TalkAndroid Daily Dose for May 20, 2013

by Robert Nazarian on
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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!!

Guides

How to disable annoying Android notifications

Apps

Samsung’s annual Smart App Challenge has arrived, will focus on Chord SDK

Google+ Android app update includes photo enhancement and auto-backup features

Google Hangouts to seamlessly integrate Google Voice in the future

» Read the rest

Google Hangouts to seamlessly integrate Google Voice in the future

by Aditya Thawardas on
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google_hangoutsSince Google Hangouts was released last week, users haven’t been too happy with the lack of SMS and Google Voice integration. Google has already told us that SMS messaging will be included in the near future, and today a Google member is assuring us that Voice will also be a part of future versions. Nikhyl Singhal, product manager for real time communications at Google, went so far to say on his Google+ profile that Hangouts is “designed to be the future of Google Voice” and that future versions of Hangouts will integrate Google Voice more seamlessly.

In addition, the recent Gmail update that added Hangouts disabled Google Voice outbound calling. On his Google+ account, Singhal added that “outbound/inbound calls will soon be available.” It’s great to see that Google will continue working to add and restore features to their new client that users want, but with Google, it’s hard to expect anything less.

Source: +Nikhyl Singhal

Google+ Android app update includes photo enhancement and auto-backup features

by Aditya Thawardas on
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google_plus_photosThe Google+ Photos enhancements that were announced last week were already available on the web, and they have now been added to the Android app as well.

Auto-backup is added in the update to automatically backup user’s photos taken on their phone to the cloud, of course with permission. Snapseed features are also included. Users can use tweaks like cropping, rotating, and exposure adjustments, as well as the popular filters Snapseed offers. Google’s own “Auto-awesome” feature which was demonstrated at the I/O is also available in the app after the update. Searching for the best photos is also improved in the update, using the new “highlights” feature which allows Google to pick and display the best photos from an album on the main page of that album.

Among the other features the update offers are improved location sharing and automatic related hashtags. You can download the updated app through the link after the break. » Read the rest

How to disable annoying Android notifications

by Aditya Thawardas on
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annoying_notificationSometimes, an app annoyingly doesn’t allow you to disable its notifications in the app’s settings. Sometimes, an app even gives advertisements through the notifications, which is even more annoying. If you have Jelly Bean 4.1 or higher, you can fortunately disable almost any app’s notifications straight from the device settings. After the break are instructions on how you can get rid of the pesky alerts.  » Read the rest

T-Mobile set to introduce the Galaxy S III LTE June 5th, Galaxy Exhibit smartphone on May 29th

by Roy Alugbue on
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In an effort to keep its devices up-to-date and current, it appears that T-Mobile has a few new bad boys the way for its customers. First off the bat, the gang at TmoNews got some information on the imminent Galaxy S III LTE variant that is on the way. According to the leak, T-Mo plans on updating its Galaxy S III supplies with the LTE variant and plans on unveiling the device to its customers on June 5th. Of course we new that this special version of the device was in the works for some time now, but hey— the release is better late than never, right?  » Read the rest

Samsung WatchOn app update hints at the Galaxy S 4 Mega, Mini, and Active

by Aditya Thawardas on
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For some time now, rumors have been going around that Samsung will release different versions of the Galaxy S 4, including the S4 Mini and a rugged version, reportedly called the S4 Active (previously the Activ). A recent update to the Samsung WatchON app further supports the rumors.

The recent 5.4 update to Samsung WatchON includes the following text in the changelog: “Added support for upcoming S4 Mega, S4 mini and S4 Active.” We hadn’t heard about the Galaxy S4 Mega yet, but it doesn’t take a genius to suggest that it will be what its name suggests — a bigger version of the S4. Another possibility is that Samsung made a typo and they instead meant the Galaxy Mega, which is in fact supposed to come with WatchOn.

Considering this is an app developed and released by Samsung, I think this provides enough evidence to think that these phones will be arriving in the near future. Just when? Here are the release dates that were leaked earlier this month.

Source: Android Central

Retailer Adorama lists Samsung Galaxy Tab 3 7.0 for $199

by Jeff Causey on
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Although Samsung has not announced official pricing for the upcoming line of Samsung Galaxy Tab 3 devices, one retailer has already listed the 7-inch version on their web site for $199.99. Adorama added an 8GB version of the Galaxy Tab 3 in white to their shopping cart system, indicating buyers won’t be charged until the item is shipped. However, they do not give any indication as to an expected shipping date. Considering the low price point, this is most likely the WiFi only version which Samsung indicated would be available starting in May. A 3G capable version is expected in June.

Some people are expecting Samsung to set price points for the Galaxy Tab 3 devices at increments of $100 as you move up in size from 7-inch to 8-inch to 10-inch. If true, that would put the Galaxy Tab 3 10.1 at $399 for a base model.

source: SamMobile

HTC Butterfly S screen resolution revealed, will adopt many HTC One features

by Harrison Kaminsky on
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The rumored successor to the HTC Butterfly, the HTC Butterfly S, has been spotted in a User Agent Profile XML file. The document revealed its screen resolution, 1080 by 1920 pixels, the same exact resolution as on the HTC Butterfly.

There’s plenty of room for speculation on other specs as further details have not yet been revealed, but it has been rumored that the phone will come with many features found on the HTC One, such as BlinkFeed, an Ultrapixel camera sensor, and Boom Sound audio with stereo speakers.

We don’t have any information on when the phone may be released, but a Q3 launch wouldn’t be a total surprise.

Source: HTC (XML file)

Samsung’s annual Smart App Challenge has arrived, will focus on Chord SDK

by Harrison Kaminsky on
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This year’s Smart App Challenge by Samsung has arrived, and will focus on creative usage with its Chord SDK. The Chord SDK features quick peer-to-peer sharing, and allows for collaboration and sharing info/media between multiple devices on the fly.

There’s $800,000 in prize money at stake for 10 different applications. The possibilities are essentially limitless for this new technology, and perhaps the most impressive demonstration of what the SDK can do is featured in the surround sound speaker mode. Samsung will take entries from June 20th to August 31st and the winner will be announced this December.

This adds a fresh perspective to what Samsung is trying to accomplish and it will be exciting to see the outcome of the competition.

Source: Samsung Developer Site

Verizon updating pre-paid plans, data caps to increase

by Harrison Kaminsky on
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Verizon

Big Red is about to refresh their pre-paid plans a bit— starting today, existing customers will be able to enjoy raised data caps with no price change on their existing plan. The new plan will effect new customers starting June 6th.

The previous plan had two options, one for $60 monthly and 500MB, and another for $70 monthly and 2GB. Both had unlimited talk and text.

The new plan will keep the same pricing and unlimited talk and text, however the $60 option will offer 2GB of data while the $70 option will offer 4GB of data. Just remember, these plans are for 3G service only so don’t expect to get this bargain on a high-end device. Will any of you be taking advantage of the upped data caps? Let us know about your decision in the comments!

Source: Verizon Wireless