Android Phone Fans |
- Google offering up free apps, games, books, music and more for the holiday season
- Report: Samsung now mass producing 5.25-inch 2560 x 1440 for the Galaxy S5
- My Disney Experience [REVIEW]
- Android Etch campaign funded, delivers Androidified pint glasses just in time for Christmas
- Santa will be using Google Glass to find your chimney this Christmas
- Oppo N1 CyanogenMod Edition now available for $600, source code in tow
- MTV app brings full episodic content to your Android device
- Nokia Normandy was going to be available in tons of colors
| Google offering up free apps, games, books, music and more for the holiday season Posted: 24 Dec 2013 12:33 PM PST
It wouldn’t be the holiday season without great deals on the Google Play Store, would it? Google made sure this holiday season didn’t go without any cheer with deals on free movies, TV shows, apps, games, books, magazines and more for you to sink your teeth into while you enjoy some time off this week and next. The full list of games and apps is large, so you’ll want to head over to the Google Play Store to check them all out. A few of the highlights include Monopoly Bingo, Tetris Blitz, Asphalt 8, True Blood pilot, and a whole lot more. Don’t take it all in too fast! |
| Report: Samsung now mass producing 5.25-inch 2560 x 1440 for the Galaxy S5 Posted: 24 Dec 2013 11:12 AM PST
As we close in on a possible February announcement for the Samsung Galaxy S5, more and more reports about its hardware and specs are bound to leak out. This time, a report out of Korean outlet DDaily suggests Samsung has started mass producing a 5.25-inch 2560 x 1440 display, likely for use in the next generation of the Galaxy S line. The display is only a hair above the 5-inch panel found on the Galaxy S4. Samsung might be pulling the same thing they pulled with the Galaxy Note 3 — that is, increasing the display size without increasing the size of the overall phone. In any case, we’re glad they have decided to keep the device close to 5 inches than 6, wisely leaving room for the Galaxy Note 3 to shine in its own category. The Galaxy S5 is rumored to be coming with a 64-bit version of Samsung’s quad-core octa-core processor, though it’s entirely possible we’ll see a Snapdragon 800 inside as well. We’re also expecting 3GB of RAM and likely a 13 megapixel camera sensor. Of course, we’d prefer to wait until Samsung announces the details officially before we assume too much, so we’ll be doing just that. Circle back around February as we expect all of this will go down at Mobile World Congress in Barcelona. |
| Posted: 24 Dec 2013 10:27 AM PST
Disney had implemented FastPass+ which works in conjunction with their app, My Disney Experience, and these fancy new wristbands called MagicBands. The newly implemented MagicBands are very cool as they control pretty much everything. Your meal plan, purchases, park admission, your room key (if you stay on resort) and of course FastPass+ entry are all controlled with just a swipe of the wrist. But honestly the wristbands aren't even the coolest new enhancement at Disney, it's the My Disney Experience app which is a must have for anyone visiting Disney! The My Disney Experience app offers users the ability to see the entire resort map, things to do, current wait times, park hours and even what characters are where and when in each of the theme parks. But even more importantly the app allows users to setup FastPass+ times, dining reservations and setup an itinerary for each day to ensure that you don't miss anything you want to do. Maps
As you would expect with the mapping features, they utilize the GPS functionality of your smartphone to pinpoint exactly where you are on the Disney resort. This feature is immediately available when you open the app and are greeted with the option of "Here & Now" which will use your GPS to show you what is happening currently where you are on the resort. Aside from the "Here & Now" function, the app kicks it up a notch by allowing sub-sections to be mapped as well. For example, if I go to the "Things to Do" or "Wait Times" listings, I can select "Map" in either of these lists and it will convert the list to points on a map. This makes it incredibly easy to find activities that are already close to you since traveling throughout the resort can be very time consuming. ExploreThroughout the app you have the ability to filter, sort or explore to easily find the information you're looking for. An example would be in the "Characters Today" section of the app. You can sort by name of the character, schedule times or location to easily find what you're looking for. Or you can filter to only show characters in a particular location or at a particular time. Also from this screen you can change the theme park and/or activity at the top of the screen. Doing so easily lets you toggle between attractions, characters, dining, entertainment, events & tours, restrooms, etc. at any of the parks. Reservations/FastPass+Probably the most important feature I found in the app was the ability to make restaurant reservations and FastPass+ selections. Disney can be an incredibly busy place and it really pays to take the time to make reservations and FastPass+ selections ahead of time. However, plans can change on the fly and the app makes it easy to facilitate those changes. Throughout the day I often found myself re-scheduling my FastPass+ times or even changing the rides themselves. You can manage each of your parties’ bands individually as well, so if your teenagers wanted to ride a coaster at the same time you wanted to visit "it's a small world," it's easy to give everyone their own plans. For dinner, a majority of the reservations I made were made on the fly by checking in the app what restaurants had availability at the time we expected to eat. With that said, I really do recommend making your reservations in advance and trying to stick to them. Occasionally you will find yourself without a place to eat if you expect to dictate your dinnertime at the last minute.
Additional FeaturesThe My Disney Experience App really takes vacation planning/management to a whole new level. As you're surfing through the app you can tap on rides and/or shows and see additional information about the height requirements, thrill factor and who it may be fun for. You can even tap the little heart icon and it will add the ride to your wishlist for easy tracking of what you want to do during your trip. Additionally you can add friends to a "friends list" so that you can coordinate ride times and/or dinnertimes with people outside your party. You can manage payment methods linked to your band or deactivate a band or report it as lost. Overall this app absolutely rocks. It made navigating Disney so much easier. It looks like Disney really spent the time to develop an app that could let you manage any aspect of your trip on the fly. My only real gripe is the load times when going in-between screens and the occasional partial load (where the screen loads the framework, but not the content). Typically if you exit the app and immediately re-open it these bugs will go away. These small bugs aside, I would recommend this app as a must have for anyone planning a trip to Walt Disney World (or Disneyland).
