Android Phone Fans |
- HTC M8 to be called “The All New One” – will launch in gray, silver, and gold [RUMOR]
- Google provides Glass Explorers with a handy guide in Glasshole prevention
- Samsung to debut Tizen-powered Galaxy Gear sequel along side the S5 next week [RUMOR]
- Samsung provides details on the Galaxy S5′s new LED flash tech
- Nokia X teasers ramp up ahead of Mobile World Congress
- Another look at the HTC M8, this time inside a case
- HTC will now replace your display for free one time within 6 months of purchase
- Clear your desk space: 10-inch “MEGA” Android figurines are on the way
- HTC One sequel (HTC M8, One+, One 2?) to be officially unveiled March 25th
- Official: Samsung bringing Android 4.4 KitKat to 14 different Galaxy devices
- LG Knock Code adds security to unique KnockOn feature, demoed on G Pro 2 [VIDEO]
- Google’s purchase of SlickLogin could enable sign-ins using audio authentication soon
- Samsung Galaxy Core LTE clamps down with 4G offering for Europe, Russia, and Asia
| HTC M8 to be called “The All New One” – will launch in gray, silver, and gold [RUMOR] Posted: 18 Feb 2014 06:04 PM PST We had a feeling HTC would be facing a few legal hurdles if, as rumored, they decided to official name their upcoming HTC One successor as the “One+.” We discovered back in January that “One+” was a trademark already owned by former Oppo exec Pete Lau and his startup smartphone brand OnePlus. In fact, Lau caught onto this rumor pretty quick, publicly declaring on his Google+ page that he was confident about defending his legal rights. Ouch. Today, @evleaks — who has brought us numerous leaks in the past — tweeted that HTC is now abandoning the One+ name, opting instead for the “The All New One.” Yeah, you heard right. Doesn’t roll off the tongue quite as nice, huh? He goes onto to leak the 3 colors the HTC All New One will launch in: grey, silver, and gold. While we’re pretty excited at the prospect of being able to pick up the HTC All New One in the color of our choice, there’s gotta be something else going on with that name. Not to discount @evleaks’ info, but perhaps HTC is going for a simple HTC One 2014 (similar to what we saw Google do with the Nexus 7 2013). Image credit: Hamdir |
| Google provides Glass Explorers with a handy guide in Glasshole prevention Posted: 18 Feb 2014 04:11 PM PST There’s no question that with growing privacy concerns and the odd nature of wearing a camera strapped to your face, Google is fighting an uphill battle when it comes to public acceptance of Google Glass. We’ve all heard the term “Glasshole” being thrown around. It’s a phrase used to describe a Glass Explorer who simply doesn’t behave “properly” in social situations. In typical Google fashion, when users throw down $1,500 to pick up a pear of the advanced Bluetooth device for themselves, Google sets up appointments with new customers, walking them through the necessary steps on setting up and operating Glass — but fails to educate new users on proper Glass etiquette. Because it’s a new technology and subject to public scrutiny, this may have caused some initial backlash with Glass. But Google is now attempting to set the record straight. They’ve provided a simple “Do’s and Don’t” etiquette guide for new users with the collective wisdom from veteran Glass Explorers. The handy guide was provided on Glass site and deals with everything Glasshole prevention, to how frequently one should play with their Glass (not too much or you’ll go blind). Below, we’ll outline their main points, interjecting our own experiences as well. DO'SExplore the world around you – The whole point of Glass is to augment your life with technology (and Google), rather than staring down at your phone all day. This means you should use Glass to its full potential by engaging in Hangouts, looking up new places to eat, or setting reminders. Take advantage of the Glass voice commands – In most cases, Glass can be operated completely hands-free. This makes Glass unique from your smartphone or Pebble smartwatch in that your hands are free for doing other things (cooking, taking photos, or having sex). Ask for permission - When taking photos or videos of strangers, always ask for permission. We know, it’s so much easier to take pics/video without anyone knowing, but because we’re trying to set a good Glass example, you should treat Glass the same as when snapping pics and/or recording video on your DSLR or smartphone. Be courteous. Use screen lock – Alright, we have to admit we aren’t the biggest fan of lockscreens, but if you want to keep prying eyes from accessing your personal data, or a lost device ending up on Craigslist — lock your Glass. In dire straights, you can always perform a factory reset remotely using the MyGlass app on your phone, or via the web browser. Be an active and vocal member of the Glass Explorer Community – Glass is a new technology, and believe it or not, many of the new features being added every month were added thanks to a very active and involved Glass Explorer Community. It’s this feedback that will continue to shape Glass, and help mature the wearable into a consumer ready wearable. DON’TSGlass-out – Glass was not meant to replace your smartphone, it was