Android Phone Fans

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• Samsung pays for another celebrity selfie, this time with President Obama
• HTC exec defends the One M8′s infamous black bezel bar
• Watch the Samsung Galaxy S5 get run over by an SUV [VIDEO]
• Google Keep update adds a splash of color, trash section, and new sidebar menu
• Best Android games from March 2014
• First look at Sev Zero, Amazon Fire TV’s first in-house exclusive game [VIDEO]
• Best Android Tablets [April 2014]
• Leaked Gmail user interface screenshots suggest big changes coming; Hangouts and Calendar, too
• Amid outcry, T-Mobile will keep corporate discounts for existing customers
• Everything you need to know about the Amazon Fire TV
• Amazon Fire TV vs. Roku vs. Apple TV vs. Chromecast [Chart]
• Buy the Amazon Fire TV for $99 right now
• Amazon Fire TV boasts $39 gaming controller with exclusive games
• Amazon officially announces the Amazon Fire TV
• Xbox One SmartGlass beta app launches, brings OneGuide and DVR features for preview users

Samsung pays for another celebrity selfie, this time with President Obama Posted: 02 Apr 2014 06:10 PM PDT It’s not uncommon for billion dollar companies to pay top dollar for product placement in movies or music videos. Whether it’s the Sony Xperia Z2 Tablet in the new Avril Lavigne video, or the HTC One making a cameo in Captain America: The Winter Soldier — by now, we’re all used to it. But it looks as if we’re seeing a new strategy when it comes to advertising: the selfie. Gone are the days of a famous celebrity simply getting paid to tweet about X product. Now, companies like Samsung are looking for something a little more believable, something more organic. We all remember the viral sensation that was the star studded Academy Awards “selfie.” The phone forever immortalized in the tweet? None other than the Samsung Galaxy Note 3. And Samsung paid good money too. Upwards of $20 million to partner with the Academy and send product managers to the show and walk the daytime talk show host through the process of taking a selfie with the over sized smartphone. Making headlines again is another celebrity selfie, this time taken by David Ortiz of the Boston Red Sox. And what appeared to be an impromptu #selfie with President Obama was once again, another clever ad by Samsung. They’re getting really good at this. What an honor! Thanks for the #selfie, @BarackObama pic.twitter.com/y5Ww74sEID — David Ortiz (@davidortiz) April 1, 2014 While there’s nothing inherently wrong with the product placement, some are calling the marketing move “shady.” Because the President didn’t know he was technically the subject of yet another viral marketing campaign, some feel it could be seen as dishonest. What’s even more ironic is last month, Obama even teased Ellen over her paid selfie, calling it a “cheap stunt.” If only he knew what he was taking part in. So the next time your favorite celebrity takes a totally rad selfie, you have to wonder if Samsung was somehow involved in its making. Still no word on how much Samsung forked over to Ortiz for the Presidential selfie. [Boston Globe | Image: Washington Post]

HTC exec defends the One M8′s infamous black bezel bar Posted: 02 Apr 2014 04:14 PM PDT I don’t think anyone would argue with the fact that the HTC One M8 is one of the most gorgeous, borderline sexy, smartphones to date. Featuring an aluminum unibody construction, it’s clear HTC takes the design of the smartphones very seriously. Maybe that’s why for some, it was puzzling to find that — despite the One M8 adding software buttons for 2014 — the smartphone is drastically taller than last year’s model. We’ve seen it mentioned in our comments that HTC possibly could have made the entire device smaller by simply eliminating the infamous “black bezel bar” found towards the bottom of the display. It’s a criticism that seems to have made it’s way back to Jeff Gordon, HTC’s global communications manager. In a public tweet from his Twitter profile, Gordon addresses comments that HTC could have simply removed the black bezel, making the overall height of the device smaller by saying: That black area with the HTC logo on M8? Underneath is a huge amount of circuitry, antennae, etc. It’s not “empty” by any means. — Jeff Gordon (@urbanstrata) April 1, 2014 Okay, so we get it. There’s actually stuff behind the black bezel. And while we wont argue with Gordon that the phone — which has not doubt seen countless revisions by engineers and designers — couldn’t possibly have been made any smaller, is it also possible the display could have been stretched out to “cover” the area where the bezel lays? Gordon claims that by stretching the display, it would have screwed up phone’s aspect ratio. This is true. But perhaps the real problem lays in the HTC opting for software buttons on the M8 (which we admit, are just following Android’s design guidelines). It seems that, in trying to address complaints about the original One M8′s odd 2-button layout, HTC plugged up one hole in their dyke, only to find a new one spring forth. For some, you simply don’t get the hoopla being made over bezel-gate 2014. And that’s fine. For others, we’ve reached a point in mobile tech that all we have left is to nitpick over the fine details. What may not be a deal breaker for some, will drive someone else to the point of madness. One thing is certain — there is no perfect smartphone. When it comes to the HTC One M8, no one is saying it’s not a great smartphone. In fact, it’s possibly the best phone to date. But at least HTC knows what they need to improve for next year’s model.

