Android Phone Fans |
- Final Fantasy VI for Android arrives tomorrow on Google Play
- Samsung Galaxy S4 Active now receiving Android 4.3
- Samsung Galaxy S5 to feature higher capacity, fast-charge 2,900mAh battery [RUMOR]
- Floatifications update brings new ticker-style notifications
- Samsung-made Nexus 10 (2014) allegedly pictured [UPDATE]
- If Google were a guy, he’d have the worst job ever [VIDEO]
- Google Play edition Moto G now available for $180
- Xbox Music update brings offline playlist caching
- Hands-on: Ricoh Theta, a 360-degree spherical camera that fits inside your pocket
- Boost Mobile launches Moto G with NextRadio for $130
- Nexus 10 32GB now out of stock on Google Play; refresh coming soon?
- Hands-on: PlayStation Now will let you stream games to your Android device [VIDEO]
- Sony Xperia E1 and Sony Xperia T2 Ultra announced for developing markets
- Motorola DROID Maxx, Ultra and Mini KitKat upgrades resume rolling out
- [Update: Germany, France too] UK Moto X launches February 1st for £380
| Final Fantasy VI for Android arrives tomorrow on Google Play Posted: 14 Jan 2014 04:09 PM PST It was late last year video game publisher Square Enix announced that the highly regarded Final Fantasy VI would finally be making its way to Android devices. We even got a glimpse at the title in the worst launch trailer ever, which did a terrible job of showing off the slightly enhanced graphics. Today, a few of Square Enix’s Twitter accounts went live, tweeting that the game would actually be hitting Google Play Stores starting tomorrow, January 15th. While specific regions weren’t confirmed, Square Enix Europe mentions the game will be available in English, French, Italian, German, and Spanish — priced at £11/€15. We’ll just keep our fingers crossed for a worldwide rollout soon after. We found it interesting that Square wasn’t divulging in details on the iOS version of the game, only mentioning that they would reveal more at a later time. Them’s the breaks. Sorry, Kevin. ;) |
| Samsung Galaxy S4 Active now receiving Android 4.3 Posted: 14 Jan 2014 03:32 PM PST We were hoping that with the slight change in the Active’s hardware over the regular S4, software updates wouldn’t be affected. Sad to say, they were. It’s been a long time coming, but today Samsung Galaxy S4 Active owners were treated to Android 4.3 Jelly Bean on their devices. Weighing in at 721MB, the JSS15J.I537UCUBML2 update (rolling out now over-the-air) brings such improvements as Samsung Galaxy Gear compatibility, drag-and-drop uninstall/disable applications function, and AT&T’s Signature Experience apps (bloatware) like Kindle, Lookout, City ID, Password Keeper, Games and AT&T Mobile Protection. As usual, you can manually check for the update yourself by jumping into Settings > About device > Software update > Check for updates. Cheers! [AT&T] |
| Samsung Galaxy S5 to feature higher capacity, fast-charge 2,900mAh battery [RUMOR] Posted: 14 Jan 2014 02:32 PM PST As we approach the anniversary of the Galaxy S4, rumors of its inevitable sequel have begun leaking out online. Yesterday, we got alleged “confirmation” of the Samsung Galaxy S5′s specs, highlighting hardware like a 2,560×1,440 resolution SAMOLED display, Exynos 6/Snapdragon 805 processor, 16MP camera, and Android 4.4 KitKat. While battery size was left out of that particular leak, PhoneArena is hearing that, not only will it feature a 2,900mAh battery, but it will be using a new kind of Li-ion battery capable of packing the 20% more energy in the same amount of space. This new tech — provided by Sillicone Valley startup Amprius — even also allows for rapid charging for added convenience. For now, we’ll take this with a pinch of salt. Where last year’s spec wars were simply a numbers game, it appears that this year we might finally see newer, better tech make its way into our favorite smartphones.
