Android Phone Fans |
- The Google Play Store now has a mobile web version
- Google Search can now pull up you car rental reservation info, adds hands-free reminders
- LG G3 leaks for Verizon, shows off front and back carrier branding, new lockscreen
- Samsung’s upcoming stand-alone smartwatch detailed in a new report, could launch this summer
- New LG G3 teaser hypes its 5.5-inch display but reasonably sized form factor [VIDEO]
- LG hypes up the G3 with 3 new teaser videos
- Mobile Roar 46: Sour Patch Google
- AT&T Samsung Galaxy S4 Mini with HD Voice now available
- HD Widgets 4 sees app overhaul, introduces new theme pack Kairo [VIDEO]
- App Deal: Plex on sale for $.99 at Amazon’s Appstore today
- Report: Google making Project Tango-esque tablet that can map 3D surroundings
| The Google Play Store now has a mobile web version Posted: 23 May 2014 04:57 PM PDT We’re not sure what took so long, but appears someone has flipped the switch on the mobile web version of the Google Play Store. Jumping onto play.google.com/store from any mobile device — iPad, iPhone, or other smartphones and tablets — will now display content optimized for touch displays. So… what’s the point? Well, not everyone is exclusive to the Android platform and it allows those on the iOS/Windows/etc. devices to peruse the Play Store from the device of their choice. What’s more is the “Device” section, which is unavailable in the Android app, can now be accessed for quick purchases of Google-endorsed hardware and accessories. To get started, just click the link below from your mobile device. Cheers. |
| Google Search can now pull up you car rental reservation info, adds hands-free reminders Posted: 23 May 2014 03:53 PM PDT Google Voice Search is increasingly becoming one of the most useful functions in Android. With every passing date, it seems like we’re learning new commands — and updates to existing ones — we can speak into Voice Search. The latest is the ability to ask the Google Search app “when is my rental car reservation,” and it’ll pull up all the relevant info in a handy card. Google likely skims this info from your Gmail inbox and we’d guess it’s only a matter of time before other types of reservations can be pulled up in the future. In an update to an existing voice command, it appears the ability to set reminders can now be done completely hands-free. Previously, asking Google Search to set a reminder would get things started, but you’d have to physically interact with your device to finish it up. Now, Google Search will listen in between prompts, allowing you to set the time, place, or go even go back. These new updates appear to have been activated behind the scenes on Google’s side of things, or possibly during the last update. In any case, you can update Google Search right now if you haven’t via the link below.
Thanks, Tito_01! |
| LG G3 leaks for Verizon, shows off front and back carrier branding, new lockscreen Posted: 23 May 2014 01:34 PM PDT We figured out why LG decided to go with a form factor closer to the previous G2′s, rather than the near bezel-less one found on the LG Isai FL: Verizon needed the space for their logo. Okay, we kid. But now that @evleaks is giving us a look at the Verizon Wireless version of the LG G3, we can’t help but wonder how any OEM allows Big Red to brand all over their face like that. Seems almost… disrespectful. In any case, this latest leak is giving us a better look at the new lockscreen UI we can expect on the LG G3 once it finally becomes official. Looks a lot like LG’s previous UI, only more flat. We like that. If nothing else, this should help Verizon customers sleep well at night knowing the smartphone is headed to their network. As a new Verizon customer (for the time being), I for one couldn’t be happier. [Evleaks] |
| Samsung’s upcoming stand-alone smartwatch detailed in a new report, could launch this summer Posted: 23 May 2014 12:31 PM PDT Samsung just can’t seem to shake rumors that they’ll soon introduce a stand-alone smartwatch. It was last month we first heard rumors that Samsung was working on a new SIM-enabled smartwatch dubbed the Samsung Gear Solo. Today, a new report from The Wall Street Journal is saying the watch could officially make its debut in the next few months — as early as June or July — and will carry many hardware features found on our modern day smartphones like a GPS, heart rate monitor and, of course, a camera. The tiny watch will be capable of placing and receiving phone calls, and even sending emails. Really, it seems like the next logical step as over the years, we’ve watch as our smartphones shrank in size, only to grow to tablet heights. A new found reliance on devices that easily fit into our pocket (or our wrists) should complete that circle. Because Samsung’s smartwatch will have all this added functionality, don’t expect it to run Google’s simple Android Wear interface. Samsung is said to be in talks with the usual carriers in the US, Europe, and Asia to offer the watch on their network. Question is: is there a market for a standalone smartwatch? |
