The week’s best Android rumors (February 7)
HTC Nexus tablet
HTC and Google may again partner for a Nexus product, this time a “high end” tablet. Details are very light at the moment, however it’s rumored for release in Q3 2014.
Asus 8-inch Nexus tablet
Google and Asus will release an 8-inch Nexus tablet by the end of April, says semi-unreliable Digitimes. Rather than fighting it out in the 7-inch space yet again, Google wants to put distance between the larger smartphones and other tablets.
Samsung Galaxy S5
Samsung will reportedly tone down the introduction of the flagship smartphone when it’s introduced later this month, says the New York Times.
As for the hardware, the latest chatter says we should expect a 2.5GHz quad-core Snapdragon processor or an octa-core 64-bit Exynos SoC clocked at 2GHz – varies by market. Additionally, the display may be a 5.2-inch/5.25-inch AMOLED display with WQHD resolution (2,560 x 1,440 pixels). Rounding the specs, we’re told to look for 3GB RAM, 32GB/64GB/128GB internal storage capacities, a 16-megapixel rear camera, a front-facing 3.2-megapixel camera and a 3,200 mAh battery. Reportedly, this is will be the first Samsung flagship to feature an all-metal case.
Samsung Galaxy S5 Active
As we’ve seen with the Galaxy S4, Samsung is alleged to be working on a waterproof version of the upcoming smartphone. It’s not known if it will arrive at the same time as the standard model.
Samsung Galaxy S5 Zoom
Indian import database Zauba is listing a Samsung SM-C115 “mobile camera for R&D purpose”, leading some to assume this is the camera-centric version of the forthcoming flagship.
Samsung TouchWiz UI
Leaked screenshots, which have since been pulled, show flatter user interface elements in Samsung’s S Health app. Presumably, Samsung will employ the same aesthetics across all of its apps in upcoming devices.
Sony’s nearly bezel-free smartphone
Two images posted on Chinese-language Digi-Wo forum might be our first look at Sony’s next flagship smartphone experience. Although they are blurry, the photos do show a handset with almost zero bezel around the screen, something that could lead to smaller devices with bigger screens.
HTC Desire 310
The upcoming Desire 310 may be rather unique as it pertains to the software front. Leaked photos suggest the device could run a stock Android experience with HTC’s BlinkFeed sprinkled atop.
Huawei Ascend P7 “Sophia”
Huawei’s first smartphone to come with KitKat under the hood is alleged to be the 5-inch Ascend P7. Rumors say this model will have a 1080p HD display, quad-core 1.6GHz HiSilicon 910 processor, 2GB RAM, 16GB internal storage, and a 2460mAh battery. The front side should house an 8-megapixel camera with the rear offering a 13-megapixel shooter.
Samsung Galaxy Grand 2 with LTE
Another version of the Samsung Galaxy Grand 2 is on the way, according to a user manual found on Samsung’s website. The key difference between this and the other model is that users can tap into 4G LTE data connectivity.
The post The week’s best Android rumors (February 7) appeared first on AndroidGuys.
Google’s Chromecast expected to come to the UK in March
A representative from UK electronics retailer Currys has just revealed to TNW that it’ll start selling Google’s Chromecast dongle beginning March 1st. Google all but confirmed the arrival in Britain as well, though it cautioned that the date is only provisional for now. Currently for sale in the US only, the tiny media streamer supports a handful of apps like Netflix and Hulu, on top of tab streaming from Chrome. However, Google just opened the SDK to all developers, which prompted streaming outfits like Rdio and Beats to announce new apps that’ll arrive soon. That said, there’s no word yet on which services you’ll see in the UK at launch nor how much Chromecast will set you back. That’s assuming you don’t already have one, of course — it’s been available awhile on the grey market and even through legit channels in Europe.
