Android Phone Fans |
- Android versions for April: KitKat makes big jump to 5.3% of active Androids
- Sony Xperia Z2 officially headed to North America, but still no US release in sight
- Nexus 10 now listed as “coming soon” on Google Play
- Apple vs Samsung 2014 kicks off today, Apple wants Google to sit this one out [UPDATE]
- Humble Bundle PC and Android 9 is live, offers 6 great DRM-free games for charity
- Google readies standalone camera app for release on Google Play [RUMOR]
- Happy 10th Birthday, Gmail
- Best Android Phones [April 2014]
- T-Mobile LG L90 could launch April 23rd
- Best new Android apps from March 2014
- Lenovo to leverage Motorola’s name with possible “Motorola by Lenovo” branding
- BBM 2.1 brings WWE stickers in time for Wrestlemania
- Samsung Galaxy Tab 4 announced in 7-inch, 8-inch, and 10-inch flavors
- Samsung Galaxy S5 recognized as having best smartphone display
- It’s raining geeks and nerds: Thumbrella hits $1 Million Kickstarter goal
| Android versions for April: KitKat makes big jump to 5.3% of active Androids Posted: 01 Apr 2014 05:11 PM PDT
You knew they were coming and it’s time, once again, for Google to update the world on the current state of Android. Posted moments ago to the Android Developers page, these stats are provided so that Android’s many developers can see exactly which versions of Android devices are currently running (ones that have recently visited the Google Play Store), so that they can target with their apps accordingly. To make things a little easier to view at a glance, we’ve gone ahead and compiled these numbers in comparison with the previous month’s down below. Android versions March –> April
In a move that will no doubt make our own Rob Jackson happy (he mentioned last month how sad it was to see KitKat struggling to hit 3%), we’re now seeing KitKat make a huge leap for the month of April, accounting for 5.3% of active Android devices. Not bad considering we’re still seeing KitKat updates roll out for many devices. Factor in new flagships for 2014 closing in fast — all running Android 4.4+ — and we’ll likely see another huge jump for KitKat in the coming months. It’s also interesting that while Android 4.2.x Jelly Bean is still on the rise, but 4.1.x and 4.3 all took a hit. This dropped Jelly Bean’s overall percentage down to 6.1.4% for April, and is more than likely due to firmware upgrades.
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| Sony Xperia Z2 officially headed to North America, but still no US release in sight Posted: 01 Apr 2014 04:34 PM PDT
The Sony Xperia Z2 is one of the upcoming smartphones we have our eye on for 2014. In fact, our biggest problem with the smartphone is that we can’t get our hands on it. Like, now. When Sony unveiled the Xperia X2 during this year’s Mobile World Congress 2014, curiously, US availability was left out of the press release. Now, after rumors of high demand/short supply, we’re wondering if we’ll ever see this phone launch stateside anytime soon. Well, Sony is finally announcing that the phone will, in fact, be available in North America, arriving this May exclusively for Bell in Canada. Yeah. What the eff. Our sentiments exactly. While we’re happy for our friends up north, or even in Europe who will get the chance to buy the phone as early as this month (in short supply), we’re hoping Sony ramps up production and doesn’t leave the US waiting too long. Now comes the tough part in guessing which of the 4 major US carriers will pick this up? We know Sony has a history with T-Mobile, but the phone already supports most of AT&T’s bands, but maybe Sprint or Verizon will see the value this device offers their line up and swoop in for the exclusive. Thoughts? |
| Nexus 10 now listed as “coming soon” on Google Play Posted: 01 Apr 2014 03:48 PM PDT
It’s a small change, but after jumping onto the Google Play Store today, some have noticed that the Nexus 10, once listed as “we are out of inventory,” has now been updated to a “coming soon” status. But what does it mean? The Nexus 10, which launched back in November of 2012, is long overdue for a refresh, one that rumors once suggested could have ASUS doing the honors this time around. While that seems to still be up in the air at this point (along with rumors of an 8-inch Nexus 8) we imagine Google may have more to reveal during this year’s Google I/O 2014. Check out the link down below to see the now coming soon Nexus 10 for yourself. |
| Apple vs Samsung 2014 kicks off today, Apple wants Google to sit this one out [UPDATE] Posted: 01 Apr 2014 02:31 PM PDT
