Android

The Galaxy S4 Active is said to be very similar to the Galaxy S4, pictured above The upcoming Samsung Galaxy S4 Active showed up in an alleged benchmark result that reveals some of its specifications, including a slightly older processor. At this point, the consensus in the Android blogosphere is that he Samsung Galaxy S4 Active is real, and that it’s coming soon. The device was even confirmed by a Samsung executive. The Galaxy S4 Active is said to be waterproof and dustproof, and Samsung will likely market it as a phone for the outdoorsy, inspired by the success of Sony Xperia Z, the first major Android phone to feature resistance to water and dust. Everybody thought that the Galaxy S4 Active (also known as J Active, though that’s likely just an internal name) would be identical to the general purpose Galaxy S4 in terms of specifications. However, a benchmark result uncovered by Techtastic indicates that at least the processor of the Galaxy S4 Active will be different. Samsung SGH-I537, a codename associated with the AT&T version of Galaxy S4 Active showed up in the GFXBench results database. The device is powered by a Snapdragon MSM8960 (Snapdragon S4 Pro) system on a chip clocked at 1.9GHz. Other specifications revealed by the listing are Android 4.2.2 and a Full HD screen, both identical to those of the Galaxy S4. Note that benchmark listings can be easily counterfeited, and even if the entry is real, it could belong to a prototype. Samsung currently sells two variants of the Galaxy S4, one running on Snapdragon 600 (available in most markets) and one running on Exynos 5 Octa (currently selling in South Korea and a few other countries). Why would Samsung swap the Snapdragon 600 for an older S4 Pro on the Galaxy S4 Active? One reason could be cost reduction, though teardowns show that the difference between the two configurations is of only a few dollars per unit. Another possible answer could be a supply issue, though we haven’t heard of any supply bottlenecks related to the Snapdragon 600. The Galaxy S4 Active has been rumored to be unveiled in the next few weeks, possibly along the Galaxy S4 Zoom and the entry-level Zest. Stay tuned for more details.

A source known for providing insider information on HTC devices tweeted that the HTC One could get an update in “2-3 weeks”, while a “Senseless” edition might come in late summer. One of the most popular devices of the moment, the HTC One, is behind the times (and the competition) when it comes to the Android version. The HTC One is running Android 4.1.2 Jelly Bean coupled with Sense 5, at a time when the newest version of Android, 4.2, has been out for almost six months. Naturally, HTC One users have been clamoring for an update, but the good news is their wish may be granted in as little as two to three weeks. The info comes from a noted purveyor of insider information on HTC that has a good reputation when it comes to leaks of the Taiwanese company’s handsets. @LlabTooFeR has correctly predicted the HTC First, also known as the “Facebook phone”, and the specifications of the HTC M4, which is said to hit the market as the HTC One Mini. Now @LlabTooFeR is back at it with info on the Android 4.2.2 update for the HTC One: @ibolito_ @hawk1902 Sorry, my bad, thought you were asking about Senseless HTC One :) About HTC One 4.2.2 I’d expect it in 2-3 weeks… — LlabTooFeR (@LlabTooFeR) May 17, 2013 The tweet refers to this earlier one: @hawk1902 Definitely not this month, I think this might happen at the end of this summer… — LlabTooFeR (@LlabTooFeR) May 17, 2013 Even more exciting is the reference to a Senseless HTC One, in other words, a One running stock Android, just like the Galaxy S4 “Google Edition” unveiled at I/O. As you can see, @LlabTooFeR is not committing to the info, so it’s hard to say if it’s his speculation or something he knows for a fact. Though @LlabTooFeR has a successful track record when it comes to leaks, we wouldn’t recommend ingesting this information without the proverbial grain of salt. Even the best connected insiders get it wrong sometimes. We’ve asked @LlabTooFeR  for more info on the Senseless One via Twitter and we’ll update this post with his comments. With that said, we’ve also heard about Sense 5 coming to the HTC J Butterfly by the end of the month, with Android 4.2.2 possibly in tow. It wouldn’t be too far-fetched to believe that HTC is preparing a rollout for all its flagship devices, including the popular HTC One. What will Android 4.2 bring to the HTC One? The most significant updates are the possibility to have widgets in the lock screen, a quick-settings panel in the notification dropdown and a swipe-based keyboard. As for the HTC One Google Edition, an HTC employee did tease us during the I/O keynote, though an HTC PR boss was quick to shut down the speculation.

Google has made some great enhancements to the Android platform with the goal of making their devices more user friendly to people with blindness or low-visibility. Google engineers have simplified the process for developers to augment their code to let Android use its accessibility features for these users. These accessibility features utilize either TalkBack (a spoken feedback system), or enable connected devices which give a blind person a legible description of the display to read using BrailleBack (a Braille emulator). TalkBack is already implemented in Android, while BrailleBack is available in the Play Store. These features were put on display at an “Enabling Blind and Low-Vision Accessibility on Android” presentation at Google I/O. Developers were explained how to optimize their applications to take advantage of Android’s accessibility tools. Mobile Accessibility by a Spanish company called Codefactory has already been assisting blind users for a while by using a simplified audio-based user interface. Their developers say that Android’s new enhancements will allow the company to work on new features for the service. It’s really great to see support being improved for the visually-impaired community. There’s no reason everyone shouldn’t be able to experience how great Android is. Source: Phone Arena Come comment on this article: Google makes Android easier to use for visually-impaired users with TalkBack and BrailleBack. Visit TalkAndroid for Android news, Android guides, and much more!