Filed under: Home Entertainment, Internet, HD, Google
Source: TNW
Padcaster’s tablet movie rig comes to the iPad Mini
The big iPad’s large, high-res screen is a plus for shooting video, but wielding it can make one look like, shall we say, a dork. One way to overcome that stigma is by shooting with the original Padcaster (pictured above), a metal frame that lets you mount your tablet on a tripod and attach lenses and other accessories. The company has now launched a version for the iPad Mini on Kickstarter, which you may prefer for its less bulky size but equally capable 1080p camera and (optional) retina screen. Like the last model, the Padcaster Mini consists of a frame with threaded holes for video accessories, a bracket for 72mm and 58mm lens adapters and a DSLR attachment if better video is needed. That’ll let journalists and bloggers broadcast live straight from an iPad, or even use it as a makeshift teleprompter or support to watch TV in bed, for instance. It’s now about halfway to its goal, so if you’re looking to cast in style from your own Mini, you can pledge at the source starting at $99.
Source: Kickstarter
Apple Lowers Licensing Costs for Lightning Cables and Other MFi Accessories
Last month, Apple reportedly reduced the licensing costs for accessory manufacturers who are producing official gear for the iPhone, iPad or iPod. According to Mac Otakara, this reduction applies to Lightning cables as well as other accessories that are part of Apple’s MFi (Made for iPod/iPhone/iPad) Program.
Made for iPod (MFi) was launched in 2005 as a licensing and quality control program that allowed iPod accessory makers to ship their products with an Apple-approved “Made for iPod” label. At launch, Apple reportedly charged companies that wanted to participate in this program a 10% fee based on the wholesale cost of the device.
Apple expanded its MFi Program to include the iPhone and iPad as those devices were added to the company’s product portfolio, with Apple’s Lightning cable introduced last in 2012 falling under the program’s guidelines due to the serialized authentication chip embedded in the connectors. At last year’s Worldwide Developers Conference, Apple again extended the licensing to include game controllers for iOS devices.
Those game controllers have generally arrived with higher pricing than expected by consumers, with some of the blame for pricing and quality issues being placed on Apple’s requirements administered through the MFi Program. One high-profile controller, the SteelSeries Stratus, did, however, see a $20 price cut in the few weeks between announcement and launch last month, and while a cut to MFi licensing fees undoubtedly would not have accounted for the entire price drop, it may have given SteelSeries a bit of flexibility to make its pricing more competitive.
Beyond licensing and technical requirements, Apple allegedly also requires manufacturers in the MFi Program to agree to the company’s supplier responsibility code. This code takes steps to ensure that employees have access to safe working conditions and requires companies to submit to inspections that ensure compliance with Apple’s Code of Conduct.
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Qualcomm Toq review
Announced back in September the Qualcomm Toq is a unique smartwatch experience first targeted at developers. Paired to Android phones via Bluetooth, one of its key features is its Mirasol display helps set it aside from other wearable devices.
As someone who has not spent time with other smartwatches, I was curious to see how a general consumer would find the developer-centric device. After spending roughly a week with the Qualcomm Toq I am really liking a few things and loving a few others. This is not to say, however, that it’s a perfect device; a few items downright frustrate me.
First Impressions
Starting with the outside of the box and its artwork and details I felt as if Qualcomm had targeted this to a wider audience than just early adopters and developers. This thing looks as if it could be found on the shelves of a retail store or electronics outlet.
Cracking the box open you find the watch nestled in a foam holder, a handful of pamphlets and papers, and a strange mystery box. What it is? Simply put, it’s the unit you’ll need to use to charge the watch. There are two empty spots inside the box; these are are reserved for the wireless earbuds due later. Pushing the little button on the left hand side of the now-open box a piece of plastic rises up to sit perpendicular to the unit. This is the specific component that charges your Qualcomm Toq.
I searched the watch over, looking for a microUSB port and a mild sense of panic/agitation set it. How am I going to charge this and will I need to do it every morning or evening? Thankfully, the battery life on this smartwatch is very generous. The idea of putting my watch back on this block each night or having to get back to the office desk was not something I looked forward to doing.
You’ll want to put the charging unit on your desk, night stand, or somewhere you find yourself every few days. Sure, you could do the car, but this rectangular thing is designed for longer term placement. Hey, at least we’re not talking about some proprietary cable. To me, carrying a separate cable around is more frustrating than this type of scenario.
One gripe I have with the Toq is that you must use this unit to power on the device. You can directly power off the smartwatch but are forced to return it to the base to turn back on. On a positive note, there’s no real reason to have to turn off the watch and this problem is not as bad as it sounds.
