Android

Now that the big spring phone releases are out of the way, you can make an informed decision on any pending purchases. The HTC One and Samsung Galaxy S4 both have their strong points, and you can get a solid deal on both of them, provided you're flexible on carriers. Amazon has both currently listed for $129.99 with a 2-year contract.   The HTC One in question is the 32GB AT&T variant, and it's usually $199.99 (last on sale for $150). A $70 savings on a fairly new device is great, and it's impressive what HTC has done with its new flagship phone. Done With This Post? You Might Also Like These:AT&T Samsung Galaxy Note II Drops To $249.99 ($50 Off) On Amazon Wireless [Deal Alert] Amazon Wireless Offering Verizon Galaxy SIII For $79.99 With New Account, Line Activation [Deal Alert] Galaxy S III 16GB For Sprint, AT&T, And Verizon Just $100 On Amazon Wireless For New Customers [Deal Alert] Motorola Droid RAZR HD Drops To $19.99 For New Accounts And $0.01 For Upgrades On Amazon Wireless [Deal Alert] Amazon Offering AT&T HTC One And Sprint Galaxy S4 For $129.99 was written by the awesome team at Android Police.

Samsung Youm OLED flexible display demoed at CES 2013. Samsung has been recently granted a design patent for a tablet PC that appears to have a bendable display. The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office awarded Samsung a slew of patents earlier this week including two design patents for tablets. As always with patents – whether awarded or not – keep in mind that they do not portray actual products, and we may never see the devices shown in patent images come to life. But such patents indicate that Samsung is definitely exploring various tablet designs including slates with flexible displays or bendable areas. These patents have been both submitted for review last summer. That said, in these images you’ll be able to observe the two tablet designs awarded to Samsung. Patent number D682,264 (filed in June 2012) shows images of a “Tablet computer” that comes with a built-in case and a handle (second image below). In addition to the offered images, other details are not mentioned. Samsung Design Patent D682,263 for a “Tablet PC” – filed in July 5, 2012 and granted on May 14, 2013. Most interestingly, patent D682,263 (filed in July 2012) shows a “Tablet PC” that appears to have a bendable display. As you can see in the image above, the tablet PC can be folded along the dotted line. However, the patent clearly states that the dotted lines are not parts of the claimed design: The broken lines shown in the figures represent portions of the tablet PC which form no part of the claimed design. Patent ‘263 isn’t offering any more details than patent ‘264 does, but what’s clear from the drawings is that the “tablet PC” has a screen with a flexible section. We can only speculate that the bendable part of the tablet’s display could act as some sort of a touchscreen keyboard, while also acting as a stand when users would hold the tablet in landscape mode on a surface. The rest of the display would presumably continue to act as a display. Interestingly, it’s not clear what the difference is between a “tablet computer” and a “tablet PC,” the two products described in these newly awarded patents. Samsung Design Patent D682,264 for a “Tablet computer” – filed in June 20, 2012 and granted on May 14, 2013. As recent reports have shown, Samsung is not yet ready to mass-produce flexible displays in enough quantites to meet consumer needs. While still showing off its advancements in flexible display tech at consumer shows, Samsung is not yet ready to launch a product featuring such a panel. The company’s own JK Shin has more than once deflected a clear answer when asked about the first Samsung products featuring a flexible display. Most recently, when asked whether the Galaxy Note 3 would pack such a screen he said that more time is still needed without making other comments. Another report recently claimed that the Galaxy Note 3 would not feature a flexible display as previous rumors suggested. That said, we have no idea when a Samsung tablet with flexible display could arrive. So far this year, Samsung has announced two new tablets, the Galaxy Note 8.0 and the Galaxy Tab 3 7.0, with at least two more models rumored to arrive, the Galaxy Tab 3 8.0 and the Galaxy Tab 3 10.1. Rumors have also mentioned an 11-inch Nexus-branded Samsung tablet, which is yet to be confirmed. AA Staff contributed to this report.

