Android Phone Fans |
- Samsung Galaxy Mega for Sprint leaks, release coming soon?
- Mobile Roar Podcast 18: T-Mobile’s new tablet plans, BBM’s fake reviews, and the Black Knight
- Google finally launching an LTE-enabled Nexus 4?
- You can now build your custom Moto X for $99 at AT&T
- Development nearly complete on 64-bit Exynos chip, could debut in Galaxy S5
- MOGA Ace Power with 1800mAh battery leaked
- Study finds iPhone 5S & 5C touchscreens inaccurate, but Galaxy S3 is spot-on
| Samsung Galaxy Mega for Sprint leaks, release coming soon? Posted: 25 Oct 2013 12:12 PM PDT
It isn't news that the Samsung Galaxy Mega is headed to Sprint, but is the release finally approaching? Official word of the handset's destination was announced over the summer along with AT&T and US Cellular, but we haven't heard much since. Now we are greeted with our first official press render of the Sprint variant courtesy of @evleaks. A bit of background on the Mega. Samsung actually launched the handset in two size options, 5.8 and 6.3-inch variants, in other parts of the world earlier this year. The latter is the version expected to hit Sprint as a mid-ranged phablet option to sit alongside the rest of Samsung's lineup, including the Galaxy S4 and Galaxy Note 3. The handset features a 720p display, 1.7GHz dual-core CPU, and 1.5GB RAM. The Galaxy Mega also sports an 8MP camera. The device, which will launch with Android 4.2.2 if things haven't changed since its initial announcement, will come in two colors: Nova Black and Polaris White. What we see here is the Nova Black option dressed up for the Now Network. Of course, you wouldn't know that from carrier branding. The handset is lacking any whatsoever. But you will notice a Sprint Zone icon resting ever so snuggly on the homescreen. Also note a date of November 8th displayed on the render, which falls two weeks from today. Is a clue towards when this big boy will be available? We're still awaiting a final release date for the handset, but rest assured, it looks like plans haven't been scrapped. It's far from a Galaxy Note 3 in terms of specs an performance, but it offers a decent option for those looking for a larger display without blowing their entire piggy bank. What do you guys think? Still excited about the Mega or did you already pick it up from AT&T? Let us know! [via @evleaks] |
| Mobile Roar Podcast 18: T-Mobile’s new tablet plans, BBM’s fake reviews, and the Black Knight Posted: 25 Oct 2013 10:51 AM PDT What a week it has been for mobile. Nokia and Apple had some big new announcements, the Nexus 5 continues to see leak after leak, and T-Mobile unveiled some crazy new tablet plans. Oh, we also discuss the Black Knight and his love of college football. You really won't want to miss this one. Thanks for listening. Follow us on Twitter and send us your comments or questions to podcast[at]mobileroar[dot]com. The News
Win and Fail of the Week
Joe Fedewa (@jayzeroeee) – WinSource.com Download MP3 This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now |
| Google finally launching an LTE-enabled Nexus 4? Posted: 25 Oct 2013 08:55 AM PDT
Don't get me started on a lack of LTE in the Nexus 4. While there is no use crying over milk that has spilled and gone sour, it's no secret that I thought a lack of LTE at launch was a major blow for the handset. Sure, some folks found workarounds that took advantage of certain LTE-capable components installed in the Nexus 4, but there was never a true 4G option beyond that. Will that soon change? A Bluetooth SIG filing suggests Google and LG might finally bring forth an LTE-ready Nexus 4. The interesting part is that the filing is for a handset with the same model number as the original, the LG E960. The identical model number would suggest nothing has changed hardware-wise, which in turn means the new version of the phone might simply be the old version with its vestigial LTE chip activated. If the hardware was already there, not including LTE was not a cost-saving measure. It was instead a user experience decision, making it even more ludicrous that Google didn't include it to begin with…but I digress. Is there a chance the LTE-enabled Nexus 4 will be announced alongside the upcoming Nexus 5? That sure seems likely at this point. That doesn't change the fact that if the new version does debut, it was the device we should have seen a year ago. [via Engadget] |
| You can now build your custom Moto X for $99 at AT&T Posted: 25 Oct 2013 08:25 AM PDT
