Android Community |
- HTC Amaze 4G Hands-on and Unboxing [Video]
- CERN’s LHSee app lets you hunt the Higgs Boson from your phone
- Minecraft Pocket Edition coming to the Android Market today
- BBC Micro emulator Beebdroid beta available now
- Rumor: Samsung and Google’s Nexus Prime event rescheduled for October 27 [UPDATED]
- HTC Rhyme Review
- Samsung Google Galaxy Nexus launch gets pushed
- Intellectual Ventures sues Motorola Mobility over Android patents
- Retailer pegs HTC Sensation XL for October 24 launch
- Samsung Galaxy Nexus/Nexus Prime spy video surfaces
- HP searching for answer to TouchPads that shipped with Android installed
- Sweet 3D game converter for LG Optimus 3D hits download in Europe
- Nuance Sweeps Up Swype for $100 Million
- Verizon’s HTC Rhyme is $79 at Amazon Wireless
- Motorola Xoom “Family Edition” hitting retail stores
- US Cellular’s HTC Flyer tablet takes off on October 7th
- Gameloft: Brothers in Arms 2 Global Front FREE “Coming Soon”
- Console sleeper hit No More Heroes coming to Android
- Android Developers YouTube Channel Confirms Ice Cream Sandwich Launch
- New Nexus Prime mockup is beautifully speculative
| HTC Amaze 4G Hands-on and Unboxing [Video] Posted: 07 Oct 2011 10:45 AM PDT Today I have the new HTC Amaze 4G from T-Mobile to look over with everyone. We’ve seen plenty of this phone recently and most should know plenty about this new flagship level smartphone for T-Mobile. Below you can find a few quick details, photos and a detailed video quickly breaking down the hardware so check it out.
The HTC Amaze 4G formerly known as the Ruby is T-Mobile’s new top dog in smartphones. We have a 4.3″ qHD 960 x 540 high-res super LCD display, a powerful Qualcomm S3 dual-core processor chugging along at 1.5 GHz (fastest yet), 1GB of RAM, 16GB internal storage and then the usual other hardware specs. Then we have that 8 megapixel shooter on the rear with dual LED flash. T-Mobile is touting this as the best smartphone camera yet, and we have a dedicated camera and camcorder button both right on the device. Also, we have a 2MP camera on the front for video chat and this is all wrapped in a nice aluminum bezel frame with a split down the back with a soft touch matte cover for easy grip. For full specs check out the detailed database under the image gallery below.
We’ll get into all the juicy details in the full review but for now here are a few awesome pictures and video for everyone to enjoy. One thing worth noting, the Amaze 4G takes full advantage of T-Mobile’s new HSPA+ 42 network that should provide even faster 4G coverage. Although we don’t have LTE here, T-Mobile claims to be able to hang with the big guns over at Verizon. From initial results I’m going go say here in my city T-Mobile is holding up well, I’m getting an average of 7-9 Mbps download speeds, with up varying a bit. My DROID Bionic tested around 9-11 Mbps in my area just for a comparison, so from initial tests T-Mobile’s new network improvements seem very speedy and I’m enjoying what I’m seeing thus far.
One thing I wanted to point out is the Amaze 4G, just like the HTC Flyer and a few other recent devices has their own proprietary micro-USB port. It looks a bit different and I note that in the video standard micro-USB cables are not supported but in fact they are. This is a proprietary port but will also work with micro-USB’s currently available.
We’ve ran a few quick speedtest tests like mentioned above just for a comparison to what we’ve seen from other carriers 4G networks and you can see all the results in the gallery below but so far T-Mobile is holding up quite well and performing pretty well.
HTC Amaze 4G hands-on and unbox video:            Device Info
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Dimension & Weight
Battery & Power
Software
Hardware
 Cellular Network
Device Connectivity
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| CERN’s LHSee app lets you hunt the Higgs Boson from your phone Posted: 07 Oct 2011 10:43 AM PDT After completely failing to destroy the planet with a miniature black hole, the mad scientists at CERN have done the next best thing and made an Android app. LHSee displays live data from the Large Hadron Collider in Switzerland, allowing users live views of collisions and 3D models of LHC components. The free app is available now in the Android Market.