The fine folks at GTVHacker dropped us a line to say that their new Asus Cube root solution is now available as a free download in the Google Play Store. The cleverly-titled CubeRoot takes advantage of a Unix NFS mounting exploit to install the SuperSU application and grant Cube owners root privileges, sure to be much appreciated by Google TV power users excited for Asus' new hardware. You can pick up the root application from the Play Store widget below, or download it directly from GTVHacker's website. In addition to basic rooting duties, CubeRoot will modify the Cube's Flash Player app, allowing users to get around some arbitrary platform-content restrictions in video websites. Done With This Post? You Might Also Like These:ASUS Cube Hits Online Availability For $139.99 [New App] Root Transmission Lets You Root Other Android Devices Using Your Own Via OTG Cable One-Click Root Now Available For ASUS Eee Pad Transformer Sony Google TV Root Exploit Allows For Unsigned Kernels, Modified Flash Plugin, And More [New App] GTVHacker Releases Asus Cube Google TV Root App On The Play Store: Roots, Patches, Modifies Flash Player was written by the awesome team at Android Police.

Fighting games, or “button-bashers” as they are fondly known as, are far and few between on Android as the act of bashing buttons is significantly less satisfying on touchscreens (disclaimer: is probably not the actual reason for lack of fighting games). Also quite rare are games that fully utilize touchscreen gestures to suit a game’s genre. Enter Combo Crew, a new game from The Game Bakers, that actually thoughtfully matches a bespoke fighting game style with the frantic play-style akin to button-bashing. If you don’t know what I’m on about, have a watch of the video below: As you can see, the gameplay of Combo Crew is wonderfully frantic and looks to use touch in a way that suits the fighting genre on a mobile platform. Also featured in Combo Crew is cross-platform co-op play, between iOS and Android, so you can hop into games with friends, compete with them for high scores and save them when the inevitably need rescuing. Combo Crew is due for a May 23rd release date on the Play Store. What are your thoughts about Combo Crew? Let us know below. Source: The Game Bakers Blog

Samsung Galaxy Note 3 Concept A couple of new reports offer new details about Samsung’s upcoming Galaxy Note 3 smartphone but also mention a device never seen before in similar rumors, the Galaxy S4 Mega. Galaxy Note 3 Sam Mobile published a picture (see below) that has been allegedly taken with the Galaxy Note 3. The image has apparently been posted on the forum of a Polish website called SmartFan. Naturally, the information can’t be confirmed at this time, as we’re only looking at details available from EXIF data, and such info can be tampered with. Assuming it’s real, the image appears to have been taken with a GT-N7200 device running firmware version N7200XXUAMEB. The Galaxy Note 2 has model number GT-N7200, while the Galaxy Note has model number GT-N7000, so it makes sense to assume this GT-N7200 is the third handset in the series. According to the EXIF data, the device has a 13-megapixel sensor and an aperture of f/2.2, matching the characteristics of the Galaxy S4 main shooter. The Galaxy Note 3 could share the same camera with the Galaxy S4, but it’s too early to have it everything confirmed. The handset is expected to be unveiled at IFA 2013 in Germany in early September. Galaxy S4 Mega The Galaxy S4 is rumored to have plenty of brothers including the Galayx S4 Mini, the Galaxy S4 Zoom and the Galaxy S4 Active, but it looks like another member of this expanding family may have been spotted. Called the Galaxy S4 Mega, this particular model has been seen in Samsung’s recently updated WatchOn application. As you can see in the screenshots below WatchON has been updated with “added support for the upcoming S4 Mega, S4 mini and S4 Active.” In fact, these product names are mention right on the app’s page in the Google Play Store: From the looks of it, the Galaxy S4 mini and Galaxy S4 Active we mentioned before also get confirmed, but the Galaxy S4 Mega is a totally new product name. Considering that the Mega is a new subfamily of Galaxy smartphones (currently there are two models in it, the Galaxy Mega 6.3 and the Galaxy Mega 5.8), where would a Galaxy S4 Mega fit? Is the device a bigger Galaxy S4 Mega? What purpose would it serve? We’ll be back with more details about upcoming Samsung devices once we have them.

