TalkAndroid Daily Dose for May 14, 2013

by Robert Nazarian on May 15th 2013, 12:31am
tagged Daily Doses

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

Blackberry Messenger officially coming to Android devices this summer!

BlackBerry Enterprise Service 10.1 launches with full Android support

Pinterest app for Android receives update

Time Warner Cable’s TWC TV app updated to allow streaming away from home

Google

Google announces Gladstone, Missouri will be receiving Google Fiber

Google Glass

MedRef aims to help the medical field better, oh and it brings facial recognition to Google Glass in the process

Google I/O

[Rumor] Galaxy S 4 “Google Edition” to be debuted tomorrow at I/O 2013

» Read the rest

TalkAndroid Weekly Recap for May 6 – May 12, 2013

by Robert Nazarian on May 12th 2013, 5:19pm
tagged Weekly Recaps

We had another busy week at TalkAndroid so here’s a recap of all the top stories. Google I/O is next week and we have the full scoop on the new and improved Nexus 7. Rumors say the Motorola X phone is scrapped for the time being, but a recent FCC filing seems to indicate it might actually be sooner rather than later. We weren’t expecting to see it announced next week, but could we get a surprise? Google Babel is expected to be unveiled under the “Hangouts” name, and recent developments support that Google will unveil an updated Nexus 4 with LTE. Lastly, Google will unveil cloud sync gaming with Play Games. There were a lot of new apps, including a couple of reviews as well. It’s time to get caught up and get ready for another exciting week.

Guides

How to remove apps from the Google Play Store ‘My Apps’ list

How to make a Drama Shot or Sequence Shot on the HTC One

Reviews

Boulder Dash XL [Brain & Puzzle]

» Read the rest

ITV Player updated, now exclusive for Samsung users through August 31st

by Aditya Thawardas on May 9th 2013, 1:59pm
tagged itv player, Samsung, streaming

ITV has refreshed their Android app, but for now, only Samsung device users in the UK can enjoy. The UK television network announced that until August 31, their updated ITV Player app will be available exclusively to Samsung users “for an initial period while we endeavor to optimize and improve the experience before releasing to other device manufacturers.”

The updated app features landscape navigation support, improved playback, 3G/4G streaming, and support for older devices. Right now the app is dominated with 1-star reviews in the Play Store, so hopefully for ITV users this update is a big improvement.

The download link and press release can be found after the break. » Read the rest

TalkAndroid Weekly Recap for April 29 – May 5, 2013

by Robert Nazarian on May 5th 2013, 10:11am
tagged Weekly Recaps

We had another busy week at TalkAndroid so here’s a recap of all the top stories. We finally published our review of the Galaxy S 4, and although the bootloader is locked on many variants, a solution is eminent. Probably the biggest story that didn’t get that much attention was the fact that the Samsung Galaxy S 4 was approved by the U.S. Department of Defense based on Samsung’s security suite called KNOX. This is only going to strengthen Samsung’s mobile market share dominance. Google Glass news was a plenty, and we saw what appears to be a real leak of the Motorola XFON. Lastly, will Paranoid Android be the ROM of choice with their new Halo notifications? It’s time to get caught up and get ready for another exciting week.

Guides

Best Android camera apps [April 2013]

How to use S Translator and the Optical Reader on the Samsung Galaxy S 4

Reviews

Samsung Galaxy S 4 Review: The smartest smartphone ever

Live Pixels [Live Wallpaper]

Dinamotxt [Communication]

» Read the rest

Controlling you smartphone or tablet with your brain could be a reality thanks to Samsung and the University of Texas

by Robert Nazarian on Apr 22nd 2013, 8:35am
tagged brainwaves, Samsung

Using your brain to control a smartphone or tablet is something that could be a reality thanks to Samsung and the University of Texas. Instead of tapping on the display, you could use your thoughts to open an application, select a song to play, or select a contact. They are already demonstrating this on the Galaxy Note 10.1, but users need to wear a wild looking cap filled with EEG Electrodes.