LHSee comes from developer Christopher Boddy, a member of the University of Oxford’s Department of Physics. The app is an impressive achievement, with plenty of information on the LHC and the scientific processes that go into its development and testing. The meat of the app is the “Stream 3-D Events” view, which shows a live look at the actual atomic collisions being performed in the CERN labs. The wireframe model and data points can be rotated and zoomed in and out with multi-touch gestures, just like Google Maps. There’s also and extensive database of articles about the ATLAS experiment, one of the current full-time tasks of the LHC. It’s explained in plain English, and for the benefit of children (and professional bloggers) there’s animated diagrams as well. A mini-game called “Hunt the Higgs Boson” lets you take an interactive step into CERN’s research. The app is a fascinating look at one of the most sophisticated accomplishments of the scientific world, and if that’s where your interest are, it’s well worth the free download. [via Slashdot] )
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| Minecraft Pocket Edition coming to the Android Market today Posted: 07 Oct 2011 09:29 AM PDT Minecraft addicts, prepare to have your productivity assassinated in more places than just your home. The super-popular independent game is releasing in the Android Market later today, according to a developer’s Twitter posting. Android-using Minecraft fans have been waiting months for the announcement.
Minecraft Pocket Edition has been available for some time on the Sony Ericsson XPERIA Play, but it was an exclusive release for that device. In order to ensure compatibility on a wide range of Android phones, developer Mojang needed more time and resources devoted to the project. The PC version of Minecraft is a smash hit, combining addictive open-world gameplay with simple visuals that allow it to be played on even the most anemic of graphics cards. The game has sold an incredible three million copies… and it’s not even out of beta yet. The Android version of Minecraft was previously scheduled for release on September 29th, but the developers found some critical last-minute errors in the code and had to postpone it on the scheduled day of release. Let’s hope that the early news isn’t a red herring – Android fans could hardly take two enormous delays on the same day. Keep an eye on the Android Market throughout the day to see if Minecraft Pocket Edition pops up. The XPERIA version is $6.99 USD, and the mass-market edition is likely to cost the same. Mojang will also release a demo version. )
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| BBC Micro emulator Beebdroid beta available now Posted: 07 Oct 2011 09:05 AM PDT Those of you with a penchant for old computers or video game consoles know that Android makes a great emulation platform. Now you can add the BBC Micro to the list of supported virtual systems. Developer Little Fluffy Toys, Ltd has released the first publicly available version of Beebdroid as a side-load app, with an Android Market release expected sometime in the future.
For the uninitiated, the BBC Micro is not a tiny, slightly stuffy news anchor who shouts out understated headlines from your shirt pocket. No, the BBC Micro was a standardized set of computers and operating systems funded by the British Broadcasting Company in the early 80s. It was distributed to classrooms across the UK as part of a nationwide literacy program, and by a happy coincidence, it got a lot of children interested in computers andd technology. You can think of it as the Macintosh for a generation of British youngsters. The app is still in early beta, and currently the developer is not posting it to the Android Market. If you’d like to download Beebdroid and try it yourself, just head on over to littlefluffytoys.com/bd.apk (direct link) and install it via your phone’s browser or file explorer. For those with a healthy appreciation for computer science history, it’s a guaranteed nostalgia trip. [via Twitter] )
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| Rumor: Samsung and Google’s Nexus Prime event rescheduled for October 27 [UPDATED] Posted: 07 Oct 2011 08:11 AM PDT Android enthusiasts the world over got a nasty shock this morning when they learned that the Samsung Unbox event, long rumored to unveil the Nexus Prime and Ice Cream Sandwich, had been booted out of CTIA on October the 11th. According to an anonymous source from The Next Web, that event has been moved back to October 27th, possibly set at a London venue. At the time of writing, there is no confirmation from either Samsung or Google.
While no official reason was given for the postponing, speculation is that it’s to give the tech world a little breathing room between the unveiling of the next Android superphone and Apple co-founder Steve Jobs’ untimely death on Wednesday. Doubtless the presentation compares the Nexus Prime (or some new phone, at any rate) and Ice Cream Sandwich to previous versions of Android and the iPhone, and some might see that as disrespectful so soon after Jobs’ passing. Previously, October 27th had been a rumored release date for the new device, but that has likely been pushed back as well. Samsung released a statement that, while not mentioning the specifics, definitely implies that the sad news is the reason for the delay:
The event is not necessarily the same one that’s been postponed – there’s nothing to indicate that it isn’t some other Samsung unveiling except for the time frame. If would-be Nexus Prime owners are discouraged, at least they’ve got plenty of leaks and rumors to ruminate on until the event comes (whenever that is). Between Samsung’s teaser video, unofficial mockups, leaked video of what may be the Prime and its software, not to mention a lot of guessing and finger-pointing as to the actual specifications of the device, the tech world has plenty to digest before Ice Cream Sandwich arrives. When it does, Android Community will be there live with all the blessedly confirmed details. UPDATE: A Google spokeperson confirmed that the delay is to allow more time to pass after the death of Steve Jobs .
