Android Phone Fans |
- Confirmed: Oppo Find 7 will carry a 2K display, begun the spec wars have
- Quick! Perform a Google Search for “Let’s go caroling” to receive a Christmas karaoke surprise [VIDEO]
- Ex Oppo VP announces OnePlus, a smartphone startup looking to build the perfect device
- Tumblr update introduces vastly improved search engine for even easier #Allison Brie #GIF results
- LG G2 receiving Android 4.4 KitKat later this month in Korea, other markets TBA
- LG Gx announced: 5.5-inch 1080p display, removable 3,140mAh battery
- Samsung planning 2560×1440 resolution display and iris scanner for Galaxy followup [RUMOR]
- Entry-level Samsung Galaxy Core Advance announced
- Verizon HTC One Android 4.3 upgrade due soon; full changelog inside
- LG G Flex leaked for Sprint; should have tri-band “Sprint Spark” radios
- Android 4.3 now rolling out for Sony Xperia Z1 and Xperia Z Ultra
- Sprint lights up 70 new markets with 4G LTE
- Amazon offering Kindle Fire HDX devices under 9-month interest-free payment plan
- Quick reminder: order from the Google Play Store by noon today to guarantee shipment by Christmas
- Motorola teases wooden backs for the Moto X
| Confirmed: Oppo Find 7 will carry a 2K display, begun the spec wars have Posted: 16 Dec 2013 07:30 PM PST The last we heard from under-the-radar smartphone maker Oppo, they were teasing the followup to their stellar Oppo Find 5 with the upcoming Oppo Find 7. Like any good teaser, there was zero information given as far as spec sheet (or software) the device would be running. Today, Oppo has finally revealed at least one component that will make up the Find 7 — a 2K (2560×1440) display. Tooting their horn a bit on Twitter, they remind consumers they were first to market with a 5-inch 1080p smartphone (this was right around the time as the HTC DROID DNA) which is still — to this very day — one of the finest displays we have ever laid our eyes upon. As it stands, expectations are running high. Rumors suggest the Oppo Find 7 could be powered by a Snapdragon 805 SoC, carry 3GB of RAM and run off a generous 4,000mAh battery. Sounds too good to be true. We’ll keep an eye out. |
| Posted: 16 Dec 2013 06:53 PM PST Those boys and girls at Google certainly know how to slip in a festive Easter egg. Their latest? Simply perform a Google Search on your Android device for “Let’s go caroling” and watch as Google turns your smartphone or tablet into a bona fide karaoke machine. Everything from Jingle Bells, to We Wish You A Merry Christmas is available for sing-along, complete with the bouncing ball to help keep you on track. Fun, fun, fun. |
| Ex Oppo VP announces OnePlus, a smartphone startup looking to build the perfect device Posted: 16 Dec 2013 05:35 PM PST After weeks of rumors prompted by ex-Oppo VP Pete Lau’s sudden departure from the new smartphone manufacturer, he’s back to make some things official. First off, reports that he left Oppo to start his own smartphone company were right on the money. Unveiled only moments ago, Pete Lau officially announced his new baby: OnePlus. Aside from a name, not too many other details were actually revealed. There was no hardware prototypes to show off, no mention of devices coming preloaded with CyanogenMod — nothing. Just Lau reflecting on his time with Oppo, and plans to start a global “smartphone revolution” in his quest to build the perfect phone for consumers, without compromises. As vague as all that sounds, we’re excited to see what comes out of this. Lord knows Lau is going up against some stuff competition, but the smartphone industry could always use a newcomer coming in and shaking things up a bit. If the Yota Phone taught us anything, it’s that there are still some truly great ideas out there, even from the most unlikely of places. To receive updates on Pete Lau’s new startup OnePlus, hit up the source link to sign up for more info as it becomes available. Oh, and you can join the forum where the first post is from Pete Lau himself, looking input on what pieces of hardware you guys think would make the perfect smartphone. [OnePlus | OnePlus Forum] |
| Tumblr update introduces vastly improved search engine for even easier #Allison Brie #GIF results Posted: 16 Dec 2013 05:04 PM PST It was back in October that Tumblr announced an all new and enhanced search engine for sifting through the wealth of images and blogs Tumblr has at its disposal. Where previously users could only search for a specific tag (not very useful), Tumblr made it possible to search for multiple tags or even an entire phrase. Today Android users finally get to join in the festivities, with the latest update just hitting Google Play. Looking for “hot babes”? Simply open the app and plug in the desired search term to pull up posts mentioning “hot babes,” or with a hashtag in the front for tags containing “#hot babes”. It’s pretty amazing, and something we can’t believe wasn’t implemented from the start. Tumblr is now your oyster. Just be safe out there, boys and girls.
