Daily Roundup: Xperia Z2 Tablet review, Amazon’s phone and more!
You might say the day is never really done in consumer technology news. Your workday, however, hopefully draws to a close at some point. This is the Daily Roundup on Engadget, a quick peek back at the top headlines for the past 24 hours — all handpicked by the editors here at the site. Click on through the break, and enjoy.
Sony Xperia Z2 Tablet review: A top-tier slate with a familiar face
The Xperia Z1 slate was Sony’s debut into the high-end tablet market. Now, the company’s back for round two with the Xperia Z2 Tablet — and it looks a lot like its sibling. The Z2 may be more of a refinement than exciting new product. But hey, if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.
Tilting Amazon’s phone could be the most important thing you do with it
We knew Amazon’s new phone would be souped up with sensors and multiple cameras, but BGR claims the handset will also feature a brand new way to interact with apps. All you have to do is… tilt it.
Lytro’s new light-field camera looks like an actual camera, costs $1,599
Lytro’s new light-field camera, the Illum, picks up where the original, rectangular shaped shooter left off. Now equipped with a particularly interesting camera housing, Lytro’s hoping to convince you to invest $1,599 in its refocus technology.
LG’s upcoming G Watch will be water resistant and ‘always on’
Back when Google revealed Android Wear, LG announced it was building a smartwatch for said platform. Now, the company has revealed that its wearable will be water resistant, always on and available in two color options: “stealth black” and “champagne gold.”
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Filed under: Misc
Samsung KQ specs tipped, a premium Galaxy S5?
We have seen the Samsung Galaxy S5 and its amazing results, and surely it is the best Galaxy device to date. But as the new flagship is here, its time for the rumors to start floating about the next flagship smartphone. SamMobile is reporting that Samsung is working on a premium version of the Galaxy S5, which will feature an octa-core Exynos 5430 processor and QHD (2560×1440) display. It is codenamed as “Samsung KQ”, and also the device will feature Intel-crafted LTE modules as well.
Galaxy S5 is an excellent device, but it was not what we heard about it in rumors. But it seems that the Samsung KQ will be a dream device for every Samsung fan. Right now, we don’t know when Samsung is going to release it, but you can expect it to be a Summer vacation surprise by the Korean giant, or maybe in Fall 2014.
Do you think a ‘premium’ S5 is a good idea? Let us know in the comment box below.
Source: SamMobile
The post Samsung KQ specs tipped, a premium Galaxy S5? appeared first on AndroidGuys.
Google Covering Defense Costs and Damage Awards for Four Patents in Apple/Samsung Case
Google is covering lawyer fees and potential damage awards with regards to four patents in the ongoing Apple/Samsung patent case, according to a report from Re/code, quoting deposition testimony from a Google attorney that Apple introduced in court today.
Google’s contractual obligations to defend Samsung relate to a “Mobile Application Distribution Agreement” between the two companies related to the distribution of Google applications, including Gmail on Samsung’s Android devices. Samsung called several Google employees as witnesses as part of its defense.
The case between Apple and Samsung is seen by many as a proxy for the larger battle between Google and Apple over the company’s respective mobile operating systems.
Apple played deposition testimony from Google lawyer James Mccoun, who verified e-mail in which Google agreed to provide partial or full indemnity with regards to four patents as well as to take over defense of those claims.
A Samsung representative said he could not immediately say which if any claims in the case for which Google is in fact providing the defense and indemnity.
Yesterday, Samsung argued that, if it lost at trial, it would only owe Apple $40 million in damages, substantially less than the $2 billion that Apple says it is owed for infringement of five of its patents.
Apple Releases AirPort Extreme and Time Capsule Firmware Update 7.7.3 With Heartbleed Fix [Mac Blog]
Apple today released AirPort Extreme and AirPort Time Capsule Firmware Update 7.7.3 for AirPorts with 802.11ac. The update includes security improvements related to SSL/TLS.
AirPort Base Station Firmware Update 7.7.3
Available for: AirPort Extreme and AirPort Time Capsule base stations with 802.11acImpact: An attacker in a privileged network position may obtain memory contents
Description: An out-of-bounds read issue existed in the OpenSSL library when handling TLS heartbeat extension packets. An attacker in a privileged network position could obtain information from process memory. This issue was addressed through additional bounds checking. Only AirPort Extreme and AirPort Time Capsule base stations with 802.11ac are affected, and only if they have Back to My Mac or Send Diagnostics enabled. Other AirPort base stations are not impacted by this issue.
Earlier this month, an OpenSSL bug known as Heartbleed made headlines, with Apple releasing a statement noting that iOS, OS X, and its “key web services” were unaffected by the security flaw, but it appears that the company’s AirPort Extreme and AirPort Time Capsule were vulnerable.
The 7.7.3 update is recommended for all models of the AirPort Extreme and Time Capsule that support 802.11ac Wi-Fi, other AirPort base stations do not need to be updated.
Air Berlin’s latest iOS app can push boarding passes to your Pebble
Still carrying a paper boarding pass when you travel? Air Berlin’s got a new way to go green this Earth Day. The airline’s iOS app now sports Pebble integration, letting you display boarding passes and flight information on your smartwatch. You can pull up the QR code-style pass on your wrist when it’s time to board — the agent will be able to confirm your seat and flight info as soon as you scan, eliminating the need to pull out your phone as you queue up at the gate. Air Berlin is the second airline to offer this feature — Vueling teamed up with Sony to add boarding pass functionality to the SmartWatch 2 just last month — and we can only hope US carriers will follow suit.
