Android Phone Fans |
- If Google was a guy, he’d still have the worst job ever (Part 2) [VIDEO]
- HTC One (2014) Chinese certification confirms 16MP / 4MP Duo Cameras
- Google Search adds “take a picture” and “record a video” voice commands
- HTC One 2014 goes head-to-head against other popular Androids in size comparison
- Huawei backtracks on plans to bring a Windows Phone / Android dual-boot device
- Moto 360: auto-orientation, water resistance, secret charging method, and more
- Is the Moto 360 the sexiest smart watch ever? [POLL]
- Watch the Moto 360 Hangout with Jim Wicks!
- Flappy Bird dev confirms hit game will make a return to app stores
- Android 4.4 KitKat for Sony Xperia Z Ultra, Xperia Z1, and Xperia Z1 Compact rolls out
- Pandora One subscriptions to increase by 25%
- Download the Metal Gear Solid 5: Ground Zeroes app for Android
- Qualcomm confirms Snapdragon will be used in some Android Wear smart watches
- Skype 4.7 update promises to loosen death grip on your battery
- Oppo Find 7 announced as world’s first phone that can take 50MP photos
| If Google was a guy, he’d still have the worst job ever (Part 2) [VIDEO] Posted: 19 Mar 2014 05:27 PM PDT With all the muck and junk people search for on the internet, it’s safe to say life would suck for Google, you know, if it were an actual guy. We already showed you what that would be like in a video from a few months back, and now the College Humor guys are back with the sequel, “If Google was still a guy: Part 2.” In the video, we see the NSA snooping behind Google’s desk, with a special cameo appearance by…. well, we don’t want to ruin it. Just watch all the way until the end. Oh, and slightly NSFW (language). |
| HTC One (2014) Chinese certification confirms 16MP / 4MP Duo Cameras Posted: 19 Mar 2014 04:43 PM PDT There really aren’t too many surprises left for HTC to reveal about the all new HTC One (2014) when it’s unveiled during their next Tuesday. One feature were were still left in the dark on was the phone’s dual-camera array (also known as Duo Cameras). We know there are 2 cameras. We know what they’ll most likely be used for (one high resolution and the other for low-light, as well as post image focusing). What we didn’t know were the MP the cameras would be capable of shooting. But, as so often is the story with the HTC One (2014), some new info has leaked revealing even that. After recently passing through TENAA (China’s device certification website) the HTC One (2014) was not only pictured, but many of the device’s specs were listed off — including its elusive camera resolution. According to TENAA, we can expect the HTC One (2014) to come equipped with both 16MP and 4MP cameras. That 16MP camera should address complaints with the original’s low-resolution shooter, while the 4MP will likely feature HTC’s UltraPixel technology for better shooting in low light. It’s the best of both worlds. But there are still those leery about this leak, wondering if 16MP could be referencing two combined 4MP images (like the 50MP images taken with the Oppo Find 7′s 13MP camera), resulting in a 4MP image. |
| Google Search adds “take a picture” and “record a video” voice commands Posted: 19 Mar 2014 03:50 PM PDT It’s one of the most handy features in Google Glass, being able to speak the command “Ok Google, take a picture” to snap some quick photos. Today, your Android phone is about to get 1 step closer to this functionality, thanks to the newly added picture and video voice commands in the Google Search app. The best part? You don’t even need to update. Simply speak the phrase, “Ok Google, record a video,” and your phone will automatically take you to the appropriate app (you’ll need to select which camera app if you have more than 1 installed). The problem? Well, once opened the camera app wont actually record or take a picture, leaving us to scratch our heads and wonder if Google has other plans for the feature, like bringing additional functionality in Android Wear, or a future version of Android. We certainly hope so. Try it out for yourself via the link below.