[via SlashGear] )
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| Posted: 07 Oct 2011 07:54 AM PDT Ladies, the perfect phone for you has arrived! …or at least that’s what you could be forgiven for assuming HTC and Verizon would like you to think. While the marketing for the HTC Rhyme is carefully silent on the issue of gender, it’s hard to deny that the color scheme, accessories and feature-set are, at least from a corporate perspective, aimed right the fairer sex. But the draw for the mid-range Rhyme lies in those same accessories (unless you’re just dying for a plum-colored smartphone) and the implementation thereof. Does the Rhyme cross the gender divide, or is it just the latest in a long line of pandering "girl phones"? Let’s find out.
Hardware If you’ve ever gotten your hands on a Nexus One, HTC Desire or DROID Incredible, you know what to expect out of the Rhyme. Aside from the ostentatious color (a more muted steel gray is also available) there’s nothing particularly head-turning about the device itself. The 4.68 x 2.39 x .43-inch frame will slip easily into just about any pocket, and with a weight of 4.6 ounces, you might just forget it’s there. The 3.7-inch Super LCD display is fine for those upgrading from a featurephone or smaller Android phone, and while a resolution of 800 x 480 isn’t anything to write home about, anything higher wouldn’t make sense at this size. For anyone with (ahem) smaller hands or who just doesn’t want to enter the realm of 4 and 4.3-inch superphones, the Rhyme is just right. The build quality on the Rhyme is great, exactly what you’d expect from an HTC device in this range. While it doesn’t have the rock-solid frame of the Legend or similar devices, there’s no flexing or creaking, and it feels solid despite its relatively light weight. Aluminum and soft-touch plastic combine throughout the case to make the design feel like a modern phone, even if there’s not anything groundbreaking about it. The finish is top-notch, and dares you to make fun of its plum coloring. The screen is bright and clear, with no visible light or dark patches. It doesn’t hold up particularly well in sunlight, however, and you probably won’t make it through a couple of chapters in A Dance With Dragons in the Kindle app before your eyes begin to strain.
Capacitive navigation buttons and a multi-colored LED status light share the front of the device with the screen. The right edge has only the volume buttons, while the left has a Micro USB port tucked behind a plastic protector. The little door is tricky to open, but doesn’t feel like it’ll break off any time soon. On back of the phone sits the camera, flash, various holes for sound-canceling microphones and speakers, and three electrical contacts for the included dock. The top has the standard power button and 3.5mm headphone jack, while the bottom is completely bare. If you sent the Rhyme back in time two years, people would be lining up around the block to to take home a phone with its specifications. But in fall of 2011, it’s decidedly mid-range: it will do everything you ask it to, but probably won’t keep up with even entry-level Android devices in a year or so. A 1GHz processor is bolstered by 768MB of RAM, plenty of juice for everything but the highest of 3D gaming or video decoding. HTC includes an 8GB SanDisk MicroSD card, and a good thing too, since less than 1GB of the device’s internal memory is available to the user for app storage. The card can be swapped without removing the 1600 mAh battery, probably because the battery isn’t removable. Drat. Software What can I say about HTC Sense that hasn’t been said before? If you must have a manufacturer’s software layer running on top of Android, then Sense is the one to have, and version 3.5 brings some much-appreciated upgrades to the user interface. The quick-access lock screen is a nice touch (I honestly don’t know why Google hasn’t implemented something similar by now) and at just about every part of the OS there’s something pretty or helpful added by HTC. What’s even more promising is that the animations, transparencies and 3D effects run smoothly on the relatively dated hardware, at least until you start a couple dozen apps. HTC’s apps and widgets are mostly functional and only occasionally annoying. Underneath the glossy, shiny homescreen is Android 2.3 Gingerbread, which you should all be familiar with by now.
There’s a surprisingly small amount of bloatware included with the Rhyme. Verizon includes a 5-device mobile hotspot (extra monthly charge required), the My Verizon account manager, and a trio of V CAST apps for music, videos and the oh-so-superfluous Navigation. Amazon Kindle, Google Books, Facebook, Polaris Office, a basic QR scanner and the social exercise tracking service EcoMondo are included (all non-removable, of course). Other than that, it’s your basic Google/HTC loadout – not a trial game in sight! Apps launch quickly and are generally responsive. Little slowdown can be found in the browser or YouTube player, and when I fired up my copy of Reckless Racing, it performed as well as I’ve seen on any phone. The Rhyme didn’t handle processor-intensive Flash video very well, but unfortunately, that’s par for the course on anything but the latest hardware. Switching between apps and the homescreen is quick and painless, but connecting to a dekstop or laptop via the included MicroUSB port was frustratingly slow. During my time with the Rhyme I had zero reboots or crashes, but as with all Android phones, that’s likely to change once dozens of apps start fighting for resources and permissions. Accessories The real star of the show for the Rhyme is the included accessories. Inside the color-matching box you’ll find a customized, matched set of earbuds with an in-line volume rocker, a dock for your desk or nightstand, and the unique Charm device. You also get a standard Micro USB cable and a travel charger, though disappointingly, the charger needs the cable in order to function.