Filed under: Transportation, Wearables, Software
Source: Air Berlin, iTunes
Apple’s OS X beta testing is now open to the public
Apple has released public beta tests of individual Mac apps in recent years, but OS X itself has largely been off-limits unless you’ve registered as a developer. That changes now that Apple has launched the OS X Beta Seed Program. Starting with OS X 10.9.3, you can try pre-release operating system updates by signing in with a garden variety Apple ID; oddly enough, you still have to sign a developer-style agreement promising to keep some details a secret. We wouldn’t sign up solely because of the upcoming Mavericks update, but the program represents an all too rare opportunity to both preview features and provide direct feedback as an everyday user. If you’re willing to live with a few bugs, you can start with your first beta at the source link.
Source: Apple
Twitter’s new profile pages are now available for everyone
After a few weeks of test drives, Twitter officially rolled out its new profile pages to the masses today. Besides the sexy new look, the update includes a few tweaks like a running tally of how many times you’ve favorited tweets and a new page where you can see every photo and video you’ve ever uploaded. The month and year you joined Twitter is also now displayed right under your username — a big plus for early adopters who want bragging rights, and a way for everyone to see how long an account has been around (and possibly determine how legit it is).
New web profiles are now available for everyone. Update yours today with a pinned Tweet or a new header image. https://t.co/Y3VOV0XvRo
– Twitter (@twitter) April 22, 2014
Your “best tweets” are featured automatically in a larger font that makes them stand out. Posts can also now be pinned to the top of the page when you want to draw attention to something, or just really want to show off that epic chicken burrito you had for lunch. If you don’t have the shiny new version yet, you can snag it now by going to this page from your desktop and selecting “get it now” from the bottom.
Via: TechCrunch
Source: Twitter
Verizon rumored to offer HTC One M8 Mini
Notorious leaker @evleaks has taken to Twitter to reveal that Verizon are going to offer the HTC One M8 Mini on their network. It’s not quite clear if the device will be exclusive to Verizon or will be offered on other networks, but if the leak is true the HTC One M8 Mini will be hitting Verizon.
HTC One M8 mini going to Verizon.
— @evleaks (@evleaks) April 22, 2014
The rumoured HTC One M8 Mini is expected to have a 4.5-inch screen size and will only feature one camera on the back, as opposed to the bigger brother dual camera. HTC will give the M8 Mini the same 4.4 KitKat and Sense 6.0 version of software.
The HTC One M8 Mini is expected to land in May, and it seems Verizon will be seeing the device on their network first.
The post Verizon rumored to offer HTC One M8 Mini appeared first on AndroidGuys.
A cord-cutter’s quick guide to purchasing an indoor HDTV over-the- air antenna [Guest Post]
If you’re reading this article it may be because you’ve already taken the plunge and cut the cable TV cord. Or you may be on the fence, trying to build up the courage to sever ties with a cable or satellite subscription that has set you back almost $90 each month for years. This is a big decision, and it’s normal to wonder if your favorite TV shows will be waiting for you on the other side. They will, and you’re not alone.
A new survey by Morgan Stanley found that 1 in 10 pay-TV subscribers will definitely “cut the cord” within the next year, that’s up from 8% last year. This is a growing trend, and there are plenty of ways to access TV shows without a cable or satellite package. In fact, Nielsen ratings show that 9 out of 10 top-rated shows are on local broadcast channels (side note: the Nielsen ratings are compiled on a weekly basis)…
Read the rest at ChromeWatching
The post A cord-cutter’s quick guide to purchasing an indoor HDTV over-the- air antenna [Guest Post] appeared first on AndroidGuys.
iOS 7.1.1 Now Labels Apps with ‘In-App Purchases’ in Top Charts and Featured Sections
As part of iOS 7.1.1, released earlier today, Apple has implemented some minor changes to the iOS App Store to make it more clear which apps offer in-app purchases.
Apple has provided an “Offers In-App Purchases” disclosure on individual app detail pages since March of 2013, but now the App Store has been updated to include a small “In-App Purchases” notification for apps in Top Charts listings and on specific featured apps listings, such as in the “Great Free Games” category.
Old Top Charts view on left, new Top Charts view with in-app purchase disclosure on right
This expanded in-app purchase view allows users to determine which apps on the Top Free, Paid, and Grossing charts offer in-app purchases. The disclosure is also available on top category listings as well.
Apple’s new in-app purchase warnings come following a January settlement with the FTC that saw Apple providing $32 million in refunds to parents whose children purchased unauthorized in-app items. Apple was also required to obtain express consent from consumers before billing them for an in-app purchase, a measure that it initially implemented with iOS 7.1.
In-app purchases have long been an issue for Apple, first landing the company in hot water with the FTC in 2011 after multiple parental complaints over children over-spending within apps. Apple has made many updates to its in-app purchase policies since that time, including requiring a separate passcode entry for initiating an in-app purchase and providing multiple notifications before a purchase is made.
Along with changes to the App Store, iOS 7.1.1 also includes improvements to Touch ID, Safari support for top-level domains such as .photo, and a few bug fixes. It can be downloaded over-the-air via the Software Update tool in the Settings menu.
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