Watch the Samsung Galaxy S5 get run over by an SUV [VIDEO] Posted: 02 Apr 2014 02:14 PM PDT With the reverence we pay to Android and the hardware it runs on, we have to say videos like this are never easy for us. From the folks that destroyed the HTC One M8 on video a few weeks back, now comes the Samsung Galaxy S5 drop/running-it-over-with-an-SUV test. Built largely out of plastic, Samsung has long been criticized for building devices with “cheap” plastic build quality. But could there be a method to their madness? The folks at TechSmartt decided to do what most would never do willingly, putting the Samsung Galaxy S5 (and Galaxy S4) through a series of “drop tests,” just to see how well it’d fare. The outcome may surprise many of you. We should note, drop tests are nothing near scientific, and are more or less subject to random chance (depending on the angle the phone hits the ground). Still, it’s worth watching, if for nothing else than to see what happens when you run over the S5 with your mom’s Audi Q7. Video below.

Google Keep update adds a splash of color, trash section, and new sidebar menu Posted: 02 Apr 2014 12:54 PM PDT Okay, looks like we’re starting to get a clearer picture of where Google is planning on taking the UI of their apps and services. Earlier today, we saw a few leaked screenshots from an upcoming Gmail update that introduced a splash of color into the UI. Now, in an update to Google Keep, we’re seeing some of that color in Google’s note taking app. Besides the slight UI tweaks, users can expect a new trash can for retrieving discarded notes (they’re only stored temporarily). This should help recover those notes you threw away on accident. Also new is the ability to search for text in pictures, which should make searching for those long lost memes a bit easier. The sidebar menu also gets a few new additions, but what are you waiting for? Download or update the Google Keep app from the Google Play Store below. Download/update on Google Play: Google Keep

Best Android games from March 2014 Posted: 02 Apr 2014 12:33 PM PDT Yesterday we wrapped up the best apps to launch in March. Today we are turning our attention to the games. Gaming on Android has been getting better and better over the last couple years. Every month we see games from big companies and indie developers launch in the Google Play Store. There are so many games being launched that it can be hard to keep track of them all. We’ve got you covered. Here are our picks for the best games to launch last month. Captain America: The Winter Soldier Captain America: The Winter soldier is headed to theaters later this week, but the game is already here. This Gameloft game lets you play as Cap in an action packed adventure. It plays like an MMO where you tap on enemies and order Cap to attack. S.H.I.E.L.D. is also along for the ride with Strike teams that can be called. With great graphics and awesome super-hero fun you can’t go wrong with this game. Cut the Rope 2 Cut the Rope has been around for, but in March the long-awaited sequel finally launched. So what’s new? Cut the Rope 2 has all new locations, 5 new characters to meet, hats to customize Om Nom, new adventures, and new missions. It’s packed full of new things to discover. If you loved the original you will surely have a blast with Cut the Rope 2. Dehumanize Your Friends The Chromecast may not have been built for games, but thanks to some crafty Android developers it can be. Dehumanize Your Friends is like Cards Against Humanity for your phone and TV.. Players use their phone or tablet to choose a card, and then everyone’s choices are displayed on the TV. Modern technology meets card games in a beautiful way. Flop Fu Flop Fu is the strange love child between old-school 2D fighter games and the insane QWOP. This fighting game is unlike anything you have ever played. You have two controls: arms/legs and jumping. To win the match you need to flail and flop all over your opponent. It sounds weird, and it is, but you seriously need to play this game. Goblins This great puzzle game comes from the minds at Cartoon Network. Alien globs are brainwashing your friends. It’s your job to save your friends, and the world, with your trusty gadgets. The Goblin-infested brains need to be cleared from puzzle boards by making them explode and pop. With power-ups and gadgets you can improve your chances. Don’t be afraid! Little Big Adventure Originally released on PC back in 1994, Little Big Adventure is finally available on Android. You play as Twinsen, a young hero living on Citadel Island on a world under the heel of the dictator Dr. FunFrock. Dr. FunFrock locks you away in an insane asylum. As Twinsen, you'll need to escape from your cell and discover your incredible destiny as a descendant of a long line of magicians in charge of protecting your planet's secret. Quiz Up If you are a trivia buff this is will quickly become your favorite game. Quiz Up is the world’s largest online trivia game. There are over 200,000 questions across 400 topics to challenge you. If you’re good enough you can even get ranked on the leaderboards among the 10 million other players. The best kind of fun is when you learn something, which makes Quiz Up great. Smash Hit This is a game that the Hulk would love. The goal? Simply smash as many things as you can. The graphics are beautiful, the scenery is futuristic and gorgeous, and the music is hypnotic and great. It’s your job to destroy all of that with marbles that you ca fling at anything you see. If destruction is your name, Smash Hit is your game. Star Wars: Assault Team Star Wars: Assault Team is a turn-based combat game. Players get to build and customize a team from popular Star Wars characters. After that you can embark on a mission to infiltrate enemy lines, find Wookie resistance, survive ambushes and much more. Improve your character's skills by training them and deploying special attacks. Any Star Wars fan will love this game. Threes! Threes! is billed as a “tiny puzzle that grows on you,” and that is certainly true. The goal is to combine numbers that equal three and are multiples of three. The number blocks have little faces and make cute sounds as you combine them and slide them around the board. Threes! is one of the more addictive games you will find, but you don’t have to feel bad about playing it all day because it makes you think. — There are many more great games that launched last month, but these are our favorites. What games did you love from March? Let us know below!

