Tuesday, 31 December 2013

Android Phone Fans

Android Phone Fans


Much application. Such coin. Very Android. Dogecoin Wallet now available on Google Play

Posted: 31 Dec 2013 04:48 PM PST

Dogecoin

In their valiant effort to reach the moon in 2014, the Dogecoin community will be happy to know that Dogecoin Wallet is now available on the Google Play Store. Based off the popular ‘Doge’ meme, which features pictures of a "dog" that is primarily associated with pictures of Shiba Inus (nicknamed "Shibe") and colorful comic sans words of praise, Dogecoin has been gaining a lot of traction the past couple weeks. As the trend continues to skyrocket (moon rocket), the young currencies first Android wallet is born.

Dogecoin Wallet is based off of the popular Bitcoin Wallet by Andreas Schildbach and sports the same set of features one would expect in a mobile cryptocurrency wallet and includes an up to date exchange rate tool. No registration is required to get up and running with Dogecoin Wallet. Because security is a must, Dodgecoin Wallet is completely decentralized, operating in a peer-to-peer environment. There’s no need to compromise your wallet’s security by using back-end web services here.

When it comes to sending, receiving, and spending your DOGE, Dogecoin Wallet allows offline payments via Bluetooth, sending and receiving Dogecoin via NFC, using automatically generated QR-Codes, and Dogecoin URLs. To request Dogecoin simply tap the request coin button and enter the amount in Doge or your desired currency, such as USD. From there, you can share the request via the Android share menu, have the generated QR code scanned, or tap an NFC enabled device. The send coins button works in a similar method, allowing you to type a Dogecoin address, pull one from your address book, or scan a QR code prior to sending coins to a fellow Shibe (Dogecoin user).

Screenshot_2013-12-31-14-57-15 Screenshot_2013-12-31-14-59-33 Screenshot_2013-12-31-14-57-38 Screenshot_2013-12-31-14-59-24

If you’re absent minded with your mobile device or into flashing different ROMs, have no fear, Dogecoin Wallet supports the backup and restoration of your wallet. Once a backup has been made, you can archive the file locally on your phone or choose to archive it elsewhere, such as Dropbox, Google Drive, etc. You get the idea. Of course you can always slap a USB cable up to your phone and manually pull your wallet backup off and save it anywhere you please.

Dogecoin itself as a cryptocurrency is a lot of fun and easy to get into. If you’re looking to get started with Doge, I suggest you head on over to the coins official site as well as check out the various getting started guides on Reddit.

Much download. Very install. Dogecoin Wallet.

Sony QX10 and Q100 case mounts arrive for the Sony Xperia Z Ultra next month

Posted: 31 Dec 2013 02:07 PM PST

Xperia-Z-Ultra-QX10-QX100-case

While Sony’s QX10 and QX100 lens cameras are compatible with most Android devices via the handy PlayMemories app, it was the Sony Xperia Z1 that saw a specialized case to quickly mount the cameras directly onto the phone. Nothing super fancy, it merely offered the Xperia Z1 protection while offering a quick and easy way to mount/unmount the camera portion into place.

For those that simply couldn’t do with a smartphone under 7-inches (you’re sick, I tell you), Sony is offering the same case mount for their gargantuan Sony Xperia Z Ultra (either the Sony or Google Play edition). The case will be available in both black or white come January, retailing for around $31. So far it’s only been announced for Hong Kong, but we imagine it wont be too much longer before they’re available via Sony’s online storefront.

[Xperia Blog]

Samsung Galaxy S5 with metal body goes into production, Galaxy F to be new ultra premium line? [RUMORS]

Posted: 31 Dec 2013 11:56 AM PST

Samsung-Galaxy-S5-concept-Bob-Freking-1

Seems like with every major Galaxy iteration rumors start pouring in that the S3, S4, and now the S5 will finally be the first Samsung device to feature a premium metal construction. And here we are, barely a few months before the Galaxy S5 is made official and Korean news site ETNews is now reporting that production of the all-metal Galaxy S5 has already begun. According to them, the initial prototype designed in Europe has made its way to Samsung’s Vietnam plant for mass production.

But that’s not the only Samsung device to go all-metal in 2014. It looks like Samsung could also be prepping a new premium line dubbed the Galaxy F (SM-G900F). This even higher-end Galaxy variant could be one of the first smartphones to feature one of Samsung’s 2560×1600 resolution QHD 2K displays. No word on other specs, but again, this is pretty much speculative for now. We’ll let you know when we hear more.

[RBMen | via SamMobile]

Carbon v2 now available on Google Play, brings an extremely dark Twitter experience

Posted: 31 Dec 2013 11:07 AM PST

carbon 2

With so many really good Twitter apps available for Android, it’s no wonder everyone has their favorites. Still, it’s always fun to try something new, and right now the newest kid on the block is Carbon. Yes, the Twitter app that originally debuted back in February, only now it’s it’s been completely redesigned from the ground up. With it’s new sleeker, blacker user interface, Carbon v2 is now finally available for download on Google Play.

Carbon v2 Android Google Play

So, how is it? Well, you’ll really want to give it a try for yourself. While it doesn’t have the insane feature set of other popular Twitter apps, it makes up for it with simplicity, and ease of use. Users can swipe between timelines, mentions, and direct messages. Nav buttons transform into dots while the app is open (similar to when playing some games or watching a video). And oh, did we mention everything is dark? Like, really dark.

