Android Phone Fans |
- Android ‘L’ release may have been tipped in new screenshots
- New Glassware comes to Google Glass: Shazam, MusiXmatch, and Zombies Run!
- Alleged Moto X+1 case render leaks with phone inside
- Moto 360 killer hardware feature revealed: will come with wireless charging
- Rumor: Nest’s Tony Fadell, the ‘father’ of the iPod, appointed new head of Google’s hardware division [UPDATE]
- Yahoo Aviate Launcher no longer in beta, now available for free with a few new features
- Sprint introduces international WiFi calling, 30-day service trials and stronger cell towers
- [Update] Sprint 4G LTE comes to 28 new markets while Sprint Spark heads to 3 more
- Sprint and Samsung announce the Galaxy S5 Sport with Sprint Fit Live fitness apps
- Official: Google Glass Explorer Edition launches in the UK today for £1,000
- Kickstarter: StayblCam wants to kill shaky cam footage for cheap [VIDEO]
- Leak: 9-inch HTC “Volantis” could be the next Nexus tablet
- Deal: Get a refurbished 16GB Kindle Fire HD 8.9 for just $139 today only
| Android ‘L’ release may have been tipped in new screenshots Posted: 23 Jun 2014 05:51 PM PDT
With Google I/O fast approaching, just about every Android fan is on the look out for some new clue as to what will be introduced during the event. While we (for the most part) believe an announcement for the next major Android version wont occur until later this year, that’s not stopping strange leaks hinting to that next release from popping up around the net. Take some screenshots posted onto the Chromium Issue Tracker and discovered by a user on Reddit, which appear to be taken from a device running the upcoming “L” release of Android. How do we know? Well, take a look at the debug icon in the upper left-hand corner. The icon — which coincides with the Android version it’s running on — appears to be that of an “L.” What’s more, is it appears Google has promptly taken down the thread highlighting the issue, another good sign we may have stumbled onto something we shouldn’t have seen. What do you guys think? Are you anticipating Google to announce something, anything of this next version of Android — or will they save everything for their big debut of the rumored Android Silver devices?
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| New Glassware comes to Google Glass: Shazam, MusiXmatch, and Zombies Run! Posted: 23 Jun 2014 05:27 PM PDT
Earlier today, we saw Google Glass availability open up for our Android friends across the pond and with that, came the addition of some new Glassware. For its introduction in the UK, the wearable headset saw Shazam added to the Glassware Store, an app that allows the users to tag music playing in the real world. While this was initially made exclusive to Glass users overseas, Shazam is now officially available for Glass wearers in the US as well. But that’s not all… The Kickstarter hit “Zombies, Run!” is also available for Google Glass. You may remember us featuring Zombies Run as one of our favorite fitness apps for Android to help get you back in shape after the holidays. An audio adventure co-created with award-winning novelist Naomi Alderman, Zombies Run will have you saving humanity while burning calories in process. While it debuted for Android at $8 (the app is now $4), you can save a few ducats by picking it up for free on Google Glass. We also noticed “musiXmatch” making its Glassware debut, an app that identifies music and displays lyrics across Glass’ tiny display. You may remember the Glass Team hinting at new apps for tagging music, after this core functionality was stripped away from Glass in a recent update. While we’re expecting to see a lot of great things during this year’s Google I/O, it seems developers are preparing for the event by releasing some of their wares ahead of all the mayhem. For Glass Explorers, you can grab all the new Glassware mentioned in this post by either visiting the MyGlass app on your Android device, or by visiting the online store here. |
| Alleged Moto X+1 case render leaks with phone inside Posted: 23 Jun 2014 03:32 PM PDT
We may have just received our first press render for the upcoming Motorola Moto X+1 — or not. @evleaks has just posted what he believes to be a case for the upcoming Moto X+1, complete with a render of the phone sitting snugly inside. But there’s a few issues we have with this leak… First, the phone is showing bezel-icious display, complete with a forward facing speaker a la the Motorola Moto E. Now take a look at the back and you’ll noticed a complete absence of the standard LED flash on the back of the device. Sure there are 2 holes, but we’re guessing one is a mic used for video recording and the other is up in the air. It’s entirely possible this case manufacturer simply added the front of the Moto E (either intentionally, or by mistake), but we’re left scratching our heads at this leak. Here’s to hoping this is just a taste of what’s to coming around the bend in regard to future leaks. |
| Moto 360 killer hardware feature revealed: will come with wireless charging Posted: 23 Jun 2014 03:14 PM PDT
Generally when devices pass through the FCC they don’t reveal much. Sure we can occasionally get a few dimensions and/or radio bands, but they typically reveal little else. When it comes to an upcoming wireless charger made by Motorola — which made a pit stop by the FCC — the Commission may have revealed a hardware feature Motorola was hoping to keep secret for the Moto 360: Qi wireless charging.