First look at Sev Zero, Amazon Fire TV’s first in-house exclusive game [VIDEO] Posted: 02 Apr 2014 12:29 PM PDT Earlier today, Amazon unveiled their answer to the Apple TVs and Rokus of the world with a set top box of their own: Amazon Fire TV. Based on a forked version of Android, we already told you everything you needed to know about the tiny media box, where you can buy it for $99, and how it compares to some of the competition. Probably the most unique aspect — or at least what gives Amazon Fire TV its edge over some of the competition — is its game offerings. For an extra $40, Amazon Fire TVs get the ability to play games using Amazon’s game controller. While that may sound a bit steep, the controller gives Fire TV gamers access to the Amazon’s first exclusive title: Sev Zero. Developed in-house by Amazon Games Studios, the sci-fi title combines a 3rd person shooter with the strategy of a classic tower defense game. Amazon describes the game as: “Wield an expansive arsenal of firepower across 15 levels to hold off the alien onslaught that’s threatening you and the entire planet. In Sev Zero, players can jump between environments — start in tower defense mode to build out towers and assess the surroundings, then beam down to shooter mode for face-to-face combat.” Because a game controller is required, it’s better suited for gaming from the couch. Graphically, it may not blow your socks off, but it’s just a hint of what’s in store for Amazon Fire TV this year. Check out the launch trailer below. If you want something done right, sometimes you gotta do it yourself. It’s clear that’s what Amazon was thinking when they kicked off their latest venture, Amazon Game Studios. You may remember talk of Amazon recently acquiring Double Helix games, the game studio behind titles like Killer Instinct and the new Strider reboot for next gen consoles. With a triple-A studio like Double Helix at the helm, we have little doubt Amazon Fire TV will be a force to reckon with when it comes to Android game consoles (and already has the jump on rumors of Google/Android game console). For a sneak peek at what Amazon Game Studios already has lined up for later this year, check out the video below. Download on Amazon: Sev Zero