To give it a spin for yourself, download Carbon v2 for free via the link below. Let us know what you think.

Download on Google Play: Carbon v2

Watch the Times Square New Year’s ball rise and drop with this official app

Posted: 31 Dec 2013 08:27 AM PST

time square ball app

We’re just hours away from the calendar turning to 2014, and you’re probably wondering how you can follow along with the world famous New Years’ Ball Drop in the heart of Times Square New York City at midnight tonight. If, for whatever reason, you can’t follow along with the many stations on TV who will be broadcasting the ceremony live, you’ll be happy to know that you can follow along anywhere with the official Times Square Ball app in the Google Play Store.

You can watch the ball being raised starting at 6pm eastern, and then circle back six hours later right before the hour hits midnight to watch the legendary countdown and subsequent celebration. Celebrity interviews, music performances and more from the Big Apple will all be served up right to your smartphone or tablet. Find the free app in the Google Play Store.

Sony: look forward to new devices — including wearables — in 2014

Posted: 31 Dec 2013 07:27 AM PST

sony smart watch 2013

With 2013 coming to a close, Sony is putting a nice big stamp on the year with a recap of all their big device launches this year. From the Xperia Z launched at CES to the Xperia Z1 at IFA Berlin and everything in between, the company has been quite business. We also saw the launch of the Sony SmartWatch 2, as well as the first Sony device to get the Google Play Edition treatment (the Sony Xperia Z Ultra).

But what’s in store for 2014? More great phones and tablets, we imagine. But Sony says they’ll be taking the year to explore even more new and exciting form factors, including the “wearables” category that has become oh-so-popular in recent months. Sony was one of the first major players in this space, so it’s only natural for them to continue on that path.

That they left the possibilities open to the entirety of the “wearables” category isn’t lost on us. Could we expect some Google Glass-like products from Sony? A new fitness band like the Samsung Galaxy Band or LG LifeBand Touch? Or is Sony just going to continue on the smart watch path?

Any number of things can happen, so we’ll let our imagination continue to run wild as we await those things in the year to come. Regardless, it looks like Sony is setting out to make 2014 a great year, and we can’t wait to see what they come up with next.

[via Sony]

Google Play Music: All Access users get invitation to buy Google Glass

Posted: 31 Dec 2013 06:49 AM PST

google play music google glass offer

We didn’t know how often Google would look to take on new Glass Explorers after the initial batch signed up at Google IO in 2012, but the company quickly showed that they weren’t against inviting tons more people to the program over time. Yet another opportunity has come up for those who happen to be subscribers to Google Play Music All Access.

Google has offered an invitation to buy Google Glass for anyone subscribed to Google Play Music All Access as of December 31st, 2013. They’re doing it to celebrate the launch of Google Play Music on Google Glass, natch. An invite alone isn’t enough to grant you a pair of Google Glass, of course — you’ll also need to be willing to part ways with about $1,500.

That’s no small bill, but it’s worth it if you’re interested in being on the edge of upcoming technology and helping Google improve the platform before its retail release (which is expected to happen at some point in 2014). We imagine those who sign up and buy a pair will be getting the latest revision, which includes a refined design and support for a new mono earbud.

You can see our unboxing of the latest Google Glass revision here to get an idea of what to expect. Convinced and/or sold? Go ahead and check your email from Google (ours had the subject “Free New Year’s DJ Mix + Exclusive Google Glass Offer” and it was sent by news-googleplay [at] google [dot] com).

Chromebook popularity soars, outsells Android tablets and Macbooks in the US

Posted: 31 Dec 2013 06:10 AM PST

NPD Group has come out with some new computing unit sales numbers in the US for the period of January 2013 through November 2013, and compared them to sales of units from the same period a year ago. There were some interesting, if not predictable, trends in the numbers. iPads still dominate the tablet wars, Windows notebooks and desktops are still crushing Mac OS equivalents, PC sales are down overall, and Android tablets are growing at a respectable pace.

Share-of-Unit-Slaes-US-Comm-Channel

But one trend in particular caught our eye — Chromebooks are doing damned well for themselves. NPD Group shows that Chromebooks accounted for 9.6% of sales in these categories, outpacing the 1.8% of the share owned by Macbooks and 8.7% by Android tablets. We’d put more weight on the 2.2% of Windows tablets, but that was probably already obvious.

Those Chromebook numbers were much higher than last year’s measly 0.2%, which isn’t surprising considering there’s a much larger stable of affordable and interesting devices to choose from. Options from HP, Samsung, ASUS and more give consumers a decent connected computing experience for a pretty nice value.

Most folks still need the type of horsepower that only traditional PCs can provide, but this proves that there is a market out there for a platform driven entirely by the web. It’s the “check email, bank statements, YouTube and the latest gossip” crowd that helps Chromebook flourish.

2014 should be even more interesting, with devices like the LG Chromebase showing that Chrome OS can fit on more traditional form factors. You can find the full chart above, and more details about computing device sales from NPD’s research can be had at the source link.

[via NPD Group]

HTC confirms EVO 4G LTE’s Android 4.3 Jelly Bean update coming in February

Posted: 31 Dec 2013 05:54 AM PST

HTC-EVO-4G-LTE-back-kickstand

You might think that most folks are waiting on the arrival of Android 4.4 KitKat, but many are still waiting to be stepped up to Android 4.3. One group of owners included in that pile are owners of the HTC EVO 4G LTE on Sprint, and while HTC already confirmed the device would be getting the upgrade we’ve never had a solid timeline to look forward to.

