[LEAK] Apparently this is the All New HTC One being used in Public
With the announcment of the All New HTC One only a few weeks away, it’s not surprising that the number of leaks have increased; we now know that the All New HTC One will be coming to Verizon and AT&T and we’ve seen various blurry photos of the device being spotted in the wild. Today, we get yet another two photos of the device, previously codenamed the HTC M8, the first as it is being used to take a photo of another photo, and the second of someone having their photo taken.
To conceal the identity of the persons involved in this leak, they’ve had their face censored in MSPaint, and we’re guessing these photos have actually been taken in HTC‘s native Taiwan seeing as these look like they were taken in the Taipei 101 tower. While this isn’t exactly anything we haven’t seen before, it is probably the first time we’ve seen the camera app in operation on the device, though someone who owns a current HTC One would be best to point out any differences.
What do you think about these leaked photos? Are you considering getting the All New HTC One when it is announced on March 25th? Let us know what you think in the comments below.
Source: mobile01 via Phone Arena
Project Ara modular phone size and costings revealed
It’s no secret that Google is working on a modular phone which they are calling Project Ara, and attention has turned to establishing details about just how it will work.
Google has scheduled a developer conference on April 15-16th in Mountain View, California to discuss the alpha version of the Ara Module Developers’ Kit and discuss everything about the MDK that is necessary for developers to become familar with the modular device.
Despite this, the Project Ara team attended the LAUNCH tech conference and gave a 25 minute talk about the concept and how the modular swapping actually works.
The device will come in three sizes: a mini version measuring in around 4″, a medium of 5″, and a larger tablet version, with prices set to be hovering around the $50 mark. The Project Ara team state that the actual modules themselves should cost around $15 per unit.
The post Project Ara modular phone size and costings revealed appeared first on AndroidGuys.
System Dump for the Sony Xperia Z2 is now Available
Despite being heavily leaked prior to its announcement at MWC 2014, the Sony Xperia Z2 is somewhat of a surprise release. This is mainly because it is being launched a mere 5 months after its predecessor, the Xperia Z1, was released, and while many people assumed it was rushed out to correct the mishaps of the Xperia Z1, Sony admitted it has had a change in strategy. Specifically, this change is going to likely see 2 flagship devices a year, which means we might even see a Xperia Z3 later in 2014, but that’s another story completely.
While you might think this strategy is a bit of a bummer for early adopters, there is a silver lining, at least for those who like to dabble in development and mucking around with their phones. This silver lining is that while software OS updates will likely come at the same rate, these increased number of new devices means you can update your older device with these updated apps. So when owners of the Xperia Z and Xperia Z1 see that the system dump for the Sony Xperia Z2 is now available, they now have a reason to smile.
If you are a developer and want to get your hands on the system dump, it can be found over at the XDA forums (links will be below) and with any luck, we’ll be seeing custom ROMs and Zperia Z2 apps becoming available in the very near future. The files are for Android 4.4.2, so those of you with Sony devices waiting for your KitKat update may want to keep a close eye on this space.
Are you going to get a Sony Xperia Z2? And what do you make of this increased cycle of two devices a year from one manufacturer? Let us know what you think in the comments.
Source: XDA forum via XDA News
Faint Icon Pack Review: Joshua Masih’s icons will make you faint, in a good Way
Some of you might have seen the preview of this icon pack we did a few weeks ago, but now we’re taking a look at the finished product; the Faint icon pack by Joshua Masih. I did make some comments at the end of that preview (which was being conducted during the beta of the icon pack), which I’m glad to say that Joshua has addressed. If you don’t believe me, take a look for yourself:
As you can see, it’s much more rounded set of icons now with its dashboard app and the masking of the unthemed icons fixed up. Obviously, it’s a very eye-catching set of icons as well and I really enjoy the faded, ‘faint’ colours of the icons; a nice change from the normally saturated colours of overly bright smartphone screens. As I mentioned in the video, the pack did start off with 800+ icons, but Joshua is constantly updating this and all his icon packs so I daresay there will be many more icons to be added; make sure you follow Joshua on Google+ for updates and to check out his upcoming projects.
If you’re interested in picking the Faint icon pack up, make sure you hit the Play Store links below; you can pick up the icon pack for $1.50 now, so make sure you get on that and let us know what you think of them.
Icons: Faint Icon Pack
Price: $1.50
Scientists get a shark’s eye view using wearable computers
Sure, Sharknado and Sharktopus are fun to watch with friends on a weekend, but they also prove that sharks still get a bad rap. Clearly, what we’ve learned about the animal’s behavior since Jaws came out isn’t nearly enough, so a group of researchers are attempting to find out more… by strapping a bunch of gadgets to a bunch of sharks. Think of these things as a combination of a GoPro and a sportsband — they’re equipped with sensors and cameras that monitor and video a shark’s adventures.