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| LG G2 receiving Android 4.4 KitKat later this month in Korea, other markets TBA Posted: 16 Dec 2013 04:36 PM PST Don’t think that just because LG making the latest Nexus device means they’d be the first to update their devices to Android 4.4. KitKat. In a strange twist, we’ve all watched as Motorola and even HTC beat them to the punch. If you were wondering exactly what were LG’s plans when it came to KitKat (we know we were), the manufacturer gave us a quick update via their company newsroom. According to LG, they are well aware KitKat has been released and are targeting a December update for the LG G2 in its homeland of Korea. Outside of Korea, well that’s still up in the air at this point, but they did promise to provide further details at a later date. As far as the new software goodies LG plans to release along with Android 4.4 KitKat — again, no word. Just know that something is coming and — carriers willing — should be coming soon |
| LG Gx announced: 5.5-inch 1080p display, removable 3,140mAh battery Posted: 16 Dec 2013 04:04 PM PST LG hit the wire this afternoon announcing the followup to the LG Optimus G Pro you may remember hitting the streets only a few months ago. The LG Gx (short for “great user experience”) is their latest bigphone touting a clean and minimalist design, and packing a respectable amount of specs into a 9.2mm thin package. Of course, LG’s usual suite of apps come preloaded on the LG Gx, enhancing the user experience with apps like Q Memo, Q Remote universal remote, or their popular LG’s Knock-on feature. With media consumption taking center stage, the LG Gx features cellular radios that takes advantage of Korean U+’s advanced 2.6GHz LTE for worry free video streaming. Additional specs can be found below: LG Gx specs
It’s looking like the LG Gx is the Korean manufacturer’s answer to the Samsung Galaxy Note 3, although it does manage to fall short with the more modest Snapdragon 600. You’ll notice the Gx comes with a removable 3,140mAh battery, making it a solid Android for anyone looking to stay unplugged for days on end. While it wasn’t specifically mentioned in the press release, we’d imagine — like all of LG’s previous devices — it wont be long before we see this pop up in other markets. We’ll keep you posted. |
| Samsung planning 2560×1440 resolution display and iris scanner for Galaxy followup [RUMOR] Posted: 16 Dec 2013 02:20 PM PST Christmas is closing in fast and while many of you are dreaming about the shiny new toys you’ll be unwrapping this year, others are already looking ahead to what’s coming around the bend. The mobile industry is a fiercely competitive one, and if you were wondering how smartphone makers were ever going to top 2013′s offerings, Samsung might have that answer. According to sources out of ZDNet Korea, Samsung could be planning to release a quad HD or QHD (not to be confused with quarter HD or “qHD”) smartphone next year. This translates to a device packing a whopping 2560×1440 resolution display, 4 times the resolution of current full HD 1080p devices. Because, you know — full HD is just no longer cutting it. But that’s not all. It wasn’t too long ago when Apple made a commotion in the tech space after introducing a fingerprint scanner in their lastest iPhone. Never one to be outdone, Samsung could already be prepping the world’s first smartphone to come equipped with an “iris scanner” for enhanced security. This would allow a user to secure their phone using their own eye for identification, something we don’t imagine would be too easy to forge or counterfeit. Apparently, Samsung has already moved out of the development stage and is now looking towards mass producing the tech. Samsung’s eye scanning feature is one we’ve heard about before, after a patent turned up back in November, revealing Samsung’s possible plans to include this tech in future devices. We’re not sure how much weight any of these rumors hold, but it looks like Samsung could show off the device at next year’s Mobile World Congress in which we will definitely be in attendance. Should be an interesting 2014. |
| Entry-level Samsung Galaxy Core Advance announced Posted: 16 Dec 2013 01:00 PM PST Samsung’s been working on a new cheap-o smartphone for those who aren’t interested in breaking the bank for mobile bliss. It’s the Samsung Galaxy Core Advance, a 4.7-inch smartphone with WVGA resolution, a 1.2GHz dual-core processor and more. It’s not hard to predict that the rest of the spec sheet doesn’t read off as exciting. Here it is in case you’re wondering:
