Android Phone Fans |
- Samsung found guilty in patent lawsuit, must pay Apple $119 million in damages
- Phandroid Recap: Best lists, OnePlus One, and more! [April 27-May 3]
- Don’t want to smash your phone for a OnePlus One? You can now donate it instead
- HTC One M8 unlocked and Developer Editions now receiving Extreme Power Saving Mode update
- Best Android Tablets [May 2014]
- Google Play’s “May the 4th be with you” sales now live to celebrate Star Wars day
- Android Wallpaper: Isometric Patterns
- Ubuntu for Android (not to be confused with Ubuntu Touch) is pretty much dead
- Mobile Roar Podcast 43: Conspiracies & Bike Trips
- Blu Life Pure XL announced — Snapdragon 800, 3GB of RAM, 5.5-inch 1080p display for $400
- Leak: We finally get a frontal shot of the LG G3
- Samsung wants to talk about health at May 28th event
| Samsung found guilty in patent lawsuit, must pay Apple $119 million in damages Posted: 02 May 2014 05:49 PM PDT
Well, that was fast. After kicking off only a few weeks ago, it a decision has been made in the Apple vs Samsung patent lawsuit (2014 edition). According to the jury of 8 — who deliberated a full 3 days before coming to their decision – Samsung has been found guilty of violating a handful of Apple patents (again), and is being ordered to pay up to the tune of $119,625,000 in damages. It’s a lot less than the $2 billion Apple originally wanted, and it’s sure to put a little sting in Samsung’s wallet. But it didn’t all end in Apple’s favor. The ruling also showed Apple guilty of violating a Samsung patent relating to photo and gallery software features, resulting in a payout of $158,00. Peanuts for Apple, but at least they didn’t get away with highway robbery. Of Apple’s 5 patents they felt would bring them the win, only 2 were found in violation for the most part: Apple’s ’647 and ’721 patents dealing with the way the OS turns phone numbers and email addresses into clickable links, and of course, Apple’s world famous “slide-to-unlock” patent. Samsung, who didn’t actually build the core OS found guilty of “borrowing” some of Apple’s features, says Apple is merely trying to threaten Android OEMs through litigation. So far, it’s a tactic that seems to have been working well for them. |
| Phandroid Recap: Best lists, OnePlus One, and more! [April 27-May 3] Posted: 02 May 2014 02:03 PM PDT
Another week is over, as well as another month. That means we had a bunch of great monthly recap lists go up, as well as a lot of other awesome stuff. Consider this your recap for recaps. We had lists for best apps and games to launch in April, lists for the best phones and tablets as of May, hands-on with the OnePlus One, tips & tricks for the Galaxy S5, and so much more. Here are the top stories you need to see. Best Lists
As I mentioned above, at the end of each month we do several recap posts. We tell you about the best apps and games that launched in the past month, and update our top phones and tablets rankings. This week we also had a list for the top messaging apps for Android. You can find links to all of these lists below. They are great for catching up on everything that you may have missed. OnePlus One equals marketing tricks and deception
So. This happened. I wrote an editorial about OnePlus’ relationship with Oppo. We’ve known for a while that there is some relationship between the two companies, but earlier this week some more information was rumored. Taking this information I explained my crazy conspiracy theory about how the OnePlus is a secret division of Oppo. Is it true? Probably not. But what if. What if. Hands-on with the OnePlus OneSpeaking of OnePlus, we were at the CyanogenMod event in San Francisco this week. There we got our first hands-on with the OnePlus One. The quick story is that this is an excellent device for $300. It’s an excellent device if it cost $600, too. Be sure to check out our hand-on video to get a feel for what the 1+1 has to offer, and whether or not you wanto smash (or donate) your old phone for it. 250 miles with the Galaxy S5
Kevin, our resident biking fanatic, went on a 250 mile ride across the state of Maryland last week. The phone he took to withstand this journey? The Samsung Galaxy S5. Here is an excerpt from his editorial.