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| HTC One 2014 goes head-to-head against other popular Androids in size comparison Posted: 19 Mar 2014 02:52 PM PDT We’re T-minus 6 days away from the official unveiling of the all new HTC One (2014). If you thought we may have seen the last of the device — which has been getting a lot of airplay these past few weeks as the subject of numerous leaks — you’d be wrong. Today, the folks at Nowhereelse are giving us yet another good look at the HTC One (2014), as it’s compared side-by-side to other popular Androids. A great way of getting a feel for a device’s size, devices that made the line up include the Apple iPhone 5s, Samsung Galaxy S4, LG G2, and the Sony Xperia Z1. While the HTC One (2014) pictured in this latest leak is a dummy unit (as are the rest of the dummy units, most likely), it’s essentially identical to what we’ll see when the device launches on US shores. The phone, which has the same sized 5-inch display as the white Galaxy S4, appears to be around the same height and thickness as the 5.2-inch LG G2. When comparing the HTC One with the Galaxy Note 3, we noticed the One is drifting dangerously close to phablet territory, despite packing a much smaller display. Kind of a weird spot to be in, but one that we saw coming thanks to previous leaks. After looking at this quick size comparison, have any of your opinions changed on the HTC One (2014)? [via Nowhereelse] |
| Huawei backtracks on plans to bring a Windows Phone / Android dual-boot device Posted: 19 Mar 2014 01:41 PM PDT
It’s an odd turn of events, for sure. The original news was delivered by Huawei’s chief marketing officer Shao Yang, and it didn’t sound like there were any translation errors going on. Apparently Huawei did, in fact, have plans to do exactly what Shao Yang said they were, but ultimately decided against it. The only question is why. Was there some bit of data that discouraged Huawei from innovating? Did investors express displeasure with the move early on? Could Huawei’s plans have been canned due to pressure from Google just as ASUS’ dual-boot Android netbook was rumored to be? The Chinese company wouldn’t elaborate on any of that, unfortunately, but that’s where we are today. Whether a good deal of users really want or need a dual-boot phone is another question for another day, but it would be sad if Google is stifling these companies’ ability to find out the answer to that very question. |
| Moto 360: auto-orientation, water resistance, secret charging method, and more Posted: 19 Mar 2014 12:53 PM PDT There’s no question there’s been lot of hype (and mystery) surrounding Motorola’s upcoming smartwatch, the Moto 360. The latest wearable from the company since the Moto ACTV, Motorola has been surprisingly mum on was the device’s hardware specs. During yesterday’s announcement, Motorola mostly kept the focus on the device’s basic design (spoiler: it’s round) and brand new OS catered to wearables, dubbed Android Wear. Because they know there’s still a lot of unanswered questions — many Motorola still isn’t ready to reveal — they took to Google Hangouts for a short Q&A session with Motorola consumer experience design group lead Jim Wicks and Barbara Liss, who handles social media for Motorola. Arriving fashionably late (ironic given the subject of the Hangout), they took some questions from the audience (and one from our own Rob Jackson). Moto 360 hardwareFirst up, Motorola says the reason their smartwatch is round is 1-part “woah” factor, and the other part because they simply wanted the device to feel familiar to consumers. You know, like a traditional watch. There was also something in there about square watches being uncomfortable, something they apparently learned from the Moto ACTV. Wicks went on to say how the card interface fit perfectly with the 360′s round shape, but we can’t help but think square would have been better suited. Talking a little bit more about the hardware, Motorola points out the 360 features a stainless steel casing and will be water resistant, although its specific IP rating wasn’t revealed. They also said that the watch would be camera free, a decision they made early on. As far as bands, they’ll be interchangeable by the user (or professional), meaning you should be able to slap the watch on a variety of watch straps. Moto 360 softwareTalking a little about the OS, Wicks mentions that the Android Wear SDK allows developers to create and test apps on both round or square devices, something we already told you guys about in yesterday’s post. The best part about the OS? It’s not orientation specific, meaning no matter which hand you wear it on, the UI will flip around so it’s always right-side up. Another question on our minds is how well the device will display the time. Although Motorola didn’t mention if the display would always be powered on, Wicks did say that when lifting the device up to look at it, the 360 will always display the time (likely tied into the gyroscope sensors). As far as compatibility, Motorola mentioned that the Moto 360 will be compatible with any Android 4.3+ device (this is due to the notification listener service that debuted in 4.3). Still unknownThere were a few details Motorola was still not ready to reveal, those dealing with pricing or specifics about global availability. When it came to battery life, Motorola was also quiet on the amount of days (or hours) users can expect to get from the device, but did mention that battery management was serious “consumer pain point,” and one they gave high priority to. Probably the The Motorola Moto 360′s biggest secret? How it charges. With no inputs or exposed connections, Motorola is calling this is their “secret sauce,” to be revealed at a later date. Our guess is some type of wireless charging like Qi, or maybe even newcomer Rezense. |
| Is the Moto 360 the sexiest smart watch ever? [POLL] Posted: 19 Mar 2014 11:12 AM PDT Discuss Android Wear and the Moto 360 on Android Forums! One thing that’s sucked about this whole smart watch craze over the past couple of years is that people seemed to be OK with the fact that they looked like horrible gadget rejects from Power Rangers. Sure, they’re for geeky people, but that doesn’t mean they should look geeky. But things have been improving as of late, and we’re happy about that. We might have even settled with the beautiful Sony SmartWatch 2, but then Motorola went and introduced the Moto 360 as one of the first Android Wear smart watches. This beauty had most of your jaws dropping yesterday, and for good reason. Finally, a smart watch crafted by engineers who wanted to make something that could fit an elegant ensemble as well as it could improve your digital life. Finally, something that doesn’t have four edges sharper than the steak knives in my kitchen drawer. Finally, a watch that doesn’t activate our gag reflexes the moment we glance at it. All over-exaggerations aside, the Moto 360 is one pretty smart watch, but do you think it’s the sexiest out there? We covered a whole lot of them in our top 20 smart watches post yesterday in case you needed a quick reminder of what the competition looks like. If so, let us know in the poll below. If not, well, we want to hear what you think could take that particular ribbon home. Don’t forget to leave a comment elaborating on your thoughts! |
| Watch the Moto 360 Hangout with Jim Wicks! Posted: 19 Mar 2014 10:54 AM PDT The buzz is already starting to pick up on Android Forums where we’ve created a section for Android Wearables and opened up the Moto 360 Forums and LG G Watch Forums. Prepare for an avalanche as you watch the LIVE Hangout below: You can watch the Hangout here. Then circle back to the Moto 360 Forums to continue the conversation! |
| Flappy Bird dev confirms hit game will make a return to app stores Posted: 19 Mar 2014 10:47 AM PDT We know it’s been keeping you up at night. Ever since Flappy Bird creator Dong Nguyen removed his smash hit game from both iOS and Android app stores, there’s been a void in our smartphones that can’t be filled. But worry no longer, Nguyen has officially confirmed via his Twitter account that the game will, in fact, be returning to the App Store (and likely the Play Store as well). No word on a specific time frame, with Dong only mentioning it wont be anytime soon. You can find his tweet below.
