dimanche 31 mars 2013
Android Central 128: It's getting hot in here
Verizon Messages now offers texting via tablets and computers
Verizon is updating its own messaging app today to support cross-platform syncing of SMS and MMS messages using your Verizon phone number. Users taking advantage of the Verizon Messages app on their Android phone can now carry on continuous conversations between the phone, their Android (or iOS) tablet and on the web from their computer. The apps send and receive regular SMS or MMS messages that appear as though they're coming to and from your own Verizon phone number. Messages stay saved and synced for 90 days on Verizon's end, but can also be exported and saved to external storage on your devices.
The new apps not only keep conversations synced between all of your devices, but also provide a central repository for all of the pictures, links and other attachments you receive. The new update has also added the ability to set an auto-reply for when you're busy and to optionally show your location to friends you're talking to.
If you're interested in trying out the new Verizon Messages service, you can download the app for your phone or tablet form the Play Store link above. The web interface can be found at the source link below, or under your "My Verizon" account.
Source: Verizon; More: Verizon Messagessamedi 30 mars 2013
Trapster 4.0: navigating through the latest update
Trapster has been around for many years now, and although it has gone through a lot of changes since 2010 none may be as important as the move today to version 4.0. The newest version of Trapster leaves no portion of the interface or functionality untouched -- improvements can be found across the entire app. There's a new and user-friendly main interface, but the revamp goes all the way through to the settings.
Best of all, the mapping data has been improved substantially with the switch to the latest HERE Maps as the base, with a new 3D view and vector-based images. So what makes the new version of Trapster so great? Read on past the break and see what version 4.0 has to offer.
Let's make no mistake about it -- this is a completely new version of the Trapster app. Version 4.0 marks a move to the modern age of design and capabilities, from the basic interface down to the underlying data that it works with. The new interface is clean and useful, with just a few main elements. Because the app is meant to be used while driving, everything is kept simple. In portrait mode, you have an indication of the speed limit for the road you're on in the top left, along with a settings key, your current speed and direction, and a button to report something to Trapster. In landscape, you have settings and speed pushed to the bottom left, with the report button on the bottom right.
The redesign continues into the settings menu, which is best used to configure things before you leave the house. You can change specifically which items show up on the map, as well as how you'd like to be alerted on upcoming issues. There are some map settings as well -- if you'd like to turn off the new 3D feature for example -- but we found everything to be properly configured for most users out of the box. You can also manage your account and profile from the settings, which you'll want to do in order to get the most out of Trapster -- more on this later.
The move to using Nokia's new HERE Maps service is a huge plus for the usability of Trapster 4.0. Not only do you get a mapping interface that's up-to-date and rich with location data, but you also get new features like vector-based images, 3D views and faster performance. These are all features we've come to know and love in the latest versions of Google Maps, and they all work just as well here. Along with all of the pins indicating points of possible traffic issues, major roads and freeways are overlaid with traffic information.
The maps are incredibly detailed and very usable, especially when you start using zooming in and seeing landmarks appear on the map. While the main intention of Trapster isn't to help you necessarily navigate from place to place, it certainly doesn't hurt to have high quality maps available. When compared to what was available previously, the new HERE Maps are a breath of fresh air. Especially considering that Android users are used to Google Maps, which are certainly the gold standard right now.
The main idea of Trapster is to create a crowd-sourced database of useful information for drivers. The dataset has gone well beyond just speed traps and red light cameras, as more people have started to report things like construction, bad road conditions, and even "children at play" areas. When a potential issue is flagged in the app, it shows up as a pin at the location for other users to see. Tapping on a location gives details about the issue, and if you're logged in an option to agree or disagree that the problem still exists. In major metro areas you get enough crowd-sourced information to have a good set of data to work with. Trapster says it has over 18.5 million active users at this point.
The latest revision to the app performs extremely well (we tested on a Nexus 4) with no issues to speak of. Much of the performance increase can likely be attributed to the new vector-based HERE Maps, which cut down considerably on load times. Even in the middle of the city by tall buildings, the app never had an issue finding a GPS signal either. Trapster will continue to run in the background unless you explicitly close it -- much like Google Maps while navigating -- which keeps your GPS locked on as well. Trapster performs like a modern Android app should.
Trapster 4.0 is an overall important and necessary update to the service that will keep it relevant in 2013. If you've somehow managed to not take a look at it in the last three years, there's no better time than now to get a first impression. The update is set to arrive in the Play Store this afternoon, and can be found at the link at the top of this post.