Thankfully, HTC’s Jason Mackenzie quieted the requests for an ETA by giving us one: the Android 4.3 upgrade for the HTC EVO 4G LTE will be entering testing in mid-January, and should be rolling out to folks in mid-February. Along with the under-the-hood goods Android 4.3 brings, HTC will also be bringing HTC Sense 5, which includes an enhanced BlinkFeed and new camera features.

Of course, that still leaves the issue of KitKat — will it get it or not? We can’t say for sure just yet as HTC hasn’t been interested in giving us any news in regards to that. We haven’t even gotten any news on the upgrade for the international HTC One X which the EVO 4G LTE is based on. HTC will likely be focusing on their 2013 One lineup first, but only time will tell if they’ll have enough time to squeeze their 2012 options into their KitKat upgrade plans.

[via Twitter]

LG LifeBand Touch leaked; looks like some sort of fitness tracker

Posted: 31 Dec 2013 05:37 AM PST

lg lifeband touch

Wearable technology has gained quite the steam in 2013, with the likes of Google Glass and tons more smart watches being introduced. It looks like 2014 is poised to be even better, and LG might be one of the next major players to get in on the fun.

Twitter leakster @evleaks has given us a look at the LG Lifeband Touch, a wrist-dwelling device that doesn’t seem to have a heads-up display. The “touch” in its name suggests you’ll be able to interact with it in some way, shape or form using the tap of a finger, but we’re obviously not sure what that interaction would be just yet.

This thing would obviously come to market as a fitness tracker, not totally unlike Nike’s FuelBand+, the FitBit, or the rumored upcoming Samsung Galaxy Band. Those devices grab bodily vitals like your heart rate, and tracks how much and how often you move about (be it a brisk walk in the park or a rigorous workout routine).

With a render being leaked so close to CES 2014 we’d naturally hope to see it at the big show in Vegas, but we’ll have to wait until LG’s official ceremonies kick off before we’re let in on any secrets.

Gizmo's Freeware: Google Trends is now Mesmerizing

Gizmo's Freeware: Google Trends is now Mesmerizing

Link to Gizmo's Freeware: Top selections

Google Trends is now Mesmerizing

Posted: 31 Dec 2013 12:26 AM PST

Just what are people interested in right now in the world or just in your country? Well these two sites may help you to find out:

1. Google Trends Visualize. Topics jump and change according to what people are searching for and I found myself mesmerized as it is a unique and original way to see what is happening in real time. Click on the top left for five by five and on the bottom for the country you are interested in and watch live as people there search. One problem is that results for some countries are not yet available. 2. Google Hot Searches. This site shows you a daily summary form of what is being currently searched which I think is easier to use and understand than Google Trends but a little less intriguing.


http://www.techsupportalert.com/content/google-trends-now-mesmerizing.htm

Monday, 30 December 2013

Android Phone Fans

Android Phone Fans


OUYA mod turns the micro-console into a gaming handheld

Posted: 30 Dec 2013 06:02 PM PST

OUYA handheld mod

With many Xbox fans upgrading to the higher-powered Xbox One this passing holiday, many 360s around the world found themselves kicked swiftly to the curb. With all those extra 360 controllers laying around, we suppose it was only a matter of time before someone put them to better use.

Using a little ingenuity and whole lot of creativity, OUYABoards member Eucrow decided to take on the ambitious DIY project of converting his Android-powered micro-console into a portable handheld. Alright, so it’s not exactly pocketable, but this is still a work in progress. Definitely not for the faint of heart, you can see how Eucrow hacked up the 360 controller, slapping an LCD display in between.

OUYA handheld mod back

Underneath the display we find some of the guts of the OUYA, with the end result looking like something similar to the Wii U gamepad and Frankenstein’s monster. Eucrow mentions he’ll now work on tidying things up, eventually crafting some sort of case to keep everything hidden inside.

Fun mods like this never cease to amaze us. We suppose the OUYA’s low price point makes it the perfect device for tinkering, and although we’ve seen custom cases in the past, this takes modding to a-whole-nother-level.

[OUYABoards | via XboxOneDaily]

Moto G pictured for Verizon Wireless, priced at $99 off-contract?

Posted: 30 Dec 2013 04:21 PM PST

Moto G Verizon Wireless packaging
Despite a lack of 4G LTE, there’s still a few of you interested in the affordably priced Motorola Moto G. At $180 for the off-contract AT&T/T-Mobile/GSM model, really, you could do a whole lot worse.

Today, a Best Buy Mobile employee posted a picture of the Moto G in its Verizon packaging to his Google+ page. While there’s not particularly interesting in itself, the leaker goes onto mention that the device could arrive at only $99 (likely the 8GB model) off-contract. That’s a fairly nice discount over the GSM model.

Given there’s no way to verify this information, we’ll take it with a grain of salt. It’s entirely possible the employee was mistaken at left out a digit. Still, even with the device’s shortcomings, would any of you consider a Moto G on Verizon Wireless for only 100 bucks?

Thanks, Steve!

[Google+]

Nokia bans all HTC Android-based devices in Germany over the use of Android Beam

Posted: 30 Dec 2013 03:05 PM PST

Nokia vs HTC

HTC’s string of bad luck continues, this time in in Germany where Judge Dr. Matthias Zigann has just granted Nokia a permanent sales injunction against their rival’s handsets, effectively banning the sale of all Android-based devices made by the Taiwanese manufacturer.