According to the paperwork uncovered by Liliputing, the Motorola SPN5845A Wireless Charger is designed for use on the Motorola Moto 360, and supports the Wireless Power Consortium protocol (Qi). It’s unclear whether or not any Qi-enabled wireless charger will work with the smartwatch, or if Motorola has designed a charger/dock especially for the 360. Also, we’re hoping a more traditional USB method is also present for those times when a wireless charging pad aren’t accessible. Update: It appears that this latest finding, while new to us, may have been revealed in an earlier statement from Motorola Program Manager Philip Worth whom allegedly told TechRadar the Moto 360 would come with wireless induction charging. This latest FCC finding now confirms that earlier statement. We expect to learn more about Motorola’s Moto 360 sometime this week, if not at Google I/O with a formal introduction to Android Wear, than perhaps at a separate event/press release. We’ll keep you posted. |
| Posted: 23 Jun 2014 01:48 PM PDT
When Google bought Nest for $3.2 billion, they didn’t just acquire some fancy new thermostat, they got their hands on something far greater: the brilliant mind behind the world’s most advanced thermostat, CEO and co-founder Tony Fadell. It’s Fadell who many accredit with being the “father of the iPod” and arguably, one of the most well designed pieces of consumer technology of our modern era. It’s this reason why, back in January, it was believed that Google wanted Nest and its team of ex-Apple engineers to come play ball for them. Unsurprisingly, sources from The Information are now confirming that Google has (still unofficially) made Tony Fadell the new head of Google’s consumer hardware business. A relatively small portfolio at present (Chromecast, Chrombook Pixel, Google Glass), Android head Sundar Pichai has apparently “dismantled” the Android team’s current hardware initiatives to help facilitate Fadell’s creative freedom. While that may not sound like much, there’s no telling what Google had plans for down the pipeline. Exactly where this will take Google (and Android) is anyone’s guess. A Nexus Q revival? Android game console? We can’t ignore Nests’ recent Dropcam purchase. With Android Silver around the corner, we’re not expecting much in terms of smartphones or tablets, but given Fadell’s track record, it seems we could be in good hands. Update: It seems this “report” may have been completely off base. Tony Fadell took to his Twitter account earlier today, denying the claims made by The Information. You can see for yourself below. |
| Yahoo Aviate Launcher no longer in beta, now available for free with a few new features Posted: 23 Jun 2014 01:11 PM PDT
It wasn’t too long ago the folks at Yahoo! acquired Thumbs Up Labs, makers of Aviate, an intelligent launcher for Android devices. Unlike your traditional, static homescreen, Aviate learns your app habits, intelligently organizing your favorite apps and contacts for you right on your homescreen with no fuss.
While initially only available in a closed, invite-only beta, it seems the folks at Yahoo are now finally comfortable with making Aviate available to all via Google Play. Aviate has even learned a few new tricks in the process. Aviate will alert you if the current weather is significantly different from the previous day, connect to conference calls without having to enter in the meeting code, email colleagues if you’re running late for a meeting, and estimate your commute time for you when you’re heading to work. Aviate also has a new favorite contacts menu accessible by swiping up from the launcher. There you’ll find your most frequently contacted friends Yahoo says this is only the beginning for Aviate, with them only scratching the surface of all the things an “intelligent” home screen can add to your life. While we can’t guarantee Android power users will take to the new launcher, I can definitely seeing this being useful for my parents who never get around to adding more than a few shortcuts to their homescreen. Check out the new video trailer below, and let us know how you’re liking it. |
| Sprint introduces international WiFi calling, 30-day service trials and stronger cell towers Posted: 23 Jun 2014 11:20 AM PDT
Rounding out Sprint’s long list of announcements today (earlier we learned about the Samsung Galaxy S5 Sport and new markets for 4G LTE and Sprint Spark) are three changes that are sure to catch your eye. First up is international WiFi calling: you’ll be able to use WiFi networks to make calls in over 100 countries abroad, so if cellular service isn’t quite “right” where you’re staying simply hop onto a WiFi network and do your bidding. Sprint hasn’t given an exact date as to when this feature will be available or if this will be a staggered rollout, though we’re told to be on the lookout for it in the “weeks to come.” Next up, Sprint is offering 30-day risk free trials to anyone who wants to give the network a run and see if it’s strong enough for their needs. It can be seen as a direct response to T-Mobile’s latest Uncarrier moves which allows you to borrow an iPhone for a bit and take the ol’ network for a spin. Sprint has to be super confident in their network as they offer a 100% money back guarantee, no questions asked (we’re sure they’re at least going to ask you what you thought of your time on the network, though). Finally, the carrier revealed new 8T8R cellular radios for their towers. These radios promise to push a stronger and more reliable signal over the company’s 2.5GHz spectrum (the one that did a good bit of the heavy lifting before Sprint Spark came along). This should result in even faster speeds across the board, though it will take time to get the deployments going. Commercial availability of the new performance is expected to be made available later this summer. These announcements aren’t quite bringing the same level of “ZOMG” as T-Mobile’s Uncarrier movement tends to, but if this is the result of T-Mobile pushing other carriers to compete then we hope there’s a lot more where it came from. |
