Samsung’s Galaxy GamePad brings precision Android controls to Europe first
Well, that took awhile. Remember the first-party gamepad Samsung trotted out at the Galaxy S4 unveiling? It’s finally ready for release — in Europe. The months of extra development don’t seem wasted, at least: The revised pad sports a new facade that thankfully discards the odd Xbox 360/Wii hybrid look that the prototype flaunted, and there’s a rechargeable battery pack too. What’s more, the outfit says that the controller can handle devices from 4-inches to 6.3-inches running Jellybean and up. The controller’s “play” button will also launch the company’s new Mobile Console app on certain Samsung devices; a sort of virtual game shelf, if you will. At launch, that button promises to foster a list of some 35 compatible titles, with Need for Speed: Most Wanted and Prince of Persia: The Shadow and the Flame leading the pack. We’ve reached out to Samsung for pricing and North American availability and will update this post if we hear back.
Filed under: Cellphones, Gaming, Mobile, Samsung
Source: Samsung
Sony begins Android 4.3 rollout for Xperia Z1 and Z Ultra
Sony’s just announced an upgrade to Android 4.3 (Jelly Bean) for the Xperia Z1 and Xperia Z Ultra, and it’s tacking on some of its own enhancements along with the standard performance tweaks. The super-sized Xperia Z Ultra, for one, will now include the Smart Social Camera suite for sharing media across social networks, utilizing image-recognition technology and adding AR effects, among other things. For Z Ultra users who’ve been envying the Z1′s photo-focused feature set, this should be a welcome addition — though, of course, a software update can’t magically upgrade that 8-megapixel shooter to a 20.7MP cam.
The update also adds improved versions of Sony’s native apps, including Messaging, MyXperia and Smart Connect, along with the company’s media apps such as Walkman. The rollout has just begun, so keep an eye out; according to Sony, other Xperia devices should be getting the bump to 4.3 soon.
Filed under: Software, Mobile, Sony
Source: Sony Mobile Blog
LG debuts 5.5-inch Gx for native Korea
That didn’t take very long! Just a few days after first landing on our rumor radar, the LG Gx has been officially introduced. The Android Jelly Bean-powered smartphone features a 5.5-inch 1080p IPS display, a 13-megapixel rear camera, and 32GB internal storage. With a design that calls to mind the Nexus 5 and Optimus G Pro, the Gx boasts 2GB RAM, a 3140mAh battery, and 2-megapixel front-facing camera.
Unlike the LG G2, this one goes for the more traditional approach with home, back, and menu buttons across the front. All in all, this is a sharp looking device which squeezes into a svelte 9.2mm frame.
In terms of software, the Gx includes some of LG’s custom touches; Q Remote, Media Time, and Smart Day, for example.
There’s no indication as to whether the Gx will make its way outside of its native land of Korea but we might not be surprised if it does. We’ve got Consumer Electronics Show (CES) and Mobile World Congress (MWC) coming up in January and February.; both are ideal places to announce U.S. versions.
The post LG debuts 5.5-inch Gx for native Korea appeared first on AndroidGuys.
Physical buttons make a comeback in Samsung’s low-end Galaxy Core Advance
The rugged Galaxy S 4 Active had them, and so did the lesser-known Xcover2. But all-physical navigation buttons are becoming rarer on Samsung phones nowadays, and that’s why our eyes were drawn to the manufacturer’s latest low-end offering, the Galaxy Core Advance. In addition to the obvious trio on the front, the handset also finds room for dedicated camera and voice recorder buttons on the side. Specs-wise, however, we’re still in deeply unexciting Galaxy Core territory, with Android 4.2 and TouchWiz running on a 480 x 800 display (now slightly bigger at 4.7 inches), a 1.2GHz dual-core processor, 1GB of RAM, 8GB of onboard storage (expandable via MicroSD) and Europe-friendly 3G data bands. The phone will be out early next year, although we’re not sure exactly where it’ll be sold or for how much. What we can say, though, is that Samsung will have to drastically undercut the superior Moto G (which has a 720p display and Android 4.3) if it plans to go up against Motorola in the same markets.
Filed under: Cellphones, Mobile, Samsung
Source: Samsung
Netflix for Android update brings support for individual profiles and queues, better search
Netflix rolled out support for multiple individual streaming profiles within a single account a few months ago, but until now its Android app has been among the platforms that still didn’t recognize them. The new version 3.1.0 update rolling out tonight changes that, finally letting people filter out queues and suggestions from others using the same account like family members, significant others or annoying roommates. In our use it doesn’t pop up the profile switcher by default, but it’s accessible after selecting the current profile under the slide-out menu from the left (shown after the break). According to the changelog this new version also brings an enhanced search, with support for people and related titles. The latest version of the app should be available on Google Play now, but you’ll still have to hit YouTube for the latest House of Cards trailer.
