Android Phone Fans |
- HTC One M8 Prime in the works?
- Moto X to be as low as $299 off-contract in one day sale May 1st
- Hands-on: OnePlus One with CyanogenMod 11s [VIDEO]
- Watch Derek Ross live tonight on TWiT’s All About Android show
- LG G Watch said to be coming this June for €199
- Another photo of LG G3′s backside leaks
- LastPass is one of the first non-Paypal apps to support Galaxy S5′s fingerprint scanner
- Google Glass update will handle phone calls better, bring better photo management
- Best Android apps from April 2014
- We’re live at the ‘Afternoon with Cyanogen’ event in San Francisco!
- Sprint’s Harman-Kardon HTC One M8 revealed with six months of free Spotify
- Samsung Galaxy S5 Google Play edition lands in the Play Store… sorta
- Sony Z Ultra Google Play edition is now $200 cheaper
- Report: Android Silver to replace Nexus program next year
- Acer unveils Liquid J as companion phone to Liquid Leap smartwatch [VIDEO]
| HTC One M8 Prime in the works? Posted: 29 Apr 2014 06:35 PM PDT
So we’ve had the HTC One M8 and the HTC One M8 Harman-Kardon edition. We have a Google Play Edition. And rumors say a version in plastic is due. Could we be getting even more out of the M8 line? The latest hint dropped by @evleaks sure seems to suggest so, with the Twitter leakster saying we should be keeping a spotlight on a device codnamed the “ HTC One M8 Prime.” Sound a bit familiar? Samsung is rumored to be bringing their own “Prime” version of the Galaxy S5, which is rumored to be bringing an even more premium experience than that of the original’s. Naturally we’d guess that the M8 Prime is looking to do the same for that particular device. Unfortunately those are the only details we have at this time. We’re not sure what to make of all these follow-up devices so shortly after the originals launch. On one hand we’re always to get more powerful hardware and an overall better device. On the other, it’s kind of frustrating to buy a device thinking it’s top of the line only for these companies to one-up themselves just a short while later. Perhaps we should all just skip out on buying these devices right away from here on out — either our patience is rewarded with the device we really want, or these companies’ first half financials are affected so much that they won’t want to do it again. Aaaah, who am I kidding? Us techies can’t help ourselves! Stay tuned as we look to learn more. |
| Moto X to be as low as $299 off-contract in one day sale May 1st Posted: 29 Apr 2014 06:17 PM PDT
Motorola’s hoping a ton of your moms are looking for new phones this Mother’s Day, as the Chicagoan company has announced a one day sale on May 1st for the company’s 2013 flagship smartphone — just in time for the special day. We’re talking about the Moto X, and you can snag one for just $299 off-contract if you’re up bright and early. That’ll net you the 16GB version, FYI. Want the 32GB or Developer Edition? That’s just another $25. All of them are customizable through Moto Maker too, so you can get one in mom’s favorite color or give it to her in a classic swirl of pink, red or white to commemorate the special day. Or you can just grab one for yourself if you’ve always wanted one — you choice. It all commences at 12:01am eastern time on Thursday, May 1st. Motorola didn’t mention whether or not this was until supplies last, but you’ll want to get your order in ASAP just in case. Are you going to grab one of these? [via Motorola] |
| Hands-on: OnePlus One with CyanogenMod 11s [VIDEO] Posted: 29 Apr 2014 04:10 PM PDT Jonathan Martinez was on hand for Phandroid in San Francisco today for CyanogenMod’s shindig, where they gave us a closer look at the all new OnePlus One running CyanogenMod 11s. The device is everything we thought it’d be at first glance. Fast. Powerful. Beautiful. Sleek. Slick. Big. REAL big. That 5.5-inch 1080p HD display is the window to the custom version of CyanogenMod, which is currently based on Android 4.4 KitKat. Here are the rest of the specs you care about:
Got that? The quick story is that this is one powerful device — perhaps the most powerful you’ll be able to find right now — and it costs as little as $300. Unreal we say, but reality says otherwise apparently. There are some neat things going on here in the software. The most noteworthy is the ability to switch between capacitive navigation buttons and on-screen navigation buttons on the fly. Different strokes for different folks, we suppose. Also featured in CyanogenMod 11s is a custom lock-screen option that gives you a look at the time, date, weather and possibly other bits of pertinent information before diving into everything else your phone has to offer. CyanogenMod tells us the lock-screen will have open APIs for apps to hook into, which makes it sound like it’ll be quite easy for developers to integrate music controls, enhanced notifications and more.         And aside from the special squared-off iconography featured, everything looks like AOSP-styled goodness (of course, it’s nowhere near AOSP once you get beneath the hood of it all). All the video and photos you need can be had above, so be sure to scarf it all down if you’re wondering how this thing looks in the flesh ahead of its eventual launch. |