The model I reviewed featured a white, limited edition Toq. I found the band to be rather fashionable and the whole thing looked generally futuristic. There’s a “quilt” pattern imprinted ever so slightly on the bands which provide a nice touch.
Speaking of the bands, you have to cut the watch strap to fit. Qualcomm provides a number of spring-loaded pins to put the somewhat flexible band into place; only one is needed as the others are extras. A word of caution: you can always go shorter and tighten the band up. Cut too much off the band and you’re done. Period. You cannot buy new bands. Not to worry, Qualcomm does have some instructions and a handy video to help guide you through the process. Just don’t put on a bunch of weight after you set yours up.
The Display
The display itself is rather big (1.55-inches diagonally) and the whole experience feels clunky at first. Clasping the watch is nice and solid and everything feels like it’s locked in tightly. As a guy who stopped wearing a watch right around the time he started carrying smartphones, it felt foreign to have something so big on my wrist.
Because Qualcomm’s Toq employs a Mirasol display it’s an always-on screen with time, weather, or calendar appointments. Indeed, this is a color display that provides some depth and character. Do note, however, that it is nowhere as vibrant or rich as the press photos lead you to believe. Heck, even the stuff shown inside the Toq app (later) aren’t represented accurately. And, when sitting next to a sharp, bright smartphone, the image looks even worse. My advice: lower your expectations here and you’ll be alright.
There are no visible buttons on the watch however there are two that can be actuated in the bands. On the one closest to the user you have a home button. On the opposite band is a place to double tap which brings up the front lighting. There’s no backlight to Mirasol displays so Qualcomm lets you shine a light on your image from the front. You’ll become quite familiar with the light as there’s literally no way to see the screen in the dark.
All in all, the display is very crisp and looks sharp from any angle. You don’t see any sort of pixelation or fuzziness to the image and in most lighting conditions it’s gorgeous. It’s just not as bright as what’s advertised.
Android App
To set up the watch and personalize the experience you will need to first download the Android application. I was really impressed with the app, its layout, and associated options. It’s here that you pair the Toq to your phone and then adjust things such as the clock and icons. You can choose from any combination of 17 different clock styles and 6 icon styles. Down the road I would love to see more options offered up, be it from Qualcomm or from other developers.
The app also lets you configure which music player you want as default, which apps you want notifications from, and other things such as light timeout.
General Usage
To me, I find the Qualcomm Toq is most easily described as an enhanced notification system with minor functionality. It’s great for letting you know who is texting you, the basic details of an email, or who might have liked that latest Instagram photo. You can easily toggle which apps you care about so that only the important stuff gets through. Don’t want to be notified of every Facebook like or social media update? Leave it off the list.
The Toq is connected via Bluetooth and provides for some basic interaction between the watch and your smartphone. It’s easy to accept or reject a phone call, play music through your favorite media player, and read incoming text messages. On the other hand, you can’t help but feel handcuffed by the inability to do a little more. You do have some automatic replies, though to shoot of as text messages. Can’t take a call because you’re in a meeting? Presto. Sadly, there’s not much beyond as it pertains to actions.
I would really like to see some added functionality for emails and other apps. Nothing too crazy, of course, but just stuff we can do from our notification bar from smartphones. I found myself wanting to delete or archive emails, delete texts, and like and favorite things from select apps. I get that the screen size limits much of this but it feels like there’s room for improvement.
Along the lines of notifications, the Toq works well if you are only receiving them one at a time. Get a handful of emails or texts at once and things get hard to discern. And, because you cannot dismiss or delete them, it’s tough to do much from the watch.
Navigating from feature to feature is a breeze; everything feels intuitive. Swiping from side to side will lead you back home or into “applets”. These applets can be set as shortcuts to features like calendar, music player, settings, weather, etc. It’s not necessary, though, and you can quickly get to each of these from the home screen. With only a handful of applets to choose from, it’s not a feature I used much.
Battery Life
If there’s one true standout feature in the Qualcomm Toq it’s the battery life. Tucked inside the clasp of the watch band, it’s impressive to say the least. Thanks to the Mirasol display and its special powers I’ve been getting 4-5 days of usage out of the watch without charging up. Do note, however, that if you take your phone out of range from the Toq the battery will deplete pretty quickly. Twice I left the Toq on the kitchen counter overnight and took my phone to the bedroom to charge. Twice I woke up to messages that the battery was critically low.