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"Phil is a recovering print journalist, editor of Android Central, subtitles and street signs."
Google reportedly working on an entry into the smart watch market
Making a "smart watch" type of device seems to be the new hot thing, and Google is reportedly eyeing its own entry into the quickly expanding market. According to a source of Financial Times, the watch is coming not from Google's famous X Labs that produced Project Glass, but rather from the Android division directly. Long-rumored upcoming smart watches from the likes of Apple and Samsung, along with actual devices like the Pebble watch are creating a market that could be ripe for a killer entry from Google.
There's no indication as to when (or even if) the Android-powered watch would be coming to market, again according to FT's sources. We have to think that Google would want to get Glass out into the market first before trying to reinvent mobile computing once again. but Google is certainly capable of running multiple projects at once.
Would you be interested in a smart watch from Google running Android? Or would it depend on the functionality and form factor? Sound off in the comments and let us know.
Source: Financial Times; Via: The Vergevendredi 29 mars 2013
Deal of the day: Cruzerlite DNA personality case Samsung Galaxy S3
March 22-day Apprentice ShopAndroid.com Cruzerlite applies to the DNA of the persona of the Samsung Galaxy S S3. This flexible casing made of shock absorbent and scratch-resistant TPU is great protection against unintended use and the daily bumps and spills. Slim, form-fitting design that you can display and print a custom ports--accented with Andy. Is a green and blue.
Cruzerlite DNA personality is only available for $ 7.00, today only 65%. On the back of a 60-day money back guarantee and fast shipping.
Never miss a deal. Sign up today for a quote!
MetroPCS picks up Huawei Premia 4G
MetroPC this morning announced the availability of the Huawei Premia 4G, a 4-inch Android smartphone. It's running Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich, has a 5-megapixel camera with Flash and is powered by a 1.5 GHz dual-core processor and 1GB of RAM. The display is covered with Gorilla Glass.
On the software side, expect MetroPCS to push the "joyn" feature, which adds video and Wifi-calling, instant messaging, and file sharing. You'll have to have a 4G LTE data plan to use it.
The Huawei Premia 4G is available today for $149.
MetroPCS Continues to Deliver Value and Versatility with the
Huawei Premia™ 4G
MetroPCS’ second Huawei 4G LTE smartphone packs high performance and design into affordable package
DALLAS (March 21, 2013) – MetroPCS Communications, Inc. (NYSE: PCS) and Huawei, a leading global information and communications technology (ICT) solutions provider, are giving consumers another great option to keep up with friends and family with a new powerful, yet affordable, 4GLTE smartphone – the Huawei Premia™ 4G – available for only $149.
This latest addition to MetroPCS’ extensive lineup of 4GLTE smartphones includes all the features for an exceptional mobile experience, including:
4.0-inch Corning Gorilla Glass™ screen displays a crystal-clear picture1.5GHz dual-core processor and 1GB RAM for effortless multitasking5.0 megapixel auto-focus camera with rear-facing LED flash for improved picturesVideo recording and playback to capture life’s special momentsAndroid 4.0 operating system (Ice Cream Sandwich)joyn™ by MetroPCS capability delivers a unified and intuitive way to communicate and share with friends and family with enriched services like video calling and Wi-Fi calling, integrated instant messaging or chat, image, video and file sharing. The official joyn app can be downloaded via Google Play and the @metro App Store™ and is included with any 4G LTE rate plan.MetroPCS offers consumers unmatched value when pairing the Premia 4G with any of the simplified 4GLTE rate plans, which begin at $40 per month and offer unlimited talk, text and data – all applicable taxes and regulatory-fees included. Great services like MetroPCS 4G LTE Mobile Hotspot and Rhapsody unlimited on-demand music are available for low additional monthly charges, with Rhapsody offered at the best deal in town for just $5 per month.
The Huawei Premia 4G is available in stores and online beginning today.
Nexus 4 back in stock at German Google Play Store
The UK isn't the only country that's just seen a fresh influx of Nexus 4 stock at its Google Play Store. Today the official +Nexus Google+ page sends word that the coveted handset is now back in stock in Germany. The phone is available in 8GB and 16GB flavors for €299 and €349 respectively, and set to ship in 3 to 5 days.