meant to free you from it. What this means is you should never “Glass-out” for long periods of time, swiping through you timeline, checking messages, and or browsing Reddit. Get in, get out — that’s the name of the game. This will not only help preserve battery life, but prevent you from looking like a Glass zombie. Rock Glass while doing high-impact sports - Pretty self explanatory. Glass isn’t indestructible and neither is your face. Also, probably wanna avoid water sports as well. Wear it and expect to be ignored - Chances are if you own a pair of Google Glass — you’re one of very few in your city. That means when going to the grocery store, mall, or restaurant — prepare to answer questions. Glass is awesome, it’s a new technology, and people are excited about it. We’re sure you were too at first. Google’s tip? Simply explain that Google Glass works in much the same way as a smartphone (camera, maps, email, etc.) but it’s also hands-free. Wear your Google Glass 24/7? Then take it off during situations where you don’t want to be interrupted. Simple as that. Be creepy or rude (aka, a "Glasshole") - Google asks that as a Glass Explorer, you respect others and are polite about any questions they may have about Glass (I mean, why be a jerk?). Because you could try and explain Glass to someone and them still not “get it,” Google also encourages Explorers to give quick demos to those interested (of course, exercise caution). When in places where call phone cameras aren’t allowed (movie theater, court, girls locker room), the same also applies to Glass. If or when someone asks you to turn off your Google Glass (it’s happened to us a few times), simply turn them off, or wear them on the back of your neck. Seems fair enough. Finally, here’s Google’s main point and drives home the reason they published this entire list:
As we’ve seen publicized in the past by a certain Seattle dive bar, movie theater patron, and a Google Glass driver. Anything else you think Google should have added? TL;DR – Don’t be this guy: [Google | Image credit: Phillip Montgomery] |
| Samsung to debut Tizen-powered Galaxy Gear sequel along side the S5 next week [RUMOR] Posted: 18 Feb 2014 02:14 PM PST We’ve already got our flight booked for this year’s Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, Spain. It’s no secret that Samsung will officially unveil their next Galaxy flagship during their Unpacked 5 event on February 24th — that much we know. What we don’t know is what else Sammy has up their sleeve (literally). According to sources with “direct knowledge on the matter,” Samsung is also planning to unveil the sequel to their smartwatch, the Samsung Galaxy Gear. The original Galaxy Gear originally launched barely six months ago amid rumors Apple would enter into the wearables market with a smartwatch of their own. Of course, that didn’t exactly pan out (at least not yet), leaving Samsung with, what many felt, was a rushed effort. Samsung is taking many of those criticisms to heart, and in a strange twist, it’s now being reported that we could see multiple Galaxy Gear wearables debut at MWC, one that might not even run Android this time around. According to USA Today, Samsung will instead rely on their own in-house Tizen operating system, giving Android the boot completely. Unlike with the original Gear running the full Android operating system, this particular version of the Gear will run a special HTML5 version of Tizen catered to smaller displays and less powerful devices. It appears Samsung could be targeting developers already familiar with creating web apps to help create apps designed specifically for their smartwatch. Can’t say Samsung would be stepping on Google’s toes with the move given Google hasn’t exactly created a version of their OS designed with wearables in mind. While we at Phandroid are Android all the way, we wouldn’t be directly opposed to a smartwatch running a different operating system a la the Pebble. How ’bout you? |
| Samsung provides details on the Galaxy S5′s new LED flash tech Posted: 18 Feb 2014 01:25 PM PST Samsung often takes to their Samsung Tomorrow blog to announce new hardware innovations that they claim will arrive in future devices. You may remember back in September of last year that Samsung announced a new 8MP CMOS image sensor for “premium” mobile devices dubbed ISOCELL. While ISOCELL is said to improve images in well lit environments (where there’s a big difference in dynamic range), but what about when a flash is absolutely necessary to illuminate dark subjects? Samsung’s got you covered. We know, smartphones cameras with LED flashes aren’t known for creating the most stellar photos. More than often, subjects are blown out, and come out looking a tinge of green. Today, Samsung is introducing several new types of LED flashes that will debut in high-end mobile devices later this year because, well… any new advancements are sure to help. The first is an LED flash they’re calling a “reflector-integrated flash LED” and will debut in the Samsung Galaxy S5. It basically shoots light in a wider field of view to compensate for our smartphone cameras wide FOV. This ensures light reaches to the far edges of the image, which should come in handy when flash is needed. Samsung also says the color rendering has also been improved, making the flash function well in both daylight and nighttime shots. Samsung also talked about their affordable “standard flash LED 2016″ which is said to offer better light output and better color than LEDs found on current smartphones. Lastly, Samsung introduced their upcoming “side view LEDs” which are said to be more power efficient and given their small footprint (.8mm thick), makes them perfect for the growing trend of thinner smartphones and tablets. Samsung says they’ll begin mass producing their new LEDs in March, where you can expect to find them popping up inside devices sometime in Q2. |