Now that Google I/O is over with and a potential Android 4.3 release date is in the wild, the hypebeasting of features will undoubtedly start to pick up. The first to kick off the fun is one of our favorite apps, Light Flow. For those not familiar, Light Flow is the best notification manager in [...] Light Flow Update Teases New Version of Android, May Require Persistent Notifications for Some... Click the post title to continue through and join the conversation!

Samsung’s second generation of TecTiles went on sale today. Samsung Mobile describes them best: Samsung TecTiles™ 2 are the next generation and evolution of TecTiles, programmable NFC sticker tags that allow users to automate everyday functions of a smartphone through a single tap. TecTiles 2, paired with the new Samsung TecTile™ app, allow consumers to program the tag for various functions, including sending text messages, silencing the phone when entering a meeting, playing a specific song and dimming the display before going to bed. Additionally, there’s a TecTile specific app for programming TecTiles and and these latest TecTiles 2. Some features that TecTiles can program include: Settings o Change phone settings (Bluetooth®, Wi-Fi®, ringer/media volume, screen brightness, etc.) o Create “Tasks” and customize modes like “Home,” “Work,” and “Car” Phone o Make a call o Send a text message o Share a contact Application o Show an address on a map o Open a web page o Launch an app Social o Follow a Twitter user o Update a status on Facebook or Google Plus o Check in on Foursquare or Facebook In addition to TecTiles 2 going on sale today at the Samsung Store, they’ll be at retailers in June. A pack of 5 costs $14.99. They’re guaranteed to work on any Samsung NFC-enabled device and even though Samsung doesn’t test TecTiles on other device brands (because that’s their competition obviously), they should work just fine on any NFC-enable device. Check them out and grab some from the Samsung Mobile Store HERE. What uses have you found for TecTiles or just NFC tags in general?

So excited about selling the NVIDIA Shield are retailers that they have begun offering pre-orders early. Effective immediately, you can place an order for the gaming console/controller/Android device through places like Newegg, GameStop, and NVIDIA. Gamers look to Gamestop as their defacto gaming destination,” said Joe Gorman, vice president of mobile at video game retailer GameStop. “As Android gamers look for a place to get the latest and greatest gear, it made total sense for us to carry SHIELD. We believe this handheld console will revolutionize the Android gaming market.” We had a chance to play with the SHIELD at Google I/O this past week and really enjoyed the experience. Buttons were intuitive in the games we played; the 5-inch screen is quite stunning stuff. NVIDIA – store.nvidia.com/buyshield Newegg – www.newegg.com/buyshield Gamestop – https://www.gamestop.com/android/consoles/nvidia-shield-16gb/109517 Canada Computer – http://canadacomputers.com/nvidia/nvidiashield.php The post NVIDIA Shield pre-orders are now live appeared first on AndroidGuys.

Facebook Pages Manager is the odd man out in the social network's Android suite, but it's indispensable if you've got a public image to maintain. The Pages Manager lets companies or individuals manage their separate likeable identities. Yesterday's update (version 1.4) adds a number of features from Facebook on the web, including the ability to add albums to your page, save drafts for editing later, and adding posts to a specific event. Oh, and one absolutely vital function: kicking the trolls and whiners off of your digital turf right from your phone.    To delete a comment and/or ban the commenter, tap the comment and select your action. Done With This Post? You Might Also Like These:Facebook Pages Manager Updated To Version 1.1 With Post Promotion, Scheduling, Event Creation Facebook Pages Manager Updated To v1.2 With Some New Features, Fixes To Annoying Quirks Facebook Pages Manager For Android Finally Installable In US, UK, And Everywhere Else The Play Store Is Available [Hands-On] Facebook For Android Updated To v1.6.1, Say Hello To Comment Likes, Liked And Admined Pages, Commenting As Page Admin, And More Facebook Pages Manager App Updated To 1.4 With Photo Albums, Drafts, And The Mighty Banhammer was written by the awesome team at Android Police.

It's very easy to look at BlackBerry and see a technological Neandertal - the company that almost had it ("it" being smartphones), but then refused to evolve in order to keep up with the competition. Let's not mince words: the iPhone nearly killed BlackBerry, and Android is happily hammering the nails into its coffin. After the disastrous Storm and Storm 2, few thought BlackBerry had the chops to break into full-touch devices in a big way, at least until Android really started taking off. At that point, it became clear pretty much anyone could make a half-decent smartphone, as long as the software was up to snuff (admittedly, that's about 95% of making a smartphone these days). Done With This Post? You Might Also Like These:Give Your Android Contact List The Windows Phone 7 Feel With WP7Contacts Gmail Update v4.3 Allows You To Reply, Archive, Or Delete Emails Right In The Notification Shade [New App] Sudo QuickLaunch Replaces Jelly Bean's Google Search Swipe Gesture With A List Of Your Favorite Apps Ice Cream Sandwich Feature Closer Look - Gmail Gets A Facelift Two Weeks With The BlackBerry Z10, From An Android Perspective was written by the awesome team at Android Police.