The Charm is HTC’s real differentiator for the Rhyme, so I’ll tackle that first. Its basically an extended LED status light that plugs into the headphone port on the top of the device, then hangs out of a bag or purse to let you know when you’re getting a call or message. It’s an odd little extension: the only time I can see anyone using it is when they’re 1) carrying their phone in their bag and 2) keeping the phone on silent. The Charm is well made, with a cloth cord and a bright flashing light, though unfortunately it’s only got the one color (plum, naturally). What bothers me about the Charm is that it’s not an all-purpose indicator. It flashes when you get calls or texts of course, but apparently it only works with HTC’s applications otherwise. Even new messages on my Gmail account didn’t set the thing off – I guess you’re supposed to use HTC’s mail client. That diminishes the usefullness of the Charm a lot, so much so that I can’t imagine people keeping it plugged into their phones on a regular basis, even as a "purse anchor" as demonstrated in HTC’s promo videos. There’s also the fact that it means you can’t connect any headphones, though you’d hear the updates in that case.
The included headphones are stylish, and match the phone well. The flat, ribbon-style cord means it’s a lot less likely to get tangled in your pocket or a bag – a nice touch. Sound isn’t particularly deep or rich, even to my tin ears, but they’re a lot better than most of the included headphones I’ve been given over the years. The Rhyme is not equipped with Beats drivers as far as I can tell, despite the partnership with HTC. Without a doubt, the nicest included accessory is the dock. If you’ve ever used a Nexus One or a Desire with their manufacturer’s desk or car docks, you know what I’m taking about. Thanks to the electrical contacts on the back of the phone, all you have to do is drop the Rhyme on the dock to begin charging – no plugs required. The phone is held in place with a small magnet. Even better, once you connect the phone it immediately pairs with the Bluetooth-enabled speaker hidden within, immediately becoming a speakerphone/clock radio. Unfortunately, the dock can only charge the device, and it won’t connect to a computer.
The dock itself is nice, if a little flimsy. It’s encased in a soft cloth that’s got a good feel, but the whole thing is very light and moves around too easily. At one point I had to snap the phone tray back into the side of the dock – not a testament to its longevity. On the plus side, the Bluetooth speaker is loud, easily heard from down the hall. Rhyme owners will surely be using the dock as a desktop charger or nightstand accessory, and in that purpose it shines. Phone and Data The Rhyme gets a signal as good or better than my daily driver, also on Verizon, but the call quality lags just slightly behind. When the other party was on a landline things were fine, but when we were both using cell phones there was noticeable audio drop and hiss. Your mileage will vary on call quality, of course. The 3G-only CDMA radio won’t win it any races when it comes to data, but it keeps pace with my beaten-up Droid X on the Speed Test app.
The speaker on the front of the phone is loud enough for just about anybody whose hearing is still mostly there, though the speakerphone on the back is a little too weak for my tastes. Slipped the phone in my shirt pocket while listening to Pandora and doing the dishes, and I had to strain to hear. Camera The 5 megapixel shooter is pretty dated, and won’t stand up to any 8 MP Android phones when it comes to picture and video quality. That said, it’s still better than your average feature phone, and for well-lit snapshots or quick YouTube uploads, it’ll serve. If you’re the video conferencing type, the VGA front-facing camera will work without making you look like an HD movie star. All in all, the best camera is the one you’ve got with you, and if all you need are some Facebook-quality snapshots, the Rhyme will serve.
Battery The Rhyme includes a surprisingly roomy 1600 mAh battery, and it lasted for a day and a half on browsing, light app usage and a few 10 minute+ phone calls. The longevity of the device is surprisingly good, and makes up for the undeniably frustrating fact that you can’t remove and replace the battery yourself. If you’re in the habit of charging your phone up every night and don’t spend hours a day on YouTube or Netflix, it’s unlikely that you’ll exhaust the juice on a regular basis. Cost If the Rhyme included just the phone and a charger, as many do these days, I’d say that there are far better choices for $199 on Verizon. But the included earbuds and especially the dock (and, fine, the Charm as well) make it worthy of a second glance if it’s in your price range. The solid build and acceptable specs may not be worth an extra $100 if you’re looking for a budget phone, but the price is likely to drop sooner rather than later, and if you look around you can find the whole kit and kaboodle for a surprisingly low price. Wrap Up Whatever your gender, if you’re looking for the latest and greatest in mobile hardware, the Rhyme isn’t for you. There’s just too many solid phones on Verizon, and to be honest, women without an OS preference are more likely to go for the new iPhone 4S at the same price.