SMS SPY! Get SMS on Email, call logs, location and photos stealthy from a phone delivered to your email. It’s intended for self use on your own device in the case, say… for backup purposes or if you leave your phone at home. But let’s be frank, if installed on another person’s phone you can spy on... View ArticleSMS SPY! Get SMS on Email – how to steal text messages, call, location & photos is a post from: AndroidTapp.com Check Out More Related: AreYouThereYet – automatically send text messages based on your location DroidAlone – Missed Calls. Access Your Missed Calls and Text Messages by Email Ask NerdGirl: Text Forwarding, More Rooting, and Faster Email

Surprisingly, the licensed LEGO Star Wars PC and console games (and most of the subsequent Indiana Jones/Batman/Harry Potter/et cetera games) turned out to be pretty good. They're tight, enjoyable adventure games with interesting construction mechanics, and humor suitable to both kids and adults. Though The LEGO Group has released more than a dozen Android titles already, their first tie-in game is LEGO Star Wars: The Yoda Chronicles, available now as a free download. Just in case you didn't get your Star Wars fix with Angry Birds or pinball. The player guides either the titular Dagobah-dweller or his Dark Side counterpart Count Dooku through eight levels, with the series' standard add-on characters, buildable vehicles, and surprisingly varied mini-games breaking up the top-down shooting and slashing. Done With This Post? You Might Also Like These:All Wings Report In: Angry Birds Star Wars Begins Its Attack Run On The Play Store Star Wars Pinball Released In Empire Strikes Back, Clone Wars, And Boba Fett Flavors, IAPs For Zen Pinball As Well Samsung's Unicorn Apocalypse Is Real And In The Play Store, Apparently Sucks Pretty Bad Bugdroid May Be Immortalized In Lego Form: Android Lego Cuusoo Reaches 10,000 Votes [New Game] LEGO Star Wars: The Yoda Chronicles Touches Down On The Play Store, Compatible With Almost Nothing was written by the awesome team at Android Police.

Introduced this year at CES, Dell’s ambitious project of delivering Android 4.0 (or above) experience to any device that has a compatible HDMI port and a display has finally received a price and a release window. Officially known as Wyse Project Ophelia, the small dongle will be sold for no more than $100 and should be first launched this summer, in July. As the source states, Dell will demonstrate Ophelia on regular computer screens and 55-inch displays next week in Los Angeles, during the international Citrix Synergy conference. Afterwards, the first units will begin shipping in July to interested developers that wish to write Android applications for the device. Only in August will the project be available to a wider audience through various cable companies or telecom providers that may want to include Ophelia in their offers. After that, Dell will also sell it on their official website. Furthermore, Dell is also working on “a keyboard-like technology for users to type when Ophelia is docked to a screen.” What will Ophelia mean for the market? The Android-based dongle can solely boot Google’s platform and render content on any device that has a HDMI port, including projectors, TVs and computer displays. Once paired, Dell’s toy can offer direct access to Wyse PocketCloud, a smart cloud solution that can allow users to access their desktop from mobile devices. The dongle also offers Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity. Meant to be a cheap alternative to tablets and computers, Ophelia has the potential of transforming any screen into a full-state PC, used for gaming or content consumption. Future owners will have the possibility of downloading applications, movies or TV shows directly from Google’s Play store and stream content from Hulu and Netflix. Dell also states that a specific set of security features will be integrated in the package for better management. Especially aimed at IT administrators, the cloud client manager system will offer specialists the ability of tracking-down the location of the dongle, erase data in case of theft or even to monitor activity.