50+ Samsung Galaxy S5 Tips & TricksYou want tips and tricks? We’ve got tips and ticks. Over 50 of them, to be exact, for the Samsung Galaxy S5. Rob shows you how to do everything from take a screenshot to disable S Voice. This massive list is perfect for new users (like your mom or dad). Save this list and send it to anyone that asks you a dumb question about the Galaxy S5. Honorable Mention |
| Don’t want to smash your phone for a OnePlus One? You can now donate it instead Posted: 02 May 2014 11:23 AM PDT
Ah, I love a good plate of damage control for a late afternoon lunch. After, well, pretty much everyone chastised OnePlus for their environmentally and socially irresponsible Smash the Past contest — where winners are asked to smash their phones to buy a OnePlus One for $1 — the company is looking to make things right. Those who are chosen to smash their phones can forego that particular step altogether and can instead opt to donate their phone to Medic Mobile, an organization that looks to equip healthcare workers in developing countries with phones to use for the purpose of enabling them to provide better care for patients. The option to smash your phone will still exist — and we’re sure OnePlus is still going to take a lot of flak for leaving it up — but if you are chosen and are as environmentally conscious as everyone claims to be, then you shouldn’t have anything to worry about. Smash the Past is over now, and they have gotten 140,000 sign-ups from people interested in participating. They only have 100 to give away out of all that, so you’ll need to make those shooting star wishes extra hard tonight. Let us know how these new changes to the promo are rubbing you in the comments below, and be sure to see our hands-on if you were wondering how the OnePlus One looks in the flesh. [via OnePlus] |
| HTC One M8 unlocked and Developer Editions now receiving Extreme Power Saving Mode update Posted: 02 May 2014 11:10 AM PDT
After the HTC One M8 in Canada began receiving its 1.54 update which enabled the handset to enter an extreme low power state — better known as “Extreme Power Saving Mode” — some were wondering why the SIM unlocked and Developer Edition versions of the handsets were left high and dry. It’s a bit unconventional, but we’re now seeing that same update (software build 1.54.1540.9) hit SIM unlocked/Dev Edition handsets. Aside from EPSM, the update also brings with it “camera and gallery feature enhancements,” pretty much the same changelog we saw hit America Jr. M8′s a few weeks back. As for carrier branded models in the US, currently only Sprint models were updated over-the-air with Extreme Power Saving Mode, a software feature that first needed approval from the FCC before it could officially hit handsets here in the states. No word on when we can expect 1.54 to begin rolling out for T-Mobile, AT&T, or Verizon HTC One M8s, but we’ll keep you posted. Thanks, Josh! Image credit: MobileSyrup |
| Best Android Tablets [May 2014] Posted: 02 May 2014 10:18 AM PDT
The big spring rollout of smartphones like the Samsung Galaxy S5, HTC One M8, and the upcoming LG G3 has pushed tablets to the wayside, but a lack of high profile launches in recent months does not mean a lack of quality options to choose from. In fact, May kicked off with the launch of Samsung's latest lineup of Galaxy Tabs, which is where we begin our list. 5 — Samsung Galaxy Tab 4
New to our list is the Samsung Galaxy Tab 4, which only started appearing on store shelves as of the first of the month. Available in 7, 8, and 10.1-inch versions, the Tab 4 makes up for a lack of top-tier specs with pricing that begins at $199. These are midrange tablets with 720p displays, but they score points for their lightweight and portable design. The new Tab 4 series makes our list partly based on the reputation of Samsung's previous releases, but more because they promise a solid experience for those looking for a cheaper pathway to a secondary device. 4 — Nexus 7 2013
With Google I/O right around the corner, there is hope we might see a new Nexus Tablet in the near future. For now, for those looking for a pure Android slate at an undeniable price, the Nexus 7 is the ticket. Aging internals like a Snapdragon S4 processor have the N7 feeling a little long in the tooth, but its $230 price tag still nets buyers a solid HD display and access to Android updates about as quickly as Google can make them available. 3 — Kindle Fire HDX
The Kindle Fire HDX is about as far from a traditional Android tablet as anything on our list, but despite this fact it simply offers too much for its low price to not make our top five. While Amazon has chosen to build what amounts to a completely different operating system using the framework of Android, operating outside of Google's standard version line, users can still expect a full-fledged tablet experience. The Kindle Fire HDX is available in both 7-inch and 8.9-inch variants featuring hi-def displays and retails for a price starting at $230. If mainlining Amazon's library of digital content is your thing, this might be the tablet for you. 2 — Sony Xperia Z2 Tablet