Yesterday, we gave you guys a run down of what is sure to be another fun filled year in the pissing match that is Apple vs Samsung: Part 2. Once again, the biggest mobile heavy weights on the glob will duke it out in a courtroom, with a jury of 8 ultimately deciding the victor. Apple’s opening statement Today, Apple outlined their overall strategy, claiming — just like in the previous trial (the one that found Samsung guilty of patent infringement) — that they put it all on the line back when they introduced the world to the original iPhone, only to have Samsung copy that magic and churn out millions of copy-cat products that have seen Samsung raking in billions of dollars every year. This time around, there’s a whole new group of Samsung products Apple is claiming infringe on their IPs, and although Apple’s legal counsel says they could pull out over 50 patents Samsung is currently infringing — they’ve carefully chosen only 5 patents that are sure to bring them the win. Apple is hoping to prove to the court that because of these 5 infringed patents, they should be awarded $2 billion dollars. This number compiled by “experts” is a rough estimate of what it would have cost Samsung, had they just licensed these patents the legal way. Yesterday we heard that Samsung could be calling in Google for backup, but during Apple’s opening statement, they mention that although Google made the operating system Samsung uses in their mobile devices (and is in most cases, the target of the infringement) it’s Samsung selling these products all over the world — not Google. The best part about the trial is that because the lawsuit was filed back in 2012 (but only just made it to trial), many of the devices in question are no longer being actively sold. Sounds almost pointless to be pouring all this money into a trial, but we’re sure this is more about the principal for Apple. At this point, it sounds like Apple is simply trying to make a point. A very expensive one. Samsung’s opening statement Samsung’s opening statement was a bit more juicy than Apple’s. According the the defense, they allege it was merely competition with Samsung (and Android) that kept Apple up at night — and they have the internal emails to prove it. The email in question links to a WSJ article titled “Has Apple Lost Its Cool to Samsung?” In the post, the WSJ talks about Samsung’s “Next Big Thing” marketing campaign — the one making fun of all the hipsters waiting in line for the next iPhone — in which Apple’s marketing chief Phil Schiller responds to the email with: “We have a lot of work to do.” Samsung alleges that Schiller became so “obsessed” with Samsung’s new marketing campaign, he even asked Tim Cook to look into dropping their long time ad company TBWA\CHIAT\DAY. Schiller will be Apple’s first witness to take the stand once opening statements have concluded. Samsung is asking for $6.9 million in a counter suit. Grab the popcorn The jury consists of 6 men and 4 women from all walks of life (2 of which were dismissed). Everything from businessmen, to police officers and retired teachers. The trial will be ongoing throughout the entire month, with each side having 25 hours to make their case. Grab the popcorn and get comfy — this could take awhile. |
| Humble Bundle PC and Android 9 is live, offers 6 great DRM-free games for charity Posted: 01 Apr 2014 12:56 PM PDT
Hope you’ve been setting some change aside, because it’s time for another Humble Bundle deal. This time around we have the Humble Bundle: PC and Android 9, a collection of DRM-free games that will not only work on your Android device, but have PC/Mac/Linux versions available for your desktop or laptop computer. Yeah, this is going to be really hard to resist. Let’s take a look at the lineup, a $21.68 value. Humble Bundle: PC and Android 9
Beat the average to unlock:
For those that have downloaded the Humble Bundle Android app, simply sign in on the website and download your games from the app. There, they’ll all be stored along with your previous purchases, so you can always return and reinstall should you run low on memory. Have fun! |
| Google readies standalone camera app for release on Google Play [RUMOR] Posted: 01 Apr 2014 12:27 PM PDT
We’ve known about Google’s plans to overhaul the stock Android camera app for awhile now. Back in November, the code for a new camera API began appearing in Android code but for one reason or another, was scrapped just before the release of KitKat. Eventually, Google came clean about these new APIs, saying that developers would soon to be able to build apps with RAW image support and burst shooting. Today, it looks like we’re finally getting some new info on exactly what Google is planning for their upcoming stock camera app, with the folks at Engadget revealing some juicy new details. It appears that the application will feature a completely new UI and although it wasn’t mentioned, we’re hoping Google’s finally done away with that awful slide menu system introduced in Android 4.3. Google