaxy NotePro and TabPro tablets from Samsung, check out our hands-on at CES right here. With that version of TouchWiz, Samsung implemented a lighter-looking UI in the notification pulldown and Settings menu. Users of the test build state that besides slight performance increases and the white icons, it's pretty much the same device with few changes. If you own one of the GT-I9505 Galaxy S4 models, and want to try Android 4.4.2 for yourself, SamMobile has posted a link to the zip file for flashing, as well as instructions. Galaxy S4 owners, we know you are getting impatient for Kit Kat. Don't worry, it's coming.

Via: SamMobile

Deal: All of Amazon's Kindle Fire Lineup is $30 Off

Kellen — Fri, 10 Jan 2014 09:44:02 +0000

Amazon is running a promotion that slashes $30 off of all of their Kindle Fire tablets as a "thanks to customers for voting Amazon #1 in customer satisfaction" yet again. The deal includes discounts off of the brand new Kindle Fire HDX models (both 7 and 8.9) and the regular Kindle Fire (both 7 and 8.9). The Fire HDX 7 can be had for as little as $199, while the HDX 8.9 drops to $349. The regular Kindle Fire HD drops to an insanely low $109 price, which the HD 8.9 slides in at just under $200. Not bad deals. The HDX models are Amazon's top tier line that can compete with almost any other tablet on the planet in terms of specs. We're talking high-res displays (1920x1200), Snapdragon 800 processors, the newest version of Amazon's Android skin, custom Dolby Audio, "state-of-the-art" dual-band, dual-antenna Wi-Fi, and their 24-7 Mayday video support chat. At checkout, use the code "MAYDAY30" to see the discount. Amazon Links: Kindle Fire HDX 7 ($199) | Kindle Fire HDX 8.9 ($349) | Kindle Fire HD 7 ($109)

Eternity Warriors 3 Released for Android, a Stunning RPG With Multiplayer Focus

Rithvik — Fri, 10 Jan 2014 09:05:26 +0000

Glu Mobile, a renowned developer known for their free-to-play titles such as Contract Killer and Deer Hunter, has officially launched their popular Eternity Warriors 3 title to Google Play. For those of you who are unfamiliar with the game, it's an action-packed RPG with dragons involved, and a list of three heroes to play as. The game has been available on the iOS platform for some time now, and shows off a wealth of new features. One such feature is the multiplayer enhancement. You can now communicate with fellow players in real time, and even check out their loot. Another interesting addition is the choice of three kingdoms to explore and three heroes to navigate with - we typically only see one of each.

Features

Will you fight as the rugged Warrior, the agile Monk, or the devastating Mage?
Amazing graphics at blazing frame rates!
Fast paced action combined with fluid controls and life-like animations!
Join forces in guilds, converse in real-time with other players and inspect their gear!
Compete in regular tournament events against other players and guilds
Slay hordes of demons throughout the most distinct kingdoms in Udar!
Will you find the most legendary items, or leave them to someone else?
Unleash devastating amounts of damage with various skills and abilities

What is best about the game, is the price tag. Eternity Warriors 3 is available on Google Play for free, with in-app purchases to grab a few in-game extras. While a game not completely ruled by IAPs would be nice, that's just the way the world works. Play Link

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Via: Glu Mobile

AT&T Says Its Sponsored Data Program Does Not Violate FCC Net Neutrality Rules

Kellen — Fri, 10 Jan 2014 08:38:34 +0000

As you can imagine after coming under fire shortly after being announced, AT&T is defending its new Sponsored Data program, claiming that it does not violate the FCC's Net Neutrality rules. FCC chairman Tom Wheeler said within hours of AT&T making it official that his organization would take a deep look at the program to make sure there are no reg flags being raised. Should they see something that would raise an eyebrow or two with companies paying for customers' data, they are prepared to intervene. AT&T issued a statement in response through Jim Ciccioni, AT&T senior EVP of External and Legislative Affairs (holy title), and has said that they are "completely confident" that they comply and that the program is meant only to benefit customers. Analysts and pundits across the industry are taking stances on both sides, with some even arguing that because AT&T's program is being sold as one that saves customers money, that they may be in the clear with the FCC no matter what. Others argue that this is simply a way for AT&T to control what you can and cannot see on your phone. Ciccioni had the following to say on the matter:

"AT&T's sponsored data service is aimed solely at benefiting our customers," he said. "It allows any company who wishes to pay our customers' costs for accessing that company's content to do so. This is purely voluntary and non-exclusive. It is an offering by that company, not by AT&T."

I have yet to weigh in on the subject since I've been walking 8 miles a day at CES, but here is my take. AT&T's Sponsored Data sounds like a terrible thing for consumers in the long run. AT&T is going to sell this as a benefit to consumers, since it'll save them on data costs. The problem is that we don't know the deals made by companies to get their products in your face, to be listed first, to be sped up when accessed, etc. We also don't know how this affects the rest of the crowd that hasn't paid to be promoted or to provide "sponsored" data. I think it's safe to assume that anyone paying expects to be held above someone who isn't, so the big dogs with plenty of money will continue to be in your face at all times. In other words, AT&T will essentially be able to limit whatever it is that you access on their network because it has been bought, even though they won't admit that. AT&T is selling this as a way to build brand loyalty, as a program that will "transform" mobile marketing, and offer advertisers "compelling solutions" to get their products in your face. Are we talking pop-up ads when I'm at the movie theater? Are we talking a slower experience when using an app from Pizza Hut over Domino's? The beauty of the internet is that it's wide open. If AT&T is allowed to sell parts of it, this is only the beginning. Verizon will be right behind them. Who knows who will then be next. Your data experience will be bought. It will no longer be yours. You ready for that? Take a watch of the video below to get an understanding at how bad this is going to be.

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Via: CNET

Samsung Galaxy Note 3 Neo aka "Lite" Pictured Next to Big Brother

Tim — Fri, 10 Jan 2014 08:36:06 +0000

This morning, the world is getting what we think is the first good look at the Galaxy Note 3 Neo, also known as the Galaxy Note 3 Lite. Until the device is officially launched by Samsung, the name is sort of up in the air. Just a couple of days ago, it was reported that the Note 3 Neo would sport a hexa-core processor, a new variation of ARM's big.LITTLE architecture - with two 1.7GHz cores coupled with four 1.3GHz cores. For what's being labeled as a cheaper version of the regular Galaxy Note 3, that is quite the move by Samsung. In these newly-leaked photos from SamMobile, we can see that the Note 3 Neo will feature a slightly smaller display (5.55") than the Galaxy Note 3 (5.7"), but the overall design is pretty much the same. There will be faux leather, an S Pen, and the TouchWiz UI. As for internals, the Note 3 Neo is said to sports 2GB of RAM, an 8MP camera, a 3,100mAh battery, and a microSD slot for additional storage. Earlier reports and posts stated that Samsung could wait for MWC to launch this device, but with pictures now making the rounds, we wouldn't be surprised if Samsung just announced the device with a press release. While the hexa-core chip is neat, it doesn't necessarily warrant its own fancy unveiling event. A gallery has been placed below. What do you think of the design?

Gallery

Via: SamMobile

Google Play Services 4.1 Update, Turn-by-Turn Multiplayer Now Possible

Dave — Thu, 09 Jan 2014 18:16:45 +0000

An update to the Google Play services has begun rolling out to Android devices. It brings along with it some pretty neat features for developers. Of course, these new options will slowly make their way into the apps and games that we love to use. There are a few improvements as part of this rollout, including the support needed for the newly-announced Google+ integration with Gmail. One of the new features looks to bring turn-based multiplayer gameplay to Android. While some games may already have this type of functionality, it would have required them to run their own backend to make it possible. Now, developers will be able to utilize Google's resources in order to support this type of gaming scenario. I'd love to see this type of gameplay along with some Chromecast support. Get a whole group of friends together and play some games using the phones as controls and the turn-based gameplay to bring some new ideas to what kind of games can be played in a group setting. Here is a full list of the new features available to developers in Google Play Services 4.1:

Turn Based Multiplayer Play Games now supports turn-based multiplayer! Developers can build asynchronous games to play with friends and auto-matched players, supporting 2-8 players per game. When players take turns, their turn data is uploaded to Play Services and shared with other players automatically. We are also providing an optional new “Connecting to Play Games” transition animation during sign-in, before the permission dialog appears. This helps contextualize the permission dialog, especially in games that ask for sign in on game start. Google Drive This version of Google Play Services includes a developer preview of the new Google Drive API for Android. You can use it to easily read and write files in Google Drive so they're available across devices and on the web. Users can work with files offline too — changes are synced with Google Drive automatically when they reconnect. The API also includes common UI components including a file picker and save dialog. Google Mobile Ads With Google Play services 4.1, the Google Mobile Ads SDK now fully supports DoubleClick for Publishers, DoubleClick Ad Exchange, and Search Ads for Mobile Apps. You can also use a new publisher-provided location API to provide Google with the location when requesting ads. Location-based ads can improve your app monetization. Google+ An improved Google+ sharing experience makes it even easier for users to share with the right people from your app. It includes better auto-complete and suggested recipients from Gmail contacts, device contacts and people on Google+.

Google continues to improve Android via their Google Play Services. These types of advancements were impossible in older versions of Android without a major update. However, we can now experience them more often and that's certainly something to celebrate. Thanks, Google!

Via: Android Developers Blog

Paranoid Android Teases Redesigned Halo Notifications, Follows New Kit Kat Design Guidelines

Eric — Thu, 09 Jan 2014 13:50:19 +0000

It has been a while since we have heard anything from the Paranoid Android team who introduced Halo early last year. Their floating notification system was a huge hit in the ROM community, but since then we have had a new version of Android launch. Android 4.4 Kit Kat brought some new design ideas and that means a new Halo for us. Details are scarce, but Paranoid Android took to its Google+ page this morning to post this teaser image of what we can come to expect, and man does it look good. Halo made a big splash last year by being one of the first floating notification systems to be built into a ROM that offered lots of different uses. By adding the slight transparency that is prevalent throughout Kit Kat, the design of Halo can adapt to whatever you are looking at on your screen. Paranoid Android promised that there will be more details on the way, you can bet that we will pass those along as soon as we can.

Via: Paranoid Android+

Snapchat's Latest Update Lets You Unlink Your Mobile Number from Your Account

Eric — Thu, 09 Jan 2014 13:25:36 +0000

The photo sharing service Snapchat may be meant for light-hearted fun, but things got pretty serious last week when 4.6 million Snapchat usernames and phone numbers were leaked to the public. Snapchat has been pretty quiet since the mistake, but today it is pushing an update that will help to stop that from happening again. In post on its blog, the Snapchat team detailed the new feature that allows users to opt-out of using their phone number to identify their username. This should help for those users who fear another attack on Snapchat's user base. The Snapchat team apologized to anyone affected by the breach in security last week and said "we really appreciate your patience and support. " The update is live in Google Play right now, but if you don't see it right away check back since Google loves their staged rollouts. Play Link

Via: Snapchat

Gmail for Web Integrates Google+ Contacts to Help Find People More Easily

Eric — Thu, 09 Jan 2014 12:50:39 +0000

Google is continuing to make Gmail better today with their latest round of further Google+ integration. To help with those times when you forgot to grab a friend's work or home email address, Gmail for web will start suggesting your Google+ contacts as email recipients.

Of course, with security in mind, Google will give users the option to turn this feature on and off. If you wish not to have your profile show up like this or don't want to see Google+ contacts in your Gmail, you will be able to turn this off when the feature rolls out to you. The Gmail team is starting the rollout today and expects most users to have it within a few days.

Via: Gmail

Motorola Offering a Free Chromecast with a Non-Contract Moto X For a Limited Time

Eric — Thu, 09 Jan 2014 12:20:26 +0000

It was not too long ago that Motorola started selling Google's Chromecast directly from their website. However, starting today and running through next Tuesday, you can grab yourself a Chromecast for the low price of free if you are in the mood to pick up a Moto X off-contract. Motorola wants to make us all movie buffs, giving us the Moto X and Chromecast to catch up on this year's award nominees. Using the promo code: "STREAM" you can get the Chromecast's price to drop to nothing when it is in the same cart as the Moto X at checkout. To make it even better, the Moto X's off-contract price recently dropped to only $399.99 for the 16GB and $449.99 for the 32GB. Motorola really leaving you no choice not to pick up a Moto X if you were on the fence. Anyone taking advantage of this deal? Buy

Cheers Z!

SwiftKey Partners with Clarion, Coming to a Car Touchscreen Near You

Eric — Thu, 09 Jan 2014 11:55:00 +0000

If you didn't believe that CES 2014 was the year of the car entertainment system, let me convince you. SwiftKey, one of the most popular third-party keyboard replacements for Androoid, will soon be coming to a car's touchscreen near you. SwiftKey and Clarion have partnered together to bring their typing technology to cars this year.

At CES this week, Clarion announced that their AX1 Android car stereo is coming to the United States and picked SwiftKey to help make the system more accessible. This new Clarion system is being built directly off of Android. It comes loaded with Maps, YouTube and an internet browser, so having a good on-screen keyboard will be a necessity. Clarion promised to update us on when the AX1 and its SwiftKey keyboard would be available in the US. We will let you know as soon as we hear more.

Via: SwiftKey

FCC Will Be Monitoring AT&T's Sponsored Data Plan, Prepared to Intervene if Necessary

Eric — Thu, 09 Jan 2014 11:30:45 +0000

Earlier this week, when AT&T announced that they are starting a new Sponsored Data program, a lot of eyebrows were raised. What at first sounded like an interesting new way for companies to get their content to consumers quickly came under fire from around the industry for the potential to be anti-competitive. The FCC has even taken notice, saying that they are ready to act if this Sponsored Data turns out bad. FCC Chairman Tom Wheeler was quoted at CES on the subject, "My attitude is: let's take a look at what this is, let's take a look at how it operates." He went on to promise that if the initiative was indeed anti-competitive, the FCC would be ready to intervene. The problem with AT&T's Sponsored Data comes when companies have the power to promote a certain application by providing free data and downloads over other competing applications. Companies and developers with the most money could easily sit at the top of download charts because their price has been pre-paid. Luckily for consumers it sounds like the FCC is watching to make sure this does not happen. Are you a fan of Sponsored Data or fear that it will hurt more than help?

Via: The Verge

Moto G Now Available Online at Verizon for $99

Kellen — Thu, 09 Jan 2014 11:04:22 +0000

Motorola's ultra-affordable prepaid phone, the Moto G, is now available online at Verizon for $99.99 without a contract. Keep in mind that this phone only works on Verizon's 3G network, not 4G LTE, and also can't be taken to another network. With that said, it's still a heck of a deal should you be in the market for a cheap prepaid phone that carries itself like a phone that would typically sell for hundreds more. If you do decide to buy the Moto G for Verizon, you have a couple of prepaid plan options. Verizon has a $60 plan that includes unlimited talk and text, plus 2GB of data. If you need more data, they have a second $70 plan that jumps the data up to 4GB. We picked up the Moto G on Verizon last week through Best Buy. To see our thoughts, check out the video below.

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Via: Verizon

Samsung Galaxy S5 Should Hit the Market by April, New Galaxy Gear Also

Tim — Thu, 09 Jan 2014 09:44:12 +0000

This week at CES in Las Vegas, Bloomberg was able to sit down with Lee Young Hee , the executive vice president of Samsung's mobile division. The discussed topics focused mainly on the upcoming Galaxy S5, and it appears that the device won't have much to surprise us with upon its unveiling. In the newest report that details Samsung's next major flagship, the device will hit the global market in April, and could most certainly come with an iris scanner as we reported previously. As of right now, Samsung is reportedly "studying the technology," hoping to have it ready in time. A new model of the Galaxy Gear will also launch alongside the new Galaxy S5, which should be an interesting release, as it could be a test to see if Samsung learned anything from their first wearables launch. The price was high, the software was lacking, but overall, it's not the worst smartwatch on the market. Many others speculate that Apple will have its smartwatch prepped for announcement sometime in 2014, so it could be an all out wearables battle. As for the Galaxy S5's overall look, nothing was spoken about specs or display size, but Samsung said that they would like to "go back to the basics."

When we moved to S4 from S3, it’s partly true that consumers couldn’t really feel much difference between the two products from the physical perspective, so the market reaction wasn’t as big. For the S5, we will go back to the basics. Mostly, it’s about the display and the feel of the cover.

If the April launch is essentially confirmed, then we are just a few short months away. Excited?

Via: Bloomberg

And That was CES 2014.

Kellen — Thu, 09 Jan 2014 09:23:27 +0000

Our time in Vegas for CES 2014 has come to a close, folks. Things were slow on the mobile front, as they have come to be during one of the biggest tech shows on the planet, but we still had a great time and managed to get our hands on a few things here and there. New trends were made clear, carriers went to battle, and the phone manufacturers we all care about continued to save their big announcements for their own events as to not share any spotlight. In case you missed any of our coverage, we've compiled some of the highlights for you below.

Poor Michael Bay.
Pebble Steel announced as the metal, premium edition of Pebble.
Video: Quick look at the Sony Xperia Z1 Compact and Z1s.
Video: Quick look at the LG G Flex.
Video: Quick look at Samsung's TabPRO 8.4, NotePRO 12.2, and Kit Kat TouchWiz.
Video: Quick look at the Galaxy Camera 2.
T-Mobile continued its UnCarrier movement by killing the ETF.
AT&T announced the Padfone X and HD Voice.
HTC One in 18K gold. Yes, that kind of gold.
NVIDIA announces the 192-core Tegra K1 mobile processor.
Vizio announced Bluetooth speakers with actual touchscreen Android devices in them.

As a programming note, that also means we are traveling today, so things could be a bit slower around here than you are normally accustomed to. We will have a bigger CES recap with some additional thoughts on all that happened in the coming days. Favorite moment?