Of course, all of this had to do with patents — patents like EP1148681 which deals with peer-to-peer sharing via NFC over a Bluetooth connection (but not WiFi). You know, just a little feature baked into the core Android OS. Because this isn’t considered a standard-essential patent, Nokia doesn’t have to license it under FRAND terms.

HTC Android Beam

HTC is currently being sued by Nokia in 7 different countries including Germany, the US, UK, France, Italy, Netherlands, and Japan. HTC is likely to appeal the decision while Google makes an attempt at invalidating the patent. In the meantime, we expect some sort of over-the-air update to sidestep Nokia’s patent, a move HTC is all too familiar with. Yay, for software patents. (Sarcasm).

[FOSS Patents | via Engadget]

ARCHOS announces line of connected devices (including smartwatches starting at £50) to debut at CES 2014

Posted: 30 Dec 2013 02:00 PM PST

Archos Connected Home
With CES 2014 barely a week away, we've already got our list of vendors handy to visit on the showroom floor. Seems like almost every year we pay a visit to ARCHOS, and this year will be no different. According to ARCHOS' press release, they've got quite the lineup planned, with a variety of "connected devices" to show off at this year’s CES — including smartwatches.

Billed as "well-designed" and affordable, these devices are all aimed at enhancing connectivity at home, while keeping tabs on personal health. Let’s take a look at what they’ve got lined up.

ARCHOS Connected Home

ARCHOS Connected Home Objects

First up is ARCHOS Connected Home — featuring a 7-inch, custom designed "Smart Home Tablet" at the forefront. For those looking to bring their own device, there is also the Smart Home app for Android and iOS. The app can customize Connected Home actions, like turning on the lights and triggering pingpong ball-sized camera when movement is detected.

Connected Objects include: mini cam, motion ball, movement tag, and smart plug. There's even a “Weather Station,” used for monitoring indoor and outdoor information like humidity, CO2 levels, temp, etc..

ARCHOS Connected Self

As part of ARCHOS' Connected Self line of devices is a Connected Scale that recognizes up to 4 different users, tracking body fat and measuring body shape to help lose weight "intelligently".

ARCHOS Activity Tracker

The Activity Tracker measures footsteps, calories burned, and shows the time while syncing data through the smartphone app. With promised 7-day battery life, it sounds like it should easily get users through a solid week of runs.

Also announced was the ARCHOS Blood Pressure Monitor that does, what else, but monitor your blood pressure. It also tracks displays heart beat information, that can be used to detect irregular heart beats.

ARCHOS Smartwatches

Still kept behind the curtain were ARCHOS' upcoming line of smartwatches, starting as low as £50. The achilles heel of currently available smartwatches are their normally high entry fees, so consider us more than intrigued.

We'll be bringing you more next week during our CES 2014 coverage, so stay tuned!

AllDock wants to be your charging station for everything [KICKSTARTER]

Posted: 30 Dec 2013 12:35 PM PST

It’s not that uncommon for a tech geek to have more than one, two or even three devices that need charging every now and then. Keeping up with all the wires needed to charge said devices might get a bit ugly and a bit clunky. AllDock wants to change that.

It’s a Kickstarter project that has the potential to do big numbers. What is it, you ask? It’s a multi-device dock that can seat up to 6 different devices, whether it’s a 4-inch smartphone or a 10-inch tablet. The device comes equipped with all the ports you need for nearly any device you can imagine, from the standard microUSB cable that’s become an industry standard, right down to Lord Voldemort’s Apple’s lightning connector introduced in the latest iOS devices.

The AllDock features a removable base, beneath which will sit all the cables you will use to charge your devices. Its purpose is to hide all that extra unneeded length and make your setup look as clean and neat as any good desk deserves.

all dock 1

 

The developers are promising a super fast charge, with each USB port able to charge devices at a rate of 2400mA per port, giving you more than enough juice to charge any modern tablet, and giving you up to 80% of battery life in under an hour for most smartphones.

The six-seater too much for your small stable of devices? There will be a mini version that can seat up to two devices, and a medium version for four devices. The docks will be available in black, white, and wood-grain finishes, giving you a neutral suite of options to fit any desk.

The project is seeking only moderate funding, with the Berkeley-based Dittrich California Inc. asking for just $40,000. The project has already reached $16,990 as of the time of this writing, and there are still another 31 days to go. Head over to Kickstarter to check it out, and take a good look at the many pledge options available to you. The cheapest pledge currently runs for about $39 for a small edition, with the most expensive coming in at around $149. The product is expected to ship at some point in May.

[via Kickstarter]

Schemer is the latest Google service on the chopping block

Posted: 30 Dec 2013 11:12 AM PST

schemer-1

After launching Google Schemer almost 2 years ago, it appears Google is finally ready to set the “to-do” service out to pasture. Shouldn’t come as much of a surprise, really. The Android app hasn’t been updated since October of 2012. With no progress being made on the app, we even suggested in an August article that Google could even integrate the service into Google Now, breathing new life into Schemer.

schemer-shut-down-2

Unfortunately, as evidenced by an internal screenshot obtained by Google Operating System, Schemer will be shut down, although it appears a specific closing date hasn’t been decided just yet. For those that had a good number of Schemes on their bucket-list, as usual Google will allow users to download their data.

We think Schemer had some potential, but with so little exposure, its closure was inevitable. Still, the fact that Google closes services based solely on their popularity is a bit disheartening. Makes you wonder which Google service is next on the chopping block?

