Android Phone Fans |
- Question of the night: would you be turned off by a “butterphone” girl? [VIDEO]
- NYPD already experimenting with Google Glass, is there cause for concern?
- Moto G coming soon to Aio Wireless, arrives Valentine’s Day for $150
- The war is over: HTC and Nokia make nice by signing patent licensing agreement
- Moto G now available from US Cellular for $99 with no contract
- Mobile Roar Podcast 31: Flappy Bird Mania
- Recently revealed Galaxy S4 Black Editions get official Samsung announcement
- Samsung’s vision of an Apple-free Sochi Winter Olympics
- Google to launch a Nexus 8 in April?
- LG set to unveil G Pro 2 in Korea on February 13th
| Question of the night: would you be turned off by a “butterphone” girl? [VIDEO] Posted: 07 Feb 2014 07:04 PM PST Android fans are a passionate bunch. If you’re anything like me, it pains you to watch someone suffering with old Android hardware, especially when you know there’s so much better out there. But it’s one thing to watch a stranger fiddling around with their HTC EVO 4G on the subway, and another to be romantically involved with someone who just doesn’t share your passion for mobile technology. College Humor lightly touches on this subject in their “She’s such a Butterphone” skit. We’re sure you’ve all heard the term “butterface” (a girl who’s perfect in all areas “but-her-face”). Butterphone is similar to that. A smoking hot girl — smart and sweet — just about everything you could ask for in a woman. The problem? She’s using a crappy old phone and is seemingly happy with it. Video NSFW (language) Okay, we know College Humor’s take is a little extreme, but we’ve already seen what happens when a cute girl with an iPhone tries to pick up on an Android fanboy. Is this video really that off base? Would any of you be turned off if the girl you were hitting it up with in a bar pulls out her MyTouch 3G? Or worse… an iPhone 3G? |
| NYPD already experimenting with Google Glass, is there cause for concern? Posted: 07 Feb 2014 05:21 PM PST With all the security and privacy concerns surrounding Google Glass, if there’s one government agency we thought would be all over the cybernetic eyewear, it’s law enforcement. Doesn’t come as much of a surprise for us to find out the NYPD has already begun experimenting with the wearable for “patrol purposes”. No, this isn’t a publicity stunt for the upcoming Robocop reboot; cops from the NYPD are actually being outfitted with Google Glass. Apparently, the NYPD only have a few pairs at their disposal (Glass doesn’t come cheap, after all) with the most obvious use case scenario is for officers having the ability to record audio/video during investigations or interactions with suspects or the public. The NYPD envisions a future where they’d be able to walk into a room — like Robocop — pulling up information like arrest warrants about anyone in their field of view. Sounds pretty neat, but also a little scary. Before anyone freaks out, let’s be clear: Google is not working with law enforcement. The NYPD was clear in how they acquired Google Glass, via the same Glass Explorer program that is open to agencies, doctors, firefighters or stay at home moms. Also worth noting is Google strictly prohibits facial recognition software under Glass’ terms of service, something we covered in a previous post detailing “creepy” new Glassware that pulls up your online identity by scanning your face. Of course, the NYPD would develop their own Glassware for pulling up police records and such, distributing it internally. While civil liberty groups are, no doubt, already drafting up their complaints, we’re curious to hear your thoughts. Do Glass equipped cops make you feel a tad uncomfortable? Or is it possible Google’s wearable could provide added accountability for law enforcement officials, similar to the now standard vehicle mounted camera system already in place? [Venture Beat | via NYPost] |
| Moto G coming soon to Aio Wireless, arrives Valentine’s Day for $150 Posted: 07 Feb 2014 03:47 PM PST Aio Wireless is looking to nab a few new customers on Valentine’s Day. Come February 14th, customers will have access to the Motorola Moto G at a discounted $150. It’s not as extreme a discount as the G on Verizon Wireless prepaid or US Cellular, but at least it’s something. In addition to adding new devices to their lineup — the ZTE Sonata 4G is available today for $80 — Aio is also offering customers the opportunity to pick up lower rates on service plans. Customers willing to sign up with auto pay will see a $5 discount off their monthly service. Here’s exactly what Aio Wireless is offering as far as rates go:
While Aio’s service plans may sound perfect on the surface, we should note that customers receive capped data speeds of up to 8Mbps for 4G LTE, and 4Mbps of 3G/4G HSPA+. That’s not horrible, but something you should consider before jumping in head first. |
| The war is over: HTC and Nokia make nice by signing patent licensing agreement Posted: 07 Feb 2014 12:25 PM PST It’s an outcome we didn’t see coming (at least not this early on), but after countless courtroom losses, HTC is finally ready to throw in the towel. In a press release today by Nokia, the Finnish company has announced a new “technology and collaboration agreement” with HTC, ending any, and all, patent ligation between the two companies. According to the presser, both companies will collab on HTC’s LTE patent portfolio as well as future “opportunities”. We can’t place a specific dollar amount on how much HTC will be paying Nokia to license their standards essential patents as the full terms of the agreement are “confidential”. HTC’s response?