(Incidentally, the phone's still in stock in the UK and shipping within the same timeframe)
Grab 'em at the links below --
"AC's resident Brit, cooking up steaming bowls of European Android coverage every day."Related devices: Filed under: Tags:
jeudi 28 mars 2013
First Sony Xperia Z firmware update hitting some devices in Europe
It seems Sony's Xperia Z is in the midsts of its first official firmware update. Xperia Z owners in Europe are reporting receiving the update to version 10.1.A.1.434 through the Sony PC companion app, however it seems the update isn't rolling out for everyone just yet, and it's not yet available directly on the device as an over-the-air update either. For our part, we haven't received any update on the unlocked UK model we've been using.
There's also no firm information on exactly what's new in this update, though there's speculation it might address the recently discovered "sleep of death" issue causing Sony Xperia Zs to randomly die. According to XDA forum reports, the latest firmware doesn't fix the slow camera start-up times we pointed out in our Xperia Z review, which is unfortunate.
If you've got an Xperia Z in Europe, be sure to hit the comments and let us know if you're seeing this latest firmware update.
Source: XDAThe Greatest Android Podcast in the World returns tonight
We're back, baby! After a couple of busy weeks and a schedule change or two, we're back to our regularly scheduled time and place tonight. There will be plenty of talk about phones, and CPUs, and Zoes, and life companions, as well as some discussion of what Google's been up to recently -- both good and bad.
So join Phil and the gang -- and, of course, the chat room -- live tonight at 1 a.m. GMT / 9 p.m. EDT / 6 p.m. PDT for the live broadcast. You should be there. You will be there. You must be there. After all, you are what makes it the Greatest Android Podcast in the World.
Not at a computer? Pick up the free UStream Viewer from Google Play [link] and search for Mobile Nations a little before the show (it won't appear until we go live). We'll see you there!
Ravensword: Shadowlands now available in Google Play; this is what a mobile RPG should look like
Ravensword: Shadowlands, Crescent Moon Games third in the Ravensword series, is now available in Google Play. I'll tell you up front -- it's not cheap. The game checks in at $6.99, but after just a few minutes playing it I know a lot of folks will think it's worth every penny.
Ravensword: Shadowlands is an evolution of the RPG / adventure game genre, bringing character skills, plenty of items to hunt for, and a decent storyline. The kicker is that it also has some of the most impressive visuals we've ever seen. Running through the world, both above ground and in dungeons, comes to life because of incredible 3D details. It's a very "Elder Scrolls" look and feel. Mounted combat, multiple weapon choices, enchantments and quests make the gameplay exciting, and it's all very playable. In addition, if you're using a Tegra 3 device like the Nexus 7, you'll also have some superb bloom effects, real-time shadows, and life-like ragdoll physics.
There is no way we can give this a full review in just one day, but we wanted to let everyone know it's now available. We'll revisit after we've had a chance to hack and slash our way through a little more. For now, hit the break to see the gameplay trailer, and the Google Play link above will direct you to the download.
More: TegraZonemercredi 27 mars 2013
Huawei Ascend G700 leaks as an affordable option for the Chinese market
Shortly after MWC we saw a leak of the Huawei Ascend G710, and now a very similar G700 is making an appearance online. The renders above, tweeted out by leakster @evleaks, show a device that falls in line with current Huawei design. According to some sleuthing on the part of Engadget, the plastic device will be sporting a 5-inch "HD" (assumedly 720p) display, along with 2GB of RAM and a MediaTek quad-core processor. The indication is that the device will eventually sell for around $300 unlocked, which would put it well under the recent flagship Ascend D2 and Ascend Mate.
Interestingly, those specs line up very similarly to those of the previously leaked G710 although the designs seem to be different. With very similar names, we'd expect these devices to slot into price points right next to each other. Don't get your hopes up for a U.S. launch though, these are likely bound for just the Chinese market.
Source: @evleaks; Via: EngadgetThe Da Vinci Code free in the Play Store; Inferno prolouge and first chapter as a bonus
Many times we get asked where good free books can be found for Android. Not only is this one free, but it also comes with some extra content. Dan Brown's runaway hit The Da Vinci Code can now be downloaded from Google Play Books for free until March 24 for your phone or tablet. Packaged with this e-copy are the prologue and first chapter from Brown's upcoming novel Inferno, available May 14.