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| Android Etch campaign funded, delivers Androidified pint glasses just in time for Christmas Posted: 24 Dec 2013 09:44 AM PST
Back in October, we told you about Android Etch, an Indiegogo campaign set on using lasers to engrave the Android Bugdroid logo on as many goods as possible. Joshua Munoz, the company’s founder, is no stranger to engraving the Android logo on pint glasses, previously using a chemical rub to do so. While cheap and easy to do, the problem with this method arises when you’re looking to crank it up a notch and mass produce them. Time and consistency then become an issue. To solve this, Josh took to Indiegogo to seek funding for a laser engraving machine which would fulfill his small company’s dream to professionally etch the Android logo everywhere.
The Android Etch project was partially funded a few weeks back, allowing Josh to use the funds raised to get started. Backers will be happy to know that Josh purchased his laser engraver a few weeks ago and has been doing what he does best, etching the Android Bugdroid logo on pint glasses, with lasers (pew pew pew). Android Etch tells us that they were working extremely hard to get these pint glasses out for Christmas, as some backers were planning on giving them out as gifts. The wait is finally over, backers are starting to chime in that they’ve received their perks as promised. Did you get yours? Let us know in the comments.
If you missed out on the Android Etch pre-order campaign and would like an Android etched pint glass, soon the new company will be launching an online store for fellow Android enthusiasts. We’ll keep you updated. Merry Christmas! |
| Santa will be using Google Glass to find your chimney this Christmas Posted: 24 Dec 2013 08:48 AM PST
We’re on the eve of Christmas, and the Google Santa tracker shows that the big guy from the North Pole has finally gotten all his affairs together and taken off for the holidays. It looks like Santa will be adding a new tool to his repertoire for helping him find his way to healthy helpings of milk and cookies this holiday season — Google Glass! We imagine it’ll be important for ol’ St. Nick to have some sort of heads-up display to help him get around at night. It’s hard to maneuver that sleigh and those reindeer through all those trees and rooftops, so perhaps he has his own special version of Google Maps that can help him navigate the air. He could also have his helpful little elves develop an augmented reality app to help point out those who’re naughty vs those who’re nice. Imagination aside, if you’re looking for something that might help get you into the Christmas spirit, seeing the “final prep” process Santa takes might be just the trick to do it. Watch the jolly fellow take care of the final steps on his checklist (including fitting himself with a nice pair of Google Glass before taking off in his sleigh of awesomeness) over at the source link. |
| Oppo N1 CyanogenMod Edition now available for $600, source code in tow Posted: 24 Dec 2013 07:54 AM PST Oppo N1 review | Discuss the Oppo N1 at AndroidForums.com's Oppo N1 section! CyanogenMod Inc has just announced that the CyanogenMod Edition of the Oppo N1 is now available for $599. The CyanogenMod edition of this phone is pretty much identical to the version we reviewed hardware-wise (keep reading for specs), but software will obviously differ as this puppy will come with CyanogenMod pre-installed. More than that, though, you’ll also be getting a limited edition case with CM mascots Cid and Ollie, as well as stickers to lighten whatever you want up with the cute faces of the franchise. Here’s what you’ll find on the inside of this chassis:
CyanogenMod is also making factory images for the N1 and CyanogenMod source code available for those who want to build the ROM on their own. All of the links for those goods can be found on the CyanogenMod blog, while the phone itself can be had at OppoStyle. Get over there and order it if this is something you were waiting on.
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| MTV app brings full episodic content to your Android device Posted: 24 Dec 2013 07:11 AM PST
MTV junkies rejoice: a new Android app is waiting for you in the Google Play Store. It’s the official app to the music television station that barely plays music videos anymore, and it will bring you full episodes of shows like the Real World and Teen Wolf. You’ll also get yearly VMA coverage and access to other clips and extras that you’d normally have to venture off to the company’s website to get. More than that, you’ll get a “viewing companion” which will feed up various bits of info about whatever show you’re watching, including info about the characters, songs used in the show and other insider info. You’ll also be treated to quizzes and trivia — you know, just to make sure you’re paying attention. The app is free, of course, so head to the Google Play Store and grab it as soon as possible if you can’t stand to be without MTV content while you’re away from home. |
| Nokia Normandy was going to be available in tons of colors Posted: 24 Dec 2013 06:20 AM PST
Although Nokia is rumored to be scrapping plans to be bringing an Android phone, we’re still seeing leaks about the Nokia Normandy. If you don’t remember, this was to be a mid-range Android phone, but due to Microsoft’s purchase of the Finnish company we may never see it launch. We still have no clue what sort of specs were supposed to be inside this thing, but it doesn’t sound like it was supposed to be impressive. We do know that Nokia was looking to provide it in multiple color options, though, with @evleaks giving us a look at the full spectrum of colors in a leaked press render. Despite the fact that this thing may never see the light of day, Nokia still has to have egg on their face for the Finnish boys peeing in their pants comment. No, Anssi Vanjoki, I will never forget that comment. That Nokia was thinking about making an Android phone at all completely negates anything they ever said to try and discredit the mobile operating system’s dominance. With Nokia being a lone wolf in the Windows Phone race under Microsoft’s banner, they probably won’t be thinking too much about using other operating systems to help them keep warmth in their pants this winter. But just know that they were thinking about doing it anyway. |
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