The included accessories make for an interesting value add – matching earbuds, a dock and a random add-on might cost you a hundred dollars at retail. That being said, I can’t help but wonder how the Rhyme might have fared on its own, as a budget-priced update to the aging Desire hardware. If (like me) you love to dock your phone, or you really are Charmed by the notification gadget, give the Rhyme a good hard look. If not, there’s plenty of other Androids to choose from. Still can’t decide? Have a look at our hands-on unboxing and the gallery below.            Device Info
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Dimension & Weight
Battery & Power
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Cellular Network
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| Samsung Google Galaxy Nexus launch gets pushed Posted: 07 Oct 2011 05:16 AM PDT Things in the tech world can change very quickly. Only a short while ago I was talking about the Samsung Nexus Prime video surfacing and how the phone would be launching next week. Just now Samsung and Google have announced that they have pulled the CTIA Fall product launch that was widely expected to be the official coming out for the Galaxy Nexus Prime.
The official reason for the cancellation is vague. Samsung and Google stated, “Samsung and Google decide to postpone the new product announcement at CTIA Fall. We agree that it is just not the right time to announce a new product. New date and venue will be shortly announced.” With all that has gone on in the tech world this week perhaps the death of Steve Jobs has something to do with the cancellation of the launch. It would be a bit difficult to tout how a new smartphone would be destroying the iPhone 4S is light of the very sad death of Steve Jobs. That is all speculation though; it could just as easily be a sign that the Nexus is not ready for launch. Stay tuned for more updates once the new date is offered. [via SlashGear] )
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| Intellectual Ventures sues Motorola Mobility over Android patents Posted: 07 Oct 2011 04:21 AM PDT Patent suits are never ending in the tech world as companies that can’t clearly dominate the market on the strength of their products alone at times turn to the legal system to try and beat the competitors. One of the most recent suits in the tech world is a new suit against Motorola Mobility that was brought against Motorola by Intellectual Ventures. Interestingly Google is one of the investors in Intellectual Ventures (IV).
That investor status puts Google in the odd spot of being involved in a suit against one of the most popular Android smartphone makers around. IV claims that negotiations with Motorola have broken down and led to the suit. The company states that it will not tolerate the ongoing infringements. Both HTC and Samsung currently license patents from IV that have to do with Android devices. IV holds a vast patent portfolio with 35,000 patents that were acquired by purchasing the IP from other firms and inventors. IV is in fact one of the top five holders of patents in the US. Google has an unknown stake in company with other investors including Microsoft, Intel, Sony, Nokia, Apple, SAP, NVIDIA, and eBay. [via SlashGear] )
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| Retailer pegs HTC Sensation XL for October 24 launch Posted: 07 Oct 2011 04:06 AM PDT If you believed the HTC line that the Sensation XL would be landing in November, there is reason to believe that may not be the launch date today. A UK retailer called Clove has tipped SlashGear that the launch date of the Sensation XL is actually closer than HTC wants us to believe. According to Clove, the smartphone will land in its stores on October 24 unlocked and SIM free.
Clove didn’t tip the price of the smartphone sadly. The Sensation XL is the Beats Audio smartphone that will ship with a set of Beats headphones. The smartphone is music focused, but it sounds like it will be a nice media phone too thanks to the big 4.7-inch screen. The only bit of letdown for the Sensation XL is that its processor is slower than the processor in the current Sensation. Due to the larger screen and slower processor, the thought is the price might be the same as the current Sensation. I would not be surprised to see it cost more since Beats Audio is positioned as a premium brand. The video below is the SlashGear hands on so check it out. [via SlashGear] )
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| Samsung Galaxy Nexus/Nexus Prime spy video surfaces Posted: 07 Oct 2011 03:48 AM PDT Of all the Android smartphones that are coming one of the most interesting of them all is the Nexus Prime or Galaxy Nexus. One of the most interesting things about the coming smartphone is that it is said to run Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich and the official launch of the device is expected for next week. Ahead of that official launch, we have some new spy shots and the smartphone has now turned up on video for us to lust over.