Samsung didn’t let us in on release details aside from the fact that it will be available early next year in Deep Blue and Pearl White. It’d be disheartening for someone to grab this phone if they were expecting to be able to use it with their Samsung Galaxy Gear smart watch, but we’ll be pinging Samsung to see if they’ll be interested in offering the Android 4.3 upgrade that brings Galaxy Gear functionality at some point down the line. Hit the source link for the full presser, but not before checking out the full gallery below.              [via Samsung] |
| Verizon HTC One Android 4.3 upgrade due soon; full changelog inside Posted: 16 Dec 2013 12:24 PM PST If you’re still waiting patiently for that Android 4.3 upgrade for the Verizon HTC One, recent movements suggest you won’t have to wait much longer. The support document for the phone has been updated on Verizon’s site, with the PDF noting that an upgrade – 2.10.605.1 — will soon be bringing the goods you’ve all been waiting for. Here’s a full list of fixes and enhancements that will come along with all the other stuff Android 4.3 brings us:
It’s not KitKat, but any improvements are good improvements, and it’ll be a nice consolation prize as we await the juicy Android 4.4 upgrade (which HTC anticipates will come at some point within the next couple of months). Be sure to start checking for the upgrade by heading to Settings > About Phone. [via Verizon] |
| LG G Flex leaked for Sprint; should have tri-band “Sprint Spark” radios Posted: 16 Dec 2013 11:04 AM PST The LG G Flex isn’t LG’s flagship smartphone, but it’ll still one of the more exciting devices the company has launched this year. Thanks to a leak by @evleaks, we now know it’ll beheaded to Sprint’s store shelves at some point in the near future. It should be identical to the G Flex available internationally, save for the new tri-band radios that will be used to take advantage of Sprint Spark. It’s the first smartphone that’s virtually indestructible, with its curved display and chassis being able to bend straight and spring back into shape without fail. It also features a self-healing back, one that has trumped many intense scratch tests. Durability aside, this thing is also pretty strong beneath the hood. Here’s the spec line for those of you who like to know which gears are turning that makes this thing tick:
Earlier rumors also tell us to expect it to launch for Verizon and AT&T at some point, though nothing is definite just yet. We’ll definitely be keeping our ear to these cold winter streets to see if we can’t find out when, exactly, to expect its arrival on the Now Network. |
| Android 4.3 now rolling out for Sony Xperia Z1 and Xperia Z Ultra Posted: 16 Dec 2013 10:02 AM PST Sony has announced that two of their top phones are now receiving Android 4.3 Jelly Bean. The two lucky ones are the Sony Xperia Z1 and the Sony Xperia Z Ultra, and this upgrade will bring a lot of great improvements that any owner of either one will enjoy. Here’s a full list (as told by Sony themselves) of all the goods you’ll be enjoying:
Alongside all that, we’re also hearing that this thing fixes the camera bug for devices with unlocked bootloaders. As usual, the upgrade rollout timing will depend on your region and carrier. Unlocked international models will naturally be first in line, but those of you with carrier-provided devices will have to wait until they approve the upgrade for use on their network. You should be able to find what you need in the Settings menu of your phone, but you’ll want WiFi on and a decently-charged battery before trying to pull it down. [via Sony] |
| Sprint lights up 70 new markets with 4G LTE Posted: 16 Dec 2013 09:37 AM PST It looks like Sprint’s Network Vision (as well as Sprint Spark) movement is moving in the right direction, with the company able to announce that they’ve lit up 70 new markets with 4G LTE ahead of Christmas. The sizable list includes a lot of major cities, including Green Bay, WI; San Diego, CA; Little Rock, AK; Orlando; FL and more. It’s no secret that Sprint has fallen behind a bit with their plans to get a vast majority of their network up and running with LTE by the end of this year, but this major push should tell you that the company is serious about getting much further than they did with WiMax. A new wide-band data standard isn’t the only thing they’re looking to bring us in the months