| Nokia X teasers ramp up ahead of Mobile World Congress Posted: 18 Feb 2014 01:02 PM PST Mobile World Congress is approaching faster than a bullet from a desert eagle, and Nokia is continuing to tease us a about an announcement they’ll be making at the big show in Barcelona. We’re almost certain it’s going to be the “ Nokia Normandy” phone we’ve been hearing about so much, an Android-running entry level device that is said to cost just $100. Recent rumors have given it a name change, of course, with the latest suggesting it’ll be called the Nokia X. It looks like the Finnish company could indeed be running with that, as all their official teaser image for the announcement shows some sort of green X. Not convinced that the arrows in the photo above make up an X? How about the “X” marking the spot on the map, or the X shape in the stand of DNA making up the tree’s roots in the couple of images used to tease the announcement on Chinese social network Weibo? That other picture with the kid in a monkey costume and an actual monkey? Well, yea, we’ve got nothing on that. Nonetheless, it’s all very interesting and it all points to us seeing this peculiar device launched in the week to come. The device itself might not be setting the world on fire, though. Just look at these specs it’s said to don:
And now you see where that $100 price tag comes from. It’s safe to say this thing is headed straight for developing markets, but it has our attention regardless. Part of that might be due to the fact that Nokia’s new potential owner is the maker of Windows Phone, and because Nokia practically swore they’d never make an Android phone.    This won’t be your typical Android phone, it seems. All of the UI leaks suggest this will be heavily skinned by Nokia, giving us a style that’s reminiscent of Windows phone while neglecting to employ some of Android’s most unique features such as customizable home-screens. We’re not even sure if this thing will have access to Google Play, as Nokia seems to be positioning the X as more of a supercharged feature phone than a smartphone. We’ll have to wait for the big unveiling to see what exactly we’re getting, though, so stay tuned as Mobile World Congress kicks off next week. |
| Another look at the HTC M8, this time inside a case Posted: 18 Feb 2014 11:14 AM PST We already got a look at a few (bulky) HTC M8 cases that leaked a few weeks back. At the time, these cases only confirmed the HTC One followup would include an additional hole on the back, although it’s function remained a mystery. While those cases didn’t actually show the phone housed inside, a new leak from @evaleaks is giving us a good look at just that. The promo images show the front of the device, as it appears inside a miscellaneous thick case. Really, it’s not much. But you can see how the placement of the ambient sensors differ from the current model, as well as the return of the “HTC bezel” along the bottom. Also worth noting is the date of the clock/weather widget, showing March 25th — they day HTC recently appointed as the HTC M8/One Plus/One 2 unveiling date. |
| HTC will now replace your display for free one time within 6 months of purchase Posted: 18 Feb 2014 10:07 AM PST It looks like HTC is adding some nice new perks to what they’re calling the “HTC Advantage.” Above 25GB and 50GB of free Google Drive storage (depending on device) and a promise of commitment to faster updates (and support for two years’ worth of updates from the device’s launch), HTC has announced that they will facilitate free display replacements for select phones of theirs. There are a few gotchas to take heed to, though:
Think of it as an extended perk to their standard warranty. Typical display-shattering mishaps would either require a deductible for a replacement phone through carrier insurance, buying a new phone un-subsidized if you weren’t smart enough to get insurance, or the need to buy a display and replace it yourself. Unfortunately for most people, self replacements are expensive, and they don’t always go well. You’re still SoL if anything happens outside of the 6 months, but that’s still a lot better than current alternatives. Of course, HTC will only be looking to offer this for their top three devices right now, including the HTC One, HTC One Max, and HTC One Mini. We imagine whatever device they have to announce March 25th will be added to that list as well. You can find the full terms in HTC’s expanded limited warranty document here if you’d like, but those are the basics. Keep it in mind the next time your phone takes a nasty tumble down a flight of stairs or face first onto a mean slab of concrete. [via HTC] |