Now don’t expect to see this type of technology anytime soon, but this isn’t anything new. I saw something very similar at CES using similar technology from Puzzlebox. They utilize the same technology from NeuroSky to show how concentration can keep a remote control helicopter in the air. A tablet was also used, but only as a way of displaying the levels of concentration. You can watch that video after the break.

» Read the rest

U.S. Cellular opens Samsung Galaxy S 4 pre-orders, offers S View flip cover deal

by Jeff Causey on Apr 17th 2013, 12:12pm
tagged galaxy s 4, Galaxy S IV, Samsung, us cellular

With some carriers already taking pre-orders for the Samsung Galaxy S 4, and Samsung officially announcing product availability later this month, U.S. Cellular has joined the fray competing for buyers today by opening their own pre-order page. U.S. Cellular is offering the 16GB version of the smartphone for $199 with a new 2-year contract. To help draw customers in, U.S. Cellular is throwing in a free S View flip cover for anyone who pre-orders online. The cover is normally a $59.99 item. You can read their full press release after the break. » Read the rest

TalkAndroid Weekly Recap for April 8 – April 14, 2013

by Robert Nazarian on Apr 14th 2013, 10:15am
tagged Weekly Recaps

We had another busy week at TalkAndroid so here’s a recap of all the top stories. The big news of the week had to be the launch of Facebook Home. Initially it’s only available on select devices, but unofficially it’s available to everyone thanks to patched APKs. Samsung officially announced the mid-level Galaxy Mega that puts big displays into budget-conscious pockets. We reviewed some cool apps too, and is that the DROID Bionic getting Jelly Bean? It’s time to get caught up and get ready for another exciting week.

Reviews

MMGuardian Parental Control [Tools]

Advanced Mobile Care [Tools]

Ice Rage [Sports]

Accessories

Nexus 10 flip covers now available in the Google Play Store

Apps – New

Facebook Home Now Live in Google Play

Facebook Home now available for everyone with patched APK

New redesigned Google Play Store (version 4.0.25) now available to download

» Read the rest

Samsung Galaxy Note 8.0 coming to U.S. on April 11

by Jeff Causey on Apr 9th 2013, 1:05pm
tagged Galaxy Note 8.0, Samsung, U.S. release

Last week the Samsung Galaxy Note 8.0 went on sale in the U.K. Fans of the Galaxy Note devices in the U.S. will be glad to know the WiFi only version of Samsung’s latest tablet will be available on Thursday, April 11th at major retailers like Amazon, Best Buy, h.h. gregg, Newegg, P.C. Richard & Son, Staples and TigerDirect.com. The Galaxy Note 8.0 will be Samsung’s first device with their Samsung WatchON software that is supposed to make it easier to channel surf both live TV and streaming video sources. The Galaxy Note 8.0 also comes with a built-in IR blaster, meaning the tablet can be used as a remote control.

Similar to the U.K. deals, Samsung is throwing in some extras for initial buyers of the device. Pick one up for $399.99 and you can get access to 50GB of DropBox storage for 2 years, a free month of unlimited music streaming in Samsung’s Music Hub, and for a limited time buyers will receive a $25 Google Play credit when they register their device.

Check out our hands on video of the Galaxy Note 8.0 from this year’s Mobile World Congress and the full press release after the break. » Read the rest

TalkAndroid Weekly Recap for March 25 – March 31, 2013

by Robert Nazarian on Mar 30th 2013, 10:18pm
tagged Weekly Recaps

We had another busy week at TalkAndroid so here’s a recap of all the top stories. The HTC One and the Samsung Galaxy S 4 continue to dominate the news, but things are starting to heat up regarding the Motorola X phone as well. Google made a few updates to their apps, and word is that they are working on an all-in-one messaging system too. It’s time to get caught up and get ready for another exciting week.