Thanks to the researchers’ efforts, they were able to disprove a couple of misconceptions about how the animals move. Unlike what scientists previously thought, sharks power swim (rather than glide effortlessly) to traverse vast expanses of water, and deep sea species aren’t lazy slowpokes compared to their shallow water brethren. The researchers (who hail from University of Hawaii and University of Tokyo) even got some sweet underwater footage that the subjects (unknowingly) took themselves embedded after the jump.
So, what’s next for these shark-loving scientists, you ask? Well, now that they know what’s going on around the sharks outside, the next step is inward — they’re planning an ingestible device. Hopefully, that can give us a better understanding of the predators’ diet, so people will stop assuming that human limbs are a shark’s favorite snack.
Via: SlashGear
Source: University of Hawaii
Reddit wants you to decide who gets 10 percent of its ad revenue this year
This year Reddit is contributing more than memes to society, it’s passing out cash. In a blog post today the site announced plans to donate 10 percent of its advertising revenue for the year to non-profits. At the end of the year, the site plans to open up a virtual suggestion box where users can nominate non-profits they think should receive the money. An election will then be held, and funds awarded to the top 10 non-profits selected by the Reddit community. Campaigning for your favorite organization will, of course, be allowed; however, stuffing the ballot box will not — the site is currently working on ways to curb cheating and trolling (good luck with that), and reserves the right to take the power away from the people if things get out of hand.
[Image credit: Antonio Zugaldia]
Filed under: Internet
Via: TechCrunch
Source: Reddit
Google Glass team forgoes monthly updates for bigger changes, like Kit Kat
Whether you’re a Google Glass wearer or merely observing the new devices, you may have noticed a lack of major updates in January and February. Android Police and Glass Almanac reveal a post from the Explorers-only community forum explaining that after version XE12 closed out last year, those monthly updates might not be monthly anymore. That’s not necessarily a bad thing however, since the team is focused on making larger changes, and is currently focused on moving Glass from the Android 4.0.3 (Ice Cream Sandwich) software it shipped with to the current version of Android, 4.4 (Kit Kat), and all the improvements that includes.
According to Glass team member Teresa Zazenski, it will make things “smoother and just plain better,” adding that developers should be excited too. There is one small change to report though, as Glass wearers can now post photos and videos directly to Google+ communities. While we wait to find out what’s in store, the Glass team just linked a behind the scenes video for tomorrow’s Academy Awards, giving a POV look behind the scenes from workers who make the show happen — check it out after the break.
Filed under: Wearables, Mobile, Google
Source: Android Police, Glass Almanac
BBM to let you share photos in multi-person chats and transfer larger files
BlackBerry has been on a BBM roll lately, unleashing the messaging service on not just iOS and Android but Windows Phone as well. However, that’s not all that’s up the Waterloo company’s sleeve. A new version of BBM is in the pipeline, and it’ll have a few new features that will delight the BBM power users amongst you. For one thing, you’ll finally be able to share photos in multi person chats, plus you’ll get the ability to send files that are up to 16MB in size — the current limit is 6MB. In a response to customer feedback, BlackBerry also promises that the size of the emoticons will be bigger. There’s no clear timeline on just when this update will roll out, but we’re just happy that BlackBerry has plans to improve its messaging app beyond mere stickers.
Filed under: Cellphones, Mobile, Blackberry
Source: BlackBerry
Mobile World Congress in 14 lines
In Barcelona we all tried to thrive
And strove to not imbibe too many beers
When Samsung trotted out the GS5
Then shortly after highlighted new Gears.
Mozilla’s and Ubuntu’s phones seemed cheap,
Along with some of Waterloo’s new wares,
But Sony’s flagship stuff’s atop the heap
And Blackphone puts an end to snooping scares.
Though what of HTC and LG, too?
Those also-rans with rivals large and strong?
They talked of their Desires and G Pro 2
While we were wond’ring if Nokia’s wrong.
It wasn’t long before the show had ended
And we’ll be back next year, our livers mended.
(image credit: Getty Images)
Filed under: Cellphones, Wireless, Mobile
IBM’s layoffs may include up to 25 percent of its hardware group
IBM recently sold its x86 server business to Lenovo, and that unfortunately has consequences for the company’s workers. The computing pioneer has confirmed to CNET that it’s cutting jobs as it concentrates its efforts on “cloud, analytics and cognitive computing.” While IBM isn’t revealing the scale of the layoffs, a source tells CNET that they include as much as 25 percent of the Systems and Technology division that produces servers. It’s a sad day for those affected by the cuts, but there is a silver lining here. Spokesperson Doug Shelton notes that IBM’s rapidly growing cloud computing and Watson outfits are creating additional jobs of their own — one door is opening as another closes.
Source: CNET
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