Android Phone Fans |
- “Nexus TV” set top box rumors return, point to first half of 2014
- Vote 2013: Google wants you to tell them the year’s best apps and games
- Huawei PhoPad could come at CES 2014, compete with ASUS Padfone
- ASUS Padfone Mini Press Picture Renders Leak
| “Nexus TV” set top box rumors return, point to first half of 2014 Posted: 07 Dec 2013 10:31 AM PST It’s safe to say that Google’s conquest of taking over your living room hasn’t been all that successful. For all the promise it showed on paper, the Google TV platform never really took off for multiple reasons, such as often the cost of the device in comparison with other competitors, like the Roku, the ecosystem and the interface. So when the Chromecast was released and sold like hotcakes, many wondered if this was the end of the Google TV platform. However, Google always said that it wasn’t, and rumors are once again swirling of a “Nexus TV” set top box that would release in the first half of 2014. The talk earlier this year was that Andy Rubin showed off a prototype at CES, with rumored features including a three-dimensional motion sensor, like a Kinect, with a heavy focus on simplicity in using the device, possibly with your phone. Personally, I’d put a bet on an “always listening” mode, too. Google’s done a great job with it in a limited way on the Google Experience Launcher on the Nexus 5, and in particular Motorola’s implementation of it on the Moto X. Honestly, the way I see it, the best interface on a TV would be voice. We’re not quite sure about the content aspect of it, though I expect all the major online services that signed up for the Chromecast would be happy to join. In fact, it wouldn’t be a surprise if the set-top box also acts as a Chromecast receiver, allowing you to push content from your phone to the TV in the same manner as with the dongle. There should also be a few apps and games. |
| Vote 2013: Google wants you to tell them the year’s best apps and games Posted: 07 Dec 2013 09:52 AM PST Want to help get your favorite apps and games the attention you think they deserve? Google is now giving you the opportunity to do so by opening up a “Player’s Choice Awards” contest, where you get to choose the best apps and games of the year. There are 6 categories, three for games and three for apps, which each category having eight nominees. If you don’t like Google’s choices, you are permitted to suggest something else. The categories, and the nominees for each, are: I Can’t Quit You (Best addictive games)
Old School, Still Cool (Best franchise games)
Lights, Camera, Action (Best games based on a movie)
Quietly Brilliant (Best apps for enhancing the everyday)
At Your Service (Best apps for booking and buying)
I <3 Google (Best Google apps)
To get voting, visit this link. |
| Huawei PhoPad could come at CES 2014, compete with ASUS Padfone Posted: 07 Dec 2013 09:07 AM PST CES 2014 is right around the corner and we’re bound to see a slew of new phones, tablets, laptops, and more as the new year rings in new devices. One unannounced device we could see? The Huawei PhoPad. Huawei has a history of large devices that blur the phone and tablet line with their Huawei Ascend Mate, announced at last year’s CES alongside the Huawei Ascend P1 and Huawei Ascend D Quad. The Ascend Mate had a 6.1-inch screen and (at the time) was billed as the largest screen on any smartphone. Is the Ascend Mate being rebranded to PhoPad? Or perhaps Huawei will showcase a new form factor similar to the ASUS Padfone series which allow a smartphone to slip inside a companion tablet shell, acting as it’s brain? (Read more about the newly announced ASUS Padfone Infinity and ASUS Padfone Mini). Regardless of how they plan to use the name, we’re certain they plan to use it: Huawei has just trademarked the PhoPad name with the USPTO. We’ve got to give some “Back to the Future” type credit to Martin Andersson who, way back in January, sarcastically coined the “PhoPad” name in the comments section of a Marques Brownlee G+ post about none other than… the Huawei Ascend Mate. Hey Martin, what do you know that we don’t, future boy? Is Andersson your real name, McFly? Or next week will you be Clint Eastwood? We kid, we kid… although everything above is absolutely true. Huawei will undoubtedly have a strong presence at CES 2014 and we’re already scheduled to attend their press conference and snag some hands-on of whatever they’ve got to offer. We’re hoping this mysterious PhoPad is part of the mix. And now, with all this cold weather and talk about Pho this and Pho that, I’m hungry. Pho Real. |
| ASUS Padfone Mini Press Picture Renders Leak Posted: 06 Dec 2013 11:22 PM PST It’s hard to argue that the ASUS Padfone series isn’t an innovative and potentially awesome product: rather than pay full price for a phone and tablet, the ASUS Padfone is a phone that – when inserted into the Padfone tablet shell – becomes the tablet. There was the original ASUS Padfone and Padfone 2, most recently the Padfone Infinity, and we’re set to see the ASUS Padfone Mini on December 11th. Now, for the first time, we’re seeing press renders of exactly how the Padfone Mini will look: The bezels on both the phone and the tablet are larger than I’d hope to see, but considering the logistics of the technology, you’re going to have to make some concessions compared to a dedicated tablet and dedicated phone. Of course on the bright side, you’re able to carry two devices in one and it should come at a comparable bargain… we’ll have to wait on that verdict. So where does the whole “mini” thing come in? Well the ASUS Padfone Infinity is a 5-inch phone with a 10-inch tablet while the ASUS Padfone Mini is expected to bring a 4.3-inch phone and 7-inch tablet. ASUS is announcing the phone in Taiwan and it’s likely the initial launch will be restricted to Asia and Europe. We’re not hopeful it will come stateside, but we know American Android fans have been clamoring for the Padfone opportunity. For which of these Padfones would you elect? The Padfone Infinity or the Padfone Mini? Is the 4.3-inch and 7-inch combination a big enough jump in size to justify this product when you can already buy great 7-inch tablets at ultra affordable prices? And perhaps the biggest question of all: if ASUS is the only one pursuing this hardware configuration, does it mean it’s a losing idea that’s bound to die? It’s definitely cool… but will it last? [Via @evleaks] |
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