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| Floatifications update brings new ticker-style notifications Posted: 14 Jan 2014 01:07 PM PST Paranoid Android’s floating notifications is a pretty sick feature, but not any of us are able to flash that ROM to get that feature. Luckily enough, Floatifications has been filling that bill for us quite nicely, and the latest upgrade makes it even better. Developer Rob J has introduced a new ticker-style notification, giving you a look at your latest notification in the form of a nice, big box at the top of the screen. It’s a pretty nice feature, and you can see exactly how it works by watching the quick video demo above. Aside from that, we’ve also gotten a new full-screen mode, the ability to customize the size of the gap between icons, and the ability to unlink FN and status bar notifications on Android 4.3 or higher. There were also a bevy of bug fixes:
Sound good? You know where to find it, and don’t forget to consider dropping a few bucks on the premium version of the app if you like what you see. |
| Samsung-made Nexus 10 (2014) allegedly pictured [UPDATE] Posted: 14 Jan 2014 12:43 PM PST @Evleaks took to his social accounts today to drop another leak, this time coming from a tip and not his usual sources. That being said, Mr. Leaks wasn’t able to verify the authenticity of these claims, only passing along the alleged info. According to the tip, the Nexus 10 (2014) will contract Samsung, once again, to build the tablet, equipping the device with a Exynos 5 processor, 2560×1600 WQXGA display, 3GB of RAM with 16/32GB storage options, along with 5MP rear/3MP front facing cameras — running on Android 4.5 (KitKat or a new dessert?). Seems legit. UPDATE: Pocket-lint was able to snag another angle of the alleged Nexus 10 sequel, but according to @evleaks, when multiple publications receive the same image (or something similar), it could be signs of a hoax. Tread carefully, friends. |
| If Google were a guy, he’d have the worst job ever [VIDEO] Posted: 14 Jan 2014 12:17 PM PST Not sure if you’ve, while typing into Google search, ever came across the most bizarre suggestions to complete your query. We have, and other than killing our faith in humanity a little bit every day, these suggestions can sometimes yield hilarious results. So what if Google was just a man in an office, trying to make a living? Do you think he’d like his job? Probably not. Watch the slightly NSFW video below for a chuckle. [via College Humor] |
| Google Play edition Moto G now available for $180 Posted: 14 Jan 2014 11:29 AM PST Looks like the Moto G has officially taken the Nexus 4′s spot on the Play Store. The LTE-deficient G can currently be purchased on Google Play for $180 for 8GB, or $200 for 16GB. Keep in mind this is the GSM model, meaning it should work just fine on T-Mobile or AT&T, sans LTE (sorry, Sprint/Verizon). While carrier-branded Moto Gs were already running a pretty darn near stock Android experience, this version has the added benefit of updates directly from Motorola/Google, where it already kicks things off with the latest Android 4.4 KitKat. Link below for those looking to purchase.
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| Xbox Music update brings offline playlist caching Posted: 14 Jan 2014 11:28 AM PST When Microsoft launched their Xbox Music service, it was met wit mixed reactions. On one hand, they had a pretty decent selection of tracks and the mobile and desktop apps weren’t bad. It also would be compatible with Microsoft’s latest Xbox One console. On the other hand, it was missing crucial features like offline playback. Thankfully, you can now check that one off the list. The latest upgrade to the Xbox Music app allows you to cache entire playlists of songs for playback when you don’t have a data connection available. Furthermore, Microsoft also added a “play all by genre” feature so you can easily listen to all songs of a specific genre — sometimes you just feel like hearing all things salsa for a few hours. The application is available as a free download in the Google Play Store, though you’ll need an Xbox Music Pass subscription in order to check it out. Microsoft allows you to try it out for free, so be sure to give it a whirl and see if it’s something you like (though we wouldn’t be surprised if you went running back to Google Play Music in the end). |
| Hands-on: Ricoh Theta, a 360-degree spherical camera that fits inside your pocket Posted: 14 Jan 2014 10:17 AM PST We scoured just about every corner of the Las Vegas Convention Center during our CES coverage last week and while paying a visit to the Ricoh booth (for our own leisure), we uncovered a fun little gizmo called the Ricoh Theta. Released during the summer of last year, the Theta is a tiny camera that can easily slide inside your skinny jeans and is outfitted with 2 fish-eye lens cameras to snap 360-degree photos of the entire world around you, with little effort. Much like Android’s Photo Sphere, or the recently funded Panono, photos can then be viewed using Ricoh’s special app to pan around and view the world as if you were there. The benefit the Theta has over Android’s Photo Sphere is in its ease of use (no need to fiddle around with multiple shots to get the stitching perfect). When compared against something like the Panono — which features 36 cameras firing a combined 108MP image — the Theta is much smaller, and retails for about $200 less than the Panono ball.