Good for them, and if you thought HTC should have kept fighting the good fight, keep in mind that they weren’t the first smartphone manufacture to buckle under Nokia’s pressure. Some might remember when Nokia and Apple both settled similar suits back in 2011. [via WinSource] |
| Moto G now available from US Cellular for $99 with no contract Posted: 07 Feb 2014 11:50 AM PST When the Motorola Moto G first launched, there’s denying the little Android was quite the value. Offering a good enough amount of specs for the cheap off-contract price of $180, it’s no wonder many Android fans picked one up without thinking twice. The best part about the device is we saw it appear on pre-paid services like Verizon — offered completely off-contract — at an even deeper discounted $100. Today, the Moto G arrives on US Cellular and like its Verizon cousin, the best budget Android you can buy will only set you back a measly $100, sans the contract (that’s almost half-off). The deal is only good when paired with one of US Cellular’s off-contract plans, like their new 500MB unlimited plan for $50. Coupled with the low-priced Moto G, that’s a pretty good deal for mild data munchers. |
| Mobile Roar Podcast 31: Flappy Bird Mania Posted: 07 Feb 2014 11:13 AM PST Flappy Bird has complete control of the world, and the Mobile Roar Podcast is no exception. The guys discuss this latest insanely popular mobile game and why it has become such a big hit. Can you beat their high scores? They also talk about a world where OS X is on Sony laptops and Android is on iPhones. What? Other topics include the Chromecast SDK, Microsoft’s new super villain CEO, and a very hot iPhone 5C. The News
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| Recently revealed Galaxy S4 Black Editions get official Samsung announcement Posted: 07 Feb 2014 09:36 AM PST Last week we got a look at the Galaxy S4 and Galaxy S4 Mini Black Editions courtesy of Samsung's Russian website. Today, the Korean company has released an official statement pegging the device for release in select markets later this month. The Black Editions borrow the faux-leather design of the Galaxy Note 3 and bring it to the Galaxy S4 lineup, down to the simulated stitching running along the back panel of the phone. The look, which has its fans and detractors alike, attempts to install a premium look to the handset, replacing the glossy plastic of the original. Internally, the phone features an identical compliment of specs (Snapdragon 600, 13MP camera, 5-inch display) as the original S4. Samsung is bundling the device with new wallpapers and ringtones. Exact release details and regions were not announced, but Samsung UK says more info as it pertains to Europe will be coming along shortly. [via Samsung] |
| Samsung’s vision of an Apple-free Sochi Winter Olympics Posted: 07 Feb 2014 08:15 AM PST As people all over the world tune in tonight to view the opening ceremonies of the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi, the athletes participating in the event will also be reveling in the celebrations. Many will turn to their smartphones to capture an up close view of this once-in-a-lifetime experience, and Samsung hopes that when those smartphones are free of Apple branding. According to members of the Swiss team, when opening the goodie bag provided to all athletes traveling to the Olympic Village in Sochi they found a shiny new Samsung Galaxy Note 3 along with a request that athletes avoid flashing Apple branding during what will be a widely televised event. The note apparently went so far as to ask those planning on using an iPhone to tape over Apple logos. Samsung chimed in on the matter saying no such demand is being made. The International Olympic Committee says athletes can use any device of their choosing as long as they stay within the same rules applied to previous Games. So what gives? Did Samsung initially request athletes avoid using Apple products only to change their tune after word got out? Is the Swiss team punking the world? Regardless, we're sure that Samsung would never tell athletes NOT to tape over their Apple logos, especially while on the world stage that is the Olympics. Samsung may have visions of an Apple-free Sochi, but it's not going to get there by subtly bribing athletes with a free Note 3. [via Guardian] |
| Google to launch a Nexus 8 in April? Posted: 07 Feb 2014 07:27 AM PST A report claims Google is gearing up to launch a new Nexus Tablet, rounding out a line that currently includes the Nexus 7 and Nexus 10. Slated for a potential April release, the Nexus 8 will, as its name suggests, feature an 8-inch display. Sources say the decision to develop an 8-inch tablet comes as the result of increased competition in the 7-inch space coupled with second-generation Nexus 7 sales falling short of expectations. The tablet is said to be under development in cooperation with ASUS, the same company responsible for producing the past two generations of Nexus 7 slates. Google seems to be chasing a value proposition, hoping to offer a bigger tablet experience at a price closer to that of the 7-inch offerings of competitors. Details are scant on the sort of specs we can expect if Google does indeed launch an 8-inch tablet, and there isn't much other evidence to support the claims of Digitimes, the origin of the report and hit-or-miss tech speculator. We mused on the idea of a Nexus 8 last fall when an image surfaced on Google's site showcasing an unknown tablet. While it is unlikely that this was indeed the Nexus 8, it seems like the idea was far from farfetched. [via Digitimes] |
| LG set to unveil G Pro 2 in Korea on February 13th Posted: 07 Feb 2014 06:38 AM PST Last month speculation suggested the LG G Pro 2 could launch at Mobile World Congress. An invite being sent to Korean press outlets suggests it could arrive even sooner than that. Dated for February 13th, the request for attendance features the text "Knock-knock-knockin' on, a likely reference to the feature of the same name introduced with the LG G2. The ability to "knock” the phone's display to wake and turn off the display will likely carry over into the LG G Pro 2, from which we can infer that the event to take place in Korea could very likely feature the launch of the new handset. The decision to launch the device ahead of MWC would mirror the plan LG followed when they announced the first G Pro days before the same event last year. The hometown introduction was followed by the device being showcased at the international show. The LG G Pro 2 is rumored to feature a 6-inch QHD display along with a Qualcomm Snapdragon 800 processor, 3GB RAM, and a 13MP camera utilizing OIS+ technology. It will be able to shoot 4K and slow motion video and will include several other special camera modes. The G Pro 2 looks to be LG's main focus for the month of February, but it should quickly be succeeded by the followup to the G2. Rumors say an LG G3 launch could happen as early as May. [via ZDNet.kr] |
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