| Clear your desk space: 10-inch “MEGA” Android figurines are on the way Posted: 18 Feb 2014 08:14 AM PST We’ve always had our fair share of fun with these little miniature Android figurines by Andrew Bell via Dead Zebra, but it looks like the big boys are ready to come out and play. Andrew Bell has announced the new MEGA sized figurines, which are 10-inch versions of the little Android mascot we know and love. It might not be life-sized, but these things stand quite tall up against the originals. You can see a comparison in some of the images above and below. And their physical stature isn’t the only thing getting bigger, either. These seem to cost a pretty penny at retail, with some stores beginning to list the plain figurines for a whopping $70. We can only imagine how much special limited edition designs will end up costing once Andrew Bell puts his creative genius to work.     Vinyl Riot is the first retailer we can find that has these for sale, though they won’t be shipping until the week of February 26th. They also have do-it-yourself versions available for $65, giving you a blank, white slate to make your figurine look however you want. Andrew Bell expects them to be up on Dead Zebra soon as well, so keep an eye out there in the weeks to come. In the meantime, you’ll want to bookmark this Google+ page as Bell is looking to direct all discussion (whether it’s about deals, availability or whatever comes to mind) in that particular comment thread. Let us know if you’re going to be looking for these once they’re up for sale. [via Google+] |
| HTC One sequel (HTC M8, One+, One 2?) to be officially unveiled March 25th Posted: 18 Feb 2014 06:36 AM PST HTC is officially sending out press invites for a March 25th event — simultaneously taking place in both London and New York City — where they promise we’ll be seeing their flagship for the year ahead. We expect that phone to be the HTC M8 we’ve been hearing so much about, which is the direct sequel to the HTC One of yesteryear. While we still don’t have a solid clue on what they’ll call this thing just yet, we do have a better idea of what to expect after a barrage of leaks. For starters, we know it’ll closely resemble the original HTC One, though users can expect a couple of key changes. There’s an extra camera on the back, which rumors suggest will be used to facilitate some post-snap focusing features. Also noteworthy is the absence of physical navigation buttons, as HTC has seemingly settled on virtual buttons. Spec rumors have been a bit all over the place, though the latest say we should be seeing the following:
It’s worth noting earlier rumors had the display anywhere between 5 and 5.2 inches, while we’ve also heard murmurings of 3GB of RAM instead of the typical 2GB. Whatever it turns out to be, though, we’ll be front and center come March 25th to take it all in. Be sure to circle the dates on your calendar! |
| Official: Samsung bringing Android 4.4 KitKat to 14 different Galaxy devices Posted: 18 Feb 2014 06:15 AM PST We’d already gotten word from an inside source that Samsung had big plans for KitKat, and those rumors have just become reality. Samsung has just officially announced that 14 different Galaxy devices will be receiving the upgrade to Android 4.4 KitKat. That’s a lot of devices, so let’s not waste any time and jump right into it:
Samsung made it a point to mention that “select” carrier editions of all these devices would get it, which pretty much means it’s up to your carrier to decide whether or not they’ll ultimately bring it to their version of any of these. We have a feeling quite a few of the devices on this list are going to be updated on nearly every carrier imaginable, though, so we wouldn’t worry too much about missing out. This upgrade doesn’t add a ton of new features on Samsung’s side of the court, as the manufacturer brought most significant changes in the Android 4.3 upgrade that preceded it. Here’s what’s new in case you’re interested:
Of course, everything else new to KitKat as a whole can be found in our big FYI post right here, so be sure to take a gander in case you’re interested in more of the under-the-hood changes making this thing tick. In case you haven’t heard, the Samsung Galaxy S4 upgrade has already started rolling out on Sprint here in the United States, while the Galaxy Note 3′s upgrade has started rolling out overseas. Samsung says updates will “start” rolling out today, which you should take to mean that only certain devices, in certain regions and on certain carriers will be seeing an immediate rollout. It’ll likely take a few weeks — maybe months — for the upgrade to reach everyone on all these different devices, so you’ll have to be a little patient if you don’t get it sooner than you can say “break me off a piece of that KitKat bar. |