Download: Gmail 4.7.2 with Automatic Image Display Feature (Updated)

Kyle — Wed, 08 Jan 2014 20:43:04 +0000

It took nearly a month to come to fruition, but you can finally kiss that Gmail "Display images below" message on your Android phone and/or tablet goodbye: the automatic picture loading feature that Google announced in December is finally rolling out to devices through the Play Store. (The impatient among you can download it early, of course.) The original limitation was put in place to prevent images linked to malicious URLs from installing apps surreptitiously, but Google's solved that issue by funneling every picture through a secure proxy server. That way, threats will be rendered inert before they reach your mobile inbox. For those concerned about privacy, the feature can be turned off in settings. Update: Added an additional host. Download: com.google.android.gm-4.7.2.apk (Mirror 1)

Via: Android Police

Razer Unveils the Nabu Smartband, a Minimal Take on Wearable Technology

Tim — Wed, 08 Jan 2014 16:00:08 +0000

Razer is a company that is huge in the desktop gaming industry, but they have never really been well known for mobile devices like a phone or tablet. At this year's CES, Razer announced the all-new Nabu smartband - it's kind of like a smartwatch, "but a lot less distracting." The Nabu is similar to the Nike FuelBand, but goes a step further, as it also displays your smartphone's notifications, communicates with other Nabu bands that are nearby, and can be controlled by active gestures the user performs. For instance, you can set the Nabu to transfer Twitter or Instagram information with another Nabu user, simply by giving the other person a high five. Want to give your phone number to a hot gamer chick that is wearing Nabu? All you have to do is shake her hand and the information will instantly transfer to her iOS or Android-powered device. The device also manages your time, as well as your health. It tracks calories burnt, steps walked, floors climbed, distance traveled, hours slept, places visited, and much more. As for managing your time, the Nabu can be programmed to allow you to see only the notifications that are important to you at any given time. If you are into a night of gaming, the Nabu will only send you tweets or text notifications that have to do with your game time. It's all customizable and it appears to go quite in depth.

As for the hardware and specs, upon launch, there will be both an Android and iOS application. The device features dual OLED displays, one for private messages and one for public display. They range in size from 32 x 32 to 128 x 32 pixels. Awesomely enough, the device is said to have a 7-day battery life, which is a major plus. To top it off, it is completely rain and splash proof. We would recommend you don't go swimming with it, though. So, you are ready to buy one. I don't blame you. I'll definitely be picking one up. The Nabu will be available by later in Q1 of 2014, but the price has yet to be confirmed. There is a developer program currently being set up, which will allow developers to purchase the Nabu for just $49. With that said, we would guess that the Nabu will priced no higher than $99 to $149. Once price and a street date are confirmed, we will let you know.

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Via: Razer Nabu

T-Mobile Will Help You Send a "Break Up Letter" When You Leave Your Current Carrier

Kellen — Wed, 08 Jan 2014 14:59:51 +0000

T-Mobile has made it clear - they aren't going to hold back any time in the near future. They are going to be brash, bold, and say whatever the hell is on their mind when it comes to their competitors. And since you all seem to be joining in on their party - their preliminary Q4 2013 report shows 1.6 million new net adds - they want to invite you to be vocal with them. They want you to send a "break up" letter. Launched today, with their latest UnCarrier movement that will pay ETF fees for customers who sign-up for T-Mobile service, the growing carrier has created an app to help you send a "break up" letter to your former carrier. An example can be seen above in the image I took from the press event, but it could vary depending on how you answer a series of questions. The letter could bring up "Dumpsville," say that "we're over," or tell them how much you hated being "used for your money." Silly, but silly is good most of the time. To send yours, visit their app on Facebook.

T-Mobile: Customer Data Proves We Have the Fastest 4G LTE Network in the U.S.

Kellen — Wed, 08 Jan 2014 14:40:53 +0000

During T-Mobile's UnCarrier 4.0 event that wrapped earlier this afternoon, T-Mobile made a bold new claim: they now have the fastest 4G LTE network in the land. Don't worry (or maybe you should) though, they didn't use an outside firm or "highly paid industry consultants" to collect their data. No sir, they used data straight from consumers and testing through the ever-popular Ookla Speedtest app. According to their "independent analysis of the NetMetrics Reports provided by Speedtest.net," T-Mobile speeds averaged out to 17.8Mbps, which was ahead of Verizon, AT&T, and Sprint. Their tests also show AT&T averaging 14.7Mbps and Verizon at 14.3Mbps. Sprint dropped in at around 7Mpbs, well below the others. Call it official or their own take on it, T-Mobile is standing by this idea. CEO John Legere joked (at least I think it was a joke) on stage during their announcement that he was going to send AT&T a Cease & Desist letter to make them take down all of their advertisements that suggest they are the faster network. Should be fun to see that playout.

In related news, T-Mobile mentioned that their LTE network now covers more than 209 million people and is in 43 of the top 50 markets. Well, that would be there 10+10 LTE network. What they really wanted to talk about was upgrading their network 20+20 LTE. They currently have North Dallas launched as their first 20+20 LTE market, with plans for expansion. The 20+20 LTE network is capable of measured download speeds of 147Mbps and uplink speeds of up to 40Mbps, according to T-Mobile's test. In even better news, all of their current devices will have access to this network once it reaches them. That's not the case for Verizon who is currently upgrading their LTE network by utilizing AWS spectrum on band 4. Only some of Verizon's new phones are AWS-ready.

And there you have it, T-Mobile's big news from today. Care to challenge their speedtests?

Customer Data Proves T-Mobile Network Now Fastest 4G LTE in the U.S.

Millions of customer speed tests using the popular Ookla Speedtest app prove T-Mobile LTE is fastest nationwide
LAS VEGAS - Jan. 8, 2014 - Carriers love to make claims about whose network is fastest or most reliable. The claims often sound the same because they're typically produced in much the same way - using highly paid industry consultants and drive test data. T-Mobile US, Inc. (NYSE: TMUS) decided to take a more transparent path than the competition and use mobile data speed tests collected from real consumers[i] using the popular Ookla Speedtest app. T-Mobile's analysis of the results are clear, and the Un-carrier announced today that its nationwide 4G LTE network is the fastest in the country, according to millions of real-time speed tests involving more than 1 million consumers. The company also revealed the continued rapid expansion of its nationwide LTE network to reach 209 million people, with 43 of the top 50 markets now served by 10+10 MHz LTE. "Finally we agree with AT&T on something: Faster is better," said John Legere, president and chief executive officer of T-Mobile. "I warned the competition this day would come, and millions of speed tests from real people using their own phones prove it: T-Mobile's nationwide 4G LTE network is the fastest network in the nation - bar none." According to actual test results performed by consumers on Speedtest, T-Mobile's nationwide 4G LTE network delivers not only the highest average network speeds of all U.S. wireless providers, with 17.8 Mbps, but also delivers more consistently fast 4G LTE speeds than any other carrier. More customers than ever before can take advantage of these speeds because T-Mobile's continually expanding nationwide 4G LTE network now extends to 273 metro areas, including 95 of the top 100. T-Mobile's fastest nationwide 4G LTE network already outperforms the competition, and in areas with 10+10 MHz, T-Mobile has measured download speeds of up to 72 Mbps and upload speeds of up to 27 Mbps, including New York, Chicago, Miami and San Francisco. At those speeds, customers could download a 90-minute high-definition (HD) movie in five and a half minutes or a whole music album in 13 seconds. "T-Mobile is laser-focused on giving customers the best network experience possible," said Neville Ray, chief technology officer for T-Mobile. "First we deployed nationwide LTE at breakneck speed, covering more than 200 million people in just six months. Now, we're adding more and more spectrum to this footprint and have commenced the launch of our Wideband LTE service, doubling already best-in-class speeds." With the launch of T-Mobile Wideband LTE in North Dallas last November, T-Mobile beat another company milestone, delivering 20+20 MHz LTE ahead of 2014, which is capable of peak download speeds of 150 Mbps. T-Mobile has measured download speeds of 147 Mbps and uplink speeds of up to 40 Mbps in North Dallas, meaning customers could download a 90-minute HD movie in under three minutes or a whole music album in 7 seconds. As the company continues to expand T-Mobile Wideband LTE, every T-Mobile customer with an LTE device will be able to experience a speed boost. In addition, customers with the latest LTE-capable devices, such as the Samsung Galaxy Note 3, Nexus 5 and LG G2 can take advantage of the maximum speeds available from T-Mobile Wideband LTE powered by 20+20 MHz LTE. T-Mobile also announced several additions to its portfolio of devices that can take advantage of T-Mobile Wideband LTE at low upfront costs, including: LG G Flex - T-Mobile will launch the world's first curved, flexible smartphone[ii] from LG Electronics - the LG G Flex - which offers a more reassuring grip and fit as well as an outstanding voice and sound experience because the distinctively curved design follows the contour of the face. Pricing and availability will be shared soon. Samsung Galaxy Tab® 3 (7.0) - The Samsung Galaxy Tab 3 is the latest Android(TM) tablet in T-Mobile's 4G LTE device portfolio. T-Mobile customers receive 200 MB of free data each month with the Galaxy Tab 3 for as long as they own the tablet. The Galaxy Tab 3, which will cost $0 down with 24 equal monthly device payments of $13[iii], will be available online via www.T-Mobile.com beginning Jan. 9 and at participating stores on Jan. 15. Sony Xperia® Z1S - T-Mobile is again exclusively partnering with Sony to bring its latest flagship smartphone - the Xperia Z1S - to customers. The slim and durable smartphone features an outstanding 20.7 megapixel camera in a waterproof[iv] design with a 5-inch full-HD TRILUMINOS display. The Xperia Z1S will be available for $0 down with 24 equal monthly device payments of $22iii with a Simple Choice Plan. Pre-register to order the device today, with an online pre-sale kicking off Jan. 13 at www.T-Mobile.com and nationwide availability in participating T-Mobile stores and online starting Jan. 22. For more information, visit the T-Mobile newsroom. About T-Mobile US, Inc.: As America's Un-carrier, T-Mobile US, Inc. (NYSE: "TMUS") is redefining the way consumers and businesses buy wireless services through leading product and service innovation. The company's advanced nationwide 4G LTE network delivers outstanding wireless experiences for customers who are unwilling to compromise on quality and value. Based in Bellevue, Wash., T-Mobile US provides services through its subsidiaries and operates its flagship brands, T-Mobile and MetroPCS. For more information, please visit http://www.t-mobile.com. # # #

Deal: Woot! Sale on Factory Reconditioned Nexus 7 2013: $189 for 16GB, $219 for 32GB

Kyle — Wed, 08 Jan 2014 14:35:27 +0000

Android fanatics, is there anything in the world better than a Nexus tablet? The build quality, hackability, and level of manufacturer support all make the Nexus 7 one of the most sensible gadget purchases ever. Even the price point is competitive, given the high-end internals. That said, you can never go wrong with sales, and today's deal from Woot! isn't bad. The Amazon-owned deal site is offering both Nexus 7 2013 storage configurations "factory reconditioned," which really means refurbished. Still, $189 for 16GB and $219 for 32GB is nothing to sneeze at; that's $50 bucks off retail. The deal won't last much longer, so grab a tablet at the source link if you're interested. Woot! Link: Nexus 7 2013

Samsung's Galaxy Note 3 "Lite" Will Feature a Hexa-Core Processor

Kyle — Wed, 08 Jan 2014 14:06:27 +0000

Samsung may be a company shaped by hyperbole and ostentation, but that doesn’t mean it isn’t cost-conscious. The Exynos 5 Octa is an expensive chip to manufacture, and power-hungry enough to rule out use in mid-range devices. For that reason, the company used quad-core processors in less expensive smartphones as a stop gap measure, but has now developed an in-house silicon solution that will debut with the the upcoming Galaxy Note 3 "Lite": GSM Arena reports that a hexa-core ARM processor powers the inexpensive phablet. According to leaked documents, the new CPU contains two 1.7GHz core and four 1.3GHz cores, which suggests at derivative implementation of ARM’s big.LITTLE architecture; the more powerful cores will handle processor-intensive tasks, while the smaller cores will handle programs that aren’t quite so demanding. That, in combination with the relatively low-resolution 5.5-inch 720p Super AMOLED display, should provide significant power savings for the Galaxy Note 3 Lite, which will be positioned as a low-cost alternative to the Note 3. Other Note 3 Lite specifications include 2GB of RAM, 16GB of internal memory, an 8MP camera, a 3,100 mAh battery, and a microSD card slot. There’s still no word on when Samsung intends to launch the handset, but you can bet we’ll hear something about it at MWC this February.

Via: GSM Arena

T-Mobile Makes It Official: Will Pay Early Termination Fees for Families to Bring Service Over

Kellen — Wed, 08 Jan 2014 12:58:57 +0000

We are finally finished with the T-Mobile UnCarrier 4.0 press event, so the news is already official. T-Mobile is indeed going to pay Early Termination Fees (ETF) for families who transfer service from AT&T, Verizon, and Sprint. Word of this move has been reported a number of times, including from us thanks to a reader who spotted an ad for the initiative last night. The details are as follows:

T-Mobile could pay up to $650 per line for you to switch over to their service.
$300 of that comes from trading in your old device. You may or may not see that much, obviously the price is dependent on the device, how old it is, the condition, etc.
The other $350 comes when you get your final bill from your old carrier that shows your Early Termination Fees (ETF). By uploading your bill or mailing it in, T-Mobile will assess it and then mail you the cash for your fees. Again, up to $350.
You have to switch from Verizon, AT&T, or Sprint.
You have to sign-up for a postpaid Simple Choice plan and also buy a device, which can be done for $0 down, but with a monthly payment spread out over 24 months.
If you are an existing T-Mobile customers in an older plan or contract, you can switch as well to a Simple Choice plan without incurring migration charges.

The rest of the details can be found in the press release below.

T-Mobile Delivers Contract Freedom for Families By Paying Off Early Termination Fees

Company marks 1st anniversary of Un-carrier revolution by offering to reimburse entire amount of customers' early termination fees when they switch from AT&T, Sprint or Verizon
LAS VEGAS - Jan. 8, 2014 - One year ago at International CES, T-Mobile US, Inc. (NYSE: TMUS) threw down the gauntlet, promising relief for customers fed up with a broken, arrogant wireless industry. Since then, the company has delivered on its promise with a relentless barrage of Un-carrier industry innovations. In its latest move, T-Mobile is eliminating one of the last remaining obstacles for individuals and families wanting to switch from AT&T, Sprint or Verizon to the Un-carrier by offering to pay off their early termination fees. With an eligible phone trade-in, the total value of the offer to switch to T-Mobile could be as high as $650 per line. "We're giving families a 'Get Out of Jail Free Card,' said John Legere, president and chief executive officer of T-Mobile. "Carriers have counted on staggered contract end dates and hefty early termination fees to keep people bound to them forever. But now families can switch to T-Mobile without paying a single red cent to leave them behind." Customers have been flocking to T-Mobile for its no annual service contract Simple Choice Plan, industry-leading JUMP!(TM) upgrade program, unlimited global data at no extra charge in 100-plus countries, and most recently for Free Data for Life on every tablet - up to 200 MB of free 4G LTE data every month for as long as they own their tablet and use the registered device with T-Mobile. But Nielsen research suggests up to 40 percent[i] of families hold back from switching because of high early termination fees (ETFs), and a recent online poll conducted by GigaOM suggests that 78 percent[ii] would switch to T-Mobile if their ETF was paid. ETFs can cost as much as $350 per line. Multiply that two, three or four times for a family, and switching becomes an extremely expensive proposition. "Carriers like to make you think you're just signing up for two years with their family plans, but with staggered expiration dates and early termination fees, they're really locking you in forever," said Mike Sievert, chief marketing officer for T-Mobile. "Now, families are free to switch without worrying about early termination fees. And by switching to T-Mobile, a family of four can save $1,880 over two years compared to an AT&T shared family plan[iii]." Here's how T-Mobile's offer to pay off these fees works: Starting tomorrow, customers from the three major national carriers who hand in their eligible devices at any participating T-Mobile location and switch to a postpaid Simple Choice Plan can receive an instant credit, based on the value of their phone, of up to $300. They then purchase any eligible device, including T-Mobile's most popular smartphones, now priced at $0 down (plus 24 monthly device payments, for well-qualified customers). After customers get the final bill from their old carrier (showing their early termination fees), they either mail it to T-Mobile or upload it to www.switch2tmobile.com. T-Mobile then sends an additional payment equal to those fees, up to $350 per line. Trade-in of their old phone, purchase of a new T-Mobile phone and porting of their phone number to T-Mobile are required to qualify. This offer to pay early termination fees provides families with a quick way to escape carrier contracts that have deterred them from pursuing a better and more affordable wireless experience with T-Mobile. T-Mobile is also making it easier for its longtime customers to migrate to Simple Choice plans as well without incurring any migration fees. To qualify for this option a current customer under contract trades in their current device and purchases a new T-Mobile device and switches to Simple Choice. In addition to waiving the migration fee, T-Mobile will also eliminate the existing annual service contract for that customer's line. With a Simple Choice Plan from T-Mobile, families start with one line at $50 per month for unlimited talk, text and Web with up to 500 MB of 4G LTE data. They can add a second phone line for $30 per month, and each additional line is just $10 per month. In short, a family could get four lines for just $100 per month (plus taxes and fees). The potential savings are so significant that if every single AT&T, Sprint and Verizon customer switched to a Simple Choice Plan, T-Mobile estimates they would save up to $20 billion [iv] collectively each year. In addition to great family plan savings, individuals and families can also enjoy an incredible wireless experience thanks to T-Mobile's rapidly expanding nationwide 4G LTE network- now the fastest[v] in the United States. For more information, visit the T-Mobile newsroom. About T-Mobile US, Inc.: As America's Un-carrier, T-Mobile US, Inc. (NYSE: "TMUS") is redefining the way consumers and businesses buy wireless services through leading product and service innovation. The company's advanced nationwide 4G and expanding 4G LTE network delivers outstanding wireless experiences for customers who are unwilling to compromise on quality and value. Based in Bellevue, Wash., T-Mobile US provides services through its subsidiaries and operates its flagship brands, T-Mobile and MetroPCS. For more information, please visit http://www.t-mobile.com. # # #

LIVE: T-Mobile UnCarrier 4 Announcement [CES 2014]

Tim — Wed, 08 Jan 2014 12:21:59 +0000

Last night, we scooped at least one of T-Mobile's announcements for this afternoon's UnCarrier 4.0 event. Apparently, T-Mobile will introduce a program today at 12:30pm PST to pay off "your family’s termination fees when you trade in your devices." While that is a major announcement for T-Mo, that may not be the only thing up their sleeves. T-Mobile's CEO, John Legere, has already been making serious headlines this week, after getting kicked out of a party that AT&T was hosting. He's a very radical thinker in the mobile space, and has zero filter when it comes to speaking about the competition, so we are positive that he will have a few great quotes for us today. The event begins at 12:30pm PST, so be sure to join our live blog down below, where we will be providing pictures and color commentary of the event. As of right now, we don't think there is a livestream of the event, but if there is, we will add it to the post.