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| Android 4.4 KitKat for Sony Xperia Z Ultra, Xperia Z1, and Xperia Z1 Compact rolls out Posted: 19 Mar 2014 09:47 AM PDT Sony has just announced software upgrades for three of their biggest smartphone launches. Specifically, the Sony Xperia Z Ultra, Sony Xperia Z1, and Sony Xperia Z1 Compact will all be getting Android 4.4 KitKat starting today, though exact timing will be subject to your carrier and region. So what’s new?
Sony’s also committing to a mid-Q2 2014 window for upgrades to the Sony Xperia Z, Sony Xperia ZL, Sony Xperia Tablet Z, and Sony Xperia Z4. Finally, they’ve also confirmed plans to bring Android 4.4 KitKat to the Sony Xperia T2 Ultra, Sony Xperia E1 and Sony Xperia M2. That’s a whole lot of devices, but Sony seems to be up to the task, and today’s sizable rollout proves it. You might be in line for the upgrades if you have an unbranded, unlocked handset, so turn on your WiFi radio and check for it in the settings menu if your particular device fits that mold. Otherwise, be sure to wait for word from your carrier to see when they’ll be looking to push the upgrade out. [via Sony] |
| Pandora One subscriptions to increase by 25% Posted: 19 Mar 2014 07:36 AM PDT More price hikes are in order, folks. This time, Pandora has announced that they are making the unfortunate decision to increase the price of a monthly Pandora One ad-free radio subscription. The price is 25% higher than before, though considering the subscription was only $3.99, that means you’re only paying $1 more each month. There are a couple of important things to note about the change:
What Pandora doesn’t tell you is that the $3.99 per month option is more expensive than the $36 per year subscription, so keep that in mind when deciding whether or not to keep your subscription. Of course, with any price increase comes the inevitable excuse:
And those are simply the breaks of life. Sometimes, things get more expensive, and those costs are passed down to the end-user. Now, it’s just a question of whether Pandora’s service is worth putting up with said costs. It’s up to you to make that decision, so if you aren’t already a subscriber and you’ve been thinking about becoming one, be sure to download the app in the Google Play Store and see what they have to offer. You won’t be able to secure current pricing if you let May come and go without making a decision. [via Pandora] |
| Download the Metal Gear Solid 5: Ground Zeroes app for Android Posted: 19 Mar 2014 06:54 AM PDT You might have heard that Metal Gear Solid 5: Ground Zeroes launched yesterday… unless, of course, you’re still blinded by the mourning of The Boss. Either way, you know now, and you should know that Konami has also released an official companion app to go along with the game. So what features does the app provide? There’s iDroid mode, which works a bit like the “iDroid” device Solid Snake uses in the game. You can use it to get a real-time map of your surroundings on your smartphone or tablet without having to use the in-game pause menu. This is good in case you need to keep tabs on your surrounding while you’re sneaking around military prisons and refugee camps.     Other features of the app include the ability to build your own “Mother Base,” which is the name of Snake’s group’s base of operations. You’ll also be able to listen to in-game cassette tapes from your device after you’ve finished the main campaign. Metal Gear Solid 5: Ground Zeroes released for $30 yesterday for Xbox One and PS4, and $20 for the Xbox 360 and PS3. Say what you want about the campaign’s questionable length at those price points (some would go as far as calling it a paid demo), but it seems to be a fine game otherwise. Head to the Google Play Store for the free app if you’re interested. |
| Qualcomm confirms Snapdragon will be used in some Android Wear smart watches Posted: 19 Mar 2014 06:11 AM PDT We already knew Qualcomm was one of the “involved” partners in yesterday’s Android Wear announcement, which is a new Android-based platform by Google that will debut for smart watches. We didn’t know the extent of their involvement, though (after all, they do currently sell a smart watch of their own), nor were we sure if they’d be looking to bring the Snapdragon line of chipsets to these new devices. Thankfully they have cleared a bit of that up, with the chipset vendor stating their intentions to provide Snapdragon-based chipsets for some of these devices. Unfortunately we’re not sure which devices they’ll be powering (so far we know of the Moto 360 and the LG G Watch), nor do we know which exact chipsets will be used. We imagine Qualcomm won’t be trying to stuff a 2.5GHz quad-core Snapdragon 801 into any of these things, but a Snapdragon 200 or 400-based chipset could be in order. Nothing’s certain until details are made official, though, so we’ll just have to wait until more details about yesterday’s announcements begin trickling out. [via Qualcomm] |