Filed under: Home Entertainment, HD, Mobile
Source: Netflix (Google Play)
As Google slowly preps the Chromecast ecosystem, waves of new apps are on the way
HBO Go, Songza and Pandora are about to get more company on Chromecast, according to a Gigaom interview with Google’s VP of product management Mario Queiroz where he stated additional waves of apps are coming soon. A public release for the Chromecast SDK — which should allow developers to build and release their own apps at will — won’t happen until next year, but this week the team gave over 40 developers access to a preview version just to get their feedback. To ensure its elegantly simple user experience remains intact across all applications, the company also recently released a 14-page design guide that details the basic expectations for the development community. An impending international release next year is also encouraging publishers to make compatible apps — moves that should benefit everyone, regardless of where they call home. Quieroz’s “broader” goal is to establish Cast tech as a standard embedded into other hardware, but until that happens there’s still time to gift-wrap a few of Google’s HDMI dongles and look like a hero all year as their capabilities continue to expand.
Filed under: Cellphones, Home Entertainment, HD, Mobile, Google
Via: Android Police
Source: Google Developers, Gigaom
Google says Android app permission manager was released by mistake, removes it from latest update
Remember that “Apps Ops” feature Google snuck into Android 4.3? The company seems to have changed its mind. The feature was originally hidden, but when activated with a third party app it gave users the ability to pick and choose what data apps have access to — blocking seemingly harmless flashlight apps from accessing your call history, GPS data or address book. Now, users upgrading to Android 4.4.2 are reporting that the permission management tool has disappeared. According to Google, the feature was deployed by mistake; it wasn’t ready for consumers yet. Continuing to use the incomplete feature could reportedly generate errors in certain apps. It sounds reasonable, considering that the user had to download special software to activate the feature in the first place, but it’s always disappointing when updating removes features, rather than improves them. Hopefully, a complete and public version of App Ops will be available soon.
Filed under: Cellphones
Moto X Touchless Control update lets you speak your unlock code
You no longer have to give up some of the Moto X’s voice commands if you want to rely on security codes. An update to the smartphone’s Touchless Control app lets you speak a PIN code to unlock the device; as long you’re not worried about eavesdroppers, you can check private messages without poking at the screen. You won’t even have to unlock the phone as often as before, since the upgrade expands the range of Google Now voice instructions that work while the handset is sleeping. You’ll need to be running Android 4.4 KitKat on your Moto X to use the improved Touchless Control, but it’s otherwise ready to download through Google Play.
Filed under: Cellphones, Mobile, Google
Via: Droid-Life
Source: Google Play
Google’s Ingress to become a platform for augmented reality games
Augmented reality games are really cool, and I remember when I used to play one on a Nokia a long time ago, but the way technology is moving forward, the world of augmented reality is changed as well. Niantic Labs, a part of Google, developed an augmented reality game known as the Ingress. It transforms the real world into the landscape for a global game of mystery, intrigue, and competition. However, now it seems that Niantic Labs will have to wind down their story-line.
Soon it will be turned into a platform for other augmented reality games. Niantic told The Verge that they are working on kits that will allow developers to create their own games with chat layer, location info, and in-game ads if needed. However, don’t expect to write your own title anytime soon. Right now, Niantic doesn’t know when the tools will be ready, and it all depends on the flexibility of the team, so hopefully sooner or later we will hear the good news.
So, any Ingress fans out there? What do you think about this? Tell us about it in the comment box below.
Source: The Verge
The post Google’s Ingress to become a platform for augmented reality games appeared first on AndroidGuys.
Sony Xperia Z1 mini cleared FCC, codenamed as “Amami”
Just a month ago, we ‘accidentally’ saw the upcoming Sony Xperia Z1s on Sony’s website, and since then, we are waiting to hear more about it. However, it seems the mini version of the Xperia Z is around the corner as it cleared the FCC with a new codename – Sony “Amami”. The model number of the device is Sony D5503 – and it features the same Snapdragon 800 and 20 mega-pixel camera as the flagship, so basically it is just the ‘small’ version of the Xperia Z1.
The report also suggests that it will feature Android 4.3 Jelly Bean, instead of KitKat. Sony press conference is on January 6 2014, and that’s just one day before the CES. So, hopefully we will see the Sony Amami or Xperia Z1 Mini then.
Are you looking forward to get your hands on it, tell us about it in the comment box below.
Source: FCC
The post Sony Xperia Z1 mini cleared FCC, codenamed as “Amami” appeared first on AndroidGuys.
AIVAnet 