The smartphone has a 4.65-inch screen and some screenshot with the leak do seem to confirm that Android 4.0 is Ice Cream Sandwich. We still aren’t sure what all the specs are, there have been differing rumors there. Initially the rumors pegged the device to have a 1.2GHz dual-core processor and a 5MP camera. A more recent rumor claims the smartphone will pack in the Samsung 1.5GHz processor and a better 8MP camera. Rumors are now back to saying the rear camera is a 5MP unit with the latest leak. At least we will know all the details for sure next week. The same exact screen shots and video have surfaced on two different sites, Gadget.ro and Mobilissimo, so it’s hard to say who the original source for this story is. What we do know is that the launch is expected to happen at CTIA 2011 next week and we will be there so stay tuned.     [via SlashGear] )
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| HP searching for answer to TouchPads that shipped with Android installed Posted: 07 Oct 2011 03:15 AM PDT This is a very strange story. According to PCWorld, some of the last few HP TouchPad tablets that were built apparently arrived to the buyers with Android installed rather than webOS. The TouchPad tablets are supposed to run webOS and apparently only Android was on the tablet according to some users that received the gadgets.
HP has stated that it never authorized the distribution of any form of Android on the TouchPad. HP also claims that it has reviewed the manufacturing process and believes that no TouchPads were shipped with Android on them by mistake. Apparently the developers that reached out to HP about the Android confusion think since the TouchPad shipped with the Android OS, HP is obligated to tell people what version is being used. The devs that approached HP have apparently also contacted Qualcomm since some versions of the OS on the TouchPads flash the QulC logo. An investigation is under way to figure out just how Android ended up on the TouchPads when the users received them. It sounds to me like some sort of hoax, we will have to wait and see how this all pans out. I would bet the bulk of the TouchPads that were sold end up running Android so getting it out of the box with Android installed is a good idea for many buyers. HP’s Phil Robb said:
[via PCWorld] )
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| Sweet 3D game converter for LG Optimus 3D hits download in Europe Posted: 07 Oct 2011 02:45 AM PDT Back in August during IFA 2011, we talked a bit about the 3D game converter that LG was showing off at the show. The game converter is intended to allow the owners of the LG Optimus 3D smartphone to turn all their 2D video games into 3D games on the fly. That will mean that all of your favorite games can now be enjoyed in 3D.
Optimus 3D owners in Europe will be able to get the new converter in the first Maintenance Release (MR) this month. LG notes that over the next few weeks the MR will be rolled out to other countries allowing other owners to get in on the 3D gaming action. The 3D Game Converter from LG is the first software engine that allows the conversion of Open GL-based 2D games to 3D and then back again at any time. LG says that the only requirement for the game engine to work is that the game runs Open GL and uses landscape mode. In the future LG will add more cool features to the Optimus 3D. The features will include a 3D video editor that runs on the device, 2D viewing of 3D videos in single screen mode, Dolby Mobile sound, and automatic 2D video stabilization. The game converter can be installed using WiFi by checking for software updates or via a computer. )
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| Nuance Sweeps Up Swype for $100 Million Posted: 06 Oct 2011 08:20 PM PDT Nuance has just recently acquired Swype for $100 million, the text predictive software activated by swiping from letter to letter. Shipping on practically half the Android devices to hit the market, Swype has certainly made an impression with its vast user-base and amount of followers (me being one of them).
There is no word on Nuance changing the current course of Swype’s future, but one can only think Swype is headed to even more exposure beyond the realm of Android. For a multi-billion dollar voice recognition company, it seems very fit for them to make such a purchase. Text prediction through “shape-writing” is very quick and fluid. When paired with specialized voice-recognition technology, the future only looks better. After viewing the possibilities and capabilities of Apple’s newly introduced “Siri” voice recognition software, Android users are bound to catch up very soon. While speaking to your phone in public may be embarrassing for some, those that do it want it to process right the first time. It is important to take into consideration those of us with heavy accents – and sometimes Android’s stock voice recognition just doesn’t cut it. The ability to learn a person’s voice will play a big part in newer software to come. Hopefully, included within future versions of Swype. [via allthingsD] )
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| Verizon’s HTC Rhyme is $79 at Amazon Wireless Posted: 06 Oct 2011 05:42 PM PDT
The feminine HTC Rhyme is a decent deal at $200, when you consider that it includes a desk dock, matching headphones and the Charm notification light. But at just $79.99 on a new or recurring contract, it’s a steal. Amazon Wireless delivers yet again with a steep discount on a brand new phone.
