TalkAndroid Daily Dose for June 18, 2013

by Robert Nazarian on
tagged

TalkAndroid_Daily_Dose

With hectic schedules, it can be hard to keep track of everything in your news feed. That’s why we created the TalkAndroid Daily Dose. This is where we recap the day’s hottest stories so you can get yourself up to speed in quick fashion. Happy reading!!

Apps

Dashclock widget updated to version 1.5, includes Daydream support

Carriers

AT&T announces Street Charge mobile charging stations around New York City

Verizon starts countdown, releases augmented reality DROID video

Phones

HTC announces the Desire 200 smartphone: a budget device with Beats Audio

Name of HTC One Mini, 720p HD screen confirmed

LG said to be working on a phone with always on voice commands that will arrive in 2014

» Read the rest

LG said to be working on a phone with always on voice commands that will arrive in 2014

by Jack Holt on
tagged ,

LG_Logo_Large

Voice commands are becoming a staple when it comes to phones and tablets these days. Apple pushed it into the lime light with Siri and Google refined it with Google Now. While some of the features seem to be for novelty sake companies like Samsung and LG are taking a look at using it for navigational purposes. With that being said it appears that LG is working on a phone that will debut some time in 2014 that will feature voice commands at the core of its system.

This functionality will be used to navigate through various system functions. This will help, for example, in the car where handsfree voice navigation is crucial. One function may include zooming in and out of maps, but from what it sounds like voice navigation will work throughout Android itself. That’s about it on the software front. On the hardware side of things the device may sport a Snapdragon 800 processor which should help the software run smoothly.

Other than that there isn’t much to go on. LG hasn’t said anything regarding such a device. Voice navigation seems to be a logical step in a hands free world. How about you folks out there? Does the idea of voice navigation on a system wide level intrigue you?

source: GottaBe Mobile

Shazam – former HTC execs startup Kazam to produce smartphones

by Jeff Causey on
tagged ,

kazam_logo

Last month HTC was purged of many top executives, including Michael Coombes, the former head of U.K. sales for HTC and James Atkins, a U.K. marketing head for HTC. Those two have resurfaced only weeks later with the announcement that they are launching Kazam, a new smartphone manufacturer. Coombes will be CEO for the new company and Atkins will serve as chief marketing officer. According to the two, Kazam will be about “stunning design, robust hardware, and intuitive technology, underpinned with improved customer service.”

The move is certainly a bold one at a time when we see companies like HTC, Sony and LG struggling against the twin behemoths Apple and Samsung. Considering the trouble established companies are having, it is hard to imagine a startup becoming successful. Kazam will have the challenge of both sourcing parts for the devices it plans to produce and striking deals to get connected with carriers willing to offer their devices. One glimmer of hope is the fact that the company plans to focus on the European market where unlocked devices are more popular. Kazam also promises to differentiate itself by offering support after a sale is made, although it is unclear what that means. Perhaps there will be more of a focus on keeping devices up to the most recent version of Android, assuming that is the operating system chosen for their smartphones.

source: CNET

AT&T to offer Galaxy Note 8.0 on June 21st, available for $399 or $199 with purchase of Galaxy S 4

by Jared Peters on
tagged , , ,

samsung_galaxy_note_8_video

Have you been eyeing the Galaxy Note 8.0 and the Galaxy S 4 but can’t decide which one you want to pick up? AT&T might just have a solution for you. AT&T will begin carrying the 4G-enabled version of the Note 8.0 on June 21st for $399, but if you purchase a Galaxy S 4 with it, you can snag the tablet for just $199. (That deal also applies to the Galaxy S 4 Active and the Galaxy Note 2) You’ll have to sign two year contracts for the devices, obviously, but it’s still a pretty nice deal if you were wanting to pick up both devices. If you would rather just buy the tablet, you can get one for $399.

You’ll be able to get in on the deal starting June 21st both online and in-store. Anybody thinking of picking one of these devices up?

source: AT&T

Samsung will be streaming their Galaxy & ATIV event live via YouTube

by James Gray on
tagged , , ,

 

samsung-streamingFor those of us not invited to Samsung’s Galaxy & ATIV event in London on June 20th, Samsung will be streaming it live at youtube.com/SamsungMobile. The event will start at 7 p.m. British time, or 2 p.m. EST.

Not much is known about the event, but its safe to assume Samsung will be showing off the new variants of their flagship S 4 (the Mini, Mega, Activ and Zoom) as well as a possible look at one of the two rumored camera’s Samsung will be introducing to their Galaxy line.

