Android Phone Fans |
- Panono hits Indiegogo goal – let’s you create Google Street View-like 108MP spherical panoramic images
- Heads up: Your Vine feed and profiles are now available on the web, reserve your custom URL before it’s too late
- New HTC M8 details: HTC One+ name, Snapdragon 805, 2,900mAh battery, and software keys [RUMOR]
- Samsung Galaxy NX Mini trademark filing appears at USPTO
- ZTE announces Grand S II, Nubia 5S, and even a mini projector/wireless hotspot for CES 2014
- Intel to bring dual-boot Android/Windows devices to CES?
- Acer announces refreshed Iconia tabs, Liquid Z5 smartphone for CES
- Mobile Roar Podcast 27: SnapChat leak, Nokia Normandy, and CES 2014
- Galaxy Tab Pro 10.1 rumored to feature octa-core Exynos CPU, 2560×1600 display
- Polaroid unveils Q series tablets ahead of CES, offer KitKat for as low as $129
- AT&T offering up to $450 to customers that switch from T-Mobile [UPDATE]
| Posted: 03 Jan 2014 05:05 PM PST
Okay, so creating 360-degree “spherical” panoramic images isn’t the most original idea on the planet. Even though we’ve seen an attempt with Android’s Photo Sphere, it’s something that’s nearly impossible to pull off flawlessly. Guess that’s why Panono — an Indiegogo project that kicked off back in October — was successfully able to hit their funding goal and then some. Simply put, Panono is a plastic ball with a 36 tiny cameras housed inside. When tossed in the air, Panono will fire off all its cameras simultaneously, for near-flawless 360-degree x 360-degree panoramic stills — the likes you’re only used to seeing on Google Street View. The resulting images are a whopping 108MP when stitched together, a process that’s done in the cloud after Panono uploads the images through your smartphone via the Android/iOS app. Panono can actually be used in a few ways — by either chucking it in the air, mounting it on a pole/monopod, or by simply holding it with your hand.
Inside, there’s onboard memory capable of holding 400 108MP shots, and an accelerometer for figuring out the optimal time to take a shot when tossed (at the ball’s apex). The ball only weighs about 300g, and charges via USB. The Panono app is already available on Google Play if you’d simply like to view the quality of Panono’s stitched images. We’ll even embed one of our favorites below. Before you rush off to the Indiegogo page to buy your own, keep in mind tech like this doesn’t come cheap. Even at the early backer pricing, which gets you $100-off, Panono will still run you around $500. Not exactly pocket change. If that hasn’t scared you away yet, you still have 32 hours left to snag a Panono for yourself, with shipping beginning in September. Me? Well, I suppose I’ll continue using Photo Sphere like an animal. [Panono on Indiegogo | Download on Google Play: Panono] |
| Posted: 03 Jan 2014 03:10 PM PST
Vine has been struggling to keep up with the Instagrams and Snapchats of the world. It’s not too often we get big usability updates from Vine, but today the Vine team announced the release of all new user profiles and web accessibility for their users. This means if you have a Vine account, your feed is now available from any web browser, in addition to your own personal profile page, complete with ever video you’ve uploaded or “reVined”. While not directly Android related, this is still a big deal for a service that once only lived inside their mobile app. If you hurry over, you can snag your own custom vanity URL by visiting vine.co/profiles. |
| New HTC M8 details: HTC One+ name, Snapdragon 805, 2,900mAh battery, and software keys [RUMOR] Posted: 03 Jan 2014 02:09 PM PST
Yesterday, @evleaks was able to provide us with a short list of preliminary specs for the upcoming HTC One sequel — the HTC M8. Now, according to Mike1986 (a popular ROM developer on XDA who regularly obtains leaked HTC software builds) we now have some additional info on what we can expect from the HTC One followup, including its possible release name. Going by HTC One+, this could be a clue that this device might be more of an incremental update from the already stellar HTC One, as opposed to a fully redesigned, spec’d out 2K monster. That’s not to say the specs haven’t gotten a nice a bump. The One+ is said to feature the obligatory improved processor, coming equipped with a Snapdragon 805 working alongside speedier DDR3 RAM. Display size has been increased to 5-inches (hopefully