As the fastest selling adult hardcover of all time, and second best in sales only to Harry Potter in 2004, this book has been hard to avoid - but if you've managed to do so, or just want to relive the mystery while getting a sneak peak at Inferno, make sure to hit that download link by the 24th.
DownloadGoogle Play books now live in Mexico
Google Play Libros han llegado a Mexico!
Google has expanded the Play Store south of the border, and now Google Play Books is available in Mexico. Mexicans can now access thousands of titles, including both Mexican favorites and international staples. If you're a book lover, be sure to check them out from your phone's Google Play app, or on the web.
You'll need the Google Play Books application if your phone doesn't already have it installed, and you can get it from the Google Play link above.
Thanks, Spook!Turn the web into a phone-controlled 3D puzzle with Chrome's World Wide Maze
Google's Chrome Experiments are wacky technological showcases designed to demonstrate what's possible with a modern web browser. And the latest of these experiments is a doozy -- World Wide Maze lets you turn your favorite website into a 3D marble-based puzzle.
To get started with World Wide Maze you'll need the latest desktop version of Chrome, and a phone running iOS 5 or Android 4.0 or greater. Next you synchronize your desktop and mobile browsers by entering a code, or using the Chrome Tab Sync feature. Then use a keyword search to find a site to turn into a maze -- an image heavy site like Android Central works pretty well.
Once Google's finished crunching the site in question, it'll be presented to you on your PC as a multi-level 3D maze -- think Marble Blast or Super Monkey Ball -- controlled by your smartphone's accelerometer and on-screen touch controls. Pretty cool!
Check out the Google Chrome World Wide Maze at the link below. Alternatively we've got an official video after the break.
Source: World Wide Maze; via: Engadgetmardi 26 mars 2013
Garnet red and 'La Fleur' Galaxy S3 Mini now available from Carphone Warehouse
UK retailer the Carphone Warehouse has announced that it's begun stocking the Samsung Galaxy S3 Mini in limited edition "garnet red" and "La Fleur" color options. We've seen both options before on the full-sized S3 -- the red was a prominent color offered by AT&T in the U.S., while the floral design has been spotted in renders, but hasn't seen as widespread a release.
With the UK Galaxy S4 launch just a month away, now might seem like an odd time to hop aboard the Galaxy S3 train -- but if you're looking for something in a smaller form factor, you could certainly do worse than the S3 Mini. Carphone is offering the S3 Mini on contracts starting from £12.50 per month for the first six months, then £25 thereafter. The SIM-free price stands at £269.99
Source: Carphone Warehouse "AC's resident Brit, cooking up steaming bowls of European Android coverage every day."Related devices: Filed under: Tags:
Droid RAZR HD and MAXX HD Android 4.1.2 update is live
Droid RAZR HD and MAXX HD owners have started receiving an update for their devices. This latest OTA will bump both versions of the RAZR HD to Android 4.1.2, and comes with security patches from Google and a fix for data roaming.
Multiple software improvements have also been made. Detection of USB cables has been improved, as has the devices' Wifi connectivity. Wallpaper options have been added when selecting home screen icons, and the camera app has had improvements made to its touch-to-focus, notifications, and low light performance. Headset connectivity is better, as is pixelation in video streaming. Media sync problems should also be gone, now that sync more stable.
If you're rocking a Droid RAZR HD or MAXX HD, be sure to hit the forums and let us know how you're getting on..
Source: Droid Life
"Speak softly, and carry a big screen"Related devices: Filed under: Tags:
Samsung isn't forgetting about devices for emerging markets
Samsung may be spending tens of millions of dollars to put on events for the unveiling of the Galaxy S4, but it hasn't forgotten about making devices targeted at emerging markets. We see a lot of new Samsung devices come through that are targeted at the mid range -- such as the Galaxy S3 Mini -- but the Korean manufacturer is also targeting the hyper low-end of emerging markets such as India and Indonesia. In areas where the landscape until recently has been dominated by feature phones, Samsung has gained considerable market share with devices that cost about $100 unlocked. The Wall Street Journal points out that Samsung's market share in Indonesia has risen from 2-percent in 2010 to over 50-percent last quarter.
While there is still a huge untapped market of feature phone users trying to make the move to smart phones, some are worried that Samsung's race to meet the low-end demands will cut into profits. Analysts calculate Samsung's operating margin on these low-end devices at about 12-percent, or less than half of what it is for high-end devices. It's hard to fault Samsung for trying to grab every piece of the market, however. In many cases these consumers are either buying a cheap phone or no phone at all, so choosing to not offer a low-end device to them is a completely lost sale. And with a company the size of Samsung, there's hardly a fight for resources to push into a new market.