Moto Maker has yet to debut for carriers outside of AT&T, but the price of snagging a made-to-order Moto X just dropped by $100. The carrier has reduced the price for the Moto X (16GB) to $99 across the board, including custom orders through Motorola's site. The 32GB model has also dropped an equal amount to $149. Sprint and US Cellular are also offering the handset at the reduced price as of today. Pricing for the Moto X is expected to come down at other carriers, as well, in the coming months, but there is still no sign of the budget-priced model that has been rumored for some time. The idea of an off-contract Moto X price at a low cost would make an appealing option for some, and recently uncovered Moto G trademark could hint at that device. Perhaps the bigger question is when, exactly, will other carriers gain access to Moto Maker. Initially, it sounded like AT&T's exclusivity would be short lived. Have plans been scrapped to expand the Moto Maker program based on a lack of interest? Will the debut of custom Moto X handsets on other carriers come as too little, too late? [via Moto Maker] |
| Development nearly complete on 64-bit Exynos chip, could debut in Galaxy S5 Posted: 25 Oct 2013 07:31 AM PDT
According to reports out of Korea, Samsung has nearly completed development of what will be the first 64-bit chip in their Exynos lineup. While there are still a few technical and logistical issues to iron out, barring any crazy set backs the new CPU will debut in the Samsung Galaxy S5. Rumors say the chip will utilize a 14nm process and be based on ARM's big.LITTLE platform, much like the current Exynos 5 octa. The eight-core chip would deploy Cortex-A53 and Cortex-A57 cores with the ability to push all cores simultaneously while offering reduced power consumption. It would mark the first time Samsung has offered a 64-bit processor in one of their smartphones. It would not, however, be the first smartphone to utilize a 64-bit chip. That honor goes to Apple with the A7 CPU found in the iPhone 5S (and now iPad Air and iPad mini with Retina display). While the need for 64-bit processing at the mobile level has been a topic of debate, more manufacturers appear committed to moving in that direction. Count Samsung among them. [via ITToday.co.kr] |
| MOGA Ace Power with 1800mAh battery leaked Posted: 25 Oct 2013 06:52 AM PDT
Looks like MOGA is gearing up to unleash yet another Android gaming controller. The latest, which we are getting a first peek at courtesy of @evleaks, is slightly different than previous models. Instead of taking the form of a more standard gaming controller that attaches below a smartphone display (as was the case with the original MOGA and MOGA Pro), the MOGA Ace Power envelops the device, flanking it with gaming controls on each side. The Ace Power, as its name implies, also appears set to come with an 1800mAh battery, and all of that juice isn't being used to power the peripheral. As with previous MOGA controllers under the Power brand, the accessory will simultaneously charge your device while you play your favorite games. Pretty sweet deal. The leak itself showcases the MOGA Ace Power being used with an iPhone, but we're hopeful the controller will be available to fit our favorite Android smartphones, as well. This becomes slightly more difficult given the various shapes, sizes, and microUSB arrangements. If we don't get an all-in-one attachment, here's hoping we at least see versions for top Android phones like the Galaxy S4 and HTC One. [via @evleaks] |
| Study finds iPhone 5S & 5C touchscreens inaccurate, but Galaxy S3 is spot-on Posted: 25 Oct 2013 06:23 AM PDT
So iPhone owners can claim that their touchscreens are more responsive than those of Android users, but are they as accurate? That's the question the folks at OptoFidelity wanted to answer, so they built a machine to do the heavy lifting and set about plotting their data. The results were quite surprising. Using a precision-calibrated robot arm and finger to continuously touch smartphone displays at specific coordinates, the intended result was than compared to the actual data points registered by the operating system. The verdict? The display used in the iPhone 5S and iPhone 5C (and iPhone 5, by extension) is far less accurate than that of the Samsung Galaxy S3.
While the Galaxy S3 was accurate uniformly across its display (the very outside edges being the one exception), the iPhone's display registered touch input in a far less precise manner. The most accurate portion of the screen happened to correspond with where the phone's virtual keyboard rests, but even then accuracy was spotty. In the end, overall accuracy comes as slightly more important how quickly a phone can register touch input, especially when it's mostly a matter of milliseconds. Based on how difficult the inaccuracy of the iPhone's display makes typing on the device, it's wonder we have seen so many autocorrect memes pop up. |
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