| New LG G3 teaser hypes its 5.5-inch display but reasonably sized form factor [VIDEO] Posted: 23 May 2014 11:13 AM PDT LG is in full hype-beast mode, teasing the LG G3 every chance they get. A few days ago we saw them take the wraps off their new Quick Circle view case and in their latest video uploaded to YouTube, LG wants to put the spotlight on their phone’s overall size. Last year’s LG G2 was one of our favorite Android devices, if for no other reason than it featured one of the best screen-to-bezel ratios this side of the oversized Samsung Galaxy Note 3. This year’s LG G3 will be no exception, with LG showing off the phone’s large 5.5-inch display, but promising a phone that’s still easily gripable. Check out their video below and let us know — is 5.5-inches too big? Would LG have been better off shrinking the bezels, but keep last year’s 5.2-inch display size? [YouTube] |
| LG hypes up the G3 with 3 new teaser videos Posted: 23 May 2014 10:47 AM PDT All aboard the hype train! Our calendars say May 27th is next week, which means there isn’t much time until LG finally unveils their flagship smartphone for 2014. The LG G3 is expected to be a very solid heavyweight, and LG wants you to get excited about with the three new teaser videos they’ve dropped on YouTube. The videos highlight design its gorgeous design, its ridiculous display, and its photo-snapping prowess, all major judging points of any modern-day smartphone. Want to know what else to expect out of the LG G3 next week? Hop onto the rumor train right here and find everything we know about it. If you prefer to be surprised, well, enjoy your holiday weekend and start counting down the days until Tuesday. |
| Mobile Roar 46: Sour Patch Google Posted: 23 May 2014 09:28 AM PDT Has Google gone sour? The guys talk about the rumor that YouTube is interested in buying Twitch, and the negative reactions to that news. Would this have happened a couple years ago? Is Google+ to blame? They also talk about Google passing Apple in brand value and the the Moto 360 costing $250. Plus, they play a new game called “What’s the app?” Top Stories
What's the apps? Game Quick Hits
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| AT&T Samsung Galaxy S4 Mini with HD Voice now available Posted: 23 May 2014 08:42 AM PDT Looking for a new smartphone that supports HD Voice? The Samsung Galaxy S4 Mini might not be the most exciting device out there, but if you want the super crisp voice calls over AT&T’s 4G LTE network then this is your latest option. It’ll run you $50 on a new two-year contract, though you could always opt to buy it outright either traditionally ($369.99) or AT&T Next (as little as $14.23 cents for the 18 month upgrade option or $18.50 for the 12 month upgrade option). It features a 4.3-inch 960 x 540 display, an 8 megapixel rear camera with a 1.9 megapixel front camera, a Qualcomm Snapdragon MSM8930 dual-core processor clocked at 1.7GHz, 1.5GB of RAM, 16GB of internal storage with a microSD card slot, and will come with Android 4.4 KitKat out of the box. It’s awaiting your dollars at AT&T’s site if you’re interested. |
| HD Widgets 4 sees app overhaul, introduces new theme pack Kairo [VIDEO] Posted: 23 May 2014 07:28 AM PDT HD Widgets has been around for a long time. You may remember these guys from back in the G1 days when everyone and their mom was looking for that HTC Sense-style clock/weather widget. Over the years, HD Widgets has continued to evolve, adding one of the most robust widgets user experiences available from an Android app. New in HD Widgets 4? Vertical widgets (as well as location and status widgets), side navigation menu, and”weather screen” with a ton of useful weather information like an hourly forecast graph. Widgets are also now separated by size, making tidying things up a bit. Stock HD Widgets feature that trademark skeumorphic design that put them on the map dubbed “Glass Gems.” They are reminiscent of shiny, glossy glass paired with a flip or digital clock. As their name suggests, the widgets are beautiful and high-res and look great on the many varied displays found on Android phones.    