Just ask our own Ron Amadeo and he'll tell you there are a myriad of reasons Google Glass isn't like other computing devices. It changes the way you interact with data and contextual information, but it's also not a true consumer product just yet. The Google Glass Explorer Edition was released with a number of caveats, including the stipulation that owners were forbidden from selling or loaning the device to someone else. Well, Google has lightened up a little on that last count. The FAQ has been tweaked to allow sharing your Explorer Edition. Google's original FAQ clearly stated that users were not permitted to "resell, loan, transfer or give [Google Glass] to any other person." That's a little totalitarian, even for what is essentially a developer device. Done With This Post? You Might Also Like These:Google Adds 38 Run And Lift Maps From Major Ski Resorts To Google Maps, But Please Don't Use Them On the Mountain MyGlass App Goes Live In The Play Store, Google Launches Glass Setup Page Eric Schmidt: Google Glass Will Go On Sale In Approximately A Year, Your Responsibility To Not Be A Weirdo Official Google Docs App For Android Is Out - It's About Time Google Glass FAQ Updated To Permit Loaning Explorer Edition Unit, Still Forbids Selling As It Is Not "In The Explorer Spirit" was written by the awesome team at Android Police.

When think of Samsung phones, what do you think of? The Galaxy S4? The Note 2? Maybe the upcoming Note 3? Yeah, that makes sense. The Samsung Galaxy Fame, on the other hand, probably isn’t going to be the first thing that comes to mind. It’s easy to forget, especially for people like us, that budget phones make up a sizable portion of the market. Samsung most definitely has not forgotten that portion of the market, and for proof you need look no further than the Galaxy Fame. It’s small and it’s cheap, but is it worth the money? Read on to find out. In a hurry? Check out our video review or jump to the conclusion at the end of the article. Specs 3.5-inch display (320 x 480, 165 ppi) 1 GHz CPU 512 MB RAM 4 GB internal storage (expandable via microSD) 5 MP rear facing camera 0.3 MP front facing camera 1300 mAh battery Build Quality & Design The Galaxy Fame seems to take its design cues from, well, most any Samsung phone currently on the market. It’s a little curvier, but this is probably necessary due to its thickness. Still this makes the Fame a perfect fit for smaller hands. For me, it felt a little on the small-ish side, but it should be fairly usable for most people. One touch that seemed out of the ordinary was the gold-tinted faux metal surrounding the bezel. For some it might seem a little too ornate, but others may find it to be a nice change of pace. Like most other Samsung phones, the Galaxy Fame is built from plastic. Unlike most of those phones, however, the Fame feels a little heavy for its size. This is understandable: the components don’t get any lighter after a certain point, and neither does the plastic. If anything, it actually gives the Fame a sturdier feel than some of Samsung’s larger phones. Display We’ve seen time and time again that one of the main areas where the cuts are made for budget considerations is the screen. Still, for the most part, the main sacrifice is screen resolution. The 3.5-inch screen features a resolution of 480 x 320 and a pixel density of around 165 pixels per inch. If that was the only issue with the Samsung Galaxy Fame’s display, it wouldn’t be too bad, but unfortunately this isn’t the case. The last time we reviewed a device with a display this size and resolution (the Sony Xperia E Dual) we noticed some pretty big issues with the screen, and we’re seeing a lot of the same problems here. No matter where you set the brightness, the screen looks washed out. Viewing angles generally aren’t too bad, but viewing the screen from the right side results in a not-so-fun viewing experience pretty quickly. Performance With a single-core 1 GHz CPU and 512 MB of RAM, we weren’t expecting a whole lot in the performance department, but we still ran our usual suite of tests. Starting with AnTuTu, we ran the benchmark 10 times and calculated the average. In this case, it showed exactly why we run these benchmarks so many times, as the low score was 3,182 and the high score was a somewhat inexplicable 8,412. In the end, the average score was 5,075. Next up we tried to run Epic Citadel, but the key word in that sentence is “tried.” Unfortunately, while the app launched, it consistently crashed before we got the chance to run the benchmark. In real world testing, it was clear that TouchWiz bogged down the hardware a bit, as stuttering was present scrolling through home screens. Light gaming was possible, but heavier apps presented too much difficulty for the hardware. If you’re looking for a quick round of Angry Birds, you’ll be fine, but don’t expect too much more. Software The Samsung Galaxy Fame runs Android 4.1.2 Jelly Bean and, of course, Samsung’s own TouchWiz UI. While striving for a single feel across all devices makes sense from a marketing and design standpoint, we would have preferred to see a less hardware-intensive overlay, or even better, stock Android. Lookin