Video: NVIDIA Demos Next-Gen Tegra K1 Quad-core Processor

Tim — Wed, 08 Jan 2014 11:30:43 +0000

On Sunday at CES in Las Vegas, NVIDIA announced the Tegra K1 next-gen mobile processor. To demonstrate the power of the new 192-core chip, something that seems rather unheard of in mobile processors, we sat down with NVIDIA at its booth to see the Tegra K1 in action. NVIDIA has a couple of demos they use to show off powerful chips, one of the strongest being the "Ira" demo. Ira is a computer-generated face, but the amount of detail in the face, with real-time lighting and shadows, puts tremendous strain on a CPU. As we can see in our hands-on video below, Ira appears to be no match for the new Tegra K1. As reference, NVIDIA was showing off the Ira demo back at GDC in 2013 with Project Logan, which was to bring PC-grade performance to mobile devices. As CES this year, NVIDIA's plans came to fruition. The real question for us is, when can we have it in our tablets and phones? As of right now, NVIDIA has not yet announced availability or specific OEM partners for the Tegra K1, but hopefully they will come soon. Since the Tegra 4 processor wasn't widely adopted by the mobile industry in 2013, we hope the Tegra K1 sees more use from product manufacturers in 2014. Below, we get to see the Tegra K1 power a Tegra Note 7 developer tablet, which features the 192-core processor with 4GB of RAM. It's quite the powerhouse unit.

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Motorola Hosting Event in London on January 14, Job Listing Suggests MotoMaker and Moto X

Kellen — Wed, 08 Jan 2014 11:11:25 +0000

A press event invite went out to European blogs earlier this week from Motorola, asking that they join Moto on January 14 as they "welcome a new addition to the European Motorola family of products." No specific products were mentioned, but the Moto X seems like an ideal candidate for the move. We sat down with Motorola for a quick meeting here at CES and asked for more details. What we were told is that there is indeed an event on January 14, they have a "bit of an announcement" and that they have "ambitions to broaden our geographic footprint." Obviously, they wouldn't divulge any specifics, but a job listing on Motorola's UK site certainly suggests MotoMaker is coming, along with the Moto X. The listing is for a "Program Manager Moto Maker." Since only the Moto X currently utilizes MotoMaker, what else could it be, right? And with the event happening in the UK, and a mention of Europe, I'd say you could pencil in the Moto X for Europe. It's not clear if MotoMaker will be available outside of the UK, though, or where the phones will be assembled. With that said, the job listing does say that the job will be responsible for "national and international integration of Moto Maker." We'll know for sure come January 14, but if you are in Europe and were getting impatient over the limited North American (and Latin American) exclusivity of the Moto X, things are about to change.

Cheers Matt!

Here is the HTC One in 18K Gold

Tim — Wed, 08 Jan 2014 10:30:40 +0000

HTC had very little presence at this year's CES in Las Vegas, but at a small booth during on of the press events, they had one of the 18K Gold One devices on display, which we couldn't keep our hands off of. The phone isn't for sale at all, but it is currently valued at $2500. That's just a wee bit over our budgets for a smartphone, but still, it is quite a sight to see. There are third parties that will sell an HTC One in Gold, so if you just have to own it, feel free to do a quick Google search for one. Be prepared to drop some serious cash. Take a peek at our gallery below.

Gallery

Nuance Unveils Swype and Dragon Mobile Assistant for Smartwatches

Tim — Wed, 08 Jan 2014 10:04:43 +0000

For users of smartwatches, text input is usually handled completely by voice dictation, given that the screens are quite small and people's fingers would have a hard time hitting the correct keys. In some cases, privacy is a concern, and you never know who could listening in on your conversation. For those people, Nuance announced Swype for smartwatches during CES this week in Las Vegas, allowing installers to use their fingers for text input, just like on a full-size smartphone. On top of Swype for smartwatches, Nuance is also unveiling Dragon Mobile Assistant for wearables, a helpful assistant built right into your watch. With it, you can perform Shazam-like actions, by asking "What song is this?" And since it's Nuance, we are hoping the software is smart enough to be actually useful.

Nuance will also be demonstrating new Dragon Mobile Assistant features that facilitate music discovery and home automation as part of the wearable device experience. Through the utilization of music recognition technology from Gracenote, Nuance is making it easier than ever to identify songs playing, discover hot new artists and connect to music services. Hear a song playing you like, just say “Hello Dragon, what song is this?” and using Gracenote technology and metadata, Dragon Mobile Assistant will identify the artist, album and track. From there, wearable device users can launch playlists from popular Cloud-music services.

Down below, PC Pro from the UK was able to check out Swype on a Galaxy Gear watch, and surprisingly, it looks good and seems to operate quite well. Smartwatch owners, you grabbing this when its available?

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Via: Nuance

Is This the First Look at Nokia's Android Phone UI? (Update: It Runs Kit Kat)

Kellen — Wed, 08 Jan 2014 09:09:30 +0000

Industry leaker-extraordinaire, @evleaks, posted the picture above this morning with the comment "Android on Nokia." In the past, he has also Tweeted pictures of a similar device said to be running Android that is known only by its codename of "Normandy." Even though Microsoft has gobbled up Nokia's mobile business, some believe there is still a chance that we will see Nokia release a device running our favorite mobile OS. So, what are we seeing here? Well, we can see a back button, lock screen, dialer, and screen with Skype running. It does look a little Windows Phone-ish, up near the notification bar, plus it appears to support dual-SIMs, leading us to believe this is an international phone. The UI is semi-card-like; definitely not reminiscent of anything currently on Android. If anything, I think it's safe to assume that this is a mid or low-end phone aimed at international markets. This isn't a flagship Nokia device running Android. Update: GSM Arena has posted another screenshot from the device, this time showing off the device's About Phone page. From what we can see, it is apparently running Android 4.4.1 "Kit Kat," which is actually quite the surprise. Does it make it any more desirable? No, not really.

Via: @evleaks | GSM Arena

Vizio Introduces Portable Smart Audio: Bluetooth Speakers With Built-in Android Displays

Kellen — Wed, 08 Jan 2014 08:34:50 +0000

Vizio, a company mostly know for affordable TVs, is attempting to combine both the Android and Bluetooth speaker game at the same time this year with the announcement of their new Portable Smart Audio speaker lineup. And when I say "both" I'm talking about Bluetooth speakers with built-in touch-screens that run Android 4.4 "Kit Kat" and have access to Google services. Think of a Jambox or Braven speaker with an Android tablet or phone attached. Vizio introduced two models, one with a 7-inch display and another with a 4.7-inch display. They are powered by quad-core processors, have built-in 802.11n WiFi and Bluetooth, USB ports for adding external storage, and are built to be portable. As an Android device, each speaker can download almost any app, thanks to Google Play support. You can play music through Google Music or any of your other favorite music services, watch videos or movies directly on the device, or pair the speaker with your phone should you be out of range of a WiFi connection. As a speaker, Vizio claims that both speakers offer "superior audio quality that even discerning audiophiles can appreciate." Since they are portable, that would mean a product that "marries convenience with high performance audio quality in a unique, no-compromise mobile design." Pricing and availability was not announced.

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Press Release

VIZIO Debuts Innovative, Portable Smart Audio Line-Up, Delivering Powerful Audio in an All-in-One Solution
Monday, January 6, 2014 8:11:06 AM America/Los_Angeles
Unique Design Frees Consumers from Mobile Devices Tethered to Speakers, Offering An Uninterrupted Entertainment Experience with High-Performance Audio and Touchscreen Convenience In One Beautifully Smart Audio Solution
Irvine, CA and Las Vegas, NV — January 6, 2014 — VIZIO, America’s #1 Sound Bar company¹, announced today a revolutionary new product category with the debut of the VIZIO 7” and 4.7” portable smart audio. A solution for today’s streaming audio fan, VIZIO’s portable smart audio line-up differs from existing Bluetooth or wireless speakers by delivering a complete “smart” audio experience. Combining unparalleled high-quality audio performance with a built-in touchscreen display that runs Android KitKat, VIZIO’s latest audio innovation is built for easy direct streaming. Rather than being tethered to a Bluetooth-enabled or docked device, the VIZIO portable smart audio collection offers consumers all-in-one portability that allows audio and video apps to be streamed independently from smartphones or tablets. Thanks to Android KitKat, streaming content like music, TV shows, movies and games is easier than ever. VIZIO will be showcasing its new smart audio products at the 2014 Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas, NV at the Wynn Hotel, by appointment only. As an established leader in the audio space and America’s #1 Smart TV company², VIZIO is uniquely positioned to deliver on the needs of today’s users, who consume as much audio and video content over the Internet as they do through conventional channels. The VIZIO 7” and 4.7” portable smart audio products feature superior audio quality that even discerning audiophiles can appreciate, complete with integrated deep bass modules for low frequency fidelity. From the office, to kitchen, to beach or backyard BBQ, the portability of VIZIO’s portable smart audio line-up marries convenience with high performance audio quality in a unique, no-compromise mobile design. Current wireless speakers or docks that solely rely on Bluetooth or a physical connection often interrupt the audio experience when incoming calls, e-mails, text messages or other notifications come through the connected device. With VIZIO portable smart audio, consumers can now discover an uninterrupted entertainment experience from a complete, standalone solution. “After looking very closely at the audio space, VIZIO decided it needed to be disrupted with a combination of our leading audio and smart TV technologies,” said Matt McRae, Chief Technology Officer, VIZIO. “Our new portable smart audio line-up reinvents the category by combining class-leading audio performance with a full touchscreen Android platform, delivering a first-class device capable of streaming music, playing games and watching video directly from the cloud or local storage.” The innovative VIZIO portable smart audio line-up will debut with two sizes, offering either a 7” or 4.7” touchscreen display for easy access to Android apps for streaming audio and video playback. Equipped with 802.11n, apps can be downloaded and accessed whenever the portable smart audio device is connected to Wi-Fi. When out of wireless range, users can also play content from their smartphone or tablet using Bluetooth, or utilize the portable smart audio’s on-board memory for local playback of their favorite tunes. Alternatively, a USB port is available for additional storage expansion. Designed with performance and convenience in mind, the innovative all-in-one design maximizes both volume and audio quality in a compact design, with the 7” display model featuring a sleek integrated handle for grab-and-go portability. A simple out-of-the-box set-up, similar to that of a smartphone or tablet, allows consumers to start enjoying content quickly and easily. The built-in, rechargeable lithium ion battery ensures the device can deliver hours of entertainment for a completely mobile and uninterrupted entertainment experience that frees the user to use their smartphone or tablet for other tasks. More information on VIZIO’s innovative smart audio device, including price and retail partners, will be released closer to product availability. For more information on VIZIO’s complete product line-up, visit VIZIO.com/CES.

T-Mobile Ads Confirm UnCarrier 4 Plans: Pay ETFs for Families Who Transfer

Kellen — Tue, 07 Jan 2014 23:27:56 +0000

This evening, hours before T-Mobile takes the stage at CES 2014 for UnCarrier part 4, an ad popping up on tech sites has essentially confirmed part of the program. According to the ad - which we have included below - T-Mobile will pay "your family's termination fees when you trade in your devices." This news may sound familiar since it has been rumored for weeks as T-Mobile's next "pain point" to tackle. The ad doesn't mention all of the details, but does say in the fine print that "Qual'g service & device purchase with port-in from AT&T, Verizon, or Sprint req'd. Up to 5 lines." In other words, T-Mobile will pay Early Termination Fees (ETF) from your previous carrier, as long as you trade-in your current phones and then sign-up for service, plus purchase a new device. Here is the ad (links to this dead page):

Sources of ours have mentioned that T-Mobile will pay up to $350 per family when they bring over at least 3 lines. This should all sound familiar. AT&T announced last week a very similar plan. They will pay T-Mobile customers up to $450 for transferring their service over to AT&T. There are catches of course, which include trading in phones and signing up for AT&T's Next program. T-Mobile CEO John Legere called the move "desperate." We are expecting there to be announcements out of UnCarrier part 4 tomorrow, plus we should get the full details of this move. The event kicks off at 12:30PM Pacific. We will be in attendance, so be sure to hang with us all day.

Cheers Jackson!

Sprint Expands Spark to New Markets, Provides Access to Virgin Mobile Prepaid Customers

Kyle — Tue, 07 Jan 2014 16:58:41 +0000

Sprint certainly isn’t resting on its laurels this CES. In addition to the new Framily Plan, the carrier announced today that it’s expanding the footprint of Spark, Sprint’s tri-band 4G LTE solution that aims to improve speeds in congested markets. Spark works by leveraging Sprint’s three spectrums – the 800MHz, 1.9GHz, and 2.5GHz band – to dramatically increase wireless capacity. The carrier says users of supported devices like the HTC One Max and upcoming LG G Flex could see download speeds up to 60Mbps. The Lone Star State is clearly the focus of today’s expanded coverage. Here’s a list of newly-supported cities:

Austin, Texas
Dallas, Texas
Fort Lauderdale, Fla.
Fort Worth, Texas
Houston, Texas
San Antonio, Texas

In addition to the expansion, Sprint said Virgin Mobile prepaid customers on the company’s Broadband2Go plans will be able to take advantage of Spark. Plans start at $5 per day, with monthly options ranging from $25 for 1.5GB to $55 for 6GB. Only the Netgear Mingle hotspot will be compatible at launch, but neither company ruled out support for future devices down the road.

Via: Sprint

Sprint Debuts Framily Plan, Makes Adding Lines Cheaper

Kyle — Tue, 07 Jan 2014 16:15:11 +0000

It seems T-Mobile isn’t the only wireless provider with smarts enough to make “uncarrier” changes. Sprint announced today the addition of a mobile plan, the Sprint Framily Plan, that will allow new and existing customers to add up to 10 lines to a single bill. The cost per person starts at $55 a month for unlimited voice service, text messaging, and 1GB of data, although each additional customer added to the plan results in a discount of $5 a month up to a maximum of $30; plans with 7 to 10 users will cost $25 each line per month, for example. 3GB of data for individual lines is available for an extra $10 a month, while unlimited data is an additional $20 per month but also includes eligibility for yearly device upgrades. The “framily” plan could result in significant cost savings for some subscribers. A comparable plan on AT&T would cost $70 a month per line, while Verizon’s alternative begins at $90. T-Mobile doesn’t have a similar 1GB plan, but the carrier’s 500MB data plan with unlimited voice and text would cost $50 a month. The plan will be available at Sprint corporate and third-party stores beginning January 10.

Via: Sprint

Yahoo Acquires Aviate, Offers 25,000 New Beta Spots

Kyle — Tue, 07 Jan 2014 15:47:44 +0000

Looks like Marissa Mayer’s startup shopping spree hasn’t ended yet. The Yahoo CEO announced today at the company’s CES press conference that it has acquired Aviate, the contextually-aware launcher replacement for Android devices. Aviate, which raised a $1.8 million round of funding last year from venture capital firms, has generated a lot of buzz for evoking Google Now in the way it adjusts home screens depending on location and time of day. While at a workplace, for example, Aviate provides shortcuts to apps for business, but at a local attraction, the widgets and icons may change to a check-in service like Foursquare. Such "activities" are customizable, but limited by the types of apps installed; no OpenTable, for instance, means restaurant reservations won't be displayed. To remedy this and monetize, Aviate intended to offer app recommendations in the future, although it's unclear if Yahoo has other plans. Concerning how Yahoo intends to leverage Aviate's technology, the company didn't elaborate. However, Yahoo is clearly in a celebratory mood, because it's offering additional beta spots to 25,000 new users. (Use the code “YAHOO” when signing up.)

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Cheers Chris and Travis!

Audi and NVIDIA Team Up to Bring Smart Displays, Dashboards and Tablets to Cars

Eric — Tue, 07 Jan 2014 14:50:55 +0000

What's better than a brand new Audi with AT&T LTE built in? A brand new Audi with LTE that has an NVIDIA software system to back it up. CES 2014 is shaping up to be the battle over your dashboard, and NVIDIA is looking to make their mark by bringing their Tegra experience and Visual Computing Module to Audis this year, and hopefully more cars down the road. Audi is looking to find the car of tomorrow's dashboard and has turned to NVIDIA to help them realize it. The 12.3" high definition display is powered by Tegra 3 and is capable of running the necessary gauges for the car alongside maps and other pertinent information at the same time. The other innovation NVIDIA and Audi are getting together to work on is the 10.2" SmartDisplay, dockable-tablet that integrates with the car's video and audio systems. This tablet has a full access to Google Play for all the media you would ever need to keep the kids quiet on that long road trip. All of this is brought together by NVIDIA's Visual Computing Module which gives automakers like Audi a stable system to implement in their vehicles. The VCM is powered by an NVIDIA Kepler CPU with a dedicated video and audio processor as well. Combine that with the news that Google is working on an Android port for cars and the future of dashboards is getting pretty exciting.