Best Android Tablets [April 2014] Posted: 02 Apr 2014 12:13 PM PDT Need the best Android tablet to go with your best Android phone? We're here to help. While not much has changed in the tablet world since last month, a new contender has entered our top 5 on the heels of news that Samsung has yet another line of slates waiting in the wings. We'll see how those stack up next month, but for now, here are the best Android tablets for the month of April. 5 — LG G Pad 8.3 The LG G Pad 8.3 lands in the Goldilocks zone where good tablet and good price intersect. Selling for just a hair over $300 (and seeing a Verizon edition launched last month), the slate features an HD display, Snapdragon 600 quad-core processing, and dual cameras for snapping photos or getting your video chat on. It's 8-inch size hits a sweet spot for many tablet users that provides maximum portability and productivity. An available Google Play edition adds to the appeal of the G Pad, marrying the solid hardware build with stock Android, insuring quick platform updates. For all of this, though, the G Pad 8.3 is barely hanging on to a spot in our top 5 as newer tablets are introduced. 4 — Amazon Kindle Fire HDX Like the LG G Pad 8.3, the Kindle Fire HDX from Amazon makes the most out of its smaller form factor, giving users a bang-up tablet in a portable size — the Kindle Fire HDX is available in both 7-inch and 8.9-inch variants. Unlike the LG G Pad 8.3, don't expect anything close to a Google Play Edition. Amazon utilizes a "forked" version of Android far different from the KitKat build of other devices. This also means content is locked into Amazon's ecosystem of apps, games, and other media. The Kindle Fire HDX makes up for this with a powerful hardware compliment that includes an HD display and quad-core processor. Oh, and it starts at only $229. 3 — Nexus 7 2013 The year is now 2014, so it makes sense that the 2013 edition of Google's popular Nexus 7 line of tablets is starting to slip down our list. When it comes to the pure Android experience, however, nothing comes close to besting the N7's combination of solid hardware and affordable pricing. While it features the older Snapdragon S4 chipset, it still boasts quad-core processing. It's HD display still looks mighty appealing, as well, as does its $230 price tag. Google should be unveiling an updated edition of their Nexus 7 in the coming months, however, so interested buyers may want to wait it out a bit longer if possible. 2 — Sony Xperia Z2 Tablet Making its debut in our top 5, the Xperia Z2 Tablet is a real contender for the top spot. Not only is it super slim with sleek design and powerful hardware, but you can literally dunk it under water without fear of destroying your precious Android hardware. We don't recommend doing so, however, as there are better things to do with the slate and its 10.1-inch 1080p display, Snapdragon 801 processor, and 8.1MP camera. Did we mention that it measures only 6.4mm thick? The Xperia Z2 Tablet is currently available in several regions around the globe and should be landing in the US this month. 1 — Samsung Galaxy NotePro Having the best doesn't come cheap, and the Samsung Galaxy Note Pro is a testament to this fact. The 12.2-inch tablet is the biggest on our list and features a 2560 x 1600 display, 3GB RAM, an 8MP camera, and a beefy battery. It gets a hand up (or finger?) with the inclusion of the S Pen, a dedicated stylus tailored to the many multitasking enhancements introduced as part of Samsung's TouchWiz interface. It's size won't be for everyone, nor will that price, which happens to start around $700. Honorable Mentions Sure, those our the best (in our humble opinion), but they aren't the only tablets out there. We almost called this section "Other Tablets by Samsung" but they aren't the only manufacturer churning out solid slates. Here are five more tablets to mull over. Samsung Galaxy Note 10.1 2014 Edition — Even with the release of Samsung's Pro line of tablet, the Galaxy Note 10.1 remains a viable option, bringing a comparable feature set to the Note Pro in a smaller size and at a lower price. Looking for something even smaller? Try the Samsung Galaxy Note 8.0. Samsung Galaxy Tab Pro — Available as 8.4, 10.1, and 12.2-inch variants, the Galaxy Tab Pro line gives all the performance of the Note series sans the dedicated S Pen. Pricing starts around $350. Amazon Kindle Fire HD — No substitute to the Kindle Fire HDX, the Kindle Fire HD is still worth consideration if only for its $140 price tag. An adequate 7-inch tablet. Nexus 10 by Samsung — More love for the Nexus line. The Nexus 10 is in desperate need of an update and we could see one soon, but for now it remains your only option if you want pure Google in a 10-inch form factor. NVIDIA Tegra Note 7 — Another low-priced option at $200. The Tegra Note 7 lacks the glitzy display resolution of other tablets on our list but makes up for it with the latest in NVIDIA Tegra processing. Tablets to look forward to Not ready to make a tablet purchase but getting in your research? You would be wise to pay attention to a couple more slates on the horizon. Samsung makes another appearance as well as a nifty new design by Lenovo. Samsung Galaxy Tab 4 Just announced, the next generation of Galaxy Tabs will arrive in Q2 of this year in 7, 8, and 10.1-inch varieties. Picking up where the Galaxy Tab 3 left off, the new slates will target the middle ground between price and performance with 720p HD display (as opposed to 1080p), 1.2GHz quad-core processing, and a 3MP camera, components shared across the various sizes. The tablets will be thinner and lighter than ever while rocking plenty of internal storage thanks to expandable MicroSD memory. Specific pricing has not been announced. Lenovo Yoga Tablet 10 HD+ This Android slate forom Lenovo has some promise. While it isn't on the bleeding edge in terms of specs (it will carry a Snapdragon 400 processing suite) it does carry a nice 1080p display and 8MP front-facing camera. The standout feature, however, is the kickstand incorporated into its design. Much like Lenovo's notebook line of the same name, this baby can yoga its way into several positions for maximum usability. The Yoga Tablet 10 HD+ is presumably still on track for a launch later this month. What say you? Planning on buying a tablet in the near future and not swayed by our rankings? Did we get it right or did we get it wrong? Maybe we missed the Android slate you think everyone needs to know about. Sound off in the comments below and give us your two cents!