and years to come, of course. Sprint Spark is another major cog in this big machine, a series of network upgrades that will add a new building-friendly 800MHz spectrum into the mix. Sprint’s network setup gives them the ability to deliver LTE speeds on all three of their bands (800MHz, 1900MHz and 2100MHz) simultaneously, and the first phones with this tri-brand support are already beginning to roll in. The Samsung Galaxy S4 is one such device getting a re-release with the “Sprint Spark” upgrades. It’s also worth noting that the Nexus 5 might also get upgrades to enable Spark compatibility at some point down the line. Those devices join a family of hotspots and modems already available on the Now Network. We’d bet our bottom dollar that Sprint will look to bring Spark in most of their future major smartphones, and eventually in every 4G LTE device they launch. Having the device alone isn’t enough to take advantage of Sprint’s new and improved network, though. Spark upgrades have to roll out city-by-city just like the initial LTE rollout, so it will be a while yet before you get to take advantage. Folks in Chicago are already having a bit of fun with it, but it’s going to take more than just a couple of big cities to impress the lot of Sprint customers currently begging for improved network performance. Let’s hope 2014 brings the push Sprint needs to help turn public opinion about their struggling network around. Hit the source link for the full list of cities that got 4G LTE today. [via Sprint] |
| Amazon offering Kindle Fire HDX devices under 9-month interest-free payment plan Posted: 16 Dec 2013 07:57 AM PST Amazon is trying lots of different things to help get Kindle Fire tablets into homes this holiday season. Earlier this winter, we saw the company offer free 30-day trials for the device, giving folks a way to try it before they buy it without paying a dime (so long as they sent the tablet back before the trial period was over). Now, they’re taking things a step further. Amazon has offered a new interest-free 9-month payment plan to select customers looking to buy any version of the Kindle Fire HDX. You pay just 25% of the cost up-front, and you’ll be charged another 25% every 3 months afterward until the device is paid off. You’re also getting an option to pay the device off in full at any time, giving you a flexible way to get a great holiday gift for yourself or a loved one without having to break the bank all at once. Most folks with accounts in good standing seem to be eligible for the option, so be sure to hit this link to see if you’ll be able to take advantage (you’ll have to be signed in with your Amazon account in order for it to show up). |
| Quick reminder: order from the Google Play Store by noon today to guarantee shipment by Christmas Posted: 16 Dec 2013 07:21 AM PST Just a quick heads up for those of you getting your last minute Christmas gift from the Google Play Store: you’ll have until noon today (in your respective timezone) to order it and get it by December 24th. There are a couple of things you’ll want to remember:
Whether it’s an accessory, a phone, a tablet, or a Chromecast, all of it can be found in the Google Play Store. Get over there and grab whatever you need before it’s too late. [via Google] |
| Motorola teases wooden backs for the Moto X Posted: 16 Dec 2013 06:31 AM PST Motorola may not have had the wooden backs for the Moto X ready for launch, but the company isn’t going to give up on bringing them out for Moto Maker customers. Motorola took some time yesterday to remind us that the option is still coming with the image above, telling folks they should put their DIY projects on hold. This particular quote still doesn’t give us a solid time frame to look forward to, but a tease lets us know that Motorola is ready to make this thing available any day now. We expect the wooden backs to be available for all editions of the Moto X sold in Moto Maker, which is now open to nearly any carrier the device is available on. We already got a look at press renders for one version of the phone, with @evleaks giving us a quick peak at the thing in Verizon’s drags (which, in case you didn’t guess it, was plastered with out-of-place Verizon logos). We’ll be looking to see if we can get a definite time table from Motorola, but in the meantime let us know if you are holding off on buying the Moto X until this beautiful option is made available. [via Google+] |
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