Audi and NVIDIA Expand Visual Computing in the Car

New Infotainment System, Smart Display, Digital Cockpit to Join AudiLineup, All Powered by NVIDIA Tegra Mobile Processors
LAS VEGAS—CES—Jan. 7, 2014—NVIDIA today announced that three newin-vehicle systems powered by the NVIDIA® Tegra® Visual ComputingModulehttp://www.nvidia.com/object/visual-computing-module.html(VCM)will soon begin shipping in Audi’s vehicles. These innovative solutions, disclosed at the German automaker’s pressconference at the 2014 International Consumer Electronics Show, include: · a connected infotainment system with twice the performance of itspredecessor; · the world’s first automotive-grade tablet that is fullyintegrated into the car’s infotainment system; and · a high-resolution digital cockpit with unprecedented, vivid 3Dgraphical displays. “Audi is a true leader in the development of advanced vehicle electronics,”said Taner Ozcelik, vice president and general manager of Automotive atNVIDIA. “Breakthroughs like the first navigation system based on GoogleEarth and the first automotive-grade tablet demonstrate Audi’s strategy tofast track consumer electronics technology into the car.” The Tegra VCMs powering these systems are highly flexible platforms,incorporating an automotive-grade NVIDIA Tegra mobile processor with anNVIDIA 4-Plus-1™ core CPU, a multi-core GPU and dedicated audio, video andimage processors. The Tegra VCM uniquely enables carmakers to slide the most currentprocessors into their electronics systems, allowing for faster evolution ofin-vehicle systems as newer hardware becomes available. This modularitydramatically narrows the technology gap that has traditionally existedbetween consumer electronics and the long development lifecycles ofin-vehicle systems. Next-Generation Infotainment Building on Audi’s modular infotainment platform, known as MIB andintroduced in 2012, the automaker’s next-generation platform will beginappearing in next year’s models. The award-winning Audi Connect system brings an unprecedented level ofintegration into the car, enabling Google Earth and Google Street Viewnavigation, as well as real-time traffic and parking information – allaccessible via speech and handwriting recognition. The newest system,powered by Tegra 3, will more than double the performance of itspredecessor. Automotive-Grade Tablet Audi also launched a new category of mobile device, known as a SmartDisplay. This multimedia computer powered by a Tegra 4 processor isdesigned for rear-seat use, yet seamlessly integrates with the car’s audioand video systems. It has been hardened to withstand a wide range ofoperational conditions, from -40 degrees Celsius to 80 degrees Celsius, andto withstand the shocks and vibrations that driving conditions can present. Featuring a 10.2-inch screen, the dockable tablet runs the latest versionof the Android operating system, with full access to Google Play and theAndroid App Store for hundreds of thousands of e-books, music, games andfilms that can be enjoyed by passengers in the car. “Audi and NVIDIA engineers work closely together to develop hardware andsoftware that truly delight customers,” said Mathias Halliger, chiefarchitect of Infotainment Systems at Audi. “With the flexible VCM platform,we are able to quickly bring to market a new generation of Tegra-basedinfotainment systems, as well as an integrated mobile computer, matchingthe rapid cadence of the consumer electronics industry.” Cockpit of the Future Additionally, Audi unveiled a new, fully digital instrument cluster,powered by Tegra 3. The virtual cockpit – which will first appear in the2015 Audi TT sports coupe – delivers clearly presented information to thedriver on a 12.3-inch, high-definition display. The virtual cockpit features refined digital gauges with smooth needleanimation, as well as beautiful 3D maps, delivering an elegant, informativedisplay. Drivers have the ability to configure the dashboard controls basedon their personal preferences. “The cockpit of the future is about creating an appealing and usefulexperience while minimizing distraction,” said Robert Kolar, leader ofInstrument Cluster Systems at Audi. “NVIDIA enables us to easily achievethis goal.” NVIDIA Automotive Technology Driving Innovation The power of the NVIDIA Tegra for automotive applications will bedemonstrated in NVIDIA booth 30207 at the 2014 International ConsumerElectronics Show in Las Vegas, Jan. 7-10, in the South Hall of the LasVegas Convention Center. Today, there are more than 4.5 million cars on the road powered by NVIDIAprocessors, including the newest models from Audi, Volkswagen, Skoda, andSEAT. Find out more at www.nvidia.com/automotive.

Video: Sony Xperia Z1S and Z1 Compact Hands-on and Quick Look

Kellen — Tue, 07 Jan 2014 14:25:20 +0000

Just like every other year, Sony has a major presence at CES in Las Vegas, as they announced two new Xperia devices at last night's press event. The two phones are named the Xperia Z1S and the Xperia Z1 Compact. The Z1S is confirmed to hit the U.S. on T-Mobile's LTE network, but there is no confirmation if we will see the Xperia Z1 Compact come to the States. As for specs, the Z1S is similar to the Xperia Z1, as it is a waterproof device, sporting a 5" 1080p Triluminos display, a Snapdragon 800 quad-core processor, a 3,000mAh battery, 20.7MP rear-facing camera, and of course, Sony's typical Android skin on top of the Android 4.3 OS. The Xperia Z1S will hit T-Mobile's network on January 22 for $528 full retail or $22 a month on a plan. The Z1 Compact is a pretty device, as it is Sony's attempt at creating a top tier device in a smaller package. It sports a 4.3" 720p, Snapdragon 800 quad-core chip clocked at 2.2GHz, 2GB of RAM, the same massive 20.7MP rear-facing camera, 2,300mAh battery, and runs Android 4.3 with Sony's skin on top. In addition, the device comes in four colors - White, Black, Yellow, and Pink. Below we have galleries and two hands-on videos with the new devices. Check them out.

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Xperia Z1s

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Xperia Z1 Compact

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Xperia Z1s

Xperia Z1 Compact

T-Mobile LG G2 Receiving Update D80110g, Start Checking Your Phones Now

Eric — Tue, 07 Jan 2014 13:55:38 +0000

If you are the owner of an LG G2 on T-Mobile, you should start checking your device for an update. T-Mobile is rolling out a tiny OTA update to these devices on their network starting today and running through the next few weeks. The build number will be updated to D80110g, but other than that not too much will change. In fact, the only hint of change that we are receiving from T-Mobile is that this OTA will be "improvements to software stability." No new features or anything more specific than that, but T-Mobile and LG figured that this 147MB update was important enough to rollout on its own. As long as the phone is better off after the update we are happy. To check for the update, head into Settings>About device>Software update >Update Now. If you do not see it already or after checking, keep looking over the next week.

Via: T-Mobile

Video: LG G Flex Quick Look [CES 2014]

Kellen — Tue, 07 Jan 2014 13:53:29 +0000

We finally had a chance to pick up an LG G Flex here at CES, and well, it's kind of awesome to hold. The curve to the 6-inch POLED display is noticeable, plus it makes the phone feel great in hand. It is massive and un-manageable with one hand, but we also understand that part of the idea here is to highlight the technology. For those new to the G Flex, you are looking at one of the world's first curved Plastic OLED displays, along with a Snapdragon 800 processor, curved 3,400mAh battery, 13MP rear camera, 2GB RAM, 32GB of storage, and Android 4.2.2 underneath LG's custom skin. LG has also used a coating or material on the back of the device that is "self healing." In other words, slight scuffs and minor scratches will actually disappear shortly after they are made. But again, the story here is the curve of the device. Tim asked what my initial thoughts were, and truthfully, if this phone had a 5-inch display instead of 6-inch, it might be in my pocket permanently. It's just...cool. We'll have more once the phone arrives on T-Mobile, but for now, enjoy the quick look.

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Video: Samsung Galaxy TabPro 8.4 Hands-on [CES 2014]

Tim — Tue, 07 Jan 2014 13:38:38 +0000

It's CES, which means we are able to get our hands on the latest and greatest devices from the world's top manufacturers. Today, we were able to meet up with Samsung at their booth in Las Vegas, and spent a few minutes with the Galaxy TabPro 8.4. There are three different models in the all-new TabPro lineup - an 8.4", a 10.1", and a 12.2". Each device features almost identical specs, except for the display sizes. The TabPro 8.4 features an 8.4" 1620 x 1200 display, an Exynos processor, Android 4.4, 2GB of RAM, an 8MP back-facing camera, a 2MP front-facing camera, plus loads of Samsung's own proprietary software. Although, unlike the Note lineup of devices, the TabPro tablets do not feature an S-Pen. Below we have our hands-on with the tablet, so go ahead and check it out.

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Hands-on Video

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Video: Samsung Galaxy NotePro 12.2 Hands-on [CES 2014]

Tim — Tue, 07 Jan 2014 13:32:00 +0000

We were able to get our hands on the Galaxy NotePro 12.2 from Samsung this afternoon at CES in Las Vegas. The device, as one would assume, is quite large - sporting a 12.2" Super Clear LCD display with a resolution of 2560 x 1600, this is the largest Android tablet from Samsung to come to the States. Depending on which model and which market you buy the device, it will either feature an Exynos 5 Octa processor or a Snapdragon quad-core processor. Each variant features 3GB of RAM, an 8MP back-facing camera, 2MP front-facing camera, Android 4.4 with a revamped version of TouchWiz on top, an S-Pen, plus all of Samsung's proprietary software baked in. A neat feature that the NotePro 12.2 has that you won't find on other models is a 4-way MultiWindow option. With this, you can view four different apps at the same time, all on one screen. Below we have placed our hands-on video with the device at Samsung's booth, so be sure to check it out. We also did a video to focus solely on TouchWiz and Android 4.4. You will definitely want to see that.

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Galaxy NotePro 12.2 Hands-on

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TouchWiz and Android 4.4 Overview

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Video: Samsung Galaxy Camera 2 Hands-on [CES 2014]

Tim — Tue, 07 Jan 2014 13:23:10 +0000

A couple of weeks before CES, Samsung announced the next rendition of the Galaxy Camera, the Galaxy Camera 2. The device features the same 16.3 megapixel sensor with OIS as the original did, except Samsung was able to slim up the body, and also speed up the camera's performance. The Galaxy Camera 2 runs Android 4.3, as well as a revamped version of Samsung's TouchWiz UI, which was designed specifically for this device. As one would expect from Samsung, they built a ton of software to incorporate into the device. While inside the camera app, there are plenty of Smart Settings, which will let the user select the best settings for the shooting conditions. That includes low lighting, sunsets, action shots, macro, and plenty others. As for availability, the reps could only say "Spring time." As of right now, there is only a WiFi model, but are almost certain Samsung will partner with a couple of carriers in the US like AT&T or Verizon, to bring models to the market that feature 4G LTE radios inside. There is no word on pricing yet either. In the video below, we go over the features and specifications of the Galaxy Camera 2 at Samsung'a booth during CES. Be sure to check it out.

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Hands-on Video

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Moto X Actually Has an Awesome Green Notification Light Hidden Under the Earpiece

Eric — Tue, 07 Jan 2014 12:34:48 +0000

While Active Notifications may be one of the coolest parts of owning a Moto X, it was a little bit hard for some Android users to give up the notification LED light they grew to love so much. Thanks to some intrepid hackers over at XDA, not only did we find that the Moto X has a notification LED, but it can be enabled at your will with root permissions and some Tasker code. This elusive LED light has been hiding in plain sight the whole time. As programmed by Motorola, we are only supposed to see this alien-like green LED come on when the device is so extremely low on battery that it can't even power up the screen to show you the "low battery" symbol. That is a pretty boring use for a notification light that looks so cool, so a thread popped up on figuring out how to harness this power. XDA user carock figured out a string of commands that you could plug into Tasker to control this LED whenever you wanted it. Root is a necessity though, so do not go trying this if you do not already have your device rooted. However, if you have that and feel comfortable with Tasker set-up, we have a video that walks you through getting this set up. As always with rooting, be aware of what you are getting into before deciding to tackle this project. Would you use something like this if Motorola allowed you to toggle between this and Active Notifications? [responsive_vid]

Via: XDA

Qualcomm's AllPlay Technology Heading to Consumer Devices Later This Year

Eric — Tue, 07 Jan 2014 09:55:56 +0000

Establishing a new technological standard in today's world is very hard to do. Qualcomm's work on their AllPlay service is looking to create a open-source standard for wireless music transfer that can compete with Apple's AirPlay service. Qualcomm announced at this week's CES that we should start seeing hardware devices with AllPlay installed before the end of the year. Some of the companies that have already showed their support for hardware are Panasonic and Altec Lansing. These companies, and hopefully more to come, will build in AllPlay support so that when your Android or iOS device senses the speakers in the house on your WiFi connection you can connect seamlessly. It works a lot like Chromecast, but centered around music between home speakers. Some of the other partners announced at CES are iHeartRadio, Rhapsody, Napster, DoubleTwist, Grooveshark, TuneIn, and SomaFM. Once these companies update their apps and you set up your AllPlay speakers, sharing music should be as easy as tapping a button. Time remains to be seen if AllPlay becomes more widely accepted, but a non-platform specific solution like this is very enticing.

Via: The Verge

Audi and AT&T Unveil 4G LTE for 2015 A3 Sedans

Tim — Tue, 07 Jan 2014 09:30:14 +0000

At a press event last night during CES, AT&T and Audi announced 4G LTE connectivity for cars. Stating that LTE will be available in the 2015 A3 sedans, car buyers can simply attach their vehicle to a current Mobile Share data plan through AT&T, making it easy to manage all of the data that is streamed to your whip. Audi is teaming up with AT&T to build of a suite of software which should take advantage of the new mobile connectivity, such as a better infotainment system and apps like Facebook, Twitter, personalized RSS news feeds, and lots more. To top it off, the car will act as its own WiFi hotspot, allowing passengers to connect to the data and stream whatever content they would like.

The new Audi connect 4G LTE service will allow faster Google Earth™ and Google Street View enhancements to Audi MMI navigation plus. The 4G LTE connectivity will also provide faster downloads and high-definition video streaming for up to eight devices used by passengers over the in-vehicle Wi-Fi hotspot.

While drivers are more distracted on the road than ever before, we hope Audi and AT&T are thinking a lot of about safety. We wouldn't want anyone crashing a new Audi because they were busy tweeting from their dashboard. Audi commented that as time passes and more car models are released, 4G LTE will become a regular option for buyers. The future - ain't it great?

Via: AT&T

T-Mobile CEO John Legere Literally Crashes AT&T's Party, Just Wanted to Hear Some Music

Eric — Tue, 07 Jan 2014 09:05:00 +0000

For a while now, the relations between AT&T and T-Mobile have been a bit strained to say the least. Things between the two carriers came to a personal head last night a party that AT&T was throwing for its developers. When T-Mobile CEO John Legere showed up, just wanting to hear some Macklemore, he was promptly kicked out. Drama! Legere has made a name for himself recently with his attacks on the Big Carriers dominating the market, while trying to promote his UnCarrier ways. You can see why AT&T might not have been too happy to have him mingling with their developers. The fact that he was walking around wearing his magenta T-Mobile shirt in the middle of all of it might not have helped either. In an interview afterwards, Legere said he was asked to leave by two "gigantic goons" who ended up being hotel security, and that if he didn't leave he would be charged with trespassing. Legere did leave, but not before noting that AT&T spent a lot of money on the party. He commented that the money AT&T put towards that party, he would have spent on his company instead. AT&T has apparently declined to comment on the situation. Low blow or brilliant troll?

Via: Recode

Reported Screenshots of Redesigned TouchWiz UI Surface on the Web

Tim — Tue, 07 Jan 2014 08:44:24 +0000

Early this morning, @evleaks took to his Twitter account to show off a few different screenshots, apparently detailing an upcoming look for Samsung's TouchWiz UI. While we can't confirm if this is the move Samsung plans to make for their smartphone UI, we can't say it looks bad. It actually looks somewhat pretty. The first thing you might think is that this is Samsung's look for Kit Kat. Last night, Kellen and I had hands-on time with the new Galaxy NotePro and TabPro tablets from Samsung, each of which runs a revamped version of TouchWiz on top of Kit Kat. That UI didn't look anything liked these leaked screenshots, as the notification bar actually sported white icons and text, just like stock Android 4.4. As we can see in these screenshots, Samsung is apparently sticking to the green battery icon for now, as this could be a revamped version of TouchWiz just for smartphones. It would be interesting if the company decided to have two separate versions of their skin for phones and tablets, so we wouldn't put our money on that idea. In the pictures, we can see that Samsung has found a new love for flat icons as well, which reminds us of HTC and the release of Sense 5. Either way, these new shots don't give us much detail, but if this version does come to fruition, we would be sort of happy about it. It's definitely an improvement over the current look of TouchWiz. What do you think? Does it look better or worse in your opinion than the current TouchWiz?

Via: @evleaks

Huawei Reveals the Ascend Mate II, a US-Bound Phablet with a Massive Battery

Kyle — Mon, 06 Jan 2014 19:00:00 +0000

Apparently, Huawei isn’t quite ready to abandon the US smartphone market for China. As evidenced by the company’s presentation today, it’s ready to give it another go with the Ascend Mate II, a phablet with a 6.1-inch IPS screen. The battery is perhaps the most attractive feature of the Ascend Mate II: a 4050 mAh lithum-ion pack-in will provide enough power to watch 6 movies or listen to 100 hours of music, according to the company’s estimates. Power savings come partially from the display, which is only 720p. Even so, that’s a lot of raw capacity compared to other devices in the same class; Samsung’s Galaxy Note 3 has a 3200 mAh battery, while Sony’s Xperia Z Ultra battery is only 3000 mAh. A dual-core Snapdragon 400 clocked at 1.6 GHz powers the phablet, while an ample (but ungenerous) 2GB of RAM should facilitate a reasonable amount of multitasking. If that seems disappointingly midrange, maybe the camera megapixel count (13MP rear, 5MP front), the inclusion of a MicroSD card slot, and the ability to charge other smartphones and tablets (!) will make up for it. Maybe. Concerning software, the Ascend Mate II ships with Huawei’s Emotion UI 2.0 atop Android 4.3. Included are such wonderful features as One-Hand UI for single-handed operation, Glove Mode, Driving Mode, and a suite of camera and photo apps. (This is a good video overview of the skin.) Huawei says the Ascend Mate II is compatible with all US 4G LTE networks. No word on whether it’ll formally launch on a particular carrier, but rest assured it’ll ship to American shores relatively soon.