by shrinking the One’s bezels) but in a strange twist, it seems HTC could be doing away with capacitive keys in favor of on-screen software keys. It’s not a “feature” everyone will be too happy about (myself included), but I’m sure we’ll learn to cope. Addressing criticisms with the original HTC One, the HTC One+ could be this year’s “people’s smartphone”. Not only has HTC increased the battery size to 2,900mAh for added screen-on time, but they may have also equipped the One+ with the oft requested micro SD card slot. We know, that’s kind of a big deal for some of you out there. Still up in the air is whether or not the HTC One+ will feature the recently rumored dual-lens UltraPixel camera (not for 3D video, thank goodness) for increased dynamic range and improved picture quality. Here’s all the “leaked” specs at a glance: HTC One+ (HTC M8)
The HTC One+ could be shaping up to be one helluva smartphone for 2014. Given the “+” in the name and not a new number, we’re wondering if the new design wont mirror closely that of the current HTC One (gapless construction, aluminum body, etc.). Don’t forget if HTC once again goes the Google Play edition route, we might have one heck of a Nexus killer on our hands. |
| Samsung Galaxy NX Mini trademark filing appears at USPTO Posted: 03 Jan 2014 12:16 PM PST
Samsung sure does love their Android-based cameras. The Korean mobile giant recently unveiled the new Samsung Galaxy Camera 2 after debuting their first mirrorless camera, the Galaxy NX, over the summer. Now it appears another entry in the Galaxy NX series is the way, as revealed by way of a trademark filing with the USPTO. The filing is for the trademark Samsung Galaxy NX Mini. All logic points to this being a smaller version of the camera that went on sale in November. It is likely to be cheaper, as well. The original Galaxy NX retails for $1,600, while the smaller, Android-less Samsung NX300 goes for $500. The Galaxy NX in its current form carries a 20.3MP APS-C sensor along with a 1.6GHz quad-core CPU and 4.8-inch HD display. The NX features Android 4.2.2. We can expect Samsung to retain similar specs for the Galaxy NX Mini, though it would not be surprising to see the hardware trimmed to a certain extent. The filing pops up just before CES, which leads to speculation that the Galaxy NC Mini could make an appearance at the annual trade show. It could, however, merely be a coincidence. [via USPTO] |
| ZTE announces Grand S II, Nubia 5S, and even a mini projector/wireless hotspot for CES 2014 Posted: 03 Jan 2014 11:02 AM PST
Not to be outdone by Lenovo — who, yesterday, we told you was bringing 4 new Android devices to this year’s CES — ZTE is coming in hot with a handful of devices of their own. More a “portfolio” of new products, ZTE will introduce new smartphones and even wearables at this year’s show, including a partnership with AT&T for smartphones and a wireless home phone. Here’s what ZTE has lined up for the event. ZTE Grand S II A follow up to last year’s gorgeous ZTE Grand S, the Grand S II is being called a “high-precision voice phone”. What does that mean? Well, in Moto X like fashion, the Grand S II will use voice recognition technology even while it’s sleeping. Voice commands will also play a role in the camera app where the device’s onboard triple-mic noise reduction should help at drowning out background noise. The press release didn’t include photos or other specs, so we’ll have to find out more when CES officially kicks off next week. ZTE is also bringing a new device to US shores by way of the ZTE Sonata 4G for AT&T’s prepaid Aio Wireless. Light on specs — which also means light on the wallet — the device will feature a 4-inch display, dual-core Snapdragon 400 processor, 1GB RAM, and 5MP camera. Where most ZTE devices that come to the states find the manufacturer’s name stripped from their title, we found it interesting the ZTE’s name remained intact. Nubia 5S and 5S Mini ZTE is further expanding their Nubia line of Android handsets with the Nubia 5S and Nubia 5S Mini. The larger 5S will feature a 1080p display, 13MP camera with Sony RS sensor and large f/2.0 aperture, 4K video capture. No word on other specs, although ZTE did mention both devices will feature a “screaming-fast” Qualcomm Snapdragon quad-core processors, for what it’s worth. ZTE Iconic Phablet ZTE also announced a new phablet they’ll be showing off, appropriately named the