Leaked Gmail user interface screenshots suggest big changes coming; Hangouts and Calendar, too Posted: 02 Apr 2014 12:00 PM PDT Google could be readying some extreme user interface changes for a few of their Android apps soon. Newly-leaked shots of a vastly different Gmail user interface have sprouted from the folks at Geek.com. Aside from updates to some of the graphics within the app (specifically, neat icons for each and every smart inbo and folder, as well as circle-based profile photos for email ala Google+ and Hangouts), the screenshots suggest Google will be adding a couple more categories into the fray. Email is already automatically sorted into promotions, social, updates and forums for users who fancy that feature, but we’re also said to be treated to categories for finance, travel and purchases. Other new reported features include the ability to “pin’ email, which will apparently replace stars. The change is not only stylistically different from stars, but it also differs fundamentally. Pinning an email makes it float to the top of your inbox whenever you enable pinning, and go back to its original spot whenever you disable it, whereas stars were simply another folder where you saved your most important email. Finally, Gmail could be getting a “snooze” function. How does it work? If you choose to snooze a new email, the message will be pushed to the bottom as newer messages come in, but will find its way back to the top of your list once the snooze period is over. You can snooze multiple emails at a time, and can snooze them as many times as you want. I can’t be the only person in the world to put an email off until later only to forget about it, so this would be a very welcome change. Phandroid has also independently learned from trusted sources that Google is planning major changes to both Hangouts and Calendars, though we don’t have any further details at this time. As such, there’s no word on when — or if — any of this is coming to the forefront, as sources say these changes are meant to be experimental. Google is probably testing a ton of different ideas their engineers have come up with, and some of them could be weeded out by the time these updates come to light. Let us know if you’d enjoy any of these changes to Gmail in the comments below!

Amid outcry, T-Mobile will keep corporate discounts for existing customers Posted: 02 Apr 2014 11:34 AM PDT In an update to a policy change that went into effect yesterday, T-Mobile is now back tracking on their controversial decision to kill off their employer discounts. Well, somewhat. Amid an outcry from many customers who were upset that they would soon be receiving a higher monthly service bill, it appears T-Mobile CEO John Legere was listening, and is back with an update to their original press release. According to Legere, existing customers will now be able to hold onto their corporate discount for as long as they work at their current job, and stick with their qualifying Simple Choice plans. But it’s not all easy street. Customers hanging onto these employer discounts will be subject to yearly verification checks, to ensure no one is abusing the policy. Anyone who applied for a T-Mobile’s Advantage Program before April 1st will remain unaffected by the changes. Legere too another minute to back his decision to kill off shady “backdoor deals,” saying that’s not how T-Mobile wants to operate.