Samsung is likely smart to push into emerging markets, if for no other reason than to get consumers acquainted with their smart phones for future purchases. Building up both market share, but also mind share, is extremely important for the long-term viability of sales in a market. They may be buying just $100 entry-level smart phones today, but in a couple of years there's a good chance that the same group of consumers will be ready for the higher end device -- and Samsung will be waiting there to sell them one.
Source: WSJlundi 25 mars 2013
Nexus 4 Bumpers in stock in the U.S. Google Play Store
Perhaps one of the most sought after accessories on Google Play, the bumper case for Google's Nexus 4 is back in stock. Ever since the launch of the Nexus 4, Google has had problems getting these bumpers out to customers. Even those who ordered on launch day were told to expect delays up to 3 weeks. Since then, the availability of the bumpers has gone from back in stock, to out of stock, and even to "no longer available for sale." This forced Nexus 4 owners to either buy 3rd party bumpers, or pay incredibly inflated prices on sites like eBay.
While a tad expensive, the official bumper definitely has a fit and finish that compliments the Nexus 4 nicely. For a better look, check out our full review.
Hopefully Google has gotten their supply problems under control like they did with the phone itself. I wouldn't risk it though - if you've been waiting for one of these, order now.
Source: Google Play Store; thanks, Michael!Nexus 7 8GB on sale for $139.99 at 1saleaday
Google's Nexus 7, one of the most popular tablets around, is available on 1saleaday for today only. These units are factory-refurbished versions of the 8GB model, which is no longer available directly from Google. They come with a 90-day warranty, as well as the AC adapter and micro-USB cable. At this price, you can grab yourself a Nexus 7 and the dock for less than the price of the cheapest model in the Play Store.
If Google sticks to a yearly refresh cycle for their tablets, we can expect a new version of the Nexus 7 tablet to be announced in less than two months. But if a deal is more important than having the latest and greatest, and you don't mind having 8GB of storage, then jump on this deal before it's gone.
1saleaday WirelessSony Xperia E officially on sale in the UK, costing £129.99
Sony's latest entry level offering, the Xperia E, is now officially on sale in the UK. In the past it had been pegged for a February release, but retailer Clove Technology now has the device for sale for the pretty reasonable price of £129.99.
Only the black versions are currently available -- white ones are due sometime in April. For your money, you're getting a solid entry level Android smartphone. Better still, it's a solid entry level smartphone running Android 4.1 Jelly Bean.
Other specs include a 1GHz Snapdragon processor, 3.5-inch HVGA display, 4GB of onboard storage, 512MB of RAM a microSD card slot and a respectable for its size, 1500mAh battery.
This is by no means going to excite those that breathe bleeding edge devices, but the Xperia E also has a little party piece. Sony has released an experimental Firefox OS ROM for the Xperia E, so for those so inclined, it's not an overly expensive way of checking that out either.
Source: CloveKobo Arc to receive Jelly Bean update starting today
The 7-inch Kobo Arc (read our review), which was released just a couple of months ago, will start its Jelly Bean update rollout today. The update will bring everything you'd come to expect from Jelly Bean -- Project Butter, actionable notifications, Google Now and new keyboard functions. Presumably the update will still include Kobo's software customizations, which it calls the "Tapestries UI".
This seems to be just a basic updating of the OS, with other Kobo-specific updates being announced. That's completely fine with us -- Jelly Bean is a big jump up in overall functionality and usefulness. Happen to have a Kobo Arc and receive the update today? Let us know in the comments.
KOBO RELEASES ANDROID JELLY BEAN UPGRADE FOR KOBO ARC TABLETImproved search, Google Now, Face Unlock, and more with latest
Android Jelly Bean 4.1 firmware update
Toronto, ON – March 21, 2013 – Kobo, a global leader in eReading, today announced its Android™ 4.1 Jelly Bean firmware update for Kobo’s award-winning 7” Google-certified Kobo Arc tablet. This update optimizes the user experience with faster performance, improved search capabilities, increased touch responsiveness, and additional intelligence features to help organize and streamline information with actionable notifications. The update is now available to Kobo Arc customers when they next connect to Wi Fi.