| Watch Derek Ross live tonight on TWiT’s All About Android show Posted: 29 Apr 2014 03:28 PM PDT
Tonight I have the pleasure of joining Jason Howell, Gina Trapani, and Ron Richards on TWiT’s “All About Android” show to talk about well…about all things Android. More specifically, we’ll be talking about some of he happenings in the Android world from the past week such as Android Silver, OK Google Everywhere, OnePlus One controversy, the latest Google Glass update, and plenty more. The show kicks off around 8PM Eastern Time over at live.twit.tv. So, head on over there to watch us live and let’em know that Phandroid sentcha’. See you this evening! |
| LG G Watch said to be coming this June for €199 Posted: 29 Apr 2014 03:09 PM PDT
Wondering when you’ll be able to get your hands on one of the first Android Wear smartwatches? We might have gotten our answer today, with French publication Les Numeriques reporting that LG has set a launch window of June. We even have an early price tag to ponder on: €199, if they’re to be believed. We don’t know a ton about LG’s G Watch just yet, but newly released photos revealed a watch that doesn’t look bad at all. It might not have quite the same level of fashionista charm as the Moto 360, but LG could have done a lot worse for sure. Its European price tag presumably only applies to France right now, though we’d be surprised if it was any different for other countries in the region. We also wouldn’t expect it to cost much more than $200 here in the United States, though pricing across different regions is always subject to be different than what you’d normally expect. Either way, it sounds like LG’s looking to price this thing to be affordable enough to capture our interest, yet premium enough that folks won’t think it’s not worth checking out when they see it sitting on store shelves. Let’s hope we hear more before the summer months tick by. [via Unwired View] |
| Another photo of LG G3′s backside leaks Posted: 29 Apr 2014 02:21 PM PDT
We’re normally all for seeing the front side of a device in leaked photos, but LG’s unique rear placement of power and volume buttons has spurred a lot of rear-side leaks lately. The latest comes from @evleaks, who notes that “it is so on.” We’re not exactly sure what he means by that, but if he’s referring to the LG G3′s eventual launch then his timing is quite perfect — LG just confirmed that very fact earlier this morning. The device should be launching in Q2, which could mean any time between now and the end of June. We’re expecting a 5.5-inch device with 2560 x 1440 resolution and LG’s Odin processor. Of course, the whole Samsung Galaxy S5 fiasco taught us not to put too much stock into these pre-launch rumors, so you might want to reserve your excitement for official details straight from LG. Hopefully they’ll be delivering said details at some point in the near future. |
| LastPass is one of the first non-Paypal apps to support Galaxy S5′s fingerprint scanner Posted: 29 Apr 2014 01:49 PM PDT
A new upgrade is headed to LastPass, the app that lets you set one password for ALL your passwords. Its status as a security app makes it a natural fit for the Samsung Galaxy S5′s fingerprint scanner, and that’s the exact functionality we’re getting as part of today’s update. The app works just like you’d expect — log-in using your master password, set up fingerprint authentication using the in-app instructions and you’re all set. The next time you’re prompted to input your LastPass password, you’ll instead have the option to simply swipe your finger across the Galaxy S5′s home button. If you haven’t already been scared away by the risks of biometric security than you can find the upgrade sitting in the Google Play Store. [via LastPass] |
| Google Glass update will handle phone calls better, bring better photo management Posted: 29 Apr 2014 01:38 PM PDT
Heads-up, folks. (Get it? Heads-up? As in, heads-up display? As in, Google Glass has a hea– yea, never mind.) Google has detailed another quick upgrade for Google Glass that should be making the experience a bit more pleasant to use. Specifically speaking, phone calls will now be handled in a smarter way. Answer a call on Google Glass, and you’ll take the call on Google Glass. Answer it on your phone and, well, you get the idea. And if you answer a call on your phone but Google Glass isn’t active (that is, it isn’t on your head) Glass will know not to transfer the call. Moving on, you’ll now be able to handle your photos a lot better. For starters, you can now set your Glass to back photos up no matter which network you’re on — the device previously only performed the action if you were on WiFi. Finally, you’ll be able to clear your entire timeline of photos and video with a single swipe instead of having to go through the lot of them individually. None of these updates alone are going to make Google Glass a must have product, but each update comes together to form what’s eventually going to be a device primed and ready for retail. Google says to expect these changes over the course of the coming week. [via Google+] |