Via: Huawei

Sony Announces Z1s Coming Exclusively to T-Mobile, Z1 Compact Its Own Little Beast

Kellen — Mon, 06 Jan 2014 18:30:54 +0000

Sony announced three new mobile products this evening during its CES 2014 press event, the Xperia Z1s, Z1 Compact, and the Smartband. One is a flagship device headed exclusively to T-Mobile, one is a smaller device that packs top tier specs, and the last is a fitness tracker. The Xperia Z1s is Sony's new flagship that is headed exclusively to T-Mobile on January 22. The device is essentially the previously announced Xperia Z1, except that it has a bigger battery (3,000mAh) and 32GB of internal storage. But the camera is still a 20.7 MP “Exmor RS for mobile” CMOS image sensor, the display is still 5-inch 1080p, and the body is all Sony. This phone is fully waterproof, though, with an IP58 rating. The Xperia Z1 Compact, on the other hand, is probably the more noteworthy of the two. Sony created a compact smartphone that packs all of the punch of a top tier device. We're talking a Snapdragon 800, 2,300mAh battery, and a 20.7 MP camera. Sure, the display is only 4.3-inches and 720p, but this phone easily gives the Moto X or Moto G a run. Last, Sony has officially entered the fitness tracker arena with the SmartBand. It tracks activity, notifies you when calls or texts come in, lets you control media, and syncs with an Android app to log all of your work. And there you have it, Sony's announcements from CES. We'll have more over the coming days, including some time with each device.

Xperia Z1 Compact

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SmartBand

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Samsung Announces Four New Tablets - Galaxy NotePro 12.2, TabPro 8.4, 10.1, and 12.2

Tim — Mon, 06 Jan 2014 18:00:55 +0000

Thanks to the earlier leak we posted up from evleaks, we knew Samsung had an announcement up their sleeves with regards to a few new tablet unveilings which took place at today's press conference at CES. We have four new Android-powered tablets in total - the Galaxy NotePro 12.2, and the Galaxy TabPro which comes in three different sizes - an 8.4", 10.1", and a 12.2" configuration. The tablets are quite healthy in the specs department, with the Galaxy NotePro 12.2 featuring cellular radios for HSPA+, as well as 4G LTE. Depending on the market, the NotePro will come equipped with either an Exynos 5 Octa (1.9GHz quad-core + 1.3GHz quad-core) or Snapdragon 800 processor, 12.2-inch WQXGA (2560 X 1600) Super Clear LCD display, 3GB of RAM, Android 4.4, an 8MP back-facing camera, and of course, an S Pen. Naturally, the larger set of tablets (both 12.2" models) come with enhanced TouchWiz software, including four-way MultiWindow functionality. With that feature, you can have four apps running simultaneously on your screen, which should easily boost your multitasking skills. The rest of the tablets all feature the same specs, except for the different display sizes. And as you might have guessed, the TabPro lineup does not feature S Pens; only the NotePro does. All four tablets will have a global launch in Q1 of 2014.

Samsung Galaxy NotePRO and TabPRO series set a New Rule for the Tablet Experience at CES 2014

Extending the company’s innovation legacy with best-in-class media consumption and productivity capabilities
Las Vegas, NV – January 6, 2014 – Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. today unveiled the Samsung Galaxy NotePRO and TabPRO line of tablets, setting a new standard of mobile excellence, equipped with innovative and meaningful technology. Sporting four powerful devices in the lineup – the Galaxy NotePRO (12.2-inch), TabPRO (12.2, 10.1, 8.4-inch), Samsung’s Galaxy tablet portfolio redefines what a tablet can do. “We created the Galaxy NotePRO and TabPRO series to kick-off a year in which Samsung truly establishes its leadership in the tablet market,” said JK Shin, CEO and President of IT & Mobile Division, Samsung Electronics. “This new line offers the best-in-class content consumption and productivity, combining a stunning viewing experience with Samsung’s design legacy. The Samsung Galaxy NotePRO and TabPRO truly demonstrate our commitment to providing our customers with extraordinarily versatile product offerings, tailored to tablet users of every description.” Providing users with an extraordinary display and a matching feature set, the Galaxy NotePRO and TabPRO series bring premium style and powerful performance in a single device. Created to satisfy every possible type of user case scenario, the Samsung Galaxy NotePRO and TabPRO combine a crystal-clear, WQXGA display for a world-class viewing experience, powerful productivity tools, and unique features with preloaded and free downloadable content, producing a superior mobile solution. Introducing Galaxy NotePRO and TabPRO (12.2) – the Definitive Tablet Viewing Experience The Samsung Galaxy NotePRO and TabPRO present the world’s first 12.2-inch WQXGA Widescreen (16:10) display, offering crystal clear resolution (2560x1600) with more than 4 million pixels, making it an ideal platform for every type of content creation and consumption. With a larger viewing area, the defined screen allows users to enjoy stunning Full HD video play and view even more information at a glance. In addition to the industry-leading display, the devices have been designed with a sleek, light, slim frame that is both premium and highly portable. A personalized Magazine UX, specifically optimized for a large screen, allows users to further tailor their Galaxy tablet experience for their own needs. The UX enables them to organize their favorite content in an easy-to-use dashboard with automatic feed or news updates and then quickly access the most frequently used apps for a more comfortable reading experience. By utilizing a screen size that is more comparable to traditional magazine-sized material, content is easier to view in its original format when reading digital magazines or e-books. Powerful Partner for Productivity The Samsung Galaxy NotePRO and TabPRO (12.2) come equipped with a variety of productivity tools to help users to manage both their personal and professional lives. Multi Window enables users to split the screen up into four different windows and an innovative, Virtual Keyboard provides them with enough space to type comfortably, leveraging haptic feedback to produce a more realistic typing experience. The Samsung S Pen included with the Galaxy NotePRO delivers a more responsive, productive and overall efficient tablet experience with access to features such as Action Memo, Scrapbook, Screen Write and S Finder. In addition, Pen Window enables users to simply draw a window of any size on the screen, and instantly access unique in-application features such as YouTube or a calculator. Users can easily access and control their home or office PC directly through their Galaxy NotePRO or TabPRO with Remote PC in order to seamlessly edit and save files remotely. The Galaxy NotePRO and TabPRO also come pre-loaded with Cisco WebEx Meetings platform, the industry’s leading web conferencing solution that provides users with an easy way to meet with anyone, anywhere. And now for the first time on Android tablets, users can share anything on their screen as well as starting a WebEx meeting from contact list. Samsung e-Meeting provides collaboration capabilities by giving users the ability to share content during a meeting without having to access a central server or network. Ultimate User Content Gift Package* For additional value and productivity right out of the box, the Samsung Galaxy NotePRO and TabPRO (12.2) will feature up to approximately $700 worth of the premium pre-paid, long-term subscription offers from best-selling news, social media and cloud storage providers, including: Bitcasa, Bloomberg Businessweek+, Blurb, Cisco WebEx Meetings, Dropbox, Easilydo Pro for Tablet, Evernote, Hancom Office for Android, LinkedIn,LIVESPORT.TV, NY Times, Oxford Advanced Learner’s A-Z, and Sketchbook Pro (content packages may vary by region). The Samsung Galaxy NotePRO and TabPRO line will come in various connectivity options: WiFi Only, WiFi and 3G, or WiFi and LTE. Users can choose between the 12.2-inch Galaxy NotePRO that comes with an included S Pen, and the 12.2-inch Galaxy TabPRO, Galaxy TabPRO 10.1-inch and 8.4-inch without the S Pen. Designed to extend productivity even further, the following optional accessories are also available for purchase with the Galaxy NotePRO and TabPRO: Various Book Covers, USB LAN HUB, Universal BT Keyboard and S Action Mouse (accessories may vary by product model). The Samsung Galaxy NotePRO and TabPRO tablet line will be offered globally and will be available starting from Q1, 2014. For more product information, please visit www.samsungmobilepress.com / m.samsungmobilepress.com The Samsung Galaxy NotePRO and TabPRO will be on display at the Samsung booth #12004 at CES 2014, January 7^th through 10^th, 2014.

T-Mobile 4G LTE Expands to 14 New Markets

Kyle — Mon, 06 Jan 2014 17:30:30 +0000

Not to be outdone by AT&T, T-Mobile expanded its 4G LTE network into 14 new markets today. The move is one of many by the carrier in recent months to improve the quality of its 4G network. T-Mobile recently began using spectrum acquired from US Cellular and MetroPCS to improve LTE speeds, and plans to purchase chunks of Verizon’s 700 MHz A-Block for future expansion. The developments are a promising response to T-Mobile’s middling performance in JD Power’s August assessment of US cellular networks. Here’s a complete list of the newly-covered locations:

Ocala, FL
Palm Bay-Melbourne-Titusville, FL
Punta Gorda, FL
The Villages, FL
Valdosta, GA
Coeur d'Alene, ID
Twin Falls, ID
Bay City, MI
Holland, MI
Saginaw, MI
Gulfport-Biloxi, MS
Las Cruces, NM
Thomasville-Lexington, NC
Olympia, WA

So, T-Mobile customers: will the news dissuade you from jumping ship to AT&T? John Legere certainly hopes so.

Via: T-Mobile

Michael Bay had a Rough Day at CES With Samsung, Says "I Just Embarrassed Myself"

Kellen — Mon, 06 Jan 2014 17:01:38 +0000

If you missed the Samsung CES press event from this afternoon, then you missed what may have been the most uncomfortable, amusing, and confusing moment of the week so far. Transformers (and other hit-or-miss action flicks) director Michael Bay was invited on stage to talk about one of Samsung's new Ultra HD TVs, only the appearance barely lasted all of one minute. Bay initially started talking about himself, but then appeared to have lost his place on the teleprompter before losing it altogether. He tried to regain his composure before ultimately walking off stage and apologizing. As we were sitting there in the audience, we couldn't tell if it was a joke or real. Turns out it was real. As the internet is turning this moment into the next viral clip, Bay has already taken to his own blog to either fulfill his commitment or try and save face. Here is what he had to say:

Wow! I just embarrassed myself at CES – I was about to speak for Samsung for this awesome Curved 105-inch UHD TV. I rarely lend my name to any products, but this one is just stellar. I got so excited to talk, that I skipped over the Exec VP’s intro line and then the teleprompter got lost. Then the prompter went up and down – then I walked off. I guess live shows aren’t my thing. But I’m doing a special curved screen experience with Samsung and Transformers 4 footage that will be traveling around the world. Michael

To see the action unfold, you can watch the video below. Jump to the 57:10 mark.

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Watch Live: Sony's CES 2014 Press Event

Kellen — Mon, 06 Jan 2014 16:38:14 +0000

Sony will finish off the official press day at CES 2014 with a live event at their booth at the convention center. Like Samsung and LG, we will more than likely see all sorts of TV news with a sprinkling of Android. We could see a new Xperia Z1 variant or maybe even a tablet. If we do, we'll be sure to get our hands on them for you all to see at some point this week. If they do announce something Android-related, here's to hoping they actually make it to States before they are six months old. The last dozen or so Sony devices all seem to make their way to Europe and international markets months and months before a U.S. carrier picks them up. It's unfortunate, especially since Sony seems to make decent devices. We won't be in attendance at this event since we have other activities in the works. We should have our hands on all sorts of gadgets tonight, with videos flowing in regularly as our batteries and connections allow. Stick with us after Sony's event! They appear to be live streaming the event, so you can watch along below.

LIVE: Samsung Press Event CES 2014

Kellen — Mon, 06 Jan 2014 13:42:31 +0000

Our CES 2014 press day continues this afternoon with Samsung's 2PM Pacific event. Samsung likes to show off all sorts of products during their event, which makes sense since they do a heck of a lot more than mobile. In other words, we should see new TVs, lots of them. We'll also probably talk appliances, maybe even wearables, and then finish up with mobile. We already saw a whole bunch of new Samsung tablets leak thanks to @evleaks, so I'd imagine they will all be on-stage or mentioned at some point in the quick 45-minute show. If not, we'll see them later this afternoon when we meet with Samsung. Don't expect flagship-type phones, though, as Samsung holds their own stand-alone press events for products like that. So strap in, this is usually the big one. We started waiting in line an hour and a half before the event and aren't even close to the front of the line. Samsung runs the tech world around these parts. A live blog is embedded below. Samsung says there is a live stream, so we'll try to include it. Otherwise, enjoy our commentary and pictures!

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ASUS Launches Transformer Book Duet, Dual Boots Android and Windows

Tim — Mon, 06 Jan 2014 13:35:20 +0000

At this afternoon's ASUS press event, the company announced a few devices, one of which really caught our attention, the Transformer Book Duet. ASUS and Intel are labeling it the world's first 4-in-1 laptop/tablet combo, which dual boots Android and Windows. While it isn't the first device to do that, it's still quite the accomplishment for the both companies to get the two separate OS's booting on the same SoC. The device is powered by an Intel i3 processor and features a 13.3-inch 1,366 x 768 display for $599. Another model, which features a 1080p display said to come out later this year, is actually running an Intel i7 processor, but nothing is known on its price. One major downer is that the Android OS running on these systems is only Android 4.1, Jelly Bean. No word on when or if they will be updated to newer versions of the OS, but our fingers are crossed for anyone hoping to pick one up. The device will launch sometime in Q2 of this year, here in America.

Via: ASUS

Orbotix Unveils the Sphero 2B

Kyle — Mon, 06 Jan 2014 13:05:29 +0000

You know what’s cool? Garish toys for the technorati. You know what’s cooler? Garish toys for the technorati controllable with a smartphone or tablet. Orbotix’s new and improved flashy ball thing, the Sphero 2B, is exactly that. A motorized device driven with an accompanying app for Android and iOS, the Sphero 2B flashes, blinks, jumps, quickly switches direction, and looks generally awesome despite having no discernable purpose. The new Sphero is an improvement over its predecessor in several respects. First, its new shape allows the device to travel up to 14 feet per second (double the speed of its predecessor) and maintain better stability while traversing difficult terrain. Second, the inclusion of interchangeable wheels, tires, and hubcaps should entertain armchair mechanics to no end. Third, the projected price is “under $100”, which is a massive improvement over previous Spheros (the Sphero 2.0 debuted for $130). The device connects via Bluetooth LE, and has a range of 30 meters. Undetailed “smart accessories” will accompany the Sphero 2B’s launch, although it’s safe to say ramps will probably make the list. Units won’t begin shipping until Fall 2014, but if the Sphero tickles your fancy, you can reserve it on Orbotix’s website right now. [responsive_vid]

Via: Orbotix

Corning Unveils AntiMicrobial Glass For the Germaphobe in All of Us

Eric — Mon, 06 Jan 2014 12:40:04 +0000

If you are the type to cringe when you think about how many people have touched a public door handle during a day, today's news might be for you. Today at CES, Corning is showing off a new type of glass that is said to keep the front of your smartphone or tablet free of germs and bacteria. Long known for their Gorilla Glass that is featured in many of today's device, this new product is a welcome change. Corning says they took ionic silver, an antimicrobial agent, and incorporated it into the glass. This will ensure that the glass stays cleaner over a longer time rather than just a coating on the glass. Corning says that many OEMs are currently testing this new type of glass, so we could see it in our hands sooner rather than later. Good news right in the middle of cold season.

Via: Corning Glass

AT&T 4G LTE Coverage Expands to 26 New Markets, Now Reaches 270 Million People

Kyle — Mon, 06 Jan 2014 12:15:44 +0000

The precocity of AT&T’s 4G LTE network is impressive. Once paling in comparison to Verizon’s coverage, Ma Bell’s strategy of rapid deployment has helped its high-speed network blanket the US at a breakneck pace. Case in point: the carrier announced today that, with an expansion of LTE into 26 additional markets, its 4G now reaches more than 270 million people. That’s good news for AT&T, which intends to spend more than $14 billion in an effort to expand 4G LTE to 300 million (T-Mobile?) customers by the end of 2014. I'd say the company is well on its way. Here’s a list of the new markets launched today:

Hope, AR
Greeley, CO
Okeechobee, FL
Lewiston, ID
Crawfordsville, IN
Ames, IA
Iowa City, IA
Cambridge, MD
Battle Creek, MI
Jackson, MI
Red Wing, MN
Branson, MO
Hannibal, MO
Mexico, MO
Missoula, MT
Keene, NH
Poughkeepsie, NY
Ashtabula, OH
Tahlequah, OK
Lebanon, PA
Utuado, PR
Stephenville, TX
St. John, USVI
St. George, UT
Blacksburg-Christiansburg-Radford, VA
Walla Walla, WA

Via: AT&T Press Wire

@evleaks At It Again, Leaks Specs and Images of Four Rumored Upcoming Samsung Tablets

Eric — Mon, 06 Jan 2014 11:59:45 +0000

If finding information on unreleased devices and gadgets is an art, @evleaks is most certainly a genius. The latest leak of Samsung's information is more like a running spigot. We now have images and rumored specs for four different tablet models that are expected to launch in the coming months. First up we have the Samsung Galaxy TabPRO 8.4, which is pictured above. There was not a 7" model listed in this leak, so it seems that 8.4" might be the smallest tablet we get these days unless you want a Note 3. The 8.4" variant is listed as having a Snapdragon 800 2.3GHz processor with a 2,500x1,600 screen. An 8MP camera on the rear and a 2MP camera on the front are added in with a 4,800mAh battery and 2GB of RAM.

Next up is the Galaxy TabPRO 10.1. This size is nothing new, but it is no longer the biggest tablet that Samsung offers. This model comes in a WiFi (with a Exynos 5 Octa) and a 3G/LTE (with a Snapdragon 800) variant. Another 2,500x1,600 screen is spread across 2GB of RAM and a 8,220mAh battery. Specs are similar to that of the 8.4", but on a larger scale.