“Kobo Arc is the perfect tablet for people that love consuming books, movies, and surfing the web,” said Wayne White, EVP of Devices, Kobo. “With the latest Jelly Bean update, Kobo Arc becomes the perfect eReading companion that offers more with intelligent search recommendations, voice-to-text, and a highly responsive touch screen.”
Key Android 4.1 Jelly Bean features and benefits include:
· Google Now™: Perfect for on-the-go Kobo Arc users looking for an easy way to organize their busy schedules, Google Now personalizes information based on a user’s location, time of day, history, and calendar events. Google Now shows restaurants in the area, how much traffic to expect before the morning commute, when the next train is coming, the score of a current game, a flight status, and more.
· Richer notifications: Kobo Arc users will never miss a beat due to a richer notification experience. They can now action notifications directly within the notifications area as well as expand and collapse notifications to display more or less detail.
· Improved search: Finding online content has never been easier with text or voice searches, which are now presented in a visually rich way. Google Search can be opened directly from the locked screen by swiping up and users have the option to simply say "Google" to activate Voice Search within the Google Search screen.
· Optimized voice recognition and boosted predictive typing: To complement speech-enabled online searches, Jelly Bean introduces impressive text-to-speech capabilities and an embedded speech recognizer that enables Voice Typing without an Internet connection. For those who prefer typing, an all-new keyboard lets them glide over letters to type a word while it dynamically predicts text.
· Face Unlock: Keeping the Kobo Arc secure has never been easier with the improved Face Unlock, which now calibrates in different conditions and can now optionally require a blink to verify a live person is unlocking the device. In addition, users can feel safer with improvements in malware blocking.
KOBO ARC: READS YOU LIKE A BOOK
Kobo Arc is a sleek 7” Android multimedia tablet with full access to the Google Play™ store, with access to more than 700,000 apps and games. It provides users with a new way to discover content – eBooks, movies, TV shows, music, web pages, and more. Kobo’s exclusive interface, Tapestries, allows users to collect and curate content of interest in dynamic, visual Tapestries by “pinning” content to the home screen. The Kobo Arc’s Discover Ribbon recommends related content based on the items pinned to Tapestries. The more users collect in their Tapestries, the more the Kobo Arc learns what they love and provides them with more engaging content.
The device has a high-definition display that delivers crisp, sharp text, and with more than 16-million colors, brings photos, videos, and games to life. With front-facing speakers enhanced by SRS TruMedia™, a built-in microphone, and a front-facing camera, Kobo Arc provides 10 hours of continuous reading or video play and two weeks on standby. Kobo Arc is available with 16GB, 32GB and 64GB configurations at local retailers.
For information, please visit: http://www.kobo.com/koboarc
dimanche 24 mars 2013
Sony Xperia Tablet Z virallisesti purettiin tabletin osat tavataan
If you've ever wondered what lurks inside Sony's thin and pretty stylish Xperia Tablet Z, then the company ready to satisfy morbid curiosity official teardown with the video. Sony-certified Tablet gutter cracks to reveal the Tablet components, such as a small PCB, and a fairly large battery range of Tablet-Z. There is also special for a declaration that the waterproof slate behind is considered to be somewhat like a glue and tape.
Interested to see what goes into the Android tablet to check out the video above. Sony Xperia Tablet-Z is due for release in the West, starting in May.
More: Sony Xperia Tablet Z practical
Google Play gift cards now redeemable in Canada
Google is in the process of activating their gift card program in Canada, and codes are now redeemable via the web for a number of users. We gave it a shot ourselves, and as you can see Rene was able to access the page to redeem a card with no trickery involved.
If you're in Canada, and want to give it a try yourself, click here and see what happens. If you're not seeing it yet, we imagine you will soon. We've no word on just when the cards themselves will be on Canadian shelves, but it can't be that far out.
Beam Player: simple, clean folder-based music player
There are countless music players out there offering buckets of features and flair, but sometimes you just want a basic app to play music from a folder structure. Beam Player fits the bill for this use perfectly, and doesn't go over the top on design or unnecessary features either. Best of all it's holo, tablet responsive, and has great widgets and notification controls.
Hang with us after the break to see more of what Beam Player has to offer as a simple music player.