| Best Android apps from April 2014 Posted: 29 Apr 2014 12:49 PM PDT
Another month is just about in the books, which means it’s time to look back at all the apps that were launched. April was a very good month for app releases. Some were long-awaited, others were complete surprises, but many of them were awesome. With all of these new apps coming out it’s easy to miss some of the best ones. We have compiled a list of the best and most popular apps to launch in April. Make sure you didn’t miss any of them. Click app title for download link Automatic
The sad truth is that most cars don’t integrate with our phones very well, if at all. Automatic aims to change that. This app works with a dongle that can be plugged into your car. It keeps track of tons of data and makes it all available in the app for you to see. Things like explanations for the “check engine” light, your car’s location, miles per gallon, and more is available. The app is free, but the dongle is $99. Carousel by Dropbox
The first of two apps from Dropbox on this list is Carousel. This app is a fancy way to show off photos and videos from your Dropbox account. It’s a social expirience, too. Photos and videos can be grouped into events, and people can leave private comments. Dropbox intends it to be a way to relive memorable moments after they happen. The app is free to use, but it does require a Dropbox account (free or paid). CCleaner
One of the best apps available for keeping Windows PCs clean and fast is CCleaner. Recently they released their Android app for beta testing. This app will optimize browser history, application cache and clipboard. Clean call logs and SMS messages individually, in bulk, by age or by contact. Reclaim storage space by quickly removing unwanted applications, and much more. Join the community to download the app for free. CloudCaster
Most of the standard streaming services have started to support the Chromecast. This is great, but if you’re looking to use other services you are out of luck. CloudCaster supports 23 different services, plus local content, and DLNA files. Right now the only way to stream from SugarSync or Copy is CloudCaster. The app is speedy, easy to use, and great for streaming a bunch of stuff to your Chromecast. Chrome Remote Desktop
Remote desktop software can be tricky to set up and use. Google is doing their part to combat that with Chrome Remote Desktop. This app allows you to control any PC that has the Chrome Remote Desktop extension installed. Set-up takes about two minutes and you will be on your way to remotely controlling your PC. If you use Chrome on your PC this is an easy download. Fenix
The latest Twitter app with all the buzz is Fenix. After being in beta for a few months the app was finally made officially available in April. Fenix offers a beautiful design with tons of features for hardcore users. Lists, TweetMarker support, photo previews, muting, themes, and multiple accounts are all there. What won’t be there is ads, since this app costs $2.50. The price may seem steep, but it will likely keep Fenix up and running longer. FireChat
FireChat is a very interesting new app. This messaging service allows you to chat with nearby people, but it doesn’t require an internet connection. Instead it uses “mesh network technology” to connect with nearby users of WiFi Direct and Bluetooth. This means you can only talk to people within a 30-foot radius. Now that is a much more social network. FireChat is completely free and tons of fun when you’re in a public place. Frontback
If you like taking selfies and Instagram photos this app is the perfect combination. Frontback allows you to quickly take a photo with the front and back camera on your device. The result is two photos stitched together, one from your point of view and the other of your face. These photos can be used to show an emotion, something you are doing, or any number of things. It’s a fun app and you can get it for free. Google Camera
Google has once again stripped a core component from Android and made it available in the Play Store. This month they released Google Camera for KitKat devices. This is a redesigned version of the camera app that comes on Nexus devices. Google made the UI simpler, added a cool Lens Blur feature, and made it just plain better overall. If you have a KitKat device it’s definitely worth a download. Hover Browser
In our list of best apps for March we mentioned Link Bubble. This great app allows you to load web pages in the background and then view it without leaving the current app. The only downside to the app is that it costs $5. Hover Browser does many of the same things as Link Bubble, but for only $1. It’s not as polished or smooth as Link Bubble, but if you’re cheap it’s a nice option.