Price
At $350, the Qualcomm Toq does not come cheap. It’s priced higher than the Samsung Galaxy Gear and more than double the Pebble. On one hand I get that it’s a developer device like Google Glass. Early tech is unfortunately more costly than second generation and general consumer wares. On the other hand I felt like there could have been more for the money. I am not an expert on pricing stuff like this but I’d like to see it at least $50 lower, perhaps more.
After spending the first few days with the Toq on my wrist I took it off for a day then repeated the cycle. I was looking to see how much I missed it when it was not there. The first day I was without it I did not care all that much. The second time around I missed having it much more. I had grown accustomed to managing music in the car without fussing with the phone; I felt a slight nuisance in having to grab my phone to see who was texting or emailing.
Conclusion
The Qualcomm Toq is not for everyone. Then again, “smartwatches” didn’t even exist two years ago. We’ve lived without them for ages and many people will never think twice about owning one. You really need to convince yourself that you need one today but that is going to change a year from.
As competitors come to market with cheaper and/or more powerful experiences the space will become fun if not crowded. Qualcomm is in a good position with its first go at things and I like to think they’re always looking for ways to improve in mobile. For something first designed with developers in mind it’s quite a great starting point. I’m confident that pricing will come down over time and features can be baked into future models.
If you’re a developer or someone who likes to be on the fringe of new technology, the Qualcomm Toq is a no-brainer. For everyone else, however, I suggest using a little bit of the brain first.
The post Qualcomm Toq review appeared first on AndroidGuys.
Renault prototype is a self-driving massage parlour
Renault wants to make your commute as chill as possible. Assuming your route is “protected” (free of pedestrians, cyclists or lane changes), the French automaker has a few tricks up its sleeve to make gridlocked traffic less of a hassle. Once you engage automated driving mode, the Next Two prototype releases scents to calm you down, adjusts cabin lighting, kicks the seat back and activates massage motors to melt away the day’s stresses. The company purposely designed these features to activate at below 19MPH (30KPH) — about half of Audi’s cap — to take the frustration out of bumper-to-bumper traffic. With the push of a button though, the reigns are back in your hands and everyone’s safety is up to you.
As SlashGear has noticed, the Next-Two prototype can also take care of parking, with an automated valet feature that finds a spot, and returns on demand to the driver — all controlled via smartphone app. There’s a video demo after the break laying out possible features, but it could be years before we find out if these compromises satisfy the safety authorities. If Renault has its way though, the Next Two will debut by 2020.
Filed under: Transportation
Via: SlashGear
Source: Renault
Joy of joys: Android 4.4 is coming to multiple Samsung Galaxy Devices
For Samsung owners who don’t own a Galaxy S4 or a Galaxy Note 3, the big question remains: which of Samsung‘s remaining devices will they bother updating to Android 4.4? Well, according to Phandroid’s sources, they’re actually bothering with quite a few as they are reporting that Android 4.4 is coming to multiple Samsung Galaxy devices. The devices included in this report were:
- Samsung Galaxy S4 SGH-i337
- Samsung Galaxy Note 3
- Samsung Galaxy Note 2
- Samsung Galaxy S3
- Samsung Galaxy Tab 3 7.0
- Samsung Galaxy S4 Active
- Samsung Galaxy Mega
- Samsung Galaxy S4 Zoom
- Samsung Galaxy Note 8.0
- Samsung Galaxy S3 Mini
Of which, we know the Galaxy S4 and Note 3 have already started their updates. This report does strengthen the case for Android 4.4 KitKat coming to some of Samsung’s other devices, which was first suggested by several leaked Samsung documents (see here and here) which appeared to suggest that Samsung was contemplating KitKat updates for devices as far down its hierarchy as the Galaxy Core and Galaxy Ace 2. I do find it interesting that the Galaxy S4 Mini isn’t included in Phandroid’s list though, but judging by these multiple corroborated stories, it’s probable that the actually list of device updates is much longer.