seems to have also figured out the cropped viewfinder, replaced with one that now shows 100% of the image so you know what to expect before you take the shot. Aside from adding new imaging features like a “background-blurring effect” ala HTC One M8, Google has also improved the resolution of panorama and PhotoSphere modes as well. Because Google will also be introducing new camera APIs for developers, Android devs will be able to add their own filters/effects into the camera app. Probably the best news is we may not even have to wait until Android 4.4.3 rolls out to get our hands on the improved application. Like Google’s been doing so well lately, Google will make the camera a standalone app provided in the Google Play Store. This way Android users who aren’t using a Nexus device can still partake in Google’s fruit. We can’t wait. Recently Android users running Android 4.4.2 KitKat were complaining of a battery drain bug caused by a combination of the camera app and Qualcomm’s imaging chip not playing nice with one another. Google confirmed the bug, and we expect everything to be patched up in the Android 4.4.3 update that’s been making the rounds. |
| Posted: 01 Apr 2014 12:05 PM PDT
Birthdays are always special, and it’s always special when someone of Google’s turns the calendar. Even more special is when you realize one of their most important products have been around for a whole decade. We’re talking about Gmail, which has been around 10 years to the day today. That Gmail launched April 1st seemed quite startling at the time. Google was only a search kingpin back then — would they dare challenge the prowess of AOL, Yahoo and Hotmail? Surely it was a joke, but nope — they were as serious as balls, and they set forth with launching the very service that ties together everything they do.
What made Gmail so great that everyone was jonesing for it like a fix of crack? The biggest reason might have been the fact that they were giving users 1GB of email storage, a number that kept climbing as each day whisked by. It may not seem like much now, but 1GB of storage for email in the early 2000s was like having a 5TB hard drive for music alone. Compare that to other email providers who hesitated to give you more than 50MB. And it was free! And without overly-obtrusive ads! And with Google’s famous search engine baked in! That secret sauce alone was enough to have folks the world over begging for access to the service, which launched as an invite-only beta and remained that way for quite some time. Being part of Gmail felt like being part of an exclusive club. It was something magical back in those times. Fast forward 10 years later, and Gmail is more than a symbol. It’s more than an email account. It has transformed into Google’s second most important entity, sandwiched right between Search and (arguably) Android. It’s the gateway to many great Google services of today, such as Calendar, Google+, Drive, YouTube and more. But that’s enough reminiscing for me. I could go on and on about how Google has invaded my digital life starting with Gmail, but I won’t — this post might reach 3,000 words otherwise. Instead, be sure to leave your thoughts in the comments below, as we’d love to hear how you stumbled onto Gmail and how it’s changed the way you go about your online business. [via Time] |
| Best Android Phones [April 2014] Posted: 01 Apr 2014 11:45 AM PDT
It's April, don't be the fool that buys some joke of an Android phone. As manufacturers push their major spring handset launches, the question of which is best takes on a whole new level of relevancy. New contenders have emerged, causing a significant shakeup over last month, but we've reviewed the competition and parsed out the best from the rest. 5 — Motorola Moto X
The Moto X hangs on to a spot in our top five for mostly one reason: last month, Motorola (soon to be a Lenovo company) introduced a new set of color options to its Moto Maker platform, breathing some life into a handset that is near due a true upgrade. The Moto X was never in the top of its class in regards to specs, but it brings up the rear based on a combination of other factors — the aforementioned customization options, an attractive price point, and enhanced notification and voice recognitions capabilities. 4 — Nexus 5 by LG
For the Android purist, there is no doubt a Nexus-branded handset with direct support from Google is the way to go, and the Nexus 5 is a testament to this fact. It remains a strong contender even as Google Play Editions of handsets like the HTC One M8 put pressure on the N5, which simply can't hold pace on a pure spec-to-spec comparison. Similar to the Moto X, the Nexus 5 is an appealing option when it comes to price and pure Android performance, but an onslaught of new handsets makes it hard to justify a higher position on our list. 3 — Samsung Galaxy Note 3