IFTTT
Earlier this month IFTTT (if this then that) beta for Android was briefly available. A couple of weeks later it officially arrived in the Google Play Store. This app can help you automate many different things. With the Android app the service can do location-aware tasks and change things on your phone such as ringtone volume. You can also do may other tasks that don’t need a device. If you’ve never checked out IFTTT now is the time. Mailbox by Dropbox
Dropbox finally brought their popular iOS email app to Android this month. Mailbox is a 3rd-party app that can work with your Gmail and iCloud accounts. Some of the notable features include swipeable gesture, the ability to snooze emails, and the app supposedly learns about your email behavior the more you use the app. If you’re unhappy with the stock email apps, and want to try something new, Mailbox deserves a look. Retrica
Another popular iOS photo app arrived in the Play Store this month. Retrica, a popular selfie app with tons of filters, is now available on Android. Retrica has a very nice minimal UI and easy to use features. There are tons of apps that do what Retrica does, but it has some advantages. While other photo editing apps go overboard with options Retrica keeps things simple, and it’s completely free. Watchup
Who has time to sit down and watch the news for an hour? Not many people do anymore. Watchup is a new app that aims to curate a newscast just for you that can be viewed on your own time. Simply choose your areas of interest, pick a time for your newscast to be published, and then wait. Every day at the desired time you will get a list of stories and videos that you can navigate through. Watchup is free from Google Play. Xbox One SmartGlass beta
If you’re looking to try out new features before everyone else, and you own an Xbox One, this is the app for you. Microsoft released a beta version of Xbox One SmartGlass this month. With this app you will get early access to features. One cool feature that has been included is the ability to change TV channels like a real remote. You can get in on the beta for free if you’re interested. That’s a wrap! Tell us which apps were your favorites from this month! Also, let us know if we missed any. There are may great apps being released each day. It’s impossible to include them all. |
| We’re live at the ‘Afternoon with Cyanogen’ event in San Francisco! Posted: 29 Apr 2014 12:37 PM PDT
Greetings, Phandroids. We just wanted to let our readers know that we’re coming to you live from the ‘Afternoon with Cyanogen” event in beautiful San Francisco. Now, we’ve already seen the OnePlus One formally introduced in its homeland of China, so we’re guessing we’ll get our first chance to get some hands on with the device as it runs the latest version of CyanogenMod 11s. Honestly, we’re not entirely sure what to expect, but we’ll be sure to bring you the latest as it develops. Stay tuned! |
| Sprint’s Harman-Kardon HTC One M8 revealed with six months of free Spotify Posted: 29 Apr 2014 12:08 PM PDT If you don’t remember, Sprint had a little shindig up in New York City earlier today where they announced an exclusive version of the HTC One M8. It’s the Harman-Kardon edition, which comes with special Harman-Kardon front-facing speakers, Harman-Kardon branding on the back and a very slick two-tone combination of black and champagne metal. You’ll also get hooked up with some pretty stylish headphones with an inline media control remote. More than that, though, users on Framily plans will be treated to six free months of Spotify access, which is the premium music streaming service that had everyone going nuts until Google Play Music came along. Beyond that you’ll get it for $8 per month for 24 months, which is just a couple bucks cheaper than standard pricing.    Staying on the road of music, Sprint’s “Sound Sessions” will offer up suggestions for new music for you to check out, and will presumably give you exclusive first access to whatever tunes they’ll be serving up before the rest of gen-pop gets their hands on it. The Harman-Kardon edition will be on sale online this Friday, May 2nd, and will be trotting its way into stores an exact week from then. The device will run you about $28 per month for 24 months with $0 down. |
| Samsung Galaxy S5 Google Play edition lands in the Play Store… sorta Posted: 29 Apr 2014 11:56 AM PDT
Although we thought it odd that Samsung would launch their big flagship for 2014 — the Samsung Galaxy S5 — without any mention of a Google Play edition, we didn’t doubt that the TouchWizless phone would eventually find its way into the Play Store. Today, the Samsung Galaxy S5 Google Play edition is making an appearance in the Play Store but with one small issue — it’s not actually available for purchase.