If you are looking for a premium tablet with a true premium feel, the Xperia Z2 should be the first option you consider. This tablet mixes top-notch hardware with a sleek, modern design that only Sony could pull off. A blazing Snapdragon 801 processor is married with a solid 8.1MP camera and 1080p display, all within a package that measures a mere 6.1mm thick. The kicker? The whole thing is waterproof. You could use it in the shower, if you want (but we aren't recommending it). How cool is that? 1 — Samsung Galaxy NotePro
The Galaxy NotePro hangs on to the top spot this month, and that shouldn't be unexpected. No other manufacturer has been audacious enough to release such a power-packed tablet, which includes a 12.2-inch 2560×1600 display, 3GB RAM, and 8MP camera. The NotePro also takes advantage of the included S Pen stylus to make it a superior productivity tool. Our top choice is far from the several affordable tablets that grace this list. Its retail pricing starts around $700. Honorable Mentions
Tablets to look forward toNexus updates
With Samsung's Galaxy Tab 4 series already available and few announcements in regards to new slates from major competitors, there are few tablets on the horizon that jump to mind immediately. There is, however, the hope that Google will provide a Nexus tablet lineup refresh at Google I/O, which will take place in late June. Rumored possibilities include a revamped Nexus 7, a proposed Nexus 8, and the long-awaited refresh of the Nexus 10, which could be a joint production between Google and HTC. We have little to go off of in terms of specs, however. It is unclear if the Android Silver program, a partnership between Google and device manufacturers that would replace the Nexus line of smartphones, will affect the future of Nexus tablets. It seems likely that the tech giant has at least one more round of updates slates in store for us. What say you?While Android tablets have been playing second fiddle to major handset releases in recent months, this is no knock on the number of quality slates currently available. We've given you our picks, now we want to know yours. Did we leave your favorite tablet out? Did we get the rankings all wrong? Let us know in the comments below! |
| Google Play’s “May the 4th be with you” sales now live to celebrate Star Wars day Posted: 02 May 2014 09:59 AM PDT
Yep, it’s May. And yep, that means tons of people are going to be spamming the cheesy “May the 4th be with you” line that they do every year to celebrate Star Wars on that date. Google’s doing more than just saying it and celebrating it, though — they’re giving you a reason to get back into touch with your inner Jedi with some decent Google Play deals. Books, games and apps based on the Star Wars universe are all on sale. You’ll get 50% off in many cases. For free games? In-app purchases will also see their prices chopped in half. Not a bad way to spend a quick break or two if you feel like fighting back against the evil empire. All the deals are right here, many of which are already available to take advantage of. Some of the newly added books won’t be available to May 4th, but you can pre-order them right now and get access to them as soon as the calendar turns. Head to Google Play if you’re interested. |
| Android Wallpaper: Isometric Patterns Posted: 02 May 2014 09:12 AM PDT
Customizing your device is a process that never ends. One of the easiest and most noticeable things you can change is the wallpaper. Finding the perfect wallpaper can be difficult, but we’re here to help. We will be sharing some of our favorite wallpapers from time to time. This week the theme is “Isometric Patterns.” I like to use wallpaper that has flat designs or patterns. It makes the app icons really stand out from the background. The five wallpapers below have been in my collection for a while. If you like these types of wallpapers too I have posted them below for your downloading pleasure. Just click on the one you want to see it in full size, then you can save it to your device. All of these wallpapers are in HD resolutions that should work for most phones and tablets. Enjoy!      |
| Ubuntu for Android (not to be confused with Ubuntu Touch) is pretty much dead Posted: 02 May 2014 08:59 AM PDT We were excited when first word of an Android / Ubuntu marriage started to form back in early 2012. We had some quality time with it at Mobile World Congress that year. It was called Ubuntu for Android, and while it wasn’t the project we all dreamed of — Ubuntu on an Android phone — it was the next big thing. That next big thing is now the next dead thing. Canonical has confirmed that the product is no longer under active development, and won’t be until the team can find an OEM partner willing to play along. So what was Ubuntu for Android? The idea is that your smartphone, when docked to an external monitor and paired up with an external mouse and keyboard, could seamlessly become a compact Ubuntu computer, giving you a full-fledged Linux operating system that can fit into your pocket.