But that doesn’t mean the Theta is perfect. We found image quality to be somewhat lacking (only when zoomed in), but then again what Ricoh is really trying to sell is the experience the Theta offers, something that adds a new level of immersion to traditional snapshots. Also, you’ll need the special-made Theta app (for Android and iOS) to view your spherical images and as it stands, they’re only sharable on Facebook. If Ricoh can eventually add Google+ support, it’ll be golden. For the photo enthusiast with a little money to burn, you can find the Ricoh Theta at Amazon for about $400.      |
| Boost Mobile launches Moto G with NextRadio for $130 Posted: 14 Jan 2014 09:56 AM PST Boost Mobile is the next US carrier to launch the extremely affordable Moto G. The Sprint-backed prepaid carrier will offer it for just a meager $130, giving you a quad-core 4.5-inch 720p handset that will be among the first to be upgraded to Android 4.4 KitKat (Boost says as early as February). Boost Mobile’s version is just about the same as everyone else’s, though the carrier is touting their NextRadio service that uses an FM radio to allow you to listen to local tunes, talk and sports radio. You’ll also be treated to 50GB of free Google Drive storage for at least two years, giving you more than enough storage you need for all your important documents and files. Those interested in buying the device can grab it starting today from Boost Mobile’s website, though you’ll be waiting until January 20th if you want to grab it in-store. Check it out by heading there now. |
| Nexus 10 32GB now out of stock on Google Play; refresh coming soon? Posted: 14 Jan 2014 08:14 AM PST Back in late October, we all noticed the 16GB Nexus 10 was “out of inventory.” This was a different message than the typical “out of stock” or “ships in 1-2 weeks” message we’re used to, which had us believing that the device wouldn’t return. Sure enough, it’s been a couple of months and it still isn’t available for sale in the Google Play Store. The 32GB Nexus 10 was still available, but that might have changed as of this morning. Google has now changed its listing to the same “out of inventory” message that the 16GB message got a couple of months ago. While this is by no means hard confirmation that the device’s stock won’t be replenished, we wouldn’t count on a big refill anytime soon. The Nexus 10 has been available since 2012, and it has definitely run its course. We expected to see a refresh right around the same time as the Nexus 5, but that never happened. Original rumors reported Samsung would reprise their role as the manufacturer of the device, but we later learned ASUS was a good bet to take over the reigns. It wouldn’t be a bad idea considering ASUS commands one of the finest lineups of tablets in the industry. We’re not sure how close we are to a refresh, but if the current Nexus 10 stays out of stock in the Google Play Store there’s a good chance we’ll be seeing it at some point in the very near future. We’ll keep monitoring the Google Play store to see if anything changes. [Thanks to everyone who sent this in!] |
| Hands-on: PlayStation Now will let you stream games to your Android device [VIDEO] Posted: 14 Jan 2014 06:44 AM PST Sony had a lot of great smartphones to announce under their Xperia brand at CES, but they also had some goods for those who are on the PlayStation train. It’s PlayStation Now, a new streaming games service that will let you play a selection of great PS1, PS2, PS3 or even PS4 titles using the power of recently-acquired Gaikai. It was obvious that PlayStation Now would come to all of Sony’s platforms, including Bravia TVs, the PlayStation Vita, and the PS4, but we were a bit surprised to learn that Sony would also be bringing functionality to popular mobile platforms like Android and iOS. All of this will be delivered via a monthly fee (different tiers for different levels of access) or by users buying access to games individually. While Sony didn’t have a working demo of PlayStation Now on Android, we did get a look at it in action on their Bravia TV and the PlayStation Vita. The former showed a relatively smooth experience. It was impressive considering CES usually doesn’t have the best network conditions. Chris Chavez noticed a bit of artifacting during gameplay, though it wasn’t too bad all things considered. Edgar’s time on the PlayStation Vita proved even more impressive, with the powerful handheld delivering crisp, smooth and clean Joel Banderas goodness on the go. There’s only one thing we have to say (or do) to all of this… Watch the hands-on video above. [via PS4Daily] |