Everything you need to know about the Amazon Fire TV Posted: 02 Apr 2014 10:32 AM PDT The original focus of Amazon's hardware business was pushing its library of ebooks with the Kindle. That device was soon followed with the more media-centric Kindle Fire tablet series, which expanded to Amazon's library of digital videos and music. Now the online retail giant has its sights set on a new frontier: your living room. They believe they have just the device, too. It's called the Amazon Fire TV, and it was announced earlier today. What is it? Amazon Fire TV is an internet-connected set-top box for your HD television set. The Fire TV brings together your personal media, content from Amazon partners, and Amazon's large ecosystem of digital goods to provide an all-in-one entertainment package in one powerful little box. The setup includes the box itself and a tiny remote, its seven buttons all that are needed to navigate the simplified main menu to find content and initiate playback, which Amazon boasts will begin instantly — no buffering needed. And it runs Android? As with their Kindle Fire line of tablets, Amazon has once again turned to Android to power their latest hardware. Like the Kindle Fire, you can expect a completely different experience than what you have seen on other devices. The Fire TV's heavily modified version of Android, the latest branch of Amazon's Fire OS dubbed "Mojito,” incorporates HTML into its framework. The result is an operating system that web and Android developers both can easily port their offerings to, but don't expect access to the Google Play Store and other associated services like Google Play Music, movies, and video. What about specs? For its size — it measures 4.5-inches squared — the Fire TV packs plenty of punch. Amazon claims the box features best-in-class processing power on top of other hardware that you might expect in a top-tier smartphone. Here's the complete rundown: 1.7GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon 8064 (Krait 300 CPU) Qualcomm Adreno 320 GPU 2GB RAM 8GB internal storage 802.11a/b/g/n MIMO (dual-band) WiFi Bluetooth 4.0 HDMI 1.4b output TOSLINK optical audio output USB 2.0 10/100 ethernet 4.5" x 4.5" x 0.7″ 9.9 oz. The bottom line? The Fire TV looks capable of handling just about anything you could throw at it. Dual-band WiFi and Bluetooth make for plenty of wireless connectivity options, though Amazon has gone the extra mile and included some nice hardwired options, including optical audio for those looking to connect the box to their home theater systems. What content is available? Here is where Amazon has a chance to dominate. Not only does the Fire TV leverage Amazon's existing content library, which includes 200,000 movies and TV shows and millions of songs, but a number of launch partners will also bring popular streaming services like Netflix and Hulu to the box out of the gate. A small selection include: Netflix Hulu WatchESPN Showtime Anytime Pandora iHeartRadio and more… Even better, users will be able to enjoy their own content on the Amazon Fire TV with apps like Plex or by uploading photos and videos direct to Amazon's Cloud Drive. Does it play games? Does it play games? Of course it plays games! At launch over 100 games are available, including a version of Minecraft built specifically for Fire TV (this ain't no port). Other titles include Telltale's The Walking Dead, Riptide 2, and Asphalt 8: Airborne. What's more, not only does the Amazon Fire TV play games, but a dedicated controller peripheral is also available. Priced at $40, the controller features a full compliment of buttons and joysticks perfect for 3D gaming. It is a likely must-have for anyone that plans to get their dollar's worth out of gaming on the Fire TV. How does it compare to Google TV? Apple TV? So the million dollar question: is Amazon Fire TV a better buy than a current Google TV box? What about Apple TV? In terms of pure hardware power, the Fire TV excels in this area. New Google TV boxes are few and far between, and the ones on the market feature considerably older hardware. Likewise, the Apple TV hasn't seen a major update in quite some time. The closest competitor is perhaps Roku, but even its latest iteration lags behind in terms of processing power and on-board RAM. But content is king, they say, and the Fire TV holds its own in this department as well. It features more options in the streaming department than the likes of Apple TV and even surpasses Chromecast when it comes to certain services (including Amazon Instant Video). And games? Forget about it on Apple TV and any Google counterpart. Roku does offer some options in this department, but their selection of titles is rather sparse. So when can I get it? Right now. Amazon had the Fire TV up for sale only minutes after its announcement so you won't have to spend weeks impatiently waiting for the thing. If you want it, you can have it. And how much does it cost? $99. The price is on par with the competition, matching Apple TV and the Roku 3. It's not Chromecast cheap, but that's a pretty unfair comparison, anyway. The Amazon Fire TV does streaming and so much more. Any questions? Still have a burning question about the Fire TV? Head on over to Android Forums and see if the likeminded individuals gathered there can't help you out with an answer. At the very least, leave us a comment below and let us know what you think of Amazon's latest bit of hardware.