Carbon for Twitter version 2 will sport a fresh new look tomorrow

Posted: 30 Dec 2013 10:30 AM PST

carbon 2

It’s been quite a while since we’ve seen an upgrade for the beautiful Twitter client Carbon — August 28th by Google Play’s word — but the team has been working on a big new upgrade that should be hitting our devices at some point tomorrow.

According to dots & lines designer M.Saleh Esmaeili, “v2 is now fully wired and polished,” and will bring with it an all new timeline design, a new Quick Timeline feature from Carbon versions past, and more. Esmaeili took the time to remind us that all of Carbon’s features are represented up-front and center, and not hidden into a settings menu, so whatever other changes are in-store should be noticeable the moment you open the app.

We’ll be getting in touch to see if we can’t get a quick sneak peak ahead of time, or to see if there are any more new features and changes folks should look forward to. For now, though, you can check Carbon out in the Google Play Store to see why it’s become one of the top Twitter clients available for Android.

AT&T tipped to carry Samsung Galaxy Note Pro

Posted: 30 Dec 2013 09:46 AM PST

While we’re waiting for Samsung to officially announce details about the Samsung Galaxy Note Pro (potentially at CES), @evleaks tells us we can already look forward to at least one carrier shoving their 4G LTE radios inside. The Twitter-bound leakster has mentioned that the device would be headed to AT&T under the model number SM-P907A.

samsung galaxy note pro

We don’t know a ton about the Galaxy Note Pro just yet, but what we do know makes us quite excited:

  • 12.2-inch 2560 x 1600 display
  • Quad-core 2.4GHz processor (Snapdragon 800?)
  • 3GB of RAM
  • 9,500mAh battery

It sounds like a beast of a tablet, though time will tell if something this unwieldy will be able to capture the interests of a wide range of people in a time where lighter and smaller tablets are often seen as better. There’s only a week to go before we see if Samsung is ready to take the wraps off of a tablet that should make a huge splash in the market (be it in sales or reviews) once it launches.

What Eric Schmidt thinks 2014 will bring

Posted: 30 Dec 2013 08:47 AM PST

The year is almost over, and one Google executive is already looking ahead to the turn of the calendar. I’m talking about ex-CEO and current chairman of the board Eric Schmidt, the man who saw Google through some of its best years before handing the reigns back to the two original gents who started the Mountain View company.

Speaking with Bloomberg, Eric Schmidt let us in on his thoughts about what would transpire in 2014. While he didn’t have any off-the-wall predictions to make in regards to mobile, he did let us know that he believed “everyone” would have a smartphone or mobile device in 2014.

While we’re sure that statement isn’t to be taken literally, the trends have indeed shown that smartphones and tablets are gaining in popularity at a much more aggressive rate than PCs. In fact, the two seem to be headed in completely different directions, with PC market share steadily declining over the past few years. That these tablets and smartphones are becoming as capable — if not more, in some cases — than traditional PCs has certainly helped, and 2014 should bring the innovation needed to drive that trend home.

Schmidt also touched on the social networking boom, and how Google wouldn’t underestimate the importance of being a major player in that arena like they have in the past. Google has tried many times in the past with things like Google Buzz, iGoogle and more, but ultimately failed.

Schmidt wasn’t above taking the blame for those failures, with the executive putting the missed opportunities on his own shoulders. Their latest attempt — Google+ — has already been a huge success, and you can bet they’ll be working to bring us even more social innovations in the year to come.

On the not-so-tech focused part of it, Schmidt says he thinks we’ll be seeing great ground broken in DNA and genetics, leading the way to unlocking the information needed to combat some of the world’s as-yet uncured diseases. We all hope that one turns out to be true for the sake of the world’s health. Be sure to watch the video above for his full slate of thoughts.

Samsung’s Galaxy Gear 2, Galaxy Band said to be coming to Mobile World Congress

Posted: 30 Dec 2013 07:07 AM PST

It didn’t take long for folks to learn that the original Samsung Galaxy Gear smart watch was rushed to market. With a limited subset of features, and with it initially available for a very limited amount of Samsung’s smartphones, it’s no inaccurate to suggest the watch was a bit of a dud. Samsung later admitted that the Galaxy Gear was a bit rough around the edges, and seemed to confirm that they would be moving quickly on a more complete sequel. So when is that going to happen?

samsung-logo

Latest rumors suggest we circle our calendars for February in Barcelona, Spain. That’s where Mobile World Congress takes place, a venue where Samsung historically has big announcements and product unveilings.

Beyond that, we’re told to expect the Samsung Galaxy Band, which is a fitness tracker that will be able to sync all your relevant workout and vitality information with your smartphones. Samsung already showed interest in bringing health-related features to their phones with the pre-installed pedometer app, so a full-fledged fitness solution doesn’t sound too out of the ordinary.

If we’re lucky, we might also get some new tablets and smartphones. Samsung could introduce new options in the Galaxy Tab line, and it might not be a bad time to bring the Samsung Galaxy S5 we’ve all been waiting for. And should the rumored 12.2-inch Samsung Galaxy Note Pro miss the bus to CES in Vegas, we could be seeing that launch, as well.

No matter which way you spin it, though, everything points to a very big Q1 for Samsung, and our attention will be focused squarely on the biggest player in Android (and, arguably, all of mobile).