Folder interface on phone (left) and tablet (right)Beam Player is designed to do just one thing: browse and play music from a folder on your device. No extra frills or features, the main interface of the app is basically a file explorer where you can find music files to play. There are three main tabs at the top of the app -- recent, favorite and folders -- to navigate, as well as a button to take you to the visual music player and an overflow settings button. You can set a default folder where you expect to often see music, or you can browse every time you'd like to find something to play. Once you choose the folder, you just tap on a file to start playing it or long press to delete or add to favorites.
The Beam Player design is distinctly "holo", which is perfect for an app like this. In the settings you can choose between different holo themes -- light, dark, light and dark, light and purple, dark and purple -- to personalize it a bit as well. No matter the theme, the interface is extremely easy to use. Another benefit of following the new design guidelines is that the tablet interface scales appropriately. On a Nexus 7, the UI changes slightly to offer a persistent panel on the left to select folders, with the files contained in each folder displayed on the right. The interface will be familiar if you've used Gmail on a 7-inch tablet.
Music player interface on phone (left) and tablet (right)For a decidedly bare bones music player, Beam Player actually has a very nice set of widgets, lockscreen controls and notification controls. There's both a simple 4x1 widget with album art and title as well as play/pause forward/back controls and a 4x4 widget with larger album art. You also get a standard Jelly Bean-style expandable/actionable notification and lockscreen controls that are near mirror images of the Google Play Music ones. We wish every music app had this clean of widgets and controls -- they make Beam Player feel like a part of the OS.
Settings menu (left) and available widgets (right)Beam Player is fully featured and free in the Play Store with ads, or $2.01 to use without ads. If this style of clean and functional app fits your needs, we recommend dropping the few dollars to support a developer that's doing great work. You can check out the paid version of the app in the Play Store from the link at the top of this post.
samedi 23 mars 2013
Reminder: Still time to win a Samsung Galaxy S4 in our 'World's First' contest!
Now we know exactly what's coming in the Samsung Galaxy S4, there's still time to enter our World's First Galaxy S4 Contest to win a handset of your own as soon as it's released.
How do you enter? Simply post a comment on the original contest news post (not this one!). That's it -- do that and you're automatically entered. But we'll be closing the contest soon, so get in your post while you still can. We'll be closing the contest at 11:59 PM ET on Sunday, March 17th, and we'll announce a winner the following day.
When you're done, you'll find plenty of friendly Galaxy S4 discussion over in our GS4 forum. Good luck to everyone who enters!
OtterBox confirms Galaxy S4 Defender, Commuter and Reflex cases
Right on time, OtterBox is confirming that it will bring its most popular case styles to market for the just-announced Samsung Galaxy S4. The popular case maker will sell the Defender, Commuter and Reflex cases for the S4, giving a wide range of options depending on the amount of device protection required. The heaviest of the bunch, Defender, is a three-piece setup consisting of a hard plastic shell shrouded in a silicone outer layer along with an integrated screen protector. The Commuter is lighter, with an inside layer of silicone to protect against shocks. Reflex is thin two-piece design that is ideal for users that would like to occasionally dock their devices.
OtterBox says the three case models will be coming "soon" for the Galaxy S4, but hasn't given any pricing or specific availability at this time. It's good to know that accessory makers are pledging to get products out the door as soon as possible, though.
Source: OtterBox (BusinessWire)Samsung Galaxy S4 reportedly set for early May to launch in India
There are a lot of people around the world who are excited about the Samsung Galaxy S4. After the Massively successful Galaxy S3 it is clear that this is going to be one of the Best-selling Mobile this year. As the official presentation in New York, we are gradually beginning to build a picture of the availability and next up is our friend the news in India.
According to AndroidOS. in Samsung is expected to launch in India of the Galaxy-S4 the first week of May. They go on to say that the press event at the end of April is likely to officially launch the device in the country. Because of the global availability is slated to begin at the end of April, this is good news for the Indians, who want to get their hands on one of the year's hottest hardware.
Indian Galaxy S4 also transported, new Exynos 5 Octa inside and US version of Snapdragon-600. No details of pricing or any word on the carrier partners ' Galaxy-S4, but since we're still in the 6 weeks or so, launch, there is still a lot of time yet.
Source: AndroidOS. in
Facebook updating their Android app outside of Google Play for some users
For the past couple of days users have been seeing a download notification for a new Facebook build (140579 or 141046). The notification would get stuck for many folks, and reboots or battery pulls just caused another notification and stuck download. The whole thing pretty much acted like a clunky, amateurish malware attack.
