Wednesday, February 27, 2013

Coming this summer: Plummeting phablet prices



Phablet Prices Plummet
Samsung (005930) stared down an army of critics when it launched the Galaxy Note in 2011. The 5.3-inch screen was viewed with deep suspicion by many industry experts. By August 2012, Samsung had sold 10 million units. Now the handset industry is set to face the onslaught of an armada of copycats. Huawei's Ascend P2. ZTE's Grand Memo. UMI's X2. HTC's (2498) One. Sony's (SNE) Xperia ZL. And on and on. These smartphones all have display sizes ranging from 4.7 inches to 5.7 inches, and most of them are fairly close copies of the Note concept.



Continue reading... [From Coming this summer: Plummeting phablet prices]

Adobe Photoshop Touch: No longer just for tablets


Adobe Photoshop Touch



Adobe has taken their excellent Photoshop Touch application for tablets, and shrunk things down to fit on the smaller screen. Available as a separate download -- with it's own $4.99 price tag -- The app offers the same great features the tablet edition does, which are essentially the core features of the desktop version. The app includes the ability to work with layers, filters, and brushes all bundled into an intuitive, gesture-based interface. In addition, the application is integrated with Adobe Creative Cloud, giving users 2GB of free storage to sync projects between the tablet app, the phone app, and the desktop.



I use the tablet version of Photoshop Touch frequently, transferring images taken with my phone to Dropbox, then importing them into my tablet. The app is really well done, and takes mobile image editing to the next level. I'm not sure how well this will translate to my phone -- I'm currently using the Nexus 4 -- but folks with a Note 2 or even the original Note have another great use for the S Pen. You can find Adobe's press release after the break, and the download link from Google Play above.



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[From Adobe Photoshop Touch: No longer just for tablets]

Samsung Galaxy S4 rumored to use multiple processor types


Samsung Galaxy S4 rumored to use multiple processor types

SGS4 event

We're just a few weeks away from knowing for sure, but news from Taiwan today suggests that Samsung will be using multiple types of processors for the different Galaxy S4 variants worldwide. According to the Taipei Times, investor group JP Morgan said in a note to clients

Similar to its previous Galaxy S3, Samsung is expected to adopt multiple solutions for the application processors and baseband chips in its new Galaxy S4, which will be unveiled in New York on March 14

In addition, the brokerage firm says the US versions of the S4 will use Qualcomm's Snapdragon 600, while the rest of the world uses Samsung's own octa-core Exynos 5.

If this is the case, we have to wonder if global units will have full LTE support. It stands to reason that Qualcomm's new gear will support LTE as well as their current offerings do, so maybe Samsung wants to provide the best experience possible while they work on LTE support in-house.

Right now, everything is just a rumor. We'll know more on March 14.

Source: Taipei Times




Original Page: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/androidcentral/~3/zuv5epr1QQg/story01.htm






Tuesday, February 26, 2013

ASUS Padfone 2 launching in the UK on March 1


Android Central



Way back in October last year we first heard word that ASUS planned to bring the Padfone 2 to the UK in early 2013. It's now early 2013 and true to their word ASUS is indeed bringing the Padfone 2 to the UK on March 1 for £599.



For some it may seem an anti-climax given the recent unveiling of the Padfone Infinity at MWC. But, the Padfone 2 is still an impressive device packing a Snapdragon S4 Pro, 2GB of RAM, a 13MP camera and a HD Super IPS+ display. It isn't quite the powerhouse the new Padfone Infinity is, but the hardware specs are still impressive. And of course, the Padfone 2 will be around £200 cheaper than the Infinity.



Both white and black versions will be available, and several big name retailers will be picking it up including Amazon and Carphone Warehouse. The full press release can be found after the break.



read more















[From ASUS Padfone 2 launching in the UK on March 1]


Hands-on with the Samsung Galaxy Grand


Galaxy Grand.



With devices like the Galaxy S3 and Galaxy Note, Samsung has been an integral part of the push towards bigger screens on smartphones. But traditionally these larger, higher-resolution devices have been aimed towards the high-end, carrying expectedly high-tier price tags. Today at Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, we saw a device that aims to defy that convention.