[via Korean Herald]

LG expanding Knock feature to all L-Series II devices in 2014

Posted: 30 Dec 2013 06:30 AM PST

LG tried a lot of new things with the LG G2. The biggest bungie jump for the South Korean company was to place buttons on the back of the device instead of the sides. Folks wondered if this would affect the ease with which you can wake the device up from sleep, but one feature made that irrelevant — LG Knock.

lg-g2-7

It’s something Edgar Cervantes salivated over in his review, and the feature proved to be more than just a novelty for many other people. Simply put, LG Knock allows you to tap the display twice to turn it on, giving you a quick and easy way to open up the digital window to your mobile life.

LG then implemented Knock in the virtually indestructible LG G Flex and the LG G Pad 8.3, and they found that it was one feature that pretty much everyone seemed to love.

And now it’ll be in mostly all of their big devices for 2014. The company has announced that all devices in the L-Series II family (including the LG Optimus L7 II, LG Optimus L5 II and LG Optimus L3 II) will be getting LG Knock, whether it’s out-of-the-box or enabled via a global maintenance upgrade starting in January.

"Knock is distinctively an LG UX and a great example of what happens when you marry the latest in mobile technology with consumer-centric insights," said Dr. Jong-seok Park, President and CEO of LG Electronics' Mobile Communications Company. "No one ever thought that a power button needed to be improved until our engineers wondered why they couldn't turn the entire screen into a power button."

While the feature alone is small, it’s the summation of all the small things that make up a big, robust, attractive package, and LG’s no doubt looking to find more of the little things that will make up their user experience for the future.

Samsung announces 8-gigabit LPDDR4 RAM, could bring 4GB of RAM in future devices

Posted: 30 Dec 2013 06:03 AM PST

Samsung has announced yet another mobile silicon breakthrough. The South Korean company has announced the world’s first 8-gigabit LPDDR4 RAM capable of 1GB of RAM on a single die. The mark is heralded as the largest density of memory available on a single embedded die today. Samsung says it will provide performance that’s 50% faster than the fastest LPDDR3 RAM while using 40% less energy overall.

samsung lpddr4 8 gigabit ram 1

What’s more? This will enable Samsung to offer 4GB LPDDR4 chips in 2014, a mark that would be absolutely insane considering most OEMs have yet to adopt 3GB configurations. Such a development would probably require brand new chipsets to take advantage, though we imagine that’s something Samsung is also thinking about behind closed doors. The company is rumored to be working on a new Exynos chipset that will enable 64-bit computing.

That won’t be the end of it, of course. We still need to wait for further advancements in Android before OEMs can take full advantage of 4GB of RAM, but it’s not impossible to believe Samsung would develop their own solutions custom fit for their own devices and tablets. The company says the new 8-gigabit memory will be available at some point in 2014, though it remains to be seen which device will carry the honor of being the first to offer it.

We’re all obviously hoping it’s something that’ll be on the way soon, like the Samsung Galaxy S5 or the rumored Samsung Galaxy Note Pro tablet, but we’ll try not to get our hopes up just yet. Besides, 3GB of RAM has proven to be more than enough for most mobile needs.

samsung lpddr4 ram 8 gigabit 2[via Samsung]

 

Google, Audi to team up for Android in cars in 2014; Announcement coming at CES

Posted: 30 Dec 2013 05:12 AM PST

Everything is becoming smart, folks, and the buck won’t stop with automobiles. While we’ve already seen decent efforts by automakers to make their cars more smart and connected in recent years, rumors from the Wall Street Journal suggest they’re about to get even more serious about it.

audi logo

The publication is reporting that Google is planning to team up with Audi to develop a comprehensive smart car experience that makes it easy to access entertainment and information on the road. The system would employ Android, natch, which would be a good platform to latch onto considering how open it is.

While further fine details of the partnership have yet to be disclosed, WSJ tells us to expect the full gamut at CES 2014 in Las Vegas. We’re not sure if we’re getting a simple announcement or a cool tech demo, but excitement jolts us either way.

Many would contend that not everything needs to be smart, with the likes of televisions, smoke detectors, and even kitchen appliances and doorbells finding a way to stay connected. But smart cars are definitely one natural evolution that the industry seems to be gravitating toward.

Many auto makers are equipping their systems with 4G LTE, and it won’t be long before you might be able to sign a two-year data service agreement along with your lease on a car. Bringing the best of smartphones and tablets to everything doesn’t always work, but the marriage between these mobile devices and automobiles is certainly one of the more sensible ones.

Phandroid will be toting all their bags to CES when all of this is said to be going down, and you can be sure we’ll be looking to hunt down these two major players as they make a very significant push for a smarter vehicle in 2014.

Gizmo's Freeware: Website of the Week: Smithsonian's History Explorer

Gizmo's Freeware: Website of the Week: Smithsonian's History Explorer

Link to Gizmo's Freeware: Top selections

Website of the Week: Smithsonian's History Explorer

Posted: 29 Dec 2013 11:34 PM PST

I can't come up with anything better than this site description so there it is. :) - Rhiannon

"Smithsonian's History Explorer was developed by the National Museum of American History to offer hundreds of free, innovative online resources for teaching and learning American history.