| [Update] Sprint 4G LTE comes to 28 new markets while Sprint Spark heads to 3 more Posted: 23 Jun 2014 10:37 AM PDT
Sprint took to Chicago today to announce new network expansions for those who still aren’t hooked up with the best network they hav to offer. For starters, 4G LTE spreads to 28 new markets today including Seattle, Cleveland and San Jose. [Update]: Here’s the full list of new cities receiving 4G LTE:
To add to that, Sprint also brought Spark network upgrades to three more markets today. Folks in St. Louis, Winston-Salem and Greesnboro, N.C. will now enjoy improved and more reliable network access, faster speeds and more with compatible Sprint Spark smartphones. That brings Spark’s list up to 27 cities comprised of the following:
And Sprint hopes to cover 100 million more people with the upgrades by the end of this year. Sprint promises average speeds between 6 megabits and 15 megabits per second, while they claim the network (under the most ideal conditions, we’re sure) can deliver speeds up to 50 and 60 megabits per second. The new high frequency spectrum also improves building penetration so you can get a stronger signal in less favorable locations. Those without Spark-enabled phones still benefit from these network upgrades as less congestion equals more bandwidth. Be sure to give it a spin if you have a compatible smartphone and you live in one of these new markets. |
| Sprint and Samsung announce the Galaxy S5 Sport with Sprint Fit Live fitness apps Posted: 23 Jun 2014 10:11 AM PDT
Sprint and Samsung have just announced a new variant of the Samsung Galaxy S5 for all you sporty types out there. The Samsung Galaxy S5 Sport is a half-rugged reimagination of Samsung’s 2014 flagship. It can be described as a hybrid, of sorts, between the original Galaxy S5 and the Samsung Galaxy S5 Active. Samsung and Sprint tricked it out with more grippy coating material and hardware buttons for back and recent apps. The Samsung Galaxy S5 Sport will be the first to feature Sprint’s Fit Live suite of fitness apps and offers powered by the likes of Spotify and Under Armor. Here’s what’s being served up on that front:
Of course, all of that is joined by the wealth of fitness apps Samsung has built into their latest Samsung Galaxy S5 firmware. It’s the same device otherwise, though, with a 2.5GHz processor, 2GB of RAM, 5.1-inch 1080p display, 16 megapixel ISOCELL camera, heart rate monitor and more. It’s also slapped with an IP67 certification for water-resistant and dust-proof build so you won’t have to worry about getting a bit wet or dirty while you have this thing on you. The Samsung Galaxy S5 Sport will be available July 25th for $0 down and 24 monthly installments of $27.09 through Sprint Easy Pay, and you can get it in either Electric Blue or Cherry Red. You’ll get $50 off a Samsung Gear Fit when you buy one, as well as 50% off many headphones for the sake of listening to tunes while you get your workout on. Don’t want a Galaxy S5 Sport but want access to the premium fitness apps? Sprint says the Fit Live suite will be preloaded on many of their new smartphones in 2014.
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| Official: Google Glass Explorer Edition launches in the UK today for £1,000 Posted: 23 Jun 2014 09:09 AM PDT
It was only a couple of weeks ago that we told you the United Kingdom would finally be treated to a launch of Google Glass, and now that day is finally here. Google has announced that Glass is now available across the pond. You can get in on the fun by buying it for £1,000 from Google Play and the devices are shipping within 1-2 business days. UK folks will be treated to much of the same extra goodies as those in the US, such as a free shade or frame for folks with prescription eyewear needs. The device is also available in a five different colors: black, red, white, gray and blue. Google Glass is the first of Google’s exciting trek into the wearables space, and has been tapped as the first product with the potential to reach the mainstream consumer market. We first learned about the smart glasses back at Google I/O in June 2012, , and it was just over half a year later (in February 2013) that the first developers and explorers finally had them in hand. Glass launched for $1,500 here in the United States but for good reason — that hefty price tag is meant to deter all but the most enthusiastic techies and developers. It also covered the cost of additional frames and accessories, as well as entitlement to any product revisions made before this thing reaches retail.