The Galaxy Note 3 has the goods to carry the banner of best Android phone, but it slips in no small part due to the recent release of several flagship releases from Samsung's competitors. The Note 3, however, holds a unique position as one of the few Android-based handsets to feature dedicated stylus input via Samsung's S Pen, a must-have for multitasking power users. Combined with numerous enhancements by way of Samsung's TouchWiz interface, the Note 3 easily dominates the "phablet” category. 2 — LG G Pro 2
When we said the Galaxy Note 3 easily dominates the "phablet" category, it comes with one caveat: the LG G Pro 2. This overachiever lacks dedicated stylus input but makes up for it in sheer performance. It features a big, beautiful display; bleeding-edge processing; and a strong camera. If there is one drawback to the G Pro 2, it is its currently limited availability, which at the moment only includes select regions in Asia. US users might need to plop down full price for an import or cross their fingers for a local carrier release. 1 — HTC One M8
Announced at the end of March and available for purchase immediately, there is no question that the HTC One M8, for now at least, deserves its rank as the top Android phone. The 2014 edition of the popular One franchise features a gorgeous brushed-aluminum design paired with powerful hardware and a refined take on HTC’s Sense software. More impressive still is the One M8's innovative camera design, which features two lenses that can be creatively used to alter an image's focus and depth-of-field after the fact. Runner-ups…
Phones to look forward toNot on the market just yet, but, oh, they will be soon. Here are the phones to look forward to this month and beyond.
Missing our main list by a matter of days, the Galaxy S5 will launch globally later this month (it's up for preorder in most places already), bringing Samsung's 2014 flagship into the Best Phones fold. Our initial impressions see this phone fighting for a top spot, but overall feedback has been mixed. It's specs line up with the HTC One M8 and others of that class, but Samsung could have taken more risks in designing a phone that truly surpasses the Galaxy S4 it will replace. An iterative upgrade? Maybe. It's at least worth holding off any immediate phone purchase in order to get a more adequate impression of the S5 upon its release.
A standout from February's Mobile World Congress, the Sony Xperia Z2 was recently delayed until May. It's all good, however. That just gives us more time to lust over its refined style and impressive hardware compliment. The Z2 improves everything we loved from older Z series releases (water resistance, superb camera, and sharp lines) without feeling like a rehash. Here's hoping it gets a wider release than the Sony handsets we are used to.
Oppo might not be the most recognizable brand, but they sure know how to get fanboys excited. Their Find 7 goes up for international preorder in a matter of days, and Android lovers are eager to get their hands on the device, which is outfitted with the sort of hardware that could make even Samsung or HTC nervous. That includes a large 1080p display, Snapdragon processor, and 13MP camera. A premium version will also be offered sporting a faster processor and more RAM.
Some consider the OnePlus One vaporware (vapor hardware?), but it's safe to say this one is no longer churning through the rumor mill. While an official unveiling will come later this month, rumored specs include the latest in Snapdragon processing, a Full HD display, and more. The best part? It could launch for less than $400. Rumor Mill
As attention has turned to the release of the HTC One M8, Samsung Galaxy S5, and LG's own G Pro 2, talk of the G3 has quieted a little in recent weeks. Most recently, the phone was tipped for a June unveiling. This followup to last year's G2 (pictured) could include a 2K display, octa-core processing, and a 16MP camera. We just hope they stick with the rear-mounted volume rocker introduced with the G2. Moto X2
There is very little to go off of, but there is no doubt that Motorola is cooking up a successor to their Moto X. The original X introduced several novel concepts, most notably the ability to customize various aspects of the handset's build. Expect the Moto X2 to follow this formula when it launches with updated specs and hardware, most likely during the second half of the year. Amazon Best SellersSo we've covered most of our bases, but if you're looking for more ideas yet here is a selection of top devices from Amazon's Best Sellers list. Note that this ranking excludes devices we have mentioned above and does not take into account carrier variants as well as color options.