Adding a widget is quick and easy. Simply jump into your widgets folder and you’ll find a plethora of widget previews in various sizes. Some are better catered to tablets and are denoted by the 7″ or 10″ in the widget’s description. Once you find the widget you like, drag it onto your homescreen and HD Widgets will open up their app to help you customize the individual UI elements or change between themes. Speaking of themes, the new Kairo theme has arrived! It’s made to fit in better with the look and feel of KitKat (whereas Colourform was more in-tune with the looks of Jelly Bean / Ice Cream Sandwich). These themes come in free, limited form if you don’t want to pay for them. You’ll still get tons of options — there are over 40 different widgets to choose from in Kairo Free alone, for example — though you’re more than free to drop a bit of coin ($1 each) to unlock even more. Cloud.tv mentions that there’s a bug in KitKat /AOSP that can sometimes cause widgets to disappear. This means it’s an Android specific bug, so avoid running into the Play Store and leaving a bad review should you encounter the issue. Beyond that, though, the upgrade is awaiting you right here ($2 if you haven’t already bought it). Let your eyes roam below for the links to the paid and free theme packs, and be sure to give it all a nice, quick preview by watching our hands-on video above! HD Widgets | Kairo Theme Free | Kairo Theme Paid | Colourform Theme Free | Colourform Theme Paid
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| App Deal: Plex on sale for $.99 at Amazon’s Appstore today Posted: 23 May 2014 05:59 AM PDT Plex is quite the expensive app at $5. It’s worth it if you’re big on digital media consumption, but it’s still a tough pill to swallow for a mobile smartphone app. If you’ve been waiting for the perfect time to grab it then now is your chance — Amazon has it up for just $.99 cents today. Plex is a multimedia server for your PC that can serve up videos, photo and music to any compatible device. It has a robust set of features, including syncing to services like Dropbox and Google Drive, offline viewing (only with a Plex Pass subscription), and access to hundreds of online “channels” from your favorite content providers. Getting apps on the Amazon Appstore isn’t always desirable for anyone not using a Kindle Fire. For starters, some developers tend to update apps much later than they would the Google Play version, so getting the latest features is often a pain. And having to maintain accounts and apps from two different sources is just a pain in general. If you don’t mind the caveats, though, then this is one deal you won’t want to pass up. Head here to take advantage. |
| Report: Google making Project Tango-esque tablet that can map 3D surroundings Posted: 23 May 2014 05:28 AM PDT Google I/O just got a whole lot more interesting. A new report out of the Wall Street Journal suggests Google is looking to produce around 4,000 tablets that can map its 3D surroundings. It doesn’t sound like much more than a bigger version of Google’s Project Tango phone, which was formally unveiled just a few short months ago. If this tablet is anything like that phone, it will have a couple of cameras, an infrared sensor and an RGB sensor that all combine to map a 3D image of whatever the cameras are being pointed at. Here’s an example of the sort of 3D-mapped image you can take. Google I/O attendees will be pleased to hear this next bit of news: those 4,000 tablets are said to be distributed to some of you lot at the show. The purpose? Google simply wants to see what creative minds will come up with when they’re equipped with this unique piece of technology. The ability to map 3D surroundings is nothing new in the tech world — Google’s own self driving cars already do a darn good job of that — but this would be one of the first times we’ve seen the technology in such compact form, and in the hands of eager independent developers. We still don’t know much about the specs of either of these devices, though we imagine Google’s not really concerned with creating super phones and super tablets in this endeavor (that’s what the Nexus line is for *hint hint, wink wink*). June couldn’t get here soon enough. |
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