For those interested, tune in to the event on their YouTube page and let us know below what you want to see from Samsung on the 20th. I for one am hoping for an announcement regarding the Galaxy NX Camera and am excited to see what else Samsung has up their sleeve.

Facebook co-founder Mark Zuckerberg travels to S. Korea to pitch next Facebook phone to executives

by James Gray on
tagged , , ,

»ï¼ºÀüÀÚ ¹æ¹®ÇÑ ÀúÄ¿¹ö±×

Facebook co-founder Mark Zuckerberg recently visited South Korea to meet with top executives from Samsung’s mobile division, reportedly asking Samsung to launch a phone with a Facebook interface. This would be the next step in Facebook’s quest to be the next Google, following HTC’s disappointing HTC First, a mid-range Android-powered Facebook phone that has apparently only sold around 10,000 units. Between those sales numbers and Samsung’s extremely close ties with Google, a Samsung/Facebook collaboration is highly unlikely.

The HTC First was the most recent attempt from HTC to provide a Facebook-oriented smartphone, previously launching the poorly received HTC Salsa and HTC Status in 2011. The First introduced the Facebook Home launcher, a disappointing attempt at a launcher replacement with a built-in news feed and not much else. AT&T dropped the unit due to its lackluster sales and lukewarm reception.

Samsung has yet to comment on the proposal, though its safe to assume they will not be manufacturing the next Facebook phone. Let us know in the comments section if you think another Facebook phone would be a welcome addition or if past attempts are proof enough that a Facebook phone just isn’t meant to be.

Via: Phone Arena
Source: Korea Herald

 

TalkAndroid Daily Dose for June 17, 2013

by Robert Nazarian on
tagged

TalkAndroid_Daily_Dose

With hectic schedules, it can be hard to keep track of everything in your news feed. That’s why we created the TalkAndroid Daily Dose. This is where we recap the day’s hottest stories so you can get yourself up to speed in quick fashion. Happy reading!!

Apps

New MPme Radio app promises to find the perfect radio station for you

SmugMug releases native Android app to Google Play Store

Video sharing on Instagram could debut on June 20th

Carriers

Sprint expands 4G LTE coverage to 22 new cities including Miami

» Read the rest

Finding a Chromebook just got easier with expansion of retail availability

by Jeff Causey on
tagged , ,

google_chromebook_stack

Google revealed on their official blog today that they have reached agreement with several retailers to start carrying Chromebooks on their retail shelves. The devices have been available at Best Buy locations and through Amazon.com. Probably the biggest outlet added to the list is Walmart, which will carry a $199 Acer version of the Chromebook in 2,800 locations throughout the U.S. » Read the rest

Blurry photo of Sony i1 Honami cameraphone leaks, specs included

by Harrison Kaminsky on
tagged ,

honami-1

Sony will be competing with the Samsung Galaxy S 4 Zoom and the Nokia EOS in the fall when it releases its own cameraphone, the i1 Honami. The device will come with a Cybershot-quality camera and a full HD display.

If the specs that have been leaked so far are legitimate, then this phone could be an absolute beast. It is expected to be the first true “One Sony” device, made with the strategy of converging the best Sony has to offer in its mobile gear. Salivate after the break. » Read the rest

More, more, more! Insiders predict upcoming 6-inch phones will feature 2,560 x 1,600 pixels for 2014

by Roy Alugbue on
tagged , ,

Samsung Galaxy Note III

 

Just as consumers are now starting to enjoy 1080p displays on current high-end smartphones out there, it appears that phones with even better displays are on the way for 2014. According to various insider sources, the general public will see more premium phablet devices utilizing 6-inch displays with a WQXGA resolution. In other words, it will be common to see devices utilizing a 6-inch screen sizes will feature a resolution of 2,560 x 1600. Moreover, the displays will feature a pixel density of an unheard of 500ppi (or greater), placing the displays head and shoulders above what is currently out at this time, including Apple’s Retina Display technology. What this means is that consumers can expect to see even clearer texts, deeper colors and richer content overall on select phablet devices.

Of course it is already fairly difficult for the human eye to discern most 720p displays to the average 1080p display now, so it is unsure whether consumers will be able to tell the difference between a 1080p display to a 1600p display. Still– who wouldn’t want a 2,560 x 1,600 display that’s found on say, a Nexus 10 tablet on upcoming flagship smartphones, right?

source: ET News
via: Phone Arena