Android Central at Mobile World CongressThe Galaxy Grand is a mid-range smartphone with high-end ambitions. Its 5-inch screen and Galaxy Note-like aesthetic give it the appearance of a premium handset, though like most Samsung smartphones it#8217s bright, white shiny and plasticky. There#8217s no #8216S-Pen#8217 stylus to be found, but aside from that the Grand offers a fairly complete Samsung software experience. You#8217re getting the latest version of the company#8217s TouchWiz UI, which runs on top of Android 4.1.2 Jelly Bean. The software package even includes newer additions like multi-window support -- Samsung#8217s method for running more than one app on-screen at a time.



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[From Hands-on with the Samsung Galaxy Grand]

Monday, February 25, 2013

Caterpillar CAT B15 smartphone offers a taste of rugged Jelly Bean


Caterpillar CAT B15 smartphone offers a taste of rugged Jelly Bean



We've seen our fair share of rugged smartphones, but there's a certain amount of attention due when a heavy equipment builder like Caterpillar gets involved. Its newest smartphone, the CAT B15, undoubtedly has the survivability you'd expect from a company that makes bulldozers: the aluminum-and-rubber shell can survive 5.9-foot drops on to hard concrete, stay immersed in 3.3 feet of water for half an hour and keep working in temperatures between -4F to 122F. Just don't expect top-flight performance elsewhere. While we're big fans of the CAT B15 shipping with Jelly Bean, its 4-inch WVGA screen, dual-core 1GHz Cortex-A9 chip, 512MB of RAM and 5-megapixel camera won't have many of us giving up our faster, more fragile devices. The phone's £299 and €329 European prices (about $437) could still lead to the more accident-prone among us picking up a CAT B15 when it ships in March.



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Source: T3

[From Caterpillar CAT B15 smartphone offers a taste of rugged Jelly Bean]

General Dynamics locks down Android, demos ultra-secure LG Optimus 3D Max


GD Protected suite locks down Android, demos ultrasecure LG Optimus 3D Max



General Dynamics doesn't exactly make the sexiest gear in the world. But, it sure has this secure gadget thing on lockdown. The NSA contractor is moving to ensure that Android is as snoop proof as can be with its new GD Protected software. The heart of the system is a sandboxed virtual instance of Android that delivers the sort of security features demanded by governments and the military (and some particularly paranoid businesses). That isolated OS runs alongside a standard Android install that you can use for personal purposes, while keeping your sensitive data on the secure side -- not unlike BlackBerry Balance. There's two layers of encryption separating the virtual install from the standard one, along with hardware security provided by Fixmo. The company has worked with LG, the DoD and the USMC to build a customized version of the Optimus 3D Max to showcase how the software works. The device even has a dedicated button that lets you quickly and seamlessly switch between the personal and secure personas, indicated by green and red borders, respectively. If you're not really keen on equipping your foot soldiers with last year's mediocre LG handset (and have no need for super secure stereoscopic snapshots) then you'll probably be happy to hear that General Dynamics will be bringing GD Protected to the Galaxy S III as well. The platform has been integrated into Samsung's own security solution, dubbed KNOX, and will be available sometime in Q2 of this year. For a few more details, check out the video demo and PR after the break.



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[From General Dynamics locks down Android, demos ultra-secure LG Optimus 3D Max]


BlackBerry to review rejected ‘Built for BlackBerry’ apps, allow develop appeals after complaints


BlackBerry has initiated a review of apps that were mistakenly rejected from its ‘Built for BlackBerry’ certification program after its head of developer relations responded to complaints and looked into the issue personally.

Alongside ‘Port-Athons‘ and its $10k Developer Commitment, the Built for BlackBerry initiative has been a key focus as the Canadian mobile maker aims to revitalize its brand with a strong content push. Learning from the fact that past devices have been criticized for a lack of quality apps, BlackBerry introduced the program to certify the best apps available for BlackBerry 10 to help developers and their creations compete for attention among users.



However, there has been controversy and “a great deal of contention… around the qualification process”, head of developer relations Alex Saunders writes in a blog post.