The Rhyme isn’t the most advanced of Verizon’s offerings right now, but if you’re not swayed by 4-inch screens or dual-core processors, it’s a solid choice. The build quality is typical of HTC high-end phones, and Gingerbread ans Sense 3.5 are responsive on 768Mb of RAM. Electrical contacts built into the back of the phone allow it to rest inside the included dock and automatically connect via Bluetooth for hands-free calls or music. There’s no 4G included, but the hotspot allows you to connect up to five devices to Verizon’s 3G network. To get a better look, head on over to our hands-on video and gallery. Naturally, the $79.99 deal comes with new two-year activation and a required data plan. Amazon is offering free 2-day shipping to sweeten the deal as well. If you want the Rhyme and its included goodies free and clear, it’ll cost you $439 on Verizon’s website or retail store. If you’re still not ready to pull the trigger on a purchase, be sure to check back tomorrow for our in-depth review. Device Info
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[via Phandroid] )
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| Motorola Xoom “Family Edition” hitting retail stores Posted: 06 Oct 2011 05:12 PM PDT This is an odd one, what we have here is a Motorola Xoom Family Edition that has been spotted and opened up for the cameras from what sources are calling a big box electronic store. We aren’t sure where yet but this Family Edition Xoom looks a bit different, and also seems to have all sorts of family and kid-friendly software pre-installed. Go big Moto, go big.
Although 4G LTE for the Motorola Xoom is finally here, I was hoping for something a little faster and thinner for the next Xoom like the recently leaked ones we’ve seen. I’m not sure anyone saw this family edition tablet coming, but it’s here so lets check it out. We don’t know much about this, but according to Engadget it has plenty of pre-installed software for family’s or kids with something called “Kids Mode”.
With Kids mode there are a few games and apps, something called Zoodles, and more. They are saying around $40 dollars of stuff all aimed at Family’s. We don’t know anything regarding a price, release date, or internal specs but most likely it features the same dual-core Tegra 2 as the original Xoom. Judging from the picture above its not exactly the same as the original Xoom, for one the camera looks different but before we start breaking things down hopefully Motorola gives us a little confirmation here. We’ll be digging for more details and will update when we see more. [via Engadget] )
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| US Cellular’s HTC Flyer tablet takes off on October 7th Posted: 06 Oct 2011 04:13 PM PDT Regional carriers are often a little behind the times when it comes to the latest devices, but US Cellular customers usually get a pretty good assortment of new toys to play with. Come October 7th (tomorrow), they can add the HTC Flyer Gingerbread tablet to the list. The 7-inch tablet will cost $399 after a $100 mail-in-rebate at its lowest.
The $399 price requires a two-year contract and at least a $54.99 a month data plan – an expensive proposition for a tablet whose WiFi version is now only $299 at most retailers in the US. HTC dropped the price after competition in the Android tablet world heated up from the Amazon Kindle Fire. The HTC EVO View 4G, the only other version of the Flyer hardware that’s available from a wireless carrier, is $399 without the hassle of a rebate. If you’d like a cheaper data plan, you can purchase the tablet for $599 after rebate on a $15.99/200Mb a month data plan. That’s almost $800 at retail, enough to make the HTC Jetstream sit up and take notice. Still, buyers can console themselves with the fact that the 2.3 Gingerbread tablet will be getting a Honeycomb upgrade soon, though getting it though the wireless carrier is not a certainty. The Flyer comes with 16GB of on-board memory, a 1024 x 600 capacitive touchscreen, a 1.5GHz processor and a respectable 5 megapixel rear camera. Prospective buyers can peruse Android Community’s review. Device Info
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Dimension & Weight
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Cellular Network Device Connectivity
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| Gameloft: Brothers in Arms 2 Global Front FREE “Coming Soon” Posted: 06 Oct 2011 04:12 PM PDT The extremely popular game developers everyone should know plenty about, Gameloft, today has just announced that their number one first person shooter for Android and iOS will soon be free. Brothers in Arms: Global Front will soon be “Global Front Free+” and will be available to everyone on both platforms completely free. Originally $4.99 from Gameloft.com this is one of those games if you haven’t played for mobile, you should.