Last, but certainly not least is the 12.2" monster that we have been seeing bits and pieces of here and there over the past few weeks. The 12.2" model will come in a Galaxy TabPRO model and a Galaxy NotePro model. The S-Pen will only come with the NotePro model, but each of these two will be WiFi or 3G/LTE enabled. As with the Tab 10.1, if you get the WiFi model you get the Exynos Octa 5 and the 3G/LTE version will come with the Snapdragon 800. These will have the same 2,500x1,600 resolution screens, but have been bumped up to 3GB of RAM and a 9,500mAh battery. Did you get all of that? It is a lot of information to take in. What is also interesting is that these devices no longer seem to have a capacitive menu button. It looks like it has been replaced with a capacitive multitasking button instead. All four of these devices are rumored to be running Kit Kat when they release. @evleaks has been very reliable in the past, but these are still rumored specs of leaked devices. Do any of them catch your eye?

Via: @evleaks

Watch Live: ASUS' Announcements at CES 2014

Kellen — Mon, 06 Jan 2014 11:45:24 +0000

ASUS is doing a press event in Las Vegas this morning as well, though they decided to do it outside of the official CES press day and are hosting media at Caesars Palace. Since the event also happens to run at the same time as Qualcomm's, we decided to see what Qualcomm was up to instead. Thankfully, ASUS is streaming the entire event for all to see. What will we get? Well, it's looking like the Padfone X on its way to AT&T is officially official. For years, ASUS has tried to bring its Padfone line (phone-tablet-hybrid) to the States, but U.S. carriers haven't exactly been accepting of the idea that someone could slide a phone into a tablet and continue to use the same data plan. We'll see how AT&T deals with this (especially in terms of pricing). The phone sports a 5-inch display, docks into a 9-inch tablet, will connect to AT&T's LTE Advanced network (when it launches), and takes advantage of VoLTE with HD Voice (when it goes live too). Other than that, it would be great to see a new tablet from the company that has been one of our favorites in the Android slate game. The live stream will be posted here. If it's embeddable, we'll be sure to include it in this post once it goes live.

LIVE: Qualcomm Press Event at CES 2014

Kellen — Mon, 06 Jan 2014 11:40:04 +0000

Our press day at CES 2014 continues on with a mid-day gathering of Qualcomm news. Last year, Qualcomm had one of the wildest press events in recent memory, so this is one you'll want to tune in to. Well, it may be tough to live up to last year's antics, so maybe it's best we prepare for something a little more casual. We are assuming we'll hear more about the Snapdragon 805, camera advancements that Qualcomm has made for mobile devices, their Ultra Sound Notepad technology, maybe something on the TOQ smartwatch, and more. We have a live blog below and will be on the lookout for a video feed.

Pebble Announces New Premium Smartwatch Dubbed "Pebble Steel," Available Today for $249

Kellen — Mon, 06 Jan 2014 11:00:55 +0000

You wanted new Pebble hardware, you got it. Announced this morning at CES, Pebble has announced Pebble Steel, their new premium smartwatch. It's the same exact Pebble that you "know and love" yet in a smaller, thinner and more premium package. Available today for $249 in the Pebble store, the newest version of e-paper display smartwatch that took the world by storm last year through Kickstarter can be yours. The Pebble Steel comes in two new colors, Brushed Stainless and Black Matte. Each watch also comes with both a metal band and a leather strap in case you'd like to mix it up style-wise. Again, it sports the same e-paper display as the original (5-7 day battery life), but there are some upgrades tossed in as well. Corning Gorilla Glass covers the front along with an anti-fingerprint coating, plus there is an LED light to show charging status. It's available for order today, but Pebble isn't expecting to ship until late January or mid February. Ready to buy one?

Intro Video

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Falcon Pro Update Brings Real Time Interactions and Tweet Statistics

Eric — Mon, 06 Jan 2014 11:00:53 +0000

The third-party Twitter client, Falcon Pro, is still quite the fan favorite around here. Those who are still rocking Falcon Pro will be excited to hear that the app is still receiving updates and today's update brings some really cool features. Falcon Pro 2.1 is live for download now packed with new features and tons of fixes as well. The headlining feature to come out of this latest update is the real time interactions. That means once it is enabled, you will be able to see favorites, retweets and responses to your tweets as they happen. Up until this point, this has been a feature hard to find outside of the official Twitter application. Another really fun addition to Falcon is the "Stats" screen that will show you the impact of your tweets and just how important you really are on Twitter. A list of other improvements are included here like optimized scrolling, bigger image previews and more accurate conversations. Quite a big update to an app we know many of you still use. If you moved on to another application, is this enough to bring you back to Falcon Pro? Download

Via: Joaquim Verges

Watch Live: Pebble's New Announcements From CES 2014

Kellen — Mon, 06 Jan 2014 10:45:04 +0000

At 11AM Pacific (2PM Eastern), Pebble is fixin' to announce new goodies for smartwatch gurus to feast upon. Some of the details appear to have leaked out here and there, however, it all becomes official in just a few minutes. We are hoping to see new hardware, learn more about the Pebble appstore, and hear the vision of the smartwatch pioneer for the future of wearables. Whether you are a fan of Pebble or not, they are still arguably the only smartwatch maker to date to get it mostly right. When they talk smartwatches, we tend to listen. You can watch it all unfold through the video embed below.

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AT&T to Carry the ASUS Padfone X With LTE Advanced, VoLTE and HD Voice

Kellen — Mon, 06 Jan 2014 10:39:04 +0000

AT&T announced this morning at the end of their developer summit that it will exclusively carry the ASUS Padfone X in the U.S. Previous variants of the phone and tablet combo device have avoided the U.S. market up until now, even though it has been quite popular in international markets. We aren't sure why (other than carriers hating the idea that you can use a smartphone data plan with a tablet by docking them together), but are certainly excited to see this hybrid concept arrive. The phone sports a 5-inch display, yet docks into a 9-inch tablet body. The Padfone X is powered by a Snapdragon 800, will work on LTE Advanced, and provide VoLTE with HD Voice capabilities. Those last two features aren't exactly live with AT&T's network at this point, and details are avoiding us for now. We should know more shortly, at 12PM Pacific, when ASUS takes the stage at CES to show off the product. No release date or price was provided.

ASUS PadFone X to Arrive in the U.S. Exclusively from AT&T

Innovative Smartphone and Tablet in One to Join the Nation's Fastest and Most Reliable 4G LTE Network
Las Vegas, Nevada, January 06, 2014 AT&T1 today announced that it will carry the ASUS PadFone™ X, a smartphone and tablet in one, exclusively in the U.S. Pricing, detailed specifications and availability will be announced at a later date. “We are committed to delivering our customers the most innovative and compelling device portfolio,” said Jeff Bradley, senior vice president – Devices, AT&T. “The PadFone X is first of its kind in the U.S. It combines leading technology, a beautiful design and a remarkably seamless application experience – all on the nation’s fastest and most reliable 4G LTE network. This allows consumers to run their smartphone apps instantly on a vivid 9-inch tablet display. The magic of it is that the experience is not just bigger, it’s better than on a traditional smartphone.” “AT&T and ASUS share a passion for innovation and we are very excited to bring the ASUS PadFone X to the U.S market,” said Jonney Shih, chairman, ASUS. “Our technology is capable of instantly turning a premium smartphone into a tablet, giving consumer the ultimate experience on both devices. Together, we look forward to bringing more choices to consumers.” A Great Screen for Every Scenario The PadFone X is a 5-inch full HD smartphone that activates a 9-inch full HD tablet when the phone is docked. It runs Android KitKat 4.4. and features a thin and light design with a brushed metal frame, a soft-touch back cover and dual front speakers that deliver captivating audio. The PadFone X combines both smartphone and tablet into a thin and light package with seamless transitions that lets the user choose between two screen sizes dependent on the task at hand. Its unique design and features include:

Seamless Transition – Simply dock the smartphone and Apps running will instantaneously auto-adjust to fit the larger PadFone station display.

Optimal Experience – Consumers can effortlessly select the display experience that’s optimized for the application and their environment at that moment – whether they are watching a video at their kitchen table or taking a call as they run out the door. The PadFone X delivers a uniquely seamless experience that enables today’s mobile life.

Large Battery – The companion PadFone station includes a large battery. It charges the smartphone’s battery when docked, providing two times longer battery life. This allows users to do more of the things they love, for longer.

State-of-the-Art Technologies The PadFone X supports LTE-Advanced technology, including Carrier Aggregation. The new product also supports Voice over LTE (VoLTE) and HD Voice. ASUS and AT&T started working together in 2012 with the launch of VivoTab RT and continued through 2013 with the MeMO Pad FHD 10 LTE. For more information about the PadFone X watch the ASUS press conference live on Jan. 6 at 12:00 p.m. PST at http://press.asus.com/events. Follow the conversation on Twitter with #PadFone. AT&T has the nation’s fastest and most reliable 4G LTE network, according to independent third party data.2 In addition, the company was named America’s fastest 4G LTE network, in PC Magazine’s 2013 Fastest Mobile Networks study of 30 markets – and also swept the top rankings in all six U.S. regions from coast to coast: Northeast, Southeast, North-Central, South-Central, Northwest and Southwest.3 AT&T is focused on giving our customers top-notch experiences with a single interaction. The company was recently recognized with two major achievements, outperforming competitors for customer service and wireless purchase experience. J.D. Power awarded AT&T the “Highest Ranked Customer Service Performance Among Full-Service Wireless Providers” and “Highest Satisfaction with the Purchase Experience among Full-Service Wireless Providers” in their 2013, Volume 2 studies.

AT&T Hosts Developer Summit During CES, Announces "Sponsored Data"

Tim — Mon, 06 Jan 2014 10:13:37 +0000

AT&T is hosting its 9th annual Developer Summit in Las Vegas this week, focusing on helping developers bring their app ideas to fruition, and how they can better reach the millions of smartphone customers that exist in this country. One new product which was showcased during the keynote that will soon impact Android users is Sponsored Data. Sponsored data will allow companies to sponsor (pay for) a specific amount of data that is needed to deliver a piece of content to a customer. The content could be the browsing of a website for free, a free app download, a song download, and things of that nature. If the customer isn't connected to a WiFi network at that given time, the user won't have to worry about that download taking away from their monthly data allowance. Since it's sponsored data, you can still utilize AT&T's 4G LTE network and not pay a penny extra for the content. As for who can take advantage of AT&T's newly-announced Sponsored Data feature, customers with an active AT&T account that use a 4G LTE or HSPA+ enabled smartphone, tablet, laptop modem, or hotspot can access the free goodies. Given the service is very new, it might take some time before you start seeing sponsored data opportunities on the street. Until then, take a peek at the FAQ for the service.

Q: What could a Sponsored Data offer look like? A: For example, a customer may access an application for healthcare from their insurer. Within the application, there is an educational video. The customer sees the Sponsored Data name, identifying that the video is sponsored. When the customer clicks the icon to play the video, the data usage incurred while watching the video is not applied to the customer’s monthly data allowance. Q: Where will I find AT&T Sponsored Data? A: Companies that use the AT&T Sponsored Data service on their website or in their application will notify you directly regarding sponsored data offers, the offer eligibility, expiration and any other details. Q: Will Sponsored Data cost me anything? A: AT&T’s Sponsored Data service will be available at no additional cost to the customer. When accessing sponsored content on websites and applications, data usage will not be applied to your usage allowance if you meet eligibility requirements.

For more info, check out the via link below.

Via: AT&T

FitBit Syncing Coming to More Devices Thanks to Android 4.3 and Bluetooth 4.0

Eric — Mon, 06 Jan 2014 10:05:53 +0000

If your New Years resolution is the same as mine, you are looking to stay active and healthy. A huge group of new users who received FitBit devices as holiday gifts this season will be excited to hear that their Android devices can now sync properly. The official list of supported Android phones and tablets has recently doubled. FitBit's devices need Bluetooth 4.0 to be able to sync in the background processes of your device without draining the battery incredibly fast. While many devices featured Bluetooth 4.0 chips, they couldn't be utilized until Android 4.3 or 4.4 rolled out. Now that Jelly Bean and Kit Kat are a bit more prevalent, the list is much longer. Some of the new devices are:

DROID Mini, ULTRA, MAXX
DROID RAZR, RAZR HD, RAZR HD MAXX
Moto X
HTC One
LG G2
Nexus 4, 5, 7

Good news is that your FitBit and Android device will now get along just fine! Bad news is that you don't have an excuse to skip the gym anymore. Keep an eye on Droid Life over the next week for our FitBit Force review.

Via: FitBit

LG Announces Lifeband Touch, A Fitness Tracker Coming This Spring

Kellen — Mon, 06 Jan 2014 09:45:17 +0000

During its CES 2014 press event, LG announced a new member to the wearable community, the Lifeband Touch. As the name semi-suggests, this is a fitness tracker. In fact, it looks a lot like Nike's Fuelband or the product that LG tried to introduce at last year's CES and is slated to launch this Spring or "first half" of 2014. The Lifeband Touch features a touch OLED panel to display time, biometrics, incoming calls and music controls. It has a built-in 3-axis accelerometer and altimeter to help it accurately measure your activity, including speed, steps, carolries consumed (what?), and pace. All of this info can be viewed with the swipe of a finger on the touch display. The Lifeband Touch is compatible with Android, so we should see an app to help track your fitness goals. Alongside, LG also announced Heart Rate Earphones that work seamlessly with the Lifeband Touch to make you the most health monitored person on the block. No pricing was announced.

LG’s Lifeband and Heart Rate Earphones

First Products in Company’s Wearable Ecosystem
LAS VEGAS, Jan. 6, 2014 — LG Electronics (LG) today took the wraps off LG Lifeband Touch and LG Heart Rate Earphones, two wearable products that mark the company’s first foray into fitness tech. Unveiled at the 2014 International Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas, both products incorporate comfortable designs and compatibility with other devices so that monitoring one’s health requires no additional effort beyond strapping on a watch and inserting a pair of headphone earbuds. Lifeband Touch is a smart activity tracker that incorporates a bold yet comfortable designand is compatible with heart rate monitors (HRM) as well as smartphones. Meanwhile, the innovative Heart Rate Earphones’ unique dual-function design offers a convenient way for users to measure their heart rate while exercising . Both devices are designed to help users take greater control over their health. Lifeband Touch and Heart Rate Earphones can wirelessly link up toeach other, creating a seamless wearable ecosystem. Connected to smartphones (Android and iOS supported), the devices can transmit data to the intuitive, easy-to-use LG Fitness app, or to a number of other third party apps such as MyFitnessPal, Runkeeper or MapMyFitness. Lifeband Touch was designed to be asymmetric and flexible, providing greater comfort and style than other wearable fitness wristbands. Featuring a touch OLED panel to display time, biometrics, incoming calls and music controls, the built-in 3-axis accelerometer and altimeter allows the device to accurately measure key performance indicators such as distance, speed, number of steps, calories consumed and projected pace. All this information is visible with a swipe of a finger on the OLED display. Engineered to be lightweight and simple to use, it incorporates a unique motion-sensing algorithm that automatically turns on the display when the wearer rotates his or her wrist. Lifeband Touch also offers wireless connectivity via Bluetooth to transmit data to a smartphone or receive data from third party devices such the Heart Rate Earphones. LG’s Heart Rate Earphones feature PerformTek® sensor technology which measures blood flow signals from the auricle, the external part of the ear to capture accurate biometric data such as heart rate and maximal oxygen consumption (VO2 max). As a continuous heart rate monitoring device, PerformTek® has proven accurate during rigorous physical activity. LG employs a flexible ear piece design to make its Heart Rate Earphones more comfortable to use than other similar monitoring devices. A clip-on medallion connected to the earphones provides Bluetooth connectivity, enabling the unit to send data to a smartphone or the Lifeband Touch for a truly seamless experience. “We wanted to introduce wearable fitness products that met the expectations of today’s tech savvy consumers and brought something new to the table, which in our case meant exceptional design, comfort and functionality,” said Jim Clayton, executive vice president of LG’s New Business Division in the Home Entertainment Company. “The uniqueness of our wearable devices is that they weren’t just designed for exercise butalso for day-to-day use in the office or around the home. With Lifeband Touch, you can get call and text notifications sent from your smartphone while the Heart Rate Earphones are perfectly happy playing back music all day even when you’re not exercising. These are much more than just fitness devices.” Lifeband Touch and Heart Rate Earphones will be available starting in the United States in the first half of 2014, to be followed by rollouts in other markets. Visitors to LG’s booth at CES 2014 (Las Vegas Convention Center, Central Hall #8204) from January 7 through January 10 will be able to see and experience LG’s newest wearable devices for themselves.

DROID Incredible 4G LTE Receiving Update - Fixes Bugs, Adds Isis Support

Kellen — Mon, 06 Jan 2014 09:37:23 +0000

Verizon appears to have approved an update to the DROID Incredible 4G LTE. Yes, that Incredible 4G LTE. The same Incredible 4G LTE that hasn't seen an update from Verizon since 2012, if our records are correct. The update will add support for Isis Mobile Wallet, fix power cycling issues, improve Bluetooth clarity, and include new security patches. In other words, it's a pretty minor update, but still an update nonetheless. Should you receive the update and notice anything fun that isn't listed on the list of changes, be sure to let us know.

Via: Verizon

LG G Flex Coming to U.S. in Q1 on T-Mobile, AT&T, and Sprint

Kellen — Mon, 06 Jan 2014 09:15:31 +0000

During LG's opening CES 2014 press event, the mobile announcements were scarce, but they did give us a Q1 launch for the curvy, G Flex. No pricing was announced nor were specific dates, but we do know that it will arrive on AT&T, T-Mobile, and Sprint. Verizon is missing from the party. Sources of ours told us back in December to expect the phone in February.