| Sony Xperia E1 and Sony Xperia T2 Ultra announced for developing markets Posted: 14 Jan 2014 06:03 AM PST Sony took the morning to announce two new smartphones for developing markets, giving folks a couple of more low-cost Android-based options if they’re looking to get a new smartphone on the cheap. Say hello to the Sony Xperia E1, as well as the Sony Xperia T2 Ultra. The former is a 4-inch WVGA dual-core smartphone, while the latter takes things up a notch with 6-inch 720p goodness. Sony Xperia E1 This smallish smartphone brings a decent option that should go easy on the pockets. Its 4-inch display is only WVGA 800 x 480 resolution, but that should look crisp enough on such a small display. The rest of the specs aren’t exactly blowing other devices out of the water, but they should be enough to get you through your day-to-day life:
It also features a 100dB speaker, and will come with a free 30-day trial to Sony’s Music Unlimited service, giving you a pretty nice experience for listening to all the music you love. Sony will also offer this phone in a dual-SIM configuration, giving you the ability to use multiple lines on the same device with ease. Sony Xperia T2 Ultra The Xperia T2 Ultra is a bit more capable, though you could still consider this an mid-range smartphone up against other 5.5-inch to 6-inch offerings out there. Specs? Sure, here you go:
This one also comes in dual-SIM flavor. Pricing and availability Sony didn’t have any pricing information to give out right away, but the Japanese company does tell us to expect this thing in China, the Middle East, Africa and Asia at some point within the next month or two. The phones aren’t expected to break the bank, of course — you’ll need ot look to options such as the Xperia Z1s for that sort of high-end goodness. |
| Motorola DROID Maxx, Ultra and Mini KitKat upgrades resume rolling out Posted: 14 Jan 2014 05:37 AM PST It didn’t take long for Motorola to deliver KitKat to owners of Motorola’s DROID devices on Verizon, but the initial batch ended up being limited to the original folks who signed up for the soak test. Verizon announced the upgrades were rolling out for everyone, though a vast majority of folks were left out of that initial wave. Now, it appears a larger group of folks are being greenlit to pull down the Android 4.4 KitKat update they’ve been craving, with reports from owners of the Motorola DROID Mini, Motorola DROID Maxx and Motorola DROID Ultra telling us that much. You should note that this upgrade doesn’t bring us the same KitKat experience found on the likes of the Nexus 5. Verizon’s phones have all kept the blue status icons, the Jelly Bean dialer, and the Jelly Bean home-screen. That said, you’ll find everything else KitKat has to offer, such as host card emulation (tap to pay), the new messaging service handler for switching between default messengers, a new home screen manager for switching between default home screen, the new experimental Android Runtime, the transparency framework for transparent status bars, and more. Verizon is likely still rolling this thing out in phases, so it’s possible not everyone will see it right away even after all this time. It’s easy to check, though, so be sure to fire up WiFi, charge your battery and head to Settings > About Phone > System Update to check. You’ll be looking for version 19.5.3.obake_verizon.Verizon.en.US for the Ultra, 19.5.3.obake-maxx_verizon.Verizon.en.US for the Maxx, and 19.5.3.obakem_verizon.Verizon.en.US for the Mini. Have at it! |
| [Update: Germany, France too] UK Moto X launches February 1st for £380 Posted: 14 Jan 2014 05:06 AM PST The Moto X has been a big hit for Motorola, but the company wasn’t logistically ready to launch this thing in regions other than North America. That’s set to change soon, though, as Motorola has announced that the device would finally be arriving in the United Kingdom starting February 1st. Folks can get their hands on it for £380 unlocked, though we’re sure you’ll be able to find it for free on tariffs from various carriers and retailers. That said, those across the pond shouldn’t expect Moto Maker customization right away. Motorola apparently doesn’t want to offer customization until they’re sure they can get the phone turned around in less than a full business week. There aren’t many other details to be had, but Motorola is expected to hold a press briefing later today and we’ll update you with anything that might come out of it. The Moto X was recognized as a great achievement by Motorola, and much of that has to do with the company’s “keep it simple, stupid” approach to phone design. That design allowed them to be one of the first OEMs to offer up Android 4.4 KitKat when it became available. There’s a lot to like about this new Motorola, so be sure to give the Moto X some real consideration if you’re in the market for a new smartphone soon. Stop by our Moto X forums if you want some opinions from the many consumers already enjoying this thing. [Update]: Motorola also announced that it will be coming to Germany and France on the same day. |
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