"The site is designed for use by K-12 teachers and students, after school program providers, families, and individuals interested in lifelong learning. History Explorer's resources focus on learning history by "reading" objects for the stories they hold about the nation and its many peoples. Learning activities feature artifacts selected from over 3 million items in the Museum's collections, and draw on the expertise of the Museum's renowned curatorial staff."


http://www.techsupportalert.com/content/smithsonians-history-explorer-website-week.htm

Saturday, 28 December 2013

Gizmo's Freeware: Five Things that Every Windows PC Owner Must Do

Gizmo's Freeware: Five Things that Every Windows PC Owner Must Do

Link to Gizmo's Freeware: Top selections

Five Things that Every Windows PC Owner Must Do

Posted: 28 Dec 2013 02:30 AM PST

Making resolutions for the New Year? How about including some essential computer tasks that we all know we ought to do but often don't. Gizmo's readers are pretty savvy PC users so you may already practice these good habits. But it's a good bet that many of your friends and relatives do not. Pass these tips along to them and you may save somebody a lot of future computer misery.


http://www.techsupportalert.com/content/five-things-every-windows-pc-owner-must-do.htm

Friday, 27 December 2013

Android Phone Fans

Android Phone Fans


ASUS back with another CES 2014 teaser: could they be hinting at new 4, 5, and 6-inch display smartphones? [VIDEO]

Posted: 27 Dec 2013 06:31 PM PST

ASUS teaser video CES 2014

In preparation for CES 2014 — which happens to be kicking off in less than 2 weeks — ASUS uploaded a new video teaser to their YouTube account. In the first video we showed you a few days ago, it appeared ASUS was hinting at some kind of dual-booting Android/Windows tablet.

This time around they’re back with a video, titled “What’s your number?” The video features balls that begin falling from the sky like rain and for a brief moment, the numbers 4, 5, and 6 appear. This is leading some to believe ASUS could be hinting at display sizes for an upcoming smartphone lineup. Makes sense given the number tones that the balls make when they hit the ground. Check it out for yourself below.

ASUS will be live streaming their press event dubbed “In Search of Incredible” Monday, January 6th at 12pm (PT) here. Jumping over to the link reveals a countdown that has already begun. Of course, Phandroid will be in attendance giving you a hands-on at whatever is announced, so stay tuned!

[MobileGeeks (Germany)]

Official Galaxy Note 3 wireless charging S-View Flip Cover now available from Samsung

Posted: 27 Dec 2013 03:28 PM PST

Galaxy Note 3 wireless charging s-view flip cover

It’s been said that for some, once you go wireless charging, you never go back. For Samsung Galaxy Note 3 owners looking to equip their devices with some convenient wireless charging, up until now the only option was the official S-Charger Cover (stock battery cover, but with wireless charging built-in).

If you were looking for something that provides a little more protection, Samsung’s wireless charging S-View Flip Cover is now officially available from their online store. At $70, it wont come cheap, (nearly double that of the S-Charger Cover) and keep in mind you’ll still need a Qi compatible wireless charging pad.

Fortunately, wireless charging pads can be found littered all around the net, so finding them wont be difficult (you can even use the Nexus wireless charger on Google Play here). Just try to find one that outputs at 1A, or you’ll be charging your Note 3 for days-on-end.

Buy the Samsung Galaxy Note 3 Wireless Charging S-View Flip Cover (Black) $70

Buy the Samsung Galaxy Note 3 Wireless Charging S-View Flip Cover (White) $70

Newly published Snapchat exploit could give “hackers” access your name and phone numbers [UPDATE]

Posted: 27 Dec 2013 01:35 PM PST

Snapchat office Google Glass 20130504_162818_770

While some of us here at Phandroid simply haven’t been able to get into the whole “Snapchat craze,” we know a good portion of the kids these days seem to love it. In fact, with between 10 and 50 million downloads in the Google Play Store, we’d say a good portion of you probably have the app installed on your device.

Guess that’s why the internet seems to be freaking out this afternoon over a recently discovered vulnerability in Snapchat that could allow hackers to easily archive the names and phone numbers of the service’s some umpteen million users.

The exploit was discovered by the Gibson Security firm who — get this — claims they notified Snapchat about the vulnerability back in August. Where Snapchat recently updated their app with fun new features like filters, larger text overlays, and replays, it appears that they’ve simply ignored patching up what could be a pretty serious vulnerability. It’s this lack of communication between the 2 parties that lead to the security firm based in Australia to publish the exploit for all to see.

The worst part? According to Gibson, the exploit could have been patched up with a simple 10 lines of code.

UPDATE

Snapchat has responded to the vulnerability claims in a blog post, essentially calling this exploit a non-issue. While they agree it would be theoretically possible for someone to upload a huge data base of numbers and somehow connect them to user’s accounts, it says it’s extremely unlikely. So much, they’re shrugging off the issue entirely. As it turns out, they claim they’ve already done some work to ensure something like this doesn’t happen, saying:

“Over the past year we've implemented various safeguards to make it more difficult to do. We recently added additional counter-measures and continue to make improvements to combat spam and abuse.”

[ZDNet]

Google Cultural Institute now open in Paris, 34 new institutes jump on board

Posted: 27 Dec 2013 12:54 PM PST

'Institut Culturel De Google' - Google Cultural Hub - Opens In Paris

The Google Cultural Institute officially kicked off in Paris on Dec. 10th, melding technology and art in Google’s mission to “make the world’s culture accessible online.” An extension of Google’s Art Project, the cultural hub will be home to exhibitions and conferences — even a workshop as part of Google Open Gallery where artists can create digital works using a 3D camera, printer, and large interactive screens. It’s also said the institute will soon establish a residency for young artists, but Google wasn’t able to confirm a timeline.