It's not. The update is legit, and from Facebook. They are pushing out an update outside of the Play Store (which is a direct violation of the developer agreement, by the way) to some users to test new features. If you have the setting checked to allow installations from unknown sources (sideloading) you might have seen this. You also might still be stuck fiddling with the notification that won't go away. To fix that, hook up with some Wifi -- Facebook won't download the update while you're using your data connection.
Let's ignore that Facebook may be breaching their developer agreement. Lets also ignore that they are silently pushing software to a users phone, when that user is unaware and didn't ask for it. We'll also overlook the way Facebook thinks all Wifi is free and unlimited. But we can't overlook the fact that they let this go on for three days and still haven't posted a little something to their blog or dropped a little blurb in the Google Play app description to let the users -- you know, the ones who are worried what the hell this fake Facebook download is doing -- know what was going on.
Anyhoo, if you see the notification about it, just turn on your Wifi and it will overwrite your current Facebook app with something -- nobody knows exactly what, because Facebook hates change logs, too -- newer, and hopefully better.
Via: The Vergevendredi 22 mars 2013
Motorola Electrify 2 has an official Jelly Bean update working its way around
The Motorola Electrify 2 is the latest handset to get a Jelly Bean update, as Android 4.1 is currently rolling out to users in the usual slow, cautious manner.
Motorola reminds us of a few Jelly Bean features like expanded notifications, Google Now, and voice search at their announcement page, but there's also plenty under the hood that makes Jelly Bean an incredible upgrade for any phone or tablet. Project Butter anyone?
As mentioned, the update is coming in phases. To check if it's your turn to have a crack at it, go to the settings and look for a system update. If you see one, holler in the comments and let us know how it's working out!
Source: MotorolaHTC: Galaxy S4 is 'more of the same,' 'pales in comparison' to HTC One
HTC has issued a statement dismissing Samsung's Galaxy S4 as "more of the same," claiming the handset "pales in comparison to the all-aluminium unibody HTC One." The statement, attributed to recently-appointed Chief Marketing Officer Benjamin Ho, singles out the S4's plastic chassis and familiar design for criticism --
“With a continuation of a plastic body and a larger screen being the most obvious physical change, Samsung's new Galaxy pales in comparison to the all-aluminium unibody HTC One. This is more of the same.
“HTC remains the best option for those people looking for the best technology wrapped in premium design. Our customers want something different from the mainstream, who appear to be the target for the Galaxy. Our customers want original cutting-edge technology, mouth-watering design and a premium feel from their mobiles, which is why we created the HTC One.”
And HTC's reaction to the S4 wasn't limited to an official statement. Company reps dressed in HTC One shirts trolled the line outside Radio City Music Hall last night, handing out chips, hot chocolate and HTC One promo materials. Later in the night, the official @HTC Twitter account became a source of snarky live commentary and retweets.
Although it shouldn't surprise anyone to see a little smack-talking between competing OEMs, we don't recall HTC previously talking such a direct path of attack towards the rival that's cost it so much market share. It's significant to see this from a company that once (and still occasionally) calls itself "quietly brilliant."
Of course, HTC wasn't the only competitor trying to muscle in on Samsung's news cycle yesterday. LG hired bigger, brighter ads for its Optimus G above Samsung's Galaxy S4 teasers on Times Square, while Apple CMO Phil Schiller used an interview with the Wall Street Journal to talk crap about Samsung and Android in general. That just goes to show how significant a launch this is, and how dominant a force Samsung has become in the past year.
So, once the dust has settled, which will you be getting -- HTC One or Samsung Galaxy S4? Be sure to vote in our weekly poll and have your say in the forums.
Pocket Casts hits v4.1 with new dark theme, various playback improvements
Pocket Casts just received an update to version 4.1, bringing a new "dark" theme and several notable playback improvements. Even though it just recently made the major jump to version 4 with a complete redesign, the updates don't stop there. Version 4.1 has a new dark theme, which should be easier on the eyes when viewing in dim environments and generally just please the crowd that likes a darker UI. On the playback side, v4.1 adds global playback speed options, set "start from" times for episodes, larger buttons and various other little fixes.
If you haven't taken a look yet, the new and redesigned Pocket Casts 4 is certainly worth consideration. You can grab a download from the Play Store at the link above, and stick around after the break for a quick side-by-side comparison of the light and dark UI.