Ubuntu for Android was a really neat idea, but it required a specific combination of hardware and software to pull off right. That meant each potentially compatible phone had to have its own smart dock, which explains the need for an OEM to play along. It isn’t far off from Motorola’s Laptop Docks that would launch the web-based Webtop operating system whenever you inserted a compatible phone, a feature that is no longer a staple of their smartphone series. It’s sad to hear that the project is no longer being worked on, but those are the breaks of a company like Canonical, whose only sources of revenue are from providing support for Ubuntu and raising funds in grassroots-like fashion. It was that reason that the company took to Kickstarter to try and get funds to build the Ubuntu Edge smartphone, a campaign which ultimately failed to attract enough dollars for them to go forward. Canonical simply doesn’t have the resources and capital to play in the hardware world, which is why they’ve returned to their software roots. They’re still pretty involved with Android, with their Ubuntu Touch platform having been tested on a number of older Nexus devices. Unfortunately they’ve pulled support for all but the Nexus 4 and the 2013 Nexus 7, so there’s no telling just how invested they are into that project. |
| Mobile Roar Podcast 43: Conspiracies & Bike Trips Posted: 02 May 2014 08:16 AM PDT Appendixes? Who needs ‘em! Chris is out this week getting a part of his body removed, but Joe and Kevin hold down the fort. They discuss the OnePlus + Oppo conspiracy, using the Galaxy S5 on a bike trip, the best phones and apps for this month, and more. They round things out with Wins and Fails of the Week, plus some App Picks. Thanks for listening! Top Stories Best phones for May Quick Hits
Wins/Fails
App Picks
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| Blu Life Pure XL announced — Snapdragon 800, 3GB of RAM, 5.5-inch 1080p display for $400 Posted: 02 May 2014 06:58 AM PDT
Blu has announced a new smartphone that offers a pretty decent value proposition for its cost. It’s the Blu Life Pure XL, which is a 5.5-inch 1080p device with a pretty significant spec sheet. It’ll come in at a base of $350, offering you the following internals:
You can get the same exact phone with 3GB of RAM and 32GB of internal storage if you’re willing to pay $50 more. Software wise there won’t be a ton going on here, though unique unlocking features — such as double tap to wake and the ability to draw gestures while the phone is in sleep mode to launch into specific apps — add a bit of flare. The 32GB + 3GB of RAM configuration was supposed to be available starting today on Amazon, though the listing has yet to pop up as of the time of this writing. You’ll be able to grab it in black whenever it does, though, with the white option coming along for the ride in just seven days.   
Interested in the 2GB of RAM + 16GB of storage option? That won’t be here until June, unfortunately, so it’s up to you to decide if the extra bit of internal juice is worth another $50. Of course, nothing has come close to beating the value proposition of the OnePlus One, but Blu’s immediate availability of their device could make a difference for some. We’ll be updating this post with a link to the Amazon listing if it pops up later today. [via PR Newswire] |
| Leak: We finally get a frontal shot of the LG G3 Posted: 02 May 2014 05:57 AM PDT
Most people leaking photos of the LG G3 have been more concerned with showing that unique rear panel with volume and power buttons, but we finally get one of the first shots of the front of this thing. It doesn’t reveal a whole lot, though it really doesn’t have to — phones can be nearly indistinguishable from the front in this day and age. But we do get a good look at how thin that bezel is, particularly on the left and right edges of the display. LG’s no doubt continuing their edge-to-edge display construction, which goes toward giving you a big phone in a slim form factor. It’ll have to be as slim as possible if rumors of its size are to be believed — we’re told to expect a 5.5-inch display packed with 2560 x 1440 pixels. Materials look to be a glossy plastic, which is a bummer considering we were hoping they’d take some cues from the LG G Flex’s self-healing back. It’s no matter, though, because we’re sure LG will have plenty more baked in to impress us. The LG G3 unveiling is expected to take place May 27th so it won’t be long until we see what, exactly, is in store.
[via Seeko] |
| Samsung wants to talk about health at May 28th event Posted: 02 May 2014 04:56 AM PDT
Something’s up at Samsung, folks. When isn’t something up at Samsung? This time, they’ve scheduled a May 28th press event where they to start “a new conversation around health.” The invite doesn’t give many others hints so it’s tough to imagine what they’ll be looking to announce. Samsung has been gung-ho about health in their latest products (just ask Kevin), with their latest firmware upgrades being stocked to the brim with new S Health features, and even physical products such as the Gear Fit or the Samsung Galaxy S5′s heart rate monitor. Could the be launching a whole product line of health-focused products? We could see that happening. Another possibility is that this has nothing to do with mobile altogether. Samsung could be looking to innovate in the healthcare industry — they have a pretty decent healthcare division if you didn’t know. Either way, we’ll be let in on all the juicy details by the end of the month, so make a reminder to check back on the day in question. |
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