Google pointed out the project is non-commercial, meaning Google wont be making any money off the high resolution digital content offered up by participating institutions. Google maintains these institutions — which recently added 34 new global partners and now includes over 300 museums, galleries, and archives from over 40 countries — will still retain all copyrights to the images used in the project.

With all of that, it appears the Institute still wasn’t too well received. Google’s much publicized privacy concerns lead to the country’s cultural minister declining his invite to attend the grand opening of the institute last-minute. But for everyone else, the Google Cultural Institute is currently open to all students, artists, curators and other art professionals at Google’s headquarters in Paris, France.

[Google Cultural Institute]

HTC design exec, others facing charges for allegedly leaking company secrets

Posted: 27 Dec 2013 11:58 AM PST

htc-logo-600x399

Six HTC employees accused of leaking company secrets and arrested last August are now facing formal charges in Taiwan. Prosecutors say the group, led by former HTC Vice President of Design Thomas Chien, planned to use the insider information to start a new company.

In addition, the six along with three employees of unnamed suppliers are being charged for their role in accepting bribes and creating fictitious expense reports. If found guilty, each upheld charge could equate to 10 years in prison.

While the problem is that of the courts and no longer HTC's, the bad karma around HTC continues to mount. Despite the release of the HTC One, a device that is sure to find its place on many an end-of-year list, the Taiwanese smartphone maker can't seem to turn around its dismal fortunes. Even worse, HTC can't seem to maneuver the crowded market to reclaim some of the stake it once held with consumers and investors alike.

[via WSJ]

Google offering albums from Kanye West & Chvrches free as part of Play Picks 2013

Posted: 27 Dec 2013 10:36 AM PST

play-picks-2013

Google is highlighting their top albums and tracks of 2013, and we are the benefactors. As part of Play Picks 2013, Play Music users can download full albums from Kanye West and Chvrches for free. A selection of top tracks from other artists can also be downloaded for free along with discounted albums from Drake, Lorde, M.I.A, and Janelle Monae.

West's Yeezus and Chvrches’ The Bones of What You Believe were selected as Play Music's Album of the Year and Breakout Artist of the Year, respectively. Editor's picks make up a 20 track compilation of the year's best music from the likes of Arcade Fire, Major Lazer, Rihanna, and more.

The discounted and free music won't be that way for long, but if you missed some of the best new sounds of 2013 you still have some time to get schooled before the calendar rolls over to 2014. Head over to the link below to see the full list and pad out your listening library.

[via Google Play]

LG G3 rumored to carry Quad-HD display, octa-core chipset

Posted: 27 Dec 2013 09:42 AM PST

lg-g2-2

Good things come in multiples of four, or that must be LG's line of thinking based on the latest spec rumors for the LG G3. The G3, which naturally would be the followup to the recently launched G2, could feature a major upgrade in hardware compared to LG's current flagship (and nearly every other smartphone on the market).

According to ZDNet's Korean branch, LG is building a handset that will feature a QHD display and octa-core processor. The chipset is said to be under development in-house under the LG Odin name. The phone might also feature a 16MP camera.

The QHD display, which is of an unknown size, is not to be confused with previous qHD displays. Note the capitalization. The upper-case Q stands for 'quad' and features a resolution of 2560 x 1440.

The LG G3 is expected to launch sometime in 2014, but exact details haven't been pinned down. No word on if LG will continue to locate the volume rocker and power button on the back of the phone.

[via ZDNet Korea]

Is this Samsung tablet spotted at the FCC the Galaxy Tab Pro 8.4?

Posted: 27 Dec 2013 07:32 AM PST

samsunggtab

A new Samsung tablet has popped up in the FCC's filings, and we have just enough info to suggest it could be the rumored Galaxy Tab Pro 8.4. An outline of the device in question confirms its display measures somewhere in the 8-9 inch range, but the real giveaway is a listed model number of SM-T320.

That number was previously associated with the tablet as part of a report that claimed Samsung would launch both Pro and Lite tablet models in their Galaxy lineup during 2014. The Pro 8.4 would be joined by a Galaxy Tab Pro 10.1 and Pro 12.2  as well as a Galaxy Tab 3 Lite. All devices are expected to launch during the first half of 2014 and could debut at CES, which just so happens to be only a few weeks away. Perhaps our questions wills be answered then.

[FCC via Engadget]

NVIDIA’s Tegra Note 7 gets Android 4.3 Jelly Bean update

Posted: 27 Dec 2013 06:44 AM PST

evga tegra note front

NVIDIA's own Tegra-powered tablet, aptly named the Tegra Note 7, has been ushered onto Google's Android 4.3 platform. While the Jelly Bean build isn't the latest and greatest (that would be KitKat), it marks a major update for the slate that includes several new features and tweaks.

A major focus seems to have been placed on improving the tablet's stylus. The Note 7 now features support of left-handed users and “help option" for DirectStylus (we're assuming it provides a tutorial or tips on using the slate's pressure-sensitive stylus input). A toggle for turning the stylus on and off has also been added to the notification shade.

In other areas, NVIDIA has added always-on HDR to the devices camera to improve performance over multiple lighting conditions. The camera also gets tuned with video stabilization and other enhancements. The Android 4.3 update also enables the ability to transfer apps to microSD storage.

The Note 7 didn't set the world afire, but its a nice option for folks shopping in the $200 range and is comparable in many ways to Google's Nexus 7. The latest software update makes it all the better.

[via NVIDIA]