Saunders explains that BlackBerry has “seen feedback that many well-built, well designed apps are not qualifying for our Built for BlackBerry program”, in particular, feedback has suggested that a number of apps have been rejected after being mistakenly categorized as ‘single function’.



Given that the program showcases the best apps for BlackBerry, such simple, single function apps are not eligible for it, but it seems that reviewers have been hasty in categorizing some apps as being limited.



“I’ve looked at many of the apps, and I’ve seen that some of the apps that have been rejected have greater utility than the reviewer initially thought,” Saunders says, going to to explain that any app that apps which failed solely on being single function, will be re-assessed.



The changes will also see an appeals process instituted, allowing developers to respond to rejections with a message that will be sent to senior BlackBerry reviewers.



In addition, BlackBerry is improving dialogue with developers that have apps rejected, and it will be providing greater clarity of explanation behind the decisions. Although Saunders admits that this is a tricky position as, while BlackBerry wants to ensure quality, “one trap we don’t want to fall into is designing apps for our developers.”



Finally, the company will publish case studies to help demonstrate the kinds of apps and developers that can benefit from the program.



The 10k Developer Commitment — which sees BlackBerry guarantee all Build for BlackBerry apps will make $10,000 in annual revenue — begins on March 4, and the company says that those apps which are late to being approved due to this snafu will have their revenue retroactively tracked back to this date.



The honesty with which Saunders writes is refreshing. In an age when developers often feel isolated by Apple and Google, BlackBerry is pushing hard to be more collaborative and transparent. While that may help win developers’ trust to a point, ultimately the success of its BlackBerry 10 devices is key to capturing attention and encouraging more content on the platform.

BlackBerry 10 launched on January 30 with more than 70,000 apps in the BlackBerry World app store, although a sizable number lack native integration since they were ported from iOS and Android. The Port-Athon events forced the company to extend the deadlines for the program it received more than 34,000 app submissions across two weekend-long events. [From BlackBerry to review rejected ‘Built for BlackBerry’ apps, allow develop appeals after complaints]


Sunday, February 24, 2013

Instashare is like AirDrop for iOS, launches on the iPad to make local file sharing painless


instashare 520x245 Instashare is like AirDrop for iOS, launches on the iPad to make local file sharing painless


Instashare, a new app which lets you transfer files between your Mac and iPhone, has gained ground lately as an easy tool for moving photos, PDFs, etc across iDevices. Now, iPad owners are in luck: Instashare is expanding to Apple’s tablets to provide what creators TwoManShow call “AirDrop for iOS & OSX.”



If you often find yourself emailing photos between your phone and laptop, you’ll know sharing files across devices can be annoyingly difficult. It’s a pain point that shouldn’t exist, but, because Apple hasn’t expanded products like AirDrop to iOS, we’re left searching for alternative solutions.



See Instashare in action in the promo video below:



For Android and Windows users, TwoManShow has detailed that support for different systems is “coming soon,” but at the moment, there’s no word as to which operating systems will get attention first.



Both the iOS and Mac versions of Instashare are free, but the iOS apps have ads which you can get rid of for $0.99. Check it out via the link below.



➤ Instashare for iOS and Mac



Disclosure: This article contains an affiliate link. While we only ever write about products we think deserve to be on the pages of our site, The Next Web may earn a small commission if you click through and buy the product in question. For more information, please see our Terms of Service.

[From Instashare is like AirDrop for iOS, launches on the iPad to make local file sharing painless]



Instashare is like AirDrop for iOS, launches on the iPad to make local file sharing painless


instashare 520x245 Instashare is like AirDrop for iOS, launches on the iPad to make local file sharing painless


Instashare, a new app which lets you transfer files between your Mac and iPhone, has gained ground lately as an easy tool for moving photos, PDFs, etc across iDevices. Now, iPad owners are in luck: Instashare is expanding to Apple’s tablets to provide what creators TwoManShow call “AirDrop for iOS & OSX.”



If you often find yourself emailing photos between your phone and laptop, you’ll know sharing files across devices can be annoyingly difficult. It’s a pain point that shouldn’t exist, but, because Apple hasn’t expanded products like AirDrop to iOS, we’re left searching for alternative solutions.