What say you?That's our opinion, but what's yours? With so many major releases landing in stores in the wake of CES and Mobile World Congress, debate over which Android phone to buy will reach a fever pitch this month. Is it the HTC One? The Samsung Galaxy S5? Or something else entirely? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below! |
| T-Mobile LG L90 could launch April 23rd Posted: 01 Apr 2014 10:42 AM PDT While many are wondering when they can get the HTC One M8 and the Samsung Galaxy S5 on T-Mobile, there are still other devices slated for launch in the near future. One such device is the LG L90, a mid-range option from LG for those on a budget.
TmoNews has received evidence that the device could launch April 23rd, though we’re not sure fans will be lining up for it. Its 4.7-inch 960 x 540 display, 1GB RAM, 8 megapixel camera processor and more aren’t exactly setting the world ablaze, though Magenta stands to draw in a lot of consumers who might not be prepared to drop hundreds of dollars on a new smartphone. The device was revealed as part of the new L-Series 3 lineup at Mobile World Congress a couple of months ago, so be sure to check out our hands-on if you haven’t already. We’d tell you to circle your calendars, but since this date is not official we won’t recommend that just yet (but keep it in the back of your mind, yeah?). |
| Best new Android apps from March 2014 Posted: 01 Apr 2014 10:17 AM PDT
A lot of apps are released in the span of one month. It can be near impossible to keep track of them all. In order to help you find only the best apps that have been released in the last month we have assembled this list. Below you will find the best apps (and biggest updates) from the month of March. Check it out and see what apps you missed! (Click app headings for download link) Cast Store
The Chromecast is starting to get support from a lot of Android apps. Unfortunately, the Chromecast section in the Play Store leaves a lot to be desired. New app “Cast Store” curates all of these Chromecast apps into an easy to use app store. Now you can find every app to take advantage of Chromecast’s full potential. Coursera
Coursera connects students, professionals, and lifelong learners everywhere with free online courses from over 100 top-tier global universities and institutions. This app is full of valuable resources to further your education, and it’s all for free. With over 600 courses you are bound to find something interesting. Knowledge is power, which makes this app extremely powerful. Fiverr
What can you get for $5 anymore? With Fiverr you can get a lot. This popular service has been around for a while on other platforms. It allows people to earn some easy money while performing services that other people need. Need someone to do a voice-over for a video? Want someone to do a remix of your favorite songs? It can all be found on Fiverr. HTC BlinkFeed
Previously only available as a part of Sense, HTC BlinkFeed is now available in the Google Play store. This means that HTC will be able to update it much more easily, and other Android devices may soon be able to use it too. BlinkFeed is great if you want a simple way to keep up with social networks, calendars, and browse news. Jawbone UP
Jawbone’s popular fitness tracking bands have had apps on iOS and Android for a while, but this month the Android app got a lot better The UP app now works with the Jawbone UP and UP24 fitness bands. The UP24 used to only sync with USB, but now it works with Bluetooth as well. With the app you can see real-time information about your physical stats and activities. Link Bubble
Link Bubble is a completely new way to browse the web on your Android device. When you click on a link the webpage begins to load in the background, allowing you to continue using the app you are in. Once the page is loaded it pops up on top of the current app. You never have to leave the app you are using or wait for pages to load. This is one of the coolest new apps we’ve seen. Notifications+
Notifications+ solves a problem that many people have: getting Android notifications in the browser. This app makes it very easy to see all of your notifications in Chrome. There are many options and settings that allow you to customize exactly what notifications you will get. It’s very flexible and extremely handy for people who use a computer for most of the day. Pebble 2.0
The Pebble app is not new to Android, but this month it got a giant update. Version 2.0 of the companion app for the popular smartwatch added a very important feature. It is now possible to browse the watchapp directory and install the latest apps and watch faces right from your Android phone. A Watchapp locker for your favorite apps and a new UI round out the new features. Photowall
Photowall is a simple and fun app that works with Chromecast. With this app you can collaborate with friends and share pictures on the big screen. Anyone with the app can connect to the Chromecast and start sharing. No more showing photos on a small screen. QuickClick