| Skype 4.7 update promises to loosen death grip on your battery Posted: 19 Mar 2014 05:46 AM PDT A new upgrade is headed out to Skype for Android today that should quell some annoying battery concerns users have had. Skype acknowledged the latest versions of their app may be a burden on most Android phones’ battery life, and have come up with a decent temporary compromise while they work on finishing a complete code rewrite that changes the core technology behind Skype’s messaging service. Specifically, the Skype team noted that push notifications in group messages as it is currently implemented is a huge drain on battery life, and so they’ve disabled push notifications by default. Of course, they note that there are many people who use group chat and realized not many people would be happy with the lack of push notifications, so they’ve included an option to enable it in settings if you so choose. That’s a temporary band-aid on an issue that deserves a proper fix, but Skype wants you to know they’re working on it. They say they’ve drawn up a way to instantly deliver group messages without additional battery impact, though the feature is not quite ready for public consumption. It will be available “in the near future,” though. Skype has also included a workaround for the Android 4.4.2 KitKat camera bug that would initiate whenever the app called on the camera in the background, which in turn introduced additional battery strain. The KitKat bug has yet to be fixed at the core, but considering Skype’s app was the main one causing this bug to rear its ugly head often this is a nice quick fix until we can get proper updates. Other changes in this upgrade include fixes for audio and video calling on tablets without Bluetooth, as well as listing your Windows Live Messenger contacts in the default view (as opposed to only showing them in the All Contacts view). The app is ready to be downloaded in the Google Play Store right now, while those with Kindle Fire devices can expect it to hit the Amazon Appstore later this month. [via Skype] |
| Oppo Find 7 announced as world’s first phone that can take 50MP photos Posted: 19 Mar 2014 05:22 AM PDT Oppo is jumping ahead of the curve today with the announcement of their latest flagship handset. It’s the Oppo Find 7, and it’s being billed as the world’s first phone sporting a camera sensor that can take 50 megapixel photos. Oppo Find 7 Camera detailsThe sensor itself isn’t 50 megapixels — it’s actually Sony’s 13 megapixel Exmor IMX214. So how did Oppo achieve the feat? The Find 7 does this with a new image processing feature called Pure Image 2.0, which makes the image chip fast enough to take 10 photos in really quick succession. The phone then automatically selects 4 of the best images and pieces them together to produce a photo that packs in a lot of pixels. 100% crop samples of the photos (courtesy) indeed prove that the camera produces shots which retain a very impressive level of detail, even for objects that are far away. And that’s just the start of it. The camera also features 4K HD video recording, 100 frames per second recording for slow motion video, an HDR mode, the ability to shoot in RAW, the ability to shoot video directly to GIF format, and the ability to set exposure to up to 32 seconds. Wowza. We’re not saying this thing could produce DSLR-level photos, but you don’t get features like that in typical smartphones. Other Oppo Find 7 specsSo how about the rest of the phone? It’s equally impressive in all the right areas, with a spec sheet daring to rival any top smartphone on the market today. Note that there are both standard and premium versions of the device. The standard specs will be listed below, with the premium equivalent in parentheses. Here’s the quick list:
Sitting on top of Android 4.3 is Oppo’s Color OS 1.2, which features decent customization and some interesting gestures for doing things like launching camera, weather and other favorite apps. It’s largely the same as Color OS on the Oppo N1, which you can read more about in our Oppo N1 review. Oppo Find 7 availabilityThere’s no way you can’t want this thing by now, but how can you get it? Well, you can probably rule out the possibility of your carrier offering one, though Oppo will be selling these direct to consumers online starting mid-April (add a month or two for the premium version). Those in China can find them in local shops starting tomorrow, and it will be available in White and Midnight Black. |
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