In 2012, Samsung began its familiarity strategy. It’s hard to miss a newer Samsung phone on the streets because they all have that definitive look. Plastic rounded body, usually in white, the devices were basically mini or maxi Galaxy S3 versions. This design philosophy was then transferred to Samsung’s tablets, like the Samsung Galaxy Note 8.0. Samsung is able to churn out a lot of devices aimed at a lot of niche markets and then observes to see which can become hits. This is of course how the Galaxy Note range came to fruition, but now Samsung is taking its familiarity strategy one step further. Galaxy S4 – the strategy continues The Galaxy S4 already incorporates many similarities with its sibling, the Galaxy S3, both in physical design and software. This means that there was already a familiarity from the S3, or any Samsung smartphone from 2012 for that matter, and people would be more inclined to buy something they were already familiar with. This was extremely successful for Apple’s iPhone as the device became almost synonymous with the word smartphone. Of course now the market is much more different. However Android still has a brand recognition problem. Surveys have shown that the Galaxy brand is becoming more recognised than Android, and this could develop into a problem for Google. Are people buying Samsung smartphones for the Google services, or the Samsung Galaxy brand? Galaxy S4 Mini – mini phone big plans Samsung gets it, there are some people who are simply not inclined to learn hand gymnastics, or prefer a smaller phone for other reasons. So with the Galaxy S3 Mini, Samsung attempted to accommodate those people, with a smaller version of the extremely popular Galaxy S3. Of course those in the know would remember that the Galaxy S3 Mini was merely a shadow of its big brother. But thanks to the familiarity and brand recognition it was a good seller. A good enough seller, it seems, that Samsung is interested in making a successor in the form of the Galaxy S4 Mini, or at least that’s what plenty of reports claim. What the Galaxy S4 Mini means is that Samsung sees a smaller form factor a big enough reason for people to choose a particular smartphone model, even if they have to skip out on the latest and greatest specs. That allows Samsung to leverage the S4 brand and enables it to sell a lot more smartphones than it normally could have, had it blessed the S4 Mini with a name like Galaxy Pop, for example. This leaves Samsung prone to its strategy backfiring, if Samsung is serious about the smaller form factor, why doesn’t it invest enough money to make the S4 Mini a legitimate competitor to the iPhone 5? That way Samsung could control all three points of the smartphone market in a three pronged attack. The Galaxy S4 Mini for the smaller form factor, the Galaxy S4 for the middlers, and the Galaxy Note 3 towering above the rest. Unfortunately if the rumored specs are anything to go by, the Galaxy S4 Mini will be nothing but a mid-range phone with a famous name. A smartphone with a great camera, there’s an S4 for that The S4 is no longer a single smartphone it seems, it’s a legion of handsets to cover your every need. So if you want to dump your DSLR, but simply aren’t satisfied with the pictures that smartphones produce, you should know that Samsung reportedly plans on introducing a variant of the S4 to please those who take pride in the pictures they take. Not a lot is known about the Galaxy S4 Zoom, but it is rumored to include a 16-megapixel camera with optical zoom. Whether or not the camera will be good enough to make people get rid of their DSLRs, is a question that is yet to be answered. Although, a purported photograph taken with the Galaxy S4 Zoom has made its way to the Internet and is down below for you to behold. A tweaker not a tweeter, there’s an S4 for that The Galaxy S4 Google Edition certainly raised eyebrows, and in some circles clouded the definition of a Nexus device. Sams

Today we have something pretty interesting for all you tablet lovers. A new slate that’s aiming to take on Google’s Nexus 7 has leaked, and you’re going to like the price. It’s called the Hisense Sero 7 Pro, from the popular Chinese manufacturer, and has everything and more the Nexus offers but for just $99. Read on for full details on this impressive and well-rounded budget slate. If the name sounds familiar, it’s because the Hisense Sero 7 lite was recently spotted at the FCC. The Chinese manufacturers first slate officially going up for sale in US markets. However, the Hisense Sero 7 Pro we have the exclusive on today is a much better device, offers more than the Nexus 7, is only $99, and was found available as we speak inside Walmart. According to our tipster the Sero 7 Pro rocks a 1.3 GHz Tegra 3 quad-core processor with 1GB of RAM, 8GB of internal storage, and a 7-inch 1280×800 HD IPS display, just like the Nexus 7. Then what makes it even better is the micro-SD slot for expanding storage, mini-HDMI for video out, and dual camera. The Sero 7 Pro sports a 5 megapixel rear with LED flash, and 2 MP front, respectively. Running Android 4.2.1 Jelly Bean and full Google Play Store certification, this tablet is as well rounded as it gets for $99. That’s for sure. As you can see from the images provided, the build quality is decent, and our tipster claims it feels quite premium given the price. The Hisense Sero 7 Pro also comes with the usual array of senors and radios. WiFi, Bluetooth 3.0, GPS, NFC, and a 4,000 mAh battery. Hisense offers TV’s here in the US, but this marks their first tablet aimed at the US market. Our tipster reports their USA website link on the box isn’t even active yet, which leads us to believe some Walmart locations are selling this device early. You can head to www.hisense-usa.com/tablets, but as stated, the page isn’t yet active. For now we’re looking for additional details, but you might want to run down to your nearest Walmart and grab this deal of a tablet. Who’s interested? Quad-core Tegra 3, 8GB storage, micro-SD and HDMI-out, not counting Android 4.2 Jelly Bean all for just $99. Let us know below! – Thanks Selim for the tip!