The past year and a half has been quite interesting for the platform with many amazing stories showing how Glass can help change not only people’s individual lives, but maybe even the world as a whole. From doctors using Glass to help them record surgeries to firefighters and military personnel using it to help keep people safe, there’s no shortage of early development to help paint a very bright picture for its future. It’s amazing that all of this has happened well before the platform has reached maturity, and we can only imagine how much sweeter things will be once it’s made available to the general public. With Google adding another crop of developers and enthusiasts from the UK we absolutely expect the scene to explode with new ideas and innovations to add to the already impressive pool.
Want to try one on for size? Google is accepting RSVPs to demo the units if you’re in the area from June 27th through June 28th. Just head here to sign up if you want to give it a go before plopping down an absurd amount of money to be one of the first to be walking around the UK wearing a pair. Let us know if any of you UK folks will be looking to snap one up soon! |
| Kickstarter: StayblCam wants to kill shaky cam footage for cheap [VIDEO] Posted: 23 Jun 2014 08:18 AM PDT There aren’t many phones that come with hardware-based optical image stabilization solutions to help take better photos and video without the unfortunate side effects of holding a camera with your hand. Even more troubling is that the phones that do have OIS don’t always produce the most desirable results. Enter the next best thing. StayblCam is a stabilizer baton that has been custom built to fit any smartphone and most compact cameras with standard tripod screw holes. It features a gyroscope-enabled grip in the center of the pole that you grip with your thumb and index finger to control camera movement and angles.
You can use your ring and pinky fingers to control the baton for some really advanced movie-level camera panning. The result of the gyroscope grip’s use is smooth cinematography without the nausea-inducing shakiness that typically associates most footage taken with smartphones. The StayblCam’s length can be adjusted in case you need those high-angle shots, and its ability to be used upside down gives you a lot of versatility in the shots you want to take. So how can you get one? Kickstarter, that’s how. There are just 5 days left on the campaign, and the product is poised to launch as the goal has already been exceeded by more than double. The cheapest backing option to grab one of these as of the time of this writing is $74, though that’s without any additional accessories or perks. Pay a bit more and you’ll be in for GoPro mounts, lens attachments and all sorts of extra goodies that could elevate your smartphone camera game.
This obviously isn’t a tool that everyone is going to deem necessary, but if you have a desire to improve your smartphone camera footage and have been looking for an inexpensive solution to a widespread problem this is one of the most promising answers. The first units are slated to ship as early as July 14th, though if past Kickstarters are anything to go by we wouldn’t put a heavy amount of stock into that window. |
| Leak: 9-inch HTC “Volantis” could be the next Nexus tablet Posted: 23 Jun 2014 07:02 AM PDT Rumors that HTC are working on the next Nexus tablet have been quite prominent over the past few months, and we may have been treated to our first bit of early information. According to Android Police, HTC and Google have finalized plans to introduce a new 9-inch Nexus Tablet that could be here by the end of the year.
Its internal codename is said to be “Volantis,” and if the rumors are to be believed then it could come to market tricked out with the following specs:
Those are pretty impressive specs, and while none of it pushes the bar compared to what’s being done by the likes of Samsung it still sits close to the top of the totem pole. The leaked mockup shows a design that is quite familiar. The circular camera module on the back, the (hopefully multi-colored) LED notification light below the display and the clean, no frills design all scream Nexus. Early pricing information says to expect the device to retail for $399.99 and $499.99 for the 16GB and 32GB versions, respectively. Unfortunately its rumored Q4 release window means it’s possible this won’t be the device we’re hoping to see at Google I/O, though we’re keeping our fingers crossed that Google unveils something just as sweet. |
| Deal: Get a refurbished 16GB Kindle Fire HD 8.9 for just $139 today only Posted: 23 Jun 2014 05:35 AM PDT
Amazon’s holding a pretty nice sale on the 16GB Kindle Fire HD 8.9 for those in the market for a new tablet. You can get one for just $139, which is $60 cheaper than it typically sells for. The catch is that this unit is refurbished, though Amazon stands by the quality of their refurbished products. Here’s their list of promises when you buy one of these devices: Prior to sale, every pre-owned Kindle undergoes a rigorous refurbishment process, including:
Every Certified Refurbished Kindle:
Sounds like there’s not much to worry about if you end up taking the plunge on one of these. Do note that you only have one day to take advantage of this price, though, so you don’t have much time to decide. Be sure to take a look if you’re feeling rather impulsive to start the week. |
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