Amazon Fire TV vs. Roku vs. Apple TV vs. Chromecast [Chart] Posted: 02 Apr 2014 09:50 AM PDT click to enlarge A new entry into the crowded set-top box market has just been announced, and it’s from one of the biggest internet companies on the face of the Earth. Amazon has just shown off their new Fire TV box in an attempt to take over the living room. The Fire TV is based on Android and HTML, so it’s apparently pretty easy to get existing apps on the box. Of course, whenever a new device is announced we have to compare it to the competition. The Fire TV matches up nicely with many of the top existing set-top boxes. At $99 it falls right in line with the Roku 3 and Apple TV, but of course it can’t compete with the $35 Chromecast. That’s because the Fire TV can do much more than Google’s affordable dongle, and you don’t need your phone to operate it. While the Fire TV may line up in price with the Roku and Apple TV, it has better specs than both. Specs, man The Fire TV is powered by a quad-core processor and 2GB of memory. The Roku 3 is slightly behind with a dual-core processor and 512MB of memory, while the Apple TV and Chromecast have single-sore processors with 512MB of memory. You should have no problem loading apps and navigating the UI smoothly and quickly on the Fire TV. What about the apps? The big determining feature for many people when deciding on a set-top box is apps. All four of the devices listed above have plenty of app support, but some have more than others. The Fire TV and Roku 3 both have 10 out of 11 popular streaming services. The Apple TV has 9, and the Chromecast has 7. Games is another area of apps. If you’re interested in those your only option is Fire TV or Roku 3. The Fire TV, however, has an optional dedicated gaming controller. Who wins? As of this moment it looks like the Fire TV and Roku 3 are the best options for streaming media set-top boxes. Amazon is a much larger company who will most likely make deals to get even more content on their device. When you combine the Fire TV with Amazon’s Fire tablets this is a very compelling device in a loaded ecosystem. For some the Chromecast will be all they need, but if you’re serious about cutting the cord the Fire TV is a great choice. Buy the Amazon Fire TV right now for $99. Talk about the Amazon Fire TV at AndroidForums.com!

Buy the Amazon Fire TV for $99 right now Posted: 02 Apr 2014 09:42 AM PDT Talk about the Amazon Fire TV at AndroidForums.com! In case you’ve been living under a rock this morning, Amazon has announced their Fire TV unit, a set-top box that gives you access to video, music, apps and games, all from a box that could fit in any decent-sized pockets. You can read more of the juicy details right here, if you want. If you’ve taken all of that in and decided you want one, you won’t have to wait — it’s available to buy right now! All you’ll need is $99 plus taxes to get your hands on one of the most powerful multimedia set-top boxes out there. And while you’ll still be able to play games with the included Fire Remote, you’ll probably want the added gaming controller for $40 if you’re a gamer (forthcoming titles like Minecraft and Asphalt 8 could sure benefit from them). Head over there right now if you’re interested.

Amazon Fire TV boasts $39 gaming controller with exclusive games Posted: 02 Apr 2014 09:36 AM PDT Amazon is joining the fight for your living room space with the announcement of the Fire TV, a $99 set-top box similar to Roku and other Android devices we’ve seen over the past few years. The difference is Amazon has the cash to support the effort with original games, which we saw at the event the company held today. The first game shown was Minecraft, the indie builder that has taken the world by storm. Of interest during the presentation was that the version being shown is specifically for the Fire TV, it’s not a port of the Android or PC versions. Mike Frazzini also showed off the controller we saw leaked a few weeks ago, confirming that the set-top box will have an Xbox 360-like accessory you can purchase for $40. Included with that purchase are Amazon Coins to get you started with their gaming marketplace. Frazzini also showed off several mobile-themed games, including a Monsters Inc. themed runner game, and Gameloft’s Asphalt 8. Perhaps the biggest surprise at the event was the reveal of Sev Zero, a third-person shooter game similar to Gears of War. While the game doesn’t have near the graphical fidelity of a full console title, Frazzini stated that games like Sev Zero wouldn’t be possible without the hardware Amazon has packed into the Fire TV. “At Amazon Game Studios, Sev Zero’s our first step at building games from the ground up.” Aside from Minecraft and Sev Zero, Amazon showcased several internal games in development with no titles and only a small bit of footage. More than a dozen games were shown, so it looks like Amazon is going full throttle with the Fire TV in terms of supporting both video and gaming content. With the addition of gaming to its set top box, Amazon is encroaching on territory OUYA established more than a year ago before petering out as a hardware manufacturer earlier this year. Continue the discussion on our brand new Amazon Fire TV Forums!