What do you think of this news: do you think Samsung is actually going to make good and release Android 4.4 to all of these devices and potentially more? Let us know what you think in the comments.
Source: Phandroid via Phone Arena
Google will own a 6% stake in Lenovo after completing Motorola Deal
Oh Google, you are a sly dog. Apparently as part of the deal that sees the majority of Motorola Mobility get taken over by Lenovo (which, by the way, isn’t quite finalized yet), Google will own a 6% stake in Lenovo after completing Motorola deal. In financial speak, when the deal is done and dusted, Google will own 618.3 million shares in Lenovo worth $1.213 USD each, bringing Google’s stake in Lenovo to a grand total of $750 million.
Whether this is more a token of goodwill or a symbol of solidarity that Google still believes in Motorola, it interesting to see Google still trying to keep one eye on what’s happening with its former acquisition, but whether it will actually have any pull over the operations at Lenovo, and by extension Motorola, remains to be seen.
What do you think about Google taking out a stake in Lenovo? Do you think it means anything on Google’s part? Let us know what you think of the deal in the comments.
Source: Reuters via Phone Arena
Yet another Galaxy S5 concept, this time sizes up against its Predecessors
By now, you’d think we’d had enough of Galaxy S5 concept art, but MovePlayer has defiantly said “not yet”. They’ve come up with their own take on the Samsung Galaxy S5 and as an added bonus, put it in the same picture next to its predecessors, the Galaxy S4 and Galaxy S3, to see the progression that the handsets have made. MovePlayer has made the assumptions that the device will be 144mm tall and 72mm wide to accommodate for a potential 5.25-inch screen.
The more squarish design of this Galaxy S5 concept appears to agree with previous listings we’ve seen for Trident cases meant for the Galaxy S5. While we can’t be sure exactly what the Galaxy S5 will look like before the official unveiling, this does look like a pretty good bet for a similar fit. The Galaxy S5 is naturally shaping up to be the device to beat at this year’s MWC 2014 with plenty of suspected hardware, like a Exynos 6 or Snapdragon 805 processor, 3GB RAM and 3,200mAh battery, though none of these rumours are particularly solid, especially seeing as yesterday the rumour that the Galaxy S5 was getting a 2K resolution display was allegedly debunked.
Personally, I think this Galaxy S5 concept looks pretty darn good; I’ve never been a fan of the Galaxy devices and their super-rounded corners, but it will be interesting to see what the device will end up looking like. What do you think of this latest concept? Let us know in the comments below.
Source: MovePlayer via Phone Arena
Amazon Prime snags ‘Archer’ and 5 more Fox series, launches ten free pilots
The content arms race between streaming video providers Netflix, Amazon and Hulu (and YouTube/Google Play and Crackle and Redbox and… you get the picture) shows no signs of slowing down, and here’s Amazon’s latest assault. The Prime Instant Video service is pushing new, exclusive, original content at the same time it gains access to popular TV shows from a new deal with Fox. The latter arrangement brings FX series The Americans as a streaming exclusive to Amazon (Engadget HD favorite Justified became an exclusive last year), plus archived episodes of The League, Louie, How I Met Your Mother, It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia and Archer on a non-exclusive basis next month. The Americans returns for season two on February 26th, and we’re sure the network is hoping viewers will binge on the well-reviewed series in time to start watching then.
Of course, Netflix has shown that exclusive original content is key to growth, and Amazon is repeating its “pilot season” judged by the public to pick new shows. Last time around the process resulted in Alpha House and Betas, and now ten hopefuls — split among five “primetime” adult options and five kids shows — are streaming for free. Among them are two hour-long dramas with The After, a show from X-Files creator Chris Carter, and Bosch, a murder-mystery based on the popular detective novels by Michael Connelly that’s co-written by The Wire’s Eric Overmyer. There are previews after the break, but the full pilots are streaming on the web or devices with Amazon Instant Video/Lovefilm apps. Amazon’s old-school pilot strategy is in sharp contrast to Netflix’s “find some of the best talent and throw money at them” approach, so if there’s a House of Cards or Orange is the New Black in the bunch there’s only one way to find out.
Filed under: Home Entertainment, HD, Amazon
Source: Amazon Pilot Season
AIVAnet 