ZTE Iconic Phablet. This large-screened device will feature a 5.7-inch display, dual-core processor, and wireless charging. No word on other hardware specs, but we expect this to fit in with their other affordable line of devices. ZTE BlueWatch Making the move into wearables, ZTE will debut their first smartwatch dubbed the ZTE BlueWatch. The smartwatch features a built-in pedometer for tracking body fat, calories burned, and the like. Using a Bluetooth connection, the BlueWatch can pair up with your smartphone and be used as a remote for the camera, phone calls, or other media, as well as display notifications from Twitter and Facebook. Others But it isn’t all about smartphones and wearables for ZTE. The manufacturer will be showing off a new wireless hotspot that features a built-in projector (we hope it has a big battery), and the AT&T Wireless Home Base. Another partnership with AT&T, the Home Base allows users to connect their standard home phone into the base and connect to AT&T’s wireless network for unlimited local and long distance calling at $20 a month. Looks like ZTE is slowly but surely making a bigger push into the US market, and we’re sure this is only a taste of things to come. We’ll be giving you guys a hands-on with all these devices and more during our CES 2014 coverage next week. Should be fun! [ZTE] |
| Intel to bring dual-boot Android/Windows devices to CES? Posted: 03 Jan 2014 10:47 AM PST
A tablet or netbook with the ability to dual-boot between various versions of Windows and Android is not an entirely new concept, but it is one that has not become exceptionally mainstream. According to a number of sources, Intel might be looking to change that perception at this year's CES with the announcement of several devices with such capabilities. The only problem? Neither Google nor Microsoft seem all the keen on the idea. With Windows PC sales already on the decline, Intel sees the addition of Android as a way to raise consumer interest, though other manufacturers doing just that have seen mixed results in the past. Aside from being generally clunky devices, dual-boot systems typically settle for compromises in implementing both Windows and Android. The result is a device not especially tailored to either operating system. Intel could improve on this with their current breed of CPU and x86-optimized versions of Android, but it still might be a reach.
As for Google and Microsoft, reports are stating the the latter is actively attempting to convince partners to nix Android from the devices they plan to show at CES. Google could take an even more proactive approach refusing to certify such devices for use with Google Play and other services. \ As The Verge notes, the introduction of hybrid devices from Intel at CES is sure to generate headlines, and that might ultimately be the goal. The actual success of such a device, or it's ability to salvage a slumping PC market, could be fleeting if history is any indicator. [via The Verge] |
| Acer announces refreshed Iconia tabs, Liquid Z5 smartphone for CES Posted: 03 Jan 2014 10:04 AM PST
Acer is giving us a preview of what they will have on hand at next week's gargantuan CES event, revealing updated tablets and a new smartphone all targeted as affordable devices for the masses. New devices include revised versions of the Acer Iconia A1 and B1 as well as the new Acer Liquid Z5. All three devices are priced right around the $200 sweet spot that consumers love. The Liquid Z5 is the most expensive of the bunch, debuting at €169 in Europe. You get what you pay for at that price, though. Specs include a 5-inch display with sub-HD resolution (854×480), 1.3GHz dual-core CPU from MediaTek with 512MB of RAM, and 5MP camera. The phone will run Android 4.2.2 Jelly Bean when it launches later this month in European countries such as France, Germany, Spain, and the UK. No US release has been announced.
More intriguing are Acer's two low-priced tablet options. The Acer Iconia A1 update features a 7.9-inch display with 1024×768 resolution. The tablet is powered by an Intel Atom Z2560 chipset clocked at 1.6GHz. Of the three products, the A1 is the only one currently slated for a US release. It will launch sometime this quarter for $149. In the UK it will be joined by the Iconia B1. It's updated form carries a 7-inch display and 1.3GHz dual-core CPU for a price of €129 when it launches in the UK later this month.