Amazon officially announces the Amazon Fire TV Posted: 02 Apr 2014 08:17 AM PDT Talk about the Amazon Fire TV at AndroidForums.com! [UPDATE]: Don’t forget to check out more Amazon Fire TV coverage, including details about pricing and availability, more on their gaming aspirations, everything you need to know about Fire TV and a comparison chart that pits the Fire TV up against the rest of the competition! Amazon’s Video press event is currently underway, and the company has just announced a solution that should help quell all the pitfalls of most companies’ video streaming options. They’re calling it the Amazon Fire TV, a device made to inspire change ina market that doesn’t always get the attention and care it deserves. This small media box packs a lot of power, with Amazon opting for a quad-core CPU and GPUs that are found in today’s most powerful smartphones. Here’s a full list of its specs: Quad-core CPU and GPU (make and model TBA) 2GB of RAM dual-band WiFi Shorter than the height of a dime Based on Android and HTML to make porting apps easy Amazon says that combination is important to offering an experience that has a smooth user interface, which is one of the frustrations they want to solve compared to other products. Comparable devices tend to skimp on specs to keep costs down, but that typically comes at the cost of smooth performance. Amazon Fire Features and Content Amazon will undoubtedly look to push their own collection of video through Prime Instant Video and Instant Video rentals and purchases — you will be able to browse and buy content from Amazonright from the Fire TV — but they won’t be the only sources of content. The Amazon Fire TV will support apps and games all the same, making it easy for developers to port their wares over. The platform will be open for any content provider to port their apps over. Some confirmed music apps are iHeartRadio, Pandora and TuneIn. For video? Apps like Netflix, Hulu+, ESPN, HBO Go and NBA GameTime will all make an appearance, as well as tons more. Voice will be a big part of the experience, as Amazon will allow you to search their catalog by simply speaking out the name of whatever you’re looking for. You could say something like “Along Came Polly” and have it pop right up, or do a general genre or topic search to get a list of all the movies and shows related to whatever category you’re looking for. Other features include Amazon FreeTime for parental controls, second-screen experiences for delivering info about whatever you’re watching, and ASAP which can predict what you might want to watch so you can just turn the box on and go. Amazon Fire TV Gaming Controller And this is where Amazon finally introduces their gaming initiative. For an extra $40 (which comes with 1,000 Amazon Coins — roughly $10 — to help get your games collection started), you can get yourself a nice controller that can be hooked up to the box to play some of the many games Amazon’s looking to feature. One of those games is Minecraft, which Amazon tells us has been specifically crafted for their platform (no pun intended) and not ported from others. They’re also talking about Gameloft’s Asphalt 8, and an endless running game themed after Monsters Inc. Amazon will also push games of their own, such as a new third-person shooter called Sev Zero. There’s no telling if this is the game that ex-Killer Instinct developer Double Helix was acquired to work on, but we at least have confirmation of Amazon’s reasons for purchasing them. The controller won’t be the only thing you can play games with, though. Some games can be used with the remote that comes packaged with the Fire TV, while others can be controlled using a controller app on your smartphone or tablet. Pricing and Availability These are the details you’re likely waiting for. Amazon is offering all of this at a very attractive price point of just $99, and it will be available starting as early as today. You can find it for sale right here. Don’t forget to add $40 for that gaming controller, if you want that. Stay tuned to Phandroid for continued coverage of the Amazon Fire TV throughout today!

Xbox One SmartGlass beta app launches, brings OneGuide and DVR features for preview users Posted: 02 Apr 2014 07:55 AM PDT Are you part of the Xbox One dashboard preview program? Do you want to test out some great new features that are coming to Xbox One’s SmartGlass apps soon? Now you can, thanks to the launch of a separate Xbox One SmartGlass beta over at Google Play. The beta already brings some rather significant goods for those of you on the latest version of the Xbox One dashboard preview. For starters, you can now browse your OneGuide listings from the app, and have your TV switch to a channel as if you were using an actual remote. Think of your smartphone or tablet as the smartest remote you’ve ever owned. You’ll also be able to thumb through your DVR content from your device and start playback, something that required the use of your existing cable or satellite remote before. Here’s a full list of everything that’s coming: An enhanced TV watching experience (that's already available in the U.S.), which sees TV listings added to OneGuide, alongside Favorites and App Channels. This will work for people in Europe and Canada who have their TV connected to Xbox One via HDMI-in. More control over Xbox One, their TV, and set-top box, including setting new recordings and watching recorded content from their DVR, all from a tablet or smart phone. Xbox SmartGlass also adds a cool new feature to show the most recently-watched channels. New Kinect voice commands in Europe and Canada (already available in the U.S.) which let you control your set-top box and other AV equipment. The new DVR features will be facilitated through a new remote control user interface that mimics that of a cable box’s. The commands will likely be transmitted over the network to the Xbox, which will use the Kinect to issue the commands to the cable box. Pretty neat setup, right? Here’s what the digital remote interface looks like on your phone: Interested? You can find it in Google Play, but remember that it’s a beta and there may be some unknown issues lurking about. Don’t forget that you won’t be able to use any of this unless you’re in the dashboard preview program. There’s a handy in-app option for reporting issues, so be sure to exercise that option if you happen to come across anything. [via Microsoft]

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