QuickClick allows you to start any action with a sequence of Volume Buttons clicks. You can do things like take a photo or a video, toggle flashlight on and off, make a call, start a message, or start any app. Setting it up is simple. Just choose an action you want to launch, configure that action, choose the button sequence, and you’re done! Remember the Umbrella
One of the most important questions you can ask before going outside for the day is “will it rain?” Having an umbrella with you can be the difference between a good day and a bad day. This app will notify you when you leave the house if you should bring an umbrella. Not only is it very handy, but it is beautifully designed as well. Timehop
This new app is a fun way to travel back in time through your social media. Ever wonder what you were tweeting about a year ago? Or what you were doing on Facebook when you first started? With this app you can take a trip down memory lane though almost all of your social networks. It has a beautiful design and is very easy to set up and use. URL Shortener
A URL shortener may sound like a boring app, but this one is very handy. In addition to allowing you to shorten URLs this app also tracks those URLs with dynamic and visual charts. You can see who is clicking on the links you share. Any link can be shared and shortened with the built-in “Share” option in Android. Xpensy
If you’re looking for a simple and beautiful app to track your expenses look no further than Xpensy. This app may not have the features that power users require, but for the casual user it’s perfect. You can track daily, weekly, and monthly expenses with colorful charts and graphs that show what areas you are spending the most on. Keep an eye on your spending. — What was your favorite app from March? Did we miss any of your favorites? Let us know below! |
| Lenovo to leverage Motorola’s name with possible “Motorola by Lenovo” branding Posted: 01 Apr 2014 08:51 AM PDT Lenovo’s purchase of Motorola from Google for $2.9 billion sparked a lot of questions. Was Motorola finished? Would Lenovo look to swallow them up and fully integrate them into their existing operations? Or would they let Motorola continue doing its thing just as Google did when they originally bought the Illinois OEM? Not all of those questions were immediately answered, but CEO Richard Yang has revealed about more of the company’s plans for Motorola. In a recent interview with a German business magazine, Yang mentioned they would want to keep using Motorola’s name in some capacity for a couple of different reasons. For starters, Motorola may not have a ton of market share in North American and European markets anymore, but the company is widely respected and regarded as a fine manufacturer (especially after their 2013 renaissance, of sorts). That’s what we call “mind share,” and it’s critical for Lenovo to have it if they’re going to succeed. Using Motorola’s name is the best way to achieve that.
But how will they use Moto’s name? Many suggested they’d stick to the “A Lenovo Company” moniker, a tweak on the name Motorola used under Google’s reign. They may have different plans, though, as Yang threw out the possibility of using something like “Motorola by Lenovo.” The CEO was more thinking out loud than making a declaration so that’s by no means set in stone, but you have to wonder what it’ll do for Motorola’s image. “By Lenovo” makes it sound as if this was the Chinese company’s brainchild, and that they had everything to do with where the company is today (whether you see their current position as good or bad). We wouldn’t be surprised to learn that a few Motorola execs would be unhappy with that, but alas it’s Lenovo who ultimately has the final say. For what it’s worth, I don’t necessarily believe “A Google Company” or “A Lenovo Company” were much better in terms of suggestiveness, though many will obviously see it a different way. For now, we’re sure Motorola and Lenovo are less concerned about silly affairs such as branding and naming, and more concerned with bringing out hot products in 2014 (such as the next generation Moto X and the new Moto 360 smart watch) to combat some of the biggest names in the game. [via GSMInsider] |
| BBM 2.1 brings WWE stickers in time for Wrestlemania Posted: 01 Apr 2014 08:04 AM PDT Blackberry has released a new minor upgrade for their messaging app that brings a couple of new features. It’s version 2.1, and that has brought the introduction of the sticker shop. You can now purchase sticker packs from the BBM Shop for as little as $2. One of the featured packs is a free collection of WWE superstars to celebrate April 6th’s Wrestlemania 30 shindig, with the likes of HBK Shawn Michaels, Kane, Sheamus, The Undertaker, Hulk Hogan, John Cena and a ton more all coming along for the ride. Funnily enough, we get masked Kane instead of the suit-wearing bruiser of today.