| LG Knock Code adds security to unique KnockOn feature, demoed on G Pro 2 [VIDEO] Posted: 18 Feb 2014 05:47 AM PST LG KnockOn may be simple in nature, but it’s become a very handy way of unlocking LG’s latest devices for those who have used it. Edgar gushed all about it in his LG G2 review, and many who have bought that phone — and other KnockOn-enabled phones — have since fallen in love, as well. It looks like it’s all about to get even better. LG recently unveiled a new evolution to their KnockOn feature that would allow users to power their display on using a unique series of taps. Dubbed “Knock Code,” this method has you tapping your display with a series of patterns as if you’re inputting a lock screen code. The taps can be put in corner-to-corner and edge-to-edge, or you can tap your pattern inside of a small confined area in the middle of off to the size. Either way, the device will notice your unique tapping pattern and will unlock your device straight to your home-screen once you do it. Like KnockOn, it’s something that’s so incredibly simple, yet so incredibly useful that it could become a key part of LG’s user experience for many of their future phones (some of which we hope to see at Mobile World Congress). Watch it in action on the recently announced LG G Pro 2 in the quick video above. [Thanks, Harrison!] |
| Google’s purchase of SlickLogin could enable sign-ins using audio authentication soon Posted: 18 Feb 2014 05:16 AM PST Google seems to have no shortage of cash, and they equally seem to have no shortage of interest in buying up interesting companies doing great things in all facets of technology. Their latest purchase is SlickLogin, and this one really is a doozie. SlickLogin, a company that’s just 5 months old, specializes in coming up with interesting, innovative and secure ways to unlock devices or log in to services. But the most interesting part of their portfolio is audio authentication. To hear them tell it, the process consists of a website playing an audio file — maybe one that’s inaudible to the human ear — that is to be picked up by a nearby phone. The phone will analyze the audio file being played and will send word back to the website that you are who you say you are.
The system also uses all sorts of other methods to help triangulate location, including Bluetooth, WiFi, GPS, and more. This is done mainly because they’ll want to verify that your phone and your PC are at least in the same general vicinity before allowing the method to log you in). It doesn’t sound like a strong method on its own, though SlickLogin suggests their solution is secure enough for sites to use it as a standalone method of signing in if they wanted. That said, SlickLogin has always contended that their system is best used as part of a multi-step authenticator, so it’ll be interesting to see if it ultimately becomes another part of Google’s already secure suite of tools for secure logins. Wondering about how secure this method is? There are a few things to keep in mind about SlickLogin’s system:
After all that, the only way anyone should be able to log into your account is if they have physical access to your phone near your computer. And for added peace of mind, you’d probably be interested to know that the trio of engineers who worked on this are part of the Iranian Defense Force’s elite cyber security unit, so their credentials are quite hefty. It’s hard to visualize the concept without anything tangible, of course, so we’ll have to wait and see how Google puts the team to work before getting a sense of it for ourselves. We’re curious to know if any of you would be interested in using something like this with, say, your Android phone to log into your Google accounts, or whatever it is Google hopes to do with the technology. Let us know how you feel about all of this in the comments below. [via SlickLogin] |
| Samsung Galaxy Core LTE clamps down with 4G offering for Europe, Russia, and Asia Posted: 17 Feb 2014 08:03 PM PST We suspected this would happen: Samsung has just announced the latest device in their Samsung Galaxy Core lineup- the Samsung Galaxy Core LTE. Coming to Europe, Russia, and Asia, the device will be called the “Samsung Galaxy Core 4G” in some markets. Considering the boasting of 4G speeds is somewhat of focal point of the Galaxy Core, if you guessed it’s mid-range device, you guessed right. That’s why the name makes sense: it’s a solid device that will get all the basic things done without all the fluff. If you don’t want or need all the bells, whistles, specs, and features, you might want the core. Some key specs:
As fate would have it, you only have to buy 1 core to get 2 of them. This is definitely not the type of phone that tech geeks drool over, but it serves an important group of price sensitive folks who just want something that works. For them, it would seem the stripped down Galaxy Core should do just fine, and we’re guessing it would come at a bargain. One reason I love Android: even though this device is “mid-range”, it’s 4.5-inch screen size is HD, which many people may prefer to smaller devices like the iPhone 5S which only has 4-inch screen and is pricey, pricey, pricey. Android is all about options, options, options. We’ll be there to check out this and the rest of the new mobile announcements at Mobile World Congress 2014 in Barcelona, only 1 week away. Now that this core is out of the bag… where are the Galaxy Core Prima, Galaxy Core Ultra, and Galaxy Core Max? |
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