Chevrolet Announces AT&T LTE Equipped Cars Coming Later This Year

Eric — Mon, 06 Jan 2014 08:55:02 +0000

Earlier this morning we heard that Android would soon be invading the dashboard of cars in the upcoming years. But what is a smart dashboard if you don't have the internet to back it up? Today, Chevy and AT&T have announced that a few of their 2015 car models will feature full LTE capability for all your data needs. If you are looking to purchase a 2015 Chevy Corvette, Impala, Malibu or Volt you will be the first to have access to this new technology which Chevy is bringing under the OnStar name. OnStar with 4G LTE will eventually be rolled out to five other cars and will allow people to use a fully capable WiFi hotspot in their car. This internet connection also allows your dashboard center to feature apps and this LTE can keep them update and useful on your ride around town. However, this feature does not come for free. AT&T is allowing existing customers to add their vehicle to your data plan as another line that will draw data out of your shared data pool. Non-AT&T customers can also purchase a data package for the car, but prices for this will be announced later this year when the feature is closer to launching.

Via: AT&T

T-Mobile Buying Unused Spectrum From Verizon to Bolster LTE Coverage

Eric — Mon, 06 Jan 2014 08:25:48 +0000

It's no secret at this point that T-Mobile CEO John Legere is looking to make waves in the mobile industry. All the UnCarrier plans and smack talk against other carriers will only get you so far if your network performance can't back it up. It looks like T-Mobile is starting off 2014 by expanding that network coverage with a little help from Verizon. T-Mobile announced today that in addition to paying Verizon $2.365 billion, a large amount of low-end spectrum worth almost $950 million, will be changing hands in many major markets across the country. We are talking about 700 MHz, lower A-Block spectrum that Verizon purchased during their LTE rollout. This purchase gives T-Mobile a considerable boost in lots of markets around the country. "9 out of the top 10 and 21 out of the top 30 markets" will be seeing coverage increase through this purchase. This means not only in size of area coverage, but also quality as well. T-Mobile says that with this purchase they will end up covering 158 million people in low-band spectrum. Switching to T-Mobile is looking more and more enticing every day. Are you thinking about heading for the UnCarrier?

Via: T-Mobile

Qualcomm Toq Smartwatch Price Lowered to $299 During CES Promo

Tim — Mon, 06 Jan 2014 07:52:52 +0000

Usually priced at a steep $349.99, the Toq smartwatch from Qualcomm is quite the high-end device. With its Mirasol display, to its quirky wristband that you must cut in order to size to your wrist, the watch is being adopted at a steady pace it would seem for anyone willing to drop that kind of cash. In a sweet move, Qualcomm is now offering the device through its website and Amazon for the price of just $299 as a CES promo. That's a solid $50 off full retail.

To celebrate the International Consumer Electronics Show, taking place in Las Vegas this week, we are delighted to announce a special offer of $50 off the regular retail price of the black Qualcomm® Toq™ smartwatch. This price promotion will be available this week only, January 6-11, 2014.*

If you have been debating the Toq's price and was waiting for a deal on them, now would be the time. Although, I personally would hold off until we know for sure what Pebble plans to announce this morning at CES.

Via: Qualcomm | Amazon

LIVE: LG Press Event CES 2014

Kellen — Mon, 06 Jan 2014 07:48:12 +0000

Well, folks, here we go. Even though NVIDIA put on their own song and dance last night, CES 2014 officially begins today with press day, a string of 45-minute press events from some of the biggest names in tech. LG is up first again in their typical 8AM slot, so as usual, we're here to cover whatever it is they announce. From what I can tell, there is no live stream, so you'll have to put up with me talking about appliances and TVs - hopefully something mobile-related too. Maybe smart home stuff? Who knows. It should be worth a look, though. You'll find the live blog embedded below. Join in!

Google Announces Open Automotive Alliance, Wants to Bring Android to the Road

Kellen — Mon, 06 Jan 2014 07:00:00 +0000

Noticing that our lives lacked true connectivity with cars, Google today announced the Open Auto Alliance (OAA) with partners like Audi, GM, Honda, Hyundai and Nvidia. In other words, they are bringing Android to the car. Can you imagine taking all of your Android life with you in the car, meaning you'd have access to your music, photos, Google searches, etc. with you at all times only with a "driving-optimized experience." Goodbye, terrible in-car systems. Hello, real smart in-car systems. Google had this to say about the possibilities:

Today, millions of people already bring Android phones and tablets into their cars, but it’s not yet a driving-optimized experience. Wouldn't it be great if you could bring your favorite apps and music with you, and use them safely with your car's built-in controls and in-dash display? Together with our OAA partners, we're working to enable new forms of integration with Android devices, and adapting Android for the car to make driving safer, easier and more enjoyable for everyone. Putting Android in the car will bring drivers apps and services they already know and love, while enabling automakers to more easily deliver cutting-edge technology to their customers. And it will create new opportunities for developers to extend the variety and depth of the Android app ecosystem in new, exciting and safe ways.

Nothing else has been announced at this time, but Google did say to watch for updates coming later in 2014.

Via: Android

NVIDIA Announces TEGRA K1, the World's First 192-core Super Chip

Kellen — Sun, 05 Jan 2014 20:33:52 +0000

NVIDIA, in a press event to kick off CES 2014, just announced the TEGRA K1, the world's first 192-core "Super Chip." We're talking mobile architecture that's as good as PC architecture. At this point, we still don't have devices that are running the processor, but we do have a bunch of demos. As you can imagine, the K1 is impressive on a number of levels. If you were looking for the ultimate gaming chip for mobile (or any platform for that matter), this would be it. Look, this all sounds amazing - mobile devices on-par with PCs - but if we don't get devices running this power on a mainstream level, it means nothing. Give us hardware partners. According to NVIDIA, we won't see any devices running K1 until the first half of this year some time, and that's only for the 32-bit version. the 64-bit version is "expected" to arrive some time in the second half of this year. The live press event is still going on here, follow along as we update this post.

TEGRA K1 comes in two versions. First version is the quad-core A15, but the other version is "DENVER" CPU. It's a full custom CPU, based on ARM V8 64-BIT. According to the press release, we should see the 32-bit version in devices in the first half of 2014, while the 64-bit version is expected in devices in the second half of the year.

Press Release

NVIDIA Unveils Tegra K1, A 192-Core Super Chip That Brings DNA Of World's Fastest GPU To Mobile

Kepler GPU Architecture in GeForce GTX 780 Ti Morphs Into Mobile Graphics Powerhouse; Available in 32- and 64-Bit Versions
LAS VEGAS, NV - CES -- NVIDIA today unveiled the revolutionary Tegra® K1 mobile processor, a 192-core super chip featuring the same NVIDIA® Kepler™ architecture that powers the fastest GPU on the planet, the NVIDIA GeForce® GTX™ 780 Ti. For the first time, next-generation PC gaming will now be available on mobile platforms. The Tegra K1 processor sets new mobile standards by supporting the latest PC-class gaming technologies, enabling it to run sophisticated gaming engines like Epic Games' Unreal Engine 4. It delivers advanced computation capabilities to speed the development of applications for computer vision and speech recognition. And its extraordinary efficiency delivers higher performance than any other mobile GPU at the same power level. "Over the past two decades, NVIDIA invented the GPU and has developed more graphics technologies than any other company," said Jen-Hsun Huang, co-founder and CEO, NVIDIA. "With Tegra K1, we're bringing that heritage to mobile. It bridges the gap for developers, who can now build next-gen games and apps that will run on any device." Tegra K1 is offered in two pin-to-pin compatible versions. The first version uses a 32-bit quad-core, 4-Plus-1™ ARM Cortex A15 CPU. The second version uses a custom, NVIDIA-designed 64-bit dual Super Core CPU. This CPU (codenamed "Denver") delivers very high single-thread and multi-thread performance. It is based on the ARMv8 architecture, which brings the energy-efficient heritage of ARM processor technology to 64-bit computing. Both versions of Tegra K1 deliver stunning graphics and visual computing capabilities powered by the 192-core NVIDIA Kepler GPU. The 32-bit version is expected in devices in the first half of 2014, while the 64-bit version is expected in devices in the second half of the year. Simply Unreal:Setting Stunning New Gaming Standards Tegra K1 provides full support for the latest PC-class gaming technologies -- including DirectX 11, OpenGL 4.4 and tessellation. These capabilities will enable PC and console game developers to finally bring their stunning, visually rich titles to mobile devices. Such features enable Tegra K1 to run the world's most advanced game engine, Unreal Engine 4. Unreal Engine is the most successful commercially licensed game engine, powering hundreds of games on high-end PCs and consoles. Tegra K1 is also the first mobile processor to deliver the same graphics features as the next generation of consoles (Xbox One, PlayStation 4) and faster performance than current generation consoles (Xbox 360, PlayStation 3), all in the palm of your hand. "With the introduction of this revolutionary processor, we can take applications that run on PC or console and run it on Tegra," said Tim Sweeney, founder of Epic Games and developer of Unreal Engine. "From here onward, I think we're going to see the performance and feature gap between mobile and PC high-end gaming continue to narrow to the point where the difference between the platforms really blurs." Computationally Advanced:Delivering New Creative Capabilities Tegra K1 is the first processor to bring advanced computational capabilities to mobile -- leveraging its advanced GPU to deliver new mobile experiences. It is also the first mobile processor to support NVIDIA CUDA® -- the world's most pervasive parallel computing platform. Developers have downloaded CUDA more than 2 million times to create cutting-edge GPU-accelerated applications for computer vision, advanced imaging, speech recognition, video editing and more. Stunningly Efficient: Establishing New Benchmarks In addition to its graphics and compute capabilities, Tegra K1 delivers breakthrough efficiency. The Kepler GPU at the heart of Tegra K1 is 1.5 times more efficient than other mobile GPUs. This results in faster performance in the same power envelope and a better experience for gaming and GPU-accelerated applications.⁽¹⁾ Kepler -- first introduced in desktop and notebook systems, and later brought to workstations and supercomputers -- is the world's fastest and most energy-efficient GPU architecture. Tens of millions of Kepler-based graphics cards and systems have been shipped, including the GeForce GTX 780 Ti. "Kepler powers all 10 of the world's most energy-efficient supercomputers," said Linley Gwennap of the Linley Group. "By scaling this technology down, NVIDIA has set the new standard for what's possible in mobile devices." More details about the Tegra K1 are available at www.nvidia.com/object/tegra-k1-processor.html.

More info. We'll have more once NVIDIA releases full details.

LIVE: NVIDIA Press Event CES 2014

Kellen — Sun, 05 Jan 2014 19:55:32 +0000

We're live at NVIDIA! Welcome to CES 2014, friends. The kick off to this week of electronics madness is NVIDIA, for the second time in two years. We still aren't sure what we'll see, but on stage we can already see an Android device mirrored to a TV, if that means anything. We are working on embedding the live stream of the event, but if we can't, you can watch along with us here. Otherwise, we'll be live blogging below with pictures and just as much fun. This should be a great event, just like last year's. Ready for CES?

CES 2014 Preview: Them "Geek Guys" Return

Kellen — Sun, 05 Jan 2014 12:20:49 +0000

Fans of technology, the week you look forward to at the beginning of each year has arrived. It's time for CES (Consumer Electronics Show). Our bags are packed, all the gear we could ever need is loaded up (and pictured below), and we are about to take off on our journey to Las Vegas. Thankfully, we aren't on the east coast where media members are already having to cancel meetings due to winter storms. Our sunny west coast couldn't be happier, and will ensure we arrive on time to bring you all of the happenings as they...happen. For those not familiar with CES, think of it as the ultimate tech geek convention of the year. Over 100,000 attendees show up to Vegas each January to watch as mega-tech companies unveil new products for the upcoming year. In the past, we saw a lot of mobile-related items, though that has tapered off over the last couple of years since companies now like to hold their own stand-alone press events. Still, you'll see everything from new trends in TVs to smarter cars to announcements on wireless products. It also tends to get weird at times too, with the slimiest of companies doing their best to hawk cheaply made accessories or services that no one in their right mind would ever use. We also see what the industry has pegged as the trends of the moment and try to decide whether or not they will shine brightly or flop impotently. For example, two and three years ago, CES was filled with Android tablet on top of Android tablet. Almost all of them failed, but that was the big takeaway. Before that it was 3D TVs. This year, it'll likely be about wearables. You'll see great smartwatches, terrible stuff (like head gear), and hopefully a few standout items that will help shape the category. As is typical around these parts as we embark, we try to bring you up to speed on our schedules, so that you can keep track of everything live. Many of the keynotes, press events, and other festivities will be streamed for the world to see. For the most part, we'll be running live blogs as throughout, but will certainly do our best to embed live streams as they become available. Let's talk details.

Schedule

CES doesn't official begin until Tuesday - well, that's at least when the show floor opens at the Las Vegas Convention Center (LVCC). Being press, our week kicks off tonight, with an event hosted by NVIDIA. Then on Monday, you are looking at the big day for us, as the Monday before the gates open is press day at CES. This is the time that companies like LG, Samsung, Intel, Qualcomm, and Sony all own a 45-minute block of time where executives take to elaborately built stages and put on multi-million dollar shows to unveil new products. Once that long, long, incredibly long day is over with, we take to booths and other meetings throughout the rest of the week in Vegas. It's a glorious and not-so-glorious time. *All times Pacific. Sunday

CES Unveiled (4PM): The first official event of CES is called "Unveiled." It's normally our chance to pick up press badges and then grab a snack or drink and view a few booths ahead of the show opening. We tend to skip this each year because it's almost always filled with garbage, but LG told us that they will be in the building with something to show off. Stick with us around that time to see what it may be. If anything, we will at least spend some time with the G Flex.
NVIDIA (8PM): Tonight, like last year on the Sunday before CES, NVIDIA is throwing a press event. We aren't sure what they'll have to show off, but would imagine it'll include talk of their next mobile processor. Last year, they gave us SHIELD and the Tegra 4. Hopefully this year we get the Tegra 5 and an actual phone partner rather than just another timeline. The event will be live streamed, plus we'll have a live blog and a look at whatever comes out of it. You won't want to miss it.

Monday [PRESS DAY]

LG (8AM): I'll (Kellen) be in attendance for this event. Still not sure if there will be a live stream, but the live blog will be flowing. LG shows off everything from TVs to appliances to mobile products. Expect all sorts of 4K TV announcements with a sprinkle of phone stuff. We may see a fitness band or an announcement about their new octa-core processor. Tough to tell.
AT&T Developer Summit (9AM): Tim will be hanging with AT&T in the early morning to see what they have in store. All of their big wigs should be on stage at some point. They typically do not live stream this event, but announce plenty of goodies from phones to network news.
Huawei (10AM): We'll likely skip this one, especially with Huawei seemingly giving up on the U.S. market, but there should be phone announcements to be had.
Pebble (11AM): Pebble is only live streaming their event, so we'll be tuning in with you as their announcements unfold. We may setup a live blog, but more than likely will just put up an embed. Hoping to see new hardware!
Asus (12PM): Asus is in Vegas and live streaming their event. We'll have it embedded if possible, as we'll be at Qualcomm's press event at the same time. Hopefully we hear about the U.S. arrival of the Padfone or something to get our hands on when the show floor opens.
Qualcomm (12PM): Snapdragon 805 news? Probably. Whatever happens, we'll be there to cover it, though we have no word on a live stream. We have lots of time setup with Qualcomm as well throughout the week, so whatever does happen, we'll have hands-on time with it.
Intel (1PM): Intel will likely talk about both Windows and Android in some manner. Each year we keep expecting big Android news out of them, but each year we seem to be let down. Maybe this is the year? And whatever happened to that Motorola deal that was supposed to change the industry? No word on a stream.
Samsung (2PM): Samsung may show off the Note 3 and Galaxy Gear (again), but I would be surprised if they announced any new mobile products outside of a tablet or two (Galaxy Note Pro?). They hold big time press events for phone releases these days. Their event will be a big show, it'll just be about TVs, appliances, and then a sprinkling of Android. No word on a stream.
Sony (5pM): We have no clue what to expect from Sony other than 4K TV stuff. Last year, with the Xperia Z, we knew everything about it before they announced it and also knew it was coming at CES. No rumors are circulating at this point with regards to mobile. No word on a live stream.
PepCom (7PM): PepCom is an annual must-attend CES event for press. It's a gathering of most of the big tech players who set up booths in an intimate setting to show off products before the CES show floor opens. We'll be there after press day wraps to hang with all of the big names.

Tuesday through Thursday

The show floor opens! We have meetings setup with Motorola, Qualcomm, Samsung, Blackberry, and more throughout Tuesday and Wednesday. We'll also stop by random booths here and there to try and find products that may not be in the news or on front pages of tech sites. This is our time to live in the CES moment.
T-Mobile UnCarrier: On Wednesday, T-Mobile will unleash UnCarrier 4.0. It should be a wild time, and we'll be there to bring it to you as they kill off more "pain points" in the wireless industry.

Our Gear

Every now and then, when we travel to events, readers ask what we bring along to help feed the greatest Android community on the planet with news. So, here are a couple of gear pics! Mine is up top, Tim's is below. In my bag, in terms of tech stuff, you are looking at 13-inch Macbook Pro, Sony RX100, Sony NEX5Twith 30mm macro, Nexus 10, two portable chargers, two Moto Xs, LG G2 (Verizon), and a set of Apple Earpods (sorry!). Non-tech stuff, I'm bringing banana chocolate chip Kashi bars for energy, Emergen-C Immune+ to fight off the CES zombie bird flu, aloe hand sanitizer (to stay clean and fresh), and gum for all those up-close meetings. In Tim's bag, you've got a 13-inch Macbook Pro, Galaxy Gear, Nexus 7 (white), Galaxy Note 3 (AT&T), Nexus 5, Galaxy S4 (AT&T), Galaxy Camera, G Pad 8.3 (Google Play Edition), and some House of Marley in-ear buds. He's got snacks and clean products as well, along with generic pain killers (for you know...).

Don't Miss a Thing!