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| Mobile Roar Podcast 27: SnapChat leak, Nokia Normandy, and CES 2014 Posted: 03 Jan 2014 09:09 AM PST We’re back from a short holiday break to talk about the big stories in mobile from the last two weeks. A ton of SnapChat user data was leaked and SnapChat doesn’t seem too sorry about it. Their apology expired after a few seconds. The Nokia Normandy was spotted once again, but this time we can see it’s running Android. We also talk about CES next week and our favorite phones from 2013. Enjoy! The News
CES 2014
Best Phones of 2013 Follow Us Joe Fedewa (@jayzeroeee) - WinSource.com
This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now |
| Galaxy Tab Pro 10.1 rumored to feature octa-core Exynos CPU, 2560×1600 display Posted: 03 Jan 2014 08:19 AM PST
The AnTuTu benchmark site is giving a bit of a peak at the power housed within the upcoming Samsung Galaxy Tab Pro 10.1. Benchmark results show a slate worthy of the "Pro" tag, revealing a 1.9GHz Exynos 5420 of the octa-core variety and 2560×1600 resolution display. The resolution surpasses 2K HD but falls shy of the elusive 4K. Still, that's a whole lot of pixels crammed into a 10.1-inch display. Other specs revealed include 2GB of RAM and an 8MP rear camera. The model tested featured 32GB of storage, though the Tab Pro will likely come in at least two storage capacities. The slate was marked as running Android 4.4.2 KitKat. There is a decent chance we see Samsung unveil their new line of Galaxy Tab products next week at CES, but for now that is mere speculation. Rumors point to the new Galaxy Tab Pro 10.1 launching alongside several additional Pro and Lite models during the first half of the year. [via SamMobile] |
| Polaroid unveils Q series tablets ahead of CES, offer KitKat for as low as $129 Posted: 03 Jan 2014 07:41 AM PST
For the past several years Polaroid has made a few feeble attempts at jumping on the Android bandwagon. There were, of course, a couple flavors of Android-powere cameras. Then there were the tablets, of the kiddie and regular variety. None were particularly impressive, but Polaroid hopes to change that this year with the announcement of three new KitKat-powered slates as part of their new Q series. That's right. At the very least, these three budget-oriented devices ship with Android 4.4 KitKat out of the box, which is more than a lot of devices can boast. Otherwise the spec list isn't all that notable. There is quad-core processing, though it likely won't blow away the benchmark tests, and HDMI video output as part of the package, but otherwise don't expect much from Polaroid's lineup of Q tablets.
Three models will be on display next week at CES, which seems to be their preferred location to unveil devices that will quickly be forgotten by tech fans and probably never noticed by the general public. The Q7 features a 7-inch display while the Q8 and Q10 feature 8-inch and 10.1-inch displays respectively. The real selling point on these guys, though, is the price. The Q7 will retail for $129 while the largest option isn't much more expensive at $179.
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| AT&T offering up to $450 to customers that switch from T-Mobile [UPDATE] Posted: 03 Jan 2014 06:45 AM PST
Rumors abound T-Mobile's next phase of their Uncarrier program could involve buying customers out of their current contracts with competing carriers. One of those competitors just beat them to the punch. AT&T is offering up to $450 in incentives to customers switching from T-Mobile in an effort to sway users away from a service provider that has been causing headaches for others in the same business. AT&T is offering up to $250 (depending on condition) to folks who trade-in their current T-Mobile smartphone. The money is distributed in the form of a promotion card good toward AT&T products and services. Additionally, customers can earn a $200 credit by opting into an AT&T Next plan or buying a device at full price. Activating a currently owned device on AT&T's network qualifies a customer for the promotion as well (basically the credit applies to anything but a traditional subsidized service contract). It's a brazen move by AT&T. T-Mobile has caused quite the shakeup in the wireless industry, introducing their JUMP program, redefining the payment and upgrade process for mobile devices along with lower service rates. Every major carrier has followed suit and offered similar buying options in the months since. AT&T has been a particular target, and it's suspected T-Mobile's next move — to be unveiled next week at CES — would target the carrier by offering to buy out the early termination fees of customers switching from one network to the other. Not wanting to again be caught playing catchup, AT&T has struck first. Good for them. UPDATE: T-Mobile’s CEO John Legere has issued a quick response via press release.
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