Thanks to a tip, we find Google has finally updated their Google Play edition device page with an image of the Galaxy S5, only it’s still being listed as last year’s Galaxy S4. A fluke perhaps? Or does this mean we can expect the Galaxy S5 Google Play edition to launch any day now? We’ll keep an eye out. Thanks, Tommy! |
| Sony Z Ultra Google Play edition is now $200 cheaper Posted: 29 Apr 2014 11:30 AM PDT
Anyone still in the market for a Sony Z Ultra from the Google Play Store? You might want to hop on it now, as Google has decided to slash its price by $200. That makes the device just $449, which will get you a massive 6.4-inch 1080p display, a 2.2GHz quad-core Snapdragon 800 processor, an 8 megapixel Exmor RS rear camera, 2GB of RAM and more. Sure, this thing’s massive bezel probably makes it closer to a tablet than a phone, but if you feel like bigger is better and you need your main cellular device to be bigger than the rest, this isn’t a bad way to go. Head to Google Play and order one for yourself if you’re interested. |
| Report: Android Silver to replace Nexus program next year Posted: 29 Apr 2014 10:56 AM PDT
Even more rumors are coming out corroborating early reports that Google is looking to do away with the Nexus line. Originally, they were thought to be doing that with Google Play Experience devices, but the Android Silver train seems to be gaining more steam. So what is Android Silver? It’s a new device initiative Google will be launching to help bring premium handsets with pure, unadulterated versions of Android to carrier and retail store fronts. There are a few different components to this that make it a bit different up against the existing Nexus and Google Play Edition lines:
Basically, it sounds like it’s going to be the Nexus program we’ve always wanted — affordable, available, and with Google actually trying to sell these things at high volume instead of just catering to developers and enthusiasts. Other staples of the existing Nexus program — such as great hardware at very affordable rates — might or might not carry over. That story has yet to be told, and we likely won’t have a clear answer on it all until everything’s official. All of it is looking to go down next year if rumors are accurate, with Google said to be putting up more than $1 billion to get OEMs and carriers on board. [via The Information] |
| Acer unveils Liquid J as companion phone to Liquid Leap smartwatch [VIDEO] Posted: 29 Apr 2014 08:58 AM PDT While today's Acer event was focused on the launch of two new low-cost 7-inch Iconia tablets, the company teased the audience with a look at two other devices being eyed for a summer launch. The Liquid Leap smartwatch — Acer's first — would have been enough to keep us intrigued, but we also got our first look at the new Acer Liquid J. While not much information was revealed about the handset, it is expected to be a competitively-priced midrange smartphone with an emphasis on ergonomic aesthetics. The device is said to feature no flat surfaces or sharp angle, instead showing off ample curves that should fit comfortably enough in the hand. About the only spec we can nail down from the presentation is a 5-inch display.
From the brief glimpse, the Liquid J shows some potential, especially considering the fact that plans are to bundle the phone with the Liquid Leap in order to deliver a solid one-two punch of Android power. Unfortunately, what might be the only functioning model in the world was only shown from afar and we didn't get an opportunity to get some one-on-one time with the device. Acer is planning a June launch for the new pair of devices, but details on exact availability and specific pricing are not available at this time. The picture should come into focus as the summer months near. |
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