Gameloft has been busy releasing all sorts of amazing games for mobile and recently has been closely focused on Android. We’ve been seeing deals every few weeks from Gameloft like Labor Day and Back to school deals and more. They are slowly realizing having only a few of their awesome games actually in the official Android Market and the rest being only available at their own online store, deals and free games like this will be a good way to get people excited about their current and future releases. The game I’m most excited about is Modern Combat 3 coming this fall, but for now I’ll be plenty happy playing Brothers in Arms 2 completely free. BIA2: Global Front FREE+ features 8 campaigns across the globe, 5 locations, multiplayer with up to 5 friends. With 3 different vehicles and tons of available weapons this truly is one of the better FPS options available for Android. The graphics might not be as amazing as, say, ShadowGun but the gameplay is pretty stellar and the community and multiplayer alone make this a great deal. Now that they’ll be offering it free there is no reason not to give it a try. The details were revealed earlier today over on Twitter by @GameloftAndroid and for now all we have is the exciting video preview above, and the tweet. No official launch date for the free game has been announced but we should know more soon. )
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| Console sleeper hit No More Heroes coming to Android Posted: 06 Oct 2011 03:47 PM PDT As smartphones get more and more powerful, it’s genuinely amazing the kind of visuals and game play they can pump out. Last week we reviewed SHADOWGUN, this morning it broke that Riptide GP is coming soon, and now we have news of Suda 51′s inventive console game No More Heroes will be getting an Android version. The original will be altered into what the developer calls a “social assassination battle” game. Whatever that means.
No More Heroes was released for the Wii in 2007, from Grasshopper Manufacture, Ubisoft and celebrated video game producer Suda 51. The free-roaming game titled featured a stylized cell-shaded world in which anti-hero Travis Touchdown roamed and fought bosses with his totally-not-a-lightsaber laser sword. No More Heroes was embraced by critics, especially in Japan, and received a sequel and special editions on the Playstation 3 and Xbox 360. No More Heroes for Android is being prepared for Mobage, a popular Japanese gaming service with social elements. The original Japanese publisher Marvelous says that the mobile version of the game will have cooperative and competitive multiplayer features, though details on these and the touchscreen interface were not forthcoming. There’s no mention of an American or European release window, but with Mobage currently making its way onto AT&T phones, some of us might be able to play No More Heroes at some point in the future. The game will also be released on iOS. [via GameDynamo] )
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| Android Developers YouTube Channel Confirms Ice Cream Sandwich Launch Posted: 06 Oct 2011 03:08 PM PDT Well folks, would you look at this. The official Android Developers YouTube channel has now confirmed we will see Android 2.4 (or 4.0) Ice Cream Sandwich detailed at the CTIA Samsung Unpacked event next week. While this isn’t a big surprise seeing it from the official channel makes it even more official. We will be seeing the next Nexus and Ice Cream Sandwich next week, and we’ll be there live to bring you all the details.
The Androiddevelopers channel has been bringing us Android related videos for a while now, and in case you don’t remember — that was where we all got our very first glimpse and tease of Android 3.0 Honeycomb. This is a sure sign that the Nexus and Ice Cream Sandwich will be unveiled in just 4 long days. At least those not there will be able to watch it live right? Sadly we all have another 4 days and 20 something odd hours to wait for the official details — in the mean time check out all these juicy Samsung Nexus rumors. Then check out this amazing render of the new Samsung Nexus Prime we just covered. Doesn’t it look beautiful? I have a feeling that might actually be pretty close to what we see come Tuesday. Either way I’m super excited about this event, who’s with me? )
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| New Nexus Prime mockup is beautifully speculative Posted: 06 Oct 2011 03:04 PM PDT Are you sick of Nexus Prime/Galaxy Nexus leaks and mockups? Well friend, you’re probably on the wrong website. An anonymous Tumblr user extrapolated from the early Nexus Prime render, which was itself taken from the Samsung Unbox Teaser video, to get the beautiful bit of fantasy you see here. While of course this is about as unofficial as you can get, it matches up with both Samsung’s teaser and the supposed first wild photos of Google’s next superphone.
You can see the screen mocked up to look like Ice Cream Sandwich, or at least what we’re guessing it will look like. Note the virtual navigation buttons on the bottom of the Launcher screen, the homescreen’s search and voice control links, and the Honeycomb-inspired color scheme. All in all its a wonderfully well-done render, though I think the hump on the phone’s back is probably going to be on the bottom, not the top. if the real Galaxy Nexus/Nexus Prime looked like this, a lot of Android fans would be happy. There’s a lot of back-and-forth going on over the rumored phone’s “real” specs. The first leak this morning claimed about the same specifications we’ve been hearing for months, but with a disappointing 5 megapixel camera and a rather typical battery capacity. New rumors this afternoon peg the battery at 2050 mAh, larger than pretty much all the smartphones currently on the market, and an 8MP, 1080p back camera. The processor also gets a theoretical bump to 1.5GHz, and the tipster claims that the phone will have a hybrid 4G CDMA/GSM radio ta make it work across all US carriers. A rumor can run around the world before the truth has got its boots on. We can’t wait until Tuesday, when all hearsay will be put to rest at CTIA. )
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