Friday 21 February 2014

Android Phone Fans

Android Phone Fans

Sony teases ‘something extraordinary’ for MWC

Posted: 21 Feb 2014 12:09 PM PST

Sony will be at Mobile World Congress (we will too!), and they want us to know that they have something to show off. "Something extraordinary," in fact. A brief teaser has made it's way to the Sony Xperia channel on YouTube teasing a date of February 24th, which happens to be Monday. It also happens to be the kick off date for this year's MWC in Barcelona.

The clip doesn't reveal much else other than flowing red fabric and a silhouetted woman, an emphasis that likely alludes to the design aspects of whatever Sony plans to show off. The hashtag #XperiaDetails is also briefly glimpsed.

What will Sony have to show us? Our thoughts immediately turn to the rumored followup the the Xperia Z1, which just so happened to debut a year ago at the very same show. Last week we got a glimpse of a device going by the codename Sirius (and later a lengthy walkthrough video), but most expect it to launch as the Xperia Z2. This is complicated slightly by a leak from earlier this week showcasing a tablet also called the Xperia Z2.

Chances are we could see both. Chances are they both could be called the Sony Xperia Z2 (with "Tablet" being the differentiating factor). We'll know in a few days.

 

Mobile Roar Podcast 33: WhatsApp with Facebook?

Posted: 21 Feb 2014 11:31 AM PST

ANNOUNCEMENT: We are now on Stitcher Radio! You can add us to your playlist.

WhatsApp with Facebook? Do they think they can just buy everything? Well, yes, they probably could. Terrible puns aside, the guys talk about this recent acquisition. They also share predictions for MWC next week. In a new segment the guys play “The Link Bait Game,” and then the show is concluded with favorite app picks and Wins/Fails of the week. Thanks for listening!

The News

MWC Preview

The Link Bait Game

Wins/Fails

App Picks

Follow Us

stitcher-logo-transparent itunes You have to search for it in the Store. rss DOWNLOAD

This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now

This is what a Project Tango 3D map looks like

Posted: 21 Feb 2014 10:16 AM PST

matterport-tango

There are many goals for Google's Project Tango, a smartphone prototype outfitted with 3D sensors that can see and interpret the world around it, but one is to provide a way to create detailed maps of indoor environments. So just what will those maps look like? Matterport, a company dedicated to the 3D mapping of interior spaces, was among the first to get their hands on Google's new project and are giving us a chance to experience what they captured using Tango.

The above video gives you an idea of how Tango is used to capture the details of an environment as well as a look at the results. A full demo on their site gives us a chance to explore the created 3D environment's every nook and cranny.

We imagine this is just grazing the surface of what Project Tango will be able to do. Just as with Google Glass, Project Tango provides a core experience and standard smartphone functionality Whether Tango grows to be more than a pet project of Google's will depend on the work of Matterport and other developers. There is potential for some pretty awesome creations, based off this quick demo.

[via Matterport]

Sprint launches WiFi calling, only select Androids get access

Posted: 21 Feb 2014 09:01 AM PST

sprintceodanhesse3-620x369

Sprint users are getting a treat today in the form of WiFi calling, a new service that gives subscribers the ability to place calls and sends texts over a wireless network for absolutely free. There is a catch, though. WiFi calling, as of now, is only available on an extremely select number of Android handsets — two, to be exact.

The Samsung Galaxy Mega and Samsung Galaxy S4 Mini are, as of now, the only device's in Sprint's stable that will enable users to avoid any limits or charges associated with their standard wireless service by routing calls over any WiFi network. These handset will be able to take advantage of the feature after receiving an over-the-air update.

If those seem like odd choices as the flagship devices for Sprint's WiFi calling, they are, but fear not. Sprint says more devices will be receiving the capabilities as the year rolls on. For now, current Galaxy Mega and Galaxy S4 Mini owners can expect the needed update to arrive sometime in the coming weeks.

[via Sprint]

Amazon preparing to launch Android-powered TV box

Posted: 21 Feb 2014 08:11 AM PST

amazon-tv

Amazon could soon join the likes of Roku, Apple, and Google with the introduction of their own set-top box for internet-connected television. Like their popular line of Kindle tablets, it is rumored that the new device will rely on Android to run the show.

Rumors of an Amazon television platform date back to last year when it was believed the online retailer would target a holiday launch. Those plans never realized, but that hasn't stopped Amazon, according to sources. As with the company's Kindle tablets, the emphasis in selling a TV box would be on getting more eyes on Amazon's library of streaming video content.

For the large part, Amazon's video services have taken a backseat to others like Netflix and even Google Play. The number of Amazon Prime subscribers that don't take advantage of or even realize they have access to a fairly robust library of movies and television shows (including Amazon originals) is startling, to say the least. A set-top box featuring a heavily modified version of Android would be designed to put this Amazon content front and center for viewers.

Little is known about expected hardware, but there is a chance the box will also act as a connected gaming platform on top of being a centralized media hub. We'd expect a device that is in line with similar Google TV-based offerings.

The Amazon set-top TV box is now expected to launch as early as May. Pricing is unknown at this point, but don't be surprised to see an ad-subsidized model selling for less than $100.

[via Recode]

NVIDIA unveils Tegra Note 7 LTE

Posted: 21 Feb 2014 07:06 AM PST

Tegra NOTE 7 LTE

NVIDIA has announced a new LTE-enabled variant of their Note 7 tablet. The connected version of the device features the company's i500 LTE modem and will be available starting in Q2 of this year.

The original Tegra Note 7 launched last November and features an NVIDIA Tegra 4 CPU, 7-inch display, 5MP camera, and 16GB of storage for $199. The device also ships with its own stylus and includes features like palm rejection. The tablet shipped with Jelly Bean but has since received an upgrade to Android 4.4.2 KitKat.

The Tegra Note 7 LTE will feature the same hardware and specs, the only major difference being the inclusion of its LTE modem. That modem, developed by NVIDIA, promises greater performance and efficiency, offering 4x the processing capabilities of the previous generation at 40 percent size.

The launch of the Tegra Note 7 LTE will also see availability expand to several new regions. These include Western Europe, Brazil, and Ukraine. The addition of LTE support doesn't come cheap, however. When the slate launches look for it to sell for $299, a full hundo over the price of the WiFi version.

[via NVIDIA]

Samsung teases a ‘fun’ and ‘fit’ Galaxy ahead of MWC

Posted: 21 Feb 2014 06:25 AM PST

If there were any remaining doubts about what Samsung is planning on launching at its next unpacked event, you can go ahead and put them to bed. Samsung has released a new teaser that prominently displays the number "5" next to a series of words including "life," "wet," "fit," and "fun." The final set of words, "the next Galaxy,” all but confirm that we will see the Galaxy S5 some Monday, February 24th.

But the Samsung Galaxy S5, which is rumored to feature a 5.2-inch display and Qualcomm Snapdragon 805 CPU, won't be the only device we will see in Barcelona come Monday. While we can search the various words flashed throughout Samsung's Unpacked teaser for clues, one in particular stands out in relation to another recent rumor. "Fit" is an obvious reference to a focus on health-related apps and services, but could it more specifically reference the Galaxy Gear Fit? The device is said to be a wearable with a focus on health and fitness tracking. It could act as a sort of Galaxy Gear 'lite' and offer more basic functionality at a lower price (think Nike FuelBand or FitBit).

The good news is we only have but a few days to wait before we find out what Samsung has up its sleeve this year. We'll be live from MWC providing up-to-the-minute coverage and a first look at whatever the company has to show off.

 
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