To make sure you don't miss a thing, be sure to follow us on Twitter and Google+. We will also be posting at on of video, so subscribe to our YouTube channel. And that's that. We'll see you guys tonight with NVIDIA! And who knows, maybe we'll see our good friend Dennis Rodman again. -Them Geek Guys

Original DROID RAZR and RAZR MAXX Soak Test on the Way, Won't be Kit Kat

Kellen — Sun, 05 Jan 2014 08:45:03 +0000

The original or "OG" DROID RAZR and RAZR MAXX have an update on the way, which will first begin as a soak test through Motorola's Feedback Network. Invites were sent out this morning, only saying that this is a preview of a "new software release." Before you get too excited, no, this isn't Kit Kat. Motorola has already confirmed through their support pages that the RAZR and MAXX will remain on Android 4.1.2. I'd imagine this is a bug fixer if anything. Well, it could be a bug fixer, bloatware installer, and connectivity improver. Those are the typical items included in updates to a phone this late in the game. After all, we are looking at phones that are two years old now. Hey, that's more than the Galaxy Nexus got.

Cheers Naughty Moto Tester and J!

Intel Plans to Unify Windows and Android in New PCs

Kyle — Sat, 04 Jan 2014 14:00:37 +0000

Hasn’t everyone wished, at one time or another, for a straightforward way to use Android apps on Windows PCs? I personally haven’t, but Intel apparently thinks the idea is a popular one, because it intends to highlight at CES computers capable of running Android applications alongside Windows programs. Dubbed “Dual OS” or “PC Plus,” the idea is to use the Android app ecosystem to augment the languishing Windows 8 app store. The concept is hardly new. Device manufactures have attempted clunky marriages of mobile and PC operating systems before: Acer launched a netbook that dual-booted Android and Windows in 2009, and computer makers ViewSonic and Azpen followed suit. More recently, though, companies like Asus and Samsung have taken a different tact, preferring setups that eschew separately partitioned OSes for virtualization and emulation. The obvious benefit is a less disjointed user experience; depending on the implementation, Android apps could be minimized and resized just like Windows programs. Although Intel has invested significantly in a solution unifying Android and Windows – the company’s Bay Trail CPU architecture is capable of running either operating system - the respective maintainers of each OS, Microsoft and Google, are less enthusiastic. Google may be skeptical of the quality of Intel’s implementation, while Microsoft, which has been working towards a store that incorporates both mobile and computer apps, is afraid Android apps will dilute its efforts and deter developers. Hesitation on the part of either company could be a death sentence for Intel’s plans: Microsoft could threaten PC OEMs with increased prices on volume Windows licenses, while Google could prevent access to Google services (the Play Store and Google Play Services, among others). It remains to be seen whether Intel’s idea will ever gain enough traction to be perceived as a threat, but the chip maker faces an uphill battle.

Via: Fox News | The Verge

Cheers Mark!

Qualcomm Automatically Transcribes the Written Word with Ultra Sound NotePad

Kyle — Sat, 04 Jan 2014 12:00:29 +0000

As an avid user of pencils, I’ve long wished for a viable way to quickly digitize my handwritten work. Sure, styli-compatible smartphones and tablets are one answer, but far as digital note-making has come, it still hasn’t advanced sufficiently enough to supplant my trusty graphite. Qualcomm thinks it might have a solution to my and like-minded others’ problem: pen-monitoring devices that automatically copy written work. The company’s approach uses microphones embedded within a tablet or smartphone to pick up ultrasonic vibrations emitted from a digital pen. The recordings are then processed by the tablet/smartphone CPU and interpreted as onscreen movement, so that whatever is drawn on paper is mirrored on the device. The technology appears to be one of many new features that Qualcomm's new Snapdragon 805 can take advantage of. This demo isn’t new, exactly – Qualcomm first previewed the technique in 2011. Still, it’s an undeniably easier way to copy paper than using a Xerox machine, so I’m for it. This technology and more will be on display at CES, which starts next week.

[responsive_vid]

Deal: Refurbished AT&T Galaxy S4 Active for Sale on eBay for $350, HTC One for $379

Kyle — Sat, 04 Jan 2014 11:07:56 +0000

Once decidedly niche, “rugged” smartphones – those built to be punished by the severest elements of nature – have become mainstream. We’ve come a long way from the Casio G’Zone; Sony offers the Xperia Go, Kyocera offers the Torque, and Samsung offers the Galaxy S4 Active. That last one – the Active – may be of particular interest to AT&T customers, because eBay’s offering the handset unlocked and refurbished for a steal. At just $349.95 (56% off retail), eBay’s deal is one of the best I’ve seen considering the Active is, minus the AMOLED screen (it’s LCD) and higher-megapixel rear camera (8MP versus 13MP), functionally identical to Samsung’s flagship, the Galaxy S4. Plus, the phone usually retails for $500 above on Amazon and elsewhere, so the discount is substantial. If you need a water- and dust- resistant phone to fit your outdoorsy lifestyle, or are just chronically prone to dropping expensive electronics, follow the link, 'cause this sale's for you. We thought we should also point out that a manufacturer refurbished AT&T unlocked HTC One in either black or silver is available for $379.99. eBay Links: Galaxy S4 Active | HTC One

T-Mobile CEO Calls AT&T's Latest Move "Desperate," Brags About Using Their Cash

Kellen — Sat, 04 Jan 2014 10:35:53 +0000

T-Mobile CEO John Legere is a funny dude. He's also unfiltered and brash, two things that happen to be surprisingly refreshing in an industry filled with suits, tip-toeing, and customer robbing. In a statement posted to T-Mobile's newsroom as a response to AT&T's newest move to offer cash for T-Mobile customers to bring their service on over, Legere let loose yet again. Yesterday, AT&T announced a new initiative to try and coax T-Mobile customers to move over to AT&T. They offered up to $450 per line to switch, though that $450 will likely rarely be earned as there are all sorts of criteria that must be met from trading in a top tier phone to joining AT&T's Next program. It's not exactly the deal of the year, but flashing hundreds of dollars in cash in front of customers' faces is never a bad idea for a company. Legere responded by saying the move is "desperate" and that AT&T must have had a "terrible Q4 and holiday." He dug deeper by bragging about using AT&T's cash to build a "far superior network," cash that was acquired after AT&T's failed bid to buy Legere's company. He then finished off his statement by saying that the "competition is going to be toast" once they eliminate the next set of "pain points" at their CES event, next week. Here is the full statement:

This is a desperate move by AT&T on the heels of what must have been a terrible Q4 and holiday for them. I'm flattered that we have made them so uncomfortable! We used AT&T's cash to build a far superior network and added Un-carrier moves to take tons of their customers - and now they want to bribe them back! Consumers won't be fooled...nothing has changed; customers will still feel the same old pain that AT&T is famous for. Just wait until CES to hear what pain points we are eliminating next. The competition is going to be toast! -John Legere, CEO of T-Mobile USA

For those not familiar, T-Mobile is rumored to be introducing a similar move to AT&T's at their next UnCarrier event. According to sources, T-Mobile will try to attract families on carriers like AT&T to join by offering them Early Termination Fee (ETF) credits up to $350 as long as they bring 3 lines or more over. Love him or hate him, Legere is making moves. Let's just hope he uses that AT&T cash to continue to improve their network. As was made obvious in our last post about T-Mobile and Legere, our readers like what's happening but still don't trust the service they'll receive.

Via: T-Mobile

Bitspin, the Team Behind Timely, Just Joined Google

Kellen — Sat, 04 Jan 2014 09:44:20 +0000

Timely, an unassuming alarm app that managed to impress the world with its design, is now a part of Google. Well, the team behind it has. Bitspin, a group of programmers out of Zurich, announced via their website this morning that they are "joining" Google. They didn't exactly say that Google acquired the company, nor has Google announced anything themselves, but we at least know that Timely will continue to work in the future. Does that mean a continuation of updates and features? Maybe. Maybe not. The move by Google shouldn't exactly shock any of us. In the past two months, their Android design team featured Timely twice as apps they are very fond of because of its design and UI. And not that our coverage had anything to do with this, but we also featured it in our list of great productivity apps recently. Here is the message from the Bitspin website:

We're thrilled to announce that Bitspin is joining Google, where we'll continue to do what we love: building great products that are delightful to use. For new and existing users, Timely will continue to work as it always has. Thanks to everyone who has downloaded our app and provided feedback along the way; we truly appreciate all your support. - The Bitspin Team

Some users are also reporting that the premium content through the app is now free. If you have yet to adopt Timely as your alarm app, now would be the time. Play Link

Via: Bitspin

Cheers Scott!

This Week in the Life of Droid: 1/3/2014

Tim — Fri, 03 Jan 2014 17:30:46 +0000

Next week is CES, folks. While Kellen and I are packing our bags and charging all of our batteries, we hope you will join us here on DL, as we bring you all of the great tech that is sure to be announced. While we know nothing too major will probably happen, as this isn't Google I/O or a Samsung Unpacked event, the DL team usually finds themselves meeting great people and bringing back a few fantastic stories. This will be our fourth year attending, so we are pretty hardened veterans by now. Either way, we can't wait, and we hope you can't either. This week had a holiday plopped right in the middle, so we weren't able to get a DL Show up, but you should be on the lookout for one next week hopefully, while we are in Vegas. In news this week, T-Mobile and AT&T are still at each other's throats, Google announced the shutdown of Bump, Snapchat got hacked, and Motorola dropped the price of an off-contract Moto X to just $399. Big things going down! Here are the highlights if you missed them.

Have a great weekend, folks! We will see you in Vegas!

Hyundai's "Blue Link" Platform Lets You Use Google Glass To Control Your Car

Rithvik — Fri, 03 Jan 2014 16:55:56 +0000

If you're one of the lucky few who dropped $1500 on Google Glass, you may soon be itching to spend a bit more to control your car with the device. Hyundai yesterday announced that their Blue Link application would be coming to the next-gen platform, starting with their new 2015 Genesis sedan. The Glassware will reportedly allow users to perform the same tasks the mobile application does, without the hassle of pulling your phone out of your pocket. Features listed in the press release include remote start and locking/unlocking, so we may be soon in a world where keys are a thing of the past. Also thrown in are features from the company's Car Care app for Hyundai vehicles without Blue Link support, boasting alerts for maintenance and more. Usage of the company's current Android app requires certain vehicle upgrade packs, so we are expecting the same for this Glass app. If you're bummed about this app only being for Glass and not other devices, fear not, as Hyundai hopes to bring the service to owners of other wearables in a timely manner. Sound like a good idea?

Via: Hyundai Newsroom

Moto G on Verizon: A Quick Look at a $99 Prepaid Smartphone, Flip Cases Too

Kellen — Fri, 03 Jan 2014 16:26:24 +0000

Verizon announced earlier this week that the Moto G will officially arrive on January 9. We first reported this date, thanks to a flyer that was being passed around at Best Buy stores, however, Best Buy doesn't seem to be paying much attention to it. I bought the $99 prepaid Verizon phone today online with store pick-up, and just about every single Best Buy within 30 miles of Portland had it in stock and available for me to stop by and grab. So I did! I still can't exactly tell you why, but there is something about spending $99 on a phone to own it outright that seems so worthy of my money. And, we wanted to give you all a quick tour and answer any questions that you may have.

Phone and Connectivity

At $99, it really is the same Moto G that we unboxed and dove into a couple of weeks ago, only it connects to Verizon's 3G CDMA network, not the various GSM networks that the other variant has access to. The size is identical, the specs are all identical, and the brand-less exterior matches up exactly. Unfortunately, I was unable to boot the phone up and do a software tour since as a 3G phone, it requires activation in order to work. It's like taking a step back in time, before Verizon had LTE and SIM cards. Thankfully, it's the same experience as the GSM variant, so a review of our overview video should do you well. Speaking of LTE, though, there isn't any to be found here. I don't care what Best Buy's website says, this phone doesn't even have a SIM slot. If you want to use this with Verizon's prepaid service, you are looking at two plan options. The first runs $60 and gives you unlimited talk and text along with 2GB of data. At $70, the second plan gives you unlimited talk and text as well, along with 4GB of data. Not great deals necessarily, especially since you don't have access to LTE. And remember, Verizon's 3G CDMA network is slow - like, really slow.

Cases

One thing I love about the Moto G are the replacement "Shells" and "Flip Shells" that Motorola is selling through their own store. We bought a bunch back when the GSM model first arrived, so now with the Verizon Moto G in hand, we thought we'd show a couple of them off. In the video and gallery below, you'll see both the Shells (back covers, $14.99) and Flip Shells (like a Flip Cover, $29.99) in action. There are at least six colors for each type, so while this doesn't have Moto X customizability, you do still have a handful of fantastic option to make this phone personalized. The Moto G ships in black, but with a set of fingernails, you can quickly remove the black backside and replace it with one of these shells.

Video Overview

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Gallery

Questions

Anything you'd like to know about the Moto G? We have both the CDMA and GSM models in house now, so we should have no problems answering your questions. I still doubt we'll do a review, since this is a $100 phone, but we are here for you.

Acer C720 Touchscreen Chromebook Unveiled in White Moonstone Color, Hits the U.S. This Month for $299

Tim — Fri, 03 Jan 2014 15:33:32 +0000

Acer announced a new colorway for the C720 Chromebook this afternoon, a Moonstone White, which will be on display next week during CES. Besides the color, the specs for this touchscreen device are the same as the original model - 11.6" LED HD backlit display, 2GB of RAM, 32GB SSD, an Intel Celeron 2955U processor based on the Intel Haswell micro-architecture, and a webcam built into the bezel. What's nice is that anyone who really wanted a Chromebook Pixel, but didn't want to spend the $1299, can pick up this device for just $299 starting this month here in North America. Sure, it doesn't have the same high-res display, and no where near the same power output, but it certainly has the looks with a well-performing touchscreen. And seriously, it's a Chromebook. It's not like you need that much power to browse the web anyways. Right?

Via: Market Wired

Friday App Sales: Zombies, Run!, Versicolor, Star Command, TSF Shell, and More

Rithvik — Fri, 03 Jan 2014 13:05:38 +0000

Well, it's Friday once again, and here on DL, that means app sales. This week we have a fairly sizable list of discounts to be had, including some heavy-hitting apps like the icon packs from icon master kovdev, and Zombies, Run! In addition, Notif Pro is on sale (an app we enjoy), and the TSF Shell launcher. Yep, the one that we thought was crazily overpriced. Here's the entirety of the sales we've got for you this week.

Friday app sales

Android Assistant (No Ads) - ($1.29)
DraStic DS Emulator - ($5.99)
Eufloria HD - ($2.99)
Lustre (adw nova apex icons) - ($0.99)
Notif Pro - ($0.99)
Poweramp Full Version Unlocker - ($0.99)
Prince of Persia Shadow&Flame - ($0.99)
Screenshot Ultimate Pro - ($0.99)
Star Command - ($0.99)
TSF Shell - ($7.99)
Versicolor (apex nova icons) - ($0.99)
Zombies, Run! - ($2.99)

Go grant those devs some hard-earned dollars!

Aurora Seeks Funding Through Kickstarter, the Dream-Enhancing Headband

Tim — Fri, 03 Jan 2014 12:42:33 +0000

This post is not really mobile or Android related per se, but if launched, there will be an Android app for it, so that's good enough for us. The project we want to share is called Aurora, and it's a headband that is placed right above your eyes while you sleep. In the band are various LED lights that go off at specific times to help the user get a better nights sleep, while also having lucid dreams. The LED lights also act as visual cues while in your dream, to allow the user to realize that they are in fact, dreaming. Once you know you are in a dream, the possibilities are then endless. Sounds like a great plan for Kickstarter, right? The project was looking for $90,000 in funding, and have past that already, sitting pretty at $130,000. Backers looking to give their money will be met with a minimum price tag of $175 for a pair of Auroras. All other early bird packages are gone. From there, the prices go up depending on how involved you would like to be on the project. Check out the video they have posted on Kickstarter for more info.

Pandora Update Brings Highly Requested Alarm Clock Feature

Tim — Fri, 03 Jan 2014 11:39:31 +0000

Pandora listeners can go grab the latest update for the popular music streaming app, which features the highly-requested Alarm Clock feature. In addition to a full working alarm clock, Pandora has threw in a few bug fixes and other small improvements for the app. The alarm clock works quite nicely, once a user selects a station to wake up to. To try it out, I fashioned up a Too Short station and set the time I wanted to get up. Once it hits that time, the app starts streaming from that station. You can then turn the alarm off or hit snooze right from your lockscreen. Worked like a charm. To check out the full changelog, look below.

What's New

By popular demand, our new alarm clock lets you start your day with Pandora on your Android smartphone
Pick one of your favorite stations to wake up to – if you like what you hear, you can keep the music playing
Set and forget – customize how often your alarm repeats throughout the week
Need a few extra minutes of shut eye? Hit snooze to catch more zzz’s
Use with the sleep timer to listen to music you love morning and night
Other small improvements and bug fixes

Play Link

Via: Pandora

Cheers Jason!

New BlackBerry Messenger Beta for Android Features BBM Voice, Beats Hangouts to the Punch

Tim — Fri, 03 Jan 2014 10:56:03 +0000

According to CrackBerry, BlackBerry has released an updated beta version of BBM for Android, which features a nice changelog that users should all enjoy. For starters, it is reported that the update brings a ton of new emoticons to use, improved file sharing, BBM Channels, and more importantly, BBM Voice. With BBM Voice, BBM users can call each other for free over a WiFi network, a feature that we were hoping an update to Google's Hangouts app for Android would include, but still has yet to arrive. As reference, the Hangouts app on iOS has had Google Voice and calling integration for months now. The beta is only available to a select group of Android users for now, so Android folks will need to remain patient while BlackBerry works out any bugs. Fingers crossed it has no launch mishaps like BBM had when it first launched for Android. That was a nightmare for them. To get an idea of how BBM Voice will work, check out the launch video for BBM 7 down below. It's essentially the same exact thing.

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