See Instashare in action in the promo video below:



For Android and Windows users, TwoManShow has detailed that support for different systems is “coming soon,” but at the moment, there’s no word as to which operating systems will get attention first.



Both the iOS and Mac versions of Instashare are free, but the iOS apps have ads which you can get rid of for $0.99. Check it out via the link below.



➤ Instashare for iOS and Mac



Disclosure: This article contains an affiliate link. While we only ever write about products we think deserve to be on the pages of our site, The Next Web may earn a small commission if you click through and buy the product in question. For more information, please see our Terms of Service.

[From Instashare is like AirDrop for iOS, launches on the iPad to make local file sharing painless]


Saturday, February 23, 2013

Nokia Lumia 520 and 720 leaked ahead of official announcement


Nokia Lumia 520

Mobile World Congress will kick-off on Monday and two of the upcoming Nokia devices have been leaked before being officially announced. We#8217ve already told you about the Lumia 520 and 720 and now we#8217re glad to show you how they#8217ll look like. The image above shows the former (Lumia 520), while the latter (Lumia 720) is pictured below.



Again, these two are not high-end smartphones and will rather appeal to the mass market users, including folks buying their very first smartphone. Both run Windows Phone 8 and in typical Nokia fashion, both will be available in multiple color options.



As far as I can tell, the Lumia 520 is a more interesting phone as it can help the Finnish company increase its market share in the emerging markets of the world. The Lumia 720, on the other hand, is a successor to the Lumia 710 and I would call it a #8220classic mid-ranger.#8221 We#8217ll make sure to spend some quality hands-on time with both devices when we#8217ll get back to you with additional information. Stay tuned#8230



Nokia Lumia 720



[Via: evleaks1, evleaks2]



Nokia Lumia 520 and 720 leaked ahead of official announcement originally appeared on IntoMobile.com on 2013-02-23T17:14:33Z. FV1gMYsz9b5j

[From Nokia Lumia 520 and 720 leaked ahead of official announcement]

Thursday, February 21, 2013

HTC adds IR control functions to OpenSense SDK


HTC One



HTC has just added a new API to its OpenSense SDK to help developers take advantage of the IR hardware on the HTC One. Because the device has an IR emitter -- which cleverly placed in the power button -- HTC is hoping that developers will be able to take advantage of it and offer new apps above and beyond the bundled Sense TV. The new API, which is available upon request, will let the One be programmed in the same way a universal remote can. HTC envisions that developers could build apps to have the One control TVs, printers, cameras and any other device that relies on IR for control.



Developers will have to contact HTC directly and apply for more information on the API, so it's clear that HTC is going to try and build partnerships to make compelling apps out of the gate. That little hurdle aside, it's important that a wider range of developers will have access to the hardware features at this level.



Source: HTC















[From HTC adds IR control functions to OpenSense SDK]

Wednesday, February 13, 2013

Apple eases up on 3-device limit for employee friends and family buys


Apple logo

Apple for whatever reason has decided to lift its 3-device limitation for employees looking to buy friends and family products. The reason for this could be due to inventory levels finally normalizing, or maybe the tech giant is feeling a little generous this time of year.



Now, don’t get it twisted, reasonable limits on EPP 15 percent discount program purchases are still in place. What does this mean, you ask? Well, according to people at Apple who noticed the policy change:




Use your discretion when determining “reasonable quantities” purchases for friends and family. There isn’t a specific number limit — it’s a judgment call. For example, buying iPod devices as gifts for your nieces and nephews at a 15 percent discount is fine. However, advertising a 15 percent discount on Apple products for all of your Facebook friends is not. If you have questions about what is considered reasonable, contact your HR representative.




It’s good to see Apple relax on this policy a bit. Unfortunately, anyone who works at Apple may start to get a lot of calls from people they haven’t heard from in a while. You know people go to extreme lengths to get a discount. Regardless, it is beneficial for Apple to make it easier for people to buy its products.



[via iMore]



Apple eases up on 3-device limit for employee friends and family buys originally appeared on IntoMobile.com on 2013-02-14T01:19:41Z. FV1gMYsz9b5j

[From Apple eases up on 3-device limit for employee friends and family buys]