There are also special Shaun the Sheep stickers available for those who are into that. Each sticker pack contains anywhere between 20 and 25 options, so you’ll have a lot to choose from for your money. Beyond all that, users can now send files up to 16MB large, as well as easier photo sharing in multi-person chats. All of it should be heading to the Google Play Store at some point today, so be sure to stay on the lookout for its arrival. [via BBM] |
| Samsung Galaxy Tab 4 announced in 7-inch, 8-inch, and 10-inch flavors Posted: 01 Apr 2014 06:47 AM PDT
Murmurings of late have suggested Samsung would soon be introducing the next generation in their age-old Galaxy Tab lineup, and those rumors have come true today. Samsung has announced the Samsung Galaxy Tab 4 series, which consists of 7-inch, 8-inch, and 10-inch options. The tablets are all quite similar, specs wise, though that isn’t much of a surprise. And they won’t impress as this is positioned to be an affordable range of tablets for those without the dough to spend on more bells and whistles. Here’s what’s coming your way (differences noted in parenthesis):
Samsung didn’t go into extreme detail about it all, but you can expect the typical Galaxy Tab experience (which includes a not-so-supercharged version of TouchWiz).        
The devices will be available in the second half of this year (that starts today, if you haven’t been paying attention), though no pricing details were given at this time. [via Samsung] |
| Samsung Galaxy S5 recognized as having best smartphone display Posted: 01 Apr 2014 06:07 AM PDT
What can you expect from the Samsung Galaxy S5′s display once it finally launches later this month? One that has a freaking insane display, according to the experts at DisplayMate. The company recently performed deep analysis of the Galaxy S5′s panel, and concluded that it’s the absolute best mobile display they’ve tested… ever.
It’s quite a remarkable achievement when you think about how highly regarded Apple displays usually are. That Samsung was able to best those is quite telling. Of noteworthy mention in helping the Galaxy S5′s display to this reward is Samsung’s new Diamond sub-pixel arrangement that prioritizes RGB pixel size based on efficiency. The layout makes for better aliasing, more accurate colors, and an insanely sharp picture. The display’s 432ppi pixel density means it’s sharp to even those with 20/20 vision, it’s very power efficient, and can get super super bright. Samsung has always impressed with the displays on their smartphone — even their worst is better than some companies’ best — so we aren’t surprised they pulled out all the stops for this one. Be sure to read Display Mate’s full analysis if you’re interested in the hard details.
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| It’s raining geeks and nerds: Thumbrella hits $1 Million Kickstarter goal Posted: 01 Apr 2014 05:53 AM PDT A Kickstarter campaign that launched over the weekend has generated over $1 Million dollars only weeks after facing ridicule on the hit TV show Shark Tank. Mark Cuban labeled it “a dime a dozen gadget gimmick”, Kevin O’Leary (aka Mr. Wonderful) claimed it was so annoying he wanted to “squash [it] like a cockroach”, and company founder Jonas Hanway left the show with no funding and a bruised ego.
The product in question? The Thumbrella, literally an umbrella for your thumb designed to improve use of your smartphone in the rain. If you think the idea is stupid you’re not alone, but you might be outnumbered: the Thumbrella has sold hundreds of thousands of units at $4 a pop in a matter of days, perhaps to compulsively early holiday shoppers looking for stocking stuffers. Hanway admitted his overnight success includes luck, but refuses to concede it’s the only reason:
Like most successful inventors and entrepreneurs, Hanway has a feverish passion for his product, whose business plan borders on crazy. He might be an overnight success, but he’s still broke: Hanway priced his Thumbrella at cost, meaning he’s profiting approximately $0 on his million dollar Kickstarter campaign. Instead, he intends to leverage the success of Thumbrella towards new products and opportunities, including a social networking app that explores how weather, moods, and personalities are interconnceted. Let me know how that works out, Jonas! The Thumbrella will be a limited run product available for the next 4 days through Kickstarter. [Via Kickstarter] |
It goes to show that any press truly is good press, that’s for sure, but it’s also validation that the Thumbrella does fill a need, people do want it, and people are willing to pay for it.| You are subscribed to email updates from Phandroid To stop receiving these emails, you may unsubscribe now. | Email delivery powered by Google |
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